(February 28, 2025)

Morgana stepped through the woods. Twigs and forest debris cracked under their bare feet as they stepped lightly towards the river. Towards where the nymphs were rumoured to hide. They’d left their shoes a few metres back, hoping it might silence their approach, but now that they were close, they knew they needn’t have bothered. Compared to the magic in these woods, their blatant humanness would be a giveaway well before they reached the river.

Singing caught their ear, and another voice lifted in joyous laughter. Splashes of water came next, and Morgana knew they were close. A few more steps would bring them into view.

Until they were frozen in place by a dark, cold power.

(March 28, 2025)

Morgana tried to run, to twitch a finger, to blink, but their body was out of their control. Even their breaths came thin and shallow, like sucking air through a high altitude. Dark spots danced in their vision as fear and reduced oxygen squeezed their minds, but all they could do was wait to see what came for them.

“What do we have here?” a soft, lilting voice asked. Whoever it was stood out of view, but Morgana recognized the magic lining their words.

Fae.

Shit.

They tried against to escape the magical hold, knowing nothing could would come from being caught by the trickster.

(May 2, 2025)

“You have nothing, fae,” M said as they struggled against their bindings. “I was out for a walk.”

“You were spying.”

“I most certainly was not. I was…”

What should they say? It wasn’t like they could admit why they’d been out here. It was as much a crime as anything else this fae might want to throw at them.

“I needed to speak with the nymphs.”

A low chuckle echoed around her, and the fae stepped into view. Long dark hair flowed around a beautiful face. Black and green leather encased their lithe form, and in their hands, they spun a dagger with a wicked edge. “Speak quickly then. Because your next words are your last.”

(May 29, 2025)

 "I need to know where the water’s going.”

The fae blinked. “Excuse me?”

“The water,” M rushed to say. “It’s here in the river. I can see it. I can hear it. But by the time it gets to the village, it’s barely more than a trickle. I thought the nymphs might know.”

The fae stepped back, their grip around the dagger so tight the knuckles of their pale hands turned whiter.

M heaved a breath as the magic holding them in place release them, but they did their best to show their reaction. They couldn’t give the fae that sort of power over them.

“Come with me,” the fae said. “But know that if you cross me, or if I discover you’re lying, your blood will join the river.”