Declan and Muriel had been running for what felt like hours. The hunter’s moon in the night sky cast an eerie glow across the ground. Declan felt as though he were being hunted. He could hear Muriel beside him and stole a glance. She was radiant in a way that could only be described as ethereal. The night against her white gown was a stark contrast to the darkness surrounding them. The flush that running brought to her cheeks, complimented her flowing fox colored hair. Her determined face made her features chiseled as though sculpted from the smoothest clay. Declan stopped in his tracks and his lungs heaved for air.

  Muriel trotted a few feet further realizing he had stopped she turned to face him. “Are you alright?” she asked.

  After his lungs settled to a slower burn he answered “Yes, I just need a moment.” He leaned on a rock and slumped down to the ground. Muriel sat down in quiet agreement next to him.

  After his heart slowed to a steady rhythm Declan asked “Do you think that thing is after us?”

  “The Dullahan?” Muriel said. “No. It was not the Dullahan that killed Prince Kelvan” she said softly.

  “But the maid..” Declan was interrupted.

  “The Dullahan does not draw blood.” She answered.

  “Then what was it?” he wondered.

  “Not a what, but a who.” Muriel said.

  Declan nodded and knew that even though the person who killed his brother was not Lady Revna, she was definitely the one responsible for it.

  “When did Marwynn say he would meet us?” Muriel asked quietly.

  Declan could only get Muriel to run with him when he told her that Marwynn was meeting up with them later. He felt guilty about lying to Muriel and was afraid of how she was going to react when he told her. He decided that the best course of action was to wait and tell her later.

  “Uh he said he would meet up with us back at uh Roseglen.” he said in a most unconvincing voice.

  Muriel nodded. Declan suspected that she knew that he lied but she did not call his bluff. “Would you like to rest here for the night or should we continue to.. where are we going anyway?”

  “We are heading the opposite direction of Roseglen, in case we are being followed. Little Oak is not too far, about a days walk, we should keep moving.” She said.

  They arrived at Little Oak in the early hours of the morning. The dew speckled the blades of grass and the tips of the leaves. Sunlight streamed down from between the morning clouds casting a shimmer across the landscape. A rooster crowed in the distance announcing the arrival of the day and reminding the town it was time to arise. Declan could smell the low tide of the sea that lay behind this small fishing town. Muriel moved some of the folds of her gown and held up her satchel towards Declan.

  “I never go anywhere unprepared. We should find the clothier and change our clothes.” Muriel said. Declan nodded noting that both of their white outfits were caked in mud and grass. They headed to the docks where the fisherman were already attending to their boats in order to set sail for the day. The smell of rotting fish and salt filled Declan’s nostrils, his nose crinkled and a man called out “What’s the matta, neva smelled a dead fish before?”

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  “No sir, I have not” Declan admitted.

  The man guffawed and asked “What brings ya ta my docks this morning?” “We are looking for the clothier to purchase some clothing.” He answered

  The man looked at Declan and Muriel noticing their fancy outfits “Well ya ain’t gunna find nuthin fancy like what your wearin here. But my missus can suit you up with sumthin in no time.” He gestured towards the house behind him. “Jus’ knock and tell Marnie that Davey sent ya.”

  Declan nodded and said “thank you Davey.”

  Declan and Muriel walked up to the small house. In the yard, dead fish hung on lines over an open fire. They knocked on the door and a very pregnant woman opened it wide. “Yes? What can I do fer ya?” she asked.

  Declan smiled and said “My friend and I met Davey and he sent us to you.”

  Marnie looked Muriel up and down and then turned towards Declan, “I see, he was right to send you to me. Come in come in.” she ushered them in to a small room with a cozy fireplace. The smell of food filled the room and Declan’s stomach grumbled. He saw three small children on the floor eating what looked like porridge. As if Marnie could hear his stomach, she offered them some of the food. Both Muriel and Declan happily accepted.

  “Did ya come down from the Hunter’s Masquarade?” she inquired.

  “Yes,” garbled Declan in between mouthfuls.

  Marnie looked at Muriel “What happened to ya gown?”

  “We had to leave in a hurry and I did not have time to change” she answered.

  Marnie nodded, “are ya lookin for anotha? I don’t have anything in that cloth.”

  “Something simple and easy to travel in, I can pay you” Muriel said.

  Marnie nodded and turned towards Declan “I might have sumthin for ya. My brother is ‘bout the same size.” She rummaged through a trunk and pulled out a dingy shirt and some trousers. She handed them to Declan and Declan smiled at her politely.

  After breakfast, Marnie took Muriel’s measurements and offered them a place to sleep. As soon as Declan’s head touched the straw, his eyes closed and he drifted into the darkness.

  A few hours went by and Declan awoke to the sound of children’s laughter. He rolled over and saw that Muriel was already awake and was wearing the dress that Marnie had made for her. She was twirling the children one by one to their great joy. They giggled every time that she spun them around. One of the girls continued to spin even after Muriel had released her. The other two joined her and they erupted in fits of giggling. Muriel smiled and looked up to see that Declan was awake. She walked over to him and sat on a wooden stool.

  “Did you sleep well?” she asked.

  “Yes, thank you. It is nice to see you smile.” He said.

  Muriel sighed a little and said, “Declan, I know that Marwynn will not be joining us in Roseglen.”

  Declan blushed, he was a little relieved that she had figured it out without his help. “I am sor—” Muriel interrupted, “No need to apologize. I know that he probably told you to do whatever it takes to get me out of there. I want to thank you for listening to him.”

  “Oh, um sure.” Declan replied.

  “While you were sleeping, I spoke with Marnie about the boats and where they go.” She looked at Declan waiting for his curiosity to peak.

  He did not disappoint, “Do tell” he urged.

  “They are leaving in the morning on a trip to Hollow Coast” she smirked as she watched Declan’s face turn beat red.

  “Are we going with them?” Declan could barely contain himself. He did not think he would see Morganse again so soon.

  “Yes.” Muriel said. “It will take about four days, I thought you might speak with Davey.”

  Declan was so distracted by the news that he was going to see Morganse again. He asked “about what?”

  “If the people of Little Oak would stand with you” she said with a puzzled expression.

  “Oh!” Declan snapped out of it, “right, good idea.”