A Trial of the Mind

JP with Largehobbit, Winteroak and Cindy

Nicholas!

It hadn't been lost on Islana that these souls must be dead. While, Toman was a sad fate as any child's death would be, she had never personally met the boy. Didn't really even know his connection to Wim but could guess.

This was different, Nicholas had been a friend, though not as close as others. She couldn't help but feel a twinge of sadness over this development. Still, there wasn't time to linger in it, as the man said, there was work to be done.

"What would you need us to do, Apothecary Nicholas?"

She used to refer to him as Apothecary Nicholas, and he would call her Young Lady Islana. Formality at first, but it became just something they did.

Nicholas turned in surprise, "You?"

He visibly gathered himself and stood to meet them. He gave a small bow and gave Islana a questioning look followed by a worried frown.

He motioned for them to come closer and tucked his hands behind his back as they approached, in the pose of a school master. As tall and wiry as ever he towered over them and his eyes darted to each of them with a fevered interest as if sizing them up for one of his experiments.

His eyes lingered on Islana for a moment longer than the others and that look of concern washed over him again.

"A leader," he began, "Must have a mind that is as fluid as quicksilver and as sharp as steel." he eyed each of them in turn as if looking for those qualities.

"Here," he opened his palms upward to indicate the cavern, "In the caves of Ypogeios I discovered a rather interesting substance that through careful experimentation I have perfected."

He moved to stand before one of the tables where three vials of milky liquid sat waiting. "It is a rare spore found only in these caves, it will attack your mind. It will attempt to drive you insane in fact and you will either overcome its effects or...." he left the consequences hanging for a moment before clapping his hands together with a sudden ferocity that seemed to surprise even him.

"Yes well... any questions?"

Islana glanced towards the other two girls. It was pretty clear they were meant to drink the liquid. While Silina looked posed to go ahead with the experiment if uncertain about the outcome, Madaya seemed far more hesitant.

Islana wondered for a moment if maybe Madaya was just really not cut out for this. The redhead knew what would help.

"How long will the effects last?" It likely didn't matter; but she wanted to give Madaya time to gain the bravery, she knew the girl had in her.

Nicholas smiled sadly, "Young Lady Islana, that is entirely up to you. If your mind is strong it will be brief."

He had hardly finished speaking when Silina marched up to the table and snatched up one of the vials. With a look of defiance for the apothecary she uncorked it and drank it down in one gulp. Nicholas barked a laugh.

"If only all of my patients were so willing."

Silina stood for a moment with her fiery gaze locked on Nicholas. Her hands began to tremble and tears formed in her eyes. Nicholas snatched up his book and began to scribble furiously as he observed the girls reactions. Then she began to scream. He glanced up toward Islana and met her eyes.

"I am sorry." he mouthed before returning to his notes.

Watching as Silina grabbed the vival and downed it, there was nothing Islana could do about that. Unfortunately, there was nothing anyone could do for Silina once the effects took hold.

Madaya moved closer to Islana and grabbed a hold of her hand.

The older witch looked into the scared brown eyes of the younger one. As mature as Madaya was for someone her age, she was still a child and it seemed unfair to put her through this.

"You can get through this. Remember everything you went through in the desert. Everything we went through. If you can get through that; you can get through this." Islana told the girl. "We'll do it at the same time."

Inside, Islana was concerned her hallucination would involve the hive mind but she wasn't backing down.

"Ready?" Islana asked, to which Madaya nodded.

"Nicholas, we're ready. If I don't see you again, goodbye." Islana led Madaya to the table.

The redhead handed one vival to her young friend and took one for herself.

"On three," Islana then counted up, and when three was hit, they both drank the liquid.