Griffa hopped down off the horse and Ansel dismounted his as well. Griffa grabbed a hold of Max’s mare’s bridle as Ansel walked slowly up their path. He disappeared out of site for a moment. Max and Griffa were silent. After a few moments, Ansel came back with the most beautiful woman Max had ever seen.

She had dark, shiny hair and deep brown eyes. Her figure was curvy with a small waste. Her low-cut white dress that was visible under her open light green cloak, hugged her hips and bosoms in the perfect way. Her lips were red and full. Automatically Max dismounted and stood by Griffa, staring at the woman.

Griffa huffed and said, “Desmona” with a growl in her voice. Max looked over and Griffa’s eyes were narrowed.

“You know her?” asked Max looking back at the woman.

“Oh, I know her alright, so does Ansel. Watch yourself Max, she's an enchantress. I know she’s nice to look at, but she is poisonous.”

“Gryphon! It’s been so long since I have seen you, my dear. You’re quite grown up!” said Desmona. She moved to Griffa and put her hands on her shoulders. “Still like to scamper through the forest I see.” She picked a small stick out of Griffa’s hair and wiped a smudge on her cheek.

Griffa stepped away from Desmona. “Desmona, what a surprise. What are you doing out in the forest, luring wayward travelers to their peril?” asked Griffa with ice in her voice.

“Oh Gryphon, you always were funny. I was visiting with a fascinating warlock a few miles over. He had some wares I wanted to look over. I took a walk in the forest to clear my mind and I sensed your little group’s presence. I was wondering who else was out here. How nice to meet with old friends.” Desmona walked back over to Ansel's side and placed her hand on his arm. “Especially you, Ansel. It’s been ages since you’ve come to see me.”

Ansel bowed his head slightly. He stretched his arms, causing Desmona’s hand to fall off his arm. “It has been a while, Desma, but I’ve had work to do. You must know that things are about to get very interesting.”

“I do, and this must be him! The young king!” cried Desmona coming up to Max. “It is an honor to meet you, my king.” She bowed down low in front of Max.

“Uh, thanks,” said Max, not sure what to say. She was lovely, but he didn’t like the way she had talked to Griffa.

“So, are you taking him to the Ring? How on earth did little Griffa end up in your party,” said Desmona moving back to stand next to Ansel. She threaded her arm into the one that rested on his hip.

“They came to my home to rest. Ansel is an old friend of my family as you know. I needed to go to Abscon, so I offered to travel with them. There is safety in numbers,” said Griffa.

“Oh, yes I almost forgot. You are quite the little sister to Ansel here. How good of you to travel with the party offering what help you can.”

Desmona turned her attention to Ansel. “Perhaps I should travel with you as well? I would love to help our king, and it would be grand to spend time with you, Ansel.”

Desmona batted her eyes becomingly and ran her hand up and down Ansel’s arm. “Also, to serve the young king would be an honor.”

“That won’t be necessary. I doubt we will run into much trouble. I’m sure you are really, busy, Desma,” said Griffa with a sickly-sweet tone. “But why don’t you stay here and catch up with Ansel. I’m sure you have much to “talk” about. Max and I will go on ahead to the East Village and complete our business. We will meet you there, Ansel,” said Griffa.

She grabbed Max’s hand and the horse’s reins and led them both away from Ansel and Desmona. She walked very fast, dragging Max and the horse along. Max could hear her grumble under her voice.

“I take it she’s not a good friend of yours, Griffa?” asked Max as he walked quickly by her side.

“Ugh, she is certainly not. She has been a thorn in my side for a long time,” spat Griffa. “I can’t believe Ansel will still fall for her charms. Surely, he knows when an enchantress is practicing her ways. I know she is beautiful, Max, but it only runs skin deep.”

“I don’t think I like her,” said Max smiling at Griffa. She smiled back.

“She was too distracted by her dear Ansel to use her ways on you, thank the gods. I would hate to have to pry you away from her.”

“So, are her and Ansel, you know…. together?”

“Depends on the moon cycle or day even. She doesn’t stay with one person long. She gets bored too easily, but yes I am quite certain they have a history.”

Max thought Griffa sounded a little jealous, but he wouldn’t say that to her.

“Talk to me about something else, Max, anything. Tell me about your young woman back home.”

“Issa,” Max said automatically.

“Oh, so there is a young woman. Good. Tell me about her.”

“We’re just friends. Have been almost all our lives”

“Friends, huh? Well that’s how things start usually. Go on.”

“She’s very pretty. She has really nice blonde hair and light blue eyes. She has the best smile. Her father is the blacksmith, so she was always at the stables with him. We are the same age, so we’ve always been just thrown together.”

“Is she clever, kind?”

“She is very clever. Her father says she is too smart for her own good. She is kind, but she has quite a temper. You don’t want to get on her bad side,” said Max.

“I like her already. I hope I get to meet her someday soon.”

Griffa was smiling now, and they had slowed down their walk.

“Should we mount our horse for the rest of the way?” asked Max.

“No, let's continue on foot. It’s only a half mile away. I’m rather enjoying walking and I’m sure your pretty mare is enjoying a rest from carrying us.”

They walked together the rest of the way as Griffa talked about her potion, and the hope it would be the cure needed for the children.