13. Cassia

13

CASSIA

" G orthak!" I cry out.

For a moment, I think I'm still dreaming, but the cold reality of my situation quickly sets in. I'm alone in my small bedroom, and Gorthak is nowhere to be found.

I sigh and sit up, rubbing my eyes. I feel a strange emptiness in my chest, as if a part of me is missing. It's ridiculous, really. I've only known Gorthak in my dreams, and yet I can't shake the feeling that he's real.

But what if I'm just going insane? What if these dreams are nothing more than my mind's way of coping with the monotony of my life? I've never had much to look forward to, other than serving the Master and hoping that he doesn't take out his frustrations on me.

I get dressed and start my day, trying to push thoughts of Gorthak out of my mind. But it's difficult when the Master is still set on showing an unusual interest in me. He keeps watching me, as if he's trying to figure something out. It makes me uncomfortable, but I don't dare say anything.

As I go about my duties, I can't help but wonder where I am. I've lived in my Master's manor my entire life, but I've never left its walls. I don't know what lies beyond the gates, or even where the manor is located. It's a strange realization, and it makes me feel even more trapped than I already do.

I try to focus on my work, but my thoughts keep drifting back to Gorthak. I wonder if he's real, and if he's out there somewhere, looking for me. It's a foolish thought, I know, but I can't help it. I feel a connection to him that I can't explain, and it's giving me hope.

But what if that hope is just another illusion? What if I'm destined to spend the rest of my life serving the Master, with nothing more to look forward to than the occasional dream of an orc who may or may not exist?

I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts. I need to focus on what's real, not what might be. But it's hard when the line between reality and fantasy is starting to blur.

It's just that… How can I not know where I am when this place is all I've ever been?

It's like a nagging itch that won't go away. As I go about my daily chores, I start asking the other maids and house staff members if they know where in Protheka we are.

"Excuse me, do you know where this manor is located?" I ask one of the older maids as she's dusting the shelves in the library.

She looks up at me, surprised. "Why do you want to know that, dear?"

"I... I don't know. I just feel like I should know where I am."

She shakes her head. "I'm sorry."

I nod and move on to the next person, a young footman who's polishing the silverware. "Do you know where we are in Protheka?"

He looks up at me, confused. "Shouldn't you be working, girl?"

"I just... I feel like I should know."

He shakes his head and walks away without deigning to answer.

I sigh and move on, feeling more frustrated with each passing moment. No one seems to know where we are, or even care. It's like we're all trapped in this bubble, cut off from the rest of the world.

I start to feel a sense of panic rising in my chest. What if I'm never able to leave this place? What if I'm stuck here forever, serving the Master and never knowing where I am?

And if I don't know where I am, how can I tell Gorthak where to find me?

I take a deep breath and try to calm myself down. I need to focus on what I can control, not what I can't. I need to keep going, keep asking questions, and hope that eventually I'll find an answer.

As the day drags on and my inquiries yield no results, my hope begins to dwindle. The other servants seem indifferent to my plight, as if they're resigned to their fate. I can't help but feel isolated and alone in my quest for answers.

Exhausted and disheartened, I return to my chambers and prepare for bed. My appetite has vanished, replaced by a gnawing sense of despair. Just as I'm about to change into my nightgown, the door to my room is brutally forced open.

I let out a terrified scream and instinctively shield myself, only to find the Master standing before me. His gaze is icy and penetrating, sending a shiver down my spine. My heart pounds wildly in my chest as he once again invites himself into my personal space.

"Cassia," he growls, his tone menacing and sending a chill down my spine. "I've got a special task for you tonight."

My heart races, but I force myself to remain calm, trying to steady my voice. "What kind of task?" I ask hesitantly.

His gaze lingers on me, traveling up and down my body in a way that makes me feel exposed and vulnerable. "You'll see," he replies cryptically, a smirk playing on his lips.

I nod shakily, feeling a knot form in my stomach. When he makes no move to leave, I clear my throat anxiously. "Can you please give me some privacy to change?" I ask, trying to keep the fear out of my voice.

His eyes flash with an anger I've only seen in my nightmares. For a moment, I think he'll refuse. But then he spins abruptly on his heel and stomps out, slamming the door behind him.

My shaking knees give out and I fall onto the bed. Something is wrong, I tell myself as I pull my nightgown on. Something is wrong and this time… this time I'm not dreaming it up.