Chapter five: The wetlands

The morning sun poured into the Somerset farmhouse, its soft light gently waking Lilly. She wiped the sleep from her eyes, trying to shake off the remnants of Seraphis’s words from her mind. She was a girl leading a simple life, not some hero chosen to save an alien world. She busied herself with the chores around the farm - the rhythmic daily routines were comforting, her sanctuary in the wake of unsettling revelations.

Days turned into weeks. One day, while in the Sunday market of Maple Ridge ,a four weekly event, she overheard the whispers that danced on everyone's lips. The new River she and Finley explored several months ago near the sprinklers had now become a raging torrent, and was overflowing, causing flooding in the area to the immediate west of the Lupine woods. and tales of unseen aquatic creatures climbing out of the water onto the banks and later out onto the Woodlands sent shivers down Lilly's spine. Her heart pounded in her chest, yet she tried to convince herself it was nothing more than fearful gossip.

Then came the night that changed everything. As Lilly drifted into sleep, her dreams were invaded by visions. She saw water rushing in, engulfing villages, the panick of people echoing in her ears. She saw strange, puzzling creatures from the depths of the ocean flood their world. The virtual absence of the animals she had grown to love cut through her like a knife.

She woke up with a start, her heart pounding, her sheets soaked with cold sweat. A dream? No, this was a premonition, her vision revealing a dreadful possible future. Her mind raced, the images of destruction and despair etched into her memory.

Her ability to communicate with the crows, ravens and magpies had become more refined over the previous twelve months. One morning after rounding up the chickens and putting them away, and feeding Nutmeg and Pickle, she went through the wooden gate on her back fence and , going right past the stone, thatched school yard, kept going for15 minutes until she reached a small copse of trees that lay between a corn field and a dairy on the banks of a small stream.

At this spot, she knew a large family of ravens that she had a particularly good relationship with. She asked one of the young adult birds, if they could take a flight for her to the south-western border, just to the west of the lupine Woods and assess the situation for her. The bird chose two other companions, and all three shot off towards the boarder of the known world. It took several hours for her spys to reappear, and she was dismayed to hear that several villages had been demolished by floodwaters, and several hundred people were left homeless, and were now camping under the walls of Kingston city.

They told her that the woods themselves were now a virtual wasteland, the fields, homesteads, trees, and grasslands were now replaced by torrents of water with floating upturned trees and building fragments. The homesteads were in rubble and most people had been evacuated.

They also reported several unusual sea creatures that were now wandering around the lupine woods, clearly not being confined to water. One species was a small flat, furry thing with five legs and a tail and no head. There were two legs out the front, two at the back, and a single forward facing leg dangling under the clicking jaws. This front leg was used to enable a forward roll to escape predators.

It had two eyes sticking out on stalks and a metallic like jaw protruding from the body and resting under the eyes, snapping up-and-down, making a bizarre clacking sound. It had no voice, but the clacking of the metallic like jaw was loud enough. From what Lilly could gather from the Raven reports, these creatures were quite friendly and would follow people and livestock around all day, trying to get them to play with them. Before the general evacuation, they were making it hard for people to perform their jobs, and when these creatures did not receive the affection or attention they were seeking, they would nervously snap their jaws up and down, the more nervous they were, the more rapid they would clack, at times, making a racket.

There was another creature, which was a rather long and thick snake, covered in white and brown fur with two arms to the front, and two to the back. Approximately halfway along the snake body, was a pair of short, black wings that flapped very rapidly, in fact, so fast they made a musical note. These snake like flying creatures were obsessed with their appearance, and would usually raid farm houses for the jewelry, make up, hats and garments that they could wear. They could be seen flying around often in pairs or triplets with headbands, hats, glasses, bracelets, etc and a dress or trousers attached to the snake like body. They would draw colourful and exotic patterns on their wings. They knew they were not meant to steale. and would sheepishly give back their garments and jewelry when caught, looking, surprisingly as if they were embarrassed.

A third creature, probably the most bizzarre of them all, was a giant spherical jellyfish like thing with no eyes or mouth. These creatures bounced up and down like a football being kicked along by an invisible giant. They quickly became known as ‘bouncers’. They emmitted a bouncing sound when they hit the ground, not unlike a bongo drum. They affected the population and wildlife through direct contact, which made anyone being touched by one, for 3 days, believe they were not who they were, but were whatever the last animal was that they saw. For instance there was a farmer who had been feeding his dog before being lightly touched with a jellyfish ball, and for three days walked around on all fours, and barked every time somebody came to the door, or a carriage went past the house. There was a young woman who had been feeding the chickens at the time a bouncing jellyfish touched her. She spent three days with her hands tucked into her armpits and flapping her elbows, up-and-down like useless wings going ‘cluck, cluck, cluckity, cluck’. She rapidly jerked her head from left to right, like a bird .

When two goats, being fed by their owner, were lightly touched by a ‘bouncer’, they spent the next three days standing around the path outside the farm, pretending to talk like humans, bobbing their heads up and down, as if listening to the other’s point and considering it before responding.

Mainly because of the transformation of the woods to wetlands, at least the Western part, plus the ongoing intrusion of these sea going creatures, the Lupine woods were now quite unrecognisabl.

What concerned Lily, were the displaced villagers, now camping under the walls of Kingston. She was actually curious to meet these interesting sea creatures, and was wondering if she would be able to talk to them as well, though she doubted it.

Lilly’s mother, Ruth, now a well known and respected journalist in the greater region, took Lily and Finley aside one afternoon when they were at her house, practising some of the oak badger tree climbing routines on the huge tree in the front yard.

“Lily. Finley. I’m glad the pair of you are here.“ She said, appearing a little uncomfortable. “I have a very important mission for you, and I am hoping that the pair of you are willing to undertake it. I think this will be your 112th fact, finding expedition, but possibly your most important yet.”

“I think I know what you are about to say auntie Ruth”, said Finley after jumping from the lowest branch onto the ground, to face his aunt.

Lily joined in after also, jumping from the tree, “yes, mum. You want us to go to the flood lands, west of the lupine woods, and assess the homeless villagers, and the bizarre new creatures that have run all over the woodlands.“ Her mother nodded, and Lily continued, “that is very far away, and we may need some money to take a coach, at least to the spot outside Kingston city.”

And so the following day, the cousins prepared themselves for a new trip to the Lupine woods, this time they would catch the Southwest Stonehaven coach service, and be delivered to the area just outside the walls of Kingston by 11 am.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Just after they entered the coach, Finley asked his cousin, “so Lilly, are you still steadfast in your position to not leave this Dome world, and enter the Overworld?“

Lily snapped her arms to her chest, crossing them tightly and scowling, said, “ of course I’m not going anywhere. I have no plans on being some sort of heroine, nor putting myself in danger more than anyone else! “ She paused to gather her thoughts, “you, however, are free to undertake this journey… I’m not stopping you!“

Finley sighed, “ You know I cannot do this on my own. I would if I could, and I have thought about it. I might be able to make some craft to take us to the surface, but I will need your ability to talk the fishing rod out of a Boremoth Hunter to see this through“ , he paused and scratched his chin, “I cant do that. I don’t have your fancy words. And there’s the animal thing.” He was looking out the window on his side now, tapping his knee with his finger.

Lily paused, while before replying, “even though I’m not planning on going anywhere, I wouldn’t be able to do it without you, as only you can see the pattern in things, and make sense of stuff that is meaningless to everyone else… I wouldn’t dare undertake a mission to the over world without you, even though I’m not planning on doing it anyway. It’s only a thought experiment now.” She smiled and redirected her gaze out her window to the fields beyond.

Finley chuckled, “yes, it is. A thought experiment. Yes, it is“

After several minutes of silence, the only sound being the wheels, making a rhythmical rattling sound on the uneven path below, and the creaking of the wooden frame is it twisted and bent with the unpredictable course of the path, Finlay turned to his cousin, and said, “ I just can’t believe how selfish you are being, by not accepting the call to go to the over world and save this place.“

Lilly, though lost in her own thoughts, appeared ready for this challenge and quipped. “I’m not interested in your opinion, Fin ! When I want it, I’ll ask for it!“

Finley did not know how to respond to this, so just remain silent.

Lily continued, “ Why should I have any more obligation than anyone else my age, to put my life at risk?”

“I don’t know… maybe because you do!“ replied Finley sounding somewhat annoyed .

“ Oh, that’s a great reason to give!”, she quipped, screwing up her face to imitate Finley, wobbling her head, theatrically from shoulder to shoulder, “maybe because you do!“ she mocked,, “Why didn’t I think of that before! It seals the deal! Game over.”

She put her arms back on her lap and paused to gather her thoughts, “Anyway, I’ve already told you. I’m not going anywhere, and I’m not stopping you.”, she readjusted her posture, “I’m sure you can find another companion as good as me in less than one day, if you were really serious about going yourself.”

“Of course, I’m serious!“ He cried, “I’ve just told you I can’t do it without you!“

“Oh, I see how it works now“, in a slow, drooling pretend reflective voice. She looked at her cousin, “you want the pair of us to conclude a wonderful adventure, and be led down the main promenade of Hawks Landing, knowing full well that the sewage runs immediately underneath the entry gates and the castle bailey. You are hoping a giant griffin from the other world will swoop down and pick you up, then dump you in the sewer where you belong. All so you can emerge dripping with filth and disguist to your so-called adoring fans. and they can have the opportunity to see you in your true element.“She sat back and leaned against the bench in satisfaction. “Yes that’s it. I’ve worked you out.” she said wifh a smug expression.

Finley knew better now than to take lily on when she was in form, and she was clearly in good form today, so he just said, “Maybe not quite that scenario Lilly, but we can talk about this later. I think I need to have a rest now.“ He leaned his head against the window, and made out as if he were sleeping. A few seconds later, he heard soft laughter coming from the other side of the coach. He turned to face Lilly and saw her openly laughing, “I got you going there Fin.”

He joined her laughter.

“I really don’t want to admit this to you, but you maybe right about the selfish thing.”

Several hours later, when the coach approached the Kingston city walls a little, after 11 am, Lilly gently shook her cousin awake, “Fin, Fin we are here“ she said softly, shaking his shoulders, “fin“. He open his eyes and looked around,wondering where he was, and realising he was in the coach he asked his cousin “Are we here?”

“Yes”, she said “it’s time to get out.“

After the pair were standing outside the Kingston city walls. They looked around to take in the scene.

Under the watchful eyes of Kingston's towering city walls, Lilly and Finley found themselves in a sea of makeshift tents and wagons - the temporary homes of the displaced villagers. The scene was disheartening - haggard faces masked with resignation, children playing amidst the squalor unaware of their predicament, and the elderly staring vacantly into the distance, lost in their memories of homes washed away.

Navigating through the narrow lanes between the tents, the cousins encountered firsthand the repercussions of the calamity. The villagers had a haunted look, their eyes filled with confusion, and a pinch of fear. Some were huddled together, whispering about the strange creatures invading their lands, while others shared stories of the monstrous flood that had washed their life away.

The villagers, recognizing Lilly’s and Finlay’s mothers through their many articles, treated the cousins with a warm, respectful curiosity. Many shared their tales, their losses, and their strange encounters with the aquatic creatures, their accounts echoing the stories Lilly and Finley had heard back in Maple Ridge.

Leaving the refugee camp, Lilly and Finley ventured further west, towards the Lupine woods. They traversed the disheveled landscape, once lush and fertile, now a canvas of destruction. They could see the river, its usual tranquil flow replaced with a raging torrent, as sprinklers turned into violent jets of water. The forest's edge bore the signs of the deluge, trees uprooted and dwellings obliterated.

Once into the woods, the evidence of the aquatic invasion became all too real. The bizarre creatures described by the ravens were now right in front of their eyes. There were the small, flat creatures with their clacking jaws, following them curiously. The fur-covered snake-like beings adorned with pilfered accessories, their wings beating a whimsical melody. And the behind them. It was a surreal scene, like a dream spun from a child's imagination.

However, the strangeness did not intimidate the pair. Lilly, with her knack for communicating with non-human entities, tried to interact with the flat creatures. She found that although she could not 'speak' with them, she could sense their emotions. These creatures seemed to be just as lost and confused as the humans they had displaced.

The snake-like beings were more open to interaction. They posed in their stolen garments, seemingly pleased by the attention. Lilly and Finley, amused, gave them a small trinket, which was accepted with a flurry of wing beats and what seemed like a bow. One of the creatures put the trinkett on its head, thinking it was a shiny hat and jumped up and down and excitement.

Finally, they cautiously approached the giant jellyfish-like creatures, keeping a safe distance from its predictdvpayh. They watched as a creature bounced past, its body brushing against a squirrel that scurried away, chattering in alarm. Moments later, the squirrel began to mimic a bird it had just seen, confirming the effects of direct contact with the creature's body.

By evening, they had a better understanding of the disaster that had struck their world. They realized the severity of their people's predicament, the urgency of the situation heightened. Yet, they also found a strange beauty in the chaos, the unique creatures adding a surreal charm to their otherwise grim surroundings.

As they made their way back to the walls of Kingston to catch the return coach, under a sky painted with hues of the setting sun, Lilly and Finley shared a moment of silence. They understood that their world was on the precipice of an unprecedented change, and it would require all their courage and wit to face the trials ahead.

Despite the dire circumstances, a spark of resolve ignited within Lilly. She realized that although she was an ordinary girl, she possessed extraordinary abilities. And she started to question her resolve to not get involved.