“You’re okay with sleeping here, Hoxley?” asked Morell.

  “I’ve slept in worse.” She said “Besides, this will be comfortable enough for the night, I think. I wouldn’t sleep in a pigsty. Nice things are always nice to have but in the end they’re just things. To have a warm place to sleep and a hot meal in one’s stomach is a luxury many don’t have. I’m always grateful for the little things. It’s ugly to turn one’s nose up at things what you’re given because you place your expectations too high.”

  “Well said.” Remarked Ignatius “The desire to be unassuming should be a virtue. I’ll bring you some hot water after I’ve gotten Siouxsie and Morell situated.”

  “A fine idea.” She agreed. “I’ll be waiting.” Ignatius ushered the other two inside the inn and up the stairs just as the barkeep finished filling a large tub with hot water in the room at the end of the hall. After he was sure that the man had gone back downstairs, he guided them to the room and shut the door. So cautious was he that he even paused to listen for anyone who might be approaching. Satisfied, he took a seat on a small stool next to the door.

  “You two go ahead and get your baths. Be quick, the water will not stay warm for long.”

  “Are you going to watch us bathe?” Morell asked nervously

  “No, I’m going to watch the door and listen for anyone who might be approaching. You won’t make the best combatants if we’re ambushed while you’re naked.”

  “Do you really think we’re being followed? Asked Siouxsie

  “I don’t believe we are, but to let our guard down now could prove fatal. I take no chances. Get to it, be quick now.” Morell looked to Siouxsie and back to Ignatius before meekly reaching for his belt. “Morell,” Ignatius said as he looked him in the eye. “I have no interest in naked boys or my sister. Get your bottom in the tub and scrub yourself from head to toes or I will come over there and dunk you in a manner you will not enjoy.” He held his hand out palm up to the tub. “Please be swift, I should like some hot water myself.”

  “Come on, Morell.” Siouxsie encouraged him. “I have soap. I’ll wash your back and you can wash mine.” The two disrobed and seated themselves in the tub back to back. Each went to work diligently scrubbing grime from between the knuckles and toes. “Lips, toes, hips and elbows.” Siouxsie sang to herself. “Crown of head, around the eyes, bottom of the feet we tread and underside. Morell? Would you wash my shoulders and back?” Morell stopped washing long enough to lather her shoulders, flank and lower back before she turned and did the same. He found it curious that she had a purple birthmark in the shape of a hand upon her left arm where the bicep met the shoulder. Siouxsie dunked her head three times before wringing her hair out. “All done, big brother.” She declared. Morell dunked his head in the same manner before stepping out.

  “Very well. Guard the door and I’ll be fast.” Siouxsie and Morell shook themselves dry before wrapping themselves in Bohga’s blankets which kept them toasty warm as they shared the stool by the door.

  “I love being clean, don’t you?” Siouxsie asked Morell as she leaned against him and sniffed his face. “It’s like you’re being given brand new skin to go get dirty.” Morell tried not to stare at Ignatius as he changed but with his only other option was the wooden door. He snuck sideways glances to watch as Ignatius slipped out of his black leather pants, shirt and winklepickers. The witch’s body was like nothing he’d seen before. His frame was tall and thin, straight and smooth like the bow of a violin. Lean, toned muscle tightly wound, wrapped in smooth skin without a blemish to be found. A sleek form of powerful gracefulness that looked fast standing still; a statue of perfection carved out of alabaster. Being mature enough, Ignatius had fine hair below the waist and at the armpit as one should. Seeing this, Morell snuck a glance at his own physique and felt inadequate for the almost childlike chubbiness that clung to his midsection. Embarrassed, he pulled his blanket tight around him and tried not to think of anything at all. “Morell, are you alright?” Siouxsie asked. “You’re not blinking.”

  “Quite alright I am.” He blurted, trying to contain his anxiety. “I’m fine. Quite fine. How are you?”

  This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.

  “You’re strange.” she said, leaning into him to bump shoulders. “I think that’s why we get along so well.” Ignatius quickly cleaned himself before dunking his silver hair three times and wringing it out. He stepped out, stomped and shook to get the water free, Morell became well acquainted with an oval shaped knot in the wood of the door by watching it closely.

  “There,” said the tall witch as he buttoned his pants once more and picked up his scabbard. “Our beds for the night are in the big room at the end of the hall. There’s a large window there that overlooks the stables. Get going and I’ll speak with the innkeeper prepare another bucket of hot water for Hoxley. It’ll be dark soon. When it is, I’ll retrieve Robert and Prince Damron.” The two agreed and hurried down the hallway. Once situated, Ignatius left them to get the others. Down the stairs and into the tavern of the first floor he went. At first glance, nothing seemed out of place save for the two men he’d seen before still sitting in the same chairs in the corner drinking out of their cups. He stopped and requested that hot water be delivered to Hoxley before stepping out into the twilight. Fragrant and cool was the air here. The sweet grass Hoxley had spoken of found his nose easily. Sharp eyes and wits found that no one was following him. When he returned to the grove, he found the boys exactly where he’d left them. To his delight they weren’t fighting. Both jumped up from the grass they sat upon to meet him. Here he explained the arrangements:

  “Robert, Siouxsie and Morell will be waiting to let you in the second floor. Prince, since you can’t fly you’ll accompany me through the front door with your hood up. If anyone tries to slow or stop us, we’ll pretend you’re sick so no one wants to get near you.”

  “And if they look closely?” he asked

  “Then we’ll deal with it as it happens.” Ignatius said. “Come.” Prince Damron followed him and Robert flitted around the treetops so that anyone passing wouldn’t notice him right away. They arrived at the inn and Ignatius made a gesture to Robert pointing around the side of the building. The smaller witch circled to the back before swooping low and vanishing through the high window. Evening breeze followed the two through the front door. Prince Damron had his hood pulled forward as far as it would go and kept his chin to his chest. Ignatius practically steered him with a hand on the back of his neck to keep him from walking into patrons and random chairs. Nothing seemed suspect save for the face that the men sitting along in the corner had been joined by two more and sat silently, neither speaking or drinking from cups. Ignatius looked them over twice, each time glancing for only a moment before pretending to look away again. He saw no weapons, but then again with the men all wearing long garb, making it impossible to tell for certain. The barkeep was nowhere to be seen so Ignatius guided him up the stairs and to the room without a word from anyone. Inside, Robert gave Siouxsie her witchly garb back to her before seating himself in the corner with the most shadow in it.

  “That went well.” said Morell.

  “Quite.” Said Ignatius pulling the prince’s hood away. “Has anyone come to the door?”

  “Just the innkeeper letting us know that he’s taken a fresh bucket to Hoxley and that he’ll have another ready soon.”

  “Very well.” He said before looking to Prince Damron. “Your highness, you’ll need a bath. Robert? When he finishes, you’ll get a bath as well. Siouxsie? Help him.” The twins nodded in unison that they understood. Siouxsie wasted no time in tossing her common garments aside to trade them for her black garb. The black mass rested on the floor like a hoop of material before she stepped into the middle and knelt on one knee. One hand reached under the mass and reemerged with a long black belt in it that seemed longer than the others. She crisscross threaded it like a long black snake through some of the other loops. Once finished, she grabbed both ends and yanked as she stood straight up. Like magic, the garments gravitated to her body to shape themselves into comfortable clothing already seated beneath her cloak. The addition of the pointed hat completed the ensemble. Morell and Prince looked upon it with astonishment.