Nah (Straight route)

Ephraim frowned, shaking his head.

"Then no," Jocasta chuckled. "However, you will need to mend the bond between the two of you. He will return within a month."

"I... Will do this," Ephraim nodded. "Is that all, my lady?"

"For now," Jocasta nodded. "Go forth, my child. You have much work ahead of you."

The blinding light returned, and the statue replaced Jocasta's godly presence, though now, it lacked the raven.

Ferrin nuzzled Ephraim's cheek and croaked, "Friend."

The prince chuckled, turning to Circe. "So," he muttered, turning pink again, "What happens now?"

"Now," Circe said, back in her stern witch mode, "You need to get to luncheon, then your tutor. I suggest you get to sleep early tonight, for I will fetch you at midnight for your lessons."

Ephraim nodded, glancing at Ferrin. "Unrelated," he mused, "I've only had this raven for half a minute, but if anything happened to him, I would kill everyone in this castle and then myself."

Ferrin made a noise that sounded like garbled laughter.

Circe herself snorted as she walked to the door. "That's how I am with my familiars," she chuckled, opening the door. "Right this way, your highness."

Ephraim followed her through the door and back up the stairs. "Oh, yes, the dozens of cats in your quarters. How are they?"

"They're fine," she smiled. "Tabitha; that's the calico; is expecting kittens in three weeks."

"Oh, good for her," Ephraim nodded. "Trouble still..."

"Trouble?" she asked, rolling her eyes. "I chose that name for a reason, after all."

He chuckled, and they spent the rest of their trip up to the dungeons on that topic.