After they had left the mysterious man in the hut, they had ridden on. Cat wanted to continue on even when the light had failed, but Pickle had complained loudly about various aches and pains in embarrassing places. Dismounting they had left the path and had taken shelter in a small stone building. It was just big enough for Cat and Pickle, so they had to leave their horses outside. Wasting no time, she had lit a fire, and soon Pickle found himself relaxing in it's warm glow. Cat stared at the flames, their flickering dance appearing to fascinate her. After a while she leaned back against the stone wall, and levelled her gaze at Pickle.

"Why did you leave your home?" She asked him. Pickle suddenly looked uneasy.

"I'd rather not say." He said shiftily. Cat's eyes brightened with interest, she sat up a little and looked at him quizzically. Realising that she was not going to let the subject drop, he sighed.

"If I tell you, will you promise not to get angry?" He asked her. When she nodded, Pickle took a deep breath.

"I..got lost." She stared at him.

"And how were you going to guide me in the forest? Or were you planning to lead me in circles?"

"It might look more familiar when I see it again." Pickle said indignantly. She should be angry, Cat thought. She should leave him here and tell him to find his own way back. But she found she quite liked Pickle, any anger she felt had dissipated quickly into amusement. The amused smile that appeared on her face puzzled Pickle considerably, who fully expected a wrathful temper to be exhibited.

"Why do you seek the castle?" Pickle asked her feeling suddenly braver. Cat considered her answer carefully.

"I told you, I'm looking for something. I was lead to believe that what I sought could be found in Dunshelm castle." She said carefully. Pickle frowned.

"The castle is named Knightmare now." He told her.

"Knightmare." She repeated thoughtfully. "When was the name changed?"

"A long time ago." Pickle was becoming increasingly puzzled. Everyone referred to the castle by it's new name. No-one, save Treguard occasionally, would refer to it as Dunshelm. It had been known as Knightmare Castle for so long now that people were beginning to forget it had another name.

"Who told you it was called Dunshelm?" Pickle asked. A dark look appeared on her face. The light of the fire danced in her eyes making them look red. There were times when Cat wore certain expressions on her face, or when the light caught her face in a particular way that would send a shiver down Pickle's spin. He laughed nervously.

"You're going to have to tell me something of yourself sooner of later!" He tried to sound lighthearted, but it made his voice squeak slightly. Cat sighed.

"I heard the name in Ravensport. There is a Castle on the coast near there, one of it's outer walls serves also as a sea wall. It is owned by Lord and Lady Whyte. One of the cooks knew of Dunshelm."

"So that's how you came to look for Knightmare? Did the cook know where the castle was located?" Pickle asked. Here Cat smiled and bowed her head.

"All I got was that it was in the north somewhere."

"Not exactly specific!" Pickle laughed.

"Well, I gather the original source wasn't in the mood to be specific!" Cat commented.

"The only person I know to have called the Castle 'Dunshelm' was Treguard and he never..." Pickle began to say.

"You knew Treguard?!" Cat interrupted.

"Yes." Pickle replied awkwardly. "I used to help him..." His continued hesitantly. "I left..."

He told her of the castle and helping the Dungeonmaster Treguard and that after some years he longed to return home to the forest.

"You're an elf." Cat said nodding to herself.

"But you had guessed that already." Pickle said shrewdly. He spent some time recounting his memories of Knightmare castle, of the quests that used to take place, the traps that were set for the unwary, of the dungeoneers. He also spent some time speaking about Treguard, as Cat seemed very interested in him.

"The old man we met on the road, was a wizard." Cat commented. Pickle looked at her with surprise.

"Of course! Hordriss!"

"That's why he changed his voice, he thought you would recognise him."

"He was never very good at disguises. I think it was pride, he didn't see why he should disguise the fact he was such a great wizard." Pickle watched Cat who was staring into the distance. It was dark and would have been pitch black but for the starlight and their fire. She seemed far away in thought.

"We are getting near." She said. Pickle glanced at the fields about them. As far as the eye could see were treeless fields lined with hedges and dry stone walls. Whilst still light Pickle could have sworn there was not one sign that they were anywhere near the forest. Yet her words, that they were close, sent a chill down his spine.

"If that was Hordriss, there must be a way into the forest." Pickle said. Cat turned to look at him.

"And we've been given the word to get in."

Lord Fear was furious. He paced up and down while Sylvester Hands and Skarkill both cowed. Only Lissard seemed to be immune from Lord Fear's roth.

"So you still haven't found her." Lord Fear growled.

"Well Lordship she's kept off the road…." Skarkill pleaded.

"Of course she has!" Lord Fear thundered. "She's not going to find her way into the forest from the road is she! I'd say 'use your intelligence' but you haven't got any!"

"Do you fink she'll use the way we gets in?" Hands asked. Lord Fear glared at him.

"Hands, you get in and out of this realm by my will. Which means next time you are outside I might just keep you out!"

"What way can she use then?" Skarkill asked.

"That depends on whether she has been trained. And as I have now ascertained..." Here he glared at Hands. "...she has."

"So she'll soon be in the forest and heading to the castle." Skarkill said. "Can't we just nab her on the way there?"

"Yes, I suppose that will have to…" Lord Fear stopped suddenly. Then a slow smile spread onto his face. "No. You will leave her unmolested in the forest. Let her come."

"Lordship?" Skarkill asked puzzled. Hands looked equally confused.

"Spread the news among your men. She is to pass through the forest unhindered."

"What about her companion?" Skarkill asked.

"Companion?!"

"Yes Lordship." Skarkill said quiveringly. "I think it was the Dungeonmaster's elf."

"One of Treguard's little friends? Yes him too. This is getting better and better." Lord Fear smiled an evil smile. Skarkill bowed and left quickly.

"Hands, there is something I want you to do, if you can manage it without bungling. This bottle, I want you to leave it somewhere where they will find it. Somewhere near the castle." Hands took the bottle suspiciously.

"What's in it?" Hands asked turning it around in his hands.

"Don't open it whatever you do. You'll regret it if you do! Just do as I say." Hands still looking at the bottle in a quizzical way left.

"What are you thinking Lordness?" Lissard asked.

"Oh something wicked!" He laughed and Lissard hissed along with him.