Mad Dog

Chapter 3 - The Garden

However, as the days passed, no one showed up at my door. Meals were set outside, but I didn't touch them. I had no appetite. It felt as if my stomach was in constant knots that any threat of food would come right back up. Instead, I spent my days in the chair. Gazing endlessly at the garden before me. I was starting to get restless inside. He would have heard what happened by now. Why didn't he come? I began to realize that I had not done enough.

On the 4th day, since I confined myself to my room, I had an idea. Why would I confine myself like a dog in a cage? The best thing about a wild dog is that they get to be free. Rather than looking at this garden every day I should visit it. I stand not bothering to get dressed or even look in a mirror to see what I looked like after 4 days in here. What does it matter if I'm dirty? I only sling a dagger around my waist, the one given to me on our wedding day, before heading out. With a purpose, I begin my walk to the garden, not even noticing the stares of those around me. I made it almost to the garden before finally being stopped.

"Miss." The guard said. "I can't permit you to go outside alone. You must go back to your room till someone can escort you."

"Escort me, you say?" I murmur barely audible. Without a second thought, I shakingly draw my dagger and position myself to fight. "You'll have to drag my corpse back."

"Miss, please. Don't make me hurt you."

"As if a weakling like you could do me in. I'll be going in that garden unescorted or die trying."

Balking at me, he asked, "Miss, will you please lower your weapon. It's just not safe for you to go out without a guard."

I laughed at that. "As if anyone truly cares about my safety. Stand aside, or I will gut you where you stand."

"Miss, please -"

Without waiting for his reply, I rushed him to bring my blade out, aiming for the spaces in his armor. He caught my hands before I could reach it, yanking them into the air. I wasn't going to be beaten so quickly that I kick him hard in the balls, bringing him to his knees in agony.

I stagger forward blade back out. "Any last words?" I ask.

Fear flashed in his eyes as he went for his weapon. "I thought not." I stagger forward, not wanting to wait before plunging my knife in him. Abruptly, I am yanked back and pressed tight against a chest I know well. Over my shoulder, I shoot him a look full of venom. I struggle to get free of his grip as he rips my knife from my hands. I scream. Flinging every kind of insult I can think of at him. When that didn't work, I began to tell him each and every fantasy I had about killing him. Through all this, he just stared silently at me. Tired, I felt myself slipping unwillingly into unconsciously cursing his existence as I go.

Rohan

Strange. She had been acting very strange lately. I wonder how a mere cold could have changed someone so much. Staring down at her, it was almost laughable the things she was saying. How amusing. I wonder how far her vendetta will take her. Picking her up, it's impossible not to notice how light she was. To light. When was the last time she ate something.

"You." I say to the guard. "The next time my wife is barred from this garden will be your last." I begin to walk past to her room before turning once again. Fixing him with an icy glare "Also the next time you unsheath your weapon towards my wife I'll kill you myself. If she wants to kill you, you better roll over and die."

I stalk back to her room. Flinging open the door, I lay her on the bed as trembling servants flock in behind me.

"Explain to me why my wife is in this condition and pray it's a good one." I spit out.

They all trembled none of them wanting to speak, but I would not have that.

"Answer me this instant before I dispose of you all."

Shakily, one of the maids stepped forward. "She told us not to come in my lord. She said if we came in, she'd kill us."

"I see, and did you realize my wife wasn't eating her meals?" She flinched.

"Yes, my lord, but since we weren't allowed to enter, there was nothing we could do."

"How long has it been starving herself?"

At this, her trembling intensified. "Today is the 4th day, my lord."

"The fourth day, you say? You mean to tell me she has been neglected for 4 days, and none of you thought to report this to me." I say fuming.

She takes a step back, wanting the protection of the crowd from my anger but knowing there would be none.

"I-im sorry, my lord. Madame said if we told you we would be sacked. We just assumed that since you never took an interest in her , it would be fine."

"Ah, I see now. You are confused as to who your master is."

She gasped. "No! No, my lord! I swear we just thought her words were your words!"

"Wrong answer," I say, taking my sword out of its sheath and bringing it down on her neck. Shaking the blood off, I approach the rest of them.

"Your services are no longer required." I bring my sword up. "All who wish to live run now." They all bolt from the room but not quick enough. I run my sword through each and every one of them sparing none of them. I wipe my blade off on one of their clothes.

"My lord." I turn to see Browan bowing before me. "Would you like me to see about disposing of the bodies?" I glance around indifferently. "Yes. Make sure her room is spotless and call my mother. We have much to discuss." I say bitingly. It seems I will need to remind her who the real owner of this house is.