Retribution (Garrett / Reader)

Fingers

We'll let the plague deal with them, no need to get our hands dirty...

Dear, you know he was meaningless, a damn blackhand. We're doing the right thing, why would you try to save him? What has he ever done for you? You didn't even know him...

Their words rang through your mind as your boots hit the wet cobblestone. You had to get out, you couldn't stay any longer, even if it was only with the clothes on your back. You left late at night, not telling a soul of your intentions, for both your and their safety. Once you were off the grounds you felt your speedy heart rate slow only a little before you saw the glow of the Watchman's lantern. Ducking behind a stone wall, you held your breath as the man passed without as much as a glance. This routine continued for for the next couple of hours of nightfall, hiding from guards and trying not to step on any rats.

It was almost dawn and you started to tire. You had been up all night, hiding from guardsmen and any other shadows that you saw, barely paying attention to your own natural needs. Now that you had left that horrid place, you would have to fend for yourself, learn to get what you need and get out. You walked through the streets breathing in the moist air as light crept in between the clouds, and people began to open their doors. This was not good, not good at all. You haven't traveled nearly far enough, you had to hide before you could be seen. Quickly as you saw the first face pop out from their doorframe you backed into an ally, that housed no soul.

As you walked through the barren space, you felt your stomach begin to growl, to which you chose to ignore. The alley opened to the street filled with fresh faces and civil clothes bathed in sunlight. You couldn't get through, you had to find another way to get around. As you stood, arms crossed in the middle of the alleyway something caught your attention. Above you a few small magpies flew into the air, crossing the thin skyview above your head. The only way was up. Gripping a thick pipe tightly, you hoisted your body up to the roof of a small pub. The view was incredible, sunlight reflected off of the damp rooftops, the sky was spotted with white clouds and forms of small birds. You took a deep breath soaking up the beautiful scenery. You closed your eyes for a moment, quickly snapping them open when you heard your stomach once more. If you were going to get any further, you needed to find something to eat.

"Excuse me sir, an apple please." you asked the man, keeping your head ducked under your velvet hood.

"One pence." he said, judgement lacing his voice.

You reached into your pocket and pulled out a single gold coin, placing it in the sweaty palm of the man. He said nothing as he inspected the coin closely, before looking down at you. You barely had a moment to flinch as he grabbed your small wrist and placed it on a chopping block, holding a large cleaver above your fingers.

"Thief! Where did you get this!?" He said in a loud, threatening tone.

"I-I found it! I swear, it was on the street of the golden district!" You yelled in a panic.

He wasn't buying it, and you refused to lift your head and reveal yourself, giving him even more suspicion. He lifted the blade higher, preparing to throw it down onto your tender flesh before a voice cut through the silence.

"Now now, Enderson...No need to bloody up your workstation is there?" you heard a familiar...unpleasant voice say.

You looked up and held back a gasp. It was that wretched man, that filthy guard, the Thief-Taker General as people have begun to call him. He walked towards you with the assistance with his cane, it tapping on the cobblestone street.

"I'll take this from here. And next time, go for the wrist..." He said before wrapping his arms around your shoulders, walking you away.

You kept your hood low, barely breathing as your heartbeat occupied your eardrums. He walked at an even pace, the click of his cane overruling the chatty air. You felt his fingers tighten around your opposite shoulder as he leaned in closer to your ear.

"I know who you are. And you're in a lot of trouble for thinking you could just leave. Now, I'll take you back and collect my reward...or I'll find your body in a gutter and still get some coin." He said as his hot breath sprayed your ear.

You began to shake, before you reached for something at your side attached to your belt. He smirked as he glanced at your hand reach for your side.

"I'll get a lot more coin than you can give me, girly." He said, looking forward once more.

With a swift gesture you pulled your blade out from your sheath, his grip loosened as you swept out from him, holding the metal horizontal to his throat. It was a shorter sword, but it was still just as effective as any other.

"Now, you're going to let me go. And tell no one that I was here. Or you'll lose a lot more that a few coins." You said, keeping your voice controlled and steady.

"I'm afraid I can't let that happen..." He said, looking to his left and right.

You backed up as two large men in armor crept out of the shadows to your peripheral vision. You lowered your shortblade before quickly turning around, sprinting in the opposite direction.

"I need her back alive!" the General yelled from behind, dissolving as you ran further.