The night was long and tiring.
Elaine's eyes snapped open to the sound of bells ringing from a distance. Sharp. Insistent. They echoed through the stone walls, waking up the whole castle.
Then came the knocking. Soft but persistent against her door.
She blinked at the ceiling. Her body felt heavy. Like stones had been piled on her chest during the night. Her head pounded like someone hitting a drum in her skull.
The morning sky beyond her window was dull. Gray. Like it was forced to come to work. Fighting the darkness for its shine.
She pushed herself up. Her arms shook with the effort.
The knocking came again.
"Miss? May we enter?"
Mira's voice. Gentle. Worried.
Elaine dragged herself to the door. Her legs felt weak beneath her nightgown, about to cave in from lack of strength.
