The Kastilidan Enigma
POV: Alexandra
Doc snapped his head up to find that the Countess had her eyes open and she was staring at me. He furrowed his brow and hurried over to her and started to check her vitals, “How are you feeling Countess?” She sighed and hoarsely said, “My throat is really dry.” I popped up, “Sorry, I was taken aback by you being awake that I didn’t get that for you.” I went over to the cart and poured a glass for her and promptly brought it over. She smiled at me, “Thank you, dear.” After Doc finished checking her over, he scratched the back of his neck and furrowed his brow. He turned to me and sighed, “I have a theory but I need your help if you will.” I nodded, “Of course, what can I do?” He looked back at the Countess, “Can you leave the room for a little while?” I knew what his theory was without questioning him and nodded. I rose from my seat and of course, Derek followed me. I turned to Doc before I left, “I have to get some books from the General in his tent anyhow, I will be back in about ten to fifteen minutes.” He nodded, “That should be enough time for it to likely happen again.” As we left the medical tent, Derek asked, “He doesn’t know about your Healing Heart, does he?” I shook my head, “My parents and Aphrodite think that I should keep that tightly guarded. I can only imagine this new magic would be something only a select few will have to know about as well.” He was silent while we approached the tent, “Don’t you think Doc should know since it appears that is what might be going on with the Countess.” I shrugged, “I suppose but I have a feeling he would ask that I hang out with the Countess all day and I really need to focus on developing the magic and I don’t know if I’ll have time sitting around helping the Countess to heal.” Derek said nothing about the Healing Heart after that but I knew he was thinking deeply about it since he would be completely silent when he was deep in thought.
We came up to the tent and duck in to find another man inside but since Derek didn’t draw his sword, I didn’t feel like I should have felt threatened. Derek introduced the man to me, “Lex, this is my brother Garrett Chalshin. He was appointed the acting General while the General recovers from his surgery. Lieutenant General Chalshin, this is Lady Alexandra Batiste of House Batiste.” Garrett had a strong resemblance to Derek but was slightly smaller in muscle mass and where his brother had a more chiseled face, this man had a more delicate face. You could definitely tell they were brothers since they both had light brown eyes, dark hair, and an unapologetically beautiful smile complete with dimples. He bowed at me, “It is a pleasure to meet you, my lady. I was just here to pick up some paperwork that needed to be given to His Majesty. I wonder though, why are you two here?” I looked at the table where two books were sitting, “I had been asked by the General to fetch those two books for him so he wouldn’t be bored to tears in recovery. He’s also upset that no one was willing to visit with him aside me, Derek, and His Majesty.”
He smirked which showed the dimples on one side of his face, “I suppose I should stop by and see the old man. Moreso, brother, how are your duties?” He looked me up and down as if analyzing me, “I will say, looking at Her Grace, it isn’t a bad gig.” Derek cleared his throat, “Uhm, it certainly isn’t a bad assignment, no. I have found a best friend in Lex…nothing more. You are well aware that I’m going to be engaged and she is in the competition.” He raised an eyebrow, “You aren’t engaged yet and neither is she. I wouldn’t hate to have a Batiste as a sister-in-law or…if you don’t want her, I could throw my name in the competition for her hand. Would you like that, Your Grace? You are certainly beautiful and your reputation is pristine. You are the very essence of grace and loveliness.” Derek was trying very hard to stifle his laughter and failing badly. I looked at him, “What are you laughing for?” He was catching his breath, “Well for two reasons. The first is that he is laying it on real thick with you when I know for a fact that he has his eyes on one of the Ligidews.” Garrett shrugged, “I am not married to her, it’s nice to…” He eyeballed me again and smirked, “Keep my options open.” Derek shook his head, “The other reason is that you called her the picture of grace when I’ve seen her take a nosedive on several occasions. You really shouldn’t base your opinion on her looks, brother. She’s so much more than that. Besides, you were at the last assembly when she declared her love for His Majesty. Are you really so arrogant to think that you would turn her head away from him just being around for a brief time once?” I sighed, “Is this a thing with your family?” The two men looked at me but Derek spoke, “What thing?” I waved my hands at the two of them, “The relentless and unwarranted flirting. Is that just a thing with House Chalshin?” Garrett shot a knowing look at Derek, “So you did flirt with her…interesting. I guess the rumors that you two kissed weren’t unfounded.” Derek shifted on his feet, “She was poisoned by an arrow.” Garrett narrowed his eyes at Derek but his serious face came back briefly after, “I think we all have duties to carry out so I’m going to let you two go…” Derek sighed in relief and I understood that he knew something was coming from his brother that was going to be uncomfortable. Garret paused before leaving the tent, “But…” Derek stiffened up next to me and Garret finished, “You will come and have a conversation with me later. Alone. I think it’s been some time since you last gave a report and you’re due.” Derek firmly said, “Yes, sir.”
Garrett left the tent finally and Derek sighed, “I’m not looking forward to that. You’re on his radar now and he’s really interested. He’s not like me, Lex. He’s very manipulative. There’s a reason why my father has officially named me his successor instead of my older brother. I need you to be careful not to be alone with him if you can help it.” He looked at me with worry in his eyes and I replied, “Is it really that bad that I need to be worried about him?” He nodded, “You have no idea. That report he wants later will likely be a series of questions to gather information about you. It is very serious.” I picked up the two books, “Nothing I can do about that, Derek. The only thing I can do is my work.” Derek sighed, “Just try your level best not to be caught in his web, okay?” I nodded, “Okay, Derek, I will try.” He was chewing on his lip, “I just hope he doesn’t use his temporary power to get you alone. It is something he would do.” I shrugged as we left the tent, “What could I do then?” He was silent as we walked back and the question hung in the air, “You just need to ensure you are with someone else if that is the case. Please heed my warning.” I nodded, “No, I believe you and I understand.” We walked into the medical tent and Doc greeted us there, “So my theory is confirmed so far. She slipped back into a coma. I’ve deemed it the Kastilidan Enigma. I really can’t explain how your presence helps her. Of course, I need to finish confirming the theory.” He took the books from me and handed them to the nurse next to him, “She’ll take the General his books but I need you to return to the Countess’ room with me.”
I nodded, “Okay.” I followed him into the room where the Countess was resting, again comatose. As neared her, her eyes fluttered and I knew that she was affected by the Healing Heart. I didn’t understand why it would be effective for her since I had no real affection for her but my curiosity was piqued. She opened her eyes and looked at me, “Oh I must’ve fallen asleep, did you get to run your errand?” Doc looked at me then at the Countess, “This is fascinating. I won’t ask for all your time, Your Grace but could you sit here a while with the Countess so I can run some tests?” I nodded, “Oh, yes, of course. I already gathered all of the ingredients I needed for my magic development.” He smiled, “Thank you.” He walked over to a chest of drawers set up on the far left corner of the tent and looked through some of the drawers. He started to pull out several instruments and placed them on a cart next to him. Derek walked over to Doc and asked him a few questions. While they were talking the Countess spoke, “I don’t know why but I feel very much at ease when you are near. It is strange but I feel like I’ve known you my whole life. Do you have any explanation for this?”
Before I could answer her, Derek strode forward, “Countess Kastilidan, I wonder if you might be able to answer a few questions.” She tore her eyes away from me to look up at Derek then nodded, “Oh, sure.” He pulled out his little notebook and asked, “So I have to inform you that this earthquake was a result of magic. Someone deliberately performed earth magic here and set it off. Do you understand?” She nodded, “Yes, you’re saying my family and many who live in the Glades were murdered.” He nodded, “I’m sorry to say but you are correct. Now, I understand from a witness that a young woman from the Ligidew household was sent here. Do you happen to know who this woman is?” She nodded, “It was a maid but her name is slipping my mind. If you give me a moment, I might be able to remember her name. I know that she was a very young, small blonde woman.” Derek wrote down what the Countess was saying. She paused thinking through probably the many names she’s heard throughout the years. She sighed, “I wish I could remember her name. Have you spoken to the Ligidews about her?” Derek shook his head, “We cannot yet until we clear them of suspicion. Since this young woman came from their estate, we cannot eliminate the possibility that they were involved.” She shook her head, “The Ligidews didn’t send her, I know that because I had overheard a conversation she was having with my husband. She intended to get his assistance and in exchange, she was willing to help with the assassination of Her Grace Lady Alexandra Batiste.” Derek looked at me, “You’re so popular.” I rolled my eyes, “I can’t help it, I don’t know many here and somehow I’ve pissed off so many.” The Countess continued, “I think she said something about getting in the way of true love. I just wish I could remember her name.” Derek strode over to the opening of the room and called out to a soldier, “Can you fetch Lady Rayla Ligidew for me?”
The soldier nodded and briskly walked off. We waited only ten minutes before Rayla made her appearance, “You wanted to speak with me?” Derek nodded, “You have a maid in the service of your house that showed up here just before the earthquake hit. Do you happen to know her name?” Rayla shrugged, “We have a lot of maids, I’m afraid you’re going to have to be specific.” He flipped open his notebook, “This particular maid was short, blonde, and wore a green cloak.” Rayla sighed, “That eliminated all but three women in our employ. Do you have any more specifics?” The Countess spoke, “Hello Rayla. I can tell you a little more about her.” Rayla stepped toward the bed and she smiled at me as she passed, “Oh hello, Your Grace. I hope this day finds you well.” I nodded, “Well enough, how are you Rayla?” She shrugged, “I have no complaints beyond the fact that I’m out here competing in a competition I have no interest in winning. My love is directed toward another that one of us here knows very well.” I wondered how she would feel if she understood the man she loved had his eyes set on me too. I hoped she would never find out, she seemed nice enough that I didn’t want to have her heart broken. She sat down next to the Countess who told her, “This young woman had a small tattoo on her wrist.” Rayla sat up because this piqued her interest, “Was it an L?” The Countess nodded, “Oh! Yes! Do you know who she is now?” Rayla sighed, leaned back in her chair, and folded her arms, “I really hate that it was her but it doesn’t shock me. We can hand her over, Derek. I have no problem with that whatsoever. She’s been a headache since she came to us. I thought she had improved but it appears that she has not.” Derek asked, “Okay so can you tell us who she is then?” She nodded, “Her name is Valis. She was sent to us from the castle a few years ago.”
