At last we stopped by a sturdy wooden door. Without letting myself think what I was about to do or say, I boldly knocked. A moment later the sound of footsteps approached the door and I heard a familiar voice.
“Damn it! Can you just leave me alone?”
The door swung open and I saw the face of my adviser. His skin was covered with crusty, red spots, and one of his eyes was bloodshot.
“Sage?”
“M–M–Milady?”
“What happened? Where’s Tynan?” I asked, glancing over his shoulder into the room.
“Milady. You shouldn’t be here. It’s dangerous.”
“Why?” I attempted to push past him, but he blocked the door.
“Milady. It’s not safe for you to be so close.”
“What do you mean?”
“I believe... We believe that we were poisoned. As we still don’t know the nature of the disease, you should stay away. It may be contagious.”
“Where is my husband?”
“It is not advisable for you to be near him.”
“Let me be the judge!”
“I can’t let you risk yourself,” he hurried to add.
“Where is he?” I pressed.
“He’s in a set of rooms below the entrance hall. Lady Alina, please don’t go there.”
I adjusted my skirt, lifting my head up high.
“Why didn’t you use sacred water to cure whatever it is?”
“There’s none left. Tynan sent people to get more from the temples but it will take some time.”
“That’s why you decided to vanish without a trace?”
“No, milady. We thought it would be best if no rumor of us being exposed reached the enemy. We still don’t know who’s responsible.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Tynan decided that it would?—”
I turned and marched down the hall not letting him finish, fuming from within.
“May,” I started, looking back to see Sage still watching us.
“Milady?”
“May, do you know where it is?”
“No, milady.”
“I’m sure we can figure it out.”
