The temperatures had dropped significantly; a sudden and unwanted cold spell had rolled in despite the fact it should've been getting warmer.
Eilownia was curled into a tight ball, pressed into the corner of the dungeon. Despite the cold stone walls, she was hoping they'd heat up with contact from her body and help keep her warm.
Her breath came out in white mist as she rubbed her hands up and down her arms. She had pulled her hair around so it fell against her arms too, trying to create a makeshift blanket with them.
Straw was piled around her feet in a desperate attempt to warm them up, her toes curled and pressed together.
Marix's interrogations had caused her body so many aches that even taking a breath caused soreness. The cold weather was also aggravating the pains in her muscles and bones.
The jail clothes that she'd been given were practically just flimsy pieces of cloth too.
Her body suddenly trembled as a chill ran up her spine.
She hugged herself tighter, making it even harder to breathe.
Across from her cell she could see one of the torches flames flickering. How she longed to go over to it and hold her hands out towards it, to feel its warmth blanketing her fingers.
'A nice warm fire would be so nice right now.' She thought, staring down at the straw. It would be easily flammable and the amount in the cell would create a nice flame.
If only she could ensure it would be contained, then she'd ask if she could have a small fire in her cell.
Her gaze lifted as she looked around the cell.
'I guess there's no way for the smoke to escape either…."
As she sat in thought, wondering if she could possibly make a request for some sort of warmth, she head familiar footsteps coming towards the cell.
She let out a sigh. 'What is he going to do today? I wish I could have a day of rest.'
Marix entered her cell and looked down at her, his eyebrow raised.
"Are you cold or uncomfortable? Little Flower you look so pathetic curled up in the corner like this."
"I'm both! It's freezing down here and my body aches terribly! Curling up in the corner is the best way to keep warm. Is that so pathetic? Is surviving really so pathetic?"
She furrowed her eyebrows and the corners of her mouth turned downwards.
He stayed silent for a moment, unmoving, and only continued to stare at her.
Then, he reached down and grabbed her chin, tilting it from side to side.
"You are freezing and aching, and yet...you look incredibly well rested."
Eilownia nodded.
"This is some of the best sleep I've gotten. Well…..apart from when I slept in your bed."
Marix cleared his throat, "Don't speak about such things so openly."
"What things?"
He stared at her and bit his lip, his teeth baring. "About sleeping in my bed."
"Why not?" She tilted her head and batted her eyelashes.
Marix shook his finger at her, "You. You are."
"I am?"
"You are either stupid or extremely improper."
"Why is it improper? I liked it!"
He choked and cleared his throat again.
"Enough."
She shrugged.
"I don't understand…..but...while this stone floor is hard, it's smooth and there's nothing jutting into my back. There's room for me to stretch out as well and if I want to get up and walk around, I can. I'm restricted to this cell but it's quite comfortable for the most part. Although I wish there was a window. I'd like to see the sky."
"Is that so? Well. Let's do something about your comfort levels, shall we?"
He hauled her up and called the guards over.
Before she knew it, she was sitting in that old wooden chair again, wrists tied down to the arms.
"Are you sure you wouldn't like to tell me yet? Today I may just quarter you."
His voice was quiet, almost as if it was something he didn't intend on saying, as he tied ropes to her ankles.
She shifted uncomfortably in the chair, her butt was still sore from yesterday and the rickety old chair was doing nothing to soothe her aches.
"What is courter you?" Her eyes looked upward as she tried to think, then she smiled and gasped, "You mean you want to court me? I wouldn't mind, but you have to let me out of here first."
Marix faltered, then looked up at her, his eyes wide as he saw her serious expression. "You're being serious?"
She nodded, "Weren't you?"
He searched her eyes for any sign of a trap or manipulation, but failed to find any. His eyebrow twitched.
"Don't say things like that. Least of all to someone like me." He stood up and inhaled sharply before placing his hands on the chair arms. He leaned in and whispered.
"Quartering is where," he gently brushed his fingers against different parts of her body, "I remove these limbs of yours, but don't worry, I won't do that just yet."
She leaned in and pecked his cheek.
Marix pulled away quickly and shook his head, blinking rapidly before staring deep into her eyes.
"What do you think you're doing?"
She tilted her head and raised her eyebrows, "Hmm? Isn't that what you wanted?"
He stared for a moment longer before he rolled his eyes and scoffed. "What in the world would make you think that's what I wanted?"
She thought for a moment, "You said you wouldn't do that yet. Doesn't that mean you're holding out for me?"
Marix cleared his throat and stood up straight, avoiding eye contact with her.
"You're a fool, Whin."
He pulled the rope from her ankles, lifting her leg in the air. Her eyebrows furrowed as she felt the stretch of her leg muscles, which also aided in aggravating her soreness.
She winced and tried wiggling her foot, but the rope held it securely in place.
"Bothered?" He questioned, leaning against the cell wall, his arms crossed.
"Yes, it's bothersome!" She said, pouting angrily at him, "It's so cold today and now I can't even curl up to keep warm!"
"Ah, so you don't feel the burn yet? Don't worry, I have no where else to be today."
The corner of her nose twitched up.
After a few minutes of silence she perked up and smiled.
"What is it?" He questioned, eyeing her suspiciously.
"Since you are waiting. Then you can listen, right?"
Marix rolled his eyes, "I'm not here to listen to your last will and testament if that's what you're getting at."
"Last will and test a mint? Why would I test an herb? Is that my wish? What do you mean....?"
He scoffed, "What an interesting Little Flower you are, I'm surprised you're not already extinct."
"Extinct?"
"Don't start."
"Fine, then I'll get back to what I was saying. I can't tell you who I am but-"
"Then I'm not interested in listening. Unless you're going to tell me who you are, who you work for, where you are from, then it matters not to me. Don't waste your breath."
Eilownia stared at him then shrugged.
"Breaths are infinite as long as I am alive so don't worry about that kind of thing. Anyways, I wanted to say, I have always wanted to visit the Viraaz Flower Festival. I came to admire it. I've heard many people from many kingdoms come to see it. I finally had the opportunity to. I didn't know you were the General. I got pushed into you."
"From someone you were working with no doubt. What an excellent plan. So you can maintain your innocence."
Eilownia hung her head and screamed, "AHHHH!!!! I'M GOING CRAZY!"
"SHH! Don't scream."
"You are making things up about me! Why can't I scream? There are no other prisoners? Go ahead! Tell your guards to leave if you are so bothered with others hearing! Hmph!"
"I don't care if they hear you. I am the one who doesn't want to hear it."
He exited her cell and barked orders at the guard outside of her cell, "Remove the rope before the day is over and make sure she receives bread and water today."
Without saying a word to anyone, he returned to his room where he took of his jacket and slammed it on the bed.
He placed his hands on his hips and ran his fingers through his long purple hair.
"That girl is going to be the death of me. How dare she kiss me. How dare she scream out of frustration now." He huffed out.
He paced the room a few moments then called for one of the maids. The elderly woman rushed in and bowed to him.
"Sir."
"I want you to have the guards give her warmer prison wear. Change her into it yourself if you have to, but make sure she gets it, that she wears it. That's a command from their General."
The maid nodded and promptly exited the room.