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risk than their
lives. Let all now stand who approve their entry into your group.
    We stood.
    Erik smiled once more. There then, are our
three. We wish you swift success in your quest.
    There was a long pause, and I thought that was it,
that there would be no one else in our party. But then someone stood. He was
tall, broad shouldered, bigger than anyone else in the room. There was
something strange about him. Not just his height, but his features — they
seemed rougher, somehow. I opened my third eye. I could barely look at the man
now — his aura was so bright, and pure yellow, like a flame, like a sun. There
was some pride there, but mostly strength, and intelligence, and good will.
    Elias met my gaze as I turned away. He is part
giant, I think. I have never seen a real giant, but I think they must look like
him, only around twice as big. Look at his aura!
    Woltan looked at me too. We need him. He is incredibly strong.
    I thought nothing back. I just looked at the man’s
face. And found the man smiling back at me, and I couldn’t help it — I smiled
too.
    My name is Hans Arboris ,
and I do not belong here among you folk. When I was but a baby, you adopted me.
No one approved of my parent’s union when they were alive; not the tree folk,
nor the tree giants; but you took me in after they were killed, and this has
been a good home to me. I have felt love here, and my heart which should have
been a cauldron of hate and malice towards the dark lord has grown up to be
good and pure. I thank you all for this. I seek vengeance, but it is not only
personal — my strength is needed. I would help this group meet their friends,
and help them defend themselves against the dark lord.
    Erik nodded. I feared Hans would want to go. He
is strong and good of heart. If he goes his absence will be missed. Please
stand to approve his parting.
    The tree people stood as one around their adopted
son, who towered above them, even stooped as he was to not hit the ceiling.
    Let the visitors stand if they will have him in
their party.
    We stood again. Our party had almost doubled in
number. But perhaps we had more than doubled in strength. Having four more
people who could fight and were nearly invisible filled me with a sense of
hope, something I had lost out on the trail under the storm clouds the dark
lord had sent to harass us.
    Anyone have anymore surprises?
    There was a short pause.
    Then we will quickly provision these men and
women with food and weapons, and give them of our clothes. And then we will say
farewell.
    I stood up. There is something I must do.
    Everyone turned to stare at me.
    Elias was looking at me quizzically. Anders,
what are you playing at?

VI

 
    The voice in my head grew clearer,
deep and guttural, and damp like the earth, but also fertile and strong and
somehow feminine. Anders Tomason , come to my gate.
I must give you what is only mine to give.
    I nodded, but the others only looked more
confused. Take me to the gate of the tree mother. She calls me.
    Later I would realize that the tree folk were
shocked. Later I would know that only one person a year was granted such
privileges, and that the tree folk had no idea how to respond to such a
request. But now it was Ulrike who stood up and smiled at me.
    I will take him, father. Listen, all, for the
Tree Mother calls him now as we sit here staring, and grows impatient with us.
    The tree rumbled briefly. Erik nodded. Take
him, then, daughter. And we will meet again at the base of the tree when he
comes out again. If she lets him out.
    I looked at Ulrike as she led me out.
    She smiled back at me. He’s only joking. I
think.
    People parted as we passed, and I heard low
murmurs of thought, leakage from the people around me. He’s so young. He’s
not one of us. I hope he will be all right. Mother can be harsh with her
enemies but she is just.
    Soon it was just the two of us. The murmur of
unshielded thought faded to nothing as the thoughts of the mother tree