183 She Sleeps While Keith Tells a Story (1/2)

As there was no one else in the castle but Throm, Ayva, Quinn, and Robin, nobody knew how such a large dose had ended up inside the castle. If Robin's condition were known, then the dwarves themselves might cast shadows upon the monarchs, spreading rumors of foul play. Thus, Throm did the only thing he could do. Early the next morning, he invited Robin's company to enter the castle.

”What do you mean, he can't wake up!?” Christian exclaimed. ”What did you do to him!?”

Quinn placed a hand on Christian's shoulder, and restrained him. ”Listen. There are not many places in this castle that have magic eyes within them. But Ayva's garden is the one place that is under watch 24/7. If Klargun's brew is not consumed within 24 hours of it leaving its preservative vial, the properties become ineffective. Do you understand?”

Quinn looked Christian in the eyes until he was certain the prince wouldn't do something rash. ”Now, I just finished going through the entire recording from start to finish. Not even a fly so much as flew into that space, much less a dwarf. And that flagon had been sitting there for over a week. I am as much baffled at this as you are. If you don't trust me, you can have Keith or Jasmine look it over.”

”This is as much a concern to you as it is to me. For someone to be able to slip Klargun's brew into my castle is unthinkable, and highly alarming.” Throm finally spoke. ”I am being open with you because. Reluctantly, I find that even my own people seem to be unreliable. Before Robin fell asleep, he told us of the dangers of the man you call Trader. Until I can be assured none of my people are under his control, my hands are tied. I truly need your help.”

Christian was silent, a bitter expression on his face. Finally, he looked up. ”How long will he sleep?” He asked Quinn.

”It depends upon how much Robin consumed.” Quinn replied. ”If we're lucky, it'll only be a week. If not, then it might be several months, or even half a year.”

”Is there no antidote?”

”No. For Klargun's Brew, the only antidote that exists is time.”

”I want to see him.” Christian said. It was not a request.

”This way.” Quinn sighed. Throm, understanding their feelings, allowed them to go see Robin. The answer to his request could wait until later.

Robin's room was the closest to the throne room. Ayva was already there, waiting by the bedside. The dark circles under her eyes, red eyes, and traces of tears down her face told the whole story.

”Ah..Yer here.” She said, looking up.

Christian didn't see Ayva. He walked over to the bedside, eyes only on Robin. Robin's eyes were closed. The slow rising and falling of her hands above the covers showed that Robin was breathing. Not a single hair was out of place.

'Robin...once again, it seems you're not able to move.' Christian clenched his hand. 'We let our guard down. One of us should have gone with you. Or, at the very least, you should have taken your sword along! But now, you...'

He stood there a long time, and everyone else respectively kept silent. Even when Chelsea performed a magic checkup on Robin, they remained silent. Finally, he turned to Ayva with a blank face.

”Why are you still awake?”

Ayva sighed. ”Ah'm wearing an anti-poison protective gem. Ah hafta keep wearing et, or I'll also be asleep like her.”

”Can't we get another one made for Robin?” Christian asked.

Jasmine shook her head. ”The most Ayva's gem can do is to segregate the poison until it passes out of the system. Robin's poison has already affected Robin, merging into the bloodstream. Not even the Slime Kings can separate it out at this point.”

”Can't they at least try and get as much unassimilated poison out as possible?” Christian asked.

”That was the first thing I had Bobble do.” Quinn stated. ”Now Bobble is also asleep because he allowed it to affect to his core.”

”Then, we'll do what we can. At the very least, we can try and find the culprit before Robin wakes up.” Christian replied, turning around.

”How are you so calm about this?” Chelsea asked. Christian paused. But ignored Chelsea's question as he stepped out of the room. Keith excused himself, and followed behind, just in time to see Christian lean up against a stone wall, and slam his clenched fist into it. Christian heard approaching footsteps.

”Keith?” He asked.