The feast was set in the grounds of the guild. Overlooked by dragons mount. The guild was happy that death had been avoided. Only four mangorians had received arrow wounds. One was quite serious and being tended to in the guilds small hospital room. Healing was so seldom needed here.

The families of the guild were so helpful towards the four travellers. The younger ones carried any messages to the older ones who were happy to help in any way possible. Carrying water and messages, nothing was too much.

The food was piled high and the four had seen it on large trestle tables as they had each been shown to their more than luxurious rooms. They each had plenty of time to prepare themselves for the celebratory feast. The smell of delicious food encouraged them to make their preparations short.

The whole town was in attendance. They had had faith in Soloman and the guild but they had known that things could have got out of hand and their freedom had been on the line. Days of apprehension had led to much anxiety. Now was the time for celebration.

Helder knew thet his task was complete. He had experienced much in the last few days. His new friends. Meeting the digmen and the people of Pride. He would like to spend more time here in Pride and make sure Pendulum was well looked after and Klem and Todd were safely on the road to find their families. Communicating without words would have raised too many questions and the Yakoya wished to remain quietly at peace in the forest. Dealing with the politics of people was not for him. While the celebrations were happening he would find a link to the vines and let his people know that all was well and he was on his way back. There were surely some deep rooted trees over the ridge of dragons mount. He would say goodbye in the morning. Maybe he could travel the underneath back to the forest?

Klem banged loudly on the wall of his chamber.

"Are you ready yet Todd?" he yelled knowing his friend was in the adjacent room. "Better put your best frock on. There may be girls."

"You had better protect your knees then as you seem prone to tumbling in front of them. Any girl in particular that you are thinking about?"

"Well. Er em. Na." Klem mumbled back.

"Sorry didn't quite catch that," Todd replied with a laugh.

Both in high spirits, they came out of their rooms simultaneously and walked together down the well-built stone corridor. Not noticing the intricate wall hangings and fresh flowers placed so prettily in alcoves along the way.

They came out of the front doors that led onto the courtyard. Young children scurried off to inform their parents that the visitors had arrived.

Townsfolk were mingling around food strewn tables. Chatting merrily about the day's momentous events. Children chasing each other in and out of the oaks that lined the avenue. The peacefulness of the scene was not lost on Klem. To say that sometime before an army had invaded the town it felt surreal and dreamlike. This town was perfect.

There in the middle of the throng stood the girl. Everything else blurred out of his vision. She became all that existed there. Her jet black hair had been allowed to hang loose to her shoulders. It looked as if she had been brushing it for days. It shone almost as bright as her long-lashed, smiling eyes. He quickly pulled himself together and looked away. Conscious that he was staring and making a fool of himself. Luckily he noticed that Todd hadn't seen his momentary lapse.

"Welcome to Pride young men. You certainly picked a historical day to visit. May the invasion be over so quickly in the rest of fenland. My name is Adria. I am the wife of Soloman." She spoke with authority and feeling. "What brings you here?"

Todd found his voice first.

"Thank you for your welcome. My name is Todd Headway and this is my friend Klem Fleetfoot. We have been fleeing the invasion. We escaped the army and managed to get here before they did. Our families are on their way to Kingsport and we are hoping that they have made it safely. Our journey takes us there but our hearts are anxious. We will stay here tonight but we cannot stay too long. We know not what awaits us at Kingsport."

"The reports are not good I am afraid. Kingsport is under siege. More warriors appear there with every passing day. Your path will indeed be difficult if not impossible. Stay here as long as you wish. Talk to Solomon and the guild tomorrow but today is for celebration. Talk of invasion will have to wait. Let me introduce you to my family."

Adria introduced her children. Four boys and four girls.

"Tia, maybe you could show our guests around and introduce them to our friends?"

"I would like that mother." Tia half curtseyed and smiled at the boys. She turned to a boy by her side. We could do that Artemis don't you think?"

"Yeah, no problem Tia." Artemis agreed happily.

Thanking Adria for her welcome, Klem and Todd followed a short distance behind Tia and Artemis. Todd noticed his friend looked crestfallen.

"Hey, Klem. Don't worry we will get to Kingsport somehow. We have made some very interesting friends so far. They will help us."

"It's not just that Todd."

Todd looked towards Tia and Artemis. "Ah ha. I think I know the other cause of your gloom. Fear not. I have seen some barrels of Upton stout! Maybe that will lift your spirits."

The trapped mangorians had become resigned to their fate. They had all put their weapons into the boxes provided and the boxes had been hauled up the side of their cleverly constructed prison. Initially, they had tried to climb up the sides giving each other a leg up and clambering over each other making their way to the edge. The guild was ready though and pushed them back down. Then they had simply pulled another lever and a set of pretty gruesome spikes had come out of the wall. This stopped any further attempts at escape.

One by one they were allowed to climb a ladder and face their captors. Given a choice of being driven out of town or staying to help. It was soon becoming clear that the results were fifty-fifty. Some of those that said they wanted to stay and help were sent off anyway. The guild was very good at seeing through anyone that was not genuine in their attitude.

Pendulum had readied himself early and came down to the square to watch proceedings. He found it very interesting to see the guild question the men. It looked as if very few of the mangorians were capable of lying to the green robed captors. Those that did were wheedled out instantly. He stood in the background and smoked his pipe thoughtfully.

There was more to Pride than met the eye. It appeared that the guild and maybe even the whole village were indestructible. If Soloman and the lack of sickness were anything to go by. Pendulum thought it may be beneficial to stay here a while and investigate the phenomenon closer. It would certainly do his health no harm.

The sorting of the mangorians would continue way into the night. After a short while, he decided that it would be pleasant to find his friends and unwind with the celebrations. It had been a harrowing few days. He had seen some Nocton ker brandy on offer on his way down. That would really hit the spot.

The celebrations continued on into the night. Klem and Todd partook of some Upon stout and found a liking for it. Klem remained jolly even though the ale never gave him the confidence to talk to Tia. They both followed Tia and Artemis through the revelling crowds, being introduced to nearly all at the gathering. Making feeble small-talk to best of their dwindling abilities. Pendulum joined them later in the evening and explained the reason for the lack of guild members present. They had their work cut out down in the square and only a few at a time could enjoy the feast. The wizard advised them to get a good rest as Solomon was expecting them to talk with him the next morning. Klem shyly thanked the beautiful Tia for being the perfect host, uncomfortably shook Artemis's hand and bade them good night.

The large, Gnarled oak stood alone on the bank of the river. Pride lay over the mount to the west. Helder oozed out through the clinging bark to blink in the early sunrise. The vines had been eventful but he had managed a good night's rest. He put on his cloak and fastened its rainbow clip. Wearing clothes was becoming more normal to him and he wondered how the other Yakoya would react to his new attire. Probably with laughter he thought.

As he buckled his clasp, he noticed the refugees. Thousands of slaves that had been brought here by the mangorians were now free and camped outside Pride. They were far from home and must be unsure of what was happening. He could see a few green robes of The Architects mingling amongst them and was reassured that all would be under control. The Architects were a force to be reckoned with and their peaceful, powerful nature filled him with a respectful awe. It was early in the day and Helder knew he must say farewell to his friends and pass on the news from his elders.

The walk was not a long one and on his way into the recently occupied and instantaneously liberated Town of Pride he could see that it was beginning to swell with people. The invading soldiers and the previously held slaves were mingling as if nothing had happened. Townsfolk were preparing the biggest breakfast Helder could ever have imagined. There was a peaceful air and joy was not far below the surface. These people had seen an end to the war and had been given a new hope and direction for the future. Some would stay and help the Architects complete their vision of a new town of Pride and the others after a good feed would return and start to rebuild their future wherever that may be. Here was the birth of the resistance. Surely the mangorians would not last long in the fenland with this hope and spirit emerging. Helder felt elation. He had one last thing to do before returning to the forest. After his disastrous start to his journey, it seemed to have finished well. The Elders would be pleased.

After the celebrations of the night before, the families of the guild did not have long to rest. They now were clearing away from last night only to prepare for the feeding of the influx of refugees. Breakfast was to be served on the beach. Klem could live with that. He had slept well on Upton stout and Todd had had to shake him awake.

Pendulum was already on the beach surrounded by children asking him to juggle fire. After a few flickers and a burnt thumb, he ushered them away. He promised them he would perform after breakfast.

"It is impossible to conjure on an empty stomach." He smiled.

Pendulum, Klem and Todd sat on some rocks. They quietly ate their ham and cheese, each deep in thought over their adventures and what the future may hold. Helder found them like this and thought them solemn.

"Not at all dear friend Helder I think we are merely pensive. We are taking stock of where we have been and where we are headed." Pendulum spoke for them all.

I have greetings from the Yakoya. They are happy that you have arrived safely at Pride even if it was a tricky route that brought you here. For that, I apologise.

I am now to head home. My journey is now done and I will miss you.

There is, however, some strange mumblings on the vines and I have been asked to pass on a quite unusual message.

It is known that Todd and Klem are following their families to Kingsport. I have been told by the Elders that this may not be wise. Another path though longer may be more fruitful. This is all they said. I have told you word for word what they said. Another path though longer may be more fruitful.

"That is crazy Helder. What path?.." Klem was stopped in midsentence as Helder raised his hand.

Remember what they say. There is someone you should find to help you on this path. He is expected in Pride or is already here. I know not which. All the vines could tell us is 'Find the Redman' I can tell you no more.

Although bewildered the message from Helder was clear. The companions embraced in farewell. They watched as Helder walked confidently but alone out of the town onto the well-trodden path where the ground trembled and swallowed him whole.

.