The trees under which they were standing were widely spaced and very tall. High above, Farnor could see walkways and platforms winding in and out of the canopy, and, here and there, there were dense shadows in the foliage that he presumed were lodges. For a moment he had a vision of having to lower his horse from some towering eyrie. Edrien’s voice dispelled it. ‘Come on, we’re nearly there,’ she said flatly, setting off again.
As they walked, Farnor finally identified something that had been troubling him; the sound that mingled with the wind-stirred branches and birdsong was the sound of human voices; many voices.
He looked upward. ‘How many people are there up there?’ he asked.
Edrien followed his gaze and frowned. ‘I haven’t the faintest idea,’ she said irritably. ‘You ask the stran
