Chapter 218: Shadowwalker
Irwin and Greldo walked through the outer wall of Portal Keep until they found Basil and Xi'kroak. Seeing the Da'xi leader, Irwin noticed a gleam on the other's face plates and a glitter in his eyes.
"Smith Irwin," Xi'kroak boomed, causing Basil to look up. "It is good to see you again."
"Captain Xi'kroak, how are you?" Irwin asked.
"Fine. The building of the Da'xi district is going well, though I would have liked more space," Xi'kroak said.
Irwin wasn't surprised as he recalled how much space the different species' distract had been back in Fiverio. "Daubutim has good reasons to limit the area given to any single district."
"I know, and although his reasoning is sound, it will take some getting used to," Xi'kroak said. "Especially with the Frozir district nearby."
Irwin raised an eyebrow, then noticed Basil shaking his head, mouthing no.
Okay, let's just leave that for now, Irwin thought. He turned to the central court and the heavily fortified tower that housed the exit portal. "How are things on the other side?"
"Good so far. I take it Lord Bron told you about what Xi'kroak saw?" Basil asked.
"Yes, that's why I'm here," Irwin said. "How is the growth of the trees going?"
Xi'kroak hummed, answering before Basil could. "The temperature has increased and stabilized. Between this and the carded, the vegetation is flourishing. Still, it will take at least a month or two before the trees grow up to the exit portal and at least another month before the branches are thick enough to hold any type of structure."
"Then we need to make sure no Galub ships find us, or if they do, that we take care of them before they can flee," Irwin said.