These yearlings were Marguerite and Juniper’s son and daughter, Oak and Burdock. Oak was named after his grandfather and Burdock after her great grandmother, both of whom were long Sun-gone and buried together, nourishing the Council Tree in Beech Valley. Their father, Juniper, had died heroically on the Mainland in the battle against the Greys at the Agglestone Rock the year before.Neither Oak nor Burdock had chosen mates this year, much to Marguerite’s disappointment, though each had a drey near to her own.‘If we’d stayed on the Mainland,’ said Oak the Wary, ‘we’d both have been on climbabout by now. I’ve been round Ourland so many times I know every tree and bush. I’m bored – think of something for us to do’‘I must admit that, with food everywhere, and nothing trying to kill us, life is just too Sun-damned easy,’ Burdock the Thoughtful replied. ‘We should be grateful to the Sun, but yes – I’m bored too.’ She was silent for a moment then said, ‘I know.
