CHARLOTTE'S POV
Granny loved Reginald so much I wondered if he was her long lost child. He was not crazy as I thought, and he was healing faster than I ever imagined. He is an interesting folk as well and very self aware. He was the most intelligent person I've ever seen (asides my grandfather). The girls started tolling into our yard, Sarah did not hesitate to pay him visits, claiming she just wanted to know how he was healing. But for a girl like Sarah to care for a seeming common man - the chances are slim...but Reginald was the dangerously handsome, and he was confident. The girls were dying to see him; a man who who was handsome and spoke eloquently, and knew how to talk to women? I could not blame him for having that much pride. No one was certain where this man came from, and some of the girls guessed he came from Edinburgh, but he had told me he came from London. They talked about his skin, his hair, his eyebrows, his jawline... the girls talked about a lot and called me a stick for failing to observe all of those beautiful characteristics. Well, I'm too nonchalant to tell them I see all of those things and I appreciate good things if I see them, but I did not feel anything for a man who is only my patient.
I started earning out of him infact. Two pennies to see Reginald, and the girls paid, because Reginald did not see anyone I didn't approve of. Such an obedient boy, but he will never stop eating sweets they brought for him, he offers me some most of the time to annoy me majorly. They all paid, no matter how poor, and they even tried convince me allow them see him on credit, but believe me, I'm too unkind for that.
He cusses my scorpions and spiders as well as myself, calling me a freak and a lunatic, I paid him no heed. He started agreeing with our neighbours that I am a witch. He ordered me to throw away the weird demon box, but I made a lot of money from them and I did not think he had any to offer me. He was really good at cussing, I'll give him that.
****
Reginald picked Charlotte's bag and was, he gave it a studying look, and turned it upside down. He was looking for money, any amount that was more than ten pennies. Pouring the content of the bag out, a scorpion crawled away... he killed it as soon as possible.
"Charlotte..." He called, to receive no answer
"Charlotte!!" He called loudly. Charlotte walked out of the kitchen dragging her feet. "Oi,why are you yelling?" She asked with an irritated expression, he pointed at the dead scorpion "scorpion...in your bag..." he held the bag up. She smirked now "oh really?... my bag, not your bag. Why in the name of your father are you going through my bag?!" She yakked "that's not the case Charlotte, and oh boy... " he laughed dryly "... you do not wanna mention my father..." "and who is your father?" She asked mockingly "why on earth is there a scorpion in your bag?" "why on earth would you go through a lady's bag?" She asked crossing her arms to her chest "you?...a lady??, more like witch and craze..." "You do not know crazy Reginald, I'll show you crazy...why did you go through my bag, you schmuck?!!" She yakked "gimme some money " he muttered looking away "Oi... A fucking pick pocket, that's the major reason you have a hole through ya' belly, innit?" "Oi?" "Yes ya old man...heal and leave my scorpions as well as my property..." "Giving me a few pennies won't hurt you Charlotte..." "What for?" She asked raising her brows "I just need some money Charlotte, why are you being all wild...you harpy..." "I'll take it..." "Wench...". "my title..." "Ughhh" groaned Reginald walking out of the cottage. She chuckled "shit bag".
Reginald knew the person behind his assassination; it was Lincoln and his cahoots headed by Luther, the prime minister.but he could not just lay an accusation on a senior official. He needed evidence, and a confession from the assassins themselves was the most worthy evidence he could offer. He decided to leave the the house as evidence would not come knocking at his door, he had to find it himself.
Charlotte had told him he was found on the ridge in Garrigill . He needed to get there and see if there was anything he could work with, but walking all the way to Garrigill from Ramsbottom was definitely something he should not be doing. And Charlotte was not helping, he still could not tell her why he needed the money. He was quite suspicious of the lady, who was the opposite of a lady. She was the most aggressive and at the same time nonchalant person he had ever met. She is intelligent, and would easily fathom who he was if he gave her any hint. She suspected him as well... and she called him a pick pocket...how dare she? She was almost blind to his looks, or she did not just like him, she wasn't so pretty either. But he could deal with her, she made him a little uncomfortable, what if she was all part of Luther's big plan?, she hated Lincoln a lot, just like someone who was threatened into being a snitch would...he could not trust her totally. About being an apo...a chemist, she was good at what she did beyond his expectations, and although she was too busy fetching wood, she attended to everyone who came to her. She claimed it was the only way she could get paid, and yes, he knew how much she loved money already, charging those dumb girls to see him, he was flattered. But she loved being a doctor. Granny was a great woman as well, she was kind and caring, and she always apologized if Charlotte became too aggressive. He was happy to be with granny, he never really experienced love from his grandparents and there was granny showering her granddaughter with affection, and even he was not left out.
Ramsbottom was a lifeless place to Reginald, the village was as quiet as a graveyard and everyone had a crude business or were just entirely jobless. Most of the folks worked at the cheese factory in Garrigill, and had told him it cost five pennies to get to Garrigill, but if he was willing to walk, it took three hours. He gave up on the idea anyways, walking was not so great.
****
Lincoln bit his nails thoughtfully, there were two options; Reginald was found and buried by the locals, he survived on his own, or he was rescued by the villagers. But the whole of Garrigill knew no such men, infact it was pointless searching for him.
"We are trying our best my lord..." "your best is not enough!" Lincoln yakked cutting Rufus short "you have to do better than that...find him...find him before he finds his way to the palace...find him!" Rufus bowed "your wish is my command" Rufus said leaving.
****
The doctor stared at the leaflet then shook his head, he had not treated anyone who looked anything like the man in the leaflet, or this other one.
"So...have you treated anyone who looks like this?" Rufus asked "if I have, with the prize in your hands...I will tell" the doctor said eyeing the pouch Rufus held. He nodded slowly, the doctor nodded as well confirming whatever Rufus was thinking. 'Things can't keep going like this for me... think Ru...'
"So... what are the medicines administered to a wounded patient?" Rufus asked the doctor shrugged, he nodded slowly then picked a sheet of paper and began writing. When he was done, he handed it to Rufus who pointed at the paper , and his underling who collected it. The doctor was offended, but he shrugged and said; "there is a pharmacy just down the street...give him this list". Rufus nodded handing the man a shilling. The doctor shook his head vigorously "no thank you." he said holding his hand up. Rufus moped "alright the..." "I have a question although" the doctor said making Rufus frown. The doctor asked away not minding Rufus's countenance "why are you looking for this man?" He asked "thank you for your service." Rufus and his underling walked out of the clinic.
****
Reginald walked inside the house to meet Charlotte's piercing gaze, she scoffed irritated, and stood up.
"I thought you had found your way back home... but you are as homeless as I thought." She said Reginald tutted and walked past her "you are lucky you didn't get robbed...oh well, they'll just kill you anyways, you have nothing..." "Oi..." Reginald called pricked "yeah?...are you angry now?" She asked "where's granny?" Reginald asked "she's lucky you care for her like she does for you...oh boy...it would have been such a shame..." "what do you mean by that?" Reginald asked amiss Charlotte gave a dry chuckle and plastered a smile "she's outside... looking for you, she must really miss her son, because that is..." she let him conclude the rest he furrowed his brows "why did you not stop her?" he asked "I did... infact I joined her, I told her to stay back and let me search, but...she is strong willed, yeah... and I'm too tired" the last part sounded like she was disappointed in herself. Reginald went out immediately.
"Hey!..." Charlotte called "...wait for m... the door is bad... please bring her back safely!!".
Reginald came back with Maisy, he had removed his shirt and wrapped it around her. She was more than pleased , while all Charlotte could do was sulk.
****
Lincoln yawned grabbing patriarch Homer's attention. The man put on the most irritated face ever and wore a smug look.
"Are you bored already, Lincoln?" Homer asked Lincoln shook his head, "certainly not lord Homer, I am just tired..." "Oh... here he comes" Homer said gesturing towards the pope. Dressed in his full regalia, he looked funny to the men sitted, they gave quiet chuckles and snickers.
He ignored them and sat down, his escort who was a reverend father stood behind him.
"Pope Louis" Luther called wearing a broad smile. The pope was rather too proud and gutsy, he sat like he owned the table. Although he was the most important person at the moment, a little humility did not hurt for someone referred to as a lamb.
"I gave you an audience, but it seems like you have decided to waste my time" Louis said. His voice carried aura and the table went chill. Luther chuckled "beautiful, excellent voice you have squire" he commended "of course Luther, I lead a vast amount of people... so me, why have I been invited to seat among wolves." Louis said glancing at all sitted.
"I see you do not like our company..." Luther said, he continued "...so I will go straight to the point. We need you to support prince Archer in his hunt for the throne, and condemn the crown prince." Luther said more straight forward than normal. Louis inhaled and exhaled "and why should I condemn the already crowned prince and support a half breed?" Louis asked his face holding no emotions. Luther heaved "because when my nephew becomes king, I will elevate the church...and make it a stronghold in England." Luther said full of enthusiasm which Louis could not feel, So he let out a chuckle good enough to upset anyone, and it got through everyone "you must be a child Luther... that you are not aware the church owns England. If we are not so much of important, and not so much of a stronghold...why do you come to the church for help Luther?" He asked Luther was going to speak, but Louis was not near done.
"The church owns the people, what ever I declare is law minister...do you underestimate the church of..." Louis pointed upwards "...God...oh what a sin. You are so simple minded to not know we are the founders of politics...claiming lands in the name of God...that is how we made England Luther. Now tell me...Luther, have you ever seen this...'God' ?" Louis asked Luther shook his head "no" he muttered Louis nodded "yes...but allow me to tell you that I am that god, and every Pope before me..." Louis had a good laugh, he continued "you really are a child Luther." He said said giving his hand to the reverend who handed him a handkerchief, he wiped his mouth tenderly, still chuckling he stood up, the reverend assisted him "when you have a good deal for me minister, I will see what I can do." He walked out of the room.
The men stared at Luther who they all feared , he was just treated like an ignorant child, or a nobody rather. All the while, Luther could not help but sulk 'how dare he belittle me?'
****
Reginald moped, Charlotte was just too mean to be true. And lying was all he could do.
"You just said I heal fast...why wasn't I taken to a proper doctor, but a quack like yourself?" He asked 'because none would house you and contain your pride and nosy incessant requests' . She shrugged without saying a word "hey Charlotte!" he called she looked up at him then returned her gaze back to the glass box of scorpions "you creep...just ten pennies" "to smoke?, not with my mon..." "more like our money, granny is she always like this?--possessive" "yes" Charlotte replied on Maisy's behalf making her laugh
"Come on Charlotte, give him a penny..." she said "he is not smoking tobacco...not in this house..." "you know it's cold here...this is the coldest region ever..." "and where do you think you think you get all of that food from? it's your funds mate...now lie down on the couch and take a nap" Charlotte ordered. Reginald picked her coat walking out of the cottage. "Hey..." she called "...that is my coat you idiot... where are you going?!" she called "none of your business 'mate' " he replied emphasis on mate. She shook her head "stubborn shitbag" she cussed.
****
"...Well, your highness...it is so disa..." "shut up Apollo. All I need now is evidence, this is the arrow head, find the assassins that use this arrowhead" Reginald ordered "your wish is my command"
****
Charlotte glared at Reginald, she crossed her hands to her chest.
"Where went you" Charlotte asked, Reginald smirked "Who is asking?" he asked back "the owner of the house??"she replied in a question like tone "look grumpy..." "I'm not grumpy Reginald...I only asked a simple question; where went you?" She was calm as usual, he strutted to her stalkingly, it had a hint of seduction. She peered at him 'did he have alcohol?, who gave him alcohol??...this man needs to be flogged...' "Where you worried?" He asked widening his eyes "no, granny was. I do not like to see her worry" she said with a straight face less bothered by how close he was. He sighed crashing on the couch, she was really hard to move through.
"At least you care for someone" he sounded resentful, "ohh..." she faked a chuckle "I'm sorry, does your charm not work on me?" she asked in riposte, he looked away, she crouched to his level "I'm on all loss because of you...the five pounds they paid? it's all gone. So you will sit your arse down, and allow me make money out of your unfortunate 'god's own hands' sculpted face" it sounded like a threat and honestly, Reginald was horrified. He furrowed his brows, not only did the wench of a lady keep scorpions, she also sounded like a murderer, a psychopath and a hater. He decided to joke anyways "it's not my fault you're butters" he said chuckling , she wore an irritated expression
"Alright fine...you missed me..." "No...I 'missed' the opportunity to make money out of y..." "money-money-money... you talk about it so much, yet you have none...you reek of poverty Char. ..." " is that a pet name you futile schmuck?" she cut in he was amused "you ingrate...yes-yes; I've met my match, I accept defeat now stop insul..." "You my friend is the ingrate, I house you, and feed you..." "Thank you Charlotte, thank y... granny, Charlotte hates me!" Reginald called "or not... she called me her Friend...ooohh...I'm delighted..." "That's not what I meant..." "Of course it is, friend..." "I am not your fri..." "I will cherish this title with my life" he said dramatically standing up "I'm in the porch" he said walking outside, she watched him smirking, but she remembered she was angry and immediately put on a frown.