The next morning the three of them said farewell to Zeta and headed out for their journey. It would be a rough two day stretch of forest terrain, a village and then somewhere in the mountains. Daniel spoke more to Stergis. Richard had gotten to know him more due to Veronia's influence. 

Daniel wanted to know more about the sorcerer, he seemed like a very interesting guy, and Daniel craved knowledge like a dog craves meat. He also knew if you got on the right topic a conversation can speed up any journey, even one like this. By mid-morning the warlocks had made it to the edge of the enchanted forest, they stopped and just admired it's beauty, it's natural essence.

 Stergis waited as long as he could but he reminded them of the time limitation of this quest. Soon after they had made it through the forest they saw the small village, and headed there. They all went into different shops and stores to see if there were any good deals before getting back to the mission.

Richard, Daniel and Stergis were edging closer and closer into the mountain terrain, the Grigori wasn't worried. He was annoyed at the stubborn persistence of the three fools. Why couldn't they just be gone? The staff was safe that's all that matters. He slowly crossed the cave to a small black square table. He pulled out his magical crystals, arranging them into the shape of a trapezoid triangle. He waited and then looked into it's center.

                       He saw the small village. He saw that they weren't that far from him now. How did they find me this quickly? He wasn't expecting them to be this diligent. The guardian council was right when they had warned him about the warlocks. They were very powerful, resourceful and they don't give up. Damned humans, even magical ones.Those foolish wizards, they knew not the trouble they seek. They don't understand the power of the staff. 

Grigori cleared his mind and really thought it over before consulting the great book of magic .He couldn't use the staff, that was the only stipulation other than the magic will not hurt a member of their bloodline. However it could harm the two other warlocks accompanying the powerful one. Grigori didn't wish to harm them, only to keep them from getting to him or the staff. He had to stop the dark sorcerer from making a grave mistake and giving the staff to his soul's companion. He had to stop him at all cost. There were severe catastrophic consequences.

After the second night of Richard's absence Veronia didn't want to sit in the empty cottage, worrying over Richard. For the past two days that's all she seemed to do other than attempt to sleep. She had thought it over for the past half hour, then packed a bag of clothes and other slight nessesities. Then she straightened up the cottage before leaving toward the enchanted forest .

She really felt in tune with the energies of the woods during a cooled night walk. It seemed to help her, stargazing, listening to the song of nature, the soft breeze kissing her cheeks. It was so tranquil, that she was nearly to her destination before she realized it. Reaching the enormous castle door, she used the door knocker making a loud forceful thud. After a few minutes the butler answered the door.

"Miss Veronia, good to see you, please come in."

"Thank you, tell me where is the lady of the castle?" Veronia inquired in her soft angelic tone.

"I believe she is in the library." He answered her.

"Thank you, I'll go there first." She nodded good day and went down the corridor to find her friend. She turned the corner and peeked her head in to find her friend sitting there with a book and half a bottle of wine. Ravenessa looked up from her book, turned to grab the bottle and saw her friend standing in the doorway. She immediately set her things down to greet Veronia.

"I'm so glad that you came to visit, please feel free to stay here as long as you'd like. I have plenty of guest rooms to choose from." She poured herself a glass of wine. She couldn't remember if it was gnome made wine or gremlin sprite ale.

"Yes I'd really like that." She responded to her host.

"Come have a glass with me and sit please." She offered to her guest, glad to have the company.

"Oh yes, I'd love a glass, please." Veronia stated with an appreciative tone.

Ravenessa summoned for one of the servants, who responded quickly.

"I require another bottle and a glass for our guest please." She politely asked the young servant girl.

Joannah was one of her favorite servants, but she tried not to show it in front of the rest of her staff. There was a special pace in her heart for young Joannah. The servant was quick, quiet and pleasant. She liked working in the castle, Lady Ravenessa was kind and fair. She did what she could to keep the servants happy with in reason. She treated them as she would a friend.

"I'm so glad for your company, nothing's the matter I take it?" Ravenessa asked in an almost motherly tone.

"Oh no nothing of the sort I just didn't want to stay at the cottage alone tonight too." Veronia explained.

Ravenessa smiled, sipped at her wine and poured her best friend another glass. Setting her own down on the table she looked at her guest for a moment.

"Do you know what I have done since your brother left?"

"No, what?"

'I've paced the castle, worried myself sick and gotten drunk." She confided.

Veronia didn't know what to say, she began to laugh uncontrollably. Then after getting a hold of herself, explained it to her friend.

"The night Richard left with Stergis I sat in front of the fireplace and drank a bottle of scotch until I passed out."

Ravenessa was now the one to giggle hysterically. They had found comfort in each other. Veronia and Rae spent the rest of the evening talking, laughing and depleting the wine supply. They had fun sharing different stories, enjoying a girls' night in the castle. It had made both of them feel a little better to take their minds off of their mates. It was fun,  just being around each other. It seemed to lift their spirits. The two of them had a great time , until far beyond the witching hour.

ng and�Cr��tX