Lukas sprinted forward to assist, recognizing Sabine close behind the guards. “What happened? What’s the situation?”

“Assassins ambushed us on our way here; Reza was gravely injured during the ensuing fight. Since your estate was closer than mine, I decided to bring him here.” She replied, her gaze never leaving Reza’s. He remained oblivious to his surroundings, yet he had to be conscious because his wraith, Elana, trailed behind the group with a distressed expression etched on her face. Reza’s head rolled as the guards carried him, his eyes unfocused.

Lukas turned away from them, his attention now focused on William, who had just exited the manor. “William, we urgently require a healer. I want you to summon the most skilled one we know.” He turned to the guards. “Place him in the first guest room, and make him comfortable.”

With Reza carried into the Manor, Lukas also checked in with Sabine, following closely behind her. “Are you injured as well?” Lukas quickly assessed her condition. While her arms were red with blood, but it didn’t appear she had any substantial injuries, with the majority of the blood likely belonging to Reza.

She had a minor cut on the side of her face and neck, but nothing seemed life-threatening.

“No, the assassins targeted Reza; I appeared to be an afterthought. Only two of them attacked me, while he had five others, I believe. The bodies are still scattered on the streets, I’m certain. People were frantically calling for the city watch when I left to bring him here.” She wiped some of the blood onto her clothes, attempting to remove some of the blood from her hands.

The group moved purposefully towards the house. Before they entered the manor, Lukas grabbed Sabine by the arm.

“Hold on,” he said, turning to Tarimage. “I’m so sorry for leaving you in this situation. I’ll see you next week; if anything changes, I’ll have a messenger reach out.”

“Is there anything I can do before I go?” he asked, glancing over to Sabine with concern.

“No, thank you for your concern. I believe we can handle it,” Lukas said, entering the manor and leaving Tarimage to find his own way to the exit.

“Marie! Uncle Sulli! Where are you?” Lukas roared into the house. “I need assistance immediately.”

Multiple servants responded to his call and appeared in seconds. Several came from different rooms until four stood before him. Now, he had to decide what to do with them.

Lukas took a moment to gather his thoughts. There was so much to do. He indicated the first servant. “Take Lady Rewan here and help her get cleaned up.

She has a small cut on her face; please clean and bandage any you find. I’ll have the healer check her after he has tended to Reza.”

Almost without thinking, he pointed to the next servant. The young man bowed quickly. “Gather the bandages we have. The healer may need them if the injuries are more severe than can be treated immediately. I suspect some hot water will also be required, and gather anything else you think might be useful. I want you to be prepared to assist the healer when he arrives.”

Before Lukas could continue, Sabine spoke, having not left with the maid. Lukas noticed her eyes fixed on him, her posture stiff, indicating her unwillingness.

Shaking her head, she said, “I’m fine. I want to be with Marius.”

Lukas turned his attention to Sabine. Her posture and voice indicated that she was determined, but he knew he had to prioritize her well-being first. In a soothing tone, he tried to offer her comfort. “He will be fine. Please allow the maid to check for any other injuries after you’ve been cleaned up. Then, I’ll let you see him once the healer has examined him. I know Reza would be furious if you didn’t ensure you were alright.”

Sabine nodded, her shoulders sagging.

“Come along. You’ll be in the room next to him.” The maid spoke kindly as she approached Sabine, taking her arm and guiding her away.

Lukas made a mental note to remember the maid’s face, though he didn’t know her name. Her handling of the situation had been commendable, and he would ensure he learned her name. Helton, the head butler, would be informed about the excellent work of his staff.

Most of the people had already left the main room, and Lukas noticed a faint trail of blood droplets behind them. Reza must have lost a significant amount of blood, but the fact that Elana had been summoned indicated that he was still alive and strong enough to stay conscious. Perhaps that would be enough.

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Turning to the remaining servants, Lukas gave his final orders. “Find or wake Lord Sulli. I’m certain he’ll want to know about this.” One maid bowed and hurried away, ascending the stairs, leaving him with one last servant. “Please clean this up. I don’t want to cause any further distress.”

The last servant bowed and retreated towards the kitchens. With everyone gone, Lukas took a deep breath, feeling a strange sensation wash over him. He began to shake and stood in the center of the entryway, trying to hold it together. The events of what had just transpired finally caught up with him, his mind racing with thoughts. Reza had been attacked by assassins, and his mind immediately jumped to Lord Kejek. But wouldn’t Lord Kejek have been so obvious just half a day after he had been voted down?

“Lukas, what’s all the commotion?” Marie called down the stairs, still wearing her sleeping gown. She stopped halfway down, seeing the blood on the ground. “What has happened here?”

“Reza was attacked, and he’s in bad shape in the guest room. I’m waiting for a healer to arrive,” Lukas replied, his eyes fixed on the front door, hoping

William would return soon with the healer. “Sabine was also attacked during the same assault. I’ve sent a servant to check her for any further injuries.”

Marie approached his side. “We need to inform his sisters. I’ll send a rider to their house and have them brought here.”

Lukas nodded in agreement. “That’s a good idea. I’m not sure if he’ll make it, but there’s still hope, and they should know either way.”

Marie hurried away, returning to her room, leaving Lukas waiting outside for William to return. It took a few more minutes before an older man rushed in with William by his side, carrying a large bag.

“Where is the patient?” the man puffed out, trying to catch his breath.

“Inside, follow me.” Lukas hurried into the house and made his way to the guest wing, stopping outside the first room. The doctor stopped just outside the door, taking a moment to regain his breath and adjust his clothes to appear more presentable. Once his breathing was under control, the healer nodded to Lukas, and they entered the room.

Reza looked rough, with blood already staining the bed. He was bare-chested, and the servant and guards had already removed his jacket and shirt. His neck was ravaged, and some blood pooled into the pillow. Two stab wounds were easily visible on his side; blood flowed from both, with one wound between his ribs and the other just under his collarbone.

“Oh dear, we have a lot to do. Let’s see,” the healer said, taking out a pair of glasses and beginning to examine Reza. As he did, he carefully went through each wound, checking them all. While he worked, a wraith, dressed in a robe with his hands pressed together, appeared next to him in a glowing white.

Finally, the healer stood up and opened his bag.

Lukas moved closer. “Will he live?”

“I’m not certain. This man was fortunate, and the fact that he still has his wraith summoned is a positive sign. The wounds are deep, but the heart was spared. You did well to summon me so swiftly. I believe we can save him if I begin working immediately. I need one of your servants to remain behind and assist if necessary. Someone strong in case the man awakens.”

“William, stay and assist. The rest depart.” He issued his orders. Everyone left the room, leaving only him behind.

The healer turned back. “You must join them as well. I require complete focus and only one assistant.”

Lukas wanted to argue, but he restrained himself. Reza needed the healer and wouldn’t jeopardize his recovery by being a distraction. Lukas left, glancing over his shoulder, quickly praying to the Echoes for Reza’s well-being. As he returned to the hallway, Lord Sulli approached him calmly, already dressed in one of his suits.

“Uncle, someone attempted to assassinate Lord Reza.” He informed him. His blood boiled, and he clenched his fists tightly.

“I am aware. A distraught maid burst into my room to inform me, and if that wasn’t enough, we have a trail of blood leading to this room.” Lord Sulli indicated the blood that had yet to be cleaned.

Lukas wanted to see what his uncle thought. “Do you think it was Kejek? It seems unlikely, but he mentioned wanting this last night.”

Lord Sulli shook his head. “I don’t believe so. It would be insane for him to commit such a heinous act, and Kejek is not insane, despite his open discussions about murdering people. The Praetor will order his people to investigate, and we will uncover the truth.” He paused, leaning his shoulders against the wall.

“Sabine mentioned that she was also targeted. The Praetor should be informed of that as well.” Lukas recalled.

“Indeed, I will inform him when I see him. We may have to meet again sooner than anticipated.” Lord Sulli mused. “But before anything else, we know whether he survives.”

Lukas nodded, and they stood in silence for over half an hour. The only interruption was the maid I had sent with Sabine leaving the room to report to Lukas.

“Only the one cut, Sir. She will recover, but she is still cleaning off the blood. There was so much that it took some time to ensure she wasn’t injured elsewhere. I had to promise to check on Lord Reza before she finished cleaning up,” she said, bowing.

“Good news. The only update is that he still lives,” Lukas replied. “Please inform her, and I will send someone when we have more information.”

The maid bowed and returned to Sabine. Lord Sulli and Lukas waited in silence for another quarter hour before the healer exited the room.

“Will he survive?” Lukas asked as the healer cleaned his hands with a bloodied rag.

“Yes, he was fortunate that he summoned his wraith; that likely saved his life. The wounds have healed, but please ensure that he avoids strenuous activities when he awakens,” he said, glancing back over his shoulder. “It may take a few days, but he should recover fully. I will send another healer tonight and return tomorrow for another session.”

“I will ensure he stays in that bed,” Lukas said. “Thank you for your prompt arrival.”

“Of course, of course. We do have the matter of the bill. Who should I send that to?” He asked, glancing between the two.

Lord Sulli stepped forward. “Send the bill to me; I will cover the cost. Have your healers come as frequently as possible; I will cover everything. Marius is part of the contest and needs to be ready to fight as soon as possible.”

The healer bowed. “I will check who is available and send whoever we have this afternoon. Again, he should not leave that bed until tomorrow at the earliest.”

Nodding, the healer gathered his bag and left with William guiding him.

Lord Sulli waited until the healer turned the corner out of sight before turning his attention back to Lukas. “Now that we know he is alive, I will go to the Praetor. I will inform him if a meeting has been called.”

“Is there anything I can do?” Lukas asked, walking with his uncle.

“Not at the moment. Keep everyone here doing their jobs and ensure the healers have everything they need,” Lord Sulli replied.

With his uncle gone, Lukas went to report Sabine.