They stood in shocked silence for many moments before he spoke.
"Good evening, my dears. I am greatly pleased to have you home again." His voice was soft and smooth, but the princess noted a bit of menace underneath. At length, he rose to his feet. For a moment he seemed unsteady, but it passed in an instant, leaving him tall and powerful as she remembered.
"My lord." They replied, each with a deep bow.
The princess caught another hint of the unknown fragrance, and felt her heart thump deep within her core. The Inquisitor strode to stand before them, his eyes deep and intense, but also kind.
Without a word, the maid unfastened his heavy cloak, and folded it neatly before laying it on an ornate table to the side. He watched her intently as she worked. As she returned to the princess's side, he softly caught hold of her arm, drawing her aside for a moment.
"Are you all right, my flower?" he asked. "I sense a deep change within you." The maid answered, speaking rapidly and soft, but the princess could not make out her words.
At last, he gave a deep sigh, and released her.
At last Chrysanthemum spoke so that the princess could make out their words.
"Grieve not, my Lord. Have we not known this day would come." The Inquisitor said nothing, his eyes terribly sad behind the mask that hid his face.
"Too long have I borne this curse alone, my love." said Chrysanthemum. "My strength left me many seasons ago. I loathe the things I must do to endure on. I must become...like her. I must draw my strength from the pleasures of the flesh, else I will fade and go down."
She threw up her hands and mourned. "Oh, if only I had never climbed those darkened stairs with her! If only I'd known what would become of us, I would have stopped her."
Heavy tears spilled down her fair cheeks as she sobbed against him. He consoled her with soft words and held her very gently.
"And now I must go to her... and she will take me. I knew she would when I granted her the last of me... the last bit of light that remained..." She choked with sobs. "And now all of my goodness has been stolen, and she will take me... and I shall not have the strength to resist. O' what is to become of me, my Lord? How will I escape the darkness once she pulls me down?" The princess heard her say. The maid's voice had taken on a frantic edge.
"Fear not, my dearest love." He said at last. Her tears faded and she calmed beside him. "You and I shall be together... one last time. Take from me all the strength you can. Hold on to what you know is true in your heart. Take my strength, and rise on to the next."
The princess was touched beyond words. She had known the Inquisitor, her master, to be strict and cunning, but here was a tender side she had only glimpsed.
"Shall I leave you, my Lord?" the princess asked. "Surely, take my chambers, and love her as I do."
But the Inquisitor held up his hand.
"Nay, my princess... It is not safe for you now. I have seen many of the Queen's minions, and they lie in wait for you." The thought chilled the princess.
"You shall remain with us. We shall make it an instruction for you." chimed the maid, whispering something unclear to him.