The next morning they awoke, all of them getting a good night's rest. They were invited to the mess hall of the Forks to eat with the Masedelo soldier's who were stationed there.
"After everything you have been through, I think you deserve a warm meal," said the soldier who came to escort them.
"Thank you Anrin," Baran said with a smile, then introduced him to the others, "This is Anrin, commander of this outpost."
They went inside and ate to their hearts content. Keirian looked to see about fifty soldiers in the hall. In times of peace, they surely didn't need a lot of men stationed here, he thought to himself.
All of them accepted the hot food very readily, especially after spending the last five days in the cold, windy hills. Hardly a word was spoken as they were too busy wolfing their food down. After the meal, they were invited to see the top deck of the stronghold.
They took a series of stairs along the east side of the waterfalls, until they arrived at the top. They stood out on a wide platform overlooking the four falls, at the top of the hill which they fell over. They talked with Anrin and Casse, another of the soldiers stationed there.
"I never even knew this stronghold was here. What's its purpose?" Keirian inquired.
"The stronghold of the Forks was built almost two hundred years ago," Anrin told him, "It was built to govern the passage of travel to the west of the river. We use it as docks for the boats which we use for trade. We use the river to transport goods from here to Guardia and Culilonia. We also use it for mining expeditions northwards to the Northern Peaks. Historical expeditions also come through here on their way to the ruined cities in Erestia."
"But to take the river as a trade route, wouldn't you have to pass through the Ti jungle?" Bale asked.
"Yes," Anrin answered, "But the residents of the jungle allow us to pass most of the time. Only a trusted few of us they will let pass, and in exchange we promise them secrecy of the location of their city."
"So you know where the city is?" Carson said.
"Yes, but as I said, we are sworn to secrecy," Anrin said with a smile, "But don't worry. I should think you will have no trouble finding it."
"Just follow the river route," Casse said, "And do not stray too far. The jungle may appear small, but once you're inside it will seem like a great maze. Watch your step, and know where you are stepping."
"We will provide all the supplies you will need," Anrin included.
"Does that include boats?" Baran asked.
"Of course, Captain Baran," Anrin said, "We would not send you into Ti with them."
"How many men are stationed here?" Keirian asked.
"We have around fifty to seventy at any given time. In times of peace we do not need many. The men are stationed here for a month at a time, then we return home and a new troop replaces us."
"Yet we are not completely out of harm's way during our duty," Casse added, "We patrol the river banks and watch for bands of wild men from the north. There are occasions when they come down from the mountains looking for trouble. We usually have no trouble fending them off."
"We too have our skirmishes with the wild men," Tirius said, "I pity them. They are a diminished people, desperate for any chance of valour, and so they make enemies with men such as ourselves, who are much higher in strength than them."
"Well, I hope you will all rest and enjoy yourselves here. There is not much to do, I'm afraid, yet you should all rest. We will prepare the boats for you, and you can leave for the jungles tomorrow, or whenever you wish."
