forest. However, when he scrutinized his feelings, he recognized that—in truth—he didn’t want to fly.

    Tree-dwelling kirins have no fear of heights, and in climbing trees Speckarin was as confident as anyone. But that meant bark and branches solidly against hands and feet. Sailing through thin air on a creature allegedly under his control was a different prospect entirely. At last night’s gathering, while the travelers were being selected, he had been troubled by the inevitable mode of travel. But in the heat of the moment he had other things to think about. Now that flying was imminent, as he stood gazing across the gathering area at three gigantic birds, he was frightened indeed.

    During last night’s meeting, everyone had recognized the voyage’s impor...

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