The lecturer paused, pointing to another picture of a sapling that would have looked insignificant but for the minute figure of a grown man next to it. “The superstitious say that the trees are conscious. They knew the earth was polluted and to survive they must dig deeper with their roots. As the rest of the world was turning into one huge city, something different was happening in Arborium.”

The keener students were taking notes, but Petronio’s mind wandered from the mention of growing ever higher to the notion of falling. He tried to imagine Ark’s strange leap into the unknown. What split-second thoughts had propelled him over the edge? It was a long jump from being a pushed-around nobody to taking your own life. Or was it? Petronio’s hands instinctively made the sign of the Woodsman Cross: Earth Over, Sky Under, Leaves to East & West. But then he stopped and determinedly folded his arms. What was the point in ancient, useless habits? Prayers were for the weak. He had his future to consider now.

“The philosopher called it ‘evolution,’ a fascinating process wherein the trees that developed deeper roots and taller trunks survived, as did the Dendrans by removing themselves from the foul earth into this cradle of branch and twig. We could almost say, if you’ll permit me a pun on Darewin’s behalf, Trees Who Dare, Win!”

There were a few groans, but no one laughed.

The lecturer carried on regardless. “The religionists tell other stories, clothing facts in a fantasy of goddesses and trees that think for themselves. And some families still follow the old superstitions. It is pure barbarism, sacrificing a boar to appease the Raven Queen! Those ravens really are not ‘birds of death,’ merely by-products of nature!” His smirk was at last rewarded with a few intellectual guffaws from his audience. “Precisely. Dendrans can believe what they wish, but my task is to deal with reality. So, whatever your take on the origin of species, one remarkable change emerged. It was as if this new genus of tree had a built-in code for self-protection. The skunk emits a revolting odor from a gland near its back passage to ward off predators, yes?”

This raised a few titters from the more loutish lads in the audience.

“And the hedgehog becomes an impenetrable phalanx of spears. So it is with our hybrid trees. As they grew ever taller and the original humans abandoned their old, ground-dwelling ways, it was noticed that travelers to the shores of Arborium would immediately fall ill as they set foot upon land. And why was that?” He pointed his marker pen directly at Petronio.

Every student’s face swiveled around, expecting the usual sarcastic, clever response.

“Gas … sir.” The manner in which Petronio addressed his lecturer did not hide his contempt. And he would get away with it. No one gave the High Councillor’s son a detention.