The inside of Madam Marlow’s tent was even messier then the outside. Every inch of the floor was covered in papers with notes, legends, and recipes. Books were stacked high and then used as tables for bottled potions. Jars filled with herbs, and who knows what the yellow sludge stuff was. In the corner lay two beds. One organized with a few books at the end. The other was covered in more books and more bottles. Madam Marlow pushed to the center, and uncovered four hidden chairs.
“There are chairs in here” said Alexia surprise.
“Everyone sit, even you squirrely.” said Madam Marlow taking her own seat. “The Prophecy my dear child is about a young hero. They do not give a gender, but they do say that the hero just reaches adult hood, which is what age?” asked Madam Marlow.
“15” sighed Raven
“Yes. That hero will run across the land making many friends of all species, trying to find what was taken. An evil plot will be unearthed, and only the hero can stop them, “Do you know how that hero is supposed to stop them?” asked Madam Marlow.
“By becoming best friends and skipping through flowers.” said Tidas looking bored.
“No, it’s a bit sketchy but if I am correct that hero is to give their enemy their life. That life will shine with the light of good, and will outcast the darkest of enemies into brightness. I will not let that be you Raven, if I have to make you and your squirrel friend drink a powerful sleeping draught I will.” said Madam Marlow sternly.
“Who says that hero will be her” said Alexia glancing at Raven.
“The spirit voices only say a hero just becoming an adult will be the hero. I will not take the risk of it being Raven.” said Madam Marlow standing. Raven being unable to hold her anger stood and shouted.
“Marlow, you taught me to make potions, you found me the best mage teacher in the forest, and you also found me the best weapons teacher in the forest. They, along with you taught me to fight, and fight I can. I have never stood down to an enemy, and I will not start now. I came to say good-bye, and hopefully gain your blessing. If you will not give it, then I will leave. Come Tidas.” Raven turned to leave, but was interrupted.
“Wait a moment” said Madam Marlow standing up. “I said I wouldn’t let you go, and I plan on keeping that promise” Madam Marlow was quick for her age. She moved to the entrance flap before anyone could move.
“You can’t keep us in here forever” said Raven. She motioned for Tidas to take the other side of Madam Marlow.
“Who said anything about forever? Just for a year or two.” said Madam Marlow blocking the exit further with her cane.
“I will not stand nor sit here for a year. Every day that passes my friends are being moved farther away and into danger.” said Raven
“Who says they’re still alive?” asked Madam Marlow trying eagerly to defer Raven from her quest.
“When I went missing a few years back, the villagers said that a girl my age wouldn’t last an hour on my own, but you still came looking for Me.” said Raven proving her point.
“So nothing I say will change you minds about leaving?” asked Madam Marlow with saddened eyes.
“No” said Raven sternly.
“Very well, I have no choice.” said Madam Marlow leaving the tent. She sealed the flap from the outside sealing everyone in. Raven, Tidas, and even Alexia were trapped within until Raven or Alexia countered the potion, Madam Marlow released them, or until they died.
“Do you think she’s going to keep us locked in here long? I’m hungry.” said Tidas moving around the tent looking for an exit. Both Raven and Alexia looking dumfounded at Tidas.

Through the slit the group could watch as the mourning’s light became the high blazing sun in mid-afternoon, and then the orange glow of sunset.
“I can’t counter this spell” said Raven flopping backwards in exhaustion.
“Neither can I” said Alexia leaning against a pile of potion volumes. The sealing potion Madam Marlow used was complex, and with so few ingredients, and supplies within the tent neither Raven nor Alexia could break its hold.
“Quiet I hear footsteps” said Tidas. He moved behind the bed, while Raven and Alexia ducked behind the piles of books. The footstep reached the tent flap. The sound of a breaking bottle, told the imprisoned group that someone had removed the seal. Raven got ready to spring. The flap of the tent was moved aside to show not just one silhouette, but three. Madam Marlow, Master Ralis, and Mistress Lou all stood in the entry of the tent. Master Ralis is the best in the forest when it comes to weapons. He alone knows how to use every weapon ever created by a dwarf, vampire, human, elf, and so on. Madam Marlow knew her way around with potions, but no one could defeat Mistress Lou in a mage’s duel. Both had been teachers to Raven, but only Master Ralis had ever taught Tidas.
“Come out, come out where ever you are” said Madam Marlow steeping into the tent. Raven stood up, moved around the pile of books to return to her knee in a respectful bow. Tidas jumped over the bed to take his place on his knee next to Raven. Only Alexia didn’t bow, because she did not know who these people were.
“Rise, young ones” said Master Ralis. “Madam Marlow has told us of your quest and her prophecy. We offer final lessons to help you on your journey.”
“You may either take the lessons, or go now. If you decide to take the lesson though, it’ll take three days, and you cannot leave until you finish.” continued Mistress Lou.
“What do you think Tidas?” asked Raven.
“Why not.” said Tidas glancing at Mistress Lou. He had heard the many legends of her travels at many feasts, but never before has he laid eyes on the powerful sorceress.
“Very Well, we shall begin the training in the mourning. As for now we have travelled far to help, and we need rest.” said Mistress Lou. With one sweep of her staff the books, papers, and bottle arranged them selves neatly at the edges at the tent while extra beds appeared and blankets for Master Ralis. The group went to bed and slept under the full moon.


A silver moon light filled the small field the group had chosen to camp in. Luna, Nibbers, and the other two prisoners sat tied to one another and a tree, far from the flickering warmth of the fire.
“Do you think Tidas will come for us?” whispered Nibbers glancing towards the group of thieves.
“I don’t know about Tidas, but I know Raven will. She has to come.” said Raven also glancing to the group of thieves.
“I thought my friends would come too, but here I Am.” said the vampire. He was dressed from head to foot in black. He had a torn black cape that hung to the knees. His long hair was greasy, and tangled. He too had red eyes like Luna, but his seemed to glow in the faint moon light.
“We thought you were asleep.” said Nibbers shaking.
“HA, vampires are creatures of the night. Your master should know that goblin.” said the vampire with a smirk.
“What’s your name?” asked Luna looking at the vampire with steady eyes.
“Dusk” said the vampire widening his smile to reveal his sharp fangs.
“Well Dusk, Within the Night Territory the goblins may below vampires and may be servants, but where I come from goblins, vampires, fairies, angles, and any other creature, or being are all equal. Nibbers is my friend, and I am not his or anyone’s master.” said Luna sternly.
“Wow, you hang out with Raven way to much.” said Nibbers glancing at Luna.
“Such a place exists” said the fairy stirring from her sleep.
“Go back to sleep Rose” commanded Dusk.
“Yes” said Luna looking to the fairy. She wore a pale white dress that had holes and tares from travelling. Her powder white wings hung limply behind her. They had been broken too many times to stand erect like they normally do. Her silver hair hung loosely down her back, while her crystal blue eyes stood out through all the white.
“Where?” asked Rose “I’ve only dreamed of such a place. Tell me where vampire”
“It hides within the forbidden forest” whispered Luna.
“Of course, a wonderful dream stuck in the middle of a dark and evil forest.” said Rose with crystal like tears forming in her eyes.
“How dare you call our home evil! We’ve lived there with little worries. We have plenty to eat, no wars, plentiful harvest every year, yearly rains that have yet to fail us. Children are raised by the communities they live in. Few carry weapons and those who do are either guard, newly banished people, or master of the art of war. Cities have little or no crime. Masters of many skills fill the forest, and all of them are willing to take on apprentices. So compared to your home that is filled with your starving, war, and drought filled home, are little forbidden forest is paradise.” shouted Nibbers.
“QUIET OVER THERE” shouted one of the demon thieves.
“Huh, that’s not what my king says. He told the entire kingdom that the forbidden forest was filled with murderous criminals that kill the weakest. Only the strongest can go in, and that after ten years he’ll send patrols to rescue the living.” said Dusk looking at Luna and Nibbers as if they made up their peaceful forest in their minds.
“Of course, he’ll tell you that. What kind of kingdom would he have if his entire population lived within the forbidden forest, and I can tell you that the whole rescue thing is a lie.” said Nibbers
“How?” asked Dusk skeptically?
“Because my parents were banished 30 years ago, and because they were banished and they tried after my birth to return to the night territory I was placed on the prison list.”
“The elders of my forest said that your forest was a poisoned land beyond the help, and was only meant to punish the killers” said Rose looking at her tied hands.
The conversation ended when a giant dead green demon, wearing only a loin cloth, and an axe wondered over to the group with food scraps.
“Here you go parasites” said the demon passing both Luna and Dusk bloody stakes.
“Thank-you Gorem” said Dusk taking the stake without question, or complaining.
“Sorry, but no thank-you. I don’t eat meat or drink blood” said Luna turning away from the stake.
“Humph, I’m not a short order cook. Either you eat what I bring you or you don’t eat at all.” said Gorem trying to pass the stake to Luna again.
“Looks like I’m not eating then.” said Luna turning green just looking at the stake.
“A week without food should open you pallet parasite.” snarled Gorem. With Luna not eating he passed the second stake to Dusk who took it gratefully.
“Thank-you Gorem” said Dusk again.
“As for the broken butterfly” said Gorem passing Rose a loaf of bread.
“Thank-you Gorem” said Rose.
“And for our little green thief” said Gorem turning to face Nibbers offering an apple.”
“Thank-you Gorem” said Nibbers taking the apple into his little hands. The Demon stumbled off and Dusk and Rose began their feast.
“Here Luna” said Nibbers trying to pass the whole apple to Luna.
“No Nibbs” said Luna looking at the apple.
“Fine then, how about half” said Nibbers carefully breaking the apple in half over a rock.
“I’ll take that deal.” said Luna taking the smaller half.
The moon fell some more over the trees and the fire began to die. Gorem as drunk as could be stumbled over and shouted.
“All of you g..g..go to sleep. *hiccup* or some of you are going to loss an arm.” With that he stumbled to a tent a mere twenty feet from where the prisoners were tied. By the time Luna finally fell asleep the moon was hiding behind the trees, the fire was dead, and the only one awake was Dusk. Luna gave a violent shiver, and Dusk carefully removed his cloak and covered the young vampire.