Haven had been the only one of the slaves not to help bind the crazy Ranchard to the ground. She had been to scared. The noises that had awoken her from a fitful, restless sleep had frightened and shocked the palace slave into paralysis. Haven waited while her fellow slaves tied back the writhing hunter, rocking back and forth to comfort herself.
This is too much. I can't do this anymore! Haven wailed to herself, watching intently in case she should have to jump up and bolt away if Ranchard escaped. The other slaves hardly noticed her uninvolvement with the capturing of Rancherd, but for that Haven was at least a bit glad.
"Here," one of the two seemingly friendly hunters had said to Haven, tossing a strange rock to her. "Gather some sticks, get a small fire going. I will need hot water for infusing the herbs. . ."
Haven's brows were raised in confusion. She pointed to herself, and mouthed 'Me?' to the hunter.
"Yes you! Now get moving," he replied, and Haven scurried off into the darkness, looking for dry twigs.
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...Come down now, they'll say. But everything looks perfect from far away - Come down now! But we'll stay.
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