The small band of people from the water’s edge sat and talked for a long time, trying to decide what was next. They did not want to wait for the Elders to decide their fate at the Gathering…

”We must have a plan ready” insisted Vayu. The others agreed. “We must not get separated…are we all agreed on that? None of the villages will want a large group of strangers suddenly moving in with them. It upsets the balance of the village, those in power will not like it. The rest of the folk will not take kindly to it either. We talk different, we dress different, we have different ways of doing things. The young men here are already giving us unfriendly looks.”

“ Tarik, your wife Nebet is with child. Aniket also has broken a bone. There are others, who are also injured or sick. We must stay until the Gathering, anyway. After the gathering, it won't be long before winter sets in.

I propose that before the Gathering we will ask the Elder of Twisted Tree Hill to allow us some land to build a settlement, away from the village. If we work hard, we can still lay in some food for the winter. It is too late for the barley and the wheat, but we can still hunt, and there are fish in the streams.”

Orhan spoke up “Vayu, I had loaded my boat with some shell necklaces. They should fetch us some livestock and a loom at least, to start us off.” Orhan was a skilled artist, and his worked shell necklaces and head ornaments were much sought after.

Having decided that they would set off immediately, they wasted no time. The Elders were approached, and permission to leave was quickly granted. Asha said goodbye to her relatives, and left for home with them.

Vayu was constantly with one or other of his people. He had become, quite unconsciously, the leader of the group. He spoke for them. They came to him for directions, and obeyed quickly when he spoke. Hamza stood behind him like a wall of strength, the perfect second in command. Vayu himself was no longer the lost, tortured soul that had walked with them some days back. He was purposeful, strong, and energetic. The black eyes had lost none of their intensity, however, the brittle look was replaced by a keen alertness.

Asha noticed all this, and was glad for Vayu. She noted how different was this man from the broken shadow that he had been when she first saw him.

Within a few days' walk they were in sight of Twisted Tree hill. Asha realised how much she had missed home, and felt how glad she was to be back. She turned to Hana, her face shining, and said, "Home!" Hana's smile was strained, and her eyes showed a flash of pain as she replied, "Your home, Asha. Mine is beneath the water now."