Author’s POV.
Daisy’s heart racing, she watched in horror as Lienna’s eyes fluttered closed, her body going limp in her arms. “Lienna? Lienna!!” she cried out, shaking her friend desperately, but there was no response. Lienna’s skin felt icy to the touch, and her body seemed to be growing colder by the second.
Panic set in, and Daisy’s voice rose to a frantic scream. “Somebody help! Please, help us!!” She begged, looking around at the passersby, willing someone to assist her. People began to gather around, their faces etched with concern.
“She’s unconscious!” Daisy exclaimed, cradling Lienna’s head in her lap. “I need to get her back to the Shifter Kings’ fortress. Please, help us!” she implored, her eyes welling up with tears.
A kind-faced stranger stepped forward, offering his assistance. “Let me help you, miss. We’ll find a carriage to take you back to the fortress.” With his help, they managed to secure a carriage, and Daisy gently laid Lienna inside.
As they rode, Daisy held Lienna’s hand, feeling her friend’s life force ebbing away. She prayed fervently, hoping against hope that Lienna would pull through. The silence was oppressive, punctuated only by the sound of horse hooves on the cobblestone road.
Daisy’s mind raced with worst-case scenarios, her imagination running wild. What if Lienna didn’t survive? What if she had suffered internal injuries? The questions swirled in her mind like a maelstrom, threatening to consume her.
“Please be alive…” Daisy whispered, looking down at Lienna’s pale face, her heart aching with fear and worry. “Please…” she whispered, her voice barely audible over the sound of the carriage wheels.
It took only minutes but it felt like a lifetime when they finally arrived at the Shifter Kings fortress. Daisy struggled to carry Lienna’s limp form towards the Shifter Kings’ fortress. She grunted with effort, her forehead beaded with sweat, her arms aching from the weight of her friend’s body. “Help! Someone, please help!” she cried out, her voice hoarse from shouting.
Just when she thought she couldn’t go any further, a figure emerged from the crowd that has gathered. Mara’s face contorted in horror as she took in the scene before her. She rushed towards them, her heart racing with fear.
“What happened?!” Mara exclaimed, panic etched on her face as she gently took Lienna from Daisy’s arms. She stiffened as she felt Lienna’s icy skin, her eyes widening in alarm. “Heavens! She’s freezing!”
Daisy shook her head, her eyes welling up with tears. “I don’t know! She just came running towards me, looking like she’d seen a ghost. Before I could even ask her what was wrong, she fell unconscious.”
Mara’s face set in a determined expression as she quickly scanned Lienna’s body for any signs of injury. “We need to get her inside, now,” she said, already moving towards the maid’s quarters “We need to warm her up, and fast.”
As they rushed inside, Daisy followed close behind, her heart heavy with worry. She couldn’t lose Lienna, not now, not ever. The thought sent a chill down her spine, and she quickened her pace, determined to do everything in her power to save her friend.
Mara swiftly sprang into action, her hands moving with a practiced ease as she retrieved the pouch of herbs from her waist. She pulled out a handful of dried leaves and a small bottle of water, her eyes locked on Lienna’s pale face. “Daisy, open the windows, let in some fresh air,” she instructed, her voice calm and authoritative.
As Daisy hastened to obey, Mara began grinding the leaves into a fine paste using a small mortar. The pungent aroma of the herbs filled the air, mingling with the fresh air coming from outside. Mara’s hands moved with a gentle yet firm touch as she loosened Lienna’s clothing, revealing a map of bruises and cuts that made her gasp.
Pressing her lips together, Mara applied the paste to Lienna’s wounds, her fingers working with a practiced gentleness. The paste would act as a disinfectant, preventing infection from setting in. As she worked, Mara’s eyes roved over Lienna’s face, willing her to regain consciousness. But Lienna’s eyes remained closed, her breathing shallow, her body still icy to the touch.
Mara’s brow furrowed in concern as she continued to treat Lienna’s wounds. Despite the warmth of the room and the gentle heat of the paste, Lienna’s body refused to warm up. Her teeth had begun to chatter, her skin covered in a fine sheen of sweat, yet her body remained frozen. Mara had never seen anything like this before, and it confused her. She had treated countless wounds, but this… this was something different. Mara did everything in her power but it yielded little results. What’s going on?
“Is anything the matter here?” King Caspian’s deep voice boomed from the doorway, commanding attention. Mara turned to face him, noticing for the first time the crowd that had gathered outside. They parted to let the king enter, their faces filled with concern.
Mara rose to her feet, lowering her head in a respectful greeting. “Your Majesty,” she said, her voice steady. “It’s Lienna.” She gestured to the bed, where Lienna lay motionless.
King Caspian’s eyes narrowed slightly as he approached the bed. “What about her?” he asked, his voice firm but laced with a hint of worry.
Mara explained, “I don’t know, Your Majesty. She was brought into the fortress unconscious. It seemed like she was attacked.” She hesitated, unsure how much to reveal.
The king’s gaze swept the room, his eyes lingering on each face before returning to Lienna. He moved closer, his movements deliberate, and peered at her closely. After a moment, he lowered himself beside her and took her hands in his, his fingers probing her skin as if searching for something.
A frown slowly creased his face, his brows furrowing in concern. Mara’s worry grew, her heart racing with anticipation. Something was wrong, terribly wrong.
“Call the Royal Healer,” King Caspian commanded, his voice booming in the small room, making everyone jump. “Have him meet us here and tell him to hurry.” He added, his eyes never leaving Lienna’s face.
Mara didn’t hesitate, she immediately turned and ran out of the room, her footsteps echoing down the corridor as she rushed to summon the healer.