Templar's Honor

I shamefully entered the North Den. My robes and hands were still bloody. I had no place to wash my hands in the frozen city. Luckily, there was no one to greet me upon my arrival. My wandering and shocked mind made me waddle unbalanced down the stairs. The sounds of Assassins chatting could be heard from the lounge below. I was not going to join them. When I reached the hallway, I turned right to my quarters.

The small rooms were mainly empty except for the Brothers sleeping or resting in their respective beds. As I passed, they stared at me with confusion. Nothing could hide the crime I had committed earlier that day. I turned my face away from them and pulled my hood low. When I finally reached my bed, I found Soarin and Fleetfoot there waiting for me. Soarin looked up at me.

"Quid agis? We haven't seen you since the snowball fight."

Fleetfoot knocked him on the head. "Soarin, you shouldn't be askin' her that! Look at her! What happened Spits?

I shrugged before answering. "Got in a fight."

Soarin nodded slowly. "Well, ya look pretty bad. Did ya win?"

"You could say that."

There was a silence that followed. Soarin seemed satisfied with my answer. Fleetfoot however, looked at me with worried eyes. I averted my gaze. I was not good at hiding my feelings or thoughts from others. Soarin had known this and learned to keep to himself when I was in sour mood. Fleetfoot was not like this and pressed the issue.

"Spits, you alright? You look like your dog died."

"Nothing's wrong Fleet."

"Ya sure?"

I sighed. "Fleet, I said nothing's wrong."

"We're your friends. Don't have to keep secrets from us."

I considered this. They were my friends. I had been with them for years. Yet, how could I tell them? I killed a Brother in cold blood. I had signed my death sentence when I did so. Instead, I merely looked at the floor. Fleetfoot kept a worried face at me. Finally, I shook my head at them and walked away. I rightly did not expect it to be the end of Fleetfoot's attempts to pry the matter out of my mouth. She quickly followed me through the quarters.

"Spits, c'mon. Please?"

I turned to face her. "No, Fleetfoot. Just no. I need some rest after today, bene?"

She gave me a defeated look. "Bene."

With that, I left them. My mind was whirling with different emotions, none of which I showed on my face. I walked towards the Bearer's quarters without even realizing it since my mind was so occupied. So occupied with doubts and disgusts in the Brotherhood and myself. I refuse to believe that some pampered Templar was better than I, I thought, almost aloud. The Brotherhood was here to save the world, yes, to place Cloudsdale on top once again. Then the other side of me piped up. If they want to save the world, then why do they kill? They are unjust. Their Creed is easily manipulated. They only hurt Cloudsdale, poor, poor Cloudsdale. No! They are going to establish Harmony and Freedom. Freedom from the Olden Family mobs. Yes, that's what they'll do. No, remember Templar Shimmer, they only create Chaos. We don't like Chaos, Spits, no one does. Stick with the Assassins! Leave the Brotherhood, save your Honor.

"Uhhh, Spitfire, are you alright?"

My thoughts were interrupted by the Den Master in front of me. Apparently, I had been speaking aloud the whole time. A cold sweat was upon my face. My eyes shifted here and there as if to find something that had been creeping upon me. The Den Master looked down on my robes, my hands. His face knotted in utter confusion. I began to shake my head furiously. He wouldn't find out, I thought, he can't find out.

"No. Den Master, I didn't do it." I said quickly.

"Did what?"

He knew. He knew all along. The bloody Den Master knew I had killed a Brother. How did he know? No, I cannot waste time on that. He was going to kill me, yes, that's why he was there. To kill me. One may think me insane for this, but the look in his eye,  those old eyes. They stared at me with the fury of a manticore, Yes, a manticore. No, it was me or him. I didn't want to die. Not today, not ever. I can't die and leave my home in such a state, I thought aloud. I began to draw my blade when the Den Master yelled at me.

"Spitfire! What is wrong with you?!"

I stopped immediately. I looked to see my sword in hand. In my bloodied hand. I was about to kill my Den Master. What madness came over me to do so? I sheathed the scimitar and faced him. My whole body was covered in sweat. The yelling of the Den Master had attracted the other two Wonderbolts, who now looked about me with fear and worry. I swallowed a long, dry swallow.

"I am sorry, Den Master." I apologized meekly.

"Spitfire, what happened?" He asked.

"No...no." I mumbled.

He leaned forward. "What was that?"

"Den Master, I request to leave the Brotherhood."

I said this before I had even realized it. I said it quickly and more out of reaction than anything else. What was I thinking? Had another lapse of insanity caught hold of me? The firmness in my voice would say otherwise. So bold, so direct. They were the words that marked a new era in my life.

"Repeat those words." The Den Master said in a most hostile tone.

I had just metaphorically walked the plank. There was no turning back. I had the choice of not repeating the words and staying. Staying to the Brotherhood. But they may find out, I reasoned. They may find out of my crime and kill me. No, this was my best chance of getting off free.

"I request to leave the Brotherhood." I repeated.

"Spitfire, you can't just "leave" the Brotherhood."

"I realize that Den Master, but my request stays the same."

The Den Master rubbed his gray chin. His hostility turned into gentle confusion. He simply blinked and rubbed his chin. My words were such a shock to him that he did not know what to think. He finally looked at me with a caring face.

"Why? You're a great Assassin, You have done so well since you joined. You are practically the head of this Den. Why? What happened?"

"Is it a yes or a no?" I firmly asked.

The Den Master sighed. "It's a no."

I had expected these words. The words didn't bother me too much since I had made up my mind. Regardless of the Den Master's answer, I was leaving. I had hoped he would say yes, as to let me leave peacefully, but that was only a dream now. I took a deep breath and exhaled through my nostrils. The Den Master awaited my response to his refusal. I looked past him to the door at the top of the stairs. The door that led to the outside, to Freedom. I then returned my gaze to the old Den Master and bowed.

"It was an Honor serving under you. I, however, must go. It's for the better."

"Spitfire..."

I walked passed him to the door. He grabbed my arm and halted me. We stood silent for a little bit. I could tell he was trying to form the words in his mind before uttering them. I patiently waited.

"Spitfire." He began. "You must know, you will be branded as a defuga, a deserter. The Brotherhood has no mercy on such people. We will have every right to kill on the spot. And if you continue to aid either side in the war, you will be a traitor. Please reconsider this. You don't know what you are doing."

"I know this. I have made up my mind. I do not want to be a part of this anymore. I assure you, you shall never see me again."

His hand fell off my arm. His breathing quickened. Fleetfoot and Soarin could only watch. Horror showed on their faces. I couldn't take their stares any longer. I turned and ran up the stairs. At the top I stopped. No, I couldn't turn around. I couldn't look back. My hand clutched the door's handle. I swung it open and let the cold night air in. This was my new life, I thought. I would raise this city, this grand city to the top. It was something I had to do without my Brothers. I closed the door behind. I was a deserter.

Morning could not have come fast enough. The bitter coldness had almost chilled me to death. I spent the night in the back of a blacksmith's shop. I used his embers to keep warm. When the sun rose over the horizon, I sneaked away before the blacksmith could find me in his forge. The morning was cold and dry. Hearth's Warming was over. After the previous day, I now despised the holiday, as it made me remember of what happened that day.

I wandered through the city. I didn't know what to do. Already I was regretting my decision. I could not go back now, not after what I had told the Den Master. No, I must avoid my Brothers. It felt so wrong, I felt alone and forgotten. Where was I to go? No one knew me, for I had lived a life in the shadows. People gave me odd stares as I walked by. The blood and the silk of my robes had become one. They were now inseparable by water or cleaning. Though that no longer weighed heavily on my mind.

"Lady Shimmer wouldn't want that. Ugh, just let me deal with it."

The familiar name stood above the chatter of the people around me. My almost sleepy state was immediately aroused. I quickly looked about. All that I could see were Cloudsdalians going about their daily chores. I held my breath and listened.

"C'mon, not here. Like I said, Lady Shimmer wouldn't want that."

I pinpointed the origin of the sound. I swiftly made my way over to it. As I brushed some folk aside, I saw Captain Lightning Dust talking with two soldiers in crimson. One was constantly fidgeting and messing with his steel helmet. The other was shorter, but was much more broad than his companion. I tried to stop myself from walking over to her, but the sound of Sunset's name made me curious. I may no longer be an Assassin, I reasoned, but I could still see what the Templar were up to. With this reasoning, I approached them. They did not notice me and continued their conversation.

"Are you sure about this Captain?" The fidgeting soldier asked.

Lightning Dust rubbed her forehead. "Of course I am. We can't kill him. He is in an Olden Family. Lady Shimmer wouldn't want him dead."

The stout one grunted. "Huh, but he's been ignoring us for a week now. No one ignores us."

"You're right, you're right. Just....Just wait. We'll clear this up."

With that, the two soldiers walked away. Lightning Dust sighed and stood there contemplating. I did not understand who or what they were talking about. I replayed their conversation in my head. As I did so, I failed to realize that the crowd I was concealed in left and I stood alone in the street. Lightning Dust turned and saw me standing there.

"You again. If you were any other Assassin, I would kill you right now. I'm not like Lady Shimmer. I know not to take risks. So let me guess, you were eavesdroppin' on us. Well, it wasn't much for an Assassin's ear."

"Don't worry Lightning, I am no longer an Assassin. You don't have to worry 'bout me."

She blinked in confusion. "You can do that? Huh, I wouldn't let someone just leave."

"I can't. I'm a deserter."

"And you're tellin' me this why?"

"No one else to tell."

Lightning Dust rubbed her chin. She did not rub it like the Den Master did. Her movements were quick and lively, not like the Den Master's slow and methodical ones. I fell under her scrutiny. Her eyes looked up and down, inspecting for some unknown purpose. I felt like walking away, but she finally addressed me again.

"Lady Shimmer says she's fond of ya. Calls you the "Curious Assassin." I can't believe I'm doing this....I could escort you to her. Try anything, and I'll gut ya."

"Heh, we ended our last conversation poorly. I doubt she will see me again."

Lightning cocked her head. "Really? Well that made my life easier. I guess I can't really kill ya since you're neutral now. Well then....Uhh....Bye?"

The Templar quickly turned and walked away. Her awkwardness and constant speed change in her last sentence made it hard for me to understand her. Don't let her go, a part of me started, she'll take you to Lady Shimmer, she would pity your plight. What? No, she's a Templar and a manipulator, I argued, she'll probably kill me too. And then what? The Assassins will kill you, why not make sure that the Templar don't? It is simple, Spits, you need to make allies and the Brotherhood is no longer an option.

A sudden impulse made me call out to the Templar captain. "Hey! Uhh...I accept your offer, I'll meet Lady Shimmer."

Lightning Dust gave me a confused look and then shrugged. She then beckoned me to follow. I jogged over to her side. She had an expression of disdain on her face, but she led me on. She then waved a finger at me before speaking.

"Anything, anything at all, and I'll gut ya."

"Oh what am I doing?" I asked myself.

"Heh, I am wondering that too." Lightning chuckled.

We walked through the Palace halls. For being a place of royalty, it was rather empty. I did not know if this was because of Hearth's Warming being over or some other reason. There were a few Royal Guards, but they didn't question us. This surprised me as I was still wearing my filthy robes. I clearly did not belong in such a place. We went up a flight of stairs. Lightning spoke up after being silent most of the trip.

"We're almost there. Now you be on your best behavior, otherwise..."

I interrupted her. "You're gut me, I get it."

At the top of the stairs was a long hallway. The floor had a red carpet the climbed up on the walls. Every five meters or so was a golden lamp. This illuminated the hall since there were no windows to let the sun in.  Lightning led me down the hallway until we arrived at a large brown door. She knocked on the door viciously. It seemed she was banging on a gate to be let in instead of signalling that she was present at the doorway. There was no response from the inside. Lightning grumbled and banged again, this time with even more force than before. Incoherent mumbling arose from the other side. The door then swung open to reveal Sunset Shimmer's glaring eyes.

"What is it? I am very busy...What is she doing here?"

Lightning stammered. "Uh...Lad-Lady Shimmer, this Assas-I-mean-not-an-Assassin is here to see you, by request."

Sunset blinked. "Repeat that."

"She is here to see you."

"Oh, well then, come in. I will not reject a guest of any kind."

She slid out of the way and beckoned us inside. The room was the same one I had visited yesterday. Everything was in the same spot as before, as if nothing had changed at all. Even the fire in the hearth appeared identical. Sunset showed me to my seat. She also offered her captain a seat, but she preferred to stand. The Templar woman then took a seat with her tea in hand. She did not appear as confident as usual.

"I must admit, this is a surprise, I never thought I would see you again, Spitfire, well, not in a peaceful state that is."

"My state is anything but peaceful." I said and gestured to my robes.

"By the Sun!" Sunset shrieked. "Your robes are awful. My men would never wear something in such a state. Shouldn't you clean them?"

"Well, that is because I have no place to clean them. All the water here is frozen."

"Why not at your home, do you Assassins not have warm water?"

"Well, I'm not exactly welcomed there."

Her mood instantly changed. Her eyes widened and brows lifted. She was clearly excited about what I had just said. She seemed to have realized how obvious she had showed her interest and quickly returned her mood to its previous state. I believed she thought she had sneaked it by me when she spoke again.

"Oh, why is that?" She said in a monotone.

"Well, I'm a deserter."

This time she could not control her reaction. The tea she was sipping spewed out of her mouth in shock. She then tried to recover with a light chuckle and placed a delicate napkin on her lips. Sunset regained her dignity by sitting upright in her chair.

"Am I really hearing this?" She asked, more to the air than to me.

"Yes. I saw a Brother do a terrible thing and I didn't want to be a part of the Brotherhood anymore. Now I'm a deserter. I'm on nobody's side."

"You just can't..." She began. "I mean, you said you would make Cloudsdale the capital again. That was your reason to join the Brotherhood. Have you given up on that? Is the city lost to you?"

"No, it's not. I will still help this city, I don't know how though."

"Someone of your skill should not be a simple citizen. That would be a waste."

I leaned back in my chair. "Yeah, I could be Royal Guard, maybe rise through the ranks. Be the first woman to do so."

Lady Shimmer shook her head. "No, that wouldn't fit you. I was thinking of something more special."

"The Shadowbolts? The Night Watch?" I suggested.

She placed a hand on her chest. "No, I was thinking that you should be my agent."

I laughed. "Really? Just because I quit the Assassins does not mean I would become a Templar."

"Then why are you here? It is clear that that is what you wish. If you really wanted to remain neutral, you wouldn't be here."

My whole body froze, leaving only my mind functioning. Was that true? Half of me said yes, the other said no. I came here to make allies right? My eyes gazed at Lady Shimmer. She had been nice and generous to me the entire time. Why should I refuse her? No, I am no Templar, I thought. I cannot fight against my Brothers. Oh, but you already have, Spits, you know the taste of Assassin blood. No, I do not! That Brother was wrong, not all of them are like that. Yes, they are, I remembered, I remembered the Arabian. Oh, that bloody Arabian. The Den Master told me to kill him, the Den Master and the Bearer of Kindness. The leaders of the Assassins, no, they were all like that, they were the bane of my city. Stop thinking that Spits! The Templar will bring nothing but ruin upon you and the city! Then why was I here?

"No, I cannot accept that offer. I just can't. It's one thing to abandon, it's another to betray."

"I will keep my offer on the table, Spitfire. I have the feeling you will come back for it. But first, you should really clean that blood out."

"It won't come out, it's stained."

"Then I will get you new ones, but you will only get them if you accept my offer."

"Then keep them, I won't pick them up."

I stood up and walked towards the door. The Templar women made no attempt to stop me from leaving. Lady Shimmer remained in her chair and Lightning Dust stood upright next to her. I glanced over my shoulder at them. Lightning had a smug look on her face while Shimmer gave me a confident smile. She still expected me to return, I thought. She had been right about several things already, but I was sure this was where that streak ended. I needed to find a new life for myself. A life that will benefit my home and me. A life I will be Honored to own. I walked out the door and closed it behind me. This was the beginning of my new life.

~