In the era A.D a long time ago, back when beasts and mystical beings roamed our world. There lived a powerful and mysterious creature, known as our king.
However, rarely so few had ever seen his actual appearance from outside the castle walls. To the outside world he was but a myth, a creature shrouded in mystery.
During these ancient times, dragons roamed our world as well. Consuming towns over as they pleased. They never grew close towards our city, towns and villages, but we could hear their roars.
Loud vibrating echoes across the dark sea, which shocked and stunned the village. We never knew if we were ever truly safe, but we never lived in fear, as times were already tough.
To be devoured by a dragon would've been more merciful than what we deal with on a regular basis. Thieves, rouges, assassins, and other people would target vulnerable people.
It wasn't anything new in the towns nearby, far beyond the mountains, the vast valleys, and the lakes far away. The places you'd try and escape from they'd simply find another town you were inside.
You had to survive in a cutthroat city and town such as these. If you didn't wish to be raped, beaten, tortured and killed. It was easier for the women in this era to work in brothels.
At least you would get a small amount of payment for what you were doing for free. It would seem that was the case for a certain someone's mother. She would work long hours in the sun and at nightfall.
Come home smelling of wool, spit and alcohol. It was as if someone dipped her in an odor and sent her on her way. Although, in the village and nearby it, there was nothing but mountains, hilltops, and trees.
Even though they lived in a village, the home that my father and I lived in was well— nowhere near the actual village. Father told me it burnt down a long time ago— and rather than make us move, we simply kept our home where it was.
It would feel like a calm place, if you wish to call it that— but truthfully it felt more like a prison. Working in the fields, and picking up foods to eat felt like a chore.
Doing that until you've hit your more adult youth, seemed actually better. When you did hit that age, men young and old, as a woman saw you as something to take.
However, I would rather die before I let that happen to myself. I won't walk in the footsteps of my mother. Not now, not ever.
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" Oi! … Abigail ! Will you stop daydreaming and come assist me already ! " A man's voice would shout towards Abigail who sat on the hilltop by the biggest tree near her home.
Surrounded by flowers, in the field, as she had just finished picking some berries and vegetables from their home made garden. If you had looked to the east just beyond the shallow valley, you'd be able to see the nearby town.
Far beyond that town, lies the only city within a thousand miles from here. It was truly the only city but it was truly a hike for even a horse.
The city Abigail hoped to one day visit, as she had assumed it would be much more lively and pleasant. She dreamt of moments where she could escape her small village, and travel around the world.
She was no stranger to danger, as for some strange reason it always seemed to find her. The male would sigh deeply, placing his hands against his hips.
Looking over at his daughter as she didn't seem to move a muscle. He would roll his eyes a bit before leaning down and picking up his axe.
" ... What am I going to do with her Lilth… " The dad would speak aloud to himself in thought.
Abigail would look up at the clouds, and the birds as they would fly around in the sky. Freely, they seemed to be as they would twirl and chase one another down the hillside.
The blue sky seems lively and bright today, as she was lucky she didn't see fire and brimstone like she did when she was much younger. It was terrifying to see a beast as big as the dragons that came from the south.
Abigail was only nine and one now. Still young it would seem for her age, but far beyond that of the number her wisdom and knowledge excel most men's.
In this era though, being her age was practically that of a woman who was two and three. So she was practically that of a woman with a child. Luckily for her though she was not concealing one.
The woman was a long blonde girl, with big blue orbs that shimmered in the sunlight. She wasn't very attractive to most, but beautiful in the soul.
She came off rough around the edges, and had quite the temper at times. Though, whenever she was alone— that all seemed to fade away.
She truly only was that way around men, with women she didn't get along with very well. They usually spoke about her in whispers, while some were simply envious of her appearance.
Abigail did have a friend though, but it wasn't a human— she called it Bucky. Oh, how she loved that animal more than anything. It seemed to understand her— and she was more than willing to take care of it.
Her dress was blowing in the light breeze that came and went as she sat there. Finally, she would slowly rise to her feet, wearing sandals that were passed down to her by her mother.
Her hair swayed in the calmness before she would inhale and exhale deeply. Her eyes shifting over towards the valley and closing her eyes to picture the city.
The city itself was also where the castle was. She could even see the tip of the tower from as far as she was. Standing tall in the sky, as the bell would ring loudly.
In an instant she would form a smile, before hearing her dad call her once again.
" Abby!!! " He shouted.
Abby would sigh.
She knew hearing her dad meant trouble, as she would finally part her lips to speak back.
" I am coming father… "
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Abigail walked back towards her house as she got close to the entrance of their front door. Seeing her father bent over in the small little gate. Chopping wood up before he looked over at her.
Her father was muscular, tall and lean. Short brown hair, with brown eyes, and wearing an undershirt shirt with overalls and boots.
" Did'ya pick them berries and — "
" Vegetables? Yes— father I already have… " Abby would cut off her father and reply with. Her accent came off a bit as she had a somewhat British descent.
" Good— now I gotta finish up here— why don't you head inside. We have to head into town tomorrow to pick up some things, I hope you ain't forgotten girl. "
Abby would shake her head at her father in response. After that she would start to walk into their small little house.
Immediately upon entering the outside and inside was wooden. The small living room on the right side, which immediately the kitchen was on the same side.
Their small fireplace, along with a small room holding a bedroom. Down a small narrow hallway was another bedroom, which was directly from the small area for a bathroom.
It was cozy nonetheless. Abigail placed down the basket she was holding with the items. Turning to look around her small little living space. She never complained about her house or things she had.
It wasn't until she grew tired of the same old things, and wanted to be free of it all. Though, she disliked anyone who had more than her and rubbed it in. Which was about everyone she had ever encountered.
She loved her father, as he was a hard and modest person from what she knew. He never once hit her, or made her feel unsafe. It was a blessing from other father's.
Abigail did have a friend once upon a time— though that was back when she was only five at the time. From what she could remember her and that other child were close.
She remembers them running around the hills and nearby down into the pond. The other child had long black hair, and had green eyes. They loved to be around butterflies, and flowers.
Abby could always tell the other one stories, and the other would share their stories of their times in other towns. At first they both lived in the same village before one day the other child came to them about something important.
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" I'm sorry Abby…. I have something to tell you… " The girl would say, as she stood stiffly in front of Abby with a saddened expression.
" …. What is it? " Abby would respond back, feeling a shatter within her voice.
" …. My mother and father are making us move into the city….. My father has been forced to join the ranks of the castle guards…. Which means we have to live in the city so it's easier for my father to be there. "
" ... I …. "
" I know. I'm so sorry Abby…. I didn't want to move but I had no choice….. I will miss you, I really will. " The black haired girl would say, as she reached her hand out for Abby's.
Abby very weakly would take the other's hand, as Abby started to form tears within her pupils. The small teardrops slowly run down her cheeks.
" ….. I hope by the gods you will find another friend who shall never have to leave you… " The little girl would say towards Abigail before she quickly turned and rushed off.
Abigail stood there in tears watching as her only friend rushed off into the forest leaving her by the lake.
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Abigail remembered that memory like a painful dagger consistently stabbing her in the side. She never knew she would miss someone so much.
Though overtime the pain she felt became more stiff and hardened. She hated becoming attached to anything or anyone now. So she would always run away when it became too much.
Which would explain why she didn't have friends now. She told herself they only hurt you, and leave you behind. She didn't even know if her friend was still alive now.
From what she hears whenever her dad's friends speak from the town nearby. It didn't seem like a lot of people survived when working in the castle. It was as if — working there was a death sentence.
Which means if someone died, then the family would automatically die with them. The stories haunted Abby every now and then. However, that never stopped her from wanting to go there.
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Night had arrived for the little family, as Abigail had finished cooking for her father and herself. Placing the hot plates on the table as she dusted her hands off into her clothing.
Checking at the table to make sure everything was in order, as she looked around quickly for a tie. Taking what she could find and tying her hair up into a messy bun.
Hearing the front door swing open, as she quickly turned around and saw her father come inside. Her breath felt a sense of relief as she gasped the air out.
" Father… How was the trip? "
Her father would exhale.
" A bit exhausting— so I'm glad to finally be back home where it's a bit more— Nevermind. What did you make for us? " He would change the subject to ask.
Abby, not knowing what her father was going to say, blinked a few times in a fumble before looking at the dishes.
" Rabbit and a side of stew. "
" Mm— sounds delicious.. " He would tell her before taking off his coat and boots as well as his hat and walking over to the table.
Abby would pull out her father's chair and would walk over towards the kitchen again and grab two wooden cups. Lucky for her, her father was also a wood maker, which meant he had the ability to craft well.
He had made a lot of their furniture along with their cups for them to drink as well. Abby felt always proud of her father but he always seemed to be his biggest critic for himself.
After pouring her father and herself something to drink, Abby would eventually take a seat and the two would pray aloud with another.
" Guide us— your divine grace, may you have mercy upon us, protect us with your wings and keep us, and in death lead us home — Atem. "
The two would eat silently for a moment or two before Abby would look at her father in a sense of wanting to speak about something. She knew they had this discussion before, but she wanted to give it another go.
" … So .. father… I — was just… wondering… " She would start off by saying.
" … If it were ever possible for us to move closer to the city… " She would request again, as her father would chew his food and stop midway as he stared at her.
The grip of his hands became tighter around his fork and knife. Abby would feel the tension between them as he would chew and swallow and grab his drink and take a sip.
She waited for his response, as he would smack his lips a bit and cough a tad as well.
" …. Why are you bringing this up again Abigail…"
" I know father but— "
" But! " He would shout a bit, making Abby go silent for a moment or two.
" …. Father … please.. "
" We are not discussing this. " He replied.
" Why can't you just let us go!? …. I mean we are living … "
" Comfortably! " He finished her sentence by saying.
" For you! Yes! But for me— I mean— father I have no friends, no neighbors… we are practically in isolation together…. "
" …Abigail… "
" Why do you continue to have us in the middle of nowhere… ? We can live in the city where we could find plenty of food … "
" Abigail…. Enough… "
" We could have some friends… I mean you might even be able to find someone for yourself if you would just— "
" I said enough! " He screamed as he slammed both his hands down on the table causing the entire table to shake.
Abby, frightened, stopped talking as she watched her father tower over her like a cloud. Her throat was becoming dry.
Her father squinted his eyes down at her, like pointed deadly daggers piercing her flesh.
" We. Are. Not. Going. End. Of. Discussion. " Her father commanded as he would slam his napkin down on the table and walk off into the back and slamming his wooden door closed.
Abigail hearing the loud slam would exhale in a shaking breath, before feeling her chest tight up. Holding her hand against her heart, as she began to tremble.
Immediately the young girl would shake and cry uncomfortably but softly as she would sit at the table holding herself in comfort.