#Sirichai Baegu

[phytochorion]

Admiral Baegu

Name: Sirichai Baegu

Pronouns: He/Him

Order Represented: Gnetales

Age: Roadian, Middle Permian

Height: 5.2 centimetres

Eye colour: Gold

Magical Proclivity: Neutral

Spells: None

A fearless merchant admiral who commands his fine ship, the Emping, on long, intercontinental voyages. He typically wears sompot chong kben and a light shirt, has close-cropped tresses, and has wings composed of three large, ovate leaves each. His crown is magnificent - a single Gnetum strobilus encircling his brow and scalp at the base, rising straight up in concessively smaller nodes. His skin is crossed by numerous scars from a rough life on deck, and he bears a burned hand.

Unlike the majority of fairies, he doesn't fear open water, so the merchant fleet he commands provides an invaluable service, ferrying goods too heavy to be flown easily from island to island across oceans. He's brave and daring, but tempered with caution, as he knows that at sea, mistakes can be costly.

[phytochorion]

How the Forest Finds the Island

Chapter Ten - Community Effort

Sen awoke in the morning quite unsure where he was. Someone's arm was on him and unfamiliar smells pervaded the warm space. His mind adjusted and started to make sense of the situation. He could make out little Belek nearby, while Aliwen had the whole Quacey clan wrapped in her wings. Reassured, he sat up and headed outside.

Si-woo waved to him. Jake and Askarya were breakfasting on the remaining rations, regarded by Sirichai. Sen sat alongside them.

"You're up early."

Si-woo shrugged. "Restless when I'm in a new place. Besides, Admiral's got a job for us."

"Request," corrected Sirichai. "I'm afraid I can't pay you, not in cash. But there'll be something in it for you all the same."

"Oh, don't worry about that, we're happy to- ei?"

He was cut off by a determined nudge from Si-woo.

"Hey, if the Admiral wants to give us something for our troubles, who are we to say no?", he urged Sen in an undertone.

Sen laughed. "Very well, Admiral, I look forward to what you have in store for us."

Sen scratched one shoulder. With the fine spring weather, his wingbuds had been growing steadily since he emerged from hibernation. As Si-woo swivelled to say something to Askarya, Sen saw his wings had already unfurled.

Sirichai, clearly thinking along similar lines, commented, "your wings are looking fit to burst, Maidenhair. Think you'll be in shape to fly to the boat with us?"

"Hmm, yes, I reckon. Let me warm myself up."

"Take your time, I'll go rouse those layabouts."

Sen hopped off his perch and back up the scree slope they'd descended yesterday. He had a good view of the whole gully. A bit away from the burned out campfire, Kai and Elei were sparring. He had no idea who was the better of the two, as both were ending up on the ground a lot.

As the sun climbed higher, his wingbuds began to itch, straining against the thin parenchyma containing them. He fell still, enduring the familiar sensation, until the pressure gave way and his wings opened up and spread out.

⸙ ⸙ ⸙

Once the others emerged, Sirichai made a quick circuit of the group to gauge who else was willing to help. All of his crew put themselves forward, while Jake, Joe, Aliwen and Gawain also volunteered. With a rustling of leafy wings they rose, Askarya waving them off.

Sen found the process of flying on tender wings easier than last time, the relearning experience serving him well. As they progressed seaward, he investigated what Aliwen had been up to since he saw her last.

"Po, same old, same old."

She managed to shrug mid-wingbeat.

"But you've got a boyfriend now and everything!", argued Sen.

"Huh, has it really been that long since I've seen you? Well, Gawain is such a sweet boy, really makes me feel special, cachai?"

"Um, sure," Sen replied, watching Gawain soaring a few wingspans away. He was a rather unremarkable looking boy, but Sen supposed he should get to know him a little before judging if he was a good match for Aliwen.

"There she is!", announced Sirichai, as his ship came into view, moored at the high tide line.

"Ohhh, crap," groaned Kai. "We've got company!"

Everyone swung their heads in different directions, trying to locate what he'd seen, but it quickly became clear that his attention wasn't on the air, but the ground.

"Well, it was going to happen eventually," sighed Sirichai.

The source of their discontent quickly became clear. Crawling all over the hulls and mast of the ship were assorted herbivorous insects. Most appeared to be miomopterans and paleodictyopterans, with a few glosselytrodeans thrown in.

"Alright folks, battle stations," ordered the admiral.

"Sir, yes, sir!", responded Elei, Kai, Belek, Ponnarasu, Aliwen and Gawain. Sen, Si-woo, Jake and Joe looked at each other.

Kai folded his wings and fell. Plunging feet-first into the black sand, he stood firm, coralloid roots sprouting from his legs and writhing down, down into the sediment. Elei was right behind, skimming just over him with pollen streaming from her crown. It drifted in a shimmering cloud down onto the bugs, though without immediate effect as far as Sen could see.

Aliwen crunched down beside Kai and started shaking spores from her own crown, creating an effervescent fog around them. Jake looked to Sirichai.

"What's the plan, Admiral?"

"I have three priorities," replied Sirichai. "Number one, preserve the wellbeing of my crew. For the time being, that includes all of you."

Sen felt his heart dance a jig at those words, and he could tell Si-woo felt the same.

"Number two," listed the admiral. "Protect my ship and cargo. And three, drive off those damnable arthropods. If possible, get the bugs away from my ship before going on the offensive to avoid collateral damage, but above all, keep yourselves safe. You got that?"

"Aye aye, Admiral," saluted Jake. "Gee up!"

The four of them flew in close formation to the shore. Jake and Joe peeled off to land on the beach, Sen and Si-woo continued out over the waves. Sen hovered, looked to the sky and concentrated. Si-woo alighted on the sea's surface and raised his arms, trying to entrain the salt water to his beck and call.

"Si-woo!"

"Yeah?!"

"My magic's not working! There's no ginkgos anywhere near here!"

"I'm in the same boat! Uh, metaphorically."

Jake and Joe were getting on slightly better. Their fast-growing, wind dispersed ferns had spread unassisted as far as the nearby dunes, giving them a resource to draw on. Jake thrust an outstretched palm toward the waves, whipping up scouring sand grains. Joe heated the air around his body and combined it with the effects of his friend's magic to create a hot sandblast that tore into the swarm of bugs. In a sudden panic, the insects scattered from the vessel and flew in all directions. A few unfortunates swerved right into the stream of sand and dropped into the waves with tattered wings.

"Hey, watch my boat!", called the admiral. "You'll strip the varnish off like that!"

"Begging your pardon, sir!", Jake shouted back, redirecting the miniature sandstorm further out to sea. Sen and Si-woo rose to avoid it, noticing that although scattered, the bugs hadn't fled far, and some were moving back in to grab another bite.

"Try and keep them from landing!", Sirichai commanded. He swooped into formation alongside both of them, and together they made a series of passes, using midair jabs and kicks to give the insects pause for thought. Sirichai directed them in tightening circles, corralling their foes into a clustered mass.

"Miss Oleanane, you're up!", Ordered Sirichai.

"On it!", responded Elei. Landing in front of Kai and Aliwen, she whipped her arms forward in circles, the tough lignin in her skin fracturing and beginning to protrude in shards. With a rippling crack, the elastic material snapped, catapulting itself forward with a final swing of her arms. A hail of jagged sclerenchyma tore through the swarm, ripping apart bodies, limbs and wings. Elei let her arms go limp.

Sirichai waved to Belek, Gawain and Ponnarasu, who were still airborne. Nodding, they saw off the survivors, pursuing them until they had fled an acceptable distance. The others regrouped on the beach.

“Okay! I’m ready!”, proclaimed Kai, causing the rest of them to jump. He heaved one leg out of the sand, festoned with spongy, coral-like roots. The other followed, and he took up a fighting stance, legs apart and arms outstretched. “Lemme at ‘em!”

A stray miomopteran flew their way. Kai spun into the air, plunging down again fist-first and pulverising the insect in one blow. “Yeah, that’s what you get!” He wiped haemolymph off his wing. “What’s next?”

“We… I think we’re finished,” shrugged Sirichai.

“What, seriously?” Kai rotated his neck with a loud crack. “Man, I was just getting started.”

Sen peered curiously between him, an exasperated-looking Elei, and Aliwen, who was sharing one of Si-woo’s spore cakes. Taking Sirichai aside, he inquired, “Admiral, how are your crew such effective magic users? Si-woo and I were having trouble mustering any strength out here, there are none of our plants nearby.”

“That’s always the problem when you’re out at sea. Probably one of the reasons not many fairies go there,” agreed Sirichai. “When you don’t have a mature forest to draw on, you’re forced to improvise. Kai and Elei have worked out a way to draw magic from their own bodies.”

“Their bodies?”, repeated Sen in a horrified whisper. “But that’s their life force! That could kill them!”

Sirichai looked down solemnly. “A risk they’re willing to take. I don’t ask any of my crew to put themselves in any more danger than I’d put myself. But being away from their forests really started to get to them, and they spent decades casting around for some way to still work magic while sailing. This is the solution they hit upon. And I assure you they’re careful with it, they spent a long time learning their limits, and they make sure to recuperate afterwards.”

Sen raised an eyebrow. “I mean no disrespect, but I really hope Belek hasn’t been doing that.”

The admiral smiled. “No worries there, Maidenhair, I believe they take after your cautious nature. The rest of the deckhands have found a slightly safer source of magic. Let me show you.”

Sirichai turned to his crew. “Ready to unload?”

“Aye aye!”

“Well hop to it then!”

Ponnarasu floated down on a sea breeze and landed aboard the boat. He undid a few ropes and let down the gangplank, the others scurrying up on deck. Sen and Si-woo trailed after them, marvelling at the craft’s construction. She was composed of many hollow Gnetum seed cases, floating vertically and lashed together by supple, living vines. She had a decking of bark, varnish of waterproof resin, and a twig mast with huge, waxy leaves billowing out as sails. A simple craft, really just a raft with extra rigging, but still the most beautiful and seaworthy vessel either of the two friends had ever laid eyes on.

“Welcome,” announced Admiral Baegu, “to the good ship Emping!” The crew cheered, and after a moment, Sen and Si-woo joined in. “Now, to business,” commanded the admiral. “Aliwen, Elei, get those lids off.”

The women knelt and slid sections of the deck aside, hauling up the seed cases beneath. They were dark from long exposure to water, with handles clamped onto them for ease of access, and, as Sen watched in rapt fascination, he noticed the tops had been expertly sliced to form lids. It was these that Aliwen began prizing open, layers of caked, sticky gum popping free with a dry gasp of air.

“Take a look,” she smiled, beckoning them closer. Curious, Sen and Si-woo stepped forth. When they saw what was inside, Sen couldn’t contain a gasp of delight.

“Ginkgos!”, he squealed, hands flying to his cheeks. “Oh Aliwen, oh Sirichai, I don’t- how can I- how did you know?!”

Sirichai laughed. “You’re always one to take the initiative, Maidenhair. As soon as I heard about this place, I had a feeling you’d be among the first here. And establishing yourself on virgin ground is hard, I know, so I thought the little gesture might be appreciated.”

“This is much more than a gesture, there’s- how many are in here? Eight? Ten?”

“All from unrelated plants,” chuckled Sirichai.

“You really don’t know how much this means… how can I thank you enough? With this, I’ll have forested half the island in no time!” He embraced Sirichai warmly, who grinned and lifted him off the ground.

“And don’t you worry, Callixylon, I have a little something for you too!”, the admiral continued.

Si-woo’s ears instantly perked up. “You don’t mean…?”

“Yep!”

Elei heaved open the next lid, and with a gentle rustling, somewhere between sand and leaf litter, the spores inside flowed over each other.

Si-woo whooped and lifted into the air. "Oh my gosh, you remembered me! Nice, this should save me a few return trips."

Enthralled, he scooped a handful of spores, watching as they slipped through his fingers and back into the pile.

"My crew all brought some seeds for their own gardens, plus a few more gifts, should we run into old friends." Sirichai looked to Sen. "This is how your cousin can maintain their skills so far from land. Even an unsprouted seed contains the potential of a vigorous plant, the desire to grow. It’s not quite like drawing magic from a fully grown tree, but Belek has found a way to make it work."

⸙ ⸙ ⸙

Over the course of the day, the seed cases that formed the body of the admiral's ship were carefully loosened and extracted. As they came free, the vines, twigs and leaves of the ship folded in on themselves with a little guidance from Sirichai. Wrapping around the few empty cases left, they came to resemble a little shoot growing from a pile of fallen fruit. The admiral was happy to let each fairy fly off with their own crate of seeds or spores, so long as they return them once empty. That way, he explained, they could be stored in one place and lashed back together whenever the sea next called.

Sen's parcel was heavier than the two ginkgo fruits he'd brought from Epiphyllia, and more awkwardly shaped. This time, with the luxury of flying overland, he decided to transport it back to his garden in short hops, first from the beach to the fort, and from there, back home.

Si-woo accompanied him, and after landing, they popped in to the woven fortress to fill the others in on what had transpired. Jess and Glen listened excitedly to how they'd driven off the insectile menace, while Nathair seemed less impressed but hearkened politely all the same.

Some of Sirichai's crew and passengers, along with the pioneers, had already begun sowing seeds and spores around the structure. Once the bare ground was covered by a carpet of green, it would provide shelter from the elements as well as other potential threats.

The two friends spoke with some of the crew, finding out their long-term plans for the site. Afterwards, they hastened to show their surprise gifts to Askarya. They found the third member of their group sitting outside, stock-still, reasonable behaviour for a fairy. Seeing them approach, the lichen-encrusted figure roused themself.

"Hi Sen. Si-woo. How was the boat?"

"Oh, fabulous!", gushed Sen. "Look what we got!"

He creaked open the lid of the cask, proudly displaying the seeds, while Si-woo did likewise.

"Oh, oh wow. Pretty cool," admitted Askarya. "That admiral must really like you."

"You think?", claimed Si-woo, running a hand through his tresses.

"I was talking to Sen," they jibed back. Si-woo clutched his chest and mimed falling over.

They chatted for a bit longer, then Sen and Si-woo started the next leg of their journey. As they lifted on a thermal, Sen looked over his shoulder.

"It's nice that Askarya was happy for us. But…"

"But?", prompted Si-woo.

"Well, now I feel bad we had nothing to give them. It's not Baegu's fault, they're not acquainted, but I feel we should have made an effort. I was so caught up in my excitement it didn't occur to me."

"Hey, don't beat yourself up about it," Si-woo advised. "You deserve to enjoy life's pleasant twists. And Askarya isn't one to take things the wrong way. Well, they kinda are, but next time you see them, just offer to help them with their lichen planting, yeah? No harm done."

"You're right. Maybe I'll fly them out to somewhere we haven't explored, and have it all to ourselves."

"That's the spirit."

[phytochorion]

How the Forest Finds the Island

Chapter Eleven - Legend Has It

Sen and Si-woo touched down in the ginkgo grove.

"Need help planting them?", offered Si-woo.

"Ah, it's alright. I think I can manage," Sen reassured him, fluttering his hands in acknowledgement. "I need to work out a good spot to sow them. I'd rather not grow them too close to these ones. They won't compete that way, and it'll lessen the chance of disease."

"Wise choice," clucked Si-woo. "Well, best of luck. I'm off to spread these spores!"

He launched skyward, the little waving figure of Sen dwindling behind him.

⸙ ⸙ ⸙

Sen plonked down meditatively on the flat stone and drew up some plans within his head. To the west of him was the sea. To the east, approximately, was the fort. North, an open plain of low-lying plants stretched towards the mountains, encompassing some of the areas he and Si-woo had flown to. And south? He hadn't travelled much that way, except a few brief flyovers. Perhaps he could find a good planting spot there.

He had also to consider the request Jake had made of him, to plant some ginkgos around the fort. While Sen hadn't committed to anything, he felt that after being so lucky to receive a personalised gift from the admiral, he should share some of his good fortune. Besides, the Pioneers had welcomed him and his friends so warmly, he didn't wish to let them down.

Hopping to his feet and lifting the cask of treasured seeds, he spread his wings and took off. Soon his garden slipped out of view. Although it had seemed like a lengthy trek when he and his friends had walked to the fort, it was only a few minutes by air.

Landing on the scree slope near the woven construction, he couldn't see any activity. Approaching on foot, he spied the lone figure of Kai Namele, reclining in the sun.

"Afternoon, Kai," he called.

"Admiral! I wasn't- oh, Hi Sen. What's up?"

"I was coming to plant some ginkgos. Jake wanted more trees in this place."

"Oh yeah, oh yeah he mentioned!" Kai stood, whirling his considerable wingspan to balance. "Want any help with that?"

"Oh, would you? If you aren't busy, I'd be much obliged."

"Nah, I'm in no hurry. This is the first time I've been back on terra firma in who knows how long. I don't think Baegu plans to go to sea again for some time, so why not take it easy?"

They walked together in a wide circle, scoping out a suitable site. Sen noticed disturbed soil, evidence of recent plantings. It seems the Pioneers had roped a few others into their grand designs as well. They'd soon have the most diverse garden on the island.

Finding a good spot, they started to dig. Kai was remarkably strong, and even without magic, his coarse hands and toned arms moved hard-packed dirt like it was soft silt. As they worked, Kai talked. Sen, out of breath before he had dug even half as much, merely listened.

"Belek's a fantastic worker. Wouldn't think it to look at 'em, but they're strong, and probably the most sensible person on board, after the admiral, and maybe Cullodena. You must be proud to have such a cousin."

Sen nodded and brushed a strand of the supple lignin that composed his tresses behind one ear.

"I haven't seen Ellis for yonks. Remember Ellis? Sure ya do, it's only been a couple million years!"

"Anyhow, Jake got some of the crew to contribute to the grounds of the fort like you're doing. Then they dispersed to find nice spots for their own gardens. They should be back tonight, tomorrow at the latest. Baegu went back to the ship to make sure the bugs don't return."

"By himself?"

"Think he took Ponnarasu."

That reassured Sen. He knew Sirichai was sensible and well able to defend himself, but even so…

"I don't know how you do it," he admitted to Kai. "Flying overseas is one thing, but crossing them in a little wooden craft, even one as fine as the admiral's- well, it's my idea of a nightmare."

Kai smirked. "There's few fairies who'd disagree. We're creatures of the soil and sky, but the sea is an alien element. That said, there are some who dwell in the depths. And there's worse things out there than salt water."

"Like fire."

"True. Though my cycads are so gnarly they can sit out the fiercest inferno. They even evolved to spread their seeds in the blaze, bless their little hearts."

Sen was chuffed by the genuine emotion in his friend's voice.

"It's grazers and parasites that are really the thorn in your side, pun intended," continued Kai. "You ever met Veronica?"

"I'm going with no," said Sen, climbing up from the hole they'd dug and wiping his hands together.

"Nasty piece of work. Looks pretty innocent, but she's so damn- what's the word for that- unscrupulous. I feel like any time something goes wrong for me, she's the root cause."

"I know the feeling," Sen clucked sympathetically, thinking back to his own recent run-ins with parasites.

"Ok, we ready to cover these over?" Asked Kai, looking down at the seeds nestled in the dark ground.

"I'll impart a little magic," replied Sen, kneeling and focusing.

"Hm. Not much I can do, I'm afraid. My magic deals pain, not prosperity… oh! There is one thing!"

Kai adopted a wide stance. Closing his eyes and extending his hands, he projected magic into the soil below. Touching his head to the ground, Sen watched out of the corner of his eye as spongy, branching roots uncoiled from Kai's feet and disappeared underground.

Once Sen had gifted the plot with fertility and resilience, he sat up, intrigued by the shimmering motion of Kai's roots. The effect spread through his body, out to his hands, and, like dew on new leaves, pulsed out of his skin in lustrous droplets. Coalescing, they became a mirror-like orb which levitated between the fairies.

"Kai. What in the great green world is that?"

"Mercury. And I advise you take a few steps back, it's very toxic."

Sen hastily did as he was told. "Then what are you doing with it??"

"I'm doing you a favour, is what I'm doing. You'd rather I leave it in there with your plants? This whole island chain is volcanic, heavy metals accumulate in the soils. And believe me, you don't want them near your seeds."

"So what do we do with it?"

"I hadn't quite planned that far yet."

Sen massaged his temples. "So we have an ethereal, toxic sphere and nowhere to go?"

"Oh, hold up, I know! Sen, you can cover your seeds over, I'll get rid of this. I'll be gone awhile, you don't need to wait for me. See you when I see you!"

With that, Kai dashed off to the fort. Sen watched him go, shrugged, and carefully piled earth over the ginkgo seeds.

⸙ ⸙ ⸙

Continuing his quest, Sen lifted off from a gneissic ridge and glided south, to parts unknown. He scanned the terrain, looking for other spots with the sandy soil and plentiful water he desired. The land was, at first, similar to the fern prairie of the foothills, but the further he flew, the rockier and more barren it became. The topsoil would be too thin for trees, he suspected.

Up ahead, the ground dipped into a small gorge. Water trickled down the sides, while eroded regolith had accumulated on the valley floor. It looked promising, and he doubted he'd find much better out here. Just to be sure, he flew some distance more, but after seeing nothing but sharp crags, scrambling rhyniopsids and shallow, weedy pools, he swung around and returned to the gorge.

Fluttering gently down, his bifurcated wings acting as parachutes, his bare feet softly made contact with the cool, wet stones. Algae flourished here. It formed a pleasingly slimy layer beneath his feet, it hung in dripping pleats from the overhanging walls, it coloured the water in microscopic abundance.

Sen took a few steps onto the grainy grit, its crunch echoing dimly. He was, almost without realising it, holding his breath. The air was so still it felt a shame to disturb it.

Gently, he stole along the shaded ravine, mossy walls towering high above. Rounding a corner, the terrain opened up a little. There were a series of gravel pools where the dripping water had collected. Sunlight filled the sky.

A truly special place. And quite amenable for young ginkgos, Sen hoped. The banks of sandy till around the pools looked stable, and light should be sufficient, especially once the trees were a good height.

He paced up and down, finally settling on a patch of soft sediment by a small pool. He put the seed pod down, knelt and began to dig into the earth with his hands.

"Hiya," a voice behind him said.

Sen practically leapt out of his skin.

"Aiyaaaaa??! Who's what who where who's that?", he babbled, his wings buzzing so fast he nearly careened into the cliffside. Wresting back control of his body from his instincts, he cautiously descended to ground level.

A fairy with curling dreadlocks and a brightly patterned gilet had materialised as if from nowhere.

"Hey mon, nothing to be scared of," he said, raising his hands placatingly. "It's just me, ol' Wilbur."

"I…" Sen breathed through his nose. "Forgive me. I didn't know there was someone living here already. I can find another place to-"

"Oh, no worries," insisted Wilbur. "We haven't had anyone pass this way in I don't know how long." Looking back over his shoulder he shouted "Con! C'mere, some new guy just dropped in!"

Turning back to Sen, he shook his head. "Mind me asking your name?"

"Not at all. Gongsun Sen, at your service," he answered, bowing. Straightening up, he caught sight of another fairy emerging from a cleft in the rock. Striding over, he proffered a hand. "Con Ringarooma, at yours."

Sen shook hands, amazed by the strength of his grip, but moreso by his crown. It was the single most impressive adornment he had ever laid eyes on. Tall, pointing skyward and capped with perfectly spherical, smooth, almost luminescent capsules, while other fairies' crowns were functional, Con's was a work of art.

"Can I offer you some moss punch?", suggested Wilbur.

Sen blinked. "Pardon?"

"Moss punch! Come on, you'll love it."

"I suppose it's good to try new things," acquiesced Sen.

Wilbur clapped his hands and hustled back inside the narrow fissure, re-emerging with a basket of ingredients. As he mixed them, Con asked Sen where he'd come from. Sen told him of the grove, the fort, the admiral. Con listened impassively but attentively.

"And what of you, Mister Ringarooma? What plants do you nurture?"

"All of these." Con swung his arm slowly, encompassing the gorge. As Sen got his eye in, he began to notice just how richly festooned with moss it was.

"It's beautiful," he observed, and Con cracked a smile.

"Hey, don't give him all the credit!", interjected Wilbur. "What about these, huh?" He spread his arms to display a clump of luxurious ferns, sori sprinkling rich, reddish-brown spores on the moist ground.

"Very pretty," agreed Sen. "Though I think you should meet my friend Aliwen, I've never met a fairy who can grow ferns like her."

"Hmmph. You'll have to introduce me," answered Wilbur, hands on hips.

"Anyway, soup's up, enjoy." He handed Sen and Con each a spore cup full of sweet, gloopy liquid. Sen wasn't quite sure what to make of it, but had to admit it wasn't bad. Between slurps, he decided to press on with the reason he'd come here.

"So, Wilbur. Your hospitality is admirable, but I don't wish to impose. I'm planning on growing quite a few trees, and in this space I fear they'll shade out everything else."

Wilbur lay back, a tussock of moss for his pillow. "Not a problem. We're shade tolerant, eh?"

He elbowed Con.

"If we were any more shadow seeking, we'd be fungi," quipped the tall moss fairy.

"That settles it, then. Plant all the trees you please!"

"Thank you." Sen stood and bowed. "Your offer is very generous, and I shall make the most of it. I'll make a start now, before sundown."

"Need help?", asked Wilbur.

"Oh, you've done plenty, I can handle this," chirped Sen, face already smeared with mud.

"In that case, I'm gonna check out the fort you mentioned. Take care."

He sprinted down the gorge, leaping over one of the pools and gradually gaining altitude. Then he was gone. Con sat still for a while, then packed up the utensils.

Sen worked through the evening on his hands and knees, scooping a hollow for each lovingly placed seed. He used a small breath of magic to infuse the soil with life generating influence, but not as much as for the original grove. He'd trust Wilbur and Con to let him know if problems arose.

Looking up, Sen saw the myriad stars twinkling. He wiped transpiration from his brow, flexed his stiffening joints and headed to the cliff face.

"Con? I'm going now. Thank you again for letting me sow these."

Con's elegant crown protruded through the gap, followed by the rest of him.

"Think nothing of it, Gongsun Sen. You have been a most polite visitor."

"And you a most gracious host," chirped Sen. "I hope to return soon."

Stepping back with a small wave, he turned and in a single fluid motion lifted into the air. The journey back seemed quicker. He was less encumbered, the empty seed pod sitting easily in his grasp. And the sweet feeling of a homeward flight swelled in his chest.

Navigating by the stars and a few landmarks he recognized on the ground, he zeroed in on his grove and dropped lightly into the branches. Snuggling up in his welcoming nest, he embraced the comforting tide of sleep.