Back at the village, Sol was sitting beside the flower garden.
Stella was showing him how to carve simple patterns into a piece of wood. He had made a small crooked line and was trying to turn it into the shape of a leaf.
"Very good," Stella said.
Sol looked at his work.
"It's not straight."
"Leaves aren't always straight."
He smiled.
Scarlet arrived carrying a bundle of branches.
"Are you ready to build our gate?"
Sol looked up.
"Yes!"
They began arranging the pieces beside the garden. Scarlet explained how the two posts would stand, while Stella marked the correct measurements.
Sol watched carefully.
Then he pointed toward the northern forest.
"Is Jude coming back?"
"Yes," Scarlet answered.
"When?"
"Soon."
Sol looked toward the trees again.
A few moments later, the sound of footsteps came along the path.
Jude and the others had returned.
Sol stood immediately.
"Jude!"
He hurried toward him.
Jude stopped and placed a hand on the boy's shoulder.
