The young man stood quietly as he watched the small creature scurry about the forest floor, his brothers and sisters all around. He was always fascinated by the rabbit, such a small creature that could literally scare itself to death. Yet it lived in such a dangerous place, the forests here were teaming with wolves and bear, giant spiders as well. Yet there they sat, playing and wondering around, not straying to far from their den.
One, how ever decided to venture from his siblings, and go on his own adventure. The little black haired creature scurried about, sniffing and nibbling here and there on various leaves and grasses. He did not realize that he was being watched over, protected from the evils of the forest.
The man sat along one of the low hanging branches of the tree, his crossbow in his lap as he studied the creature from a distance. His keen, grayish blue eyes staring at the black rabbit. It was said, that a rabbits foot brought luck, but the black rabbits foot brought luck, and protection. It was often used by men of the watch, given to their shield brother to signify they stood and died together.
Cynraede smiled as he tilted his head, soon disappearing into a scowl as he heard the loud footsteps of the local bandits whom were out for food. He sighed softly, peering among the brush and locating the loud human that blundered into the forest. Not realizing, what he was after. He looked down, realizing his small friend had scurried beyond his sight. The man looked up with eyes brimming with hatred, his hands aching to relieve his seething wrath.
The half clothed man laughed as he raised the lifeless body of the black rabbit, "Ey! We're eatin' rabbit tonight eh!" He shouted aloud to his comrades, whom cheered for their friends fresh catch. "We can't eat jus' one lil rabbit! We need real food, some deer or sommat!" One cried as he started looking for his own meal, not realizing he had just given himself away to the hunter above.
Cynraede quietly moved along the brush, keeping his body low to the ground as he approached the man whom had just cried before. He drew his dagger as his nose wrinkled in disgust, if he had not be able to see him, surely he would have smelled this man. He picked up a small rock, tossing it into the bushes behind him, grinning as he fell right into his trap.
"Oi! C'moutta there!" The man whispered, but was quickly hushed by the cold steel that penetrated into his ribs repeatedly. A warm hand wrapped around his mouth as his body tried to thrash around, only to find it no use as the blade sunk deeply with each stab. The body was laid silently to the floor as Cyn moved on to his next mark, the one whom took his friend.
The man looked at the rabbit with a sickly grin, what was left of his teeth chomping at its lifeless body teasingly. He looked up only for a moment to see the hooded figure make contact with his face, hitting him hard with his elbow. He couldn't help but stagger back and drop the rabbit as the man continued to launch a brutal assault on his spare ribs, feeling them break with the constant assault. He fell to the floor, softly weeping from his fresh wounds as Cyn knelt down to him, drawing his blade as he whispered softly.
"Prey to the all maker you never meet me again, for if you do I will string you up and gut you as if you were game. Shadow watches over these woods, you would do well to warn the others lest you wish for more bodies." Cynraede hissed as he kicked the man over hard, turning around to scoop up the rabbit in his arms, darting off into forest.
Cynraede buried the small creature, only taking two feet from him, so that he may always be on an adventure, yet still be a boon to some one in need. After all, nothing is luckier than a rabbits foot. Especially one given the All Makers shadow.
