There’s more, but I put down the datapad to mull over what I’ve read. As the puzzle comes together, the shapes of the missing pieces become apparent. The most important mystery is what Lens saw. Another hint might be found in something Tara remarked almost offhand – that Driscoll was acting strangely.
Perhaps I can trigger another branchback. Lorcan is still difficult, but I can feel him. Driscoll is vague. I try to picture him. Perhaps I could get an image from the trading cards, images that Driscoll created himself. Unfortunately, while I have perfect recall of anything I’ve seen, I hadn’t taken the time to look through the entire deck. I wish I’d thought to bring those cards, but they’re lying on the table next to Canopus. I focus on the image, but I can only see the cards on the top, Patrick’s next to mine. And my attention is drawn away, to Canopus.
It’s odd. From Suibhne’s memories, I would’ve thought that the goal was to create yet another nau’gsh, a member of the grove to be planted somewhere. But Canopus is a tiny, perfect replication of an oak. It’s a bonsai.
It’s a ridiculous concept – a bonsai nau’gsh.
No. I’m wrong. It’s a different style. Not Ancient Japanese, but Chinese. What did they call it? A penjing.