The Sun had not yet risen, but Montissiya awoke her peers. They would now set out for the Kingdom of Montlefor. They could travel along the Sluvoo swiftly and silently, but between the forest and the river was a large plain that stretched for miles. Montissiya knew that it was once home to the Hilaku, a tribe who had only shown hostility towards her own tribe. However, she also knew that they were nomads, and they traveled in groups of only about twenty or so. And finally, she knew that it was her only choice, so off they went, into the dark, frigid, Sluvoo river.
Meanwhile, Dohuku made a sheath for his dagger, placed the dagger in the sheath, and placed it on his left arm, for easy access. He also sheathed the scythe behind his back, although he shortened the stick so it would be easy to use. He would be traveling in the opposite direction down the Sluvoo, right next to the Tarahaki Hills, where the Valchior got their drinking water. He did not even think of that, as he swam for the hills. The trip to the Hills did not take long, because he was a great swimmer. Once in the Valchior Territory, he swam cautiously, watching and listening to everything. He did not see anything in the water, until it was too late. Valchior were not great swimmers, and it was odd to see one swimming... Nevertheless, there one was, and by the time he saw it, it had already witnessed his approach. It was younger than he, about 14 or so was. He had only one choice: He had to silence him. He swam quickly, and put the creature's head underwater. It could not scream, let alone breathe... Just then, he heard another Valchior yell: "Fin Del, you have committed treason, and will be exterminated... The Somahaku are all dead, you're next. Why you did not fight is up to you, but whatever the reason, it will cost you your life!
"Come out now, and it will be slow and painless... make us chase you, and it will be much, much worse!"
Dohuku swam forward, keeping his hand on the creature's mouth. He lifted its head above the water, but kept his hand in place. It could now breathe, but not scream.
After 3 minutes, they were at a safe distance of 3 km. Then he let the creature go.
"What are you going to do to me?"
"Don't worry, yet... Why are they after you?"
M-my Elders told me to fight... everyone else my age and older did. I refused to fight; I can't stand to see dying people. Also... I've come to hate my entire tribe!"
"Why... why is that?"
"Th-they killed my entire family for befriending a Somahaku... hey, wait, you... you're a Somahaku, aren't you!"
"Yes, me and about twenty others have escaped... I think. They fled, but I stayed... I only pray they survived..."
"So, what are you gonna do?"
"Like it or not, I will avenge my tribe! I have waged war on the Valchior!" Dohuku was on the verge of tears by now; he was shaking so much, he could barely stand...
"Please, let me help you! I beg you... I have no family in the Valchior, and only one friend.
"I'm guessing that you must be going somewhere now, right?
There is no way you could beat them all, yet. So, please bring me with you, and when we return, help me get my only living friend, Chemesa, out..." Fin Del followed suit; he had to sit down to contain himself...
"Fine, but we have to move quickly! If they find us, we're both dead..."
Back in the Sluvoo, Montissiya led her tribe onto land, ready for the slow and steady rip across the plain. As far as her eyes could see, it was safe. They started walking, and, after a couple of hours, the sun was up, and they were at the edge of the Forest...
And that's when they heard it.
A large screech. They all looked up, and saw the putrid faces of the Valchior Falcons...
'What does this mean,' Montissiya asked herself... Then it hit her: 'The Kingdom of Montlefor is under attack!'
The Somahaku moved swiftly through the Juhuto Forest... and their hearts sank.
There he was, Lord Konowich, King of the Kontor people, and Ruler of the Kingdom of Montlefor... shaking hands with Kiyu-Su-Lu, Ruler of the Tarahaki Hills, King of the Valchior, and the very man who, only hours ago, ordered the death of their tribe...
'What does this mean,' she asked herself. 'Our long-time allies, and friends, have betrayed us? WHY?'
She told her followers that they had to leave, and think. This was a mistake. The Kontor had unsurpassed hearing, and one of them heard her whispering. A flurry of red came towards them, and they realized it was an army of Valchior Griffins! They turned, and ran! They were in the plains before the Griffins caught up to them. Just as one swooped in, it seemed as though it was having a seizure: It spun around in circles, and crashed onto the ground. It slid for about 30 feet. It ended at the feet of Montissiya, and she realized that it did not have a seizure: Two arrows were directly in the center of the pupils of its two eyes. Like a flash from behind the Somahaku, a flurry of arrows knocked the Griffins out of the sky, just in time for 5 Valchior Souhari to arrive. All of a sudden, five white objects soared above the Somahaku, and each threw a Javelin. They went right through the necks of the Souhari. It was over.
