Queen Catriona sat in her throne room, impatiently waiting for Wilhelm. With the coming of spring, it meant that Wilhelm can go back out and find the castle the woman in the forest mentioned. She was irritated that she had to wait through winter to get answers, but she complied. She didn't want anyone to freeze to death by getting lost in the forest.

"My lady," Wilhelm greeted as Catriona's head lifted to see him bow and walk in. She stood and smiled, reaching out towards him. "Sorry I am late."

"Have you readied your men?" she asked, ignoring his apology.

"Of course, Your Majesty. We will depart at dawn," Wilhelm explained as the queen nodded. "Will your son be joining me as well?"

"Yes, however, this will be his last expedition. He is to be crowned king next month, and he has to prepare for that ceremony," Catriona explained as Wilhelm nodded.

"Of course," Wilhelm replied with a slight bow. 

"And you are sure about this castle? This isn't some wives' tale your spreading? Because I need you to be absolutely sure that this castle exists. I'm not sure about vampires living there, but I do believe that if it exists, there might be something we can build off of," Catriona reminded as Wilhelm nodded. 

"I have been at the castle a few times over the years hunting the vampires, so the castle definitely exists. I'm still working tracking down the creatures," Wilhelm explained as the queen nodded slowly.

"Perfect. If you are able to find it, but there are no clues, just come back. I don't need you or my son wandering the forest for days on end. If you need to talk to that witch, then do so, but otherwise, just return," Catriona instructed.

"Of course, we have no need other than to check the castle. If no one is there, it may be time to consider that the killer came from somewhere else," Wilhelm suggested as Catriona agreed before sighing.

Wilhelm continued to speak with his queen, talking about his plan of attack and the fail safes until she was satisfied. Once she dismissed him, he bowed and walked out of the palace back to the barracks where the soldiers he was leading resided. Wilhelm wasn't so sure about this, as he had never led so many into the forest. This was around the time the bears would be waking up and wolves will be looking for food. This was going to be one of the most dangerous journeys he would ever take.