OOOOOO, THE TREE'S VOICE SANG out in her mind again, sounding curiously of laughter. It barely registered her presence though they drew closer and closer. Close to her ear Leynorah clung to her hair making her scalp prickle as she resisted the instinctual urge to shake her head.

'What's got you looking bemused, goddess?'

As she turned her head to wrinkle her nose at him a sudden clawing on her leg gave her a shock. 'Leynorah!'

'What?'

The voice by her ear ...