There was a lot of whimpering; Navarez had turned into his wolf form. Not a black wolf, but not white either. A nice darker gray with some black patches on his fur. He always whimpered when he turned when Kiara was around; it made him sad that had had burdened her with this curse. On some nights when the Princess was not available and he turned in the woods, he could not whimper. It was the wild and it was a matter of survival. Of course, the elves of the forest could have mercy on him, but he didn't dare let his secret out to other people.<br/><br/>Navarez paced a little up and down; even though it had been nearly two years, the change still put him in a panic. It was not something he could control. It almost seemed to upset his internal systems. If the Princess were around, she was like a center point for him. She was like a north star to him. Without her, things could be disorienting.<br/><br/>He laid his head down, his whimpering calming down. He hoped the Princess would pet his head and talk sweetly to him. He would often times fall asleep, his body still needing rest notwithstanding a change in species. Sometimes his ears would itch; he would indicate it to the princess by moving them frantically. But tonight he was especially tired, he didn't think any itch could stop him.<br/><br/>Even more embarrassing was the change back; when the sun came up, he could change back into a human with little warning. This is why he preferred the Princess because he could usually find a quiet, private place before the dawn to stay until he transformed back. It was necessary since once he changed back and had not had a second to put on his royal man at arms attire. Let's just say there was blushing all the way around for he and the princess.<br/><br/>Navarez closed his eyes, but as tired as he was, he sensed a danger looming about. He learned to trust his wolf senses, he almost thought he could be psychic. Why Reginald's face kept coming in to his head, he would know soon enough.<br/><br/>********************<br/><br/>Wesley couldn't quite find Kiara. He had thought he had seen her and the man at arms leaving together; the castle was eerily quiet; there was freedom to walk around. Too much freedom he perceived; he knew the outside walls were heavily guarded, but one could get lost in this maze on the inside.<br/><br/>He needed to discuss with Kiara his feelings for her; oh, how foolish it must be though. One night in a strange land and just because some pretty woman decides to help him - he has to confess his undying love for her? No, that didn't seem right. He at least needed to discuss with her the confusion of his spirit before they go on the long journey. When he will rarely have a chance of privacy since Navarez will be going with them.<br/><br/>Wesley still didn't like the halls late at night. In his mind, he had hoped, though, that metaphorically speaking - this maze would end with Brandis his son by his side.<br/><br/>**********<br/>Dr. Stevens gently let go of the wheelchair, and Amber rolled back in the room, quiet however, unsure what to do next. She waited to see what else might occur.<br/><br/>Dr. Stevens told Audrey, "It's a symptom. When I went to the land of Cyrch, it actually was one of many lands to visit, I began to fall in love with the people, with the land, with the characters in it. All the while, messages came to be from home. Sometimes from a singing bird; sometimes from a letter; sometimes in a vision while I was there.<br/><br/>"My body was here, but my real self was there almost with a new body. However, it probably was a temporary body because empaths couldn't tell if I was alive or not. Anyways, when I came back - I had a new lease on life here. With me and Amber, I was able to be more clear, more focused, and I gained skills I never had before. But, there comes a price to it. You long for going back; you long for wondering what if scenarios or if I stayed longer or what not.<br/><br/>"My daughter and I had been so happy together, I was devastated when she moved out. So was she. But, she couldn't stay a child forever. She's perfectly capable, you see. But what if I went back and what if she went back with me? Why, she could have a new body and I could live my dreams again. Amber just acted on these impulses when she learned about Wesley, this is totally unprofessional, I know."<br/><br/>Brandis was sitting on Amber's knee again, almost as if nothing happened. He would turn and look at her and then turn back forward and look at his Dad. He did this a few times.<br/><br/>"We can't go back; you are either called to this place or you are not called. Unless you are a displaced native, the reason you go is because you are not ready for something in this life. And if you were able to go back a second time, the Sorceress of that land told me you would be stuck forever and could never come back.<br/><br/>"I'm only saying this so you understand Amber's thoughts. We are not here for us, we are here for Wesley and Brandis. Isn't that right, Amber?"<br/><br/>But Amber and Brandis had noticed something very unusual. The body twitched. And then relaxed again. Amber was busy writing all this down in her notebook.