Kerynth Arlen Maerdrym
"Arlen Maer"
Profile
Profile
Age: 28
Gender: Male Height: 5'10'' Sexuality: Bisexual Species: Human With some elven blood further down his lineage Birthday: August 27th PERSONALITY |
Skin: Tanned
Eyes: Ruby red, slightly upturned Hair: Rust red, never brushes it. Tends to spike in all directions Face: Sharp, masculine features. Well defined jaw, high cheekbones. Body: Masculine, physique of an athlete and a fighter. |
His full real name is Kerynth Arlen Maerdrym, but due to his name being known in many kingdoms for his lineage and what he's done, he goes by Arlen Maer.
Arlen belongs to a group of bandits known as "The Jade Hounds" and he's second-in-charge. Many question the name of the Bandit Group, but that doesn't matter. On every Hound - as they are called - is a tattoo of a dog head, with a noose held in its jaws. Arlen's is on his right hip, just above his thigh. On his back, he has a tattoo of black wings over his shoulder blades and half way down his back. However, the right wing is broken, bent at an unnatural angle, feathers falling almost like black snow.
DELVE INTO HIS MEMORIES
Arlen belongs to a group of bandits known as "The Jade Hounds" and he's second-in-charge. Many question the name of the Bandit Group, but that doesn't matter. On every Hound - as they are called - is a tattoo of a dog head, with a noose held in its jaws. Arlen's is on his right hip, just above his thigh. On his back, he has a tattoo of black wings over his shoulder blades and half way down his back. However, the right wing is broken, bent at an unnatural angle, feathers falling almost like black snow.
DELVE INTO HIS MEMORIES
HIS HISTORY
Short Stories
It was raining, the smell of soaked pine and horses sat heavily on the air. A bitter wind froze his fingers and his nose, but Arlen refused to move away from the open window. The city hung before him, the third story window of the inn making it easy to see the movement of the civilians. They walked sluggishly, their horses and cows dragging their hooves in the mud. It was a pitiful day. Behind him, he could hear Kailu and Caeda. A rather rich and well known lord was transporting some treasure along the border, and that was when they would strike. The Jade Hounds never lost what they aimed for, not when Kailu set his sights on it. Arlen should have been over there with them, discussing the plan, but something else weighed heavily on his mind. A rumor had floated through the city. It sounded just like Clause, the name making Arlen's heart beat faster and tighten in rage. The rain began to fall harder, the sound of the drops hitting the roof drowning out the speech of Kailu and Caeda. He should probably head back there and help them plan. They might need some horses, and Arlen knew where to get some without much of a fuss.
He turned away from the window, but something caught his eye. A man in a hood. Arlen moved a little closer, leaning out of the window. He felt rain dropping on his head. There was something about that stranger. They didn't seem to notice him. But he had a feeling. It had to be Clause, so far, the man had managed to follow him everywhere, who was to say he wasn't here now? Planning to ruin the heist and his life once again? No, Arlen wouldn't allow it. He would strike first. He pushed away from the window and stalked back into the main ruin, avoiding the gaze of Kailu. Caeda stopped talking about the attack plan and looked at him too. They knew something was up, Arlen couldn't hide it.
“Going out already?” Caeda asked, her tone less condescending than usual. Did he look that distraught?
“I have something I have to do,” said Arlen, keeping his voice as even as possible. The anger and rage and confusion was twisting his guts. He had to know if that hooded man was in fact Clause, and if it was... Arlen strapped his sword to his side, then grabbed his cloak.
“If you're going out,” Kailu said, “go see if you can find some fast horses. Mares preferred. The lord only uses stallions, and I want to see the look on his face when we rob him.” Kailu looked up at Arlen. Arlen looked down. “If you have the time, that is. Don't start any fights.”
“I wouldn't dream of it.” Arlen wrapped his cloak around his shoulders and pulled the hood up, leaving the room as soon as he could. He walked quickly down the warped steps and out of the inn's tavern, stepping into the cold air of the rain. He looked around. The hooded man was probably gone by now, if it wasn't Clause, but it wouldn't hurt to look. Arlen stalked to the side of the inn his room window was on and looked up. Yeah, he could have seen himself if he was standing the right way, but the strange might not have been able to. He turned. No one. Hunkering down in his dryness and warmth of his cloak, Arlen walked in the direction the stranger was heading and kept his eyes peeled.
An hour of searching and there was nothing. No sign of the man, no indication that he was ever there. Plenty of people were wearing hoods today, but something about that one person rubbed him the wrong way. He stared at the ground and kept walking. Oh well, might as well go look for some strong mares. The best stables were close to the edge of the city, but nothing Arlen couldn't manage. Rainy days made it better to haggle anyway. Most everyone wanted to go to sleep and not bother with arguing. Perhaps he could get a could deal. Or he could steal the horses later if the owner refused to accept some gold. As he approached the stables closer to the wall of the city, Arlen began to slow. Some of the horses were outside, standing in the rain. They looked more depressed than most of the people. He walked towards one and put a hand on the muzzle. He wasn't a mare, but he had good eyes. A calm horse, not something that would buck in danger, but he wouldn't be fast enough. Too soft of heart to kick if another horse bit. The scars on the hind legs and hips told that much. Arlen moved onto the next horse, then the next. The best ones were probably inside where they would be kept dry. With a sigh, he walked up to the building door and knocked. A man, larger than Arlen, answered the door.
“Yeah?” the man asked, his voice thick in an accent.
Arlen nodded towards the barn. “I'm looking for three fast, strong mares then anything else you have that are fast, not easy to spook either.”
The man gave Arlen a look. Arlen stared at him with a blank expression. After a few seconds of silence, the rain quietly whispering around them, the man nodded. “Aye, come on to the barn then.”
Arlen followed the man into the barn. The scent of dry horses filled with nose. It took effort not to sneeze. The man lead him to one stall. Arlen had to stand on his tip-toes to see in. He wasn't short, not by any means, but this man had built these stalls tall enough to make a horse have to stand on the tips of their hooves.
“This is one of the fastest mares I got,” he man said. “Bred in the south. Used to rain. Puddles can't stop her.” They moved near the middle of the stables. “This is the other. Bred on a small farm in the west. A race horse, actually, but she was lost in a gamble.”
“Who won her?” Arlen asked. The man gave a large grin. He was missing three teeth.
They moved to the end of the stables and the man pointed at a mare with her side pressed against the back wall. “This one is nasty.”
Perfect for Caeda then, Arlen thought. He almost smiled. “Fast?”
“Fastest in here. She hates other horses. She'll bite anything and everything too.”
“The other horses?”
The man raised an eyebrow. “All fine. I'm an expert judge of horses, young man. All the ones in here can outrun anything.”
“Price for them all?” Arlen took off his hood. It was hot in here.
The man hesitated. “Look,” he said, “the last man that offered to buy all my horses tried to steal them when I said the price. Just take the three mares at a discount and go, eh? I can't let anything happen to these horses. The kids have to eat.”
Something struck Arlen's heart. “I have money,” he said. “Plenty. I can pay for them.”
“The price is over a hundred thousand silver pieces.”
“How about three thousand gold?” Arlen took out a small bag from his pocket. His efforts with robbing always worked out.
“That's twice as much as their all worth!”
Arlen handed him the bag. “Kids have to eat, right? I'll be back later on for them all, with a few of my friends.”
The man held the bag carefully in his hands. He was a softie, Arlen could tell. Only a father that wanted best for his children would be acting like this. He was away from his birth place, out of his country, and with children to feed. Probably no wife either, judging by the lack of a ring or necklace. “Where are you going?” he asked.
“South.” Not really a lie. “You know, you'll be out of stock once I come back with my friends. Use some of that to get more horses, eh?”
“Maybe get out of town,” the man sighed. “Kids don't like it here.”
Arlen was about to speak, but the stable door opened and two young children ran in. “Dad!” the daughter said. “Christopher keeps pushing me!”
“I am not!” the boy shouted. The man smiled at them both and said something in his native tongue. The kids looked at Arlen, then nodded at his father. The daughter curtsied and apologized before running off, the son giving a short little bow.
“Maybe that would be the best,” Arlen said. “This city isn't that great. Anyway, thanks for your business, I'll be back sometime later today or early tomorrow morning.”
The man nodded and escorted Arlen out of the barn. They shook hands, and Arlen made his way back to the inn
Kailu was talking to some of the other Hounds about the plan. He stopped when Arlen walked in. “Well?” he asked.
“I got three mares for us. One of them specially for Caeda,” Arlen said. Caeda opened her mouth, so he kept going, “and about seven other horses for those you want to take.”
“We stealing them?” one of the newer bandits asked. Arlen shook his head.
“No. I paid for them. I just have to tell the owner that we're coming to get them, then their ours. If anyone ask, all of you are my friends and we're going south.”
“We are going south,” another offered. Sometimes, Arlen felt like he was working with children.
“South as in, we're not going to rob anyone and we want to get out of this god forsaken town. Got it?”
The men nodded.
The rest of the day was getting ready, then Arlen led them to the stables. To his surprise, the men acted like they weren't about to anything illegal. They were polite and thanked the man for giving up his best horses. Even Caeda. Kailu was silent most of the time, taking the horse that was in the middle stall. Caeda took the horse that was left, because Arlen got the first one. His horse was a beautiful paint, with soft brown eyes. They held a fire in them, however. He carefully saddled her up, the price of every horse having included the tack, and left the city with the others following. Arlen rose behind Kailu, Caeda behind him. They would camp out for a day, far away from the place of attack, then charge as soon as they saw one of the scouts.
Arlen settled down under one of the trees, sitting on a blanket. It was still raining. The sound of the rain hitting puddles was making him drowsy, but he refused to fall asleep. There was something nagging at the back of his head. Something he couldn't quite place. It was driving him insane. He got up and stalked around the camp, studying each of the men as they walked. The women Kailu chose to attack with them were further up ahead. They had been there for a few days prior. In fact, they were the ones to report the lord was moving his treasure. Arlen had to admit, Kailu chose the perfect group to do that job. The lord could never so no to a beautiful woman. Not that Arlen could blame him.
Movement in the woods caught Arlen's eye. There was a dappled grey stallion grazing, and on its back a man with a wicked grin. Clause.
Arlen moved to his mare, thankful he left her saddle on and charged. He heard Kailu and Caeda shouting at him from behind, but he didn't wait. Clause clicked at the horse and they were off. They ran on the trail, the heavy hoof-falls of the horses filling Arlen's ears. He was getting closer and closer, his mare twice as fast as Clause's horse. As he got onto Clause's side, he could see that grin perfectly, and he could see those golden, evil eyes. Anger flooded Arlen's heart and he kicked at the other horse, trying to make to make it stumble, or knock Clause off. Clause gave a shout of surprise and kicked the horse hard in the sides. It darted forward. Arlen gave a shout of rage and kicked his mare. She sprung forward like an arrow, catching up to the stallion once more.
The sound of an arrow smacking against flesh, and the sight of blood made Arlen freeze. Clause gave a shout of pain and pulled the reins of his horse. Behind Arlen, he could hear hooves and Caeda's angry shouts. Clause glared at her and yanked the arrow out of his shoulder, kicking his stallion's side. They darted into the woods. Arlen charged after, but Kailu got in his way. Their horses hit each other, the two mares biting and neighing loudly.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” Caeda shouted. “Did you not see his weapon?”
“Arlen!” Kailu shouted, stopping Arlen's retort. “What in the world was that all about?”
The anger and rage burning inside of Arlen's gut got worse. He had him. He had Clause right there and now he was gone again. “None of your business.”
He pulled away, ready to lead his mare into the woods.
“Not my business? That guy could have hit you with that crossbow!” Kailu yelled. Did Clause have a crossbow? Probably, Arlen wasn't paying attention. But even then, Clause wouldn't kill him. He was only concerned with killing those Arlen cared about. It wasn't meant for him.
“This is personal!” Arlen barked back. “Just keep out of it. I'll be there for the heist. And before you do anything, make sure you can name everyone at camp. If you can't, kill them.” He backed away from Kailu and Caeda, charging into the woods, following the trail of hoof prints that had been marked in the mud. The hoof prints then rounded again in the woods. Arlen lost him. He gave a shout of anger and turned back to the exit, his mare panting. They reached camp after an hour, his mare panting worse than before. He got off of her back, took off her saddle, removed her bridle, and then gave her some water.
“Personal or not, I want in on this,” Caeda said. Arlen gave a groan of annoyance.
“No.” He patted his mare's side and let her go graze.
“Obviously that guy has something on you, and if he does, then he's a danger to the Hounds.”
“This isn't about the Hounds, alright? This is about me and him! You keep your big nose out of it.” He glared at her, then saw Kailu from over her shoulder. He had a look of worry plastered on his face. “Just let me deal with him alone. He's gone anyway.”
Kailu approached them. “I checked everyone and this camp and the one further up ahead. One of the men darted for the woods when I began to check. Think that's your guy?”
“Probably,” Arlen said. “Just sleep with both eyes open. Please.”
Caeda grabbed his arm, her grip like iron. “Oi, deadweight, if that guy has dirt on you, I'll go slit his throat right now. If someone has dirt on you, then that puts us all in danger.”
“All of you have been in danger ever since you saved me.” Arlen looked down, feeling his anger drain. “Let's just say that guy has jealously problems, alright? I don't want to lose anyone else. So, please, be careful.”
Caeda let go of him. He could see worry in her eyes, but she snorted, said a few curses at him under her breath, and stalked away. Kailu continued to stare at Arlen.
“That assassin,” the leader began, “you never did tell us why he wanted to kill you.”
Arlen was silent.
“Not that it matters, anyway. We have a heist to do, and we'll keep an eye out. If I see that guy, your the first that is going to know.”
“Thank you,” Arlen said quietly, staring out at the trees. This was his fight, him and Clause, but Arlen wasn't alone anymore. A smile made its way to Arlen's lips. He would like to see Clause try to kill Caeda or Kailu. He would be in for one nasty surprise. They aren't helpless like his parents, or his former lover.
In the distance, he saw a horse. A black stallion.
“Oi! Scout spotted! Their coming sooner than we thought!”
“He probably got impatient,” Kailu said. “Everyone to their horses! Don't let them see you! Hide under the hill! If you horse is visible, leave it till the scout leaves!” The men got up and got to work, excitement bristling with every move. Arlen clicked for his mare and she slowly walked to him, eating grass on the way. To their luck, this area was known for wild horses. ~ Written by Dew (Flight Rising)
He turned away from the window, but something caught his eye. A man in a hood. Arlen moved a little closer, leaning out of the window. He felt rain dropping on his head. There was something about that stranger. They didn't seem to notice him. But he had a feeling. It had to be Clause, so far, the man had managed to follow him everywhere, who was to say he wasn't here now? Planning to ruin the heist and his life once again? No, Arlen wouldn't allow it. He would strike first. He pushed away from the window and stalked back into the main ruin, avoiding the gaze of Kailu. Caeda stopped talking about the attack plan and looked at him too. They knew something was up, Arlen couldn't hide it.
“Going out already?” Caeda asked, her tone less condescending than usual. Did he look that distraught?
“I have something I have to do,” said Arlen, keeping his voice as even as possible. The anger and rage and confusion was twisting his guts. He had to know if that hooded man was in fact Clause, and if it was... Arlen strapped his sword to his side, then grabbed his cloak.
“If you're going out,” Kailu said, “go see if you can find some fast horses. Mares preferred. The lord only uses stallions, and I want to see the look on his face when we rob him.” Kailu looked up at Arlen. Arlen looked down. “If you have the time, that is. Don't start any fights.”
“I wouldn't dream of it.” Arlen wrapped his cloak around his shoulders and pulled the hood up, leaving the room as soon as he could. He walked quickly down the warped steps and out of the inn's tavern, stepping into the cold air of the rain. He looked around. The hooded man was probably gone by now, if it wasn't Clause, but it wouldn't hurt to look. Arlen stalked to the side of the inn his room window was on and looked up. Yeah, he could have seen himself if he was standing the right way, but the strange might not have been able to. He turned. No one. Hunkering down in his dryness and warmth of his cloak, Arlen walked in the direction the stranger was heading and kept his eyes peeled.
An hour of searching and there was nothing. No sign of the man, no indication that he was ever there. Plenty of people were wearing hoods today, but something about that one person rubbed him the wrong way. He stared at the ground and kept walking. Oh well, might as well go look for some strong mares. The best stables were close to the edge of the city, but nothing Arlen couldn't manage. Rainy days made it better to haggle anyway. Most everyone wanted to go to sleep and not bother with arguing. Perhaps he could get a could deal. Or he could steal the horses later if the owner refused to accept some gold. As he approached the stables closer to the wall of the city, Arlen began to slow. Some of the horses were outside, standing in the rain. They looked more depressed than most of the people. He walked towards one and put a hand on the muzzle. He wasn't a mare, but he had good eyes. A calm horse, not something that would buck in danger, but he wouldn't be fast enough. Too soft of heart to kick if another horse bit. The scars on the hind legs and hips told that much. Arlen moved onto the next horse, then the next. The best ones were probably inside where they would be kept dry. With a sigh, he walked up to the building door and knocked. A man, larger than Arlen, answered the door.
“Yeah?” the man asked, his voice thick in an accent.
Arlen nodded towards the barn. “I'm looking for three fast, strong mares then anything else you have that are fast, not easy to spook either.”
The man gave Arlen a look. Arlen stared at him with a blank expression. After a few seconds of silence, the rain quietly whispering around them, the man nodded. “Aye, come on to the barn then.”
Arlen followed the man into the barn. The scent of dry horses filled with nose. It took effort not to sneeze. The man lead him to one stall. Arlen had to stand on his tip-toes to see in. He wasn't short, not by any means, but this man had built these stalls tall enough to make a horse have to stand on the tips of their hooves.
“This is one of the fastest mares I got,” he man said. “Bred in the south. Used to rain. Puddles can't stop her.” They moved near the middle of the stables. “This is the other. Bred on a small farm in the west. A race horse, actually, but she was lost in a gamble.”
“Who won her?” Arlen asked. The man gave a large grin. He was missing three teeth.
They moved to the end of the stables and the man pointed at a mare with her side pressed against the back wall. “This one is nasty.”
Perfect for Caeda then, Arlen thought. He almost smiled. “Fast?”
“Fastest in here. She hates other horses. She'll bite anything and everything too.”
“The other horses?”
The man raised an eyebrow. “All fine. I'm an expert judge of horses, young man. All the ones in here can outrun anything.”
“Price for them all?” Arlen took off his hood. It was hot in here.
The man hesitated. “Look,” he said, “the last man that offered to buy all my horses tried to steal them when I said the price. Just take the three mares at a discount and go, eh? I can't let anything happen to these horses. The kids have to eat.”
Something struck Arlen's heart. “I have money,” he said. “Plenty. I can pay for them.”
“The price is over a hundred thousand silver pieces.”
“How about three thousand gold?” Arlen took out a small bag from his pocket. His efforts with robbing always worked out.
“That's twice as much as their all worth!”
Arlen handed him the bag. “Kids have to eat, right? I'll be back later on for them all, with a few of my friends.”
The man held the bag carefully in his hands. He was a softie, Arlen could tell. Only a father that wanted best for his children would be acting like this. He was away from his birth place, out of his country, and with children to feed. Probably no wife either, judging by the lack of a ring or necklace. “Where are you going?” he asked.
“South.” Not really a lie. “You know, you'll be out of stock once I come back with my friends. Use some of that to get more horses, eh?”
“Maybe get out of town,” the man sighed. “Kids don't like it here.”
Arlen was about to speak, but the stable door opened and two young children ran in. “Dad!” the daughter said. “Christopher keeps pushing me!”
“I am not!” the boy shouted. The man smiled at them both and said something in his native tongue. The kids looked at Arlen, then nodded at his father. The daughter curtsied and apologized before running off, the son giving a short little bow.
“Maybe that would be the best,” Arlen said. “This city isn't that great. Anyway, thanks for your business, I'll be back sometime later today or early tomorrow morning.”
The man nodded and escorted Arlen out of the barn. They shook hands, and Arlen made his way back to the inn
Kailu was talking to some of the other Hounds about the plan. He stopped when Arlen walked in. “Well?” he asked.
“I got three mares for us. One of them specially for Caeda,” Arlen said. Caeda opened her mouth, so he kept going, “and about seven other horses for those you want to take.”
“We stealing them?” one of the newer bandits asked. Arlen shook his head.
“No. I paid for them. I just have to tell the owner that we're coming to get them, then their ours. If anyone ask, all of you are my friends and we're going south.”
“We are going south,” another offered. Sometimes, Arlen felt like he was working with children.
“South as in, we're not going to rob anyone and we want to get out of this god forsaken town. Got it?”
The men nodded.
The rest of the day was getting ready, then Arlen led them to the stables. To his surprise, the men acted like they weren't about to anything illegal. They were polite and thanked the man for giving up his best horses. Even Caeda. Kailu was silent most of the time, taking the horse that was in the middle stall. Caeda took the horse that was left, because Arlen got the first one. His horse was a beautiful paint, with soft brown eyes. They held a fire in them, however. He carefully saddled her up, the price of every horse having included the tack, and left the city with the others following. Arlen rose behind Kailu, Caeda behind him. They would camp out for a day, far away from the place of attack, then charge as soon as they saw one of the scouts.
Arlen settled down under one of the trees, sitting on a blanket. It was still raining. The sound of the rain hitting puddles was making him drowsy, but he refused to fall asleep. There was something nagging at the back of his head. Something he couldn't quite place. It was driving him insane. He got up and stalked around the camp, studying each of the men as they walked. The women Kailu chose to attack with them were further up ahead. They had been there for a few days prior. In fact, they were the ones to report the lord was moving his treasure. Arlen had to admit, Kailu chose the perfect group to do that job. The lord could never so no to a beautiful woman. Not that Arlen could blame him.
Movement in the woods caught Arlen's eye. There was a dappled grey stallion grazing, and on its back a man with a wicked grin. Clause.
Arlen moved to his mare, thankful he left her saddle on and charged. He heard Kailu and Caeda shouting at him from behind, but he didn't wait. Clause clicked at the horse and they were off. They ran on the trail, the heavy hoof-falls of the horses filling Arlen's ears. He was getting closer and closer, his mare twice as fast as Clause's horse. As he got onto Clause's side, he could see that grin perfectly, and he could see those golden, evil eyes. Anger flooded Arlen's heart and he kicked at the other horse, trying to make to make it stumble, or knock Clause off. Clause gave a shout of surprise and kicked the horse hard in the sides. It darted forward. Arlen gave a shout of rage and kicked his mare. She sprung forward like an arrow, catching up to the stallion once more.
The sound of an arrow smacking against flesh, and the sight of blood made Arlen freeze. Clause gave a shout of pain and pulled the reins of his horse. Behind Arlen, he could hear hooves and Caeda's angry shouts. Clause glared at her and yanked the arrow out of his shoulder, kicking his stallion's side. They darted into the woods. Arlen charged after, but Kailu got in his way. Their horses hit each other, the two mares biting and neighing loudly.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” Caeda shouted. “Did you not see his weapon?”
“Arlen!” Kailu shouted, stopping Arlen's retort. “What in the world was that all about?”
The anger and rage burning inside of Arlen's gut got worse. He had him. He had Clause right there and now he was gone again. “None of your business.”
He pulled away, ready to lead his mare into the woods.
“Not my business? That guy could have hit you with that crossbow!” Kailu yelled. Did Clause have a crossbow? Probably, Arlen wasn't paying attention. But even then, Clause wouldn't kill him. He was only concerned with killing those Arlen cared about. It wasn't meant for him.
“This is personal!” Arlen barked back. “Just keep out of it. I'll be there for the heist. And before you do anything, make sure you can name everyone at camp. If you can't, kill them.” He backed away from Kailu and Caeda, charging into the woods, following the trail of hoof prints that had been marked in the mud. The hoof prints then rounded again in the woods. Arlen lost him. He gave a shout of anger and turned back to the exit, his mare panting. They reached camp after an hour, his mare panting worse than before. He got off of her back, took off her saddle, removed her bridle, and then gave her some water.
“Personal or not, I want in on this,” Caeda said. Arlen gave a groan of annoyance.
“No.” He patted his mare's side and let her go graze.
“Obviously that guy has something on you, and if he does, then he's a danger to the Hounds.”
“This isn't about the Hounds, alright? This is about me and him! You keep your big nose out of it.” He glared at her, then saw Kailu from over her shoulder. He had a look of worry plastered on his face. “Just let me deal with him alone. He's gone anyway.”
Kailu approached them. “I checked everyone and this camp and the one further up ahead. One of the men darted for the woods when I began to check. Think that's your guy?”
“Probably,” Arlen said. “Just sleep with both eyes open. Please.”
Caeda grabbed his arm, her grip like iron. “Oi, deadweight, if that guy has dirt on you, I'll go slit his throat right now. If someone has dirt on you, then that puts us all in danger.”
“All of you have been in danger ever since you saved me.” Arlen looked down, feeling his anger drain. “Let's just say that guy has jealously problems, alright? I don't want to lose anyone else. So, please, be careful.”
Caeda let go of him. He could see worry in her eyes, but she snorted, said a few curses at him under her breath, and stalked away. Kailu continued to stare at Arlen.
“That assassin,” the leader began, “you never did tell us why he wanted to kill you.”
Arlen was silent.
“Not that it matters, anyway. We have a heist to do, and we'll keep an eye out. If I see that guy, your the first that is going to know.”
“Thank you,” Arlen said quietly, staring out at the trees. This was his fight, him and Clause, but Arlen wasn't alone anymore. A smile made its way to Arlen's lips. He would like to see Clause try to kill Caeda or Kailu. He would be in for one nasty surprise. They aren't helpless like his parents, or his former lover.
In the distance, he saw a horse. A black stallion.
“Oi! Scout spotted! Their coming sooner than we thought!”
“He probably got impatient,” Kailu said. “Everyone to their horses! Don't let them see you! Hide under the hill! If you horse is visible, leave it till the scout leaves!” The men got up and got to work, excitement bristling with every move. Arlen clicked for his mare and she slowly walked to him, eating grass on the way. To their luck, this area was known for wild horses. ~ Written by Dew (Flight Rising)