Once Ravenessa had found what she wanted, the two women thanked the shopkeeper. The two left the small store, having a lot of fun together,

"Do you want to go to the pub?" Veronia suggested with a smile.

"Yes, I could use a pint myself." Ravenessa admitted to her with a giggle.

"Off to the pub then... I wonder if there are a lot of people there tonight or not."

"Only one way to find out, let's go." Ravenessa told her.

The two of them walked along side one another, having a great girl's only kind of day. The shop wasn't far from the pub. They reached it in no time. When she opened the door for the two of them, she saw the bar keep getting their drinks ready before they had made it inside the place. They thanked the bartender and found a small booth to relax. They sipped at the lager for a while. Rae began to scan through the crowd to see if there were any women they knew were here. Then she glanced at the end of the long bar and saw Zeta having a drink all alone. That wasn't right.

'Veronia I'll be right back." She excused herself and walked down to the end of the bar.

"Zeta, I think we've met a few times."

"Yes, I think I remember seeing you too. It's Ravenessa?"

"Yes. I was wondering would you like to have a few with me and Veronia." She invited in a pleasant tone.

"Thank you, yes, I'd love to. Lead the way." Zeta replied, glad to talk to someone she knew.

Ravenessa lead her back to the booth where Veronia was waiting for her friend to return. When she did, there was another with her, Zeta. Veronia smiled and set down the mug.

"Hi Zeta, good to see you. Please sit, have a few. "Veronia blurted out all at once.

"Thank you, I'd love to." Zeta replied, happy to be joining in good company.

"You were recently bonded to Daniel?" She asked.

"Yes, it was an amazing ceremony. We're very happy that it turned out well." Zeta commented, and then took a large gulp of the lager. The other two did the same. They sat together laughing and talking together for a few rounds. Zeta had an expression like a wave of sadness had a claim on her.

"It's okay, we miss our mates too." Ravenessa told her.

"Thank you so much. I just feel a bit lost without him near me." Zeta admitted to the other witches.

"I know how you feel." Veronia told her with an empathetic smile.

They had felt the same way, missing their companions terribly but they didn't have to do it alone. Zeta ordered them another round of drinks. She really enjoyed being around these two. They seemed like great friends to have around. She was having the greatest time with them. After a few more rounds Zeta began to open up to them a little more. She wasn't the trusting type most of the time. 

           She knew that when she returned home that she'd have to thank George for suggesting she go out and get her mind off of Daniel's absence, having a splendid evening getting to know them. She had a lot in common with Ravenessa being that they were trapped in the same asylum a few short months ago. However Zeta felt a strange closeness with her that she couldn't explain. She put it to the back of her thoughts and concentrated on the present moment, a night out with new friends.

     It was complete bliss; it was almost like having her companion again. Daniel would be glad to know that she was out making new girlfriends instead of pacing the castle for days at a time. She ordered another round for them, glad that she didn't come out for nothing. Having a great time with some amazing witches, it was well worth the walk downhill from her extravagant castle. She looked around the tavern; the crowd had thinned out over the past few hours.

After one more round of lager, Zeta noticed how late it was getting to be. She politely excused herself, thanking them for a wonderful time. She really did hope to go out with them again soon. They were way too much fun to be around. It had helped subside the lingering worry over Daniel and his friends. Once she made it out of the tavern she hurried through the village, ready to get back to her castle. She wanted to get home and get comfortable. 

                 Hoping for Daniel's safe return any day now, the sooner the better. She missed him more than she thought possible. She ached to be near him again, it wouldn't be much longer now until she'd see her companion again but it felt like eternity. Picking up speed as she left the village and entered the forest,  putting all those random thoughts to the back of her mind. She cleared all thoughts and focused on getting back to the castle.

          Walking a little faster with each step  it wouldn't take her long. She knew her way around the enchanted forest thanks to Daniel's help. He was a wonderful person and great companion. She smiled just thinking of his return. She couldn't wait to have him home with her again. She thought of their life time together as she sprinted the last mile though the forest. She saw just past the clearing her beloved castle. Good she was almost there, to the soft bed. She had an extravagant great time with the girls but she was overwhelmed with exhaustion. Zeta ran the rest of the way until she reached the castle, she was home. The first thing she needed to do was thank George for suggesting that she get out and have a little fun.

By the time she entered her home, it had gotten really late. She looked around for George. Then she checked the staff's lounge and found him fast asleep in one of the arm chairs. She pulled the blanket over him. She'd have to thank him tomorrow. George was more like a family member than a servant. He had been in her life over a decade now. He was a great person to have on your side. She watched him sleep for just a few more minutes. Then she crept out of the servant's lounge and made her way to the master bedroom, she was ready to drop. She needed sleep long before now. She curled up in the empty bed, drifting off almost instantly.

The warlocks had long since left the quaint village and were climbing the gigantic mountains several miles from the village. They were all doing well with the difficult terrain; it was a steep uphill climb. They were just trying to get as far as possible and as fast as possible. Once they had gotten half way up the mountain they had to stop. There was a gargoyle with his foot caught in between two heavy rocks, keeping the creature trapped. 

Stergis was transfixed by the magnificent animal. They were also protectors and guardians of this realm too. He had always had a deep fascination with gargoyles. He adored them, what they stood for and their nocturnal essence. He had to take a deep breath before talking to the enchanted beast. He walked over and crouched down near the gargoyle.

"Hello." Stergis greeted the poor thing.

The gargoyle said nothing, he was fearful with wide eyes. He couldn't tell if this fellow meant him harm. He was stuck and had been for a few hours now.

"Would you care for a little assistance?"

'Yes, I would be grateful for some help." Spoke the gargoyle in a deep raspy voice.

"What's your name?" Stergis asked the gargoyle.

"The others of my kind call me Terrance."

"Terrance it's good to meet you. I'm Stergis; the two with me are Richard and Daniel. We're here to help. Just a moment and we'll have you freed." Stergis informed the creature.

"It is good to meet all of you. Thank you for your kindness. Most run in fear of me, but I'm a pretty nice guy." The gargoyle explained to them.

Richard cracked a wide smile, he couldn't help it. Terrance had a great sense of humor thought Richard. Especially for being trapped out here.

"I don't fear your kind; I actually have a deep admiration of all magical beings." Stergis told him.

"I'll take that as a compliment."

"Okay, just a minute we'll get you out."

"Guys grab that rock, I'll get this one. One...two....three, pull!" Stergis yelled to the others.

Almost instantly Terrance was freed from the rock's entrapment. It took him a few minutes to get the feeling back.

"Thank you gentlemen, I will never forget your kindness. Someday I hope to repay this debt." Terrance told them before turning around and flying off toward the horizon. As he flew off he dropped a trinket for them, a blue amulet on a silver chain.

"Well if that wasn't a strange little fellow." Daniel commented, Richard added in agreement.

"I worked with them for a few years when I was training to be a sorcerer. To understand them completely is to know divinity." Stergis told them.

"Guys, I think we had better keep moving, the staff won't find itself." Daniel advised the other two.

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