Note: There have been two reasons for my lengthy absence from updating. The first being I wanted to finish outlining the plot, and the second being that I got no reviews. I'm done outlining(it'll be 15 chapters long) and I got a review…so now, without further ado: my fifth chapter(though it's sorta the rushed addition, lotsa school work right now, so there's a bit of an atmosphere change in the chapter, but I'll remedy it in chapter six)… Also, I did indeed get the lineage of the Darcia clan mixed up, which I'll remedy starting now. This novel's protagonist is Darcia III, his grandfather is the first. I apologize for the mistake.

Chapter 5: Madness at joy's end

Three months arrived and died away, each carrying with it a sorry indifference for Darcia. No longer did Darcia see fit to meet with Harmona, or to partake of any empty crusades. No more did he take not of the beauteous environment which surrounded him, and no more did he smile. The world had become a barren place for him, all the happiness he had once known, now seemed a hallow farce. For he had at last indulged his curiosity; the extent of his grandfathers madness was becoming clearer, and it was proving so tremendous a burden that he dared not seek company.

Several days after his return from the city of stars, that was when he had first taken note of the weathered books which now littered the floor of his grandfather's study. Darcia I had long since taken to seclusion, all but barricading himself in the basement laboratory where he continued his mysterious work. His whereabouts where inconsequential to his grandson, who found he could no longer tolerate the old man, but in his wake he'd left so many tomes of information that Darcia couldn't help but be swept into his planning as well.

Journals, books of astronomy, books of philosophy, and books of religious prophecy were everywhere, but study as he might, Darcia could see no connection between them. For the better part of a week he locked himself in their confines, reading until his temples throbbed and his eyes became bloodshot. It all seemed a prodigious puzzle. What connection could the transmutation of a flower into a woman have to the phases of the moon and paradise? It all seemed random, as though he had all but some crucial piece of information. Finally, in one of the journals, he found a clue:

"When the end of the world draws nigh, the wolves shall be drawn to paradise. The wording is eloquent and cryptic, but I believe this to be the deepest prophecy of The Book of the Moon. Sadly, the world has yet to provide a maiden to guide them, and it is for this I now labor."

His grandfather had scribbled this note in a journal entry dated fifty years earlier, three days before he began constructing Cheza, The name he had granted his 'flower maiden'. Was he trying to lead the wolves to paradise? What would such a feat accomplish? It seemed that even if there was a paradise, if it was made for wolves what place would man have to tread? These questions still seemed unresolved to Darcia, who reread the passage. He paused at the mention of a book.

"The book of the moon? Is that where the connection lies?" It was now clear to Darcia what the missing piece was: he needed the book of the moon.

Unfortunately, a careful inspection of the grounds proved fruitless, and after a month he gave up in despair. Chances were that the book was still in his grandfather's possession, and thus beyond his reach. The plans, there potential rewards, and their probable danger were lost to him. He found it infuriating, as though his ancestor's actions had somehow made him unclean. He feared he could now poison any he touched, though he had no logical reason to believe so. That was when he began his isolation. His time with Harmona seemed nothing more than a dream, and he was filled with bitter nostalgia for the days of his father.

Now he was content to spend his time at the family cemetery, a place which resonated with the same lilting despair which now so wholly consumed him. He stood in the cemetery's parched grass, concealing himself in the massive ornaments which served as tombstones, and struggled with himself. He longed for Harmona, but he knew not whether he even deserved to see her. Suppose his instincts were correct, and there was some imminent threat now bound to him. Could he endure it if Harmona was killed because of him?

"By lord Darcia's order, you aren't allowed here until the day of the blood moon." Darcia's musings were interrupted by the distant voice of Neeze, his family's retainer. He turned in its direction, finding the somewhat diminutive woman to be talking to a black wolf. "You said you would not return until that time."

"I know what I said! I'm the one who said it," The wolf interjected, his voice shrill and unpleasant, "and to be honest I could care less whether or not I see that old corpse. I'm here to see the woman." He cast a perturbed glance at Neeze, who regarded him dispassionately.

"By Lord Darcia's command, you are not to set foot here until the dawn of the blood moon." She repeated this line in her factual, almost robotic tone, averting her dark eyes from the wolf. He protested a bit more, but she turned and left, ignoring his banter. He growled loudly and had begun to trot off when he spied Darcia's slender form almost completely concealed by the cemetery's headstones. With a confident stride he approached him, assuming his human form before calling out:

"Well by my soul! If it isn't the more bearable Darcia. We've met once before, but I don't recall our being introduced. Call me Tenmei if you please." He ran one of his slender hands through his elegant raven hair as he introduced himself, trying to hide the disgust he felt at maintaining his human figure.

Darcia simply looked at him in reply. He'd always possessed a vehement hatred for overly talkative people, and this feeling was amplified ten fold by the fact that this 'person' was a wolf, a creature he'd never cared for. He took a deep breath and turned away coldly.

"I see, an unfriendly fellow. It stands to reason I suppose, all nobles are like that, but you really should hear me out. Aren't you curious what your dear ancestor is cooking up? I could tell you if you ask me real nice." Tenmei said with fake tenderness, happy to see a look of interest cross the young man's face.

"Do you know where I can find the Book of the Moon?" Darcia asked with guarded interest, not certain how far to trust what he heard. Tenmei wiggled his ears at the question, a broad grin crossing his face.

"'Do I Know where you can find the Book of the Moon'," He mimicked disdainfully, "What a wonderfully intelligent question, and here I'd figured you for a hormone driven child." He meant the last part as a joke, not expecting the icy pallor that crossed Darcia's face when he heard it.

"Talking about that which you do not understand," Replied Darcia coldly, "Is a good way to die."

"Naturally I didn't mean to offend you." Tenmei said, bowing regally. "Rather, I think we can be of great benefit to each other. See, your grandfather's holed himself up in the disgusting laboratory of his with the most beautiful smelling woman I've ever encountered. I want to get close to her again...I'm not certain why... but that frigid wench won't allow me in. So the deal I'm prepared to offer is this: Let me into your grandfather's lab, and I'll give you the book of the moon."

Darcia considered this for a moment. Not even he could enter that place, nor had he any desire to help a wolf, but he couldn't help but hope that the answer he sought might be there. He rubbed his temple placidly, before finally sighing in defeat.

"Very well..."