The Plan part 2

"I am Alice's true master...I dare you to try to take her from me." Edwin threatens.

Steel stands down, "You are horrible..."

"Since you are here, you might as well come with me," Edwin replies gesturing for them to follow, going straight into a large room they see a raised platform.

Alex is laying on the ground with a very tall individual bowed over him, the staff is in his hand clanking on the ground, "Oh...Edwin."

"How were the tests?" Edwin questions the mage, "Is he ready yet?"

"Whenever you want to take the sword he is ready Edwin."

Alice slithers past the tiny group swiftly pushing her way to the stage lifting Alex on her shoulder, "Alice..." Alex mumbles brokenly.

"Alice you know what to do already!" Edwin demands, "You may start!"

They both plummet to the hardwood stage together, Alice shakes him trying to rouse his senses, "Shimon, are you able to wake him?" Alice asks.

Strolling up the steps Shimon pulls out his pen needle slamming it into Alice's neck with seething hatred infuriating Edwin, "You expect too much of Alex...Alice needs a rest."

Edwin snaps his hands having her appear in his arms, "I can end you, Shimon!"

"Alex is not okay for this you idiot!" Shimon argues unsheathing his sword swaying it in his face, Doctor Carol casually strolls up the steps unbuttoning the back of his gown noticing the slightest twinge of red on the surface of his clothing.

"Both of you need to shut the hell up!" Doctor Carol Quarrels, "I am staying!"

Steel places her hands over her mouth in shock, "Doctor Carol..."

Joseph claps his hands sending a flurry of maids into the room surrounding them.

"Take them all to the conjoined guest room make sure the doctor here is well equipped, I want both up and well by tomorrow!"

"He has been flogged and I am not sure what those "tests" are, but I want a list of what has been done tonight, you imbecile!" Doctor Carol yells back.

The mage stands there disappointed packing his objects swinging them on his back, "I thought you would let me play with them more..."

"Later...I need to handle this new problem..." Edwin explains clapping, a maid takes Alice quickly going away, he dusts himself off.

"I am leaving after this Edwin, you can keep your house of madness!" Shimon clarifies a maid is instructed to help Clarence to the room.

Later into the night, they are given extra cots, a maid was given to Doctor Carol to work with the rest of the night; she would bring him hot water, towels, creams, and tonics, "Sorry if I am working you too hard." He laughs.

Steel clutches Clarence's hand softly through his gloved hand, laying her head down on his bed as she is positioned on her knees. "When will he wake?"

"The clipboard is over on the counter, you tell me?" Doctor Carol replies.

Shuffling to her feet she grabs up the board examining it, the board drops from her fingers looking over to look at Clarence, "The crystal queen..."

"Ever since you found James..." Doctor Carol answers.

"Clarence is wisdom...he doesn't need me anymore..."

"That...isn't true my Lady..." Clarence speaks softly giving her a smile, she jumps over squeezing her arms around his neck sobbing.

"I was so scared..."

"I am so sorry Steel, please forgive me."

"I am just glad you are okay."

Shimon walks back and forth nervously watching Doctor Carol carry on his work.

"You are making me feel skittish doing that." Doctor Carol replies.

"Sorry...I just can't take this anymore."

"Can you help me hold him so I can slip a new gown over him?"

"So the kid is okay now?" Shimon requests to know, Doctor Carol leans him forward unfolding the gown pushing his hands through the long sleeves.

"You seem fond of him."

Shimon blushes to step away after Carol was done, "He doesn't deserve this is all."

"You are right...no one does."

Edwin strolls in standing in the doorway, "How long will he be out?"

"Maybe a day or so, I ask to let him recover please."

"I see, you look well Clarence."

"I am okay, you aren't going to push anymore on me are you?"

"I don't think we can unlock the seal...you are free to go."

"What about Alex?" Steel begs, "Will you let him go?"

"When I get what I want from him he also can leave with you..."