Keeper of Life - NaPoWrMo Entry

It was hard to focus on anything, Coal no longer remembered where she was or what she was supposed to be doing. The grey stone that seemed to line each side of her only distorted the foggy image in her mind further. Amber lanterns illuminated the way forward but she saw no light, no direction. The chain on the collar told her which way she needed to go, and how fast, but not why.

'What, am I doing?' the thought began to form. A sharp pain brought that thought to heel and she faded back into the melancholy tranquility. It was easier this way, now nothing hurt, there was no fear, no regret, all she had to do was follow the chain, and the words that were spoken to her.

She nodded as Valor said something, it entered her mind and dissipated into the fog of obedience that now consumed her. “Yes,” she said, the word trailing from her mind as her eyes attempted to focus.

They entered a larger room, this one ordained with velvet carpet, and curtains that hung still in front of the closed windows. Unlit candles complemented the unlit lanterns, they too holding a shimmering silver that covered the guardians. Coal paused and looked around, images creeping in, pictures of caves that filled with a dull light that she was told was called green. The pods of future broodlings she could not call her own, and of her sister who- Pain lit through her and it caused her to grimace.

Valor pulled the chain tighter and brought Coal down. With panting lungs Coal regained the tranquility that had trapped her previously.

“It's easier not to think demon,” Valor said pulling her forward. “Your majesty.” Valor and her guardians bowed. She pulled the chain taunt. Something in Coal told her to resist, and she did, but for only a second until she too bowed.