The storm had finally abated. After a full night and most of the morning. Persistent, driving rain and thunder had pounded the fens and raised the water level a good two knuckles. The village pond had almost doubled its size.

Although the evening light was fading, Ambrose Fleetfoot sat in his chair reading a book entitled 'Plants and their healing properties'. It was a book recently acquired for him by Captain Sharpe from the local garrison. The captain had promised to pick it up for him from Kings-Port on his last home leave in part payment for his treatment for rumbling bowels, a relic from his time on the murkland campaign.

Ambrose had studied herb lore all his life and made a good respectable living out of treating the people of the village for their various ailments. It was good to read that what he had learnt by word of mouth and trial and error was confirmed in writing. Books were a rare luxury, and it would surprise Ambrose if there were more than twenty books in the whole village, most of which were under the close supervision of the schoolmaster.

Rising from his chair, he stooped to pick up the poker and tumbled the burning coals to glow brighter and release more warmth into the room.

He kept his greying hair short, and his chin cleanly shaved giving a feel of professionalism intended to put his patients at ease. Slow to anger and steady in a crisis, Ambrose gave off an air of competency. Having Klem as a son had taught him the value of calm. That boy was special. He could see the potential within him. He could see that although his thinking was different if channelled correctly he would have endless opportunities in life. Ambrose hoped that Klem would make an ideal apprentice for him. Convincing Klem to follow in his footsteps was a difficult challenge. He knew that Klem could not be swayed. Klem would not do anything that was not his own idea.

Baby Mo sat on the woollen rug with an array of toys surrounding her. Currently chewing on her rattle, the blocks, dolls and comfort blanket, discarded for now. Her happy eyes were staring momentarily at the flickering flames he had just refreshed.

Connie was drawing dragons. She loved to draw. Dragons were her first love. She had even seen one flying in the distance out towards Smugglers Cove to the East. They had seen it together and he had pointed it out to her last No-leaf. Sitting next to Mo on the rug, she was making sure Mo didn't get up to any mischief.

Everyone said that Connie was the spitting image of her mother, Alice with dark shoulder-length hair and bright, intelligent green eyes. Ambrose could see the likeness.

Jed was helping his mum. Always quick to help and the first to do chores he was sitting at the large wood table winding cotton onto reels, all different colours onto separate spools while Alice was pinning the hem of a skirt ready for stitching.

Flowers were everywhere! Vases sat on the table next to the cloth. Vases on the mantelpiece, vases on the window sill and plants in earthenware pots dotted all over the room. Alice adored flowers. Ambrose picked them up on his travels searching for herbs and grew them in the garden in large numbers to trade locally and sometimes as the demand was so great took them to other villages. Ambrose's' herbs fought for space in the tightly packed garden.

"Ambrose I am worried," Alice spoke out of the blue. "What will Grimwald and the council decide do you think?" Alice looked up from her needlework.

"Darling I am not sure, but I am afraid that we may have to leave for a while. I don't think we will stay and try to fight the mangorians." He peered over his book.

"But we can't leave, our whole world is here, the kids, the plants, your sister and Uncle Bob?!"

Her voice cracked with emotion her eyes looked pleadingly at her husband hoping for him to give his reassurance that everything would be all right. Tears were beginning to fall.

"Alice, I love you dearly, but I can't say that this is going to be easy. It is for the sake of the kids that we may have to leave." Alice was holding back the sobs as she rose from the kitchen table. Ambrose was a full head taller than she as she raised a determined face to look lovingly into his eyes. "I will go with you to the ends of the world my darling." and sobbed into his safe, comforting arms.

"I think we should begin to pack. I will bring Klem, Bob and Ethel back from the council with me and we will have a family discussion later, there is much to think on. And all will be well; we can get through this together." Ambrose sounded more confident than he felt but knew he had to stay strong and in control for the sake of his family.

Ambrose Fleetfoot kissed his wife and his daughters, tousled roughly his son Jed's hair and put on his hogs skin coat and wide-brimmed hat before making his way to the council hall.

He looked over his shoulder as he left. Concern was within him. He saw Alice go back to her needlework but her thoughts were elsewhere as she gazed sombrely into the crackling fire.

The council hall was on the edge of the village green to the North of Nocton. The light was fading fast, and the meeting set for nightfall. Others were making their way to the hall through the muddy walkways, Klem came flying down the side of the green, splashing mud as he ran to greet his dad.

"Dad, dad I'm coming to the meeting!" Mud smeared the hem of his leggings.

"Calm down son you are near to age, and in times like these, you will need to act more becoming. This meeting is a serious business, and you need to behave more grown-up. It is not a time for boyish excitement but a time for considered thought and decision making."

"I get you, dad, I will do my best" The glee immediately disappearing from his face. "Uncle Bob is already there he's waiting for you outside" Klem slowed his pace to match his father, but it was hard to reign back the excitement within him.

***

The hall was bustling and throbbing with the accumulated mumblings of the villagers. Ship oil lamps were being lit all around the room, ensconced in wildly carved wood brackets. Dragons were the central theme of the carvings, but ekwids and marsh-dribblers had their places too. The solidly built hall was a testament to the skill of generations of carpenters, currently maintained and renovated by Ernie Stubbins, one of the five council members and renowned throughout fenland for his artistry. The floor of the hall comprised of solid, polished oak boards over six knuckles thick and these rested on yukoya struts to keep them from the soggy marshland underneath. The polished wood smell was always the first aroma to hit the nose on entering, and tonight this was added to by the unmistakable wet leather smell of the damp hats and coats of the villagers.

Klem followed his dad and uncle into the cram-packed hall. The hubbub was increasing until a loud hammering from Grimwald's ceremonial staff quietened the throng.

"Please be quiet for the emergency meeting of the village council."

Grimwald was fierce. He looked like he needed a bath even if he had just had one. His hair was red, not auburn or ginger but red blood, red, and he wore it tied back in the way of the warrior.

Klem subconsciously moved behind his father in fear at the sound of the big man's voice then moved back as he realised how cowardly that would look if anyone noticed his actions.

Five other people sat with Grimwald at the ornate, black-wood ceremonial table they were all leading men of the village. Ernie Stubbins was one, school headmaster Barton, Charlie Wickens the ekwid rancher and Morgan Starchild the village store owner made up the council members. Captain Sharpe of the king's garrison was the guest speaker.

"We are all aware of the mangorian invasion of Fenland, and we are going to open with the military report from captain sharp then we will hear thoughts on two possible courses of action one from myself and the other from Councillor Barton."

"Thank you, Grimwald." Captain Sharpe stood. Back straight. Handlebar moustache perfectly coiffured. and called for quiet in the room.

Klem spotted Todd across the hall and edged his way carefully through the listening audience. he was already struggling to maintain his attention on the meeting. It was not the way he would do things. He was ready to fight even with his less than adequate bow. Todd was a bit less headstrong and had mentioned in many a conversation that the good of the village would be better served by evacuation to regroup and return when the danger passes. Too bloody sensible Klem thought.

After making his way through, Klem gave Todd a punch on the forearm making him take a sharp intake of air in pain and surprise "ouch?!!"

"Ssh!" came the rebuff from at least three of the villagers who turned round towards the pair.

Captain Sharpe carried on with an angry glance.

"Well, the reports are saying that the mangorian army is camped in Upton and sending out scouting parties further and further into Fenland it may well be that significant parts of their military are already in Upton forest. "

Gasps resonated throughout the hall. Scared that they were that close, it made it all a bit more real and inevitable. The savages were heading towards Nocton. There was going to be no near miss.

"So I am afraid the chances of them reaching here soon are a definite possibility. There are reports of the enslavement of Upton villagers, and any resistance met with wholesale slaughter. Our troops are under orders to return to King's-Port and to make a stand there if necessary but they outnumber us by ten to one, and we are under further orders to escort all citizens of fenland to the capital as soon as possible. I am advising that all must evacuate under my company's protection on the morrow at noon. We cannot guarantee the safety of anyone who wishes to remain. I believe any other action may be decided by this council to be foolhardy and tantamount to suicide."

Captain Sharpe gave a pull on his large handlebar moustache as if to conclude his speech.

"Thank you for your time."

There were murmurs of agreement from the hall as captain Sharpe left the platform to sit back with the other councillors.

Well, that's that then Klem thought. It doesn't look like we have any options.

"Won't be doin' any fighting then Todd?"He whispered into his friend's ear

"You didn't think we would do you?" Todd mumbled back.

"Well was kinda thinking maybe we would."The disappointment was showing in Klem's voice.

Grimwald stood back up on the platform. "Well, you have heard what the captain has had to say. There are, as I see it, two other options that need discussing. One is to stay and fight the other is to stay and surrender.

The hall was stony silent as the villagers shifted their feet most looking at the floor as of their minds were already made up. Surely to stay would be foolish?

"Could we have some quiet for the councillor please?" Grimwald entreated, and waited for the hubbub to die. As he sat he gestured towards the councillor with his right hand.

"Oh, yes, well, thank you Grimwald." Barton stood up. He was a scholarly man. Only recently elected councillor for Nocton. King Jared had visited the village for the first and only time in its history to swear him in after the demise of his sickly predecessor. That was the first time Klem had had ale. He was very sick for days. He would never drink ale again. Councillor Barton rose to the platform. A small, tidy man. John Barton was the school's headmaster. Well learned, and well organised.

"I would like to say that my argument is that of stay and surrender. "He hurriedly spoke, almost as if he didn't want to give anyone the opportunity to interrupt.

" If we are peaceable to the invaders they will surely leave us be. They have to have children too and can see that we are a productive village and essential to the economy of Fenland. No one would want to destroy our people and community. They fight for land and power. They will have no people to rule if they destroy all they conquer. "

There was a muted agreement from the crowd. Some were grumbling.

John Barton quickly stood down from the platform, and Grimwald resumed the floor.

"We must hear all sides before we vote. I am putting to you all that we cannot give up our homes and families. Nocton has been here for centuries growing and prospering under the rule of King Jared, his father before him and a long line of fair and just rulers before him."

"But the Kings troops are retreating Grimwald! " It was Ambrose who shouted out. Klem jostled to get a better look at his father. He would never have expected such an outburst from him.

"If we had a chance they would stay and protect us. What do you say to that?"

"Ambrose," The gathering slowly quietened. "Ambrose, you have a good point. The chances are slim, but we have too much to lose by running away."

"As I see it it is a choice between our lives, our families lives or our way of life. I say to give up our way of life is the only choice. We can resume our livelihood when we are free of danger."

The hall erupted in its agreement by giving Ambrose a cheer, and those near him clapped him soundly on the back nearly winding him. Klem looked on in pride and astonishment not many would stand up to Grimwald when he was in full flow.

"Well spoken Ambrose." Grimwald quickly conceded.

"We are here to give points of view, and all opinions are valid. We will now have a vote unless anyone wants to add anything. May I just say that I will go along with the majority vote. And I urge us all to go along with the vote as a united village. Although we are all individuals and can go our own way if we wish."

The vote was unanimous for the village to evacuate along with Captain Sharps battalion at noon tomorrow.

It was a solemn trudge back home.