In a dilapidated castle near the dormant volcanic range, within the highest chamber of a crumbling tower, a thin breeze drifted through a single stony window. It touched the face of a woman whose head was bowed, her long brown hair falling forward and veiling most of her features.
As the breeze caressed her face, her thick, long eyelashes fluttered. A crease formed on her forehead, a telltale sign of her returning consciousness. When her eyelids finally opened, they revealed clear blue eyes that blinked through the haze clouding her vision.
Lifting her head weakly, she scanned her surroundings.
A pinkish-red hue filtered through the lone window, illuminating the dark, dingy chamber of black brick. Aside from a single chair placed directly in front of her, the room was empty, save for the presence of squeaky rats.
She looked down to see one of them gnawing at the hem of the simple, dark blue dress she had been wearing the day they stepped out of the academy and into the market.
