Raven, Nicky and I went home. Ash, Echo, Margaret and the guards would escort the strangers to the castle. It took several days for them to arrive. In the meantime I spent most of my time with the children, in swordplay or sleeping. When they arrived they were separated male and female into apartments, clothed in our clothing and taught somethings about the land. Two days later they were brought before us.

Raven and I sat on our thrones. Gone were the warrior King and Queen of the woods replaced we sat in all our splendor. Raven in his customary black, myself drenched in gold. They were escorted in by Nicky, the men bowed and the women curtsied as they were taught.

“Rise, please my guests. You have been brought before us today after being found wandering our lands. We hope you have been made comfortable while in our home. We have been told you have been learning about the place you have come to, and it pleases us. There is still much you need learn but first…We would like to give you the choice to remain here. It is obvious to us that a part of you belongs here. Not just anyone can find our home. We do not want an answer now, please, we would like to give you some time to think this through…understand this is a most serious and permanent decision. You will all be taken on a small outing today to view the surrounding area and to the main village. Please enjoy yourselves. We will call to you on the morrow for your answer. You may go.” I said

They did not have time to say a word, Nicky was shooing them out of the throne room. The following day they were brought before us one by one. First was Elizabeth.

“Elizabeth, you have been given the option to remain here, to make Goldenbrook your home. In living here you must live by our customs and laws” Raven said sternly as she rose from her curtsy. With that Nicky spent the next fifteen minutes reciting the new decrees and some of the more important old decrees. “Please feel free to ask any questions you have, a private audience with the Queen and King are rare” Nicky added at the end.

“I have no questions, I wish to stay” Elizabeth said standing proud. “We are glad Elizabeth, Once we are finished you will be taken to the home of Molan and Yona, there you will live for a time of no less than one year to become accustom to our ways” I said to her. With that Nicky had her sign a pledge that we had made for new comers from the dying lands. It was finished with a drop of blood.

Next was Kevin, he was the man found ill by the well. Raven said the same to him as Elizabeth, Nicky read all the decrees. He too wanted to stay. He was to live with Jims the teacher.

Next came Virginia one of the first two women found by Echo. She however refused to stay. “It is with great sadness we have heard your decision Virginia, You will be returned to your apartment and made comfortable until preparations are made for you to leave this land” I said.

After her came Amy. She was staying and we housed her with Jayce the stone cutter. This was done on purpose, a little match making on my part, as it was already spreading that Steven would not stay. Which was finally his decision to leave and we had him returned to his apartment.

Jackie was next, she was the second woman found by Echo, she too refused to stay. Following her was Miranda, Amy sister, she stayed, and i was glad she would stay like her sister. We housed her with Widow Higgin.

The last was Kelsey and she was torn. She asked us for more time to decide. We were not able to provide it. I told her the best I could do was give her a few hours. She was escorted to a new chamber.