Domain of Power-The Dreamer (Book 3)

Chapter 23: Bitterest Truth

I was not used to seeing Grandfather like this. Curled in bed, clutching his stomach, writhing in the sheets. I reached for his right hand. He held onto mine just as our gazes locked.

"Is there a cure for the poison?" I asked Father.

Father looked at me and sighed before shaking his head. "You have to know the poison to know the cure."

So, what do we do now? Twiddle our thumbs until a doctor arrives?

My heart sank to the pit of my stomach. Now I was the one who needed to take a seat on the bed.

How come nobody knew how bad this had gotten? But then I remembered... He was good at hiding his discomfort. Hiding the pain behind a smile. But today, he couldn't hide it anymore.

I squeezed his hand tighter. "I am not going anywhere," I told him. He opened his eyes again and nodded.

He lifted his head to thank me.

I looked back at Barbarius, who stood at the foot of the bed, head bowed. He was the one I should be thanking. He was the first to find Grandfather on the floor. The first to alert Odydus that Grandfather had collapsed. Together, he and Odydus hoisted him back onto his bed until we arrived. I shuddered to think what would have happened if his skull had hit the ceramic tiles.

Then someone knocked on the door. I turned to find Apollus walking in with his toga nearly sweeping the beige square mosaics. His pristine face crinkled into a frown when he observed all of us huddled by the bed. "What is wrong with Grandfather?" he asked.

Father turned to face Apollus, "He is not feeling well, son. Nor has he been the same since he choked on his drink at the last dinner party. He complained he was feeling faint this morning, so your brother and Odydus helped him into bed. I am afraid he is skipping meals again," he added with a sigh.

"That is because I cannot keep anything in my stomach!" Grandfather snapped.

Father sighed aloud. "Could you please try to drink something? Anything!" Father retorted, throwing his hands up.

Apollus looked down at Grandfather, wincing in bed, while Father looked on. "What do we do now? Are we suspending our investigation this morning?"

Father shook his head. "No. No. No. I am not doing that. Your Grandfather will brave this malady until the doctor arrives. I told the Messenger to fetch the best physician on the island. Meanwhile, I will meet with the copyist in Aegea and resume my investigation with Romulus, Maximus' wife, friends, neighbors, and anyone else who knows anything about this!"

Barbarius cupped Father's left shoulder. "I can help, Father." He turned to Apollus, standing by the doorway. "We can help. You do not have to do this alone."

Father's expression hardened. "Remember the last investigation I asked you and your brother to lead? It went so well that it took over a month to bring this 'dark rider' to trial, only for us to lock up the wrong man!"

Barbarius turned his gaze towards Apollus. "That is because we were too busy fighting each other to see the real enemy. But I cannot sit back idly now and let Gaius hurt anyone else!"

Father pursed his lips. "If you want to help so badly, then I suggest you run after the Messenger, who just left to send word to all the sentinels that Maximus Severus has gone missing and to report his sighting immediately to me."

Barbarius nodded before leaving the room.

Apollus looked up at Father. "What would you like me to do?"

"You can stay behind with your Grandfather and draft your list of acquaintances to that Severus boy. That includes yours, too."

Apollus scoffed. "My friends would not associate with the likes of Maximus."