Chapter 8

Hours later Pickle was resting in the glade near to Oakly. Cat had left him saying something about scouting the area but really he knew she wanted some time to herself. No matter how he viewed it, it was still difficult to think of Treguard in that way. He was the dungeon master, a guide and mentor it was difficult to imagine him... Pickle scowled. He'd instinctively known who she was when he had first seen her yet his mind somehow rebelled at the knowledge. He was almost as surprised as Cat was when he'd suggested she wake up Oakly.

He'd travelled with the master to Acre and had known there were elements of his past he preferred to keep to himself. He sensed guilt and shame but hadn't pushed any confidences. How would the master react when Cat appeared? A living breathing reminder of all he had tried to forget?

Cat clearly didn't trust easily, and if he hadn't said anything neither would she. What was her plan? He couldn't see her just announcing who she was on seeing him. Maybe she would do as she was doing know, scouting out and seeing the lie of the land. Try and gauge what sort of person he was and how the information would affect him?

Humans were not his speciality, though he would admit he preferred their company. The wood elves were too arrogant, the cavern elves too rude and opinionated. Humans came in all varieties, it made them very interesting.

Age wasn't something he thought too much about either. He understood the master had been mature when he first met him, but had never thought what had happened to him to make him the man he was. He supposed he was being too elvish, Treguard was a man after all, undoubtedly there would have been women in his life. Though he'd never shown any interest in any of the women around Knightmare. He couldn't see the master being interested in anyone stupid...which ruled out quite a few. Romahna? Or Gwendoline perhaps? Pickle considered these two for a few moment before shaking his head. More spirited, more practical though they were he still couldn't see Treguard considering them. Someone like them perhaps? With more kindness? He gave up his musings and instead decided to worry about Cat not returning, she had been gone for some time.

However hard he tried to get his mind off the subject, his mind continually returned to Cat and her mother. Maybe Treguard had been a different person when he'd first encountered her but no matter how much he'd changed, he still couldn't see Treguard simply abandoning Cat's mother.

Pickle straightened, sensing eyes on him in the darkness.

"Cat?" He called out uncertainly. The wood had never bothered him before, neither had the dark. Yet as he looked into the shadows it was easy to imagine lurking horrors just out of sight. His fellow elves were right, he had been around humans for too long.

"The paths of this forest twist and turn back on themselves." Cat said stepping into the glow of the campfire.

"I'm impressed, most humans never notice."

Cat didn't respond to this. "I'm not surprised you got lost." Pickle shifted uncomfortably.

"I shouldn't. As an elf the tricks of this forest should have no effect on me."

"Get some sleep." She told him. Pickle lay on his blanket.

"What of Oakly?"

"Tomorrow." She promised. Pickle didn't look satisfied but closed his eyes anyway. Soon Cat was listening to him snoring.

Not for the first time she was wondering whether this endeavour was a good idea. Suddenly present a man with a grown up daughter he never knew existed was hardly fair, especially if, as seemed likely from Pickle's description, he was going to feel guilty about it. Even if he didn't he had a life of his own, with it's ensuing responsibilities. There was nothing to say that he wouldn't resent her from turning up, he may feel obligated to make her feel at home when really he wanted nothing to do with her. Or he may think she had turned up just so as to ensure she inherited the castle when he died, such a miserly reason disgusted her. Before she had run into Pickle, most of these arguments had continually run around her head, because of them she had thought of turning back so many times she had lost count.

Cat let Pickle sleep long into the morning before waking him up. At first he was grateful she had let him sleep until he realised she had been awake all night.

"You should have let me do some watching!" He chided her. What was the point? There had been so much buzzing around her mind the sun was up in the sky before she had noticed. She approached the old oak tree. She had seen many remarkable things on her apprenticeship with Alwyn, yet she still found it difficult not to be cynical in the face of magic.

"Wake up Oakly." Pickle told her. She frowned at Pickle and then at the tree. "I don't believe you coming at this time was coincidence." Pickle sounded so serious that Cat shook her out of her own reverie. After throwing him a sceptical look she turned to the tree.

"Wake up Oakly!" She commanded. At first nothing seemed to happen, then the knarls and burls on the tree seemed to moved. Cat gasped and stepped back in surprise as a couple of the burls opened and revealed eyes. A large crack opened in the bark.

"Who wakens me? It's summer! Have I missed spring again?" Cat stared in wonder at the talking tree.

"It is I, Pickle." Pickle answered when it became clear she had no intention of answering.

"Hmmm?" Oakley spoke uncertainly. "None but a dungeoneer or the dungeon master could have awoken me." Pickle and Cat exchanged a look.

"It was Cat she is the master's…"

"Dungeoneer!" Cat said. Pickle stared at her. When Cat just glared at him, he decided to say nothing.

"If you are a dungeoneer, you must answer my three riddles and truth I seek!" Cat sighed and folded her arms.

"You brought it on yourself." Pickle pointed out. She narrowed her eyes.

"Here is my first." Oakly said. "Poor people have it. Rich people need it. If you eat it you die. What is it?"

"Nothing." Cat answered without a pause.

"Truth accepted. Here is my second: I'm tall when I'm young and short when I'm old. What am I?"

"A candle." Cat answered instantly.

"Truth accepted." Oakley said.

"Here is my third: If I drink I die, if I eat I'm fine. What am I?"

"A fire." Cat answered.

"Truth accepted. Three is the score you may know...more." Oakley finished uncertainly.

"I think he's confused." Pickle said. "If you were a dungeoneer he would information for you to help you on your quest, as it is…" Pickle shrugged.

"Quest…" Oakley seemed to catch onto the word. "Your quest is to free the dungeon master."

"Pickle?" She queried.

"I didn't know...Oakley what happened? Quickly Cat say I command you."

"I command you." Cat said after throwing Pickle a look of exasperation.

It wasn't an official quest. There were no dungeoneers from a dimension in the future. No passwords or keys to give. So Oakley told them what he knew.

"The master tricked into the dungeon?" Pickle queried. They had left Oakley and were riding on through the forest. Cat had been wearing a frown since they left.

"How did Oakley know?" Cat asked ignoring him.

"Mistress?" Pickle queeried.

"Will you stop that? When did questing stop?" She asked him.

"Almost ten years ago." Pickle answered.

"And Oakley has been asleep for most of that time. So how did he know?" Cat asked.

"I don't know. Is it important?" Pickle asked.

"I hope not." Cat said.

Furtively Sidriss glanced around her and opened her father's book. She was in the garden of her father's manor house and clutched the book to her chest, constantly looking about in case he happened to return. Magic. She tried to learn. Her father had tried to teach her, but her spells always went wrong. She had been driven to tears, her father had been driven mad and shouted at her for not paying attention. She had tried to learn, tried to concentrate but it never went right for her. In the end her father had smiled and said maybe she wasn't good at magic, but her heart was in the right place. That was her. Sidriss, useless at magic, but she had a good heart. Her father was away at the moment, he hadn't confided in her as to where he'd gone, so she had been left alone with her father's magic book. She couldn't resist it. Magic was in her blood! Her father was a great sorcerer! Surely she should have inherited some of his abilities? Anything would do! Turning a fish into a frog, producing a rabbit out of a hat, even a simple card trick! She walked a little way into the forest, found a tree stump and opened the book, she glanced around again and licked her lips nervously.

"Er..ap...apto malfacta insidroa guidera?" She said uncertainly. Nothing happened.

"Oh, it never works!" She said disappointedly. She took a deep breath and flicked over a few pages, maybe she should try something smaller? There was a spell to make a flower bloom, that sounded simple enough. She looked around and saw a flower with an unopened bulb. She crouched down beside it and placed the book to the side. She checked and doubled checked the spell. Then staring intently at the flower tried:

"Root, stem and leaf. I command you bulb to open!" Sidriss looked hopefully at the flower, which withered.

"Oh dear." She said sadly. She looked up at the sound of hoofbeats. Standing she picked up her father's book as the two riders approached. They stopped close by.

"Yes?" She said sweetly. "Can I help you?" The first rider was female, carrying dagger with a bow strapped to her back and arrows in a quiver attached to her belt . She had short dark hair and very dark brown eyes. Sidriss thought she looked slightly familiar, but dismissed the thought. The second was a older man, with greying hair and no, it wasn't a man but an elf. They dismounted and walked towards her.

"Hello." The woman said smiling. "Do you know the way to Knightmare Castle? This idiot has lost his way in his own wood!" The woman glared at the elf. The elf was staring at Sidriss.

"Sidriss? The elf said. "Don't you recognise me? It's Pickle!"

"Pickle?" She sounded doubtful, then the penny appeared to drop. "Oh Pickle! Treguard's friend!"

"This is Catrina of Ravensport." Pickle introduced. "She's…"

"Interested in finding Knightmare castle." Cat cut in. Pickle paused.

"Er yes...Cat this is Sidriss, she's Hordriss daughter. She's a sorceress."

"No I'm not." Sidriss said miserably. "I'll never be able to do magic, at least not like father." She pouted slightly, then seemed to take more notice of them.

"Are you sure you want to find Knightmare castle? It's not a very nice place. I'd avoid it if I were you."

"We have to get there." Pickle told her before glancing briefly at Cat. "The master has been taken by Lord Fear."

"Oh no!" Sidriss sounded genuinely shocked. "If my father were here, he could help you."

"We've seen Hordriss." Pickle said. "Sort of." He added quietly.

"Well maybe I can help! With a simple relocation spell!" Sidriss started to flick through the book. A look of panic crossed Pickle's face.

"Er no Sidriss, directions will be fine."

"What's the matter?" Cat asked.

"She's...not very good at magic. Sidriss please…" Pickle sounded desperate. But it was too late. Sidriss said some magic words, there was a blinding flash...and the horses had vanished. Cat and Pickle glared at Sidriss. Sidriss blushed a deep shade or red.

"I'm so sorry." she gushed. Cat sighed.

"Let me make it up to you! I can take you to the castle!" Sidriss smiled hopefully. "I know the way." She added seeing their combined sceptical looks.

"Why didn't you just tell us before you vanished our horses?!" Cat asked exasperated. Sidriss began to look upset.

"Her heart is in the right place. Besides she knows the way to the castle." Pickle said trying to salvage the situation. "Sidriss please take us to the castle."

"Pickle…" Cat began to disagree.

"She might be useful."

"Of course why not? But I hope you've got an idea as to what we do for food, since the saddlebags…" Cat looked at Sidriss. Sidriss held up her hands.

"There's food in the house! We can take that! And the castle is not far." Sidriss ran into the house.

"Taking her with us is a bad idea." Cat said.

"She knows the way to the castle. And you still have your weapons." Pickle pointed out. Cat shook her head. "Now I'll have to look out for the both of you."

"You never know. If we point Sidriss at them…"

"The whole castle will vanish."

Lord Fear was laughing. Treguard was leaning with his head against the bars of his cell.

"I don't know why I ever bothered to kidnap Sidriss, she does far more damage where she is."

"Lord Fear. Stop this. You have me…" Treguard tried. Lord Fear looked at him.

"Oh? So you're happy to let little children wander around your dungeon but when it comes to your own flesh and blood. Tut tut. And you accuse me of double standards."

"Those children…"

"I know, get back to their own time. Whereas your daughter…" Lord fear chuckled. "This is much easier than I thought. I'm enjoying myself immensely."

Treguard narrowed his eyes. "It may not have occurred to you that my daughter might actually win."

Lord Fear frowned theatrically and he mouthed the word 'win'. He shook his head.

"No...no I don't think so." Lord Fear grinned at him. Treguard frowned and suddenly grew worried.

"What are you planning?" Lord Fear's grin widened. He tapped the side of his nose and vanished. Worry grew in Treguard, but he pushed it aside. As Sidriss had said, they were close to Knightmare castle now. He had to be patient. Once they were inside, he could act.

Pickle, Sidriss and Cat crouched down behind a bush. In front of the was a clearing, a circle of trees opposite them and just beyond the clearing was a small ramshackle hut. In the centre of the clearing and occupying their attention was an old woman. Dressed in rags and bent double she was adding things to a bubbling cauldron. Occasionally she cackled inanely.

"I haven't seen her before." Sidriss whispered. Pickle shook his head agreeing with Sidriss. Cat looked thoughtful.

"I've got an idea."

Sidriss and Pickle stood up.

"Well whose this? Whose this?" The woman cackled and laughed. "Don't be afraid of a poor old starving woman." Sidriss and Pickle tentatively walked towards her. Pickle poked Sidriss in the back.

"Oh yes. I'm sorry, could you tell us the way to Knightmare Castle?" Sidriss asked sweetly.

"I'm sorry, I am old and deaf, please come closer, and tell nice Mildred what you want?" Sidriss had a fixed smile on her face, Pickle just behind her pushed forwards.

"Madame." Pickle said. "We are seeking Knightmare castle." He said stopping a few feet away from her.

"I sorry my dears, I still can't hear, please come closer…" Mildred pleaded with them. Sidriss and Pickle started towards her again. Suddenly the old woman gave an almighty squawk.

"Ah! What is that?!" She tried to turn.

"The point of a dagger. Don't move." Came Cat's voice from behind her. "Or I'll let some air into your lungs in the unconventional way."

"Attacking a poor defenceless woman…" Mildred complained.

"Your forgot the 'old'." Cat said unimpressed. "And I recognise a witch when I see one." Mildred's eyes narrowed shrewdly.

"Clever deception. If old." She screeched. She looked intently at Sidriss and Pickle who had moved further back from her.

"You know what they say. 'The old ones are the best'." Cat said.

"Let me turn and look at you. I want to see your face." Mildred asked.

"Swear you'll not harm us. Let us leave without being molested and you won't follow us." Cat said.

"How can you be frightened of an old woman?"

"Swear, make an oath." Cat insisted. Mildred paused, looking thoughtful. Then a smile spread over her face.

"No, you'll not kill me." She said confidently then cackled as she saw the confirmation in Pickle's face.

"No." Cat agreed. "But severely maiming isn't killing." She added with a growl. This gave Mildred pause for thought, then she hissed as though thwarted.

"I swear." She said. Cat took a step back withdrawing her dagger from Mildred's back but not lowering it. As Mildred turned, she changed shape...into Treguard.

"Stop that right now!" Cat cried out in shock. Mildred/Treguard laughed long and loud and she turned back into herself.

"I've still got it!" Mildred chuckled. Cat was breathing fast.

"What is your name girl?" Mildred asked. Cat narrowed her eyes.

"Cat!" She answered still wide eyed with shock. Mildred smiled.

"Interesting name…"

"Do you have any information?" Cat snapped.

"What have you for me?" Mildred asked.

"Your life."

"You won't kill me." Mildred said, though doubt was starting to creep in.

"Don't count on it!" Cat growled angrily.

"Very well." Mildred said and she started smiling again. "Lord Fear is waiting for you. He knows you're here."

"Where is Treguard being kept?"

"Deep in level three!" Mildred cackled.

"How can he be freed?" Cat asked.

"Ahhh. That I do not know. You will need powerful magic which that daft blond can't give you." Sidriss opened her mouth to protest, Pickle elbowed her. Cat backed away warily. Mildred held up her hands. "I keep to my vow." She grinned evilly. "You may pass, and I will not follow." Cat looked at Pickle and Sidriss.

"Come on." Cat said, she waited until they had caught up with her and were starting to walk on. Cat turned to follow, then glanced back. Mildred was still looking at them intently.

"You didn't ask her not to inform Lord Fear." Pickle asked Cat.

"No point." Cat said.

"Why?" Sidriss asked.

"Because we are being watched. We have been since we entered the forest." Cat said. Pickle gasped.

"Then Lord Fear knows…"

"He already knew." Cat said flatly.

"Knows what?" Sidriss asked innocently. Pickle looked at Cat.

"That we've come to free Lord Treguard." Cat told her. Sidriss nodded with a smile.

They had walked for several hours and though Pickle and Cat were capable for walking for longer, Sidriss complained bitterly that her feet hurt. So they set up camp and Cat started a fire. After eating some of the food Sidriss had brought, she quickly fell asleep.

"No need to look at me like that." Cat told Pickle who was looking at her.

"It seems senseless to keep a secret from your friends that is known to your enemies." Pickle pointed out. Cat nodded.

"You're probably right."

"It is your decision." Pickle shrugged. Cat nodded again.

"If at any point you think it would be better for her to know, then tell her. Otherwise…" Cat shrugged. Pickle smiled.

"Fair enough."

"Any idea how far we are now from the castle?" Cat asked. Pickle looked up as though trying to get his bearings.

"Not far. Tomorrow we should be there I think. If Sidriss doesn't get lost."

"Is that likely to happen?" Cat asked slightly concerned.

"No. Sidriss is not good at magic. But she knew the key combinations to causeways, passwords, and could gift the occasional spell to dungeoneers which worked for them."

Suddenly Cat stiffened. Looking at Pickle she mouthed 'somebody's behind me'. Pickle looked slightly alarmed. Cat coughed.

"Tell me Pickle about Treguard. What's he like?" She said slightly loudly.

"Well." Pickle said uncertainly. "Gruff, sacastic, intelligent…" Cat suddenly rolled backward into the dark and grabbed. There were sounds of a brief struggle before Cat came back into circle of light created by the fire. She had her dagger held to a man's throat. She threw the man onto the ground in front of her. Sidriss had woken up and got to her feet.

"Urgh!" She said with obvious distaste. "Sylvester Hands!"

"A tip for next time. If you trying to creep up on people, take a bath first. I could smell you from a mile away."

"Ere' it's not my fault miss...er 'ho do I 'ave the honour of addressing?" Sylvester Hands eyes kept darting around trying to look for an escape.

"You lie badly too." Cat said coldly.

"Why are you here Hands?" Sidriss put her hands on her hips standing just behind Cat.

"Answer the Lady." Cat said after a moment's silence.

" 'aint doing nuffin." Sylvester pleaded. Cat rolled her eyes, picked up her bow and nocked an arrow.

"From this distance, I can kill you instantly...or slowly!" Sylvester gulped and became frantic, his eyes darted faster and faster.

"Please miss! I just do what I'm 'old!" He reached into his pocket. "was 'old to put this someplace you'd find it." He held up the bottle. Cat nodded to Pickle who took it gingerly. After a few moments Cat replaced the arrow to her quiver and lowered the bow.

"Get lost creep." Sylvester Hands got to his feet and fled.

"What is it?" Sidriss asked looking at the bottle. She held her hands in front of it and gasped. "I think this is magical."

"We should leave it." Pickle said firmly. "It came directly from Lord Fear." Pickle carefully placed the bottle on the ground. Cat crouched down to get a better look.

"Do you know what it is?" She asked. Pickle frowned.

"I think I might know. If I'm right I think it's better if we leave it."

"Sidriss?" Cat asked. Sidriss face contorted with puzzlement.

"Ooh, well...It's magical. I don't know what it does though." She said. Cat looked back to Pickle.

"It's come's from Lord Fear himself. We can't trust it!" He insisted. Cat picked up the bottle.

"Cat I really don't think you should. What if it kills…" Pickle pleaded.

"Lord Fear, doesn't want to kill me." Cat said with such surety it surprised both Pickle and Sidriss. Cat looked back up at them.

"Isn't it obvious? He could kill me anytime he wanted to."

"He tried." Pickle insisted. "The Bandits, the goblins…"

"I don't call that trying very hard." Pickle and Sidriss looked doubtful. "Look, Lord Fear has been poking his nose around Ravensport for sometime, sending that smelly slimeball. Lord Fear wants me to come. So, this won't kill me." Cat pulled a face. "At least not directly." She added quietly. Taking a deep breath, she unstoppered the bottle. There was a blinding flash, and some smoke which vanished. In it's place stood a woman. She had long curly black hair and was wearing white billowing trousers and a white top with billowing sleeves and a redish brown waistcoat.

"Oh it good to stretch myself." The woman said stretching her arms high above her.

"Now." She started sharply. "Who open my bottle? You know how long I am in there! I…" She trailed off catching sight of Sidriss, Pickle and Cat.

"Majida." Pickle said. Then whispered quietly to Cat. "I told you it was a bad idea to open the bottle…"

"Hey!" Majida sounded afronted. "You wanted back to the forest! I take your place I…" Suddenly she frowned, taking in Pickle's appearance.

"You are older." She sounded confused.

"It is what happens to us all. Except genies apparently." Pickle said.

"No." Majida insisted. "Much older. I know it has been years since I have been out but…" She looked at Sidriss.

"You are older too." She pointed at Sidriss. Then she turned to Cat and peered curiously at her.

"And who are you?!" She asked indignantly.

"My name is Cat. I take it you are fimilar with Knightmare Castle?"

"Fimilar!" Majida cried. "I work there as Treguards assistant." She struck an imperious pose. "But what thanks did I get? Nothing! Nothing but scorn. So I leave, yes?"

"Yes?" Cat encouraged.

"So Lord Fear he ask me to use my genie magic for him. I tell him firmly. No I say. And then what? He put me back in bottle! He tell me I will never get out again." She frowned.

"I know I have been in there a while but…" She turned on the others.

"How long?! I demand to know."

"You can tell her." Pickle said quickly, Sidriss nodded in agreement with him. Cat rolled her eyes.

"Cowards." She muttered. "About ten years Majida." For the first time in a long while Majida was struck dumb. She gaped, first at Cat, then at Sidriss and Pickle.

"It cannot be." She said quietly. Cat felt moved to put her hand on the genies shoulder.

"Ten.." She repeated the word, as though trying to wrap her head around the number. She turned again and glared at Cat.

"Then what happen?" The genie placed her hands on her hips defiantly.

"Treguard has been taken by Lord Fear." Cat said.

"And we are going to try and free him." said Pickle.

"Yes!" Sidriss agreed enthusiastically. Cat joined Pickle.

"And now me too!" Majida said definitely and went to join Sidriss. Cat shock her head.

"I think we might win a prize for 'most unlikely rescue party'." Pickle said quietly to Cat.

"Well." Cat said equally quietly looking at Sidriss and Majida. "I don't know about Lord Fear but they certainly scare the hell out of me."