Changeling

CAITLIN

After three long days on the open road, I was desperate for a break from walking. How I wished for a horse and carriage to carry me along. I leaned against a tree with a white trunk, almost as pale as freshly fallen snow. Its blackened branches provided some shelter from the blistering suns. My boots lay discarded next to me while a stale piece of bread sucked away the last bit of moisture in my mouth. I fiddled with the engraved slab of bark hanging from a cord around my neck—a charm meant to conceal my presence from my supposed match until I was ready to confront them. The idea that my match could be a girl didn’t bother me as much as I expected it would, though I’d be lying if I said it didn’t bother me at all. In the human realm, same-sex relationships were deemed immoral and punishable by death.

I sat and watched as children ran and played in the fields below, the uneven land rising and falling with vibrant life. It felt like an oasis compared to the barren landscape I had been forced to endure. The ground sloped downward for a good distance before gradually rising up towards the sky. The children were chasing after frogs or some other creature, each one unique in their appearance. I could feel my throat tighten as I swallowed and let out a weary sigh. The wine was already finished, its tiny amount not enough to keep me properly hydrated. She must have thought it was a better way, given the sudden life changing event that now branded my neck and shoulder.

I stood up abruptly at the sound of a twig snapping to my left. Two older villagers emerged from the trees, dragging a large haul behind them while also carrying smaller creatures over their shoulders. They gave me surprised looks as they passed by, and I couldn’t blame them—I was just as startled. I recognized the deer they were dragging, but not the small creatures. One man with a bushy beard and a sizable belly made eye contact with me, mirroring the shock on everyone else’s faces. We stared at each other for a moment before his gaze dropped to my shoulder. My face flushed with embarrassment and I quickly pulled my hair over it before gathering my things.

“I am sorry, I was only resting for a moment.” My cheeks flushed with embarrassment as I struggled to speak clearly. The empty bottle slipped from my fingers and landed on the plush grass. I cringed, aware that he must have noticed it was empty. Trying to ignore the thought, I hurriedly put my red, swollen feet into my boots before bending down to pick up the bottle once more.

I stepped back, taken aback as the man picked up the bottle for me. The scent of horse lingered around him, and I couldn’t help but wonder how long they had been on their hunt. He handed me the bottle and pulled out a bag made of animal hide, filled with a liquid. His smile was surprisingly warm, compared to his rough appearance. As the rest of his group began to descend the hill, he reached behind himself, retrieving something else from his pack.

“Here, this paste is good for your feet. My granddaughter made it for me for the hunt, and I no longer need it. Repay my kindness forward.” He placed his hand to his heart and readjusted the dead critters on his back before walking after the group.

I clutched the sack and jar tightly in my hands, overcome with gratitude. Slowly, I sat back down and observed the children as they ran around and played together. The people here seemed content and joyful in their simplicity. Would I ever be able to find this kind of happiness? In this world, surrounded by these people, the opportunity certainly exists.

My eyes snapped to attention as I felt a sudden shift beneath me. A group of figures dressed in all black moved through the nearby buildings, sending a jolt of fear through my body. My arms tingled with goosebumps, and I braced myself by placing my feet firmly on the ground. I watched the group warily, recognizing the familiar armor they wore. Some of them even looked like the ones I had encountered at the palace that night—my doctor and guard who had turned their backs on me to protect me, and Navid, the man in charge. My heart racing, I quickly gathered my belongings and fled into the safety of the surrounding trees. It wouldn’t be easy traveling through the roots and branches of the forest, but any cover was better than being seen by those menacing figures.

I trekked through the forest for what felt like an eternity, losing track of time and becoming disoriented in the endless daylight. Despite the sun’s constant presence, it eventually set without warning, leaving me to navigate blindly through the darkness. I slept and awoke to the same pitch-black surroundings, my clothes and hair getting caught on every tree branch and my skin being scratched by unseen obstacles. With no visibility, I couldn’t even see where the mountain was, making me feel utterly lost.

I was lost.

Hesitantly, I reached out a trembling hand and pressed it against the rough bark of the towering tree in front of me. My gaze was drawn deep into the dark forest beyond, where the shadows seemed to dance and writhe under the dim light filtering through the dense canopy. It had been days since the sun had last set, or at least that’s what it felt like. The forest was alive with rustling leaves and chirping insects, but there was a distinct absence of any predators. Yet, I couldn’t shake off the sense of unease that washed over me, lost as I was in this mysterious place.Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

My frown deepened as I looked down at the small charm clutched tightly in my palm. Would he even bother to look for me? Would he care enough to save me? I sighed, frustration and fear bubbling up within me. This whole situation was just ridiculous.

Before I could allow myself to second-guess my decision, I forcefully yanked off the charm. In that moment, nothing appeared to happen. No sudden burst of light or magical rescue. But as I stood there in the darkness, waiting for something to happen, I felt a presence seeping into the back of my mind. It was primal and earthy, unlike anything I had ever experienced before. It must be him...

A gust of wind suddenly whipped through the trees, tugging at my hair and clothes. But there was no wind in this forest, especially not this deep into its thicket. And yet, it felt like a caress from his unseen hands.

Hello my dear.... Why do you hide yourself from me...? His thought touched my mind, gently, like the whisper of a ghost. I jumped and scanned the darkness. His tone was deep, as earthy as the presence that came with him. Tell me, who are you?

Demanding. I frowned and wondered how to communicate with him. Hesitantly, I tried to push a thought. I am lost.

You are going to have to speak up.

Again, I frowned. There is a forest south of Stonehedge. I am lost. It’s been night for so long.

Why did you go into that forest?

I wouldn’t answer that. How has it been night for so long?

I couldn’t tell if he was confused or growing irritated. What do you mean? It’s the darkening, it happens every month. Why would you go into that forest during this time?

I groaned. Suddenly, I felt like he was amused. How do I get out?

Come towards me. You can feel my direction, yes? I grew quiet and gave the darkness a questionable stare before I glanced around. He was right. The earthly presence was further south. I could follow it. Back towards Navid.

“No thanks.” I said out loud. I wasn’t sure what surprised me more. The loudness of my voice or how he was still able to hear me.

Ouch. I haven’t even met you yet and you’re avoiding me. He sighed and I swear it happened right in my ear. I shivered and looked around again. For a second, I thought I felt something else. What’s wrong? He seemed alarmed.

“I’m... not alone.” I whispered.

Who would be there with you? No one is dumb enough to go there during the darkening.

Gee thanks.

“You’ve been quite a difficult one to track.” His voice cut through the stillness of the night like a sharp blade, causing me to stumble backwards and collide with a nearby tree. I strained my eyes into the impenetrable darkness, watching as he stalked closer, parting the brush with each calculated step towards me. Every rustle and crunch of leaves under his feet sent shivers down my spine, warning me of the imminent danger approaching.

“You.” I spat with more venom than I realized.

Who is ‘you’?! My matched snarled in my ear. He seemed out of breath. I clutched the charm in my hand.

“I’ve missed you too. Now, be a good girl and put that back around your neck. Or I will for you, can’t promise I won’t break it.” I could barely make out his outline, and the outline of several others. I clenched my teeth. There was no way out of this.

I’m sorry to have bothered you, but I won’t be able to escape this. He wants me to put the charm back on. I didn’t mean to involve you. I wanted us to meet under normal circumstances...

We are anything but normal. I swear I will find you; I swear it. Do what he says for now but try to reach me again when it’s safe. My name is Niall.

I raised the cord to my head. Caitlin. I whispered just before letting the necklace fall around me. A sense of emptiness overcame me, one that felt like a blow to the gut.

“That’s a good girl, I gotta admit I’m surprised you’re already matched — or that you’re even matched. Although... knowing who you are... I guess it shouldn’t surprise me.” He came closer and held out a hand. “Come along now, don’t make this hard for me.” I resisted the urge to punch him in the face, feeling my fingernails dig into my palms. With a heavy sigh, I reluctantly extended my hand towards him. I would do what they said, for now. And I would not take his bait, he could know all there was to me, but he didn’t know shit. His lips lifted in the corners in a degrading smirk, and he scoffed before he turned me around and tied my wrists behind my back. “Don’t want you removing any jewelry now.” He looked back at someone. Someone whose lower half slid along the ground. I turned away as he tugged down the cloak on my shoulder. “Take a good look, I want you to find him for me. The queen will want to know more about him.”

I opened my eyes and glared off into the night. Now he was definitely involved. I only hoped they wouldn’t find him. Something feather-like tickled my neck, leaving behind a residue.

“You got it?”

“Memorized.” The voice hissed. I felt something tickle my neck and I jerked away in response. I wouldn’t look. “She tastes like wine…”

Navid pulled me back forcefully, and I heard a loud thud. I quickly turned my head away and covered my face with my hood. I couldn’t bear to see what had happened. There was a wet sound and the creature let out a piercing screech. “Shut your bellowing. It’ll grow back. Touch her again and it’ll be more than your tongue. She is the Queen’s.” How he said it. It was completely final. There was no room to argue. I glared ahead and clenched my teeth.

The journey out of the dense forest proved to be more challenging than expected, taking an extra day of travel. The air was thick with the sounds of cursing from the other guards, astonished that I had ventured so far into the depths of the forest. Finally emerging into the open, we were greeted by the sight of two glowing moons in the sky, casting a bright light over everything below.