Post by Aric Demarais on Mar 26, 2020 21:12:10 GMT -5
[STEFAN] He had woken late in the afternoon, as his shift hadn't ended until just before sunrise. Now, as he was wandering the halls, he couldn't help but think about last night. He had saved the queen from being raped. Yes, it was his job to protect the queen--he had been given the title of Queen's personal guard since the attack by Saelis. Perhaps because he had been the only guard to survive the attack in that room as he helped Aric and Orin...and the queen, take down the rest of the Tresterian imposter guards. Or maybe it was his height and size. But, still, he was honored Orin had appointed him, and he would protect the queen with his life. As he carried Edward down to the dungeons, the man squirmed and fought him to get away, shouting and yelling the whole way. But he had said something that he could not get out of his mind. He needed to speak with Aric. So he wandered down the halls, in search of the man.
[ARIC] Leaving Eleesa again to her confusion and grief was hard, but she was stronger than she believed she was. She was smarter than anyone gave her credit for and it was why he believed she should be regent. Not because he didn't want it or that he refused to see Renaud trying to rule his nephew. She deserved it. But that was a problem for a later time. Right now, he was trying to figure out what to do about Cassandra, on top of knowing that Edward's body would need to be brought back to Tresteria. Which meant that he would have to go back. Perhaps even Cassandra and Henry, if only to be present at the funeral. And that was the last thing he wanted with the possibility of a Saelisian invasion. How did things get so complicated? Lost in his thoughts, he was slowly making his way down the castle corridors to head towards the healer when he spotted Stefan down the hall. There wasn't enough words in the world to explain his gratitude for the man. His duty or not, he saved his wife from one of the most horrendous things imaginable.
[STEFAN] He had almost missed him as he walked passed the hallway and saw a figure from the corner of his eye. He had looked briefly and continued walking until it registered in his mind that Aric was heading his way. He stopped and turned, glancing back down the hall at Aric, and he approached him, bowing in respect. "Your majesty... Could I have a word, please?" Aric looked like he was on a mission, so he stepped aside to allow him to continue walking. "I can walk with you to wherever you are headed."
[ARIC] He immediately slowed when Stefan met up with him, offering him a nod. "Of course," he said. "I'm headed towards the healer where I really do not wish to go, so please..." His words tapered off, indicating that he was all ears. Aric continued to walk in the direction of the infirmary but not in such a brisk pace. Honestly, he was almost happy for this delay.
[STEFAN] He glanced down, seeing Aric's wrapped up hand, brows furrowed in concern, especially after he admitted he was going to see the healer. "Healer? Is everything alright? You? The queen?" He had not yet heard of the king's passing, strangely. He walked alongside Aric, but he felt like he was missing something, based on the look on the prince's face.
[ARIC] Noticing the glance to his hand, he held it up for his own eyes and sighed. "Not...for this," he told him. Then Aric realized how early it must be and that Edward's death probably hasn't circled around the castle yet. That brought him to a slow pause, struggling to keep the pain from his features. "The king, my brother...is dead." He took a second to breathe. "Orin found him late last night... apparent suicide by poisoning." Perhaps he should sound more upset, but he simply hadn't the strength anymore. "And now the Tresterian Chancellor has imprisoned my cousin for questioning..." He had to stop. Sighing, he ran his hand down his face, but it did little to wake him up from this nightmare.
[STEFAN] He came to a stop when Aric paused in the hall and explained that the king was found dead. His brows lowered, then, showing concern. "Suicide?" For some reason, he wasn't sure if he believed that. The man seemed so full of himself, why would he kill himself? He placed a hand on Aric's shoulder and sighed. "I am sorry to hear for your loss..." Though, Aric had nearly killed the king himself, he might have if he hadn't stopped him. Perhaps that was why he didn't sound as upset as someone might be when saying their brother had died. "Why was your cousin taken in for questioning? They don't think she had something to do with it, do they?"
[ARIC] Nodding, he dismissed his sympathy gently. "Thank you," he said, even if his heart was still torn on how to feel about it. The situation was complicated, and he got the feeling that Stefan understood that, fortunately. Then his heart sank further to think more about Cassandra. "They do." How could she? The confusion and worry was going to make him mad. Trying to blink away tears before they fell, he regarded the man. "You needed to speak with me?"
[STEFAN] "Yes," he nodded. "And maybe it might be helpful..." He placed a hand on Aric's back as if urging him to continue walking to where he was intending on going. He walked alongside Aric again before he began to explain. "When I was bringing the Tresterian king down to the dungeons..." He started, pausing for a moment as he tried to recall the evening again. "He was yelling, of course, and fighting me... But he said something that I felt was kind of.... odd. And I thought nothing of it, at first... but the more and more I've been thinking about it... the more strange and significant it seems..." Blue eyes looked to Aric for a moment before back in the direction of their walk. "He was mumbling and rambling on about how he had... voices in his head...telling him to do things... That he didn't want anymore...Tresterian wine? Because he felt sick after every time he drank it. But Aralore's tasted different and he was drunk, not sick this time?" He wasn't sure if any of this would make sense to Aric, but he'd at least tell him what he heard, and help him try to make sense of it if he could.
[ARIC] To be honest, he was beginning to get nervous as Stefan began to explain. Something was clearly bothering him, and he couldn't ignore how his blood began to run cold. It only got worse when the guard came out with what his brother had said. Stefan would know that none of this made sense to the prince right off the bat by the sheer confused and horrified look on his face. "He...heard voices?" he repeated, mainly to himself. So, Eleesa had been right, saying how he hadn't been himself. The wine comment had him puzzled. Could it have been just the ramblings of a mad king? A hand slapped Stefan on the shoulder. "Thank you for telling me this. It...sounds like nonsense, but I can't help but think it might help. Somehow."
[STEFAN] Yeah, none of it had made sense to him. The king admitted to hearing voices, like some mad man. Had he gone mad? Is that why he attacked the queen? Or was he just that deranged of a man? He shrugged his shoulders as if Aric was asking him if he knew what he meant by the hearing voices. He had no idea. And as Aric thanked him he nodded. "Of course, majesty...I hope it does help. Somehow." He offered a smile. "Is there anything else I could do to help?"
[ARIC] This didn't make a lot of sense...but in a way, it was slowly beginning to. Maybe he was reaching out desperately and blindly for something, but what Stefan told him felt important. He couldn't explain it. "I think it will, Stefan," he told him, nodding to his own thoughts. For a moment, there was a second of hope. At the guard's question, "Nothing for now, Stefan, thank you. But stay near in case." He had a feeling things were going to continue to spiral out of control for a while now.
[STEFAN] He'd nod again to Aric's acknowledgement and request for him to stay nearby. "Alright. Would you like for me to come with you to the healer? Or is there somewhere else I should be?" He was at the Aric and the queen's dispense and only hoped he could live up to his position.
[ARIC] He was ready to dismiss him, however, he thought better of it when Stefan wondered if he should tag along. It was probably stupid, but Aric thought he might possibly keep it together a bit more if the tall guard was around. Call it a foolish "pride thing", if you will. "You know," he began, thinking about it. "Would you...mind coming along with me? You might see or think of something I do not." And right now, Stefan was one of very few that the prince could trust right now.
[STEFAN] He didn't really have much to do, aside from patrol the castle, so when Aric asked him if he'd come along, he smiled and shook his head. "I wouldn't mind at all." Truth be told, he'd prefer tagging along and possibly having some conversation, rather than walk around aimlessly by himself.
[ARIC] Once this visit was dealt with, he'd have to inform Alexandria and Orin about what Stefan had overheard. And possibly even Eleesa. She should know everything about what was going on, but he feared he might overburden her while she also had so much to deal with. A small grin and a nod, Aric continued to make his way to the infirmary. But every step he took, his heart pounded faster. He honestly wasn't sure if he was prepared to see his brother's body, if he would even need to, but this couldn't wait any longer. Drawing in a deep breath when they arrived, he slowly opened the door to enter.
[STEFAN] He held the door open for Aric and waited for him to enter before he'd follow behind. He sensed the prince's nervousness and frowned, placing a hand on his shoulder. "It will be alright, majesty. Deep breaths." He tried to assure him.
[GODFREY] As the door opened, he glanced up from his work. He had collected blood samples, tissue, and several organs out of the Tresterian king's body. He was behind various test tubes, and contraptions that looked scientific. He sighed at the sight of Aric and what seemed like his guard. "Good afternoon..." He'd nod his head as an attempt of a bow. "I still have quite a bit left to look through..." He was hoping Aric wasn't here for an answer already.
[ARIC] Yes, he was definitely thankful Stefan was coming along. He nodded to him, trying to reassure himself that it would, in fact, be alright. It most likely wouldn't be, but there was no choice in the matter. He thought he was prepared for what was ahead, as he was no stranger to dead bodies...but this was still so different and wrong. His eyes instantly found Godfrey, only to let his attention drift to the long table where Edward's body rest, mostly covered by a white, blood-stained sheet. All he could see was his face...but that was still enough to make him stop in his steps, his stomach twisting into knots. Swallowing back his tears, he had to pull his gaze away, speaking to the man while running a hand through his hair, "I was...hoping you might have something. Anything?" Aric tried not to sound desperate, but...he was.
[GODFREY] He set his tools down and wiped his blood stained hands on a towel before he walked around the table and in front of Aric. "There was definitely some trace of poison in his blood... And alcohol. And Opium..." A sigh as his glance shifted to the dead king on the table. "I don't know what kind of poison, but I am in the process of checking the condition of his liver...If he was poisoned by something once, and that is what killed him, his liver will look clear. If he had been taking Opium for some reason, that will show up... And perhaps might show that he did indeed kill himself by taking too much of it..."
[STEFAN] He was leaning against the wall, out of the way, and off in the background. But he couldn't help but listen in. When the healer was done speaking, he pushed off the wall and stood straight. "Last night, just before I put the king in the dungeon cell... He was going on about hearing voices in his head.... And that Aralorian wine was better than Tresterian because it did not make him sick..."
[GODFREY] His eyes turned to the tall guard and he looked at him questioningly. "Voices?" He thought quietly before thinking up an explanation for that. "Well.... The Opium can cause hallucinations, if too much is taken... Can cause damage to the brain, perhaps.. But the wine?" He repeated what Stefan said in a whisper before he turned to Aric. "Is there any way you can get me a sample of Tresterian wine? Did the king have any with him for his trip?"
[ARIC] Yes, it was a very good thing Stefan was there, because he was filling the healer in on what he had heard while Aric was still trying to gather himself together. He could barely look at the man, only because he was afraid his eyes would shift again towards his brother; his face still battered from his own fist... But he was listening. Godfrey was explaining how a lot of opium could cause hallucinations, and that there was a way he could check to see if Edward had had prolonged exposure to the drug. If that was true, it might be enough to clear Cassandra's name and get her out of there. At the doctor's question, dark eyes finally looked up to him. "That's a good question," he mused. "I can have his things checked, and whatever else they may have brought over with them." If the Tresterian wine made him ill, he couldn't imagine Edward bringing any with him, considering he could find wine anywhere. It was still worth a look, however.
[GODFREY] "If you can find some wine that he may have brought with him... I can test that, against Aralorian wine, maybe... See if there's some difference... See if, maybe, someone was poisoning his wine?" He raised a brow in suspicion. Why else would one wine be making someone sick more than another? It seemed strange to him. "So yes... The wine would be of help." He nodded again.
[STEFAN] He was starting to put the king's phrases together the more Godfrey spoke and explained what he could be looking for. It was making a little sense that maybe someone was poisoning the king's wine in Tresteria...making him sick. But if he had been drinking Aralorian wine, and the person who was poisoning him in Tresteria wasn't around... Then that would make sense why he wasn't getting sick from their wine. He cleared his throat. "I could go check his room, if you would like? Do you think I would be allowed?"
[ARIC] Ever so slowly, things were making sense. A strange kind of sense, and something he prayed was true. Although, it would probably break his heart even more to know someone had ill intent towards his brother, creating this monster they had all come to witness. Edward was by no means a saint...but even Aric thought he seemed far too different. "Right," he nodded slowly. At Stefan's question, Aric was about to tell him to go, but halted himself. If the wine was making him ill, Edward wouldn't have brought any with him...at least not to his room. But he would have certainly wanted wine for the trip from Tresteria. His eyes widened with a hopeful idea. "No. Check the Tresterian ship, his quarters on there. Even if he had some here in the castle, I'm sure Renaud has already been through it all." Yes, Edward would not have suffered a trip that was weeks long without his wine or liquor. He'd rather be sick from it than have none at all. "If the crew won't give you access, get Orin." Because Orin had more authority, or would find a way.
[STEFAN] It all made sense to him. And as Aric suggested having the Tresterian ship searched because that made more sense, he nodded. "Alright. I will head that way now." He bowed his respect to Aric and was quickly leaving the room to take on his new task.
[GODFREY] "Very well, then." He nodded. "If you wouldn't mind... I have to continue..." He searched Aric for a moment. "Should you find or think of anything else... Do not hesitate. You know where I am." He motioned around the room and shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe if you could find his source of Opium, too... Bring that to me so I can see if that matches up..."
[ARIC] He nodded farewell to Stefan as he made his way out. Then the healer had his attention. "I'll see what I can do," he replied, letting his eyes linger back to his brother, his face contorting into sorrow, panic, and somehow anger. How did it all come to this? Had everything they endured with him been nothing but a result of someone slowly poisoning? Or was that who Edward had truly become? His good hand clenched at his side, trying to contain this thoughts before they ran wild again, and directed his sincere words at the doctor, "Thank you." A nod of his head, he was quick to make his departure. Aric was afraid he would completely break down if he remained much longer.
[ARIC] Leaving Eleesa again to her confusion and grief was hard, but she was stronger than she believed she was. She was smarter than anyone gave her credit for and it was why he believed she should be regent. Not because he didn't want it or that he refused to see Renaud trying to rule his nephew. She deserved it. But that was a problem for a later time. Right now, he was trying to figure out what to do about Cassandra, on top of knowing that Edward's body would need to be brought back to Tresteria. Which meant that he would have to go back. Perhaps even Cassandra and Henry, if only to be present at the funeral. And that was the last thing he wanted with the possibility of a Saelisian invasion. How did things get so complicated? Lost in his thoughts, he was slowly making his way down the castle corridors to head towards the healer when he spotted Stefan down the hall. There wasn't enough words in the world to explain his gratitude for the man. His duty or not, he saved his wife from one of the most horrendous things imaginable.
[STEFAN] He had almost missed him as he walked passed the hallway and saw a figure from the corner of his eye. He had looked briefly and continued walking until it registered in his mind that Aric was heading his way. He stopped and turned, glancing back down the hall at Aric, and he approached him, bowing in respect. "Your majesty... Could I have a word, please?" Aric looked like he was on a mission, so he stepped aside to allow him to continue walking. "I can walk with you to wherever you are headed."
[ARIC] He immediately slowed when Stefan met up with him, offering him a nod. "Of course," he said. "I'm headed towards the healer where I really do not wish to go, so please..." His words tapered off, indicating that he was all ears. Aric continued to walk in the direction of the infirmary but not in such a brisk pace. Honestly, he was almost happy for this delay.
[STEFAN] He glanced down, seeing Aric's wrapped up hand, brows furrowed in concern, especially after he admitted he was going to see the healer. "Healer? Is everything alright? You? The queen?" He had not yet heard of the king's passing, strangely. He walked alongside Aric, but he felt like he was missing something, based on the look on the prince's face.
[ARIC] Noticing the glance to his hand, he held it up for his own eyes and sighed. "Not...for this," he told him. Then Aric realized how early it must be and that Edward's death probably hasn't circled around the castle yet. That brought him to a slow pause, struggling to keep the pain from his features. "The king, my brother...is dead." He took a second to breathe. "Orin found him late last night... apparent suicide by poisoning." Perhaps he should sound more upset, but he simply hadn't the strength anymore. "And now the Tresterian Chancellor has imprisoned my cousin for questioning..." He had to stop. Sighing, he ran his hand down his face, but it did little to wake him up from this nightmare.
[STEFAN] He came to a stop when Aric paused in the hall and explained that the king was found dead. His brows lowered, then, showing concern. "Suicide?" For some reason, he wasn't sure if he believed that. The man seemed so full of himself, why would he kill himself? He placed a hand on Aric's shoulder and sighed. "I am sorry to hear for your loss..." Though, Aric had nearly killed the king himself, he might have if he hadn't stopped him. Perhaps that was why he didn't sound as upset as someone might be when saying their brother had died. "Why was your cousin taken in for questioning? They don't think she had something to do with it, do they?"
[ARIC] Nodding, he dismissed his sympathy gently. "Thank you," he said, even if his heart was still torn on how to feel about it. The situation was complicated, and he got the feeling that Stefan understood that, fortunately. Then his heart sank further to think more about Cassandra. "They do." How could she? The confusion and worry was going to make him mad. Trying to blink away tears before they fell, he regarded the man. "You needed to speak with me?"
[STEFAN] "Yes," he nodded. "And maybe it might be helpful..." He placed a hand on Aric's back as if urging him to continue walking to where he was intending on going. He walked alongside Aric again before he began to explain. "When I was bringing the Tresterian king down to the dungeons..." He started, pausing for a moment as he tried to recall the evening again. "He was yelling, of course, and fighting me... But he said something that I felt was kind of.... odd. And I thought nothing of it, at first... but the more and more I've been thinking about it... the more strange and significant it seems..." Blue eyes looked to Aric for a moment before back in the direction of their walk. "He was mumbling and rambling on about how he had... voices in his head...telling him to do things... That he didn't want anymore...Tresterian wine? Because he felt sick after every time he drank it. But Aralore's tasted different and he was drunk, not sick this time?" He wasn't sure if any of this would make sense to Aric, but he'd at least tell him what he heard, and help him try to make sense of it if he could.
[ARIC] To be honest, he was beginning to get nervous as Stefan began to explain. Something was clearly bothering him, and he couldn't ignore how his blood began to run cold. It only got worse when the guard came out with what his brother had said. Stefan would know that none of this made sense to the prince right off the bat by the sheer confused and horrified look on his face. "He...heard voices?" he repeated, mainly to himself. So, Eleesa had been right, saying how he hadn't been himself. The wine comment had him puzzled. Could it have been just the ramblings of a mad king? A hand slapped Stefan on the shoulder. "Thank you for telling me this. It...sounds like nonsense, but I can't help but think it might help. Somehow."
[STEFAN] Yeah, none of it had made sense to him. The king admitted to hearing voices, like some mad man. Had he gone mad? Is that why he attacked the queen? Or was he just that deranged of a man? He shrugged his shoulders as if Aric was asking him if he knew what he meant by the hearing voices. He had no idea. And as Aric thanked him he nodded. "Of course, majesty...I hope it does help. Somehow." He offered a smile. "Is there anything else I could do to help?"
[ARIC] This didn't make a lot of sense...but in a way, it was slowly beginning to. Maybe he was reaching out desperately and blindly for something, but what Stefan told him felt important. He couldn't explain it. "I think it will, Stefan," he told him, nodding to his own thoughts. For a moment, there was a second of hope. At the guard's question, "Nothing for now, Stefan, thank you. But stay near in case." He had a feeling things were going to continue to spiral out of control for a while now.
[STEFAN] He'd nod again to Aric's acknowledgement and request for him to stay nearby. "Alright. Would you like for me to come with you to the healer? Or is there somewhere else I should be?" He was at the Aric and the queen's dispense and only hoped he could live up to his position.
[ARIC] He was ready to dismiss him, however, he thought better of it when Stefan wondered if he should tag along. It was probably stupid, but Aric thought he might possibly keep it together a bit more if the tall guard was around. Call it a foolish "pride thing", if you will. "You know," he began, thinking about it. "Would you...mind coming along with me? You might see or think of something I do not." And right now, Stefan was one of very few that the prince could trust right now.
[STEFAN] He didn't really have much to do, aside from patrol the castle, so when Aric asked him if he'd come along, he smiled and shook his head. "I wouldn't mind at all." Truth be told, he'd prefer tagging along and possibly having some conversation, rather than walk around aimlessly by himself.
[ARIC] Once this visit was dealt with, he'd have to inform Alexandria and Orin about what Stefan had overheard. And possibly even Eleesa. She should know everything about what was going on, but he feared he might overburden her while she also had so much to deal with. A small grin and a nod, Aric continued to make his way to the infirmary. But every step he took, his heart pounded faster. He honestly wasn't sure if he was prepared to see his brother's body, if he would even need to, but this couldn't wait any longer. Drawing in a deep breath when they arrived, he slowly opened the door to enter.
[STEFAN] He held the door open for Aric and waited for him to enter before he'd follow behind. He sensed the prince's nervousness and frowned, placing a hand on his shoulder. "It will be alright, majesty. Deep breaths." He tried to assure him.
[GODFREY] As the door opened, he glanced up from his work. He had collected blood samples, tissue, and several organs out of the Tresterian king's body. He was behind various test tubes, and contraptions that looked scientific. He sighed at the sight of Aric and what seemed like his guard. "Good afternoon..." He'd nod his head as an attempt of a bow. "I still have quite a bit left to look through..." He was hoping Aric wasn't here for an answer already.
[ARIC] Yes, he was definitely thankful Stefan was coming along. He nodded to him, trying to reassure himself that it would, in fact, be alright. It most likely wouldn't be, but there was no choice in the matter. He thought he was prepared for what was ahead, as he was no stranger to dead bodies...but this was still so different and wrong. His eyes instantly found Godfrey, only to let his attention drift to the long table where Edward's body rest, mostly covered by a white, blood-stained sheet. All he could see was his face...but that was still enough to make him stop in his steps, his stomach twisting into knots. Swallowing back his tears, he had to pull his gaze away, speaking to the man while running a hand through his hair, "I was...hoping you might have something. Anything?" Aric tried not to sound desperate, but...he was.
[GODFREY] He set his tools down and wiped his blood stained hands on a towel before he walked around the table and in front of Aric. "There was definitely some trace of poison in his blood... And alcohol. And Opium..." A sigh as his glance shifted to the dead king on the table. "I don't know what kind of poison, but I am in the process of checking the condition of his liver...If he was poisoned by something once, and that is what killed him, his liver will look clear. If he had been taking Opium for some reason, that will show up... And perhaps might show that he did indeed kill himself by taking too much of it..."
[STEFAN] He was leaning against the wall, out of the way, and off in the background. But he couldn't help but listen in. When the healer was done speaking, he pushed off the wall and stood straight. "Last night, just before I put the king in the dungeon cell... He was going on about hearing voices in his head.... And that Aralorian wine was better than Tresterian because it did not make him sick..."
[GODFREY] His eyes turned to the tall guard and he looked at him questioningly. "Voices?" He thought quietly before thinking up an explanation for that. "Well.... The Opium can cause hallucinations, if too much is taken... Can cause damage to the brain, perhaps.. But the wine?" He repeated what Stefan said in a whisper before he turned to Aric. "Is there any way you can get me a sample of Tresterian wine? Did the king have any with him for his trip?"
[ARIC] Yes, it was a very good thing Stefan was there, because he was filling the healer in on what he had heard while Aric was still trying to gather himself together. He could barely look at the man, only because he was afraid his eyes would shift again towards his brother; his face still battered from his own fist... But he was listening. Godfrey was explaining how a lot of opium could cause hallucinations, and that there was a way he could check to see if Edward had had prolonged exposure to the drug. If that was true, it might be enough to clear Cassandra's name and get her out of there. At the doctor's question, dark eyes finally looked up to him. "That's a good question," he mused. "I can have his things checked, and whatever else they may have brought over with them." If the Tresterian wine made him ill, he couldn't imagine Edward bringing any with him, considering he could find wine anywhere. It was still worth a look, however.
[GODFREY] "If you can find some wine that he may have brought with him... I can test that, against Aralorian wine, maybe... See if there's some difference... See if, maybe, someone was poisoning his wine?" He raised a brow in suspicion. Why else would one wine be making someone sick more than another? It seemed strange to him. "So yes... The wine would be of help." He nodded again.
[STEFAN] He was starting to put the king's phrases together the more Godfrey spoke and explained what he could be looking for. It was making a little sense that maybe someone was poisoning the king's wine in Tresteria...making him sick. But if he had been drinking Aralorian wine, and the person who was poisoning him in Tresteria wasn't around... Then that would make sense why he wasn't getting sick from their wine. He cleared his throat. "I could go check his room, if you would like? Do you think I would be allowed?"
[ARIC] Ever so slowly, things were making sense. A strange kind of sense, and something he prayed was true. Although, it would probably break his heart even more to know someone had ill intent towards his brother, creating this monster they had all come to witness. Edward was by no means a saint...but even Aric thought he seemed far too different. "Right," he nodded slowly. At Stefan's question, Aric was about to tell him to go, but halted himself. If the wine was making him ill, Edward wouldn't have brought any with him...at least not to his room. But he would have certainly wanted wine for the trip from Tresteria. His eyes widened with a hopeful idea. "No. Check the Tresterian ship, his quarters on there. Even if he had some here in the castle, I'm sure Renaud has already been through it all." Yes, Edward would not have suffered a trip that was weeks long without his wine or liquor. He'd rather be sick from it than have none at all. "If the crew won't give you access, get Orin." Because Orin had more authority, or would find a way.
[STEFAN] It all made sense to him. And as Aric suggested having the Tresterian ship searched because that made more sense, he nodded. "Alright. I will head that way now." He bowed his respect to Aric and was quickly leaving the room to take on his new task.
[GODFREY] "Very well, then." He nodded. "If you wouldn't mind... I have to continue..." He searched Aric for a moment. "Should you find or think of anything else... Do not hesitate. You know where I am." He motioned around the room and shrugged his shoulders. "Maybe if you could find his source of Opium, too... Bring that to me so I can see if that matches up..."
[ARIC] He nodded farewell to Stefan as he made his way out. Then the healer had his attention. "I'll see what I can do," he replied, letting his eyes linger back to his brother, his face contorting into sorrow, panic, and somehow anger. How did it all come to this? Had everything they endured with him been nothing but a result of someone slowly poisoning? Or was that who Edward had truly become? His good hand clenched at his side, trying to contain this thoughts before they ran wild again, and directed his sincere words at the doctor, "Thank you." A nod of his head, he was quick to make his departure. Aric was afraid he would completely break down if he remained much longer.
