The sharp ringing of the bell peirced her ears, and her tired green eyes shot open.
She groaned then turned to the other side as if to drown out the noise disturbing her peace.
BANG
A loud bang startled her awake. She sat up finally becoming conscious of her environment.
For the first time in a while...The legendary Raven, who was always on guard and at alert, was now the opposite.
She shook her head as if to rid herself of the dizziness.
SPLASH !
Her eyes flew wide open immediately—as she jumped off the bed her whole skin burning.
A low, surpressed hiss slipped out from her lips as she endured the pain.
Was that hot water ??
She turned with so much anger—eyes slowly falling on who had dared to pour hot boiling water on her.
Her simmering anger was far worse than the burning pain on her pink and delicate skin.
A tall guard stood before her—whip in hand ready to torture a defiant slave.
It was then realization hit her. Ravenna was a slave in the kingdom of Alcheria—in the Royal palace.
The light in her eyes shrunk as the realization further sunk in that she was back here, in this place even after two escape attempts.
For a moment she thought it was all a nightmare. It had never happened before but she dreamed of Eldoria—her home where she once stayed with her sisters in their little orphanage.
Leaving reality and floating away from rom the chaos and pain.
Her tired green eyes traveled around as the whip descended on her back.
' Hnnn.... '
She gritted in pain suppressing the small cry that almost escaped.
This was her reality, she was now a slave. If the crown prince refused to free her, then she had to accept her fate or die fighting it.
" The next time you hear the bell, immediately report to the hall for counting"
She heard the guard's strict and harsh tone but it sounded nothing less to a buzzing fly.
At the corner of the room stood other slaves like herself. Some cowering, some gloating at her misery.
So they had intentionally bothered not to wake or warn her...so much for pretending to be nice.
The thick smell of sweat and dirt filled the room—but everyone present were now used to it. Infact, it was the least of their problems.
The rooms looked nothing less to prison cells, with a small barred window and metal door.
The cramped space was nothing close to comfortable for more than five humans squeezed into it.
Their ragged robes barely covered their skin , neither did it shield from the cold.
The guard walked out with thumping footsteps the moment he finished reprimanding.
Everyone immediately followed to the hall for counting, including Ravenna.
This was the first time she had actually slept in the slave quarters.
She would usually sneak off to Maurice's room in the servants quarters to eat, get treated and sleep.
The girl had insisted Ravenna came for her treatment always, and just like that she found herself always going there every night.
What baffled her how ever was how she got to the slaves quarters.
Strangely she couldn't remember anything—apart from the time she went into the woods and met with a barrier, completely sabotaging her escape plans.
She couldn't remember what went down after....
How did she get back without getting caught??
They were now outside, as usual to do hard labour. It was all they ever used slaves to do, luckily for them the king had banned men from forcing themselves on women —be it a slave or a noble,it just wasn't accepted.
The servants were in charge these time, giving the slaves the more stressful jobs like splitting the woods.
One of the servants assigned Ravenna to cut down unnecessary trees.
She almost glared at the snobby little witch who was the same age as her.
Of all the work she could have assigned to her, it just had to be a cutting of trees.
There were no guards in sight , which automatically meant the servants were in charge.
" Cut down every single one of these trees. " The servant commanded glaring at Ravenna
Everyone one who heard the servant paused including her fellow servants too.
" Malia, you can't give that much work to a female slave, leave it for the males. " Another servant Walked up to her, gently whispering but others could hear too.
" No, she must be the one to do this " Malia insisted. And everyone immediately understood.
It seemed Ravenna had offended the servant girl.
But who was she?....
Ravenna couldn't remember crossing paths with her not to talk of offending her. She was too busy planning her escape that she didn't even have the time to get on anyone's nerves.
Yet the girl stood glaring arrogantly at her, as if Ravenna had stolen something from her.
" Come on, pick the axe, " she snapped, a small cane in hand, ready for use.
Ravenna almost raised a brow at the small cane she held. She had literally just endured the lash of a whip at the first crack of dawn
Did she really think a small cane would scare her?
Regardless she picked up the axe and began work ,much to the servant's delight.
She could picture the smile on the servant's face while she walked towards the huge tree to be cut down.
It seems despite trying to lay low she had still made enemies, a lot of enemies actually.
She sighed, defeated. She wasn't going to let this bother her, she would just complete the task without bringing more attention to herself.
But what exactly had she done ?
She still had no idea.
She lifted the axe with so much strength and struck the tree.
PAK!
At the same time a memory flashed through her head like lightening...
" What do you want ? " She heard her own voice.
" You " A familiar yet unfamiliar voice rang in her head.
" That's right, you have been poisoned " the snicker that laced his tone was evident.
" Kill for me ! " .....
The voice was clear, deep and chilling. Her head spun as the lost memories flooded her head.
The gap left in her memory from last night began filling up.....
' It hurts '
The very sickening feeling she felt last night enveloped her again.
Her veins burning.
The voice resounded one more time
' Kill for me ! ' .....