They trekked through soggy paths and along swollen streams each step sinking into the soggy ground. James was miserably cold and wet, his lungs aching with every breath but he didn't want to ask her to slow down. His brother's life was at stake and the quicker they got to Tom the better he would feel, but the closer to the danger they would be. They were rushing to get to a place others would run from.  This was no place for a clueless blacksmith that had no fighting experience.  James didn't know how he could help, but he was damned if he stayed behind leaving his brother to die.

James loved his little brother.  The two being the closest in age spent the most time together, and although James was a year older, Tom was a bit taller.  James was lithe but strong, more suited for the hard work of a farmer, and like Grimalkin, he knew how to smith his own tools. But this was entirely different. Grimalkin ran like she was born to do it, her breath as steady as her pace.

Poor James was not used to running long distances. Before he could think another thought, he tripped on a root and fell headfirst onto the wet mushy ground that smelled musty and foul. At least it was a soft landing, except for the tree root that hit his thigh and made a hole in his pants when he landed. Grimalkin ran back to him with a disappointed look on her face.

"You need to keep up. This is not a good place to loiter," she said as if he had decided to take a break and wasn't trying to wipe the muck off his face.  He looked at his grimy hands and looked up at her.

James glared at her despite how hopeless he felt at the moment, but he soon scurried when she added, "Can't you feel them watching?" 

She grabbed his dirty hand and helped pull him up. He nodded and looked around with unease. There seemed to be things moving in the dark, darker than the surrounding light.  His hand instinctively went to his shortsword at his side. Adding to his anxiety, he glanced up at the darkening sky watching clouds cover the moon that was giving off an eerie light.    

"The dead don't always lie still here," she said ominously.

Grimalkin's face darkened, and she started to mutter a spell into the dark. He could feel the cold gripping him with fear. She suddenly stopped her glittering eyes darting to his and ordered, "Go!"

James started running again at full speed, the fear in his heart making him forget the pain at his side and the ache in his thigh. He glanced back to see if she still followed.

At first, he wasn't sure it was her but as he went for his sword again she passed him. He followed her with relief and they continued on at a slower trek.

Finally, she stopped and looked around.

"We lost them."

"Who?" James asked panting.

"Boy, how do you not know witches dell? That place is crawling with green-teeth and dead witches."

"I didn't see anyone except for dark shadows darting here and there.  Never come this way, now have I?  How could I know this place existed. Only one such as you would bring me hither. I only take the road like decent people."

The minute the words escaped his mouth he regretted it. He could see the change on her face. It was in his best interest not to make her angry and he had done exactly that.

"Some of us can't afford to be decent," she half spat at him.

"Grimalkin." She turned and looked at him. Her cold beautiful eyes were mesmerizing.

"I...I value your skill and your help. Please accept my apology." He said with sincerity.

She smirked and said, "You'd value your life the most if you're smarter, green hair."

"What?"

"You have green hair."

"I do?" He lifted his hand to touch his hair and found a few twigs and moss. The witch laughed at him and her face completely changed. The fearsome witch became a beautiful young woman with a sweet smile. No wonder she never smiled. All the intimidation in her aura left her when she did. James couldn't help smiling back. 

She reached over and pulled some more things out of his damp hair. His cute eyes looked up at his fringe and saw she was telling the truth. His usually blond hair was green in the moonlight.

"It suits you," she said making him blush.

She edged closer and grabbed the pendant that hung from his neck. James looked up at her face that held a shadow of grief as she examined it.  The fear that she would take it showed on his face. It was the only thing he possessed of Tom and it made him feel closer to his beloved brother that he was so afraid to lose. 

"It's mine," was her only explanation as she noticed his discomfort.

"Then why did Tom have it?"

"I loaned it to him. It has a powerful energy charge capable of protecting the wearer."

"Then let me have it, please," James begged.

She snickered, "It will only protect him."

"Oh?"

"I made it for him. He shouldn't have given it to you. Now I can't even use it to find him."

"Why did you give it to him?"

"I need him and he needs me. We both fight the dark in our own way and we have similar goals."

"So my brother is your friend," James said with relief in his voice.

"I guess you could say that. I didn't kill him.  Actually, I never miss, but that day I did."

"You didn't kill me either. Why?"

"I might yet if you keep annoying me. Now give me my pendant," she demanded, holding out her hand.  She didn't like James making her feel soft.  It was not a familiar feeling and she didn't want to embrace it.

"Okay, okay, please don't be angry!"

James handed it to her and saw the sadness creep into her eyes. She tied it around her neck and touched it to her chest. He wondered if she had feelings for his brother and if she was scared for him.

"Will we find him in time?"  He dared to ask the question that was tearing at his heart.

She stared at him and gave him the briefest of nods.

"How did you find me?" She said with a distrustful look on her face. 

"Alice told me where you would be."

"That little witch is getting stronger by the day. I have many spells to hide and confuse those who seek me.  If my enemies find the severed head of the fiend and reunite it with his body, it will mean the end for us.  Our fate hangs upon the edge of a knife."

"I wonder how she knows?"  James said thinking of the pretty Alice that didn't seem strong at all.

Dismissing his question, Grimalking was up and grabbing her walking stick and the accursed sack. "Let's go." 

He nodded in response and followed her as she took off at a swift pace. They slowed down when they came to a narrow bridge of stone covered in moss that crossed a fast stream. James didn't know it but witches find it really hard to cross running water.  She tested the slipperiness with one foot and frowned. "It's a trap, either set by witches or those who hunt them."

James stared at it not knowing what she meant. They both looked downstream and thought about their options. It had rained so much lately that the bank was muddy and slippery and the moss had grown on the stones. The bridge didn't look safe but how was it a trap?

She looked around till she found some brambles and tied the vines around her boot sole. Then she tested her work on the slippery surface. Once satisfied it would work, she gestured for James to come closer to do the same.

"Who made this trap?" He asked as she worked.

"The green teeth."

"What is that?"

"Water witches, they are just under the water and will grab you if you fall."

"How do they live under the water?"

"They're dead silly. They don't need to breathe, but they will hold you underwater until you die.  They just drink the blood of any creatures they can find."

James's eyes grew wide. Now he was even more afraid of crossing. "Maybe there's a better bridge up ahead?"

"There isn't one. This is our best bet. It only gets deeper as we get closer to the town of Caster. I know we can do this."

With that said, she took his hand and pulled him close to the precarious crossing. She took the first brave step with confidence that he certainly lacked.

"Come on," she coaxed quietly as if someone lurked close ready to grab them.

He took the first tentative step onto the damp moss and thankfully didn't slip thanks to the makeshift spikes on their shoes.

Grimalkin grimaced and continued slowly beads of sweat dripping from her face. They made their way almost to the center when suddenly they heard loud splashing and gurgling noises from below.

"Hurry!" She exclaimed and dragged him quickly to the other side. He dared not look back not wanting to revisit these vampirerous witches in his nightmares.  Her description was bad enough.  He didn't want to actually see one.