This is a prequel short story up an upcoming size changing novel I am working on, more info will be at the end of the story.

The Sizeaen Dilemma

              Dusk fell upon the town of Cresthaven as Cryrena cradled her newborn child in her arms, watching the town’s lights twinkle in the distance. Her daughter was so tiny, her black and blonde hair still a mess. Cryrena carefully stroked her daughter's head with one hand as her other ran through the blades of grass and other wildflowers native to the region.

              Cryrena wore a yellow linen tunic that her mother had made for her. It was one of her favorite outfits; the floral patterns on the sleeves were stunning.

Not only that, but it was one of the few outfits that she owned that would change in size with her. She had the natural ability to change in size, passed down to her from her parents. She was considered a Sizeaen for her heritage, even if she didn’t look any different than most of the humans that she lived with.

              In the distance, she could see her husband, Grenix, approaching. He had a dark leather outfit on that matched his long dark hair and eyes. Cryrena smiled as she gently set her daughter into her blue wooden cradle and waved at her love before rushing to him. “I have been waiting for you.” She looked at the dark look on his pale face. “What is wrong?”

              He shook his head. “Everyone in town is just crazy.”

              Cryrena sighed. “When are they not?”

              “You don’t understand.” He took her hands. “The town is looking to back Lulvix.”

              Cryrena shook her head. “That is nuts. That lunatic is looking to wage war against races that are not a part of his Alliance.

Why would they listen to a madman like that?”

              Grenix shook his head, his long dark hair flowing in the wind. “They say they have had enough trading with the other races in Relsion, and Lulvix will help them achieve their goal.”

              Cryrena clenched her fists. “I am going to go down there and give the good people of Cresthaven a piece of my mind.”

              Grenix grabbed her arm. “Don’t.”

              She stared at him, her azure eyes blinking. “Why not?”

              “At the town meeting today, the representative from the Lulvix Alliance made it clear that Sizeaen’s are outside the Alliance.”

              “What?”

              “I am sorry, but if you go back to Cresthaven, they will take you in or worse.” He hugged her. “I can’t do anything about this. I have tried.

I wasn’t even supposed to come here. The good citizens of Cresthaven will be here to take you away for questioning in a few minutes.”

              Cryrena narrowed her eyes. “And what about our daughter?”

              Grenix looked at the young child. “They won’t make an expectation, even if she didn’t end up like you. I haven’t seen them like this.” He grabbed onto her shoulders. “You need to go.”

              “Don’t worry. I will just grow and—“

              “No. They will see you and catch you. I brought Wind with me; he will take you to Arondale. From there, you are on your own.” Grenix looked over his shoulder. “Take our daughter and get out of here.”

              “I love you.”

              Grenix pushed her. “Go.”

              She scoped up her daughter and ran down the hill. In the distance, she could see the Wind, their prized stallion. Her husband loved horses, and they had a farm on the edge of Cresthaven. She hadn’t had much practice riding them as she could change her size as will, so she usually would outrun even Wind. She ran her fingers along his black mane. “It’s ok.” She took in a deep breath. “Just keep telling yourself that.”

              Cryrena put her foot into the strip and pushed herself onto Wind’s back, carefully cradling her daughter in her arms. “Ok, Wind. We have to go to Arondale. I need you to take me there as fast as you can.” She rubbed him as she gave a gentle kick in his side. “Let’s go.”

              Wind let out a massive neigh before taking off a breakneck speed. Cryrena had to hold onto her daughter with a death grip to keep her from falling, her tiny eyes opening. “Alicila, it’s ok.” Cryrena used her free hand to push her long blonde hair from her face so she could see her child better. “We just have to go on a trip, honey.” Cryrena sniffled. “It will be alright.”

              Alicila looked around before crying. “Come on, little one. I can’t have that right now.” She looked at the road ahead. “At least we are alone for now.” She used her free hand to gently stroke her daughter's face. “But please stop crying, my love. I promise you everything will be ok.”

              Cryrena pushed on as the rain began to fall and the thunder sounded overhead. She held her arm out to shield Alicila from the rain as Wind took them further into the wilderness. Alicila was now sobbing in Cryrena’s arms. Cryrena wished there was something she could do to keep her daughter from experiencing this pain, but she couldn’t afford to stop.  I have to reach Arondale. Just hold out until then.

 Billows of smoke rose in the distance as she turned onto the road heading into Arondale. She nudged Wind to hurry, the wind and rain slamming into her as they continued down the road. Moments later, Cryrena saw the source of the smoke. Arondale was on fire. Men in red and black armor were setting the buildings on fire. The citizens were being round up at sword and crossbow point in the streets, and she could even see a few blue-skinned bodies lying on the roads.

              A man in armor walked over to her. “Help us contain these Delex rats.” Cryrena looked at the scene in horror, ignoring the man. He grabbed onto her arm. “Hey.

Didn’t you hear me? Get off that horse and help us send these rats to the capital.”

              “What?”

              “You know our orders. We are to have this region cleared for the new Alliance.

Those who didn’t agree to the terms are to be dealt with.”

              Cryrena narrowed her eyes.  Lulvix is mad if he thinks he can take entire towns by force.  She tightened her grip on Wind’s reigns.

              “What are you waiting for? Get in there and deal with these mongrels.”

              She kicked the man in the face, sending him flying into the dirt. “Hey.” Cryrena then turned around and urged Wind to run in the other direction.

              The man shook his head before getting to his feet. “Hey. Get the inspectors. Stop her.”

              She looked back to see multiple men in black iron outfits climbing onto dark horses with red eyes. “Hurry, Wind. We have to get out of here.” She quickly pulled onto his reigns as her pursers from Cresthaven came into view. “Oh no.”

              The entire town had come to hunt her down; they had even brought a few portable catapults in case she tried to grow into a giantess. She held onto her daughter tightly as they spotted her. “Hold on, Alicila. We are going for a ride.” She pulled on Winds reigns and turned towards the mountains.

              Cryrena pushed Wind as fast as he could go, but that still wasn’t fast enough. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see the interceptors in the woods keeping pace and behind them the Cresthaven townsfolk. Soon the woods gave way to an open plain, the icy rain beating down on her. Alicila’s cries pieced Cryrena’s soul. She desperately wished she could do something to help her daughter. But what could she do? If she stopped, she would be caught. “Come on.

We just need to reach the mountain passes Wind. I know you can do it.”

              They began to travel upward, the temperature dropping. The last bits of light vanished as they entered the mountain passes. “Hopefully, in the darkness, I can lose them.”

              Wind suddenly came to a halt neighing. Cryrena had to fight to stay on Wind and hold onto Alicila as they almost fell off a cliff side. She clutched her chest as she tried to catch her breath. “I didn’t even see that drop coming up.” She looked around. “I can’t’ see anything in this darkness. How am I supposed to go anywhere like this.”

              She heard voices from all around her. Her heart pounded in her chest. “Coming here was a mistake. I can’t find a way out of here in the darkness while be hunted like this.” Alicila continued to cry. “Please stop, my love. You can’t be crying if we are to make it out of this alive.” Tears came to her face. She dismounted Wind and walked over to a nearby wall of rock and stone.

              “Honey, know that I love you.” Cryrena sobbed. “You are the love of my life and a brave and wonderful young girl. Please be strong for mommy.” She grew, becoming twice her height before creating a hole in the wall. She then slid Alicila inside and pushed the rubble in front of the hole just enough to hide her daughter. “I will be back. Don’t worry.” She pressed her hand against the front of the make-shift cave in a loving embrace, tears staining her eyes.

“I will be back. Just be quiet for me until then. I love you.”

              She turned around and kicked Wind, sending him running into the distance. “I am sorry, but you don’t need to be here for what comes next.” She kept her hand on the cliff side as she continued down the path, wiping the tears from her face. Hopefully, Alicila would be safe.

              She saw torchlight out of the corner of her eyes, dark figures moving in closer and closer. Cryrena turned in and attempted to run, but the interceptors from Arondale were already there. The man who she had kicked looked up at her with a dark look in his eyes. “So that is why you ran. You are a dirty size alter.” He pulled out a curved blade. “There is nowhere to run now.”

              She turned towards her former neighbors of Cresthaven as they pulled out their blades and bows. “How could you do this? You know me?”

              The closest Cresthaven citizen shot a flaming arrow at her in response. “Oww.”

She dusted herself off, her tunic singed by the flames. “That was my favorite outfit.” She clenched her fists as she increased her size.

              Flaming arrows rained upon her as she grew, piercing her skin. Cryrena winced as she bent over, trying to fight back. The Cresthaven citizens cried out and ran as her fist fell upon them. She then stood up and tried to pull out the arrows lodged in her leg as the Arondale interceptors ran into her feet, causing her to fall onto the mountainside. Boulders rained down onto her head as thunder crashed above.

              Cryrena fought to get to her feet as she saw a Scorpion approach in the distance, a cross-bolt catapult. It was already primed and ready, aimed at her chest.

She tried to stand, but by the time she was to her feet, the Scorpion fired, the bolt piercing her chest.

              She coughed up blood as they fired more tiny arrows into her body. She slowly fell to the ground as she began to shrink, tears dripping from her eyes as the light dimmed.  As long as they don’t find my Alicila.  She winced from the pain.  I just wish I could hug you one last time, my love.

(The future chapters will be on my Patreon while I am writing my novel.  This will be a epic fantasy, size changing, giantess growth themed book.)