She awoke on the platform of the gallows, wrapped up in the arms of a man who would've gladly seen her demise.
The snow fell freely, adding to the chills she was already struggling with due to the loss of blood. Blood... there was
so much of it. The crimson liquid stained her skin, hair and clothing. It had formed a messy pool of slush which
had a sickening metallic scent to it. Sticky, blood splattered fingers reached into her tunic to withdraw the vile
looking amulet which she wore faithfully, day after day. She gripped it tightly, despising herself for the briefest of
moments. Despite her hatred for the god of murder, she couldn't bring herself to tear the amulet off. The weight
of it was more than any person should ever have to bear, however she'd not have to bear it for much longer. Before
She could object the amulet was being torn off of her neck, ripped away and hurled aside. He demanded it be burned
and destroyed, forever to disappear from her life. There were no words to describe how light she felt, but perhaps
that was just the blood loss.
Her world became dark and fuzzy once more, and next she knew she was curled up on the firm, lumpy mattress of one of
the small, dank rooms of the Lady's Rest. Her skin had been cleaned of the blood and her clothes were free of the crimson liquid
as well. She was sore, and the scars which littered her back gave her skin a tight, uncomfortable sensation. She remained silent
as he lectured her, allowing him to speak his mind freely while her own raced. What other life could she possibly ever know?
Her world was dark, and that was what brought her comfort. She knew nothing else, nothing other than fear and loathing.
She was exhausted, mentally and physically, and the fear of not knowing what she'd do next was almost too much to bear.
She decided at that point what she must do next. She would eat, she would rest, and then she would put on a confident front.
And while she had no idea of what she would do with herself or what the future would hold she did know one thing, and that
was that she'd somehow been spared and offered a second chance in a world where she was perhaps free of her chains.
She would be grateful if it killed her.
