22
GATHERING TREE
“We should leave here,” Yeolani said, knowing his Wise One instinct prompted it.
But he couldn’t persuade himself to actually do it. Their little family, without a home in Edgewood to return to, remained underneath Halfway Tree. They justified lingering by saying they must keep an eye on demons that lurked beneath it. Perhaps they hesitated because of the baby. Nevai had not suffered from his extended stay in the forest except he was very dirty and hungry. The fairies had watched over him but could not feed or change him. Yet Nevai’s care also did not mean they should move on. Instead, Yeolani began training Rashel instead of launching her out into Seeking without a drop of guidance. He needed something to do to ease the guilt of staying there under that wonderful tree
