Zelkova

Zelkova

Zelkova paddled across the lake, taking care to disturb the water as little as possible. She slipped the oar in the water, pulled it towards her, and gently lifted it before repeating the process all over again. She could almost believe she was alone, and that she was...
Yew

Yew

Isobel walked around the mound of earth as crickets chirped in the evening air. On the hill, the branches of a great yew stretched across the twilit sky. The old woman had told her to come here—either at twilight or dawn. Isobel hadn’t wanted to wait, and so here she...
Xanthoceras

Xanthoceras

“Xantho-what?” Widow Mayfair said from the plush red armchair in her stately parlor. Ceras sighed. “Ceras. Xanthoceras. Everyone just calls me Ceras, though.” The widow sniffed. “I should hope so. What were your parents thinking, giving you such a name? And for such a...
Witch Hazel and Willow

Witch Hazel and Willow

With introducing Hazel earlier in the H post, I thought it would be fun to continue with her as well for W. This one is more an exploration of her background and character than a story. But I enjoyed getting to know her a little bit better.   Witch Hazel and...
Vinegar Tree

Vinegar Tree

The sharp air stung my nose and throat as I breathed. The air tasted tangy, like salt and lemon on silver. I made my way through the marsh, the damp ground soft beneath my boots. With each step in the squelching mire, the sweet-sharp tang of vinegar thickened. Pale...