#timwei

The sun had just begun to break through the top of the trees, indicating that the morning was soon coming to a start, and already it was turning out to be quite eventful as it were. A man could be seen running along the path through Elwynn Forest, just outside of the fences that lined the dirt path heading toward Goldshire. He could be seen looking back as he ran for dear life, the sound of a motorcycle revving as it went gunning after him. A sudden shot rang out in the morning air as a bullet made contact with the man that had been running, sending him toppling to the ground and grabbing his leg with a cry of pain. The motorcycle soon stopped and quick movements of feet could be heard as Mace was standing over him in but a moment.

A heavy boot nearly slammed down on top of the man that had been sent to the ground, bloody and almost broken apart, trying to squirm free of the weight that kept him down. In that moment, his nearly broken arm reached for the pistol beneath his shirt and tried to whip it around and aim it at the one who was trying to restrain him. With a quick kick from his other boot, Mace sent the gun flying across the dirt ground before his own revolver’s aim was set on him. “You fuckin’ prick-“ The man didn’t even manage to get a word out before Mace pressed his foot right into the side of his face to keep it in the dirt. “Oh, shut th’ fock up, you arsehole. You already knew this was comin’ when you decided to gut tha’ woman and burn her house down. Ya seem to remember ‘er kids were in it too, hmn?” He stowed his pistol away into the holster at his hip and pulled his foot away to reach down and grab the man’s arms. “Cole Turnbough, yer arse is goin’ away for a long time, if no’ executed with th’ shite you’ve done.”

He then pulled the pair of metal cuffs he had been given for the job and restrained the man’s wrists and arms behind his back. With ease, he grabbed hold and pulled the criminal to his feet, dragging him as the criminal struggled to walk. Mace leaned him over the back of his motorcycle to tie him down, acting as if it were the back of a horse. “You’re that Longclaw bastard, ain’t you? Heard ya got a real pretty wife, wouldn’t mind tryin’ to get a piece of her-“ A quick crack was heard as Mace’s fist made contact with his jaw, nearly breaking it before he finished tying him up. “Shut yer fockin’ arse up. She’d gut you an’ I wouldn’t have t’ do shite.” The man just groaned out with the pain, his neck nearly going limp as he hung off the back of the bike. Mace simply revved the engine again and took off back in the direction of Stormwind.

He pulled in front of the Stockades where some guards had been waiting, always eager to take in any criminals that were brought there. This day was no different as Mace got off his bike and pulled the asshole off it to drag him over to the pair. He held up the poster and handed him over with a nod from the older fellow. “Nice job, Longclaw. A bit brutal, but, it worked. Your pay should be sent in by the end of the day.” The guard said with a curt nod of his head. Mace just gave a simple nod, feeling the exhaustion settle in his bones now. He had been up nearly all night hunting down the man he just turned in, and some sleep was earned at this point. He waved them off as he watched the guards bring the man down into the stocks and he made his turn off to his bike to ride through the city and toward the Dwarven District; his home.

He made sure to drive slowly as it was still early in the morning, and he wasn’t sure if his wife and child were awake. Otherwise, he didn’t really care for the other people that lived in the district. He pulled the bike up to the side of the house and turned it off, pulling the keys from the ignition and locking it up with a chain to a bar against the house. As he stood up, his hand pressed to the side of his head feeling a sudden pain shoot through his temple. It even caused him to lean up against the wall to find support, teeth gritting at the harsh pain that he felt. As he opened his eyes, he swore he even saw someone standing in front of him with a blade that was nearly pushed right into his face. It caused him to tumble to the ground, fingers rubbing his eyes before he opened them again and whatever figure had been there was gone. He had had some crazy dreams in the past of people trying to attack him. But, to see such a thing while awake shook him right to his core. He had never had it this bad, thinking it was only because of his exhaustion. He hadn’t slept much in the past week or so because of either his bad dreams or getting up to help his wife with their newborn son. He just huffed out his breath, coming to stand as he heard a voice speak in the communicator in his ear. “Mace? Mace, brother, can you hear me?” It was Timwei. Quite the surprise it was to hear from him.

He adjusted the ear piece to be able to hear the other man more clearly, speaking out as he leaned up against the side of his bike to speak, “Yeah, Tim, I can hear ya. Th’ right hell ya callin’ me this early? Sun’s jus’ comin’ up.” His arms crossed over his chest as he listened to silence for a moment, then hearing Tim’s voice speak once more. “I thought it best to speak to you when you may have been alone. It’s about your wife.” Those words caused Mace’s heavy brows to furrow and he sighed out softly, rubbing his hand along the side of his temple. His eyes peered up to the high window where their bedroom was and where she was either tending to their son or sleeping. His voice hushed a bit as he responded. “What do you mean? Did somethin’ happen?”

Timwei’s voice was calm and collected as if there was nothing to worry about. He assured Mace in those next words, “I had tried to contact you a few days ago. But, no, no. Nothing happened. I had spoken with her a couple of days ago and she seemed quite out of it. I only ask that you keep an eye on her, yes?” A hand brushed along the front of his face and through his beard at those words, a bit of fear striking him. He simply relented and sighed, “Aye… I’ve been doin’ tha’. But, I’ll talk t’ her. Maybe see what’s goin’ on.” Tim just chuckled softly in response to that, and he could imagine the man just nodding his head in agreement. “Yes, my friend. Bring her and your son by soon, hm? It’s been some time since we all got together. I’m sure it would make my wife happy too. Talk to you again soon, yes?” Mace stood up and retrieved his keys from his pocket, moving toward the door of their house and unlocked it as he spoke. “Aye. Talk t’ ya soon, Tim.” He moved inside and clicked off the earpiece, showing signs of obvious worry as he leaned against the door after closing it.

He made slow and quiet steps toward the stairs, climbing them and entering his room once at the top. He saw Sable laying in bed, fast asleep, as was Timothy in his crib. He removed his armor and set it against the closet. Thankfully he was not all that dirty as he climbed into bed with her, eyes looking over her sleeping form with great fear in them. Just what was it that Timwei had called for? He knew it was -something-, but, he was just not telling him. He pushed away his own problems, worrying over his wife instead, wanting to talk to her when he got the chance. Right now, he needed some sleep, at least a few hours in the morning as he leaned in against her back. He fell into his rest rather quickly, a slumber filled with not so pleasant dreams.

To be continued…

I was born in blood, bathed in the life of crimson and washed in sanguine before I could even take my first breath. That was what I was promised, and I spent my life spilling it upon cold steel and stone floors, purging the world of those more wicked than I. After all.. it takes a monster to kill another one. One way or the other, I always figured it was the way that I would also die. No stone did I leave unturned in my work, not a trace left behind. I excelled in the art of death and wore its burdens like a badge of honor, and donned the mask of a killer proudly as one would wear the crest of their house. Such was my doctrine and what I followed. I never had faith in the Light, or any Gods that rest above me in a world I can't see. My faith rested within myself, to always pull through the worst of situations and keep myself level when others would falter and crumble. I took whole and unabashed pride in the way I made each cut, surgical and precise. They were many, but they never suffered and I always took down their names, so that their lives, no matter how badly lived, would not be taken without some sort of remembrance. I think that is the only humanity I had left in me, to make sure those candles weren't snuffed out and left to collect dust on a forgotten shelf in a broken down vestige.

In this small life I have learned that I am not a monster, not entirely. I have learned love and I have felt the wrenching cuts that made whole valleys in my heart and left a wasteland of broken dreams and promises in their wake. The dead trees and dried up rivers that rest there make up the memories and tears I have lost to never gain again. But most of all it has left me warm like the sun upon the face of a child in a field of flowers. It left me being something better than I was the day before, shaping me and molding me into this unrecognizable face that held true life within the golden hue of seeing suns. I found family and what it all meant. Loyalty, too. And I found him. Mace. There were not parts of me that he didn't touch, even the ones I kept locked away and promised never to let out of their cages made from years of abuse, neglect, their locks wrought from self hatred. I have betrayed those I swore I never would, my fealty shaken at the hands of greed and misplaced fatherly duty. In his grave he lay now, he who sired this golden eyed girl he lay in shreds upon fields of endless grain. He lay in his grave at my hands, soaked in the blood of his words and mind never to break his baby girl he left behind to cheat, lie, and steal.

To those I have wronged, I can never wash my  hands enough of the blood I pulled from your bones and the life of you that I destroyed. To your families, there will never be enough shame in this world to show my regret for what I have taken from you. But know this. I had to. My life was always more important than yours and did I not, know that silently it was you that threatened me in the shadows though not by your own mouth. And know that I am saved because of you and through you I found what this life meant. Without your blood on my hands and the battles I held in my head as I held you down, I would have never wanted something more. For that I am forever in debted to you.

No longer am I bound by honor and duty to serve the shadows that enveloped me and held me tightly like a sinful lover. No longer am I bound to a life of lies and deciet ten miles wider than the sun. But most importantly I am no longer bound to myself. I no longer have to suffer to the blade I held at my own throat and the knives I jabbed in my own back with every single one I jabbed into yours. Into all of you. Mace and the rest of the Ludlow crew. No longer am I bound to hide from you for now you will know who I am, and what I stood for. But know that after I met you, all I did was for you. Lady Ludlow I lived to serve you and every breath I took and action I made was done in effort to keep right by you and loyal to your kind heart, kindness that was so ill deserved by me. Know now that as I stare at this light at the end of my tunnel that I am free and these chains hold me no longer. I only hope you find it in your hearts to forgive how I have so wholly wronged you all. Know that my freedom came at the price of your grief. Mace, I have loved you for what has felt like ages, and now that what I was is at its end... please forgive me and please love me still. And when you sing the epitaph of that woman who died that loved you so much, do not sing in misery and wet not your face with the tears, for you have not lost me, only she who could no longer live as she did.

I thought all this time I would die bloody and reckless, but instead the death was a sweet release, peace found within its merciful grip.

Two Weeks after Argus

A whole ocean roared before her, bare feet resting upon the docks of Booty Bay allowing the gentle salt spray breeze to brush and caress against her darkened skin. Sable just smiled, the most genuine smile she could ever smile, completely alone for the moment. Still, a part of her mourned for what she left behind on Argus. Who she was, and what made her up died that day. She mourned because at the moment Mace was left to believe she was dead and buried six feet under within the Stormwind Cemetary. She was still recovering from her wounds, but she was strong, and had made sure she’d be well enough for travel in a day or two’s time.

"Soon, baby...." was all she whispered before turning and heading to the room rented under the name of the man she had come to know as Timwei Alecksyn... Agent Seven. A hand to her arm stopped her though, causing her to turn to face the man she now called brother and probably her best friend at the moment. His dark brown eyes met her own, and he simply nodded his head, his expression grim but solid. 

"It is done, little shadow. They mourn your death fully, and -the others- believe you dead. Though I have left special instructions with your employer in a letta. She is the only one who know you live. I believe you when you say she knows how to keep her mouth shut." he chuckled out softly, patting her arm before looking over his shoulder at the setting sun. "Soon, when it all blows ova, you can go home. The Uncrowned will have forgotten you and your debt to them is paid in their minds in your blood. Your freedom is just upon the horizon, Sable. And if they do catch wind that you live, they will not make a mess of your blood. It will not be worth it to them after some time has passed. They do not work as you were lead to believe under your fatha." He turned back to her then and offered her a warm smile. "I must leave you now, for a time. I fear my wife is threatenin' to have my head if I do not come home and mind the children for a bit. My absence was not welcome in the home, though, like your Mace.. she knew it must be done. Until I see you next, little one." 

She couldn't help but smile at him and nod her head. "Thank you, Timwei.. I owe you for this. Any fuckin' time you need me for -whatever-, you let me know. Ain't never had a fuckin' friend like you, don't know if I ever wil l have another one. And don't fuckin' worry.. I'm good at layin' low. The beaches will do me good to get my head cleared. I'm not sure if I'm ready to face him yet anyhow.. He's going to fuckin' hate me.. but what else is new." She laughed softly after her words were done, shaking her head. "Was a bad thing we had to do... but.. for the right reasons." she huffed out, looking back up at Timwei, keeping her smile on her lips.

She had no idea that Tim was going to see her husband, and no idea what was coming the following day.