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Having reached agreement, Tarkyn gestured to Running Feet, his traditional partner for these forays and left the clearing so that he could concentrate in peace. As he found a comfortable place to sit in the shade of a spreading beech tree, he was surprised to find that Stormaway had followed him. He raised his eye brows in query.
Unusually, Stormaway seemed flustered and a little diffident. “Sire, I was wondering whether you might permit me to join you on this mind-journey with the bird. As you know, I only began to use mindtalk recently, once everyone had become aware of the woodfolk side of my heritage. I would value the opportunity to see your forest guardian powers at work.” He gave an uncertain smile, “And I may be of assistance in estimating numbers and gauging its intent if, in
