Page 16 of Alder Woodacre and the Acorns of Affection (Amaranthine Interludes #3)

Introductions between the Starmarks and Nightspangles were taking a while, so Joe grabbed a blanket and stole out to the porch swing, content to wait on the periphery. He’d barely begun to sway when Bush peeked up over the edge of the porch, scoped things out, and surmounted the rail.

“Hi,” Joe softly greeted, lifting the edge of his blanket so the Kith could swarm under.

It occurred to him to ask, “Are acorns a big deal? For squirrels. I remember Kip sneaking me acorns for a while. It was sort of … fun. Or maybe funny. They did make me smile. And not long ago, you were filling my pockets with them.”

Bush chittered softly and patted Joe’s cheek.

“Do you think I should try acorns?”

The squirrel didn’t often emulate human gestures, but the thumbs-up was really very helpful.

“Want to work together?” He glanced at the windows and lowered his voice to a whisper. “Can you find me some acorns without Kip finding out?”

Bush chirred contentedly, like he had it handled.

“Did you know we have a squirrel-crosser visiting?”

Joe told Bush about Jarrah until Tami came to get him. Apparently, it was time for Linlu to spill his secrets.

Kip leaned through the door, spotted him, and padded out in stocking feet. “I’ll bring him, Tami. Be right there.” Then he sat beside Joe, draping an arm around the seat back. “Want the best of the gossip?”

“Is it important?”

“Yep. The big one is … Argent’s returning the Orchid Saddle.

” Hisoka Twineshaft and Argent Mettlebright had given the powerful crystal remnant to Jiminy upon his attainment, and it’d been the anchor for the all of the protective sigilcraft for their enclave.

However, Argent had needed to borrow it, so Jiminy, Kip, and a few other Woodacres had needed to find creative work-arounds.

“That’s good. Getting it back.”

“Yep. Also, I got Argent to tell me what he meant by his message. The part about your attainment.”

“Oh. I’d forgotten.” He was catching all sorts of emotions from his bondmate. “Is there a problem?”

“Nope. But there’ll be a change.” He held up his wrist. “This can go away. No more safeguards. We’ll be on our own.”

“Are we ready for that?”

“If it’s a matter of shuttering you … sure. I’m good to go.” Kip’s tail draped across Joe’s lap. “Things are changing. I mean, Bethiel of the Changing Winds is here. Argent’s making a change. Whatever Linlu has to say … I think it’ll change things again.”

“How do you know?”

“How else?” Kip cheerfully admitted, “He told me as much. But he won’t say why until you’re there to hear. So … ready?”

Joe had wanted to make changes. Small ones. Personal ones. Quiet things. “I’m … pretty nervous.”

“Yeah, I can tell.” Kip offered his hand. “Together?”

He helped Joe up and kept holding his hand, even after they were snugged up together on the little couch in the living room. It was a small change. Definitely personal. And … it helped.

“Your great-grandfather was a friend of mine from the time he was a child. Because he could hear the songs of stars. We would listen together, and he would try to riddle out the meaning of their lyrics.” Linlu smiled softly.

“He was quiet and cautious but so kind. I introduced him to the little girl who eventually became his wife. They chose to face their challenges together. But then … the stars themselves began to meddle.”

“Do all reavers hear stars?” asked Tami. “The ones with training, I mean.”

“It is an unusual trait, even among Amaranthine.” With a small shake of his head, Linlu said, “I was considered as strange as your great-grandfather.”

“How did the stars meddle?” she pressed.

“They sang for Matthew. They called for him. They told him where to go.” Linlu freely admitted, “I found a way to bring him to that faraway place.”

“Where was that?” asked Tami.

“I hardly know myself, since we were guided along in fits and starts. The directions were often cryptic, but … we enjoyed our little adventure. It became one of my most treasured memories.” Linlu waved a hand, indicating the house, possibly even the farm.

“Matthew begged help again, and I filed the necessary paperwork for him and his family to leave Wardenclave. The songs of stars led here.”

“Back when Grandad was a little boy.”

“Yes. George and Lisbet.” A shadow passed over Linlu’s features. “It was a brief respite. Unfortunately, I was not entirely free.”

Argent stepped in then. “Linlu was rescued a little over a year ago, and his captors have been dealt with. But some consequences remain.”

“Your seal is no more.”

Joe started guiltily.

Kip spoke on his behalf. “It’s gone. Argent and I were able to dismantle it.”

“That is well. That is for the best.” Easing into an apologetic posture, Linlu confessed, “I placed it on you. Not by choice. I was compelled.”

This time, Kip was the one with questions. “What was it meant to do?”

“Bind him so that he could not flee. Improve him so that when they returned, they would find a feast.” Linlu quietly added, “And it was meant to hurt me, since your family was dear to me.”

Argent grimly asked, “Were there others?”

“I could not say for certain. Tamiko and Jiro were the only two I was personally forced to seal. From their remarks, I believe the vixens were trying to adapt a seal they had worked with previously, borrowing from the discoveries made from several centuries of experimentation on Impressions.” With a small shudder, Linlu added, “Thank the Maker they never checked to see if this one worked.”

“Because … it did .” Kip’s tail vibrated low. “Oh, boy. You homebrewed a beacon. Hey, this can’t get out, am I right?”

“I will never place that seal on another soul,” said Linlu. “And I destroyed all the records I found of its theory and formation.”

Argent said, “To keep the secret, Joe must remain an unregistered reaver. And at this uncertain juncture, I would caution against procreation.”

Joe’s face flamed.

“There is something you should try, though,” said Linlu. “With the original seal gone, you should be able to leave.”

“I … don’t want to go anywhere.”

Every Amaranthine in the room fidgeted.

“I would never ask you to abandon your home,” soothed Linlu. “What I would like you to do is push your boundaries. You are not rooted as tree-kin are. You were bound, but not to a bloodline or to a tree. Your sealing was—at least in part—the gift of a stone imp.”

“Is he like …?” Argent hesitated, then asked more cautiously. “Has Joe become another unique existence?”

“What a lovely way to put it.” Linlu made a graceful gesture with fluttering fingers. “Perhaps something intended to end in tragedy has instead come aright, and so the land will flourish.”

“The land,” rumbled Kurloo. “All of us Nightspangles can attest that Joe holds considerable sway over this farm.”

Linlu murmured, “Oh, my, yes. This place brims. The saturation would lend itself to a healer’s arts.”

“Noted,” said the wolf clansman, eyes bright with interest.

“I wish this to be stated more clearly,” said Argent. “Are you asking Joe to leave the property so that he can extend his influence?”

“Such are the songs of stars.”

“Hey, I think get it! And I think we should totally push those boundaries straight up the highway.” Kip raised a hand. “Who else wants Swifty’s?”