The next morning Stergis woke later than normal, he stumbled out of bed and noticed Ravenessa wasn't there. She was up first, that was different. He rolled out of bed, and left the room to see where his love had gone. It only took a few moments of searching the castle to find her. She was in the kitchen with the servants sending them on errands left and right. She wanted to make everything run smoothly for their bonding ceremony. She looked swamped, but she looked like her soul was overflowing with happiness. He walked up behind her and hugged her.

"Good morning my one and only." He spoke in a soft tone.

"Good morning, I didn't know you were awake." She replied.

Then he walked around her to make two cups of warlocks brew. He handed her a cup, then taking a gulp of his own drank it down as if it were his life source. He poured a second cup and sipped at it.

"Is there anything I can do to help?" Stergis asked her.

"No dear but thank you I think I have got it covered." She told him as she sipped at the steaming mug.

"I suppose I've got everything caught up for now. I'll take a break and have another cup with you." Ravenessa offered.

"I'd love that. I enjoy it each morning, more than you'll ever know." Stergis admitted to her.

One more day and she would be his, for eternity. He was as excited as his intended. He couldn't believe love could feel like this. He want to start their life together. It was an adventure he was more than willing to be a part of, a new life with his soul mate. He leaned over and gave her a few soft kisses before more of the servants came running in and out. He could have spent the entire day just sipping drinks with his life mate. He knew better there was always something to interrupt them, but he didn't let it bother him. Soon he would have her all to himself. After their morning ritual, they had to meet with the high priestess to go over the vows. It took up most of the afternoon.

Then they met with Smitty to go over the catering menu and reception plans to follow the bonding rite. By the time they had most of the last minute details set in place for tomorrow it was early evening. Then it was time for her bonding party with the girls. Zeta and Veronia would be coming to get her soon. Once they had arrived to get her, she said a long goodbye to Stergis. He was sad to see her go, but he knew her friends had planned it. He really liked the entire group of them. They were all good, kind people. When Ravenessa left with her friends for the night, he walked around the empty castle not really sure what to do with himself. In the next few minutes he thought about a glass of goblin ale, but there was a knock at the door. Perhaps his love had forgotten something, he thought. He walked across the corridor to answer the door. When he opened it there stood Daniel, he remembered they were going for a guys night out.

"Hey, where's Richard?" Stergis asked him.

"He's waiting for us." Daniel replied.

"So where are we going?" Stergis asked to make a little polite conversation.

"I don't know. Richard has instructed my silence." Daniel replied with a serious look.

"Okay with me, it'll be fun no matter what." Stergis replied.

Stergis let Daniel lead the way. The two walked briskly through the forest. It was dark and still. The stars seemed to shine brighter in the vast cloudless skies. It was serene. Once they had got going through the forest when Stergis started the conversation.

"What's being married like?" He asked.

"It's wonderful Zeta is the undiscovered part of me that I didn't know was missing." Daniel told him.

"I feel the same way about my Ravenessa." Stergis informed him.

"I'm honestly very happy for both of you. She's a great person, you two seem to fit each other well." Daniel complimented him.

"Thank you, it means a lot ." Stergis replied.

"You're welcome." Daniel replied as the two walked through the forest. Daniel had a huge grin across his face as he waved at someone in the distance. When they got a little closer Stergis could see it was Richard standing under one of the oak trees waiting for them to meet up with him.

He saw them right away. He waved to them with excitement.

"My brothers, there you are " Richard shouted to them.

Daniel and Stergis waved and then called back to their friend. They sprinted the rest of the way so they could meet up with Richard a little faster. They were all ready for a little fun. Stergis knew that it would be a great time with his pals. Richard always found a way to make it fun, no matter what they were doing.

"Hey are you ready to get the night started?" Richard asked.

"Sure, where are we going?" Stergis asked dying to find out.

"We're going to Tanner's Bay, another small village. Daniel and I thought you might enjoy it. We're going to the pub there." Daniel told him.

"It should be fun." Stergis replied.

"All of the brethren have spent time here, it's a rite of passage as one of us." Richard explained to him.

"Thank you, with you two with me it doesn't matter where we are. Now let's go and get a drink- to the brotherhood." Stergis spoke.

The three of them started walking to tanner's bay to go to the pub there, called Bridie's. It was named after the owners first born daughter. From where they met up with Richard to the pub in Tanner's bay was only a few miles. It didn't take much effort to get there quickly. Once inside Bridie's Tavern a few of the patrons had recognized Richard from the last time he had stopped in there. The three of them sat down in the front of the bar. Someone stopped over to say hi to Richard.

"Oh hey Mitch how have you been?" Richard greeted the older gentleman.

"Good, nice to see you." Mitch greeted him before returning to his table.

"How often do you come in here?" Stergis asked with a hint of curiosity.

"I've brought Veronia here a few times recently." Richard explained.

'Well that explains it." Stergis commented to his friend.

The three of them found a small table in the center of the pub and claimed it after ordering a pint for each of them. Richard and Daniel planned to give Stergis a great night out with the guys. They took a long gulp of the intoxicating beverage and did a toast to Stergis. He was really touched by it. Six months ago he wouldn't have been within a hundred feet of the warlocks, now he was one of them. While the three warlocks were getting settled in at the tavern, their women were having their own little pow wow. They had all met at Zeta's grand castle. They were sitting around the fireplace having a little girl time. They were sharing win, laughter and making great memories. Ravenessa was having a wonderful time with the girls, but she couldn't wait to be alone with Stergis. She couldn't stop thinking of the bonding ceremony and her true soul's mate.

"Where did they take Stergis anyway?" Ravenessa asked.

"I don't know, Daniel didn't tell me." Zeta answered after draining her wine glass.

"I don't know either, I asked but Richard said he couldn't tell me, it had to do with warlocks honor." Veronia told her.

Ravenessa began to giggle a moment before taking another sip.

Hen all three of them began giggling like school girls. Ravenessa got up and poured wine for all of them. They had a blast talking and laughing, drinking wine into the late hours of the night. They talked of hopes and dreams, discussing magical components. They talked about illusion and transformation magic. Zeta was enjoying the conversation, she had quite a few magical talents, some of which she kept secret. The girls had fun, but another hour passed before the three of them went to separate bedrooms to get some sleep, they were going to need it.

The next morning just before the dawning hour, the three members of the brethren headed back through the forest to get home. The bonding ceremony would take place that afternoon. Stergis was looking forward to finally bonding with his Ravenessa. The village seemed full of activity. It was to be a great celebration. Stergis was overjoyed yet as nervous as he could be. He didn't do well with very large crowds. The pub was one thing, but over fifty people or more made him break out into a cold sweat. He never really knew why but he didn't dwell on it. He was more worrisome over not making a fool of himself during their bonding rite. He feared he would say something wrong or screw it up in some way.

He tried to concentrate on one thing at a time. The three of them had finally made it back to Richards cottage. All three of them needed to get cleaned up before the ceremony. The ceremony would be taking pace in the village square. It couldn't have been a nicer spring day and to mark the occasion, it was on Ostara, the day that marked the coming of spring. He was glad he let her pick the day. She picked a gorgeous day for their rite. It looked as things were running smoothly for the life changing event, but he was still anxious. He wanted to get it moving along so he could have her by his side for always. He was ready, completely dressed and waiting for the other two who were taking turns getting ready for the occasion.

While the warlocks were getting ready at Richards place, the witches were busy doing Ravenessa's hair. All three of them were excited, having a cup of Zeta's special herbal tea. It was to help with mood and balance.

"I don't mind if you want to put flowers in my hair, any color but pink. I can't stand pink." Ravenessa told them.

Zeta nodded in agreement with her and Veronia chuckled a moment.

"I'm so glad you are going to be bonded with my brother. In a few hours you and I will really be sisters." Veronia gushed, practically squealing.

"Thank you, I too am glad to call you sister as well as friend." Rae told her.

The three of them had gotten prepared and ready for the ceremony a little too early. Zeta grabbed a bottle of champagne and poured a small glass for all of them.

"I say we toast to sisters." Zeta held up her glass, so did the other two. They had a few sips of the drink before heading outside of the castle to the village. She was glowing with happiness. The three of them walked quickly through the forest all of them ready for the occasion.

As they were walking through the forest, the warlocks were in the village making small talk with those who had come a little early. Stergis spoke to a couple that knew his intended. He thought their names were Ralph and Sarah? He wasn't sure. He then saw the priest and priestess, so he stopped to say thank you before the ceremony. For the most part he tried to stick with Richard and Daniel as he waited for everyone to arrive. About ten minutes later his love made her dramatic entrance into the village square. She looked gorgeous in her white sparkling gown. Zeta and Veronia walked along side her.She looked so elegant, like a goddess of the forest. Once she was there everyone else seemed to follow.

The weather stayed beautiful all day as the two of them were bonded, a merging of souls. The entire community showed up for the event. Once the ceremony was completed, everyone went to the pub for a big celebration. Stergis couldn't believe how many people showed up. A few of the villagers her remembered meeting through Daniel, several of the local business owners and a lot of their friends. Thanks to the warlocks, Stergis felt like he was a part of a huge family of friends. Most of their friends came up to wish them good luck and years of happiness. When Ravenessa went over to talk to Veronia, Stergis looked around until he found Richard and Daniel.

"So, when do you plan to have a bonding rite with my sister?" Stergis teased his friend.

"I'm not really sure yet." Richard gave him an honest answer.

"It's your turn." Daniel joked.

"Oh shut it Danny boy." Richard told him, taking a sip of his pint.

The three of them started laughing for a long time before going back to their drinks and the women who loved them. The celebration lasted far into the night as Stergis and Ravenessa began their adventure together.

= Cr?y: