Collie could barely remember the land that she came from,. Sometimes, at night, she would dream about it. Especially in the summer. When the hot humid air would creep in through her open window like a breath from The Great Beast. Assessing her prescience deciding if she was a worthy advecairy. She would see images of massive dunes of sand that roll on and on like a giant switchback. She would remember the sun being so bright. Like a white gold oppressor squeezing the sweat out of her pores for spite. Collie would wake up from those dreams soaked with sweat. The heat from the dream escaping away with The Great Beasts’ breaths.

Fern was never allowed to do anything! Being the youngest of and smallest of his clan he was usually told to go sit down or not right now. Fern was always in the way and never seen. As far as pixies go, he is also very clumsy. Today though, he knew something the other did not. The new princess was coming tomorrow. Fern snuck out the house in broad daylight and did not look back, except when he stumbled.

Fern walked until he reached the edge of the forest. He made it all the way though the plaza through the market and squeezed behind a secret hole in the fence to realm. Fern understood the decision that he was making. He was not coming back. At the edge of the woods he slipped off his shoes. He stepped onto the damp moss that lined the entire ground like a beautiful green carpet. He stepped into a spot of soft soil. He wiggled his toes. The dark dirt began to migrate toward Fern feet covering them with inches of rich soil. He took a deep breath inhaling the aroma of truffles and cracked branches, mushy leaves and the sweet smell of the atmosphere before it rains.