The first thing that Cacilie notices are the heaviness in her limbs, and the way that her head felt filled with cotton. Out of habit, she tried to reach a hand towards her face, but she found that her limbs were constricted. 

“Boss, the girl is awake,” A gruff voice that held some accent spoke. 

There was the sound of movement and suddenly the world lurched to a halt. Cacilie felt her eyes force themselves open as she instinctively wanted to prevent herself from falling. However, this was not for her to decide as a large hand grabbed the neck of her dress. It caused her to let out a dry cough as her air was briefly limited. The addled state of her mind made it hard for her to focus as she found her line of sight focused on the sky above her. 

The tree cover prevented her from a clear view of the world around her, but she was able to perceive the faint glimmer of the twin moons, Bantalador and Illizar. Clouds prevented her from being able to see the constellations of the Northern Feather and Phusoi, Goddess of Wind. That’s what she had been able to see out her window each night. Unlike the rest of the constellations that moved with the seasons, Northern Feather and Phusoi were always together, right beside the twin moons. 

There had always been something comforting to hear about that. Despite the changes in the world, certain things would forever remain. Phusoi would guide the direction of the stars along the seasonal winds whilst navigators could always rely upon the Northern Feather to point north. Always and forever. A concept that had imposed itself upon her after her brother didn’t return home. Something that reminded her that her father would love her because of who he was. He was like Phusoi to her. Able to guide her and their family despite the changes in the world around them. 

Her father. Carriage. Nothingness. What had happened? 

A face covered the shine of the twin moons. It was a gruff face that showed a life outside in the elements and eyes that spoke of loose morals. It was a face that grinned at her like she was a prize, unlike the vacantness she had known from the servants at home. Something inside of her felt disgusted, wanting to have something lash out at him for daring to look at her. Someone like him is unworthy to look upon us like that.

“Our golden goose has awakened. I can see the drug still has your little noggin all turned around,” he guffawed causing spit to hit her dazed face. “You be a good little thing and we’ll get you to your destination all safe and sound.” The man pulled out a rusted dagger and pressed the tip of it against her forehead. “Misbehave and all the gold in the world will prevent me from keeping you alive.” 

He pressed the tip deeper into the center of her forehead and the warmth of her blood made a slow path down her face. It was enough to rouse a bit of alertness into her mind. Cacilie felt her head twitch in understanding and it was enough to satisfy the unknown man. 

He moved away and the world staggered back into motion. She had a sense that they were moving further into the darkened woodlands. She barely noticed the smell of smoke and ash that trailed behind them.