In the bustling kitchen of the grand palace, French Baroque*-styled palace amidst the sizzle of pans and the aroma of exotic spices, a chef toiled diligently, his face easily blending into the background. With every swift and practiced movement, he orchestrated a symphony of culinary delights.
His face, seemingly unremarkable, could easily fade into obscurity. His features were ordinary, devoid of any distinguishing marks or striking characteristics. Yet, his passion for his craft shone through his every action.
With a focused gaze, he expertly diced vegetables, the knife dancing effortlessly in his hands. The rhythm of his chopping was steady and sure. He moved with purpose, never missing a beat, as he seasoned the dishes with a delicate balance of herbs and spices.
The chef's unassuming nature failed to express his skill and his attention to detail, as he plated the Cicchetti* with precision and artistry. A sprinkle of vibrant garnishes here, a drizzle of rich sauce there — his touch transformed each dish into a work of culinary art.
The dish was ordered to be brought to Dr. Ravencroft and his assistant and after being expertly crafted it was then given to a maidservant who carried it to its destination.
Knock-knock!
"Come in," said Dr Ravencroft
The maid entered carrying a tray of steaming food. The room which exuded an air of intellect and order, had shelves lined with medical tomes and a cluttered yet organized desk. The doctor sat behind it, seemingly engrossed in conversation with his assistant. As the maid approached, their discussion paused momentarily, their eyes shifting to the delicious feast that awaited them.
The maid bowed respectfully and then proceeded to leave the food on the doctor's desk after which she left the room.
The doctor impatiently grabbed this plate and started eating, half way through the meal he began to feel a subtle shift in his body. A cold sweat broke across his brow, and a tightening sensation gripped his chest. His once steady hands trembled involuntarily, causing his fork to slip from his grasp. The world around him seemed to blur as if shrouded in a hazy fog. The doctor's face turned pale, and his eyes widened with a growing realization that something was wrong.
Panic set in as the assistant rushed to his side, desperately trying to assist. The guards stationed outside were immediately alerted, their urgency heightened by the unexpected turn of events. As the room fell into a tense silence, Dr. Ravencroft's assistant leaned forward, their eyes fixed on the weakening doctor. With a calm determination, he clasped his hands, fingers outstretched, and shouted "Sanitas Revelare". A burst of magical energy escaped his outstretched, casting a warm light upon the room.
With unwavering focus, the assistant shifted their gaze to Dr. Ravencroft's pale face-recognizing the need for urgency his fingers danced through the air exhibiting swift, purposeful motions.
The assistant shouted "Venenum Evulsio!" and as the incantation reached its crescendo, a surge of energy burst forth from the assistant's fingertips, flowing into the doctor's body. The room seemed to hold its breath as if awaiting the outcome of this magical intervention.
With a gasp, Dr. Ravencroft convulsed, his body shaking under the force of the spell. His veins protruded from his skin carrying a black substance Beads of perspiration formed on his forehead, mixing with the growing pallor of his complexion. The room filled with the screams of a man in pain. The doctor whose eyes were now bloodshot, screamed in agony causing spit to fly from his mouth and mucus to drip from his nose, then, as if a dam had burst, Dr. Ravencroft released a choked cough, and a dark substance spewed forth from his mouth. The assistant's spell had worked, expelling the poison from the doctor's system.
Lucius, the captain of the palace guards burst into the room
"What happened, is the doctor alright?"
"He's fine but he was poisoned, I suggest you-"
"I don't need you to tell me how to do my job"
"My apologies, Captain" replied the assistant as he bowed respectfully.
"Hmph" the captain snorted as he turned his attention to the now-unconscious doctor.
"I need to bring him back to the infirmary to stabilize his condition" the assistant stated.
"You two, help carry the doctor to the infirmary and stay posted outside the door, Prince Barrett is in there too so make sure to stay on guard; I need the rest of you to find the chef who made this dish and the maid responsible for delivering it!" His voice resounded with determination, rallying his men into action.
As the guards hurried towards the kitchen, an explosion reverberated from the opposite side of the palace. The forceful blast rattled the ornate walls, causing panic to ripple through the guards' ranks.
"What the f**k is going on!," exclaimed Captain Lucius shocked by the turn of events.
"I want five men to follow me while five more finds whoever poisoned the doctor, this explosion is no coincidence so be careful of anyone you see wandering the halls alone, and you, what's your name?" said Lucius.
"Me?" asked the confused guard.
"Yes, you!" replied an impatient Lucius.
"Uhm- ah, my name is Dimitri sir"
"Dimitri, you have an important job, I need you to go to Prince Cedric's quarters find his office and inform him of the situation and tell Deputy Chief Rashin to secure all the exits, double the guards protecting the members of the royal family and patrol the palace perimeter but warn him that he must do so with caution, I think we're dealing with a highly coordinated group."
Dimitri stood there daftly, staring at Lucius who was seething with impatience.
"GO RIGHT F***ING NOW!" exclaimed Lucius.
Dimitri retreated in a panic to do as he was told.
Lucius then turned towards the source of the explosion and took a deep breath an aura materialized and coalesced around Lucius and he set himself to dart toward the scene of the explosion, as he lifted his back leg, a crackling sound was heard along with the ground collapsing beneath his foot as a testament to his power
Outside the physician's quarters, the assigned guards stationed to protect Dr. Ravencroft stood vigilant, their senses heightened with their hands forming an unbreakable bond with their swords, ready to defend the physician at all costs. But the threat came from the place they least expected.
Inside the infirmary, Dr. Ravencroft slowly regained consciousness. As his gaze shifted, he saw his assistant diligently tending to Prince Barrett. The assistant's expression shifted from focused to relieved as he noticed the doctor awakening.
"Dr. Ravencroft! You're awake," the assistant exclaimed, his voice filled with genuine concern. He hurriedly approached the doctor, checking his pulse and observing for any lingering effects of the poison.
Dr. Ravencroft, his mind still clouded by the remnants of his ordeal, gazed at his assistant, his eyes flickering with a mix of gratitude and something more mysterious. He spoke in a cryptic tone, his words carrying an enigmatic weight.
"I am not sorry, my dear assistant," he uttered softly, his voice filled with an unsettling conviction.
Without warning, Dr. Ravencroft reached out and firmly grasped his assistant's face, his fingers pressing against the young man's skin. A surge of dark energy emanated from the doctor as he looked into his assistant's eyes and chanted the words of an incantation with an ominous authority.
"Vorpalis Ignis!"
The air crackled with raw power as fiery energy engulfed the assistant, searing through his body. The assistant's eyes widened in shock and pain as he was consumed by the destructive force of the spell.
In the aftermath, silence descended upon the infirmary, broken only by the crackling embers of residual magic. Dr. Ravencroft stood, his expression unreadable, as he observed the aftermath of his actions. Memories flooded his mind, taking him back to the day he found the young assistant, orphaned and abandoned on the streets, his innocence shattered.
The doctor's heart had been moved by the boy's plight, and he had taken him under his wing, nurturing his potential and guiding him toward the path of healing. But the doctor's loyalties lie elsewhere.
Now, as the assistant lay lifeless before him, Dr. Ravencroft couldn't help but feel a mixture of regret and determination. He knew the path he had chosen, the sacrifices he had made. It was a burden he carried in silence, hidden behind the facade of a healer.
With a heavy sigh, Dr. Ravencroft turned away from the lifeless form of his assistant and focused his attention on Prince Barrett.