Ooh, look, more magic and more backstory. Because Star is just as good as Rowan with exposition, when she wants to be. Or when I want her to be. Or whatever.

The Compass is part of my own magic system. If this were a real, Rodda-style publication, there would be a clear picture of it presented here. Alas, Word and ffnet do not allow this, and so I have it described as well as I can. There will possibly be a decent picture of it on DeviantArt soonish. Also, the elemental alignment thing and spirit animals go on to play a prominent role over the rest of the story, so pay attention.

Finally, the story that Star is about to tell is only one of four. The other three will be elaborated on in other books. Part of it is to keep you people reading; part of it is to keep me writing for you.

It is nothing like it was in the thing I had planned before. :P

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Chapter 7: The Bear Queen

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Perlain was also surprised that Star's meeting with the Keeper had ended so soon, but he didn't question it. He also didn't question her, as he led her back to Seaborn's house, where her family was apparently waiting for her. He spoke very little, answering Star's questions as best he could as they walked. From nearly every street, she could still see the library in the near distance, and spent much of the walk resisting the urge to dash away from her guide. The fabled library was so close now, passing it by was almost unbearable.

She was very grateful for his patience and abundance of answers, though, because she had many questions for him. She was especially grateful for it once they reached their destination—as soon as she walked into the house, her two remaining cousins accosted her with questions of their own.

"So, how did it go?"

"What was it like? Was it really like standing underwater?"

"Did he read your mind?"

"Did he let you touch the Crystal?"

"Did he tell you where my silly brother went?"

"Oh, tell us everything! We're dying to hear all about it!"

"Alanis, Leah, give the girl some air," Marlie insisted, shooing them out of her face. "There will be time for that later, but we still have much to do."

"It seems to me that you bring another few boxes of things every year," commented the green-clad woman in the kitchen door, who was hauling a large crate after her. "Do you really intend to have all of this sold in a month?"

"We hope so, Imlay. Times have been better and better in the west, and so we naturally have more to sell here. And your people have just as much to trade for it all. Times have been better for everyone, everywhere."

Imlay smiled a slight, agreeing smile, and went back to hauling the crate into the kitchen. Seeing an obvious place to help, Star went over and began to push while her hostess pulled.

"It's because of the Titans, I think," she explained. "All three of them are strong young men, well suited to their elements; and they all came to their power within the same five years. The land is refreshed by their strength, and their unity. So, of course times have been good. They couldn't possibly be better, right now."

Imlay paused thoughtfully, leaning against the crate to catch her breath. "You must know much of this phenomenon. One of these Titans is your own father."

"I do know a lot about it," Star agreed, continuing to push the box into the room. "I know a lot about magic, in general. Papa has had me studying it since I was old enough to read. He says it's important to understand, because it's part of who I am."

"He believes that long ago, all our people understood it," Alanis added from the doorway. "When we dwelt in the Valley of Gold, a knowledge of magic was far from limited to just the Titan. Even though the people had no magical powers of their own, they still learned it and lived it. It was part of who they all were. Of who we are, today. At least, be believes this was how it was. Most of the records from that time have been lost, and excavating the valley is difficult and dangerous."

"A fascinating idea," Imlay agreed. "So, are you going to just stand there, babbling about the past, or are you going to help us unload this crate? I have no clue what Marlie might have filled it with to make it so heavy."

"That is one of mine, actually," Alanis answered, kneeling to prize the lid off the crate. "It's so heavy because I've filled it with apples. And I pray you don't find it too heavy, because there are five other crates just like it in the wagon."

Imlay looked exhausted just thinking about that. "My people were hardly built for such labor. Your people certainly are, but I cannot imagine how you manage. It seems such a chore."

"Not when you're built for it," Alanis answered teasingly, removing the lid to reveal a pile of speckled red apples. Even though they had spent a week piled in a crate in the back of a wagon, they were perfectly intact. As the lid was removed, their sweet, fruity scent flooded the room.

"Ah, I look forward to feasting on these," Imlay commented, breathing in the sweet smell. "I might have to convince my husband to purchase this whole crate from you. I could put this fruit to excellent use."

"I'd be happy to give you a friendly discount," Alanis agreed. "I will just have to make up a story about why some of that profit is missing. My father misses nothing."

Star helped them unload the apples into a basket that Alanis had brought with her. In the morning, Alanis would take this and her other wares to the Maris market to sell and trade them. Every day thereafter, she would refill the baskets from the crates and ply her trade all over again. Slowly, the sweet fruits in her wagon would disappear, to be replaced with money and other wares. Nearly everyone else in the trading party would be doing the same thing with their own offerings.

The idea of trade and business was thrilling but daunting to Star. Her cousins were all very good at it, because their parents had taught them so well. She, herself, had no head for it. What she had come to trade wasn't tangible, or immediately useful. She had come to deal in knowledge. She would spend all her time working in the library, not the market. She would be surrounded by the silence of books, not the noise of crowds. No doubt, people like Gregory thought that she was wasting her time and theirs, running off to read all day while they worked hard for a month, to gain wealth for their village.

Many people failed to realize just how crucial her own business was. Who else did they suppose would keep their histories in order? How else did they suppose their stories would be preserved? They certainly didn't have the skill or the patience for it. They must have seen her as a burden, an extra body to feed and look after, who wasn't going to contribute anything useful.

That stinks like sulfur to my heart, she thought bitterly, not quite realizing that a scowl had slipped over her face.

"Star, my young friend," Imlay said pleasantly, "you said a moment ago that you understand your father's magic quite well. Perhaps you will explain more of it later. The Maris are not a curious folk; but, considering that I nearly lost the love of my life to such magic, I find that the business fascinates me more than most. I would love to hear more about it."

The woman had noticed the sour look on her face, and was clearly attempting to distract her from her thoughts. But she was polite as any Maris, and would never have called her out in front of her stoic cousin. Star appreciated that greatly.

"I would love to explain it," she agreed. "And Alanis can help, too. My father is also her older brother, and she knows much of his magic, as well."

"Oh, I don't know nearly as much as Star does," Alanis insisted, almost bashfully. "I've studied only when I wanted to, and only what interested me. But… I suppose I'm quite good with the concept of spirit animals."

Imlay gave the girls a curious look. "Spirit animals?"

"Everyone has a spirit animal," Alanis explained, glad to speak of something she knew. "It's like the shape of your soul, in its natural state. Each animal represents certain strong traits and abilities, which are very present in one's personality. I love animals. I've studied it quite often, and know it quite well."

"Alanis is so good with the study, she can guess a person's spirit animal easily. And she is almost always right. Go on, ask her, Imlay."

"Very well," the woman said. "What is my spirit animal?"

Alanis looked up from her work, sat back on her heels, and considered the woman for a moment. "Well, you are a very diligent homemaker. You love your home, and everything in it. You are also very tidy, and don't like clutter. I notice every year, the piles of boxes and crates upset you."

"That is true," Imlay said tensely. Now that it had been mentioned, there was no reason to hide her discomfort.

"I've had my ideas before what your spirit animal must be. But I am going to say… You must be a spider spirit."

Imlay looked unpleasantly surprised. "A spider? Why, that sounds ominous."

"Not really, when you think of how spiders are. They are tiny creatures, but powerful in their own domain. They spin a new web every day, with patience and care, to keep them in proper order. In magic, spiders are a symbol of diligence, not menace."

"Ah. Well, that makes me feel a little better," Imlay agreed, relieved. "And that does seem quite accurate. And what of you, girls?"

Alanis grinned proudly. "I am a bear spirit, like my father. That is a guardian spirit, known for protecting and counseling the weak. And Star's is a bee, another diligent spirit, who is never happy unless she is working."

"I'm proud of my spirit, too," Star added. "It's very appropriate, don't you think?"

"Yes, very," Imlay agreed. "Oh, how interesting! I do hope you will tell us more this evening. And surely my daughter would love to hear it, too, if she ever comes home."

Alanis groaned impatiently. "If Iris and Forley were here, unpacking wouldn't be taking so long. I can't believe that they do this to us every year. No doubt he's helping her pinch other people's wares for their own entertainment. I've never known a person as mischievous as he is."

"He has to come back," Star pointed out helpfully. "There will be supper here, later. If he doesn't come back he will starve, and so will Iris. I still haven't gotten a chance to meet her…"

"It was wrong of her to run off like that," Imlay agreed. "We had warned her not to, even threatened her with her least favorite punishments. We had wanted very much for you to meet her. She is overly adventurous and prone to causing trouble, but our two families agree that you would like our Iris."

"I can't wait to finally meet her, then," Star answered. "If she's anything at all like Forley… I suppose I shall feel right at home."

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Indeed, as their suddenly large family sat in Seaborn's house for supper, Star felt very at home. Even though she was surrounded by people she barely knew, and the food was very strange, it was like an evening in her own home would have been. The adults were discussing their work, and what their children were up to, and teasingly wondering when Asha was going to find herself a good man. The youngsters were discussing their own small adventures of the day, speaking hopefully of how business would be in the next few days, and putting up with Forley and Iris acting like the clowns they were.

It was the first time Star had tasted real Maris food. She was familiar with their smoked fish and crusty biscuits, because they were always brought back from the trading trips. She was also somewhat familiar with the fish stew Imlay had prepared, because Marlie had brought the recipe back to Rin years ago, and often made it at home.

This time, the meal had been prepared by real Maris hands, and so she tasted the dishes for the first time as they were supposed to be. It was strange to eat a meal that tasted so strongly of fish and the brine of the sea; but all of it was delicious, and she relished every bite.

Mum wouldn't care for this, she thought. She has always complained that Maris food is too salty for her taste. And she hates it whenever Marlie makes this stew. She even drenches the biscuits in honey, just so she can stand eating them. But I don't care. I quite like it, and I'm going to miss it when we leave.

"So," Iris said to her with a grin, "Forley says that you are writing a book. Tell me about it."

"It's a collection of my father's adventures, when he was a boy," Star answered.

"Oh, how exciting. Then my father must be in it, somewhere."

"In the third adventure, in the middle of the Book, yes."

"I hope you wrote him well."

"It was difficult, and I tried my very best. As it is, I think I did a pretty good job on the first try. Of course, the final draft will be much better, now that I've met him."

"You must share with us, Star. Oh, I am just dying to see it. We all are you know. I heard Marlie telling Asha and mother about it earlier, and they cannot wait."

Star just smiled back, but said nothing as Iris went on talking about how exciting the Book was. Her hosts had been largely unaware of the Book until just now. She wasn't sure how they would feel when she told them she didn't have it with her, that it was with the Keeper, and that she would wait for him to finish reading it before she asked for it back. The adults probably wouldn't be terribly upset or surprised; but she was sure that Iris would sulk until it was her turn to see it.

So far, Star had decided that she liked Iris well enough. She and Forley were as alike as everyone had claimed, and so she didn't see how she could dislike the older girl. Iris was very enthusiastic and full of energy, and had an adventurous streak that was wild and overwhelming for a Maris. Her father had been a fine candidate to be Keeper of the Crystal; but the task would have suited Iris poorly, and she wouldn't have served her people well at all.

She is far too self-centered for the task, Star thought. The Keeper should carry love for all his or her people. Iris loves herself, and her parents, and little else. She isn't stupid, but she isn't wise, either. And, frankly, though we get along, I think she's obnoxious and perhaps a tad spoiled. And why shouldn't she be? She is her father's daughter and only child, like Alanis and I are to our parents. We know a thing or two about being sheltered. All the same, our fathers would never allow us to run wild around town like Iris does. And I don't think she is allowed to do so; my guess is that she simply has too much energy for them to handle, sometimes.

That rebelliousness will certainly come back to haunt her, if she isn't careful. The Rinfolk would praise it, but the Maris must find it a pain, and perhaps a bad omen. If she gets herself hurt, she will be fantastically hurt—perhaps so hurt, she will never really recover. Such a thing would break her spirit. And that would be a tragic blessing.

Star suspected that supper usually didn't take so long in this house; but it lasted well into the evening before she began helping her hosts clear dishes from the tables. Out of habit, she and Leah both moved to begin washing the dishes, as they had done every night since they had stood tall enough to do so. However, Imlay hurried them both from the kitchen before they could get started, heartily insisting that it could be left until morning on this occasion. Leah grimaced after the untidy sink, but didn't bother trying to argue.

"I wonder how everyone at home is doing?" Alanis was saying as they rejoined the family. "They must know by now that we've arrived. Rowan will have known for hours, and will have let everyone know."

"They are probably relieved to know it. I suppose that in recent years, after all the excitement, these important journeys must make your people nervous," Seaborn suggested.

"Especially this year, when you come carrying such precious cargo," Asha added, glancing meaningfully at Star. "If I know my small friend, the idea of letting his daughter travel so far from home has been stressful."

To that, Marlie scoffed and rolled her eyes. "You have no idea."

"I imagine that he's having second thoughts about all his worrying," Allun commented. "He and Zeel are probably making quite merry right about now, to have their home to themselves for the first time in 13 years. It's what I would do."

"You care far too much about their business."

"It's in my interest to care. You can never tell with those two. They say they're done with adventures, but I can't help wondering, sometimes."

Star silently shook her head at him. If he should be caring about anyone's business, it was supposed to be hers. Personally, she didn't care what her parents were doing without her. The only interesting thing she supposed they were doing was enjoying an extra glass or two of honey mead every night, or perhaps swearing out loud more often, while she wasn't around to see or hear.

"Star?"

There were so many people gathered that it took her a moment to find the one who had addressed her. She found that it was Perlain, looking at her intently.

"We understand you are well-versed in magic as your father, and that you were to perhaps explain a bit of it."

At the mention of it, the other Maris all turned to watch her just as intently, all of their glassy eyes bright with interest.

"Yes, at last," Iris agreed. "And perhaps you will now share the Book with us."

"I'm afraid the Keeper has the Book right now," Star answered. "I'll have it back in a day or two, when he's done with it. But I can answer any other question you have."

"Why am I not surprised," Seaborn said before his daughter could start whining. "In that case, tell us a bit of this magic of yours."

"Oh… Let me think for a moment. I hardly know where to begin."

"Begin at the beginning, then" Asha suggested.

Star nodded. The solution was as obvious as Asha had made it sound. "Wait a moment," she said, turning to leave the group. "I need to fetch something from my bag, and I'll be right back."

When she returned, she was carrying one of the notebooks she had brought with her. She also found that someone had moved a chair to stand alone before the fireplace, before the whole family. Plainly, she was meant to sit there. She suspected that Alanis was responsible for this.

Surely, she thought as she sat down, this is what it really feels like to be Sheba.

"I'm going to start at the very beginning, as Asha said," she explained, thumbing through the pages of her notebook. "And the very beginning is with the compass."

She held the book up in front of her, for all to see the sketch she had found for them. It was a neatly drawn compass rose, its points labeled north, south, east, and west, with the four subpoints for north-east, north-west, south-east, and south-west similarly labeled. Beside each point was also the name of an element—Air, Earth, Water, Fire—and a strange symbol that represented each one. The subpoints had elements and symbols of their own, much smaller and harder to see. On the opposite page were notes on the symbols and their meanings.

"I've drawn the compass many times, but this is the neatest one so far. Each compass point is aligned with its own element, and each element has its own meaning. All of them are connected, and flow through each other in a cycle. The compass shows us all the basic laws of magic in one place—how the elements move, how they react to one another, and how they combine to create."

"I do not think I have seen these symbols before," Perlain said slowly, carefully observing the careful sketch. "What are they?"

"A remnant of a long ago time, when it's said that all people knew one language that united them. That language is lost, today; but the Titans have kept it alive, and use these symbols for many things. The compass is one of those things. Because it's so basic, it's one of the first things they are taught. There is depth and detail to it that takes many years to learn fully, as I have. But in this form, any beginner can see and understand. Here, have a better look."

She handed the notebook to her hostess and watched with pride as the sketch was passed form hand to hand and admired.

"The elements combine at the cross-points," Asha noticed.

"Those are the sub-elements: rock, ice, plant, and lightning. Two energies must combine to create them. But only when the two can flow through each other. Because they are across from each other, Earth and Air can never successfully combine, and neither can Water and Fire. Such combinations represent conflict, a clashing of opposing forces, which create nothing but destruction and chaos. This is why the four are so important. The four make a cycle of harmony; when broken, they can only destroy, or, at best, accomplish little."

Perlain made on odd face. "Somehow, that idea feels familiar. As if I have seen this, or heard of it, somewhere before. I cannot think where, though."

"It should feel familiar," Star agreed, thrilled that he had stumbled over it so easily. "The concept is a big one; but it is the only reason why you returned from the Zebak lands so successfully, let alone alive."

He pinned her with an astounded look, not understanding.

"There were four of you then, remember?" she explained, speaking slowly. "One of you representing each element, all with your own unique gift to offer. And so the four elements were united in harmony, and you were able to accomplish more together than you ever could have on your own."

"Four quarters of a whole," Allun commented thoughtfully. He had heard the explanation many times, and it never failed to amaze him. "Things always happen in fours around here, it seems. I had never thought of it before, but it explains everything."

"I thought your parents and your aunt and uncle made a whole, as well," Iris added. "But they are three people of Rin and one Zebak. It seems quite unbalanced to me."

"That's where elemental alignment comes in," Star continued. "As with spirit animals, everyone is aligned with one of the elements, and so takes on certain characteristics that come with it. Papa is element Earth, and mum is element Fire, naturally; but Norriss is Air, and Shaaran is Water, and so together, they do make a whole. Of course, they had no idea when they were young, and chalked all their success up to dumb luck. In truth, it was all a part of destiny, and the magic that gives it shape and life."

"What about before, on your father's first adventure on the mountain?" Seaborn asked. "There were four then, but the whole fell apart."

"That is true," Star agreed. "Once the seven became four, they traveled much farther much faster, and accomplished much more. However, they were never a whole. Papa was Earth, and John was Fire, but there were two Air elements, then," she explained, pointing two fingers at her godparents.

"They were the two of us," Marlie said slowly, obviously uncomfortable to be remembering the story. "We understand now, though, that Jiller is element Water, and would have made the four whole if she had gone in place of one of us. The journey would have been unkind to her, but perhaps the party would have stayed intact."

"One person really does make all the difference," Star concluded. "It's often said so, and it is more true than we sometimes think."

Marlie cleared her throat and shook her head, as if to shake the memories from her head. "Star, perhaps you will tell them of the Titans," she suggested, expertly changing the subject. "Tell them of how it began. You tell the stories quite well."

"Very well. If you are all done with my notebook, I need it back. Though I could tell these stories from memory, it helps when I have a guide."

The notebook made its way back around the group and back into her hands. She flipped through the pages and found the story she was looking for.

"Now, I want you all to remember something as I read this tale," she said seriously. "It seems impossible and completely fantastic, but it is true. It is the story of the first Earth Titan, how she came into her power, and how she united our people."

All were silent, eyes attentively watching her, as she read the tale from her book.

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The Bear Queen

Long ago, there stood a great mountain which was kept by the dragon called Finlair, son of Aldebaran, and lord of ancient, silent Earth. At the base of this mountain dwelt four tribes of human folk, which Finlair watched over with his whole heart. There dwelt a tribe a mighty warriors, a tribe of simple farmers, a tribe of quiet scholars, and a tribe of fearsome wild men.

The four tribes were long given over to great battles and terrible wars, as each fought to claim the mountain as their own. The warriors fought with swords and spears. The farmers took up their hoes and ploughshares. The scholars fought with clever traps, having little strength or power of their own. The wild men went into battle armed only with their bare hands.

For many centuries the fighting raged on, to the great dismay of the dragon. It was often said that he walked among the people in the guise of a human—an old mountain hermit who would venture down to them from the snowy summit, speaking of peace and unity. But the people were prideful, and refused to hear his gentle words. This brought terrible sadness to the dragon, and he soon gave up trying to soothe the people. He retreated to his lair, despairing for the people of his heart, and turned his eye from their bitter fighting.

One day, deep in the forest that surrounded the mountain, a strange thing happened. A young mother black bear was walking through the trees with her new cubs, and she stumbled upon a curious sight. It was a toddling human girl-child, lost among the trees. It was unknown how she had come to be there. Whether she had been abandoned, or had lost her parents to the wars of her people can never be said, even to this day. However, because the bear was a young mother and had children of her own, she took the lost child into her mother's heart. She took the child into her own den, and raised her alongside the two cubs, as a cub of her own.

The child, called Girl of the Trees by mother bear, grew up in the forest, among the plants and animals. She spoke to mother bear and her two brother bears as if they spoke the same tongue. She learned to care for the animals of the forest: to bring their young into the world, to heal their pains, and to comfort their elderly in their dying. She learned the ways of the trees and flowers, how and when to tend them, and which ones were good for healing.

Years went by. The toddler grew first into a sprightly girl and then slowly into a young maiden. Her hair grew long, wild, and black as night. Her eyes were full of sunlight, and green as the spring grass. Girl of the Trees came to know the land more closely and beautifully than any human before her, and brought great joy to all the creatures of her forest home. Sometimes, though, she would climb to the top of the highest trees and gaze upon the land of her true people with a heavy heart. Seeing their terrible wars from afar troubled her deeply, and she longed for a day when the fighting would cease. Then, perhaps, she might return to them. She wished to do something to change their hearts, but feared that she would never possess such power.

One destined afternoon, she strolled the forest with one of her grown brother bears, through part of the territory he had claimed for himself. And through the trees, brother bear was enraged to discover that the tribes had gone to war once again, in a part of his own land. Finding the invasion an insult and a threat, he gave a mighty roar and charged through the trees at the intruders. Girl of the Trees was terrified, knowing well her brother would fall into the traps of the scholars, and be cut down by the swords and ploughshares of the warriors and farmers, and be ripped apart by the hands of the wild men,. She gave chase and called after him, begging him to hear her and stop his rampage. But he went on charging, roaring in rage; and she went on chasing him, calling him, even though she knew he was beyond hearing her.

The four tribes all looked up in surprise from their fighting, to see a grown black bear charging at them. And even greater was their surprise when they saw a wild, beautiful maiden burst from the trees, calling the bear as if they spoke the same tongue. Before their eyes, the maiden ran to stand before the bear, begging in an animal language to be calm and to turn back. To their great amazement, the bear understood her, and they watched in amazement as the rage slowly faded from the bear's eyes at the maiden's command.

The people began to cheer in wonder over the beautiful maiden, who had appeared so suddenly from the trees, and had the power to speak with the bears of the forest. The leaders of the four tribes came before her, for once united in joy over this unexpected gift, and asked her to tell them her name.

And so the maiden called herself Milantis—which means "Girl of the Trees", in the human tongue. The people were overjoyed at her appearance, and the magical powers she seemed to possess, and called her Bear Queen. The warriors brought her to sit in their place of honor, and the farmers brought her the finest of their harvest; the scholars dressed her in the robes of their highest, and the wild men pledged the loyal service of their best fighters to her. Girl of the Trees, now called Milantis, looked over her native people and let her heart be filled with joy to see them unified, at long last. Finally, they were at peace, and she rejoiced to be the cause of such happiness and celebration.

But the happiness and celebration was not to last. The four leaders soon came before her and demanded to know which tribe she had come from, and to which she would lend her powers. They wished the wars to be won, and the true masters of the mountain to be decided once and for all. Each of the leaders pointed to his or her own offering, and each insisted that they had more than won her loyalty.

Milantis was astounded and puzzled, because she did not know which tribe she had come from. She had come to bear traits of each one—the warriors' strength, the farmers' knowledge of the land, the scholars' gentleness, and the untamed spirit of the wild men. Even if she had possess a way of knowing, the thought of taking any one side tore at her heart, for it belonged to all the tribes as much as the mountain did.

The four leaders were far from satisfied with her answer, and demanded with harsh words and threats that she must make her decision. Milantis felt her heart break, and so fled from her people without looking back at their stubborn pride and greed. She did not know where her feet or her broken heart were taking her, but she ran, and ran—toward the mountain, where she would never again have to look upon the people who had disappointed her so.

She fled past her confused brothers, not hearing them ask what troubled her. On she ran through the trees, not hearing them calling her to play in their shade. She ran even past mother bear, not hearing at all when she begged her to stop. On and on Milantis ran, until she came to the secret stair that led up the side of the mountain; even then, she did not stop running, but began to climb.

She ran for a day and all through the night. Just before dawn, exhaustion and misery overcame her, and she fell to her face near a cave that seemed to breathe with fire. But Milantis did not notice, for the aching of her broken heart was unbearable. She lay on the rock, weeping her grief, on the verge of throwing all her hope away.

"Girl, why are you weeping?" came a deep voice from nearby. Startled, Milantis looked up and saw an old man sitting upon a rock before her. His clothes were rough and worn from a life lived alone on the mountain. His hair was white as new snow, and his beard reached past his waist. His eyes burned with firry wisdom. And for all his years, he stood quite straight and tall, with great majesty.

Milantis had not expected to meet another soul on the mountain, but was silently glad that someone had found her. No doubt, the elder had fled to the shelter of the mountain like she had, to escape the fighting below. Certain of this, she told him of her sad adventure.

"If only I knew how to change their hearts, I would spare nothing," she cried to the elder. "Not even my own heart. I would give anything for there to be peace in our land."

And the elder, who was truly the dragon Finlair in his human guise, was pleased with her words. Never before had he seen such humility or selfless love in a human being. His dragon heart was deeply moved by hers, for it was like his own.

"Come into the cave with me, and I will show you the answer," he said, and the elder stepped into the cave which breathed fire. With a wild, renewed hope, Milantis rose and dried her eyes, and followed him.

At first, she supposed that her weary eyes were deceiving her. There in the cave, the form of the mountain hermit had vanished. Instead, and ice-white dragon loomed before her, awaiting her with eyes that burned with the wisdom of the ages.

Yet she felt no fear. She knew, somehow, that the dragon was the only true lord of the mountain, and that he was also the elder who had befriended her. And because she knew the ways of the land and its creatures, she knew that she could trust him. He led her deep, deep into the cave, which began to burn like the dragon's fire, like the wisdom in his eyes.

And here, he revealed his secret treasure. Deep within the cave, in the very center of the mountain, boiled a lake of liquid gold which no human eyes had ever fallen on.

Before her eyes, the dragon plucked a single scale from his chest, right above his soft heart, groaning with pain as it was taken from his body. It was his smallest scale, yet it gleamed with power as great as his largest.

Before her eyes, he took the small scale in his great talons and lowered it into the lake of gold. And when he brought it forth, the scale no longer gleamed like ice, but with the gold that had already hardened to coat and protect it.

This token he presented to Milantis, full of his own power. It was only a tiny fragment, but it was enough to shake her very bones with its might.

"I gift you with the truth and solidarity of ancient, silent Earth," the dragon proclaimed. "Today, you burn with the power of my hallowed mother star. Today, you shall make your people one."

Indeed, as Milantis took the talisman, she saw the truth, and the answer. With thanks and joy, she departed from the cave that was the mountain's own heart. She returned to the base of the mountain, knowing full well what she had to do.

Beyond the forest that was her home, she knew of a still and secret valley, and knew that it would suit her purpose well. She felt the power of the land singing into her blood and into her soul, as it filled her with strength and courage as she had never known. All around her, it seemed as though the creatures and the very trees bowed as she passed, in silent awe of the being she had become, and the talisman she now carried.

There in the secret valley, she called the earth to life, and sang magic into the solid rock. Great trees sprang up at her touch, and empty fields filled with flowers and good fruits. From deep underground she summoned a great spring of crystal clear water. And from the mountain itself, she summoned a streaming river of liquid gold to flow down to a pool of stone. All the valley was bathed in the radiance of the golden river. In the light of the sun, and in the light of the moon, the world that Milantis crafted was illuminated in light.

All through the night she crafted a new home for her people—one home to be shared by all. She finished her great work as the sun rose; high above her, the dragon Finlair roared in triumph. And his roar was a call to the people of his heart, to come forth and see what his Titan had made for them.

Though they did not understand the call, the people of the four tribes ceased their fighting and followed it at once to where it led them. And there, they found a strange new place where once had been an empty valley. A place where pleasant trees grew, and yellow flowers covered the grass, and pools of clear water and liquid gold sparkled in the light of dawn.

And standing tall among it all, waiting to welcome them, was the Bear Queen—Milantis, the first Titan of ancient, silent Earth.

"I bid you welcome to our new home," she said, no longer in the voice of a wild maiden, but in the grand voice of a queen. "From this day to the last, we will be one people in our new, golden valley. Never again will we fight over our land, but for it, together, as one. I curse the day our land is fought over once again. Should that terrible day come, I pray the mountain to crumble upon the offenders, to seal our home in silence until peace returns once more."

This time, the four leaders did not dare question her. The warriors and farmers threw down their weapons at once. The scholars abandoned their crafting of traps. The wild men quite suddenly lost their wildness to the thought of home, where their hands were needed for creation.

And so the people of Earth were united at last, under the power, care, and great love of their Titans. Their new home came to be known as the Valley of Gold, and its people came to prosper in wealth and wisdom. Ever since that time, they have tended their land and cared for the mountain which belongs to all people, and to the dragon. Never again did they go to war with themselves, as Milantis had decreed.

And so it has remained, to this very day.

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Afterthoughts…

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Knights, I bid you welcome to your new home. Let us ride to… The Valley of Gold!

*queue ridiculously silly musical number*

And look at that—when the Zebak came and tried to take it for themselves, it collapsed on itself. Curses are not to be taken lightly around here.