I awoke in a soft bed, my head pounding. One of the maidens walked into the room softly shutting the door. She turned around and gave a small yelp. She giggled noticing my confusion, "it is not you but rather I did not expect you to have woke so soon. How are you feeling?"
"My head is hurting and I do not know where I am. Where are my parents?" I said resting my head back on the pillow.
She gave me a sullen look walking over and pressing a cool cloth on my forehead. "Your parents have left to get ready for the festivities tonight. You are still in the Grand Church and you must take it easy for today, you have a long walk later tonight. At around when the Sun is at its highest I will be back to help you get ready to be presentable to the Priest and them the Beast."
My heart dropped and my nose burned I felt as if I was going to cry, again. The maiden noticed my drop and she rested a hand on my shoulder.
"Don't fret you-" She began.
"Will become an Angel. I don't want to become an Angel; I want to live. I want to be with my family and friends." I said wiping my eyes of newly formed tears. The maiden sighed and walked over to the door looking back at me, "I will be back at Sunhigh." With that I was left to my own thoughts.
Do I try to run and escape this Hell? Or do I accept what is happening to me and take the firey death that the Knowing Tree has predicted for me? I didn't know. I curled under the sheets the cold cloth falling gracefully off my head and onto the floor.
Eventually I got out of the bed and walked over to the window. I smiled looking down at the townsfolk below. I could see the kids running around playing in the leaves that fell to the ground. I saw dogs, cats, and familiars running about the streets jumping and playing with their owners. I saw the shopkeepers trying desperately to sell their items to passersby. I wished to be out there with them, talking with Sir Duncan and walking the markets with him.
I wondered about my family and how they are faring back home. Is my mother and father crying? Are they worried about me? Do they still care? I do not wish to be forgotten like the Prince of Erstonia.
It was said that not that long ago the King and Queen of Erstonia gave life into a newborn child, a prince. The father was very happy that he was to have an heir however the baby was very fragile and was close to have Death take him away. The King and Queen went to the Shaman of the Palace and asked of him to help the ailing child. The Shaman agreed saying that it would come as a great price to both the mother and father. They were to give half of their life force to save the child. The parents wept and held the dying child nodded that their love will help them through the tough times. They would give their life to the child. The Shaman cast his spell in turn giving the boy the gift of Arcane Magic.
The child grew into a fine Prince and he was loved by most of the land. He would fight in wars and win battles. He would save his people many times over and in turn they would give him compassion and love. One battle he did not come back so lucky. He was gravely wounded and had to stay in the palace. After his defeat the Prince would not show his face to the Kingdoms hiding away in his room. He was said to have left once to ask the High Priest for aid in helping his now weakening mother. The Priest declined and after that the Prince mysteriously disappeared without a trace and every record of him was either lost or burned.
I wondered about the neighboring Kingdoms and how their townsfolk and citizens are doing at this hour. If Redwater dwarves are working extra hard to find the most exquisite gems. Are the Bloominglake residents crying over their loss of livestock? I giggled at that, people wouldn't cry over sheep and cows.
I was ripped from my peaceful thoughts as the creaking of the door startled me. The maiden from before walked in and motioned me to follow her. She led me down a long corridor and to what looked to be a seamstress's room. The seamstress walked over to me and held up the dress I was wearing the other day. She nodded and walked over to the table with what seemed to be a deep red cloak resting there. She picked that up and held it by my neck. Her blue eyes traveled up and down and nodded. "Have her put these two items on. Then I want to see and assess her."
The maiden nodded leading me to a room where she helped me undress, much like my mother. Thinking of her made me sad but I vow as of now I will not cry, even in front of the Beast itself. Once I was dressed I walked out once again to show the woman what I am wearing. She nodded and smiled. "You look lovely; the Beast will be happy."
From there I was led to a seat by a mirror where the maiden did my hair. It was much more simple than before. She brushed my hair out and tied back a strand of hair to the side of my head. At the end she placed a crown of flowers back on my head.
She led me back down the stairs of the Church and to the front where a carriage awaits to take me to the Beast's home. I solemnly got in the carriage and sat with my head facing down. The Priest surprisingly also got into the cart with me and together we rode off. I did not speak to him and he did not speak a word to me as well. We sat in utter silence driving for what seems like forever to the base of the mountain.
Once we arrived people informed us that they tied to the livestock to a tree by the lair and that the gold and books were there as well. I did not look up not wanting to meet the gaze of anyone. A man in dark cloth led me over to a dark black horse and helped me up. A few seconds later he jumped on the horse in front of me. With that he said his goodbyes and told his wife he would be back later. I wanted to run, I wanted to cry but they would find me and tie me to a tree up there. So I just held on to the man in front of me and we rode up the mountain.