Grimalkin woke up to the soft murmur of Tom's voice.  Delicious smells filled the room making her stomach grumble.  

"She's waking up," Tom said.

Grimalkin pulled herself up anxiously looking around for James.  Her face relieved when she heard the faint snores coming from his mouth.  She allowed herself a little smile and leaned down to kiss his cheek.  How could he do what no one had been able to do?  He made her soft.  He made her human again.  The cold-hearted witch assassin was now vulnerable.

"How are you feeling?" Tom asked.

"Much better, thanks.  Did Alice care for James?"

"Yes, she thinks he is on the mend.  He needs rest and food to restore him."

 "Can I get some of that food?  It smells good," she said.

Tom chuckled, "I hoped it would wake up James too.  I'll stay with him don't worry."

Grimalkin walked into the kitchen and saw Alice.  

"Alice, thank you for taking care of James. Do you think he'll be alright?"

"You know me, I don't give false hope.  I think he will make it.  His color is improving. Now we need to wait for him to wake up on his own.  I had to use my magic to save him."

"Thank you, Alice. If I can ever repay you... " her voice trailed off.

"He is Tom's brother and I would do anything for Tom."

"Yes," Grimalkin chuckled, "you literally went to hell and back for him."

Alice didn't smile.  The memory of that terrible time was still too fresh in her mind.

𝔗𝔦𝔪𝔢 𝔖𝔨𝔦𝔭 »»————->

Grimalkin stared out at the horizon, the night was starting to fall and the foreboding scene before her was heightening her senses.  The familiar feel of adrenaline pumping in her veins ready to kill or be killed.  There was so much to lose this time.  It wasn't just her life that was at stake it was the entire county.  But what pained her most was the thought of not seeing James again.  He was conscious again and had started to eat on his own.  Very weak but so lucky to be alive.  Tom had been right.  There was something special about this family.  As Tom had said, his mom had bread them to save the county and the world someday.  Would this be the day?

Grimalkin looked over to Tom mounted on his horse to her right.  Their eyes met and for a moment Tom saw the fear in her eyes.  They both knew what they faced.  Even with an army of men and the power of the witches, this was going to be a terrible battle with a huge price to pay.  Tom knew what mattered most to her cause he felt it too.  His love for Alice had sometimes torn him apart and saved him in others, but here she was by his side ready to die for him if she had to.  Alice had proven her loyalty to him so many times.  Grimalkin had also proved a true friend.  Notwithstanding her love for his brother, she fought fearlessly for her friends as well.

They had made their way through the misty night to reach the Kobalos stronghold.  As they feared, the berserkers attacked seemingly out of nowhere.  The dark silhouettes of the undead their only warning.  With her spear at her side and her knives at the ready, she went into battle.  The Berserkers were only the first line of defense for the Kobalos.  Grimalkin fought skillfully, anticipating her opponent's every move.  She made it seem easy and effortless.  Not only could she quickly kill her adversaries, but she also assisted her friends when they needed her the most.  Just when old Gregory was about to meet his maker, both Grimalkin and Alice came to his aide.  He thanked them breathlessly quickly turning to club a young Kobalos on the head knocking him senseless.  Tom had warned him not to get too close to the Kobalos breath and they took his advice with care.

Many terrifying creatures were released from the depts of their dungeons to the horror of the warriors.  With their cannons at the ready, they blasted through the hoards but some still made it through killing many of the men.  Just as Bony Lizzie had claimed for years, Alice unites the Pendle clans running to their aid attacking from all directions. The Kobalos warriors continued their attack. 

Hordes of the hairy creatures descended on one of their most powerful allies.  Lukrasta clad in his shiny armor raised his hand eliciting a powerful blow that knocked his opponents to the ground.  He raised his sword slicing the incoming Kobalos easily.  But the others surrounded him before he could gather his strength to attack again.  

Underestimating their strength, Lukrasta is overwhelmed having used up his stored magic, and is killed on the field.  He had been the only man for which Bonnie Lizzy would bend her will, and beyond comprehension, he had been annihilated by these creatures.   With feral eyes, she called out for revenge continuing her killing spree. 

From the battlements in the watchtower, the princes eyed the spectacle.  With a wild gleam in his eye, the handsome prince Balkai searches for an escape.  

Not seeing a way out he turns to his lover, "Kookah, know that I love you with all my heart.  If we don't live out this day, may we meet again in Askana!" 

His brother Jabka did not give up so easily.  He used his powers to call on one of his favorite pets the lamia witch.  The dragon-like creature roared catching everyone's attention as it flew overhead.  Streams of fire shot from its mouth towards the oncoming men.  At this moment, Tom used his power to slow time while Alice attacked the creature with her magic giving Grimalkin time to shoot her spear straight into the creature's heart.  It wails in agony before falling to the ground engulfed in flames.  

Not only had the creature failed to defend the Kobalos but the fire had literally tapped them as it burned ever closer.  In a panic, some crossed the fire at a run hoping to escape a fiery end only hastening their demise.  The high walls surrounding the keep holding the fire in to engulf them all.  The riders rounded up the few that escaped the flames, killing them before they had the chance to attack. 

Plumes of black smoke clung in the air as dawn approached.  The friends gathered staring at the remains of the battleground.  They are weary and covered in blood and soot too exhausted to even speak.  Alice watches as Bony Lizzie kneels over the bodies of her victims cutting off their thumb bones.  Alice looks away in disgust but says nothing.  That would be a battle for another day.