The Last Rio Story - Part One

Prologue

Winter closed in tightly around the sacred grove. The snow fell as it always had only this year its color was finally matched by the white muzzle of the aged brown bear that lay peacefully at the edge of the Moonwell. Except for the regular exhalation of breath from the large nostrils a casual observer might think the creature dead, its motionless body slowly being covered by the shimmering white blanket of snow.

"It's hard to freeze a bear." Rio thought to himself.

The wind picked up for a moment, swirling the snow around him as if irritated with the thought of being ineffectual, but quickly gave up remembering who it was dealing with. Druids were a hardy lot if nothing else and Rio had been meditating for many years during the dead of winter in almost the exact spot and position he currently occupied without any ill effects. Truth be told, the wind didn't really stand much of a chance given that Rio regularly used his ability to keep the grove at just below freezing, instead of the much below freezing that it was outside.

But the wind knew other tricks, it knew the course of Rio's life and it wasn't without resources. Reaching back between worlds the wind picked up a few faint traces of the ancient Ria forests and the sandy brown loam of Windrock. It carried them forward and between breaths laid them gently in Rio's nose. The bear was lost instantly to memory.

A Child on Windrock

The smell of the trees and rich soil filled Rio's senses as he raced through the forest toward the castle gates just a few short yards behind his older brother Simon. In the past year Rio had finally grown tall enough to make the outcome something other than the foregone conclusion it always had been, and although he had not yet managed to actually beat Simon, still a good four inches taller than he, Rio knew their races had grown consistently tighter to the point that he now stood a real chance of doing so.

Windrock was mostly rough mountainous terrain and each of the boys had fallen during races in the past, sometimes seriously to the point where the other had to go for help. Those races didn't count. This one might!

The Lord's keep was visible now through the trees and Rio knew that if he could stay with Simon to the end he probably had a real chance. His brother still didn't take him seriously in the races and tended to let up just short of the finish line. He did it every time. This time it would cost him!

As the solid stone walls and entry gate came clearly into view Rio strained against the exhaustion, timing his breath with his stride, and kept pace with Simon as silently as he could. "I'm no threat brother." He tried to will into the older boy's thoughts. "Pay no attention to me."

They entered the final stretch two paces apart. The last 100 yards was flat and clear. The forest surrounded the keep completely but seemed to know not to come any closer choosing instead to leave some breathing room and space for the gaming field, outer stables, some plots for grain and vegetable planting, and the animal pens. In all of Rio's memory the great gate had never been shut, and the fact that all of Windrock was under the Lord's control and care made it impossible for him to imagine why it would ever need to be.

With 50 yards left he made his move catching up to Simon before the older boy had even realized what was happening and for a brief moment Rio surged ahead. But he had forgotten to follow his own advice, forgotten to wait for Simon's habitual let up, and as he strained to stay ahead for the last 20 yards his brother responded with a burst of speed of his own, making good use of his longer legs and stride, and finished not six inches ahead as they passed through the gate into the inner courtyard.

"When did you get so fast?" Simon said huffing and trying to catch his breath as the two made their way to one of the fresh water rain barrels.

Winded and tired it took Rio a few moments but he finally grinned at his brother and replied after splashing some water on his face. "Oh, just when you weren't paying attention. Next time the race is mine!"

"In your dreams kid." Simon replied emptying the large ladle of water over Rio's head with a laugh. "C'mon, let's go get cleaned up for dinner. Uncle Rinth should be back by now and you know how mom gets when we've got company."

The two made their way to one of the communal shower facilities, grabbed one of the small wicker laundry baskets for their dirty clothes, a handful of soap sand each, and washed under the sun warmed water that was piped down from the large storage tank above.

Simon always lingered in the shower, relaxing and washing his longer hair, so as usual, Rio was finished first and headed through to get one of the big fuzzy robes to dry with and wear back to their chambers. He dropped off his laundry smiling at Pooks, the young girl who seemed to be eternally assigned there, and waited for Simon to emerge. A few minutes later he did and the boys headed back upstairs talking about what Rinth might have brought them from his travels.

When they reached the third floor landing Simon spotted Min Ji Lin, a girl about his age whose chambers were across the hall and a few doors down. In the last year Min Ji had really begun to blossom, something that both of the boys had noticed and that Simon had found impossible to ignore.

"Tell mom and dad I'll be there in a few will you?"

Rio smiled and waved to Min Ji as Simon stopped to talk. He knew that Simon and Min Ji were fond of each other, and he'd seen them taking "the walk" together near the parapet of the castle walls on several occasions, something that the young people of the keep did as a way of showing their attachment. He envied his brothers courage as he'd not yet worked up enough of his own to ask his classmate Sparrow Greyfeather if she'd do the same with him.

Rio pictured he and Sparrow talking and laughing, maybe even holding hands as they walked along the wide inner wall. The keep was an impressive structure and the inner castle even more so. Both were immaculately maintained and the 500 or so occupants all worked for the Lord in one capacity or another. It was an idyllic life and everyone knew that the peace and security they enjoyed were directly attributable to the Lord's power and kindness.

The man was a solitary figure for the most part but made himself accessible if needed and could sometimes be seen at night peering intently into the starry sky through one of the several far seeing devices called telescopes that were situated around the walls above. Each was pointed in a different direction and could be moved in a limited fashion to change the view. Rio remembered fondly the night three seasons ago that he and a group of classmates had been allowed up to the 's level and got to see firsthand an event their instructor had called "Star Chase" in which a group strange greenish stars, not visible to the naked eye, could indeed be seen chasing each other and moving to some great cosmic dance.

Although little was truly known about the Lord of the Keep, Rio's parents had told him that he aged slowly, and was obviously touched and blessed by one of the gods. Some in the keep thought that he was a god, or at least a demigod, but Rio's parents and Uncle Rinth had all told him they did not believe that to be the case when he had asked each of them separately in private moments.

"He's a man just like you and I." His father had smiled. "A great man but a man none the less."

"But Jenna says he's going to live forever." Rio had said thoughtfully before looking back to his father. "Can't only gods do that?"

"He was younger when I was a child." His father had replied. "Not much but a little. I think he ages more at the rate of an elf than a man but there's no doubt in my mind that he's a man just like us."

Rio had accepted this answer and as he reached for the latch of his family chamber's door resolved to ask again when he got a quiet moment alone with his father to see if he still felt the same way.

"Ah good, you've showered." His mother said as she saw him come in wearing the thick towel robe that gave it away. "Is Simon with you?"

"He's talking to Min Ji down the hall. He'll be here in a second." Rio's mother smiled. His parents obviously liked Min Ji, and her parents, and seemed pleased that Simon had chosen such a kind and respectful girl as his first walking partner.

"Go and get dressed for supper. Papa and Uncle Rinth should be back shortly."

Rio headed back to the large rectangular room that he and Simon shared and dug through the big cedar chest for some clean clothes. His supply was getting short and he realized that he'd need to pickup his laundered box tomorrow. He threw on a nice outfit he knew his mother liked (so he wouldn't get turned around in 30 seconds time to do so) and went to investigate what was for dinner.

His mother had prepared a big roast turdukin and was just starting to make the gravy using the juices when Rio heard his father and Uncle Rinth and Simon coming in. Replacing the lid on the thick bread and vegetable pie Rio went out to give Uncle Rinth a big hug. They only saw their uncle once or twice a year and Rio couldn't wait to see what new magical tricks the man had learned during his travels.

As Simon went to change his mother came out to greet her brother-in-law warmly and then she set Rio to the task of setting the table with the good stoneware. Simon came to help him a few minutes later and was just pouring the last of the five glasses of elderberry wine, carefully eyeing each to make sure they were all identically level, when their mother called them to start to bringing the covered serving dishes out from the kitchen.

"Jason, you can start carving the turduken. We're almost ready to sit down."

The men came in from the sitting room. "That smells wonderful as always honey!" Her husband said kissing his wife on the cheek before picking up the long carving knife and starting in on the large roast bird.

"It's a wonder you aren't fat." Rinth teased his brother with a smile. "At least my nephews are growing up and not out like we are."

Rio set the large pan of ‘breadgtable pie' down in front of Rinth's place at the table knowing it to be one of his uncle's favorites and returned to the kitchen where his mother handed him a basket of wheat rolls just out of the hot box. He passed them to Simon with a grin and grabbed the big bowl of mixed blue bean salad which he carried into the dining room and set down in front of his place at the table. The salad was just about his favorite thing his mother made and Rio would eat it every day if given the opportunity.

"Caroline, once again your hospitality and your table are equal to the finest restaurants of Nanmar." Rinth smiled as they sat down. "I'll never understand why you're allowed to continue working in the stable when you should be in the common area kitchen where everyone could enjoy your cooking."

Rio's mother smiled. Everyone knew she was invaluable at the stables and that horses and horse training was her natural passion and calling. Indeed, Rio had seen her at work with some of the rugged mountain breed that roamed wild across Windrock and he understood why people had started to call her a "horse whisperer". He wasn't sure if liked that particular description, it seemed somehow uncouth to him, but he recognized that people meant it in an admiring and respectful manner (and his mother didn't seem to mind) so he would learn to accept it.

"I'm afraid I really would be fat if we ate like this all the time." His father said as he raised his wine glass. "Can you imagine me trying to do some of Lord Nav's precise experiments, or handle the fine lab glassware and delicate measurement tools with fat chubby fingers? I think not."

When everyone had raised their glasses (these extended family dinners were the only times Rio and Simon were allowed a glass of wine) his father made the customary toast thanking the gods for their bounty, the Lord for their safety and home, and each other for the love of the family.

As the plates were passed and dishes served Rio had to be reminded not to put half the blue bean salad on his plate and with some reluctance handed it over to Simon on his left receiving the rolls in exchange. He tried to imagine what his father would look like fat but the idea was so foreign to him as he looked across oval table that his mind simply couldn't produce the image. He was able to somewhat envision the old scrivener, the largest man he could imagine, trying to manipulate the tools of his father's alchemical trade but the man seemed so out of place in his mental picture Rio decided his father was probably right.

The grownups talked mostly about the places Rinth's recent trip had taken him so Rio, not caring much for boring geography, didn't pay much attention. He liked it when his uncle told stories of his adventures but this wasn't that so he focused mostly on his meal. Like everyone he knew the basics of the Crescent Isles layout, knew that the civilized lands were to the east and the wild and forbidden lands were to the west, but beyond that it was all just mindless detail that didn't seem important. He much preferred learning about the way things grew, was fascinated by the yearly crop cycles and birthing patterns of the animal life around the keep (domesticated and wild), and was pretty sure already that he'd choose the path that led to being a master cropsman when it came time for him to decide formally on a trade.

After dinner the whole family pitched in clearing the table and then settled into the comfortable sitting room so Jason and Rinth could enjoy their pipes. Caroline opened the large sliding door that led out onto the small balcony for ventilation and then sat snuggled next to her husband on the large L-shaped couch. Rio always liked it when his parents got close and as he was growing up had found it nearly impossible not to join them when they did. Tonight though he resisted and went out onto the patio to sit in the swing chair and watch the clouds as they painted the sky with hues of pink, fiery red, deep blue and finally the rich dark purple of the sunset.

Just as the stars were beginning to appear he heard a sort of a mewling squeak from one of the narrow ledges between floors above and from the light of the small glow sphere saw a large ginger tabby getting ready to hop down onto the balcony. Rio had always liked cats but had never seen this particular one before which sort of surprised him.

"Hello little one." He said as it came to investigate his outstretched hand. "Where did you come from?" The cat sniffed his hand carefully, obviously picking up the scent of turducken and gravy, allowed itself to be scratched between the ears for a moment and then went in and jumped up on the small table where the grownups had set their wine glasses and the small ceramic pot that served to hold the ashes from the pipes.

"Patches!" Rio heard his uncle exclaim. "But if you're here then where's..."

Just then there was a ringing of the announcement bell indicating someone was at the door. Caroline started to get up but Rinth popped to his feet and waved her back down.

"Allow me." He said. "Patches here is one of Nav's favorites and I imagine that her presence can only mean that is him at the door."

The cat squeaked again as if in response and Rio came fully out of his relaxed after dinner state when it sunk in that the Lord of the Keep was at their door. Like his parents, he and Simon stood up when sure enough Rinth escorted Lord Nav back to the sitting room. Rio had certainly seen the man before, and heard him speak at several assemblies and functions, but he had never been so close and was a bit in awe that the Lord would come knocking on their door.

"Caroline, Jason, thank you for receiving me." The Lord said in a quiet voice. "I wanted to talk to get some feedback from Rinth regarding one of the places he visited for me on his travels."

"Certainly sir," Rio's father replied. "Simon, Rio, come. Let's give the Lord Nav and your uncle some privacy."

"Oh no, please." The Lord said. "Sit, enjoy your evening. Caroline, could I trouble you for a glass of that lovely wine?"

Rio's mother smiled. "Certainly sir. Please sit, I'll be right back."

"These must be your boys." Lord Nav said to Jason. "Simon and Rio if my memory serves me correctly."

"Yes sir." Jason said with a smile. "Boys, come and meet Lord Navichi."

Now the fact that the Lord knew him by name had just about startled Rio out of his skin but he followed Simon and shook the man's hand trying bravely to not show how nervous he really was.

"It's an honor sir." He managed to say mirroring what Simon said. The man smiled and looked at him seriously for a moment before releasing his hand."

"Thank you." The Lord said looking from Rio to Simon. "I am honored as well to finally meet the both of you."

"Now Rinth my friend, I need you to take a look at this one section of the map and show me what you found." Rio watched with interest as the Lord produced a small scroll case from a fold in his cloak, but instead of taking something out of it he seemed to unroll the case itself. To Rio's surprise it unrolled completely and lay flat on the table without even the hint of wanting to roll back up again. The parchment, if it was parchment, was the thickest Rio had ever seen and it had neatly rounded corners and an odd silvery grayish sheen to it. The only marking Rio could see on it was a small circle in one corner and when the Lord placed his thumb on it, the parchment chirped at him and began to glow with a soft blue light.

"Now that's what I call magic!" Rio thought to himself as several strange symbols and some odd scripted writing appeared on its previously blank surface. The Lord touched one of the symbols and the image changed. He touched another and it changed again into what was obviously a map of the isles.

"It's this area here on Islemar." Nav said as Rinth leaned over to look at the parchment. "He touched it several more times and Rio watched fascinated as the map view got more and more resolute as if the view of it were descending from the heavens getting closer and closer as more and more detail came into view. Both he and Simon, and in fact their parents as well, seemed almost drawn into the imagery until at last they were looking at a relatively small area of a city that was perhaps three or four blocks wide. It was very lifelike and Rio almost expected to see people going in and out of the buildings and carts on the streets but there were none.

The Lord tapped a symbol to the side and then one of the buildings near the center of the map, which turned green at the touch. "This is the Inn of the Dawn Treader where I arranged for you to stay." He touched another symbol to the side. "Which are the ones in which you found traces of the dilithinin stones?"

Rinth studied the map for a moment and then touched three other buildings on the same street, which turned orange. "The fourth was several blocks to the west."

Nav held his finger down on the left side of the image and slid it across to the right. The map moved under his finger, panning west. "Is that far enough?"

Rinth studied it for a moment. "Yes, the other is this one here. That's where the strongest emanation was from according to the rod."

The Lord lifted his finger, touched several other symbols on the side, and then the building Rinth had indicated, which turned red. "Good! Thank you for making the journey. I'll make sure Shannara knows what she's in for before proceeding."

Placing his thumb back on the original circle the soft glow subsided and the Lord rolled the parchment back up returning it to the inner pocket in his robe. He sat back and sipped the glass of wine, absently stroking the cat which had jumped over into his lap and was purring loudly.

"May I offer you a pipe sir?" Rio's father asked as he tapped out his first bowl. "It's the Longbottom Leaf from several seasons ago and I've kept it carefully stored in the original box so it's still quite fresh."

"Oh, that would be nice." Lord Nav said smiling at the prospect. "I'm afraid I finished mine off a few months ago."

Rio had so many questions he wanted to ask but he let the Lord get his pipe lit before the first one finally burst out.

"Excuse me sir, I was wondering. Have you had your cat, I mean Patches long? I thought I knew all the pets in the keep but I've never seen her. She's beautiful."

Nav looked up with a smile on his face. "Well I don't remember exactly. It must be nearly 30 years now something like that." Patches squeaked at him. "Really? Are you sure?" The cat meowed. "I stand corrected." The Lord said shaking his head with a grin. "Apparently it will be 43 years this winter.

Rio was somewhat skeptical but didn't voice the thought.

"And it's not entirely correct to say that she belongs to me. You might just as easily say that I belong to her." Patches squeaked again. "We watch over each other and she usually stays pretty close."

Rio wondered about whether a cat could really be 43 years old, and whether or not they could talk, but then decided that in the Lord's case either could be possible. After all, this was the man that some said was a god. Rio studied him as he drew on his pipe and stroked the cat in his lap. He had wrinkles around his eyes and some grey in his beard, a sort of splotchy spot on one of his cheeks and a small scar on left side of his forehead. He looked, Rio decided, very much like a man and not very much like a god at all and he came to the conclusion that his parents were correct; this was indeed just a man. But... how did that explain the slow aging?

Before Rio could get another question out his mother started telling Lord Nav about one of the new foals birthed in the last few days, something unexpectedly out of season. This led to a bit of a discussion as to the status of the stables, the stable keepers, apprentices and horse population, and finally an idea she had for reworking the large metal water trough. Nav was receptive to the idea and said he would revise the craftsman's schedules accordingly so that the work would be completed before the next large roundup in several months time.

"Thank you for allowing me to intrude on your evening." Lord Nav said to them all after the cat had completed a big stretch and squeaked at him again. "Rinth, I'll send word to Shanarra when I get back upstairs. I imagine she'll send the Gnome Opkin himself to retrieve the rod but I will let you know when I hear back from her regarding the details. Until then please stay close."

"Of course sir." Rinth replied. "I'll be spending some time with my nephews if I'm any judge of the future." Rinth winked at Rio and then Simon who grinned.

For the rest of the evening Simon, Rio, Rinth and Caroline played several games of "Wizard Trap" until Jason could be heard snoring lightly, having fallen asleep on the couch as he was want to do after a big meal. Caroline took the pipe out of his hand and gave her husband a few more minutes of peace before waking him gently and then saying their good nights to the Rinth and the boys. Rio by this time couldn't stop yawning himself and left his brother and uncle to finish up their game.

As he lay in his bed he thought happily about the race, the dinner and the Lord's visit afterward, and hoped that all of his days could be as this one with everything just being right. He wasn't aware of the cat, Patches, perched quietly on the window sill watching him and just as he started to pass from consciousness into a dream state, the cat hopped down off the ledge and padded across the floor to jump up on his bed. It sat studying him for a moment and then, in what Rio's mind told him was only a dream, squeaked at him and touched his nose with hers.

It was where his dreams began on that night, and where his memories ended on this one.