Alan walked through the castle gates and stopped. The air felt cold and strange inside the stone walls. He looked around and saw many knights sitting or lying down. Their faces were pale and their eyes looked tired and sad.
The brave knight felt a chill in his bones. This was not the lively castle he knew before. He saw no laughter or strong voices in the halls. The usual noise of training was missing too.
Alan moved closer to one knight and spoke softly. "Are you well?" he asked with worry in his voice. The knight tried to smile but his lips did not move much. He whispered, "Many of us feel weak and sick."
Ella and Jorik hurry through the dark halls of the castle. They hear quiet noises from behind a heavy wooden door. Ella knocks and calls softly, "Gwen, are you there?" The door opens slowly, and Gwen looks tired but focused.
Gwen works with many bottles and herbs on a small table. She cleans wounds and gives water to a weak knight in bed. Ella asks, "What is wrong with them? Why are they so sick?" Gwen shakes her head and says, "It is a strange sickness, I do not know yet."
Jorik helps Gwen carry more bandages and medicine. Ella watches as Gwen moves fast and does not stop. The room feels heavy with worry and cold air. Gwen says, "We must act quickly or many will fall."
The sick knights lie quiet in the cold stone hall. Alan walks among them, his steps slow and careful. He sees many faces pale, their eyes dull and heavy. A strong sadness grows in his chest with each step.
Alan tries to keep his own body strong and steady. But a cold sweat covers his skin and his breath shortens. His arms shake when he lifts his sword, and he must rest. Fear grows as he feels the sickness pulling at his strength.
He finds a corner to lean against, empty and dark. Even the quiet seems heavy like a thick fog here. He grits his teeth and tries not to give in to the dark thoughts. But the world feels colder, darker, and harder to fight.
Gwen hurried to the castle garden with Jorik close behind. The sky was grey but a weak sun shone through the clouds. She looked carefully among the plants near the stone wall. At last, she found a small green leaf with white flowers.
'This is it,' Gwen said, holding the herb carefully. 'It can help fight the sickness in the knights.' Jorik watched her with hope in his eyes. They gathered enough leaves for medicine.
Back inside the castle, Gwen worked quickly to make the medicine. She crushed the leaves and mixed them with warm water. Jorik helped her carry the bowls to the sick knights. They gave the medicine to the weakest first.
The knights tasted the bitter drink but drank it all. Gwen said, 'This might bring strength back to their bodies.' Jorik smiled and said, 'We will watch closely for the change.' The castle felt a little less dark that day.
Alan wakes up feeling stronger than before. He sits up and smiles at Ella and Jorik. Ella looks happy and Jorik gives a small nod.
Gwen walks into the room with fresh herbs in her hands. She says the medicine is working well now. The knights begin to recover their strength slowly.
The castle feels warm and not cold anymore. Knights talk softly and walk in the halls again. Alan thanks Gwen for saving them all with her care.
Ella looks around and says the castle is alive once more. Jorik agrees and says they will protect it together. They all feel hope returning to the battered old castle.