A/N: Happy Easter to those who celebrate it. I hope you have a wonderful day with family and friends. NC

Chapter 22

The remaining five hunters were in the dining room having breakfast when a guard came in requesting their presence with the Queen. They quickly finished their meal and trooped along with the guard to the throne room. The five hunters lined up in front of the throne and Titus stood back behind Dean, peeking around his body to see.

The fanfare of horns echoed around the room as the Queen strolled into the room, with her head held high, dressed in a royal blue silk dress that flowed like water behind her. The dress was trimmed with silver lace and a tiara of sapphires adorned her head.

"Well, well, we are down to five I see," she stated in a regal, strong voice. The Queen looked down the row and let her eyes linger on Dean surprised to see he was still in the game. She gazed intently at him thinking there was something different about him but then the thought was gone. "I guess you are wondering what the next task will be." She turned and gracefully took a seat as her court sat down behind her.

The hunters shuffled back and forth as they only moved their eyes to look sideways at each other waiting for the next task to be announced. None had any idea what task the Queen would give them. They had been given a couple of days of rest after the last task and waited patiently for the Queen to speak. Dean felt a little uncomfortable under her intense gaze but didn't dare break it.

"Guard if you will pass the bag," the Queen instructed one of the guards standing to the side.

"Yes, your Majesty," the guard replied picking up a leather bag sitting on a table nearby.

"Each of you will pull a stone from the bag. On it will be a number that will tell you the order that you shall perform the next task. This one will not require physical strength but mental ability." She waited until each hunter had a stone hidden in their hand before continuing. "Each of you will go one at a time to the cave of the Sphinx. There, you will be asked three riddles and if you get them all right, she will give you a pearl from the waters of the Tigress. Bring it back to me and your task will be completed. If you cannot answer a riddle, the Sphinx will add you to her court of conquests. Those who make it back cannot discuss what the Sphinx asked, or your answers given to her. Doing so will eliminate you from the hunt and you will forfeit with your life."

The hunters clenched the stones tightly as they mulled over the next task. None seemed too keen on doing it since they were more action prone than ones that solved riddles. That was all but Dean. He knew a lot of riddles from entertaining Sammy as a kid. But he didn't think any of those would be the one this Sphinx would use.

"Alright, look at your stone and see your number. You will be given a steed and map to the cave which is half a day's ride from here. Once you enter the cave, you need to call the Sphinx and ask for your three riddles. If you get them right, she will reward you and you can be on your way back here. The next hunter will leave the following morning for their turn until everyone has tried to complete the task."

Dean looked at the stone laying in his palm and saw the number two painted on it. He glanced over at Ice and saw he had the number three. At least they wouldn't have to wait long to do the task.

"You are dismissed and the hunter with number one will be on their way." With that said, the Queen rose and made her way through an archway and was followed by the others.

"Well, I guess I've got time to get ready for tomorrow then," Dean commented as he walked beside Ice with Titus close behind him.

"And I shall follow you," Ice said. "I have heard about the Sphinx but never had any contact with her, nor know anyone that has. She can be a trickster with her riddles, saying one thing but meaning something else."

"Good to know. Titus, you can stay here this time since I'll have a map."

"Nothing doing!" Titus demanded. "We're in this together and I will go where you go, no matter where that is. Even with a map you could get lost since you are not familiar with the land."

"I don't think you'll talk him out of it," Ice commented trying not to laugh as Dean huffed and rolled his eyes.

"Alright," Dean sighed knowing he wasn't talking Titus out of going. "Why don't we check our weapons and get a small pack together in case we need to camp out one night."

"I will have the kitchen prepare some food for us to take," Titus nodded excitedly before running off.

Dean moved at a slower pace, thinking how much energy the young boy had. He was proving to be valuable in these tasks he was having to complete, and he was becoming close to him. He hoped he could keep Titus safe as they finished these tasks. He was missing his brother and hoped Sammy was staying safe and taking care of himself. He knew how they got when one of them was in trouble.

After stopping by his room to pick up his weapons, Dean headed for the armory to have the crossbow, hatchet, and swords checked and replenish the arrows. He also wanted to get another bag of the fairy healing powder to take with them but hoped he wouldn't need to use it again.

spn

The next morning dawned cloudy and cool, and Dean and Titus were up early to eat breakfast and to get started on their journey. They were given the map and Dean looked it over before passing it to Titus who studied it with a critical eye. They walked to the waiting horses to begin the task.

"Are you ready to do this Ty?" Dean asked him as he adjusted the saddle bags on his stallion and buttoned his jacket against the breeze that was blowing through the town.

"Yes, I will be a good guide for you," Titus replied folding the map and sticking it inside his jacket. He was helped onto his smaller horse and gathered the reins as he looked to Dean, waiting for him to get ready. Once Dean was mounted, they headed from the castle and through the village to the road, turning left this time to head for the distant mountains.

The travelers remained silent as they made their way down the dirt road, letting the horses gallop at a steady pace. Dean kept an eye on the heavens above them hoping any rain would hold off until they at least got to the cave of the Sphinx. He mulled over what sort of riddles might be asked of him and racked his brain trying to remember the ones he had been told over the years. His thoughts were interrupted by Titus speaking to him.

"We need to leave the road up ahead," Titus informed Dean.

"Alright," he replied. "We should be getting close."

"Maybe another hour I think. We've made good time."

"Hope the rain holds off for a while longer."

"See the darkness that way," Titus pointed to some very dark clouds off in the distance.

"Yeah."

"It's raining there and moving away from us. Could get a light shower."

"I hope so. It looks like the turnoff is ahead." Dean guided his horse off the road, and they rode across an open field. It wasn't long before they entered a forest and rode among the trees following the map. The trees were spaced far enough apart that they didn't have any trouble guiding the horses along the trail.

Less than an hour later, they rode out of the trees and were at the bottom of the mountains. They slowed their horses to a walk, allowing them to cool down and making it easier for them to spot the cave. Titus saw the cave first and pointed it out to Dean. They stopped at a wide, dark opening in the cliff wall and dismounted. Not wanting to leave the horses unattended outside the cave, they led them into the mouth of the opening. A small stream flowed down the side of the cave, and they watered the horses before tying them to an outcrop of rocks.

Dean and Titus walked cautiously toward a flickering light deeper in the cave, not sure what to expect. Once they rounded the corner, both were surprised with what they saw. The cavern was brightly lit by torches that surrounded the area. At the back of the cavern was a platform that rose above the dirt floor. At the foot of the platform was a crystal gong Dean figured was used to summon the Sphinx. He stepped over to it and used the crystal bar to hit the gong creating a high-pitched echo that bounced around the room.

Noises could be heard toward the back of the cave as a dark figure made her way to the front of the platform into the light. She was about nine feet long and six and a half feet tall with a leonine body, humanoid head, and large golden wings that spread out to the side and moved in slow, sweeping motion back and forth. She had long auburn hair that was held back by a golden crown and flowed down her back in gentle waves.

Dean was at a loss for words as he gazed in wonder at the creature who turned her head to gaze at the two strangers with interest. Her eyes were flecked with were a mixture of green and brown and glowed slightly from the flames of the torches. A slow smile spread across her flawless face as she took in Dean, thinking he was a handsome specimen. She thought she wouldn't mind having him in her collection if he couldn't answer her riddles.

A/N: Their third task, the riddles of the Sphinx. Will Dean be able to solve them and finish the task? If he doesn't, he'll never see Sam again. Slight twist in next chapter. Thank you for taking this journey with me and thank you to any guests who left me reviews. Mary Leal, not problem, not everyone likes my stories. Reviews/Comments would be great. NC