Chapter Nine

"It's been a long time," said Valerie, 

"Yes, it has been," replied Gretchen, 

"How have you been?" Asked Valerie, 

"Good," replied Gretchen, 

"Okay, this is awkward, I know I messed up," and………., said Valerie, 

"You are here for Aubrey, she needs a woman figure which I am not, and she needs help with her powers too, as you might have observed," replied Gretchen interrupting her, 

"Seriously, Gretchen we can not keep doing this to us," said Valerie, 

"We are not doing anything, Val," he replied, 

"You just called me Val, it is still there," she said smiling, 

"I don't know what you are talking about," he said, making his way into the tower, as Valerie jumped right in front of him, 

"I am so sorry about what happened, things went out of my control, I just couldn't," 

"Hey, hey," said Gretchen using his palm he slightly raised her chin to his, 

"Don't keep apologizing, it is fine, we are good," he said, holding himself back from taking those lips into his mouth.

"Won't both of you be joining us for lunch?" Asked Aubrey, as she popped her head out of the door, 

"Will be there in a bit," replied Gretchen, 

"Let's go," he said, letting go of her chin, and made his way to the tower with Valerie behind him. 

*                      *                     *                     *

Gwen, Serena and Jones had just arrived, they were ported to the isle of the Romans, the past few days in the other world had been quite a bit of plan and sending messages for them, she didn't trust Jones and Serena till now, so she had decided to part ways with them, once they had gotten here and here they are.

"It has been a while," muttered Jones, looking around the horizons, 

"We part ways here, thank you for everything," said Gwen, 

"Thought we were doing this together, finding the kids," said Serena, 

"No, we have a different goal, see you around," said Gwen, as she made her way to the west leaving them both on the isle of Roman.

A lady joined her, as she got away from the sight of the two, 

"Cayla of Dathomir," said Gwen, 

"Gweneviere Sautor," said Cayla, 

"Come here kid," said Gwen, as she enveloped her in a hug, as tears trickled down their faces, 

"I missed you mum, so much," said Cayla, 

"I missed you too, baby," replied Gwen, 

"Here, hop in," said a voice from inside a carriage, 

"Uh, Sautor," gasped Gwen, she hopped into the carriage and flung herself on him, 

"You haven't aged a bit," said Sautor, looking at his wife, with great pleasure, 

"You look good," replied Gwen, 

"That's fine you two, just how on till you get home," said Cayla.

They chatted all the way home, as the carriage galloped down the road to The walls of Dathomir. 

They rode into the gates of Dathomir, it looked different, after spending sixteen years in the outside world, she marvelled at the beautiful walls of Dathomir, different drawings painted in different colours, the city not too big is a fortress for necromancers and now a refuge for the royal house of petra, she remembered the day she stepped her feet into Dathomir, it was so beautiful, when her parents had found out she was a necromancer and the coven of Dathomir had sent for her she was so happy. 

"Mum!" Yelled Cayla, 

"Oh my!" She exclaimed, holding her chest, she was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't observe the people standing in front of her, 

"You zoned out," said Sautor, offering his hands to her, she took them and stepped down from the carriage, 

"Was just thinking of my first time here, it was beautiful and magical," she replied still holding onto Sautor's hand as her eyes took in the environment, 

"It was until you failed your first test at magic, and Aberdeen had to become your personal trainer," replied Sautor, 

"Ow, don't make me remember, that was an awful experience," said Gwen, they giggled as they made their way into the castle, while the servants followed them.  

"Sweet Gwen, you look so good," said Queen Claudia, as she hugged and kissed her both cheeks, 

"You look good too, My Queen," replied Gwen, rather surprised by the welcoming she received from the queen, 

"Come, let me take you to your chambers, so you can change and you need a bath," said Queen Claudia, as she held Gwen's hands and led her into the castle.

They got to her chambers, located on the upper side of the east wing, the room was spacious and so clean, with a bed befitting a king, fresh towels, robes and a silk fine dress were laid out at the foot of the bed, the windows overlooked the gardens and you could see as far as the plains of Dathomir.

the air was different, fresh, crisp mixed with the scents of the flowers from the garden,  the side of the bed had a table and two chairs made out of fine wood and a vase of a flower was on it, filled with fresh lilies.

At the far end was the wardrobe carved out of fine woods, with special carvings of symbols and signs that symbolise the ancient ancestral magic, she had missed this life, she thought to herself, as her feet hit the soft velvet rug, a surge of energy and power coursing through her veins. 

I am back, she thought to herself, 

"We have a lot to discuss, Gwen, make haste and join me in the bathtub," said Queen Claudia. 

She clapped her hands and the maiden servants waiting by the door answered, 

"Prepare the bathtub, hot water with my favourite scented candles and shampoo," ordered Queen Claudia, as they dispersed, 

"Thank you, My Queen," said Gwen, 

Queen Claudia smiled at her and left, 

What a time to be in the Queen's favour, said Gwen to herself.

She undressed and wore the robes on her, picked a fresh towel and made her way to the bathtub, which was at the far end of the east wing, she passed new faces which she assumed were new girls who were just finding themselves, just like herself a long time ago, she noticed the new symbols on the walls, 

Mmmh does not look ancestral to me, she thought.

The bathtub was already prepared, it was filled with hot water, the air was filled with sweet scents from the candles, the shampoo and the soap, the Queen was already inside the tub, holding a cup of wine. 

"It's been a while, Gwen, come join me," said Queen Claudia.

Gwen removed her robe and entered the tub, the water hit her skin and sent a tickling sensation down her spine.

They stayed in silence, listening to the footsteps of people, and whispering around the courts, both dreading the next subject.

"How was she, before she left?" Asked Queen Claudia, 

"She was good, grown," replied Gwen, 

"A woman now, I presume?" Asked Quen Claudia, 

"Very much, My Queen," replied Gwen, 

"It is not your fault Gwen, I don't hold anything against you, instead I am grateful for everything, you did what I couldn't do," said Queen Claudia, 

"I didn't mean for this to happen, she wouldn't listen, she didn't understand," said Gwen with tears in her eyes, 

"I didn't expect her to," said Queen Claudia, 

"I just wish things were different, I didn't know how to handle the situation perfectly, she was having these visions, these dreams, and there was Gretchen and the messages, they were too much," said Gwen, 

"We are here now, let's figure it out together," replied Claudia, 

"What are your plans?" Asked Gwen, 

"In my chambers," replied Claudia.

They washed up and cleaned themselves, and made their way to the Queen's chamber.

"Sit," said Claudia, as they entered her chambers, the plush rug making a royal statement, Gwen sat down on the bed that looked as though it were made from only feathers.

"She's at Vermont, the tower of the enchanted," said Claudia, 

"So what are we to do?" Asked Claudia, 

"Nothing, just wait, it will all make sense Gweneviere" replied Claudia with a sinister smile playing on her lips.