The Alchemist

I Find My SELF alone in the empty Drawing Room, My Mind in a fog. I am uncertain of My Decision. How could I Feel such Pain in My HEART?

"Logic will not Win this War." The Prophetess's Words echo in My Memory.. I scoff. "Bitterness leaves a sour taste in the mouth." I Remind My SELF.

My HEART is Heavy, but I must Carry Forward. I Rise, Steeling My HEART and My Mind. "YOU ARE THE QUEEN, Será. YOU MUST GO FORTH." I Say aloud.

I cross the room and re-enter the corridor. Resisting the Selfish Desire to turn back to my Private Quarters, I Resolve My WILL to move in the opposite direction.

I Must Speak with The Alchemist. Without his Lesson, there will Be no Wisdom. I Must First Seek The Answers to My Question. I make My Way down to The Village.

Outside The Alchemist's Household, I Lift up another PRAYER.

"GOD. I am unAware of YOUR PLAN for me. GUIDE my steps with Sure-footing. LEAD me with MERCY. SHOW me YOUR GRACE. BEND me to YOUR WILL. I cannot break." I Lift my eyes to The HEAVENS. "AMEN."

I Give one solid knock. The door opens.

"My QUEEN!" The Alchemist Smiles a wide, toothy grin. "To what Do I Owe this Pleasure?" He rasps his usual Greeting.

I cannot Help but to Smile. "Good Day, Edgar. I Do Hope now is a GOOD Time for a Visit." I Politely Answer.

"Yes, yes, your Grace. Always a Pleasure." He hobbles Towards his Seating area. "Let us have a seat by the Fire." He Gestures me in. I Follow suit, taking my seat on the oak bench adjacent to the warm fire. He sits in an old, worn chair, propping his feet on a mismatched wooden stool. Folding his hands upon his lap, The Alchemist waits for me to Begin.

"My Dear Alchemist, I have for you this Day two vials, each of which are filled with tea. The first Being honeyed, the second we Shall See." I pull out the two Samples from inside my cloak pockets.

"And you would like me to Test both vials?"

"Yes, Edgar. If you would, Please."

"Of course, your Majesty! It is an Honor."

He takes his Time Rising from his chair. I hand him the vials. He carries them to his Laboratory. Upon dawning his Proper Attire, The Alchemist Begins.

He tips the contents of the first Sample and Begins to mix, apply heat, bubble and steam. He does the same with the second. "Interesting.." I Hear him Say quietly to himself. I wait.

He Writes something down and makes his way back Torward me, taking his seat. "Your Majesty." He wheezily rasps. "The first Sample is none other than Jasmine Tea with, as I am sure you Suspected, liquidated honey. A Healthy Sleeping Antidote. You should not be concerned." I Breathe a Sigh of Relief. "The second Sample, however, showed toxic levels of venom taken from the black widow spider. It can be fatal when administered continuously in continual doses. Have you Experienced any unusual symptoms as of late?"

"I have not."

"You must be Careful." He Gives me a Knowing gaze.

I nod in somber Agreement.

"I Do not envy your Role, my QUEEN. You are in grave danger, but I Suspect that you Know what YOU are Doing." He Gives me a Hearty Smile. He walks me to the door. "Do not lose Hope, my Dear. You are a GOOD QUEEN. Your People LOVE YOU. YOU WILL Prevail. YOU Must. There is no other Choice."

"Thank you, my Dear Alchemist. I Do not Know how K would ever Begin to RULE Wisely without you. You are a Gem to this QUEENDOM."

He Embraces my hand, folding it between his. "Thank you, your Grace. Your Words HEAL this Old Man's HEART. Until next Time, my QUEEN."

"Until next Time." I Say.

The door closes behind me. Seamus is next on My List.