Ming has only ever known the castle walls, not because she’s royalty, but because her parents were servants, their parents were servants, her fate, her destiny was written long before she was born.

Her king and the empire are cruel people and unforgiving. She was 14 when she faced their cruelty first hand. A dropped tea cup was equal to a night long of lashing. With no one to protect her and comfort her afterwards, her only solace became her creaky bed and a tiny window looking up at the moon and the stars.

When the siege of the empire began, Ming ran. She didn’t know who was attacking and why. All she knew was the violence and blood that seemed to cake the castle walls.

Ming ran and ran as fast as she could deep into the forest without looking back. All she knew was the castle walls but it was not her home. She was not sad to see it gone, but her new feelings of nervousness and…a hint of excitement took over. No more cruel punishments. No more starving. She was free.

Ming slows her run and walks deeper into the forest. She doesn’t know where she’s going but she doesn’t care. Ming was free. She sits on a stone by the lake just looking. Fresh air has never been so wonderful.

Ming stills when she hears a branch cracking. Was it enemy soldiers? The king? Someone that would ruin everything? She held her breath as a large wolf with white fur and golden eyes came to past the trees.

Ming has heard about the forest creatures before. Most of the other servants were terrified, but Ming always thought they were beautiful. Creatures and things like her, judged and treated poorly without a chance.

Still, Ming waits to see what the wolf does. But she’s not stupid enough to start a fight or flee.