Will made his way to Derik's house, it was dark and late at night, with anxious thoughts running in his head. He knew some of the details were true but he didn't know how to distinguish fact from fiction, and more importantly didn't know what to do. "Our destiny lies in the forest, I can feel it. But how do we leave Forest's Edge? This town is heavily guarded, and the Church has eyes everywhere, not to mention I can't just tell Bart and Topher to come up and leave without a plan, they are too comfortable here, and I can't bear to ruin their happiness. Should I actually become an Inquisitor? But the Church could just order me to some other part of the realm, and my job will be to hunt down and kill humans accused of dabbling in magic because it's evident that the Church clearly has no plan against actual magic. But then that begs the question: what do they plan to do about the forest? Do they really think these walls and defenses can actually keep out a planned magic attack?" Will brooded.

All of a sudden a hooded figure appeared from the shadows, and pulled him by the arms. Will was stunned, especially when he saw the face behind the hood: it was Teresa!

T.. T.. Teresa?" stammered Will

"Shhh, not another word come with me so we can talk '' she whispered as she led him down an alleyway. She whispered something, and a door to a cellar appeared. Will thought he must be tired or dreaming to imagine a door appearing out of nowhere. Teresa led Will in, shut the door, locked it, and took off her hood.

"Teresa, what on Earth is all this?" wondered Will, as he looked around at a cellar dimly lit by candles, which was old, dusty, but surprisingly had a bed, table and other pieces of furniture, not to mention there were many doors.

"Sorry to jump on you out of nowhere Will, but I'm in a desperate situation. You honestly didn't believe I was dumb enough to believe that Bart and Topher were here just to 'cheerlead' you on your path to the inquisitorship? Plus, don't get me wrong you're book smart and all, but I don't think you have what it takes to hunt people down and burn them alive. There's a reason I called to chat with you and Bart in the living room, and that was because I wanted to read your faces." she stated.

"Reading our faces? Teresa are you.." Will gasped

"A witch? Yes, I am" she admitted.

"But why would you admit this to me, and pull me into a dark cellar? You could have told me this at your house, not to mention you've put yourself at risk by telling me since the Church is interested in me because I'm training to be inquisitor" Will asked puzzled.

"At home we have maids and apprentices everywhere and the walls are paper thin, not to mention by reading your face, I knew you were lying, in that you didn't have plans to be an inquisitor. Your friend Bart, also has a lute that has runes on it, which I recognize to be the work of a fellow witch by the name of Gwendolyn. Not to mention, Topher told Derik, and Derik told me." She explained.

Will was puzzled "So, was the story you told me about your childhood a bunch of lies?"

"Actually, all of it was true, but I left out important details. I grew up without parents in a church boarding school, but what I failed to mention was that my parents were fae, who had been killed by the church for being magical. I was young, so the church thought I could be reformed by having my identity stripped by the strict regimen of a church boarding school, but it turned out I had magical arts, and I disguised them in the arts of healing. Remember when I told you I was going to leave the church when I came of age? Well, I was planning on heading into the forest and finding the fae, but then I foolishly fell in love with Derik, and now that I've had intimate relations with a human, I am anathema to the fae." she said stoically.

"Oh wow, I'm sorry to hear that" sympathized Will

"Don't be, I don't regret my life, and I would never give up my life with Derik and my son for anything. Which is why I've called you here. I too can sense dark magic increasing in the world. While the fae have a much fewer population than humans, there have been rumors of a magician using dark magic to create magical zombies (ghouls), and giving life to inanimate objects to make stonemen, and ironmen. The fae community itself is in a series of turmoil, and are his first targets, but soon his eye will reach upon humanity, and Forest's Edge will be no match. I want to preserve my life and that of my husband and child, which is why I need your help specifically. There is a witch, who can tell you all you need to know about the history of magic and perhaps even Mozgus. I only know rumors and such, but perhaps she can help. Her name is Gwendolyn." She announced.

"Gwendolyn!" exclaimed Will "you mean the same witch who Bart fell in love with? Have you told Bart about her?"

"Unfortunately no. It's not wise to tell either Bart or Topher any of this because they are too impulsive. I don't think Topher would care, but Bart would rush in and use his lute and then my family would be in mortal danger for harboring magic users. No, you are quiet, and stealthy, and I have connections, so here are the keys to her cell. Free her, and bring her down to this secluded cellar. You need not even leave this cellar, as it connects to secret tunnels. Not to mention to make sure you don't get lost, I'll lead you to the dungeon, where all you have to do is sneak in, release her, and let her back here. You are an inquisitor in training so even if guards see you around, just tell them you are practicing your interrogation and torturing skills." She explained.

Will was hesitant, his more cautious and meek nature was surfacing, plus he was remembering how he did not like being bossed around by women and the like. Not to mention, he did not particularly have any reasons to trust Teresa, she had after all been a member of the Church, and this could just be one of the many tricks of the Church, but he also felt loyalty and love towards Topher and Bart, and so wanted to do things on his own terms.

"I'm sorry Teresa, while I need to further the quest, I don't in particular trust you. I am training to be a church inquisitor and it is my sacred duty to eradicate magic." He said stiffly

"You're right Will, but keep in mind if you leave this cellar, you won't get this opportunity again, because the grapevine tells me that Gwendolyn gets executed tomorrow. You will see Bart witness the only woman he loves burn on a stake. He will use his lute to try to save her, and it's downhill from there. Imagine, that he found out you could have saved the woman he loved, but didn't. Don't you think it'll be a betrayal of trust, that won't shatter him? He looks up to you and Topher as his family. I know, and can see you don't like being manipulated, and especially by women, but the whole plan hinges on you. You are the key player, and you know what, I'm begging you, to please do this. Because if you don't, your quest fails, and my family has to live as refugees, when the hordes of Mozgus will swarm the realms of men, after they are done wiping out the fae. Do you want me to get on my knees?" She said, while getting emotional, a change from her stoic attitude.

Will was taken aback, Teresa had been so strong, but now he saw a desperate and lonely woman, and Will's compassionate side, the side that was open to love (and which made him susceptible to manipulation) was touched. "Damn it, I know I'm being manipulated, but at least I'm an active player in my own Fate this time. I don't care if this is a trap! I need to do this for Bart. Forget the quest, he's the closest thing I've had to a brother so far, not to mention, I'm intellectually curious about the magical world too. Be compassionate Will! Even if this is a trick, be satisfied you did it for the right reasons" He frantically reasoned.

Will sighed "All right Teresa, you've got me. The night is young, and even if this is a trick, I'm ready to be a sacrificial lamb for those I love... and for the sake of the realm" He hurriedly added.

Teresa slowly gained her stoic composure but smiled kindly "It'll be worth it in the end, and I admire your courage. You aren't as meek as I thought. You really are a dependable man. I asked Derik to make you this, just in case" she said as she handed Will an ornate danger that was as elegant as the moon and shone like silver.

Will sighed "lead on, ma'am"

And so Will and Teresa made their way through a series of winding and dark tunnels, both tense in fear and anticipation for their futures and that of the realm.