Waela said that the hedge maze was closed, but you figured
that it wouldn't hurt to just check out the entrance. You tell Timz, who huffs in
annoyance. When you tell Waela she tells you not to go beyond the first turn, you'll
get in trouble for sure. You nod in agreement and then head into the maze. Timz follows
you reluctantly.
There's nothing much to look at. A small dead tree and a bird bath are off to one
side. The hedges are overgrown, but some places are cut back. You guess that the
castle gardeners have been here recently. You peer past the first turn. You can't
get lost if you go just a little further, could you?
As soon as
you take a step several shrieks come from the surrounding bushes and something small
dives at you from the air. You flee from the Hedge maze, your hands covering your
head. As soon as you get within the first turn the attacks stop. You stop to look
behind you. A white, black and red creature is watching you carefully from a perch
on the dead tree. It has no legs, but a pair of wings as well as large ears. Timz
is standing below it. He seems to be laughing. A few seconds later Waela canters
in, also laughing.
"So wanderer, you tried to go beyond the first turn? I told you that you would
get in trouble." She laughs again and looks up at the tree with a smile."This
is Tork."
Three more creatures of the same
type fly over and perch themselves on the tree. When you see that they aren't there
to attack, you relax. The one perched nearest you is a almost Calico type mix of
purple, teal, and black. It also has a furry mane of teal fur.The one perched on
the lowest branch of the tree is blue with green spots. It seems to be rather timid
and is looking at you worriedly. The third is on the highest branch of the tree.
It's mostly orange with green stripes. It's red eyes are narrowed and it's hissing
quietly, the knob on it's tail rattling. You're suddenly glad that it was the red
and white one that attacked you, and not that one.
"What are these critters?" You ask Waela quietly, not wanting to disturb
the flighty winged critters.
She smiles
and looks up at them again,"They're Fury. Most of them are usually fairly friendly,
but we've got some rather testy ones here." She points to Tork,"He's the
Fury of Annoyance." Then she points to the white one with the teal mane,"That
is Elia, she's the Fury of Colors." Then she points to the blue one,"That's
Wyia, she's the Fury of Earth." Then she points to the orange one,"That
is Hisin, he's the Fury of Snakes..."
You look them all over,"Oh. They all seem to fit their names."
She smiles,"Yes they do. You could call them the temporary guardians of the
maze. They're just some of the creatures that Zerah is working on introducing to
this area. They were asked to deter anyone that was trying to enter the maze unless
either me or Kalidria was with them."
"Oh." You're slightly put-out. How were you supposed to know that you were
going to be attacked when you put a toe past the line?
Waela laughs again,"Now it's time to go back to the Banquet Hall..." Timz
chirps cheerfully and then leads you out.