Alerick swished his tail, his back swaying to the beat of his trot. Cormac napped on the deer's back, his snores coming in
even intervals. Alerick's cloven hooves kicked up small puffs of dust as he went on his way. His trot was unhurried and the
centaur had been able to keep up this pace for hours. The forest stretched on for miles and miles in all directions and in the
particular part of the forest the centaur and his companion were traveling through, it was fairly open and light poured through
the canopy, making dappling pattern's across the centaur's back. It was a nice day for traveling, but clouds were starting to gather
lazily, but it did not worry the centaur, the rain was a way off and it would not be long before the party would reach the nearest
town. Just in case, Alerick moved into a longer strided trot, one so bouncy, it woke Cormac, who gripped onto the deer's fur with
a loud squeak. Alerick turned his head, hood pushed back over his shoulder's. He offered a smile and picked up a canter, which
only bounced the poor mouse around more.
"AL-AL-AL-AL-LAR-RR-RICCCK" Yelped Cormac as he was almost bounced off his friends back. The young teen only laughed and ran
into a full-fledged gallop. Cormac leaped forward and dug his small, sharp claws into the green material of Alerick's cloak and clinged
to his back. Cormac closed his eyes and clung to the centaur. He did not like the bouncing gait of the gallop and yelled into Alerick's
ear. "PL-PLE- TOPP-ST-OOPP" He squeaked loudly, wrapping his whip like tail around his best friend's waist. Looking down at his
friend, Alerick grinned, his choppy hair whipping around his face. His bright green eyes crinkled around the corner's, "WE ARE ALMOST
THERE!" He told his companion, leaping as he went. Cormac closed his beady eyes and tried not to not get motion sick. It was under
30 minutes later that the centaur began to slow his stride. Cormac opened one eye. The scenery had completely changed. The trees
had become fields and small houses had popped up in between the crops. Peeking his small snout over Alerick's shoulder, he spied a
small township approaching fast. Slowing to a loping canter, Alerick turned to look back at Cormac, "Ready to earn some cash?" the
centaur smirked at the shadow, who grimaced up at the teenager, "As I always say, I do not believe in what you do and I shall not
partake in anything to do with it" He snorted and climbed down Alerick's back and gripped onto the teenager's belt.
Alerick slowed his pace to a walk as he entered the town. It was a small settlement with a booming marketplace that
sold the usual grains, veggies, fruits, ceramics, clothes and occasionally, some rare items. The town was also between
two larger towns and got a lot of foot traffic. The pair had only passed a few people on their way into town, but now,
as they entered the main markets in the town square, people of all shapes, sizes and species started appearing. Soon,
Alerick was pushing through throngs of people to get from one end of the town square to the other, perfect conditions
for his line of work. Cormac's words rung in his mind, but in this crowd, and since the shadow was sitting far back on
his rump, he doubted his guardian would see.
Alerick was not overly tall, still being young and all, and he had to peer hard through the crowd hard to spot his
first 'victim'. A man in a heavy black overcoat was walking towards the pair and Alerick liked the look of him.
He was wearing a hood and his face was covered but his overcoat had pockets at a level where it was easil for
Alerick to reach. The pocket closest to Alerick had a familiar shaped rectangle bulge, indicating a wallet.
Walking up to the man, Alerick made sure his hood hid his face and fake tripped, scuffing his hooves against
the concrete of the town square. He gently bumped into the man's side. As he did he swiftly reached into the
man's coat pocket, grabbed his wallet then reached back. Flipping the wallet up his sleeve, Alerick reached
over to steady the man.
"I'm so sorry sir" Alerick said apologetically. The stranger nodded and began to move off. Cormac had been
paying no attention to Alerick for the last few minutes as he had began scouting for inn's and food stores and
did not notice the teenager going about his business. Alerick had started walking again and was just about to
disappear into the crowd of magicians, humans, elves, fairies and other centaurs when he felt a hand
around his wrist.

Alerick stared up at the hooded man who had a firm grip on his arm.
"Give it back" The shrouded man said in a deep gravely voice.
"What?" Asked Alerick in an innocent tone. He had almost been caught multiple times but his wit and acting
skills had more than often gotten him out of it. The stranger did not loosen his grip on Alerick's arm nor stop his
staring, and though he could not see his eyes, the centaur found it unsettling. Alerick tried to pull away, but was
unable to. Cormac, by this time, had taken notice that Alerick had stopped and scurried up his back.
"What's going on?" The shadow asked in a demanding tone, rising to his back legs and looking up at the stranger. The
man waved his hand that wasn't gripping Alerick's arm and Cormac froze, paralysed. The young centaur was starting
to panic. His cloven hooves scraped the ground as he pulled back against the man. People around them were starting
to take notice, but not wanting to get involved with the shady figure, avoided the scene.
"I will give you one more chance" Said the figure patiently. Alerick said nothing, then stuttered,
"What?" His legs wobbled slightly, and he looked as innocent as possible. The figure yanked back Alerick's sleeve
and pulled out the leather wallet that the young centaur had stolen from him.
"This" The figure growled. Alerick threw himself back onto his hind legs, but the figure held his ground. The crowds
pushed back, away from the scene and vendors yelled at two for scaring off their customers. Alerick suddenly felt
a burning sensation up his arm. Looking down at the exposed skin, a golden line began to circle up his limb, burning
a trail as it went. Alerick screamed out in pain as the black lines burned their way up his arm and over his face.
Cormac, still paralysied and unable to steady himself, fell to the ground, unmoving. Alerick pawed the air and
managed to finally out of the man's grip. The magic lines had already made it's to his face and Alerick grabbed
his burning eye with his right hand and scooped up Cormac with the other. In all his panic and pain, the centaur
did not think once of drawing his dagger and fighting, he thought only of escape. Tears of pain ran down his burnt
face as he galloped away. His depth perception was off and the centaur wobbled on his hooves.
"BEAR THE MARK OF A THEIF!" Yelled the hooded figure, and as he spoke, anther flare of pain ran through Alerick's
burns and the teenager screamed as he ran away.
Alerick was about 2 kilometers out of the town before the adrenaline ran out and he collapsed in pain into the
undergrowth. Stumbling, Cormac started to move again, the paralysis wearing off. Alerick wobbled on shaky legs
to a small stream and splashed the water on his face and arms. Small plumes of smoke, rose from the burn lines
and as the water calmed, he caught a glimpse of his reflection. The burn lines snaked away and under his cloak,
which Alerick ripped off hastily. He could now see the full extent of his injuries. The burn lines swirled and circled,
looking like a strange tattoo, but that wasn't the worst of it. A glimpse of smoke made America turn around, thinking
the fire was behind him. Not finding any trace of flame, Alerick looked at his reflection, studying his face until, he
saw it. The burns had curled their way into his right e eye, turning the whites black, the brillant green was fined
and a strange good symbol shone back at him. A thin plums of smoke rose from the black and twisted as it rose.
With shaking fingers he hurriedly pulled some of his choppy hair to cover his eye, and once covered, the rising smoke
stopped. Alerick began to cry, and only stopped when he felt a small paw rest on his side. Cormac was still stiff,
but offered a reassuring paw, and gently comforted the teen as he wept.

A little part of himself was lost that day, and he had paid for his crimes, most would think that Alerick would
have ceased his thieving ways, but no. He was motivated that day, to fight back, to be quicker, sneakier, to
be a better thief. From that day onwards Cormac always kept an extra eye out, and always spoke up when in
doubt. The shadow felt guilty about what happened to Alerick, because he wasn't watching when it happened,
and though he still refuses to help and support Alerick's thieving ways, he makes sure the young centaur is not in
danger. The little centaur learnt many lessons that day, he also gained life experience, but on that day he also
learned the price of his ways.