Messenger

Matty does as Leader tells him to do and puts the packet of messages inside his shirt. His job is to post messages on all the paths through Forest so that people have the time to turn back. The only settlement Matty will go to is his old one, which is in regular communication with Village. Leader asks Matty if Seer mentioned Leader's gift to see beyond. They discuss Kira and that Seer says that she has a gift too. Matty wonders if Leader knows about his own gift. As though he's reading Matty's mind, Leader says he knows about Matty's gift. Matty explains that he's kept it a secret because he doesn't understand it.

Leader tells Matty that when the gift rises up of its own accord, it's because someone needs the gift. Matty is indignant that he had to start with a frog, but Leader says the first time he saw beyond, he saw an apple. Matty chuckles, and Leader cautions him to "wait for the true need" and not spend his gift. Leader puts his arm around him and insists that Matty will know when the time is right.

Matty says he needs to go tell Jean he's leaving, but Leader keeps his arm around Matty's shoulder. Then Leader looks out the window, and Matty feels Leader's arm come alive with power and energy. After a few moments, Leader lifts his arm. He seems exhausted, and collapses into a chair. Then he says that Forest is "thickening," though Matty can't understand what this means. Leader says he doesn't understand it either, but it's as if Forest is clotting like blood. Matty tries to say that there's a storm coming, so maybe that’s what Leader saw, but Leader explains that he was trying to look through Forest to see Kira, and he couldn't push through. He says that Matty shouldn't go; it's not safe in Forest.

Matty is momentarily disappointed, but then says he has to go—he promised to bring Kira to Seer. Leader asks if Kira will want to come, and Matty assures him that she will. Leader explains that he's going to try to look beyond Forest again. Matty sits down with Frolic and watches as Leader's body tenses like he's in pain, and his eyes look somewhere far away. He finally slumps back into a chair and explains that he reached Kira. Matty asks if two people’s gifts could somehow meet each other halfway, making it easier for both of them, but Leader doesn't know. Matty insists that he's going. He listens to Leader warn him again to not spend his gift. As Matty starts down the stairs, Leader asks if Kira is pretty. Matty points out that she has a crooked leg, but Leader says that she's lovely.

Matty isn't ready to go until late afternoon. He packs the messages in his blanket as Seer packs food in a backpack. Seer asks Matty to tell Kira about the homeplace and their flower garden, but Matty insists that since Kira has a gift, she'll already know. He also tries to assure Seer that Kira will want to come. Jean knocks on the door and offers Matty a loaf of bread to take with him. Matty mentions that he wants to say goodbye to Ramon before he leaves, but Jean says that Herbalist has quarantined Ramon and his sister, fearing they'll start an epidemic.

This concerns Matty, as epidemics have never come to Village like they once went through Matty's old settlement. Matty considers using his gift to save Ramon, but knows that he wouldn't be able to make it through Forest weakened from the effort. He also remembers Leader's advice to not use his gift. Jean calls for Matty's attention and points to the tapestry that Kira made. She says it's different, and Matty sees what she means: the threads that create the trees in it are now knotted and twisted, and it seems ominous. Matty gives Jean a look and says the tapestry seems fine. He hugs Seer and Jean kisses Matty before he leaves.