Bloodhoundhearts

PTE

d her throu

to her skin. Her dress, once clean, clung to her

whispered. "I

e lis

he wind. Faces watched her-cold, angry, disgusted. Some

the palace,"

e prince's hono

r head, her eye

im," she s

the final or

w her

e was pushed forward, her body hitting the wet

o

that, she

with her tears. Her heart felt torn

k at the palac

whis

his... I will n

Lindenfell alwa

carts rolled past slowly, carrying sacks of grain and baskets of fresh vegetables. Women laughed in low voices at

a simpl

as a pea

r small farm. The glass clinked softly with each step. Her dress was plain, slightly faded from many washes, yet clean

ed her witho

s beau

illed with kindness and quiet thought. When she listened, she truly listened. When she spoke, her voice was s

king for stories. Elders greeted her warmly. Even stran

ver thought h

brother who worked hard and always made sure she ate first. Their family was poor, yes, but love fi

ng felt no

e trumpe

Women froze mid-motion. Men straightened. Royal guards rode into the square on tall h

e crown, the royal palace seeks maidens. Y

spread

pal

al w

ans stea

mother's hand ti

said quietly, her voice filled wi

sters' tired faces. At her brother's w

w hard they

new she c

" she sai

d across their faces. The palace wa

lly, the

tight embrace. "Be careful,"

fate opened i

ma stood before

e silent guards. Soldiers watched with sharp eyes. Servants moved quickly insi

ering nervously, others adjusting th

stood q

hadows, someon

me

wed the moment Elen

" she t

must b

w the prop

from

l unn

d to the cr

crossed paths w

mission w

smiled

ns that led nowhere. She delayed her. Sent her the wron

te," Ramela thought

did not

xious, the palace matron studied her closely. Her eyes lingere

" the matron said after a paus

deeply. "I wi

gers curled

became Ele

clanged. Voices shouted.

d. She washed heavy pots bigger than her ar

e never c

sm

lped o

, carefully, as if

ile made Ra

lenma did

amela

irl was onl

beyond the walls, unseen forces watched Elenma closely, waiting for