The Grove grew slowly -- but that is the way of trees. Their tenders kept watch and nurtured the giant plants the best they could, for they were more than merely trees, they were the homes of the forestdwellers. The sun shone brightly down on the trees, and the bipeds that walked in their shade or swung from their branches. One such biped hurried towards the center of the grove, where an immense tree stood.

His skin was scaly like an alligator, and the same brown-gray as tree bark. His eyes shone with excitement and his prehensile tail swung in arcs behind him. He slowed as he reached the shadow of the tree, and bowed to the young silver-green female who sat enthroned on the lowest branch. Ivit Skiya smiled at the male, and her two dragons, Daminiss and Rotuk regarded the newcomer warily. "Come forward, Silgari." The matriarch of the forestdwellers said, and waved him towards the spot before her where the sun conveniently shone like a spotlight.

The brown male did as he was told and calmly strode forward. He bowed to the two Hathian dragons, and to the Skiya.

"What news have you?" Ivit asked politely, though her eyes shone with excitement as well.

"One of the younger Silgari and his companion were scouting northeast of the Grove, and found that some of the ancient trees have shifted."

Ivit leaned forward slightly. The old trees on the fringes of the Grove had not flowered in many generations, and had not grown a finger length in as long as any could remember. If they had indeed moved, then there surely was cause.

"He reports that two of the trees have moved their roots, shifting the earth away to form a sort of elliptical bowl between them. The grass and moss there are lush, as if the trees were preparing a nest." The Silgari bowed to Ivit again, knowing that what he said would seem like a fantastic daydream.

"Show me." Ivit said, leaping casually down from her seat. "And summon the Silgari who found it and his companion."

Daminiss followed behind her bond as the brown Silgari led the way through the trees. Rotuk curled up at the base of the giant throne-tree and closed her eyes.

Word passed quickly through the trees, and the two young forestdwellers were waiting beside the pair of ancient trees when the Skiya arrived.

"Remigio Silgari Ayveniar." Ivit purred, recognizing the rich brown male. He was one of the most promising guardians of the Grove, and the Skiya was most pleased that his initiative led to this discovery. Trees did not move quickly, and thus this 'nest' had been developing for quite a long time.

"Ivit Skiya." Remigio said, bowing deeply. "This is my companion Avera Rizvi."

The pale green female bowed shyly. She was at least a cycle younger than Remigio, but the difference was not too great. Come spring, Avera would choose her specialization, but for now, keeping company with a young guardian was just fine.

"So you've found something?" Ivit said, pretending she didn�t notice the wide grassy bowl behind the youngsters.

Remigio jumped aside as if he was preventing her from seeing it. "We were scouting through the trees, Skiya, and found this." He waved a hand towards it, as if introducing her to the natural formation.

"How interesting." Ivit said, moving forward to get a better look at the shape of the depression. Daminiss walked around to the far side and inspected it for herself.

This has been growing since we arrived. the dragoness said, meaning Ivit's return and the arrival of Rotuk and herself in the Grove. It is much the same as our nest below your tree.

"Skiya...?" Avera said quietly, and Ivit turned to look at her. "There's something up there..." she pointed to where the branches of the two large trees met high above the wallow.

Ivit looked up and shaded her eyes. It was almost impossible to see, but there were two buds there; two would-be seedpods, one from each tree. "They're flowering! This is an auspicious day, younglings." Ivit said, grinning broadly at them. "Something good is coming to the Grove, and your keen eyes and curiosity have brought it to our attention so that we can properly welcome it." Both Remigio and Avera blushed, and Ivit continued. "I appoint you both as special guardians to these two Ancient Trees. One for each tree -- you can make them your homes if you'd like -- and you report directly to me if anything changes here."

The younglings blinked at her. Nobody had lived in the ancient trees since they'd stopped flowering -- it was an honor that they'd never expected. "Absolutely, Ivit Skiya." Remigio said at last. "We will take excellent care of these trees, and whatever comes."