We woke up the next morning at the brink of dawn. I could no longer await to see what the salve had done to the wound. When I rubbed it on last night, it applied very thinly despite the thick look of the ointment. Clement did not leave instructions on how often to apply, but I assumed once would be enough. I had a servant go down to the library and await Clement’s arrival so that I could confirm instructions, but the servant did not return until hours later in the early afternoon. Aldrich and I were still in bed when the servant announced that Clement never came back to the library. That was odd; however, I supposed he assumed his duties with me were over after he concocted the antidote on his own. The wound did not appear any better; in fact, it lo