Through My Eyes.

Chapter Two: Crooked Motives.

There it stood. Dressed in a long dark brown cloak and hood, it’s features completely hidden from sight. It surveyed the scene around. In complete silence it stood. Not even the whisper of the wind could be heard. Once it was seemingly satisfied, it moved through the shadowed streets of Canterlot, further and further into the slums. The darkened figure worked it’s way through the meticulously planned out city streets, and alleyways, till coming upon a wooden door. The door, attached to a moderate sized stone building, was marked with a single symbol. To a passerby, it would look like a vague attempt at failed vandalism.

But to the figure, the star shaped marked the correct destination. It reached out, and put it’s hoof onto the door. With a simple push, it was inside. “So, you finally decided to show up, eh?” A rusty voice spoke out. The figure only looked at the dark brown stallion bartender that stood behind the counter. As if glaring at him. But the stallion could only see blackness inside the hood.

“Never were much of a talker.” The stallion grumbled, the motions with his hoof behind him. “the ‘hired help’ you wanted, is waiting in the back. Just like you ordered.” The figure only stared more, before moving slowly into the back room to meet its helper.

In the room sat a single unicorn mare, her eyes closed with a bored expression on her face, as she rested half slumped onto a table. Her solid white fur and long black mane and tail graced his presence. The figure looked down, and at her flank. Taking note of the small blade that is her cutie mark. “You hired me to kill. Not to stare at my flanks. . Though, if you want to pay extra, I guess I can arrange something.” She speaks out, her voice firm, but floaty at the same time. She smirks teasingly, as she opens her eyes, both blood red.

The figure walks up to the mare, and pull out a small case. Setting it onto the table. “Straight to business, I see.” She lights up her horn, its silver aura surrounding the box, opening it. Inside, it was generously filled to the brim with bits. And, taped to the inside of the lid, was a small picture. A picture of two mares, one circled in red. And, in the same red ink, a name was scribbled. “‘Aurora Shimmer.’ What a shame. She looks like a. .  .delicious little mare.” The unicorn licks her lips, as she stares at the picture.

“I know my deal was ‘no questions asked.’ But, I do have one. Why this mare, in particular? She’s cute and all, but she’s. . . Average. Did she wrong you in some way?” The figure reaches up, and removes the hood that had adorned it the entire time. The mare stares in awe at the figure, as his face comes into view. Solid brown fur, and a short spiky black mane. A horn atop his head. But, what struck the mare most, was his eyes. Two different colors. One a solid green, the other a bright gold.

“She’s an interference.” His voice was low, and dark, and it echoed around the room. “She will only get in the way of my goals. And I have come to far, just to have some foalish mare ruin everything.” He steps closer to the mare. “Now, I don’t care what you do to her. Kill her, maim her. Capture her. Just make sure that she won’t be venturing any further than this line.”

An aura swirled with gold and green appeared on his horn, as he pulls a map from his cloak. Spreading it out on the table, the mare looks down. A line, straight across the map, stretching from Vanhoover to Manehattan. “Ok. And, where are they now?”

The stallion lights up his horn again. A small area on the map glows. “Here. Staying at a small village in within the White Tail Woods. Should only be traveling north from there. This is your payment that you requested in advance. And, I’ve also covered your travel fees to the village. From there, any money you spend is your own. But, once you take care of your assignment, then you will get the rest of your payment.”

The mare nods slowly, still in some awe of the mysterious stallion. “Is this all understood? Do I have your word that you will not fail?” The mare only nods again. “Good. I only requested you from the guild because a friend told me that you are true to your word. And very trustworthy. So, I know none of this information will be heard by anypony else?”

Again, only the mare can nod. Something was off about this stallion to her, but she couldn’t quite saw what. His presence enough was intimidating. “Good. And one last thing before I have to take my leave, I hope you do not fail me. I do not take kindly to failure. The consequence is your life, forfeit.” The mare gulps, when she hears that. “Yes. . I don’t think I ever learned your name?”

The stallion glares at the mare, his eyes meeting hers. She is frozen on the spot with fear. “And I would like to keep it that way, Miss. Anlace.” The stallion turns away, flicking his hood back on. “Oh. And I recommend you leave as soon as possible. That mare loves to move around. I have a feeling she will be leaving that village in the morning.” He leaves the mare with that last bit of information as he leaves the room. He looks back at the stallion, giving one nod before stepping back out into the cold windy night.

The mare looks down at the map, the case of bits, and the picture of the mare. “He sure has thought this out.” She reaches out with her hoof, and brings the case closer to her, looking at all the bits. “He sure has something planned.” The mare smiles, as she stares at the picture. “Mmm. This is going to be fun.” She says, almost lustfully as she slams the lid of the case closed. She gathers everything up, and then heads out herself.

“Take care now, young lady. There are schemes going on here, dangerous ones. Do your job. Don’t ask questions, and don’t try to find answers. I would hate to see you end up on the clean up list.” The normally kind stallion says firmly, and grimly to her.

“I’ll try.” She gives him a wink and walks out the door. The stallion lets out a sigh, as he moves away from the counter. He flips a sign onto the door, and locks it up.

“I hope she takes my warning. I know how she is. If she gets involved in this. . . I won't be able to forgive myself.” He glances onto the counter, and looks at the picture. Taken a few years ago. There he stands, younger, looking more youthful, with a little filly by his side. Both smiling wide, with their eyes closed. “Anlace. Your father would be so proud of you to see the mare you grew up to be. But, he would hate me for letting you join the. .  Family business.”

“You don’t know that for sure.” The stallion turns quickly, looking at the mare that stands there. “Those schemes you mentioned to your niece go way deeper than even you could imagine. I’m just here to tie up some loose ends. Make sure that there is nothing to interfere with the lords plans.”

The mare, using her azure arua, summons up short sword, with a long wavy blade. She launches it towards the stallion. He has no time to react, and soon feels the cold steel slicing into his chest. “My, have the mighty fallen. Your skills have diminished with age.” The mare walks closer to him, her voice cold, and solid. The blade being pushed deeper into him as she steps closer. “I guess you’ll be able to ask your brother how much he hates you, once you see him down in tartarus.” He grimaces as he feels her twist the blade.

“Creese. After all the training I gave you. Teaching you to be better than this. . . You still ended on the dark path?” She laughs, cold and malicious. She pulls the blade out, only to jab it into him again.

“No. Falchion. I only realized the lies you were telling me. I found the truth. And now I serve the lord faithfully. now, my old master, just close your eyes. And sleep.” She pushes the blade as deep as possible.

“You still have. . .  .A. . A chance to. . To turn around.” With those final words, the stallion, Falchion, closes his eyes. The mare stands and watches as he takes his final breath. She smirks, and draws her blade back, licking the blood of slowly. “Mm. I tasted this once before. When you first found me, old master. Ever since I had the craving. A craving you tried to subdue, tried to make me hold within. Well, no longer will I be held back.” She lights up her ausure magic once more.  Slowly, it spreads out along the floor.

“Farewell, old master.” With her final words, she steps out of the building, giving a small spark with her magic, causing the entire floor to ignite in a large, destructive fire. “It was a pleasure to know you, and rid you of your foolish life.”