Into the Forest Shadows (34 page)

Her mother enveloped her with a tight hug
that threatened to squeeze all the breath out of her. Kate hugged
her right back. Ayden hugged her quick from behind, just enough to
let her know he was there.

"I meant to say I love you before the shuttle
door closed. Promise!" Kate whispered into her mother's ear.

"I know. So did I." Her mother pushed her
away just a little bit, "And from now on no one interferes with
that."

"A certain someone won't be able to do that
anymore," Kate said sadly. She dropped her head to stare at the
dead-spore covered ground. She hadn't liked Uncle Travis, but she'd
known her mother did in at least some fashion. "He didn't make
it."

"He refused the help," Grandma added. "Kate
did try. She was very brave."

Kate couldn't make herself look her mother in
the eye, "I know you loved him."

Her mother grabbed her in a tight hug. "I do
not love him. In fact, when I returned to the city I was going to
fire him."

Kate studied her mother's face, finding it
clear. And then her mother frowned, turning to study Grandma's
face, and then Kate's. An expression of resignation fell over her
features. "You're different. Just like Mom after the shuttle went
down. Oh, Kate."

Kate shook her head, "It's not a bad thing.
Come on, Mom, I've always been different. Don't look so sad about
it. I'm alive!"

Her mother gave a curious hiccup, pulling her
into a tight hug.

A dark shape landed on the lower brach of a
nearby tree. Kate spotted the Watcher folding its skin wings. It
announced towards the Ancient, "Ancient, I assure you I did not
allow the human interlopers into our most sacred city. Please
accept my humble apologies for this breach. The humans are new to
this world. We have awaited your decision of what to do with
them."

"Ease yourself, Watcher," the Ancient said.
"We have known of the humans since the one known as Olivia
Blackstone became associated with us many solar cycles ago."

"I can understand the Ancient and the
creatures around us," her mother said with wonder.

Kate hunched her shoulders, "I think I had
something to do with that when the spores were pulled out.
Sorry."

"There is a traitor to the forest among us,"
the Ancient said. The gathering went quiet. "Not only has the
betrayal involved all of us, but it extended to the guests on our
world, the humans."

A wave of disagreement rippled through the
crowd. Kate found the response hurtful.

"Hush your words," Vistus shouted out to the
crowd. "Just as there are those of us who have turned to the dark
ways, so it is with them. Do not judge all because of a few."

"Indeed, Vistus. The human responsible for
the unspeakable acts has been punished with his life." The Ancient
swiveled from the crowd to face Kate. "Also among us is the human
responsible for bringing us the cure to the spores which infected
both forest and creature. A designated helper to the Watcher who
died in his duty to protect the forest. Kate, what should the
punishment be for those who hunted you?"

The shock of being asked was mixed with
flashes of inspiration of the possible fates for Diasis and those
with him. Oh, there were so many ways they could be punished.

She caught the waiting expression of Vistus
and the Shadow Creatures around him. Vistus, the only one of the
shadows who had been actively helpful. Who's reputations in the
forest were sullied by Diasis's actions.

"I've had the privilege of meeting a Shadow
Creature who not only saved my life, but also that of a Watcher.
Who willingly fought to do what was right." Kate turned towards the
Ancient.

She couldn't believe she was going to do
this. For the second time in the day she would be giving up the
chance for personal revenge. She wasn't sure how she felt about
that.

"The actions of Diasis and those with him
damaged all Shadow Creatures. If the Ancient would agree, I believe
the Shadow Creatures who stayed true should decide the fate." Kate
stepped back before she could change her mind.

Vistus's ears went up. The Ancient swiveled
away to Kate to regard him. "Agreed. Shadow Creatures, what should
be the punishment?"

Vistus looked back at those behind him. With
a flick of his tail he turned back to the Ancient. "The forest of
Shadows and Memories."

The animals behind him erupted in agreement.
Kate grinned. A very fitting punishment, and one worthy of her
imagination. The spider would be eating really well for the next
while.

The Ancient's top leaves shook. "So be it.
Those who have been a traitor to our world will have the mark of
the yellow sun. They are now doomed to wander the forests of
Shadows and Memories for the remainder of their days until their
death."

Yellow dust puffed out from the bulbed trees.
The dust coalesced around Diasis and his Shadow Creatures. A bright
yellow mark appeared on their backs.

The other creatures turned on them, subduing
them. The trees helped encircle them, knocking some down from out
of the branches.

"What do you wish done with the humans," the
Watcher asked.

Kate sent a withering glare at the creature.
She'd just helped save the city and the Ancient's life, and he
talked as if they were about to be forcibly evicted.

Although, that could be closer to the truth
than she wanted to believe.

"The humans cannot continue on Oburos the way
they have in the past," the Ancient said.

Her mother's hand on her shoulder tighten.
Kate took a deep breath and waited for their fate to fall down.

"The humans who remain on this world must
become a part of this world, not remain separate from it," the
Ancient said.

A few of the creatures around them murmured.
Kate waited with bated breath for more. Maybe, just maybe?

The Ancient continued, "We are in the midst
of winter. Many in our forests rest peacefully, but we now have
multiple contacts with those not of our world. We cannot ignore the
potential for disaster and death this may bring, for it has already
brought us death."

"Some caused by the humans!" a creature from
deeper in the forest cried.

"The human responsible has been dealt with.
The crime will no longer be held against the species. Remember it
is because of the humans that all of you are alive and free of the
threat of the spores," the Ancient said out over the voices.

The creatures fell silent.

"We propose a permanent partnership between
Ancient and Humans. For other winters and summers, for the humans
do not sleep. To take the lead in dealings with other species that
may wish us harm. A partnership with a new kind of human, who wish
to live in peace with the forest."

Kate allowed her heart to lighten at change
in direction. Maybe?

Colorful orbs filled the air in front of the
Ancient, turning into worlds of blue and green. "In our travels we
have seeded many worlds in hopes we might create a secondary world
for our kind. Most have failed. But, perhaps, one might be found
compatible with the new humans. With it, the connection between our
species will become permanent."

Kate had a feeling that meant other people
becoming like her and Grandma, but she didn't say so to her mother.
Her mother would most likely find the idea upsetting.

She heard her mother suck in her breath.
Never mind, Mom figured it out.

The globes disappeared. "First must come a
new government over the humans who will remain on the world. A new
Watcher must arise from the humans to work with a Watcher of our
appointment to accomplish this."

It would be Grandma, Kate just knew it. It
made sense. And yet, Grandma looked at her, as if expecting it to
be her. Kate didn't think that would happen. The Ancient thought of
her as a child.

The Ancient looked past Kate. "We choose the
mother of our young Kate. Speak your name."

Kate felt her mother start behind her.

She cleared her voice and said, "My name is
Mary O'Hanson, but I am not a good choice for this."

"We see in you the bravery and skills needed
to accomplish this complicated task. Your species have an
interplanetary government most belong to. You will no longer be
apart of them, and yet you must still bring peace with them. For
the new humans here and the Ancients who still sleep here."

"You're a good organizer, Mom," Kate
said.

"You know law from your time with the
company," Grandma said. "You would do well."

Shock lingered on her face, but there was
also pleasure. She bowed her head. "I worry about my capabilities,
but I will try."

"From this point forward, you will wear the
red mark of those associated with us. It will be a sign of the
respect you are to be afforded. Wear it with honor. Wear it with
humility."

Her mother snatched her hand from Kate's
shoulder. Kate turned to find her mother holding her right hand, on
top of which was imprinted the red mark like that on the back of
the old Watcher.

Kate traced the pattern, finding her mother's
skin as smooth as ever under the red color. She whispered, "I think
you'll be a great Watcher."

"As do I," Grandma said, hugging her.

"Someone must determine a new home world of
the new humans," the Ancient said. "Olivia Blackstone. You have
been known to us for many years. You know both our forests and the
needs of your kind. We ask you to take the task of explorer. To
judge which world will be suitable."

"I would be honored to do so," Grandma said
with a sparkle in her eyes.

Kate blinked. Grandma was going to go away?
But what about her cottage, her lab and orchard? Kate hated the
thought of the cottage empty. Ever since coming to the planet it
had been the cozy refuge out in the forest. Always welcoming,
always there no matter how bad life might get in the city.

"Then join me as I return to my awaken
brethren on our craft. I cannot linger here, on my home world, or
the winter of our homeworld will urge me to sleep, as well. You
will not return to this world until a suitable home is found."

Grandma gave each of them one last hug before
walking to the Ancient's side. Tears ran down Kate's face.

"And you, young Kate." Kate wiped her eyes
quickly, giving her attention to the Ancient. "Your position is
also that of a Watcher, but not assigned to any species or place.
You are to find who is suitable to our world and forest. Who will
become the new humans, who wish to live and work beside us. You
will organize those who will be protectors of our worlds and the
new human. "

A red mark appeared on her hand, as well. She
rubbed it but couldn't detect any difference in the texture of the
skin compared to areas not colored. Her mother grabbed her hand,
running a light finger over the mark.

A ripple of light traveled up and down the
bark of the Ancient. Out it flew, through the trees and touching
each one of them.

With it came detailed instructions in Kate's
head of what she should do. And so much more that it was hard for
her to grasp what it all meant.

But she knew she would understand soon. Some
of it she wasn't ready to know yet, and some would come as she
needed. And more would surely become clear once she'd had a good
rest.

"I understand," Kate heard her mother
whisper. She thought she heard Ayden say something similar.

"Let the forest sleep again. With summer we
will return." The twisted trees moved, the light dancing between
them lighting up the forest again. The Ancient turned away and made
his way towards it.

Grandma walked after him. At the last moment
she turned and mouthed, "I love you."

Then she was through the light and gone. The
trees untwisted, the light between them disappearing.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

With the Ancient gone the forest went silent.
The animals looked at each other. A few started for the break in
the barrier trees.

"Take the traitors to the forest!" The city
Watcher cried.

The larger flying creatures swooped down and
picked up those marked with yellow, sweeping out of the city.

Kate turned to her mother. "We can't stay
here. The City is going back to sleep."

"The fog will descend and we no longer have a
transport," Uncle Henry added. He retracted his staff and hung it
on his belt. "We don't have many options of where to go."

"There are Trailing Willows about, but we'll
need to take the remaining Newcomers with us," Kate said. The tree
next to them shudder before relaxing. She stepped away from it so
it could fall asleep, pulling her mother with her.

"Newcomers? Where?" Ayden demanded.

"In the ship. There were survivors," her
mother said. She frowned, "How did I know that?"

Kate grinned, "You'll find you know lots of
things thanks to Grandma's cure. It has that side-effect."

"Or it could be that last thing the Ancient
did," Henry said. "My head is still buzzing with it."

"Everyone out of the City!" A voice said from
the trees. "Let the city sleep. You, humans, out!"

Kate found the Watcher on a different branch,
poking his beak towards them. She scowled, wanting to say what he
could do with his beak, but managed to say instead, "We're not the
enemy. You can at least pretend to be polite."

The Watcher jabbed his beak towards them as
he spoke, "I have no choice but to accept the Ancient's trust of
you, but I do not have to be polite. All of you, be gone. I will
protect this place and see all out."

"I can't leave yet. I need to find Bunbun,"
Ayden said, searching around the roots of the nearby trees.

"I think I can take care of that." Kate
walked to the same tree the Watcher perched on, laying a hand on
the smooth rust-colored bark.