Estarra was amazed at the frenzy of activity. Beneto put out a green-skinned hand to hold her back. “Not too close. At this stage, they are ravenous, and anything that gets in their way is considered food.”

Estarra did not need to be warned twice, but she marveled at the infestation. “So what happens to the worms after they go into the ground?”

Beneto smiled. “The trees keep watch, just as they watch everything. It is part of the cycle. Now they will tunnel deep under the ground and aerate the soil. They will establish un-

derground colonies until mature worms emerge again, slither up the trunks of the trees, and build new hives.”

Soon, all the worms were gone, leaving the abandoned hive like a tattered haunted house up on the tree. The papery walls had been broken open, but the tunnels inside remained intact. “Now the hard work begins,” Estarra said, but she didn’t look at all disappointed.

The chambers would need to be cleaned, some structural walls shored up, new windows cut and doorways placed in more convenient locations. But the worm hive was the readymade framework for a new Theron village, into which the crowded fungus-reef settlement could expand. Estarra would be celebrated for her prowess in finding this new conglomerate dwelling.

Beneto received a message from the nearest tree and smiled at his little sister. “Now we must hurry back to see Mother and Father. We will want to be there when the shuttle lands.”

“What shuttle?” Estarra said.

Beneto beamed at her. “Reynald has just returned.”

Estarra pressed forward with her family members to greet her older brother as soon as he emerged from the craft in the clearing. During the months he’d been gone on his peregrination, Reynald had changed. His eyes were full of wonder and deeper understanding. He had visited many exotic places, witnessed events, and learned about a great many topics. He seemed overwhelmed by the sheer number of people coming to embrace him.

Sarein was full of questions, but little Celli dominated the scene by jabbering nonstop, as if her brother was interested in every single thing she had done during his absence. Promising his youngest sister a long chat later, Reynald accepted the smothering attention with good grace, smiling and making comments at appropriate points while his attention was more focused on Father Idriss and Mother Alexa. Their faces were filled with love—and relief that he had come home.

“Now do you feel more prepared to be a leader, my son?” Idriss smiled through his black beard.

The young man gave himself a deprecating smile. “I have experienced plenty, that is true, but now I feel that I know less than ever before.”

Alexa kissed him on the cheek. “Then Reynald, my dear, you are indeed more prepared to be a leader.”