Chapter 1: Storm

Lightening struck the ground, it's golden light illuminating the earth and the haggard face of a man. He paced the dark corridor of a manor house that sat upon a hill. His eyes darted around nervously while thunder filled the air.

His hands shook like the wind rattled shutters as he walked briskly up and down the hall. He was mumbling to himself under his breath in a sad voice. Running his fingers through his rich black hair. He froze as the door at the end of the hallway was pushed open.

He rushed towards it and confronted the women as she closed it softly behind her. "How is she?" He asked in a low voice filled with urgency as his hands wrestled each other.

The woman was grave "I'm sorry Count Naran but, she is fading, and fading fast" The Count's hands fell limply to his sides while his face dropped into a deep frown, a single tear falling down his young cheek. The woman continued "The doctor says you may see her now."

The Count nodded slowly and the nurse bustled down the hallway. He stood there for some time until another roll of thunder brought him back. His head snapped up quickly and he lifted his hand towards the doorknob. Taking a deep breath he looked at the door. It was engraved with a wolf howling towards the moon as a fork of lightning hurtled down towards it. His glance fell to the window and the storm that raged outside. His eyes widened slightly but he shook his head and slowly opened the door.

He entered a large chamber that was lavishly decorated. In the center stood a bed surrounded by a ring of candles. They banished the darkness and illuminated the bed, it's inhabitant, and the doctor who hovered above it.

The physician looked up at the Count "Ah, Ramir. I will leave you with your wife" He moved away from the bed and paused by Ramir "I wish to speak with you when you're done" The Count nodded and walked over to where his wife lay.

He fell to his knees by the side of the bed and took his wife's hands in his. He kissed them passionately as she rolled onto her side to face him.

The woman, his wife, was thin and had the appearance of losing a lot of weight in a short time. Her breathing sounded weary and strained, but she smiled as he kissed her hands.

"Well" she said her voice quiet and somewhat raspy "I suppose this is the end. She smiled weekly at him.

"No" Ramir said in a soft but defiant voice "No Limara, this isn't the end. You will live"

She shook her head "You were always a dreamer." She smiled softly but then it fell from her face "I am gone from this world" she bluntly stated.

"No, your going to live" Ramir demanded. His voice had become louder and he squeezed her hands beneath his. She winced and he lightened the pressure. Twin droplets fell from his face "You can't die," He whispered, "I love you too much" He kissed her hands again, this time more softly.

She began to laugh softly but stopped when it turned into a cough. Her smile didn't fade however "If love were all it took most people in this world wouldn't die."

Ramir frowned, "Why can't you be more positive?" He asked his grief giving way to anger "It's because of those damn people you lived with-"

"Don't!" She said in a loud voice, cutting him off. She broke into a fit of coughs and Ramir looked concerned. He leaned forward slightly but she shook her head, signaling she was fine. She said in a stern voice, "Please Ramir, don't talk about my people like that. I know you don't like them but contrary to what you believe they did not suck all the faith out of me. They were just realistic, which is the opposite of what you are being right now."

The count looked hurt and his hands began to slip away from hers. She caught them in a week grip and said more softly "Please don't look that way. I don't want to end our time together in a fight"

Ramir nodded "I'm sorry my dear. I just, I just don't know how to react. I can't lose you, I think I'd die of heartache.

She looked at him sadly "But you can't and that is what I have to make sure of before I die"

The Count cringed at the word die "What do you mean by that"

"You must promise me something"

"Anything"

"After I'm gone you must continue you on. I know you will be sad and I do believe you should be, but I want our daughter to be happy. Make sure she is and that she never wants for naught, but above all, make sure she is safe."

Ramir nodded "Of course"

Limara smiled at him, looking relieved and then yawned softly. She said in a quiet voice "I'm very tired now and wish to sleep. The doctor wants to see you. I think it's important, go to him"

Ramir looked as if he didn't want to leave but nodded in consent to his wife's wishes. He stood and released her hands. She rolled onto her back and he bent over her so that their noses were touching. "I hope to see you in the morning" He said softly, tears glazing his eyes.

"As do I" she responded and he kissed her softly on the lips, a tear dipping down his nose and onto her face. He kissed her again where it landed.

"Sorry love" He whispered

"It's quite alright" She whispered back.

He straightened himself and smiled gently at her, "Good night"

"Good night" She said yawning again.

The Count exited the room and the nurse walked in with a jar of a syrupy liquid on it. She smiled gently at him as he passed "The doctor is in the sitting room"

He nodded and made his way down the still darkened corridor. Lightning flashed again but he didn't seem to notice. He entered the room and the doctor rose from his chair to greet the Count. Ramir nodded and took a seat motioning for the doctor to do the same.

"Lovely wine. I think you should have some." The physician said but Ramir simply waved his hand. His whole body spoke of melancholy as he sat in the chair. He was slumped and his head rested in his hand, his index finger at his temple. He stared blankly into his fire, his eyes wet with tears.

The doctor frowned at the destitute man but continued in the same professional tone. "You will be curious to know that we have found what ails Limara"

"Oh?" The count said dully.

"Yes, it appears she has a case of the Ryun Flu"

Ramir continued to stare into the fire but then the words sunk in. He moved his hand to his side and a confused look passed over his face. He turned to the doctor "Ryun Flu? It can't be"

The doctor nodded "I am sure of it"

"But no one becomes that sick from it! I mean, to most people it's barely a cold and if it does progress beyond that stage it's easily cured by medication. Even without the proper care, no one dies"

"Well your wife, she is not from this province, correct"

"Well yes, but even foreigners get it and they don't die"

"Yes but they are also human"

"Well so is-"

"No. Your wife is Emalan. Although most people believe they are human, in all actuality they are not. Although they appear human and can mate with them, they themselves are a completely different but closely related species. It is similar to the relationship between Lions and Leopards."

"So the medicine."

"Her body is rejecting it. Even though the Emalan generally have better immune systems than humans this one disease appears to be worse for them and to affect them in a different way, even though the symptoms are similar."

"I can't believe this" Ramir said banging his fist on the arm of his chair. He hit the small arm table in front of him into the fire the wine from the goblets hissing as it evaporated. Ramir jumped up and began hitting the wall, in frustration and anger, yelling the whole time "Why? Why?"

The doctor jumped up and tried to restrain him before he seriously injured himself. "Ramir control yourself," The doctor shouted after The Count took a swing at him in his fury.

Ramir stopped and stood still "I'm sorry" He said, "It's just so unfair"

The doctor nodded "I know. Take a seat"

The Count fell back into his chair and put his palm against his head. His knuckles were bleeding but he didn't seem to notice. "If only she was human." He muttered to himself

His words were never heard. The baby began to wail down the hallway as a blinding bolt of lightning fell. It was followed almost instantly by an intense thunderclap that was so loud it shook the manor as the nurse walked in. Her face was grave and her voice sad and dull as she delivered the news "I'm sorry" She said "But Countess Naran is dead"