They stopped outside the Tungol village leaving the stock to graze the plains. Will said they wouldn’t roam far since they were in new territory. The village was wrapped around a wide henge with seven monumental stones placed in a huge circle in its center. The dip of the earthen henge contained a slow flowing river which reflected the stones. There were entrances to the east and west of the structure with smaller standing stones forming short approaches. Walking up to the henge Will could feel the hair on his skin rise, he was struck by its simple beauty. The combined effect of the stones and river gave off a calm yet powerful energy marking their presence like a mighty orb in the landscape.

Raya smiled, "It's majestical isn't it. I love the feeling of it especially when you are inside the circle."

As they came closer to the approach two cloaked bowmen stepped out from behind a standing stone one in the yellow robes of the Tungol Scholars.

“State your business here, unfortunately we have no room for travelers.”

"This is odd" thought Raya drawing her hood back.

She was about to announce herself and her group when one of the bowmen called out.

“Will, is that really you!” and drew back his hood,

“Harward!” called Will and ran forward to greet him with a giant hug. The other bowman lowered their bow.

Arwin chuckled as she followed with Raya, “That's a first, someone who doesn't know who you are.”

Will introduced his friends. “These are my companions Arwin and...”

“This one I know” said the second bowman lowering his yellow hood smiling.

Will noticed his stark white hair which was common for Tungol Scholars.

“How do you fare Raya my young friend”

“I am well thankyou Tirel. We have a proposal that we would like to put to the group, is Charles about?” asked Raya

“He is, but you would have as much chance of finding him as me” said Tirel.

“Will, I have something to show you” said Harward excitedly, “Are you ok to guard the entrance by yourself for a moment Tirel?”

“Sure, but if you are going to be a while send someone else over.”

“I won't be too long” said Harward.

Arwin headed back to watch the animals while Will went off with Harward. Raya chatted to Tirel briefly then made her own way to the back of the village where the farm was located.

The village felt the same though there were a few new faces around. Here and there were tents and temporary-looking campsites dotted in once empty spaces. Raya found Charles in the orchard working with three people she didn’t recognise. He explained that the Scholars had decided to take in some of the refugees as he called them. They had set a number that they thought they could feed and were having to turn people away.

“We might be able to help,” said Raya and explained her groups plan with the animals. “If we gift you some of the animals for your assistance do you think we could make it work?”

“I think that our days of being nonpolitical are currently suspended, I for one have no problem in seeing the animals rustled from the queen being used to help heal the wrong she has created. Let's put it to the community.”

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

He gave some directions to the people working with him about which fruit trees to thin before they went to the hives.

“That reminds me Raya would you mind taking some time to help us plan our new hives? One of the refugees has some bee keeping experience but I think your help would be valuable. I hope you don’t feel that our expansion of the hives is conflicting with your work.”

“No, I don’t think it is a problem, my honey is different enough from plains honey and there are never enough candles. Besides, if you keep taking in people like this, there won't be much surplus to sell.”

“Where are the animals at the moment” he asked as they walked.

Raya told him that they were out on the plains south of the village.

“Why don’t you bring them around the back of the orchard and put them in the paddock between the bees and the river. That will make them look like that are ours if anyone comes. I can go and round up the people we need to talk to”

Will and Harward made their way north of the village to a small mud and stone hut. He heard the familiar cry of a falcon as they approached. Harward held out his arm and the bird landed on it gracefully. Will reached over and patted the falcon, one he knew well from the time he had spent with the castle's bird trainer. Harward, the bird master, had seen his gift for working with birds and had encouraged him to learn the art in between his lessons in court. Inside the hut Harward pulled a blanket off a large cage. Will couldn't believe his eyes, there sat Tonic, a golden eagle that Will had a strong bond with having helped raise him from a young bird. Seeing him, Tonic perked up and hopped over towards Will.

“I left the castle one day with two other birds and went out to fly them, somehow I never went back. It was the best decision I ever made. Life at the castle just kept getting worse. I don’t think anyone will even notice I'm gone. Tonic has not taken well to the move, I have been unable to get him to come out of his cage to fly, but I think he might for you.”

Will opened the door and Tonic stepped out without hesitation.

"Have you got a spare bird glove?” he asked Harward.

“Here take mine” Harward replied, excited to see the change in Tonic.

Will put the glove on and held out his arm, Tonic hopped right on. He was a big bird not yet full size but still half as tall as Will. Will stroked Tonics feathers and cooed to him to keep him settled.

“Do you want to take him out” asked Harward his eyes wide with enthusiasm.

Will proudly left the building with Tonic on his arm taking in the surroundings.

“He looks so reassured with you, why don’t you walk me back to my post at the entrance. If we go around the village there shouldn’t be anyone to distract him. See if you can get him to fly.”

Raya was back at the wagon telling Arwin the plan when Will arrived looking pleased with himself.

“How was your friend?” Arwin asked.

“Great thanks” said Will still smiling. “I met two old friends today."

He pulled out the glove that he had tucked into his belt and let out a shrill whistle. Tonic came swooping low over the plains, his wingspan was as wide as the cart. Arwin and Raya ducked when he came into land on Wills arm. Will had trouble holding his balance but regained it quickly and handed Tonic a piece of meat that Harward had given him.

“Meet Tonic,” he said proudly.

“That is one epic bird” said Arwin. “You are full of surprises”

Will transferred the eagle onto the edge of the cart and shook his arm.

“He is a bit big for me to handle properly, but we made a real connection when he was young. I have been working with him since.”

He filled them in on some more of his life in the castle and of Harward's liberating himself and the birds.

“Can I pat him?” asked Raya.

“Maybe you can feed him next time, he has been through some big changes, I think we should take it slowly.”

Will called Tonic to his arm and launched him back into the air. He circled high overhead as they herded the flock around the village.

“I can hardly believe we made it,” said Arwin.

“It certainly is a relief to be off the road and somewhere where the animals can blend in to another herd” said Will. “I never would have dreamed I would end up rustling stock from the Queen.”

“Nor I Will” said Arwin.

Charles arrived at the field with Harward as they were unhitching Flow.

“Those are some fine-looking animals,” said Charles.

“I couldn't find everyone I needed but everyone I did find thought it was a good plan.”

“Where is Tonic? is he doing ok?” asked Harward.

Will whistled again and Tonic appeared skimming the trees over the orchard. Will braced himself and managed to hold firm when the oversized bird landed and dropped a dead stoat from his beak.

“What a relief, I was wondering what I was going to do with him. You will keep him, won't you?” said Harward hopefully

“Really?, I was hoping you would say that.” said Will, letting the bird down to the ground to eat its kill.