Silence… Deafening to the ears… Deep in the heart of an almost dead castle laid a woman who could no longer tell whether she had life or had finally been released into death. Chains gripped her wrists and ankles as though they were a part of her. Sometimes in the night she welcomed the sound of their movements to acknowledge that she still resided in her own personal hell.

What had she done to be here for what seemed like years? The guards were known to forget about people in the depths of stone that she lied endlessly awake, but she knew that wasn’t possible considering they still came to feed her on a makeshift plate of metal that held a chunk of dead dragon’s bread and a wooden cup of water. She hadn’t seen the light of day or the use of running water for years. She contained irritations in places not designed to have irritations such as they were. Sometimes fevers took her from the illnesses that she went through.

On a day no different from any other, there came a knock on the door. She knew this knock to be one for her to arouse from her desolate spot that she lay and move to the far corner of the room. When she reached her destination, the wooden door that held her scratch marks from when she first arrived opened and in walked a guard. The height of the cell stood of only four feet high and four feet wide, forcing the guard to hunch down and move to the side of the room with two steps, holding a stern face to not show that the smells were staggering. Behind him entered a woman who covered her face with a handkerchief. She stood glancing around the cell before her eyes finally landed on the woman in the corner who shielded her eyes from the torches that sheered their light into the room, but welcomed the somewhat fresh air that entered the room.

“Her. This is the one he wants,” the finely dressed woman pointed at the prisoner for the guard to grab.

The guard moved swiftly and picked up the prisoner and removed her from the cell. He carried her up stairs for what seemed twenty minutes until finally they reached a landing that was lit by moonlight. The woman still in chains covered her ears from the sounds that came from everywhere at once. It all seemed to pound against her ears and the lights were no better. Even night time was still too bright for her.

“What’s wrong with her?” asked the guard as she seemed to struggle a little in his arms. His nose quivered at the smells the woman gave off.

“She hasn’t heard or seen anything but darkness for three years,” replied the woman to his left. She continued walking and paid no heed to the other two as she led the way to their destination.

They entered a large room that was only furnished with a large colorful rug of forest scenery, an oversized cushion chair, and a vast fire place. The guard was ordered to place the woman in the chair facing the fire and to stay at her side for if she decides to run. The woman in the seat leaned forward where she placed her head in her hands to help shield out light and sound until everything finally started to show signs of easing.

The door opened behind them and a tall man entered who was hidden by a large black hooded cloak. He moved in and headed straight for the fire place, not even once looking at the guard or the woman. He moved with ease and pride, but bothered by thoughts.

“Your name, woman,” came his voice.

“Ayda,” clanged the woman with a voice full of fatigue.

The man seemed to pause at this and spoke again. This time he addressed himself as Lankmund Moontree, King of the East lands of Neverstar. He seemed to have apprehension in his voice as he spoke.

“What do you want?” Ayda whispered in a hoarse voice.

“Such gratitude for the man who may have granted you freedom…” Lankmund responded as though his pride had been crushed.

“I apologize for my crudeness. You must forgive me, considering I have lived in the depths of darkness for three years. If it is true that you are granting me freedom, then please grant me a bath before you enlighten me with the details as to why you have sought me out and bought my freedom,” Ayda replied calmly although she seemed to waver as she sat.

The man turned finally to face her. He seemed to back up a step at the sight of her and the thought of how someone could be treated in such a way overwhelmed him. Even in his own dungeons his prisoners were treated with a lot more respect and care than this woman had received. Her hair was tangled around her head and dirt covered her body in every possible spot. The attire she wore was that of a potato sack material that barely covered her overly thin body. The skin around the shackles and a few other spots on her body were irritated by sickness and the skin was green from the metal. The smell that came from her was that of a chamber pot after a sick person had used it.

“Sana, see to her every need. When she is better in a week, I will revisit. Until then, Ayda, I will make a promise to you. Please at least hear me out. If you complete what I ask, your freedom is completely yours for the rest of your life. I will see to it, personally,” the King sincerely vowed.

Ayda finally opened her eyes and looked at the king that offered such a fine prize. He was old but held a strong heart and soul. He had meaning behind him. A great king, Ayda thought… one of the few of our time.

She nodded a silent agreement as she was picked up by the guard and carried off into the upper regions of the castle. When they reached their destination, Ayda was greeted by several Maids who took her straight into a back room to be bathed. It was the first time in so long that she realized that things such as hot water could be a blessing until the hot water hit her sores and irritations. She gritted her teeth as she could smell the scent of sea salts in the steam of the water.