I was in dark passage way, the only light came from a creak in the wood panels in front of me. I tried to move but I couldn’t. The only thing I could do was lean forward and peak though the hole. The room was familiar, it was my room, my old room. I didn’t waste my time examining the room. My attention was on the two figures that stood in the middle of my room. One was a tall woman who had her black, grey streaked hair in a bun and a young girl who had blond hair. Their backs were turned to me, but I already knew their identity. I knew exactly what I was going to see. A memory that haunts me. I tried to look away, close my eyes, but I couldn’t move. I was forced to watch the scene.

Cinders, the young blond girl, was dressed one of my nightgown. Nanny, the older woman, whispered something in her ear and then looked in my direction. The light of the candle illuminated her worried face. Her warm brown eyes were filled with fear and worry. She didn’t know I was still there. She thought I had already left, taking the secret passageway to the kitchen where the cook would be waiting for me. Yet I hadn’t left, a part of me wished I had fled, but another part knew I had to see this scene, their sacrifice. From the hall, the sound of steel against steel and muffled cries could be heard. Nanny faced the door and hid Cindy behind her. She lift her gown and pulled a iron dagger.

Suddenly the door bursted open, revealing three men dressed in armor holding swords and covered in blood. Though they were wearing yalosian armor, the red bandage with a gold dragon insignia proved otherwise. All, except for one, were wearing helmets. The man without seemed to be their leader. His face was marred by scars, his lips curled into a cruel smile and his grey eyes held a crazed look. He scanned the room, then his gaze landed on Cindy. Nanny took a step to the side, trying to hide the trembling girl. He looked back to his men letting out a loud manically laugh, « We finally found our princess. »

Then he turned to the women, « It was quite tiring killing all those guards. If you don’t fight back, I’ll offer you a quick death. One worthy of a tiny princess such as yourself. »

« Over my dead body, » Nanny whispered as she told her stance, dagger in hand. Cindy didn’t nothing, but shake with fear. Her eyes filled with pure terror.

« Oh well » he replied with shrug. He moved so fast that I didn’t realize what was happening until I heard the clashing of metal. Nanny stood her ground, blocking his swing with her dagger.

« Oooo a challenge ! »

His bloodthirsty eyes lit with glee.

He swung his sword again. This time she dodged with a speed I hadn’t known she was capable of. They exchanged a series of thrusts and parries at an inhuman speed. Hope began to bloom in my chest, but it didn’t last. Suddenly she cried out. He had managed to stab her stomach. Without giving her time to recuperate, he pulled out a dagger and planted it in her heart. She fell limp to the floor. I couldn’t breath, tears were streaming down my face. However he didn’t stop there. He pulled the sword out her stomach and walked over her body.

« That was a fun game, » he said turning to Cindy with amused smile, « Now it’s your turn! »

Cindy’s legs gave away. She was paralyzed on the floor with fear. All she did stare at the lifeless body of the women who had been like a mother to both us. Tears ran down her face. I want to protect her, save her, do anything, but I was frozen still. I was a coward.

« Any last words, princess, » the murder asked as he grabbed her hair forcing her to look him in the eyes. These words seemed to have woken up something in her. For she looked him straight in the eyes without fear and said, « My death is for Yalos. »

These word hit my core. Her death wasn’t for Yalos but for me, her cowardly best friend who had watched everything without being able to do nothing.

« Yalos is no more, » he laughed a crazed laughter as he beheaded her. Her blood splattered everywhere. Her body lied headless on the floor while her head was held by her blond hair in the hands of her murder. « We must bring her head to the king. »

« Yes sir » the men responded. All I could do was stare as they exit the room.