The Forgotten Way (Champions of the Crystal Book 6)

Chapter 2.3

Sabrina's search for Scotty was a long one; the people of the Trees did not keep precise track of time, and schedules frequently shifted at little notice. At last she found someone who had seen her brother, who was, of course, in one of the least accessible places possible: a meditation platform high up in the Tree with the widest girth, Gregosth. As she neared the top of her arduous climb, Sabrina heard singing, and paused. She didn't recognize the song, but she identified Scotty's voice, as well as Aurora's. After a moment, she recognized the agile tenor of the third singer as Ford's.

Sure enough, the three of them were sitting on the platform companionably, enjoying themselves with a small picnic. "Hey!" Scotty exclaimed when her head cleared the platform, "it's our missing person! About time, Rina!"

"You were the one who told me it might take a month," Sabrina retorted. "I thought you'd be pleased I made it at all!"

Scotty helped her off the ladder and handed her a flask. She sniffed it suspiciously and then drank, finding only cold water in it.

"Did you think we were up here drinking?" Scotty grinned.

"Well, the singing made me wonder," she admitted. "Hi, Aurora. Have you had your hands full?"

Aurora smiled. "I'm grateful for reinforcements."

Sabrina accepted the small plate of food Aurora passed her and turned to Ford. "How long ago did you get here?"

"Two days ago," he said. "I got quarantined in Giandrah for a while. Then I had to go through the whole purification thing here, which seemed redundant to me. At least it didn't take long!"

"Well," Sabrina said, "now that we've cleared our minds and achieved inner peace, how about this wedding? I've been informed I have to make a speech, in which I'll probably have to lie pretty copiously."

Scotty snorted. "I've written the speech for you, sis, never fear!"

"Good," Sabrina said. "So I'm off the hook. I needed a vacation anyway."

"How is your knee?" Ford asked.

"Much better. But I'm still not dancing with you, so don't ask me!"

"Brat," Ford said pleasantly. "You have to, you know. It's part of the wedding feast."

One of the rare and colorful Trilla birds sud­denly sprang from its perch nearby and soared up, skimming above the branches with its joyful song. Sabrina smiled. "An omen of good luck," she told Scotty with satisfaction.

"Good," he said. "We Devons need all the luck we can get."

Sabrina's smile turned wry. "You've had your share," she said, nodding to Aurora. "Now I want mine."

Scotty chuckled. "Well, there are plenty of nice guys running around One Tree," he said. "But I can't quite picture you giving up the glamorous life of an ambassador and turning rustic."

"I don't know. Now that I've been here a while, I can see the appeal."

"You'd be bored stiff in a month," Scotty predicted.

"Maybe I want to be bored for a while."

Ford laughed. "I think your head might implode, Sabrina!"

"Gee, thanks. And look who's talking, Mr. Adrenaline Junky!"

"Hey, I'm not the one talking wistfully about the quiet life. I make no attempt to hide my intention to get off this planet again at the next opportunity. Which," he sighed, "might take some doing." Then a sly grin slid onto his face. "Maybe if you get bored enough, you'll help me?"