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“Why the vested interest in returning to your swallow form? Do you not see the overwhelming advantages that your human anatomy gifts you?” Cinzano flexed his feathered fingers. “I bet you enjoy being able to hold objects with such ease.” Martin had never really taken the time to notice his fingers or any part of his human body. To him, this new existence was nothing more than a curse put on him by a rowdy fairy. Could he ever learn to be happy as a human? And if so, would Nellie allow him to remain in such a form? She was not evil by any means, but she did draw pleasure from the woes of others. Martin pushed back these thoughts. In the end, there was only ever one true answer. “I’m a swallow.” Cinzano seemed confused by the simple answer. It didn’t really do much to sate his curiosity. However, Martin was not done. “I could learn to be a human. Maybe I could even enjoy it. But, it’s not what I am. I was born to fly and dive and soar. What good are fingers, if they are bulky and

The maze gave no hint of an exit. Tight corridors only gave way to other tight corridors. The only thing to be seen over the walls were merely the walls of the immense walls of the castle. This journey would clearly drive him mad. Yet, his mind was occupied by a larger problem. Thirst was slowly setting on the young swallow. Before being stuck in this labyrinth, Martin was part of a tiresome chase between himself and Nellie. He could not remember the last time he drank water. His instincts told him something sinister lived within these walls; yet, he’d likely die of thirst before he ever met the beastly being. Suddenly, his thoughts became interrupted by a sound he never thought he’d hear again. Water. Running water. His tired muscles suddenly gained all the strength he needed for a quick sprint. After a few turns around the maze’s corners, the branchy passages gave way to a large opening. A relatively large pond rested in the middle of the plot with one sizeable tree standing tall at

The leafy walls of the maze bobbed and swayed with the light breeze that travelled through its long corridors. Martin took a moment to let the airy currents snake through his hair. His deep breath invited the gust and for a moment he felt at ease. As if for a moment, Martin was a bird again. Unfortunately, this moment was a brief one. As the draft receded, so too did Martin’s worries. Not long after the gates closed behind him, did the massive barriers of the maze erupt from the ground. The ambiance now settled. As if the labyrinth had always been there. Then a voice rose from within the halls. “Within the courtyard’s inner walls, lies a Maze twisting and bending. But do be careful now lovelies for the contents of this maze house a terrible danger. Leave the water unbroken, undisturbed or the matron mother of water nymphs rises to silence the one who disturbed it. And she does leave a terrible mess that I do not wish to command someone else to clean up.” The hairs on Martin’s arms