Beginnings

I Won

Kertis stared down at Vin with intensity.
"Ok, you remember the plan, right?? The carriage will be passing by any minute now."

Vin stood next to a wide dirt path along with the two siblings.

Vin hopped from one foot to another in impatience.
"You've said that four times.  Ten carriages have meandered right past us."

Kertis sighed at the bored weasel below him.
"This is a dilapidated carriage we are targeting.  It's pulled by a scrawny malnourished horse and a greying man in rags is leading it. There are no guards around this carriage. 
It's all a ruse. A disguise. No one would think it's hauling a vast amount of riches. We've found out through a trustworthy source that it is hauling bountiful coins owned by a wealthy family. Royalty even.
Use your stealth to get inside and fill those two bags to the brim. We will distract the old giezer. Even though he looks harmless, our source says he's packing and is a marksman. Got it?"

Vin rolled his eyes dramatically.
"Yeah yeah, I got it. I'm sick of waiting. Ya keep telling me this carriage is about to come around the corner and it never does."

A second bag had been fastened by rope material around Vin's waist.   Kertis provided him with it to double the haul he can carry off.

Alana has a sack of potatoes shoved underneath her blouse to appear pregnant.

     How will that possibly trick anyone? Vin muses with derision.
It's too misshapen and lumpy. If this old guy is truly skilled with a gun, then his eyesight can't be that bad. That grotesque "pregnant belly" won't fool anyone. This plan is dumb. I could concoct a better one in my sleep.

     A scraggly horse with hip bones protruding and rib bones showing, plodded it's way around the corner.  The animal dragged a wooden carriage that appeared rotting and in shambles.  An elderly man caked in dirt sat at the top, holding the reigns. 

      Vin gasps in horror at the horse.  His expression of boredom is transformed into one of profound sadness.
I wish I could take the poor critter in my bag I'll feed him until he's a majestic stallion and then we will fall in love.  But...the disappearance of an entire horse will be noticed.  Questioned.  It will alert the deadly old man.  Also, my gut is telling me to keep my lovely bag a secret from Kertis and Alana.

     "This is it.  It's time."  Kertis states.  This halts Vin's thoughts as the carriage creeks its way near them. 

      Bending down into a crouching position, Vin readies himself.

      Kertis rushed out into the middle of the path and in front of the horse and carriage.  He waved his arms and shouted at the man.  The man grunted in shock, then drew in the reigns, stopping the horse. 
Kertis hollered louder and with more urgency.
"Help! Help!! Please help!!  My sister is in labor!  The baby is coming!!  I don't know what to do!!!"
He pointed over at his sister on the side of the path.  She clutched at her potato filled belly.  Yowling in pain that sounded more like a braying zebra.

    The grey haired man became panic stricken.
"I'm not a doctor! I don't know anything about delivering no babies!  Tell you what, she can sit by my side here.  I'll take her into town where there will be a doctor to help.  Only her though, no one else."

     "There's no time!"  Kertis yelled.
      "It's crowning!!"   Alana shouts.  Whooping loudly in what was supposed to sound like labor pain.  The sound  more similar to a goose caught up in a tractor.

       While this performance transpired, Vin quickly and silently climbed aboard the rickety carriage.   He scoffed to himself at the siblings atrocious acting skills.