The Queen's Physicians were based out of the Hospice of the Blessed Maiden, which had only opened a short time ago. Previously a two story warehouse in the West Docks of the Midland District, the Hospice of the Blessed Maiden now took in patients that suffered from blood veil for treatment during their final days. The Queen's Physicians were hard at work, but between treating patients at the hospice and the house visits they went on, they had little time to work on a cure. Griffin hoped that he could meet with Doctor Davaulus and offer the Queen's Physicians copies of Falenas' notes on blood veil. He wasn't sure if the notes would help the physicians, but at this point, there was little else he could do to stop the plague.

Griffin had cleaned up after his fight at the Carowyn's manor, changed out his ruined clothing for more fine clothes, and approached the hospice with his cane in hand. It was evening by the time he made it to the hospice and there wasn't anyone in sight. He felt that there should have been guards at the hospice but figured that no one would want to risk infection by raiding the hospice. Griffin was thankful that it would take time for the gossip to spread about who he really was as it gave him an opportunity to arrange the meeting with Doctor Davaulus without complications. Time was running out for him using his family name's influence and he intended to take advantage of it however long he could on behalf of his friends.

When Griffin opened the front door to the hospice, he was greeted with the scent of alcohol and medicine from within the room. He frowned and stepped inside, taking note of a half a dozen people seated in a dingy reception room. Based on the sores across their faces, the patients waiting were in the advanced stage of blood veil. A burly woman wearing heavy gloves on her hands and scarves across the lower half of her mask remained seated at a desk across from the entrance. Behind the woman was a leather curtain with Griffin hearing the moans of the sick behind it. He cautiously walked to the desk, careful not to touch any of the infected waiting, and tapped his cane to the ground to get the woman's attention.

"Yes?" the woman asked, disinterested. "You don't seem sick to me."

"That's because I'm not here for treatment," Griffin said. "I would like to meet with Doctor Davaulus."

"The doctor's a busy man," the woman waved her hand dismissively. "I can take your name but you'll have to wait."

"I don't have to wait," Griffin shook his head. "Please, let him know that Griffin Vossler wants to meet and that I am willing to provide him with notes on blood veil and a potential cure."

The woman rolled her eyes. "Give me a moment. I'll see if he wants to meet. Don't go behind the curtain while I'm gone."

"Of course. I wouldn't dream of intruding."

With a shrug, the woman stood up, lifted up the curtain, and stepped inside the sick ward. Griffin waited patiently, although he didn't take a seat. A few of the waiting men looked at him but didn't bother the noble. Griffin was fortunate that after everything that happened in the city, he hadn't fallen sick to blood veil. He must have been more resistant to disease than he thought he was.

After a few minutes, the woman returned and held up the curtain.

"The doctor will see you now. I'll lead you to him."

"Excellent," Griffin said with a smile. "Thank you. This meeting will be worth his time."

With that, Griffin made his way further into the hospice to meet with Doctor Davaulus.

Without his notes and the supplies he was provided with, Falenas was left to make a cure from scratch. When he made it back to his clinic, he took inventory of what he did have to work with but quickly grew frustrated. His clinic wasn't stocked with the materials he needed to combat a frustration turned to anger, and before Falenas knew it, he was on a rampage. He knocked down shelves of vials and alchemical regents while yelling out in anger. The destruction didn't help clear his mind and he knew that his anger wasn't at the situation he was in but at himself for his choices leading to this moment.

Eventually, Falenas collapsed down to the ground and curled up while crying quietly. He felt so alone and had no one to blame but himself. He should have known that the others would have found out the truth of his past and that he should have come clean to them. Falenas couldn't blame Viera for wanting him out of her life. Gaedren had tormented her as a child and she had every right to want the crime lord and any of his associates dead. He thought he was fortunate that he was spared and allowed to leave, but now, he wondered if it would be better off if he was dead.

Falenas didn't know how much time he spent on the ground. One moment, he closed his eyes, and the next moment, he snapped awake at the sound of someone knocking at his clinic's door. He glanced toward the door, shook his head, and turned away. As a healer, it was his duty to help those in need, but right now, Falenas knew he wasn't ready to help anyone, especially now that his store was a mess. However, whoever was at his front door kept knocking on the door with the thudding growing louder.

"We're closed!" Falenas called out, growing annoyed with the knocking.

Thud. Thud.

"Seriously?" Falenas groaned. "Did you not hear me?! We're closed!"

Thud. Thud. Thud.

"I can't believe this…" Falenas muttered under his breath and stood up. "What part of 'we're closed' don't you understand?!"

Thud! Thud!

"Fine!" Falenas growled and walked over to open the door. "If you're so insistent on bothering-"

After opening the door during the middle of his ranting, Falenass stopped mid sentence when he saw that it was Takota at his door. Takota dropped his arm by his side and looked at Falenas with a frown. Falenas grimaced, realizing that Takota would have learned about what happened from the others. If there was anyone who had a grudge against Gaedren more than Viera, it was Takota. He lost his parents when Gaedren murdered them years ago. It had taken years for Takota to avenge his parents by taking down Gaedren, and now, there was only one loose end for the Shoanti to deal with.

Silently, Falenas stepped aside to let Takota inside and closed the door behind him. Takota's eyes went wide at the sight of the destruction that took place before his arrival. Falenas grimly noted Takota's holstered weapons, and while it was possible that the Shoanti had just gotten off of patrol, he figured that his friend had motive for bringing his weapons. Of his former companions, Falenas thought that Takota was the closest friend he had as he did what he could to look out for the archer. Falenas didn't approve of the changes that came with Takota enlisting with the Sable Marine Company but respected his friend for his unwavering determination. If it came down to it, Falenas wouldn't resist Takota taking revenge for the alchemist working with Gaedren.

"You've heard of what happened today, haven't you?" Falenas asked, stepping further into his clinic.

Takota nodded silently.

"Before we continue, would you mind hearing me out?"

After a moment of thought, Takota nodded.

"Thank you," Falenas said with a sigh. "It was never my intention to lie to all of you for long. I didn't think it was a good idea to tell you that I worked for Gaedren when we first met given that we were plotting to kill him, but after we had gotten to know each other, hiding the truth weighed heavily on my mind. I kept telling myself that I couldn't tell the truth, but it wasn't because I was in too deep, but rather, because I was ashamed of myself."

Falenas shook his head slowly and walked over shards of glass. He ran his sleeve across his eyes before continuing.

"My brother, Delrick, was addicted to shiver when he was a few years older than you are now, but he never overdosed. I was there for him and I made sure that he overcame his addiction. We graduated from the Royal Korvosan University together and took over the family business. I handled the alchemy and Delrick handled the customers. Life was good for decades even as I had to watch my brother grow old while I never changed…"

Falenas glanced down at the ground before mustering the courage to look back up at Takota, who crossed his arms and kept a stoic expression.

"I may be an elf but I know nothing of my people's culture, tradition, or ways," Falenas admitted. "It's funny that the others at the orphanage made fun of me for the way my eyes looked and my pointed ears when I had more in common with them than I did with any other elf. Yet I will outlive you by centuries, just like I did with my Delrick."

Falenas clasped his hands behind his back, trying to keep his composure even as he felt his eyes tear up.

"I couldn't sleep after Delrick passed away of natural causes over fifty years ago. I isolated myself from my family and watched as my business fell because I couldn't comprehend why I had to outlive everyone I cared for. I ended up taking shiver to help me sleep, and after that first dose, I was hooked. Gaedren, a young man in his prime, was the one to sell me the drug, and he saw an opportunity in me, an addicted alchemist. I became Gaedren's personal alchemist, and while I was never involved in his violent crimes, I helped make the drugs he peddled to the city's underworld. It took me four decades before I was able to break free from him and overcome my addiction on my own."

Falenas could feel more tears run down his face as he continued his confession. He grew quiet when he finished his story.

"When we met on that fateful night, I wasn't out to avenge Delrick, but to make up for my misdeeds. So, let's get this over with and finish what you've set out to do."

It had been a painful road to recovery, and even then, Falenas' guilt lingered in the back of his mind. He always tried to find a way to occupy his mind on something else so that he wouldn't be overcome with the shame he felt for working for Gaedren and for being in a vulnerable enough position that he went along with the crime lord. Had he been stronger, Falenas may have been able to overcome his melancholy and avoid taking shiver in the first place. He tried to make up for what he did by trying to shut down any drug dealers in Korvosa but it wasn't enough. Falenas could spend centuries trying to make amends and it wouldn't be enough in his mind.

Takota remained silent throughout the explanation, the hardened features of his face were unchanged. Yet, now that the story sunk in, Falenas could see Takota's eyes soften. Falenas shook his head, realizing that Takota was thinking about forgiving him when he didn't deserve forgiveness. It would have been better for him to take his revenge for his parents. Falenas wasn't involved in the violent crimes Gaedren committed but did nothing to stop them. Slowly, Takota stepped forward and clasped his hand on Falenas' shoulder tightly.

"Don't do this, Takota," Falenas whispered. "I worked for Gaedren."

"Gaedren used you," Takota corrected the alchemist. "You weren't thinking clearly back then."

"I should have known better," Falenas muttered. "I was Gaedren's healer when he-"

"Gaedren was the one who killed my parents, not you," Takota firmly told Falenas. "You are my friend. You helped me avenge the loss of my parents. You saved my life when we confronted the Cow Hammer Boys. You've worked so tirelessly to find a cure for blood veil. You are not my enemy."

"Viera and Griffin would disagree with that," Falenas said with a sigh. "They cast me out of the group and took my research notes. There's nothing I can do."

"You're wrong," Takota shook his head. "You're one of the smartest men I know. If there's anyone that can find a way to earn the forgiveness of our friends, it's you. All you have to do is get through the pain you feel and think."

Falenas wanted to argue that there was nothing else to do but his mind went blank. For the first time since his secret came out, he had the support of a friend. Takota had every right to be furious with Falenas and it came as a shock that he wouldn't hold a grudge against him. Falenas believed that he could never earn the forgiveness of Viera but that didn't mean he could give up. He had centuries left to make amends, he only needed to think about what he could do.

"I have an idea," Falenas said as he wiped away his tears. "Takota, can I count on you to help me?"

"You can," Takota nodded, releasing his grip on Falenas shoulder. "What can I do?"

"Go upstairs to my apartment," Falenas explained, stepping away to look over what he had left to work with. "I need you to grab food from my kitchen. It doesn't matter what you bring as long as it's appetizing."

Takota blinked in confusion. "Are you hungry?"

"I am but that's not the point," Falenas said. "It's a long story but I know someone who may be able to tell us what we need to do. We just need to get her to open up to us."

Takota nodded, and without question, made his way upstairs to get the food Falenas requested. Falenas had a plan in mind, and while it made him uncomfortable, he had nothing left to lose. He made his way into the backrooms of his clinic and pulled the tablecloth off of a chest he kept hidden away. Falenas opened the chest and ignored the rest of the contents in favor of grabbing a vial of pink liquid. He frowned to hold the elixir in his hands but it would give him the opportunity he needed to get his answers. It only took Falenas a few seconds to empty his waterskin and refill it with the pink-colored elixir.

With the preparation out of the way, Falenas opened the storage closet that he and Verik locked their prisoner in. She had fallen asleep in the hours that went by and gasped awake when Falenas pulled her out of the closet. The elf jester kept quiet as Falenas adjusted her chains, leaving her hands freed while her feet were chained to a stool. She caught a glimpse of the mess Falenas made in his clinic when Takota opened the door, carrying a basket of bread rolls and cheese.

"What did I sleep through?" the jester yawned.

"Nothing important," Falenas waved his hand dismissively. "Takota, thank you for gathering some food for our prisoner."

"Prisoner?" Takota questioned as Falenas took the basket from him.

"Griffin, Verik, and I caught her leading a horde of zombies while looking into a missing bard," Falenas explained and set the barrel down on the table in front of the prisoner. "We never found the bard and I believe that she knows more about blood veil than she lets on."

"But I'll never tell," the jester said in a cheerful yet taunting tone.

"We'll see," Falenas grabbed his waterskin and set it down on the table next to the basket. "Be that as it may, I treat my prisoners fairly. Takota, if you would stand behind her in case she tries anything."

"You can trust me," the jester smiled as Takota stepped behind her, taking his crossbow out. "Could you give me a fork and knife?"

"Absolutely not," Falenas shook his hand and took a step to be in front of the prisoner. "Now, eat up. And you must be parched as well."

"You're no fun," the jester sighed and reached for a bread roll.

Falenas waited quietly, knowing that the elven jester wouldn't answer any of his questions yet. For whatever reason, she was determined to keep her secrets to herself. However, she didn't consider that he had a plan to get her to answer his questions. She quickly ate the bread roll she grabbed before reaching for the waterskin to wash it down. As soon as she took a sip, Falenas could see the slight change in her eyes. He clasped his hands behind his back tightly and nodded.

"Is something the matter?" Falenas asked.

"I never realized how handsome you were…" the jester said quietly and set the waterskin down.

"Huh?" Takota blinked in confusion.

"I just gave her an elixir of love that I stole from Eel's End after I killed Devargo," Falenas explained matter-of-factly. "Trust me when I say I would never consider using such a foul potion unless it was necessary."

"You killed Devargo?" Takota questioned.

"It's a long story," Falenas shrugged. "Takota, while I have no intention of taking advantage of her in such a state, I'd like for you to shoot me if I step out of line. Now, let's start off with your name."

"My name's Jolistina," the jester told him, leaning in as close as she could despite being restrained to the stool. "The way you speak reminds me of my darling Rolth's silken tongue. I should introduce you to him so that you can join in our fun."

"Rolth?" Falenas gasped and locked eyes with Takota to see that his friend was as alarmed as he was. "As in Rolth Lamm?"

Jolistina nodded with an eager smile. "You've heard of him then! He's as dreamy as you are."

Falenas bit his tongue to hold himself back from screaming out foul curses while Takota's knuckles grew white in anger. Rolth was the son of Gaedren, and while Falenas had never met him before, knew of his reputation. Rolth was even more terrible as his father with the necromancy he practiced and Falenas had witnessed the aftermath of one of his spells when Gaedren called for healing. A few weeks ago, Falenas and Takota had cleared out one of his labs on behalf of the Korvosan Guard but they hadn't encountered the necromancer. Falenas knew that it was only a matter of time before Rolth sought revenge but never knew he would take such a drastic approach.

"Rolth's involved," Falenas muttered quietly before continuing with the interrogation. "What does Rolth have to do with blood veil?"

"I don't know," Jolistina said with a high-pitched giggle. "He's been so busy for weeks with his new employer in one of his laboratories that he hasn't told me what he's up to. Rolth asked me to kill a bunch of rich bastards and their servants as long as I spared any healthy Varisians."

"Like Ruan," Falenas nodded. "Yet you disguised the dead with symptoms of blood veil."

"That was one of Rolth's wonderful ideas," Jolistina told Falenas, grinning. "If I had escaped, who would have suspected me of killing them?"

Falenas frowned and shook his head. "What did you do with the Varisian man you found?"

"I gave him to Rolth," Jolistina answered, fluttering her eyelashes seductively. "He showed up the morning after the massacre with two men in bird masks, took the prisoner I had, and suggested I lay low until this whole plague business blows over. I wish I knew where he went. He's into pretty blond elves like you and me."

"And that's going to haunt my nightmares," Falenas muttered under his breath.

"Bird masks?" Takota questioned. "What do you mean?"

"I… I might know," Falenas said and snapped his fingers. He walked over to a shelf and opened it to pull out his physician's mask. "Jolistina, is this the kind of mask you're talking about?"

"It is!" Jolistina answered cheerfully. "Not that you need one with how handsome you are."

"So Rolth's working with other healers," Takota commented. "Do you know anyone that might work with him?"

"Masks such as these have been banned since blood veil broke out as a way to prevent others from posing as members of the Queen's Physicians," Falenas said, his eyes going wide. "Rolth is working with the Queen's Physicians."

"But they were appointed by Ileosa to help combat the plague," Takota pointed out but wasn't convinced.

"It's certainly the perfect cover to help blood veil spread," Falenas said, shaking his head. "I'm afraid that we've spent too much time doing nothing while our enemy has been right in front of us all along. It's the Queen's Physicians that are behind blood veil. I'm sure of it now."

A/N: Not much to say here. Writing Falenas' monologue about his past was probably one of my favorite scenes to write given the thought I had to put in it. It's been a while since I've had to write something like that.

Until next time.