“That’s as may be!” said Joe. “We don’t bovver wiv the outside, and the outside don’t bovver wiv us! We got mussels, motherwater, fishies, and all sorts of fungus and moss to eat. What more can an old boy like Joe ’ere want for? Anyways, there’s lots to do. Those up top need their pots ‘n’ pans to cook their grub in, and their knives and swords for ’oo knows what. Us Rootshooters be the boys and girls for the job!”

As Joe spoke, his workers gathered around in the green-tinged light to view the two visitors. They were all as tall as Joe, stretched out like the tree roots they worked inside, and each with the same pale skin, bleached through lack of daylight. With their loose white shifts, they could have stood in for a gathering of ghosts. Some of them wore goggle pieces that magnified already enlarged eyes.

“Wot’s yow?” said one of them.

Ark gave his name.

“And wot be one of ’em?” It was a woman who spoke, curious, as if the boys were an entirely new species.

“Plumbers,” said Mucum. It was bad enough when Flo looked down at him. Now they were surrounded by even taller adults.

“Awww!” she laughed. “Yow be one of us, then!” It seemed they passed the test.

Several bells went off at once.

“Kit up!” announced Joe, suddenly businesslike. “We got yow some kiddie-size ones, moight fit!” He vanished for a minute, reappearing in a black suit that stretched tight over his thin frame. The other Rootshooters were also reclothing themselves. “Give these out, our girl!”

Flo stepped forward to hand each of them a floppy rubber suit that resembled a deflated balloon.

“You really need our help?” Mucum took the suit reluctantly. As far as he knew, Plan B didn’t involve going off exploring with a bunch of rubber-clad eels.

“Yas!” said Joe.

Mucum held up the way too short skin. “There’s no way I’ll get into this!”

“Oi’ll ‘elp yow,” said Flo, stepping forward.

“Nah. Don’t you worry yerself.” Mucum blushed as he turned away and tried to squeeze himself into the suit.

Five minutes later, they were both zipped inside their clammy kit and walking with Joe toward a stepladder leaning against the side of one of the bigger Xylem.

“Yow looks wonderful! A bit on the small side maybe, but no matter!” said Flo to Mucum with an admiring stare.

His arms and legs stuck out like bare twigs. “It’s very comfortable, ta.” Mucum felt as if the rubber was trying to strangle his whole body.

“Oi wish I could be comin’ with yow! Be careful, ‘cos if yow come to ‘arm, moi mossy heart’s gonner break!” Flo clasped her two bony hands together as if in prayer.

The rest of the Rootshooters gave a murmured “Aahh!” in unison.