9

The days began to blur together. Blending. Amaris had been having the same dream over and over again. Each time it changed ever so slightly. Each night she asked different questions. Never being satisfied with the answers provided to her. But the fog did clear up a little each time. She grew weary of those dreams. It felt as if she wasn't truly sleeping. Just in some space between those planes. A never ending maze that she could not escape. It all started when she left home.

The journey had already begun to show signs to taking its toll on Amaris. She began to show symptoms of being sick. Her face became pale. Her body was shivering as if cold but weather outside was nice with a slight breeze.

King Rhys knew that they couldn't continue onward for fear that Amaris would grow even more ill. They had just reached the narrow pass between the kingdoms. The only proper place to rest was the town dead in the center of the pass. Knowing that fact, they continued to travel the short distances.

"Luan? Where are you my sweet pup?" Amaris weakly called out. Hand seeking for the soft fur of her little pup. Luan gave a small whimper and moved closer to Amaris. Nuzzling into her hand. Letting her know that he was still here.

"That's my sweet pup," she whispered before a coughing fit seized her. Luan began to bark loudly, Letting the others know that something was wrong.

The guards that were guarding Amaris carriage heard the wolf pup barking even more frantically than before. One guard rode close to the carriage to peer inside only to see Princess Amaris worse for wear. Riding on ahead to tell King Rhys the news.

"King Rhys, she looks a lot worse than when we left camp this morning," the guard whispered to him. Muttering a curse. Rhys ordered for everyone to move faster to reach the town quicker. The urgency in his voice made people know that things for Princess Amaris were not good.

An hour after the order was made is when they finally reached the town. There were no signs of life or that anyone lived here any longer, which was odd on its own.

"Secure the area. Tell me what you find afterwards," Rhys ordered his men as they pulled to a stop in the town square. More than half the guards went to check everything out while the ones who were left stayed behind to help out and to guard the royal family.

King Rhys went to Amaris carriage only to be growled at by the pup she had been carrying around. "Calm down little guy. I'm just going to take her inside so a doctor can check up on her," Rhys said in a reassuring tone. The pup huffed and snuggled further into Amaris. Not budging an inch. Sighing, knowing he was not going to win against the pup. He picked up Amaris and carried her inside the building. The pup making it a little difficult with his added weight.

"The chambers?" He asked one of the guards. The only response the guard had given was a single finger pointing upstairs. Rhys had given a nod and climbed the stairs. Each room was opened . Making it easier upon him to enter the chamber and placing Amaris down upon the bed before going to fetch the doctor. Making sure the door to the room was close as he went to make sure his people knew that it was occupied.

A groan of pain came from Amaris. Time ticking away as he pains grew worse. Her body feverish to the touch. Luan began to look towards the door until he could no longer wait for Rhys return with the doctor. Luan had jumped down from the bed and onto the floor before shifting back to his original form.

"Amaris, please wake up so I know you are fine," he begged.

He grabbed the towel that was at the edge of the basin and dipped it into the cooling water. Ringing it out before placing it upon Amaris forehead. He grabbed another towel, repeating the process as he dabbed it against her neck and to the exposed skin above her dress. Sighs of relief escaped her lips each time he placed the cold towel against her skin. "Thank you," she had said. Her throat feeling hoarse suddenly. Mouth like cotton. He helped her up and held a glass of water to her mouth. Amaris gratefully drank the water in large gulps. Not caring much for mannerisms.

Luan pulled it away and placed it back on the small table near them. He laid her back and found her staring at him intensely. She looked like she was ready to scream but he had covered her mouth in time. "Amaris, it's Luan. I'm just in... my human form," he admitted to her. Sounded a little sheepish.

So many questions were forming in her mind. But her exhaustion had riddled her body to the point she could only ask one thing. "Why are you in this form?" She had asked.

'It was a simple enough question, right?' She had thought to herself.

"King Rhys looked like he was going to get the doctor to treat you but that was hours ago and I couldn't bear to see you in further pain," he whispered. Grabbing the towel once more and dipping it into the basin. Ringing it out and placing it upon her head again.

"And before you decide to ask any more questions. Just wait until you are feeling better than you are now. Okay?" She could only nod her head before hearing footsteps echoing outside the chamber door. Luan had given her a quick kiss on the cheek before transforming back to his other form. Rhys opened the door to see Amaris conscious and staring right at him. Guilt evident upon his face as he led in who she could only assume was the doctor.

"I'm sorry that I took long to find the doctor for you. How are you feeling?" He had asked her. Reaching out his hand to grab hers. Luan nipped at Rhys hand. He had pulled it way as quickly as possible after that. Glaring at the pup before him. The doctor had smiled in amusement at the wolf before pushing away King Rhys aside so he could check on Amaris health. Sometime had past, the doctors 'hmm's' and 'uh huh's' had begun to irritate Rhys.

"I am shocked that you lasted this long on the road, Princess Amaris. Your body isn't used to the strain of travel and it took a great deal of stress upon itself. You need rest. Lots of liquids since you were also dehydrated. Basically you need to take better care of yourself. Now, King Rhys. I would like to talk to you outside real quick."

Rhys looked at Amaris before being dragged out by the doctor outside of the room. Closing the door behind them causing her to chuckle a slight bit.

"Luan. Why do you always seem to growl at King Rhys?" She asked him in a serious tone. Waiting patiently for some sort of response from him.

'He's... human but not human,' was all she had heard and it startled her for it was not verbally said. She had heard his voice in her head. Now she had even more questions than before but sleep was dragging her beneath its clutches. Though she had not felt tired a moment ago.

'Sleep Amaris. We shall see each other within your dreams and speak more there,' Luan stated. That was the last thing she had heard.

_________________•••________________

"I understand that you wish to be home. Inside your Kingdom once more but others aren't so used to such long journeys. I am shocked that there are not more people ill as she is," Doctor Jayce chastised. King Rhys knew that he was right but he also knew that he had been away from his kingdom for far too long. He waved his hand, indicating that the doctor could leave to check on the other people. To actually make sure that no one else's health was affected by the long journey.

He went back down to the main floor to see the Captain of the Guard talking with his subordinates. His face already giving him away. 'Something was wrong here,' he thought to himself.

"What's your report?" King Rhys asked Captain Garren.

"We are missing two of our own men. Things here do not look that well either. The town looks recently deserted. They did not take any of their personal belongings though..." He trailed off. Not knowing how to tell him the next part.

"Your majesty, we also found at least eight corpses. Not in the fairest of shape," Captain Garren finally said.

"Show me," he ordered.

Rhys followed Garren to the first group of corpses. The closer to the unique home in concern to features. Rhys couldn't help but scrunch his nose up in disgust at the stench of rotting flesh.

"How many are in there?" Rhys asked at the entrance of the home.

"Three in here. There are two other locations. Enter, your majesty. See what we have seen."

Rhys entered. Seeing the bodies have been torn apart but not by any creature he had seen. The two other locations were the same, maybe even worse than the first one he had saw. Rhys came to the conclusion to have a twenty-four hour watch. To make sure to protect the royal family and Princess Amaris.

Captain Garren on the other hand made sure he stayed with his King. This night had yet to show what was in store for them.