Chapter 34: The Elder Grove

Selia's jaw dropped. Now that she was right up next to the tree, she could see a thin outline of a mouth engraved on its bark, and two eyes that reflected the wild. She glanced down at the base of its trunk and saw two massive, root-like feet half-buried in the soil.

Tenno stared in awe. "So you... you know the ‘Golden One'?"

The tree laughed. It was an odd sound, like leaves crushed by a wet dog. "Yes. Some time ago, my people went into hiding. But quite recently, a young wizard named Sparks paid us a visit. He was the first human in many long years that came to us bearing no fire that burns, no axes that strike our brothers down. So we elected to listen to him."

"And he convinced you to help Geyron," Selia said. The knowledge of what she was talking to swirled in her head.

"In time," the tree responded. "He told us that he would send a message when the time was right to enter the fray. I believe that message has come."