The forest path was slippery with fallen leaves and there was the wet scent of decay in the air. It didn’t smell foul but sickeningly sweet like rotting apples. The trees, that were shedding their leaves, looked like they had caught on fire and the whole forest was coated in brilliant shades of crimson and orange.

Two young men were making their way through the woods.

The taller man was a solemn figure with broad shoulders, muscular arms, and calloused knuckles. He wore a red greatcoat that matched his shock of scarlet hair, and a rifle was slung over his shoulder that looked every bit as formidable as its owner. He was the kind of a man who became the center of every room he entered.

His companion couldn’t have been more different.

The shorter man was a smiler. He smiled a lot and people around him found it difficult not to smile with him. He had a swimmer’s lean build, brown skin, and a bird’s nest of black hair but what people noticed first about him and remembered the longest were his eyes. The brown-skinned man’s eyes were two blue moons that saw everything and revealed nothing. For the expedition he had worn a blue overcoat and had his nose glued to a map.

“I still think they should have asked me.” The red man grumbled.

The blue man looked up from his map and smiled.

“My dear Cassio, the girl doesn’t get a say in this marriage so why should you?”

Cassio let out an exasperated sigh.

“Then tell me, Sal. What if I don’t like her?” Cassio said.

“Now that’s quite beside the point.” Sal said while trying to decipher the map.

“Then what is the point?” Cassio wondered.

“She is very rich. You’re a noble. The point is to make rich noble babies.”

“Charming.” Cassio said coolly.

“I didn’t invent the hustle. I just respect it and the hustle is… that the rich and powerful are their children’s pimps.”

Cassio let out another weary sigh.

“Sal, what would I do without you?”

“Probably not be lost in the woods. I am starting to think the mapmaker swindled us.” Sal said while glaring at the map.

“Give me that.” Cassio said and took the map.

He stared at it for a while and tried to figure out where the hell they were and were the hell they were supposed to be going. After a while he gave up and handed the map back to Sal.

“Sal, you might be right.” Cassio said.

Sal crushed the map into a ball and threw it over his shoulder.

“Well… that’s just great. Cassio, as your advisor I have some good news and some bad news. The good news is that we can manage a few days before descending into cannibalism. The bad news is… I can’t take you in a fight.”

“Or we could just retrace our steps back to the village and get our money back.”

“Or we could take the coward’s way out, yes.” Sal agreed.

Cassio looked at the forest path surrounded by autumn trees. When the sunlight shined through the leaves, it looked like the forest was decorated with jewels.

“Let’s just see where this takes us while it’s still light outside.” Cassio said.

“And when it starts going dim…” Sal said while cracking his knuckles: “We turn back and give that mapmaker a savage beating.”

They kept walking down the forest path and Cassio thought about the forests on his family’s lands. Where the trees grew so thick it felt like you were surrounded by an enemy army and the branches let no sunlight through in the darkest parts of the woods. In the heart of the forest eternal night reigned.

He had gotten lost there once on a hunting expedition with his uncle.

Armed with nothing but a knife and rifle, he had wandered in the forest for days surviving on nothing but berries and spring water. It had not kept his strength up for long and it had become clear that he would not make it unless he caught some game. When he had tracked down an elk with the last of his strength and taken aim, the whole universe had held its breath. At that moment he’d had to prove he could overcome his circumstances and rise to the occasion. Anyone without the necessary force of will, would starve to death.

Despite all the chefs at the mansion, he had never eaten anything more delicious than that elk he had butchered and roasted over a fire by himself.

After that regular hunting trips hadn’t been enough for him, and he had made it a habit to walk alone into the woods with just his rifle and knife but no food. It was the ultimate test of his mettle. Proof that there were no obstacles he couldn’t overcome.

Would he have to give that up when he got married?

“What do you know about this girl I am supposed to marry?” Cassio asked.

“Very rich and very pretty. All the makings of a merry hell.” Sal said.

“I can hardly wait.” Cassio said sullenly.

“That’s the spirit but remember… a married man can be right, or he can be happy. Never both. So… you better roll those dice, darling.”

“How do you know? You’ve never been married.”

“Knowing things is what you pay me for.” Sal said.

Cassio was about to answer when he saw them. The Wyrd Stones. Two white rocks jutting from the ground like the teeth of a buried giant. They had stood in place for a thousand years and the rain and the wind had filed them smooth to the touch. He could still remember when he had been brought before the Wyrd Stones as a child. The markers of the border between Garuccia and The Wyrding. The kingdom of men and the kingdom of fae. Every child knew not to cross to the other side.

“Well, well, well… looks like the mapmaker was right despite himself.” Sal said.

“I guess so.” Cassio said and touched the Wyrd Stone. It was pleasing to the touch like a lover’s embrace: “Shall we?”

“Well… we came all the way here. Would be a pity to chicken out now.” Sal said.

Their presence awakened something in the great stones and there was a brilliant flash of light. Like sun being let into a dark room through an opening door. The light was a bridge between kingdoms. A slight gush of wind blew through the portal.

“After you.” Sal said.

Cassio stepped past the stone and his every step took him through time and space. Just in a few steps he walked into a new world.

Crossing the Wyrd Stones always sent shivers down his spine and entering The Wyrding felt like stepping into a warm cottage on a harsh winter day. Everything in The Wyrding felt more real. The colors and scents were all sharper. The trees looked like something that would have sprouted from the bodies of dead gods and every path in the forest could lead to an adventure. It was the kind of forest you thought could only be found in a child’s story book. But not every story had a happy ending and not every child made it through a story uneaten.

“What now?” Cassio asked.

“Guess we play the waiting game. Our hosts don’t really believe in permanent addresses.”

Sal was always quick to take his own advice and he lied down under a tree. Very soon Sal was asleep and smiling contently. Cassio sat next to his sleeping friend and looked at The Wyrding. Sometimes he wanted nothing more than to take his rifle and venture into The Wyrding with Sal and never come back. Living the life of an adventurer. They would…

There was the rustling of feathers.

“Hey, you.” A female voice said from above him.

When Cassio glanced at tree branches over his head, he saw a bluebird looking back at him.

“Hi.” The bluebird said.

Cassio nodded at the bluebird.

“Hello.” Cassio said.

“Ever seen a talking bird?” The bluebird asked.

“This isn’t my first trip here.” Cassio said: “I met a talking fox here once. The size of a horse.”

“And you didn’t get eaten? I’m impressed.” The bluebird said and flew on his shoulder: “Could you do me a favor?”

“That would depend on the favor.” Cassio said.

“Nothing weird. I promise. Look… here’s the deal. Just a few months ago I was a princess of The Wyrding but then… I made the mistake of getting drunk and passing out in Camilla the Cannibal’s garden. As punishment she cursed me to become a bluebird.”

Cassio nodded again.

“I am sorry to hear that.”

“Thanks. There is a way to break the curse. A kiss from a hero and you look like a hero so I was hoping you could give me a smooch. We could do even more when I am human again.”

“I have a fiancé now.” Cassio said.

“She doesn’t need to know.” The bluebird said.

“And my friend is sleeping next to me.”

“Would he be more open to kisses?”

Cassio came close to smiling.

“A kiss? I can do that.”

“My hero.” The bluebird said.

Cassio pursed his lips and then kissed the bluebird’s head. Her feathers felt pleasant against his lips. When he pulled back, the bluebird didn’t turn into a princess. Instead, she took flight and left Cassio sitting under the tree. Alone and confused.

“I hate that bird.” Sal said sleepily: “I hate her so much.”

“What just happened?” Cassio asked.

“She gets everyone with that curse story of hers. She’s not cursed. She’s just a pervert with a thing for human men. She cooked that baloney up for some tongue action.”

Cassio sighed.

“Used and discarded.” Cassio said dryly: “Charming.”

“Now you know how the ladies feel.”

“Does that mean you fell for it too?” Cassio said.

“My better nature was used against me. Plus… she may have said she was open to butt stuff.”

They sat under the tree in silence after that and to pass the time Cassio took out the letter that had been thrown through his mansion’s window wrapped around a rock just a few days ago. The handwriting was small, precise, and easy to read.

Our most gracious lord,

we come to you in a time of need. Your help is needed now more than ever. If you still believe in upholding the promise you made, come through the Wyrd Stones near the village of Potter’s Field. We will have a guide waiting for you.

Sincerely, Old Badger

When Cassio handed the letter back to Sal, he became aware of someone or something watching them. After all the time spent hunting, he could sense when someone was hunting him. Judging by how Sal was grinning, he had senses it too. They rose to their feet and Sal started waving the letter like a white flag.

“Okay. We’re here now. What was so important that you had to vandalize the mansion?” Sal said to the seemingly empty forest.

Knowing someone was watching you didn’t matter if you couldn’t hear or see them. Game had sometimes been alarmed to his presence but too late and he had taken his shot. He wondered if this had been how the prey had felt when he saw a spear pointed at him. Their stalker had moved so quietly that they might as well have been invisible.

“Who are you?”

The spear was being held by a strange creature. She looked faintly like a fifteen-year-old girl in well-worn travel clothes but smaller. Even Sal towered over her. Freckles were sprinkled all over her face and her orange hair matched the autumn leaves. There was something rodentlike about her features and teeth. Her ears were long and pointy, her hands were paws covered in fine fur, and there was a tail between her legs.

Sal moved fast and stepped between Cassio and the spear.

“I am Salvatore Torrini, head advisor of viscount Cassio de Rossi. Who you are currently pointing a spear at. A hanging offense in some parts of Garuccia, by the way.” Sal said and then showed her the letter: “Old Badger invited us.”

The strange girl lowered her spear.

“You came?”

“Really setting yourself up for a sex joke there, my dear, but… yeah. We’re here. You the lady who owes us a new window?”

“I’m not your dear or your lady.” The girl said and looked at Cassio: “Milord. I am Little Ant. Bravest warrior of the goblins.”

If Little Ant had called herself the smallest warrior of the goblins, Cassio might have believed her but instead of calling the girl out, he gave her a nod. He could see some of his younger self in Little Ant’s prickly pride.

“Then I am honored to meet you, Little Ant. Blessing of Garuccia upon you.” Cassio said.

A hint of a smile spread on Little Ant’s pouty lips and her tail started wagging.

“And blessing of the Quiet upon you.” Little Ant said and then pointed deeper into the woods with her spear: “Old Badger wants to speak with you.”

“Don’t I get a blessing?” Sal asked.

Little Ant only glared at him.

“You make too much noise.”

“Well… can’t argue with that. Blessing of the Wild upon you anyway.”

Little Ant’s eyes widened at the mention of the Wild.

“A human… worships the Wild?”

“What can I say? The first tenet of the Wild really spoke to me. Excess is the path to wisdom.” Sal said.

Little Ant stared at Sal with a mixture of annoyance and anger before turning her back.

“Follow me.”

When Little Ant started leading them into The Wyrding woods, Cassio couldn’t help but admire how silently Little Ant moved. A ghost would have made more noise. Cassio had always prided himself on being able to sneak up on game but next to Little Ant he felt clumsy and loud.

“Sal.” Cassio whispered.

“Yeah?” Sal whispered back.

“Do goblins have warriors?”

“This tribe doesn’t.”

A girl playing at being a warrior. This did not bode well. Another lord might have taken it as an insult that a child was sent to guide him.

They walked in silence but silence among strangers was oppressive and demanded to be filled. Little Ant broke first and began talking.

“I am sorry about your window, but Old Badger told me to deliver the message as fast as possible and then get back to The Wyrding.” Little Ant said.

“You could have used the mailbox. I really liked that window.” Sal said.

Little Ant glanced at Sal and then looked at Cassio.

“Does he always talk this much?”

“Wait till you see me drunk.” Sal said.

Little Ant rolled her eyes in silent contempt.

“I’m not sure why Old Badger wanted to ask for your help… or how she knew you would help us. We don’t usually involve with humans, but I guess that’s why she’s our wise woman.” Little Ant said.

Cassio glanced at Sal who had suddenly fallen quiet.

“Guess so.” Cassio said.

“We used to have a guardian deity. His Savage Highness. Prince of the Fox Clan. We sacrificed him meat and beer and in return he would keep us safe, but he disappeared. That’s what you get with skin-changers. Liars every one of them.” Little Ant said.

“Wow, tell us how you really feel.” Sal said.

“Sal.” Cassio said.

“No, no. Let the lady talk.”

“Still not your lady.” Little Ant said.

“Sal, be quiet for a moment.” Cassio said.

Mercifully, Sal held his tongue, and they could keep going. The further they went, the darker the forest became until he couldn’t see the sun through the branches. Even with the rifle on his back and the knife on his belt, he started feeling uneasy.

“Are we close?” Cassio asked.

“We’re almost there.” Little Ant responded.

“I don’t see anything.”

Little Ant smiled with a hint of pride.

“Goblins are very good at not being seen, milord.”

Cassio wasn’t sure when they had walked into the camp. All he could say that at one moment it hadn’t been there and the next it was. The tents were camouflaged so well he had to concentrate to see them and the goblins that surrounded them made as much sound as falling leaves when they moved. He hadn’t even smelled them. In preparation for their trip, Sal had told him that goblins lived as hunter-gatherers, moving all around The Wyrding between their different holy sites.

All the goblins in the camp had the wiry look of people who lived on their feet and knew how to survive off the land. Like Little Ant, they had long, pointy ears, tails, and furry paws. Some didn’t even bother with shoes. The soles of their feet were dark and hard like old roots.

“Grandmother, I have returned.” Little Ant said.

The goblins gave way to an old woman with salt and pepper hair. The fur in her paws and tail had turned completely white. Her face was deeply lined and her back slightly hunched but her steps were still light, and she looked fit. Despite all the wrinkles around her eyes, her gaze was clear. Little Ant bowed to the grandmother goblin who rewarded her with a smile.

“Welcome back, Little Ant.” The grandmother goblin said and embraced Little Ant before turning to look at her guests: “Lord Torrini. Lord viscount. Blessing of the Quiet upon you both.”

“Lord viscount and his servant.” Little Ant corrected her.

Sal smirked in response.

“Lord viscount and his partner in crime.” Sal said.

A smile deepened every line in the grandmother goblin’s face until she looked like an old apple.

“Is that so? I welcome you all the same. I am Old Badger and I thank you for coming. Why don’t we continue this in my tent?”