Ned climbs tree

Leaping from the canoe, Nedwin shinnied up the bare trunk like a monkey, avoiding clumps  of fungus where possible, tearing them off when they got in his way, indifferent to the vibrant puffs of spores. Rachel watched from below, astonished at how swiftly and confidently he found handholds where none seemed to exist. Before long, Nedwin reached the height where the first long limbs extended out from the trunk, and he vanished into the leafy canopy.

Chapter 14