Reviews:

Ahsokalo: Yes they will

EverMoreMySweet: You're welcome. Sorry it took so long to update

Guest: Lol. No Slade isn't the dark sorcerer.

JLdark: Glad you like it and Richard will be surprised

Ch 13-Battle of Words

Narrator:

So much has happened, but it hasn't even reached the tip of the iceberg yet. More evil planning from Helen and her associate and there might be some words in the castle as well.

Xxxx

Raven stayed in her room and laid on the bed. She could since there was some hostility in the castle. She didn't know what it was some about and didn't want to get in the middle of it. There was only so much she could handle. Though lately people have been a little nicer to her lately. She knew Richard would come and check on her later. He always made sure she didn't feel left out.

"I really shouldn't still be here," Raven said.

Letting out a sigh she turned over. This was completely boring. Usually she could find something to occupy her time with, but nothing came to mind. Deciding to get up she walked over to the dresser and grabbed her mirror. Chanting her incantation a big claw came out and transported her to Nevermore.

Looking around the sky was pitch black and there were boulders levitating all around. Black birds were perched on braches watching her. Ignoring them she walked towards the archway that was in front of her. The scenery completely changed from the one before. This time the sky was bright and there was a field of flowers all around. Raven continued to walk forward to her destination. After walking through several archways until she reached her destination. The place looked similar to when she first arrived except that there was a big grey building standing in front of her.

Raven walked into the building. Inside was dark with only candles to light the building. Heading down one hallway Raven never made a sound. She came here so many times that it was second nature to her. The candles glow gave off an eerie atmosphere. At the end of the hall there was a door. Stepping through, she was in a room. It looked like an ancient literary. There were books everywhere. At the center there was a stand with a thick leather bound book sitting on top of it. Raven stood in front of it and flipped to a specific passage in the book. This should relieve any boredom she had left.

Xxxx

Terra paced back and forth. She just couldn't get Raven out of her mind. She knew that something terrible was going to happen as long as Raven stayed here. She needed to find a way to get rid of Raven. There was no way she'd let her family and friends be in danger. There had to be something that she could do. So far all of her plans weren't working out. Right now she, Karen, and Victor weren't speaking. Things would have gone much smoother if they had believed her. Terra needed to gather more evidence. It was going to be hard since lately Raven has been staying in her room lately. There had to be a way to lure her out. Richard was usually seen with her. She needed to buy her time perfectly and see if he'd get her out of there. If only these meetings didn't get in the way. Though sometimes they stayed in her room. All of this thinking was giving her a headache.

"What should I do?"

Terra started to pace more around the room. There had to be something that she was missing. This feeling wouldn't go away. It was gnawing at her from the back of her head. Something just wasn't clicking right. Raven was so secretive about everything. Terra needed to push forward if she wanted people to believe her. She needed to find proof of her logic. That was what was lacking from last time. If she could wait until Richard managed to lure Raven out of her room then she could sneak in and find something. All there needed to do was wait.

Xxxx

Richard stood outside of Raven's door. He had been doing this for the past few days now. Something wasn't right about this. It was getting harder and harder for him to get Raven out of her room. He was starting to get worried about her. If things didn't blow over soon with his friends he didn't know what he would do. It was probable why she stayed in her room all the time. Even his mother was starting to get worried. Taking a deep breath he knocked on the door. Richard had knocked a few times before Raven opened the door. It was weird of her not to answer the door automatically.

"Yes," Raven said through the crack in the door.

"I wanted to see how you were doing."

"Fine."

"Would you like to do something later?"

"I don't know."

"Raven…you've been cooped up in your room for the past few days now. I think it's time for you to get out."

"And do what exactly."

"I can give you a tour of the kingdom."

"I think I know my way around since live here."

"But do you know all the secret places."

"What secret places?"

"You'll have to come out and see."

Raven weighed the options in her head. He had definitely had her interest peaked. She just didn't know if she wanted to leave the castle. Of course she couldn't stay inside this room every day.

"Ok."

"Really!"

"You sound surprised," Raven replied with a soft smile.

"I didn't think you would actually say yes."

"Well…technically I said ok not yes."

"Same difference."

"Only in your head."

"Haha very funny."

"So when do we leave."

"How 'bout now?"

Raven opened the door and stepped out of the room. Richard had a goofy smile plastered on his face. Taking her hand they headed downstairs and out of the castle. The day was clear and the bright. A carriage was already sitting out front waiting for them. They climbed into the carriage and were on their way.

"You had this all planned out didn't you?"

"Well I wasn't sure if you'd actually came or not."

"What would you have done if I didn't come?"

"Most likely kidnapped you."

That received a small laugh from Raven. She was actually enjoying their small banter. It was actually refreshing getting out and having a normal conversation. Mostly their talks were in front of her door and short. She didn't want to get anymore attached to him than she already was. The ride was light and not stuff. Looking out the window Raven didn't recognize any of her surroundings.

"Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise."

"I don't like surprises."

"So you keep telling me."

"Then why are you doing one?"

"Trust me you'll like it."

Raven huffed but said nothing. The rest of the ride was spent in silence. It didn't take long to reach their destination. Richard helped her out of the carriage and let her see what the surprise was. Raven gasped once she saw where they were. In front of them was a tall building surrounded by trees and rose bushes. Richard took her hand and led the way inside. The interior was magnificent with gold trimming and black stoned flooring. There was a staircase on both sides of the building and there were rows and rows of books lining the walls.

"Wow," Raven said breathlessly. She took in everything that was around her.

"Do you like it?"

"Do I like it? I love it."

"I knew you would."

Xxxx

Terra had watched Richard and Raven leave the castle. She made sure that no one was looking as she made her way upstairs and towards Raven's room. Looking down the hall she made sure that the coast was clear before entering the room. There was nothing special about the room. It was completely plain and no real decorations around. Terra began to look through everything that she saw. She looked through all the drawers and into the bathroom.

"Ugh! How could there be nothing here. She has to be hiding something I just know."

Terra sat on the bed deflated. She didn't know what she should do now.

"Miss Terra…what are you doing in Miss Raven's room?" asked a voice from the door.

Terra froze and slowly looked up. Standing in the doorway was Alfred. This was not the best position to be found in. "Hey Alfred. What are you doing here?"

"I believe that I asked you first."

"I thought that I could clean up her room since she's not here."

"Miss Raven doesn't like anyone being in her room. That is why I personally come in and clean it for her when she leaves."

"Is that so?"

"Yes. Miss Raven usually keeps the room in an organized order."

"I wasn't aware."

"Really. I thought I had specifically told all the staff to leave the cleaning of Miss Raven's room to me."

"It must have slipped my mind."

"You don't usually forget things like that, Miss Terra."

"Oh would you look at the time. I have to get back to my other duties."

Terra quickly rushed out of the room and down the hall. She made it all the way to the library before she caught her breath. 'Whew that was a close one.' There was no way of her getting back into the room now that Alfred caught her. To top it off she still didn't find anything that would prove that Raven was hiding something.

"What are you doing?" Victor asked.

Terra nearly jumped five feet in the air. She whirled around and faced him. "Victor! Don't just sneak up on people like that!"

"Sorry."

"I thought you had practice."

"We're on break. Now are you going to answer my question?"

"Nothing."

"Why don't I believe you?"

"Believe what you want."

"I just hope you've abandoned your useless obsession with Raven."

"I do not have an obsession with her."

"Sure you don't."

"Whatever, I have work to do."

With that said Terra went back to her duties. Her investigation would have to wait at a later date.

Xxxx

Richard and Raven soon returned back to the castle a few hours later. Raven looked to be in a happier mood than the past few days. Richard was actually happy about that. He walked her to her room then headed to his study to go over some battle plans. The halls seemed more quite than usual.

The plans that he was making weren't quite right. He had to constantly redo them. There was a knock on the study door.

"Come in."

Victor and Terra walked into the room. Victor had a grim expression on his face while Terra wore a confident look.

"Something you two need?"

"I think you need to have a serious talk with Terra. She's not acting like herself."

"That's not true. I'm perfectly fine."

"What's the problem?"

"It's Raven," Terra all but shouted.

"What about her?" Richard asked. He was completely confused by Terra's sudden outburst.

"She's evil."

"Excuse me."

"There's something not right about her."

Richard looked over to Victor who rolled his eyes.

"I keep telling her that she was imagining things and Karen is fed up about this constant talk about how Raven is evil."

"This is the first I've heard of this."

"You have to believe me Richard. I'm afraid she might have cast a spell on you."

"What are you talking about?"

"I heard her one day chanting something."

"Chanting?"

"Yes. I think she might be a witch sent here to destroy our kingdom."

Richard couldn't believe what he was hearing. He knew that Terra had an overactive imagination, but this was ridiculous.

"You see. She's lost her mind."

"I have not. Richard you have to believe me."

"Do you have any proof of this accusation?"

"Well…no…but…"

"Terra… I don't know why you don't like Raven, but to make up this complete lie. What do you think this will accomplish?"

"I'm not lying. You need to get rid of her before something dangerous happens."

"I'm not getting rid of her."

"You're letting your emotions cloud your judgment."

"And you're not? I think you need to take a few days off to clear your head."

"But…"

"No buts Terra."

Terra left the study in a huff. Victor could only shake his head.

"I'm sorry to have told you this man, but she was getting out of control. Karen and I tried to talk some sense into her."

"It's fine. Is this why you guys stopped talking?"

"Basically. We don't have anything against Raven because we don't know her."

"I understand."

"Well I'll leave you alone."

Victor left the study closing the door behind him. Richard just stared at the door. He couldn't believe what he just witnessed. Could things in his life become even more stressful?

Xxxx

Narrator:

Poor Richard has a lot of trouble. Terra has become even more unbearable than before. Trouble always seems to be around the corner for them.