Light of Elliana: Book One—Of Tears & Darkness

Chapter Ten: Poisoned

Gasping in pain, Morgan relived what had just occurred. She groped blindly for some form of stability and managed to keep from falling. The markswoman whirled about, attempting to hear anything which might give her a clue as to her foe’s position. The battle had been short-lived when Morgan managed to draw first blood. Prince Donovan had intervened in the battle with the assassin and saved her life. In an abrupt flurry of motion, Morgan had suddenly felt her eyes explode in pain as something dusted her face. With tears flooding her eyes, she had blindly swung all about her with her swords.

Any moment now, Morgan expected the death blow, which would end her life. Abruptly, she heard her enemy flee as the sounds of guards approaching drew near.

“Princess Morgan, are you alright?”

Morgan exhaled while shaking with relief upon recognizing Donovan’s voice. “Prince Donovan, my eyes feel like they are on fire.”

Morgan’s eyes felt like hot coals were burning them. The pain was excruciating. Even worse, she was now blind. Not even a glimmer of light pierced the inky darkness which had replaced her sight. All about her, the darkness was closing in, threatening to engulf her.

With gentle hands, Morgan walked up the stone steps and entered a room. “You can turn around now and sit on your bed,” Donovan said. He maneuvered her around and slightly pushed down on her shoulders. Morgan sat down, for her strength suddenly seemed to have left her.

“I will bring the Court Healer.” Donovan patted her on the shoulder, and she heard him run down the hallway. As she listened to his fading footsteps, her beating heart felt as if it would burst from her chest.

The prince’s voice had sounded distant and muffled. Whether it was from echoing down the hallway to her or because she was near fainting Morgan couldn’t tell. She sat alone in the darkness, shaking uncontrollably, as fear ran rampant through her mind.

Outside in the courtyard, the sound of guards running and shouted commands filled the air. The voices gradually faded in the distance as the search spread outward. Morgan heard someone enter the room and close the door.

“Princess Morgan, I am Addena, the Court Healer, we need to determine what poison the enemy used on your eyes. Now, this may hurt a bit. I will be as gentle as I can, it is vital that I obtain a sample to find the right counteragent.”

Even the slightest touch around Morgan’s eyes created intense auras of pain, which threatened to make her pass out. Abruptly, a wave of nausea made her sick to her stomach. A basin was slid in place, and Addena rolled her over, just in time. She retched until she was too weak to continue.

The white-hot agony burning in her eyes was now spreading rapidly throughout her body. The room felt hot and stuffy. It was getting hard to breathe. Voices nearby were hard to understand; they seemed to be fading far away into the distance. Faintly, someone whispered her name and repeated it, then that faded away. Around her grew a veil of darkness, its touch was mercifully cool and soothing. Unable to fight it any longer, Morgan lay still surrendering to the waiting quiet.