The trade Guild member set the meeting on one of Fair-feather’s many dark alleys. The alley usually lead into a much larger complex of tunnels which eventually took you to the main Guild building. Nopony actually knew where in Fair-feather this main centre was, nor did they want to find out. Out of every organization in the city, the Guild knew best how to protect its secrets it didn’t sell.
Scarlet was early at the meeting point, and the first one to arrive. Her black cloak resembled one of the Creed’s assassins black robes, a brand of the Hooftail elite. She could’ve passed by easily as a Creed member, until further stopping for interrogation. She still had to work on the posture before she could match Faith’s, perhaps years. But somehow she felt ready to make the sacrifice.
Guild members usually had the reputation of being late. They also had quite a bad record on letting debtors escape. Nothing was reliable with the Traders without a good contact, and Scarlet had just that. Her contact never disappointed her, in all the missions she had ever ran. The request this time was greater, and he was sure to take more caution while approaching her. At the corner of the street, she would see the colt approaching from more than thirty meters. What she wouldn’t see, however, was the assassin diving towards her. She was too slow to dodge, as the all too familiar blade slid to her neck.
The embrace was very familiar. Even though it was tighter and more brutal, it still maintained her grace. “Where are your reinforcements?” The voice was undoubtfully hers. What the… What is Faith doing? Suddenly she remembered, making her want to facehoof. The cloak… This even tricks the best of the best…
“Right behind me.” Scarlet waited for a reaction on the other mare’s side.
“Scarlet?” There was a first for everything. Surprising Faith, however, was not on Scarlet’s to-do list. The surprise in her voice was quickly replaced by a shadow of shame as Faith retracted her bracer blade as quickly as it came into contact with her skin. “How? Why? I mean. Sorry, for attacking you.” The stuttering went on quite funny and if it weren’t for the situation at hand.
“Yeah… I never thought I’d get to be attacked by you. The cloak may have been a bad idea, but it was too good an irony to let it slide. If we’re to do this, I want them to know it was you who paid them back for… your family.” She fixed Faith in the eyes, with a timid smile. “It’s Lore’s hour of retribution. I can take my credit later.”
“Thank you,” Faith was grateful for her attempt at a cheer-up. She remained silent for quite a while, not knowing what to do again. “You really didn’t need to do something like that.” That hurt… Now I understand what all you guys felt… She doesn’t know, or she doesn’t want to. “You really didn’t need to do something like that.”
The cloak… Scarlet looked away, her smile perishing from her face. “Yeah, it’s really nothing special. I didn’t get the time, nor the skill to do anything with it…special. You know, like yours is. You seem a bit better fitted for this kind of outfit.
“I really don’t think I could have talked my, err, supplier out of doing something like this. She never gives me a choice,” Scarlet couldn’t imagine how some Creed members had such aesthetic values as to make a beautiful battle cloak. She did admire every bit of it, though, from the white cape to the emblem she now represented. “When this whole thing is over we have something to talk about, don’t we?”
“I suppose.” The unrest between the two intensified. Oh great, what do I do now. “One of my acquaintances from Ogon 8 kissed me two nights ago.” Why the hell did I just say that? As the words escaped her mouth, she felt both relieved and guilty. Scarlet felt like she had just dropped the anvil on her back onto Faith’s head… “Sorry.” And then she apologized for it. It had to come out sooner or later. She needs to know… I mean… It’s better sooner than later, right?... Right? Faith’s face somehow respectfully disagreed with her thoughts.
“Don’t worry about it. It’s only natural, right?” The words hurt. Faith didn’t really care, did she? “You didn’t have anything to apologize for.” There it was again. Scarlet couldn’t take it anymore. It was all she could do not to burst out shouting in the dark alley.
“Yes, I do! I never wanted it to happen, especially after I met you. He just kissed me without asking, and I liked it! I just didn’t want to lose you, and eventually you would’ve found out one way or another. I just hoped this would be a better way to say it than for you to find out when we’re in a serious relationship.” Definetely not the way to react to that. “…Too much?”
That has got to be the most idiotic way to tell somepony you like them… Faith’s mouth opened, then closed, then opened again. Faith was technically wordless. The torrent of words Scarlet had just subjected Faith to was apparently you much for her to understand. “Serious relationship?” Okay, at least she got the main idea. “Wait, serious relationship?” …That’s what I just said. Please don’t be mad at me. “But, does that mean...With who?” Aaaand she totally missed it.
“Just what am I to you?!” The question hung heavily in the air. There was no answer at hand. You’re my friend. Yes, that was true, but “friend” wasn’t something Scarlet wanted to say in such a posture. You’re my only friend. Also true. You’re the one I love. This is exactly what she wanted to say, but the words never came out. Instead, she moved in towards Faith and kissed her deeply. It only lasted for a few seconds, but as she broke the embrace, the blush flushing her cheeks fully.
“Ladies. Crimson is waiting for you.” Worst timing of all. Ever. Of all the moments in the world this could happen, it had to be then. Scarlet looked back at Faith, who looked at the trader, who was in turn eyeing Scarlet. I guess there’s not much of a choice. Scarlet distanced herself a bit from Faith, as she glared angrily at the intruder.
“I suppose it would be rude to keep him waiting?” The unknown trader nodded and started leading the two through the complex network of alleys and slums scattered across Fair-feather. While the three of them navigated, it dawned upon the orange mare that for once she could make Faith happy.
Revealing the reconditioned bracer blade, she sprung the blade out of its locket, showing it to her. “I know it may not be exactly the same, but I decided to keep it intact. A gift from you should be made to be kept, not ruined.”
The hug she received was probably the least she expected from the pony beside her. Scarlet almost tripped into her own hooves as she was embraced with warmth by her companion. “You did something like that?” She radiated joy, from every part of her body. The kiss was the same: gleeful, quick and sweet. “I, I don’t know what to say.”
“I thought I’d learn to use it one day… From you. You’re the best I’ve seen with this thing on. And I’ve seen quite a few. I figured I can never thank you enough for accepting me the way I am. Hell, you’re the only person I loved since I lost my mates.”
“Love?” A smile took shape onto Faith’s face, something Scarlet had never seen before on her. She had that dumb, smile anyone gets when receiving a long awaited news or accomplishing something. As much effort as she tried to remove it, the smug grin was still there. “I...I’d be more than happy to help you with anything, anytime. After all, I’m the one who doesn’t deserve it. I’ll always be lucky enough that you didn’t just want me dead. To think you could...”
“Shh.” It just… feels right. She’s here, and that’s all I need. “You deserve someone to love you, just like everybody else. It doesn’t matter who he or she is. It might not be me in a couple of years, but remember that f we part ways, I… I love you, Faith.”
It was everything she could say. Not that she wanted to add anything else. Scarlet knew Faith’s presence was everything she wanted. She was never, ever going to let go of that mare. She was… She was crying? Their lips touched again in their sweet, passionate, embrace. “I love you too. Which is why, no matter what happens, I’m going to be the one to protect you always. Because, we are always getting out of this.”
Scarlet wanted to strengthen her own words of love, but they were out of time “Um… Ladies, we’re here. ”The building was imposing, to say the least. Scarlet wouldn’t have known where it was, since the last few minutes the three had been navigating the tunnels of Fair-feather. If she were to guess, she would have located the Guild a bit north of the last incursion. The grim atmosphere was present all around them, and the dimly lit corridor made it clear the Guild did not welcome guests.
The two were lead into a small room, with a single door and no windows. Inside, a red pony was waiting, behind a table and two empty chairs. “Welcome, Just Faith, Scarlet Blast. I’ve been… expecting you.” His voice always had a different accent. This time, Scarlet was not sure if it was plain Canterlot or a Minotaur influence. “Please, have a seat. I’ve been waiting to talk to the two of you for a long time.”
“Just get to the point, Crimson. You know what we’re here for.”
Faith also intervened “I like this chair, think I can get three of them to go?” Wait… What the…? Both ponies looked back at Faith, somewhat confused. Neither broke the silence for a good minute. Crimson did not seem amused, nor intimidated by Faith’s display.
“As a matter of fact, I know what you’re here for. And I’m willing to give it to you… for a price. When the two of you are ready to pay up, I will give you the goods. Trade rules, if you know what I mean.”
“Trade rules. The same ones where you go and sell information about us as soon as we leave?” The red maned stallion looked at Faith, displeased. She’s missing the point… This is where we want them. But Faith was already ahead of her “Fine, no more snide remarks from me.” Damn it, where did she learn to read minds?
“That’s better,” Crimson smiled smugly. His temporary upper hand over Faith gave him a smidgen of confidence to continue his bravado. “Besides, fifteen hundred bits is a bargain for this kind of information. You might be able to take out Hooftail easily with it.”
Scarlet looked at Faith: She’s going to kill him one day. Best if they never meet again in the nearby future… Or ever again. Meanwhile, soldering through her saddlebags, she put the bag of remaining coins on the table. “I only have one thousand. I consider this is enough for you to give us what you know. I don’t believe anything you’re going to give me is worth more than that.”
“I’m sorry, Scarlet, but do I look like a bazaar pony to you? My prices are fixed, and nothing is going to change with that. Fifteen. Hundred. Otherwise, you get nothing.” Scarlet knew he was serious, but there was nothing she could do. These were literally her last money. Starting tomorrow, she would have to live off bread and liqueur until the next pay-day. Giving Faith a desperate look, her eyes pleaded for another solution.
Faith in turn took out a bag herself and tossed it on the table near Scarlet’s. “There.” She made sure that whilst raising her hoof she showed off her own bracer blade. It seemed a bit larger than Scarlet’s, and much more ornate. The runes seemed to be glimmering with energy, unlike the faint glow the pony that activated hers left with. I just hope it can get its job done properly. “That should be good enough. But, if I’m not satisfied, I will take whatever I figure you owe us out of your flank.”
“My, such a violent temper. You might want to control her, Scarlet.” This phrase was enough to spark a wildfire inside Scarlet. She could take anything Crimson was going to throw at her, but under no circumstances was she going to let him pick on Faith. The pony opened the bag and proceeded to briefly counting the bits. First time he traded with somepony unknown he always did that. Leaving a small bonus also got him to be trustier of her. “At least it does seem to be all there.”
“Well then, on to your information,” Crimson drew a map out of nowhere and spread it on the table in front of them. Scarlet tried to visualize the city, and all the circled zone on Crimson’s map. “That is the current base of operations. Of course, they have others, but that is where the master is running things out of right now.” Scarlet pictured the site. She calculated the defense perimeter possibilities, how many guards it would take and weak vantage points that were hardly defendable. In the meantime, Crimson continues explaining. “As you can imagine, security is quite tight,” Obviously… This is not a candy shop we want to break in. “And, if the alarm gets raised, there are at least a dozen escape tunnels for the master. But, you are quite in luck that you chose me.” He was right. There were no weak spots in the perimeter. Anything could be ruled out by adding a couple more guards to the extra norm.
“Three to three-thirty in the morning. The guard shifts are set up that you would only have to take out three in the back entrance.” It can’t be that easy as to just backdoor them. Yet, this was a possibility. The back door was secluded and if the shifts were changing it meant the night shift was probably mostly asleep or preparing to go to bed while the day shift would just be drinking their coffee. “If you can get them down without raising the alarm, well, I don’t think I have to tell you what happens next.”
“Security on the inside doesn’t exist. It’s assumed that if you get inside, you are one of them,” answered Faith, looking emptily at the map. Three guards, back door, and then we’re walking on Faith’s memories inside the lion’s den. There’s little I can do to help with that… Except probably for those booby traps. They always come in handy.
“Exactly, my dear. And, as an added bonus, the master likes to sleep until at least six in the morning. Every morning.” Two and a half hours were more than enough to get the job done. Even though she knew they wouldn’t get that much, Scarlet was satisfied with the information. Getting in was going to be easy. Getting out, however, required a bit of her planning ahead. The three corpses will most likely be found by the time we finish our incursion, so the back door will be swamped with reinforcements. We can always take the window.
“So, I guess this is all. We don’t have much to wait for now, do we Faith. In two days time, the Hooftail master will be dead and we’ll only have the Shadowbrands to deal with. What’s your take on it?”
“It probably won’t be easy, but everything that comes after will be tougher. If it’s together, no problem.” This was it. The moment both of them had been waiting for. Even if the next couple of weeks would be hell for them, Creed dominance over Fair-feather was going to come to an end.