Ehren stood at his window straining to hear anything over the mournful howl echoing over the moors. The wail had been faint but he knew he’d heard it. He stood bare-chested, despite the night chill and listened until dawn. When Kase came to him the next morning, he was still at the window. Kase must have thought he’d fallen asleep standing up because his eyes were closed. He was, in fact, very much awake.

“My lord…” Kase began.

Ehren held up a hand, stopping him from speaking further. When he could still hear nothing over the howl still resounding over the moors, he turned to Kase.

“My lord, why are you up so early?” Kase asked bowing. “And why were you standing at your window with the shutters open without your dressing gown?”

Kase rushed to get his robe from the hook where it hung in his closet.

“Kase, how many times must I tell you when we’re alone, you don’t have to address me formally?” Ehren called after him.

“And how many times must I remind you, Prince Ehren, that your father and mine would have my head for not doing so,” Kase replied returning with his robe. “Here, put this on before you catch a chill and get sick. You haven’t answered my questions though.”

Ehren shrugged into the robe Kase held and turned back to the window.

“That howl woke me in the middle of the night,” he answered slowly. “I figured it must be one of the dogs someone keeps as a pet but it sounded more like a wolf, so then I thought about the Eames dogs.”

“But why would one of them be howling in the middle of the night?” Kase asked.

“I’m not sure but I could have sworn, right before I was about to close the shutters and go back to bed, I heard a wail. That’s why I was up all night. If it was one of the Eames dogs howling, who could be wailing? And what happened to make them wail like that?”

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There was a soft knock at the door. Kase went and opened it, leaving Ehren at the window.

“Your Majesty,” Ehren heard Kase say.

“There is no need for that now, Kase,” his mother replied.

Ehren turned as his mother was led into the room by Kase.

“Mother, what brings you here so early?” Ehren asked.

“I’ve only just gotten word but Loxely Eames died last night,” she replied.

“Then the howl…” Ehren started.

“Levi was howling early this morning. He wouldn’t let anyone in the room.”

“Even Askel and Akira?” Ehren asked shocked.

“Akira was with her father when he passed, so she was already in the room but Askel couldn’t get in.”

“So no one knows how she’s taking it?” Ehren asked going to his closet.

“Askel requested that you come see if Levi, Teylie, and Kairos will let you in to see her.”

“Wait, all three of them are in the room with her?” Ehren asked sticking his head around the doorjam of his closet.

“Levi, it seems, never left Loxley’s side. Teylie would go between him and Akira. And Kairos, he never left Akira’s side. Of course Levi and Teylie would already be in the room, that’s where they slept.” His mother sighed. “That poor girl. She adored her father. His death could very well destroy her.”

Ehren emerged from his closet. His face was grim to say the least. He was worried about Akira and what she could do in her grief.

“Go,” his mother urged him as she handed him a slip of paper containing the address. “Ehren, please don’t let her do anything to hurt herself. If you need help, I’ll send Ferros.”

Ehren turned to her.

“Please, don’t send him. I think he’ll say something to make things worse. He won’t mean to, of course, but you know him.”

“Very well, take Kase with you.”

Ehren nodded grudgingly. He glanced at Kase, who nodded his readiness, and with that they made their way to the Eames’ house.

The Eames’ house sat on the outskirts of the capital on about 100 acres of land. Around 50 acres were leased to farmers or herders, while the other 50 remained in the Eames’ possession.The house had been built, according to rumors, by Mavi Eames nearly 150 years ago. It was a modest, three story house that encircled a courtyard. The courtyard contained a recreated viking forge and a stone oven that could double as a pottery kiln. Ehren and Kase landed in this courtyard after their sublimation. Askel met them there moments later. He was paler than usual and had dark circles beneath his eyes. He was also sporting a fresh gash on his cheek. When he saw Kase and Ehren he seemed to deflate. He collasped into Kase’s arms.

“I’m glad you’re here,” he said.

“I just hope I can help,” Ehren answered. “So Levi, Teylie, and Kairos won’t let you or anyone in the room?”

Askel nodded. Ehren sighed.

“She was there when he died,” Askel whispered.