“It’s enchanted!” said Morell

  “Or cursed.” Said Ignatius as he pointed at the crown. “Look at that green glow. It’s the same as the strange lightning and clouds. That’s the lich’s magic. He’s cast a spell to track us. We have to get rid of that thing.”

  “It’s the crown to my kingdom! It can’t simply be discarded!” said the prince with surprise.

  “Then we separate ourselves from it. Leave it somewhere until we can resolve being hunted.”

  “Couldn’t we give it to them, so they’ll go away?” asked Morell

  “Unlikely.” Pondered Hoxley. “They want the crown, but as long as the prince lives, he has a claim to it and the throne. The only way they’ll stop is if they have both.”

  “But we can’t keep him safe if the cursed crown keeps telling the enemy where we are.” Said Ignatius. They’ll be here by nightfall.”

  “If we can hold them off until nightfall then we have a fighting chance.” Said princess Cassandra.

  “But what then?” asked Hoxley. “If they know you defend us only at night, they’ll withdraw and come back tomorrow at sunrise. And what of the people? From what I’ve seen out the castle window, the people are starting to rouse.”

  “Your broth has saved a kingdom.” Ignatius said proudly with a hand on Morell’s shoulder. “The people are beginning to rouse. They’re weak but they’re alive. Well done, Morell.”

  “It has!” Morell said with a slow smile of realization that grew into an enormous grin. “My knowledge has done something! It’s not all for nothing!”

  “Quite the opposite.” Said Cassandra, “You’ve saved the people of our kingdom with your mushroom magic. Hail to the wondrous Morell, the mushroom healer!”

  “Hail!” said the companions with fists in the air.

  “But what if the soldiers come into the town now?” asked the prince. “Will the people be safe?” No one had an answer. “If they’re coming after the crown, the townspeople may not be spared if their master demands it. I don’t know what to do.”

  “Then we’ll have to stay on the move.” Said Hoxley. “As long as they’re chasing us, they’re not hounding anyone else.”

  “Then we’ll continue on.” Said Atticus.

  “But what about Robert?” asked Morell. “He can’t travel while he’s wounded.” Everyone looked to Ignatius.

  “He can’t fly or walk on his own.” Said the witch. “It’s too dangerous to leave him here. If he’s discovered, he’d be tortured or killed. I’ll carry him. If we’re leaving, we should fill our packs with rations. But if we’re leaving, where will we go?”

  “We’ll head south, then east then north again.” Said Hoxley “The crown is tainted. If we circle back to Oldvale, we may find a place we can somehow stow, hide, or bury the crown in those underground chambers so that the soldiers can’t find it, but we don’t surrender it either.”

  “Didn’t you come from that direction?” asked Loxo. “It sounds like you’re running in circles.”

  “We might have the time to make proper plans if we’re not spending all of our time fleeing.” Answered Hoxley. “We’ve done all we can here. We accomplished so much and I’m proud of everyone who helped. Without our group working as a team these people would have likely perished.” She said clutching her spear with both hands. “I believe it is divine providence from the heavens that guided each of our hands. To stay any longer is to invite further danger and harm to this kingdom. Lord Baltus wants the crown and prince, not this place. It is better that we move on and draw them away. Once it’s dark, Princess Cassandra can defend the kingdom on her own. That should give everyone, including the king, queen, and nobles enough time to bring some semblance of order.”

  “We’ll travel back to Oldvale.” Said the prince. “What then?”

  “I can’t say.” Said Hoxley, hanging her head. “I need time to think. Everything seems so frantic now, one disaster follows another. Our problems seem to arrive like flocks of birds.”

  “Then I suppose we should be setting off soon before those soldiers have the kingdom under siege.” Said Loxo.

  “Oh? You think so?” asked Hoxley. “Have you decided to remain and help us?”

  “Well of course I have!” he said confidently. “After I’ve found a pair of pants with less blood upon them. Can’t be arriving at our next destination not looking my best! Besides, you’d be in good company to have someone such as myself at hand! You never know when you might need a trained swordsman to keep ruffians and dangerous types at bay. The trails aren’t as safe as they used to be, you know.”

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  “That’s true.” She said before looking to the others. “We need to leave as soon as possible. Morell, your highness? Grab foodstuffs from the storeroom next to the kitchen. Ignatius? See to your brother and have Siouxsie use her spyglass from the top of the castle to watch for soldiers.”

  “What about me? Asked Loxo.

  “See if you can find some new pants.” She said, tucking her spear into the crook of her arm and clapping loudly. “LET’S go, everyone! We’ve no time to waste!” The companions scattered from the place to start their tasks. The throne room became a beehive of activity. At the same time, many of the nobles began to rouse from where they lay. Many looked frightened and confused. “Be at ease.” Hoxley told them in a soothing voice. “You’ve been drugged but we’ve given you an antidote. Try not to move.” Some nodded that they understood while others continued to stare wide eyed at the diverse gathering of peculiar figures coming and going.

  “Who are you?” asked a noblewoman.

  “Hoxley of the plains, at your service.” She took a step back and curtsied. “Be still for now. Your strength will return in time.” The lady still looked bewildered, which was understandable. After all, who wouldn’t be surprised to find the sight of a faun girl, a pirate, a girl made of shadows with witches gathering about when they awoke? Soon enough, the boys returned with supplies and Ignatius entered the room with Robert sleeping in a hammock tied to both ends of a broom which the tall witch carried at his side. Ignatius didn’t lean or struggle to carry the weight but instead moved as though toting a small bag of potatoes. Just then, Siouxsie returned, flying in through the far window. Her winklepickers echoed on the stone floors.

  “The soldiers have moved closer but they’re not entering the town around the castle.” She said.

  “Atticus?” Hoxley asked the burly soldier. “What do you think?”

  “What are you asking me for?” he asked. “Yes, a strategic withdraw in the face of superior numbers is best, even more so if it can remain concealed.”

  “Then it’s settled,” Hoxley said with a stamp of her spear upon the floor before turning away from the group. “We’ll leave shortly before the situation changes.”

  “Where are you going?” asked Ignatius.

  “There’s still one thing left for me to tend to.” Said Hoxley glancing back. “I shouldn’t be long.” Away from the others, Hoxley made a quick visit to the kitchen before stepping down, down, down into the dungeon. The rankness of the dark cool air seemed to cling to her skin as her hooves touched down on the lowest level. Despite her attempts to cover them, a pungent stench of foulness burrowed its way into her nostrils. She snorted to try and push the smell out even if only for a second. Past all the empty cells she walked until she found herself at the reinforced iron door at the end.

  “You’ve brought me more food and water?” asked the gruff voice of her brother.

  “I have.” She said looking down at the tray with food and a tall cup upon it. “Brother, it’s breaking my heart to see you like this.”

  “Then let me out. You have the key to the cells, yes?”

  “Yes, it’s right here.”

  “Then free me, sister.”

  “Fresian…” she said, her heart in her throat. “If I let you out, my life will be forfeit and I would hang alongside you on a day of judgement for freeing a king’s prisoner.” Hoxley knelt down and set the tray with the food upon the ground to slide it through the small rectangular gap at the bottom of the door.

  “Then I’ll free myself.” Said Fresian. Just as soon as Hoxley pushed the tray through the slot, a black hand with long sharp nails struck like a coiled snake and snatched her by the wrist.

  “Hey! What are you doing! Let go!” she cried out. Before she could get her footing, the grip cinched even tighter and yanked her to the floor, her entire arm being pulled through. Hoxley’s body collided with the floor. Her arm vanished through the hole all the way up to the armpit until her horns collided with the door and turned her head at a painful angle to one side. She tried to resist and fight but there was no leverage. “Let go of me! Fresian! Stop! You’re hurting me! Let go!”

  “Give me the key to my cell and I will.” Said the deep voice. Her hooves kicked and bucked to try and find some traction or a stationary object to pull against but there was nothing. A second phantasmal hand grabbed her by the forearm just below the elbow and locked it in place. He continued to pull harder and harder!