She couldn't believe the horror in front of her very own eyes, in the forest knee deep in a silver fog she watched as her beloved gargoyle plunged from half way up the huge mountain, about a quarter mile from the waterfall drop off point. She froze, in shock from what she had seen, accompanied by the guilt swelling in her heart. Screaming from the pain that engulfed her very essence, the dark sorceress collapsed on the ground, almost ready to throw herself in with him. Feeling a jerking motion, looking around the fog was gone. Then she saw her bedroom. Once her brain could function, Veronica grabbed her spell book and wrote the nightmare premonition as fast as her left hand would go.

Praying to the dark ones that it was only a nightmare, she knew  what she needed to do that might get her some answers. It wasn't quite daylight yet, knowing she wouldn't get any help at this hour she tried going back to sleep. It didn't come for her as easily as she would have liked. By the time she had fallen into another deep slumber the sun had raised, shining bright across the horizon.

Once the dark sorceress had woken for the second time, it was past mid-afternoon, the sun was hanging low in the sky, inching a little closer to dusk. Rolling to one side she squinted her eyes open, attempting to adjust to the light of day. Once her eyes were in focus as with her thoughts, Veronica remembered the horrid nightmare that felt more like a warning. She scrambled, stumbling into her closet. Slowly breathing away her anger, she stood and dressed. Within a few minutes she bolted out of the castle like a cannon.

She went through the forest at the speed of a jackrabbit. Nearly flying, she whipped through the thick woods, climbing the huge rocks as if she were born out here. Once she had climbed through the Miniature Mountains, she had made it. Running up to the door, she gave it a good rough knock. The huge door opened and Rueford smiled, inviting her in immediately. He knew exactly who she needed to see, he pointed her to the grand scale library. Thanking him as always, then she darted off to the library inside the huge fortress.

Practically sliding across the marbled floor of the library, Triadia turned in enough time to dart out of the way. She giggled at the young sorceress, and then offered her a cup of fresh witches' brew. Accepting her offer, the young one took a cup of the potent drink, thanking her.

"Now dear what have you come to see me about, I can feel the shift in your aura."

"Are you kidding me?"

"Not this time dear, I will teach you how to do it, eventually."

"Okay, I had this horrific nightmare about my closest friend. I fear it may have been a vision of a future event. I think I need a spell for trans-dimensional communication." Triadia dropped the book she was holding, it made an echoing thud on the hard marbled floor. The sound startled both of them.

"Why do you need a spell for that?" Triadia asked in an alarmed tone.

"A close friend of mine was assigned to a different world, but the vision last night was of him dying."

"That is pretty serious, I'll write it down for you."

"Oh thank you so much. I just want to make sure my friend is okay." They young witch then finished her witches' brew.

Pouring another cup for her guest, she replied with a stern tone.

"Just promise me you'll be careful. It is highly advanced magic."

"Yes, of course, you have my word." Veronica promised to her instructor, then after finishing her drink, she headed out of the fortress. She thanked Triadia once again before exiting. Once she was back in the forest, she made her way to the village to get a few supplies for her spell working. The time seemed to pass by her rather quickly. Once she reached the village she went to the antique shop to find a few necessities. She didn't come this part of Galderia often; her routine was to go a little further north. One of her favorite shops, The Trinket Box was near Tanjian Hollow. It was an interesting town, twice the population of Galderia.

When entering the antique shop, she noticed a few people in the store. None that she had known by name or face. That didn't bother her in the least bit. Veronica didn't like people much. She had one human friend outside of the castle, which was her teacher. That was all the social life she truly needed. Sifting through different handmade trinkets, she found one a box shaped like a pentagram painted black with little silver stars at each point. It had chosen her. She could feel a strange yet comforting vibe to it. After looking around a little longer, she settled for the box, a few oils and a handful of tea light candles, red white and black ones.

The cashier rang up the items; he was close to her age and a little too friendly. She hated people who were over-nice. It was irritating to say the least. It made her wonder if they were over compensating, maybe they had something to hide. She nodded to the sales clerk and exited the shop as quickly as she could without running. Then she walked through the village and wandered through the forest. It was a long hike, but it was fine with her. Lost in her thoughts, she walked a fast pace. When she had gotten a few miles closer she saw them.

Veronica cursed under her breath. It was a nice evening, she got the spell and supplies she needed to find her gargoyle. It had been nice, but now she had to run into the half-wit and her sides kick. These two were harder to be rid of then an upper level demon. Shaking her head in disgust, she tried to walk around them unfortunately they saw her.

"What are you doing out here?" Asked Gwen in a soft, friendly tone.

"I'm minding my own affairs. What about you?" She shot back with attitude to spare. Aggravated with the twit, Veronica glared her down.

"We went for a nature walk is all, you don't own the forest." Gwen shot back.

Trinity saw a fight coming; she stepped in between the two witches. Her vision was starting to come true and she wouldn't let either harm the other one.

"Move it, I need to give her a magically charged ass kicking."

"No."

"What do you mean?"

"It is the opposite of yes." Trinity replied raising an eyebrow.

"I'll go through you if I must." The dark witch told her.

"No you won't, I'm the witch of balance, and I can bind you both."

"You can't do that." She spat at the other witch.

"Yes I can, and I will if you force me to." Trinity stood up to her with a fire she'd never felt before.

Veronica turned to Gwen and warned her. "One of these days I'll catch you without your little guard dog." She then turned and walked away from them, trying desperately to forget the whole experience.

She had other matters to attend to. She stormed back through the forest, trying to calm her anger before returning. It makes spell work a little screwy if you're in an intense emotional state when performing magical tasks. She knew it to be true; she never messed with it until she calmed herself with books or meditation. Ludwig used to help her stay calm, but she couldn't find him. Though she was too proud to admit it she loved him, red eyes, horns and all.

She feared for his life, with every part of her soul. Walking in an almost sprinting pace, she had nearly forgotten about the run in with the twit, all of her energy was focused on her lost gargoyle. It wasn't long before she made it to the creek, and then stopped at the rock formation. She knew he wouldn't be there but she stopped to rest on the huge granite rock formation. Forcing herself not to cry, she sat there for just a moment of reflection. Then continuing onward until finally reaching the castle's courtyard.

Finally reaching her destination, she let a sigh of relief as she crept up the marble staircase to her chamber. She shut the door softly behind her. Sitting in the middle of the cold floor, feeling more like a slab of concrete than a bedroom floor, she began her deep breathing exercise. She needed a few moments to empty her negative thoughts, and let go of her fears before working the enchantment. It took longer than she expected. Once she reached a calming moment of Zen, grabbing the spell from inside her boot, she read it until it was like second nature to her.

Gathering her newly purchased magical items; the dark sorceress was ready to begin. She lit three candles, one of each color and placed them on the altar. She then filled her cauldron with the special hers and a potion, stirring the mixture together as she chanted.

"Keepers of the dark ones, hear my plea,

For its Ludwig I must see.

I need only to know he is safe, wherever it is he may be."

She stepped back a few inches, wondering if anything would happen. She stepped closer and gazed into the cauldron. The concoction began swirling around inside the large cast iron pot. Then suddenly the inside of it began to glow bright neon orange. It was one of the most amazing things she'd ever seen. Watching with an intense focus, the glowing matter faded away, and strange shapes began to appear.

As the scene began to form in the liquid mixture, she saw him. It was her beloved gargoyle, in a world that was similar to her own. He looked the same. It told her he was still alive, he was going to be okay. Seeing that her nightmare was just a dream, helped ease her fear over Ludwig.

Closing out the spell and ritual space, she put everything in supply box, and then summoned her spell book. She wanted to copy the spell word for word into her own book of magic, for future use. If she ever missed Ludwig bad enough she could check on him . That thought brought a pleasing and wicked grin to her porcelain face.

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