“I'm
sorry,” she said, “But it wasn't your fault, you don't have to
carry that pain.”
“But I
knew what was likely to happen if I called a Specialist. I knew
they'd take one look and call an Authority.”
“That's
why you did what you had to do. There's a reason the fauna aren't
Specialists or Authorities, why the flora take those jobs.”
“There
is?” I asked.
“They
don't raise their young, they scatter them. Now listen, here's the
deal. You come back to the Forest. You'll be allowed to go home
once in a while, the rest of the time you honour the treaty, do as
the Forest requires. The Forest has use for those that understand
the Weave. This job's a lot more interesting than just correcting
imbalances. And you'd get to work with me.” She smiles that smile
again. “You've got until my partner finds us to make a decision.”
“Why, what
happens then?”
“His job
is to take your hand or your head.”
