At birth, the nymphs are incomplete. All bodily functions work correctly, but the act of living is aimless and without meaning of any sort. Their lives also passed by very quickly, reaching adulthood within the first half Aunnei they were alive and dying after only seven. They found themselves little more than animals before their souls came to them on wings. The first relationship between Nymph and Nyfyle occurred only two thousand Aunnei ago, while the little people were still servants of the Fah’Voy Ra. On this day, one nymphile, shortly after birth was attacked by one of the insects in the forests surrounding Thotka Dell. After its long needle pierced the back of the Nymphchild’s neck, it flew off with the newborn captive. Only days after that, a swarm of these flys arrived and harvested all of the Nymphs, young and old, male and female. The insects were not prejudiced to their prey of choice, as the Fah recorded. They simply took every Nymph servant the Fah had.

The Nymphs quickly discovered the benefits of the mutual host relationship with the Nyfyles. They became aware of themselves as people who were capable of organization, communication, home building and forming a civilization. Within seasons of constant work, the hundreds of original nymphs worked together to build the main city they called Sheidell (The Overforest). Only a season passed before construction began on the Nymphallatess, which not only required more time, but also a relationship with the insects of that region, some dwarfing the Nymphs by five times their size. The result was a pit that made a crescent moon shape around Sheidell. For the thriving new race of the Nymphs, this meant having more protected living spaces outside of the main city and the possession of a Trade Center. As Aunnei passed, they found a specialty in cloth manufacturing and armorworking. As the relationship with the many kinds of insects grew, more gifts were presented to the Nymphs, such as silk and the carapaces of the dead.

As the civilization continued to grow and natural adaptations between Nymph and Nyfyle became more effective, the Nymphs realized the nature of their bonds with the insects. From the time the “Wakening Rites” are performed on a nymphile (only days after birth) until the child’s third year alive, great care is taken to keep the bond from separating. During this time, memories and personality begin to take shape and a special co-consciousness forms. In almost all occasions in which the nymphile and familiar were forced apart, both would die mentally and become as dead, save vital functions of the bodies. Separation after this time proved as an advantage for both, should it need to happen. The spirit of the Nymph would travel with the insect familliar, usually under the control or direction of the Nymph. This realization formed both sports and military exercises, both a complete demonstration of how the nymph retains all memories of its Nyfyle and the added agility and speed in the air. However, the Nymph’s unhosted body becomes immobile and unaware of its surroundings. Learning of this, the nymphs will only separate if the body is to be left in a safe place, usually accompanied by one or more other Nymphs.

After more than seven hundred Aunnei, the last of the evolutionary changes came- the use of Prana. While excessive or laborious use of Prana easily exhausted the Nymphs, they were able to make pranaic impressions on weapons, articles of clothing and even the cities themselves without effort. This newfound skill noticeably furthered the Nymphs crop and cloth production, the efficiency of hunting and the efforts to protect them from invasion. Despite the limitations of direct Prana manipulation, the Nymphs found ways to use it in espionage and combat, provided that it was performed in collaboration or upon a single target. The full capacity of this understanding did not come until they took arms with the Graes to fell a common enemy three hundred Aunnei later.

The Fah’Voy Ra adjusted their lives without the accompanied people for one thousand Aunnei, until a nymph returned to the Thotka Dell. The dryadic race was unsure of what to make of the newcomer, a person much like those imprinted in the Fah’s historical recordings, minus the insect attached to it. It spoke in Dragontongue and knew a lot of the Fah civilization; but the reason for its coming was only to acknowledge the presence of the people, should the Fah expand their regions of control. While the dryads of Thotka Dell did not take this as a threat, there would be no alliance between them for nearly another thousand Aunnei.

*

“So why don’t you have a Nyfyle?” Pahkah asked Shei.

“My body is built differently. Do you remember when we brought you into our city three and one half seasons ago, I told you that I am half Tree?”

“Yes, vaguely. Until now, I was under the impression that you were just part tree. I had no idea that you… were… conceived by a Fah’Voy Ra and a Nymph.”

Shei was clearly impressed that Pahkah had learned so much of Dragontongue since his arrival. She was wearing the face she had when he first said a full sentence in the language. “I’m a symbol… the only one of my kind, that I know of. I’m the living, breathing pact between the Fah and the Nymphs. The alliance that I told you about in the summarized version of our beginnings… that’s where I came in. I AM that alliance.”

“It’s very hard to understand.”

“I’ll have to explain that to you later.” Shei felt ready to understand something… anything about this ‘Human’ race, and how Pahkah came to be here. “There’s something I’ve been dying to know since your arrival-”

“I guess I know what you need to hear. Let me explain. I hope you don’t get confused about the different measurement of time.”

THE MAYANS

The Mayan people took their foothold on Earth as a civilization near 300 A.D.  They were a primitive but enchanted people who made a lot out of the little that they had. Living primarily in the humid and infertile rainforests of Mesoamerica, they derived many resources from the highlands in Guatamala and Palenque, located near the Usumacinta River. Those living in these areas made practice of economy and trade, administering rationed goods to those in the forests. From these humble beginnings, these people were not driven by money and trade, but by the will of the gods and the priests that served and spoke for them. In the forests, they lived in pockets of small communities which were made up of no more than thirty people. Between the most prosperous vistas of Mayan civilization existed these tribes, effectively using their surroundings to survive. Coupling their intense respect for Nature and the need to survive as a people, they rarely took more than they needed from the Earth.

Because of the limited resources and impoverished soil in the Rainforests, the Mayans had to strip areas of trees and burn them, using the ashes to bring life to the earth in which they planted their crops. As destructive as it sounds, the half year spent dedicated to this task allowed the communities to use the soil for planting and harvesting for up to seven years. Time not spent on deforestation was used to build temples for the priests. Another compromise for these communities was perpetual wandering from one plot to another to allow the forest to recuperate. The Maya believed that these changes were for the good of the whole universe, thus reaped their rewards for honoring and living by the cycles they observed as part of the Universe.

Mayan spirituality was a two edged sword in every aspect. They revered Death as much as they honored and respected Life. Without one, the other could not be. Sacrifice was the greatest of honors of the culture, even the severity of the sacrifice effected the homage to the gods they served. Blood leaving the body was blood going into another and giving it life. This rebirth of energy existed in nearly every action the civilization took, be it in spiritual practices or everyday life. The planned passage from Earth to the Promised Land was merely to be another one of these acts, solely agreed upon by the preists (the Ah Kin) and the gods.

A contract was made between the gods of the underworld and the Mayan People at around 900 A.D. Their gods intended for the Maya to grow beyond the world they inhabited and demanded that most of the warriors, priests and the servants of the priests would follow the “Divina Cargos”. There would be no record on Earth of the Divine Charges manuscripts and the remainder of the old civilization would go into a historical void. There was also a diversion to be put into effect when the original (or Classic Period) Maya left. Most of the cities in the north and west portions of their lands would appear deserted and the architectural styles would change. The gods would also rest and allow other gods and prophets to come to the Maya left behind. This condition was named La Voluntad de Itza by the Divine Charges manuscript. The Old Empire was to be little more than a mystery to the people of Earth, leaving behind the great temples as the only historical record of their existence.

The final condition to the manuscript was the return of the Maya to their temples in Tikal and Palenque 1100 years later, bringing with them all the knowledge and power the gods had given them. The Mayan calendars on Earth would end at that time, symbolizing the Rebirth of the Mayan Empire as empowered servants to the gods of the Underworld. Though the Divine Charges ended with no revelation of this new era on Earth, the chosen Mayans agreed to its terms.

“This is a lot more information than I bargained for. I gather that more people of your Earth came with you- Why were they not found?” Shei Rhessi was exhausted from trying to consider all this history and divine intervention with the Mayan people.

“They came to this world days after my arrival. I’m pleased to learn that the nymph hunters have not found them. The spirit of this planet must have fulfilled my request.” Pahkah eyed the vin sauce dish in front of him, but was only looking in its direction. His thoughts were obviously with his people.

Silence passed between the two sitting at the long table in the Hall. The diplomat held her scrying tool to a thin, malleable sheet of wood as if she were going to write, but the tool wasn’t etching. Her yellow eyes wandered slowly on the complex decor of the room, from one emblem to the next. Most of these thick, wooden plaques came from the part of a tree right before its roots penetrated the ground.

These discs served as the historical records of the Nymphs. For every hero they had or any situation involving crisis or progress, a Regalium was formed. Each one that was imprinted with Antebasal Cuniform was at least five hundred Aunnei old, while the newer plaques were inscribed with Dragontongue script. One feature they all shared was the spherical nyphile eyecap in the center of the disc. Inside, an observer would note the presence of appropriate memorabilia or an impression of a hero’s lifeforce. Tempered sap preserved the object or energy each Regalium contained.

The regalium that eventually caught Shei’s eye every time she was in the Dictorium was the one for De’Kandis Lohtohr. Most Nymphs believe that he was the original Nymph to be bonded with a Nyfyle. He was the one that was elected as the leader and lawmaker for the nymphs until his death one thousand Aunnei ago. His regalium was carved from the first tree felled to build Sheidell. The pranasphere in the middle of the regalium burned a dull orange-brown topaz colour. Before every official meeting, the Nymph Overseer could be seen standing rigid beneath it, asking for guidance and clarity. De’Kandis is revered to be the most powerful and insightful Ancestor, as many have claimed to hear his voice in their minds while in this very room.

“Did you have a device to bring you to this planet?” Shei finally asked.

“No, we used energy derived from meditation on the gods to get here. I believe that is what you call Prana.” Pahkah understood how that could make him seem uniquely powerful to the nymphs.

“All the races on this world know it as Prana, no matter into what language it is interpreted. It is the energy of the Lifeforce used for a specific function. PahKah, can you appear wherever you want- I mean, with the way you use Prana?” Shei leaned in closer, as if the distance between them could have diluted the gravity of his response.

“I’ve only done it once. It was the power of the gods that fueled the task, not my own. Surely, I would be dead if I used enough Prana to travel from one planet to another.” Pahkah smiled at the impossibility of possessing that much energy in one body. Then a sobering realization dropped the corners of his mouth. ” You mentioned that the Nymphs used Prana in combat. In what way?”

“A few Aunnei after the Battle of Toltanthis, the Graelynisse were threatened by creatures called Hegeset Minions that had traveled from Cetmana to the borders of their main city, Nyahna. In fear, the Graes called upon us to help defend the city. As we are several days flight southeast of Nyahna, it was a strategic strike from the rear of the Hegeset Front. We sent two Warfyles to locate the leaders of the antagonists one day before the Lord of the Guard and his military left the Nymphallatess. By the time the military reached Crell, the Warfyles reported the leaders’ location. That night, Nymph assassins breached the Hegeset camp and executed them. It was the first time Nymphs used Prana to murder. The action is similar to a laying of hands to heal a wounded animal or person, except the consequence. The assassins say that the end result of the body is similar to one falling from a high cliff. Velocity seems to crush the assailant and stop his heart.”

“We don’t use Prana in that way… What was the outcome of this battle?” It was Pahkah’s turn to lean in closer to Shei.

“That’s another lesson in history, Pahkah. It will have to wait. I’ve exhausted myself for today. There are too many details to record and I want to write them while they are still fresh.” Shei stood from the cushioned tree stump she was sitting on and gestured the Mayan to follow her. “Let us get you back to your quarters.”

“My cell…” Pahkah turned as the two guards approached him and the diplomat casually. They’ve met like this every other day in the Dictorium for a long time. Even though it took him this long to learn a lot of the language, the departure from the Hall was always the same.

“I need to convince the Lord of the Guard that Nymphkind can trust you before I can get you a proper living space.” Shei slightly cocked her head to the side and looked at the corridor behind him. That would not be his way home for too much longer. “With the history that I have gotten from you, I’m sure we can make quick work of that. Until then-” She started walking down the pass with him at her left, the guards escorting quietly behind.

*

THE LORD OF THE GUARD

“Absolutely not. You’re the only person that the ‘Dark Man’ has dealt with, Amalgam.” Most of their conversations started off like this, with the Lord of the Guard coming up with new ways of calling her a cross-breed, his favorite being ‘Treebug Medley’. But this wasn’t what irritated her most about this lord- it was the fact that he was a very honorable Nymph to everyone but Shei, bringing her to the idea that he disagreed with everything she said simply because she wasn’t wholly a nymph. It would be easier to claim to be a Fah entirely, as he grits his teeth and tolerates their occasional visits in silence. No, the Diplomat wouldn’t have any respect from the Lord of the Guard, because the nymph in her was tainted in his eyes- as if she had a choice in the first place. He would sneer and restrain himself from bursting into laughter at her fallible deficit.

“He’s not the only one of his kind, Lord. As hunters go about hunting vin worms or gathering Hykashi fruit from the trees, they will surely meet more of his race eventually. It is important that we take advantage of his people’s fearful neutrality and make them feel welcome in the world. In return-”

“How can you expect me to listen to this!” He was in a rage now. No curling of the corner of his lip, no snide belittlings of her Halfness. It was a fury incited by her persistence on a matter that he clearly disagreed with. He raised a tightly clutching fist slowly to accentuate his stand on finalizing the discussion. “As a people, a civilization, we cannot go about trusting offworlders like equals and have them share our cities and trade! We know as much about them as we do about the dragons and you are already speaking of an alliance! If they are reduced to fertilizer by the Graes or Skal’ah, it will make no difference to us- because they didn’t help this world grow into what it is-”

It was Shei’s turn to interrupt. “That is not the issue with you, is it! You can’t stand another race that we know so little about being our allies because you are PERSONALLY offended by the idea of accommodating them! Who are YOU to say that they have no place in this world and would be better off exterminated, Nymph?! You are a FOOL if you do not remember our beginnings. We weren’t always here, the Fah weren’t always here, the Skal’ah also bear a molested beginning! There are Graes old enough to remember their beginnings as well. The world and the spirit within it decides who stays and goes, who is killed off by another race and who is left standing at the end of any war.”

He glared deeply into her for calling his prejudice out into the light, but she was right- again. His shoulders slouched just enough for her to notice. “We are nowhere near deciding this course of action, Rootchewer.” He held the scryquire and tapped it against his free hand. “It is not our decision alone to make. I will seek our audience before the Overseer, at which event we will present intelligible arguments as to the actions taken with the Dark Man and his people. He will attend the forum also and will defend himself and his people appropriately. This conversation will be continued then.” The Lord of the Guard pivoted to face his back to her and tossed the documents gently to the map table near him at the center of the room.

“Aren’t you going to give me another foul name before you send me out?” Shei became aware of her question and turned to the door, unbelieving of the gall she just let out. The Diplomat didn’t make her second step toward the huge, vine covered gate of his abbey before he responded.

“Child, I don’t hate you.” He turned to look at her frozen form. She refused to look at him now, but he read her embarrassment. “In another situation, one that removes us from places of power, I would tell you why I am so forbidding with you.”

Shei peered over her shoulder at him for a moment. It was a great and isolated apology, matchless in its eternal singularity. Considering all of her adept instincts and training, she knew better than to let it go without her acknowledgment. Without offering a rebuttle or inquiry, she resumed her departure.

As the guards closed the heavy gates behind her, he focused his attention to the yawning balcony and ponderously ventured into the beaming light. Gripping his sash with his monstrous hands near the knot at his belly, his poise became strong and musing. He was the single nymph more prominent in height than Shei Rhessi, which made him the perfect and most intimidating candidate for his position as Lord of the Guard. The Diplomat was exclusively more different than he; while he felt she could understand him most of all, the only way he afforded to impart his hidden pains to her was to have Shei feel it herself.

He knew about Shei Rhessi when she was three Aunnei old, being escorted by her mother and two Fah’Voy Ra to Sheidell. This was only the second time he’d ever seen a Fah, so it was an even more memorable experience. That unforgettable sound when they speak to others in dragontongue- it’s the single most strange race in the world that he’s seen or heard of. Being an outsider looking at the Fah, there’s no way to differentiate moods or intentions. They stand still and upright when they speak, they only sit to ‘eat’ and they don’t have faces. A Fah without tribal markings, or it their case, carvings, is indistinguishable from another Fah of the same lack of markings. The only way to tell what a Fah’s disposition is its overall hue, as they derive colour from the foods they eat. Another observation that the Lord of the Guard took note of is that every bodily function for a Fah is done through its skin. They breathe, see, taste, hear and mate with their skin. They eat with their legs by grinding the food between serrated, hooked talons found on the inside of the shins and absorb nutrients through small pits between the talons. A Fah standing in a puddle is a well hydrated Fah. It takes very little time for them to fuel up for physical activities.

As for Shei being escorted by these creatures, she was as bright a blue-green as she is today, but her wood markings were much more defined. The strangest thing about the little halfling was that she carried a Fah’s head into the city, holding it up and pushing on different parts of it to speak. She was not given the understanding of speaking a language with her tongue. Sometimes, she rubbed two short, straight sticks directly on the Fah she was ‘talking’ to. The Lord of the Guard personally consorted the strange troupe through the city to the Overseer himself. This took hours, of course, as the girl was especially curious of all the ‘motherlike’ people around, because she’s never seen as many nymphs before today. Many people were baffled or horrified that she used the Fa’head to speak with them, but were even more abashed that they could understand every word.