"So the Lord scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth:

  and they left off to build the city."

  - Book Of Genesis 11:8

  Micah was in the way, Ruth pushed him aside and yanked Nicodemus behind a tree. She took out a small bottle and handed it to him.

  "Three? Where are the other pills?" She had never raised her voice at him, nor did she ever raise her voice at all.

  "Ruth--"

  "Your Majesty, I-I-I apologize, There was enough for two weeks. We won't know when you will have another episode. Buer told me to keep a tab on your behavior to the radiation-" She then realized what she had just said. Nicodemus raised his brows.

  "Radiation to what? I have been doing fine since Sodom." Nicodemus grabbed her wrist, and took the bottle out of her hands. "Is there something I am not aware of?"

  Ruth did not like lying. Worse, she couldn't lie to him, he had trusted her so much. He had been doing much better since they left the heart of the cities. After sleeping for two days straight he also was better rested.

  "No. I was just told to keep track of you." she said.

  "You lie. I will not push you for an answer. I managed to save three pills after my more extreme reaction in Sodom when you left."

  "How many did you take?" She had fully failed at her job. She would have to write this down later, and deeply apologize to Buer back home.

  "One full pill." He answered.

  "Do you remember anything before we helped you?"

  "I remember the aphrodisiac wine I was given, However, my body fought against it. I became paralyzed. I felt dizzy, and my heart rate went up. Other than that, I promise you I do not remember anything else." Nicodemus sighed. "Did the pills restrain me from arousal?"

  Ruth knew Nicodemus always spoke what was on his mind, he also did not hide his curiosity. She did not know truly if that was the work of the pills or if it was the panic.

  "I am not sure. I won't have you take any unless I am by your side. How can I be so stupid." She punched a tree in a fit of anger. Nicodemus grabbed her hand and frowned.

  "That was stupid. You are not. Unless you plan to match with me, I'd rather you not break your wrist too." He grabbed his flask and washed her hand off. Ruth thanked him, together they met up with Micah and Cain. Virgil ran in between trees chasing rabbits. They all agreed to rest until dawn.

  Ruth skimmed through her notes. She had jotted the few times she, herself, had given Nicodemus the pills and his reaction. Soon, compared it to what he said after consuming one whole pill. Buer did not write much of what the pills contained so she was not so sure if they did stop him from getting aroused or if that specific aphrodisiac was inhibited. If the pill had been the inhibitor, was there a catalyst other than the wine? She wrote down a few of her questions.  Medication should not be consumed with any form of alcohol. Mixing wine with the pills could alter how his body processed the medication, which could have made it less effective or maybe even toxic to his body. Nicodemus had mentioned forgetting what happened, and feeling drowsy before his body became almost paralyzed. However, he had a rapid heart beat and fainted at the end. Were the pills an opioid? She knew that medication also fell under the sedative category, which can increase the risk of adverse events. There were so many factors that also needed to come into play. How fast was his heart rate? Fainting is also caused by a drastic change in beats per minute, so if it had sped up and suddenly dropped that could have been the cause of him fainting.

  Ruth had become slightly frustrated. She had also forgotten that Nicodemus and Micah shared multiple drinks back at the inn. She should have been much more careful. Ruth was never one to prohibit Nicodemus, he did not even know he was being so carefully watched. Ruth ripped a page out and started again from the time she gave him the first half. Buer did not tell her what to have his majesty avoid. Even so, Nicodemus did not drink back in the palace, why would that have even been something to consider. She turned her face and glared at Micah who choked on his water. Nicodemus patted his back. Ruth was not sure how she could explain things back home. She could feel Samyaza's cold eyes on her, and Buer reading her notes.

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  "I think you need a break" Cain handed her a small fruit. "Fig?"

  "No, thank you." She replied,

  "It's good, figs are in season." He smiled.

  "Okay." She grabbed the fig and took a bite, Cain sat next to her and picked her journal up.

  "I'm impressed, you really do write everything down." He handed her the book back.

  "Not everything. I messed up big time." She took another fig from Cain's bag.

  "Relax kid, you can only learn from your mistakes. Look at me, I thought Micah was a woman when I first met him, I killed my own brother, and now I am a wise man you like to hear stories from." Cain lightly brushed her shoulder. "Samyaza sent you because he trusts you, little information is better than none."

  "Yes, but I was tasked with a very specific job. I don't even know how accurate my research is-"

  "Ruth, you're not in the palace. You physically cannot control what Nicodemus does or says, how do you expect perfect outcomes?"

  Ruth was silent, she knew he had a point. She also could not fully blame his majesty, but she had to be much more careful now. Nicodemus and Micah sat next to her.

  "Seems like I have irritated you." Micah voiced in a whisper.

  "You have, however when do you not?" Cain responded.

  "Not you, I was speaking to Ruth."

  "No, it's my own fault." Ruth responded,

  "If it's about the pills, do not be under the impression that it's all your fault. Nothing is your fault." Nicodemus sighed, he called Virgil over and fed him dried chicken. Ruth laid her head down on Nicodemus' shoulder. Nicodemus wrapped his arm around her and brushed his fingers through her hair. "I do apologize for making it hard on you. Next time, even if Samyaza or Buer tell you to keep it a secret, don't. Whatever the pills do or don't do, I care not. I won't ask anymore either." Ruth felt guilty, she sunk her head in his chest and pouted. Nicodemus was too nice to her.

  Micah got up and took Virgil's leash, he snapped his fingers and Virgil quickly followed, Micah usually stayed away from him so when did this change of heart happen?

  "I thought you did not want to be in Virgie's proximity?" Ruth asked. Nicodemus even looked confused.

  "The cotton ball told me he was bored. As am I, so we will go on a walk. Cain would you like to join?" Cain got up and nodded. Ruth and Nicodemus stayed behind. She was rarely ever left alone with him. He had a comforting aura around him.

  "I am planning on promoting Dimitri." Nicodemus said.

  "Really?" Ruth sat up, her eyes sparkled. Dimitri had told her about how hard he was working, how he wish the emperor would notice and if he managed it correctly the pay would be nicer, and they would get a house near the palace.

  "Yes, I was keeping it a secret, but I think once we get home, you deserve to start a family and live your potential." Nicodemus smiled at her, Ruth hugged him.

  "Your Majesty! I- I can't thank you enough! You don't understand how much he's been wanting this!" Ruth told Nicodemus all their plans, the small house, the garden, how she wished to have a small farm. Nicodemus paid close attention to her. He always listened.

  Virgil ran ahead barking, behind Micah and Cain ran, they were out of breath and sweating. Ruth and Nicodemus looked at one another.

  "NEVER AGAIN! That mutt is a pain in the ass!" Micah said, he handed Ruth the leash. Cain sat down resting his head on a patch of grass.

  "He's very friendly. There is a small village we can visit before we head into the Levan Shiamin." Ruth and Nicodemus nodded.

  "Very well, lets go."