Outbound, Faldaiza Nearspace
Approaching Transition
In which it is not better to be locked out of the pilot’s tower than to be locked in.
Another short chapter.
We get a glimpse of Cantra’s childhood as she’s waking up, in a reasonably natural and unforced bit of exposition. Followed by that classic of unnatural exposition, The Character Looks At Her Reflection So The Reader Can Find Out What She Looks Like.
There’s an interesting bit near the end of the chapter. Apparently this is the first time Jela’s slept apart from the tree since they joined forces. The tree doesn’t appear to be at all bothered by the separation, though.
PA: The tree doesn’t appear to be at all bothered by the separation, though
Not only is the Tree not bothered, the Tree seems to demonstrate its ability to sense its “branches-with-wings” over at least a short distance, because as Jela’s thoughts reach toward the Tree, he is rewarded with: Moist greenness filled his senses, soothing him, lulling him into—Jela slept.
Reading through this time, here and in other spots, I realize how much I miss this kind of communication in the later books. There is some rustling of leaves and branches, and other physical Tree gestures, but not this thought connection.