I awoke in my cell, like the days before, and the days that will come. I was sweating and my breathing was rapid. That was the first time I had dreamt of that day, and I hoped it would be the very last.

A guard was tapping his sword on the bars of my cell. "Rise and shine, scum," he said in a distasteful voice as he sheathed his sword and kicked a tray through a space on the floor into my cell, "You're going to need your strength for the mines today." He gave a dark laugh as he began to walk away.

I stood from the uncomfortable hay bed and rushed to the cold bars of my cage calling out to the guard as he walked away, "What do you mean?" I called out to him, he stopped and turned, his face twisted into a grimace like he was disgusted that someone were to speak to him, especially someone who had committed a crime and was locked inside of the jail.

In nearly a flash, the guard appeared in front of me, his meaty hand had reached through the bars and clenched my ragged shirt, pulling through the bars, my face nearly squeezing through. He had a small iron dagger in his other hand. The blade was pressed against my face, but he was holding back. My eyes and his locked and I knew exactly who he is, as did he know who I am. "Listen here, elf," he spoke in absolute hatred towards me, or did he talk to all elves this way? "You've been put here because you did something against the law, and now it's time for you to work for your freedom." His blade had traced my scar while he was talking, like he enjoyed the mark that was to be forever on my face. "Do you understand?" His accent was strong and his breath even stronger; the scent of Black-Briar Mead leaking from his mouth and into my nostrils like a virus. I felt sick.

I nodded against the bars as he let go of me after pushing me down. I tried to catch myself, but only ended up scraping my hand and my head hitting the floor. A sharp ringing had filled my head and I stayed laid down for what seemed to be an eternity. The ache in my hand and head was all I could focus on as I tried to take in deep, calm breaths to help settle the pain. I lifted my head and felt something warm and wet underneath my head. I felt myself speaking, but could not hear any words; just the loud ringing and pounding in my ears. Sibbi Black-Briar, the man jailed across from me was screaming. I looked up upon the ceiling, the stone smooth with strange patterns and designs intertwining. Before blacking out I saw the face of Maven Black-Briar, cold and determined, her hand reaching out for something.

She was reaching out for the gem.