End Wood or Last Wood is the third and last of the Forests of Silence. It lies fully within Ruby territory. This wood was considered by Doran the Dragonlover to be the least dangerous and most pleasurable of the woods to visit.[1]
During Lief's quest to Dragon's Nest, he, Barda, and Jasmine split off from their company of guards to confuse an assassin. The companions travelled through End Wood and spent the night in the trees, where they heard the sounds of the guards being butchered by Rolf.[2]
The following day, Jasmine realised they were being followed by someone, who they believed to be their assassin. The companions attempted to loose them by crossing a stream, but ended up falling victim to an Orchard Keeper. Lief ate some of the skin of the sleeper tree fruit, which allowed him to fend off the Orchard Keeper with Filli and Kree until Lindal of Broome—the suspected assassin—drove the bird off. After reviving Barda and Jasmine, Lindal escorted them out of End Wood.[2]
These large, carnivorous waterbirds are only found in Orchard Keeper groves, where they tend to the sleeper trees. When prey eat the fruit, but do not eat the skin as well, they fall into a drugged sleep. Once asleep, they become victim to the Orchard Keepers. Although the exact number of Orchard Keeper groves remains unknown, Doran has confirmed the existence of at least two.[1]
Land Limpets are small, hard-shelled creatures the size of a thumbnail. They are found in fern beds in large numbers. When any living creature passes by, they attach themselves to exposed flesh and can only be removed by pressing a hot iron to their shells. Although harmless, they leave behind red patches that quickly become ulcers. The ulcers can take months to heal, and always leave a deep pockmark.[1]
