“Everyone, get their blankets out.” Hoxley instructed. “We’ll cluster together and use the blankets as one large sheet while we use our bodies to gather warmth. I’ll arrange everyone by order of the watch and stagger them so not everyone has to get up at once to let someone out.” The tall witch’s head cocked a little to one side in wonderment.

  “How do you know to do that?” asked Ignatius

  “She once traveled a long road with a soldier.” parroted the prince.

  “Witches,” Hoxley said. “We’re not going to have enough room for you to make your hammock so you’ll have to sleep on the ground with the rest of us.”

  “That’s fine.” Ignatius assured her as he took a seat atop his pack. The party watched as both of his hands ducked underneath his cloak where barely audible snaps from clasps sounded. His cloaks’ lining unfolded to reveal several yards of extra black fabric. “Twosome, come.” Siouxsie and Robert wrapped their magic blankets about them. They stepped closer and set their brooms behind him as he sat down. When Ignatius opened his cloak wide like the opening of a tent the twins removed their hats and climbed inside and snuggled themselves close. They closed their eyes and rested their heads against his chest before the cloak closed like a curtain. When his head drooped, the brim of his hat tipped down, hiding all three beneath the black fabric.

  “I once saw a mother centipede with its legs coiled around its babies in such a fashion.”  Morell said in a low voice to Hoxley. “It seems eerie…but natural for them.”

  “Their ways are not like our ways.” Hoxley patted him on the shoulder. “But is that really so bad?”

  “No,” His look of concern changed to pleasantness. “It’s just…different. I would have hoped that Siouxsie would have slept outside his folds.”

  “You fancy her, eh?” Hoxley grinned, nudging Morell in the shoulder.

  “Who wouldn’t be fascinated by such a girl? She’s funny and has magic.”

  “True enough.” Hoxley agreed. “But a girl like that isn’t going to fall for any person who doesn’t have something to offer in return. Siouxsie is something of a gem in the ‘hungry acre’ where she comes from. Lots of witch boys are already leaving flowers outside of her home in hopes of being bewitched by her. You’ll have to be remarkable if you hope to catch her eye.”

  “I can be remarkable.” He said, trying to sound convincing.

  “I’m sure you can be. I’m going to pull the first watch and I’m going to wake you after I’m done. Now that we have more people in the group our watches can be shorter and everyone will get more sleep. We can all do our part…all of us but the shadow girl.”

  “What about the shadow girl? What will become of her? Will she return?”

  “Who can say?” Hoxley shrugged. “I believe she is genuine in being grateful for us taking her out of the desert but for a girl to be in such a state and in the grip of such magic we’ll have to be on our guard. We have no way of knowing if the curse that affects her could have negative consequences in the days to come.”

  “I hope that doesn’t come to pass.” Said Morell.

  “I hope the same.” Hoxley said as she reached into her saddlebags and pulled out a slip of paper with a quill. She scribbled for a moment before handing the slip to Morell. “Here’s the order of the watch. I’ll go first, then I’ll wake you. The witches don’t mind being nocturnal so you’ll wake Siouxsie, Siouxsie will then pass on to Robert, Ignatius, Idris and lastly the prince. Keep alert. We may be on a cold remote pass in the mountains but we are still very much being pursued.”

  “I won’t fail you, Hoxley.”

  “Of that I can be sure.” She laughed. “Get to sleep.” She patted him on the shoulder. “I’ll be waking you soon enough.”

  “Good night, Hoxley.”

  “Goodnight Morell.” She said. Already feeling chilled, Hoxley then wrapped her blanket around her shoulders. The strange material kept her as warm as a small campfire. Behind her, the others huddled together, their own blankets wrapped tight around them. If not for Bohga’s gift, they indeed may have frozen or taken ill from the frigid elements. As she began her watch to look out upon the desolate snow-covered peaks of the mountain pass, her thoughts went to the cyclops who’d shown them such hospitality. He’d taken them in without question and fed and gave them gifts without expecting anything more than a small offering of thanks. Had Bohga survived the siege of his home? Her heart sank at the idea of something terrible happening to him at the hands of others merely for the gesture of being kind. As she stood in that desolate place where the winds howled, she felt less disheartened by being in the presence of those present. The return of the charming and handsome Ignatius and his offering of sarsaparilla were comforting enough on their own. Her fingers reached up long enough to find the simple crown of flowers.

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  Into the night, the long spear stayed at the ready. Every so often she moved about to stay alert. Up the backside of the stone the others slept against, a long icy path slithered its way to the peak of Faustacon Mountain. On the others side of that, their journey would still be dangerous but less taxing to navigate the downside. Freezing gusts picked up attempting to chill Hoxley to the bone. Stomping her hooves helped to keep the blood flowing.

  For the time being, there seemed to be no one else on the trails. The moon hid behind so many clouds that its beams didn’t light the night but the contrast of the snow in the night revealed everything around her. Hushed howls from gusts slipping around the rocks accosted her from every side like a chorus of malevolent spirits trying sing her to sleep. She grasped and regrasped the pole of her spear. For her safety and that of everyone in her party she stayed alert. To be anything less than cautious now could be fatal.

  But Hoxley stayed strong. She kept her senses about her and watched her surroundings for any sign of movement. For her diligence, her watch passed without incident. When enough time had passed, she carefully woke Morell and pulled him to his feet. As he shook his head to clear away the lingering cobwebs of slumber, she couldn’t help but notice his eyes darting back to the black layers of Ignatius’ cloak.

  “I’m sure she’s sleeping comfortably.” She offered.

  “I wasn’t…I’m sure she…I’m sure she is.” He stammered, his cheeks turning a little redder than they already were.

  “That’s why it’s up to you to protect her by keeping your eyes sharp.”

  “I don’t know what I’m looking for.” He said.

  “Then let me show you.” She offered and pointed to the downgrade leading back the way they’d come. “Don’t watch the shadows, that would be pointless. Watch the snow. If you see shadows moving across the snow then you know what to look for.”

  “What if I see something?”

  “Look hard. If it looks like a large wild animal or the silhouette of a man then you come and wake me. There are wild beasts here, but we’re higher on the mountain than where the dens should be. Again, if you see something that looks out of place or dangerous…?”

  “I’ll come and wake you.” He repeated.

  “Very good. If your feet get cold, stomp them and they’ll warm a little.”

  “Thank you.” He said “Hoxley? Do you think we’ll make it to the western kingdom?”

  “If we’re smart.” She said “If we each do our part, I believe we have a great chance of successfully delivering the prince.”

  “I want to help him.” Morell confessed. “What’s happened to him is dreadful and it’s because of his uncle that my grandfather is dead. I know he had his own part to play in trying to get the reward, but if it wasn’t for his uncle, none of this would have happened. I hate his uncle. His rottenness has made me a homeless orphan.”

  “Don’t let the hate consume you.” Hoxley said, placing a hand upon his shoulder. “It brings you no solace to let hate into your heart. Let your thoughts guide you to doing what is right. Do good deeds and let those deeds be the things that consume you. The world was never a poorer place for giving and helping others.”

  “Your words are virtuous.” He smiled. “I hope to live up to them.”

  “Then you’re already off to a good start. And for what it’s worth, I happen to know that witch girls love that quality in others.” His smile got bigger as he pulled his blanket tighter around himself. For a short while, the pair suffered the cold together atop a lonely mountain. In time, she grew tired and said goodnight, leaving Morell to his duty.