Chapter 7: know who your friends are

The sun was starting to go down Gar and Raven were still talking, she had even told him about her powers. Every now and then something would explode catching Gar off guard, then they both started laughing.

"So, Raven where are you going to stay tonight?" Gar asked settling down after the last laughing fit?

"I don't Know" Raven said honestly "I don't have anywhere to go anymore."

"Well. Umm… uh…. You can uh stay here if you want" Gar replied blushing and rubbing the back of his head with is right hand.

"Well uh…. I don't really know about that" Raven replied putting her hood up covering her equally blushing face.

"Garfield!" Alegar called in his mind "Bring Raven back to my cave, She can stay the night here."

"Okay" Gar replied.

Raven looked at Gar questioningly, "Who are you talking to?" she asked.

"Alegar talks to me telepathically sometimes" Garfield replied getting up from his chair

"Like this?" Raven asked in Garfield's mind playfully

Wow...Yeah Exactly like that Garfield said in amazement. "Alegar said He wanted me to take you back to his cave, he wants you to stay with him tonight."

"Uhh… Ok" Raven replied.

"We should get going" Gar said "It can get dangerous in the dark."

After about ten minutes of walking they had arrived at Alegar's cave. Gar knew all the quickest ways.

"I walked for over an hour today trying to find your cottage and it was less than ten minutes away" Raven said in a monotone voice. Garfield could tell that she wasn't impressed

"That's because you don't know the way" Gar laughed at her.

Raven started to silently pout under her hood.

Alegar was standing at the edge of the cave watching the way they interacted. He was pleased to see Garfield so happy again.

"Good night Raven" said Gar, "I'll be back at first light."

"Okay" Raven replied, "Good night Gar." She then walked the path around the lake up to the cave where the waterfall parted for her.

Once Raven was in the cave Alegar turned his attention to Garfield.

"It is inappropriate for a young Lord and Lady to share quarters" Alegar chuckled

Gar blushed deeply, "It's not like that" Gar said flailing his arms about.

Alegar only chuckled, "Good night Garfield" he said, "I trust you can make your way back safely."

"I'll be fine" Gar replied waving him off. "Hey Alegar," Gar called out turning back and walking backwards for a bit

"Yes?" Alegar replied.

"I'm sorry about what I said earlier." It is all right Garfield, good night. Good night replied Gar.

Morning came, and Gar woke up before the sun was even up. He decided to go hunting. Gar hated hunting, but he knew it was an essential part of life just like farming.

Gar had found a rabbit's burrow and set up a snare trap he had made out of vine. Ten minutes later a rabbit had been caught in the trap. Gar apologized to the animal as he pulled out his father's hunting dagger and proceeded to kill, skin and clean the rabbit. He then took it back to his cottage so that he and Raven could have breakfast.

The sun had finally started to rise, and as promised Gar walked over to Alegars cave. Alegar was standing on the small cliff outside overlooking the pond.

"Good morning Alegar" Gar called to the dragon.

"Good morning Garfield" Alegar replied.

"Is Raven awake?" Gar asked

"Not yet" Alegar replied "I shall go and wake her."

Alegar walked back into his cave, Raven was curled up on the stone floor. With his tail Alegar gently shook the girl.

"Time to awaken child" he said.
"Just five more minutes mom" she replied drowsily.

Alegar chuckled. "You have company" Alegar said with a smile on his face

Raven uncurled herself and stretched. As soon as she did her mind caught up with her body and she immediately realized her mistake.

Raven blushed embarrassed by what she had said.

"As flattered as I am, I am not your mother" Alegar chuckled.

"I'm sorry" Raven apologized.

"It is quite alright" Alegar said with a large smile still on his face "Garfield is here for you."

"Okay" Raven replied "I'll be out in a minute."

"I shall inform him" Alegar said as he turned and left the cave giving Raven some privacy.

Meanwhile

Back in jump village Richard and Kori were hanging out with Cyborg.

"I miss Garfield" Starfire said with a sigh

"Me to" Cyborg replied.

"What do you think happened to him?" Richard asked as he stood by the window looking out to the village

"What if the witch girl who was chased to the forest got him." Starfire said and let out a concerned gasp.

"Let's go find him" Cyborg Said stepping away from his anvil.

"But the forest is forbidden" Starfire said trying to be the voice of reason.

"Yes, but Garfield is our friend" Richard replied drawing his sword that Cyborg had finally made for him.

Richard, Kori, and Victor made their way into the forest.

"Garfield ?!" Kori Shouted

"Garfield, where are you?!" Victor shouted

"Garfield!" Richard joined in.

For the next 20 minutes the trio wandered around the forest calling out to Garfield.

Raven had finally come out of the cave and was standing next to Garfield. Garfield distantly heard his name being called. So, did Alegar.

"Go see them Garfield" replied the wise dragon. "But be cautious."

"I will," Gar replied "Come on Raven lets go"

Raven pulled the hood up on her cloak and followed

Raven and Gar made their way in the direction the voices were coming from. Finally, they came upon the trio of friends.

"What are you guys doing here "Gar asked?

The trio turned and looked at Garfield. Starfire gasped.

" It's the witch girl from the village!" Richard shouted. "Garfield get away from her!"

Garfield was taken aback that his friends would say such things about Raven. Raven could feel the tension rising.

Before she could do anything, Raven felt Starfire tackle her. "What have you done to him?!" Starfire shouted.

In her surprise Raven accidentally, blasted Starfire off of her. Angrily, Richard drew his sword. Cyborg was standing back trying to logically assess the situation. Garfield saw red, he turned into a lynx and got between Raven and Richard swiping his claws at Richard warningly.

The trio was taken aback and a little scared of Gar. Gar she's a witch, she's messing with your head. Gar reverted back to his normal self.

"How dare you come here and attack my friend." Raven was surprised to see Gar defending her and proclaiming her as his friend.

"GET THE HELL OUT OF MY FOREST!" he Shouted.

"What happened to you man?" Cyborg asked trying to defuse the situation

"Your kind happened to me" snarled Gar. "You humans killed my parents, you're all the same, you kill anyone whose different from you."

"You know that's not true" Cyborg said holding his hands up " Just look at me."

"As if" Garfield snorted. "My Family and I weren't exiled because I'm different then?"

Cyborg didn't have an answer.

"I'm only going to say this one more time" Garfield growled "Go the hell home, the village is that way" Gar pointed "And don't come back."

The trio then turned to leave.
"The stories are right about you" Richard scoffed "You are a monster."

Those words hurt Garfield and Raven could tell even without her powers.

"Gar… are you alright?" Raven asked "

I'm fine" spat Gar.
"Gar don't let what the-" Raven Started

"I SAID I'M FINE!" Gar Shouted cutting her off mid-sentence.

Raven was taken aback at Gar yelling at her, something in the far-off distance exploded. Gar then shifted into a panther and ran deep into the forest.

"Gar wait!" Raven shouted.

It was too late Gar was gone.