Burned to Ashes

Chapter One

                  

Chapter One

"Where are you taking me!" I scream as I get dragged down the hallway.

I was knocked out for at least an hour and I can't remember anything. I believe we are in some sort of castle, which makes me wonder if we are in Lexindale already. The walls are stone and strong and there doesn't seem to be any escape route. Not that I would make it. If my suspicions are right than this castle is full of magic, deadly magic.

"Stop squirming girl, your making this harder than it has to be." The guard says yanking my arm roughly.

My head throbs to the beat of his footsteps. I can already feel a bruise forming at my temple. He must have really hit me hard. My hands were bound and covered in front of me. They didn't want me using my powers, if only I had any. We continue down the long corridor, the granite floor partially covered with a tasteful red carpet. The long dark hall looming ahead, it seems as if it will never end. The candles on the walls coming in and out of focus as we walk. I shouldn't be treated this way I'm a princess! I sigh aloud, I was a princess. Six months in the factories have changed me. No one cared who I was. I got treated like everyone else. It turned me from the cowardly princess, to a warrior.

Not so much of a warrior now. There is no point in fighting back. I am weak, so weak that I have a hard time opening my eyelids for long periods of time. And my was I oh so tired. I began to wonder if I was under the influence of some sort of sedative. Had I fought back? Ran? I hope so, give these guards hell. I sag my head low basically letting the guard carry me. He grunts suddenly having all my weight bestowed upon him.

I was foolish. Me and Allister were both foolish. We would have never made it against the Blood Guard. I didn't help that we were both Falenless. I lost my family my life and the one thing that was still worth living for. They took him. God knows what they will do to him. He shouldn't have risked it all for me. I know they would have killed me, I'm a woman, and better yet a princess, but he's a man and he knew that whatever he would endure would be better than what I would. The Blood Guard is vicious and they won't stop until they get what they want.

The scrapes and cuts on my legs and arms weren't fading. I must look atrocious, the last time I looked into a mirror was when I was in Kelden. Kelden is a whole sea away from here. My heart throbs with loss. My feet dragging on the designed carpet creating a horrific static sound. I cringe as the guards hold on me tightens. The soft ache in my underarms tell me that he will not let go until told to do so.     

Just as I was thinking we would be in this hallway forever I saw a huge set of wooden double doors awaiting us at the end. Two guards sat like statues on either side of the doors. Elongated muskets with sharp bayonets at the end taunted me. One of the guards opened the doors revealing what seemed to be a sort of ball room, the yellowing glass windows letting in pools of golden light. I look to my left to see a balcony sort of platform structure and leading up to it on both sides where small sets of golden stairs. My heart drops as I see 4 stone thrones atop it. One sat King Bertherium himself and on the other two where what I assumed to be the princes. One throne was empty, possibly the queens?

"Thank you Tytis that will be all." The king says kindly.

The guard, Tytis, bows untying my hands, and throws me into the large room. Without having time to react I land face first into the stoned ground. My nose throbs as I lift myself from the floor. I can feel blood pour into my mouth from my nasal cavity. I spit the blood across the room knowing that it's a rebellious act but the king doesn't take acknowledgement as if he were
expecting it.