Risha: Chapter 62

A/N: Sorry this one is a little late, it took me a second to get back into the swing of things after my forced break lol.

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Dressed in the cloak and bones of the panther Risha had killed, she walked into the council hall. The soft click of paws against stone followed her, Mist-Prowler following close behind.

Risha sat in her throne, and watched the exit.

Moments later, the doors opened. Escorted by a party of monsters, the sapling stood tall, their head unbending as they observed the room with a quiet authority. Eventually its eyes focused on Risha.

She held its eyes, letting her spirit flow through her. The leaves of the creature rustled, the fear of something beyond the physical. 

Beyond the creature, Elders and Risha’s close circle filtered into the room. Leaf-Watcher, Elder Kulos, Elder Oltak, Klaz’zks, and a few other high ranking council members.

The sapling lowered its head, “I am Ivy, the voice of the Great Tree.” 

“I am Grand Mother Risha. You have a lot to answer for, Ivy.”

The sapling rose its head, “As do you, Risha. You keep prisoner a Lin child.”

Risha growled, the sound filling the room as her spirit filled her voice.

The sapling shifted back, her vines constricting and shifting as her eyes roamed the room. 

“That child, is my daughter, plant.” 

The words brought the Sapling’s gaze back to Risha. Something came over the creature then, a force entering from the ground and into Ivy’s roots. Her voice came out different, filled with an ancient patience.  “Young Goblin, do you know what you claim? Do you know from where your title comes? You are a small seed claiming to be a tree.”

Risha showed her teeth, “I am Risha, Mother of Monsters. You will not insult me,” Risha paused, sensing the spirit that filled the Sapling, an ancient tree that filled the room with its magic.  “Tree, you do not get to decide who I claim as my child.”

“No, I do not.” The tree possessing Ivy sighed, her leaves rustling in a sudden wind “There are, however, things your daughter must learn which you cannot teach her. Things she must know about herself, things only we can teach.”

“And so you choose to kidnap her before requesting to see me?” Risha snorted, “I do not trust you tree, I have no reason to.” Risha leaned back on her throne, her eyes narrowed as she kept her sharp teeth visible. “I will not give her over to you.”

Ivy watched for a long moment, then closed her eyes. The presence of the tree possessing her lessened, and Ivy opened her eyes, “I’m sorry if we angered you. We did not wish to shed blood, only to protect the child of nature. Do not forget that you too, have killed two of ours.”

“Blood for blood. I did not start this.” Risha’s claws dug into the wood of her throne, “But I can end this.”

“We know of your war, young goblin. You do not want us as your enemy.” Ivy paused, “And we do not want you as our enemy. Perhaps, our peace can be saved, if you are open to a proposal.”

Risha loosened her grip on the wood, leaving long gouges from where her claws had dug in. “I will listen.”

“The Lin child has things she must learn, things only we can teach her. Truths of nature, truths she must know. We can teach her of her people.” 

Risha tilted her head, her eyes widening in surprise, “You know where her people are?”

“We know where they were, and where they might be, but truths are never so simple.” Ivy bowed her head, “It if pleases you, I, Ivy, will stay here to teach the girl under the supervision of your people. If you grant us your blessing, we will support you in your war against the Scaled Intruders.”

Risha’s eyes widened, she had expected a truce, not an ally. “It’s that important to you? You’d forgive the deaths of your people?”

“Blood for blood. The price has been paid for our rash actions. They will be mourned, but to continue the conflict would only put flame to their purpose.” Ivy’s vines twisted with each other, undulating with an emotion Risha couldn’t read. “The Lin child remains most important.”

Risha didn’t answer right away, instead watching the creature and the tree that spoke through her. “I will think on it.” 

Ivy bowed, “I will remain under your care until your decision is made.” 

Risha motioned for the guards to escort the creature out of the hall, then let out a breath.

The few council members in the room focused on her, waiting for her to speak. 

“What do you think, Leaf-Watcher?” Risha turned to the large kobold.

Leaf-Watcher’s eyes narrowed, and she didn’t answer right away, instead looking at the exit the sapling had left through. “They did not kill me. If we can gain their support, I will not let my grudge ruin the pack.”

“We are being pushed back,” Elder Kulos spoke up, drawing Risha’s gaze. “Glo holds, but only barely.” 

“What is the importance of the child?” Elder Oltak asked.

Risha looked at the goblin elder, and mulled over what she should or shouldn’t tell the gathered elders. Most of them already suspected Aliya’s importance, but the specifics were still kept close to Aliya’s guardians. 

“I know only a little,” Risha stood up, and walked down from her elevated throne, “But she is valuable to the other races, and we must keep her safe from them. Klaz’zks, what do you think?”

“A teacher…” Klaz’zks’s legs tapped the ground as she thought, “It is a small price to pay.”

“Too small,” Elder Kulos added, crossing his arms in thought. “Far too small a price for war. They want something more.”

Risha nodded, “You’re right, so I should refuse?”

Elder Kulos sighed, then shook his head, “No. We can’t afford to refuse this offer.” He looked to Elder Oltak.

Elder Oltak nodded in agreement, “Elder Kulos makes a strong point. Another ally is invaluable.” 

“We must be careful of prey we don’t understand,” Klaz’zks stretched her legs out, then pushed her humanoid form off the ground. “But I am in agreement as well.”

Leaf-Watcher gave a small nod.

Risha walked towards the doors of the hall, “I will answer tomorrow. I don’t like risking my daughter on an unknown people.” 

Mist-Prowler fell into step behind Risha, and the other monsters bowed as she passed them. 

The sun was just beginning to rise, marking the beginning of morning. Still, her city was active. 

Risha spotted a contingent of warriors passing by with new armor and weapons, unmarred from the wars they’d been fighting since Risha freed her people. A war-spider walked with them, towering over the houses as its long legs took it through the wide streets of the city. Risha’s eyes narrowed in on the orc who rode the spider. It was a surprising sight, considering most of the spiders refused to be ridden by their former slavers, instead only letting Spider-Tamer Goblins ride them. Among those walking below the spider, were Under Goblins, their white skin stark against the dark chitinous armor they’d been outfitted with. 

The warriors bowed as they passed her, then continued on their way. Another camp was being prepared outside the city, the warriors Klaz’zks would lead to join Glo on the frontlines. 

Risha watched them for a long moment, her thoughts moving to stillness as she observed the military precision they moved with. 

“It’s starting to cool,” Risha turned her gaze to the morning light, “the leaves will fall soon.” 

“Already?” Mist-Prowler stepped up beside her, and lifted an arm to feel the breeze, “I guess you’re right.” 

Risha felt the tips of her teeth with her tongue, “It feels strange, knowing blood is spilling in the forests not too far from here.” She took a deep breath, then let it go. “I need to speak with the human councilor. Do you know where he is?”

Mist-Prowler tilted her head, then nodded. She started walking down the street, and Risha followed. 

Risha was led to a simple log cabin on the edge of the city. The man sat next to a garden, a glowing stone providing the light he needed to read a scroll. 

He looked up as they approached, then hurried to his feet, “Grand Mother? What brings you here?”

Mist-Prowler opened a small wooden gate that Risha walked through, “To see you, I have a gift.” 

“A gift?” The man blinked in surprise.

Risha nodded, and studied the man. He was the first human she’d ever met in person, former Captain Ryan, now Councilor Ryan, his beard had flashes of gray in it, but his eyes were sharp, with a strength that was needed for a politician. From what she’d seen of him, he was not conniving, but rather straightforward in a way that made his people trust in him and his leadership. Risha liked that, she already had enough crafty goblins to deal with.

“I can evolve you.” 

The words froze the man, and he just stared at her for a long moment, uncomprehending. “You mean you can evolve my class?”

“No. I can make you more than human.” 

Ryan didn’t answer right away, instead walking to his home and opening the door, “Come inside, Grand Mother. Jess was just about to start on breakfast.”

Risha followed the man inside. A woman was working over the fireplace. She wore loose clothing that covered the body of a warrior. Strong muscles and the scars of blades covered her. 

She blinked at the sight of Risha, then stood up, throwing a quick look to Ryan. Ryan looked away, sheepish. 

“Grand Mother Risha, I didn’t realize you were here. Give me a moment, and I’ll be more presentable.”

Risha shook her head, instead moving closer to the pot on the fire, “No need. That smells delicious! Can I have some?” 

Jess showed a smile that quickly disappeared, “Of course, it should be done in a few minutes.” 

Ryan set down the scroll he’d been reading, placing it in a pile of other scrolls. “Grand Mother, do you mean this gift only for me?”

Risha shook her head, “The gift is for all humans who have joined us.” 

Ryan nodded his head a lot, unsure on what to say, “and would that make us more… goblin-like?” 

“I don’t think so.” Risha said, handing her cloak to Mist-Prowler. ‘It should make you more of whatever essence belongs to humans.”

Ryan looked at the desk of scrolls for a long moment, then laughed. “What am I thinking? I will take your blessing Grand Mother.” 

Risha smiled, then appeared in front of the man in a flash, her hand grabbing his. 

[Evolve Classed Race]

Analyzing Human Ryan Smithson’s feats

Possible Evolutions:

Mana-Loved Human

Death-Walker Human

Human Spirit

Risha opened her eyes, glowing intensely with the spirit that flowed through her into the human. As she spoke, her voice gained an otherworldly essence to it, so much more than could be understood in the realm of the physical.

“Who do you want to be, Ryan? Walker of Death? Embracer of Mana? Or will you join me in the path of spirit?” 

Ryan gulped as he held her gaze, then gave a self-deprecating laugh, “I can never escape death.”

Risha smiled, “Neither can I.”

Spirit flowed from her, into the human, spreading through him as words escaped Risha. Unknowable, unhearable, they wrapped around him, changing his very being.

***

Epigraphs added to previous chapters:

Chapter 43:

Why did the Lin fall? The masters of the forest, breathers of life. Why did they not stop their hunters? They couldn’t. Their warriors were rare, and even when their strongest warrior could match the worst of the Sparks, they were too few. The bounty of the Lin was too valuable. Capable of healing even the worst injuries, and bringing life to the dryest of deserts, the Lin did not have the heart to take life as they gave it. So they left, returning to the arms of their mother.

-Unknown Author

Chapter 44:

Monsters, the foes that lie at the end of our blade. They are not natural beasts. The unholy creation of ancient Sparks. They were the Spark's servants, and their undoing. The end of the first age was marked by War. The monsters turned against their masters.

-The Hidden Diary of The First Elf Alanor,

Chapter 45:

The war of the first age brought the rise of the classed races. Mothered by Lin and Fathered by Sparks, the classed races were brought to the battlefield as defenders, a bulwark that hoped to stop the unending tides of monstrous spawn.

-The Hidden Diary of The First Elf Alanor,

Chapter 46:

It was too little, too late. Classed Frost Giants fell to the monstrous brethren of dragons, drakes. Angels were shot from the skies by Orc archers, Krakens fell to the Deep and Elves found themselves at the mercy of strange Goblin magics. All was hopeless, and the Sparks were forced into surrender. 

-The Hidden Diary of The First Elf Alanor,

Chapter 47:

The surrendering of the Sparks was a trap. 

A binding of themselves and their former servants. The highest of Monsters were killed, and their children were bound and cursed, to spawn without the protections of the system. 

Sensing the trap, the traitorous first servant of the Sparks fought with all his magic, creating the hope of his people, granting even the systemless a chance to prove themselves to the system. 

A fool he was.

-The Hidden Diary of The First Elf Alanor,

Chapter 48:

We sought them out. Slaughtered them, kept them mindless. The traitorous First Servant’s blessing turned into a curse, as we could not let any be touched by the light of the system. 

The classless creatures were at our mercy. 

And the weakest of us granted them that mercy, fools that they were. 

-The Hidden Diary of The First Elf Alanor,

Chapter 49:

Dragons, the first classed children of the Lin and the Sparks, protected the monsters. Guarded the murderers from their rightful deaths. These creatures, who had killed Dragon-kind a mere century earlier, were protected by their victims. 

So we turned against the Dragons. 

A mistake that cost us. 

-The Hidden Diary of The First Elf Alanor,

Chapter 50:

Our leaders died, and we were forced to continue an uneasy peace. And that, my dear Lalaila, is where you come in. You have been gifted something beyond any of us, a power that can make all of us rise. 

You will finish that which we could not. You will end the plague upon our land.

-The Hidden Diary of The First Elf Alanor,