It began to grow dark quickly when Ravenessa and Veronia were leaving for their own village. They had a great time shopping together but they were ready to get back to the men in their lives. The two of them walked quickly through miles of forest terrain.

"Thank you Rae, I had a spectacular afternoon." Veronia admitted to her closest friend.

"I did as well, I enjoy your company." Ravenessa stated.

The two of them walked briskly through the darkened woods. They didn't notice the nocturnal creature flying in their direction. The small creature crash landed in to Veronia's arm. The poor little creature was shaking uncontrollably, as if it feared other beings.

"Hello there, are you okay?" Veronia asked in a soothing voice.

"Are you going to hurt me?" The magical creature asked in a nervous tone.

"Why would we hurt you?" Ravenessa asked in a firm tone.

The creature shrugged it's shoulders, almost avoiding the question.

"I'm Ravenessa, this is Veronia and trust me we wish you no harm. We are friends with the protectors of the forest." She explained softly.

"You know the warlocks?" It asked in surprise.

Both witches nodded yes to the small winged creature.

"I'm Nixine wood nyph of this forest. Any friend of the warlocks is a friend to us all."

"Good to meet you Nixine. Now are you alright?" Ravenessa asked.

"Yes, I'm fine. May I walk you home?" Nixia pleaded.

"Sure honey, we're going to the village, another half hour's walk." Veronia informed her with a smile. She was fascinated by small winged beings.

"Let's be off then." Spoke up the wood nyph. She had known the warlocks a long time. Daniel was by far her favorite.

Ravenessa, Veronia and their new friend set off for the village home, talking and giggling about everything they couls squeeze into the last half hour walk. They all seemed to have a fun walk through the forest together. Once they reached the village the tiny wood nymph said goodbye to them, glad they had crossed her path.The two of them also had enjoyed talking with the wood sprite but were more than ready to get back to the pub, their friends and their intended.  Finally after a long but exhilarating fun day they made it to their destination. The two opened the wooden door and went inside. Once they were both in, they looked over the crowd scanning for Richard or Stergis. After looking around for a few minutes, they spotted both of them sitting in a booth with Daniel. They headed to the bar keep for a pint and joined the rest of them in the booth. Both women knew this was going to be a late night.

Several days later Ravenessa was giddy with excitement. There upcoming bonding ceremony was only weeks from now. She was so happy being with Stergis, half the time she felt as if she were walking on air, or in the middle of the best dream she'd ever experienced this lifetime. She couldn't help it, she was in love with her soul mate. She couldn't wait to start their life together. He was a perfect mate for her. 

The two of them worked very well together, in a mystical harmony with the universe. She couldn't wait for them to be bonded for all of eternity. A bonding ceremony was of the souls, it lasted forever, not just one life time, but for all of their life times. She was so grateful to all of their friends for the help with the arrangements. The magical creatures of the forest offered to decorate for the ceremony and party that would follow.

 Smitty was going to cover all the drinks and cater the party for them. Plus all of their sorcerer friends had offered to help with anything they needed. Ravenessa might be a dark sorceress, but right now she felt like an enchanted princess. It was the greatest feeling she'd ever known. Stergis made her feel that way when he looked at her.

Stergis had woken earlier than usual that day, not sure why so he just brushed it off and out of his thoughts. When he woke in the early dawning hours, he lay there and just watched his sorceress dream in a peaceful looking slumber. He completely adored her, and knew that he always would. That very thought made him smile. He hoped that she would like the bonding gift he had chosen for her.

 It was an old family heirloom passed down to the sorcerers of his family for as far back as they could go. It was called the dark staff of power, his sister Veronia never even knew it existed. The dark staff of power held all the family's dark magic within it. The relic will only work for one in the family line. It was a very rare item, and he knew she would appreciate the staff. He planned to give it to her after the big party with all of their friends. He was lost in thoughts of his companion, the brethren and his sister that had returned after being gone for so long. He wondered what she was doing today.

Across the enchanted forest in the small cottage Veronia and Richard were waking up with their morning coffee. The two were planning an entire day out together. He was going to take her to Tanner's bay it was thirteen miles south east of the enchanted Nucandu forest where they now resided. The two of them sat together in the small but manageable kitchen of his cottage sipping coffee, having a great morning flirting and laughing together.

 He had taken Veronia to Tanner's Bay a few times and she seemed to share his admiration for it.  He was happy with her, she fit him. She wasn't like any other woman he'd met before. She lit a spark in him, and he loved that about her.  Wonderful, a lot of fun and a good companion for him. They would go on nature walks together through the enchanted forest and she always enjoyed it. If they went to the pub she was happy to go so long as he was with her. Nothing else seemed to matter so long as they were together.

After the two of them finished their coffee Richard waited for her to get dressed. It wasn't but a mere ten minutes and she was ready. The two of them left the cottage and headed for Tanner's Bay where he had spent time there when he was a boy. It held a special place in his heart.

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