The next morning I left while they all still slept. The sun had just begun to grace us with her presence, so I hoped that perhaps one Keltcher's soldier would still be around. After the previous night I wanted to catch one even more. What had happened to Eve was a hit too close to home. I didn't know her too well, but, as a prince, I felt responsible for anyone I was near.
It amazed me how easily I could jump rooftop to rooftop without making much noise. All I needed was to see the glint their rogue armor, the sound of someone crying for help, or horses. Anything. I needed to get Alistor and Eve's horses back before they left for the upper city. I knew they didn't trust me, but perhaps this would earn me some points.
I sighed. Why did I always have to prove myself to make an ally?
That's when I heard it, the bellowing of a soldier and the neighing of unwilling horses. "Why don't you just sell them, Captain Maverick?" came the voice of one. "They won't go and we need to be going."
My hand itched towards my double-headed axe Those were definitely Eve and Alistor's horses.
"Why? These are my prizes for taking down that blood traitor. When did I give you permission to order me around?"
I went to the other edge of the roof where I luckily found a pile of old hay and jumped, landing on my back breathless for a moment; I climbed out of the hay pile and dusted myself off. I decided I would wait to grab my ace until I knew I needed it. When I came around the corner the captain's smile grew.
"Ah, another victim," he said, amused
I smiled a crooked grin. "I suggest you give me those horses"
His smile fell into a sneer. "Oh really? What you gonna do about it, bo?"
His man grabbed for his sword as did the captain. I freed my ace, glaring him down.
"Do you know who you address, boy?"
"Do you know what I am, coward?"
He launched himself at me and I held back making sure the other wouldn't join in. Not that I couldn't handle an unfair fight. When the other man did join in, I started thinking more critically.
"You are dead, scum!" he sneeed.
"No, one of you will be. And all for what? Two hores?"
He was a good fighter, but I could tell he wasn't used to protecting himself from an axe and neither was his companion. I would use this to my advantage. I started to feel the pricking of my fire ability. Would my ace conduct it without hurting me?
That's also when I felt Rowan seeping into my consciousness.
No, not now.
I tried to fight him off, but felt the captain's blade bite my shoulder and I lost my train of thought so I couldn't fight Rowan off any longer.
****
When I came to, I felt drained and looked to the sky to see the sun was still waking up. At the most, Rowan had only taken control for thirty minutes, but, unlike when Iblis took control, I felt more drained. I wiped my brow and saw their two mounts looking at me frightened, paralyzed by fear. I swept my gaze to the ground to see a hand, and the unattached head of the captain's companion. I realized at once, that the hand wasn't the companion's, but the captain's. I smiled to myself grimly as I removed the cloak from the guard and used it to wrap my two prizes. I decided at the last moment that it was probably wise to move the guard's body. I dropped my prizes in the snow and threw the guard's rather heavy body over my shoulders, concealing it in the hay I had fallen into.
It surprised me that the scuffle with the Keltcher hadn't been noticed by any of the city dwellers. The city hadn't even begun to come to life yet. Perhaps they were waiting till they knew the Keltcher had left for the morning before daring to exit their homes.
I went back scooping up the wrapped cape and slowly walked towards the horses. "Easy there," I whispered. "I don't want to hurt you two beauties."
They were glassy eyed looking at me in worry.
"Hey now," I cooed. "Hey."
I tried to stroke their noses, but they took a step back. "It's alright," I whispered. "Hey now."
I tried again for several minutes and finally they allowed me to touch them. I couldn't take them back to the shack in this state. Hopefully, by the time I saw Quinn, they'd be settled down. I led both of them toward the resistance's usual pub and walked in with my prizes. They were there already. At least Quinn was. When he didn't notice me as I grew nearer, I threw the parcel on the table. It landed with a loud thud in the middle of the table making Quinn slightly jump back along with two of his men and a hushed whisper fell over the table.
"What is this?" he asked.
"My promise."
He raised a brow.
"Runt, show us what he has brought."
He did what he was told with a skeptical look on his face. When he undid it, I saw several of the men turn pale and slightly green. Quinn, though, looked downright happy.
"You're quick with your promises," he said, amused. "Something this lot could do well to learn. Welcome to the resistance as my second in command."
I bowed with a hand over my heart. "Thank you."
He smiled. "Meet Sweede here at dusk. He will take you to our meeting place. Are you in need of a place to stay, my friend?"
I thought about it for a moment bringing, a hand to my jaw. It would be probably be best to stay away from the Half Angel's friends so they weren't nearer to harm when the captain started seeking me out.
"Aye."
"Bring whatever you own with you tonight as well. I make sure my men are well taken care of."
"Thak you, sir."
He threw his coin purse my way and I caught it. "That's your payment."
I bowed.
"I will see you tonight."
"Aye."
With that I left, feeling Sweede's resentment of me growing as he glared me down until I was out of sight. I could hear the whispering of the other man praising Quinn for allowing me my chance to prove myself. I smiled a grim smile. I had bought respect, but at what cost?