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Description
Chapter 1:

The bitter silence was broken by the clang of bronze against cold stone floor. The fair-haired youth swore as he picked up the bowl and its spilled contents. As he reached for the final block of cheese he saw a pair of sandaled feet next to it. Grabbing the cheese he looked up and saw an old man, an outsider, and by the look of it, from Ard'or. His gray hair and dark brown skin were covered with ash from his homeland. He smelled of fire and his clothing appeared to be three times thicker than that of any born in Desu, the boy's mountain village. The boy shook his head a couple of times and noticed the visitor extending his hand to him. Sheepishly accepting the aid, the boy barely was able to make eye contact, let alone speak.
“Thank you, Suri.” The boy finally manages to utter. The elderly man nodded and spoke,
“Next time, I suggest carrying it with your hands, not your head. Although, with a little practice you could show us your act at the festival.” The outsider winked at him then walked out of the temple smirking. The boy shook his head. What a strange old man. Suddenly a low gong sounded off in the distance.
“Oh no! I'll be late for the dedication!”, the boy groaned, running out of the temple door with the bowl clenched firmly to his chest.

The chieftain stood with sceptre aloft in front of a tarp-covered wall, delivering his speech as the boy found his way to the start of the crowd.
“...and this great building will stand forever as a testament to our achievements. It shall bear a new age of the arts...” As he pushed through the crowd towards the stand a few adults glared at the youth, but he ignored them and continued to move through the sea of people towards the stand.
“...our descendants shall visit this hall and learn about us through our works. Thus we dedicate this Hall of Sie. May our futures be bright.” The chief said and the tarp was dropped down by the assistants. As it fell, the sun's rays hit the building's icy surface and were reflected onto the huge mountain wall behind it. The multitude marveled at the structure and clapped. Tain, the chieftain, walked down from the stand just as the boy arrived, bowl in hand. As he noticed him, Tain walked over shaking his head with a pleasant glimmer in his eyes and a broad smile.
“Seta, you are a godsend. Just when I was afraid we would have to postpone the banquet you arrive with the final piece.” Seta nervously grinned as he silently bowed. “I hope this small dish will appease the builder's wrath. If not, I suppose we could finish it together.” Tain replied with a smirk and led him to the banquet table. Seta Kazu placed the bowl in the only empty spot and followed the Rie to his chieftain seat. “Tell me more about this tale you have found in the Tso Towers of Knowledge.” Tain requested as he sat in the chair. Seta began to recount the story to his uncle and mentor.
“There once was a time of magic and wonder far beyond our own. It was...”

Tain coughed terribly as he and Seta walked along the moonlit street.
“Have you ever looked up at the sky and wondered if there was more out there than what we see? Farther than our telescopes can see?” Tain whispered as he gazed up at the celestial bodies in awe and wonder, like a small child.
“Yes... but only for a moment.” His nephew said and he looked down towards him. “We must accept that even if there was more out there, we will never reach it. Not within our lifetimes or than of even our grandchildren.” The cold air grew heavily silent and Tain shuddered noticeably, even with his four layers of clothing. Above the two Seta heard a familiar sound, like rolling thunder, and turning, saw his uncle looking up as if in a trance. Before the large chunk of snow and ice could hit them Seta knocked them both out of the way. After the snow had settled the teen helped his chieftain up, looking at him with worry.
“I can still hear it, you know? The ice as it falls? But I've come to a point where it does not frighten me as it did when I was a youth of your age. If anything, I wish to embrace it, slip away and rejoin the well of souls.” Tain Kazu Rie said as he looked at the remaining chunks with what could only be described as disappointment.
“Don't say that! You are our chief, our Rie. We need you!” Seta cried out in shock. I need you...
“I grew up here in Desu, as a man with many friends. I watched them grow older, having children and then grandchildren. I saw them die and still I lived on. Now my closest friend is one who doesn't even live here, one who can only visit once a month, if even that. Most of what I thought I knew in my youth has changed. I have changed. No. No, my village has outgrown me. It no longer needs me.” Tain said with a dry, somber face. Seta looked up at his mentor, staring with a sense of detachment as he was told all of this, but as he finished, Seta came to a realization.
He's crying. Suddenly a sign of recognition appeared on the old man's face and he wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.
“Don't fear for me yet, Seta. I may be old, but I haven't passed on yet. I was just... remembering times in the past fondly.” Seta let himself relax a little as he heard those reassuring words, even if his uncle's face did not properly convey them. He dipped his head.
“I understand.”
“Do you really though.” Tain whispered to himself. Then, leaning on his staff Tain started walking off. “Come, let us return home.” Seta watched him for a few moments then looked up at the crescent moon in the night sky worriedly. Finally he followed his only relative home to the palace.

The next morning when Seta awoke he had already almost forgotten what had happened the previous night. Today was a new day, and after he prepared for it he sat at the dining table alone. A small breakfast consisting of goat milke, cheese and two hot buns, then Seta left to go research at the Tso Towers. As he walked by the Desun Council room Tain motioned for him to enter. As he did, he that his uncle had a guest.
“Kade, this is my nephew, Seta.” Tain said, introducing the visitor to his relative. Seta bowed nervously as he saw the guest's face.
“Yes, the one you've often told me of. It is a pleasure to bump into you again Seta. Have you tried practicing your act yet?” Kade said jokingly. Tain looked at the two in confusion.
“Seta, this is Kade Rie, cheifain of...” he began.
“Ard'or, I know. We met in the temple. Well, sort of.” Seta said and his uncle relaxed. Kade, however, raised a gray eyebrow in response to Seta's comment.
“Do you mind if I bother you to ask a few questions, Seta?” He said as his face resumed it's natural expression of noble resolve.
“No bother at all. How may I be of service?” Seta graciously replied.
“Seta, how long have you lived in Desu?”
“All sixteen years of my life.” Seta answered, sneaking an inquisitive glance at his uncle, who merely watched their exchange with mild interest.
“And how well do you think you know your village?” Kade asked.
“I know only what I am experiencing now and what I think I have experienced. I believe I know my people and my village. Which are you wanting to know about? My people or my village?” Kade looked over at Tain as if asking a silent question. Tain tipped his head slightly and coughed.
“Who has the most important role in Desu?” The visitor asked the youth, sighing at first.
“The hunter.” Seta replied without hesitation.
“Not the Rie?” Kade asked, puzzled. Tain closed his eyes in deep thought as Seta explained.
“Without the hunter, we would have no meet. Without the hunter, we would not have large furs to protect us from the cold, nor fat for our candles, nor bones for our soup. The Rie is a very necessary part of our village, but without the hunter we would all surely die.” Tain nodded.
“That is all I have to ask for now. Thank you for your time.” Seta bowed again, then walked out of the room, then the palace, heading for the towers once again.

Tain stood on the balcony watching as the soft snow fell upon the white village of Desu, his cloak swaying in the cold breeze.
“I'm getting to old for this.” He said rubbing his hands together.
“We both are, my friend.” Kade replied as he walked up next to him. Tain closed his eyes. “I sent for the others before coming here. They should be here within the week.” Kade said, placing a gentle hand upon Tain's shoulder. Tain turned and opened his weary eyes.
“Thank you Kade. I do not know if I will last till then though. My condition has worsened gravely since we last spoke.” Tain said and coughed. “You will give Seta the letter, yes? And tell the council my decision?” Tain asked pleadingly.
“Yes, I already have it all arranged. But you need your rest. Go to bed, sleep and dream.” Kade said, leading his friend away from the balcony. Tain leaned on his sceptre and walked off towards his chambers as Kade watched him for a moment, then returned to looking out at the snow-filled village center.

Seta barged out of the tower door and into the dark sky and icy street. Quickly he ran down the shortest route towards the palace, sliding on the ice along the way as he rounded corners. At one one particularly slippery intersection Seta fell down and crashed his skull against a sign post. As he groaned snow fell down on his aching head and a little girl ran up to him.
“Are you alright, Seta Suri?” She asked.
“Yes, yes. Quite unharmed.” He replied as he lay on the ground, brushing off the snow. His face shone in excitement as he started to get up. “In fact, I'm better than alright, I'm great! Wait till I tell uncle!” As he ran off some spectators looked at the girl who merely shrugged. When Seta arrived at the palace's large door Nati, Tain's advisor, opened the door and tried to tell him something. Seta didn't hear what it was, but figured giving his uncle the news was more important. After he ran up the steps towards his uncle's room Kade was waiting in the hall for him.
“Seta, there is something I must give you.” Kade said, reaching into his garments. Seta shook his head and continued moving towards the door.
“Not now. I have something of great importance to tell the Rie.”
“But Seta-”
“Not now!” Seta snapped. Kade stepped back in surprise and Seta entered his uncle's chambers. There his uncle lay, eyes closed. Seta reached into his pack and pulled out his copy of the scroll he had read. “Uncle, I have found the cure!” He exclaimed, but his uncle still remained silent and motionless. Worriedly, Seta shook the bed. “Uncle? What's wrong? Didn't you hear me? I've found the cure for your ailments!” As Seta waited for a response Kade walked up to his side.
“No cure on all of Delni will help him now.” Kade said as the moonlight played across his face.
“What-what do you mean?” Seta asked gulping.
“He has left to go to the land of undying light. To await his return to the Well of Souls. He passed away just before sunset.”

Seta stood there staring at his uncle's corpse silently. Kade reached into his cloak and pulled out a package.
“Seta, before he passed on Tain asked me to give you something important.” Seta turned to stare at Kade through teary eyes. Suddenly he ran past Kade and down the hall. As Kade reached the stairs Seta was a floor below, almost to the door facing the mountain path. “Seta!” Kade shouted to the teen, to no avail. The youth ignored him and ran out into the bone-chilling night, as hard and as far up the trail as his legs would take him. Finally he fell forward onto his hands and knees, crying out to the skies in tearful agony.

Description
Chapter 1:

The bitter silence was broken by the clang of bronze against cold stone floor. The fair-haired youth swore as he picked up the bowl and its spilled contents. As he reached for the final block of cheese he saw a pair of sandaled feet next to it. Grabbing the cheese he looked up and saw an old man, an outsider, and by the look of it, from Ard'or. His gray hair and dark brown skin were covered with ash from his homeland. He smelled of fire and his clothing appeared to be three times thicker than that of any born in Desu, the boy's mountain village. The boy shook his head a couple of times and noticed the visitor extending his hand to him. Sheepishly accepting the aid, the boy barely was able to make eye contact, let alone speak.
“Thank you, Suri.” The boy finally manages to utter. The elderly man nodded and spoke,
“Next time, I suggest carrying it with your hands, not your head. Although, with a little practice you could show us your act at the festival.” The outsider winked at him then walked out of the temple smirking. The boy shook his head. What a strange old man. Suddenly a low gong sounded off in the distance.
“Oh no! I'll be late for the dedication!”, the boy groaned, running out of the temple door with the bowl clenched firmly to his chest.

The chieftain stood with sceptre aloft in front of a tarp-covered wall, delivering his speech as the boy found his way to the start of the crowd.
“...and this great building will stand forever as a testament to our achievements. It shall bear a new age of the arts...” As he pushed through the crowd towards the stand a few adults glared at the youth, but he ignored them and continued to move through the sea of people towards the stand.
“...our descendants shall visit this hall and learn about us through our works. Thus we dedicate this Hall of Sie. May our futures be bright.” The chief said and the tarp was dropped down by the assistants. As it fell, the sun's rays hit the building's icy surface and were reflected onto the huge mountain wall behind it. The multitude marveled at the structure and clapped. Tain, the chieftain, walked down from the stand just as the boy arrived, bowl in hand. As he noticed him, Tain walked over shaking his head with a pleasant glimmer in his eyes and a broad smile.
“Seta, you are a godsend. Just when I was afraid we would have to postpone the banquet you arrive with the final piece.” Seta nervously grinned as he silently bowed. “I hope this small dish will appease the builder's wrath. If not, I suppose we could finish it together.” Tain replied with a smirk and led him to the banquet table. Seta Kazu placed the bowl in the only empty spot and followed the Rie to his chieftain seat. “Tell me more about this tale you have found in the Tso Towers of Knowledge.” Tain requested as he sat in the chair. Seta began to recount the story to his uncle and mentor.
“There once was a time of magic and wonder far beyond our own. It was...”

Tain coughed terribly as he and Seta walked along the moonlit street.
“Have you ever looked up at the sky and wondered if there was more out there than what we see? Farther than our telescopes can see?” Tain whispered as he gazed up at the celestial bodies in awe and wonder, like a small child.
“Yes... but only for a moment.” His nephew said and he looked down towards him. “We must accept that even if there was more out there, we will never reach it. Not within our lifetimes or than of even our grandchildren.” The cold air grew heavily silent and Tain shuddered noticeably, even with his four layers of clothing. Above the two Seta heard a familiar sound, like rolling thunder, and turning, saw his uncle looking up as if in a trance. Before the large chunk of snow and ice could hit them Seta knocked them both out of the way. After the snow had settled the teen helped his chieftain up, looking at him with worry.
“I can still hear it, you know? The ice as it falls? But I've come to a point where it does not frighten me as it did when I was a youth of your age. If anything, I wish to embrace it, slip away and rejoin the well of souls.” Tain Kazu Rie said as he looked at the remaining chunks with what could only be described as disappointment.
“Don't say that! You are our chief, our Rie. We need you!” Seta cried out in shock. I need you...
“I grew up here in Desu, as a man with many friends. I watched them grow older, having children and then grandchildren. I saw them die and still I lived on. Now my closest friend is one who doesn't even live here, one who can only visit once a month, if even that. Most of what I thought I knew in my youth has changed. I have changed. No. No, my village has outgrown me. It no longer needs me.” Tain said with a dry, somber face. Seta looked up at his mentor, staring with a sense of detachment as he was told all of this, but as he finished, Seta came to a realization.
He's crying. Suddenly a sign of recognition appeared on the old man's face and he wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.
“Don't fear for me yet, Seta. I may be old, but I haven't passed on yet. I was just... remembering times in the past fondly.” Seta let himself relax a little as he heard those reassuring words, even if his uncle's face did not properly convey them. He dipped his head.
“I understand.”
“Do you really though.” Tain whispered to himself. Then, leaning on his staff Tain started walking off. “Come, let us return home.” Seta watched him for a few moments then looked up at the crescent moon in the night sky worriedly. Finally he followed his only relative home to the palace.

The next morning when Seta awoke he had already almost forgotten what had happened the previous night. Today was a new day, and after he prepared for it he sat at the dining table alone. A small breakfast consisting of goat milke, cheese and two hot buns, then Seta left to go research at the Tso Towers. As he walked by the Desun Council room Tain motioned for him to enter. As he did, he that his uncle had a guest.
“Kade, this is my nephew, Seta.” Tain said, introducing the visitor to his relative. Seta bowed nervously as he saw the guest's face.
“Yes, the one you've often told me of. It is a pleasure to bump into you again Seta. Have you tried practicing your act yet?” Kade said jokingly. Tain looked at the two in confusion.
“Seta, this is Kade Rie, cheifain of...” he began.
“Ard'or, I know. We met in the temple. Well, sort of.” Seta said and his uncle relaxed. Kade, however, raised a gray eyebrow in response to Seta's comment.
“Do you mind if I bother you to ask a few questions, Seta?” He said as his face resumed it's natural expression of noble resolve.
“No bother at all. How may I be of service?” Seta graciously replied.
“Seta, how long have you lived in Desu?”
“All sixteen years of my life.” Seta answered, sneaking an inquisitive glance at his uncle, who merely watched their exchange with mild interest.
“And how well do you think you know your village?” Kade asked.
“I know only what I am experiencing now and what I think I have experienced. I believe I know my people and my village. Which are you wanting to know about? My people or my village?” Kade looked over at Tain as if asking a silent question. Tain tipped his head slightly and coughed.
“Who has the most important role in Desu?” The visitor asked the youth, sighing at first.
“The hunter.” Seta replied without hesitation.
“Not the Rie?” Kade asked, puzzled. Tain closed his eyes in deep thought as Seta explained.
“Without the hunter, we would have no meet. Without the hunter, we would not have large furs to protect us from the cold, nor fat for our candles, nor bones for our soup. The Rie is a very necessary part of our village, but without the hunter we would all surely die.” Tain nodded.
“That is all I have to ask for now. Thank you for your time.” Seta bowed again, then walked out of the room, then the palace, heading for the towers once again.

Tain stood on the balcony watching as the soft snow fell upon the white village of Desu, his cloak swaying in the cold breeze.
“I'm getting to old for this.” He said rubbing his hands together.
“We both are, my friend.” Kade replied as he walked up next to him. Tain closed his eyes. “I sent for the others before coming here. They should be here within the week.” Kade said, placing a gentle hand upon Tain's shoulder. Tain turned and opened his weary eyes.
“Thank you Kade. I do not know if I will last till then though. My condition has worsened gravely since we last spoke.” Tain said and coughed. “You will give Seta the letter, yes? And tell the council my decision?” Tain asked pleadingly.
“Yes, I already have it all arranged. But you need your rest. Go to bed, sleep and dream.” Kade said, leading his friend away from the balcony. Tain leaned on his sceptre and walked off towards his chambers as Kade watched him for a moment, then returned to looking out at the snow-filled village center.

Seta barged out of the tower door and into the dark sky and icy street. Quickly he ran down the shortest route towards the palace, sliding on the ice along the way as he rounded corners. At one one particularly slippery intersection Seta fell down and crashed his skull against a sign post. As he groaned snow fell down on his aching head and a little girl ran up to him.
“Are you alright, Seta Suri?” She asked.
“Yes, yes. Quite unharmed.” He replied as he lay on the ground, brushing off the snow. His face shone in excitement as he started to get up. “In fact, I'm better than alright, I'm great! Wait till I tell uncle!” As he ran off some spectators looked at the girl who merely shrugged. When Seta arrived at the palace's large door Nati, Tain's advisor, opened the door and tried to tell him something. Seta didn't hear what it was, but figured giving his uncle the news was more important. After he ran up the steps towards his uncle's room Kade was waiting in the hall for him.
“Seta, there is something I must give you.” Kade said, reaching into his garments. Seta shook his head and continued moving towards the door.
“Not now. I have something of great importance to tell the Rie.”
“But Seta-”
“Not now!” Seta snapped. Kade stepped back in surprise and Seta entered his uncle's chambers. There his uncle lay, eyes closed. Seta reached into his pack and pulled out his copy of the scroll he had read. “Uncle, I have found the cure!” He exclaimed, but his uncle still remained silent and motionless. Worriedly, Seta shook the bed. “Uncle? What's wrong? Didn't you hear me? I've found the cure for your ailments!” As Seta waited for a response Kade walked up to his side.
“No cure on all of Delni will help him now.” Kade said as the moonlight played across his face.
“What-what do you mean?” Seta asked gulping.
“He has left to go to the land of undying light. To await his return to the Well of Souls. He passed away just before sunset.”

Seta stood there staring at his uncle's corpse silently. Kade reached into his cloak and pulled out a package.
“Seta, before he passed on Tain asked me to give you something important.” Seta turned to stare at Kade through teary eyes. Suddenly he ran past Kade and down the hall. As Kade reached the stairs Seta was a floor below, almost to the door facing the mountain path. “Seta!” Kade shouted to the teen, to no avail. The youth ignored him and ran out into the bone-chilling night, as hard and as far up the trail as his legs would take him. Finally he fell forward onto his hands and knees, crying out to the skies in tearful agony.