The Dorm

image source: google images

The Rolling Hills of Aberdeen were known throughout all the kingdoms, not just for their lush greenery and low grazing clouds, but also for the fact that the hills literally rolled. Once a wonder of the world they lived in, the Rolling Hills were now known amongst the locals as the Dormitory of Death. As conquerors conquered and were conquered themselves, just as history goes, the Rolling Hills were used for various selfish agendas, most notably, they were now used as protection for the riches of the latest conqueror, King Golen, as well as the crown jewel of his kingdom, his daughter Jemel. Not only this, he often released thieves, beggars, and people he was simply put off by into the Rolling Hills, which in this way also served as an unsolvable maze. 

Raqueela peered out from the east tower, looking towards the center of The Dorm. Sometimes, she felt like if she focused hard enough, she could see a glimmer of something silver reflecting from the nearest window. Her father had served as the guard of East Tower for the king for as long as she could remember. He hated this fact, and the fact that he served the cruel King, but it was all he could do to keep his only living family alive. King Golen had thrown children much younger than Raqueela into the The Dorm in front of their parents for things as simple as crying in his presence. She turned away as she heard their maid, Zara, calling Raqueela down for breakfast.

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“Breakfast is set at the table in the main hall for you, Your Grace,” said Mante, gently rapping at Jemel’s door. 

“Ugh just leave it out Mani, I’ll eat when I feel like it,” rasped Jemel. Her other handmaiden, Lio, had snuck in some of the village wine for them the night before and having been someone who’d never had a sip of alcohol in their life, Jemel was realizing now that it was probably unwise for them to have drunk the entire jug in one sitting.

“Well, actually, Princess - ahem - your father is actually already there, waiting on you.”

At this news, Jemel’s eye snapped open and she leapt out of bed, “Go get Lio, quickly!” she whispered ferociously, “and tell Father I simply cannot find the perfect dress color to suit the beautiful day outside - or some rubbish like that. Just go, now!!”