Crown The King Killer

09. Sweet Death

As Alexander left to sleep, Parkis made his way towards the stairwell and began climbing furiously upwards as if he was impatient. Outside the storm began brewing harder into the purple sky. Trees shook and windows shutters escaped in the wind causing thunder-like sounds to be heard. People scattered into shelters as Parkis dipped out of sight behind a building. He wrapped his scarf over his long ears and covered his mouth from the cold rain. The knitting was loose on the scarf but it provided enough protection for now. Parkis looked about the street and walked cautiously behind royal guards with their massive eagle wings. He headed for a building down in the black market district direction, a few doors to the left was an old medicine shop with strange plague masks in the windows. The light was on although the sign said closed. Parkis banged on the door with his closed white fist. Shuffling sounds could be heard on the other side of the door before it opened.

"It says we're close!" the door swung open with an angry looking man a few years younger than Parkis. "Oh my, dear Parkis please forgive me, I get so many knocking on my door, it's an awful pain."

"You are forgiven; in this weather I would not blame you." Parkis shuddered before stepping inside the warm place.

The man was getting his jacket on wrapping a hood around his head, "I must say I'm with a client soon, I was asked to leave today."

"I need a potion for thorn poison, do you have any made?" Parkis closed the door behind him.

The man rushed around the room towards his massive wall of drawers and cabinets, "Ah, I'm afraid I have nothing of the sort ready for you." He walked back towards his coat rack and took an umbrella out of the holder. "You're welcome to join me, I'll stop by my supplier after and get you on your way."

"Are you sure it would be appropriate for me to attend you on a job?" He asked.

"We've all seen death before, I more than you Parkis, it would be experience in your case, a sweet death." He raised a tiny vile with a flower on top, "honeysuckle, it's a sleep potion."

"Sounds lovely," Parkis spoke quietly.

"I let my clients choose their path to the other worlds, some want it bitter, some sweet, some quick, and well you get the picture." He put several vials in a small suitcase and made his way towards the door. "With this blood-rain coming down I hope I make it back in time before I see red," he laughed and pushed the door open for Parkis.

They walked casually down towards the homes closer to the castle. This was the rich district area. Parkis held the umbrella occasionally as his friend looked at his map again and again.

"I think I will just hold it for now," Parkis smiled a bit.

"Sounds alright to me," he laughed, "if only I could read a stupid map."

"It looks like we have arrived already," Parkis pointed at the large tall building.

The home was like a small miniature castle. Four stories high with large windows facing the ocean view. Parkis waited behind his friend while he knocked on the door. The family who lived here were wealthy beyond Parkis' dreams. Even though they had money, the sickness of their daughter was nothing compared to how much money they could earn.

"Evan, Evan Lavish?" the man asked.

"You must be Mr. Halell," he shook his hand and tipped his hat, "this is my assistant Mr. Gavin." Evan gestured.

"Pleasure," Parkis tipped his head.

"Interesting, please do come in from that rain," Mr. Halell said gently.