When the physician comes, it is with a steaming mug of tea for Kyungsoo to drink.  Perking up at the smell, Kyungsoo sits up from where he has been laying prone, watched intently by the tall man whose name he still doesn’t know.

          The physician is tall and dark.  His hair is raven black and his slanted, feline eyes are rimmed with Kohl.  The look on his face is fierce, and if it weren’t for the enticing scent of the tea, Kyungsoo would likely shrink away.

          As the youthful man approaches, he sets the tea down next to the stool before making his way over to Kyungsoo and gently helping him to stand, leading him over to the three-legged stool, lowering him down carefully before placing the mug into his hands.

          “There is no need to be so gentle with him, Tao, the witch deserves no such treatment,” Scary Tall Man says from where he is standing off to the side.

          “This boy is no witch, Yi Fan, I feel no power from him.”

          Ah, so his name is Ye Fan.  Now I can stop referring to him as ‘Scary Tall Man.’

          “Are you certain?”

          “I am,” Tao responds soflty as he delicately prods his fingers along Kyungsoo’s scalp.

          “Ouch!” Kyungsoo lets out a gasp of pain as Tao’s probing fingers find the spot where his head slammed against the rock.

          “What is it?” Yi Fan inquires, slowly approaching the duo.

          “He has injured his head, though it is nothing major.  He will need a week of bed rest however.” Addressing Kyungsoo, he continues, “Hurry up and drink your tea, it contains willow bark and should help to ease your pain.”

          “Thanks,” Kyungsoo hisses out as he takes a sip of the scalding beverage.

          “Yi Fan, this boy is no danger to you in this state.  Please move him to more appropriate quarters.”

          “Tao, I have not yet finished questioning him!” Yi Fan exclaimed loudly.

          “This boy had experienced minor head trauma! It does not do to keep him in such an environment! If you insist on questioning him, I must assert that you at least do it in a warm and dry place!”  Tao rise from his seat to jab a finger at Yi Fan as he utters his words.

          “How dare you speak to me in such a manner, Tao?”

          Tao shrinks back in on himself, extricating himself from Yi Fan’s personal space.  “Forgive me, your royal highness, I overstepped my bounds,” he bows slightly towards the taller.  “But I will not allow you to treat one of my patients in such a way.”

          Yi Fan walks over to Tao, clasping a hand on his shoulder before speaking, “It is understood.  I will bring him somewhere else to continue my interrogation.”

          Kyungsoo sits on his stool quietly while he watches this interaction.  Their relationship seems to be that of friends, and yet Yi Fan is clearly above Tao.  In fact, Tao referred to him as ‘your royal highness,’ does that mean that Kyungsoo’s interrogator is royalty?

          What the am I even thinking right now?  Royalty is no longer a thing, there is no such thing as magic.  Clearly I am dreaming and I will wake up any moment.

          “Ow!” Kyungsoo exclaims.

          “May I ask why it is that you just pinched yourself?” Yi Fan asks superiorly as Tao leans in once again to assess the damage.

          “I was trying to wake myself up from this nightmare,” Kyungsoo responds icily.

          “Why is it that you believe that you are in a dream?” Tao inquired curiously.  “Is your head injury so extensive?”

          “This can’t possibly be real life!” Kyungsoo exclaims.  “Who talks like that? Who dresses in whatever the hell it is that you are wearing?  Why are you the royal highness, monarchies don’t exist in this country! What the is happening?”  Kyungsoo begins to breathe quickly, his breaths becoming shallower as the world begins to spin.

          “Relax yourself,” Tao says as he gently rests his hands on Kyungsoo’s shoulders, rubbing relaxing circles into his collarbones.  “You are in no state to indulge in such fervor.”

          Kyungsoo shuts his eyes and allows the tension to leave his body along with Tao’s careful massage.

          Opening his eyes, Kyungsoo once again raises his head to stare straight at Yi Fan.  “Please take me somewhere else so that we can discuss what is happening.  I get the feeling you’re just as confused as I am.”

          Yi Fan nods his head at him before addressing Tao.  “Tao, please assist him to the infirmary.  Place him in a private room and remain there on guard, I will join you shortly.”  And as he says these words, Yi Fan ghosts out of the dungeon to some place that Kyungsoo can’t see.