The Stone Tower

Chapter 1

Every little girl dreams of being a princess. The life of a princess is glamorous! They get to live in beautiful castles, and they get to attend extravagant parties! Best of all, they get to find true love with a handsome prince. I dream of a life like that. I am a princess after all, but no one would know. How can a prince risk his life in a daring attempt to save me.. when he doesn't even know of my existence? I am grateful in someways, even if my clothes are rags, and my bed is wood. I'm safe. Mother and father kept my existence a secret because of the war. If the Dainen people knew I was alive, they would've kidnapped me and our kingdom would be lost.

Even though my living conditions are poor, I still get to experience some of the luxuries of being a princess. For one example, I have an amazing view of Faigund valley. My tower is located at the highest, most rural place in the kingdom of Faigund. Being so high up gives me a wide spectrum of scenes to view. Secondly, I also have my best friend, Kyle, who is my lady's maid. She keeps me updated on what's happening outside of my tower. She's also an amazing cook; even with the limited ingredients available to us, she still makes do with what we have and creates amazing meals.

Kyle isn't here at the moment. I'm alone, and my loneliness gives me time to think about such things as the life I wish I had been born into. I walk over to the window, being careful not to trip on any of the furniture that is squeezed into this small room. I stand there staring, focusing on the the light that dances off of the water. "It's so beautiful" I murmur to myself. Oh, how I wish I could swim in that river! I hardly ever get to go outside, and when I do it's usually too late to swim.

In the few moments I spend looking out the window my heart sinks. Depression sinks in, and I wished I wasn't who I was born as. I pray for my life to be different, to be normal. After a few minutes of me pitying myself I notice something. I can't necessarily make out what it is, but it seems to be a dark, hooded figure with a long pole and bucket setting up a post next to the river. I quickly scurry out of view, but I can't help to watch the figure with curiosity.

I hear Kyle's repetitive warning in my head "Aria, if ever a stranger comes near this tower, get out of sight and do not make a sound, I'm never gone for long and I'll be there shortly." I curse Kyle in my head. It feels as if she's been gone for ages. I ignore her warning and fix my eyes on the figure. I watch with an irresistible interest as the stranger takes off the hood. "It's a man." I whisper.

At that moment the man sets down his equipment, and turns to the tower. I sink down even lower with my eyes still fixated on him. He walks towards the tower seemingly interested. He ventures out of sight, and I feel my heart beat race. "What if he finds me?" I think to myself as anxiety overcomes me. Quickly, I calm myself. He is unable to get inside, for he knows nothing about this tower and it's entrances. There's no way he'd be able to get in.

I watch as the man's curiosity fades, and he turns away from the tower and leaves. I feel a rush of relief fall over me as I watch him disappear into the woods near the river. I notice his equipment still by the river, but my mind doesn't concern it as anything important.

Anguish fills my heart as I realized one heart breaking detail. "I'm still unknown. I had hoped he would find me, and I would be free. But I'm still safe..."