The Castle of Jewels glittered in the distance, the setting sun reflecting from its copper roof. Hex held Chester at arm's length. "Look!" He waved the toad from side to side so he could see their surroundings. "Do you know where we are?"

Chester nodded. He knew The Valley of Plunderers better than anyone. This had been his home for many, many years.

"Good! Can you show me how to get into the castle without being detected?"

Chester tutted. "Yes, Hex, of course. I know of a tunnel that leads directly into the castle. But why can't you teleport us inside?"

Hex turned Chester to face him. "I am not without limits. Agnes warded the Castle of Jewels against fairy spells. From here, we must rely on our stealth and cunning to find Rose."

Chester frowned at the sorcerer. "Are you telling me that inside Prince Horace's castle, your magic won't work? At all?"

"I am saying the witch's wards will hinder my magic."

"Then how do you plan on rescuing Rose?"

Hex lifted Chester higher so he could see the sack slung across his back. "I'll use my star to break the spell. A fallen star grants one wish... any wish. So, I'll wish for Rose to wake."

Chester peered down at the brown sack and shook his head. "That's all fine and dandy. But if we get inside the castle maze and save Rose, how do you propose we escape? No one ever escapes the maze."

"I haven't thought that far ahead. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."

"Perfect..." Chester muttered.

Hex placed Chester on the ground by his feet. "Well, lead the way."

Chester stared at the long, winding path, taking him back to the Castle of Jewels. Where only a fool would dare enter. And with that thought, he hopped towards the castle.

*

It was dark by the time they reached the tunnel and Chester dithered at the entrance. He had hated using the dank passages to smuggle out his stolen wealth. He was once a rather short, portly goblin with no sense of coordination. So even with torchlight, navigating the slippery tunnel had been tricky.

"Problem?" Hex asked, tapping his foot.

"It's very dark." Chester blinked and leaned forward. "Hello," he called, listening to the echo of his voice.

"Be quiet! You foolish toad," snapped Hex. "Do you want to alert the entire castle to our presence?"

"Erm... no. Sorry," Chester whispered.

Hex clicked his fingers and a ball of light hovered at the mouth of tunnel. "There, now you can lead the way." Hex nudged Chester forward with the toe of his boot. "Off you go."

Reluctantly, Chester hopped into the tunnel, the moist ground squelching around his toes. In his previous life as a goblin, this would have disgusted him. Now, he rather enjoyed the sensation. It was clearer with each passing day; Chester was becoming more toad than goblin. If Hex didn't break Prince Horace's curse soon, he may be forever stuck sleeping amongst leaves and dining on flies. Chester hopped a little faster. Ignoring the darkness and trying not to enjoy the mud so much.

Hex lifted his cloak from the damp earth and followed Chester.