Short Story Work in Progress: The Shape-Shifting Wizard of Mara-Whetu.
Hello all. In a different change of pace from my weekly blogs, I decided that I would share a portion of a wonderful short story that I’ve been writing in between preparing for writing my second novel.
Most of these stories of mine are like small, mythical folktales from the universe in which my fantasy novels take place in. It allows me to flex my writing muscles in different directions while still expanding the world I’ve created.
In any case, here is a sample of what I have so far. Enjoy!
The unfamiliar, or the severely untrained, would either cling perilously to the driest paths that the marshes would rarely present, or wander around for miles through less boggy terrain. Aianam however, was both familiar and well-trained indeed, striding over muddy pools and swinging under every low hanging branch the geriatric mangroves would offer.
He journeyed this way for a day, strapped in light furs to wick away the humid marshes or brave the cold mountain nights he knew lay ahead.
With a tall spear in hand, Aianam leapt over crags and rivers that, one by one, ran faster and cleaner and the tree roots danced all about. As the sun vanished, he sought the shelter of an abandoned cave nestled in a grassy bank. He watched the moonlit stream, thin as paper, as he had dinner by a fire. Aianam slept with one eye open, even as the stream sparkled with the new red sun at dawn. Many birds passed him by as he prepared breakfast, even a Koolasuchus lumbered onto the cold water’s edge, taking no interest in the boy.
As morning passed, the roadless journey tilted slightly upward, the temperate forest flourishing with lush conifers. Aianam carved his own trail that weaved, ducked and curved over each rock, ditch and ridge that lay covered beneath the dense undergrowth of leaves and damp soil. Moss lay painted all over, gleaming a golden emerald under shafts of sun from the canopies. Aianam thought to always be lonely, now he truly felt alone.
So, it came as a great surprise when he spotted movement among a patch of long grass a short ways from his position. To his even greater surprise, a flash of red shone bright under a sunbeam. A nimble Ember Fox, with fur burning as bright as the fire Aianam slept by last night. To the boy’s greatest surprise of all, the fiery animal sat poised upon a fallen log and spoke thusly:
“Good day to you.”
All that Aianam could do was stare, unsure if he had heard correctly.
The fox scratched its ear. “A very good day to you I said.”
“Good… day?” Aianam answered.
“I certainly hope for any human to be having a good day, if they be passing through these woods, alone. However, I suppose you could do worse.”
“You… you…” Aianam stammered.
“Wait a moment, have you never spoken to kin like myself before? My apologies, this must be very upsetting, are you alright with animals?”
Aianam gently lowered his spear, assuring he meant no harm. “Well… I’ve talked to lots of animals, and believe me, I love them. But, I suppose I’m just not used to them talking back to me. Or… talking at all.”
“Hmph, my my. We talk plenty, just not to you perhaps. Or maybe you simply didn’t listen right. Humans are like that sometimes.”
“Wait, I-I’m sorry, who are you? Am I dreaming?”
The fox pranced to a nearby lake, sniffing a lotus that bloomed just out of reach. “In response to your first question; a local. Second; unlikely, I am more than aware enough of my own existence to know I am not a figment of your midnight manifestations.”
Before Aianam could respond, the fox turned its back to him. “Now, I trust you have little desire to remain in these woods for long, may I help you find your way? I know a few shortcuts out of this forest. Furthermore, I find you to be fascinating company.”
“Why do you want to do that?”, said Aianam. “We’ve only just met! You’re a talking fox for sun on high!”
“Correction”, returned the fox, “You have only just met me. I ashamedly noticed you some movements back, and have followed you for some time. I feared you had gotten yourself lost.”
“I am not lost”, sneered Aianam. “I am passing through where the roots dance about and the mountains rise to where the trees gather frost.”
“Ah yes. Only a human would come up with directions as poetically vague as that. I am hunting in that direction this afternoon. In any case, may I come along with you?”
Aianam enjoyed the prospect of a lonely journey, but things had taken a bizarre turn. He had never met an animal that spoke as he did, nor so eloquently, but he did not conceal how much the fox’s aloofness bothered him.
“Look I really would just like to be left alone. I don’t have time for idle talk.”
“How is that so?” said the fox. “Surely you have much time on your hands if you plan to wander aimlessly in these woods.”
“I am not lost,” Aianam said again firmly. “I am travelling to meet a great and powerful wizard, whose help I need.”
The fox flicked its ear. “The Old Shape-shifting Wizard of Mara-Whetu, by any chance?”
The boy lit up. Shock gave way to joy as Aianam laughed. “Yes! You know where he lives? You could be of some use yet, perhaps you could lead me to him.”
“My oh my, what a joy to be so needed,” the fox said with a cheeky sigh. “Very well, a journey we shall have.”
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Thank you for reading and have a beautiful day!
Daniel
