Journey's End Magic, Mystery and Quest

Ash and Orm reach the end of their journey, but above ground all is not as they expected. There is no sign of any humans and the swampy grounds appear to be the habitat of unfriendly and dangerous animals. The further they travel into the continent, the land appears stranger and stranger. Is this really the home of Ash's parents and her people, or has their journey been in vain? If they have failed in their quest, will they be able to return home again?