12 April
1813:
My future seems more desolate than before. My attempts to
find a cure to this disease only results in failure, and so there are
more deaths every day. People no longer trust my remedies, so I can
no longer find any way to test these formulas, the results of my
daily stress and toil, and my research has gone to waste.
19
April 1813:
A glimmer of hope has made it's way into this
darkness. All of last night I had been working on a new cure made of
plant products that were said to treat minor sicknesses. With further
investigation, I may yet find a solution to everyone's problems.
26
April 1813:
I think it unbelievable, how many different directions
one fate can turn. After much insisting, I was allowed to test my
newest remedy on a young girl who had recently been stricken with
disease. The very next day, all traces of illness had left her and
she awoke from her sleep to smile up to everyone. The effect of that
smile was somewhat light-heartening, I admit, as well as the
enthusiastic gratitude she gave me as I was leaving. The
golden-haired child was probably too young to truly understand what
was happening, but it still made me feel like an important part of
the world; my creation had been necessary for her survival. My cure
swiped her from the jaws of death. Had I not been brought into
existence, then that innocent young girl would be dead next week.
I
shall begin preparations for a new batch. Perhaps my luck can be kept
at this new high for at least a while.
16 May 1813:
My
recent success has reached farther than I thought, for news of my
accomplishments has reached a bed-ridden count in the distant Castle
Lacoste. They want me to come immediately to his aid, so I am
preparing to leave very soon. When the carriage arrives I will be
leaving this village, perhaps to meet with a brighter future; a
future of quiet research and more comfortable living arrangements.
Something like excitement is brewing within me, I don't believe I've
ever been so thrilled since I was a child filled with the simple
fantasies of youth; to amass enough knowledge that I would be able to
create an elixir of life, that I would be able to stop death from
ever striking down another human being. A foolish thought from my
childhood, but still...If I can save the life of a little bright-eyed
girl from a fearsome pestilence, perhaps it's not such an outrageous
dream...
20 May 1813:
This carriage is fast approaching
Castle Lacoste. Both my initial thrill and anticipation have been
dulled by the long journey, nevertheless, I've been going through my
notes in hopes that I can diagnose the count quickly and begin
preparing medicine for him. I see a dark cloud approaching, and it
will soon cover the moon leaving me no light to write by. It doesn't
matter, the carriage has reached the castle gates. Even in this pale
light I can see it is a magnificent structure; the towers that jut
out from this place are too high for me to see the tops of, but my
vision can make out stone walls and iron doors. Strange how the
darkness of night can make the place look so menacing, but such is a
deception of the lack of light, and though it makes for an awe
inspiring illusion, this warped appearance of the count's castle are
no reflection on those who dwell within it. A pair of servants
approach, I must depart.
21 May 1813:
My first day in
Lacoste was...eventful, to say the least. After waking in the room
that was set aside for me by order of the count (who I had not yet
seen) I went through my medical books once more and changed into
appropriate day-wear. Then two servants (the same pair who were
charged with collecting my things and bringing me in the night
before, Zexion and Lexaeus) came to inform me that I would see the
count in the afternoon, since he was still asleep, and until that
time I would be shown around the castle. There were many twisting
corridors and the placement of the rooms seemed irregular and
unpractical, but the general decorum of the hallways displayed the
count's wealth to the fullest...as well as a general taste to the
most garish colors imaginable. Rooms that I made careful note of were
the library (which I would like to see more of, there is much
knowledge to be had there and it would merit for further
investigation if I ever find the time and had permission), the main
hall, the kitchen (where I would have my meals with the servants),
and the Western Wing, or the private chambers of the Count a few
others, which I was only allowed to enter if I was summoned. While
Zexion was explaining the Spartan timetables of the castle (Lexaeus
rarely spoke) I glanced outside to the gardens. To my amazement, I
saw towering hedges that wound about themselves, forming complex
passageways that spiraled out to the extent of my vision. Ensnared by
my own fascination, I paused to look out the window, only to be
yanked forward by a hand that grabbed my shoulder. Lexaeus shook his
head as he released me and Zexion, in a low hiss of a warning
said,
"You will go nowhere near the labyrinth if you know
what's good for you, in fact, you should have nothing to do with the
outside."
He turned around and continued like he hadn't said
anything. I bit down my curiosity to follow them, but that exchange
puzzles me even now.
Later that day, I went into the West Wing
with Zexion, who carried lunch for the lord of the castle and for the
countess who was, at the moment, comforting her husband. After
knocking and waiting for our entry to be approved, I finally was able
to meet my patient, Count Marluxia. He was younger than I expected,
he was dressed in silk bedclothes and his hair was an unkept mess. At
his bedside was Countess Larxene, dressed in a blue gown, running a
hand through her ailing husband's hair. She was smiling, but from
what I could see her face wasn't used to contorting that way.
"You've
brought the doctor?" The count's voice was raspy and hoarse from
his illness. "Very good Zexion, now leave us."
Left with
my patient and his wife, I began an examination of the count, and
after a thorough check and description of his symptoms, I concluded
that this was the very disease I had found a cure to. He sighed in
relief and thanked me most graciously as I told him this, and as I
was leaving to go and prepare the medicine I heard him say to the
countess,
"You know, Larxene, if he's as good as they say, we
may have found a doctor worthy of our court."
So now I am
charged with the preparation of medicine for Count Marluxia. If I am
able to assemble the required materials, and assuming nothing goes
wrong, I should be able to finish before morning. The count will be
fit by this time tomorrow.
23 May 1813
Dr. Vexen, Court
Physician to Count Marluxia of Castle Lacoste... I think I rather
like the sound of that, as much as I enjoy my new large workspace,
unlimited access to the library, and endless supply of whatever
ingredients I may require. Now that Count Marluxia is back to full
health, I need only to create a batch for a few sick servants and
then I may begin my own investigations. But I am tired after all
these sleepless nights and I'm forcing my eyes to stay open as I
write. Tomorrow I will continue, but tonight I have to sleep. The
batch will be ready to distribute in the morning. Tomorrow
then...
[End of Part One
Rating: G (Warning: The later
chapters spike up to PG-13 and later to R) No warnings for this
chapter
Summary: Dr. E.N. Vexen is a gifted scientist whose
achievements in curing a plague in his village reach the ears of a
count in the far away Castle Lacoste. Told from Dr. Vexen's
perspective, this is the first installment of the series, in which he
first arrives at the castle and meets those who live there.