Which was all very well, but work wanted outlet, and thought the abrasion of other thoughts, to ignite insight. Locked inside his head, Aelliana had no opportunity to pursue her researches; she knew what he knew, though the conclusions she drew were often very different from his own. She had actively collaborated in the persona of Jen Sar Kiladi, as Kamele Waitley came to know him. Indeed, he had often thought that Kamele valued him most for those attributes which were peculiarly Aelliana.

Really, putting this road to rights was going to require not just the efforts of a grounds crew, but a forestry team, as well.

While they were rebuilding from the ground up, the delm might as well widen it, and straighten it, and possibly install a taxi-stand.

From behind him came the sound of a motor, accompanied by the occasional snap of a branch, and the crunch of gravel beneath wheels.

Daav stepped off the road and into a wide spot at the side, shouldering in among branches bearing hard, wrinkled berries, and last season's brittle thorns. He breathed out and reposed himself to silence.

The car came closer. It was, to Daav's ear, being driven with a respect for conditions that bespoke a pilot, or perhaps only someone who had dared to motor out this far before.

Eventually, it hove into view; largish, with a klaxon mounted on the roof. He glimpsed a dark face through the windscreen, then the vehicle was abreast of him, braking gently as the driver's window descended.

He took a breath, feeling himself come sharply alert, his senses open to all options, should the situation become...unfortunate.

The back door opened, and a tall man in pilot's leather stepped out onto the so-called road.

"Uncle Daav, what are doing here?"

He tipped his head, considering his nephew Shan gravely while still keeping half-an-eye or slightly more on the very dangerous person at the controls.