The King's Messenger

Chapter 25

Alyssa had no success throughout the night. After King Richar paid a rattling visit to check on her progress and she'd been working for eight hours without rest, Messenger reluctantly ordered her to take a break. By that point, her fingers shook without respite, impacting her ability to measure and mix with precision. She'd initially protested, but gave in.

Adrian never showed up. Whatever he was doing, Messenger hoped was important.

The next morning saw the same cycle of failure begin anew. By now, Alyssa had no more questions for Eden, simply trying different concoctions to counteract what she already knew to no avail.

"Any change?" Messenger asked Eden with faded hope.

Eden shook his head. "No better."

Two hours passed without incident, then Eden fell into an unnatural stillness.

"What is it?" Messenger asked urgently.

"I-" Eden put a hand to his throat. "Can't- breathe-"

Kaeda sprang into action. "Stay calm," she ordered. "This is a symptom of anmori, where the mind forgets to breathe on its own. You simply have to focus on the act of breathing- inhale, exhale." She beckoned with a hand. "In, out."

For a moment, he sat breathless before gesturing wildly at his throat again. "Not- working," he gasped.

"It will work," Kaeda insisted. "Focus. In, out."

Alyssa was shaking her head before Kaeda finished. "It would work if it were anmori, but this is a poison mimicking anmori. It doesn't have to be the exact same cause."

"Alyssa..." Messenger said.

"I know! I'm doing all I can!" she snapped, mixing a dirty-looking solution and tipping it down Eden's throat. He sputtered and coughed, but managed to get it down. Agonizing seconds passed before his breathing came back, albeit laboriously.

"This- is fucking- ridiculous," Eden said, massaging his throat. "It's still- difficult- to breathe."

"Still?" Alyssa asked. "Whoever made the poison probably meant for this part to be fatal."

Eden tried to mutter something under his breath, but it came out a mess of gasping and rasping.

"Don't talk," Kaeda ordered. "Just focus on breathing. Let Alyssa work."

Alyssa's hands shook as she poured ingredients. "This- it can't be done," she said. "The poison must be fantastically complex, and even basic alchemical concoctions can take hours to reverse."

"You just treated a symptom," Messenger encouraged. "Please, just..."

Alyssa glared at him, then turned back to her supplies. "That was luck! I was lucky enough to guess the assassin used flareroot. That was the first bit of luck I've had yet, and likely the last." She wiped her forehead. "You had best keep your word."

"I will," Messenger swore, but she had already refocused.

Despite Alyssa's tireless efforts, Eden's breathing worsened, his throat constricting and lungs burning for air. The edges of his vision blurred black."

"He's- fading!" Messenger exclaimed. "We need to-"

"There's nothing more to be done," Alyssa said in defeat. "I- there's just nothing I can do."

"Kaeda?" Messenger asked frantically.

"I-"

The door burst open. Alyssa jumped in shock, turning fearfully toward the door.