ARITA
The Wild had called to her for some time with the need to know all those uncatalogued species, the insects, the plants, the fungi. She might not be a green priest, but she was still fascinated with the worldforest from a scientific perspective.
And, based on his mysterious note to her, she knew she had to give Collin a chance to find her in private. What did he need to tell her that he could never communicate through the intermediary of telink? No matter what news he had, Arita was glad that he wanted to share it with her. She hoped Sarein had managed to pass along her response to him.
Arita flew her aircraft alone, without any entourage of ministers and security forces. Part of the draw of the Wild was that she could be by herself in the incredible wilderness, almost as if she were a green priest after all. And maybe with such solitude she would have a chance to listen to that other mysterious, musical voice that was so distant, yet also deep inside her mind.…
Arita was capable of taking care of herself, as she had demonstrated on similar expeditions, but she was never entirely alone in the worldforest. The quiet imposing trees were aware of their surroundings, and green priests were attuned to them. They could all watch over her—as she knew they would.
For the first two days after arriving in the Wild, she camped in the empty jungle, re-centering herself, touching the trees, listening to the loud silence of nature. She knew that Kennebar and the rest of the isolationist green priests recognized her presence, but they left her alone—for now. As she lay awake at camp, she hoped that Collin, at least, would find an excuse to drop out of the trees and visit her. He had to know she was here.
Around her, some of the undergrowth was phosphorescent, adding a cool and eerie glow to the forest darkness. She lay back against a broad tree, just listening.
She was startled to hear a rustle in the fronds overhead, then saw a pale-skinned figure crawl across the branches. The figure was joined by another, both gliding with swift spidery movements. Predators in the worldforest were rare, but after the recent wyvern attacks at Shorehaven Village, she remained tense.
Then she recognized the alien forms. Three more Gardeners scurried across the trees, gathering above her camp, and peering down at her. Arita stood up and waved at them.
More large-eyed Onthos faces appeared, as if they were intrigued to find her here. “We know you,” said one of them.
“How do you know me?” They certainly couldn’t find her through telink, or touch her mind.
At least twenty Gardeners crowded among the fronds overhead, gazing at her as if she were some kind of odd specimen. Now that the Onthos refugees had settled in the Wild, were they territorial? Did they resent her as an intruder? But if the Gardeners’ attitude had changed, why hadn’t Kennebar’s green priests reported it? Was that what Collin had warned her about in his note?
“We know you,” they said again. The crowd of Onthos fell silent for a tense, eerie moment. Then with a rustle of fronds, they scattered and disappeared into the night.…
* * *
Even though she couldn’t decide whether or not the strange encounter had been threatening, Arita remained unsettled by it. She set off the next day to find her aunt, who lived in self-imposed exile. Maybe Sarein knew more about what was happening in the wilderness, an isolated objective observer.
When Arita reached the large nest dwelling in the trees, hauling specimen packs and collection supplies, Sarein gave her a look that held more resignation than welcome. “I don’t recall leaving you an open invitation to come back any time you like.”
Arita saw right through her coolness. “You also didn’t tell me to stay away. Did you send my letter to Collin?”
“Am I your delivery service?”
“He’s my friend, and you were in a position to help. It’s what people do for each other.”
“Then I suppose I did.” A hard smile appeared on Sarein’s lips. “After all, it’s what people do for each other.”
As Arita moved her belongings inside, Sarein gestured to the same section of the paper-walled structure where Arita had slept before. “How long do you intend to stay?”
“I’m not sure. I have work to do.” Knowing her aunt’s gruff exterior by now, Arita wasn’t put off. In fact, she saw a twinkle of relief in Sarein’s dark eyes. “Don’t worry, I’ll be good company.”
Sarein busied herself making an unnecessarily complex meal for her guest. “The Wild used to be a private place, then all those green priests came, and you keep visiting. Then there’s the Gardeners … they seem to be everywhere.”
“There are only a hundred of them on the whole continent. You were there when they landed in the first place,” Arita said.
Sarein kept her back turned, but Arita saw her shoulders tense. “I don’t know about that. There seem to be more of them now.”
* * *
As the natural night fell and the stars appeared through gaps in the high canopy, they sat in companionable silence on the nest’s open balcony. Arita had many questions about her aunt’s life and past experiences, but she knew Sarein respected her more for not asking them.
Around them, Arita saw sparks of light, like random meteors darting through the thick branches. “I’ve always loved to watch the fireflies,” Arita said with a sigh. During certain seasons, it was a ritual. She and Reyn would go out to see the light show, counting insects like stars in the forest.
“This might not be what you expect,” Sarein said. “Keep watching.”
More streams of fireflies emerged from nests in the trees. Arita watched them with a smile. Even more insects swirled out until the air was filled with sparks, a shower that kept building. And still more.
Arita gasped. “I’ve never seen so many.”
“Oh, they’re just getting started.”
Indeed, the fireflies soared out of their hidden nests, more and more—thousands and then tens of thousands. The luminous insects flitted around like raindrops in a downpour until the night was filled with sparkles. Arita had never seen anything like this firefly storm. “What causes it?”
“You’re the one who likes to study nature.” Sarein just stared, looking uneasy. “It started when the Gardeners moved out here. Things are changing in the worldforest.” She frowned more deeply. “Theroc is disturbed.”