***
Dylan was setting the table for dinner when Cleopatra’s stormed in visibly angry. He could not figure exactly why but he had ideas. When he had seen Iris and Ivan together earlier, he had sensed his sister was going to take her relationship with Ivan a top notch. He had seen it in her eyes, hell he knew her. So when Cleopatra had asked, he was happy to divulge the information. Maybe that would drive a wedge between her and Ivan he thought and he somehow thought his plan had worked. However, he did not feel the bliss that he felt earlier. The reason was clear, if Cleopatra was affected by what she saw then her feelings for Ivan had increased and that did not make him feel good. He decided***Queen Charis brushed invisible speck of her blue gown, a pearly crown sat gingerly on her hand. Olivia trailed besides her as usual. It was easy to act poised as a queen as she slowly approached her husband’s chambers. It was unusual for her to refer to Javaid as her husband. She preferred the title king. Years of practice and she had perfected the art of putting up this façade, even though deep inside of her she was in turmoil or undergoing some mental torment of some sort.The corridors were littered with guards and maids moving from one end to another, they all bowed on sight of her and went about their duties, unlike her family. She got to the door of his chambers, she heaved a deep breath and paused to compose herself.Olivia reached for the queen’s hand and squeezed reassuringly. Charis looked back at her
Prince Cedric hugged Cleopatra hard. Aileen watched them from a few feet away, she snorted in apparent disgust. “Do you truly have to go?”, he asked. “My duty to my people comes first…” He smiled to himself, it was what his father had always told him, “Do well to send letters and occasionally visit”, he told her. She bowed, “It would be a pleasure. He turned behind, “Your horses are ready. If you are in need of anything to go with, my servants would be here to give it to you…” “That would not be necessary my prince, as we have all we could possibly need”, she bowed, “Thank you for the kind gesture”
*** Cleopatra walked into the house, “What happened pa?” she questioned, her eyes scanned the area.“I can not say exactly what it is that has befallen Averna but the number of sick people have spiked", Edgar explained, “We have lost 9 people in total, 3 children included.“When did all of this begin?”“Not long after you left for Salvador”She dropped her bags and quickly washed her hands, “How can I help pa?”“No no Cleopatra, you have just come back from a long trip.You should rest and hel…”“Pa you have been worki
***Dylan came over to see Cleopatra like he had been doing for a while now. Being with her had not helped him get over his feelings for her neither had it given him the courage to profess love to her. He was always so blown out of his mind when he saw her that the words would not form on his lips. “Dylan”, she called out to him when she approached the house. He got to her and pulled her into a hug, his hand behind his back, he drew in a deep breath, her scent intoxicating him. The feel of her body against his was arousing. He did not let go of her until she did. She looked at him, “What is behind you?”, she asked. &nb
Cleopatra rushed outside of the house as she heard the wailing from outside, Edgar followed behind her.“Please help me I did not know she was coming down with the plague", she cried out, “I thought she was down with a small sickness…”When Cleopatra ran outside, she saw a woman on the floor, she recognized her from before clutching a small child. Although she was ashy, Cleopatra recognized her as lily. She stood up abruptly and retraced her step. Edgar leaned towards her, “How long has she been like this?”“She was cold, I thought it was a simple cold and then I covered her up and this morning her temperature was burning and she was ashy, I had no idea…”Edgar looked behind him to see Cleopatra standing from afar, “Come on Cleopatra, come and help me"
They had packed up their supplies as early as they could and at once they set out into the city. It was far into the night when they stopped to rest in a tavern. As they stepped into the tavern, they attracted stares from the shady crowd. Large burly men sat on small chairs that could barely carried them sat round a table. The talked and laughed aloud, gambling and drinking cheap rum…“I do not think this is a good idea…”, Iris remarked.“We are left with almost no choice”, Dylan replied.Cleopatra scanned the area, “We are attracting unnecessary attention to ourselves. It would be wise to take our seats now…”Dylan nodded.As soon as they were seated, Cleopatra resumed talking, “We only need to pass the night here seeing it is already late”&n
Ivan stared at the scribblings on the paper, “These are rare items”Iris nodded, “Sir Edgar said so too"“Aileen is indeed a bitch", he stated, “I could have let the snake kill her when I had the chance”Iris chuckled, “I said the same thing”“So do you have any ideas where these items might be?” Cleopatra asked.Ivan looked up at her, “Would you give me a break Cleopatra? You have had this list for longer than I have and you did not come up with any ideas...”“Give him time Cleopatra”, Iris added, “I am sure he would be able to figure this out in no time. He is our best and only shot at this"  
Cleopatra walked up to a merchant, “Do you have a Fairycelery?”He had a blank expression on his face.“That will get us no where”, Ivan pulled her by the arm, “There is a sea of merchants here, it is impossible to ask all of them…”“How would we know if we don’t ask". They plopped on their chair next to Dylan and Iris. They were speaking in hushed tones.“These plants are exotic plants, it could serve for a good and bad purpose. They will be skeptical to sell it to anyone who asks them”, Ivan replied, “We have to somehow earn their trust” “How do you propose we earn their trust?”, Dylan asked, “It is not like trust is earned in one day”“I do not have all the answers”