Stefan   It was dark in the city, and the streets were mostly abandoned as Stefan headed to the nearest guard post. One of the guards played solitaire while his partner napped in the corner.  Stefan smiled wryly. No wonder the city was so overrun with crime. He cleared his throat to get their attention. The sleeping guard snored loudly in response while the one playing cards glanced up at him irritatedly.  “What is it?” He grumbled. Stefan kept his temper in check as he grimaced at the rude man. “Let the monks know I am here so that I might meet with them.” He commanded. The guard

Clarissa recognized this section of the woods from the vision the purple sage had induced. This was where she handed her baby to her beloved. But she did not see herself. The woods seemed especially and eerily quiet. It was as if the wildlife knew something terrible was going to happen. Clarissa didn’t know why she felt that way, but trepidation filled her. There was a tenseness in the air that made it hard to breathe. The hooded man she had seen give the baby away went running by. He was running so fast that Clarissa couldn’t keep up. The forest melted away behind them as they ran. But he did not slow until a small cabin appeared before them. It was not a castle. But it would be cozy and warm for two people. Tonight, it was dark, and the tension in the air seemed to

Stefan   Stefan limped through the streets on his way back to the Inn. His body was sore. Wounds squished blood with every step.  He knew what he needed was to get back to the Inn. There he could rest. The idea of sleep dominated his thoughts.  If he were a weaker man, he would find a dark street corner to nap in. But if he were to do that, the sun would rise on his sleeping form. It was the gargoyle curse that turned them to stone during the day. But Stefan was only half gargoyle. So the curse only activated when he slept in direct sunlight. It was why he always woke before daybreak.  A voice in his head encouraged him to find a quiet corner. In his stone form, he would heal quicker and awake

Clarissa   The nuns all greeted Clarissa with excitement. She felt like a new toy they were passing around. She wouldn’t remember all of their names. But the petite woman that stopped her yesterday was Celendra. Celendra smiled warmly. “While we have you, we would each like to teach you something about magic.”  “Really?” Clarissa asked eagerly.  She had not been able to learn as much on the road with Stefan as she had hoped.   Bertha nodded and another nun cut in enthusiastically. “What is your element?” Clarissa laughed. “Well, Stefan said that the beam I used on accident when trying to defend myself was life energy.” 

Clarissa   Panic rose swiftly through Clarissa as she faced the monk pressing her against the stone wall. She didn’t know what he had in store for her, but she would not let it happen.  “Let me go.” She growled and pushed against his chest.  He didn’t move. She closed her eyes and focused on her emotions. If she had to use her magic to get out of this, she’d have to concentrate.  “Brother Compton, what are you doing?” Brother Melchior’s voice echoed through the hallway.  Clarissa opened her eyes to see the young monk turn towards Brother Melchior. She allowed herself a little hope that the older monk was here to save her. “Just teaching a nun