Ootapi soared ahead, and Konrad kept his focus fixed upon the serpent as the creature twisted and dove and wove through the trees. Nanda had the sense to keep close, tucking herself into the shadow of his back, and in time they reached the site of Popov’s tree house unscathed.
Konrad paused at the bottom, wishing desperately that he could see into the hut balanced so far above him. What does Eetapi see? he enquired of his familiar.
She is not there, Ootapi replied. She is gone.
GONE? Konrad stood still, thunderstruck. What do you mean?
I do not know where she is, said Ootapi, his agitation seeping into Konrad’s brain. She followed him, but something happened and I can sense nothing of her now.
Spirits above. Konrad swallowed his burgeoning alarm, pausing only to make a brief explanati
