Green Thumb

Phil couldn't concentrate. He was fighting a collision with the physical plane, fighting to stay where he was, beyond, but he couldn't tear his mind from his team's struggle of their own.

"I can't do anything from here," he asked, "without possibly hurting my team?"

"Correct," Ghaelon confirmed. "You have not learned the sort of control needed to combat an enemy over so great a distance."

Phil sighed. "They're getting slaughtered," he protested. "I can't just sit here!"

"Patience," Ghaelon replied. "If you are to fight Gaovulte, you must discern for yourself how best to do this."

Phil thought a moment. "I have to go there myself."

Ghaelon nodded.

"But I can't see!" the telepath protested. "I can't walk! How am I supposed to fight an army of that many?"

Ghaelon just smiled. "We have many on our side as well," he replied, looking around him. "So much life, with voices of its own. Do not think that human beings are the only ones ready to oppose Gaovulte, my friend."

Phil looked around him. Trees of all sizes loomed overhead, taller and stronger than those he was accustomed to seeing on Earth.

But trees were strictly stationary objects, no matter how fantastic they were in the works of Tolkien or Lewis.

At least, that was what Phil had thought before what happened in the town square.

Phil looked at Ghaelon. "You think they'll want to do that?"

The mage nodded. "They have been waiting for quite some time. They need only to choose a leader. And none of the trees wish to lead."

"So what's the solution?" Smith asked.

"I trust you will find it soon," Ghaelon replied with a smile.

Phil rolled his eyes. "Is it ever possible for you to just tell me these things?"

Ghaelon shrugged. "Take it up with Sammitch."

Phil blinked. "Who?"

"Who what?"

"Who's Sammitch?"

Ghaelon thought a long moment. "Some bloke."

Phil raised an eyebrow.

Ghaelon looked down. "I have no idea what just happened. Sometimes, when we peer into the beyond, we can even see past the fourth wall."

"What's the..."

The mage sensed he'd said too much. "Perhaps another time."

They sat there for about half a minute.

Phil rolled his eyes. "Is it ever possible for you to just tell me these things?"

"You must learn for yourself," Ghaelon replied, "otherwise you will be helpless when I am not here to assist you."

Phil nodded. "So I suppose I'd better go talk to some trees," he concluded. He smacked his forehead. "This is the craziest mission ever!"