The biting chill of the wind whistled through the trees as Alca stepped back inside the warmth of her small home. Her heart raced with concern as she surveyed the dimly lit room. The flickering light from the hearth danced upon the walls, casting long shadows that seemed to whisper secrets of the night.
Her gaze fell upon Sulas, who lay crumpled on the floor, his breath shallow and labored. Panic surged through her as she hurried to his side, kneeling beside him. The little boy's cheeks were flushed, and sweat glistened on his brow, a stark contrast to the icy surroundings. "What have you been through?" she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. Gently, she scooped him up into her arms, feeling the heat radiate from his tiny body.
She hurried to the bedroom adjacent to her study, a modest space filled with the scent of aged wood and the faint aroma of dried herbs. Placing Sulas on the bed, she quickly rummaged through the drawers, searching for a first-aid kit. Her fingers trembled as she pulled out a small wooden box, worn from years of use. Inside, she found bandages, ointments, and various herbs she had collected from the forest.
As she worked, she noticed the twins, Eilora and Lioras, peeking through the door, their eyes wide with worry. "Will he be okay?" Eilora asked softly, her voice trembling.
Alca turned to them, offering a reassuring smile. "He'll be just fine. He just needs some rest and care."
With deft hands, she began to treat Sulas's fever. She gently wiped his forehead and applied a cool cloth to help bring down his temperature. As she worked, she caught sight of the bruises and scrapes adorning his arms and legs. A deep frown creased her forehead as she wondered what kind of life these children had endured.
Meanwhile, outside the small home, preparations were underway in the nearby duchy. Alex, the tall, fair-skinned majordomo with curly hair, moved swiftly, issuing commands to the servants. The storm raged outside, but he remained focused, his sharp blue eyes scanning the chaos. "We need to prepare a carriage for the lady immediately!" he ordered, his voice steady despite the howling winds.
Inside the carriage, two servants busied themselves, while Alex turned to the coachman, a knight clad in thick, protective attire. "What could possibly be happening for her to need a carriage in this blizzard?" he mused aloud, a frown of concern etching his features.
The knight shrugged, adjusting his heavy cloak against the cold. "Whatever it is, it must be urgent. The lady doesn't strike me as someone to ask for help lightly."
As the carriage was finally ready, Alex stepped inside, glancing back at the tumult outside. His thoughts were consumed with worry for Alca. What could be causing her such distress? The snow continued to fall heavily, obscuring the path ahead as he prepared to venture into the storm.