Chapter 4 - The Silver Wolf
A sharp, violent whoosh cut through the air directly above the heads of the panicked guests.
A heavy steel crossbow bolt sliced through the exact space where Valeria had been standing just moments before Elena shoved her.
The bolt slammed violently into the heavy oak paneling of the wall behind the staircase, burying itself several inches deep into the solid wood.
The impact was so fierce it caused a massive, expensive oil painting to rattle wildly against the wall.
The entire grand hall fell into a dead, terrified silence.
The guests slowly traced the trajectory of the bolt, looking from the wall, up to the dark balcony, and finally realizing the horrific reality of the situation.
Elena had not attempted to harm Valeria.
Elena had just saved her life.
Valeria stared at the steel bolt embedded in the wall, her eyes wide with sheer, absolute horror. She realized, with crushing clarity, that if Elena had not violently pushed her down those stairs, she would currently be lying dead on the marble floor with a steel arrow through her heart.
Elena ran frantically down the stairs, dropping to her knees beside her mistress.
"Forgive me, madam,"
May you like
Elena whispered frantically, tears pooling in her eyes.
"I had absolutely no time to warn you."
