Episode Nineteen: The Invitation

A soft, gentle mist of rain fell on the village and darker clouds could be seen in the distance as the sun set completely over the ocean. While leaving the gong, Dodo noticed the villagers quickly retreating into their huts for the night. A few of the children felt the Guiding Hand urging them to pick some mushrooms. Dodo wished Jem and Piku a good night, and they left for their huts. On his way he watched the kids run to the food bin with their gathered goodies. The last one tripped and dropped his in the fire. Embarrassed, the child got up and ran home. That's when Dodo saw Samar sitting alone in the rain.

Dodo carefully approached him. "He's alive, Dodo! My father is alive and so is Lakia!" Samar had tears of joy streaming down his face. "Do you know how old he must be?" Dodo shook his head. "He would have been 60 when I was born, and I am 42 now, so he must be 102!" Dodo was a little stunned, but he let Samar continue. "They're alive! They're alive! Can you believe it?!"

At first Dodo just stared at him in disbelief. Then he looked around the island and recalled the evening's events. "Well, stranger things have happened."

Samar chuckled. "I guess so. So what happens now?"

"The village may be in danger. So, we find out who was in the statue. Once we know that the village is safe, we'll leave to find Lakia and your father."

"We?" asked Samar.

"Yes, we." replied Dodo with a smile and helped Samar get up. Then he patted Samar on the back. "Let's go pack. We leave in the morning."

As they walked back to the village center Samar shared with Dodo why the Elders locked the door in the first place, and why no one is ever told about it. He told him about the King and Queen, their disappearance, and the failed search. Dodo requested that Samar tell the whole group about it while they are on their mission. When the two men parted ways, Dodo felt like it had been a very long day. But before he could call it a night he needed to catch up with Shuka.


The storm ended when Blanne stepped up onto the shore. He and Hong started a fire, and Lakia wrapped herself in the warm blanket. They ate quietly and then prepared to sleep. Lakia watched the flames dancing on the beach and missed her family. Their hut was closest to their firepit. She motioned for Hong to come over. When he had sat down, she turned to Him and offered him a smile. "Hong? I'm sorry that you had to be replaced. If the western shore is getting a new Leader, I hope he is as nice as you are." Blanne grinned delightedly at her from the other side of the fire. Hong put his arm around Lakia for just a moment, smiled and replied, "I hope the new Leader is as precious as you are right now." Then they all said goodnight, Hong found a place of his own, and the three of them slept.


Shuka jumped up and threw her hands in the air, "No one knows what happened to Tofo! It's like he disappeared into the wind!" Then she sat down and leaned over and whispered, "But that's why I need a favor from you four."

They were suddenly interrupted by a knocking on the door of their hut. "Dodo! Come in!" said Weeko as he motioned for their new Leader to come inside. They offered him a little late-night stew, but he politely declined. He only stopped in to give Shuka the plans for the boat. Then he left to his hut and fell fast asleep. Shuka, Leia, Weeko, Kali, and Akio talked late into the night about Shuka's plans.

Jem could hear them talking as she gathered what she needed from the other side of the hut. However, she couldn't quite make out everything they were saying. She packed her belongings, ate a small snack, and then went to sleep.

In another area of the village, Piku had gathered up everything he needed in his hut, but fell asleep while packing it up. During the night he had a dream about Biggles...

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