We made good time after crossing the perilous bridge and were almost on the outskirts of Caster considering we were on foot.  Traveling cross-country through fields by night had kept us away from the occupying soldiers.  In Caster, it would be another story.  When we stopped to drink some water from a spring, I asked Grimalkin how we would get into the port town without being seen.  We couldn't let our enemies know that we were coming for Tom.

"We have to blend in.  See that clothesline over there?"  She pointed to a farmhouse we were passing.  "We will take a few clothes."

"Oh, I see. Good idea," I said.

"We have to book passage on a ship and pass off as a farmer and his wife.  But first, we need to get the green out of your hair.  You look more like a woodland elf than a country farmer.  Otherwise, I see you wearing that scarecrow's hat," she said pointing at the field. 

James wasn't too happy about that as evidenced by the pout on his face.

"Are you hungry, boy?"  Grimalkin asked.

I nodded feeling my stomach growl in protest.

"Go get that pie in the window.  I'll get the clothes.  Meet me at that patch of trees over there."

I ran quickly to the pie and thought, 'how had she noticed it from so far away?'

Once the pie was in my possession, I ran directly towards the safety of the trees.  Grimalkin was already back.  "Come," she said.

We stopped by a pond hidden under a dark canopy of trees and made quick work of the pie.  I never tasted anything so good.  I was licking the pan clean when I noticed Grimalkin taking off her weapons and then soon after her clothes.  

She walked a little way into the foggy pond and then threw herself into the water disappearing from sight.  I dropped the pan and followed her discarding my clothes as I went.  I was naked as the day I was born when Grimalkin's head popped out of the water the moonlight glistening on her skin.  She smiled at me and gestured for me to come closer.  

"Put your head underwater.  Let's see if the green comes off."  

After much scrubbing by both of us, we finally managed to get some of the green out.  It felt good to feel clean again.  At least I wouldn't need the scarecrow's funny hat.  

"Turn around," she ordered.  "I'm getting out of the water first."

"No!" I said.  "I'm scared, let me leave first."  She laughed at me as I hurried out of the water.  The memory of those water witches hastening my steps.  I quickly dressed in the farmer's clothes, and put my coat on with my heart pounding in my chest and my limbs shaking from the cold and fear.  I turned and faced the trees as she came out of the water. 

We followed the river hiding among the trees that bordered the water quickening our pace as the early evening descended into the night. We welcomed the cover of darkness to enter the town unseen.  Our situation was complicated in that those who opposed the dark forces hunted Grimalkin as a dark witch.  As herself, she would not be welcome, but those who supported the fiend knew she was their enemy and hunted her to get their hands on the fiend's head.  Being by her side put me in more danger than anything I had ever faced.  The closer we got to people, the more danger we were in mostly because of the thing she carried.

I offered to carry the bag with the Fiend's head but I was glad she refused my offer. Bound or hobbled, I wanted nothing to do with it.  I didn't have any of my brother's abilities so I could not sense the evil emanating from the sack.  Still, I could not understand why anyone would take on this task.  Why doesn't she just bury it somewhere?  I was curious though and I would definitely ask her once we were safely on the ship to the Isle of Mona.  

We had crossed many towns so far and had managed to avoid our enemies.  It was like Grimalkin had a sixth sense that warned her where they were so we could successfully go around them.  She even managed to secure two ponies for us from a landlord she seemed to charm or threaten, I don't really know.  She also got bread and cheese from him so we had something other than rabbit to eat. 

Grimalkin turned to me, her face pale in the moonlight. "The road is just beyond that thicket. From now on we will play the roles of husband and wife.  We will get a room at an inn near the docks and hopefully book passage on a ship leaving tomorrow morning."

I was relieved that we had finally arrived but I had more questions than ever.

"Do you have money?"  I asked.

"Yes, that's not a problem."

Grimalkin took out a brush and tried to tame her long hair.  She did not look like any farmer's wife I had ever seen.  She was too exotic and beautiful but I wasn't sure if this was her true self or an illusion she used to not be so frightening.  

It started to rain as we got closer to the town gates.  With our cloaks over our heads, we entered through the busy thoroughfare to the heart of the town.  Surprisingly no one questioned us.  I  tried every inn along the road but all were booked due to the many refugees hold up waiting to go back home when things settled down.  Folks were used to new faces in their town so luckily we did not stand out.  As we got near to the docs, we could see a few small ships in the harbor and other larger ones anchored in the bay. One of those heavily guarded vessels would take us to Tom.  

We tried the establishments on the lesser-traveled back roads and finally found a place that would take us in.  We ordered meat pies and ale and as we waited for them, we scanned the room.  When the owner brought our food, I took the opportunity to ask him.  

"My wife and I hope to go to the Isle of  Mona, do you know if they are still taking passengers?"

"I'm not sure but some of the captains are staying here.  You can ask one yourself," he replied pointing to a captain, a middle-aged man with crow's feet and a long red beard.

With a belly full of food and ale, I plucked up my courage and approached the intimidating Captain. 

"Excuse me, sir, I'm looking to purchase passage to Mona for my wife and me."

He looked at me possibly assessing whether or not I could pay.  "We can pay you well," I said before he could turn us down. 

"Come with me lad," he said returning to his table.  

Grimalkin had given me gold coins which I exchanged for the passage.  The stranger offered me a pint of ale but I refused by explaining that my wife was waiting.  All was settled, but I was still frightened knowing our adventure was only just beginning.