The next morning both Stergis and Daniel were awake just before the rising of the sun. It took a combined effort between the two of them to force Richard out of a deep sleep. It had taken several attempts when Daniel looked over at Stergis.

"Have you got anything with a strong smell that would wake him?"

"No, I didn't pack anything like that. I have an idea on how to wake him up but it's a bit wicked." Stergis warned him.

:I'm not going to stop you." Daniel replied taking a few steps back, anticipating ro see what the sorcerer was going to do. He watched as Stergis crept next to Richard and watched Jim sleep. Then he took a deep breath before he pulled the ultimate wake up call.

"Oh my goddess Veronia are you okay?" Stergis shouted with alarm.

That very second Richard shot awake like a cannon being fired into enemy lines. He was breathing hard and covered in sweat. It took him a few minutes to realize where he was and what was going on.

Stergis just had a grin on his overly pleased face. It showed him not only how to wake his new friend, but also that deep within the mans' essence lay true love for his sister. Just knowing that for sure brought a little bit of peace to his worries over her. Stergis knew it was a dirty trick to pull but he needed to know if he really loved her, he didn't want to see her hurt, especially now that they were getting to be friends.

As Richard had finally become more alert and conscious he remembered that he wasn't with Veronia but on a quest with her brother and Daniel. He must have dreamt that his soul mate had been in danger. It was only a horrible dream that she was lost and hurt in the forest. Thank the gods it wasn't real. He hoped never to have another nightmare even close to this one. His heartbeat finally stopped racing, his breaths back to normal.

"Good morning sweet cheeks." Daniel teased his fellow warlock.

"Help me up, I think we need to head to the village for some coffee and then head for the mountains." Richard suggested.

Stergis and Daniel both agreed it was a good idea. A person should be focused and alert when climbing the huge mountain. The three of them packed up their equipment quickly and headed for the village a few miles behind them. They didn't slow down or waste time once they got to the village it was busy but not over crowded. A few locals stared at the unknown visitors, but said nothing to them. 

                     The inhabitants of the village just walked a little faster as they passed the three strangers. Others whispered about them but nothing more. The warlocks had their morning java as quickly as they could. They could sense a vibe of nervousness from the other people in the village. Being natural peace keepers, they didn't want to cause a problem for these folks. As soon as they had finished a potent brew, the three of them headed off through the village and kept going, continuing their adventure. Even though the steep mountain looked more than treacherous, Daniel still could see the majestic beauty within each and every mountain. It was surreal.

That same morning as the three of them were on the journey, Daniel's newly bonded mate began to panic a little at a time. First she just began to miss him, this voice, his scent and other little things. Then her mind went off into it's own moment of fear. What if he is wounded out there, or something even worse? Nervous and worried Zeta prayed for their safe return. She knew in her heart and soul that her mate for eternity could hold his own. That undeniable fact didn't ease her mind .

 She missed him so much it caused her to physically ache for him. For the first night of his absence, she kept her mind occupied. She tried to keep her thoughts elsewhere with her floor to ceiling library, reading and working on her own grimoire by the fireplace. Every so often she would wish hope and pray for his safe return. She didn't know what she was going to do until he returned, it was already getting to her. George, one of her servants walked into the gigantic library and went to talk to her.

"Excuse me miss?" He spoke soft to her. He had worked for her for a long time now. He was more than her servant he was also a good friend.

"Hello George, what's going on?"

"I can see that you miss your mate, why don't you go off to the pub for the night, maybe you'll run into the other women. I'll guard the castle with my life, miss." He bowed to her.

"I know you would, but I'd never ask that of you."

"I know that too."

He smiled then hugged her. Not five minutes passed after he went back to work that Xeta bolted from the library and fetched he lightest dark purple hooded cloak,. She quickly left the castle and walked to the village. It was a long walk there but she knew George Was right, moping around the castle wasn't going to lift her spirits. A night out might at least keep her thoughts from becoming worrisome and morbid Besides, she thought then quickly hiked her way to the local village, maybe Veronia or Rae will be there, she smiled at that thought.

               A girl's night out was just what she needed. It wouldn't get him home any faster but maybe she wouldn't think about it for a few hours. If Veronia didn't happen to be at Smittlys' there wasn't anything she could do about it. She had no clue on how to get to the cottage or even Ravenessa's castle. All she could do is hope. The rest of it was up to fate and the universal laws. After this it was out of her control. They'd be there or they won't. She took a deep breath and cleared her mind as she walked a little faster. As she was making her way to the pub, Veronia and her hostess were having coffee together.

"Veronia?" Ravenessa called to her friend who seemed lost in deep thought.

"Yes?"

"What should we do tonight?" She asked politely.

"I think I just had a vision when you said that to me." She admitted.

"What was it?"

"I saw the village, and then the pub came into focus. Our friends were there but not Stergis or Richard. It was vivid." She relayed everything from the vision.

"That is very impressive." Ravenessa replied in between sips of coffee.

"It is?"

"Yes, and I'd say after coffee we go off to the pub." Rae suggested.

"I think that sounds like a delight." Veronia agreed with her new best friend, her brother's soul mate. She gulped down her coffee and smiled. What a difference a few short months ago she had nothing Now she had friends and a family again. Her happiness soared all around her. She was beaming with joy. The two of them finished their coffee and headed out of the castle and to the pub without hesitation. It was a gorgeous slightly warm day in the enchanted forest. A little chilly but showing signs of springs return any time now. As the two of them walked to he village they watched all of the creatures scurrying around the forest. Gnomes, fairies and trolls finishing up their daily chores. 

"I think it's great that you're bonding to my brother on Ostara." Veronia told her in a heart felt tone.

"Thank you. We both thought the first day of spring was filled with love and magic, it seemed an omen for the bonding ceremony." Ravenessa admitted to her. Once the two of them made it to the village then to a few different stores for nessesities. That was another thing the two of them had in common. A passionate love for the art of shopping. While they were getting new spell-books and candles, Zeta walked into the pub and ordered a pint. She didn't see anyone she knew that well. She thought a couple pints and she'd go back to the castle and wait out Daniel's return.

"Miss Zeta, how nice it is to see you again." 

        Smitty answered her in an accent similar to the ancient Keltic language.

"Hello there, it's good to see you as well." She returned pleasantries with the owner and bar keep.

"First pint's on me miss, I've known Danny for a long time, you two are great together.'

"Thank you that's too kind." She replied grateful for the sentiment.

Zeta sat down on the stool at the end of the bar to get a better view of the place and the people while she sipped the first pint, more toying with it than anything. Sipping  here and there she watched different townspeople come and go through the large old wooden door to the pub. Time had passed slowly for her yet she felt an urge to stay a little longer when she finished the first pint. She looked around the bar one more time then figured why not, and ordered another pint.  Zeta couldn't shake the feeling that she was supposed to stay there a while. Tis was one of those times she listened to her intuition.

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