Selfish Sacrifice

by the-dark-knightess

"Hers was among them..." A story of reincarnation and the tiny corner of Reaver's soul still capable of love. Follow Vanora, one of Albion's greatest gunslingers, as she finds herself caught up in a revolution. The results of that fight will force her to face a past she has forgotten and a man who pushes every button and tugs at every heart string she has.

The cheers from Brightwall's market followed Leandra and Walter as they left. The grizzled old knight looked over at the princess with pride. "You did well today, Leandra. Your mother loved the Academy. It says a lot about you that you're willing to see it reopened."

The young woman smiled softly. "Some days I can barely remember her, but the kingdom hasn't forgotten. I don't want them to." She looked up to the sky. "We've got enough light left to make it to the monorail station."

"Aye, but there's one more stop we need to make first. And I don't anticipate it going... well."

"Why?"

Walter sighed. "I've known this woman for many years. She's easily one of the best shots in Albion. But... she likes her privacy. It could go either way."

The pair made their way across the bridge, then Walter led the way right, deeper into the forest. After passing the lone house on the road, the path became nearly invisible, but they fought their way to a small clearing. In that clearing sat a small cabin. Smoke puffed pleasantly from the chimney. Walter looked at Leandra and shrugged before walking up to the door and pounding on it. Silence answered him.

"Maybe she's not home," the princess offered.

Walter grumbled under his breath and struck the door again. "Open up, Vanora! I know you're in there!"

"Oh, am I?"

Walter and Leandra both jumped and spun around, reaching for weapons. A woman in her late twenties was leaned up against a tree with a string of rabbits hanging on her shoulders. Black, shoulder-length hair was tied back in a ponytail, and her emerald eyes assessed them coldly.

"As it happens, Sir Walter... I'm out here."

"Hm. So you are," he mumbled.

"What are you doing here?"

"Ah... well... Vanora, this is Princess Leandra."

"Charmed. What are you doing here?"

"Now... I know you said you didn't want anything to do with politics after what happened."

"You mean after Logan got my entire squad killed and wouldn't even give me an explanation as to what happened?"

"Erm... yes."

"And knowing this, you brought the princess here... why?"

"In the hopes that she might persuade you to join our cause."

Vanora's eyes slipped between the two. "What cause?"

"We're going to overthrow Logan."

A stiff silence reigned in the forest – a silence that not even birds dared encroach upon. It was finally broken when Vanora quietly replied, "I supposed you'd better come inside."