The next morning Amberosia rose from more of an empowerment nap than actual sleep. Batting her  lashes and sitting up she waited for her mind to catch up to her body. Then she remembered the empress. Dressing at the speed of light, she darted out of her room to see if Ralvania had returned. 

   Checking the bed chamber then running down the stairs to the kitchen, then the courtyard. Nothing. She checked the treasured office but no empress there either. Then she went to each of the staff members but no one had seen the empress. 

    Then having a pot of brew from the kitchen staff, going straight to the office. She needed a few cups and some time to think. She had to figure this out. The empress could be in danger, or something worse, she thought pouring the first cup. Trying to clear her thoughts and focus on what facts they had on the disappearance of Ralvania. 

              From the evidence, she was given a strange food on a dish with weird symbols. Who'd kidnap the empress? Why? Taking a long sip and then setting it down, Amberosia rubbed her temples. Going through her own spellbook, trying to make sense of it all. 

     tired and frustrated, she wanted to cry out, to scream with rage. Sipping down near half a cup, thinking. Who'd be able to help the empress or at least tell her how to do it? She filled the mug full of the brew. Then taking a slow sip, thought about it a few minutes. Who could she send for? The fairy queen? Perhaps Salem? She really didn't know. 

         The sorceress kept blankly staring at the wall, depleting the warm liquid. She kept on thinking, If I wish hard enough maybe she'll walk right in the door.  After a good twenty minutes, she forced herself to breathe slowly and relax. Starting to write out a few messages about the empress. She sent one to Salem's mate Pandora, then wrote another to Queen Lily.