(Your name's) P.O.V
It was that following early morning where I had quietly left the warmth of Guts' futon to sneak out and go to my own tent.
The constant brightness of the sun's rays never failed to make me already tired for the start of the day.
Nevertheless, I had to wake up, to my dismay.
There in my tent I started to change into a more comfortable set of clothes. Long sleeved shirt for the slightly chilled air and my regular fitting black pants. I strapped my dagger holster to my thigh, next getting the one for my sword.
Yawning, I opened the flap to exit my tent only to bump into a breasted chest.
"The hell?-"
"Captain (your name)." Casca spoke, folding her arms. The sun's rays shone behind her, making her glow infront of the rising sun as I shielded my eyes from the blinding light. "Where are you off to this early in the morning?"
"I...was going to go practice."
I lied straight through my teeth, not even able to meet her eyes.
Casca's brown orbs stared me down nevertheless. Our height I had to admit was averagely the same, but I think I was just an inch taller or two above her.
"I saw you arrive late yesterday. Just where were you?"
Fuck, fuck, fuck.
Too many questions...
"I was-"
"Casca." Guts called suddenly, walking up to me and her turned on accord to look to the tall male.
"Yes? What is it?" She asked.
"Judeau needs help with something. He says more than two crossbows are jammed."
Casca's eyes averted to me as she spoke back to Guts.
"If that's the case, I'll...go help then. I can't believe this happened yet again to the crossbows." Walking away, my attention then turned to Guts as he crossed his arms dismissively this time.
"Whatever you're doin' just be safe. Okay?"
I stared to his sullen face. He looked rested as I nodded.
"Will do. I always am." I replied, now turning to quickly leave before he'd say anything more.
I exhaled.
I hate making him worried. It never eased my mind any more that it eased his to keep doing this.
I was currently waiting outside that church as instructed by Steven. Desperately not wanting to go inside, I sighed dismissively, waiting for the sight of the bearded male.
Of course, as any morning, Midland's streets were crowded with church go-ers or even merchants selling goods.
Among them all, there was slight talk of a robbery happening in the east side of the Kingdom, in the Waine estate.
Heh, that shit was easy to pull off.
"Hey, girl."
The sudden voice drew me from my thoughts, making my head turn in the direction to see Steven.
He had on a dark green vest, leather strappings for a dagger, brown dark boots and a hat to block the sunlight from his eyes, or perhaps his face from people.
He seemed to always be the secluded type.
I stood, coming closer to him as he waved his hand for me to follow.
"Come on. Let's get out of plain view."
I of course followed him, walking passed the markets to a busted old roofed wagon being pulled by two horses.
"This yours?" I questioned as he nodded.
"Get on. We're going back to my place to discuss it there. I couldn't quite tell you where I lived last night, it was too late for you to understand. Plus, I feel you don't know your way around this place yet."
He's right, I would have gotten lost on the first direction he gave me.
"Hey, I have my horse, I'll follow you." I spoke as he nodded.
Getting on his wagon, I saw him snap the reins of his horses as I followed close behind.
(3rd Person) P.O.V
"Argh! She's gone again!" Casca yelled frustrated, coming out of (your name's) tent after trying to find the young Captain. "How could she do this?! If she was going to play games like this, Griffith should have never promoted her! She has her men to lead!"
Guts saw this, his eyes averting to the women to see her storming off to Griffith's tent to rant probably to the poor guy.
He sighed, running his hands threw his black short hair.
"What's wrong Guts?" Rickert asked, charring a skewered piece of meat between his teeth. The young boy's light eyes looked up to the man he found most recognizable.
"Nothin'." Guts replied, as Judeau layed against the log by the fire, his hands up to the back of his head, one eye open.
His eye looked to Guts, watching the toned muscular man in thought as he now decided to go back to carving out a figurine of wood.
"So, lazy days these past few days has been, huh?" Judeau breathed, making conversation as Guts and Rickert looked.
"Yeah, you could say that. But, I think it's Griffith's way of letting us rest before the upcoming battles." Rickert reasoned as Judeau nodded in agreement.
Their eyes all now looked to see Corkus come up.
"Hey, why the hell is Casca yellin' so god damn early in the morning?" He groaned, scratching the back of his ragged hair as Judeau and Rickert shrugged, looking to eachother.
"Huh, what help you two are." Corkus then walked away from the group, probably to do his own usual morning routine as Guts' eyes followed the male in distaste.
(Your name's) P.O.V
I couldn't believe my eyes. He literally had all the information of every one of the houses I needed to hit, right on the spot!
"So, do you kinda understand the way these guys operate? Their work patterns for the King are sufficient enough for us to go in at these times." Steven pointed out, pointing to the estate I was hitting tonight.
To his knowledge, it was the only estate.
We were currently at Steven's cabin stable, sitting on wooden stools with a map of the city layed out infront of us. The sun was now up high as we were clearly away from any civilizations, just fast plains and trees.
His cabin did reside in the Midland Kingdom though, just away from town.
"The thing is, I promised to help you, only in return if you help me." He repeated as I stared to his dark uncolored eyes.
"What exactly do you want me to do?"
"Simple. After your robbery tonight, just draw somewhere on a piece of paper or wall your insignia."
"My insignia? You mean my damned birth mark?" I groaned slightly.
Not this bullshit again.
He pulled out a cigar, lighting it infront of my eyes to take a few puffs.
"Yeah, it'll scare the nobels into thinking the religion is true, and that you exist. They'll talk about the symbol and it's meaning."
"What do you mean that 'I exist'?"
"Oh, that's right. I mean the so called, 'sun and moon child'. It's...a child of warning. Eh, prophetic tales of a such a baby being born with...ahh the royal mark of that insignia, so so." He waved his hand dismissively, continuing. "The child, like all who has had it, will bring salvation with it, equality, peace, and so on. Throughout the passed years, it had became so apparent that every great ruler of Midland to ever rule had that mark. So now, they're waiting for the arrival of the fifth coming. The fifth blessed child of the sun and moon to be crowned. It is...an old religion in this Kingdom I guess."
Old...religion. Yeah, that's all it is...so just...think nothing more of it.
"The King doesn't have it?" I asked, curious to know.
"Hell no. He's no great leader. Never has he made his people satisfied."
Figures.
"So...just write the insignia of that symbol before I leave the house to scare nobels? That's it?" I changed the subject, getting back to the matter.
"Heh, yeah. Maybe then, they'll realize they're being watched and people will start behavin'." Steven puffed his cigar again as I nodded, understanding.
"Alright then."
"Good, we'll leave at dawn."
Several hours had passed as now I was back at base, settling in to eat some luke warm stew by the fire created by God knows who.
I sat next to Guts, as no one else was by us during this time.
He chewed whatever contents that were in his mouth, before speaking to me.
I knew his questions were going to come up again, it was just a matter of time.
"You plannin' on leaving again, right?"
My eyes averted to his as they met.
The fire danced in the background, licking our faces tenderly as slowly nodded. Looking back down to my small canteen of water, I drunk, preparing for his words.
"Can you atleast tell me why?"
Setting the canteen down by my feet, I stared to my almost empty bowl of brown broth.
"I'm...doing something important. I'll be done by tomorrow night." I assured, not wanting to say more than that.
Judeau to my luck, appraoched us by the fire, drinking a glass of whatever, maybe water, maybe mead, who knows.
"What'll be done by tomorrow night?" Judeau asked, exhaling as he sat down next to Guts, looking to me.
He must have had a long day of training or even hunting. I saw a few scratches on his cheek.
I looked back to the fire, unable to come up with a lie straight out.
I need to think. Think.
"Uhm...my new...bow is crafting in town. The steel smith said it should be done by tomorrow."
God, I hope he could believe that pathetic lie.
"Oh really? That's nice. I need a new holster for my daggers, this leather one is close to tearing right off." He looked down to his strap, taking another sip of his drink as I then stood, deciding to leave early again before questions were soon to be asked.
Guts' eyes focused on my departure the whole time. Watching me walk to my horse, strap on, then gallop away.
"Where she goin'?" Judeau asked Guts, noticing the tension I had left behind.
"I don't even know anymore..."
"Hm...seems she may be having some personal issues between her and this Kingdom. Hopefully everything clears up for her." Judeau spoke, worried for his friend.
"Yeah...same with me."
It was just like the other night, only this time I was accompanied by extra eyes and ears. There was no moon, atleast, now what I could see of the clouds above.
The wind blew my hair softly. No guards, no major trouble.
"This one, right?" I asked, slipping on my black hood as we galloped to a distant grounds, spotting the other lord's estate.
We hid behind the blackness of trees, watching the house to make sure no type of lanterns were on in any room.
"Yup. Lord Canterbury, a fine fellow and conniving bastard all at the same time." Steven got off his horse. The scratched hoarse tone in his voice never quite going away even by night fall.
"Hm." I responded, watching the house. "Well, anyways, keep a look out for me will ya?" I jumped off my horse, landing on my boots as I got everything ready. My satchel, my daggers, my short sword if all goes to hell, and my hood and gloves. "Watch my horse too." I reminded as he nodded, leaning against a tree with his brown cape flowing behind him.
"Before you go here, I took the liberty of writin' the insignia on papers. Leave this on the floor or desk, wherever you think he would see it." Grabbing the paper from his fingers, I crumpled it, placing it in my pocket.
"Okay, just, watch out for me." I repeated, really not wanting to get caught.
The Canterbury estate was far bigger than the last one I hit. It's coin stash must be bigger too. They have over a hundred servants, but I believe only thirty of them actually stay inside the house as a residence.
It was the rush of wind that flew passed my ears that made my heart rate pick up.
Why am I nervous? I've done this over a thousand times. Of course, it was only to survive out here. Before I met Guts, or even after. I was surviving by robbing, or stealing from people that were by me.
Slick fingers.
But, in this town, theivery is no joke though. They chop people's hands off for that shit, so...that's why I stopped.
The intimidation of that type of punishment outweighed my mind.
I remember that day in town, I saw a man being executed for stealing bread for his family to feed. Me and Guts watched the execution, no words to be said that faithful day as I then took it upon myself to never participate it the act again... only if needed.
Pisses me off that's how we treat people trying to survive in this world. They were obviously in poverty because of the Kingdom's raise in taxes.
Hah...back to my task at hand.
Unlocking the back door to the kitchen, I crouched, walking in to slightly close the wooden white door again.
My eyes scanned the area. Pots, pans, dishes, plates all put it up in some type of container or cupboard. Every step I took towards the hall made me more weary everytime to realize the soft breathing I was hearing in the distance.
Turning my head, I saw a man...asleep on a nearby couch of a living room. He had on what looked to be a servant's drags on. Maybe...some sort of cook? Or rather gardener?
I knew this estate had servant's quarters here, so why the hell wasn't he down there asleep?!
Makes it all the more harder for me.
Walking step by step upstairs, the creaks of the floor boards scared me half to death everytime as I made it to the top stair. Taking out my small thinned dagger, I held it across my chest as I walked to the backroom where Steven pointed out where the coins would probably stashed, in his office.
I appraoched the door, picking the lock to have it open.
The door creaked to my dismay, making me watchful of any alerted people in this building.
Quickly going to the painting, I unhooked it from the wall, placing it down to lean against the desk.
The safe was infront of me, a black metal container with money behind that was probablt unimaginable.
Using my thin dagger, courtesy of Judeau, I started mingling with the lock, looking both ways to make sure I didn't hear anyone's movement.
I stuck my tongue out slightly, concentrating on the lock as a click was heard a moment later.
Yesss.
The safe opened, revealing coin purses of all types, even golden jewelry and paperwork or documents for the King. Grabbing it all, I put everything in sight in my satchel, now placing the insignia papers of the mark in the safe, I closed it, placing the painting back as if nothing was touched.
I turned, now leaving the room with a silent click of the door to go back the wide staircase. I looked, seeing expensive paintings hang on the wall of all sort. Rugs, vases, art work all in which a probably nobel would have in their estate.
Making it down the staircase, I looked to see the man on the couch still dead asleep. His snores now filled my senses as I turned my head back to the back door.
Good, he didn't make trouble for me.
I slowly crouched, making my way back to the exit, bringing my body to go out of the wooden door as my boots were now both on the grass safely. Reaching up, I grabbed the door handle, pulling it forward for it to click shut.
Seeing Steven in the distance, I started to sprint to him, my hood staying ontop of my head as I ran, jumping on my horse as he did as well.
"You did it?" He asked as I slapped the reins of my horse.
"Yeah, let's go." I spoke alarmed, as he got on his horse, following me.
We rode in the night, my head ducked down low as we went throughout the field of trees and grass. The sound of our horses running hit my ears, no words between me and Steven was spoken as we only focused on getting back to his house.
It wasn't until maybe twenty minutes into the ride where I started to see his lone small house, accompanied by a small horse stables in by the tall pine trees.
Arriving, I let my horse rest in his stables, eating hay and drinking water, now making my way to Steven who was leaning against the wall of his house. He was looking up, admiring the clear sky of the night as he spoke.
"Funny how things ended the way they did."
"With what?"
"With everything. You just...are something completely different from how I thought you were gunna turn out." Looking up, his eyes averted down to me, meeting my sullen gaze. "I thought...to be honest when I found out you to be some kind of royalty that you were going to be some stuck up child. But nah, I took a second look... you're just like us, surviving, living out in this world like any person would, tch in order to learn just that much, I wasted twenty-two years."
I can tell he was speaking from his heart, as I watched his thoughtful eyes, he sat on a nearby chair, looking down his boots.
His longish hair draped his sides as I averted my eyes away.
I didn't reply.
I mean, how could I? It's hard to reply to such a heartfelt statement.
I could only agree, I am living like any other soul out here, doing what needs to be done to make it.
Is...that how Griffith thought?
Shaking my head from those thoughts, I grabbed the coin purses in my black satchel. I atleast had nine bags full of probably silver and gold coins.
But...is this enough?
"What's wrong?" He asked as I shook my head.
"Nothin' I'll be on my way then."
His eyes stared to mine as before walking away from him, I grabbed a coin bag, throwing it his way.
He caught it, staring to me in confusion.
"I never asked for money, only your cooperation."
"You didn't need to ask. You have mouths to feed all the same as me. I'll speak to you some other time." I waved, not bothering to turn around. I continued to walk to the stables which kept my horse, opening the pin to let him out.
He walked to me, exhaling a breath as I jumped on.
All the same, Steven's eyes followed me, all the way until I left his house.
I don't know if this will be the last time I see him, I'm just prepared for this meeting to be our last.
I have a war coming up to fight, my placement as a Captain of the Band of the Hawk isn't disregarded just because I've been gone a couple of days.
Riding my horse, I searched the empty city, riding through small houses to make myself to another estate.
I told Steven that would be my last house, the Canteburry estate... but...I feel I don't have all the funds yet to meer Griffith needs.
Little did I know, by the end of the night, I almost had robbed every single rich estate in the Kingdom of Midland, riding back with more coins than I could carry in my satchel.
(3rd Person) P.O.V
It was after (your name) had left Steven's house did he go upstairs, contented with the girl's choice to give him the coins.
He was greatful, after all, he did have a small daughter and wife asleep in their rooms. Never had he asked her for money, I mean, she was robbing those lords for a reason right? Must be some real problems, but he wasn't one to pry.
Walking into his private quarters, to his surprise he saw his wife leaning against the window frame, the light sky reflecting off her eyes nicely, framing her soft features.
It seemed she was watching (your name) leave on horseback, as his wife's eyes averted to him now, making himself known in the room.
"You're up Darla?" Steven asked, surpised to even see his wife awake.
"I woke up to the sound of horses. Is...that the girl you mentioned?" She asked, looking out into the distance.
"Yeah, that's her."
"How did it go?" She looked to him now, interested to learn of what had taken place on that evening.
"Good. She knows her stuff alright. Get in, get out, she made it that simple."
"I'm glad." Darla held her arms, as she sat on her shared bed. Steven started to take off his leather straps, boots, hat, gloves. "You know...she's beautiful. I saw her take off her hood, she's almost...too pretty to a mercenary."
"Yeah, the girl can pass as a noble any day if she simply wore a dress. I guess it's in her blood." He shook his shoulders, taking off his cape.
There was then a small moment of silence until Darla spoke again.
"Has she agreed?"
Steven's dark eyes averted to his wife.
"No. Atleast, not yet. But, I'm sure she will. She'll make a great leader, better than that bastard of a King once she comes around."
Darla nodded, understanding her husband's words. She then layed down, her thoughts being consumed of the new 'Robin Hood' for the country.
"She's perfect for it," Darla concluded, with that last thought she layed down, awaiting her husband.
On (your name's) way back to base, it was about four a.m where she saw the familiar set camps. The fire was out, and everyone was more than likely sleeping.
Putting up her horse, (your name) stretched completely exhausted for the night. She shuffled her feet to her tent, opening the flap to come in to the all too familiar room. Nevertheless, her tired eyes and pulsing nerves were completely overwhelmed by her countless jobs.
Taking off almost all of her strappings, she fell to her futon, face first to her pillow to shut her tired eyes.
It was only a moment.
One moment, until she sat up fast by the abrupt call of her name.
"(Your name)." Guts called, standing at the entrance of her tent as the sun peeked in through the edges of his body.
It was infact already morning before her eyes. She rubbed her tired orbs, speaking.
"It literally felt like I slept five minutes..." she groaned, sitting up her aching muscles.
"What? Why? What time did you come back last night?"
It was hard enough to comprehend his words from her lack of sleep, but to answer his daily worried questioning really wracked her brain hard for answers.
"Ughhh...three...four... in the morning."
"What the hell?-"
"I know what you're thinking Guts. I told you tomorrow would be my last night but tonight was it. I'm done." She said nothing more, staring to her friend's eyes assuring her statement.
She didn't want to tell him that she was back to her old habits, so telling him as little as possible was her best option.
"It better be. Get some sleep. I'll tell Grffith to leave you out of training today."
He could see it in her eyes, the tiredness of whatever she was doing that late at night.
This better had been the last night, he thought, walking out of her tent the moment she layed back down to instantly sleep.