Deep in thought, Markus’ eyes stare into nothingness. A hand gently rubs the side of his head as he sits silently. Images flash in his mind of potential paths and choices out of the estate. They all seem to end in fighting, imprisonment, or death. More and more he feels himself being pushed into a corner.
Oscar is standing at attention with his hands behind his back. He’s waiting in the same position beside the hidden wall lever. Occasionally, his eyes turn to look at Markus. Only a few minutes have passed since the passage was resealed.
With a sigh, Markus finally stands up. He turns to the old butler to ask “Are you sure everybody can’t just leave?”
“Yes. The mistress is crippled right now. After all the years here, I can’t sit back and do nothing. I’ll fight with everything I have.” Oscar replies back.
Markus scuffs the floor in agitation. He thinks for a moment before asking “Who else is left? How many people total are in the estate?”
“You’ve met them all… except the Countess herself.” Oscar says with a sad look. “Majority of the young male staff was drafted for war. We became short-handed, which made work harder and caused some more folks to leave. Then the Crimsons came, and many fled when they had a chance.”
“Christ, no wonder the whole place felt empty.” Markus remarks. He then starts walking back towards the basement laboratory seen earlier. Oscar is caught off-guard by him suddenly turning away. The old butler is now the one following.
As they both enter the laboratory, Markus starts picking up books and looking closer at the various lab equipment. Papers are scattered everywhere, all written in the native Latin. However, some feature drawings of human anatomy.
“I don’t know what Versa is doing, but maybe she has drugs or chemicals or something that can help us.” Markus finally starts talking. His hands are careful with everything he touches while moving around the room. “Or maybe find a cure for whatever the Countess has, so we can all leave.”
“Good idea, but not possible.” Oscar interrupts. Markus turns to face him. “No point in hiding it, but the damage is mostly here.” The old butler then taps the side of his head.
“Mental illness?” Markus ask curiously. “Then she can still walk out of here with everyone.”
“No, that’s not the whole story. She is crippled physically too.” Oscar responds. “I’ll tell you what happened. Very few people know this, but at this point, telling you won’t hurt anything.”
Markus’ interest is piqued. Looking around, he finds a chair to sit on while listening to the old butler’s tale of the Countess he serves. Oscar simply stands with his hands behind his back while he waits.
Soon, the story of the Countess named Olivia is revealed. Twenty-three years old, the only daughter of the family behind two older brothers. With slim chances of inheritance, she took up several hobbies as a child. Swordsmanship was what she excelled at the most. Early in her life, she settled on a military career because of it.
Several years ago, on a visit back to the family estate from her military academy, a suitor proposed to Olivia. She was against it, and the relationship quickly deteriorated to the point where she demanded a duel. An honor duel with swords. Oscar says he witnessed the entire event.
The duel was held at the estate, and Olivia fought fiercely. However, she eventually lost to the talented suitor. The loss was an incredible blow to her pride, and she did not yield. She charged the man after it was already deemed her loss. The suitor parried, and then pierced her right thigh completely. In the ensuing struggle between the two, the man sliced her thigh open with his sword.
Markus winces at the details of Olivia’s injury. Her life is saved by healing doctors present at the duel, but she eventually loses much more. The grueling injury isn’t healed completely. A limp, a cane, and a wheelchair become her life. She loses her military career because of the duel.
“I see what you mean now.” Markus says to Oscar. “So I’m sure she wants revenge.”
The old butler starts laughing. He’s smiling, but then it turns into a serious frown. Oscar says “At one point, but that can’t happen now. That suitor she fought? He was killed in the war up north. Same with her two older brothers. Mother died when she was young, and her father died a few years ago.”
There is a silence in the room. Markus can’t help feeling pity for the woman. He’s never met her, but clearly, few people would be unaffected by such a life. “I’m sorry… didn’t know that about her.” he says with his head down.
“It’s fine. Better you know why she’s the way she is. On good days, she moves around inside the estate. On bad days, she’s in her downstairs room wallowing in her own misery.” Oscar says with a sigh. “The Third War of The Northern Pass. It’s a miserable stalemate now, but the mistress’ injury might have saved her from that conflict.”
“So that’s the name of the war going on.” Markus replies while standing up from the chair. He looks around the laboratory once more with interest. “So what is Versa doing then?”
“She trained at the capital, but came to us because she was looking for a sponsor on her work. She’s studying natural medicines. However, from what I understand, the mistress is hoping she might find something for her condition.” Oscar answers back.
“Honestly, she needs surgery. My world could help. It’s amazing what the doctors can fix now.” Markus responds. He then turns to Oscar to say “Alright, let’s head back upstairs.”
The men move through the basement once more on their way back to the main level. Markus follows closely in an effort to not get lost in the mix of old furniture and wine racks. Up the stairs and back on the main level of the estate. Oscar closes the door behind them both. As he’s about to lock the door, he stops, then puts the key ring back in his pocket. He says “No point in doing that. In case anything happens to me or the keys.”