A Deal With The Devil

That smug grin, his glistening studs piercing his features and his tattoo covered hand held still as it reached out waiting for acceptance. You looked over his body still unsure what you really wanted to do. "Shade, listen, it's all great but I still don't know if I can tru-"

"Darien, I'm trying to win your favor because I want to have you on my side." his extended hand falls back as he talks over you "To be honest, I've heard of you before but didn't really pay much attention at all until a bounty that large got placed on your head." his right hand goes up by his head as he holds that tiny dagger between his index and middle finger, his left hand down by his waist now "After that, I started digging into your life by using all my sources and the deeper I dug, the more impressed I became." he lets out an delightful smile "Fighter in the Rathkin slums into a so-called Knight for Lady Karisi which placed second at Nillix." Shade gives a few quick laughs "Then somehow you become the leader of the Sunriders, all in such a short period of time."

"I've had quite the..." you ponder for a moment "Eventful life..." you gaze back into him.

"Well then, this news will cause you to be surprised from the people that you believe are closest to you." his face turning into a mysterious smirk.

"What are you saying?" your eyebrow raises as your face casts a quizzical look.

"Hawk." the words go slow out of his mouth causing you to continue your stare of confusion.

You blink a few times as the rest of your body stays stunned "W-What did you say?"

"The man who claimed your death," he gives a soft laugh "The same man working so close with your dear Lady...heh, I mean, Queen Karisi." he continues to watch your expressions change as your body processes that information "By the look on your face, I'm guessing you assumed it was him as well?"

"U-Umm..." you stutter in your speech "Even if I want to believe that's the case, how can I even trust you?" you shrug back at the man "You probably knew I didn't like the guy and would just pin it on him and assume I'd just pledge my allegiance to you." you shake your head at Shade "Plus I've been told he's been extremely helpful as of late, so why would he try to kill me, claim the bounty and then not finish me off when I was unconscious and defenseless right here in the Syndicate?"

"It's probably because he couldn't ever get you alone. He didn't expect a certain fiance..." he stalls that word out "to stay by your side day and night the entire time." his eyes telling you how it is "But also without a head, I asked for how it was done, so tell me if this brings back memories..." Shade begins "At the Rathkin castle, your bedroom locked and a balcony door wide open with nobody around. He said you noticed him, but it was too late and then...POP!" he accentuates "The hit is done."

You pivot in your step as a giant wad of saliva gets pushed down your throat. At the same time your eyes dart from his face down to his hand which slowly reached out eagerly waiting for you to accept his word. "Shade, I-I don't know man..."

"A little more..." he grins as his left hand reaches into his pocket and then slowly pulls out. He's revealing an iron coin about two inches in diameter and a mixture of light and dark grey colors. There was a giant letter "R" on one side of the coin which seemed as it was engraved in it. He casually flips it off his fingers towards you which you immediately catch before looking down over the coin with your hand. "This is proof, they'll know what it means..."

Your fingers bring it close to your face as you twirl it around and look at every single nook and cranky of it. "Proof of what?" you ask.

He leans forward and brings his mouth into your ear and then whispers the names of the people who put the bounty on your head. As slowly as he can he inches back away from you and gives quite the menacing grin letting his words slowly sink in. "Show that coin to them." he replies "It'll be at that point they'll realize their time for lies have run out."

Your eyes close tight as your mind explodes with the possibilities. You try to calm your body with a few deep breaths before connecting your vision to Shade again "I'll tell you what..." you start off "If what you're telling me is legit..." you reach your right hand forward and finally grip the ever waiting hand of Shade's "Maybe you're not as terrible as I've been lead to believe." you nod as you squeeze his hand, giving him that sturdy handshake he desired.

"The Sun and the Shade united!" Shade gives a chuckle "Believe me or not, I will clear your bounty making sure you're safe from the Reach." he breaks off the grip of your hand "You and I shall go far together, stay safe... my friend..." he nods his head bidding his farewell "I'll be back in the Reach watching you from the shade..." he turns around and before you know it he disappears into the darkness of the night leaving you stunned in the alleyway, a coin in your hand, a potential alliance with the so-called leader of Loner's Reach and a mind racing with thoughts as you now not only know the person who shot you and claimed the bounty, but also the names of the people who placed that bounty on your head.