Chapter I
Embers of the Past

Episode 12

Date: 28^th of the 4^th Month, 3242 A.U.

Location: Ruins near Lake Ranvar, Flax Mountains

A vast stretching moon, towering full and orange-ish though not quite eclipse orange. Below, a large body of water surrounded by vast expanses of forest. Tall trees, coniferous, an orange tinge cast upon them much the same. The crystal waters of the lake, with an island at its center, reflected the form of the glowing orb above.

A lopsided lake, wider to the East and thinned to the West, elongated. Small streams rippled out from the large mass of water as did three large rivers. Rivers connected to this body, one south, one west, and one slightly north of that- the last being an inlet and the rest outlets though not to any particular point except maybe underground. The streams, a variety though most flowing out with only a few in.

Near the inlet of several, between an incoming fork, sat a ruined tower. A fortress, most walls gone aside from the tower. And it was here where torches lit around a massive pyre at the center of what was the fortress, alongside the tower. The light cast illuminated what could only be described as several shadows, several very distinct and unique shadows.

Though those were only those who were closest to the pyre, with a great few others outside of the ring near the outskirts. Some sat, some stood, all in different poses and stances. They all sat, awaiting, a man right up on the flames all but practically. No one said a word, no one shifted… until-

From the darkness of the woods to the hooting of owls approached a group. Vulfax, headed by Calagras. He, Lysander, Nora, Sacho, Elise, and a few warriors of the clan. Elise moved near Lysander, Nora and Sacho behind, Calagras just in front of her.

The illuminated shadows danced though none actually moved.

A short woman, wavy water-like light brown hair, blue eyes with an outline of red, dressed in a long black battle dress.

A tall bulky armor clad man, partially broken armor, certainly worn- short gray hair and sky blue eyes with a huge white mustache and a massive ax on his back.

Beside Kakuja, an older lizard man with wrinkled scales, cut and styled back ash gray hair with some signs of black, yellow reptilian eyes. Dressed in a short black trench coat with a red shirt underneath.

A man of short shaven blond hair and a large cloth over his eyes, dressed in robes almost kimono-like, heavily layered up.

With Krudule, a smirking man, shaggy light brown hair of mid-length down his neck and around the eyes, amber eyes grinning with flame, a very fierce smirk with sharpened teeth, dressed in black combat robes with a cape wrapped around his body hanging very low, large boots, sharpened nails. Three hooded individuals stood behind this man, along with other warriors.

Several other individuals stood around, leaders of some sort- and at the head of it all nearest the flame overlooking the group on a pillar… a tall man, black swirling hair that danced around large horns, huge orange eyes. Scaly, a loose fitting unbuttoned shirt, baggy pants, a sash around his midsection, a long goatee.

Calagras moved in line with the other gathered leaders, Elise and the rest hanging back. Lysander moved ahead though kept close. The leader moved, glancing around. The one beside Krudule grinned with a snicker. Some looked a bit more serious, such as the man with eyes bound in cloth, or the old lizard man.

The head of the flame approached forward, the tall man with horns, “Welcome Calagras Verte. It is well that you are able to join us.”

“Thank you Za’hir,” Calagras replied.

From across the way, the sneer of Kakuja and his lord beside him. The smirking leader beside Krudule crossed his arms, teeth showing with a widened grin. Several of the leaders looked from Calagras to the head of the summit, Za’hir. All the while the moon above continued its reign, strong overhead now.

Elise shifted into the background of the groups, looking around, her head turning to look round and round. Her eyes scanned person after person, several dozen minimum gathered here and now. Men and women, some young and some old, few if any around her age though. People from the various clans were exchanging pleasantries, words of their recent month, concerns for the future.

“Funny thing the Orcs, did you know they are also called Goblins?”

“Goblins? That’s weird. Is that a human name?”

“Yes in fact.”

“Dunno I kinda like it actually. Sounds cooler than a grunt sound.”

“Orc isn’t a grunt sound. Oh you silly Alvons.”

A sigh left her as she closed her eyes. A few seconds passed her by until someone walked up beside her, causing her to look. The red shoulders and fur of the black jacket caught her immediately.

“Long time no see stranger,” she greeted.

“Likewise,” Alto replied back while looking at her, “Vulper isn’t here?”

“No, unfortunately. He uh, well- some things have changed recently.”

“A lot has changed hasn’t it,” he murmured.

Both turned their attention back to the leaders around the fire, “Anything happen so far?” she asked.

“Just the same old same old before you lot arrived. Lots of this,” he replied.

Across the way the arguing continued full fold.

“AWOOOOO!!!!”

“Shut the hell up!”

A sigh left her followed by a head shake.

“{And so the bickering begins,}” she thought to herself.

“Heh heh, some things never change.”

“Suppose not,” Elise finally spoke with a light chuckle.

The two began to make their way around. Tales of giant spider monsters spitting projectiles, tales of bandits raiding different trade routes. Tale of actually trading in human settlements. One group talked simply about the weather of the last month.

A group of several sat around a smaller fire. One had a small pouch of some kind of crisp. Another had a full turkey leg roasted that they and two others were tearing away at. Another group nearby held bowls of rice.

“Peaceful, no?” Alto asked as they walked along.

“It’s nice, seeing everyone get along like this despite everything.”

“Peace is the ultimate reward for our kinds of people. It should be enjoyed.”

She nodded, looking at a group of young warriors practice sparring. A few people clapped them on. Then across the way a few people danced, mostly women but a few men too. Around the fire, a smaller fire.

A couple of the more elderly and weathered folk sat back or stood leaned against walls and trees watching. A few discussed this or that but not much more.

Clap clap

Heads turned towards the center. Elise and Alto both looked over.

“Now that we are all in attendance can we get this meet underway?” the short woman leader asked aloud.

Bodies began to move, some people closing in to go and stand back with their groups.

“Very well,” Za’hir agreed from his place as around him many settled in.

Elise moved with Alto to a spot not with Vulfax or really any other group. There were individuals around them though not many. Multiple mingled groups remained despite the clans converging as Za’hir continued.

“Before the might of the full moon, we are gathered here and now to discuss matters which hold to the Mountain Clans. Gathered here by request of Clan Vong, Clan Vulfax, The Wessex Colony, and The Corgan. Our Summit shall commence.”

“If I may be so bold as to begin this,” the leader in armor began, speaking with a tone of might and firm resolve, “We Larquist have observed the growing rebellion and would like to share word of it with you great leaders.”

Za’hir looked to the armored man, “Very well. Archibald Kasius of the Larquist, you may begin.”

“Thank you Za’hir. To begin with, my men have personally witnessed the attacks of the Orcs and several other of the lower races. Trolls have been used to demolish villages along the lower reaches of the Flax Mountains, with these Orcs using ground forces to sweep survivors. The attacks are coordinated and the humans are wearing thin. As they climb these mountains I suspect resistance will only grow before the Inquisition becomes involved. From that point I would-”

“BAH!” yelled out another of the leaders, a tall lanky fellow with long hair down to his ankles practically and no bangs, all straight, dressed in form fitting armor, “No one cares about the rebels OR the Inquisition. Those are human matters pertaining to the lower folks. Now what REALLY matters are events here and now. Ain’t that right Amon?!”

The outspoken individual looked to the man beside Kakuja. This man, Amon, said nothing. Two leaders across from the individual, on the other side of him from Amon, the blindfolded man spoke calm and collected.

“Spoken with true ignorance Malro.”

“Eh? Oh that’s rich comin’ from you Veskar. You know as well as I that it’s people like us that hold the true threat,” Malro snickered now looking over to Calagras.

“Threat surrounds us all, always. Even the most unexpected of foes may prove to be detrimental to survival.”

“HA! This comin’ from you like I said. What a joke.”

“Shut up Malro. Your voice is giving me a headache,” a man spoke from across the flame, a dull tired voice, the man looking back completely uninterested.

“Better watch yourself there bud. I swear I will-”

The ramblings of the different leaders began in earnest. Za’hir at the head sighed at that point and stepped away from the flame, sitting back on a large wood throne-like seat. Elise looked around, watching the back and forth while also listening. The body language of those howling out, the tones.

“And what IS the prime solution to the dealings of the madmen who think they own these mountains hrmm? What would you have us do?”

“Well the first thing I would do is-”

“I DON’T GIVE A DRAGON’S ASS!”

“Up yours!”

Alto sighed and shook his head.

“My my. It amazes me that they can even come together at all without outright killing each other,” he spoke.

Elise glanced towards Za’hir, the calm and honest indifference of the leader. He appeared to give the meeting no mind at this point as the many rambled on down below.

“… I don’t know how long that is going to last Alto.”

Across the way the bickering of the clan leaders continued. Za’hir paid no mind to any of it as the loud ones gathered continued their protest. Malro stomped forward, howling out after a short stint more.

“I think we’re all ignoring the BIGGEST problem in the air right now. There are enemies among us, enemies pushing us to collapse and to war. War with the humans eventually too!”

Calagras looked up as Amon from the Vong stepped forward. Amon looked directly at Calagras in that moment. A scowl filled the old lizard man, Kakuja behind him shifting.

“What did your loud neighbor do this time? Piss on your lawn?” one of the various leaders asked.

“Silence!”

“I accuse Clan Vulfax of intermingling with both the humans and the Inquisition, to draw our enemies close to tear us down!” Amon barked.

Howls of shock and outrage erupted at once, with an immediate blast from Sacho who crashed ahead.

“That is baseless and a lie!!”

“What proof have you?” Calagras questioned.

“I have it from reliable sources. Members of Vulfax have been interfering with the Lords of the Lands, exposing our existence out here to their hunters. As the rebellion grows their focus will turn to we mountain clans with the same animosity that their kind has always had for us!”

“What do you mean Amon?” Archibald questioned.

“Yeah that’s a lot to lead with. Surely you can tell us something?” the wavy haired woman asked.

“Their people have interfered in the affairs of the humans twice. A convoy on its way to Emerton and then an incident in Emerton itself. One of their own completely exposed herself to the Inquisition and the human leaders. Who knows how many other incidents have happened. This raises their awareness to our existence in these woods, something we have all collectively worked to avoid for decades!”

“Your claims are wildly exaggerated Vong. Our warriors aided the leaders who became the targets of a plot,” Calagras spoke.

“And we’re supposed to believe that eh?” Malro asked.