Christmas Eve: A Run in the Iron Steed
December 24, 2025
The asphalt hums a different tune on Christmas Eve. It’s a low, rhythmic vibration that resonates through the floorboards of the Iron Steed. My red Mustang doesn't just drive; she hunts the horizon, her headlights cutting through the winter mist like twin beacons of hope. Tonight, the interior smells of old parchment, pine needles, and the faint, sharp ozone scent of a shifting reality.
I sit behind the wheel, my fur a stark, snowy white against the crimson leather. To any passerby on the highway, I might look like a blur of muscle and stripes—a ghost in the fast lane. But for those with the sight to see, I am the Hedge Wizard on a mission. My claws click rhythmically against the steering wheel as I push the V8 engine, the roar of the exhaust singing a duet with the Christmas carols on the radio.
As I transition into my White Were-Tiger form, the world outside the windshield changes. The familiar pine trees of the Louisiana night begin to shimmer, the edges of the world fraying as the portals of the Ether Dragons pulse in the distance. I can feel the weight of the Tiger Force Shadow Saga behind me—the ghosts of wars past and the promise of a peaceful future. Tonight, the Iron Steed isn't just a car; it’s a vessel between worlds, carrying the spirit of Zimrala into the heart of the holidays.
I glance at the passenger seat. The Compass of Lost Things is glowing a soft, festive green, pointing not toward a destination, but toward the feeling of home. Whether that home is the cabin in Shreveport or a palace in the Tygerian Isles, the direction is the same. I reach out a heavy, furred paw and adjust the mirror, catching a glimpse of my glowing eyes. There is a wildness there, but also a profound peace.
To all my friends, fellow adventurers, and those wandering the lonely highways tonight: look to the lights. If you see a flash of red and a streak of white fur passing you by, know that the Captain is watching over the roads. I am immune to the poisons and acids of the world’s negativity tonight; I am focused only on the glow of the Christmas star.
From the driver’s seat of the Iron Steed, I let out a roar that becomes a heartfelt greeting. May your portals be clear, your ink never run dry, and your hearts be full.
Have a Merry Christmas,
Yours, Earl
Product Identity & Legal The following items are designated Product Identity of Arthur Earl C. Hedges Jr. / The Adventures of Captain Hedges as featured in this post: The red Mustang known as the "Iron Steed," the "White Were-Tiger" form of Captain Hedges, the "Hedge Wizard of the Shreveport Cabin" persona, the mechanics of the Ether Dragon portals, the Compass of Lost Things, and the world of Zimrala. Monsters! Monsters! is a trademark of Troll Godfather Press. © 2025 Arthur Earl C. Hedges Jr. All rights reserved.
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