The next morning there was a ghostly woman in my room, standing over my bed. I nearly shrieked at the unnatural intrusion. Her name was Elena, as I soon learned after getting over my shock. She was a servant in the palace, currently assigned to me as well as others. She had brought me new clothing for which I was appreciative, though when I looked at the "dress" she had laid out on my bed, I shivered at the prospect of wearing it around these cold halls.

Finally dressed, I was led from my room by Elena to another down the hall. On the other side of the bare wooden door was like a whole other world. Unlike the cold, dungeon-like hallways, this room was bathed in color and light. Drapes and curtains of every color hung from the ceiling. Plush couches and full cushions were placed throughout the room. There was so much to take in I almost missed the four women seated near the center of it all.

They were like me. Or at least, they served the same function as I was to serve. And I was welcomed with open arms by these women, these "playthings" of the Lich King. Over the course of the afternoon, it seemed I learned all there was to know about these four women. Gorra was the remarkably feminine orc lounging on a chaise. Green skin, smooth over high cheekbones and red eyes that seemed to glimmer in the light of the room. Sitting on a cushion on the floor was Alliara. She was a night elf with slanted dusky grey eyes. And she was so tall. When she stood to shake my hand I was amazed at her grace. She moved like a dancer. The slight woman sitting next to her was Kaira. She had the delicate features of a blood. Her sleek black hair was cut at her chin, framing her face perfectly. These women were absolutely gorgeous and I couldn't understand how I could ever begin fit in among their ranks.

But the most startlingly beautiful woman was the only other human there. I wouldn't have thought that a mere human would be able to compete with the exotic beauties in the room, but Vanessa had the face of a goddess. Her hair was a shimmering gold that fell around her shoulders in silky waves. I touched my own dark brown hair, not for the first time feeling my features were dull and boring.

Vanessa was self proclaimed "queen" of this little group. She was the Lich King's favorite and she seemed unabashed in lording it over the other women. I couldn't imagine what benefits could be so great to endure the four nights a week the Lich King visited her.

She took more interest in me than the other women, giving me a rundown of the how things worked in the castle as we walked the halls for hours. She carried herself like royalty and I wondered if she had been a noble before finding herself here. I had already discovered that no one liked to talk of their lives before abduction - too much pain - so I didn't ask. She wore gold around her wrist and at her ears, symbols of her elevated status among the women and gifts, she bragged, from the Lich King himself. I admired them for her benefit, though I would easily pass on such gifts if it meant avoiding the monster himself. I did however envy her the fur cloak she had, tied around her shoulders, as I shivered yet again in my thin linen dress.

By the time we were back with the other women in their - our - sanctuary, I had learned more about Vanessa than I did of the palace and it made me wary of her. She told me about the woman who had held my place before me. She had been gaining favor with the Lich King just before her mysterious death, and the look of victory that flashed across Vanessa's face made me wonder if she didn't have something to do with it. It wasn't the attention she desired, because the smile on her face when she spoke about her success was too broad to be believable and her eyes seemed always tired. But the trappings it had secured her, her position of power - even if it was only among slaves - meant enough to her that I wouldn't put so drastic a measure past her. Yet another reason for me to pray that the Lich King would take no further interest in me.

Elena was waiting for me when we returned, looking nervous as she wrung her transparent hands. She rushed to me as we entered the room, the other women hurrying to my side as well. All of a sudden I was feeling claustrophobic and overwhelmed as they all started talking at once.

"Where have you been? I've been looking for you! He's been looking for you!"

My breath hitched in my throat and I had to remind myself to breath as panic took over my body. This was too soon. I wasn't ready for this. I just wanted to go back to my room and cry myself to sleep, alone. I had been trying to convince myself that this had all been a bad dream, but that was becoming increasingly difficult to believe.

"Don't worry," Naira urged, "it'll be quick and then it's over."

"Yeah, in and out and he's done," Gorra added with a chuckle that drew peals of laughter from the other women.

I didn't join in. I was too upset to find humor in my situation. I hadn't resigned myself to my fate there yet as they had. I left amidst their continued encouragements, following Elena down the hall as though I were walking to my own execution.