John &
Roman &
āāāāā "ā³ā³ā³" āāāāāā
((Previous Day Collab))ā³ā³ā³ kept waving in Luzās direction as Sir Barrios pushed her wheelchair until both figures were swallowed by the crowd. He turned his attention back to where the two other Varians were and approached them.
āWe meet again, Grand Healer,ā ā³ā³ā³ nodded to Dr. Williamson, then to the blacksmith lord,
āLord Ravenwood.āāApologies if I am interrupting your mysterious secret conversation, but I was hoping youād be willing to indulge me with a discussion about a certain mysterious secret party.āMovement to the corner of his eye alerted Roman to the new presence seemingly wanting to join in on their conversation.
āCount Fritz '' he spoke, giving the man a nod of acknowledgement.
āNot so much a secret conversation, just discussing the pros and cons of possibly bringing these fried treats and popcorn to the northern territories. We don't know if they would be addictive or possibly some kind of health hazard.ā his smile still didn't fade and he sounded just as genuine as he always was around others,
āSo what is this talk of a secret party?ā his voice lowered again.
ā³ā³ā³ sighed and shook his head,
āThe world couldnāt be cruelerā¦ Why do things that are bad for you taste oh so good? It makes no sense.ā He smiled and continued as if they were still talking about food.
āWhy, the secret party that you attended last night, Lord Ravenwood. I heard it was wild! ā¦But also a little concerning since everyone who attended seemed to have mysteriously lost their memories.ā He glanced at Dr. Williamson for a moment.
āLady Vikena, Lord Smithwood, and I decided to investigate the matter.āJohn raised his eyebrows
āOh yeah Iāve heard of that. Itās a nightmare for us yesterday.ā He shot a glance over at Roman at the mention of Lord Smithwood. Given the almost certainty of magic being used, and their identities unknown, he couldnāt help but be a little worried. Especially when it comes to these two characters, they probably werenāt aware what they were getting into.
āOh, are yall? What have you uncovered?ā āNot much so far. Thatās why I wanted to ask you about the party, Lord Ravenwood.ā He paused for a moment, considering how he should phrase the next part in case the lord was not privy to the possibility.
āAnd ask if you have considered my suspicions, Dr. Williamson.āListening carefully as he decided on how to respond to the question, this was the first person that personally approached him with just that question in mind.
āLast night? Hmm well I've made some inquiries into the event as well. For whatever reason I was not affected as badly as some of the others." That statement was true as he glanced in the direction that Zarai left.
āI still don't remember anything aside from who was with us when we left and waking up with a slight headache.āIt was, as ā³ā³ā³ expected, the same testimony repeated by a different person.
āAs it seems to be more or less the case for the others as well. Which worries me moreā¦ My primary concern is what couldāve been done to the attendees during the party. Anything couldāve happened and no one is none the wiser because no one remembers anything.āNot only considered, but basically confirmed. But the Count didnāt know that.
āI will put that into consideration, yes. But there hasnāt been any evidence beyond speculation, and not a lot of evidence period. If thereās any in favor of your ideas, we would love to hear it.ā He shrugged his shoulders and laid his palms bare, as a casual gesture, but one socially-savvy person could tell he was subtly probing the Count if he was willing to give out more information.
A knowing smile slowly appeared across ā³ā³ā³ās face as he stared at Dr. Williamson. Even if the doctor had stumbled upon compelling evidence, he would not disclose it to him so easily. In his role as the esteemed royal physician, Dr. Williamson was duty-bound to safeguard the well-being of the royal family and her subjects. It was inconceivable that he would have neglected to explore the potential influence of magic when the slightest possibility of its presence emerged. The consequences of disregarding it were far too great to be ignored.
āYou sound like an intelligencer when you say it like that.āAfter carefully observing the reactions of the men, he continued.
āAs you say, I have no evidence, just speculations and rumors. So I am sorry to say that I will be of no use to you, Dr. Williamson.ā ā³ā³ā³ās eyes wandered in the direction Luz and her knight went.
āHowever, I am desperate. And I am willing to investigate less reliable leads if I must.ā His focus returned to the other two.
āI donāt mind if it is mere conjecture, what do you gentlemen think transpired?āStaying quiet for a moment to let the two talk, He pondered how to go about this conversation without revealing too much information but still giving this man a tail to chase.
āWell go over some of the more well known information, we were all royals or nobles from the three kingdoms, i haven't heard of anyone losing jewelry or money, most of us came out of the night rather unharmed.ā he glanced at the direction the zarai had disappeared.
āMost of usā¦ no missing organs or anyone mis-shapen in any way. What could we all have that could benefit someone?ā He shifted his stance and straightened his back with a sigh,
ābut I do press caution for you Leo and charlotte. If this person or persons would use something that affected the nobility and royalty from multiple kingdoms in such a way, then it's not too much of a stretch to come to the conclusion that they might harm or kill anyone looking into itā¦ā his brow furrowed for a moment at his words, Fritz could very well be putting the others in danger thus making his job harder.
āSo again be careful who you talk to and what questions you ask. You could inadvertently get them hurt as well.āGuilt and sadness for a loss yet to come gripped ā³ā³ā³.
āIt may already be too late for that.ā He whispered as he closed his eyes.
ā³ā³ā³ took in a deep breath. He noted how both men were avoiding directly answering his questions, which led him to consider the possibility that either they were withholding information or that they were involved in the investigation in some capacity.
āLady Lesdeman believes that the party attendees were drugged. Were you able to find anything in their system to support this possibility?āāThereās a lot of alcohol in their system, thatās for sure.ā John crossed his arms, giving his thoughts a second scan before actually command his vocal chord to materialize them. He really did not want to give the Count information here, but giving him less would just alert him even more, hearing how he thought John was more of a spy than doctor. Itās pretty clear he had to give him something. And his quick thoughts provided him that something.
āBut within the alcohol we also find something ratherā¦troublesome. Itās a substance called bihydrat hydroxyd.ā With a completely straight face, John explained the situation.
āThe substance is, and I hope you will be discreet with this information, used in anesthesia. It is also a component of acid rain and pesticide used by farmers. Now, it isnāt inherently toxic, and since everyone seems to be fine the day after, itās likely not poisonous. But keep an eye out for any dangerous symptoms.ā The doctor looked at Roman with slight efforted reassurance, but his tone otherwise was eloquent before turning back to Fritz.
āTo answer your question, yes, if they were drugged, using alcohol with added substance would be a good vector of attack, seeing how it is odorless and colorless, so blends in really well with drinks. However, as much as we have used them in our medical field, none of our patients have experienced memory loss, so there are still unanswered questions.ā ā³ā³ā³ās eyes grew wide and his mouth became slightly agape, unable to find the right words to articulate his emotions.
Bihydrat hydroxyd. Bi. Hydrat. Hydroxyd. His body began to tremble, starting with a barely noticeable quiver that grew into uncontrollable shakes. Until, finally, ā³ā³ā³ erupted into laughter.
āOh, Doctor! Iād be greatly concerned if they didnāt have a drop of bihydrat hydroxyd in them!ā Pausing momentarily to catch his breath, he playfully added,
āWould you please be so kind as to fetch me a cup of water? Iām starting to feel rather parched.āāAh.ā John tapped the side of his head once. It didnāt fool him. Usually that would have worked.
āSure, have some.ā He grabbed a bottle from his pocket, containing water he saved from Sadieās party. Whether or not that came off as genuine or an elaborate ploy was up to Fritz, he was just glad that the Count saw through the ruse. Now he knew what to expect.
Wiping away the tears that had gathered at the corners of his eyes, ā³ā³ā³ inquired, sparing Lord Ravenwood the briefest of glances.
āSo, Agentā¦ or Agents, who issued the directive to conceal the involvement of magic in this affairāHis or Her Majesty, or V.R.I.S.?ā ... A mysterious third party?āHmm, who do you think did so, Count āHendrixā?ā John asked the mysterious noble.
āYou know, since you asked me quite a lot despite being quite aware of the transpiring situation.āāMuch less than you suspect, unfortunately. I wasnāt lying when I said I didnāt have evidence.ā ā³ā³ā³ gave Dr. Williamsonās first question careful thought.
āBased on past dealings, I wouldnāt be surprised if either gave the order.ā As Crosswinds Tradings merchants, his family had the privilege of working with both parties, supplying them with an extensive range of ingredients, materials, and items sourced from far and wideāsome of which possessed extraordinary properties by Northern Kingdom standards.
Again roman stayed quiet as the two talked, the count saying something under his breath and the Dr. making a joke of some kind related to a chemical he didn't quite pick up on. Apparently the punch line was for water or some other beverage he wasn't sure. He knew chemicals when it came to certain subjects like acid etching and the right components to mix for certain creations. Nevertheless it did not seem like the count was being swayed to the notion that the two of them didn't know anything more.
āI'm not sure what you mean by agent, I am a craftsman and the head of my family's craftsman and trading guild.ā Roman wasn't sure what that third party was but only let bewilderment escape his facial features.
āMagic is a dangerous thing, to both one's life and political standing. I Would tread carefully with your next words, Count Fritz Hendrix.ā his voice changed slightly to a subtle accusatory tone.
āTo start a rumor that the Crown was aware of the use of magic on its nobles on foreign soil and did not do anything about it while telling everyone that knew to keep it quietā¦ could very easily be misinterpreted as treason.ā his voice didn't shift or quiver and his body language didn't change either. The people of the northern Varian territories were known to be very loyal to the crown to the point that many thought of them as zealots. Taking any perceived question or rumor as a possible threat to them. Most of those rumors held true.
The difference in the responses between the two Varians revealed a lot. The reaction to ā³ā³ā³ās audacious assertions, regardless of their veracity, told him even more.
Appearing unflappable or innocently oblivious to Lord Ravenwoodās warning, the count clasped his hands together.
āExcellent! Does this mean you will rectify my terrible misunderstanding by sharing more of what you know?ā Though the question was directed at the lord there was an unspoken invitation to the doctor to do the same, whether in front of the other Varian or in private, if need be.
John sighed; Fritz really is persistent. Romanās response seemed to only push his buttons even further. The doctor exchanged a glance towards the northern blacksmith, tilting his head as a silent gesture to let him take the lead, and also for permission.
John was no Varian northsman of utmost loyalty, nor was he a Caesonian of grandeur. He was born into both, combined with a unique but cruelly attained perspective that really defined him as neither. He was John Harling Williamson, a scientist, epidemiologist, a healer and protector of
people.
āIāll let you inā¦you know what, let me tell you a story instead.ā John began.
āThere are a number of villages in the north, those that suffered a devastating plague not long ago. The biggest one: Alestal. It was a horrific time, entire families wiped out, generations dented with trauma.ā He kept calm in his speech, but then reached into his chest pocket for a small fountain pen, covered in milk white paint and golden engravings, handing it to Fritz with gentle care.
āI was there in its darkest hours, as their salvation, and eventually I delivered it to them.ā He said, without any hint of pride or sense of accomplishment, rather pity and anger.
āBut I did not do any of that. She did.āVisible on the side of the pen was a word engraved, a name: Hania.
āA local doctor from Alestal. Initially we found ourselves at odds, but in time, we considered each other partnersā¦even friends.ā A smile appeared on his face again, overriding a monument of melancholy. But soon, that smile disappeared as painful memories resurfaced.
āSheās the one who figured out the cause of the plague, the thing that so-called āmen like youā are so fascinated by, and fought it with itself.āāYes, she is a witch, and she saved that village. But.ā John gave Count Fritz Hendrix an austere look, and what could be considered a desperate final warning.
āThe village knew of her identity, and there was no going back. I will spare the details, but she had become so immaterial to this world that it would be difficult to even know if she ever lived at all. And that is a good ending compared to what could have been.āJohn took a long deep breath, before finally relaxed, knowing he had just revealed quite a bit more than desired. But the truth was still there, and he shuddered to think of the possibility of those who failed to see it.
āHow much of that was the decree of the king and queen, do you think? How much of that was the V.R.I.S deciding what is forbidden?āRoman scoffed and stepped back folding his arms. He didn't like that he had to play the fool with political intrigue but he still had to hold some of his cards. He looked like he was going to say something when the doctor began to speak with his own warning. As he started, Roman looked towards the others for a moment then back at the count. He knew this story, there were several mysterious illnesses spreading among tight nit villages at the time. He was sent to maintain the quarantine with his men and persuade any against trying to escape or trying to get in. He did not envy John for what he and the other doctors had to do and see there.
ā³ā³ā³ traced the intricate engraving etched onto the surface. A hero whose name would never grace the pages of any history book. His hands cradled the priceless pen, drawing it closer to his chest, while his eyes closed in an effort to carve the name into his own memory.
Dr. Hania of Alestal, Savior of Krasivaya. Each letter possessed a weighty significance, an untold tale of valor and sacrifice.
With a sense of reverence, ā³ā³ā³ extended his hand, offering the memento back to Dr. Williamson.
āThank you for telling me about Dr. Hania. I am honored to be one of the few to know her accomplishments. She deserved betterā¦ I am sorry you had to carry such a burden, John. It mustāve been a heavy load to bear.āRather than answering the doctorās question, ā³ā³ā³ recounted him with the abridged version of another tale.
āWithin this very nation, there was a noble house that vanished inexplicably from the face of Eromora. On a day like any other day, the small town they lived in had been reduced to rubble and the denizens were found as a pile of burnt bodiesāsome dismembered, one tied to a stake. Such a horrific incident shouldāve warranted some kind of record, but instead, every trace of their existence has been systematically eradicated. No book or official document has their name, no map shows the town, and no painting depicts their image. They were being expunged, in every sense of the word. All that remains of them now is a blighted land where the town once stood, vague recollections from those who knew of the place before it was cursed, and people too scared to reveal the truth for fear of losing something precious to them. What is unsettlingā¦ is that this isnāt an isolated event.āThe story came to an abrupt end as the previously gentle and easygoing countenance vanished, and a striking sternness that he had concealed until that moment, dominated his demeanor.
āYour warnings have not fallen on deaf ears, and I assure you I do not take what either of you have told me lightly. I appreciate the concern both of you have shown me. However, Iām well aware of what happens to people entangled in magic or who pose a threat to those of considerable influence.āThe count placed his hand over his chest and nodded in gratitude.
āThank you, for telling me as much as you could despiteā¦ regulations. I apologize if I have ruffled your feathers, gentlemen. But this partyā¦ may be part of something far more nefarious.āJohn knew that, it wasnāt a surprising conclusion, but what he was surprised and glad about was that he managed to get the Count to open up. Soon, the hostile countenance began to subside to a more compassionate and gentle responding bow in return.
āI lack evidence of any sort,ā he stressed,
āhoweverā¦ Letās say, hypothetically, youāve been keeping track of the number of attendants each Varian guest brought along, and you are aware that I brought three with me from Erwynn. If any of them or I were to disappearā¦ā He stared directly at Lord Ravenwood,
āYouāll know that your fears were correct.ā ā³ā³ā³ leaned in so that both could hear him whisper,
āAnd that Black Rose may be involved.āāIf you insist on getting involved then, Count Hendrix. ā John replied.
āI will not stop you, but I hope you handle Leo and Charlotte well. The Lord for obvious reasons, but Charlotteā¦sheās a good girl. I donāt want the abyss to look at her in any shape or form.ā Knowing the two of them, with their own separate wounds to heal from, and a concerning level of determination to any tasks, they may end up in serious trouble.
āI cannot promise that no harm will come to them.ā Especially if something larger lurked in the shadows.
āWhat I can promise is that I will be there for them so that they donāt have to face the abyss alone.ā The three Varians exchanged a wordless pause until Dr. Williamson finally spoke, breaking the silence.
āAnd also, you canāt drop the name Black Rose like that and not give us any context.ā āI canāt?ā ā³ā³ā³ shrugged in an exaggerated manner.
āWell then, I suppose I have no choice.ā His fingers beckoned the men to come closer.