Veronica walked through the forest with her raven sitting on her shoulder; the two enjoyed the star filled night. Neither of them spoke for a long time. They made it to the rock formation before the raven said anything.

"This is a nice little spot to rest."

"This is where I meet him when we can arrange it."

"I like it here, a nice little place overlooking the stream, it's peaceful." The raven commented.

"Oh yes, I do love it out here." Veronica spoke as if she were in a day dream.

"So tell me when will your friend be here?"

"I don't know I just wait for him; he's usually not too long." The sorceress answered him.

As if she had summoned him, Ludwig arrived on foot from the northeast direction of the forest.

"Oh good you're here." She greeted Ludwig.

Ludwig looked at her, and then looked directly at the raven in disgust.

"Who is that?" He asked, overtly surprised to see the raven sitting on the granite rock pile.

"This is the dark guide I mentioned to you." Veronica piped up the explanation.

Ludwig stared the sleek bird directly in the eye before responding.

"Terrance is that you?" He asked the raven flat out.

The raven simply nodded to Ludwig.

"Why are you involving yourself in my mortal duties?" Ludwig demanded in a stern voice.

"I am simply following orders."

"Who gave you the order?" Ludwig asked, his eyes flaring a bright red, like burning coals. The raven flew off into the vast emptiness of the night.

"What did you do that for?" Veronica barked at him.

Ludwig shook his head; frustrated with the entire situation. Then left her standing there full of rage and embarrassment. Now there was nothing for her to do but fuel the fire of her rage on the walk home.

On the other side of the forest, Trinity was caught in her own emotions. She loved it here. She didn't know what to do, but she needed to find a way to stay here, she had never felt like herself in the mortal world, yet it took a trip to this place to figure that out. At home she had the out of place feeling; that the normal reality WASN'T for her. She knew that now more than ever. She didn't want to go home, it wasn't home to her, and this place was home to her. If it were up to her she would stay here for all of eternity. She was spending what little time she had left in Galderia with Gwen and her family. She sat in the kitchen with Gwen having coffee.

"So where is Canella?" Gwen asked, keeping the conversation rolling along.

"She's with Maggie." Trinity answered her question.

Gwen knew something was wrong with her new friend, but she didn't want to pry too much. She was concerned for Trinity; however she knew to let Trinity tell her.

"Oh, okay well is there anything you'd like to see while you're still here?" Gwen asked in her usually kind manner.

Trinity didn't say a word; she burst into tears sobbing hysterically. She held her face in her hands, shaking horribly.

"Gosh, I'm so sorry; I wasn't trying to upset you."

"It isn't you." Trinity managed in between sobs.

"If you don't mind my asking, what is the matter?"

Trinity looked at Gwen for a moment before burying her face in her hands again.

"I don't want to go back, ever. How can I stay in Galderia?"

'I don't know my dear friend, but we'll find a way, witches honor." Gwen told her friend with a softening smile.

"Really, do you mean it?" Trinity asked lifting her head up.

"Of course I mean it. First we'll go talk to Canella, if she doesn't agree I'll find a way."

"What do you mean?" Trinity asked, reading the look of mischief on Gwen's delicate face.

"If Canella says no you have to go home, we'll just have to hide you until the portal closes for good." Gwen whispered the plan to her, just in case her mother was listening.

Trinity stopped crying almost instantly, she had a sense of hope that everything would work out just fine for her. She didn't know why fate had brought her here to Galderia, but she knew it was for more than a change of reality. There was a reason she was here, there is something she is supposed to do here. She just hoped to stay here long enough to figure it out.

She sipped her coffee, and tried to apologize for acting so childish, but Gwen told her not to worry over it, she understood. That was one of the many appealing charms Gwen possessed, she was always understanding and good natured to everyone. Trinity poured herself another cup while she waited for Gwen to finish the first cup.

"Why don't we go to Maggie's cottage after this and see if Canella will let you stay here?" Gwen offered to her friend.

The two of them walked quickly through the forest, reaching Maggie and her little cottage in record time. Gwen didn't know why but her new friend seemed to be more powerful than she led on, or knew about. Gwen could sense Trinity's magical influence; it seemed to make Gwen's abilities change. She noticed when Trinity was around she seemed to see more than she could before; her potions and potpourri mixtures weren't as messed up as the used to be. Gwen knew with the new witch, there would be more to discover about themselves and their abilities in the craft.

"Do you really think Canella will let me stay here?" Trinity asked with the hopeful look of a child in need of something they couldn't live without.

"There is only one way to find out isn't there?" Gwen told her with a wink of the eye.

Trinity nodded, she had grown quiet and reserved due to her nerves. She knew she needed to be here with Gwen and Maggie, no matter what it costs her. She wasn't ignoring Gwen; she just seemed to be in a place of her own, as if she were closing herself off out of fear. 'What if she forces me to return home no matter how much I argue?' Trinity thought to herself, depressing her. A place like this, who wouldn't want to live here, this place, was perfect, from the off hue colored skies down to the tiny blades of grass. 

Back home it was nothing but mean kids at school or her mother's constant disapproval. She had no friends in her world; she had nothing to rush back for. Her thoughts were intruded by Gwen's voice.

"Come back from wherever your mind is, we're here."

Trinity jolted in response as if she had been awakened from a horrific nightmare.

"Oh, sorry about that, I'm focused."

Gwen just giggled before knocking on the thick wooden door. The two younger witches waited for Maggie to slowly open the door.

Maggie wondered who that could be; she wasn't expecting company anytime soon. She slowly got up from her favorite chair near the hearth, clutching her walking stick. She shuffled her feet as she hobbled to the front door. She opened the door with a loud creak; then smiled with surprise to see her young sorceress and the new one.

"Come in, what a treat, I shall put on the tea."

Maggie led the two into the kitchen and the two younger witches sat down.

"Do you know where Canella is?" Gwen asked.

"Oh, yes dear. She had an errand to run she'll be back soon, I'm sure of it." Maggie replied in her sweet old grandmother's tone.

Trinity smiled, she was still worried that she wouldn't get to move here, where overnight her soul seemed attached. The three of them engaged in idle small talk.

Gwen thanked her; Maggie nodded to her as the crone waited by the stove for the tea kettle to whistle. It didn't appear to take that long for it to sound off; once again making Trinity jump from the sound in such an enclosed area, reminded her of a bottle rocket going off on the fourth of July.

Maggie giggled like one of the younger girls as she brought the tea to the small oak kitchen table. She smiled at the two of them and served the tea with a wink.

The three of them had a wonderful time over tea. Trinity adored the old woman. She had spunk; she was the kind with a delightful spirit. Trinity admired that about Maggie. 

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