Author: Alicia Brown

At dawn, the companions set out again, with the Black Crochan tied between Melynlas and Lluagor. Taran worries that the wide open moors offer them no protection from gwythaints. He decides they should detour to the Forest of Idris. Within the forest, the horses struggle …

Orddu, Orwen, and Orgoch appear (as crones, not as beautiful maidens) and affect sympathy for the “poor lambs” who are magically stuck to the cauldron – except for Orgoch, who wants to cook them. Taran, who was right in thinking that it was a trap, …

After all that talk of dear little Dallben, the three enchantresses usher the companions out of the cottage, slam and lock the door and refuse to open it again, even though Taran bangs on it until Fflewddur wisely advises him to leave off, since “all …

Taran responds to a sudden voice behind him in his usual manner – by whirling around, sword at the ready – but before he can get to hackin’ and slashin’ at his unseen opponent, the sword transforms into a serpent in his hands. He throws …

Fflewddur and Doli draw off the attacking Huntsmen, calling to Taran, Eilonwy and Gurgi to take the wounded Adaon to safety. They flee through the cold, windy forest, until they reach a small sheltered glade where Adaon implores them to stop. They carry him to …

The companions set off toward Morva, with Fflewddur admitting only after two harp strings have snapped that he doesn’t know the way and letting Adaon lead instead. Ellidyr is pouting and won’t talk to anybody. Taran remarks to Eilonwy that trying to bring back the …

Gwystyl immediately tries to take back ‘fessing to knowing that Arawn no longer has the cauldron, and instead of elaborating he simply implores the companions to abandon their quest and get to safety. Eilonwy says they should rejoin Gwydion at Caer Cadarn and Gwystyl is …

Doli has a long, muffled conversation with the voice from the hollow tree trunk, and afterward he leads the party down a steep embankment to an imposing wall of thorns. The thorn bushes crack open to reveal a sad, thin member of the Fair Folk, …

As the sun begins to rise, Taran can see the attacking Huntsmen – of which there are about a dozen. They wear clothing made from animal skins, and each has a crimson brand on his forehead. Guessing that the symbol is a mark of Arawn’s …