They all looked up at once. The man jumped up. Raven’s hand went to his sword. The women now huddled together. The blonde began bowing to the ground. How ridiculous they all seemed. It only to a second for me to pop into their heads to get what I was looking for at the moment. Names!

The box blonde was Elizabeth, she considered herself a powerful witch. The man, who I could now see clearer, looked about mid twenties, short almost military hair cut, pointy face, skinny nose, thin mouth, medium build, he was Steven. One of the girls was Amy, she was from the way she was holding on to him his girl, she had mid length brown hair in a ponytail, her features while not ugly were plain in a country kinda way. Another girl was Kelsey, this one was tougher, the one who wanted to leave the woods, she was a dark complected mixture of some sort, black curly hair, also in a ponytail, thin and athletic, actually very pretty. The last was Miranda, she was Amy sister and resembled her greatly except her hair was a dirty blonde that came just past her shoulders. All of this I fond out in seconds and used it!

“Elizabeth” I said softly as I looked down at the box blonde. She lifted her head. The others took a step back. “Damn tricks” I heard in Kelsey’s mind. “Tricks?” I asked sweetly turning my head to look her in the eye. She instantly went pale as a sheet. “Elizabeth, do you know who I am?” I asked her. “No” she replied softly. “Tell me Elizabeth, how is it you came to be upon my land” I ask more sternly. She stammered.. “One of you answer me NOW” I said raising my voice, the ground trembling. It was Amy, the one with all the faith in Elizabeth that answered.

“Liz had a book, a witches book, it told of a place to cross over to a land of fairy and old gods, we were all on a trip with the others, old college and military friends, we had a few drinks, we thought it would be fun to go to check the place out, it isn’t fun anymore, we lost our friends, we lost our way, they must be playing a trick on us, we don’t know where we are” she said in a frantic rush. “And the book, where is it now?” I asked “In my bag” Elizabeth replied. “Fine, I know where your friends are, I will take you to them” I said calmly

With that I walked ahead, Raven still silent beside me. I could hear them gathering their belongings and scampering to follow. “What are we to do with them now?” Raven asked me, glancing back. “They can not understand our language love, we may speak freely, and what we will do with them, I know not, first we get them in the tower, warm and fed with their friends, then we have much to discuss with our father” I said. We spoke no more, instead, I listened to those behind us whisper and think.

Who are they…where are we going…can we trust them…where are we…we’ve been walking forever…hungry..tired…afraid…angry…amazed…told ya Liz was powerful…shut up…do you know them Liz….no…she is beautiful…is she a fairy…you are talking insane…she was in my head…we need to get home…we cant trust them…do you think they can hear us…keep your voices down…she can hear in your head…it was all set up…she can not hear in your damn head…pull it together…Liz…you need to come clean…I swear…I don’t know what is going on…when I find the others I’m going to strangle them…probably back at Matt’s place havin a good laugh…all I know is I’m beat…yeah…Oh my God…look at that place…are we all seeing the same thing..

That was the last thing as I heard as Echo’s keep came into view and the guards raced out to meet us. Raven climbed on horse back pulling me behind him. We ordered the guards to take our guest to the tower with their friends, to bring us their bags and belongings, and to provide them with food and blankets. Raven and I headed to the hall.