twenty

The area around Grandmother’s house was deserted, so Keelie ran upstairs.

“Where have you been?” Alora shook her leaves.

“Coming here.” Keelie tugged Alora’s flowerpot away from Grandmother’s now-empty bed. Outside, Sir Davey waited with the cart from the shed. Knot stayed close to Keelie. His eyes were narrow slits as he surveyed the area around him.

“I swear, if this tree were human, she’d look like Laurie,” Sir Davey said as he rolled Alora toward the village green.

Alora didn’t let up once she started her list of complaints.

I could’ve died of thirst.

Do you know what neglect is?

Just wait till the aunties find out what you’ve been up to. You’re in trouble.

In the distance, Keelie heard voices, and they were growing louder. They were on the backside of the village now, hidden from view, but still they were taking a chance being so close. Everyone’s attention was on the Council, including the guards. A trial was a rare thing for the elves.

Come to us, child, the aunties called.

Sean was on guard near the aunties. As they made their way, hiding behind sheds and large trees, Keelie wondered if Sean had managed to catch Tamriel. She didn’t dare make her presence known.

“I guess this is where we part ways, lass. For I need to go and speak with your father.” Sir Davey had reached the edge of the green, where the elven crowd had their backs to them.

Nodding, Keelie dragged the treeling off the cart and into the safety of the Auntie’s tree root.

You’re leaking salty water again. Alora reached up and patted Keelie’s cheek with her branch as Knot slipped away.

A ragged jouster emerged behind Sir Davey, his sword drawn, ready to plunge it into the dwarf’s back. Keelie recognized him—it was Tamriel. She struggled to get out of the Auntie’s root and shout a warning.

“Wait, Keelie,” Alora called out.

As Davey ducked, Tamriel whirled and struck out at nothing. He recovered and slashed again. Knot bounced back into view and leaped behind the jouster, who turned, still hacking at an invisible opponent.

Knot turned to grin at Keelie, then leaped onto one of the auntie’s roots. Tamriel followed, in furious pursuit. Tamriel was soon backed up against the aunties, and before he knew what was happening, a root lifted and he vanished from sight.

Knot saluted her with his tail, and Keelie bowed her head to him. She was going to have to rethink pushing his plush booty across the floor with her foot. He had hidden talents.

Everyone in the village had gathered around the Caudex. The elegant chairs, which looked like her father’s work, were arrayed on the fossilized wood platform. There sat Grandmother, the Lady of the Forest, with several other elder elves, including Etilafael, the Head of the Council. They were an impressive sight.

Niriel stepped onto the Caudex like a plucky rooster. He waved his hand as if he were a politician at a rally.

“Greetings, lords and ladies. We gather here under grim and solemn circumstances, the likes of which we thought we would never face again. We have been betrayed, and all that we are is now in danger. Before you will come those who wish to see us extinguished from the earth, and it would be meet to punish them as they would have us punished. Oh, elevated ones, members of the High Council, you see before you the criminal returned.”

Jake was pushed into the clearing. He stumbled, then turned to the Council and bowed elegantly. He seemed not to react to the stony silence that met his flourish, but Keelie noticed his tiny wince, and the worry that clouded his eyes.

Lord Niriel continued. “You have consorted with the unnatural child of one of our own, one who was once your brother. When we capture Keliel Heartwood, she will share your fate.” He said her name as if it was a curse.

“If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” Her voice rang through the clearing. All faces turned, mouths open, as head held high, Keelie walked into the tree circle.