Ship names for the King and Rowan are: Kierowan, Rowan, Kieran, Kien, and Krown all provided by the incredible Luciano_Obsesser! I hope y'all enjoy the chapter and have been doing well!

Chapter Eighteen:

The next few weeks were similar in comparison, excluding the excitement of the hunters. At the end of each week, we would request that everyone in the castle leave. There were, of course, no complaints for fear of the King's wrath.

Sage and I would then leave with King Sandalius, Shaterria staying behind to take messages brought while we were away. She would ask to come along from time to time, but every time it was decided that she would stay behind. Sage promised she would be allowed when the King was more stable and that he would be the one to stay behind.

The walks through the forest were longer each week, the King demanding to stay out for a while more. Sage would attempt persuading him that we should head back before the moon rose, but it was useless as the King never listened. When he was finally ready to leave, the moon would accompany us on the way back, in the lead.

King Sandalius' changes were only now becoming noticeable. Where he had once appeared coiled and hardened, he was now alert and calculating. His skin had become a few shades darker, eagerly soaking up what the sun had to offer. Even his movements were less stiff and more natural, walking with authority.

He would sometimes shift into his wolf and run ahead of us, causing an endless amount of stress for Sage. However, before the day ended, we would locate him and he would shift back appearing more relaxed than ever. Sage had gotten into the habit of bringing along an extra pair of clothes for him.

Now, the King was speaking quietly to Shaterria at the castle doors while Sage and I waited outside. Sage had worn his uniform for most trips, but he would occasionally wear just his pants and a regular shirt with a vest, as he was doing today.

It was odd seeing him without the helmet, his hair tied up in a bun. It seemed I had forgotten there was a man underneath all the layers he wore. Even the King appeared different, wearing a shirt with less holes than usual and a pair of dark jeans. His hair was also tied back, but in a ponytail.

I, on the other hand, was wearing a pair of shorts and a shirt that I wore while working in the forest. My hair was tied similar to the King's as it would frizz throughout the day and become a nuisance if I did not do so.

The King's talk with Shaterria ended, the doors closing behind him as he joined us. The King led the way, Sage and I following behind as usual. Todd joined us occasionally; however, he steered clear of the King most of the time. Today he was nowhere in sight, having left earlier.

We had begun walking and were now in the forest, getting farther away from the castle. Even now, the King still ran his hand along the trees, bushes, and everything he could. It pleased me to see someone appreciate nature and all of her beauty.

"Tell me about our home."

I glanced towards the King, who had not turned in our direction when he asked the question. He was looking up at a tree, where upon closer inspection I noticed a bird's nest lay. The mother was quiet, even her chicks silencing their crying for the moment.

"It is a small house in the middle-" I started, but he shook his head, a frown settling.

"He means your home, Rowan. Your forest," Sage supplied, his body turned to me. His own eyes were filled with curiosity, as if the subject interested him as well.

I shrugged, walking towards the tree where the King stood. "Back up," I murmured, looking once at the King. He hesitated, as if he wanted to object, but he did as told and went near Sage.

"My home is my own little world," I said softly, looking up at the bird's nest. I could see the mother perched on the edge, looking down at me. She was a beautiful painted bunting, her dark eyes contrasting with her brightly, multicolored feathers.

"At first, it was simply a forest. I had not met a single animal there." Birds were often unappreciated, no one realizing what intelligent animals they were. I had perhaps been one of those people, but that had long ago been altered.

"And what changed that?" Sage asked. I did not have to look back to know he was studying me, watching my actions.

"My little one did," I said, a smile forming on my face. The mother's eyes were still on me, her head tilted. I reached into my bag, pulling out a small packet of seeds I had brought along during each trip.

"When I first encountered Todd, it was raining very badly. I would not have noticed him if his fur were a shade darker. But there he was, lying underneath a few small plants. I thought he was already dead."

I held out my palm, the seeds spread. It was quiet for a moment before she flew down, gliding neatly onto my hand. Her beak was gentle against my palm, easily snatching up the small seeds.

"It was hard taking him home. He would growl and snap the moment I approached him. I stayed outside with him for an hour before he finally gave in and let me touch him. My father was surprised, of course, but he helped me nurse my little one back to good health."

I reached towards her slowly, feeling her flinch when my finger lightly brushed against her. I waited a moment before touching her again, however this time she simply ignored me, eating once again.

"I did not think there was anything special about it because people take in injured wild animals all the time. However, it was a bit odd that Todd turned a bit feral when my father tried to tend to him but remained calm when it was me. We simply decided that he had become attached to me because I was the one to find him.

When my little one was all well, I knew he was not better off left alone in the forest. Even if I had tried, Todd followed me around everywhere like a small pup. It was around then that I noticed the squirrels would stop scurrying up trees when I approached."

The bunting had finished the food and she sent a chirp my way before she flew back up to the nest, returning to her young. I murmured parting words to her before glancing back at the King and Sage.

They were both staring at me, but it wasn't as the town had done. There was no disgust or even fear in either of their eyes. They did not cringe from me or look down as if I was not worth their time. They merely seemed surprised, both refraining from speaking.

"I have been bringing along small snacks for the animals. I knew one day they would begin to trust me so I decided to try today. It is easier to gain the trust of the prey rather than the predators," I explained, looking away. I did not enjoy the staring, as it was usually accusatory.

"I cannot imagine an entire forest filled with animals that do not shy away from you," the King said, his voice calm as he walked past me and took the lead once again.

Sage took his spot beside me, walking in silence before he decided to speak up. "I think the King is becoming used to you. He has not been curious about anything in a long time. You are making progress, Rowan," he said, veiled happiness in his voice. He was happy that his King was returning.

"We," I said, not looking at him. "I have not been alone in this, Sage. If it were not for you, I am sure the King would have killed me by now and his own health would have deteriorated further. We are making progress."

It was quiet for a moment before I could hear his soft voice whisper, "Thank you." I would not admit it, but the smile in his words had brought a brief smile to my own.

It was erased once we reached the King, who stood still, his head looking down at the ground. Next to his feet, there lay a body as still as ice. I too froze, but Sage rushed over, kneeling down. I watched him check for a pulse before he lightly cursed.

I had known he could not be alive. His head was tilted upwards, his eyes left to glance at the sky for eternity. His mouth was gaping open, blood smeared along his lips. Later, it would be told to us that his tongue was missing, having been torn out.

He wore a white shirt, similar to the King, but it had been torn into shreds, barely intact. His chest has been clawed open, the gaping wound almost theatrical. The marks were none other than claw marks, similar to those left by a predator, such as a wolf.

"We need to return to the castle and report this incidence," Sage said, standing up. His face was expressionless, as dead as the day I had first met him. It was apparent that he was accustomed to Death and her ways.

The King did not respond, still staring at the body. I walked towards him, and it was then that I noticed his eyes were not as expressionless as Sage's. They held the most emotions I had ever seen in them. His eyes were filled to the brim with a gruesome mixture of fear and worry.

"King Sandalius, we are to return to the castle. They will find out what happened. I am sure it was no animal," I said, placing a hand on his upper arm.

His eyes flickered to me at the contact, as if he had not heard Sage and I approach or speak. "We must go," I repeated, gently pulling his shirt in an attempt to lead him.

We returned to the castle, King Sandalius remaining close to me the entire time. When we returned, Sage rushed to Shaterria, murmuring a few words to her before coming back.

"Take the King upstairs. Shaterria and I will deal with the incidence. It is best the King is not seen when the Council comes to investigate," he said and I nodded, watching as he turned and disappeared from sight.

I took the King upstairs, both of us walking slowly. He was quiet throughout it all, not having spoken a word since asking me about my home. I was surprised, not expecting the death of a human to stir him so much.

"At home, there were deaths within the forest," I told him. We were standing next to the window, the King looking out while I watched him.

"However, each was determined to be an act of murder by humans or just a human provoking a scared animal. Animals do not attack unless given a reason. I am sure all will be fine," I told him, hoping to bring some reassurance.

I sighed when he did not reply, prepared to give up. Just as I turned to go, he spoke.

"Rowan, it is not the animals' lives I fear for. It is my own," he said, his voice much lower than usual.

I could feel unease building inside my bones, the tension slipping into the room. "I have been going to the forest during the week, alone. There are some nights-," he paused, the tension pressed against us both, waiting for the chance to fill the entire room and kill us.

He took a deep breath before starting up again, his next words lowering the temperature within my body. "There are some nights where I do not remember what happened, when I have come back covered in blood. It is possible that I killed the man."