It was late in the afternoon. All personnel were sitting around camp awaiting orders.
The desired objective was to loot a high-class carriage a trusted informant had told your squad about several day's earlier. The job was meant to be clean with no witnesses.
"Okay everyone gather 'round." Amell, the older squad leader ordered. He was a well respected, fit, tan-skinned man with slight scruff on his chin. "When reconnaissance comes back we'll make our move. As long as everyone sticks to the plan we have no reason to doubt we'll be successful."
"Right." Most said in unison.
The thirty of you have been out in the untamed forest for four weeks and it was beginning to tier everyone out. Though the thought of having a raid in the next hours did spark enough motivation around the camp. Everyone seemed to be in a better mood today.
But you? You were just itching to leave this group of jokes. They did not match your experience or professional level, with the generous exception of Amell and Kincaid. Your motivation and effort stemmed on how big the payout would be for you. You were simply a hired thief or mercenary, jumping around from group to group. And a good one at that.
You thought back to when you first met Kincaid, a younger rugged, but handsome redhead.
It was at a bar of course.
He was recruiting for this very op, promising high-pay. With how things turned out it seemed as if Kincaid just wanted to increase the body count. The people he recruited aside from you were only slightly skilled. For everyone to get their desired pay amount some people would have to die.
You were brought back from your thoughts when you heard footsteps headed towards the camp. 'Probably reconnaissance.' You thought as you sat down on a near-by log. 'And If it's not I'll just dip.' When you saw that it was indeed reconnaissance coming through the brush you slightly relaxed. The rest of mercenary stopped their chatter and turned back to overhear what the team of two would say to Amell.
"Sir we have... Maybe, a problem?" A female with dark eyes said hesitantly.
"Why do you say it like that?" Amell's deep voice mixed with slight concern.
"The royal carriage the we are going to assault on their way back from Magnostudt is occupied by a Ren prince."
"... Which one is it?" The squad leader narrowed his eyes.
"Prince Kouha." A wave of murmurs rose when the younger prince's name was mentioned.
"Kouha huh?" The assault leader rubbed his chin for a moment. "We may have to... abort..."
"What?!" Kincaid suddenly protested. "We've come all the out here and camped for four weeks! I don't wanna go back empty handed, mate." His accent riddled with annoyance.
"Do you really want to challenge him Kincaid?" Amell pressed while raising a brow.
The younger male let out a scoff.
"Why not?" The redhead shrugged. "I don't want to have any loose ends here." Kincaid then turned to address the entire squad. "Those who want to go through with the assault can come with me to intercept now." Hesitant whispers then filled the camp atmosphere.
"Now? It's Prince Kouha though..."
"I don't think it matters..?"
"I want money, but not at the cost of my life."
This would change few things for you. You would still sneak off while the fighting is happening to loot earlier before leaving. The only difference now was that there would less distractions to occupy the carriage guards. 'A minor inconvenience.' You thought.
"(Y/N)." You looked up to see Kincaid standing over you. "Will you be going?"
"... Yeah, I will." You replied with small grin.
He nodded in approval. "Good, i'll be looking forward to seeing your skill in action."
"In action?" You cocked a brow. "So you must've heard of me."
"I've heard a couple of things here and there." The male moved his head from side to side slowly.
"Oh really? Don't blink then." You gave him a forced wink and then stood up to move away from him. You didn't feel like talking to him or anyone else for that matter.
But drat. That meant that he was going to watching almost your every move. It would be harder to with your plan. 'Unless... -'
"Well OK, everyone going move out!" Kincaid joined by another seventeen moved to the edge of camp. You walked up to them slowly, staying to the back of the group. "The trek there should be fifth-teen minutes. But do remember, even though i'm sure we will be rolling in riches after this we should still keep in mind that Kouha is a djinn user. He does have skill, do not let your guard down."
"Now let's move out!"
The group pace was medium and it was obvious all were excited in anticipation. Those four weeks had been leading up to this very moment.
"Hold." Kincaid raised a closed fist. "They should be passing through here any moment. We'll wait for the carriage to move forward a bit and then carry out our assault from behind. Now everyone take their spots."
"Yessir." The team said together before breaking.
And about a couple minutes later you could hear hooves trotting on the soft dirt path. 'Here it comes.' You told yourself.
Everyone watched anxiously from cover as the lonely carriage advanced passed them. But when it got closer to you it was obvious something was missing.
'Where are the mercenaries guarding th-'
There was a loud slam as ground beneath you broke.
"What?!-"
You jumped back and heard screams arise from other group members. You whipped your head around and saw him.
'Prince Kouha!' Your eyes widened as you observed his over-sized sword. You hadn't counted on him beginning to immediatly attack first. No one had.
'Not good!' You slid back when you landed and drew your Jian style sword.
"A larger and presumably more skilled group of thieves tried to attack me before... I slaughtered them all." You heard the prince taunt. "What makes you think you have chance against me?"
You gritted your teeth as you watched him slice through a squad member. 'This is not optimal at all for me, I'm leaving!'
But there was a problem. The quickest way back would make you cross into the open road, Kouha would see you- "But I don't have time to think about that!" You told yourself. "I have to move now!"
You darted into the open, your exit route in sight.
"Where do you think you're going?!"
'Shit!'
You skidded to a halt just before his sword came crashing down on you. Only the point was able to reach your skin, leaving a cut across your cheek as it was brought down.
Kouha frowned before raising his djinn above his head. "You're not gonna slip away this time!" He brought his sword down as you swung your blade around for a parry.
Success! There was an echoing sound of clashing metal as sparks flew into the air. Thank god he didn't activate his metal vessel power.
Kouha looked down to you in surprise and interest.
"Hey I know you!" The prince said as he pushed down harder on your blade. "(F/N) (L/N), wanted criminal in all countries. Both the good and bad want."
"What's it to you?" You pushed back, ignoring the intense sound of the metal grinding.
He gave a soft smile.
"There are people who would pay to watch your execution." Kouha slid his greatsword down the edge of your blade, his djinn striking the ground loudly as it dug into the earth.
You took this second to backstep a few paces, making sure to be out of reach of his current sword length.
The prince in front of you narrowed his eyes before giving you a wicked smile. "You look like you're ready to play."
Out of the corner of your eye you could see Kincaid and some others making a retreat towards the bushes. They're weren't going too far, no, the loot would be too valuable to miss out on. They were going stay close to possibly drop in and assist you when they found it right.
'That redhead will be watching.' You thought.
"Right." You put one foot forward and braced yourself in your favorite dueling position.
"Let's put on a show."
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A/N:
What do you guys think?
