Leaving the sewers, Jane cut through the mist and came to an abandoned fort.

  Everything had fallen apart, including one of the walls, which left moss-covered logs to spread all over the path. It reminded her of nature walks with her friends, how they would bike up from the cabin shop, past an old petrol station at the bottom of a steep hill. It was her job to make banana buns, while the others brought drinks and snacks, to eat near a rusted Sawmill. Here was a place she could relax; a place where the air smelled fresh from the forest and conversation flowed with laughter.

  Days of old, days long gone. Overcome with deepening sadness, Jane stopped to rest on a nearby bench.

  She remembered Isaac's words: "All we do is fight monsters; such is our lot in life."

  Was nothing in her future but endless battles? If she did return home by some miracle, would her body still know this level of fitness? Before the fire, she was another sleepy school kid who let the day wash over her.

  No,. I have to keep moving.

  Jane brushed herself off and made her way round the palisade wall. Upon entering, she realised it was not so much a fort, but some village complete with a clock tower and a small park. Every building was boarded up and creaked with neglect. Collapsed branches littered the streets, while a passing breeze kicked up a small twister of leaves. This place was too quiet, even for her.

  After a few minutes of wandering around, Jane chanced upon what looked like a town hall. In that moment, she froze and stepped out of sight. For there in the distance, was a solitary figure, balanced perfectly on the end of a flag pole.

  Playing the tourist, Jane used a nearby ladder and climbed onto a nearby roof. From her hiding place, she could see something flutter at the base of the pole. At first, she thought it was a passing draft kicking up more leaves. It wasn’t until a second glance that she realised the leaves took the shape of flying serpents. The stranger on the flag pole took out two paper cranes and let them drop. Upon hitting the ground, they exploded in a ring of purple sparks.

  Jumping down, the Magician grabbed a staff before wrapping a Talisman around the shaft. The stranger twirled like a Majorette and fired off a gust of wind from the staff, dispersing both 'Leaf Dragons' to the toll of a large bell. Satisfied, the stranger leapt up to a nearby roof, danced across the tops of the log wall before landing with a flourish onto the same roof as Jane. The girl kept back with her shield raised. She was able to get a better look at the individual, who was dressed in an old fashion Highwayman coat and was more of less a giant white Mouse. The stranger bowed and sprinkled bright green glitter all around, which allowed her to project a voice into Jane's head.

  "Enchanté. I am Jenny Lewis, a simple bard of these parts, but that is not important right now. As of this moment, I could use your 'elp with something." Jane sat stock still, eyes sparkling with fear. "It's Isaac, he is gravely ill. He is – 'ow you say? – up a creek." No reaction. The Mouse sighed. "I know it's hard to trust someone you just met, but I assure you my intentions are pure." Nothing. Jenny looked around for an answer. "He mentioned something about...Inverness? Does that ring any bells?" The girl sat up, intrigued and knocked twice on the floor. "Is he alive? Ehh, let’s say mostly." Still unsure, Jane got to her feet. "I guess that's the magic word, come on."

  After descending the ladder, she followed the Mouse across the plaza and between two buildings. She found the Old Knight slumped in a corner at the far end of an overgrown Chapel. Jane immediately got down on one knee.

  "You took your bloody time," Isaac said.

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  Jenny tapped Jane on the shoulder.

  " 'elp me move 'him." She said. They each took an arm and slowly walked Isaac over to the storeroom. "I know you are injured, but next time do me the courtesy of falling in the right place."

  "I will remember that for future reference."

  The Mouse smiled. "It's only polite."

  “Easy, now.”

  They set him down in the corner of the storeroom, and the Bard made her way back to the door.

  "If I can ask you two to remain still?"

  Jane shot Isaac a concerned look.

  "Don't worry," He said. "She's good people."

  "Famous last words," Jenny said and tapped her staff three times. The floorboards exploded into fine powder, sending Isaac and Jane onto a cart loaded with sacks of flour. The Bard floated onto the front seat. "Another 'appy landing." She quickly sat down, shook the reins and steered Ruggiero into the open.

  "Nice of you to drop in," Isaac said, still waving at the flour.

  Jane pushed herself up.

  ~I am so sick of falling off things.~

  Jenny stopped by a fence, jumped down and tied Moany-Pony to the rear of the cart.

  "Before I go on," She said. "If you want to survive these woods, you need to put on the ring." Jane played dumb, but the Mouse wasn't having it. "No one cares that you took it, but it is important to equip, sooner rather than later." The girl felt a tapping on her leg and saw Isaac give her a reassuring nod. Jane shrugged and placed the ring on her finger. "Excellent, now stand up and face the cave. Open your hand and trust thine flesh to magic." Following instructions, Jane could feel a watery sensation in her arm, but now it was beginning to vibrate softly. "Patience..." The Javelin suddenly flew out of the mist and slapped into Jane's grasp "Excellent! You two have bonded. People always mistake the 'Ring of Retrieval' for costume jewellery. Every time you throw this weapon, it will fly into your hand from anywhere." Jenny pulled herself up onto the front. "All set? And away we go!"

  The rest of the journey was mostly silent. Isaac drifted in and out of unconsciousness while Jane was deep in thought. As the cart threaded through the winding forest road, she offered up a question.

  ~How did you know I was here?~

  "That cave is the only other exit," Isaac said. "When you didn't appear after a few hours, I figured you got lost and went walkabout. When I arrived, the place was already occupied by less than savoury types. Luckily, Miss Lewis was passing and lent her expertise."

  "As ever, the valiant 'ero rescues the pretty damsel".

  "You did well to find your way out. That place must have been a nightmare without a guide."

  ~It was. You should have told me about the giant rat.~

  "I can't hold your hand through everything. Some things you can't prepare for."

  ~~It breathed fire. I would have prepared for that! ~

  "Wait, you're talking about 'The Monument'. What were you doing there?"

  ~What is 'The Monument'? ~

  "It's a Demon Rat. Even I wouldn't fight that thing. Not even the best spell users would fight that thing."

  "Tis true," Bardugo said. "You are better off punching thunder."

  "I thought I told you to use the yellow door and leave."

  ~It was locked!~

  "So why didn't you come back?"

  ~The gate closed behind me. I was trapped!~

  "Oh, right," Isaac said sheepishly. "I've been meaning to fix that. Sorry".

  ~Good to know. So now what?~

  "Thanks to your little flood, any access to the Beacons will be harder to reach. I can't do anything until I recover." Jane directed a question at the Magician. "She wants to know if you have any health potions?"

  "Alas, I am not a healer," Jenny said. "My methods are somewhat less genteel. I mostly exchange magic wares for Cheese. You don't happen to have any Cheese on you? Asking for a friend." She took out a cube of Cheddar from her pocket. "I am supposed to cut down, but somehow I can't seem to.

  ~Cheese? Seriously?~

  "I would offer you some, but you're already a wraith, so that it would be a waste of time. Oh yes, I know all about you, my girl and how you will get back. Well, until you flooded the lands. Shame, you were on a roll; hence a change in destination."

  ~Where are we going?~

  "A place I was hoping to avoid," Isaac said. "The home of the Deathwitch."