The Thorn in My Shed-Chapter 33: Follow Protocol

Lord Evans trailed behind the carriage, walking on foot. The chains clanked painfully against the protruding bones of his wrists and rattled with each and every step he took. A vein popped out of the side of his neck as he cursed her for getting him into this situation in the first place.

His eyes glared at the rusted chains that rubbed against his wrists and ankles, keeping him bound to the carriage. Eilownia’s blood covered them, mixing with the orange rust.....touching his skin.....touching.....him.

It was dried already but he swore he could feel it, wet and sticky against him. It was as if the blood splatters had hands of its own that were reaching out and grabbing onto him, seeking out the DNA that helped create them.

Lord Evans scratched violently at his already red and raw skin. His wrists and ankles were the itchiest but his neck was proving to be a problem as well.

"Curse you both. Curse this entire army. Curse this Viraaz Kingdom." He muttered under his breath as his short nails scraped along his bearded throat.

General Marix had made it a point to leave Lord Evans’ cane behind and in addition to the new skin condition that was plaguing him, a sharp pain was starting to attack him in his lower spine.

The way he had to compensate for the loss of his cane on these awful roads was proving to cause issues. He just knew he’d hardly be able to move the next morning.

How dare they force the great Lord Evans to face such discomforts.

"If you think you’ve faced hardships, I will show you what a luxury you’ve been afforded up until now. Just you wait." He hissed quietly as he glared at the carriage in front of him, praying his gaze would penetrate the well-crafted walls.

Meanwhile, inside the carriage was another story. The curtains were drawn, keeping the space somewhat dark, although the sun was able to filter into the compartment enough that it looked like a sunny day inside compared to Lord Evan’s torture chamber.

Marix held her in his lap. Her head rested against his shoulder as he kept his muscular arms wrapped tightly around her.

He stared down at her, cursing himself again for not figuring out a way to keep his word to begin with.

She was unconscious and her breathing was labored. Her mouth was slightly open as she breathed. Despite the rattling of the carriage, she made no indication that she was bothered by it. She was fully engulfed in her own internal battle.

Her eyebrows were furrowed and twitching as she let out quiet whimpers in her tension-filled sleep. Sweat dripped down the sides of her temples.

Marix brushed his fingers against her cheek and could feel she was completely burning up.

He leaned down and whispered in her ear, his lips brushed against her skin and he could’ve sworn he felt steam from the action.

"Wake up...wake up, Little Flower. At least to drink some water."

Marix handled her with a gentleness he had not known he was capable of before. Each touch, each movement, he feared could shatter her at any given moment.

He shifted her position so she was sitting up more and tilted her head back. He poured a tiny bit of water in her mouth and waited.

When, after a few seconds, she did not swallow, he placed his fingers against her throat and began to gently rub it.

"Come on. Drink a little, you need it. It’s not poison, I promise."

Then, he felt her muscles moving and could see she had swallowed it.

He leaned down to her ear and whispered again, "Good girl."

She was strong, resilient, and he knew without a shadow of a doubt that she would overcome this.

"Here, have some more." He poured a few more drops into her mouth and did the same motion until she swallowed a second time.

"I won’t overwhelm you." Marix put the water flask to the side, knowing her path to recovery would be a slow one.

His eyes then roamed over her dress. It had been the same one she’d worn to the flower festival. That once was decorated with vibrant flowers, that had made her look so colorful and full of life.

Now that there was light, he could see it much better. While the flowers had wilted and crumbled during her time at his estate, there was no mistaking the damage that had been done while she had been in the custody of Lord Evans.

It was completely covered in dried blood, pulp, tomato juice and seeds, splinters, alcohol, rust and various other things. It was stiff and crunchy in some places; a result of the filth Lord Evans had allowed to accumulate.

Marix let out a sigh as he stared at the devastating state of her clothes. He then tutted and hesitated for a moment.

He lifted his finger and gently caressed her face, which he could see was bruised and cut much worse than he had initially thought.

"I’ll need you to trust me." He said as he laid her down onto the carriage.

His hands reached up to the tie around his neck and began to undo his cape.

After some maneuvering he managed to get the cape underneath her and grabbed the hem of her dress.

He hesitated for another moment.

"You’ll need to forgive me. I’m doing what’s best. You’ll feel better in something fresh. I’m sure this dingy rag can’t feel very good on your skin, let alone your mental state."

It was then that he averted his gaze as he lifted it up and over her, tossing it to the side.

He grabbed the edges of the cape and wrapped them tightly around her.

He pulled her onto his lap and held her tight. His heart was pounding in sync with hers.

"It feels softer, doesn’t it? You’re not there anymore, Little Flower. You’re safe now. Safe in my clothes, safe in my grasp."

The soldiers had done minor first aid back at the Evans Estate. Simple ointments had been applied, and bandages had been wrapped around her wounds. However, he’d still need to call his doctor for a thorough examination and discuss a proper treatment plan.

Luckily, he had his own medical room for private treatment. He’d never let her in the hands of just anyone ever again.

His first priority was to get her taken care of.

By the time they arrived back at Marix’s home, the sun had set and the moon had risen. The footman opened the door and Marix stepped out.

As he instructed the footman to get his head maid, Briggs rode up.

"Lieutenant General, go and fetch my doctor, immediately."

Briggs nodded and immediately rode off towards the doctor’s home.

Meanwhile, Marix’s head maid rushed out.

"Take the girl that’s in the carriage inside. Take her straight to my room and ensure she is comfortable. I want no one to enter or leave that room except for the doctor and that is a direct order."

The maid nodded and then ran to get help from some of the other servants.

Once they carried Eilownia inside, Marix turned his attention towards his new ward.

He headed back to the carriage and untied Lord Evans from the carriage. He kept a firm grasp on the chains and yanked Evans along.

"Careful! I’m not some brute for you to manhandle, General! I am respected high-ranking noble!"

Marix continued to drag him down into his dungeons.

"Allow me to introduce you," Marix said as he stood in front of the cell door all the way in the back of the dungeon and snapped his fingers, "to the place your daughter was happy to call home!"

As the guard opened the door, Marix shoved Lord Evans inside, locking him up.

"How dare you! General Marix, this is too far even for you! You are showing no regard for protocol!"

But even as he protested, Marix ignored him and instead turned to address his guards instead.

"No food or water for him. Light more torches as well, I don’t want a speech of darkness in his cell!"

The guards all saluted him and got straight to lighting up Evans’ cell, "Yes sir!"

Marix then returned to his room where the doctor was already examining her.

He then sat on the edge of the bed and faced away from them, "How is she, Dr. Lein?"

Lein shook his head, "It’s hard to tell. I’d like to take her to the medical room."

"I want her comfortable."

"General, the priority right now is for her to receive medical attention. That can be done best in the medical room."

Marix turned around to face him and then reluctantly nodded his head.

He then turned to his head maid, "Your new job is to not leave her side. Do not leave her for even a second, no matter the circumstance."

The maid nodded and curtsied as they took Eilownia out of his room and to the medical area.