I could really get used to flying through the sky in a basket carried by a beautiful girl. In fact, this is now my preferred mode of travel. Boats? Lame, very safe and functional for everyone in the universe except for me. Mr. Sphere? Fun, but no real ability to relax, or store anything that doesn’t fit into a backpack. Like Chris said before I left, what if I find treasure? This basket could easily fit a couple of storage crates, and given Seela’s graceful and effortless ability to move this thing around, I get the impression that she could carry much more weight. We could also put a cover over the top to sleep together inside! Yep, flying basket is definitely the superior option. And it might seem unfair to her that she has to carry it around the entire universe while I relax inside, but I can direct her to where we should go next, and defend us from monsters or attackers so she can just focus on flying. I’ve had my doubts before about my abilities to fight, but when I see her carrying this basket, I’m sure I can do whatever I need to protect her.
Wait, this seems rude of me to daydream about our future together as travel partners without even getting to know her. And I want to know everything about her. I should ask her a question, to get the ball rolling. Like um… her family! She and bird grandmother are the only people I’ve seen here. I wonder if they live together, or if they have other family? Or if bird grandmother actually is her grandmother?
“So,” I start, “how do you know each other?”
“I tried to kill you, failed, instead kidnapped you, and am now taking you in a basket to the world tree, and you want to ask me about my family?” she questions, not looking down or changing her facial expression.
“...yes.”
She lets out a soft puff of air, and for the first time, I see her smile. Amazing.
“She’s my great aunt, mother’s side. For generations, the women of my family have been the sole protectors of the tree.”
“Why do you need to protect your tree?” I’m confused. The vegetation on at least the island I was on seemed perfectly healthy, albeit a bit overgrown. There weren’t any other people around to threaten the tree. Besides, what would they even do to the tree? Eat too much of its fruit? That would only help the whole planet thrive, if Igby’s theory is correct.
“How many planets have you traveled to?”
“This is only my third planet.”
“Do you plan to travel much more?”
“Yep!” I perk my head up, “I don’t plan to stop until I’ve seen as much of the universe as I can.”
“Then let me tell you something useful,” she begins, eyes still forward, “The universe and everything in it is alive, and breathes. There are two ways celestial bodies can deal with this- staying in one place and simply floating along with the tides of the aether, or by constantly moving around the whole universe. This planet is a mover.”
“Well that’s neat!” I didn’t know planets could do that! It explains why I’ve never seen this one in the sky before.
“Well, yes,” she continues, “I guess it is. This planet moves. It’s seen a lot. We used to get lots of visitors as a result. Some just loved the beach. Some were poachers.”
“Poachers?”
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“Yes. They go to moving planets, like this one, to steal our tree’s wood.”
“What?” I feel completely bewildered. Why would anyone do that?
“They see moving planets as disposable, since it just leaves after they’re done, and another one will come by. I don’t know what they use it for,” she must’ve known what my next question would be, “My great, great, great grandmother was killed defending it from people who tried to reduce it to a stump. Ever since, we dedicate our lives to ensuring that the tree is safe.”
“Are there other people here?”
“Not on this side of the world,” she answers, “too many people started going behind our backs to sneak some wood to trade it to other planets, so we just drove everyone out a long time ago. It sucks, but the tree is precious to us. We have to protect it.”
I don’t know what to say. Something doesn’t seem right about all this. I understand why she wants to protect the tree, but is the tree happy about this? The Arbnia tree told me that trees on death worlds are lonely. Does Seela’s tree get lonely?
Then, I hear something in the distance. A woman singing. Her voice is warm, soft. As we get closer to the sound, I realize the singing is in my head.
“We’re here,” Seela says, and I feel the basket touch the ground.
I climb out of the basket, stepping on a bunch of leaves and flowers. This area is completely overgrown, with no visible ground. Looking up at the tree before me, she’s covered in vines. I look behind me at Seela, who is still perched on the basket.
“Go on,” she says, winking, “but I’m watching you.”
My heart.
I nod, and approach the tree. When I get closer, she stops singing. A single, small, magenta-colored bubble forms from a small part of her bark that isn’t covered. It floats to me, and when it reaches me, it pops.
“Hi!” I wave to the tree, “I liked your singing!”
The tree is silent for a moment.
“You… heard me?”
“Yep!” I tell her, “I can hear you. Another world tree told me to visit the trees of the universe. I heard it’s been a while since you’ve seen anyone.”
“What are you doing?” Seela yells from her basket perch.
As much as I hate to do this, I don’t answer her. The tree needs my attention.
“It’s true,” the tree tells me, “some time ago, people used to visit me often. They’d relax on the beach, they’d bring their families. But they couldn’t stay. I didn’t mind. They tried to take pieces of me home with them. People like your friend tried to get them to stop, and eventually drove everyone off.”
“How do you feel about it?” I step forward and put a hand on a thick, tall root.
Her voice shakes, “when you’re as old as me, you see a lot of things. This planet used to be fire and stone. But I was always here. I’ve seen wars. I’ve seen peace. Plants, animals, people, diseases. I remember every face. There was an age before you all. Perhaps there will be an age after. But although it hasn’t been so long, I miss seeing new faces. I’m happy that nobody’s taking my skin and arms now. It hurts. But they grow back. And my fruit, my flowers… those are for everyone. I miss seeing people smile. I feel like I don’t even reach beyond the island anymore.”
“Is there anything I can do?”
“Call your friend over,” she says.
“Seela! The tree says come here!” I turn around. She’s watching me intently.
She doesn’t say anything, just spreads her wings and glides over, glancing between me and the tree.
“Now take these flowers,” the tree continues, and sends a bubble to a branch, which has three bright pink flowers growing on it.
I step towards the branch and reach for the flowers. Seela grabs my arm with a claw, shooting me a look.
“She asked me to,” I tell her.
Reluctantly, she lets go of my arm.
I reach for the flowers, bursting the bubble, and picking each one.
The tree says, “one is for your friend. One is for her older friend. And one is for you. Tell the older one that the job is done, that I’m ready to see people again.”
I nod, “thank you for the flowers.”
“Of course,” says the tree, “have fun on your travels.”