Ravenessa leaped up from a sitting position and sprinted for the potion room to see what could upset him this much. Running through the long corridor she didn't stop until she reached the potion's laboratory. She saw him standing there until he turned around to see that she was there.

"Stergis, honey what's the matter?" She asked with a hint of panic in her voice.

He didn't want to tell her. He didn't want to ruin the surprise. He was in shock, someone actually had stolen the dark staff. He stood there completely froze. A thousand thoughts entered his mind at once. Who took it and why? How did they get it, were they able to use it? He tried to breathe. He needed to focus. He saw the fear in her eyes, he scared her like a wild beast not someone who loved and cared for her.He owed her an explanation.

"Ravenessa dear, I do have a reason for acting as if I live in a cave. Let me explain." He paused a moment looking for a hint of forgiveness in her eyes. Then he continued on.

"I had a certain rare object that has just gone missing. It was an old family relic.It is powerful, and there was only one of them ever made."

Ravenessa started to relax, she could understand that. If it were her she would be outraged too. She gave him a smile, letting him know it was okay. No harm done.

"What kind of relic is it?" She asked with intense curiosity.

"I don't want to spoil it. I wanted to give it to you at the bonding of souls."

She said nothing and simply hugged him tightly for a long moment. After she left the potions room she immedeatley had the grounds searched for any suspicious activity near her castle. While she did whatever might help find the relic, Stergis consulted his magical stones to figure out what he could to find it. A few failed attempts and by the third try he found out the staff was in some kind of cave in the mountains, they were only a few days walk from here. He ran out of the potion room to find Ravenessa, he needed to tell her that he located it.

When he found her she was in the courtyard, looking through the gardens for clues, signs of any intruders. He grabbed her by the hand and explained that he knew how to find the family relic.

"So it appears that I must go on a journey to the mountains to get it back." He explained to her in an almost apologetic tone.

"I'd rather you not go alone.' She told him with a hint of worry.

"Dear it's far too dangerous for me to take you with." He told her in a firm tone. Then kissed her..

"Not me, silly. Richard, you should ask him. He knows the woods and the mountain area. He has been a protector for a long time. It would ease my thoughts while you're gone if there were someone with you, just incase something bad were to happen." Ravenessa told him, nearly purring the words to him.

Stergis thought it over for a few minutes before replying to her.

"I think it's a great idea. Besides if he's with me you and my sister could spend time together." He informed her.

'That would be nice, maybe I could invite her to the castle for a bottle of wine." Ravenessa suggested.

"I think she would love it. I must go see Richard soon to get this adventure going, but first I want a little more time with you."

He held her close to him, making a memory he would take with him on this impending journey. He spent the afternoon with her before heading off to talk to his friend about this ordeal. He wasn't used to asking for help, but he wasn't used to a lot of things lately. However he welcomed it. He held her a little tighter before forcing himself to go. He didn't want to go, but he had to retrieve the staff. He wanted to get this all behind him. He grabbed a knapsack filling it with random supplies. He kissed her goodbye one more time.

Then he headed though the massive forest, it was a long walk but he was getting used to it. He thought of Ravenessa as he walked several miles until he finally reached the cottage. He walked up to the front and knocked on the old wooden door.

While Richard and Veronia had gotten cozy by the fire place sharing a bottle of red wine, there was a loud knock at their door. They were both a little stunned, neither of them had been expecting company. He got up from the rug in fromt of the fire place and quickly answered the door. He was surprised but not shocked to see Stergis standing there.

"Stergis, it's great to see you, come in and have a little wine with us." Richard invited. Veronia poured the wine one for each of them. After everyone got settled in the living room, Richard spoke up.

"So Stergis what's going on?" He asked taking a long sip of wine.

"I have a dangerous quest to go on and I'd like Richard here to come with me." Stergis began.

"Do tell me more." Richard encouraged him.

"I have a magical object, it's very rare, it's been stolen and I need to get it back before the bonding ceremony." He explained to them, as he began to empty the contents of his wine, waiting for a response.

Richard got up to pour everyone a little more wine, they were going to need it. Stergis looked at his big sister, and wanted to calm her worry.

"Ravenessa is home at the castle if you need anything. She even offered for you to stay there with her." Stergis informed her.

"That sounds like a good idea to me." Veronia repied.

'Speaking of ideas I have one." Richard spoke up.

"What is it?" Stergis ask him.

"I think we should ask Daniel to go too. He would be a good asset for a journey like this one." Richard suggested, but didn't push the idea.

After a long pause Stergis replied to his friends' idea.

"I think that's a marvelous idea, I think you're right, he would be helpful on this quest." Stergis fully agreed.

Veronia smiled, she was happy to see the people she loved getting along so famously. It made her extreamley happy to see her brother and the love of her life talking like they were old friends, instead of new ones. She really didn't want to see it come to an end, but she knew they'd be leaving soon. She sipped the wine, trying not to think about either of them on a dangerous adventure. She did her best to enjoy the moment before they headed off on this quest. That made her heart swell to see her little brother ask her Richard for help. She never thought she'd see it in this life time.

"Richard I want to thank you for going on this quest with me. It means a lot really. I'm saying this as a friend and a brother." Stergis told him with a look of hope upon his face.

Over the next half hour the three of them finished their wine, then Richard packed a bag. He kissed his love farewell as he and Stergis went to the grand castle where Daniel and his new bride Zeta lived.

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