The servants came to fetch me before the sun was raising. I groaned as they unlocked my shackles, my knees cracked as i feel to the hard stone floor. They roughly grabbed me up by the armpits. Stumbling we made our way through the gates and to the stairs.
"Where are we going?"
"We've been instructed to get you ready for your trip milady" an older maid said gently.
Trudging through the palace I look vastly out of place, my dress in rags and covered in dirt and dry blood. I thank the stars the nobles are all still sleeping. I take in my surroundings as they urge me along, admiring my childhood home once more before i never see it again. Before i realize it we stop, looking forward i see that we are facing the head servant her arms crossed and a stern look on her face. Giving me a quick look down she groans and rolls her eyes.
"Get her undressed." she sighs waving her arm to a giant tub filled with water.
I am ushered over to the tub where my dress is gently pulled over my head, my arms instinctively cross to cover my chest from sight. My wavy, black hair is in knots making it seem shorter than it is. I hear some sharp gasps and glance over my shoulder, the servants look horrified as my body is revealed to them. My once ivory skin is now stained with blood and covered in deep scars from my many lashings.
"I-I'm sorry." i stammer quietly as i climb into the water prepared for me.
"don't apologize dear," the head servant says patiently as she grabs a sponge "none of this is your fault."
Many hands start their work to scrub my body clean, a bucket of water is poured on my head as they try to work the tangles out. After being cleansed a salve is put on my cuts to help diminish the scars. A modest dress is presented before me, not as high quality as a noble's dress but it's cleaner than my rags. They carefully get me dressed, sitting down a servant combs my thick hair while another brings a breakfast tray with cheeses, fruit and bread.
"I'm sorry I couldn't bring more; we know how hungry you are." she whispers.
"Thank you, this is very generous." i beam at her.
Trying to control myself from ravenously attacking the tray I slowly nibble at the food she brought, looking into the mirror before me I barely recognize myself. I'm thin, eyes are slightly sunken in the hardship apparent in my features. Footsteps can be heard slowly getting louder, soon my uncle bursts into the room.
"Dismissed!" he yells looking at all the servants.
They scurry to escape before his wrath is known.
"I see they're spoiling you." he scoffs picking up the food tray before throwing it "Your carriage is ready for departure, let's go rat."
he grabs my arm roughly leading me through the corridors, down the steps of the entrance. Sitting in the palace court there is a carriage waiting. As the doors open i gasp, another prison. Inside the carriage instead of seats another device is installed, shackles inside a cage. Protruding out are spikes at every angle all attached to loaded springs.
"Like it? I commissioned the building of it myself. You will be strapped in this device just like in that cell." he excitedly explained as two guards roughly shoved me inside and started to tie the straps " You see my dear, you will be strapped in this device and the second you are unstrapped these spikes will release killing anyone in a 10-foot radius. Genius is it not?"
"But why? Why do all this? I thought you wanted to gain an ally? why try to kill them?" I yelled tears pricking at my eyes.
"Ally?" he laughed "No absolutely not. we are too good for allies, I crave dominance. soon the world will know only one ruler. And that ruler will be me. Only the best for my sweet family."
"You're a monster!" I screamed "I'll warn them!"
"It'll be hard to do that with a gag on now won't it?" he smirked as he turned and walked away. "Farewell Rat, give the king my regards."