The Father

Out West

Beads of sweat rolled down my forehead as the sweltering heat from the sun bared down on the western frontier. Avahlade and I watched the streets of Apploosa from the patio of the saloon. The young town was clearly in shambles. Buildings were on the brink of collapsing, and townsfolk fled in fear of death from the war, as well as starvation.

As we sat quietly, we noticed a small platoon of soldiers returning from the south. A few of them looked battered, covered in their own blood. The captain, split off, and came towards the saloon.

"Captain."I spoke. "Have any news?"

"The Griffins are moving to flank the city, and surround us. The one you call 'Templar' is over seeing the entire thing, and is the brains behind the operation."We walked into the saloon as he spoke.

"Do you know when they are attacking?"Avahlade asked.

"Not sure, but I know one thing for sure. Seems they've hired a few stallions to work for them, and come here undercover. Which means they have someone on the inside, a spy."The captain explained. "Go around town and see if you can't eavesdrop on a few of the townsfolk."The captain quietly said as he sat the bar. I turned to leave as Avahlade spoke.

"Take the north side of town. I'll see what I can do south."He spoke. I nodded, and walked out of the saloon, heading north towards the orchards.

The north side of town seemed much different than the side I had just left. Buildings were much newer, and ponies were more appropriately dressed. To say it simply, the more wealthy families lived north, away from the Griffin occupied south.

I sat down at a bench, and listened among the townsfolk that roamed the streets. Many different conversations caught my ears at once, a conversation about dinner plans, and one about a party that had apparently occurred last night. As two stallions walked by, they spoke quietly to each other. As they walked by, they stopped, and turned their heads towards me.

I tried to look as natural as possible, keeping my eye contact with the ground beneath me as the autumn leaves swirled in the wind. The two suspicious stallions turned back, and continued walking. I quickly got up from the bench, and slowly followed them.

"Do you think he's one?"One asked.

"Definitely. I've never seen one, but the way that...what was he called, 'Templar'? That's it, the Templar described them as stallions and even mares in white hooded robes."The other replied.

"Ah. He doesn't look to dangerous."

"That's what you think...but keep your guard. The Templar just wants us to bring back any information of the town, who lives where, and what's located there...you know, basic stuff."

"I can't even remember why I agreed."

"Cause the check was fat my friend. I don't know about you but I'm moving north, away from this hot stove I called home."

The two stallions walked into an alley leading back to the high street. One of them split off, and went inside a building next to them while the other stood guard.

"Now's my chance."I spoke quietly to myself. I walked around the corner, immediately catching the guards attention.

"Stop where you-"I cut him off with a hoof to the muzzle, immediately knocking him to the ground.

"Sleep Templar."I spoke quietly. I let go of him, and looked at the door. With a fierce buck, it flew open. I turned around, and leapt into the room.

"What is this?"A stallion with a raspy voice asked as he stood up.

"Where is the Templar?"I asked.

"What's a Templar?"The raspy voiced stallion asked, acting like he had now clue what I was talking about. I stepped toward him and grabbed his neck, pinning him against the wall. "AHG! Get him off me!"He ordered the other two stallions in the room.

I let go of the stallion, and took out my sword as the two stallions lunged toward me. Quickly, I deflected a swing from a sword, and kicked the attacker in the leg. He dropped his sword and held his chest as the wind escaped from his lungs. The other stallion tried to tackle me, but I grabbed him in mid-air and threw him on the other stallion. I took my sword and killed them both, quickly and painlessly.

I turned, and saw the raspy voiced stallion had fled. I took chase as I ran out the building, and scanned the high street. He begun running south deeper into Templar territory. "It's wise not to run Templar."I shouted. I ran, much quicker than he was, and caught up to him in nearly no time at all. With a quick shove, he fell the ground.

As I picked him up, another Assassin approached me from behind, Avahlade. He took the templar by the other hoof, and carried him back into the building.

"Please, don't kill me."The stallion pleaded.

"You're not making this easy...just tell me who hired you, and where they are."I spoke aggressively.

"I don't know you here me!"He exclaimed as he squirmed from his bonds. "I never met this 'Templar' you speak of. I only met some stallion who hired me, he said he'd pay me...I was only trying to help my family."

My ears perked up at the word, 'family'. "I take it you are not a wealthy stallion?"I asked, calming my tone.

"No...I was so desperate."His words sounded honest and weary. I reached into my pocket, and pulled out a small bag of bits.

"Here...I understand how hard it is living how you do, but could you at least tell us where you met this stallion?"

"Yes, he's well known around here, used to be the town barber."

"Take this and be on your way...but I warn you, do not get involved with Templars, they may pay much...but you're no good to your family dead."I spoke.

"They never said anything about this...Thank you sir, forgive my error."He spoke as I untied him. He got up, and quickly ran out the building.

"You're just gonna let him go? What if he goes straight to the Templars?" Avahlade spoke as the stallion disappeared.

"I heard the sorrow in his voice. Desperate times call for desperate measures." I replied. "So the town barber eh, or former town barber at least. I say we go around and ask a few of the locals about the barber."

"Agreed." Avahlade said. "Care to lead the way?"

"Will do." I walked out of the building, and saw the street had cleared. "Curious..." I said aloud. "Come on, let's go."

We walked back through town to where there were more townsfolk walking around. I spotted a well groomed mare picking out some apples, and approached her with Avahlade along side me.

"Excuse me miss." I spoke, catching her attention. She turned and looked at me curiously. "Sorry to bother you, but I couldn't help but notice your mane. Does it need grooming often?" I asked politely.

"Why yes it does." She replied in her thick western accent. "The barber does my mane."

"Well I'd say he's doing a fantastic job. Do you know where I can find him?" I asked next.

"Why the barbershop of course!" She exclaimed. "It's right down the road there, you can't miss it." She pointed down the road, which split into two more roads. "Take the left road." She added.

"Thank you ma'am." I nodded my head, and turned toward the left split in the road. Avahlade followed me. We walked only a few feet before I could see a sign that read "Trim's Barbers." I reached the building, and pushed the door open, causing the door to hit a bell and make an audible ring. I heard a voice from the back speak out toward us.

"Hello!" It said. "I'll be out there in a moment."

"Hoods off." I whispered. We pulled our hoods over our heads, revealing our faces. A blonde maned stallion came through a doorway on the other side of the building, and approached us.

"And what can I do for you fine gentlecolts?" He asked.

"We'd like to ask you a few questions." Avahlade said. The barber didn't reply, he only gave a noticeable nod of acknowledgment.

"First of all, are you the only town barber?" I asked. He nodded, keeping his polite smile on his face.

"Sure am." He added.

"Well we've been told that you hired some stallions for the Templars." I said. The stallion's face turned sour as his eyebrows lowered.

"Ah here we go again. The same bull every week. I tell you guys the same thing." He ranted. "About a month ago I hired a stallion who seemed desperate for a job. After I did I realized he was involved of some sort of gang. I over heard him talking to one of his gang members about killing somepony, and immediately fired him."

"Do you know his name?" Avahlade asked.

"The shrimp went by the name of razor. He never gave me his real name."

"Any details you can remember. Mane color, style, eye color, fur color?" I asked.

"A black, grey and messy mane, a tan-ish coat color, and eyes...I think they were a blue of some sort." The barber explained.

"Thank you very much. Let us know if you need anything for us." I said. I shook the barbers hoof, and pulled my hood over my head. Avahlade did the same as I made my way out the door.

"You remember what he said. Stick together, and we'll look for this stallion he described." I said.

"Way ahead of you..."