QUEEN SANDRA.

　　I had waited for what seemed to be far too long and I could not wait anymore. I had to put my plans into action now.

　　I could not stand waiting any longer. Today was the day I will go to meet the witch or wizard who will help me execute my plan.

　　Soon Jack will be fully mine and love me wholeheartedly.

　　And soon, that good for nothing elf will be loathed and he will despise her. I felt my lips curl up into a malicious grin at the thought before clearing my head.

　　I needed to go to the wizard’s place, and in order to do that there was something I had to do first.

　　I looked around to make sure that I was alone in my room. I went to my wardrobe and opened it. Inside there was a pile of clothes folded neatly on the platform, right where I kept what I needed.

　　I removed the pile of clothes and took out the object, placing it on the bed before I replaced the clothes back in and shut the wardrobe door. Turning around to my bed I carried the object in my hands.

　　It was a gem, golden in color. Even with the dimmed light of my room it still shone. But its beauty was not the essence of it; rather it was the magical properties of the gem.

　　Days before, after I had rested, I spoke to the maid who had given me this gem. The same one who has given me hope in my helpless situation.

　　“A communication gem I got. Through this, one can summon anybody so long as they have the receiving gem. My friend Katherine gave it to me and she has the other half. Through this, you will be able to communicate with her.” she gave a slight pout before she continued.

　　“She is the only one who knows the path to the wizard’s place properly. Although I followed her along, my memory is not as good.” She finished somberly, looking at me almost apologetically.

　　I gave her a reassuring smile to remind her that it was not her fault. Even with magical beings there were still plenty of limitations. I looked at the gem in my hands more carefully.

　　“And how do I use it to communicate then?” I asked curiously.

　　“It's simple my lady. To summon her you need to imbue your magic into the gem and call for the person you wish to summon. Once you do, the other half of the gem will glow and then she will be alerted. She can choose not to answer though so you will have to be careful.”

　　I held it up, scrutinizing the precious jewel. It looked normal, like what one may use to create a pendant or a ring. But if it is as Clarisse says…

　　I grasp it tightly and put it beside me before I turn to Clarisse, giving her a grateful nod.

　　“Thank you Clarisse, you may take your leave now.” I spoke.

　　Clarisse gave me a smile before she turned away, moving to the exit and closing the door.

　　The moment the door shut I looked beside me to see the gem, my plans still continuously forming in my mind.

　　Now was the time to use it. I closed my eyes and held the gem in my hands.

　　“Here goes nothing.” I thought to myself.

　　I pushed my magic into the gem, calling out her name in my mind as Clarisse had instructed. I could not feel a thing or a change take place. Doubt entered me. Was it all a ruse? I thought.

　　I had to have hope and keep going. I kept chanting her name in my mind more furiously than ever. Soon the stone began to grow warm then hot until I could not bear it anymore.

　　The moment I felt like I was scalded I opened my eyes with a yelp and dropped the gem to the floor, taking steps backwards and from it while I nursed my hand. To my surprise, there was no mark or burn, not even a sign of redness.

　　Well, well, well, what do we have here?” A voice emanated.

　　In shock I turned to where the gem was to see that it was shining like a projector. Standing before me was a projected person who looked just as tall as me. She had raven dark hair. Said person was also wearing a dark purple robe and she looked amused.

　　There was no doubt that this was Katherine.

　　“I’m very confused as to how you got this gem Queen Sandra, and even more how you know how to use it.” though her tone remained light and nonchalant I could see the suspicion even though the hologram.

　　I regained my composure, schooling my face into a stoic visage and took a step forward.

　　“Clarisse referred me to you.” I spoke

　　The woman looked surprised and followed but amusement as she chuckled, shaking her head lightly. “Of course she did.” She muttered before looking up to me

　　“Alright then. Since you have summoned me, what do you need?”

　　I took a deep breath and swallowed. It was now or never.

　　“She told me that you know of a witch or wizard who could help me.”

　　“help you?” in what way?”

　　“In cases of love.” I spoke.

　　Like a switch her face turned serious, and less guarded. “Go on.”

　　I took in a swallow and closed my eyes. I needed her to trust me, and if that meant that I had to share a snippet of myself to earn that trust, then so be it “I need someone who can make a love potion for me. A potion so strong it can trap the most powerful mage. My husband, he loathes me for a reason I don’t understand and cheats on me. I’m sick and tired of the humiliation I have faced. And I want him to be mine.” I finished

　　I looked to Katharine once I was done

　　I could see that her brows had relaxed and her shoulders less stiff. She looked less guarded compared to before yet still looked careful. “If I may know such a wizard that can do such, what do you need?”

　　“I need to know his location. I need directions to the wizard’s place.” I said. She seemed to scrutinize me with her stare trying to gauge my sincerity. I didn’t waver from her stare though and maintained eye contact, hoping she would believe me.

　　Katherine looked away first, blinking at me whilst I still remained staring at her, trying to convey my sincerity. After some thought Katherine gave a sigh “alright.” She conceded “I’ll tell you what you need to know.”

　　Hope filled my heart and I smiled lightly waiting for what she was going to say next.

　　“The wizards place…” she began to tell me the location, being specific on the direction and landmarks. I was a bit shaken when I had finished hearing it, but my determination won over any sort of fear I could have possibly borne.

　　Once she was done I nodded. “Okay then. Thank you.” I said, before I took a step forward. As Clarisse had said, once I was done, in order to lose the connection I was to close my magic in the same way I opened it.

　　I was about to move forward to do so when she stopped me

　　“Wait.” She said,

　　I looked up to her questioningly. What could she have in mind?

　　“Before you set out on your journey, there’s still something I have to tell you.”

　　I waited and listened as she spoke again.

　　“The place is not one to be trifled with, but you have to be very careful and very strong in order to get there successfully. This is because you will face a lot of difficulty the closer you are. This wizard… he sets traps and deadly ones in order to maintain security. In order to get to him, you will have to be strong enough to pass those traps.

　　I nodded. It seems like my task was cut out for me.

　　“Thank you for the warning.” I said.

　　She nodded and I crouched to grasp the stone. I closed my eyes and closed the connection, imagining it blocking the flow of water. When I opened my eyes I was alone in the room once more.

　　I stared at the empty space where Katherine stood before; I felt a strong bout of determination fill me. It didn’t matter the danger that I will face on my way there. I had already made up my mind to do whatever it takes.

　　I returned the gem to the wardrobe and changed my clothes, ready to go.

　　The dark forest was a dangerous place. Concentrated with a magical aura, nothing about it was safe. Even the plants, animals and trees could turn on one and entrap them to feed on their life energy. Many forbidden plants with poisonous or heinous properties grew here, spurred on by the dark aura which fed them. Ore all, it was not a safe place to roam and people rarely came into the place.

　　Which was why it was utterly baffling yet admirable for the wizard to be here.

　　I could understand the logic of course. Due to it being a forbidden area to step in it was likely nobody would have hindered the wizard, making it the safest place for him to do his activities. Furthermore, anyone who was strong enough to stay in the dark forest must have been very powerful, which bolstered my belief that he will be able to solve my problems.

　　Did it make it safe for anyone who was passing through? Of course not. But that might have just been the charm of it.

　　I became more wary and careful as I neared her checkpoint. As Katherine had told me, there was a dark tree which was bare as though it was winter. It was so dark it looked like it had been charred. I looked at the tree and touched the bark lightly. I was close.

　　I became more wary with every step I could, looking around and using my magic to sense whatever I could.

　　Katherine had told me that the witch constantly changes his traps, so what I had faced may not be the same for me. I was blind as to what trap I will face as I neared his abode and so I had to be more wary than ever.

　　The first time I heard a twig snap I thought it was just me, but the second time I knew it was not a coincidence. It wasn’t until I heard a growl behind me that I stopped walking.

　　I removed the hood of the cloak I was wearing and turned back to see shadows. I heard a growl beside me and then in front of me.

　　I quickly berated myself for believing that my magic senses would have detected them. They had probably been born with the ability to cloak their presence, making my magical perception practically useless.

　　Beasts. They were beasts everywhere. They were dark like shadows, merging with the darkness of the forest itself, but they stood out with their eyes. Their eyes were shining a bright red and yellow in varying shades. No matter, their growls began to fill the place. Their menacing aura could be felt, dense and thick in the air.

　　And, they turned to my

　　It seemed that they had now noticed my presence in the forest. I knew now that there was no escaping this.

　　I braced myself as I was surrounded by all sides by the dark creatures. No doubt a string of fear entered my, but I tamped it down immediately. I could get through this.

　　I had to fulfill my plan after all, and nothing, especially beasts like these would stop me.

　　They struck.