That’s it. Just follow the arrow. It’ll take us in the right direction.
Wait a moment.
What is it?
Instead of continuing on his way, Max moved forwards and knelt next to the boulder. On the ground beside it was a dead rabbit.
Oh the poor thing!
Max looked around at the forest more closely. Everything looked like… forest.
But maybe only a trained eye could spot the signs…
How do you think it died?
Maybe it was that big scary monster you imagined.
That wasn’t a dream. It was real.
It’s hard to tell the difference when the trees have got you.
It doesn’t look like it’s been bitten.
Don’t you have winter in the World? Maybe it got lost and froze in the cold. There’s nothing to eat.
I think it got lost all right. Up a Dragon’s nose.
You think it got killed by a Dragon?
Maybe.
Don’t you know anything? This isn’t the Deep Woods.
So?
Dragons don’t come out of the Deep Woods. They only eat Briarbacks, and Briarbacks only grow in the Deep Woods.
I’m going to have a look on the other side of this thicket.
No! You mustn’t EVER leave the Paths. That’s the worst thing you can do in the Woods.
Why?
You’ll get gotten by the Wildness and that’ll be it.
He stopped. She really did sound frightened, and whenever a strong emotion gripped her, he felt it too.
What’s the Wildness?
It happens to people who spend too long in the trees, or get lost in the Deep Woods. Don’t you know about that either?
No.
And you were going to enter Eisteddfod! Most of the contestants get gotten by the Wildness before they get anywhere near a Dragon. And that’s with a Dragon Hunter to guide them!
What happens when you get gotten?
First you stop caring how you look, and your hair goes Wild. Then you stop caring what you say, and your words go Wild. Then you stop caring what you eat, and your teeth go Wild. Last of all, right at the end, you stop caring what you see, and your eyes go Wild. When that happens you’re finished and there’s no going back—you become a Wild One. You’ll forget about ever becoming a Dragon Hunter, or finding your Forever Parents. The Deep Woods are full of Wild Ones.
How do you know so much about it?
Every village loses people to the Wildness. We had one not long ago. His name was Little Noah. He was in my class at school. One day he went into the Woods to gather blackberries for his Mother, and he didn’t come back. By evening the whole village was out looking for him. They found his basket lying next to a bramble bush. The Woods had used it to tempt him off the Path, and the Wildness had got him! He was only nine!
How do you know it was the Wildness?
We saw him now and again. He would come back to the village for a sniff around. Me and my Father saw him once on New Year’s Eve. We were walking home from the market, and everyone was baking cinnamon loaves—you could smell them all over the place. We were passing Little Noah’s house, and Dad stopped and pointed, and I looked, and it was him, Little Noah, up on the roof. He was dancing round the chimney, sniffing at it. We could see his Mother through the windows—she was just getting on with her baking. She had no idea he was up there spinning about.
What was he doing?
We thought about that for ages. I reckon he thought the chimney was made of cinnamon loaves. Because of the smell coming out of it. He’d forgotten what chimneys were.
The Wildness had gotten him…
It really had. He wasn’t even a boy any more. He was all twigs and bristles and teeth. When we tried to get closer he saw us and leapt down and went off across the fields, all rolling and turning cartwheels!
And he kept coming back?
For a bit. A few months later, that spring, the village started losing lambs. We thought it was Wolves, because we have a lot of problems with Wolves. Usually the farmers just leave the dogs unchained at night, and that puts a stop to it. But it wasn’t the Wolves. It was Little Noah. And the dogs got him and… that was it. Dogs don’t like the Wild Ones.
Oh.
He was a nice boy. Sometimes he lent me his penknife. But he never listened to the teacher. Don’t leave the Paths! It’s the first rule we learn.
Max put his hand against the cold trunk of the tree and looked back at the Path. It was only a few feet away. He would just have to get beyond the thicket to see what was on the other side. It wouldn’t be that far.
It’ll only be a moment. If I start to go all hairy and gnash my teeth and stuff, then I’ll go back.
He began to push himself through the brambles, but all at once the ground gave way under his feet. He fell, sliding and slipping, his hands flailing as he tried to grab at something solid. It was only a short drop—he hit the bottom with a jolt, and rolled forwards in a shower of leaves and debris.
Spitting out grit, he got to his feet.
He’d fallen into a trench. It was wide as a motorway, and stretched far into the forest.
Well at least the trees won’t be causing you any trouble.
No, I guess not.
It was like a huge machine had ripped the forest apart. Entire trees had been flung aside, their bodies torn open and the white, husky wood inside laid bare. Deep wounds scored the bark of those still standing—rents like talon marks, or the slipping of enormous teeth as they sought to grip and tear.
Still think it wasn’t a Dragon?
It can’t have been. Those aren’t even Briarbacks. Why would it try to eat normal trees?
Then what was it?
I don’t know. Just go back to the Path, Max. I don’t like this.
Shh!
Stop telling me to shush!
No… listen. Listen! Can you hear that?
Hear what?
He scrambled up the side of the hole. A faint rustling had begun in the distance, like Wind stirring leaves. He couldn’t tell where it was coming from. But something was moving, out there in the forest. Every moment getting closer.
Not just one thing.
A great many things.
What is that?
I don’t know, Max. I’ve never heard anything like it.
He felt her confusion and mounting panic mingling with his own.
I’m getting back to the Path.
Quick, Max. Go!
It was too late. The rustling became a bird-like chirruping. Shadows flitted along the forest floor, too fast to follow—then suddenly they were all around, dozens on every side, swarming up trunks and along branches, their saucerous eyes opening and closing with soft clicks.
What are THEY doing here? They shouldn’t BE here!
What are they?
Shredders! Shredders! Shredders!
Max stumbled back to the very edge of the trench, as far from the trees as he could get. A hundred eyes followed him. Rows of teeth gleamed inside wide mouths. Claws, elongated and sharp, curled around branches.
Shredders. He did know about them, from the Storybooks. They were scavengers—they ate the trees the Dragons left behind.
I’ve never heard of Shredders out of the Deep Woods! Never!
They don’t eat people, do they?
They’ll eat anything if they’re hungry.
Ugh! Keep back!
Several of the closest Shredders made sniffing darts towards him. Their investigations seemed to confirm something, and set off a frenzy that spread rapidly. Suddenly the forest was alive with howls. Trees shook as the Shredders hurled themselves from branch to branch.
STOP MAKING FACES AT THEM!
I’m not making faces!
Then why are they getting so angry?
How should I know? Why are YOU getting angry?
TRY AND MAKE FRIENDS WITH THEM!
I’m no good at making friends!
Great! Just my luck
I get trapped inside some sort of social outcast!
TELL ME WHAT TO DO!
I told you already. Don’t leave the Path!
I mean NOW! What do I do NOW?
Kill them!
ALL of them?
You’re a KNIGHT, aren’t you? It’s your JOB to be outnumbered! Oh! Lookoutlookoutlookout!
He twisted to one side. A blurry shape flew past and tumbled into the trench. He snatched up a branch, trying to look in every direction at once. The other Shredders were throwing themselves from side to side, screeching and slapping the ground with their paws.
Why aren’t the others attacking?
The one that just went past. It must be their leader! It’s like a challenge!
He threw a look over his shoulder—the Shredder that had gone into the trench was already scrabbling back up. He swung the branch, catching its head just as it reached the top. The Shredder went sailing backwards into the pit.
Got it!
You DID my Knight! Get it again! Smash it!
A rush of excitement took him, and he slid into the trench in a shower of pebbles. The moment he reached the bottom the Shredder sprang at him, catching him off-balance. And then it was on him, a whirl of claws and teeth.
MAX!
He lost his grip on the branch, and they rolled across the ground, the Shredder’s hot snout snuffling at his throat. He got his hands on its head and struggled to force it back.
SNAP
The Shredder’s face was inches from his own.
SNAPSNAPSNAP
The teeth grazed his neck.
SNAPSNAPSNAPSNAPSNAPSNAP
Martha screamed.
Fury exploded inside him. He yanked the Shredder’s head down. Twisted it. Got its ear right where he wanted it.
SNAP
The Shredder squealed. He clenched his teeth. Pulled back his head. Hard as he could.
The ear stretched.
RRRRRRRRIP!
Joy!
Howling, the Shredder thrashed free and rolled away, kicking up a spray of earth and leaves.
Max spat the rubbery flap of flesh from his mouth and jumped to his feet.
A frenzy had come over him.
He was going to kill it.
He was going to tear it to pieces and EAT IT.
Max! It’s the Wildness! It’s taking over!
The words came from beyond a thundering horizon, and he barely heard them or understood—but they distracted him. Seizing its chance, the Shredder launched itself at his face, claws swiping down in a death stroke.
It never arrived.
A monstrous grey form flew between them. There was a sickening crunch of snapping bone. Hot blood spattered Max’s face, shocking him out of his trance.
Martha screamed again.
A Wolf was there.
And what a Wolf!
A Wolf as tall as he was, its shaggy mane glittering with frost. It had the Shredder in its jaws and was whipping it from side to side. With a toss of its head it golloped the shrieking beast to the back of its maw and bit down, finishing it off in one savage bite.
CRUNCH!
The limp body dropped to the ground.
The Wolf moved backwards to where Max stood, its head held low, its golden eyes gazing up at the trees. The Shredders watched. Silent.
One dropped from the trees.
Then another.
And another.
They’re coming!
Five. Six. Loping down the slope on their knuckles.
The Wolf met them, teeth flashing, tossing the first two aside. The others leapt on its back. Snarling viciously, it went down in a flurry of limbs.
They’ll tear it apart!
Who cares? Get out of here!
The Wolf is trying to protect me! I can’t just run!
It’s not a Wolf, it’s a Wild One! Go!
It’s too late. We’re surrounded.
The Wolf had driven back its attackers, but it made no difference. More Shredders were closing in. The Wolf backed towards Max again, its nose wrinkled in a snarl. Drools of bloody saliva hung from its muzzle.
Max bent to pick up a rock.
When he looked back a second Wolf was there.
Wait—where did that one come from?
I don’t know, do I? You weren’t watching.
But Max was watching now, and saw it happen.
The first Wolf bent its head and gave itself a peculiar shake, all along its body, from head to toe. Its outline blurred momentarily, and another Wolf detached itself from the blur, stepping out of it.
Now there were three.
You didn’t say the Wild Ones had POWERS!
Well I’m SORRY I didn’t give you every piece of information about everything that has ever happened in the history of EVERYWHERE!
Again and again the Wolf shook itself, and each time another Wolf appeared. Four. Five. Six. Soon there was a pack. A dozen. Each exactly the same as the other.
The Wolves fanned out in a circle. The Shredders leapt and howled. Some darted forwards, testing the Wolves, and were ripped apart. By now the noise of their whoops and screams was deafening.
Still the Wolves held firm.
And then, without warning, the scene erupted. Either the Shredders lost patience, or the Wolves did, Max wasn’t sure. The creatures flung themselves on each other—and it was over in a second. The Wolves tore through the Shredders, and they scattered, hurtling into the trees. The Wolves drove them off, their bodies bucking powerfully as they climbed the side of the trench.
In moments the scene was quiet. Nothing stirred. The stillness of the forest returned.
Max stayed exactly where he was, not moving an inch.
The first Wolf had remained behind. It was facing him, its golden eyes unblinking. There was something about that stare Max found reassuring—even familiar.
Don’t move.
Am I moving? Do you see me moving?
I can feel you’re about to. Don’t.
Are you sure it’s Wild? It doesn’t seem very Wild…
Don’t. You. Dare! You’re daring! Stop daring!
He dropped his rock, and moved slowly towards the huge creature. It stood and loped towards him. They met in the middle of the pit, and the massive head swung low to sniff at his feet. He lifted his hand.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING? KEEP ME AWAY FROM THAT THING!
Reaching out, slowly, carefully, he placed his hand on the Wolf’s neck. For a magic moment, waxy fur bristled up through his fingers. Then it turned away and lowered itself. After a moment it looked back at him.
It wants me to get on.
Get ON? It wants you to get IN, that’s what it wants. Get in its big fat STOMACH.
No. I can ride it. Like a horse.
It EATS horses. This thing EATS HORSES WITH ONE SNAP!
If it went Wild, doesn’t that mean it used to be a person?
Yes. USED to be.
So it’s not a real Wolf.
It’s pretending to itself it’s a real Wolf. When you go Wild the things you imagine can become real. That’s part of the Wildness.
What if it wants to help? Maybe some part of it’s still a person. Like Little Noah. Why did he keep coming back to the chimney at his home? Some part of him must have remembered.
The Wild Ones don’t remember who they used to be. That’s a horrible idea!
How do you know? Have you asked them?
No. But you go ahead. Ask away. Don’t let me stop you.
Laugh all you like. I’m fed up walking and these boots are giving me massive blisters.
If you get on this Wolf I will never speak to you ever again.
Deal.
He moved his hand to its neck, grabbed a fistful of fur and threw a leg over its back.
The Wolf suddenly stood, lifting him with it. “Wooah!” he said, nearly falling off. He found his balance and sat tall, looking about with a startling sensation of height.
See? We’re OK. We’re OK!
It�
��s just a trick.
I thought you were never going to speak to me again.
I thought you didn’t know how to make friends with anyone.
I only know how to make friends with Wolves.
It’s not a Wolf, it’s a—HOLD ON!
Just in time he closed his fists on the Wolf’s fur. With two mighty bounds they were out of the trench and racing through the trees. But almost at once the Wolf stopped. They were back on the Path, at the Northmark.
Umm… what now?
This is your big adventure. You figure it out.
I think it needs directions.
Tell it then.
How?
Talk to it. You’re the one going on about asking Wild Ones questions.
I’m going to pull its ear.
Of course. Pull its ear. That’ll work.
Its right ear. We have to go right, right?
Reaching forwards, Max pulled the Wolf’s right ear.
And the Wolf went right.
4
THE ROAD TO GILEAD
It was strange having a ghost in your finger, Max reflected as the Wolf carried them north. Or a girl in your mind.
When she was down at the Merry-Go-Round, like now, it was like she was hardly inside him at all. But when he called her away from the Lions and Scorpions, their feelings swirled together, and it was hard to separate them. Everything he felt, she felt too. When she was happy or sad, he was happy or sad. Only a ghost, she’d come in through a hole the size of a pinprick—and everything had changed.
What would she have been like to know, really, as a person, he wondered.
Feeling her absence, he called to her. He got anxious if she spent too long away.
What is it? Are we there yet?
No, I was just… you know back with the Shredders, when I bit its ear, you said it was the Wildness?
Yes. That was the Wildness for sure.
I didn’t expect it to feel so good.
That’s why it’s so dangerous. It wouldn’t be tempting if it felt bad, would it?
I wonder who the Wolf was, before he got gotten.
Well, it could be someone from the World.
I thought Wild Ones were all Forest Folk.
Not all, no. Forest Folk know not to leave the Paths, so the Wildness doesn’t get them so much. But World Ones cross over by accident and don’t know anything. They’re just suddenly in the middle of the Woods. If they’re lucky they find a Path or a village quickly, but mostly they don’t and get gotten by the Wildness. It doesn’t happen so much nowadays because of all that electricity you’ve got in the World. Now there are hardly ever accidental Cross-Overs. When people in the World carried Old Light it used to happen all the time.
The Beginning Woods Page 16