The voices that were coming from the corridor began to slowly quiet down. At least that was the impression that Nyle was having. In his mind the worst possible scenario was still a thing that could concretely materialize at any moment, so he wasn’t too sure if what his ears were hearing were real or fruit of his own fantasy. But after a few more moments, the rumours appeared to have completely disappeared. Nyle didn’t know what Elros had done to achieve that, but for now, it seemed like thy were in the clear.

Having the time to sort of relax, Nyle and Avron both released a breath they didn’t know they were holding. Then they turned around.

Sitting in a comfy chair that had seen better days, with his gaze fixed outside, there was Vodril. Or what was left of him. Even if they weren’t trained, nor did they have any kind of medicinal knowledge to judge his condition, even a blind man would have noticed that the man in front of their eyes had something wrong. His eyes, which were of a very clear blue colour, were looking out of the window in a dead stare that made Nyle uncomfortable. But that wasn’t even the thing that made his hairs stand up.

Looking around the whole room, Nyle couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

The walls of the entire room had been inscribed with mathematical formulas, medical information that only a high rank like him could have known, and diagrams upon diagrams of various kinds that had unknown origins; even the ceiling had somehow received the same treatment. Nyle sighed. What was the purpose behind all that?

Turning his head slightly to the left Nyle saw Avron, who was trying to ask something, failing however to find the words.

Looking at his reaction, it seemed that Nyle wasn’t the only one who had trouble adjusting to what his eyes were seeing. It was relatable, given the complete mess that reigned in that small room. And if that chaos was of any indication, as Nyle strongly suspected, of the mental condition that the High Physician was in, things weren’t looking good. Not at all. Only a madman could have come up with something so…senseless as that. But perhaps it did made sense to Vodril’s mind, as chaotic as it was.

Trying his best to ignore both the strong discomfort he was feeling and the strong gut feeling that they should get out of there at the soonest opportunity, Nyle grabbed the only other seating available. It was a wooden chair that had been placed in the small writing area that someone external to the inner workings of that palace had clearly wanted to provide to Vodril out of his own initiative. The complete worn appearance that the small desk had was one of the many proofs that was the case.

However, that had not seemed to have stopped Vodril’s handiwork.

As soon as Nyle retrieved that worn out seating he immediately noticed that even that had not been spared from his treatment of the walls. Backrest and seat had been “embellished” with some more formulas and information, as if those scattered all over the place were not already sufficient.

“Yes. Of course there’re rumblings even on the chair. Idiot me for not thinking about it…” mumbled Nyle out loud. A gigantic sigh escaped from his most inner within.

“Well, he surely decorated everything his hands could reach.” said Avron, his gaze still wondering around. “Though I cannot imagine how the hell he was able to reach the ceiling. Even If he somehow managed to climb on the bed, or that desk that looks like it could fall apart at any given minute, I don’t think he could reach it even if he stretched himself.”

Nyle looked up. As the words of the rookie settled in his mind, he seemed to mostly agree with that reasoning. Though he didn’t understand why, of all the things that could be noted about that damned place, Avron had pointed out that trifle detail. For example, Avron should have noticed that window, the bed, the chair, and every other object scattered around the room was free to be moved. If Vodril was the type of madman that was prone to rampages, or sudden fit of destruction impulses, than everything would have been made immovable by anchoring it down.

“Focus, Avron. We have a job to do. A job that is better to complete at light speed.”

“…That’s what I’m doing though?”

“Oh, really?”

“Well, yes.” answered Avron, looking convinced of himself.

“…Don’t you think it’s better to ask some questions to Vodril then wondering how the hell he was able to vandalize the ceiling? Maybe he could tell us something useful.”

“…Really, Nyle?” asked Avron as both his eyebrows stood up in disbelief. “Him? That man right there? The same man that hasn’t uttered a word, and that has stared out the window with a dull look plastered on his face the whole time? You must be kidding…”

Now Nyle was starting to get angry. Of course he was aware that the chances of that man talking were near zero, but at that point what was he supposed to do? Search around the room for pointless information that was only a fucking waste of time to them both? Hell no.

There were only two ways he was going to come out of there: With some newfound knowledge, or with nothing at all. And he certainly wasn’t going to like it if the second would came to pass.

Nyle bit his lip. Stressed out already as he was, he didn’t answer. Maybe that was for the better. He was sure that, if he had not stopped himself right there, he would have said harsh full things that he wasn’t even thinking. And, while they didn’t always see eye to eye, the rookie didn’t certainly deserve that.

Trying to act calm and composed, he grabbed the battered seating, only to move it without too much care. If he thought that sudden movement was going to elicit any kind of reaction from the High Physician, then he was deadly wrong. Even when he sat down beside him, slamming the chair against the floor, the man remained completely unfazed.

Nyle began to ponder if Vodril was even aware of what was going on, given his lack of reaction to external stimulus. Sure, Elros had told him beforehand how swinging and incomprehensible was Vodril's condition, so he could not pretend to be surprised. But he had to admit that he had not imagined such a thing at all. That man seemed completely out of it! How the hell was he supposed to get him talking?!

“Uhmm.” blurted out Nyle, who was unsure how to even begin. So he opted to follow the standard. Presentation. “Mr Vodril Isenold?”

No reaction.

Nyle repeated the same question, this time trying to catch his attention by placing a hand on his forearm. Maybe the help of physical contact was going to recollect that man’s mind, wherever it was.

Luckily, that seemed to work.

After a moment of hesitation Vodril’s pupils began to slowly dissipate the blanket of fog that had clocked them in its icy embrace. Then came the turn of the eyelids, which began to blink wildly without seeming to show any sign of stopping. And in the end, when all that ordeal had stopped, Nyle saw some light behind those eyes that made him hope for the best.

“…Mr. Vodril Isenold?” asked Nyle one again. “Can you understand me?”

“Yeah, yeah. Of course I can. What the hell are you talking about?” asked Vodril, who began to massage his temples as if nothing had happened.

To Nyle’s trained mind, it almost immediately appeared evident that the man in front of him was in such an unbalanced state of mind that he wasn’t conscious, or didn’t have any recollection, of his mad moments. It was like the moment his mind disappeared, leaving behind that broken countenance, his perception of self also disintegrated itself. So that condition was mainly a problem of the mind…

Now he understood why it had proved so difficult to heal.

“…Nothing. My bad. Anyway, let me introduce myself. I’m Inquisitor Nyle. I would like to ask you some questions.”

Vodril’s gaze wondered briefly towards Avron. “Who’s he?”

“He’s with me.”

“Huh.”

“Anyway, care to collaborate?”

“What…do you require of me?”

“Well, as I’ve said, we have some questions that only you can answer. You could help us greatly.”

“Questions? About what?” he asked confused.

Goood. It seemed like Vodril was going to finally answer him. It seemed like Nyle’s unluck was giving him a respite. Better hurry while that lasted…

“About a certain autopsy that took place some years ago.” said Nyle hurriedly. Turing around to reach inside the pocket of his trousers, he took out the very same parchment that he had somehow managed to sneak out the archive, the same one that was the only reason why they even tried to find him to begin with. After opening it up, he handed it to him. “Here. This should help you remember…”

“Why are you giving that to me? What is that? What’s going on?”

“High Physician Vodril, stay calm. Nothing is going on.” the first signs of a panic attack were begging to appear on that man’s face. To be fair, he didn’t care in the least about Vodril’s wellbeing. That was, after all, a man who was looked after constantly by the myriads of nurses that no doubly took care of him on a daily basis; and he certainly wasn’t any of them.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Still, he certainly cared about finding some answers to those questions that were swirling endlessly inside his head. And considering that he had been lucky enough to find Vodril on one of his good days, if one could call that state of confusion as such, he had no intention of wasting that opportunity.

“This is the same parchments that you wrote years ago. And this-” said Nyle pointing at an unspecified line of black ink. “Is your own calligraphy. Now, I understand the situation is not ideal by any means, but please read it. It is very important that you do so. Much is at stake.”

After voicing some more protests, where Vodril tried in any way, form or shape to refuse, Nyle was nearing the limits of his patience. He already had his own problems to deal with, and he had neither the strength nor the desire to take on more. Especially those of a madman that wasn’t even remotely familiar with.

Just as Nyle was almost fuming with rage, the door behind them suddenly opened. “Alright boys.” said Elros as he swiftly stepped inside. A single solitary drop of sweat was making its way onto his forehead. “I managed to take care of that. Somehow. Maybe. I believe? Anyway, you better fucking hurry. I don’t think we much time after all. Mayrin has always been smart. Maybe even too much for her own good.”

While Avron seemed almost relieved by that news, Nyle didn’t share the same…optimism. Not in the least. Sure, he was glad to know how that woman was called. He even briefly thought about helping her, if he had the chance to do it. That way, he could rely on her if he ever needed a favour.

But the frustration he was feeling inside him was too much to handle. “Dammit!”

“What? What’s going on?” asked Elros confused.

“Him!” said Nyle pointing directly at Vodril, who was glaring at him with eyes half closed. “He’s the problem! He’s making me lose my fucking patience at a record speed!”

A curse came flying shortly after that.

“…Does he understand what’s going on around him? Is he completely out of it?”

Now Nyle was the one confused. “How the hell should I know? You’re the one who should know better than anyone, am I right? So do me a favour, right? And tell me which version am I facing. ‘Cause right now I sure as hell don’t know!”

“Alright! Jeez, are all the members of your Ministry like you? Damn!”

The question, who was directly asked to Nyle, was left answered. Not that he had not heard it. He just was so busy trying his best to calm down that he feared he would grab that damned madman to shake him up until he regained some sense back.

The collar of that cream-coloured buttonless shirt he was wearing, which had a distinctive V-shape on which a lace had been woven to serve as a clasp, was so damned inviting that Nyle had some difficulties in stopping himself before it was too late. Even after Elros managed to convince Vodril, whispering some words into his hear, he still had that same impulse. Sure, he if did so, he would have only wasted his precious time by coming there; but at least he would have felt refreshed. Ahhh, if only he could be so-

A voice called out to him, making his daydreaming moment stop abruptly.

“I briefly talked with him.” said Elros.

“Yeah, I saw. And?”

“And I don’t know what you thought, but he’s not perfectly lucid.”

“We figured as much by now.” said Avron in a sarcastic, yet serious mannerism.

“Oh, yeah?” answered Elros, who clearly did not appreciate that tone. “Then why did you stay standing there like a good old statue? Did the cat bite your tongue? You know what, let’s…just get on with it. The less time I spend with you, all the better.”

“Of that we completely agree. I just don’t like you. Not one bit.”

“The feeling is mutual…”

“Yeah, you-”

Nyle snapped his fingers loudly. “If you’re done bickering like two fishmongers, I would like to listen to whatever the hell he’s saying. I’m already stressed out as it is.”

Everyone dropped silent. Only Vodril’s voice was resounding in that vandalized room. In a disconnected and almost unintelligible way, but it was something at least.

“Ahhhhhh. I…remember that body. Its wounds had something that I’ve always fou-I wonder what what’s for dinner? Bread? Meat? A combination of the two? Ohhhh I cannot wait-”

Shit. Now what? First he didn’t want to answer. And now that he decide to, he was out of it?

“The wounds, Vodril. What were you saying?” asked Elros in a soothing voice. Perhaps he was tyring to calm him down. To anchor him to reality.

“Oh, the wounds. Yes, of course. The corpse of the victim had wounds, incisions, lacerations, cuts all over the body. The killer, that piece of shit, was sentenced to death and executed the month after. I was not present but we sure got our hands on his corpse, you know? Ehehe.”

“Wait! W-What does that mean?” asked Nyle confused. Now that was something he had not heard, or read for that matter, before.

“Why, that’s obvious!” said Vodril. “We have conducted some experiments, tests, trails on the corpse to further explore the vast, infinite, and utterly unknown field that is medical research.”

Now Nyle looked confused. “Then why wasn’t that written in there? That’s an official report!”

In that exact moment Elros stepped forward. “I can answer that.”

Now, Nyle wasn’t a fan of secrets. Those were only going to cause much problems down the line than the ones they would prevent. He understood the need to have them, but he certainly didn’t like uncovering them. And that time wasn’t any different.

“You must understand that the Medical Order most important mission is, and always will be, the advancement of medicine, in any form or shape.”

“That makes sense.” answered Nyle nodding. “What I fail to understand is why the killer’s body was taken into your facility when the law clearly states that in those cases the sentenced remains must be either buried in an unmarked grave or cremated on a pyre. So, care to enlighten me why nothing of the sort has been done?”

Before Elros could answer him, Nyle noticed another tear of sweat forming on his forehead. Taking into account that he was the only one inside the room that was exuding so much sweat, and that the temperature wasn’t as high as to justify that peculiar sign, something was definitely off.

“…W-Wellll…”

Yep. He was definitely nervous. And now he had proof that he was not going to like what he was going to hear. But he played it well, making it look like he wasn’t bother by it. “Yes…?”

“…Oh, fuck it.” finally blurted out Elros after the initial resistance faded away. “The Medical Order has stipulated a deal to obtain corpses in a not so legal way. The same fate was probably handed to that killer of yours.”

“…Probably?” asked Avron confused. “What the hell does that mean? Also, do you seriously think we’ll believe that story? You must think us fools.”

Nyle felt Elros scoffing really loud beside him. Sometimes people would clearly manifest their emotions on their faces without any kind of filter to hide behind. That was one of those cases.

“You’re free to believe what the hell you want, boy. I couldn’t care less. However, it shall not change reality.”

“Oh, yeah?” said Avron in a tone of challenge that even Nyle found damn irritating. “Then, if that’s the case, why did no one ever find out of that shady dealing?

“Are you really that stupid?”

“What?!” almost shouted Avron.

“How could you, him, or anybody else that isn’t some big shot in this empire know about that? Or are dumb enough to believe that-”

“Hey, hey! Now, take that back. I’m not going to let you sully my honour with th-”

Nyle lost it. By now he knew that those two couldn’t get along even if their lives depended on it. He knew it, so it was no surprise they were acting that way. But all that bickering, that was also taking away what little time they at their disposal until someone would come knock on the door, or Vodril would completely loose it, was way too much for what little patience he had left in him.

“Will you shut the fuck up already?!” shouted Nyle. “Fuck. Can we get this thing going?!”

“It’s not my fau-” tried to said Avron to defend himself. But Nyle wasn’t going to listen to anyone this time. They were going to listen to him, or they would soon find themselves at the end of his fists.

“I don’t care. Just shut up, let me finish questioning thin…this madman, and get the fuck out of here. Alright? Till then, shut it.”

Without even waiting to receive a reply from any of them, Nyle turned around to face Vodril right in the eyes. “Anyway, please continue…”

“Huh?”

“…The wounds, you know?” asked Nyle. “You were talking about-”

“…Which ones?”

Nyle gripped the chair’s armrest to stop himself from launching an attack at that poor man. It’s not like it was his fault, right? But damn, it sure was hard to calm down.

“That parchment you’re gripping in your right hand. Those described there…”

A small light of recognition appeared inside that man’s eyes. “Ooooh! Those ones!”

“Yes.” said Nyle. “What else can you remember?”

“Weeell, the killer was-”

“You’ve already said that.”

“Ah? Oh. OH! I-I see. Then, the lacerations. All at the same length and depth. A master’s work, for sure. Even I would have difficulties, problems, hardship in being so precise. And the killer!”

At the mention of that monster who had killed those innocent souls, Vodril began to laugh manically, making Nyle even more uncomfortable than he already was.

“Yes, you’ve already said that his bod-”

“No! No, no, no. He said he was innocent. Can you believe it? Innocent?!”

“…Wasn’t he put to death by the executioner?” asked Nyle burrowing his left brow. “Also, what do you mean innocent? There must have been evidence of his guilt.”

Vodril laughed once again. “You don’t understand. H-he said he didn’t cu……”

He fell completely silent.

Nyle couldn’t believe it. He even tried to shake him up, ignoring the protests that were coming from Elros. But it was too late. The High Physician had reverted back to his catatonic state.

“Fuck!” exclaimed Nyle. “Fuuuuuck! Now, of all time?!”

Almost as if he had a sudden impulse, Nyle looked out the nearby window, looking up the bright sky. Now, he wasn’t a religious person. But he supposed that if gods even existed somewhere, they should have resided up above them common mortals. So, what better way to address them if not looking up the sky? “Are you fucking kidding me!?”

To no one surprise, no one answered to that sudden rant. Of course. What was he expecting?

“Uhmm…Nyle…” said Avron tentatively. “I know you’re mad, but I don’t think this is su-”

The mad stare that Nyle threw at the innocent rookie made him immediately fall silent.

“Do not utter another word.” said Nyle, trying with immense difficulties to calm down. “Both of you.”

No one dared to speak. Not even Elros, who was not only the main reason they had managed to talk to Vodril, or what was left of him, but was also a complete stranger to both Nyle and Avron, dared to do so. The not-so-subtle threat Nyle emitted from those beautiful hazel eyes of his was as powerful as it was pure that even the toughest men would have paused at least for a moment. Probably a hell of a fight would have ensued, but Nyle had to admit that look had saved him from trouble more than once. One thing he was forever grateful for.

As silence fell on the whole room, Nyle kept on staring at them for a couple of seconds more, trying to reach a conclusion to the debate that had sparked inside his head. Truthfully, he was damn tempted to pounce on them like a predator and lash out with his fists; or maybe kicks, which weren’t such a bad idea either after all. But he supposed it wasn’t their fault if Vodril had suddenly reverted to his…whatever that was. However, it was their damned fault if they had lost precious time, thanks to their useless bickering.

Nyle inhaled deeply. Better think about something else before he really lost it.

As he looked away, he got up ignoring the crazed mumbling that were coming from Vodril. A new addition to the mad and endless plethora that man seemed to possess, perhaps. Not that Nyle cared. He had come looking for answers, and was now leaving with more questions; it was no wonder that he felt frustrated against the whole world. It would have been strange otherwise.

He was about to grab the entrance door handle when Avron called him out from behind. He stopped and turned around sighing.

“Where are you going?” asked Avron. “Don’t we have to-”

“Look at him.” said Nyle with a sharp nod. “He cannot speak properly anymore, let alone answer some damned questions. He’s out of it.”

“…maybe we could try something else. I don’t know, like…”

Now Nyle gripped the handle with such brute force that it was a miracle that it had not snapped off its hinges.

“…Like what?”

“I don’t know. But-”

Nyle turned around and went out, ignoring the protest that were coming from Avron. He could have stayed some more, but he had enough. Even if only for the brief moment it took to reach the entrance, he didn’t want to hear anything else. He still had to wait for them, though. It was not like he could go out and leave that mess behind him like nothing had happened. But for that moment, he just needed some alone time, as short as that may be.