Road's End

“There weren't always dragons in the valley; and there hasn't always been magic in this land, not after the Empire came and establish itself to the west. Not so long ago this valley.” Rin waved across the whole of the beginning of Lirg's Valley, “was a desolated end creating a shadowy gate to the Lirg's Mountains. Mountains so high and rough, only the rock creatures could make a home there. And many of them didn't exist either due to the ravage of Lirg's destruction.” Rin's voice boomed belying his size. He is a short barrel of a being, one of the Asissh. He had started out life as a farmer in the land right surrounding the Spine Mountains. Rin had seen what Lirg's Valley had looked like before the dragons had come to stay and bring back the magic. Rin was now something a bit more now, something a bit more than a storyteller. Rin continued with his statement, pointing to behind the younglings back.

“The only way into the the Valley is the Road's End, the once great and powerful Empire's road which ended at well Road's End facing Thorn's Stronghold. When there had been no Empire, our land called Siks for beloved creator, was full of magic till Lirg tried to capture dragons. Dragons who lived within and beyond Thorn's Stronghold. Lirg had tried to use the dragons to fight off the Empire who pushed with armies larger than the land itself.” Rin pointed to where Road's End would have ended in the past. Many of the students moved forward to looked down into the Lirg's Valley end.

Once all the younglings were done looking, Rin continued while turning towards the West, towards the Center where the Empire's great city once was. “Siks was once known as the Jewel of the World, till Siks became the Empire with all its different Trams and Emperors. Beings who use death and enslavement to create armies to plow through the land swallowing up portions of it. Lirg did the unthinkable and used all the magic in the land to stop the vicious and bloody push of the Empire. Lirg was able to stop the onslaught but not without cost. The once beautiful valley and Thorn's Stronghold were destroy and the only path to the dragons was destruction and peril. The valley became known as Lirg's Valley and all the dead corrupted the land and creatures.” Rin looked at the younglings, you will learn more about all this later.

“ You will also learn more about how all that went on in the 1000 years Lirg's Valley became more and more deadly so that no being would dare travel through it even with the stories of treasure and dragons hiding in Thorn's Stronghold. And during your stay here, all of you will learn how the dragons came back and why.”

Rin, moved down the path leading into the rolling hills which surround the Road's End. The rest followed him down. “You should make note of a few things. The Assih and their part in histroy. The Grand Quest. Beings of which you take for granted now but were very rare over 50 years ago. The last Emperor's name and her part in it.” As all the younglings scramble to write down these facts, they also kept looking around. It is was so beautiful here, it was hard to imagine it ugly and desolate. It was hard to see Rin for more than just a farmer as he was known to once be.

Few of those following him, knew of his past as it is recorded in the Grand Meeting Hall. Still fewer knew of his part in bringing back the magic. Most knew him to be a teacher of magic but not in what way. Many still though magic as only being seen in big beings and creatures, living things bigger than themselves. Rin is not a big being. And he had only discovered his magic connection to the land recently, if 50 years could be called recent.

“Your first requirement, is to look at a piece of this land and draw it. Try to think of the Essenses and other spirits that may now dwell here. And why would they be here. Make notes on it to be discussed in our next meeting.” Rin made a spin around him and the younglings scattered with various Essenses following playfully. Most of these younglings had yet to see an Essenses yet which is why he always gave this assignment first.

Leaving the younglings to explore and find a bit of their own land, Rin starts down the path to the learning house, which is now situated on land that once belong to his clan, the farm he grew up on. It now belonged to the Essense Garden and he was just one of the caretakers. Every time he did this lesson, Rin remembers the first day of the his new life.

Rin stood near the barn looking for Trin. Brokgrik there birthing being had sent Trin out to collect the Roasters' eggs before they hatch again. Roasters will multiple faster than any Asissh can eat them, and an Asissh could eat a lot. Asissh and Roasters have had a symbiotic relationship since the beginning of both their existences. If an Asissh clan didn't stay on top of the breeding of Roasters, they would overwhelm an area and pick it clean. Large feather creatures with beautiful green and red colors in great big patches, short heads all black with sharp beaks and wicked powerful legs were seen nowhere else but in the clans, Roasters were used for everything in an Asissh clan. Once upon a time they were even used in war, though Asissh rarely fought for much except clan and land. They didn't even fight the coming of the Empire, rather they just let it meld around them, pushing the clans as far to the edges of living spaces as it could for the last 1,000 years.

Rin looked in the barn, as he mused once again how the world would have been if the Asissh had fought the Empire. Would Asissh have been like the Empire, controlling every thing and every one. Rin had heard the stories told by the elders, passed down from Scholar to another. Asissh didn't have written word, just runes. Runes which came with a lot of interpretation from one Scholar to another. Runes weren't really something he, Rin, first mal of Brokgik needed to worry about. What he need to be worrying about was Trin and the eggs.

Rin saw the eggs were still in the huge half barrels the Roasters liked to use. He went to pull the cart used to store and carry the eggs when he heard a sound, scream, from down behind the barn. It sounded like Trin. Trin, who couldn't keep a though in his head. Trin who was now screaming. Rin dropped the cart and ran out the barn to see Trin running hard in a straggling manner. Trin with xa's wonderful hair the color of grass, Trin looking not at all like xa's normal beauty but instead horror across Trin's face and tears. Behind Trin came a mounted kemu. Kemu were a huge creatures with long tails and legs. There skin was rough and hard like rocks. Big heads filled with sharp teeth. Teeth many beings used for tools. It was hard to kill a Kemu and to see one mounted was both a sight of wonder and horror. For what kind of being could mount and control a kemu?

Rin didn't think really as he raced towards Trin. Only thought was to stop the Kemu and save Trin. Just as the Kemu passed the boundary of the Venear Bushes, all in their neat diagonal lines; Rin put up his hands involuntarily it seemed and with all his bein thought STOP while pushing the air with the power of the thought towards the kemu and amazingly it stopped. Rin looked at his hands in surprised and bewilderment. A look, which stopped Trin as well.

Trin looked behind him and saw the top soil and some of the underneath dirt had piled up like a wave from a log falling in the pond. It was this pile of soil which had succeeded in stopping the kemu. For a moment every thing was frozen in time. Then the mounted being covered in kemu hide (again what kind of being could kill a kemu and wear its hide was Rin's first thought) jumped down and started to climb over the piled dirt.

Rin knew he and Trin should have taken this time to run and he had started to turn, when curiosity and the Essense stopped him. It was the first time in his life the Essenses showed their spirit bodies to him. So he stopped and turn back to the being. Pushing Trin behind him and standing tall, which wasn't very tall next to this unknown being. Heart pounding and one hand in front, with his other hand holding on to Trin, he tried to stand his ground.

The being held a hand up and with the other hand removed a strap to revel a face as the helm dropped in its hand. The face was so exotic to Rin, he wasn't sure if the being was of the same build and bone of the Asissh. Tall was the being, dark skinned like the unearth land it was standing on. Eyes of white, ringed red. The head of the being was built like Asissh. Two eyes, a nose and mouth. Slender in build belying the bulk of the outer garment had suggested. How powerful must the being be to be able to wear and move in a kemu's hide.

“ Do you speak Empire?” it asked is a rather higher voice than many of the Asissh. Asissh were of small statue, three genders and none of them spoke in that high of a tone. It was very exotic to listen to for Rin.

Rin nodded, and said “ Yes, as Empire is all that is spoken by outsiders.” Outsiders were every one not Asissh.

“ I am an envoy from her most high, Shasinsi the glorious and kind, Emperor of all we see and know, 30th of her line. I have been sent to find those who know the way through Road's End to Lirg's Mountain Domain.”

Rin kept looking at the being, taking in bits of information still. He couldn't help it, as his brain did that. Just like Trin's brain had him running all over the place making rhymes and singing, Rin's brain took stock of all things he came in contact with. How brilliant the beings hair was all bunch up on top of its head. How the ears were a bit more pointed than Asissh's ears were. How the garment it wore was crafted with such skill. How many weapons hung on its belt to the size of its feet. He categorized all of this while the being spoke.

“ May it be my honor, I am a Paladin of Blood I am known as Meisha and I have been tasked to find Thorn's Claw. Do you know of that I seek? Can you point me to the Tram of this land so I might speak to them of the correct path to take.” And as the being spoke; Rin heard more kemu thunderous approach. He stepped back and looked before answering the being who held up their fist and all who approached stopped. Another being stepped down from another kemu that had stationed itself next to the first one behind the dirt pile. It approached Meisha and spoke low in another language. There was a brief exchange till Meisha held up their hand. Meisha looked at Rin and said, “ Are you the Tram of this Land?”

Trin popped xa's head around. In xe's broken Empire said, “ Asissh no Trams.”

“ My honor and by my honor I am Rin and that is Trin.” Trin bobbed up and down in greeting. Rin pointed towards the farm house, as the sun was getting warmer.

“ You will need to speak to Brokgik first, then clan will amass.” Rin started to move back toward the farm buildings. “Come, and meet Brokgik. Though no Asissh will help you through Road's End. It is a dead land belonging to dead things and brings only death to all others. If you have heard of treasures, there is nothing there. “

Trin bobbed xa's head in agreement as xa followed Rin. “I, Rin, as First Mal to Brokgik, do invite you to walk the lands of our clan and be welcomed. Do take care and do no harm.” Though Rin wasn't sure how to explain the pile of dirt and wished he could undo it before Brokgik heard of it. Though knowing Brokgik's sense of land, she might already know of it. He allowed Trin to bounce ahead, as was xa habit.

Meisha bowed and turned to the being who had joined them. Speaking again in the low guttural sounds, Meisha pointed to the pond down from the barn where the rain flowed in from Lirg's Spine, the low mountains that formed around this part of Lirg's Valley. Rin had never been off the farm though he knew the boundaries of it and knew if Meisha and their group had come from the Soul of the Empire, they had come a long way. Brokgik's clan spread far into the edges of the Empire land here in the East up to the Gladden River which flowed North to South, through the outer bounds of the Soul of the Empire. There were five heads of the clan which cared for the East till it met the huge river. He had only heard how wide the river was and that was enough to keep him satisfied. 'What use was an Asissh in the Soul?'. Is what the elders had said. 'There was no land to be care for there as the Empire had stripped it of life to build their crystal cities.'

Rin walk fast so that Meisha wouldn't over step him. What was a Paladin of the Blood and why were they now here at Road's End as the Empire like to call it. The true Road's End started in the Lirg's Spine as it pushed its way down into valley. One couldn't see the valley from here, a being needed to walk the first part of Road's End to see the start of the destruction of what was once spoken as the Heart of All.

As Meisha walked along, Rin kept noticing a shadow dashing here and then some place just ahead of Meisha. Meisha stopped near the barn opening and with a flick of their wrist the shadow became a being. The being sort of unfolded itself like a flower and seemed to be made of all kinds of limbs though once it stopped moving, it was standing on two legs, rather long legs and had three sets of arms, very long ears. Taller than Meisha though built like broken trees out in the destroyed valley. Long and almost gnarly at the joints. Rin had never seen such a being before. It was rather pretty if kind of strange. The Essenses seemed to agree as they caressed the being, who seemed to see them and caressed them back with its many fingers.

Meisha, looking at Rin, “ May I give you the honor of meeting Gnisha, our scout.” The being smiled a rather jagged toothy smile and replyed with a tilting kind of voice, moving up and down in high and low sounds. Again while strange to Rin's ear, not uncomfortable.

“My honor.”, bowing till the bushy hair with it spongy quality almost touched the ground.

Rin spoke, “My honor,” And before he could tell speak again, Gnisha spoke in the almost sing song vocie” And my honor, you are Rin,” and a twist nod towards Trin, “ Trin” Since none had so spoken true names, he didn't bother to include his. It was at this time, Rin hear, the low warning sounds coming from Brokgik and xe's mates.

Since only Gnisha turn toward the group stomping towards them, Rin was sure, the outsider Meisha couldn't hear Brokgik. The elders had told a story of how outsiders were basically deaf to Assih and the sounds of the land. Rin also hear movement sounds behind him from where Meisha had left the emu. Another being, dressed in the most unusual fashion was fast approaching the group. Rin moved to be able to watch all the beings in the area at the same time, including Brokgik. Rin felt rather than saw the Essenses create movements in the air, so that all was moving, hair, cloths, plants, dust. It was a soft movement to create calm.

“Rin, Trin do you need help?” asked Brokgik in xe' middle voice. Middle voice was used on traders and outsiders who came to their lands. Brokgik did this to let the outsiders know Rin had some power.

Rin made the all safe gesture, “ May I give you the honor of meeting Meisha, Gnisha and....” turning to the newest outsider who had made it up to them to stand across from Meisha. Meisha looked at the being with narrowed eyes and kind of growled “ Tram Bolina, our Scholar.” Rin was taken back, he didn't know the Soul of the Empire had Scholars. The being didn't really look like a Scholar though it did have all kinds of jingly, jangly things hanging from it. And it didn't really seem to acknowledge the Essenses, something all of the Asissh Scholars did every time Essenses showed up. Maybe Empire Scholar meant something different than Asissh Scholars.

All the Asissh spoke at the same time t create one booming voice. “My honor. May I give you honor; I am Clan Owner and I am Brokgik; Wrin creator of Rin and Trin and five of my other blood. Vena, creator of 3 of my other blood, Lizha Most High Scholar and Heina, clan protector. We give you leave to be here, come let us share drink and you may tell me why a Blood Paladin, a Bushma and Empire Scholar have come to the East.” Each of the Asissh bowed as they spoke the names.

The group of them all after nodding at each other in greeting, And turn to follow Lizha. While Brokgik waited till all the outsiders had passed to stand next to Rin. Xa waved Trin ahead. As Rin started to follow, Brokgik grabbed his arm.

“ I felt the land ripped apart. The Essenses tell me it was you. You know what this means?

But before Rin could answer. “ You will now need to become a Scholar.. After I find out what the outsiders want, I will expect you to chat with Lizha. Yes?”

Rin had never wanted to be a Scholar. Mostly because he didn't think he and the Essenses knew how to commune together. He had always figured he would stay here and just care for the clan. Maybe be lucky enough to become a mate to a clan owner. He never thought he would have to become a Scholar. H nodded his head though he felt only sadness and shame. Shame for hurting the land so that the Essenses came to see and respond. It wasn't how he would have like to see his magic for the first time.

Rin follow Brokgik as they moved towards, not the farm lodge but towards the clan meeting area. This is where traders came, and where other clans came to celebrate life events of the Asissh. He felt the eyes of all the living clan, and the nonliving ones; the essense swirling around the group. Brokgik waved xa hand and whistled. Another sound it seem, the outsiders couldn't hear as they found a place to sit.

Assih sit on the ground. As Lizha sat, food and drink began to come forth. Meisha sat with grace, as did Gnisha. Tram Bolina seemed have a silent debate about how or if it should sit. It kept touching its face where long whiskers drooped from its head and under its nose. At least Rin thought it must be a nose, it look like one even though it was long like a beak. Tram Bolina was another unusual being. The Emprie seems to be filled with them. Once every one was sitting including Rin. Brokgik spoke.

“We, the Asissh, seal friendship and trust on this day with the Empire outsiders. We ask the Essebses to bless our time here and see tno harm happens to any of us while we all speak, eat and relax.” Pushing xa drink into the air and yelling, “ Asissh” and all the Asissh echoed it. Rin had taken a seat next to Meisha. So he leaned towards them and said, “ You may yell Empire here or any other name of importance if you wish.” When they turned to look at him, Rin found he enjoyed looking into Meisha's eyes. There seemed to be some mirth within in them.

“ Shasinsi” was yelled to the sky. Without thinking about it, Rin and belatedly Tram Bolina echoed it.

Brokgik nodded and after a big drink and a bit of fresh made bread said “ So Meisha, messenger of Shasinsi, why have you come?” Rin was sure Brokgik already knew and even knew what was going to be said though xa's face showed no such knowledge. Rin turn to see what Meisha was going to say, though it was Tram Bolina who spoke. Its voice was closer to Low voice of Asissh and almost pleasant to listen to.

“I am Tram Bolina, first advisor and Artificer to the Empress Shasinsi, I lead this quest, not the Paladin. She is only here to watch over me.” Rin notice the evil look it gave Meishia with its closest eye. Tram Bolina had two eyes that were placed in different spots than on Asissh. So Tram Bolina didn't seem to like Meisha. And was the word she a Empire “she”? Rin didn't know if the outsiders had only one gender or more and what their roles were based on their titles. And normally he wouldn't care but there was some kind of pull on him concerning Meishia. The Essenses seemed to like her as well.

Brokgik looked from Meisha who nodded to Tram Bolina with a bit of disappointment and waited as Tram Bolina continued.

“ We need a guide to the place that was once known as Heart of All. Thorn's Stronghold, the Dragon Fortress. We have been quested to find the last being for the trip and it was stated it had to be an Asissh. The Histories tell us of a great power within the Fortress and the only way to it is with an Asissh . This great artifact is needed as a new and very evil enemy has arisen in the old land beyond the West.” As Tram Bolina came near the end of his statement, the Essenses made themselves know to Rin. Voices too low for the outsiders whisper, “you, you must go. It is your time. It is your quest. We will be with you!” Rin shook his head. He had no urge to go on a quest, especially a quest to the Heart of All though Lirg's Valley to find a piece of some powerful magic thing. He had no wish to help the Empire who care nothing for the Land or Asissh. No, he would not go.

Brokgik look at Rin and spoke in the Low voice; 'Rin you have been chosen. You will go with these outsiders and do as the Essenses command you, or give your life now to them.” Rin felt his heart break. Even as he was caressed by the Essense, he knew he had no choice. The Low voices of the Essenses promise they would be with him. So with a heavy heart, he nodded. And just like that his life changed forever.

Upon his nod, the spirits of the land, water, air and fire began to swirl, heavy currents of the elements swirling around the group. Asissh held their arms out to feel the Essenses and return the touches with ones of their own. This was a glorious moment for all of the Asissh. It seem to be a bit unsettling for Meisia as she touched a talisman, she produce from her wrist. Tram Bolina seemed a bit puzzled by the actions of the Asissh suggesting again, it could not see or feel the Essenses. Gnisha clapped xe's hands and bounced joyfully. Brokgik spoke in High voice, clan magic voice “ Bind to you and your quest mates; Rin mal Brokgrik Wrin, Meisha Blood Paladin of the God Dlicces, Tram Bolina and Gnisha bond servent to Meishia. Set forth and find that which will bring magic back to the land. “ The Essenses swirl faster and faster to merge together up in the rafters and came together with an earth shattering boom, that made every thing shake and rattle. And then nothing. Except all the Asissh, Gnisha had exalted looks on their faces. Meisha look thoughtful and Tram Bolina confused.

“Rin will be ready to go by the end of the seven day. He needs to prepare. You are welcome to bring the rest of your people close to the farm house and the clan will help you get ready for the quest.”

The outsiders looking a bit flush, nodded. “Good, lets eat.” More platters of food came while Meishia left to get the rest of the Empire's troops. Rin just dropped his head on his lap and wished for no end of the seven days. A quest, who really wanted to go on a quest? Maybe Trin but never Rin. Never. Not even for magic or dragons.