Greed

Breathe. A moment of silence to the man I seek for; a moment of silence to his auguring death surely ahead. How I plea this stand-off to finalize differently but fate would no longer be in my favor. It hasn't for a while.

In the distance my ears pick up the sound of creaky rolling wheels onto dirt gravel- crunching against the wooden spheres. Three hours I have been waiting for him; patiently my glove covered hands tighten on the string and grip of the bow.

Flexing my toned exhausted arms, slowly I begin the process of arming the arrow to bow. My short quick breaths decelerate to long drawn out exhales. I can do this. The constant pounding of my heart quickens; a million of undocumented thoughts running through my head.

The carriage nears. My dark roughly worn boots stick against the branch of the Oally tree, my stance ready for anything. In eye distance I see the carriage, two horses held captive by an officer.

A short disbelief gasp escapes from the heart shape form of my lips. My heart spoke in hush, insisting I turn away-forget a prize like this to even exist. My brain on the other hand, screamed that I take the shot, the plan to continue on without a hitch.

This man I have seen before. He holds a secret of mine I have not seen or spoken of for years. He knew my weakness. I should turn and run far away, but there had to be a reason why he chose this road, my road.

Without thinking twice I release the string that now imprinted into my gloves. I watch closely as the arrow glides smoothly across the thoroughfare and sinking itself into a tree. The rope attached lingered on my bow, the hook shaking against the hole in the riser.

Quickly I detach the hook and clip it onto the rope I tied around the tree. The carriage now lined in the position I calculated it to be in; I made my move. Taking a handle and clip from my satchel I connect it to the hook. I inhale a deep breath before grasping tight and push off the branch.

I sore across the dirt path, releasing my grip as I drifted above the roof of the carriage. My stomach chokes up to my throat as I free fall and drop to a crouch onto the roof in a 'thump'.

The carriage immediately halts, a silent confusion coming from the man. In quick reaction I roll off the roof and drop to the dirt road. From the holder of my arrows, I slide out a single arrow that earlier I dipped in the most deadly weapon to ever be used, El Doniyae poison.

I stick my weapon of choice on the arrow rest, my fingers forcing the string back. I step hesitantly and quietly. Before turning the corner to the driver's seat, I pause. Have I really come to this point? I could retrieve money anywhere, yet here I am attempting to steal tax money to survive.

Is it really worth it?

Yes.

I shake from self-doubt and leap to the side of the driver's seat. I trip a step back as the man stands across from me, the only space being the seat between us.

In his hand he holds a rare object, a pistol gun. My throat tightens as he cocks the gun, it pointing to my temple. My teal eyes stare into his frightened brown. Realization hits him as he finds to see that it happened to be me stealing from the kingdom once again.

His once terrified pale face alternated to disappointment and relief. He heaves a heavy sigh, shaking his head in distress.

"Estellia again, really?" He asks, his voice croaky and low.

I stand tall, my hand tightening on the string. I manage myself to not respond to the man. Noticing that I will not speak willingly, the man who better known as Johnston, continued to speak,