Realm of Galderia

chapter 30- lost

While Gwen and her new friend for life were settling in to a session of girl talk, far across the forest, Veronica was having one of her lessons with Triadia. Veronica twirled a lock of her hair while her teacher stood there trying to get the girl a proper education on sorcery and historical magic. Triadia shook her head, watching her young prodigy staring through the tiny crescent shaped dungeon window.

"Child, return your thoughts back to the here and now." Triadia spoke as sharp as a dagger.

Veronica was lost in her own mind; she didn't notice the instructor was still speaking. It only aggravated the elder sorceress.

"Veronica, would you pay attention!" She shouted as she slammed a book down with force.

That did it; Veronica jumped in her seat and turned back to her mentor. She went pale, unsure as to how far she had dug her own grave. She didn't fear much, but Triada's bad side was unknown territory to her. She stammered her words, then clearing her throat she began again.

"I am so sorry miss, I wasn't paying attention." Veronica admitted sheepishly.

Triadia just glared at her for the longest moment. Then she turned her back to her pupil.

"You may go, this lesson is over."

Veronica simply nodded as she gathered her books as fast as she could, practically running out of the dungeon, up the stairs and then out of the huge fortress. Stunned and unsure of  what happened. She never slacked off like this, not once. Shaking her head she walked further into the forest, hoping he would be there this evening. She would find out soon enough. Instinctively looking to the skies she saw darkness interrupted only by the soft glow of the stars and the moon playing peek a boo with a large grey cloud. She was not looking for guidance from the nocturnal ones but just her shared soul. She didn't see him, one of the few things that sent her in a complete panic. Her rational side began to take control. Her inner voice began to scream at her.

'What are you in love with the gargoyle? You're acting like a love sick 12 year old, snap out of it spaz!'

She shook the thoughts away. She wasn't in love with Ludwig that was impossible. He was a gargoyle, a shifter who despised being mortal. Stepping around the tree she made her way to the granite seat provided by mother earth. She waited for him with the patience of a four year old. Where was he, she kept muttering to the empty forest. She looked as far as she could see in the darkness, peering around thick forest greens that resembled tropical foliage. She saw only the darkness staring back at her. It saddened her, like a wave of dark spirits invading her mind. She began to feel all hope slowly slip away. She wanted to be wrong; she worried for his safe return. She had all but forgotten getting in to trouble with her sorcery instructor; she had other things on her mind.

In the far distance she saw a figure in the shadows of the dark forest. Waiting for the creature or human to get closer to her seemed to take eternity, she still wasn't sure if it was Ludwig or not. Once the figure was just out of the shadows she could see it was her only friend, the gargoyle. She waved to him frantically. She loved to see him, if only for a little small talk. When he was face to thigh with her, she bent down and kissed his horns, stroking his wings. He let out a soft growl of approval.

"Thank you, most kind of all mortals." He bowed his head to her. She began to giggle like a little girl playing with her kitten. She loved how he could make all of her anxiety fade into the distance by simply being there. It was strange, but a great comfort to her. When he was near her anger would just subside. She couldn't explain it or understand it. She slumped down on the ground next to him. The two sat there admiring the tranquility of their surroundings.

"I missed you gargoyle."

"Don't tell me that, please. You never know who or what is listening."

Veronica just stared at him, giving him a complete blank look. She didn't know what to say. The darkest part of her began rolling like a snow avalanche. It began implanting all sorts of horrid thoughts. 'He doesn't want anyone to know he associates with you, the gargoyle is ashamed of you.' She began turning red, then pale.

"It's only your safety that concerns me, nothing more." He soothed her tender ego.

She glared at him, unsure if this was the truth or not. He had no reason to lie and she knew that. She couldn't help but wonder, it seemed to be more than just a bad day to her. She sat quietly and wondered in her thoughts, is I under a spell of some kind? Thought placement, she remembered learning about it with her teacher a few weeks ago. Had someone put a negativity force field around her? It was possible, but of the few witches around here, who would do that to her? Placing the thought away in her mental dungeon, to be sorted out later.

"Have you seen the raven lately?" Ludwig asked in a softer voice, like the gentle tone of a mother to her newborn.

"No I haven't seen him in the last week." She replied.

"Oh, how's the sorcery training coming along?" He asked to make conversation.

"It's usually going well today I wasn't paying attention." She admitted, feeling guilty for ignoring her studies like that. She knew better.

Ludwig nodded, scooting closer to her, and then he saw it. Backing up slowly he showed his white dripping fangs, his eyes began to glow a neon crimson red.

"What is the matter? Ludwig you're scaring me."

"You should be scared." He spoke thought gritted teeth, forcing himself to calm down.

"I'm not sure what is going on here, you have to tell me why you're acting like this."

"Where did you get the thing around your neck?" He pointed to it, as if it repulsed him to be near it.

"Oh, this amulet, it was sitting on my bed with a note from Galderian."
"Wait a second are you telling me that is from the raven?"

"Yes, he left it for me."

"You need to get it off now." He commanded of her.

"No, I don't"

"You mortals are all the same, you think because it is a gift, there's nothing wrong with it. Oh it's pretty." He mocked her.

"You don't make sense."

Annoyed with her misunderstanding of him, he left her there alone in the dark forest.

Veronica just sat there, feeling as if she'd been bitch slapped by the only creature that truly ever cared for her. Anger began to rise from inside her; ready to explode she crouched down and tried to focus on anything but the rage flowing inside her soul. She couldn't stop it even if she wanted to. Thunder rolled in like a hurricane, ready to take down anything in her way. Clouds went from a white mist to instant blue black.

It began to rain fast, hard and then sideways. She couldn't believe what was going on. She couldn't have done this. She was an advanced sorceress, but not that advanced. Suddenly without warning a neon pink lightning bolt struck down on the other side of the creek. Frightened, she ran as fast as she could through the soggy forest, back to the castle. She kept running until she made it all the way to her room. She stood there for a moment dripping wet and out of breath. She stood until her breathing was back to normal. She quickly changed her clothes and sat down on her bed. This was more than just a bad day. First the royal screw up with her teacher, which seemed like nothing compared to what just happened in the forest. She pulled out her spell book and candles. She needed a good meditation, and to write out the events of the evening.

inBru