Krysia got the call for Gaius, who was busy making a poultice for the royal armorer. Something was wrong with the Lady Morgana, and Gaius was to attend to her at once. Krysia gathered up his things, fetched him, and the two of them went directly to her room. She looked like she was sleeping, but nothing would wake her.

They tried everything they could, but they had to explain to Uther that they weren't sure what was happening.

"Her body has simply stopped working," Krysia said slowly, touching the pale forehead of her friend. The king was watching them with a look like fear. Krysia would have appreciated that look more, if not for Morgana's illness.

"Why?" Uther demanded."You don't have an answer, do you? Nothing you've tried so far has worked. It's been nearly two days. And what do you know?"

Krysia was shocked. He really must be afraid to speak to Gaius like that.

Gaius took this in stride, however, and said, "I fear she may have some form of inflammation of the brain."

Uther frowned.

"What would cause such a thing?"

"An infection, possibly. Rest assured, I will do everything in my power to cure her, Sire."

When the king left, Krysia looked at Gaius with questioning eyes.

"Inflammation of the brain?" she asked. "What is there that we can do?"

"I'm really not sure," Gaius admitted. "It's a strange thing. Come. There is nothing we can do at present."

They came to the bottom of the staircase and Gwen was waiting for them.

"Is she any better?" she asked. Gaius shook his head and Gwen hurried up to change the sheets. Krysia understood the pain on Gwen's face. She felt it too.

Continuing on, they met Merlin on the landing.

"She's dying," Krysia said softly. "It's a miracle she isn't already dead."

The air didn't have time to stiffen between them before Merlin said, "No, you're going to cure her. You have to."

"Don't you start," Gaius said testily. "I've tried everything."

Krysia recognized that glimmer of hope in Merlin's eyes. Normally, that would have been her cue to tell him to mind himself, but this once she almost agreed with him.

"Perhaps," she muttered, glancing out at the sunny sky.

"What?" Gaius demanded.

"Maybe I could," Merlin began, but Krysia kicked him as a guard passed by and he fell silent.

Krysia smiled at the guard and said, "Good day!" When he passed, she lowered her voice and turned back to Gaius. "Perhaps there's something Merlin and I could do."

"If you're suggesting magic," Gaius muttered, "have you forgotten what happened with Gwen's father? This is not a magical illness. It must be cured by conventional means. We keep trying. See if you can find me some fresh rosemary."

He began walking away and Merlin protested, "There must be something more I can do."

Krysia grabbed his arm and led him away from Gaius.

"Come on," she muttered. "He'll be wanting yarrow too, I expect."

Later, Krysia was talking to Leon about the possibility of having a few of the not-yet-knights help with gathering herbs, as she and Merlin and Gaius were doing constant watch on the Lady Morgana along with their other duties.

"Instead of mucking stalls or something," she said. "Just a thought."

"Well, a few of them have…"

He trailed off, frowning as Arthur moved out to meet with a man who had stood in the middle of the square. Krysia watched the exchange as well, following Leon over Arthur's side. She didn't like the look of this man, with something strange and wrong with his face.

"What's your business here?" Arthur demanded.

"My name is Edwin Muirden," the man announced, "and I have a remedy to cure all ills."

His eyes met Krysia's and even without seeing the strange twinkling off them, his words made her instantly suspect him of sorcery. For a brief moment she thought she might even say so, but her mouth seemed stuck shut.

"Is that so?" Arthur asked, unbelieving.

"I beg an audience with the King."

"Our court has a physician," Arthur said, and he turned to walk away. Krysia was still watching Edwin when he responded.

"I hear the Lady Morgana was gravely ill."

Krysia could almost feel her blood turning cold. The man was no longer looking at Arthur, but at Krysia. Leon seemed to have noticed, because he moved a bit closer to her. Arthur stopped and turned back to look at Edwin once more. He said, "That is no concern of yours."

"I might be able to help her."

"Our physician has the matter in hand," Krysia said coldly, feeling the threat to Gaius keenly with this man's presence. Arthur turned to walk away again, giving her an apologetic look. Edwin's mouth twisted a little and his eyes seemed to sparkle all the brighter.

"I will be at the inn, in case you change your mind," Edwin called after Arthur, but he continued to look at Krysia. After a few moments of them just standing there, looking at each other, he confidently turned toward the inn and walked away. Leon put his hand on Krysia's arm.

"These things happen from time to him," he said softly. "You know this. Gaius is very old and young men who think to take his place come every few years. This one is no different."

But then why did she feel like she was going to be sick?

"I have to tend to Arthur," she muttered. "Let me know about the herbs."

When she got to Arthur's chambers, Merlin was pacing and Arthur was watching him. He gave Krysia a desperate look, but she just shrugged and sat down beside him, watching Merlin pace.

"It's gonna be all right," Merlin was saying in a long litany of comforting things in a very unsure voice. "It is. I know it is. She's gonna be absolutely…"

"Merlin," Arthur said sharply, and Krysia stifled a bit of laughter on the back of her hand as Merlin turned to look at them in surprise.

"You need to stop," she said gently, knowing how hard it must be for him. It was hard enough for her.

"You're making me anxious," Arthur said.

Merlin shook his head, confused, and said, "But I'm not worried."

"Then cut it out," Krysia said, still smiling.

Merlin sat down at the table, but he was tapping his fingers on the table, and Krysia rolled her eyes. Not even a moment later, Arthur had begun to pace, and she could feel the anxiety in the air straining against the walls.

The anxiety seemed to pervade the entire castle, and when Arthur and Krysia were called to Morgana's bedside where Gaius and Uther were attending to her, Krysia knew something was terribly wrong.

"I cannot preserve her life much longer," Gaius said gently. "She has hours, maybe less."

"We cannot let her die!" Arthur cried.

"Arthur," Krysia said, placing a hand on his arm, feeling her eyes well up. She didn't care that Uther was watching her familiarity with his son. They weren't servant and prince in that moment. They were two people who had played together as children, played with Morgana as children. "Please."

He wasn't listening, and he turned to his father, "There's a man, he came to the castle yesterday. He claims he can cure her."

"That's ridiculous," Uther said dismissively. "He doesn't know what's wrong with her."

"He claimed," Krysia explained, feeling coldness rise up inside of her, "that he has a remedy to cure all ills."

"Impossible," Gaius said.

"Well, for Morgana's sake," Arthur pressed, "shouldn't we at least hear him out? I mean, what've we got to lose? Please, Father."

"Arthur, he's no one," Krysia said, hoping he was that innocuous. "He's looking for money, a crook. He had no credentials to give you."

"I don't care!" Arthur said harshly. "If she's about to die, then what harm can it do? Give him a shilling! If there's one chance in a million that he can save her, then why not?"

Uther looked between Arthur, Krysia, and Morgana, and Krysia knew she had lost out before the words left his lips: "Send for him."

He was summoned to the council chamber, and Krysia and Gaius were asked to be there as well, for medical consultation.

He bowed low as they all entered.

"Edwin Muirden, Sire. Physician and loyal servant."

"Welcome to Camelot," Uther said in the voice he used when he wanted things from people.

Edwin looked directly at Krysia again and she felt uneasy. Gaius noticed this, and Uther was also turning to look at her, and she could feel a blush rising on her cheeks. Uther looking at her for too long could not be good.

"Forgive me," she said softly. "Have we met? I…."

"Not before this morning, my lady," Edwin said softly. She shook her head, feeling panic. "I would certainly recall a face as beautiful as yours, and I doubt you would forget a face like mine."

That was certainly true. It was grotesquely disfigured. Perhaps that was part of what frightened her, but she thought the coldness in his eyes had even more to do with it.

"Krysia is my servant," Uther said correctively, but with surprising kindness. "Do you really believe you have a remedy?"

"There are not many ills that I have not seen and successfully treated, Sire. So when I heard of Lady Morgana's sickness, I felt honor-bound to offer my services."

"You say you have a cure for all?" Gaius asked sharply. "An antidote for everything?"

"Yes," Edwin replied, turning his attention to Gaius for the first time. "Although it's not quite as simple as that."

"Gaius is the court physician," Uther supplied.

"You are indeed a legend, sir," Edwin said, a little bit too quickly. "I am delighted to meet you. I am curious to know what it is that has affected her."

"An infection of the brain," Gaius said sternly.

"And your treatment?" Edwin asked.

"Yarrow," Krysia supplied softly. "And rosemary."

"Yes, yes," Edwin said.

"To stimulate cerebral stimulation," Gaius explained.

"Interesting."

"Why?" Arthur said, a little bit eager. "What would you suggest?"

"No, no, no," Edwin said quickly. "That is all fine, all good. If that is...the right diagnosis."

"What would your diagnosis be?" Uther asked, keenly interested.

"Well, without examining the patient…"

"He cannot examine her," Krysia said, feeling that panic rising up in her again. It intensified when Edwin gave her a simple, knowing smile.

"Well, I would certainly need my equipment."

"Of course," Uther said. "You will use one of the guest chambers. Krysia will have it prepared for you."

"And consider my manservant at your disposal as well," Arthur said. Krysia wanted to hit him, but she certainly couldn't in front of his father. Why couldn't they see that something was very, very wrong?

"I will start work immediately," Edwin said, still smiling at her.

As soon as Merlin could be fetched, he and Krysia set immediately to helping Edwin Muirden to set up his equipment.

"Yes," Edwin said, proudly surveying it as Merlin set it up. "It was all originally designed for alchemy."

"Making gold?" Merlin asked, obviously trying not to sound surprised.

"You have an interest in science?"

Krysia raised her eyebrows at Merlin to let him know not to answer. Alchemy was only barely science. Mostly, it was magic.

"Science is an important field," she said sweetly. "To understand the working of things brings power."

"It has the answers to everything," Edwin said, smiling at her.

"Maybe," Merlin said slowly. He frowned at Krysia. "It can't explain love."

"So, you are in love?" Edwin asked. He seemed amused, and he glanced at Krysia once more. Merlin realized the implications and backtracked quickly.

"No. I mean feelings, emotions."

"You seem too bright to be just a servant," Edwin said, turning back to his equipment briefly before looking at Merlin and Krysia both in turn. She wasn't sure which of them he was talking to.

"I wouldn't let him draw you in," Krysia said dryly. "He's an idiot at best."

"Yes, we will need that," Edwin said as Merlin gestured to one last thing. "Now we must hurry to the Lady Morgana, before it is too late."

They followed Edwin with his things and Krysia tried to keep herself from feeling afraid as the entered Morgana's chambers with the strange man. Uther and Arthur were waiting there, and Krysia felt very uncomfortable. It was like this Edwin was being examined, tested.

"Put my equipment over there," Edwin said, gesturing where Merlin and Krysia could set his things on a table near Morgana's bed. "Sire, I would be grateful if you could have everyone leave the room. I require peace and privacy."

"Certainly," Uther said, nodded.

"That includes you, Gaius," Edwin said, and Krysia instantly disliked this man, this man who was ordering Gaius about.

"But I am eager to learn from your methods," Gaius said, and Krysia recognized that he was partly lying. He was eager for nothing but to ensure that this man was who he said he was. Perhaps she could find a way to stay?

Edwin shook his head and said, "Now is not the time for giving instruction. I will need all my concentration."

"Gaius," Uther said, in a kindly sort of warning. Gaius gave Krysia a look that plainly said that they were going to have to leave. There was no fighting that tone of Uther's.

Krysia and Merlin followed Gaius, Arthur, and Uther down the stairs to wait for a verdict from Edwin. Merlin paced a little before Arthur gave him a stern look. Krysia simply stared at the courtyard, wondering what was going on up there.

Almost an impossibly short time later, Edwin descended the steps again and Krysia turned, in full attention.

"Great news, your majesty," Edwin proclaimed. "You will be glad to hear it is not an inflammation of the brain."

Krysia's heart began to pound. What could he possibly mean?

"What is it, then?" Uther pressed.

"It is a cerebral haemorrhage."

"Haemorrhage?" Gaius repeated. "I don't think so."

"I found this trace of blood in her ear," Edwin said calmly, holding up a cloth with blood on it. Krysia felt a bit faint. How could they have been so wrong?

"God in heaven," Uther murmured.

"The severity depends on the site and volume of the bleed," Edwin continued. "If not treated, it can lead to coma, and eventually death."

"How could you have missed this?" Uther said, rounding on Gaius.

"Please, sire," Krysia said quickly. "I saw no traces of blood, and I am sure Gaius did not either. Perhaps the bleed is small enough that the traces are only just making themselves known."

It was possible, but the king did not look convinced. Edwin held up his hands.

"Please. Just thank the fates that you did not administer more rosemary to stimulate the circulation. Can you imagine what that might have done?"

Uther turned to Gaius to be told exactly what that might have done. Krysia's stomach sank.

"It may have increased the bleed," Gaius admitted.

"Is there a cure?" Uther asked urgently.

"See for yourself," Edwin said with a twisted smile, motioning toward Morgana's chambers.

When they entered again, Morgana was smiling at them, conscious. Krysia nearly fainted. Merlin caught her arm and steadied her.

"Morgana, this is truly a miracle," Uther said happily, sitting beside her on the bed, beaming. He kissed her pale forehead. "I thought…. I really thought…"

"Oh, you won't get rid of me that easily," Morgana teased weakly.

"What exactly did he give you?" Gaius pressed.

"I have no idea," Morgana admitted. "But thank heaven he did."

Krysia and Gaius exchanged looks, and Gaius motioned for her to follow him. Merlin stayed behind, watching Morgana with relief. Gaius and Krysia approached Edwin, who was walking up the corridor leisurely.

"Edwin," Krysia said quickly. He stopped and looked at her, letting Gaius and Krysia catch up. "I wanted to thank you for, whatever you did for the Lady Morgana."

He nodded.

"It was my pleasure," he said, continuing down the corridor with them in tow.

Gaius said, "She was all but dead, but you brought her back to life. How exactly did you do that?"

"I have developed an elixir for the treatment of just such an ailment."

"I'd love to know the ingredients."

"It is not yet perfected," Edwin said politely. "You must give me more time before I make it public."

Krysia licked her lips, trying to find some other way to question this man.

"Forgive me," she said, trying to sound young and innocently curious, making her voice as breathless as possible. "But I wonder, how did your face sustain such injury?"

"It happened when I was very young," Edwin said in a voice that made plain that he did not want to talk about it further.

"Perhaps it was I that treated you for it," Gaius suggested.

"I told you before," Edwin said. "We've never met."

"Yes, of course," Gaius said, giving Krysia a small motion. "Well, I'll leave you to your work." Gaius led her back around the corner and said, "Come. We have some work to do."

Krysia followed Gaius to the hall of records, where Geoffrey was pouring over some tome or another. Gaius cleared his throat and Geoffrey started, looking up.

"Gaius! Krysia!"

"Hello," Krysia said sweetly. "I'm sure you're very busy, but Gaius has a very important favor to ask of you."

"Well, anything for an old friend."

Gaius cleared his throat and said, "I wish to see the court records from the time of the Great Purge."

Krysia felt her stomach drop. She didn't want to see those records. She knew somewhere in them her mother's name was held, and perhaps even her own. Whatever this was, though, Gaius seemed to think it very important, worth risking. He must have known she would be safe or he would not have pressed the matter.

"What possible need could you have for those?" Geoffrey asked, stunned.

"I fear that the past may have come back to haunt us."

"All the more reason to keep the records hidden," Geoffrey said.

Krysia frowned. If Geoffrey didn't want to see them again, what horrible things were contained in those records? She swallowed. Still, what had to be done had to be done. For the good of Camelot, and therefore of Arthur.

"Obviously I know nothing of the records," she said softly. "But whatever it is you want to forget, I assure you that this is very urgent, and it will be worthwhile."

"The records are sealed," Geoffrey said, half apologetic, half relieved. "They cannot be opened. Uther has forbidden it."

"Geoffrey, I beg of you," Gaius pressed, but Geoffrey would not be moved. He shook his head.

"I'm sorry Gaius, but this time you ask too much. Even of me."