The Milky Way And A Tree

Starfarers, 26.

"The moon was full but tiny; nearly all light fell from crowding stars and argent Milky Way. It blanched the leafless boughs and towering bole of the tree he sought. The scar from which it had its name stood like a rune on high." (p. 248)

We note:

a night scene with a single moon in the sky is normal on Earth but this is Tahir - however, we have already been told that this planet also has a single (small) moon;

yet another description of the Milky Way;

I had some trouble with what "It/it" was in the second and third sentences - the Milky Way blanches the boughs and the tree took its name from a scar but what is its name?

On the previous page:

"'I'll leave soon and meet you under the lightning tree.'" (p. 247)

But I had forgotten that. The moral of the story is: pay attention.