Outside of [Count] Mynes city mansion, the air was warmer than when I had left it.

Is it snowing?

I felt something falling, landing on my hair, my clothes, and my ears, which was quite annoying. Flicking my ears, I reached up and wiped some off my hair and brought it down to my eyes, it wasn't snow.

It’s ash, and it’s still warm, and wet?

“Land is it going to rain?”

The land was crying as the world burned, but it managed to speak to me.

“Yes.”

It sounded so very sad, or at least, as sad as the literal land beneath you could be sad. It was like when you knew someone was hurt. Kobolds had an innate ability to sense the land and sky like our ancestors did, well before they died at least.

Just Qilinoid things I suppose. We were in tune with the rolling land, the soil, and the sky; like Goblins were in tune with Flora and Fauna. All of the Qilins descendants or as the Humans called them, the Kirin, were supposedly born from their dead bodies as some form of magical rebirth, and so all of us gain a little of their ability, it slowly grew until we came of age, unlock our system, and receive our racial trait.

A Kobolds [Natural senses] let us, well, sense the land and sky, and in a limited way even speak to it. It wept to me now, for all of us; Where it usually felt like a choir humming through the bottom of my feet and feeling tones on the breeze that brushed past me, it now felt like a mourning dirge.

We were supposed to guard the soil and the sky. So much for that, I can’t even protect a little girl.

It was going to rain, and the increased humidity was noticeable upon exiting the mansion, I could feel it in the air. I was not looking forward to ash and rain.

Time to go, I don't want to get soaked before I get there if I can.

As I walked down the street, noticed that the city was getting silent, it was getting darker, and the fires from outside the city no longer burnt bright enough to pass through the smoke of the outer city. Either way, it was still bright enough to make out the streets from the inner city starting to burn though the shadows were longer.

It was entirely desolate, which was both eerie, and made it hard to keep my mind off of what was going on. I tried to think of anything that would help me keep my mind off of it, I had been all night.

I wonder if the [Lord] was still breathing or if my fellow workers have lynched him. I hope they go with the cold box, it a morbid way I think it would be the most fitting, the only thing left would be his image.

I managed to keep my mind off of it for about ten minutes, but that was fine I had made my way to where I was going to lay down and die.

The first Humans that settled here were [Monks], who build a monastery just south of the mountains. As others followed and grew out around them, they had a need to make new areas away from the bustling of the settlement. The [Monks] of Moarn moved up the mountain, and left their place on the ground behind, and with it, their mausoleum.

As it turned out, [Ditchdiggers] with a sense for soil were good at finding things hidden below the surface, especially Kobold [Ditchdiggers] who hit so many rocks they got the skill [Sense Stone].

The monastery had eventually become a church that was replaced with bigger and better churches, as Moarn grew fat on the riches of the land. The Mynes for example got rich off of a mine of something, no clue what. When they found that we might get in there way of reducing the valley to gold coins we ended up getting the chopping block, but eventually it got a little better, we were allowed to rent land, and when the humans decided they wanted to keep their temples separate the old monastery church was given to us Kobolds.

Human racism had lost a lot of its presence, but we had kept to our old church, and It was that old church that I went to now.

The door was open, a wood wedge holding the front door open, and the lights were on in the old church.

Well, if that isn't an invitation, I don't know what is. It's not like I'm running out of time, the entrance is right around the corner in the graveyard. One last prayer for the road would be nice, and I can say goodbye.

I walked up the familiar four steps and passed the threshold of the coziest place I had ever been in. I had always enjoyed church, I went to as many gatherings as I could, for as many gods as I could.

When I was but a little pup, my mother took me to church. And if I had to put down on paper what I believe was the most important day of my life, it would be when my mom brought me here.

I entered the threshold, and I was greeted with the seats that led to a pulpit in the middle. Against the side wall, the hearth burnt, warm and inviting; the smell of freshly baked bread filled the air. Little Saphine felt that warmth smelled the bread and was led to the benches that filled up with little Kobolds. The ceremony that followed was nice. The children were told about the gods while the parents all talked to the side, catching up with one another while they could.

When we were done being told about the gods, we were led around to the shrines for each god the church could fit in its walls. We were taught how to pray to them and what they stood for. And at the end, we were welcomed into the church in a communal ritual, and once it was done, little me was given a loaf of bread, and it was the softest bread I had ever tasted.

I suppose it was more of a bun, but it was a big bun. I wish I could bake like that.

Later we returned and were taught our letters, then our numbers. The place was small so different deities were worshiped on different days, and I came to as many as I could. I came to church and was given community in return. When I reached sixteen and finally gained access to my system, it was in the old church that I read them on the old status stone.

And when I was expected to start working in the fields rented out like a tool, I found that church was a place I could go that my pitiful [Lord] who could barely house and feed the people he claimed to own, had no say on my attendance. When my mother died, they helped me, and they buried her in the graveyard.

The graveyard that I am going to curl up in myself. Fitting, I suppose, laying down to die in the place that I care about the most. Who was keeping vigil though. Were there others praying? Or were the priests waiting for their end? Waiting for the kind lady death to guide them to their final destination.

I stepped through the threshold, the church hadn't changed much. Waiting by the Hearth was Kindly. Priest Kindly the [Hearth Keeper]. He and [Lore Master] Skipseo were talking with a [Monk]

I waited for them to finish talking but was too curious to not pay a little attention. I mean come on, it’s not everyday you get to hear one of the [monks] talk.

"Thank you for your help, Skipseo. I understand your fears, but I must be going. The monastic texts and my denominations burden must not be left to their own devices." The monk said.

"Yet spiriting them away may hold greater problems still; they may be lost," Skipseo said.

Priest Kindly laid his hand on Skipseo’s shoulder, and with a gentile tone said, "Skip, it will be ok, the novitiate is bringing it to ensure it remains safe." He turned to look at the baby faced [Monk], "It will be ok [Novitiate] Cassius, hurry along, you’re on the clock."

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So he’s just a monk in training. Still not every day you bump into them.

The man bowed in his chair, in an awkward motion, before standing and gently, almost reverently, hefting a small chest up. It had the symbol of the monastery, two blobby comet-like objects coming towards one another.

"I shall be off, goodbye, [Lore Master], [Hearth Keeper]." He said, and walked out, giving a curt nod to me as he passed. And he trundled down the street, out into the ash. I stared at him for a good long minute before I finally turned to face the priests and spoke up.

"Well, I didn't know what to expect when the world ended. But a monk carrying a lockbox like a baby, walking around talking to people, that would not have crossed my mind. Hello, Kindly, Skipseo, it's good to see you again."

Kindly, the kind priest smiled, "It's good to see you too, little Saphine, how are you doing? Would you like some tea?" he asked, gesturing to a kettle of water.

"I would love some, please and thank you."

How does one describe Kindly? The old liver-spotted man was like family, like a communal grandfather. He would always listen to you, always be there. He made this old church a home away from home, or in my case, just a home. Kindly stood all of 5' 4", and his hair had faded, and his skin was like paper, but I had never once seen him in pain, nor had he ever complained.

"How are you, this… less than fine night?" Kindly asked, pouring some hot water into a cup he filled with a few spoons of tea. I don't know what kind of tea, even though I had drunk plenty of it.

"I honestly don't know, I feel somewhat guilty. I can't help out, so all I can do is watch."

He gave me a sad smile that I returned, "That's all that either of us can do as well, what have you come here for, though? Surely there is somewhere you would rather be than here. Maybe someone you would rather be with?" he asked, a lift of his eyebrow, an attempt at humor.

"Oh gods, please don't, gramps," but it was too late; his mouth had turned up at the corner, out of the sad smile, and into an impish grin. His eyes were wrinkled, with crow's feet around the edges, and he had that mischievous light in them. They were the best part of Kindly, he was both like the grandparent I never had and a co-conspirator, and so frequently, he used his talents at both to tease.

"What's wrong? Qilin got your tongue? Is that a blush? Why, little Saph, it's ok. Why I still remember my youth, why this one time, seven acolytes and I got drunk and started digging this hole."

"Please stop," Skipseo said.

"Why skip? Nothing is wrong. Well... There was us stealing all of that oil. Why it was more like a den now that I think about it, that's how our teachers referred to it when they found it. Anyways we all got together and…."

That was all the priest could take, apparently. He reached up, pulled down on his nearly circular mousy ears, and started making his best impression of a child.

"Started oiling up…", "Nah NAH, CANT HEAR YOU!" Hearing where this conversation was going and mortified, I too started acting like the [Lore Master], clapped my ears to my head, and drowned out his voice with my own.

"… And Skip was all like…", Skip increased his volume. We only stopped when he started laughing, and it was safe to lift our ears. My poor ears, they're not meant to hear about Kindly's hi-jinx. By the end of it, the priest and I were ready to die from first and secondhand mortification and save the fire the trouble.

"so, Saphine, why are you here? Just a last-minute prayer? To visit two old men? To finally finish mathematics?" Skipseo asked, somewhat pointedly on the last one.

I never did finish my math or [Green Cleric] Agatha's nature courses. Honestly, work got in the way, it's a shame, I liked learning about plants, I even got [Green Thumb] as my second class. I suppose it was just not in the cards.

Though I definitely didn't like math, I was never going to use those formulas in everyday life. Although... I do wish that I had better basic math. Maybe I would enjoy it more now that I was grown up; appreciate it now I wasn't running away from math to play with other kids?

I might, shame I won't get the choice to learn it. I regret not learning more, the library here will likely survive the fire considering the protections on it. Assuming they don't burn it, whoever 'they' are.

OHH, that must have been what the Novice monk was doing, taking books that were important, just in case it is burnt specifically. Duh.

Though… what was the deal with his burdens? There has to be more to that chest.

Skipseo looked at me, with his half-displeased, half-amused face, his ears twitching back and forth before smirking a bit.

"You know your never too old to learn something new," his face soured just a little, "I just learned that someone actually remembers when we were your age," turning towards Kindly, who still looked like he was a cat who got the cream, which he was, he continued deadpan, "Honestly that must have taken quite the restraint, you told me you don't remember that night."

"I didn't, not really, but I remember that Casey remembered, and I asked her earlier. She left to help out, but I mentioned that I wanted to tease you, and she told me."

Skipseo looked like someone had just stomped him on the foot, but before the two could get sidetracked, I leaned back into the conversation.

"I do somewhat regret not learning more, but it's a bit too late now, what with the city burning and all. Kinda sucks, I wish I could know more about plants. Not about the math, though, math is annoying." I say, somewhat pointedly at old Skipseo.

The old man looks aghast towards me, "Plants? How droll, mathematics is the foundation of…."

"Of all the things we take for granted today, I know. It's not for everyone, basic math is more than enough brain torture for me. And as for why I'm here, some last-minute prayer would be nice. But it's mostly to dig myself a final resting place, not to be morbid, but the end seems to be here. I would rather have a place to rest, you know?" I told him.

The both of them nod solemnly, "My place is by my hearth, but I won't stop you, Saph. It is a dark day, and if we live, it will be darker still. I shall stay by my hearth until the end, as is my duty." Kindly said before handing my tea to me.

"As I will with the tomes, it is my duty, and I won't slack it at the end. I will ask, however, if you live and I don't, lay me down with my journal. Will you do that for me?" He asked

Who was I to say no? "I will, I swear it. How about you, [Hearth Keeper]? Do you want to be buried with the hearthstone?"

"No, dear, though if you do live, and I should not, I would ask you to bring it with you. It's an excellent stone. And you would bring a piece of home with you." He said.

I smiled at that, "It would be an honour. I'll even take the library if it lives; take care of them for you," I gestured at [Lore Master] and took a sip from the mug. The feeling of home was here, holding the mug while Kindly helped me, the old priests bickering slightly. Even at the end of the world, this was my home, more than any dingy workhouse.

"Naturally, it would be a waste to leave them here, unread and getting dusty. Make sure to keep the pages out of the sun, and they can be quite sensitive, keep them out of the rain and dry." [Lore Masters], the only class that would treat a book like a pet.

"I suppose they feed themselves, so they are rather low maintenance, and they would be ok company. I'll adopt them." I told him.

Skipseo sniffed at me as if I had just snubbed him. The old man took a sip of his tea before letting out a sigh.

"Just don't let them be destroyed, there are several first editions. They are priceless, and more than just to me. If you don't keep them safe, I'll ask the Great Librarian to send me back as a ghost to haunt you." He told me.

Noted, he cares enough to ask his god to kick him out of his afterlife, I'll have to make sure to preserve them well. The last thing I want is Skipseo's ghost to follow me around, knowing he would torcher me with math. I could practically hear him now listing off math, using letters and talking about old dusty men who spent their lives trying to figure out new formulas.

I shudder at the thought, which seems to make the old [Lore Master] pleased.

We drink in silence for some time, with no words, just comfort.

“Kindly, I never did ask what kind of tea is this?” I asked him.

That caused his ears to perk up, “I assumed Agatha would have told you, it’s some yellow bloom and yellow stalk root.”

“Kindly, aren’t those used in alchemy? I know yellow bloom is used in some potions.” I asked. Kindly might be part of the clergy, but I doubted he could afford to buy herbs all the time.

“Mm-hm,” he said nonchalantly, “It grows everywhere though Agatha has some in a flower box. It’s no fancy potion however, I would have assumed the good [Green Cleric] would have at least shown off her tea’s; didn’t you learn the basics from her?” He asked.

She hadn’t taught me the basics of healing, she had taught me about plants, but not most of their uses. I was a [Green thumb], but it was for taking care of plants, I wasn’t planning on becoming an [Herbalist].

I just shook my head, I had never learned any healing or medicine, I had never seen the point. Healing of any kind could bring in money, but the problem was that I would need to learn magic to progress past making tea. Potions, pills and elixirs and more were made magically, which means I would sink my time and energy into something to get a class that I could only get a side grade in.

Kindly looked troubled for a moment, trying to remember. He taps his finger on his mug for a few moments before a look of understanding crossed his face.

“Sorry, I got you mixed up with your mother, I keep forgetting just how similar you are sometimes.” He said, face remaining dimmed from his usual grin.

I let out a sigh at that, “It’s ok, in all likelihood, I’ll get to talk with her soon enough. I certainly won’t mind catching up with her.”

I wonder where death will take me. I hope it's where my mom went.

The two of them gave me a sad knowing look, both of them moving in a mirror image of one another. We were silent after that, I suppose everything that needed to be said was already spoken.

This place, however, at least for now, had some good left it. It was still home, even if it won’t be soon.

I thanked Kindly for the tea, and decided to get my praying over.