The wind howled gusting viciously through the trees as lightning flashed briefly lighting the pitch black night.
Freezing rain pelted the ground unceasingly as all smart creatures hid within shelters waiting for the storm to pass, no living soul would want to be out in weather as awful as this storm yet as lightning once again flashed across the sky illuminating a small form moving through the forest at full speed.
A young girl ran through the forest a look of terror and pain on her face as she moved, dark chestnut colored hair clung wetly to her face while the plain rags she wore made a wet sucking sound every time she moved not that it could be heard over the raging storm.
Even for a Nord she had unusually pale skin as blood mixed with rain ran in rivlets down her back and legs, the child suddenly tripped in her mad flight falling face down a large gaping wound that appeared almost more like a rip than a cut ran diagonally down the length of her back.
The wound was very deep and still bleeding heavily so it wasn't too surprising when the child did not get back up but just lay there twitching every now and then, what was surprising was that she was even still alive at all considering most people would have bled to death already however in this case the very tip of the weapon used broke off inside the girl and was actually blocking an artery and slowing the flow of blood.
Bright golden light filtered down through the trees dappling the ground below in uneven patches of light, flowers bloomed all over the place and green grass and other plants were growing vibrantly.
Deer slowly moved through the trees stopping here and there to nibble at some greenery, suddenly seemingly out of nowhere an arrow whizzed through the air and hit one of the deer. The animal bolted in pain and fear, it ran blindly only speeding the flow of blood from the wound until the deer stumbled and fell.
It struggled to get up but failed until it stopped moving, three hunters followed the deer's trail and as the beast came into view the most junior Hunter got excited and made a mad dash for the carcass without looking at his surroundings first.
He tripped and fell over something in the undergrowth and cried out loudly in surprise and concern as he realized what he'd tripped over was a young girl. She was soaked with a nasty jagged wound in her back and all the color had drained from her skin, he was sure she was dead until she twitched slightly and as he touched her forehead tenderly almost expecting her to be freezing was surprised to find her skin felt like it was on fire "hey look! She's actually alive... and has a hell of a fever..." the oldest of the hunters came over and shook his head sadly "lift her gently and let's get her to a temple of Kynereth immediately, only the priests and priestess of Kyne can help her now... if anyone can" he said glumly as the other two lifted her gently and the elder directed them along the smoothest rout, the deer lay forgotten and eventually fell to scavengers.
Pain... searing, burning, pounding, persistent white hot pain. Blue eyes briefly fluttered open only to immediately shut again as blinding bright light only added to the girl's pain, a soft pitiful moan of pure misery escaped past her swollen and cracked lips and she attempted to curl into herself.
A loud hoarse cry shattered the stillness as the girl instantly regretted the movement "oh you're awake, please try to be still my dear you suffered quite the nasty wound and even our best healers had some trouble with it so best to try not to open it back up."
A soft gentle voice attempted to sooth her and her cry shifted into a soft whimper, the day went by and she was inspected by healers, her bandages changed with fresh pultices added, now that she was awake they also had her drink down a few different types of healing potions some of them quite vile while healing spells were also applied.
When night came her pain had eased enough for her to fall into a restless nightmare filled sleep though she could never actually remember the dreams upon waking. This continued for months and months, during her entire recovery she had no visitor's save the healers themselves, no one ever came looking for her, there was not even the merest hint of a missing child and when questioned on where she came from the girl found she could remember nothing including her own name.
Several more months go by and the girl is recovering well, when asked by the healers she can now bend, twist, run, walk and jump.
At first she'd had a little trouble with the bending and twisting but her wound was all but healed now even if in spite of every effort from the healers it would always be a nasty scar. Now she could move as easily as if she had never been injured and still no one had stepped forward to claim her, one night she overheard them discussing what to do with her. They had taken to calling her Brenna after the character in her favorite story and she perked up when she heard her name "it's time, Brenna isn't sick or injured anymore and it's our job to care for the infermed not orphans.
The orphanage in Riften will be just fine and there will even be other children she can play with, she'll leave for Honorhall in the morning... you know it's what's best" the other healer sighed but nodded "I suppose you're right..."
The next morning after being fed Brenna was taken by one of the healers to Honorhall Orphanage in Riften, the trip took most of the day and was actually quite pleasant. The healer spoke of the beauty and blessings of nature while Brenna anxiously looked forward to meeting other children.
Their arrival was greeted by a cheery Constance Michelle and everything appeared to be perfectly in order as she was taken to meet the other children and the healer said his goodbyes, it was upon being introduced to Grelod the Kind that Brenna got her first inkling that all was not right with Honorhall.
Grelod the 'Kind' glared at her hatefully "more worthless gutter trash no one wants... look you little brat you better tell me every night before bed how much you love me and appreciate my kindess..." Grelod seemed to expect instant obedience but still new, having gotten used to the general way of the healers, and innocently curious Brenna made the mistake of asking and pointing out "but... why? That doesn't seem very kind.."
This was the wrong thing to say as Grelod flew into a rage and grabbed a fistful of Brenna's chestnut locks yanking her by the hair while she yelped in pained surprise as she was dragged across the room until they stood before a door. The whole time Grelod was ranting "ungrateful little snot! Time someone taught you respect, how dare you talk back to me!"
Her eyes looked truly mad as spittle foamed at the corners of her wrinkled mouth giving her a rabid appearance as she yanked open the door to reveal what appeared to be a large closet with shackles bolted into the wall at the perfect height for children.
Grelod almost looked gleeful as she dragged Brenna over to a set of shackles and locked her wrists in "going to teach you to never say anything back to me but yes Grelod and thank you for your kindness" she grabbed a leather belt and struck Brenna across the back and though healed her still somewhat tender scar tissue took great offense to the lashing as she screamed out in pain.
Tears ran freely from her eyes and black spots danced around the edges of her vision while Grelod merely cackled and continued to strike her again and again either oblivious or uncaring of Brenna's true pain until once again in her brief life she completely passed out due to unbearable pain.