Cervato - Girl On Fire (Part 1 of Cervato's Saga)

Solitude

Time.

The sun had set, the visiting hours over. The next morning potentially would be her last.

Alone.

Her last day before the trial was quiet. The nervous soldier who served her food was the only visitor. Theo's last gift of food and sentimental talk of his brothers from the previous night had spoiled her. The day prior, Remus's harp had lit up her soul briefly, longing to dance away from her bindings in the prison cell.

Much to her surprise, Atlas had appeared in Seraph uniform. The bastard was smart enough to have kept it from his soldier days. An ache had formed in her chest when he had asked her if she was set on going to trial. The truth of the matter was that Cervato wanted to be free. To run. Escape. Even now, her nerves were causing her to shiver or perhaps it was the draft of cold night air. At least he had offered her a gift, the cool glass vial still hidden within her bosom, the secret mixture it contained perhaps could be critical for tomorrow. She had hoped to offer it to Ti'lay or Atreyu if they had come today.

Why hadn't they come?

After a moment to reflect on this, the prisoner shook her head. There must be a reason. Cervato did not want to wallow in self pity. Perhaps they were preparing for tomorrow? Or perhaps....they had no idea. After all, they were dealing with the Shining Blade. The elite. For Six's sake, they were probably watching her friends to ensure her demise.

It had been days since she'd seen Ti'lay. Was she safe? Had she run away? Was that the last time she would ever see the woman who had tried to save her?

Atreyu. Her throat went dry. Was that the last time she would stare into his piercing eyes? The last time she'd feel his lips brush against her own? The last time she'd ever confess that she loved him?

Suddenly, it felt as if a great weight had been placed upon her chest. Huddled in the corner of her cell, the chains about her ankles and wrists stung with biting cold. The woman's breath felt lost, as she gasped quietly. Tears soon followed, warm as they fell from her eyes, spotting the thin blouse.

Alone.

There was no time left.