Castiel turned his gaze to Sam and said mildly, “You must also find other objects that have been stolen over the years. They will lead you to the castle. There is a spear, a sword and a dish.”

“Excalibur?” Dean said hopefully, and the corner of Castiel’s mouth lifted a moment.

“Perhaps.” He touched Dean’s head again, stroking him as he had before Sam woke. “Look for signs and portents along the way. You will be helped. You will also be hindered, but you are strong enough to fight them.”

“How will we know what the signs are?” Sam said, frustrated. “We can’t just wander around the entire world.”

“You know many things. Listen to what you have learned.” He rose from the bed. “I must leave you. Dean.” Dean looked at him, and he said, “Call my name when you need me. I will come.”

“I will,” Dean said softly. Castiel nodded and in a rush of wind and flutter of wings he was gone.

Dean carefully put the Grail back into the briefcase and closed it, and after a moment flicked closed the locks, too. Sam watched him, still frowning. “What’d you do that for?”

“We’re supposed to keep it safe, right? This way we can’t just spill the combination.”

“It’s easy to break a briefcase lock,” said Sam and propped his feet on Dean’s bed. “We’re Sam and Dean Peterson, by the way.”

“Shit. I think I said Chilton.” He lay back, missing Castiel’s comforting presence. The pain in his leg was a dull throb, though he’d certainly had worse.

“You were in shock. They’ll understand if you were confused.” He was quiet a moment. “Dean?”

“Yeah, Sam?” He covered his eyes with his hand.

“What was that about? ‘Call my name and I’ll come’?”

Dean removed his hand and said slowly, “I guess . . . he thought I thought he wouldn’t come if I called, but I guess . . . he will.”

“Great,” Sam muttered. “That’s just great. Now the big question is, how the hell do we find a place that’s moving all the time and may not even exist?”

“We’ll keep an eye out for a Grail-shaped beacon,” said Dean, and at Sam’s annoyed look he said, “We’ll figure it out tomorrow.”

“Okay. Do you need anything?”

“Nope.” He picked up the package of Peeps and pulled open the plastic. He tore the marshmallow apart and gave half to Sam. “Are you going to stick around?”

“Of course I am.”

“Thanks,” Dean said softly, and Sam smiled a little as he bit off the chick’s head.

***

Early in the morning, Dean opened his eyes. The room was dark, and the hallways outside was as well, but the vertical blinds were half-open and moonlight was streaming in. He could see Sam sleeping in the chair, his head fallen back and his mouth open. He could also see a slight figure outside his door, casting a wing-shaped shadow against the glass.

Dean closed his eyes again, secure in the knowledge that they were safe for the night.

***

Sam had bags under his eyes in the morning. “What’s wrong with you?” Dean said as he carefully and painfully got out of bed.

Sam rubbed his eyes. “Had bad dreams all night.” He stood carefully and stretched. “Tomorrow night I’m sleeping in a bed.”

“Prophetic dreams?” Dean said, torn between worry and hope. His own dreams had been much more peaceful than usual, but they hadn’t been anything significant, either. He’d be fine with Sam having prophetic dreams again — having them himself was just too weird.

“No, I don’t think so.” He glanced at the briefcase, still on Dean’s bed, and lumbered into the bathroom.

“Sammy?” Dean called after him, but the door was already closed and the water was running. Dean sighed and pushed himself out of bed to get the clothes Sam had placed in the cupboard for him beside the door. As he passed the door he peered through the small glass panel, but of course whoever had been there all night — Castiel, he was sure, because who else would care enough? — was long gone.

He had a flash as he stood there, so strong that he staggered and grabbed hold of the cupboard to keep his balance. It was like someone shoved the image into his brain, almost like he’d been trying to remember something long forgotten. It was a mountain, someplace wild and overgrown, with trees growing where houses used to be and underground chambers and stones arranged in circles to mark the solstice.

North. They had to go north.