“We shouldn’t linger.” Hoxley said to Ignatius. “Even if the woods are ablaze between us and those men, it would be best to more distance between ourselves and Woodford.”

  “Agreed.” said the witch. “We’ll carry on through the night and rest before dawn. Everyone, gather your things. We’re continuing west. Twosome…”

  “I know I now, scout ahead.” huffed Robert before jetting off into the sky. Siouxsie rolled her eyes at his gruffness before following quickly behind.

  “We’re moving at a brisk pace, boys.” She told Morell and the prince. “Give me your packs.” The boys offered them up as Hoxley seated the first one upon her back. Ignatius relieved her of the second one by hefting it over his shoulder and moving on before she could protest. Not that she would. Hoxley led the way out of the woods until they slowly faded to grasslands once more. All night they walked. The prince cursed their attackers more than once for denying him the chance to sleep in a comfy bed. When it was an hour or so before dawn, the companions took cover in a small shady grove with a thick canopy. Witches snoozed in their hammocks and others huddled together under blankets for rest while Hoxley stood guard, her magic blanket around her to stave off the evening chill. Other than the sounds of the night, nothing seemed unusual. It was during this stillness that she felt a shiver race up her spine.

  “I hope I’m not bothering you.” Said the shadow girl, stepping out from behind her.

  “Not at all. We’re grateful for your help in escaping the inn.”

  “I’m glad I could do something.” She said. “I felt so useless having to watch you fight those ice monsters without being able to help.”

  “You helped with the soldiers before and now at the inn. Everyone could benefit from having the help of a…shapeshifter?”

  “Shape…shifter.” The shadow girl mulled the word over “Shapeshifter. I don’t think that’s inaccurate. Perhaps I’m a size shifter.”

  “Can you take on other shapes?”

  “I’ve never tried. What do you suggest?”

  “I don’t know. Could you mimic my shape?” asked Hoxley. The white eyes blinked twice before the outline of her body began to morph and shift. After a few seconds she appeared as a darker form of the centaur girl, horns and spear and all.

  “How’s this?” she asked. Hoxley’s eyes grew large.

  “That’s…that’s magnificent.” Hoxley whispered with awe. She moved closer and attempted to place her hand upon the shadow form but found it had no substance. It was only a mimic. The blackness of the shape lightened and gave definition to the shape so that the details of the horns, hair, clothes and tail. Here there was an astonishing reflection that could have just as easily come from a dark, still pond. But this reflection moved and twirled its spear above its head in such a manner that it made Hoxley dizzy to witness. “This is such wild fantasy.” Hoxley said attempting to touch her again. She looked closer to find that even her freckles had been duplicated and mirrored back at her. Her fingers couldn’t feel the dots but when she held her own hand up to feel her cheeks, the shadow girl did the exact same. “I never dreamed such things could be.”

  “I can be more fantastical if you like.” She said before her outline morphed a second time. When it stopped moving. Hoxley heart almost stopped. She’d taken on the form of the tall silver haired witch. “Do you not find this to be more appealing…Hoxley Dear?”

  “Stop it.” Hoxley said, her cheeks growing red. The shadow moved closer, every detail of Ignatius’ visage was perfect.

  “Don’t be shy.” The shadow’s voice lowered to perfectly match his. “You know, in the dark, I’m as real as anything or anyone.” She drew closer so much that Hoxley could almost feel breath upon her, if that was possible. She didn’t deny she wanted Ignatius near, but not like this. This was the wrong way to pull the strings of the heart.

  “Please, change back.” Hoxley said as she looked away. “This isn’t funny anymore.”

  “I just want to be close to you.” The shadow said. “There’s no warmth in this state. But I can feel it coming from each of you. If this form gets me closer, then why shouldn’t it be a pleasant form you might adore?” His hand touched Hoxley’s where she held her spear and she grew angry.

  “Shadow…” Hoxley said through gritted teeth as her cheeks grew hotter. “I’m grateful for what you’ve done and I’m sorry you’re lonely, but if you don’t stop your game this instant, I’m going to spark a torch and cast you out.” Her words echoed into quietness. When she looked again, the shadow girl had reverted to her original form.

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  “I’m sorry if I offended. This form is cold.”

  “Cold or not, you can’t play with the affections of others like that.” Hoxley looked her in her glowing eyes which seemed sadder now. “If you seek warmth, you can’t use deception or force yourself on others. You might try asking for it and see if it’s given.”

  “Would that be too much to ask?” asked the shadow.

  “Is it too much to ask?”

  “Would you share your warmth with me Hoxley?”

  “If you like.” The centaur girl said, holding her arms wide to receive her. The shadow girl closed the distance between them and Hoxley could actually feel the darkness slip around her and press its’ body against hers. It wasn’t as cold as she thought it might be, but the sensation against her skin was still chilly. In the shadows, the girl’s form was something of a solid. She returned the gesture and wrapped her arms around her.

  “You are warm.” She whispered. “I can feel the heat in your heart and veins. Would it be alright if I held you for a while?”

  “If it helps.” Hoxley held her and didn’t mind being chilled a little if it helped the girl feel a little more human. For a while they stayed this way, Hoxley keeping her watch while swaying a little to stay awake. Neither spoke but instead stayed in an embrace to feel a little less alone. And as dawn began to approach and the sky began to lighten with the coming morning, the shadow girl finally let go. “Thank you, Hoxley.” she said. It’s one thing to hide in pockets and pouches, but something else to feel the warmth of another.”

  “Understandable.” Hoxley nodded.

  “It can’t be comfortable to feel my embrace as it is to feel yours. Thank you for letting me inconvenience you.”

  “Of course. I have my blanket to help keep me warm.”

  “I have to go. I feel myself fading in this light. Good morning, Hoxley.” She said, her outline collapsing to something resembling a snakelike form before slithering back to the prince’s pockets.”

  “Good morning.” Hoxley whispered. In time, Ignatius took her place and she slept. As sunrise crested the furthest hill and the morning birds started their songs, the companions roused. Morell noticed a tear in the leg of his pants and quickly set to removing them before taking needle and thread from his pack. He sat with his blanket around and under him while mending the vertical rip along the leg.

  “What are you doing?” asked the prince.

  “Mending.” Morell said without looking up. “My pants have a rip in them.”

  “And you know how to sew?” he asked as he stood over him

  “Don’t you?” Morell replied. The prince’s expression told him everything. When your father has gold and a kingdom, you don’t need to know how to sew. “It’s a simple enough practice and if you don’t have money for new clothes, it helps make what you have last much longer. Would you like me to teach you how?” The prince looked undecided for a moment before finally taking a seat next to him. “It’s quite easy.” Morell started. “You just hold the material together with one hand and use the needle with the thread to weave in and through the cloth and then repeat. You work your way from one end, and when you reach the other, you tie a simple knot and cut it off.” Everything happened as he spoke and as he cut the thread and put the pants back on, both looked down Morell’s right pants leg to see that the rip was repaired.

  “That was easier than I thought it would be” the prince nodded in agreement. “Thank you for showing me.”

  “Of course. If you get a tear in your clothes, we can fix it together.”

  “I’d like that.” he said. When everyone had stowed their bedding and unmade their hammocks, they gathered in a circle around Hoxley. Some chewed on rations while others yawned and stretched.

  “Which way are we going? asked Siouxsie.

  “There are more highlands between us and our destination if we continue west. We could head south through Oldvale, but I heard that it’s haunted and forbidden to go there.”

  “Oldvale isn’t forbidden,” Ignatius added. “But there’s no reason anyone should want to go there.”

  “Oldvale?” asked Morell. “What’s Oldvale?”

  “It’s the old witch settlement.” Robert said. “It’s where all the witches used to live before the dark harvest, before our people were hunted and scattered. Now it’s a desolate place full of nothing and weeds. It’s not haunted, but there are reminders of bad memories and death.”

  “If there are less hills, I should want to go that way.” said Morell.