The Enchanted Forest

  ( Winterwish )

  Cherrychomp's Muncher ascended like a stray cannonball. The surge of gravity almost shocked Winterwish to her knees. Feet lifted and innards lurched when the seeded steed came to a sudden stop.

  "Ok! You ready?" asked Cherrychomp.

  Winterwish let out a sickly groan and tried to refocus her dizzy vision. "You should've asked that before!"

  "Mm, yeah, maybe," said Cherrychomp. "You wanna loopy-loop?"

  "No! I do not want to loopy-loop! Let's go slowly. Safely!" pleaded Winterwish.

  "You sure? Loopy-loopin' is real fun!"

  "No loopy-loop!" stressed Winterwish.

  Whilst the short journey was certainly terrifying, Winterwish couldn't argue with its efficiency. Navigating the dense woodlands would've taken some time on foot, yet the Muncher had made the journey a breeze. They'd arrived at a clearing near their first village in under a minute, though it would take Winterwish twice that to regain enough balance to stand up straight.

  "C'mon, Wintywish," said Cherrychomp. "We's got important work to do!"

  Winterwish soon found herself surrounded by fantastical foliage. Branches curled and trunks spiralled. Some enchanted trees bore hides of fluffy bark, whilst others formed feathered canopies. Groups of mushrooms pulsated in synchronized bioluminescence, as if waves of light were rippling across their clustered caps.

  So this is the effect of residual magic...

  Winterwish couldn't help but ask about each and every odd critter they passed during their short walk. From beeperbeetles and bumblebulbs to mimic mice and devildoves, Cherrychomp was able to put names to them all.

  When they arrived at their first village, Winterwish discovered that Tuberly hadn't been built, but rather grown. Squashed between tree trunks were giant, hollowed vegetables. Colossal carrots and oversized parsnips formed long rows of terraced homes, whilst vibrant, leafy radishes served as standalone cottages.

  It was as wonderful as it was whimsical. The sort of quaint, charming place one might retreat to if they never wanted to experience stress again.

  "Pappy!" shouted Cherrychomp.

  The little red fairy grabbed Winterwish's hand and rushed her toward what initially appeared to be an odd, hairy protrusion. It was only when the lump turned to face them that Winterwish realised there was a person somewhere within the mound of greyish fuzz. An elderly man so incredibly hirsute only his eyes and cheekbones were visible. Wild, enlarged eyebrows tangled with the frizz cascading from his scalp, which in turn grew so long it became indistinct from the great beard that engulfed the rest of his body.

  "Princess Cherrychomp, what a delightful surprise!" he wheezed.

  "We's checkin' villages!" Cherrychomp explained excitedly.

  "Is that so? How very kind," said the man. "And you must be the new Fairy Princess I've heard so much about."

  "Princess Winterwish, sir." She introduced herself with a respectful bow. "It is a pleasure to meet you."

  "What a polite young lady! I am Papalogious Ingrustus Yowlf, though, most just call me Pappy. I am the village elder here at Tuberly."

  It was only after the old gent had finished talking that Winterwish noticed four fingertips poking out from the bushy mass. With a forced smile, she reluctantly tugged off a mitten before delving her hand into the rough, rustly strands to shake.

  "Perfect." She struggled to maintain the positive expression. "We were hoping to speak to someone who might know of any issues here in Tuberly. I believe we're to enquire about any strange incidents you might be aware of."

  Bony digits retreated from Winterwish's hand. From the way the elder's gaze shifted, she thought he might be about to reveal something of note. Unfortunately, his hesitation proved to be of concern.

  "...I have heard little, aside from Thornweald's tragedy, of course. I don't suppose you know whether there were any casualties?"

  Merrymint speculated the flare had risen from Thornweald or Dewroot. I guess she was right...

  "Oh... I'm very sorry, Mister Pappy, but I haven't been told anything yet," said Winterwish.

  "I do hope they're all ok. They're good people. Very reasonable..." The elder seemed to nod within the mass. "...As for here in Tuberly, every day is very much like the last. In all honesty, that's how most of us prefer it."

  "I'm glad," said Winterwish. "Oh, I think we're also supposed to ask whether you're in need of any fresh supplies?"

  "Supplies, supplies. Hmm..." Pappy's raspy voice trailed off to silence. "Blast the lost years. I checked this very morning, yet now I cannot recall... Please, allow me a moment to confirm. I apologise profusely."

  "It's fine," said Winterwish. "No trouble at all, I swear. In fact, why don't you show us and we can help?"

  Pappy's eyes shifted toward a nearby onion. For a moment he remained silent.

  ...Is he ok?

  "Mister Pappy, sir?" asked Winterwish.

  "...Yes," he whispered, as if surfacing from a stupor. "Yes. Of course. Please, this way."

  A little odd, but, perhaps he really is just... well, old?

  Winterwish was ready to follow when she felt a tugging at her coat. She looked down to see Cherrychomp pointing toward a beetroot school, where stained children shouted and waved.

  "What is it? Something wrong?" asked Winterwish.

  Cherrychomp simply peered up with shimmering ruby eyes and partially inflated cheeks. "Is... Is part of our duty to play," she clearly fibbed.

  "I thought you said we had important work to do?" asked Winterwish.

  "Playin' is important!" Cherrychomp nodded. "An' Merry' sometimes lets me..."

  The more Winterwish hesitated, the larger those puppy-dog eyes grew, until she let out a sigh. "You've got five minutes, and be careful!"

  The little red fairy's expression changed to one of joy in an instant. The next she was already racing toward the school, stamping and roaring as if imitating a mighty monster, much to the youthful crowd's glee.

  With eyes stinging, Winterwish secretly cursed whoever decided a pungent onion was the best place to store Tuberly's essentials.

  "I believe these are our supplies from the palace." Pappy firmly gestured toward a rack of dusty shelves host to various jars of pickled foods, cured legumes and most importantly, a pack of emergency flares.

  "Excellent. Thank you." Winterwish tried to blink the tears away so she could inspect the preserved rations and check for signs of deterioration. "This seems like a lovely village, Mister Pappy. I can understand why you'd prefer it down here to Rainbow City."

  The elder released an awkward chuckle. "Is that so? I'm not sure everyone in the palace shares that opinion."

  "What makes you say that?" asked Winterwish.

  "They didn't mention anything to you? Usually the princesses that stop by remind us how much safer it is up there than down here. The Queen's been wanting all us forestfolk to skysettle for as long as I can remember."

  "Really?" Winterwish winced. "Oops."

  Dry, raspy laughter spilled once more, though this time wholeheartedly. "Oh don't worry, Princess Winterwish. You wouldn't have changed anyone's mind. We have our own ways down here. Not everyone can tolerate the bright and the busy. I'd sooner live a single week in peace and quiet than a whole year dealing with all that noise and nonsense."

  Winterwish shot him a cheeky smile. "Maybe I shouldn't be saying this, but..." she lowered her voice to a whisper, "...I absolutely get it!"

  With the bottom shelves checked, Winterwish straightened and turned her attention to the mid levels and the pack of flares. It was immediately obvious that something was wrong. The card packaging was limp and soggy. It took a moment to find the cause due to the onion's overwhelming scent, but it seemed a jar upon the shelf above was leaking vinegar.

  "I think we need to replace these," she said.

  "Most unfortunate. Would you like me to dispose of them?"

  Winterwish awkwardly inserted the cracked jar of gherkins into Pappy's shaggy mane, but took pause to examine the flares once more. She was no expert, but wondered whether they could be dried out to restore their use.

  Seems wasteful to throw them away... Maybe someone back at the palace will know how to fix them?

  She carefully tucked them into her bag, took out a fresh pack and looked around for somewhere that'd be safe from any future drippage.

  That was when she noticed something partially hidden behind stacked crates. A strangely familiar shape, draped in a cloth. Though Pappy would soon step forth to block her line of sight.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  "Is everything ok, Princess Winterwish? Perhaps this onion is ill-suited for our supplies? I should arrange to have them moved somewhere less dusty and... aromatic."

  He's right. It is dusty in here. All except for that cloth. Was that little episode earlier hesitation? Is there something he doesn't want me to see?

  Winterwish subtly tightened a fist within a frosting glove. "Mister Pappy, would you please stand aside?"

  In the gloom of the onion, Pappy's sunken eyes appeared weary and grave. For a moment, his hirsute form only shuffled.

  "Mister Pappy..." repeated Winterwish.

  "O-of course, Princess..." He lowered his head and stepped back unsteadily.

  Winterwish tried to keep an eye on him whilst proceeding to the draped object. When she reached out toward the cloth, Pappy would speak once more, though his voice trembled.

  "Princess Winterwish... if there is to be punishment, let it be mine alone. I will take full responsibility. Please."

  He's terrified...

  Winterwish gritted her teeth and whipped the cloth away, then triple-blinked in surprise. She'd expected to be horrified by what lay beneath the veil, and yet, it was nothing more than a simple shrine. Stone chiselled to heavenly constellations, and a red-rimmed bowl filled with mouldy vegetables.

  She'd seen Stargazer altars before. It was common knowledge that some people chose to find faith in the night sky. Even with metamorphic amnesia, she remembered that at least, just as other core fundamentals such as how to eat and breathe, or how to differentiate right from wrong.

  There was only one question on her mind. "Mister Pappy, why didn't you want me to see this?"

  Haunted eyes looked to the shrine. "Princess Winterwish..." he said softly. "Queen Titania forbids such worship. It has been so for centuries now."

  Winterwish gave the cloth a squeeze.

  ...I guess things really have changed. Just how long was I out for?

  She carefully returned the shroud, making sure the shrine was well hidden, then returned to the shelves, acting as if she'd not witnessed anything out of the ordinary. "Maybe here would be better?" Reaching up, Winterwish placed the new flares upon the very top shelf. "There. Safe from drippage."

  "...Thank you," said Pappy.

  "You're very welcome."

  "Not just for this." Pappy gave a broad sweep of his arm, indicating both the racking and the draped shrine. "But for the promise of aid should the worst come to pass. For facing the terrors of the depths in our stead. For all you and your sisters sacrifice."

  ...Just how much does he know? Come to think of it... at his age... perhaps...?

  "Mister Pappy, I hope it's not too rude of me to ask, but I don't suppose you were around to meet the previous sisterhood?"

  Bloodshot eyes lowered for but a moment, before Pappy turned away and loosed a sharp cough. "My apologies, Princess. The fumes are getting to me."

  "Mister Pappy? Anything you can recall would be greatly appreciated. Anything at all."

  The elder's all-consuming pelt rustled as he presumably shook his head. "No... It was so very long ago. I cannot even trust my memories of this very morning. For most of my life, I've been under the protection of your elder sisters. They haven't aged a day, yet look at me... Still they act to keep this Queendom safe, while I can barely look after myself anymore... Forgive me, Princess Winterwish, but I'm afraid I must rest a while."

  With a gentle sigh, Winterwish nodded. "Very well. Thank you for your help, Mister Pappy."

  She decided she would not mention the presence of the shrine to anyone. At least, not until she understood why such things were now prohibited.

  As they spent the morning travelling from village to village, Winterwish witnessed all manner of weird and wonderful living arrangements. Each time, Cherrychomp somehow managed to find distraction. In Mirrorpond she insisted on helping locals fish the reflective waters from atop lilypad rafts. In Plumpberry she claimed the bloated harvests required taste testing, whilst in Songflower it was apparently vital to ensure the melodious meadows were in tune.

  Each brief flight over the verdant canopies left Winterwish feeling a little more at ease atop the Muncher. Eventually she even felt comfortable enough to stop screaming and instead take in the miraculous views.

  "Hey Cherrychomp, what's that over there?" She released one shaky hand from the Muncher's stem and pointed toward a ruined tower, surrounded by other incomplete stone structures.

  "Crumbly towns!" shouted Cherrychomp. "They's all over the forest."

  "Crumbly towns, huh? They look kinda ancient," said Winterwish.

  "Real, real old! Splishsplash told me they's even older than the palace!"

  "Did she now? Perhaps I'll ask her about them..." Winterwish soon regretted changing to a single-handed grip when the Muncher jolted to an unexpected stop, almost throwing her down into the twirly trees below. "H-hey!" she snapped, but quickly realised that for once the reckless maneuver was not a result of the little red fairy's flippancy.

  Cherrychomp's expression was one of seriousness. She was focused, and sniffing the air like an alert hound.

  "What is it, Cherrychomp? What's the matter?" Winterwish sucked up a breath through her nose, but her sense of smell was nowhere near as enhanced as Cherrychomp's.

  "Burny," said Cherrychomp.

  "Burny?" asked Winterwish.

  "Yeah. That way," said Cherrychomp.

  Winterwish pulled the parchment of assigned villages from her pocket. The fact Merrymint hadn't been sure whether the flare had launched from Dewroot or Thornweald suggested they must be close to each other. Dewroot was inked upon the paper as their next assignment, yet Thornweald was nowhere to be seen. In other words, Titania had deemed checking it unnecessary.

  "It must be Thornweald..." said Winterwish. "Let's go check it out."

  "Thornweald? But 's'not on the list. We's meant to stick to the list," said Cherrychomp uncertainly.

  "They might be in trouble!" said Winterwish. "It's our job to protect people, right?"

  Cherrychomp considered briefly, then nodded. "Yeah! We's gotta protec'!"

  The reason for the village's absence from the list was evident upon arrival.

  "Cherrychomp... are you sure this is Thornweald?" asked Winterwish.

  The little red fairy nodded slowly.

  Contrary to Winterwish's concerns, the people of Thornweald were not in trouble. Not anymore, at least. All that remained of the forest village was a clearing of broken, blackened timber and smoking ashes.

  When Winterwish parted her lips to speak, she found it took incredible effort to summon the quietest of voices. "What about those who lived here?" she croaked.

  "Maybe some was lucky," said Cherrychomp. "Maybe some got away. Maybe..."

  "And the others?"

  Cherrychomp took another whiff. The only thing Winterwish could detect was sharp bitterness, but something in the air made the little red fairy's face crease with sadness.

  "Take me down," said Winterwish.

  "No down." Cherrychomp shook her head hard. "You don't wanna go down."

  "I do," said Winterwish. "What if someone's still alive? What if they're trapped somewhere under all that!?"

  Cherrychomp looked to her with teary eyes and shook her head, this time slowly.

  She was right, of course. Winterwish knew that, and yet... "I have to look. I have to see for myself," she sighed.

  The charred mounds were still hot enough to warm Winterwish's feet even through thick boots. Scorched wood crunched and released dying embers with every cautious step. She'd stop and lift larger pieces of carbonized lumber, just to discover more burned wreckage beneath. Most of it couldn't even bear the pressure of her grip, and perished to dust in her mittens.

  "Do you think Titania did this?" she asked.

  "Maybe," said Cherrychomp. "Maybe they went bad..."

  Winterwish winced. She couldn't fathom anything that warranted such extreme destruction.

  Surely there's a better way. Surely something could've been spared...

  She waded toward a collapsed roof and bent down to lift it.

  "Stop!" shouted Cherrychomp.

  Winterwish looked her grimacing sister.

  "Not that one," begged the little red fairy.

  Winterwish gulped, then tensed herself rigid. "Look away, Cherrychomp. Close your eyes."

  Searing planks groaned as she lifted with shaking hands. Particles of incinerated matter swirled aside to reveal a ghastly sight.

  Winterwish's mouth fell open, yet no sound emerged. Eyes trembled and twitched within sockets. Her chest tightened and stomach squirmed as a reek of overcooked death stung her nostrils. She'd thought herself prepared. She'd thought herself ready to witness the worst, and yet, what lay amongst the ruinous ash shocked and sickened her to the extreme.

  The body was wrong. Terribly, terribly wrong, as if biology had rebelled against reason. Bones had coiled and splintered, twisting and tearing blackened flesh into frayed ropes. Ribs had ripped wide, splaying the chest like a gruesome flytrap, gurgling ruptured viscera. Worst of all, the crisped expression remained contorted with its final howl.

  Winterwish stumbled backward, letting the smouldering roof crash back down. Her breathing was out of control. Huge gulps of hot air bellowed in and out of chilling lungs. She closed her eyes and threw away her gloves so she might bury her face in her hands, trying to hide from the horror. Her head shook, trying to rid itself of the image. Yet what had been seen could not be unseen. Unstable, numbing legs buckled beneath her. She fell to her knees. Frigid bile rushed up her throat and burst from her maw.

  Ichor... its effects are so much worse than I imagined!

  Shivering and snivelling, Winterwish watched as the icy vomit steamed. She pursed her lips and gradually slowed her breathing until the frost retreated from her flesh. "Cherrychomp... I... I'm sorry... I should've listened," she spluttered. Even her words tasted foul.

  When the little red fairy didn't respond, Winterwish wiped her eyes upon her sleeve and looked to her sister.

  Cherrychomp's attention was elsewhere. She was fixated on the treeline and hunched on all fours. Rising growls rumbled from her throat. Saliva frothed through sharp teeth. Feet kicked up clouds of ash and fingers raked through debris like vicious claws. Then the Muncher joined her, barking loudly and flinging drool from savage jaws.

  Winterwish searched the trees. "What is it? What's out there?" Panicked eyes darted from trunk to trunk, but glimpsed nothing.

  Cherrychomp's nostrils flared wide. "Baddy!" she snarled.

  Winterwish's heart hammered against its cage, thundering like a frenzied drum. She clenched her fists and dug fingernails into her palms, willing control above all else and suppressing her magic, for both their sakes. "Let's leave," she croaked. "We need to get out of here!"

  Yet Cherrychomp's aggression only intensified. She flicked her wrist in instruction. The Muncher obeyed, rushing to Winterwish's side and guarding her protectively.

  "Cherrychomp! We're going! Now!" Winterwish cried.

  But the little red fairy bolted, leaving only roiling cinders in her wake.