Beauty and the Beast

News travelled fast through it the outlying villages that the hanging would be of the man responsible for the murder of most of the royal family. The crowd around the gallows was larger than it had ever been since Vincent could remember. He took his seat on the balcony overlooking the gallows and sighed. There was an empty chair beside him, meant for the queen but in Vincent's case, it would have been for Beauty.

Gordon approached him and leaned to his ear, "We're ready to begin, sire."

Vincent nodded and stood to his feet, "People of this glorious kingdom, today we are finally given justice for the crime that had taken from this kingdom its greatest king and queen as well as the lives of three precious princesses, daughters and sisters. I am finally relieved to bring to you the murderer!"

The man was led out, his head covered in a black sack. He was beaten, and dragged up the steps to stand on the gallows. Vincent continued this time to pass judgment, "You are charged with five accounts of murder, three accounts of rape, and treason at its highest penalty. I find you guilty in the presence of these people, and the gods and sentence you to death by hanging."

Gordon signaled and the rope was put over his head. Gordon raised a hand and when Vincent nodded Gordon gestured for the floor to be dropped. The man fell his neck snapping.

"What about justice for us!"

Vincent stood up, puzzled by the meaning, "Is this not justice for us all?"

"Yes but what about the crimes you've committed against us? The innocent people killed by your men at your order? What about that poor woman you have shackled to your castle?"

Vincent's eyes scanned the crowd. The man who was making these allocations was well hidden, "Everything I have done, I did for you all."

"Rape? Murder? The Curse? We don't want your gratitude, monster!" A cheer erupted in the crowd.

"My lord, we need to get you back to the castle, now," Gordon spoke.

Vincent shrugged him off, "Those were deeds done in grief, I'm trying to make them right now!" He spoke in defense.

A tomato flew into the balcony barely missing Vincent. Soon followed other fruits and vegetables as well as rocks. Gordon Ture his body between Vincent and the assault as he forced Vicent out of the booth and back to the castle.

Vicent was livid. He had sacrificed so much and was even trying to right his wrongs and they hated him. Vincent moved to his throne after cleaning up and sunk into his throne. Gordon entered with Sarah soon after. Both swallowed hard when the saw the darkness in Vincent's eyes. The life and light that had been growing in them had extinguished to it way to the same gloom that had plummeted this kingdom into the state it was in.

"Gordon," he looked at his general, "close the borders and seal the castle. No one enters this kingdom or my grounds without my permission and no one leaves without the same."

"Sarah," he looked at the woman, "Beauty is confined to the castle. I'll not see her unless I call for her. No staff leaves this castle I don't card if their family lives in the village." That meant Sarah would not see her son. She fought hard to hold back her tears.

"If the people see me as nothing more than a monster no matter what I do, the a monster is what they will get. Now go!"

Soldiers moved through out the castle to lock it down and units were sent to patrol the borders anyone who was caught disobeying would be out to death.
 
(Sorry for it being so short >.<)

Malece had not stayed by the window. She had gone out for a walk in the garden, smelling the flowers and enjoying the sun. She had no idea what had happened at the hanging, how the people had angered Vincent. She did however, have a bad feeling reach into her gut. She looked back at the castle, having walked past the graves and towards the apple orchards. She could hear the faint yelling coming from the distance. She knew something was wrong. She began running back towards the castle, the guard that had been near by following after her.

She reached the castle to see a few maids crying in the halls. "What happened?" she asked them. The maids could not answer her as guards moved past them to walk out the two large glass doors. They seemed to be heading to guard the grounds but the one that had been following stood in front of the door, looking back her with pity. Something happened with Vincent.

She did not wait and she ran through the castles halls, looking for Vincent but when she reached the throne room and tried to enter she was blocked by the guards. "I wish to speak with the king, please let me pass," she asked the two guards. "We are sorry, but we have orders to not allow you audience with his majesty," they said. She looked shocked, and she feigned that she leaving, but as soon as they retracted their guard of the door, she turned suddenly and opened the doors, rushing past them into the throne room.

She say Vincent, how angry and depressed he looked as he sat there. Before the guards could escort her out she moved closer to Vincent. "What happened?" she asked, looking confused and shocked. She didn't understand because she had not been there. Why was he so angry? Why did he not want to see her? Had she done something wrong?
 
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Vincent had just sat back down as the chaos of the lockdown unfolded. Windows and doors were lock and barred, servants were ordered to their quarters, not even allowed to say a proper farewell to their loved ones. Guards swallowed hard as their king's foul mood forced them to do things they wished they never had to do again ever since Beauty had arrived.

There was a brief commotion outside his throne room doors just moments before they were thrown open and a worried Beauty came rushing in. Vincent's eyes were full of rage at her unknown defiance of his orders. Sarah caught the look and before Vincent could do something he regretted later when he calmed, she ran to the woman and gently but urgently placed her hands on her shoulders. Sarah's silent tears ran down from her reddened eyes.

"Come, my lady, the King does not want to see you. I really must get you to your room," Sarah said as her eyes shifted from Vincent's to Beauty's, "My lady, please save your questions. I will answer them all."

Vincent's jaw clenched and Gordon sought to distract him, "My lord, I will have two guards posted outside her door. This won't happen again," he bowed silently and sighed when Vincent nodded.

"Good," he dismissively waved. He slipped very easily back into his monster, "If it happens, Gordon, you will suffer and I will chain her to that bedroom. I only see my collection when I wish to gaze upon it, not the other way around." Vincent coldly turned from Beauty and sat back in his throne.

"Come, my lady, we should hurry out," Sarah urged her on.
 
Malece's face fell and her eyes widened at what she saw. She froze at what Vincent said, her face filling with hurt, unable to hear Sarah's urges to pull her away and out of the kings presence. Her eyes lined with tears and they fell, leaving thin trails against her cheeks. Her eyes remained open with shock and hurt as she continued to look at him, watching him look away from her and sit back down on the throne. How could he be so cruel to her? Malece felt pain filling her chest as she was pulled away from Vincent. She pulled away from Sarah and ran out of the throne room. She did not bother going back to her bedroom, instead she ran past the guards and ran outside past the men who told her to stop, but she did not stop, not until she reached the grove of trees.

She hoisted herself up, uncaring of the cuts she would most likely have on her hands from being careless. She climbed to the top of the tree and leaned against the trunk, crying softly to herself. How could she be so stupid? To think he was changing so quickly... to think he actually cared for her... was naive of her. She should have known better then to let herself get carried away by his gentle smile and his attempts to make her happy. She was nothing but a piece of his collection.

That thought caused her heart to throb with pain, so much so she had to grip her shoulder and squeeze her eyes shut. She was so stupid...

~*~

"Why didn't we just take him out, Isaiah?" Thomas asked his brother fury lining his voice as they sat in the room they rented at the local inn.

They had followed Malece's captive after the man had taken her the first time. They had followed all the way back until they saw the castle. Every time that monster would cut another dead person from the horses but never bothered to bury them, Isaiah's hatred would only grow. His sister was the only one the man had stopped for when she fell to her knees, getting dragged by the horse. The only reason they had not killed them all at that moment was because his sister was lifted up and held against her captor, along with the other woman that were too weak to continue. After that, they could not risk letting Malece get hurt.

They spent the rest of that day burying the dead and then burying their father before they hatched out a plan. Kale was to bring the others to Capora and then meet them here at the inn, but it had been days and Kale had been late so they had gone back to look for him when they saw their sister being helped by that man to bury Kale's body. They did not know what happened, but they let her go with the man for now, wanting to make him suffer for hurting their sister.

"Patience Thomas, we've done enough so far at the hanging today. If I'm right that bastard is going to lock down the kingdom, which will make it easier for us to get the townspeople on our side," Isaiah said, sitting in one of the two chairs in the room. Thomas groaned in frustration as he joined his brother, sitting down. "How do we plan on getting to Malece?" he asked Isaiah, looking worried now. "We'll kill that monster first then slip away with Malece back to Capora. We'll let the townspeople deal with the guards. From what I've heard of this curse, their as good as dead anyway," he said to his younger brother. Isaiah's concern was getting Malece out of their safely, no more no less.
 
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Vincent sat angrily upon his throne. These ungrateful people would know a monster, he would make sure of it. They took advantage of his moment of weakness because of Beauty, but now that she's been removed from the equation, there would be no more weakness. They would see the strongest Vincent they ever had and they would beg for mercy he no longer allowed. Monster. They haven't seen one yet.

"Gordon!" Vincent roared as he searched for his trusted friend. The general hurried to him and bowed, "Gordon, take men to the square and find the men who spoke out against me. Anyone who refuses to aid is to be publicly flogged. I'll not have disrespect, especially on the day that should have been one of celebration. The man responsible for the death of the royal family was brought to justice.

"My lord, are you-" Gordon tried to reason.

Vincent's eyes fell on him with anger, "Do you too see me as weak, Gordon, that you would question my orders?"

Gordon bowed and shook his head, "No, my lord, I'll carry out your order just as you say."

Vincent didn't even acknowledge his commander as he shooed him out. He would show them.
------
Sarah chased after Malece as she ran from the castle. She begged the soldiers to give her a chance to retrieve he woman before They acted upon Vincent's orders. She finally caught up to her but could not climb the tree. She looked up and spotted the woman between the branches.

"My lady, please. I do not wish harm to come to you. Please, Malece," Sarah begged the woman, "He can be harsh, but he is a kind man. I'll find out what happened and maybe we could fix it. I cannot do this without you." Tears rolled down from Sarah's eyes. She wanted to see her son again, but she could not without Malece's help. She would not guilt the woman into doing this however, it would need to be her choice.
 
"Let's go, I have a feeling we'll be meeting with some guards soon if we stay here," Isaiah said as he stood up from his seat. The older brother was not very concerned when it came to his well being. He could handle anything they brought to him, he had scars to attest to that, but Thomas was still a boy. He would break with little pressure and Isaiah did not want his brother to experience that. The male grabbed his bag, looking around the room once Thomas had everything, making sure they left nothing to tie them to this place. "Keep to the tree's until everything dies down. I'll learn what I can," the older male said to the younger. Isaiah opened the window and patted Thomas's shoulder, the younger male climbing out the window and onto the roof of the inn moving into the trees, climbing high up and hiding in the trees. Isaiah waited, looking around to make sure no one watched before he closed the window and walked out down to the main area of the inn.

"Leavin' already boy?" a deep gruff voice called to him. The inn keeper had been paid nicely to forget their faces. But the man shared Isaiah's hatred for the king. "Yes, I feel a storm coming," Isaiah said, changing the tone of his voice so he sounded younger. He had done the same in the crowd, his hood hiding his face as he yelled, his tone deeper then normal, but he had not moved like his voice had suggested. He did not take any chances especially with Malece in the equation.

"I hear king's been closing off the exits of the kingdom 'nd sendin' out guards lookin' for the bastard that caused the scene today at the hangin'," the inn keeper said with a smirk. "I hope they never find 'em. Bastard knows what he's saying. Poor girl. Saw 'er buyin' some spices in town this mornin'. A guard was followin' 'er 'nd fore the hangin', she went back to the castle. Poor girl, looked sadder then a kicked pup," the inn keeper gossiped, but hearing that his sister had been allowed out even with a guard escorting her, was surprising, but hearing that his sister was sad was something that caused Isaiah's anger to grow even more so. So she was being mistreated... that bastard king would pay for causing his sister any sadness.

The inn keeper seemed to ignore Isaiah as he continued to talk. "She's a looker, beautiful as the late princesses, rest in peace. Now those girl's were innocent 'nd I'm glad the piece of shit bastard was finally caught, but the king's goin' too far," he continued, but Isaiah just nodded his head. "I might be back later, see ya," Isaiah said in the oddly toned voice he used to hide himself. The inn keeper just nodded his head and continued to go about his business as Isaiah left.

It was time for Isaiah to learn more about this curse from the source and put the wheels of his plan in motion.

~*~

Malece was holding onto the tree trunk as she sobbed quietly. At first she ignored what Sarah was saying to her but after a while she calmed down. She climbed down the tree until she was on the ground. "Please help me move my things back to my old room... I don't want to be near the king for a while..." she said, wiping the tear stains from her cheeks. "I don't want to anger him any further," she said, her voice mono tone as she spoke to Sarah. He had hurt her once more and this time she didn't want to see him any longer. She wanted to be alone from everyone, like she already was.

She turned to Sarah and bowed her head. "I'm sorry to have over reacted," she apologized to the older woman. She didn't have any more strength left in her to try and help Vincent once more. Her heart ached terribly and she can't handle this much pressure at the moment.
 
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Two weeks passed and the kingdom fell into despair. Vincent was true to his word in every respect. Those who were caught violating his new orders of seclusion were put to death and people began to grow more and more angry toward their king. Vincent wouldn't to hear any of it. They wanted the monster. He saw it in the square the day they hung the man responsible for his family's death. They cried out for his life. It didn't matter he was changing. It didn't matter that he'd fallen in love.

What was love anyway? Vincent had two weeks to think of everyone that had transpired since he added Beauty to his collection. Love made one weak. It made powerful men do stupid things that left them vulnerable and powerless. It gave hope to a man that did not deserve it. It made things hurt all the more when everything fell apart. How could Beauty ever love him anyway? It was that hope that killed him. She could not love the man who butchered the people she loved, captured her, separated her from her family and led to the death of another man she loved even when he had tried to do something good. He knew it now more than ever. Vincent knew he would always be the beast that everyone had called him. That Beauty had called him.

Vincent sat on his throne when the doors swung open and a representative of the village, the only one he ever permitted to enter and exit the castle, walked in. He bowed respectfully, his hands and knees shook with fright as he moved escorted by two armed guards.

Vincent was looking over reports when he looked up, "What now, Stephan? What other complaint comes from the ungrateful people of the kingdom?"

Stephan swallowed hard and took a step forward. His eyes were glued to the floor, "M-my King, th-the people a-are getting sick. M-many are dying."

Vincent looked coldly down to him, "And?"

"We need your help,my lord," he begged.

Vincent was silent for a moment before he broke out in laughter. He didn't speak until he was done, "No."

"My lord?" Stephan asked. Every eye looked on in disbelief as Vincent refused to aid his people.

"You all think of me as monster. I tried to change and even then, I was a monster. So a monster is what you'll get. I'll not aid people who have nothing but hatred for me," he answered.

"But-"

Vincent shot to his feet and glared down at the man, "No!" He yelled. Stephan bowed, defeated by the monster, and left without a word.

Sarah looked up at Vincent, her heart broken for her king had been replaced by this...monster. Vincent faltered as he watched Stephan wonder out. She watched as he pulled a white handkerchief from his pocket and coughed into to. When he pulled it away her eyes saw specks of blood and fear in Vincent's eyes, as well as resolve.

Vincent hurriedly stuff the handkerchief into his pocket. No one must know that he was sick. His eyes flicked to Sarah and she frowned. Sarah knew, but was told not to tell anyone. Vincent was freeing his people of their monster. There was no way for him to repair his name other than be willing to go down in history as the cruel king they all thought he was.

Vincent felt all the strength leave his legs as they gave out and down he went. He crashed onto the floor and rolled down the steps that emptied into the rest of he throne room. Man and woman moved a like to come to Vincent's aid, but it was Sarah who took charge. Vincent, too weak and tired to resist, allowed his men to carry him to his room.

"Call for Beauty," Sarah ordered, "She is the only one who can save him. Pray to the gods they she will be willing."
 
The two weeks that passed were spent alone in silence. Malece refused to speak to anyone, even Sarah and even if Vincent called for her, she did not come, but he never did. She did not even eat with the king. She would wake up early and gather some food and would eat that in her room, alone, for that day. After a few days, she began slipping out of the castle, going to the orchard without anyone knowing. If the guards knew, they made no mention of it to the king, but she was tired of being cooped up in that room.

Since the day Vincent reverted back to the monster he once was, Malece had moved her things back to the old bedroom she had originally been in. She did not want to be near Vincent, not after what he had said. Her nights were filled with constant tears and no one could stop them. But after a few days, she stopped crying at night and she stopped speaking to anyone.

That day she was already cleaned and she slipped down to the kitchen and gathered some foods and water before she, once again, sneaked out of the castle to the orchard. Malece, at this point, stopped bothering with hiding herself as she made her way to the trees. She would use the gloves given to her and she would climb to the highest branch that could hold her weight, before she would lean against the trunk and just close her eyes. Most of her days were filled with her thoughts. Thinking about her brothers, her mother and father and often times, she thought about just killing herself so she could be with her parents. But then her eyes would wander to garden where the graves of the innocent royal family lay and she would remember she did not have the choice to die. She still had her promise to keep.

"Beauty?! ...Beauty?!" the sound of a guard yelling for her name caused her eyes to open. It had been a few hours since she had gone outside and she did not expect anyone to come and look for her, unless Vincent had seen her.

The guard stopped at her tree and looked up. "Beauty? Sarah sent for you. The King has collapsed," hearing that, had Malece's eyes widening.

Suddenly, her bundle plumeted down, causing the guard to jump back in surprise. She was climbing down so quickly that before the guard could come forward to the trunk to look up to see her, she dropped down. "Take me to the king," she said, picking the bundle up.

They moved quickly, almost running to the castle and once they were inside, a maid met with her and from there, she was brought to Vincent. She entered the room and her eyes widened. Just from the smell, she knew what this was. "Quietus pestilentia," she whispered to herself. Going over to the bed, she ripped the covers that covered Vincent off and before the guards could stop her, she turned Vincent onto his side, opening his airway and letting him cough out the blood that would have pooled in his lungs otherwise. "Cloves, boil 15 cloves in a small pot," she said looking to a maid. "I need someone to keep him on his side like this, while I make the paste to put on his back," she instructed. She looked up looking as everyone remained still and she was suddenly very annoyed.

"Do you want him to die? I only have a few hours before that will become a reality," her voice was harsh, but lined with worry and pain. The maid she had spoken to a few moments earlier moved and went to do as she asked. And a guard set his weapons down to help, but she stopped him. "Get a clean cloth and cover your mouth, everyone, must cover their mouth with a clean cloth," she instructed.

She did not need to, because she had already survived this plague.
 
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They carried him straight to his room and laid him in his bed. He had forced himself to be strong and hide his sickness for so long that when it finally won over, he was eager to give it what it wanted. His life. Vincent had done no good for so long that there was no redemption for him and the only way to atone for his sins was for him to die slowly and painfully. He had lost his family, his kingdom, and Beauty. She was the only one that could save him but he had hurt her so many times, so badly that he would have been surprised if she came to help him.

Guards lined the hall outside his door. Servants and Sarah huddled around him. Each with a task to care for their cruel king. How hey could be so kind when he had been so cruel was beyond him. Even Sarah stood over him running a damp washcloth over his forehead.

"Don't worry, my king, I've sent for help," she told him as tears ran down her cheeks. She was trying so hard to be strong, he could see it. He wanted to reach up and wipe away those tears but his arms were so heavy.

They pulled his sheets over his burning body. He tried to kick them off, but again he was too weak. His breathing grew more and more difficult but he could not speak to tell them so. Only he chest rose and fell shallowly by no one seemed to notice. So this was what it felt like to be dying? He closed his eyes and squeezed a tear down his cheek. He welcomed his punishment.

Then the covers were gone suddenly. The rush of cool air was more than welcoming and he would have sighed if he could have pulled in the air to do so. Small, but strong hands gripped him and rolled him to his side. The taste of copper filled his mouth immediately. He started coughing blood and Sarah reached for a bucket just as he vomited a mixture of blood and bile.

"Gods..." Sarah gasped, "Malece, he's really dying?" She didn't even care that she called Beauty by her real name. Her king was dying and if he did, then it didn't matter if he didn't know her name or did. He would be gone and in the history books as the cruel king that he truly was not meant to be.

Vincent didn't catch the name. His wheezing and gagging drowned out all conversation. He still did not know who was turning him and had reintroduced him to cool air. Finally he pulled in enough air in a gasp. His eyes still shut, too weak to open them.

"Sarah...Beauty...t-tell....s-s-sorry," Vincent spoke his breathing still labored.

Sarah looked up at Beauty, "He doesn't know you're here," tears fell freely from her eyes unrestrained as she placed a fresh cloth over her mouth. Sobs rocked her chest like a big sister who was watching life slip from her little brother, "Please don't die," she begged him through the cloth.
 
Malece instructed the guard to hold Vincent by supporting his back, but holding his arm so he did not roll onto his belly. As he coughed and wheezed, expelling the toxic blood that would have filled his lungs, she watched as everyone fastened fresh and clean clothes over their mouths. Malece was busy unbuttoning the kings shirt, moving the pillow so it supported his head but was not in the way, when she heard him wheeze out an apology to her, not knowing she was here. If she had not gone into her healers mind set, she would cried, but instead she leaned down towards the kings face, using a dampened cloth to wipe the blood and bile.

"I am right here Vincent... but I will not accept your apology until you are well again. You are not allowed to die, not while I breath," she began, her voice soft but stern as she spoke, "You are to fight as hard as you did in the forest to protect me, do you understand?" she said firmly as she finished cleaning his mouth.

Hearing Sarah's sobbing made Malece pull away from Vincent and look at her. The brunette stood from the bed and stood before Sarah, grabbing her upper arms, not with a painful grip but a firm one. "You listen to me, your tears will not help save him. I need you to put your sorrow aside and help me," she said firmly to Sarah. Just then the other maid came in and informed her that the cloves have been boiled. "Good, have everyone drink a glass of the liquid, starting with everyone in this room," she instructed.

Turning her attention to Sarah, she took her hand and walked with her out of the room. Once outside the room, she turned to the older woman. "I need to make many things quickly if the king is to survive. Can you help me?" she asked the older woman, wanting to keep her mind occupied.

Once she had an answer she looked to a guard. "I need Gordon to meet me in the kitchen and I need two guards to help me carrying the things to the king's chambers," she asked, looking as two strong guards stepped forward.

Nodding her head she rushed her walking down to the kitchen and once there she went to work, pulling out everything she need and telling Sarah what to do and how to do it. Certain things she gave instructions to the maids to prepare for them in the kings chambers. "And I also need a tub of water large enough to fit the king inside, not warm, I need the water to be cool," she instructed.

The kitchen was busy and filled with the medicinal smell of everything she was making.

When Gordon finally joined them, she looked to him. "I am assuming the village is just as bad if not worse then the king. If this is so I need you to inform the villagers to dispose of all fish, dried or just caught, burn them in a large ditch before burying the remains. I also need the villagers to start drinking the boiled clove liquid," she instructed. "Before you say, you must honor your kings orders, if the king survives this yet everyone in the village is infected, he will catch it again and this time he will die in a matter of hours instead of weeks," she spoke as if she knew from experience what was happening.

Of course she knew what was going on, she had experienced this as a child and her mother had saved everyone including the king and queen of their kingdom.

As she had spoken to him, she had been grinding green herbs and one of the boiled cloves into a paste that would be used on the king but before she could apply it, he would have to soak in cool water.
 
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Vincent's mind raged on though his body lay dying. He had done so much harm and this was his punishment. He knew it, but Beauty refused to let it be carried out. She refused justice her judgment. He didn't understand it, or her. He had hurt her more than anyone he could think of and yet she told him to fight, that he was not allowed to die as long as she lived.

Perhaps that was his punishment? Dying would remove him from seeing all the things he had failed; his family, his friends, his people, Beauty. True punishment, the kind he deserved required that he face his failures everyday for the rest of his life. They required that he be reminded of just how much of a monster he really was.

A tear slid down his face and into the pillow as he continued to cough up the blood undoing all of Beauty's work to clean him up. The cool air against his burning flesh drove shivers throughout his body, then the room emptied some. The comfort of Beauty being near faded and his mind once again wondered to exactly what she was doing. He loved her and had hurt her dearly. Perhaps she knew this and was using it to punish him further. Everything in life seemed to be just that.

He shook harder as the chills grew bolder. His body too weak to fight them off. His eyelids slid open long enough to catch sight of a tub being brought in and then he was lowered back onto his back. He felt the strong arms of his men grip his shoulders, legs and body as they lifted his sickly form from the bed and lowered him into the water. He groaned in agony as his body screamed from the flux of temperature. It felt ice cold and he almost swore that if he could open his eyes the water would either be steaming or boiling from how hot he felt.

The water splashed gently against him as his shivers grew. Couldn't they all just let this be over? Couldn't they just let him sleep and fade away into nothing? He was tired of fighting, tired of failing.
----
Sarah followed Malice's instructions to the letter. Her sobs had long since ended giving way to only the occasional rock of her shoulders from the remnants of her breakdown. They had to save the king and the villagers and Malece seemed to be their only hope.

Perhaps some god was looking out for the kingdom the day that Vincent rode out and attacked Malece's caravan. If she had not struck him as a thing of beauty then, they all would have perished to this sickness. It was quite ironic that the prisoner of the king would be the one to save him, and to do so eagerly it seemed.
 
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Malece was very busy and she worked hard. It had been a 20 minutes since Gordon left to do as she asked. She packed everything into a basket and had different maids bring it up to the kings chambers, along with another large pot of the boiled cloves. They were instructed to remove the sheets of the kings bed and burn them, and put a fresh and clean blanket along with another blanket to cover him. He would need to be covered once he has soaked and the treatment was done. "I need a clean bucket brought to the kings bedroom as well and a change of clothes for him, something the is loose enough so it does not suffocate him and make him over heat again," she instructed.

Once everything was prepared and put into the basket, she filled another pot with water, cloves, and wild leaves she had been gathering whenever she went out. Only placing one leaf in the water and she began boiling the water, making sure not to mix it.

I'll need to gather more of these leaves for the towns people.

Turning to Sarah, she handed her the last basket. "Take that up with you, I will be up in a moment, I have one last thing to make," speaking softly, yet firmly, to the female. Once she was left around, she faced the wooden counter, letting out a shaky breath. She was terrified that she might not be able to do this. You will do well, just trust you instincts and your lessons. She could feel her mothers voice in her head telling her this and she nodded her head, gathering a small leaf and a listening to her own heart beating in her chest. Looking up at the ceiling she murmured to herself, "Guide me mother."

Turning to the guard, she asked him to take the pot up to the kings chamber. Once he was ready she followed behind him back to Vincent's room. When she entered everyone had set everything as she had asked.

Nodding her head she set the things in her hands down. Bringing the small leaf with her, and a filled glass of clove water to Vincent. She lifted his head, cradling it against her while she opened his mouth, placing the leaf on his tongue. "I know you're tired Vincent, but I need you to chew that leaf, even if it's only one bite," she said softly to him, her voice soft so not to give him a headache. She could feel he was cooling down, but he would be warmed up in just a moment.

Her own body gave off a bit of heat as she held his head up, supporting it.

Lifting her head, she looked at the guard who had carried the pot she had just boiled, with cloves and that leaf she had put it on his tongue. "Be ready to, slowly, pour the boiled mixture," she said to the man, who nodded in agreement.
 
Vincent heard the door open again and the room was filled with a fragrance that almost made him vomit. He swore that it probably would have smelled good if he weren't fighting for life. Would someone get rid of that smell! He begged silently as his eyes cracked open and he caught sight of Beauty. His eyes closed and when he reopened them, she was gone. He had been seeing things.

Next, he felt small, soft hands and arms slide under his head and felt the soft warmth of a body under his head. His mouth was opened and something was dropped on his tongue then he heard her voice. She wanted him to chew, but holding his eyes open was such a hard task. Against the cry of his body he did as told chewing just once before ceasing. He wanted to do more, to show her he was not weak.

Next, a soldier began to slowly pour warm water into his tub and the temperature changed once again. His fingers gripped weakly at the rim of the tub but there was little else he could do. Slowly, his eyes opened and he wasted no time as he moved them on Beauty. A single tear fell from his face not in agony but in sorrow for what he had done to the one woman he had loved. He had no idea if she felt the same, but he had destroyed her life. This was not the cruelest end fate could give him and in that moment he wished for it. He could never expect her to forgive him and he knew she would never love him, so maybe justice for what happened to her would be a fitting gift.

His lips parted ever so slightly to speak but nothing came out. He licked his lips and his eyes shut but his lips stayed parted, "S-sor.." He managed and his brow narrowed ever so slightly, "D-die." Another tear slid down his cheek and he weakly nodded if she questioned his meannh so that she would understand. He would die for her justice. That was his gift to the woman he loved.
 
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Malece raised her hand, telling the guard to stop. He had poured only half of the mixture into the tub. She waited then, watching as the water swirled with the foreign liquid before they mixed together, reaching a comfortable level of warmth. Just cool enough to keep his body from shivering, but still on the warmer side. Malece seemed to relax slightly. "Good, it wasn't too late," she whispered softly. She looked to Sarah then. "I need the green paste you made," she said softly to her. She had not let anyone too close to the king and everyone in the room had a clean cloth covering their mouths.

Hearing Vincent she turned her attention back to him. "Shhh... rest your voice, rest your eyes, I will not let you die," she whispered into his ear. "You are a fighter Vincent, so fight," she added to him as she was handed the bowl of paste. She took a bit onto her finger tips and she tilted Vincent's head back, slightly, before she began gently rubbing the paste onto his throat, spreading it gently along his neck, coating every inch.

The paste caused a numbing sensation, that spread to the back of Vincent's neck, and dulled the raw soreness in the males throat.

She then rested his head back, moving to the front of him, removing his soaked shirt. "I need the black paste now, it is in the small basket," she asked, holding her hand out for the bowl. Once in her hand she began spreading it along his shoulders, chest, and abs. "I need someone to hold him while I put this on his back," she said, looking as one of the guards stepped forward, kneeling down and took her instructions, leaning Vincent forward and she quickly went to work, covering his back with the black paste.

This paste brought warmth to Vincent's body along with a soothing sensation that seemed into his body. It relaxed his muscles and she would not be surprised if he fell asleep, but she needed him to stay awake. Once she finished with his back, she leaned him back once more, with the guards help.

"In 30 minutes I will need a warm bath drawn for him to clean the paste off and I will need the bed sheets changed. Be careful and have these sheets burned outside," she instructed softly.

She then brought the cup up, letting it sit a bit to cool down. She held it to Vincent's lips and she helped him drink it very slowly. It would have stung but this time, it felt like drinking warm water. With him drinking that, she made sure he swallowed the leaf as well. He didn't need to drink the whole glass, just enough to feel warmer and to wash the leaf down.

"The hardest part is done," she said sighing in relief.
 
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Sarah relayed all of Malece's orders to the proper people. While the healer and a soldier tended to Vincent, his sheets were stripped from the bed and replaced with fresh ones. A fresh pair of clothes were brought in for him and laid out on his bed. A second tub was brought in and after some time was filled with water to Malece's specifications.

Sarah didn't relax until she heard Malece talk about the hardest part being done. She sighed and glided to Malece's side, "Will he be okay?"
----
Vincent's head lulled about and after the cup of water, he was struggling to fight off sleep. His blurred eyes caught sight of Sarah speaking with Beauty. The woman's words echoed in his mind.

"Fight as hard as you did for me in the woods..."

"You're a fighter, so fight..."

"I won't let you die..."

Why? Why did she fight so hard for him? Wh did all of them fight hard for him? He was a monster. It made no sense to him. No matter how many times he told them to just let him to they would not. They were more unwilling to give up than he was and he was the king. He never had fought for what was right, believing it easier to just do the easy thing...like locking Beauty away.

His eyes fluttered open and his hand weakly gripped her wrist. He had to tell her. He had to fight for what was right. He had to fight for her. What if she didn't believe him? Or worse, she did not feel the same? He felt his eyes growing heavy again. He groaned as he pushed them open, maybe if she could see them, she would believe him.

"I...love.." He swallowed hard and his eyes closed. Too tired.
----
The room grew still and silent for the words their king spoke. Sarah knew immediately what he tried to say but wether the others did, or more importantly, if Malece did. Vincent would surely give way to this illness if he lost this battle, the one for her heart. The odds were not in his favor, but perhaps, he had lucked out and the glimpse of the real Vincent he had shown Malece would be enough. She held her breath wondering what Malece would do in response to the now sleeping King's words.
 
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At Sarah's question, Malece was about to answer, about to stand, but Vincent held onto her wrist. She brought her attention to Vincent, looking into his exhausted yet relaxed body. "I..love..." he had said looking at her before he let the exhaustion, the need to sleep, take over. Malece's eyes were wide with shock and her eyes watered slightly as she sat there in silence. Why did he say that? She knew what he had meant to say but why did he say it? It must have been the exhaustion. He must have been seeing things... right?

She finally looked around, seeing everyone in the room staring at her. A single tear slid down her cheek and she shook her head, sniffling gently and wiping the stray tear away. "Th-The hardest part is done... let him soak in the tub until the paste on his neck dries and starts to fleck before cleaning him in the other tub... excuse me..." she said , before excusing herself, leaving the room rather quickly. Once in the hall she made her way down to the kitchen. Walking out towards the garden and towards the grave stones she knelt by the grave stones.

Looking at each stones, she hugged herself as she sat there, her chest aching. "Why do you have to make feel so confused?" she whispered softly as she looked at her lap,, hugging herself.

After a few minutes, she stood back up and began gathering more of the leaves she had found. It was like the gods had them grow just so she could save this kingdom. Follow your heart Malece. Follow it and you will be happy. She could hear her mothers voice whispering to her as she carried the leaves into the kitchen. She took a few glass jars and put a bit of soil on the bottom of them before filling a bit more with water and placing the leaf stinking into the dirt, submerged in the water. She did this for about five jars before setting them on the bright windowsill so they could grow. Better be safe then sorry, if this illness returns.

She filled a deep bowl with cool water and brought it up to the king's chambers, her expression blank as she entered the room. She set the bowl down before helping the guards move Vincent into the clean warm tub. "Throw that water into a clear patch of dirt," she instructed.

She did most of the cleaning, since she didn't want anyone else to become ill.

"Everyone who has been in this room needs to drink another glass of clove water and another when you wake," she instructed as they removed the king from the second tub. Drying him off, she helped dress him before laying him in his bed. Pulling the blanket up, covering Vincent who looked a bit better.

"Also... please do not mention what the king said earlier... It was just delirium I'm sure... I'd rather not have an awkward explanation once he is better... please," she asked everyone who had been in the room. She had resolved that Vincent had just been too sick to realize what he said and who he was saying it too. She couldn't let him confuse her once again. She was too confused as it was, with these emotions inside.

~*~

Whenever Vincent slept, Malece would teach the local healers at the village how to make the proper things. She would even go to the village itself and she would help the villagers. Only a few were too far gone for her to save, but she relieved their pain so they could spend the last few moments of their lives with their loved ones, without being in pain. She did anything and everything to keep her mind busy. And before long, most of the ones already 'asleep' were awake and recovering, slowly but surely.

She made sure to teach the people how to avoid it, when to drink the clove water and when not to. She even taught them how to clean the already sick. With the guards help, she was able to supply everyone with what they needed and prevent anymore deaths.

All the time she did this, she listened to the peoples complaints and she, politely, spoke with them.

She had many points that they could not argue back against. It was easy for her to tell them what the King had done for her and use it as an example to let them know he had been changing... but no one believed him and his reaction was a reaction of spite because he was upset on the inside. How could he change if they did not give him the chance to do so?

When she was not with the king or the villagers, she was often times in the orchard, helping with the harvest of the apples. She would climb the trees and help get the best fruit. Again anything to keep her mind off of what the king had said to her before he fell asleep.

When he would wake, she did not bring up what he had said and she put on her healer facade to distance herself from him... even though she did not want to.
 
Vincent struggled often while he was awake. Holding his eyes open and even speaking were exhausting, but when he was awake, he would often fight to stay awake long enough for Beauty to arrive if she were not there already. At least he did until he saw her distancing herself. Then staying awake became more of a chore. The only reason he had fought to live was for her, and she did not feel as he did. If this illness would not take him, perhaps a broken heart would. Or was this a part of his punishment too? Was he too wicked for death and only deserved to suffer until time had had enough?

Beauty would go about her business as if he were just another patient and that his words had never been spoken in the first place. Each indifferent gesture shook the dagger of her rejection all the more and it was hard for him to determine which hurt more. He had failed all things in life, his family, his friends, his kingdom....Beauty.
----
It was Sarah who first sway the pain her king was in. They had all heard his words and who he had spoken them to. She knew that Malece was wrong and get Vincent did not speak out in delirium, but that he spoke from his heart. This was confirmed the first time Vincent realized that Malece would not return such words. When he had closed his eyes and she had left, a tear fell from his eye. She quickly wiped it away and his eyes fluttered open. Their eyes met for only an instant and she saw in them the pain...all of it.

She saw all his failings, his loss, and Malece's rejection crush his spirit. She saw in him a desire to prove everyone wrong, but no reason or know how. It broke her heart, but his eyes fell closed before she could speak to him. What could she do? Nothing.
-----
"Mother! D'ya hear? The king fell ill to that plague," Telra spoke to her mother.

Selphia stood from her chair, leaning slightly on the cane at her side. A smile spread across her aging face as her daughter, no older than their king, delivered the good news. Perhaps now, he would suffer for his crimes. Perhaps now, he would be forced to pay for raping her daughter.
 
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Malece had been sitting with a family in the morning, smiling as their son, who had been close to death, opened his eyes and coughed. "Good, let it all out," she encouraged, helping the boy lean over the edge so he could spit into the bucket. Now that the boy was awake, she left the healers that had been helping her treat the villagers to take over. Observing everything while she stood with the boys parents. "I thought it was the beginning of the end, bless you miss," the father said to her She looked a little confused, but thanked the man. "Why did you think it was the end?" she asked the man softly. "'Cause of the curse, miss. Selphia's curse on all of us," he said, whispering the woman's name as if saying it would bring more evil upon them.

Malece looked a little confused. "Where can I find this, Selphia?" she asked the man, who looked shocked. Then again, Malece was very different from them all. She was not a superstitious woman, did not believe in curses, but she would have to meet this woman to see if it was true, if this was the so-called curse she placed on the kingdom. The man hesitated before he told her where to go. She waited for the healers departure to foloow the mans instructions and pay a visit to this Selphia woman.

As she came upon the described house, she noticed a few things that were familiar to her. The hung herbs, set out to dry. The clay bowels, painted in various colors, scattered about the area. This all reminded her of that old woman's house... the one who got her mother killed. "Witch." The wind blew her hair back and her dress, a simple pale grey, was pushed against her legs a moment before she took a step back. Her leather boots making a soft padding sound against the ground.

She sighed and took a moment before she made her way to the door. Knocking on the door, she waited for someone to open it.

~*~

Isaiah had to jump into the bushes when he saw his sister walking towards the witches house. He had just finished chatting with the woman's daughter about the kings condition. His sister looked different, sadder if possible. But that determined look in her eyes told him everything. The king was not going to die any time soon. His sister was healing the man who had killed their father and separated her from the rest of her family. What was she thinking? Isaiah waited, watching as his sister just stood there alone, letting the wind blow her hair back, before she walked up to the door and knocked on it.

What was she doing here? he asked himself and then he realized it. She was going to ask about the curse. These villagers never stopped talking about it and she had been in the village for most of the week, teaching and healing the people who deserved to rot with their monster of a king.

When the door opened, Isaiah slipped away and headed back to the Inn. He needed to talk to Thomas.
 
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Vincent's eyes fluttered open and his head rolled to the side. His eyes fell on Sarah and he smiled weakly, "Hey," he spoke weakly.

Sarah smiled back as she sat up in her seat. Her hand wrapped around Vincent's and she squeezed it gently. This was beyond rank, this gesture spoke volumes of the love and respect she had for Vincent. His smile faded and he tried to pull his hand away, but she would not let go.

"My lord," she spoke gingerly.

Those two words spoke in that manner broke his barriers. Sarah was here for him and she would not let him go. The weakened ruler cried out in agony held in for so long. The sorrow of everything he had done, everything he had lost....and every he had failed to obtain, poured out in that one moment. Sarah quickly dismissed the help and took her place on the edge of the bed. Her own tears and sorrow adding to his.

"It will be okay, Vincent, it will all be okay."

Vincent knew she was lying. After all, a man like him did not deserve okay. He deserved exactly what he had been given, nothing but heartache. His own people hated him. So Vincent let her speak her words though no truth would become of them.
----
"I'll get it, mother!" Telra called out as she hurried to the door and pulled it open. She gasped as her eyes fell on the woman the king had been keeping as a trophy, "H-hello, i-is there something I could h-help you with?"

"Who is it, Telra?" Selphia limped her way toward the door. Telra looked over her shoulder and then pushed e door open wider so her mother could see. Immediately, Selphia frowned. Not because she disliked Malece, but because she understood what the woman was goi through. Vincent was a monster, the monster who raped her daughter. That same monster was holding this woman against her will. Gods only knew how many times he had raped her or what else he had made the poor woman do.

"Come in, do come in!" She hurried toward her chair, "Telra, fetch Malece a cup of tea," she smiled slightly. Knowing Malece's name was a divine thing. Her way of showing some of her gifts.
 
When the door opened, Malece did not look shocked, although she was. She had not expected to see such a young witch, but when the woman looked at her, stuttering slightly as she spoke, Malece looked at her with a bit of confusion. "Who is it Telra?" so this was not Selphia. Malece let her eyes wonder slightly, looking around the home before her eyes landed on the woman who limped forward. The frown on the older woman's face was a bit of a confusing gesture. Malece could feel the witch looking at her with pity and she did not like it. "Come in, do come in!" "Telra, fetch Malece a cup of tea," now that was a shock. The older woman knew her real name. Everyone in the village only knew her as Beauty. The only person who knew her name was Sarah and a few guards and servants who had heard Sarah call her name.

Malece looked at the door frame and she touched the carved wood, whispering something to her self before she stepped into the house. She did this at every home, a habit she learned from her father. He had respected every home he went to.

"Thank you for allowing me into your home," she said, following Selphia. The limp was starting to concern her. Her eyes focused on the older woman's limp and she followed it to the older woman's back. Malece held her basket still as she was offered a seat. Sitting down, she could smell the scent that was filling the house. Counter measures to the plague... it's not doing a very good job. she thought to herself. The plague had already seeped its way into this place and the incense they burned was only slowing the process down. Again Malece said nothing. She came here to ask about the curse and from the smell, Selphia was not responsible for the plague.

"I'm sorry to have come unannounced... but I wanted to speak with you, if you would allow it?" Malece asked, showing respect to the stranger.

When Telra returned with a cup of tea, Malece diverted her attention to the young woman and she offered her a gentle smile. "Thank you," she said softly. Taking a sip of the tea, she smiled. "Rosemary, Jasmine and rose petals... and a hint of apple?" she asked, unsure if they had added any apple or not. Malece knew her tea's and herbs. "It's good for nourishing your skin, hair and your eye sight," she said, looking at the liquid in the cup. It had been strained of the herbs and was just the liquid. That was something that old woman did.

She took another sip before she looked up at Selphia. "I seemed to have been distracted from the reason I came here. My apologies," she said softly. She held the cup on top of her basket as she looked at Selphia. "I had my suspicions about this curse I've been hearing the villagers speak of. But no one has told me about it, only the assumptions they have and who was the caster," Malece began, her voice never changing, respect in her voice. "I had begun to think that you might have caused the plague that had been ragging the village, but after seeing you for myself, that assumption was all but proven false," continuing on, she smiled, "Only a fake would use a plague as a curse. You knew my name, something only a few people know and have chosen to not say as per my own request. Your knowledge of it has proven to me that you are a more respected person."

Malece took another sip of her tea. "To the point... I would like to know about the curse... what caused you to cast it... and if there is anyway to reverse it."
 
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