Chester walked briskly, only looking back to check he wasn't being followed. With a general idea of where to find the fairy godmother, he mustn't let Hex down. The children depended on him to do exactly as he'd been told.

Now what did Hex say about his spells?

Chester should've paid more attention. In his left pocket, was the key to the most coveted alchemy room in the entire fairy realm. Chester's heart fluttered. Untold wealth and power rested in bottles on the shelves inside Rune Hall. His pace slowed as he calculated the value of all that magic. But greed was the very thing that condemned him to a life as a toad. And being a smart goblin, he wouldn't make the same mistake twice.

It wasn't long before Chester heard voices.

"Please, Lilybeth. I beg you. I'm sure Prince Sebastian is sorry."

"Terrance, I will decide when to end Sebastian's punishment."

Chester strained to hear more.

"Yes, but if King Cyrus finds out his son is a chicken, I will lose my job."

Chester followed the sound through the row of trees, obscuring his view.

"Terrance!" Chester yelled. "I'm so happy to see you."

Startled by Chester's yell, Terrance threw the large brown cockerel he carried behind him and drew his sword. Lilybeth whipped around to face him.

Chester, realising the guard didn't recognise him, threw his hands up. "It's me, Chester!"

Terrance squinted at him. "Chester." He edged closer. "It is you!" The guard lowered his sword. "How... What... When... Did Hex do this?"

"Yes, and it's a long story." Chester lowered his hands and turned to Lilybeth. "I need your help."

"Why? What's wrong?"

"Prince Horace has taken the children, and to save them, Hex needs Shadow to navigate the maze. But that devious spy will escape the first chance he gets. So, we need a binding spell to tether him." Chester puffed and wheezed, unable to catch his breath. "And all of Hex's spells are inside..."

"Rune Hall," Lilybeth interrupted.

"Exactly!"

"And you need me to get there."

Chester nodded, pulling a silk handkerchief from his pocket and mopping his brow.

"Do you know how exhausting teleportation is? It takes skill and a great deal of magic. That is why I prefer to walk." Lilybeth paused.

Chester panicked. What if she refused his request? What would happen to the children? "I know it's a lot to ask, but I cannot get to Rune Hall without your help." Chester considered dropping to his knees for dramatic emphasis.

"Very well. To save Cathy and her brother, I'll help."

Giddy with gratitude, Chester's gaze darted from Lilybeth to Terrance and to the chicken, scratching at the soil. "Is that...?" He pointed a long green finger.

"Prince Sebastian, yes. He's been naughty." Lilybeth shook her head and sighed. "Very naughty indeed."

"Oh." Chester sympathised with the unfortunate prince. He knew how it felt to be punished. "Will he always be a... erm... chicken?"

"That depends on him," Lilybeth said sternly. "We should leave. Terrance, round up that cockerel and hold him tight. Chickens panic when teleporting."

Terrance grabbed Sebastian, pinning his wings to his sides so he couldn't flap.

Satisfied that Sebastian was secure, the fairy godmother turned to Chester. "Stand closer," she ordered. "Or I'll leave you behind."

With all four creatures huddled together, Lilybeth flicked her fingers, and they left the Valley of Plunderers.