Born out of uncut Emerald that was extracted from a mighty Wraith, the sapling will grow higher than even the highest sky-tree. For this reason, a suitable location is needed.

  A dark blue specter trailing behind, my hair whips in the high winds.

  Me riding Toranos, my griffin, my wings; and together with Aillen, him using his rge wings of a bat, we soar across the sky.

  Aillen assured me the location is ideal.

  Pnting of this sapling demands careful consideration.

  Crystalborn trees, as well as other pnt life born of Genesis, cannot be used as a resource for making chairs, tables, or woodworking, nor can they be used as firewood. They simply turn to crystal dust when cut.

  My creations would find it vile, but many crystalborn trees produce fruit that can be plucked and is often quite edible, although bnd in taste.

  Even human-made artificial trees had strong roots, connecting them deeply to the soil, allowing these pnts to use resources from the ground. Ultimately giving birth to seedless fruit. Of course, akin to my animate creations, artificial trees need sunlight for sustenance.

  Light is the food and water of all kindred. They would often gaze at the pale sun or Archcrystal with fascination and desire in their eyes. Winged would spread their wings when sunbathing to absorb more light this way.

  Insects tend to avoid and are unable to penetrate the strong bark of my trees; they may walk over it and consume the fruit but the special bark remains undamaged. Not even fire can consume a crystalborn tree.

  Pin stretching below us is a level expanse of soil with no end. Tall purple grass and wildflowers dominate these nds.

  We descend slowly.

  There is a stream near the pnting spot, running through a meadow.

  Gently, the griffin nds.

  In no time at all I throw myself at the task before me.

  From behind the saddle, I remove the few ropes and take the wrapped sapling.

  Using my bare hands I make a hole in the ground near the nding spot.

  ''Maker,'' Aillen begins, ''may I speak openly?''

  I turn to regard him. ''Yes.''

  ''There are many who say the General will be removed from the Council or how she should be banished from the city. Some are torn between the love of you and respect all have for the General. Why did you fight Kindred Kali?''

  I smile for a moment. ''As you probably know, it is difficult to say no to the General. Even for me. The fight started a pyful thing, only at the end did things became...slightly more serious. She wanted to fight me so I fought her. That is that. No one is getting removed or banished, Aillen.''

  He nods. Soon, my four-horned friend changes the topic and speaks of pnts and how the ndscape will be reformed by my crystalborn. Aillen talks of poetry and politely asks for full access to my library.

  After patting the soil around the stem I stand up. ''No, old friend. Knowledge locked there is a heavy and dangerous thing. Ask for a thousand gardens, a pace, ask for even some human-written books that may interest you but don't ask me that.'' I throw my stare at the horizon. ''You may think I do not trust you. It is not about trust. Once an exception is made, floodgate slowly opens.''

  I look at the dying pale sun and then back at the young tree.

  The sapling will grow to become a god among its peers.