“I know who is responsible for the poison,” Akari announced, barely a day since Henri had called him to his office.
Henri and Captain Li had stopped by the hospital to check on Finn, who’d been forcibly checked in by Emmy and Patrick after they heard what happened. Despite Finn’s tongue being back to its normal size, the healers had insisted he stay the night, much to his frustration.
Finn had been about to crawl out the window until they’d started talking about side effects and all the horrible things that could happen just from the dicinal potions they’d made him take. It sounded worse than the actual poison, and he hadn’t slept a wink that night. Every ti he closed his eyes, he couldn’t help but imagine his teeth falling out and choking on them while he slept. Or a rash taking over his entire body.
Or falling into one of those waking sleeps where you could never move again, but you knew what was happening.
Those sounded terrifying, worse than anything else Finn could ever imagine. Stuck, unable to move or eat or drink or even speak. It sounded worse than torture, so Finn ended up waking himself up every few minutes and checking to make sure his limbs still worked the entire night.
He was cranky and exhausted by the ti morning ca, and Henri and Captain Li stopped by. The morning healers weren’t pleased with him either.
“You need to rest.” Henri sighed, but he sounded far less annoyed than the healers. Finn nodded miserably as Emmy and Patrick arrived. They balked when they saw Henri, but he waved them in. “Co in. It seems the healers could use so help.”
“What happened?” Emmy demanded as they crowded around the bed.
Finn crossed his arms over his chest in a sulk. “They told a bunch of horror stories and then expected to sleep just fine after.” He hissed.
The morning healer in the corner sighed. “They were possible side effects, not horror stories.”
Finn glared at her. “Sa thing.”
“But the poison is out of his system?” Henri changed the subject.
The morning healer nodded as Akari arrived. “We’ve observed no negative effects of the Bright Berry, which is rather astounding.”
“I know who is responsible for the poison,” Akari announced, barely letting his colleague finish her sentence. She didn’t seem surprised, just rolled her eyes and left.
Neither Henri or Captain Li looked particularly pleased with Akari’s announcent. “That seems quick?” Henri pointed out.
Akari sniffed, eyes running over Finn in his own morning check. “Two soldiers were brought in last night with Bright Berry poisoning. They died quickly after being admitted.”
“Soone poisoned them, too?” Patrick squawked. “Was it in their tea, too? Is nothing sacred?”
“Shut up, idiot. Not everyone takes food as seriously as you do.” Emmy hissed. Patrick didn’t really look like he believed her, but he stayed silent.
“It wasn’t in their food,” Akari turned to Henri, effectively dismissing them. “It was on their hands. The fools must have spilled it when they were soaking the tea leaves or picked them up after. So people think that if Bright Berry dries, it stops being poisonous. They’re idiots, but the belief persists.” Akari shrugged.
It was a bit callous for Finn’s taste, and Henri and Captain Li didn’t look happy either.
“Who were they?” Captain Li asked.
“re soldiers. From the Yin household.”
Finn’s jaw dropped. “The Yins?” Even though they were on the list of suspects, Finn hadn’t put much serious thought into the possibilities. Lord Yin was so kind and so friendly that it was hard to imagine him taking part in sothing so cruel? Bright Berry was not a pleasant way to die and was so potent that it often took out people around the intended victim. The Yin soldiers were perfect examples. Anyone who touched that tea was in danger of dying, and depending on how much effort they’d gone to sneak it into the palace supply, it could have passed through a dozen hands before it ended up in Henri’s office. Not to ntion the tea set would have to be destroyed, because the poison lingered.
Henri looked just as surprised, and then pensive. “That is unexpected.”
Akari couldn’t have looked less interested if he tried. “Did you need anything else?”
Henri raised an eyebrow at his impatience. “No. Thank you for your assistance.”
Akari nodded. “You know where to find when you need help.” He swept out before any of them could respond.
“Wow,” Emmy muttered. “That’s really Lord Rong’s ex-husband?”
Finn nodded, though he couldn’t for the life of him see what Yuze had seen in the arrogant healer.
“Choices of the young.” Captain Li muttered.
Henri snorted. “Let’s focus. Finn, go back to your rooms and rest.”
Finn groaned. “But I have so much to do.”
“And you won’t be able to do it well until you’ve rested.” Henri countered without missing a beat. “Emmy and Patrick can keep you company. Captain Li, start looking into those two Yin soldiers. See what you can find out.”
~ tbc
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