After Beauty finished her lunch, she climbed onto Obsidian's back again and he took her down the path to a massive lake. It stretched for miles in front and to the sides of them till it reached mountain peaks tall and proud in the distance, snow gleaming on their very tips. The water itself was a dark blue-gray color except for the shallows nearby which still looked as ominously murky. A dark shadow seemed to pass through the center, though it was hard to tell whether or not it had been a trick of the light. The trees that grew at the foot of the mountains near the lake reminded her of aspens, only they gleamed with an almost metallic sheen.

"What are those?" She asked in awe as she pointed at the strange trees.

"Argentum. During the summer they produce fruit, but it is poisonous. This lake too is very dangerous with all the creatures that inhabit it, so you must promise me not to swim in the lake and not to eat from the argenti, no matter how good it looks."

She suppressed a shudder as she remembered the shadow in the water. "I promise."

He nodded and moved on to a clearing beyond the lake where fawns and satyrs had gathered for a wedding celebration. "Seems we just missed the ceremony."

"Indeed. Is it normal for these two groups to get along?"

"Most of the time since they're similar species. Let us wish the newlyweds well and be on our way."

She noticed the crowd parted for Obsidian as they approached a fawn couple dressed in elaborate tunics of green with golden flower designs, who looked up at her curiously as she managed: "Congratulations on your nuptials."

"Thank you, stranger." The groom said politely.

"I congratulate you on your marriage as well." Obsidian's tail twitched. "We will let you get back to your party."

"Surely you won't go before taking some refreshment?" The bride implored.

Obsidian was silent for a moment. "Thank you sweet maiden, but there is nothing here I can eat. Beauty, is there anything you would like?"

"Just a fruit tart, please."

The bride wrapped it up herself and handed it up to Beauty, then Obsidian took them back to the wooded trail. He stopped at what looked like the remains of what looked like it had once been a stone building of some kind which had been taken over by plant life to the point it was impossible to tell how big it had been, just that some of the outer wall still lay there being devoured by vegetation.

"What is this place?"

"Some say it was a cathedral, others speculate it was a palace, while a few think it was merely a stone cottage. In truth, they are all correct in a way."

Beauty wondered how that was possible as she nibbled at the fruit tart and realized the answer. "The ruins of a kingdom."

"You are the first to find the correct answer in a very long time."

"How long?"

"Time in this form is sometimes hard to gauge accurately." He tilted his head to one side thoughtfully. "But probably nine hundred years."

She finished the tart, it's delicious pear and apple and berry flavor gone with the last bite. "Has anyone ever tried to break the curse on you before?"

"No, but I can hardly blame anyone who met me in the beginning. After I became a beast I acted as one for at least three thousand years. No one in the mortal realm knew I existed any more, yet one evening while disposing of a hunter who'd been ruthlessly killing the creatures here, I realized with disgust I was no better. By the time I changed and this forest had recovered, not many dared to enter it until you came along."

"I'm glad I stumbled in here on accident."

"So am I." He began walking again. "You are new to the area, yes?"

She nodded. "My father and I moved here about a month ago after he lost his job. The bank repossessed the town house too, so we came to the old family property that's been handed down as a gifted inheritance and couldn't be touched by any debtors."

"It is just you two?"

"Yes. My mother is no longer part of the picture."

He nodded and didn't ask why, much to her relief. She realized they were headed back the way they had come and they reached the clearing she'd entered into the forest by the time the sun was low in the western sky through the trees. He laid down for her to climb off and watched her with those captivating eyes of his as she did so.

"I don't know when I'll be able to visit next." She managed apologetically. "I have tests coming up at school and most of my time will be devoted to study."

"I would expect nothing less from such an educated lady." He lifted his head upwards to a bush and delicately pulled off a branch, then set it in her basket. "Take the leaves off once it is dry and brew them into a tea when you feel overwhelmed. It helps calm the senses and improves memory as well."

She smiled. "Thank you, Obsidian. I will definitely be using it at some point."

He made a purr-like sound. "I'm glad. I wish you good luck on your tests and will look forward to your next visit, Beauty."

"Thank you again. I'll come when I can." She promised and left through the path he'd told her to keep to. She headed home to find her father hard at work making a rocking chair out of cherry wood. "Evening, Dad. Looks like you've been busy."

He chuckled, adjusting his glasses. "Yes, I have. Did you enjoy your day out?"

She nodded. "I figured I should relax before the exams begin next week. Who's the chair for?"

"I thought our living room looked a little baren, so I used some of the wood we brought with us. Do you like it?"

"It's lovely, Dad. I think you should put it near the garden window."

"An excellent suggestion, my dear." He set the rocker in the spot she spoke of. "Looks like it's always belonged."

She smiled. "Indeed. I'll cook us some dinner." She went to the kitchen and wondered if she should tell her father about Obsidian or not.