Summary: "You can't outrun who you are."

Chapter 1

"Quinn. What an unpleasant surprise to see you here," Micah greeted Quinn as he entered the room. His voice was filled with anger because of Quinn breaking one of his rules. "You weren't invited as a matter of fact."

Baron Quinn, whose symbol was an armadillo turned around upon hearing Micah's voice. Before now Quinn stood alone in the room examining Micah's weapons. "I felt like I was missing my old friend and wanted to drop by. Are these swords by any chance available for shipment? I'll be happy to have my men do a little test on them for you."

"Cut the bullshit Quinn. I don't fall for it. You know I hate when people break my rules," Micah gently touch a sword which was hanging by his side. "Do you honestly think I would trust you to test my swords?"

Quinn smiled backing up away from Micah but not in fear. "Come now Micah, you know you won't hurt me. You may not be afraid to do so but you're smart enough not to."

Micah scoffed. "Of course not. It'll start a war just like what you and the widow want. I will not be a pawn in your game. Plus, this sort of thing brings you pleasure."

"You are not a pawn but a mere accomplice. I'm not asking you to take down the widow with me but to simply cut back her weapon supply for a short amount of time," Quinn said as though it was not a big deal. "I'm not asking for too much am I?"

Cutting off the widow's supply was just as good as saying he was on Quinn's side.

"The widow is a threat to us all Micah. Who knows what she'll do one day. Maybe kill us all?"

"And may I ask what happens after you kill the widow and take her territory? What happens to the other barons? Do you just stop there?" Micah questioned. At times he was quite interested to know what Quinn was planning in that crazy head of his.

Quinn took a few steps forward. "That's why right now you should be my friend not my enemy. Only as my ally can I guarantee no harm will fall your way during this battle."

"I don't trust you one bit Quinn and you never trust anyone. You turn your back on anyone when the time is right. Look at you, getting married again. A young girl I hear it is."

Quinn tensed up. It was better to do the taunting not the other way around.

"There's always that better option for you right? That's why you are remarrying again."

"Watch it," Quinn warned reaching for his sword.

"Be mindful of where you are Quinn. You can't fight your way through all my clippers. Not even the most skilled regent in the badlands would make it here in time," Micah reminded Quinn of the situation.

"You were always one step ahead," Quinn smirked letting go of his sword. "I need a man like you by my side."

"I work with no one Quinn but I will say it's been amusing watching you two destroy each other. I might just have some peace around here soon enough," Micah walking towards a large window.

"There can be no peace in the badlands. You know that. Let's burn this world to the ground and start anew," Quinn urged Micah.

"I will think about it. Now leave."

"You have my word," Quinn said knowing Micah would join him sooner or later. He turned and made his way from Micah but before he could exit the room he halted for a moment. "Wonderful daughter. She looks just like her mother."

Micah angrily turned around ready to launch at Quinn but he was already gone. Micah yelled alone in the room which alerted his regent.

"Baron!" Demetri called as his instinct to protect his baron played its part. He noticed Quinn was gone but something in their conversation must've made his baron angry.

Micah slammed his hand down on the window as if to break it. "Double up the forces. No one comes in here uninvited again. I've had enough of these barons."

"Yes baron!"

"They'll destroy each other one day. Make sure the men are being trained well. Whether I like it not those two are starting a war and if one of them beats the other it'll be hell for us. For now we lay low in all of this."

~0~

"Baron!" The group of clippers saluted their Baron.

"Sunny," Quinn called to his most loyal clipper.

Sunny stood out from the group to have a private chat with his baron. "Pack up. The baron is preparing to leave," He ordered the men. He then gave Quinn a look meaning it was now more private to speak. He was never a man of many words, his sword spoke for him.

"It's hard to tell if he's on our side but he'll come around," Quinn informed Sunny recalling his conversation with Micah.

"Baron Micah hates you but he hates the Widow even more. His wife and the Widow never got along. We have that to our advantage."

"That may be true but we-"

"And here my father is conversing with his regent rather than planning the battle with his son," Ryder cheered with a smile on his face as he met up with his father. It wasn't long before his smile disappeared.

"You were the one who decided to tag along like a lost dog. You could at least make yourself useful to find any information I don't know," Quinn told his son, mounting his horse now as his conversation with Sunny came to an end because of Ryder.

"The more you keep me out the less I will know when I become baron f-"

"The position of Baron is not something which is handed to you, you take it. With that I'll never have someone to take over once I am done, unless of course Jade gives me an heir. That is something you leave me no choice to do,"

Ryder clenched his fist out of anger for two reasons.

"Be a man Ryder. Find a sword and learn what it means to be a Baron in the badlands. Come to me with blood on your hands," were Quinn's final words to Ryder before he rode off.

The clippers followed behind him while only Sunny remained with Ryder.

"I suppose this pleases you. He thinks of you to be his son,"

Without any words being said, Sunny decided it best to return to his Baron's side than to have another argument with Ryder.

Ryder glared at the back of the man who rode off before him. His jealousy for Sunny was one thing but his hatred for his father was even more.

"When I come to you father, I'll make sure your blood be on my hands in the end."