Fable - Ask The Snake Pit

[Lysander]

Spoiler: The Letter

[REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED]

It has come to my attention that perhaps sending Alice to Little Peak Mental Hospital on Asile Couer was a mistake. It seems our correspondence has not been given to our daughter and when my wife attempted to visit her she was sent away. Apparently Alice is still very ill, as a doctor claimed to my wife, but my wife swears that she saw her, banging on the window, screaming for help before someone grabbed her from behind when they forcefully led her away. I see this as a grave transgression, for what Hospital uses force and intimidation? [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED].

[REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED]. [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED]. [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED].

Please, something is amiss at Little Peak. I’ve done a bit of research myself and they say their patients are sent home in a year, but to those I’ve questioned personally have told me they have never seen that family member again. Alice is [REDACTED] [REDACTED] but she is my daughter and I wish to see her well.

I await your timely reply,

[REDACTED] Urahil​

Lysander looked at the letter, hardly oblivious to the fact that a good chunk of it was, for better or for worst, redacted. He wasn’t sure if the council understood that whether they deemed it important or not, any bit of information would have been valuable to the second level dreadlord. After all, this was going to be his first mission leading others to an island many knew little about. It seemed to have slipped right underneath the council’s noses even that there was an asylum operating off the shores of the Anirian coast, an island that was no more than twenty-two miles long and eight miles across.

It must have been insignificant to them, Lysander concluded as he folded up the letter and placed it into an pocket inside his shirt. His indifferent blue gaze looked up at the night sky, amazed by just how vibrant the stars always seemed to be whenever he was out on the sea. Tonight they looked particular brilliant, lighting up the night sky like no other.

He stood up from his spot at the back of the boat, and gestured to everyone on the mission to gather round in a circle— far away from the captain that the Asylum insisted on. Lysander was tense, even if his posture suggested others, he was very skeptical of this boat and it’s captain. The only way the Asylum agreed to letting “non-disturbed” people walk around their halls was if they provide the transportation. Leaving on a Friday night, it was expected that they would step back on this boat to the city of Vel Anir early Monday morning.

Hardly gave them enough time to investigate thoroughly, which was why a plan would be needed.

Lysander smoothed out a wrinkle on his right leg, oblivious to the large stain right beside it. A map. That would be the first thing they would need. One had not been provided to them, or if it had, it had never reached the council’s hands in time to be given to the team to look over. The dreadlord gestured with his hands, quick yet precise with no added flair, that finding a map and maybe a set of keys would be their first main objective. When he opened his mouths to speak though, his words reflected something else entirely.

“Remember that we are guests on these esteemed grounds,” Lysander said, dully with little infliction, his face not emoting whatsoever as he cast his half-lidded gaze around. “Listen to the doctors and nurses, and when they bring in the patient’s for interviews try to be considerate. Everyone there is suffering and we should not add to it.” Behind Lysander, finally, a building could be seen, surrounded by starry skies and dark, shadowy trees, the lit windows of Little Peak Mental Hospital could be seen. It would be minutes until they would arrive.

[art cred]

 

[Cassius Amore]

Lysander was to lead, and Cassius was to back him up if initiates decidedly got out of hand. That seemed to be all he was good for lately. The thirds and seconds brought him in tow for damage control if things went haywire. That was, after all, where the strength of his magic lay.

He hadn't checked with many of the others on the boat and had kept to himself as he was one to do. He and Lysander had met only hours before this, but he'd known the man's name. They were roughly the same age and he'd climbed the ranks much faster than Cassius had. It didn't bother him; it was just interesting. Some people were good at this.

Cassius was not one of them.

"Have you made contact with anyone regarding our visit? Or are we to assume pleasantries will occur at the door?"

Lysander ​

 

[Niamh]

An asylum was not Niamh’s idea of a fun mission to waste time before the next. In fact, it sounded quite literally like hell for her. She would have much preferred to be on her next, currently unannounced, mission. Somewhere warm. Somewhere full of jewels and fine silks. She was much better suited for dancing with very sane nobles in unfamiliar lands and enjoying the fine luxuries that life had to offer her. At least their minds weren’t scrambled puzzles she had to decipher.

For the most part.

A pair of arms beckoning the group over caught her eye. They must be getting closer if he was finally giving them a briefing on his mission. She sighed as she pushed herself out of the wooden chair and followed the group, taking a bite out of the unpeeled orange she had smuggled on with her before they left.

She cocked her head to the side as he finally spoke. “You called us over to lecture us in manners?” She took another bite of the orange. “Maybe I speak only for myself, but I don’t think we are a bunch of barbarians. I’m sure we will all behave.” She nudged Cassius. "Right?"

Lysander Cassius Amore

 

[Lysander]

“There has been con—“ Lysander paused, his blue eyes flickering over to Niamh as she bit into a orange, peel and all. He blinked once then twice, and opened his mouth to speak again after clearing his throat. “—tact, yes. We will be greeted at the doctors by one of the program facilitators,” Lysander explained. He flickered his gaze back to Niamh as she took another bite.

Thank goodness his own brother was not that stupid. The academy must be suffering from all these idiots with crazy strong powers. He didn’t say anything how eating an unpeeled orange was barbaric.

“It’s not a lecture on manners. Just a reminder.” Lysander said, and glanced over at the captain who was most definitely eavesdropping. Lysander then looked back to those he would be calling comrades for this mission. “I just expect everyone to behave as instructed.” Without another word, Lysander moved away from Cassius and Niamh, looking at the approaching dock.

---

One of the program facilitators were at the docks, two nurses standing close by. The nurses each held a large lantern, easily illuminating the trio. The ship had docked and Lysander followed after the captain with both Cassius and Niamh behind him. The program facilitator had a too-wide smile on their face. The nurses held the same too-wide smile. It was unsettling to Lysander, a man forever forced to not feel too much of anything.

Lysander went up to shake the facilitator’s hand.

“Welcome! I hope the boat ride wasn’t too long.” The man said quite jovially, almost as if he meant it. “Anyone get sick? No? Well, perfect, follow me then.” One nurse led the way, the other followed behind them. “My name is Dr. Corgen, I am one of the program facilators at Little Peak.” Dr. Corgen began, quickly beginning to blather on and on about how Little Peak Mental Hospital was one of a kind. “You can’t see it now but in the daylight, the woods really are peaceful. In the summers we’ll even take some patients down to the shore to collect seashells.”

Lysander somehow didn’t roll his eyes. He glanced at the woodland. It hardly seemed welcoming, even with the flickering light of two lanterns that really didn’t illuminate much other than giving the six people extra long shadows. They continued along the path, Lysander noticing the imprint of hooves.

“You have horses?” The dreadlord interjected Dr. Corgen’s speech about the activities their patients partook in. The silence was palpable, and Lysander could feel that he had spoke too soon. But the blunder was there whether he liked it or not.

“We do have a small stable, yes. Makes it easier to transport the goods from the boat. Now, back to the activities. So yes, in afternoons is when patients have free time and…” lysander zoned out. How dreary. His left hand would twitch and move in such a way, a message to both Cassius and Niamh, telling them to keep their guard up.

Cassius Amore Niamh

 

[Cassius Amore]

Being nudged by the younger dreadlord was as confusing as it was unexpected. It sent a shiver down his spine out of surprise as he looked at her. He'd ask her then if she had any reason for acting so informal, but the opportunity wasn't there.

Bizarre.

As Lysander finished his notion, he again went to say something, but Lysander had already turned to leave after he'd finished speaking.

Maybe it'd be best if Cassius refrained from trying to say anything today. It seemed to be horrifically difficult to find the chance to, and that wasn't worth it in his book!

Instead, he just followed, as was asked of him.

--​

Despite his internal decision to stay silent in all this, he could still be a useful ally to those he walked with by being an avid listener and seeing what, if anything, was odd about this place. Cassius wanted somewhat to believe that this was just a place where the mentally ill got better. But he knew better than to think anything was what it seemed in Arethil.

The conversation between Lysander and their guide seemed mundane at first. One that had almost nothing to do with what they'd been called here to do. A tour, while pleasant, was seemingly unnecessary when it came to their current predicament.

If the orderlies were the source of the disturbance than of course they would attempt to mislead.

Something dawned on him after Lysander threw out his hand sign to stay on guard. Not only did the explanation of horses not add up, but one seemed to be missing from the stable. It could just be on one of these so-called transportations right now, but,

"Are you afraid that the patients may make off with one of the horses?"

Niamh Lysander ​

 

[Niamh]

Niamh rolled her eyes, tearing off another chunk of the orange. “Sure, whatever you say captain.” She tossed the remaining piece of orange to the side where it bounced off a wooden barrel and rolled along the floor. “Neither of you seem to be too eager to give your heads as a gift to the academy today. We will all do as we are instructed.”

Her words didn’t leave her mouth particularly politely, but they were meant to be words of encouragement regardless. She found it hard, sometimes, to choose her words properly when her head was receiving constant input from everyone else around her. Listening to her own two companions was bad enough and now she was adding in whatever awful sounds were coming from the lunatics on this island.

---

Niamh stood behind the two men, observing the land more as Lysander interacted with Dr. Corgen. She would listen into his thoughts as they started walking, tuning out all others in the vicinity. After all, it was the first time Lysander’s personal thoughts were somehow less boring than something else going on.

He seemed uneasy. It was the first emotion Niamh had felt him express since meeting. Bit of an odd choice considering the warm greeting by Dr. Corgen, but maybe it was the only emotion he had other than painfully neutral. Maybe he didn’t like mental hospitals. Who did, anyway?

She noticed the hand twitch and left his mind as Cassius mentioned patients taking off with horses. She raised a brow at him and put herself in his head. “Where could they possibly go? It’s an island.”

“Can horses even swim?” She paused for a moment, not realizing immediately that her last question was delivered out loud. “I mean…I’m sure the patients here would have no reason to try to leave. It seems like a lovely place Dr. Corgen. I’m excited to see the rest.”

Lysander Cassius Amore

 

[Lysander]

Dr. Corgen laughed, a chuckle that could have sounded cheerful but seemed rather empty to Lysander. The crunching of their boots could be heard, drawing ever nearer to Little Peak.

“Well, we do let our patients ride horses, of course! Good exercise, soothing for the mind and soul. A few of them help take care of them. It’s good to work with your hands when you’re struggling on the deeper complexities inside.” Doctor Corgen said to Cassius, and then to Nym added, “horses can swim, yes, but they’re much faster on land, young lady.” Another chuckle, “Patients at first don’t enjoy being here but you see, we need to be on a island.

“Vel Anir, despite it’s greatness, has always cared more for physical strength than mental fortitude, and some have suffered because of that. It’s better to remove oneself entirely from war and duty to a place far away, a place of healing and relaxation.” The doctor cleared his throat, the more he spoke the clearer it became that the walk was drawing more energy from him.

Lysander stayed silent, thinking these words over. Clever was the only thing he could call it.

“Oh, speaking of relaxation! Many of our patients take up baking and cooking. Are any of you hungry? We’re known for our bread and cakes, but the other day a few of the patients made this delightful broccoli soup.” This prompted a reaction from Lysander, who frowned deeply, just as Dr. Corgen turned around to look at the dreadlord, catching sight of the sour look on Lysander’s face.

“Do you not like that the patients cook, dreadlord?” Dr. Corgen asked.

“No. I just hate broccoli.” Lysander replied.

“I see. Well!” Dr. Corgen took a deep breath, just a dozen or so meters away from the hospital. “We have finally made it.” He said with another for-show chuckle, taking the back of his hand to wipe at the sweat that had gathered on his brow. “I have prepared a room with three beds for you, and food can be provided now, nothing hot but I’m sure it’s better than what you’re used to.” Another chuckle, this one was shorter than the others. “In the morning we can continue the tour.” They finally got to the steps and the doctor walked up them, turning around to look at the trio.

“That being said, a few rules at night, if you will. Stay in your room, nurses roam our halls for good reason as some new patients struggle to behave. They also need to focus on doing our hospital’s night care routine for patients that require medication throughout the wee hours. Other patients get dreadful night terrors and you’ll hear screaming, that’s normal. If you need anything, water, an escort to a bathroom, there will be a red string for you to pull. Now, since that’s out of the way, food?”

“Sure. I think Niamh is hungry.” Lysander said, “growing initiates eat like you wouldn’t believe.”

“How delightful.” Was Dr. Corgen’s reply, leading them into the hospital. The air was cool and heavy with the scent of disinfectants. The foyer was impeccable, and Lysander was surprised to see an array of art on the walls. All of them were landscapes. Candle-light mixed with arcane light kept the foyer decently lit. Two large staircases could be seen, between the two were a set of very large double doors. They were led down a large hall to the left, the only sound being footsteps.

A quick right and they entered a cafeteria, incredibly large. The tang of citrus hung heavy in the air. Lysander’s nose twitched. The two nurses began lighting candles and the doctor gestured for the dreadlords and initiate to sit down at the table.

“Bread? Something sweeter? A cup of tea, maybe? We don’t have coffee, caffeine is bad for the mind, you see.” The doctor explained.

Cassius Amore Niamh

 

[Cassius Amore]

Cassius hadn’t considered Niamh’s prospect of there being nowhere for the patients to travel. They could still make an attempt. Fortune favors the bold, and all that.

Back to not speaking it was. More deduction. He needed more information.

He hated the idea that he would spend most of this time trying to find holes in the words spoke, but it was why they were here after all. To understand the full scope of what was occurring.

What bothered him so much was the swiftness at which the doctor spoke. Every question had an answer. There were no gaps in his responses. That level of preparedness could have been birthed from these questions being a common occurrence, or it was meant for them. Intended to be that way so that suspicion could be dissuaded.

Upon their arrival and having digested the remainder of what the doctor said, with intermittent remarks from Lysander, Cassius felt greatly underprepared for the task at hand. He could not gauge his fellow Dreadlords emotions. Not yet. Not until it was necessary.

The entryway was so clean it was terrifying. Not a spot of dust to be seen on the sterile floor or walls. It wasn’t natural, not with how many people were supposed to reside here. The cafeteria was no different. It was ominous, how pristine the place was where people supposedly ate.

Cassius was uneasy in here. There was not often a place that demand you notice it’s evil.

Humanity, and all species, kept some degree of filth in their lives. Be it purposeful or not, there was little to no reason anywhere should be spotless. It could not be passed off as a place that is kept up on its housekeeping. Not a place this large.

Again, breaking his own rule, Cassius spoke.

“How is that you keep a place like this in such incredible condition? Your janitorial staff must be immaculate.”

Lysander Niamh

 

[Niamh]

Niamh’s cheeks burned, turning a peculiar shade as the doctor answered their questions. She had not intended for her thoughts to escape Cassius’ head, let alone her own mouth. “Interesting…I had no idea..” A more timid response from the fiery girl. “Thank you for answering.”

Like the others, she remained quiet as the man took back the conversation but unlike them, she tried to look interested in an attempt to get over her embarrassing blunder. She nodded along, chuckling quietly at the interaction between him and Lysander.

“A room with three beds?” She asked the man, raising an eyebrow. “Sorry…” She continued on feigning a shyness that didn’t belong to her. “I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, doctor, but…” She looked at Cassius, then Lysander. “They’re both men. I don’t feel particularly comfortable sharing a room or getting undressed in front of them. Is there anywhere else I could stay?”

She was more curious than anything to know what Dr. Corgen would come up with. Of course, her comrades knew she was completely full of shit. Modesty was something made up by boring, ugly people.

Sure. I think Niamh is hungry. Growing initiates eat like you wouldn’t believe.

She didn’t immediately respond out loud as Lysander offered her up to sample the foods concocted by the less-than-sound-of-mind. “Sounds wonderful, thank you sir.” Her voice was almost robotic as she spoke through gritted teeth.

I hope you know, you’re eating this shit as well.

She paid no mind to the cleanliness of the place as the Dreadlords had as they made their way to the cafeteria. After all, it was a hospital. She would hope it’d be disgustingly clean.

“A cup of tea would be lovely actually. Are you boys sure you don’t want anything?” She gestured to Cassius as she sat down at a table. “Do you have anything more bitter?” Niamh had always hated sweets, preferring bitter foods like dark chocolates, grapefruit, or coffee. “If not, bread is fine- OH! Or that soup you were talking about. The one with the broccoli.”

Lysander Cassius Amore