Inside the Hedge

They travelled the maze for several hours, receiving multitudes of painful lacerations along the way. The map helped greatly, warning them ahead of time about shifts in the Hedge. Twice it alarmed them of a group of creatures heading their way, giving them ample time to react and head in another direction. They continued for hours.

“How long do we have to continue like this?” Oomp asked angrily. “There should be some exit to this place. What is it you’re looking for?”

“I don’t know Oomp; some sort of passage I guess.” Crysto replied. “I’ll check the map again.”

Crysto pulled the map from his pocket, unfolding it. As he searched the map for some sort of exit, his heart dropped. He could clearly make out small drops of water forming on the edges of the map, dripping slowly to the ground. The map was melting.

“Oomp,” Crysto said, “let’s hurry.”

They hurried along between hedges of yew, great thorn bushes and through black putrid swamps. The plants lashed out as the two passed, trying to draw them nearer, preventing them from escaping, tearing away at their very soul. Still they pushed on.

They came to another crossing, each path seeming more dangerous than the other.

“I’ll check the map again.” Crysto said.

He reached into his pocket to grab the map, but instead his hand reached into a small puddle of water. As he pulled out his hand, the water instantly froze, breaking off into tiny pieces.

“Damn it!” Crysto shouted. He sank down. “Damn it all…”

Oomp put one of his big, white furred hands on Crysto’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’m sure we’ll find a way out of here soon.”

They sat there for a few minutes, contemplating their next move, when suddenly a sound came from the right path of the crossing. A sound that send chills through their bones. The horns of the Wild Hunt sounded in the distance.

“We must leave, now!” growled Oomp.

Crysto got to his feet, and they ran along the left path. They ran as fast as they could, the sounds of the Wild Hunt closing in on them. The path snaked through great thorn bushes, ripping at them, slowing them down. As Crysto looked back, he saw the big, black hounds of the Gentry on their trail, then seeing them disappear again into the shadows from which they had originated.

They ran, and suddenly the thorn bushes made way for a rock, turning into a small cave. On they ran, and suddenly, five black figures the size of the black mastiffs appeared before them as they exited the cave. Crysto lashed out, flash freezing three of the beasts instantly. Oomp charged, easily ripping the head off of two of them. Around them, creatures whined in fear, and Crysto and Oomp could hear the splashing of water.

The moon came out from behind a cloud. Around them, they could see the black, sleek figures of a couple of animals disappear under the water. Oomp was holding two seal heads, blood covering his surroundings. The limp, headless bodies lay beside him. He looked dazed at Crysto, who stood between three flash-frozen seals. Around them, they could see a landscape sculpted to resemble the North pole. In front of them lay a large pool of water, ending at a big wall separating them from the rest of Ijsselmeer’s zoo.

“We should get out of here…” Crysto said.

“Yeah… Let’s” Oomp agreed.

Oomp picked up Crysto, easily jumping up on the wall. They could see flashlights heading their way. They ran, leaving the zoo and entering the city of Ijsselmeer.

Ijsselmeer

Oomp and Crysto walked through the quiet streets of Ijsselmeer. The sun had set long ago, but the heat of summer still remained. Oomp was sweating like crazy, and Crysto walked slowly, his hair dripping as it melted a little.

“This heat is abnormal.” Oomp said, “What is wrong with this world?”

“It doesn’t abide by the rules of Arcadia Oomp. Or rather, Arcadia doesn’t abide by the rules of normal reality. In this world, seasons come and go, bringing cold, rain, heat and all sorts of weather patterns. But I have to agree with you, the heat here is abnormal.”

They continued through the streets of Ijsselmeer, the few people that were outside making a quick detour as the two came near.

Now that Crysto thought of it, they did indeed made an odd pair. Their clothes ripped by the thorns of the hedge, they themselves covered in their own blood and that of the seals. Crysto looked at some of the street signs, looking for a place to refresh themselves. One of them pointed towards the park.

“Oomp, let’s head for the park. There’s bound to be a lake or something there, we’ll be able to clean ourselves a bit, and maybe find a place to cool down while we think about what we do next.” Crysto suggested.

“Anything to take the heat off of me.” Oomp growled.

They headed for the park, the heat of the night wearing them down.

The park was dark, the light of the moon being filtered by the many trees it had. Oomp and Crysto scurried through the darkness, trying to stay away from the main roads. They were certain to draw attention the way they looked, and Crysto was trying desperately to avoid drawing attention.

In the middle of the park, Oomp and Crysto came to a massive lake. Lanterns lit the pathway around it, reflecting in the lake, creating a beautiful spectacle of light. The fountain in the middle tossed up water at least 10 meters high, where it cascaded down again.

Crysto kneeled down at the water’s edge, his hands forming a bowl as he splashed some of the water in his face. Crysto felt refreshed, even though the water was too hot for his liking.

“Oomp, you should refresh yourself a bit. It’s quite nice.” Crysto said, looking around. His eyes widened as he saw Oomp rushing towards him. Oomp leaped, crouching together to form a tight ball. As he connected with the water, a huge wave flooded the bank, thoroughly drenching Crysto.

“OOMP!” Crysto shouted, laughing hard.

“Don’t be such a stiff Crysto.” Oomp returned, “The water is great. Come join me!”

Oomp turned on his back and leisurely paddled away, spitting some water in the air.

Crysto returned to the bank. His reflection was distorted by the waves created by Oomp’s dive. He waited for the water to calm down.

As the water calmed, Crysto saw himself, dripping wet. His hair stiffened a bit again.

“At least that takes care of one problem.”, he sighed, touching his hair.

Suddenly, his image distorted again. His image turned into that of a woman. Blue hair flowed together with the waves. Turquoise eyes looked directly at Crysto from a deep green face. She smiled.

Crysto fell back, stunned.

“Oomp!” he shouted, “Get out of the water! There’s a Fey in there!”

Crysto stumbled to his feet, taking on a battle stance. Oomp meanwhile desperately swam for the shore.

A giggle came from the water. The female emerged in a torrent of water, landing right next to Crysto.

“Don’t worry.”, she said in a soothing voice, “There’s no Fey here. Just us Changelings.”

The words didn’t ring true to Crysto, the Fey had come for him and Oomp. His hand morphed into a claw of ice, and he crouched, ready to strike. Then, his body grew numb.

“Didn’t you hear the lady?” came a voice from behind, “There’s no fey around.”

A dark figure dropped from one of the trees behind Crysto. From the shadows stepped a small creature, it’s nails dragging along the ground.

“I thought I told you to stop stalking me, Mole.” the woman said.

“So you did, Undine. But don’t consider it stalking, consider it… carefully observing from a hidden location while making sure the observed object doesn’t notice you.” Mole answered.

Undine sighed.

“Besides, if I hadn’t been here, this guy would’ve attacked you. I saved you. Doesn’t that warrant a reward.” Mole continued.

“I was perfectly fine, thank you very much.” Undine replied, “Besides, he wouldn’t really have attacked me, I can feel it.”

Undine turned towards Crysto putting a hand on his cheek. Crysto winced, waiting for the Fey to take him back to Arcadia.

“As I said, we’re not Fey.” Undine said gently, “We’re changelings, just like you and your big furry friend over there.”

“I think she’s right Crysto. I don’t think she’s lying.” said Oomp, as he pulled himself up from the lake.

“I’ll release you now.” Mole said, “play nice ok?”

Crysto felt the pressure being lifted from his arms and legs. He fell down, unable to catch himself from the sudden jerk the release gave.

“Why don’t we take you to some place safe?” Undine asked, “You look like you could use a good night’s rest, and maybe a change of clothing.

Crysto agreed, and together with Oomp, he followed Mole and Undine to Fierhaeve, the Freehold of Ijsselmeer.

The Freehold of Fierhaeve

Crysto and Oomp were led through a twisted passageway of side-alleys, losing all sense of direction. They continued on, the passageway narrowing as they finally reached their destination. A big wooden door, which looked as if nature itself had sprung up to bar passage, blocked the road. Undine knocked and a small hole in the door slid open. Two big yellow eyes peeked through for a second, before the hole was slid close again.

The door split apart, and an ape of a man appeared, snarling at the newcomers.

“Don’t worry George, they’re with me.” said Undine.

George gave a sidelong glance at Oomp and Crysto, then he stepped aside. They followed Undine and entered into the bowels of Fierhaeve. down.

Crysto was overwhelmed. Everywhere he looked, eyes belonging to Changelings of every Seeming and Kith looked at the two newcomers. Undine continued on and stopped before four great thrones. Atop them sat four Changelings of great power.

“Lords of the Council of Seasons.” Undine started, bowing. “I bring before you today two new Changelings who I found in the park. I’d like to ask you to accept them into Fierhaeve.”

“So why should we accept them into our midst?” asked the Winter King, “What do we actually know about them? ”

“We should be wary of strangers. We live in dangerous times.” said Autumn Queen.

“Let them prove themselves in a feat of strength!” the Summer King shouted.

“Come now friends, we should open ourselves to the newcomers.” the Spring King said. “Let’s have them swear the oath, and help them find a place in this world. ”

“Fine, we shall see what they are made off.” the Summer King agreed.

“If they swear the oath, I’m fine with it.” said the Autumn Queen.

“Fine, but I will keep an eye on them.” said the Winter King.

Crysto and Oomp were taken to swear an Oath to Fierhaeve, to never betray the Freehold and to serve the Freehold to the best of their possibilities. They had found a new home.

The Court of Spring

Crysto stepped out of bed. He had been living together with Oomp in Fierhaeve for a while. After the taking of the oath, they had been welcomed greatly. They received some new clothes, and Crysto managed to get a job as a librarian in the central library of Ijsselmeer. After that, a Changeling had helped him look into his family using something he called “internet”.

As it turned out, while he had been away, the Fetch that had been put in his place had died in car accident. Crysto had felled indifferent about it, the memories of his family grown old.

Crysto dressed, preparing for another day at the library. He stepped out.

“Cry~sto!” came a shout from his left.

A second later, a cute girl with fiery red hair and blazing arms hung on his arm. “Good morning!” she smiled, as she hugged his arm even tighter.

“Why did he have to join to the Court of Spring.” Crysto taught. He had joined it because he had been intrigued by the emotion of love it embodied. No sooner had he decided than he had regretted it. A cheerful girl, going by the name of Fièrna Darklight had taken it upon herself to show Crysto all about the weird new emotion. And so far, she hadn’t left him alone for a day.

“Hello Fièrna. Good morning.” Crysto replied as he pulled his arm away. “Sorry but I have to be going or I’ll be late for work.

He turned to walk away, knowing he should just go. But he also knew what stood behind him. He turned again, looking at Fièrna. Two pouty cute eyes looked at him. He’d been had.

“Fine”, Crysto said, raising his arm.

Fièrna gave a cheer of joy, grabbing Crysto’s arm and pulling him along.

“Oh well,” Crysto taught, “it’s only until I get out of Fierhaeve.”

He walked on, Fièrna still clinging to his arm. A new day was unfolding. A new day of his new life.