The Eternal Empire

After his observations of Anna, Heimrich knew he needed answers. The scars, the burns, and the broken pieces of her past intrigued him more than ever. To uncover the full story, he turned to Hugo, the slowest of the trio who had found him upon his arrival. Heimrich had studied Hugo's behavior and personality, quickly identifying him as someone desperate for belonging. Hugo was the type of man who gravitated toward stronger personalities, seeking their approval to feel secure. Ludwig, the self-proclaimed leader of the three, had easily roped Hugo in as a loyal follower. Heimrich had no doubt he could do the same with a little manipulation.

The next morning, Heimrich approached Hugo while he worked in the fields. Hugo greeted him warmly, the simple man's face lighting up at the attention. "Good morning, Hugo," Heimrich began, his tone warm and friendly. "I thought I'd lend a hand today."

Hugo beamed. "Ah, that's kind of you! We could always use more help."

For a time, Heimrich worked beside Hugo, sharing light conversation. He complimented Hugo's strength and work ethic, noting how vital he was to the village's survival. It didn't take long for Hugo to open up, basking in Heimrich's praise.

When the moment felt right, Heimrich steered the conversation toward Anna. "I've noticed Anna around," he said casually. "She keeps to herself, doesn't she?"

Hugo hesitated, glancing around as if to ensure no one was listening. "Aye, she does. Poor thing's been through more than most," he admitted, his voice tinged with pity.

Heimrich nodded, keeping his expression neutral. "I've heard she used to work at the tavern. What happened to her?"

Hugo's face darkened. "Ah, it's not something folks like to talk about. Anna was the jewel of the village once—the prettiest maiden you'd ever see. Always smiling, always singing. She could light up the room just by walking in." He paused, sighing deeply. "But beauty can be a curse as much as a blessing."

Heimrich waited patiently, letting Hugo gather his thoughts. Finally, Hugo continued, his voice low and somber. "Word of her beauty spread far, even to the ears of Lord Eberhart von Falkenstein. He's the one who rules this land. He came here with his soldiers, claiming he needed to see her for himself. The villagers thought he meant to take her to his lord, to curry favor and avoid taxes for a time. Maybe even rise in rank."

Hugo shook his head bitterly. "But the moment Eberhart saw her, he changed his mind. He decided he wanted her for himself. Said she'd be his mistress. Anna refused, of course. She'd have none of it."

"Why?" Heimrich asked, genuinely curious.

"Because of her parents," Hugo explained. "Her mother was taken by another lord when Anna was just a child. Used her, broke her, and tossed her aside like rubbish. When she came back, she wasn't the same. Never spoke again. Her father… he couldn't bear it. One day, they both…" Hugo trailed off, making a vague gesture. "They ended their lives. Anna was only ten."

Heimrich frowned, his mind piecing together the fragments of Anna's tragic past. "And then?"

"She had no one left," Hugo said. "Started working in the tavern to survive. She was only nineteen when Eberhart came for her. The villagers tried to protect her, but…" His voice broke, and he shook his head again. "The soldiers beat us down, threatened to kill our families. We couldn't stop them."

Heimrich's voice was steady. "What happened to her?"

Hugo's eyes filled with tears. "They took her to Eberhart's manor. No one saw her for months. When she came back… she wasn't the same. The burns, the scars, the…" He faltered, unable to finish. "We don't know all of it, but there are whispers. Some say at first he tried to woe her, gifting her expensive dresses and flowers, being attentive to her. But she never accepted his various approaches. Eberhart's patience quickly ran thin and he couldn't endure the humilitation ,he tried a more forceful way. One day he called her into his room, his soldiers standing next behind him. With a sudden command of him his soldiers sprang up and hold her down forcefully. Eberhart used that opportunity to tear her clothes apart, ravaging her, raping her, forcing himself upon her. She tried to resist and bit his manhood, when he was stuffing her mouth with his dick. She bit so hard and severed his manhood, at the same time fleeing and running out of the mansion. Sadly she was quickly caught and brought back to the Lord. Infuriated and full of rage he ordered to toss her into the dungeon beneath the mansion. there he tortured her everyday trying his best destroy her, breaking her spirit and mind. He knows that she most valued her beauty and one day tossed her into a pile of burning woods. That is where she got her burn marks. He scooped out her right eye laughing and playing with it, saying that it was once sung upon as the most beautiful eye, shining with a clear blue color as bright as the sky and as deep as the ocean. he crushed it in front of her still remaining her and fed it to the dogs. In the end he even grabbed her bosom so forcefully and tore them apart from her torso, leaving her bleeding and almost dying. Laughing that those were once the most full and alluring breasts any man would fall for. He hung them up on the wall next to her, nailing them down and telling her to stare at them, so she can admire what every man dreamed of seeing."

Heimrich's expression remained impassive, but his mind churned with the implications. The story was horrific, a testament to the depths of human cruelty. Lord Eberhart had turned Anna into a vessel to vent all his barbaric and violent rage. 

"Thank you for telling me," Heimrich said finally. "I won't speak of this to anyone."

Hugo nodded, wiping his eyes. "She's been through enough. It is better to let her be to herself. "

As Heimrich walked away, his thoughts remained fixed on Anna. Her story was more than a tragedy; it was a web of pain and survival. She had endured what few could, and yet she persisted. Far from being just a mystery to solve, Anna was becoming something more in Heimrich's mind. A symbol, perhaps, of resilience in the face of unimaginable suffering.

But one thing was clear: Heimrich's interest in Anna was far from over. If anything, it had only deepened.