He watched helpless, as the door closed behind her. She was his last chance to get out of here, and he blew it. If only he hadn’t insulted her, if only he wasn’t so proud, he could have left the dungeon alive. Stripped of his dignity, but alive none the less. Now he would spend the rest of his short life down here, wrapped in chains.

He laughed to himself, thinking of his fate. Just a few short weeks ago, he was sitting richly a couple hundred feet above. Crown prince of a glorious nation. A nation at war.
They had been under siege for a month before the walls were broken. The enemy swarmed in like rats, scouring every inch of the city. When they broke through the stronghold, his father, the king, died from a knife in the back. In both senses of the word. His most trusted adviser had betrayed him. Himself, he had been captured, just as the final rooms were taken. The last remaining soldiers gathered around behind him and together they fought vigorously. But even the most ferocious of mice can’t keep the wolves at bay for long.

And now he was here, chained to the walls, arms and feet spread for immobilization. Even bound, he still posed a threat. All were forbidden to see him, even the guards that stood outside the cell were not to make conversation, as he had a very sly tongue when used properly. But unfortunately, when the queen came for the final time asking if he would bow to her, his emotions had gotten the better of him. Now his fate was sealed. The prince sighed. Only a miracle could save him now.

He started as a large thud reverberated through the stone room. Outside the cell door, a guard shouted something inaudible, before a second thud rang off the metal door. Keys jingled in the lock. The prince peered through the gloom, waiting, unsure what to expect. Light struck his face as the door opened. A silhouette appeared in the gap.

“Stay quiet,” came a soft woman’s voice, “I’m getting you out of here.” The woman came closer, picking the right key.

Even though it was dark, this woman seemed to hold an air of beauty. Danger, but beauty. As she unlocked his shackles, the prince whispered, “Who are you?”

She glanced up at him, her green eyes vibrant in the gloom. “That’s not important right now. The important thing is your safety.” The chains clattered as they struck the ground. The woman turned, spoke, “Follow me,” and fled the chamber…