Realm of Galderia

chapter 25

The raven watched from a nearby tree as Gwen and her new little friend headed through the village. Once the two young witches were out of his range, he flew off into the dark forest. He needed to get back; she needed to know about this new development. He flew high above the trees, he had gotten caught in a branch when he was young, and this was his solution. Since then he would simply fly above the trees. He needed to get back to the sorceress; she would need to know about this recent development on the other end of the forest. He flew as fast as his wings would go, he could shift into another being but this was the best way to travel. He flew as fast as he could, not resting until the castle was in sight. He stopped a good ten yards from the castle's entrance, just long enough to catch his breath.

He looked up to the top window of the enormous castle, to see the reflection of candle light cascading across the walls of Veronica's bedroom. Good, thought the raven. That meant she was still awake. That was good for him, he needed to see her. He flew to the top of a large tree then flew through the open window of her  bedroom chamber. She jumped in surprise, and then spun around as if she had been bit. She looked to see her dark guide, the raven sitting in the window. Veronica greeted him before running to the kitchen to bring him a treat, fresh bread. She ran down and grabbed the bread and a water dish filling it on her way carefully back up the winding stair case.

She cautiously opened the door to her bedroom and set the bread and water down in the window sill for the dark bird. She  hadn't known him long, but felt closeness with him that was rare. She admired the bird, like her he was a night creature, he despised daylight. He was nocturnal, another soul that answered the lonely calling of night. She understood that about him. She waited with a lot of patience for him to finish his snack before she began to ask why he was here in the first place. She knew better than to show him anything but kindness. She smiled at him with an almost longing to fly into the night with him, but she knew that wasn't happening anytime soon. The raven also liked coming to see the dark sorceress; yet he couldn't let her know it. 

"I enjoy your company but what brings you here?" She asked bluntly, raising one eyebrow. She knew him better than this, he didn't just pop up without some reason for it.

"I have something of importance to tell you." He replied and then said nothing more. He knew it annoyed her to no end, and he loved to do it.

"Well what is it?" Veronica demanded as her cheeks began to flush with frustration.

"Do you remember telling me to keep an eye on the sorceress across the forest?"

"Yes, what has she done?" Veronica asked with eager delight, hoping to have some dirt on Gwen. She hated the little wench. She couldn't tell why but something about her drove Veronica to a breaking point she never knew existed.

"It's nothing she has done, there is a new sorceress in Galderia; I saw her with Gwen leaving the pub. I flew all this way to tell you about it."

Veronica couldn't believe what she was hearing. Anew witch and she are in with the little blonde twit? Was the entire universe out to get her or something? She thought long and hard. She had no idea what to do about this little pain in the neck.

"Thank you, I am sure it is a long flight and I am grateful for your help and wisdom." She then bowed to him, as a sign of mutual respect and understanding. The raven flew off back into the oblivion of the dark night sky. She watched him fly away before consulting her book of dark magic. There had to be a spell, incantation or vision quest in here somewhere, she thought alone. She went through her book of shadows three times before giving up on it for the night. She wasn't going to figure it out today, she knew that. She got settled for bed, hoping a little rest may give her an idea on what to do next.