Once upon a deception

Wicked

"Just what I needed!" Clarisse clapped in her mind, roughly jostling the plates on her hands to the earth. She was not certain as to why she was angry. Was there a tiny part of her: One that still had empathy and did not want to go through with her plan? Yes, Clarisse had to admit. Something was holding her back. The idea of keeping her spot safe from even Lina did not sit right with her. Clarisse shook her head once. Then twice for a good measure to disapprove the kind thoughts that were rushing through her like bubbly water. She knew better than to trust that the great god words. He would never will her quest for vengeance. He had already pitted Lord Vincent against her making the man a roadblock in her path to victory. She refused to give a chance to let his poison soak in. There were consequences for what she was about to do. It was vile and selfish but Clarisse was right in front of a brick wall. There was no other way of getting around it. Lina was another roadblock and never would the great God cards play evens in her favor if she let the girl stay in the game. Fuelled with the strength to continue, Clarisse's gaze shifted to the healer's house. It was now or never. No chance could be taken.

Clarisse steeled herself, rubbing on her eyes and singing to her heart that she needed to be brave. Her hands shook as she slowly knocked on the healer's door.

"Who is there?" A voice from the inside inquired.

"Clarisse."

She heard hushed footsteps approach her before the door clicked open. A mess of black hair and place gray eyes darted in a direction.

"What do you want?" The girl demanded, fatigued.

"I have a splitting headache and it's getting difficult to sleep. Can I see the healer?"

The girl's demeanor barely changed. Except now, She was willing to let Clarisse in. The girl led her on, clumsily heading in the left direction of the hut before yanking the door that led to the physician's personal room.

"Someone is here to see you, Mistress." She mumbled, immediately pushing past Clarisse and practically leaving her to fend for herself.

"Come in child." The woman commanded. "What seems to be the matter?"

Clarisse obeyed, shutting the door behind her. The room was dark and the only thing that did not make it devoid of light was the presence of scented candles scattered around. Clarisse sat in front of the woman and began making up the perfect lie for her visit. Her plan was simple. She wanted poison. Not the kind that killed people but one potent enough to make a girl very sick.

"I have a splitting headache," Clarisse said quickly to divert further questions while trying and failing to sound confident and sure of her ailment.

"Well, with all the bad news coming to us lately, I think there is enough reason for a bothersome migraine." The woman said, wearing a professional smile. "Jute Mallow juice should be enough to rid you of the headache and also relax you. My apprentices outside will mix it up for you."

This was good, Clarisse thought. Never had luck shine this good on her. It was almost as if the great god wanted it to happen. The healer was busy writing down her herbs and outside was a lady apprentice. All Clarisse needed next was a name and seeing how distracted the healer was with writing down her herbs, She made a go for it.

"I cannot help but notice what you are writing. Are those new herbs?" Clarisse asked.

There was stout silence. Followed by the mad scribbling of a quill on a papyrus. The healer did not spare her one look. Not until she was done with whatever she was writing.

"Yes..." She finally answered. "We make new discoveries every day and I have to write them down because who knows what might happen tomorrow? If something does happen to me, I do not want that lazy apprentice of mine poisoning someone with horse chestnut or even worse-"

"Horse chestnut..." Clarisse repeated, drawing emphasis on the herb she practically knew nothing about. Well, apart from the fact that it was poisonous. "I have heard of that one before. Is it that poisonous?"

"It is a two-way thing. In the right amount, It is medicinal but in the wrong amount, It can cause some painful side effects."

Eureka! That was just the thing Clarisse was looking for. Something that would be just enough to mimic sickness if ingested. She hurriedly thanked the woman and burst out of the healer's personal room. Clarisse spent the next few moments trying to find the apprentice. In the end, she bumped into the girl fast asleep.

"Hey," She called, tapping her cold fingers on the girl's bare shoulders to alert her of human presence. The girl shuddered in half disgust.

"What do you want now?"

"I have a prescription for my headache."

"What is it?"

"A wrap of Horse chestnut."

As the apprentice proceeded to get what she requested. Clarisse stood there, inches away, grinning. It was coming together. Now all that remained was Lina's cooperation.

***

WOHAR

Malachi walked out of the church of Corbeau a winner. It had taken five years for him to achieve the goal but time was merely a small price to pay. The church was blessed with the finest and most loyal buffons he had ever known, and all he had to was promise them another vain thing and they would fall by his feet. Malachi could picture the metal band of honor of his head already.

"Stop Malachi!" A familiar voice beckoned.

Malachi turned to see the almighty grandmaster charging at him with pure rage in his eyes. It was indeed a sight to behold. The man was a husk. He had nothing to give anymore other than be a lap dog. Even with the position he held in the church, the old man could sense he was losing his grip. No longer was the church a bandwagon of conniving intellectuals. The church was now a sloppy market for greedy nobles. Malachi almost felt pity for the man.

"What, Grandmaster?" Malachi asked politely.

The grandmaster frowned, sensing the false respect and that was not all that made him gloomy. The man had a piece of advice to give.

"What you are doing is insane Malachi and I promise you it will backfire." He flared. "Where did you even get the idea that you could be King? Because no matter how hard you try Duke, You will never be King and even if you dare continue your mad quest for power. Be sure that this church will not help you."

"Grandmaster, I am not sure you have much of a choice." Malachi mocked. "I have my signatures and that is all I need to continue my 'mad quest' and I promise you Gareth, You will take back those words."

The grandmaster's eyes turned large. "You have grown out of bounds Malachi. Maybe it's time those wing of yours become clipped."

Darting a dangerous glare to the grandmaster, Malachi stiffed a laugh. He approached the man with deadly intent laced in his heart and whispered to his ear " I will be watching you every step of the way Gareth. Your daughter's life depends on you keeping your mouth shut." Malachi's words made the grandmaster choke. Gareth stepped back in horror. The Grand Duke knew his secret. Seeing the impossible old man had quietened. Malachi proceeded to throw in salt to the grandmaster's open wounds. "It would be a shame if the elders discovered you had a child and yet you ascended as a grandmaster. We would not want that, Would we?"

Speechless. That was what the Grandmaster was when Malachi eventually walked out of their conversation.