Castle

Prologue

Midnight reigned over the old forest as the man and his small child walked among the ruins of the old castle. The girl, who couldn't have been more than six, ran far ahead in her excitement.
"Whoa, Eliza, wait for me," her father cried, laughing.
Paying no attention to his words, Eliza ran through the ancient palace. Passing old fountains, withered tapestries, and grand ballrooms, she came at last to an old balcony. From it, she could see all the way across the forest, right down to her house by the water.
The half moon shone upon her golden hair and long white dress, giving her the appearance of a miniature angel.
"Do you like it?" Her father came up behind her and set his hand on her shoulder.
"Very much! Who lived here? A princess? A knight?"
"All sorts of people, from the noblest queen to the humblest servant."
It's beautiful," the girl whispered, looking up at the stone walls above her.
Her father smiled but said nothing. A sacred stillness grew over them, so tangible that if either of them had moved, they surely would have felt it around them. It wasn't until Eliza's eyes closed and she slumped against the rail that her father gently picked her up and carried her to a rather dusty bed, still with all the covers on it.
"Good night, darling," he whispered into the musty air. The words echoed around the old room, creating a sort of lullaby. "Sweet dreams," and he tiptoed out of the ancient palace room.
It would be over a decade before his daughter heard his voice again.