The figure of a man arching a scowling and screeching animal out of the courtly building was not one people often saw but were treated to in the eyeful as the Demon walked his familiar into the street and dropped him there.

"Well, I hope you are satisfied, because I'm not. You ruined a perfectly good presentation and got me thrown out of the courts. And I doubt Artman is poor enough presenter to display the same creation twice." The demon said with a contemptuous glare. The Cat hissed and tried to claw at his boot.

"Oh stop that, this behavior is dastardly and childish. I have far more important things to do than keeping you out of trouble. Honestly, what were you even thinking, All together there was enough mystic power in that room to reduce you to naught but a strange smell and a few loose hairs!"

The Cat gave an evil howl "I've Sworn vengeance! I will not be denied! Mark my words demon! I shall repay this injustice to you, I'll reclaim my body and my power, and then you will suffer my-"

"Charming little speech you've got there, it is. But I've heard so many over the years, to tell the truth, it just puts me to sleep." the demon checked his pocket watch and frowned.

"hrmph, I suppose I'll have to get a move on. While you were faffing about I finalized my purchase of a new house. Unfortunately, my attempts at licensing a guild were for naught. without a License or Approval from the Church, I haven't a prayer. Mostly your fault, you're terrible at making friends."

The Cat grimaced back at that comment. Then the demon sighed and started "I suppose that would make this moving day. I haven't got much else to do. Oh wait, I could purchase an Icebox. Yes, that should be interesting, and vital I would assume. I'll write that down for later, oh, and a lamp. I'll need something to store my Fire in, can't just leave Hellflame lying about. That stuff is a danger to mortals. That and I don't wish to explain myself to the High courts about why I was using it to heat my new home..."

The Demon continued to mutter to himself as he walked off, ignoring his former companion altogether. The Cat sat there in stunned disbelief.

"He ignored me." fell from his mouth. "He's completely ignored me," he repeated as if that would explain things. He glanced over his shoulder and all around for a moment, and grew furious once again.

"He's Ignored Me!" he growled, utterly incensed by this. Though unsure if he was angry about being ignored, or that someone would have the Gaul direct such rudeness towards him.

The Cat sniffed the air with a haughty disposition. "Well, if he's going to ignore me, I'll just be on my way. I have better things than to argue with plebians and watch broken toys stumble about," he said, to no one. He was still very confused. He'd never been ignored before, his presence usually elicited responses from everyone, grim attention followed him. Kept all but the fools at bay.

But never Ignored outright.

The Cat was still puzzling over this in the back of his mind when an unruly stranger cried out.

"Move yah, Blasted vermin" and punted him down the street with a hearty kick. His landing scrapped the cobblestones as he was hurled into the middle of the street, then rolled out of the way of a carriage wheel as it clattered over top of him.

He spat foul and full curses at the vagabond who did that, swearing by thunder and by hellfire he'd return the favors twice fold. then grumbled, finding the man was no longer there to hear it, and began limping away, eagerly, and bitterly, awaiting a plan for his next scheme to unfold.

As soon as he could feel his legs again.

Artman was awash in relief and jubelie. The Verdict had been handed down unanimously. Artman was once again an Offical licensed Magician under the Orthodoxy. Father Brion had called many of his old friends to come and celebrate his return to the fold, some of the magistrates and officials from the Trial even showed up to congratulate him on his invention and to raise a toast to his future success.

Everyone was excited, they had stormed into a nearby tavern and had started their celebrations there, raising drinks and songs in triumph over their merry band, indeed Artman was man-made new.

All through the eve of their joyous cries, Artman wore a proud smile that was stuck to him like it had been painted there. the euphoria was like that of a long-awaited wedding or a Soldier coming home from distant lands. Mavis treated everyone to dance on one of the tables, and somewhere a chant got started in the back and swelled forward like a tidal surge.

"Speech, Speech SPEECH SPEECH SPEECH, SPEECH, SPEECH SPEECH!"

Artman raised a hand to quiet them and to honor their request, stood on the Table next to Mavin, and began to make his proclamation.

"Alright you, All of you, Settle down, Settle Down now." he waited for the room to grow quieter before he started "Now, I'm sure all of you are here for the same reason I am. And it's not because someone else is paying for drinks tonight." A small wave of laughter rippled through the gathering as Artman tried to keep his composure. "And for those of you who just happened to be dragged in with the lot of us, well, You'll find yourself in good company, For there's no company like Wizard Company, Am I Right!?"

A whoop and a holler went up from some of the less restrained wizards and a few of the drunk old ones.

"Well, All I can say is. I am glad to be back in this company. Now and forever, It was a lot of work getting here, many sleepless nights and strange days." a slight chuckle and knowing looks were exchanged.

"But Here I stand proudly amount, not as an outcast, but as a Brother and Friend once more. I have braved the Gauntlet, and been found Worthy! So I lift a toast to the Almighty for setting this before me, towards Father Brion, who kept me on the straight whilst I was separated from you. To dear Lady Mavin, a treasure to all who know her and a mystery to those who don't." A few strange looks circled as they puzzled that one out.

"And towards the Wooden Man, who made my dreams manifest before all and is the one whom we should all be toasting tonight. If not for him, this wouldn't be possible." Artman leaned down and snatched a glass handed to him, raising it high he cried.

"To The Wooden Man!"

"TO THE WOODEN MAN!!" was the Thunderous chorus in reply as Artman Drank Deeply of the warm ale, When he finished there was cheering once more as the celebration continued until the morning, were they each greeted the sun with heads held high, and eye's firmly shut.