I thought it impossible that the flora would get bigger than it already was in those first days that Rolan traveled with us, and I was proven wrong. The trees didn't seem to get much taller, but they got thicker, wider, with branches that I could have walked down. They weren't quite the size of a city block, yet, but they were easily their own small ecosystems. There were things living in them, in the little pools that gathered in the hollows, in the bark and along their length and breadth. Most of the animals we saw up with us were small, but they weren't the only things about.

“I don't want to fight that,” Chien said, looking where we all were.

“Agreed,” I informed him.

“It's not a predator, so even if it sees us it's likely to leave us be. Well, so long as we don't threaten it,” Rolan pointed out, and I could see what he was talking about.

The creature in question looked almost like an elephant, though there were no tusks, and it had a thick, shaggy coat. It was also easily thrice the size of the largest of those I'd ever seen, a creature that could dwarf them. It trudged along, reaching out now and then to rip up a low-lying piece of vegetation and eat it, munching on ferns and vines that were easily as large as I was.

“Even those that eat plants can be pretty nasty if you anger them,” I pointed out, remembering the stories of moose from Earth.

“True, but we're not planning on fighting it are we?” Isha asked.

“If you do I'm not helping,” Chien said with a shake of his head.

At any rate the creature was a couple hundred feet below us. I certainly wasn't going to go and irritate it, and none of our companions seemed keen to either. Of course I did have some questions.

“No, we'll leave it be. Though, Rolan, do your people ever hunt those? I imagine that one would give quite the amount of food.”

“Sometimes,” he answered. “Though generally only at the end of the mating season. The males that lose their fights for the females will be injured and can be taken without too much trouble, assuming enough powerful individuals come together to work. Sadly while there's a good bit of meat on them it is rather tough, not one I'd recommend.”

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As days passed we skirted the territories of some of the other villages, the center of the forest was still some ways away, and we didn't want trouble with any others. Night after night darkness came, washing over the world, and night after night I found myself in deep conversation with Rolan.

“You wish to see a world where there is plenty?” he asked.

“Yes, though more than that, a world where our people are safe,” I returned.

“Our?”

“Yes, our, all of us. Not just those who live in the coastal forest, or the great northern one, even Cino's people who live upon the plains. A better world for each and every one of us, where children can be safe and monsters do not hunt our kind.”

He chuckled. “That is a pleasant dream, but I doubt it will ever come to be.”

“It may not,” I agreed, certainly Earth had it's fair share of problems. “But even if things are better than they are now that is something. Even if the goal we seek is unreachable I still think the seeking is worth something, is it not?”

“I suppose, and even my people have worked towards that. Progress is slow, but I've been told that before our Ancient took power the forest was much darker and more dangerous place, with fearsome beasts that no longer roam it. Nowadays there are far fewer monsters to hunt us, and we live in relative peace. The fruits also grow bigger, though nobody is sure why.”

“Hm? Oh, that's likely because people protect and plant more from the best tasting ones,” I said, stretching.

“How should that matter?” he asked. “Do you think the new ones remember the old?”

“No, nothing like that. It's just that if a vine produces tasty fruit, then it will be propagated. Most or all of its descendants will be like it, but if for some reason or another one tastes just a bit better then it will become the one people want to grow. Continue this for many generations and they'll improve.”

I didn't bother going into the deeper parts of evolution with him, but that basic concept was simple enough for anyone to understand.

“But how does it know what to make?” he asked.

“It doesn't need to. Look, children look like their parents right?” I asked.

“Sure.”

“It's like that, but with fruit, or leaves, and over many, many generations. Small changes heaped one on top of another that lead to slightly larger changes.”

There was a look in Rolan's eyes, something, odd. He looked as if he understood, but he wanted more, more understanding, to know why I thought this way, why I thought what I did.

“What makes you think this is so?” he finally asked.

“Experience,” I answered.

“Odd, you're an odd one Justin, a very odd one. You're young, I can tell that by how you move, but you also feel, old, older than you should be.”

“Atal thought much the same of me,” I admitted.

“I imagine he did. I'm sure our Ancient will want to talk to you at length, and don't think that he'll let you get away with not telling about exactly how Atal came to die either. My understanding is that the two were, if not friends, at least well known to one another.”

“Yeah, one of Atal's people said they got along well. His granddaughter Jina. I rather like her, even if she's a bit rough around the edges sometimes,” I said, leaning back.

“Is she the one taking over from Atal?” he asked. “I was of the understanding that nobody had.”

“No, she's... doing other things, things she feels she must. Personally I think if she tried most people would accept it, but she doesn't seem to want to. I get that too, leading is probably no fun at all.”

That set him to laughing. “No Justin, leading is seldom enjoyable.”

While I was supposed to be up and watching I found myself strangely tired. Rolan gave me a motion that I could rest, and within moments my eyes shut, letting me drift off into sleep.