As they moved towards the castle in the night, the three intrepid warriors hacked their way through interminable thorned woods, hacking and cursing curdled non-violent oaths in several Arab tongues they had learned in their distant travels and travails. Finally, they came to a clearing in the enchanted woods, and in the distance they could see Castle Mudcat, its great hall aglow with revelry and those dangling icelights that everyone seems to have this year. With her usual impetuousity, Katlaughing of Wyomingtane prepared to hurl herself in all directions to save the ensorcelled Lady Caitrin and stop Big Mick going on with more Irish legends, but the restraining hand of Sherry Aims, Crusader Nurse, drew her to one side.
"Look", she whispered, pointing to the curve of a small hill overlooking his castle.
A vast dark shape sat poised in the darkness.