Captured Hearts, Chapter 10

Chapter 10

ABBY


I didn’t want to wake up; it felt so warm and nice. My head was cushioned on my textbook and I was wearing one of my favorite sweaters. Though someone was calling me and I struggled to think straight.

Then, the foulest smell reached my nostrils. I tried and failed to not gag and felt bile rise in my throat, but I suppressed it with a will of mind I didn’t know I had. I was suddenly plunged into reality. The first thing I noticed was a cold that pervaded everything. I seemed to be lying on stone. My wrists and feet were lashed together, and for once, it did not matter that I could barely see because the darkness was all around. Not just physically, it was also in the air. A creak and groaning of hinges let me know that I had company. “Get the girl and bring her to Galbatorix.” A somewhat familiar voice said.

I felt hands under my arms and then, I was being dragged across a floor. I could barely get to my feet before I was seized and thrown over a shoulder.

All was chaos for me. My senses were not functioning on their normal level of acuity. I felt dizzy and woozy. A stinging pain prevailed over one area of my neck and I couldn’t remember how I’d gotten it, or how I had gotten here, for that matter.

The echoing of feet off walls made me realize that I wasn’t in a familiar place. I heard the sharp sound of feet clicking against something hard, it was stone, I realized with shock. From the sounds of moaning and screams that stabbed the air, I could only guess that I was in a prison or a dungeon.

This knowledge sent a spasm of fear through my stomach. I read about dungeons and what happened in their dark bowels. I imagined the descriptions of torture wracks and iron maidens that made me want to throw up the contents of my belly. I held my nausea at bay; this was not the time for the helpless blind girl to come out. It was time for the detective in me to take over.

I felt a change, as the person holding me went up a set of stairs. I knew they were stairs because every time they stepped, my jaw banged against their back. It was not a comfortable journey, but soon I was set down and my hands were unchained. I was led by the arm into a big hall. The echoing of my feet let me know that I had a long way to go before I reached wherever I was going. This all felt surreal to me. I had read so much about kings and queens and their courts, I never thought I would be part of something that, instead of a lovely dream, was turning into a nightmare.

“Kneel before the king!” I heard a voice command behind me. I decided that my best course of action was to obey, instead of struggling. Let them think I‘m weak and submissive. Then when they don’t expect it, stab them in the back. So many people underestimated the sightless…

I, on the other hand, won’t make that mistake my dear. A cool voice sounded in my head. I went rigid and then accepted this with as much grace as I could muster.

What a very interesting girl you are, Abigail. Murtagh was correct in taking you. For being new to this land and sightless at the same time, you have accepted much. I commend you for that. Now, I am the ruler here and so as you are currently in my land, you obey me. I am not a fool, I will know if you harbor anything from me. Obey and you shall sleep and live in comfort as one of my many guests. If you try to disobey me, the punishment will be swift and irreversible. I am Galbatorix, I am master here! This was all said inside my mind. The force and power behind those simple words was immense. I shuddered to think what he would do to me, if I did go against him. I knew, for now, I was under the eye of a ruler as iron fisted as some of the worst I had read about. He was definitely someone not to mess with!

This had all taken place in a matter of minutes, while silence rained. I was talking to someone in my mind, a feat never heard of. I was in what was most likely a castle, in a land that was beyond myth or legend. My mind was saying it was all just a bad dream, but I knew better.

“Take this maiden to a guest suite and make sure her every wish is granted. Have the seamstresses make her some clothes. The ones she is in now are unsuitable for her.” Galbatorix said all of this in a commanding voice that was obeyed immediately.

I was ushered out of what must have been the throne room, and down a hall. We stopped, and I was led into a room that was most likely ten times bigger than the one I had at home. Home! I had forgotten all about it!

With all that had happened, that had been the furthest thought in my mind. Now I felt tears rush to my eyes, hot and salty. What was my mother thinking? Had they called the police? What had the school told my parents? All of these questions swirled in my head as I was led to a bed; at least I thought it was. Whatever it was, the blanket was soft and I buried my head in it and started to sob.

I was left for awhile, and then I heard the door open and someone rush over to me.

“Oh dear, what has that madman done now? My dear, please sit up, so I may have a look at you.” I did what I was asked and sat up.


“I have been informed of your loss of vision and all of that, so you do not need to go explaining things to me, dear. My name is Stephna; I am your maid and all that. I have seen many girls like you come and go, but I think he means for you to stay. You are an outsider to our ways. They said you came from a far away land. I will not ask questions. I think what you need dear, is a bath. We shall get you all relaxed and comfortable. Then you can have a nice glass of milk, and then off to bed. It is getting late you know, oh dear, I did not mean to offend you. I am sorry if I have.” I liked her immediately, she reminded me of my grandfather’s friend who I called my substitute grandma, and that was comforting in itself.

As she rambled aimlessly, I took a bath and settled into the bed that was so soft; I basically sank into its mattress. As I was drifting off, I wondered if I was going to stay here forever or if I would be rescued. That night, I dreamed of dragons coming down and burning the school, Aubree screaming while running through the inferno to save all of the people who were trapped in it, including me.