After a short while of crudely restoring his blank mind, Medurio decided that he would feel less uncomfortable if he stood. Dusting himself off, he looked towards the other three men. They were busy talking amongst each other and explaining to Livia the details of their plight. Every now and then they worriedly glanced towards him, eventually turning to face him when he was off the ground.

“Feeling better?” Scrulo asked.

He shrugged, “Better than before or after the inquisitor appeared?”

“I recommend that you take this opportunity to stop your awful behavior. Quintinus, heaven’s light shine upon him, said that the gods give men chances to change their behavior and those who take it become greater than they could have ever dreamed.”

Medurio stared blankly at Scrulo. Perhaps the man forgot the fact that it was impossible for him to care less about his philosophy. Although he did consider the man’s words a little, he suddenly decided to not care. “I will not stop, not until the concoction is complete.”

Scrulo sighed and this time Siegfried stepped forward. “Is your head ever sensible? I believe all of us here know that our position is extremely fragile. Remember, I would have no trouble admitting your guilt for you if the chance ever came.”

Artur stepped in as well, his face scrunched up. “I believe that this may be where we part ways. This situation has become too dangerous. You should know this yourself as well. I mean come on man! That inquisitor scared you so bad that you fell on your arse! How are you going to handle yourself if it happens again?”

Medurio’s anger flared. Who were they to care so much about his matters? He never needed their help! They joined him out of their own volition, their complaints were meaningless.

Deciding that he should get it all over with, Medurio turned away from them in hope that it would be harder for him to hear their words. Quickly, he fetched the text. He could do it himself!

“Perhaps you believe us to be a hindrance to you.” Scrulo said. “But in our eyes, we are essential to your continued survival. How else would you have gotten this far!” He ended with some frustration.

“You may believe what you believe,” he began, unable to take such words lightly. “But my mind is set. I’m getting this finished.” His fate had been sealed the second he took hold of the text. To drop it now would be a catastrophic failure. Not only would he be a failure to his father, but to himself as well.

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“Medurio, please.” Livia said with great sadness. “You must listen to them. This is not worth losing your life over!”

“Who said I would lose my life?” And he turned around, hopefully leaving them behind once and for all.

His wish had not come to pass. At his first backward glance, Medurio came to realize that they were much more eager to follow him than expected. He walked faster and still they followed. It was strange to him. He began to dwell on it.

What had he done for them to care in such a way? Nothing, as he had planned! They only served as a nuisance, flies constantly buzzing in his ears. He frowned, how he had such luck at encountering fools was beyond him. He came to a stop, hoping to swat them away. Unfortunately, some of them did not care for what he had to say.

“What an insult that was,” Siegfried said halfheartedly. “Simply walking away after causing so much worry. Who else could do such a thing?”

Medurio felt that he would have to listen fully this time. They had just made it clear to him that he would have to listen even if he ran. “Do you truly believe that we intended on abandoning you?” Scrulo asked.

Medurio shrugged, “I wish you had.”

Scrulo shook his head with haughtiness, “We all knew the risks from the start and still decided on joining you friend. Furthermore, each person here has committed themselves to keeping you alive.“ He looked to Siegfried, who had an unreadable expression, “So stop acting like a child who is afraid of their physician.”

Perhaps they had warped his mind or maybe it was due to his own will, but Medurio believed that his mind had just changed. Perhaps the likelier reason was that damn inquisitor. But in conclusion, he was no longer irritated by his companions, just indifferent. Their constant bickering had proven entertaining or even insightful on some occasions. If he became uninterested now, as his mind calculated, his overall stress would decrease. Similar to a man coming to terms with his home burning down. “Fine, do as you please. But refrain from bothering me.”

Livia, shaking her head, bitterly approached Medurio. But before she could speak, Siegfried stopped her, “pardon me my lady, but he has already made up his mind. This fool has already demonstrated that he cannot listen to reason.”

“Correct,” Medurio approved. “I shouldn’t have to explain myself more than once,” and he fished into his bag, retrieving the translation to the heretical text. “Now then.” The group waited nervously as he determined their next course. “The final ingredient is... Swiftweed beans. Ground with pestle, though I suppose any other blunt object could do.”

"Another commodity from the north." Artur stated. "But my mind can’t conjure an idea of how we would find such a thing.”

The rest were silent, being just as trumped as Artur. “I believe I know.” Medurio said, pacing around slightly as he gathered his thoughts. “The science lecturers receive their materials from the administrative building. That includes botanists and alchemists. Perhaps it could be there?” His face turned pale as he realized what that would entail.

The others faced an intense unease in their own peculiar way. “Well,” Siegfried said with a strained smile, “May the gods help us.”