The heavy doors of the council chamber swung open with a resounding thud, startling everyone present. A guard staggered in, his face ashen and his breathing laboured, as though he had sprinted the entire length of the palace.
"Your Majesty," he panted urgently, bowing quickly, though his shaky demeanour betrayed his nerves.
King Lucian frowned as he straightened in his seat. "What is the meaning of this?" he demanded. "You dare interrupt the council without proper decorum? Without even knocking?"
The guard stiffened, realising his error.
He quickly knelt, bowing his head low. "Forgive me, Your Majesty," he stammered. "It's an emergency. The healer sent me to inform you at once."
"An emergency," Lucian repeated with irritation. "And is it truly so dire that you storm into my chambers like an ill-trained pup? Or is this healer too cowardly to report it himself?"
