Scar had already done the math. His influence in the gang had grown and he had the numbers to kill Snakeeyes Sylvador at last.
It had been hard to learn of his families fate and not come after him sooner.
He had been redirecting his energy into planning and when there was nothing left to strategize he had focused on the young colt and finding the older elf in the images. His half brother.
Even now the thought was an alien in his brain pricking and prodding at foreign emotions and concepts.
Some nights he would have dreams of a typical family meeting on a snow filled night in a cozy firelit room. A young child with a darkened face running to man with a shadowed body. His arm around a shadowed woman, although on occasion that woman was Nadine and the child a young girl with violet eyes.
Dreams were the only time he could forget that she had chosen wealth over love, and it made him feel betrayed.
It made him feel sick, and it made him feel angry.
In less than a year he would surpass Boren's wealth. If he survived what was to come.
Those nights he was sleepless in the early hours of the morning he would start building the next part of the pasture fence. He would dig and turn wire in the dark until the sun came up. Somtimes well beyond that time. Only stopping to feed the colt and let him loose in the tiny twelve by twenty paddock he had already finished. It had two swing gates, one that opened by the house and one that would open out into the unfinished gate of the pasture.
Somtimes he closed the colt back up in the barn to leave on jobs for the bastard that killed his family. His anger tucked so deep beneath a mask no one could even guess was there.
He was quick and sufficient to hurry back home and work on the fence, haul more wood.
Then his evenings he would blanket the colt with the heavy little pads he had bought and go back inside to be consumed by his strategy.
Going over it again and again and again.
Most times it would remain unchanged after hours of deliberation.
Still every evening he devoured the plan and play it out on the assumption that their was a flaw somewhere.
And so a month passed. The colt became shiny and proud and the fence wrapped his entire estate. A new stable was built off the old shed; which became a tack room and Scar began to smile at his plans before bed.
And when he was given assassination assignments sometimes he would reveal his intentions to the target, and bring the target over to his side. He was now building a safe house down in downtown Reavador.
Rarely, he would carry out the job. Seeing benefit for him, and seeing Snakeeyes's face as he annihilated his target.
He remembered one night getting job for an young nobleman.
He had been working the pasture fence when Carver brought him the job.
"Looks like he's not trying to retire you anymore, but instead working you to death. This is the nineth assassination this month... That kind of work can't be good for the mind."
Scar had merely glanced up from reading the job and smirked at Carver.
"Worried about me?"
Carver smiled and put his hands in his pocket sheepishly.
"Not so much me. Ghost though; she worries."
Scar smirked, "Well, you can let her know that I'm doing just fine."
Carver looked uncomfortable and Scar went back to reading.
"Speak your mind."
Carver let out a long breath.
"I know its not my business, but I think your bringing an awful lot of attention to yourself by not staying at the manor."
He lowered his voice to a whisper, "I saw old Snakeyes himself in your room one day. Thought it was you until I knew it wasn't. He seemed angry. Tossing your shit every which way and muttering to himself fiercely."
He looked to the ground sadly, "He's been quick to melt peoples minds these days."
Scar rolled up the paper and looked at Carver thoughtfully.
"I'll be home tomorrow. To give the damn room away."
Carver went white, but didn't say anything further.
Later that night when he was creeping through the semi-dark streets of the Upscale side of Reavador City he pondered Carver's words.
He would have to work harder than ever to show Snakeyes his loyalty, but he couldn't stay in that sinking shithole of a Manor any longer. Not when he was that close to the man he loathed. He'd lose his damn mind for sure.
He scaled a taller estate next to his targets home; pausing as a young couple took a late night stroll oblivious to the man a few feet above them.
He resumed his climbing when they were out of sight and ended up on the roof.
Some red collars walked past on the well lit street below. This area of town was well kept by the city.
Nimble as a cat slinking through the alley ways after a mouse he transitioned from one roof to the next. He broke his fall with a neat roll and listened with steady breaths.
Nobody stirred. Maybe tonight he'd pick up his stuff from his old room. That way he'd annihilate his chances of running into that shitbag. He smirked as he thought of taking his Ceavainian glass globe off the roof. The rain would leak through the floorboards right into the bastard's office. He chuckled at the thought as he popped open a second story window and swung into the room like a feather on a draft.
He was in a nursery. How many men had he killed now? How many men with small children and woman who'd been left to do it on their own? He shook his head.
This was another reason why he had to succeed. Men like Snakeyes only cared about two things.
Money and power.
There were so many other things that mattered in the world and somone had to be asking the right questions before making a move.
A small fussing sound started from the cradle by the open window as he exited the room into the hall. He back tracked and picked up the soft little bundle of pale yellow blankets and white clothes.
The little pink face was still scrunched; becoming red with frustration. He held a half empty bottle from the crib up to its little face, and the babe latched on like a suckling pig. Its chubby useless fingers curled around the blanket and his pinky and he froze a moment as he imagined a set of violet eyes peircing him gently.
He sure as hell didn't need to be thinking of her. He turned and continuously made his way through the bedrooms until he found his mark. Etheric Grayson. His wife Anya lay fast asleep next to him. A rocking chair sat in the corner of the room. That'll do for dramatic effect he thought as he noticed the boddle begin to run low. He sat with the soft, yellow, suckling bundle and placed an ankle over a knee. He drew a gun and pointed it toward the bed.
Perhaps he ought to leave the globe, and save everyone else from his "fathers" anger.
What had he been looking for?
The boddle was empty now rather than let the little monster continue to semi-concious suck the nipple he pulled it back. The little arms angrily grasped and pushed as the little pink face scrunched and again became red.
The fussing started and then the quiet cries. The woman stirred and groggily placed her feet on the floor. Suddenly her back went straight and she met the gaze of the hooded stranger holding her infant baby. Her eyes widened as a strangled gasp left her lips and her hand flung to her husband's knee. He growled and turned over.
He smiled, "Go ahead and wake your husband Mrs. Grayson. Us men have some things to discuss."
He had ended up handing her the baby as he held Etheric at gun point. He had found a gun in his night drawer that he'd known would be there and he struck a deal with the man instead of killing him.
Men like Etheric would be better kept away when the fighting started. Better they were left safe on hiding funding and contributing in other ways.
The safe house had become a full blown warehouse and factory.
They were building weapons to train with. He had some of Barnabas guys down there in training with his own guys.
Some of the people that he saved were just hiding out until it was safe to leave like Etheric, but he was turning a profit of them too.
They were building furniture in the main area of the factory to pay him for rent and for sparring their lives. Most of them were nobles. He smirked at the thought.
Even though some were lazy and pretentious.
For those guys he had a couple men rotating shifts from the gang to push them back to work.
The profit from the factory went right back into weapons and training the men.
He was headed to war.
He smirked as he twisted a wire in place and saw the sun come up.
Soon Snakeyes Sylvador would be dead. His manor torn to the ground along with his crooked organization.
When the dust settled the only thing left would be those loyal to him. The old ways of Snakeeyes floating away with the ashes and his new era rising from the smokey debris.
This was somthing he could no longer walk away from. He was consumed by it.
Be it for victory or his own destruction, and during the day he kept the coin he had carried tucked in his pocket.
At night planning in his living room he had mounted a mirror to the wall.
There he would put the coin on the fireplace ledge and stare into the mirror learning his own face and changing his thoughts about the elves.
***
The weather was humid and hot. Sweat moistened her breasts as she fanned herself in the shade and stood to braid her hair.
A salty breeze reached her as she watched the tides turn in the near distance. Her cheeks had become pink in the heat and her eyes bright. Eight months she thought.
Her stomach dropped.
Eight months and she would be back at Boren's estate.
As much as she wanted to meet her baby; part of her wished she could freeze time. Her husband had informed her that they would both be living in the extravagent estate that his father had left him in Silver City. They would move back to his bigger Reavadorian estate after the baby could start walking.
He had said somthing about 'everything in my father's old estate is much to breakable and exspensive to have a toddler around. Might as well enjoy luxury while its swaddled up and useless.'
She had agreed to his arrangements and left him and the naked woman in his bed alone.
She remembered the first time she had found a woman in his bed. Her pride had flared and he had smiled at her wickedly, knowing her feelings.
She was just thankful now that she was not the one in his bed. She had cried tears of joy in private when she'd first discovered that she was pregnant. The brutal visits to her bedroom had stopped immediately and a few days later he had shipped her off here to his estate over seas until the baby was born.
He said somthing like if he couldn't touch her there was no use in having her around.
An odd sensation tingled along her spine. The baby fluttered in her; soft as a single butterfly.
A few seconds later she got the feeling again, and turned around. A man was watching her from the wall of the estate. His ice blue eyes piercing her from an impossible distance. He leaned up against the wall casually tumbling a coin along his fingers. Her heart beat faster and she stood. Even from this distance she saw him stiffen as he caught full sight of her. He bounced off the wall and stalked her way. He was like a beautiful panther, exotic and frighteningly handsome. Her hands tightly clenched her dress. Her heart skipped a beat as he halted and his eyes swept over her. She blushed and looked down at her barely risen bump.
"So it's true then."
His voice was achingly cold. She was surprised he could even tell. She fidgeted.
"Edward. I thought I'd never see you again."
His eyes remained cold his face unmoving. He tossed a heavy bag to the ground. It disrupted the peaceful chirping of the sea birds and he took a step backward.
"Five hundred and sixty three peices. And a silver hair band."
Shock flooded through her as the metallic glint of his eyes devoured her. She plucked the bag and drew the strings over her knee.
She stared at it's contents.
"I don't understand."
"I don't want anything from you. I want you to be wiped away from my life. If ever we pass each other again it should be coincidental. And if this coincidence is to happen you may act toward me as if I'm a total stranger. That is what I will do."
He turned then and walked away from her. Her heart shattered in her chest.
"Edward," she said brokenly "I was wrong to let you leave without me that night. I,"
She stopped as the air went sharply from her lungs. Painfully she tried again, "I..."
she choked and tasted blood in the back of her throat. She couldn't tell him she had loved him then; that she loved him now.
"Please don't be like this." He had crossed the clearing not halting on his way to his gliding metal carriage.
She couldn't live like this! She didn't care if it was selfish of her.
Her mind fluttered panicked and she desperately said the first thing that came to mind.
"This is not the silver hair band I gave her."
"Please Edward." She didnt notice the tears flowing boldly from her eyes and the words she could not say, because of the oath, shouted in her head as she watched his back retreat from her. They echoed again and again in her heart.
"I...Goodbye Edward."
***
The carriage glided slowly to a quiet stop. He had to admit magic made life luxurious in the most uncanny way.
He climbed from the carriage and started toward the house. His movements halted and he seemed to know exactly in what direction she was.
His eyes devoured her softly. Her thick hair had lost some of it's shine and her thick curving body had become small and frail.
His breath caught as deft fingers braided her hair down her back and a breeze rolled of the ocean, blowing her white dress softly around her thighs. Her shoulders rose and fell exaggerated as she took a long breath before sitting on the giant root of a tree. He went up to the house and leaned on the frame.
He didnt know how long he watched her but suddenly her body went stiff and his eyes watched intently as she shrugged her shoulders. She unknowingly twirled the end of her hair the way she always did when she was nervous. He watched as she turned and looked directly into his gaze. Although her cheeks were a little sunken and her eyes shadowed he was still unprepared to look into her enchanting gaze, somehow just as beautiful as ever. Then she stood.
His blood froze in his veins and his heart did a somersault down to his stomach as his emotions stormed.
Nothing could have prepared him for the sight of her glowing with a child. Her stomach barely had begun to grow but there was somthing about her that confirmed his suspicions. Without a shadow of a doubt she was with child. A child that was not his. His stomach turned. He pushed away gentle fantasies that began washing over him from a different life. A life he would never have. Bitterness swelled in the depths of his soul and he began walking toward her.
He halted far enough away so that his body was not tempted to grab her and pull her to him. His eyes betrayed him though and before he even realised what he was doing he drank in the sight of her from head to toe. She was world's different and yet the same. His heart ached at the sight of her.
"So it's true then." Part of him had not wanted to believe that she was with child. A month along but she was already showing. She was having a baby.
A monsters baby. A wealthy monsters baby. His lips curled.
Looking at her now was like being woken up by freezing water.
"Edward, I thought I'd never see you again."
Her voice was soft and the use of his alias stirred his heart as always. Part of him wanted to tell her his true name. The one that he had found because of her. Morotesi.
Black thoughts spread like ink in a pond. He was not here for that though. He needed to cut his ties. She did not love him, and he had his own life to lead.
He tossed the bag he'd brought on the ground between them. He couldn't bare to be one step closer to her. He didn't trust himself.
"Five hundred and sixty three peices. And a silver hair band."
He clarified and he saw the shock on her face as she realized the significance.
She bent to get the bag and another part of him fiercely cursed himself as she held her stomach to bend over. She opened the bag neatly across her knee as if to confirm that he really had stooped so low and gazed up at him with large glittering eyes. Her cheeks flushed as a breeze blew the loose tendrils of her hair.
"I don't understand."
"I don't want anything from you. I want you to be wiped away from my life. If ever we pass each other again it should be coincidental. And if this coincidence is to happen you may act toward me as if I'm a total stranger. That is what I will do."
Cutting the conversation short he turned and walked away as tears fell from her eyes. He could not bare to watch her cry.
"Edward, I was wrong to let you leave without me that night. I,"
His heart flared hopefully at the words but if he turned around he would give into her in every way.
"I..." He heard the despair in her voice and he knew somewhere deep down she cared, but perhaps somewhere along the way he had become fragile. So much so that he knew this is the way he had to give her up.
"Please don't be like this." He would never survive her again with his guard down. He kept walking even as her voice hit a desperate note. An image rose unbidden; Savaria years ago saying the same words; when he found out she was fucking his best friend.
"This is not the silver hair band I gave her."
"Please Edward."
"I..."
Fear fell over him and he pushed his hands into fists in frustration.
It didn't matter what man she had picked he couldn't fathom a world without Nadine Ravenglass in it, and yet, "Goodbye Edward. "
She didn't love him.
He didn't bother saying goodbye to her. He had to escape now. He picked up his pace and slid into the carriage without one backward glance.
It was time to focus on making the changes he could.
A certain crime lord was in for a awakening.