"Are you alright Princess?" Her retainer whispered so low she could barely hear him. Kratz eyed them, he was out of earshot, but aware that he had said something.

"What's that over there?" He asked.

"I wish to wrap this up," Adela responded swiftly. "Let us analyze the facts. This disease Sun blisters? It's a rash contracted by vampires and passed to humans. The humans get blisters all over the body, and itching, bleeding, coughing, terrible; but not life-threatening-"

"But to a vampire-" Kratz interjected, only to have Adela cut him off, herself.

"-But to a vampire, the blisters swell, what was it? Three times?" she asked looking at Squealer. Who nodded in agreement, before she continued. "Right, three times the size. Oh and here is the fun part, The boils burst, and when this happens the vampire burns. Much like it would if it had experienced a full-out encounter with the sun?" Adela masked her disgust, her own description, and imagination getting the best of her. The mere thought caused her stomach to twist in a knot, There was no worse death for a vampire than that of one by daylight. However She was the daughter of Aquilo, and these were highly relevant and political partners, so for the sake of the name, she must remain stoic, no matter how terrifying this disease was.

"So The disease is passed to humans from vampires, and then contracted by other vampires, and the process repeats."

"This was the case," Kratz said proudly. "But master Kres implemented a brilliant stratagem. All feedings are to be fatal."

There was a delighted giggle from Squealer. "Most, brilliant."

Adela's eyes grew wide. Most vampires, with the exception of the Blood lust, would feed only enough to stay sated. They would hit multiple targets if need be, but would not completely kill the host. Of course, Crichton was known for its gluttonous vampires, Augustan vampires, however, lived by this rule. At this rate, the human population of Crichton would dwindle significantly. Aquilo saw the necessity of humans and thus allowed this mercy upon them. Though she personally believed that their survival shouldn't hinge on another species' feeding agenda.

"Isn't that a bit... dangerous?" she asked.

"Isn't what a bit dangerous? You'll have to be more specific. Yes, feeding has become a hazard, but the hunter is no more at risk if the prey is completely drained."

"So what happens after you kill half the population of Kierra? Or worse, Crichton?"

"Well, that's where we were hoping to get assistance from Teyrnon. We were hoping we could have a handful of untainted humans, since the process could take a while, and we'd need a safe source for the non-carriers. Specifically royalty."

"You're crazy."

"The demands of Kres are not for you to decide, only your father can judge his words, my sweet mistress."

"Don't call me that." Adela bit her tongue disgusted. "I shall report you're absurd request, because that's what it is, a request. You don't demand things from Aquilo. So I'll make Aquilo aware of it so that you can get rejected, and we will have you send a human specimen to Teyrnon, two days after we have left Crichton so that we may help you in the search for a cure. This is the aid we can give you. Agreed?"

Kratz let out a long heavy and deliberate sigh before replying. "All right. But do consider that the diminishing of our human population means those Aeron raiders will have to look elsewhere for their raids."

"I don't think even they are so rash to knock at Aquilos's door, and if they did... ugh well that's a matter for another time."

"Well done, master Adela." Squealer breathed.

"Thanks, now please hand this man the papers, so that he can sign them, and we can be on our way."

Kratz glided beside the row of empty seats reaching Adela and taking her hand, which she promptly took back. "You're leaving so soon, are you? It's a long journey, why don't you stay here at my estate, and rest awhile. We could enjoy the Blood lust together hunt as a team, and then-"

"-Thanks, but we really must be heading back. Us Augustans like to avoid temptation and will favor the empty road when the urge hits. So if you'd excuse me."

"You mean instinct." Kratz moved quickly so that his cape billowed and came to rest draping around Adela and pulling her closer. A couple of her retainers jumped from their seats, vigilant, and always suspicious of Kratz. It wasn't likely that he would pull a blade on her. Though he resented her for turning him down, it was also what gave her... her allure. It was unlikely that he'd openly threaten her life, at least not until he had his way. Most suspected, he wanted to marry her to gain more power and Augustan land. "Let me at least see you out of Kierra, what kind of hospitality would we have otherwise?" Kratz snapped his fingers, and the doors opened. Several soldiers wearing armor stamped with a "k" swarmed the room.

"Kratz! What is this?" she yelled breaking free of his embrace.

"Just a little added safety for your trip out." He smiled, enjoying his show of power, and snapped his fingers once more. The Kratz soldiers moved ahead of Adela, and her small troop of soldiers, disappearing down the stairs. She exchanged glances with her men. Two retainers took point and headed down, Adela following, with Kratz hot on her heels.

The great golden gates opened, and Adela was finally off Kratz's estate. She had felt a relief, fresh air, open spaces, a vacancy of overly luxurious paintings, and wall drapings. A calmness that only nature could give, befell her. This time on the ride, she had convinced her subordinates to let her ride outside the carriage. Night had fallen so there was no need for  Dawn Armor. Instead, the caravan wore standard light armor, that would allow them to move faster and cover more ground in their journey. Something she was eager to do since Kratz was still sticking close, a not-so-secret stalker.

A horse sped towards them from the opposing direction, its rider another vampire from the house of Kratz, he must have been a scout, and by the look of things, carrying an important message.

"Milord! You must turn back at once! The Lorn Sequence has been cut off.” He shouted.

"Is this some kind of trick?" one of Adela's retainers yelled.

He went ignored as the scout continued. "Werewolves, they've ventured out of the forest, and onto the Lorn Sequence. The trail is blocked. Their numbers are roughly five, for now!"

Kratz put a hand to his chin. "They must be acting under the Blood lust We should turn back to the estate. My walls will protect us. No need fighting what we can avoid." He whipped the reigns of his horse and turned the black mare around. The Caravan following suit.

Adela hated to admit it, but he was right, although it was unusual, Kratz acted so passively, most vampires had increased aggression, during the full moon, perhaps he was more cowardly than she gave him credit for.

"All right, you head to your walls." She called. "Driver, to town!"

"With all due respect Lady Adela, why?" the carriage chauffeur asked?

"A precaution. To keep the townspeople of Kierra safe."

"My town enforcers can handle that," Kratz called from atop his steed.

She didn't bother to answer him. She saw what his enforcers could do. They'd turn on the people in an instant. They weren't concerned for their protection at all. Not to mention under the influence of the full moon, they would be too consumed with the need to feed. She wouldn't sit by idle, while innocent villagers got slaughtered, and she certainly wasn't going to share a castle with Kratz for the night. During a full moon no less, it was out of the question.

Adela's carriage pulled into the city of Kierra swiftly. Most villagers were heading the warning and returning to their homes. Others staggered by in a drunken stupor. It was astonishing. For the humans of Crichton to brave the night outside during a Blood lust, and while a werewolf warning was in effect. It only proved that the corruption in that country ran deep. Between the ravaging of Kres and Kratz's kin, and the occasional raids of the nomadic Aeron and Draven vampires from the northwest, the population must have become desensitized to danger.

Adela leaped from the coach and sprinted towards a human who hung in the hands of a vampire that belonged to Kratz lineage. "Stop!"

The creature dropped the man's lifeless body on the ground. His red eyes turned on Adela, blood pooling from his mouth. He hissed, and then charged her with blinding speed. His figure became a blur as his claws sought her throat. Another shape conjured in front of her and blood-soaked into the earth.