A prisoner

The shadow horse nickered impatiently as the soldiers worked to swing open the gate doors. The heavy iron creaked and groaned as one side was pushed open to make way for Caliban and his warhorse of living shadow. Meanwhile I kept my head down and covered but feeling the increasing stares of Thanatens the entire time weighing me down.

Unease slithered into the pit of my belly and pressed into me like a beast as we crossed over the bridge and the gate behind us was slammed shut and locked once more. I could feel the claws of anxiety sinking into me and attempting to drag me down as that dark castle got closer.

The king wasn't talking to me, instead we rode in silence towards his home. I didn't want to be afraid, but there was no promise of what was awaiting me once me arrived at his home. It didn't feel real in a way, where I was. This was all beginning to feel like some nightmare and that feeling wouldn't stop plaguing me.

A paved stone pathway led us from the bridge to the gatehouse o