I’ve had reports over the past few days of a mysterious, antlered figure in the woods. Normally I’d not pay it much mind. We do have deer about the place. But all the reports say this figure walks on two legs, not four, and vanishes into the green as soon as it’s spotted. It’s a quiet day so time to investigate.

I exchanged greetings with a couple of groups of hikers as I meandered past the various places the figure had been seen. The area’s become very popular for walks recently, a bit too popular on the really nice weekends. I’ve had a couple of people wander into my garden, thinking it’s the back entrance to a pub or something. Thankfully I’ve been able to head them off before they get to the pond, but I might need to use some of those warding crayons as summer comes in – discourage interest in the gate.

That’s an idea. I change direction and head for the Hidden Pool. Which, as the name suggests, is a large pond, well away from the walking trails. Everyone needs water, and there’s an old hermitage there if a human-ish individual is looking for shelter. It’s not one of those fancy folly hermitages like the one by Lord Mason’s lake, it’s a simple stone hut, half built into the hollow of a tree’s roots. I occasionally pop some provisions in there – you never know when you’re going to need a bit of food.

I come at it from the ridgeline above, and my hunch pays off. There’s a figure hunched down at the side of the pool, with an impressive set of antlers, and a dark haze around them. Now, how to approach?

I decide on a friendly, neighbourly visit. Clomping down the slope towards the pool, I call out. “Good morning! Just popping by to see if the hut needs more supplies. Is there anything you need while I’m at it?”

Whoever or whatever they are, they have a good turn of speed on them. They’ve fled into the forest before I’m halfway through my greeting. No matter. They’re still there. I can sense them. Hovering just behind the tree line, watching.

I keep up my chatter as I approach the hermitage. “Do you mind if I go inside? I assume you’re staying here for the moment. Wouldn’t want to intrude, but some of the first aid supplies need checking.”

They don’t, I checked them two weeks ago, but they don’t know that.

I get no answer from the trees, or the person under them, and the hut’s door is already open, so I step inside.

I’m not even two steps in when a shadow darkens the door. I think it’s trying to loom menacingly, but, frankly, it’s too short and skinny.

I acknowledge their existence with a vague smile over my shoulder and start checking through the shelves. Not that there’s much to check, the store’s been eaten nearly bare, I arrived just in time.

“You do need a proper re-stock. I’ll have to make a list.” I pull out a notebook and pen. I’d normally use my phone, but I think that would scare them off. As it is, they’ve crept just inside the door and are inching around to the sleeping space.

I ignore their movements but continue to talk. “I can bring some fresher stuff over if you’d like. I don’t usually bother as it goes off so fast. Is there anyone you’d like me to contact? Your mum perhaps?”

There was a clatter from behind the sleeping curtain that said I’d surprised them.

“How did you know?” The voice was young, a little husky from disuse, and a fair bit of crying if I’m any judge.

“A lucky guess.” I kept on with my list-making.

The curtain twitched, then was pulled aside. “Why aren’t you screaming? I’m a monster.”

I look over. As I suspected, a boy, about fourteen or so – a little older than Ben – but clearly as talented as my young neighbour at getting into sticky situations.

“You’re a boy who’s managed to acquire a set of antlers. A faerie curse from the look of the aura.”

“It wasn’t my fault. I didn’t know there was some kind of spell on the archway. I didn’t even know spells were a thing. Outside, story books that is.”

“So you went through an archway. Then what?”

“These dumb sticks got stuck on my head, so I came straight back out again.”

Now that was interesting. Normally anyone caught in a faerie curse can’t retreat, they have to be kept in Faerie, it’s a key part of our agreement with them. You can’t have randomly transfigured people running around the countryside, there will be talk. This needed closer examination.

“Where is the archway?”

“I’m not going back there.”

“I’m not asking you to. But I’d like a little chat with the owners.”

“Can you get them to fix me?”

“Probably not, but if I can find out more about what they did, then I can fix you.”

Well, wasn’t I the most popular witch in the forest after that, I nearly got poked in the eye with an antler point as he tried to hug me. His name’s Jack, he’s just turned fourteen, and he’s staying in one of the spare bedrooms upstairs while I sort out his curse.

His mum is coming over this afternoon, and by her reaction on the phone, I think she knows a little more about the situation than Jack realises. There was definite guilt in her voice.

Now I just need to convince the lad to let Sarah meet him. Curse removals don’t come around every day and it would be good for her education to help on this one.

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