Hehehehe…….ducks from flying tomatoes
Murtagh pulled on a cloak and strapped his sword to his belt. He had no clue where he was going, he just new he couldn't stay here. Wasting no time in his quest to get away, Murtagh had to his door and threw it open. He took off down the hall, letting his feet guide him. The dead noble's words continue to play in his head,
"I'm still here…." Murtagh could feel hot tears pricking his eyes, but he refused to let them fall.
"No, I'm not weak." He growled to himself, still running through the maze of halls. Perhaps not, but you still a monster. A voice spoke in Murtagh's mind.
"NO!" he screamed, bursting into the kitchen. It was completely empty. He was getting a cramp in his side and his lungs were screaming for air, but Murtagh didn't care. He sprinted to the back of the kitchens and out the back door. Before he knew it, Murtagh found himself in the stables. He located the ladder to the hay loft and quickly climbed it. Fighting his way in between bails, Murtagh finally collapsed to his knees under an opening on the wall. Moonlight spilled down upon the teen. Murtagh's chest rose and fell quickly and sweat was dripping down his body. He slowly raised a shaking hand to eye-level. Murtagh swore there was blood dripping from his hands; the blood of the noble. Tears threatened to consume him once more, but he held them back anyway. Needing to let his emotion out someway, his body began to shake violently. He clenched his hands tightly into fists; pressing so hard that blood began to ooze from the places where his own nails dug into his skin. Murtagh saw the blood coming from his hands and felt the pain in a different way then he should have. A pained smile spread across his face. Perhaps if he spilt his own blood, it would repay for the blood he had spilt from another. Still shaking, Murtagh clumsily drew his sword. He pulled back his sleeve with his free hand. His wrist seemed pail in the moonlight, almost ghost-like. Taking a deep breath, Murtagh quickly slashed the sword across his wrist. Pain shot up his arm, causing him to flinch. Blood started to flow down his arm. Murtagh watched it for a moment, then made another slash. A strangled laugh escaped his lips. He enjoyed the pain; it made everything seem better. Murtagh raised the sword again, a manic smile now on his face.
When Murtagh woke, he was lying on a hard wooden floor; the smell of hay and horses filling his nostrils. He sat up groggily, rubbing his eyes. He paused, horror seeping into him as he spotted his wrist. Slashes covered his entire arm, making his skin seems like a white sheet slashed open to reveal red undercover. There was dried blood on the floor and on his shirt. Murtagh spotted his sword lying not to far away from his and saw it was covered in blood as well. He slowly pulled the sword toward him and stared at it. He had attacked himself; he had enjoyed the pain. Murtagh stood up and put the sword back into its sheath with disgust. He climbed down the ladder and left the stables, ignoring the looks the stable hands gave him as he left. Not a single one missed the slashes on the youth's wrist, or had any doubt what they meant.
I truly am a monster. Murtagh though as he walked on. Only a monster would let their emotion out this way. (this is not a bash against those who cut themselves)
"Um, excuse me?" a small voice said from behind Murtagh. He stopped and turned slowly to gaze at a young looking servant girl. Her soft brown eyes were looking with horror at his wrist.
"Yes?" he said. The sound of his voice surprised him. It was flat and emotionless; deeper then usual.
"Did, did you do that to yourself?" she asked fearfully. Murtagh snorted.
"Naturally." He said coldly. She gasped slightly. Murtagh turned to leave but the girl ran in front of him.
"You can't do this anymore." She said firmly. Murtagh raised an eyebrow. This girl's dirty blonde head barely came up to his chin. He, though slightly out of shape, was strong. This girl was small and weak.
"I highly suggest you move." He snarled. She glared up at him.
"Or what, you'll kill me?" she said coolly. Murtagh took a step back, his mind suddenly blank.
"I know who you are. Lord Murtagh the murderer." She sneered. "Go on! If I annoy you, get rid of me!" she challenged him. Murtagh gaped at her.
"N-no!" she stammered. She raised and eyebrow at him.
"No? You won't murder me? A innocent?" she questioned. Murtagh shook his head, his eyes wide.
"Ah, then you are not the monster you seem to think you are!" she said cheerily. Murtagh was completely thrown off balance by her sudden change of mood.
"Wha-what?" he asked uncertainly. The girl chuckled softly and walked up to him, slipping her arm around his as she did.
"Now come on, I know were your room is, lets get you back and clean this mess up." She said, pulling down his sleeve as he did so. All of this seemed slightly familiar to him, but Murtagh pushed aside the feeling.
"My name is Sarah by the way." The girl said as she started to lead him away. Sarah, Murtagh soon learned, liked to talk. She chatted non stop about everything and anything from the stubborn grass stain she had gotten on her skirt last week, to the unfair amount of chores she was given each day. Murtagh thought at first he would be annoyed by the servant's constant babble, but he soon found he enjoyed listening to her. Looking in on someone else's life made him temporarily forget his own.
When hey finally reached his door, Murtagh found himself being pulled through it and forced into a chair.
"Stay here while I find something to clean those with." Sarah commanded. Murtagh watched her vaguely as Sarah disappeared into the adjoining bathroom. All too soon she was back, a wash cloth draped over her arm and a basin of soapy water in her arms. She carefully placed the basin on the floor and knelt down next to him. Murtagh did not protest as when she grabbed his arm and rolled up the sleeve. He noted how Sarah winced slightly as she gazed upon the slashes. She dipped the cloth in the water and slowly dabbed at the slashes with it. Murtagh examined her while she cleaned his arm. She couldn't be much younger then him, maybe even his age. Her large brown eyes held much compassion in them. Her hands, though callused from hard work, were soft. She had her dirty blonde pulled back in a tight bun behind her face. Murtagh noticed something though, something that shouldn't be on a girl so young. There was a scar going from under her ear down her shoulder and under her shirt. It wasn't a noticeable star like Murtagh's but it still looked like it has been severe.
"Where did you get that?" he said, motioning to Sarah's neck with his free hand. Sarah didn't look up but Murtagh saw her eyes harden.
"When I was eight, one of the soldiers decided to try and, well…" her voice trailed off. Murtagh held his breath, not sure he wanted to hear the rest. Sarah swallowed hard and continued.
"He tried to have his way with me. I got that scar from when he scratched me, trying to hold me down." Her voice was flat, dispassionate. Murtagh felt a wave a anger towards the soldier, and extreme compassion for the young servant.
"He didn't do it, did he?" he asked quietly.
"No." Sarah said quietly. "I screamed loud enough that a couple other servants came running and got him away." Murtagh nodded.
"Where is that soldier now?" he asked.
"Dead." Sarah said blatantly. "The punishment for rape or even attempted rape is death." She said, continuing to dab at the slashes.
"Well," Murtagh began. "The king may be a bit twisted, but he is noble." He said. Sarah nodded. She paused for a moment.
"You know, It took me a really long time to recover. I mean, I was so scared all the time. I would never let a man within 10 feet of me. But the worst was the feeling that was left behind; I felt dirty. I thought I was something to be disgusted with, not pitied. I felt like I had been in the wrong." Sarah said sadly. Murtagh gaped at her.
"You did nothing wrong thought!" he said, astonishment in his voice. Sarah stood up, lifting the basin with her. She went to the bathroom again. Murtagh got to his feet when she reappeared.
"I thought I had done something wrong when I didn't. I eventually learned the truth Murtagh. You think you did something wrong, but you didn't. You did what you had to in order to save your life; to survive. You have no reason to feel guilty." With those final words, Sarah left the room, leaving Murtagh standing there, letting her words hit him, but only half believing them.
AN: alright, I know what you thinking, but I have a good reason for not updating! Ok, that's mostly a lie. Lets see, the end of year was upon me and the teachers decided to reward for surviving the year by giving tuns of homework! Then I had a week before my only regents and ya well……I was kinda emotionally unstable at the time (guys are can cause a lot more trouble then half of them are worth!) Then the test happened. I must say, I have no excuse for the past couple weeks after school ended other then I am totally lazy! Anyway, hoped you enjoyed this chapter. It had the Murtagh angst I had promised. And don't worry, the fun has just begun! Do you guys like Sarah? I do. I hope you like her too. She is such a sweetie!
Oh ya, 100 REVIEWS! 15 on the last chapter btw!
Kat Kat B.- ah yes, what a wonderful race we are, when we delight in the pain of those characters we love!
Spottedstar106- yes well, as you may of noticed, I am not the fasted updater…
Wulfeh- OK OK! I picked up the angst! Hehe
Littlemissloveable – Yes well, I know making Murtagh suffer is cruel, but hes a tough guy, he will make it!
Jeeves1729- YOU HAVE BEEN AWARDED THE 100 REVIEW AWARD! hands jeeves a shiny plaque
Claire Cornelia Chase- yes yes, poor Murtagh! But obviously you enjoy his pain, or else you wouldn't be reading his story, would you?
FlyingFerret- Really? Good! I have always wanted t pull off a really cruel cliff hanger!
-Bista- Ah yes, the princess is quite a character ;) Reading is very good for him. Puts that mind of his that has previously been spent on nothing but swordplay to some intelligent use.
Miss Murder 5- hehe. I know I update slow, but like you said, isn't it worth it?
Twilight Kumorichu- HAHA! Your review made me laugh! Reserve judgement on the princess how? That she is a jerk, or a mary sue?
Alsdssg- glad you liked it. There wasn't any Nathan in this chapter though….
The Cookie Thief- why are we all addicted to angst? I am pretty sure it is not healthy…..
MurtaghsAngel81- Yep, lots more action on the way!
Tiger Priestess- haha! I love your reviews, I ever mention that? Well the way the princess handled the chicken is a little insight to her personality. wink wink UGH! IT'S STUCK IN MY HEAD AGAIN!
Lost Scribe- That would be a interesting look for Galby I must say.
