The Tree

Withered leaves

The leaf withered and fell from the Tree. The wind picking it up carried it gently to the warm waters below that flowed from the roots of the tree. The water carried it over the rocks and through various pools before continuing through the valley of the Levians.

The Levians are a small race, in more ways than one. First, they are no more than six inches tall. And second, their race has been divided for many seasons now. No longer thriving like they once did.

As the leaf floated down the stream, it remained unknown to those it passed. A few of the younger Vinelings were playing on the banks and chasing one another around the grass houses. Hiding behind ferns, blades of grass, and the many colourful blossoms. Their laughter carried on the breeze to another group of Vinelings who were not there playing, but practicing their gift. A few of them were talking to the plants beside the old stump that is the home of their guardian. The plant obeyed them. Twisting and turning it forming itself into desired shapes.

The honeysuckle vine that grew around the stump was formed into stairs leading from one room to another. Before making it's way to the top where it joined others vines. They coiled around the rim of the stump to form railings, pillars and a roof, where the honeysuckle blossoms, happily bloomed. There stood Vetch, one of the guardians of the Vinelings. His golden eyes glowed brightly while gazing down at his aprentince. Hidden amongst the leaves with his long green hair, he was able watch their antics as they tried to speak to the plants. A small smile grace him tan face at the sight.

The Vinelings control all that grows on the land. It was his duty to oversee the new recruits and decide there fate.

The withered leaf made it's way further down the stream. Around a few more bends it came across two other cities. One on each side of the stream. The Zephens live in a tree a ways up a hill. The tree holds their many houses, woven in its branches. The home at the core belongs to their guardian, Breace. following in her father's footsteps she became their guardian a few seasons ago. She looks like him too, tall and slender, with silver hair and striking pale blue eyes that generally graces the their family.

The Zephens speak to the air and have power over the sky. They try and shape the weather of the Levian valley, much to the dismay of the other groups. Save for one on the other side of the stream, for they live not above ground, but below it and care little if the Zephens cause a storm instead of calm one.

The Terras choose to live in the earth, holding its many treasures and sparkling secrets. Their largest city is carved on the south facing rock cliff, making a deep alcove. Their guardian Colven lies peacefully on a bed of stone in the center of this city. His long sandy hair framing his pale face, his lids closed over his emerald eyes. The withered leaf in a way is him.

The Levian's are connected to the Tree. Every leaf on the Tree represents a life. It was a special gift to the Levians, but the reasons for its being has been forgotten. The war of the brothers had caused a division among them. Much of their history was lost during that time. The Tree used to have many leaves of all different shapes, sizes, and colors mixed in it's branches. Now it has fewer and fewer as the seasons pass. The leaves are few and divided, just like the Levians. When Colven died so did the leaf that represented his life.

Although the leaf is dead, it's journey is not over. The stream takes it further away from what was once its source of life. It headed into a small wooded area. Animals of all sorts abound here. Squirrels and chipmunks run to and fro in the trees. While rabbits jump over logs and hide in the brush below. In these moss covered logs lives the Whispers. Furnel is their newest guardian. He fearlessly flies on one of the graceful owls of the woods. His hair short and unruly, it changes from browns and coppers to gold on the tip. His eyes are piercing yellow, much like the owl he rides. He holds the honor of being the youngest ever to be a guardian. He and his people tame the beasts of the land. Unlike the others, their gift can bite back and often does.

A little further down the stream lets out into a large pond. A weeping willow stood on a small island at it's center. This is home to the Vespers and their guardian Ripple. The leaf passed by a couple of Levians that were holding hands and walking on the water. The Vespers hold the key to the life of the valley.

The leaf made its way around the island, where it came across a young girl. She sat quietly on the far bank, deep in thought. Her blue pearl-essence hair spilling over her shoulders onto the rock behind her. Her violet eyes shifted, resting upon the leaf. She wiggled her finger, sending the leaf spinning in a whirlpool. It continued on its way out of the pond and over the waterfall at the far end. She knew nothing of the leaf that was from the Tree, or that it represents a great change to come.

The leaf came to it's journeys end, as the pale hand of an Outsider reached down and plucked it from the last waterfall before it was lost in the Beyond.