“Run, child!”

The child stumbled out into the dark forest, tears streaming across her young face. The words rang through her head, her mother’s voice pleading with her. Tears stung her eyes before being whisked away by the wind.

Arianna looked back at the castle she had fled, its walls scorched and beaten, the stench of dead and burning flesh filling the air about her. Now there were torches being lit, bright dots against the darkness. She could hear the cry being raised. Faint choruses of “Find her!” chased after her in the darkness.

She whipped her head back around as terror stabbed her heart and she willed her young legs to move her faster into the safety of the forest. There seemed to be roots and brambles at every step slowing her down, tearing her shift and legs to rags.

She could hear them coming into the woods now, searching for her. Should she hide or keep running? Her thoughts tumbled with her as she ran on. Hide or run?

They weren’t so close anymore. They were pausing to search for her. Her mind was made up. Run.

Her small legs carried her for miles until finally, she had to stop. She crouched behind a large narune bush, panting her fear into the cold air. She could not hear them anymore. She had left them far behind.

She fished the delicate chain from her shift and clutched the large signet ring that dangled from it. “Oh, Papa,” she sobbed. “I need you, Papa. What do I do? I’m so scared. Please help me, Papa. Help me!”

She folded her knees to her chest, laid her arms across them, and cried herself to sleep.