Approaching the rim of the city Klem could see a moat of shimmering black water surrounded it. On closer inspection, it was not water but a writhing, living mass of beetles. Thousands of them created the chitinous black moat.

Lorus led the party to a walkway and they crossed the living gully. Klem noticed that although the air smelled dank there was some movement of air. Not a breeze by any means but enough movement to stop the air becoming stale. The smell of the beetles would take some getting used to.

The three digmen made the crossing look easy. The bridge swayed precariously with the seven of them on it and Klem was unable to fully appreciate the magnificent glowing city as staring at his wobbling feet were foremost in his mind.

Many digmen greeted their arrival and ushered them enthusiastically into the central hall.

Amongst the welcoming chatter, Klem felt brushing against his shins. Dorky looked up at him and pawed his kneecaps.

Thank the ever facing moons you are safe. It has been a very long time since I had pie crusts. Do you have any?

"No, I don't. Maybe the digmen will make some very nice ones?" Klem cheerily ruffled Dorkys silver fur. Smiling into the marsh dribblers eyes in relieved reunion.

I hope so. I have been eating beetle food since I got here it smells of bum wind and tastes worse. They do not understand me.

"Follow us. I think we are in for a banquet." Klem had never realised how funny and endearing Dorky could be. It was strange how his mind-speak became clear away from home?

The Great Hall of Golden City was used to feasting and merriment. Platters of undistinguishable food were bought out by hooded servants who quickly disappeared once the tables were full.

The Digmen, Klem had noticed hardly said a word. They smiled frequently but so far he had only heard a low level of grunting. Lorus seemed to be the chief and he walked to the centre of the large hall where a slightly raised circle of wood stone took centre stage. The wood stone had been carved intricately with faces and animals from all sorts of strange people and beasts. The Centre of the circle shone like an inlaid pearl. All the digmen turned to face Lorus and gave intense attention to his every word.

Not a sound was heard throughout the hall. The digmen did not waste words and every utterance of their chief was listened to with complete and utter concentration.

"We welcome Pendulum, Klem and Todd. They are the friends of Helder and the beast Dorky. We are thankful that we could save them from their dangers above. Campion will be their designated communicator and will answer any questions they may have. Enjoy the food, prepared below; drink some hush, before you go."

With that, the digmen rose and clapped their hands in reverence to their leader.

Many smiles and nods and winks accompanied the feast. The digmen, however, were not ones for idle gossip. In fact, they were not ones for words full stop.

Exhausted from their captivity (and Dorky from his lack of wholesome sustenance) the five sat quietly at their table. Campion and Arnum ate silently with them enjoying the food and the company, as well as the jugglers and acrobats who were able to pull out the occasional ooh and aah from the difficult crowd.

After the friends had eaten, great tankards of sweet liquid were handed out. The hooded servants did their chores efficiently without any preamble. Klem presumed that this was the 'hush' that Lorus had mentioned.

Helder had not partaken of any of the food or drink and had quietly watched as the digmen had enjoyed the feast.

Dorky had been happy with the scraps of pastry-like crusts that had been dropped to him as he curled under the table.

Pendulum had been watching proceedings with awe, in fact, he found himself having to close his mouth in fear of looking overawed.

"I was unaware of the existence of The Underneath. I really thought I was quite knowledgeable about the nature of Agios and its inhabitants but I seem to have missed a whole realm. I wonder how much else I am ignorant about." He said to no-one in particular.

Helder answered indirectly.

-We have been very well cared for here in the hub. They choose their words carefully and it seems to me that gossiping is possibly a crime here so I will be careful of what and how I say it. It is unusual to me that the womenfolk dress as servants and live 'down below'. The men live on this level, with some dalliances down below but that is not the norm. They are in reverence to beings they call 'The Glow Mothers.' These beings tend the Glow Moths and other insects of the lower firmament. I have seen a Glow Mother only briefly, flitting around the glowing nests. I have heard of fairies on the vines but this is the first time I have understood their reality. So like you, my friend I am new to a major part of this realm's machinations. I think our inquisitiveness may not be appreciated here so maybe not ask too many questions and let them keep their ways to themselves.-

Campion let out a rumbling noise as if he needed to warm up his vocal cords before he spoke.

"I hear your words Pendulum, my friend."

Helder let out an audible gasp. Thinking that Campion could hear his mind-speak to the others. He had certainly aimed his thoughts at Todd, Klem, Pendulum and Dorky and would have been mortified to think that the digmen had heard.

The wizard noticed Helder's distress with a look and picked up the conversation as if nothing was amiss.

"I have been so awestruck by your community that I have been remiss in offering my thanks for your rescue of us from that awful slave camp. I give you my heartfelt gratitude and I am sure I speak for all of us here in saying if there is anything we can do in return please just ask."

Campion's grimy lined face looked seriously at Pendulum and then the others in the party.

"We would appreciate it if you did not speak of our community above. We like to keep ourselves to ourselves and we dislike idle chatter as you have most likely noticed."

Campion continued finding his seldom-used voice. His vocabulary increased by the lubrication of hush.

"We are simple people, we love to dig out our tunnels and build from woodstone. You should see our gallery. It is forever growing and is the centre of our community. Our works depicting the goddess are a sight to behold. Maybe I can show you them before you leave?"

"I think that would be splendid." Pendulum answered for the group. "However, after our ordeal, we are exhausted. Your hospitality has been inordinate. We beg your leave until tomorrow."

The hall was becoming perceptibly louder with the grunting conversations of the Digmen. The 'hush' seemed to have an opposite effect on them and loosened their usually stunted chat.

"It seems as if the evening is getting more interesting," Todd said as the group were led through the main hall into a stone corridor of the west of the complex. As he said that, shouting erupted at a table to their left and various dinner type missiles were being flung across the room, none of which seemed to be in anger but mostly high spirits. Todd wondered to himself if this was how every evening in the Golden City ended up.

The rooms were simple. A large table adorned the centre of a roughly square chamber and the beds were slits neatly cut into the solid rock. Minimal soft furnishings were just enough to encourage sleep.

Dorky curled up on Klem's feet and they seemed very happy to be reunited.

Helder and Dorky had carried all the belongings left behind in the forest and they were neatly stacked in a corner of the chamber. Klem had his bow back! Todd caressed the knife that Grimwald had given him and Pendulum traced the lines on his staff for a good long time before nodding off in the middle of rolling some spurt weed for his pipe.

It had been an astonishing day for all of them. Helder had saved the day and the feeling of togetherness was a relief. Maybe now the boys could get Pendulum to the healers in Pride and finally get on the road to Kings Port and their families

The morning seemed strange. Waking to silence and moth glow was alien to Klem. He had slept well but the stillness gave him a feeling of apprehension. It was a 'before the storm' feeling. After all that had happened, it felt like the beginning of a new chapter for him. The new day gave him chance to find his place in the scheme of things.

Both Lorus and Campion showed Pendulum and Helder around their gallery of woodstone carvings. Klem and Todd dawdled childishly. Dorky had gone off to say goodbye to his beetle friends.

The carvings were impressive but most were of the same thing. She was a fairy-like goddess in many states of dress and undress. Todd commented to Klem that the digmen "Should get out more." Which made Klem chuckle. It did, however, ring true.

Klem realised that he could not live here in the underneath. It was too oppressive and a feeling of enclosure was creeping upon him.

"I will be glad to breathe some fresh air." He lifted his face to the darkness. He pulled a grimace after his exaggerated breath.

"I know what you mean. But knowing these digmen may become very helpful if we want to travel the underneath for any reason. It may be a good idea not to offend them."

"You are right. When did you become so wise? This is definitely a new day." Klem smiled. He put his arm around his friend's shoulders and led him off towards their new acquaintances. Feigning interest in their carvings soon gave way to actual impressiveness.

Harnessing twenty beetles looked like hard work but the digmen were deft in their mastery. Once harnessed to the carts they made swift progress up the spoke of the waggon wheel that was labelled with the rune of a shield. They were heading for Pride.

Beetle power was just as exciting as freewheeling down. Halfway up the spoke to Pride, Lorus halted the beetles and bade the party alight.

"Friends, we have been happy to aid you to escape the Mangorian camp, but we realise that your way forward may still lead you into peril. We are a peaceful people, and over the seasons have amassed a very large armoury, most of which we have found in caves and buried in the underneath. We would be happy for you to take what you may need to defend yourselves. All we ask is that you keep our existence a secret from others."

As they turned into a cave off the cart track they became dazzled. One moth's nest was all it took to light the room. Swords, knives, bows, axes, shields, helmets and armour glimmered menacingly in the large collection of both ornate and functional weapons and armour.

Klem found a leather jerkin to protect him from both the cold and any blade or arrow. He decided against the golden embossed knife with a tarnished blade and opted for a simpler, very sharp looking knife with a functional belt sheath. He also found some very well made arrows for his bow.

Todd could not decide. All the swords were too big and clumsy. He was happy with his knife and sheath. He took a leather jerkin similar to Klem's and after much deliberation decided on two silver metal wrist bands. They were not fancy but had a single green stone embedded in each and would prove good protection in any hand to hand combat. As well as looking good.

Pendulum needed a new robe and found a perfect fit in a deep blue. It had many pockets and still had mysterious gems, rocks and bags of powder. Pendulum was ecstatic. He didn't know what they were but he was looking forward to finding out.

Helder already had visited this place when he first arrived and had been happy to find a very well-fitting cloak. He now found a golden clasp encrusted with a rainbow of gemstones. It kept his hood tight around his face if he needed to be inconspicuous or attached to his shoulder if not. They all, more importantly, found some comfortable leather boots.

Their thanks were genuine. The digmen had been more than helpful. They owed them their lives. Their confidence was a small price to pay. Klem and Todd vowed to repay the digmen some way in the future. They were not sure how but they knew they were beholden.

Reaching the rim the cart stopped. The beetles were unharnessed and scampered off in different directions each with their own agenda.

"We are just outside the gates of Pride. We have no permanent risers here so must summon the caster if you wish to surface." Lorus announced.

"Here would be fine thank you." Pendulum sounded eager to see the summoning of the caster.

Lorus bowed low and with a smile at Campion, he began to chant and hum then sway, Campion, burst out laughing with a low chuckle.

"Don't, please." Campion held his sides.

Lorus stood up. Now he was laughing too. He reached for the chain around his neck and blew into a silent whistle.

"That should do it." Lorus said." Sorry people it's a private joke. We do it to any outsiders. It amuses us. There is no magic here they just come to the whistle."

The silent worm came eventually. When it saw them it took one look towards the ceiling and rose. It looked as if it just ate the roof, made a hole; the soil passed through its body and was secreted behind itself creating a spiral walkway upwards.

Fantastic thought Helder to everyone.

Agreeing they walked upwards, clasping Lorus and Campion like brothers and thanking them again they made their way sedately out of the hole and looked upon the city of Pride. They were there before the mangorians! How much time they had before the invasion however they did not know.