To the warriors, Woody and Woodman: Please accept a personal invitation to our traditional Feast of Battle where we celebrate each other as fellow warriors. It allows us to face each other not as enemies but as brothers and it is a chance to honor one another as warriors. Songs will be sung about our coming battle and our names will forever be remembered. I guarantee your safety and we will not harm you – I give you my word.
Tobar
PS: Please be here for noon.
“Well… What do you think bud?” Woodman asks. “I think it’s a good idea – We can check them out and if we win we’ll have to get to know our people since we’ll become their new princes. We have to show them that we’re not weak or afraid.” Woody explains. “Agreed.” Woodman says. The boys get ready for the big day and make arrangements with the Commander to get a helicopter to fly them there and back. Later that morning, they board the helicopter with a Clan Song representative to ensure there was no sabotage involved from either side. It was a long two hour flight to the tribe’s base. There were three large airplane like hangers and several smaller ones.
There were approximately a hundred smaller buildings that looked like dwellings with a larger one in the middle. As the helicopter lands they see a large group of people ready to greet them. The boys step out and move towards the group. They come across a man wearing a bear-like head dress and fur – He greets them first. “Welcome warriors Woody and Woodman. I am chief Takooma and this is my eldest. Tobar.” A large fellow steps forward – he is almost as big as his father and is wearing a wolf-like fur over his shoulder. “Welcome warriors Woody and Woodman – It is an honor to meet you and thank you for joining us for this feast.” As he steps back the chief says “This is my youngest son, Makar.” A smaller fellow steps forward but they realize he isn’t wearing an animal hide. “Welcome warriors Woody and Woodman.” He steps back as well. Woody replies, “Thank you for the honor of battling such great warriors – We are thankful to sit at your table and share your feast.” The chief smiles and says ”This way to the great hall.” As they are led to the hall the chief has a table set up at the front of the hall in a stage-like area.
The chief and his sons as well as several elders gather and sit at the head table. The chief then turns and says “Come … join us as our guests of honor.” Woody and Woodman sit. The chief then stands and shouts out, “Let the feast begin!” It was soon observed that there were only men present at this event when all of a sudden women begin bringing large platters of food out and place them on the tables. “Wow … what a spread,” Woodman whispers to Woody. Once the food is placed on the tables, the chief stands again holding a cup in the air. He says, “To all the warriors that have come and gone before us – we drink to their victories. To my sons, I drink to your past and future victories. To our guest warriors, we celebrate your past victories.” As the chief drinks from his cup everyone else follows suit. The chief then yells out, “Enjoy and eat!” The whole place begins to eat and chatter amongst themselves and the boys indulge. They stuff themselves to the gills.
A half hour into the feast, there is the sound of a large explosion and the ground shakes. Someone comes running out into the hall yelling, “We’re under attack!” Just then the far end of the building explodes sending bodies flying. The head table and everyone at it is thrown from the blast. Through the dust and debris the boys get up quickly checking themselves for injuries. “Woodman … you alright?” Woody asks. Woodman replies, “Yep – I’m good.” The boys notice that Song’s rep has a large piece of wood sticking out through his neck. The chief then yells out, “To your Mechs!” Many of the men at the far end of the hall are dead or dying and several others are injured. Tobar yells to the boys “This way! Come quickly!!!” The boys follow him through a door and down a long tunnel. After about five minutes of running down the tunnel, there is a junction. Tobar instructs, “Keep going this way! … It will lead you out of camp to safety.” Woody replies, “No thanks – you lost a lot of warriors and could use everyone you have. We fight with you.” “Ok then hurry!” as the boys follow Tobar to a bunker. He points to two Holmes. “You can use these,” he says. Woody smiles at Woodman and says, “This is why I joined – It’s the thrill of battle my friend. Let’s do this.”
Submitted by Woodman1201#832644