“Perhaps on your planet of origin, Eva Nine—but not here.” Rovender banged a second signpost with his walking stick. As he did so, the post next to Eva also rattled. The multitude of dark nodules blinked, and the eyes rotated in the direction of the disturbance. They then peered around in unison, their gaze resting on Eva for a moment before they returned to their original position. Eva blinked in astonishment at the signpost, then looked to her guide for further explanation.

Rovender leaned on his staff. “You see, here the forests are alive. They watch. They move. They feed. They have a heartbeat. Just like you. Just like me. Just like everything.”

CHAPTER 20: WATER

This is a good place to rest,” Rovender announced as he pulled off his rucksack. The trio had emerged from the Wandering Forest and found themselves on the edge of a vast dried lake bed. The ivory sand caked on the ground was cracked into an endless interlocking pattern that continued out toward the horizon.

“We can follow the forest edge,” Rovender said, gesturing behind them. “It will lead us north to the shore of Lake Concors, where Lacus is located. We should be there by nightfall.”

Eva’s eyes followed the line of trees as it vanished into the horizon. In the distance, she could make out a small circling flock of turnfins. Below them an enormous rust-colored shape was steadily ambling toward them.

You. Safe.

“It’s Otto!” Eva squealed, taking off toward the giant water bear. “Muthr, come meet him. You are not going to believe it.”

The behemoth shuffled on his six legs toward Eva. She could hear him hoot and sing as he approached. She ran up to Otto and stretched her arms over his wide rugged face, hugging him. A large, pebbly tongue licked her in greeting.

“Oh, Otto! I am so happy to see you!” Eva could feel warm comfort emanate into her body from him. Thank you for warning us about Besteel.

You. Safe. Good.

Muthr rolled up alongside them. “My word, Eva. It is the size of an elephant.”

“The Omnipod said he was a species of tardigrade, or water bear.” Eva climbed up onto the top of his giant head. “Otto helped Rovee and me escape. And he’s the one who warned me when Besteel returned to our Sanctuary.”

“Did he?” Muthr looked him over. “And how is it that you understand his calls and I do not? Does the transcoder not work on him?”

“No, he sings to me and I get ‘impressions’ in my mind.” Eva scratched Otto behind one of his heavy, floppy ears. “Pretty amazing, right?”

“Telepathic impression,” Muthr said as she rolled closer to Otto, her laser scrutinizing every centimeter of his armored body. “How interesting.”