Chapter 3
1 Death, 1 Horse, 1 Road
Ceinlys couldn't register the mangled body before her. The former towering figure of the Brotherhood, weak and disgraced. His presence alone used to inspire and terrify the immense number of recruits he controlled, though now, it only brought despair and vulnerability. The corpse itself was lain sprawled over the main deck, a large pool of blood, which had dried up over the hours, surrounded the area. Adding only to the creeping stench that had begun to manifest through the entire cave. His armour was utterly stripped to practically nothing. The man's head had been chopped off, in one brutal swipe, probably as a trophy for the group who had battled their way through the mine. Ceinlys could look no longer, the sight was just too beautiful.
So far, her entire life had been training for this oaf, learning the ways of the cutthroat Defias. After being just promoted to the rank of shadowguard, she had been assigned a rather sleepy position on the outskirts of Moonbrook. Though she was still thankful for the escape from the dark, damp Deadmines. Ceinlys had even taken her scouting further out then granted. She had grown much in spirit, as she had in body. Fourteen long years had passed, since that fateful day had separated Ceinlys from her sister. But, Ceinlys had been so young, that she had almost absolutely no memory of what had happened. Now at the exciting age of Eighteen, Ceinlys's world had exploded with opportunities. She had finally perfected the practice of swordsmanship and already learned how to meld with the shadows. As much as she hated to admit it, Ceinlys was a rogue, though and through. No magic abilities, or amazing strength, just a lying, cheating, deceiving bandit. Must rogues or assassins preffered to use daggers or other cunning weapons, easier to hide. But Ceinlys had always favoured swords, enjoying the reach of the blade.
She patrolled the large barren plains of Westfall, usually in the pale light of the moon. Once in awhile daring herself to go into Sentinel Hill, the only realm Alliance village in the area. She'd only ever steal few rations, or any other miscellaneous supplies. Nothing that would possibly be noticed. Every chance she got, Ceinlys took. Even learning every inch of Westfall, planning and organizing. Waiting for the first opportunity to arise. It just so happened, that the death of Edwin VanCleef, leader of the Defias Brotherhood, her own boss, was exactly what she was hoping for.
It took about ten minutes to walk out the front door. Easy as it seems, Ceinlys knew that the only reason she wasn't dead, was because most of the other members, were leaving as well. The stables directly outside the entrance of the Deadmines, located in Moonbrook, was bustling with activity. Hundreds of desperate men and women, trying to bargain with the horse tendor. Common please of "Please, I only wish to return to my family and a horse will only aid me in that endeavor!" or even " I know important people who would pay you handsomely if you lend me your finest mare!". Ceinlys could only roll her eyes in frustration at the sight. Shoving her way straight thought the crowd, her hands flicked threateningly o her blades, each time a defensive man or woman would galre angrily at her. Luckily, the resistance wasn't much and it didn't take long before she reached the surprisingly steady vendor.
The man was clearly well into his 80s. His face decorated with heavy wrinkles and partly covered by a long and full white beard. Dressed in a loose fitting pair of overalls, he looked dead tired. Large bags hung under his eyes and he seemed to grow ten times older as he saw Ceinlys approaching.
His voice cracked with age as he addressed her, "I'm sorry m'am. But all my horses are top quality and I haven't seen the flashing of even a single copper coin among you lot!" As he opened his mouth, Ceinlys couldn't help but stare right past the elderly man. Regarding the true 'quality' of these horses.
They were all it seemed, raises like pieces of scrap. With almost no meat clinging on to their clearly visible frame, and the horseshoes looked as if they had been hastily clamped on with little to no care. She counted 6 in total, each the common brown color. Ceinlys only smiled wickedly and clenched her hands into fists, "Really? That's a shame, after all, I did happen to have a few gold pieces resting in my purse. I was even planning on spending them today. Oh well, maybe there's a horse vendor in Sentinel Hill I can bargain with."
The old man gasped, immediately regretting speaking so abruptly. He instantly took a few hurried steps closer to the woman, a new found spring in his step. "DEAL DEAL DEAL! I don't even care how much, wait, no, of course I do. How much are you offering?"
Ceinlys smiled in feigned happiness, though it never reached her eyes. She brought her commanding foot forward, using the slight momentum to deliver the first punch. Her first attack was a sharp uppercut, straight to the man's jaw. Almost certainly dislocating it. The second one followed almost immediately after, aimed at his soft temple. Sending his frail figure sailing into one of the stalls.
Shrugging, Ceinlys cracked her knuckles, before walking up to the small group of horses.
The crows behind her had fallen silent. Not sure, of exactly how to react. They stared in seething jealousy as Ceinlys examined each horse, knowing that after she claimed hers, there would only be five left. The added fact that there was no vendor, made the horses free of charge. In a few muttered yells and swears, the crowd broke free of its calm state. A huge brawl erupted, with the only reason being, that every single one of them, wanted one of the horses.
But Ceinlys's attention was nowhere near the fighting behind her. It was now completely focused on these five horses. She noted that as approached, each horse scuttled away, afraid of another beating. Sighing, she held out her hands, letting them know that she meant no harm to any of them. Just by her naked eye, she had already picked which horse she wanted. It didn't look like the strongest of the bunch, but it was by far the lightest. The steed looked up at Ceinlys tentatively, though his eyes reflected a strange curiosity, telling Ceinlys that this horse was still young and full of youthful energy. Nodding her head in respect at the horse, even caring to wonder why she did so. After all, it was still just a horse. But, it seemed to work. The horse trotted forward briskly, lowering its neck in welcome. She laughed silently at her own good fortune and grasped the steed's mane. Feeling the coarse hair between her fingers, she swung her body in one swift and precise motion, landing lightly on the horse's back.
Neighing softly, the horse adjusted itself, content that it's rider didn't weigh much. Shaking its head and batting its hooves on the rough dirt, it prepared for a long run. Ceinlys brought her heels down quickly on the horse's waist, which wasn't even much to begin with. Though she was still worried it wouldn't make the trip, it had to at least be able to follow her commands.
But without even giving Ceinlys a moment to truly doubt it's capability. The beast took off, leaving only a cloud of dust and a small trail of tracks behind.