As the night wore on, Sarah knocked on her mistress's door to wake her, but there was no response. She waited for a moment, her ear pressed against the door, listening for any signs of movement or stirring. Silence. Her heart racing, she slowly opened the door.
The sight that greeted her made her blood run cold. Eliana lay motionless on the floor, surrounded by a pool of her own blood. Sarah's scream was stifled by her hand, which flew to her mouth in horror. Tears sprang to her eyes as she rushed to her mistress's side, falling to her knees in the crimson puddle.
"Oh, dear gods, no! My lady, no!" Sarah's voice was a desperate whisper, as if she feared speaking too loudly would make the situation worse. She gently shook Eliana's shoulder, but there was no response.
Without hesitation, Sarah scrambled to her feet and raced out of the room, her footsteps echoing through the silent corridors, each step a desperate plea for aid. She burst into the king's quarters, knocking on the door. "Your Highness, help... Lady Eliana!"
Ryker rushed to open the door, his face filled with concern. "What's wrong, Sarah?"
Sarah curtsied, tears streaming down her face. "She's hurt, Your Highness, she's... " She choked on her words, unable to fully articulate the horror she had witnessed.
Ryker's expression darkened as he grasped the gravity of the situation. Without hesitation, he followed Sarah back to Eliana's chamber, his face filled with fear.
As they reached the room, Ryker was met with a sight of anguish. "Get the healer, now!" he barked, rushing to Eliana's side and gently placing her on the bed.
Sarah nodded and sprinted out of the room, her heart pounding in her chest. She could feel the fear rising, but she pushed it aside, focusing on getting help for her mistress.
She reached the healer's house, pounding on the door until it was flung open by a bleary-eyed woman with the distinctive black mark of a healer. "What's all the commotion about?" the healer asked.
Sarah's voice was shaking. "The king has called for you."
The healer's face turned grave as she quickly gathered her things and followed Sarah back to Eliana's quarters.