Snippet #1365442

Sitting in a dusty corner of the library, Aimi studied an old map in a book that probably weighed nearly as much as she did. When she tilted her head to the side, just so, and squinted, she could make out faded marks inked into the margins. Sighing, she concluded that geography was not her best subject, and closed the heavy book with a thump. A puff of dust rose from the old book, and she stifled a cough. She had snuck in when no one was looking, to steal a few lonely minutes for herself, even if she was studying.

Slipping through the heavy shelves, she peeked out into the open space between her hiding place and the door- it was empty. She bit her lip and breathed as softly as she could, listening for any sign of another’s presence. When she heard nothing, she tiptoed to the heavy wooden door, and had to wrestle it open. Slipping out, she closed it as gently as she could.

Aimi shook out her pigtails and lacy pink skirts- she had acquired a thin coat of dust in the all but forgotten corner. At least, it was forgotten by the maids, although who knew if it was really forgotten or just neglected. It made a great place to get a few minutes of silence. Now, however, Aimi hurried down the hallway, hoping to make it to her quarters unseen. If anyone of rank saw her, they’d surely scold her for her dirt smudged hands and dress. Despite her age, they insisted in treating her as a child. Her size and demeanor helped with that, illusion, no doubt, and at least it allowed her some freedom from court intrigue.

She was still a long way from the part of the palace that housed her quarters when a scream echoed through the halls. She froze, trembling from her pigtails to her toes, before hunching her slim shoulders and nearly running down the hall. She was in the wing with the torture chambers, an unfortunate side effect of traveling clear to the other, less traveled half of the castle. A second scream caused her to stumble, nearly falling in her haste, and she bit back a whimper as she continued, more carefully, on her way.