The king was lying on the bed, dark circles forming under his eyes. He had not slept, and pain had been torturing him. Suddenly, he felt a sweetness rise in his throat and vomited blood.
His movements were so abrupt that the guards outside the door heard the commotion.
They hurriedly sent for Physician Nathan, who was working in the front hall. At this time, the queen had gone to the torture room. Seeing the king's condition deteriorating, she was anxious to get results as soon as possible.
When Physician Nathan entered the bedchamber and saw that the king had vomited blood, he became even more confident in his suspicion; the king had been poisoned.
He had an antidote that worked against many types of poison, made from the rare herbs. Quickly, he fed it to the king. Though he was uncertain if it would cure him, he hoped it would at least slow the effects of the poison.
After a few moments, he examined the king, but there was little improvement.
