Daniel took a large sip of the brew and then set it down with ease. 

"I told you about the drinking, right?"  He said with a look of concern.

"Yes but we all drink, often." She replied.

"Stergis said that she won't dare leave the castle. She's loaded when she gets uo, if she gets out of bed at all."  He explained.

"I didn't know it was that bad." She said.

"He's afraid to leave her alone for too long," He told her.

"I hope we can help her," Ralvania responded.

After a long pause he looked at her.

"It's as if her soul hit a shut down switch.v It's been like this since my zeta passed on." He replied to her.

"This is pretty bad. I miss Zeta too, but this is a bit extreme," She said, gulping down more brew. 

"We'll go visit her, if you like. I think she needs to talk to other women." He replied.

"You may be right about that." She agreed.

"Veronia has been helpful; but I think a visit from you may push her in the right direction." He said to her.

Taking a slow sip she glared at him for the longest moment before responding; "One visit from me won't fix her completley." 

"We can hope," He said to her, sipping his own mug.

"Yes there's always hope." 

"When do you want to see her?" He inquired.

"I'd like more coffee first."  She said.

"Oh, yes of course.' He responded, filling the mug back up.

"Do you think she's magically empty? That something's gone after her?" She asked him.

"No the magic staff from Stergis would have taken it out," He informed her.

"I just wanted to make sure there weren't any dark ones at work here," She replied.

"It's understandable." 

"What if I can't help her?" The empress asked.

"I pray to the gods that you can." He said.