As the sun began to drop down below the horizon, Daniel felt a little better about the situation at hand; until he checked on the empress.  He knocked lightly, just in case she'd been asleep.

"Come on," She said in a raspy-sounding whisper that wasn't her own.

"What happened?" He asked with alarming concern.

"The hybrid- infection is effecting my voice, that's all." She said to him.

"Has anything else changed?" He asked.

" A little nauseated but nothing else," She told him.

"It's going to be okay. It's nightfall now, so Magellan should arrive soon." He told her.

"Very good. Take the jars down in case Salem needs one of them for anything." He replied.

"Sure thing. I'll let you know when everything is ready." He told her.

"Yes, thank you." She said nodding to him.

He carefully picked up the jars and slowly walked them down to the office, setting them on a nearby table.

"What are those?" Salem asked.

"One's druid powder and another is lycan fairy dust." He explained.

"Oh wow. " Salem replied.

"How long before we'll see your father?" He asked.

"He should arrive shortly. It may take him a few minutes to get what we need." 

"I hope he gets here soon.... She doesn't look good, man." Daniel told him the harsh truth of it.

"Give it a few minutes. He'll be here. I know he'd do anything to save Ralvania or Amberosia." He pointed out.

"I don't mean to be so impatient, but we might be running out of time." The warlock stated.

"Don't apologize, you're worried for her, we all are; just trust me.' 

"I do trust you." Daniel responded.

"Good, besides my father is close by." 

"How do you know that?" He asked dumbfounded.

"Vampires, even half-lings can sense each other." 

"I didn't know that." He said.

"Now you do." Salem told him. 

Daniel nodded, filling his mug back up.