Ch 8: A Doctor's Opinion

Arisha sensed that Baldeur was not in a good mood and actually played like a normal child for once. He appreciated her effort, if only she was like this all the time.

An hour later a small blue bird made of Mana landed on Yulia's shoulder. It whispered a simple message.

"Kids were going to go soon." Yulia called to them.

"Did something happen?" Baldeur asked.

"Nothing you need to worry about." She replied, though Baldeur could tell she was nervous.

When they finally left the park, Baldeur walked at a quick pace. He already knew that he couldn't do anything without exposing his secret, which was what was making him feel so anxious.

It was a small risk he was taking. He told himself he could always change his mind about hiding if it got worse. But it still ate at him.

When they got to his house, Baldeur ran up to his sister's room. She was laying on her bed with their mother standing on one side of the bed. She was starting to look a little pale and was having trouble sitting up.

Maybe the poison was a little more severe than Baldeur thought.

A portly elven doctor named Azarias was sitting on a stool on the other side examining Ilinka with Anodular.

Yulia walked up to Levanya and whispered to keep the other children from hearing.

"Is it really this serious?" She asked.

"I don't know. There's something else in her blood that I couldn't extract." Levanya said.

Baldeur stood in the doorway as Arisha came up and held his hand. He squeezed it back for comfort.

"It doesn't seem to be a type of disease. It might be some type of poison. I'll have to run some tests on her blood before I know for sure." Azarias said.

"Poison? How could a plain old fairy poison her?" Levanya said.

"Are you sure that wound is from a fairy?" Azarias asked.

Baldeur furrowed his brows. He could sense something was off about what the doctor said but he couldn't figure out what.

"I'll be back when I have this figured out." After taking a bit of Ilinka's blood he left.

"Let me cook some dinner for you guys." Yulia said.

"Oh you don't have to do that. I'm sure this will clear up in no time." Levanya said.

"I insist." Yulia said. As she left the room she almost had Arisha follow her but decided to let her stay with Baldeur.

After a lite supper, Ilinka fell asleep and Yulia went home with Arisha.

Doctor Azarias returned shortly after the Sun Orbs had dimmed for the night.

"I believe what is affecting her is called Black Tulip Slow Blood Burning Poison. The good news is that it will take some time to harm her. The bad news is that the antidote is not easy to come by." Azarias said.

Baldeur didn't need his senses to know the doctor wasn't telling the full truth.

"I can easily get all of the ingredients but the most important one, the White Blood Tulip. They are currently embargoed due to their use in an addictive drug." He continued.

"Is there any way we can get a hold of one?" Levanya asked.

The doctor became slightly nervous. "I believe Duke Nievok's family have a few in stock to be used in pharmaceuticals. If you know someone related to their family, you may be able to barter with them."

Levanya wasn't stupid. "I think I'll seek a second opinion." She said coldly.

A mystery poison from a non-poisonous fairy bite that needs the help of the Duke's family. It was obvious what was happening.

The doctor was about to say something when the two of them turned to Baldeur in the doorway. He had lost control for a brief moment and an intense killing intent came off of him.

The two adults thought they must have been mistaken about what they felt.

"There shouldn't be a need for that. I have been practicing for over a hundred years." He replied after a moment.

"I think it's time you leave. My family will no longer need your services." Levanya said.

Azarias nodded and handed over a small jar of ointment. "Rub this on her bare chest twice a day. The fumes will slow the poison and alleviate any pain for a few days at least."

After he stepped out of their front door the doctor turned around and said, "He's not going to stop coming after you. It might be best to just give in before any more harm comes to your family."

"Is that all?" Levanya said.

He nodded and before he could turn to leave a burst of wind with arcs of lightning blasted him across the street.

"Tell your master that I would rather burn this district to the ground than submit to him." Levanya said as she shut the door.

Doctor Azarias barely heard what she said due to the pain. It took him several minutes to recover enough to make his way home.

He was shaking the entire way not just because of Levanya's attack but because he was addicted to the drug made from the White Blood Tulip. That was how Pantel got to him.

After Levanya collected herself, she turned to see her son looking at her with pride.

"Violence isn't always the answer. Normally you should use your words." She said.

"Yes mother. I'll try to use my words first." Baldeur said.

Levanya went upstairs to check on her daughter. Even though she knew that Doctor Azarias was working for Pantel, she still trusted him when it came to the ointment he gave her.

Baldeur watched from the doorway. He was already formulating a plan. As soon as his mother fell asleep, he'd go visit the good doctor for the ingredients he needed.