Legends never die.
They are carried from generation to generation, until the moment of its first telling fades so far into memory it becomes as one of the great mysteries. While the tale becomes legend, the message that forms its truth is often forgotten. Tales that speak the shaping of the world usually are. They are carried across the sea to new lands, to be told around new campfires to become the legends of the undiscovered country.
Of the legends, it is the story of the Three Worlds endures through all its telling. Reality rests on the triumvirate of the Three Worlds, for it would be unthinkable if there were only one. There is the Upper World, where the sun god sits in judgement with the creatures of the air and where all goods spirits will someday soar. There is This World, where all living things exist through the seasons of time until their mortal cloak is finally shed. Those who have lived well need not fear the summoning to the Under World, where Uktena waits in anticipation for souls to feed his hungry minions.
It is said that the Upper World and the Under World are in constant battle, where Falcon Warriors of each army wage war to shift the balance in favour of the other. Their battlefield is This World and in this unfortunately placed realm, the shape of all things is decided by endless matches between the forces of light and darkness, between the Sun God and Uktena.
And we, in This World can only watch and pray that neither shall win because it would be unthinkable if there were only one...
Mary Travis was not one for antiques.
It was distaste cultivated from her youthful days in Boston where every street corner seemed to boast at least one such establishment. Her mother used to love antiques as was the custom of most well bred society ladies. By the time she was sixteen, Mary had come to cringe at the sight of a dusty Victorian chair or the reference to anything Elizabethan or Tudor in the context of furniture. Coming out West, she was grateful to leave behind such places as the aesthetic of vintage objects had yet to reach the Territory.
Thus it was to Mary's mild surprise she learned Bitter Creek had an antique shop. Out in the rugged West, antiques seemed to be an ill-advised investment. The climate was merciless to expensive furniture as the summer heat was inclined to warp the ageing wood. While she had an eye for paintings, the variety found in antique shops were seldom of any quality that impressed her enough for purchase.
"I think my mother would like this." Inez declared, studying the vase from several different angles as she held it up to the light. Mary was tempted to remind her that ceramic had no watermark to speak of and would offer no insight as to its make or value at exposure to sunlight.
"Its pretty." Mary decided the tactful response was probably the best. Personally, there were too many flowers on the design for Mary's liking but then the excessively ornate pattern was not to her taste. She preferred her vases to come in simple colours with a mother of pearl lustre when possible.
"I think I will take it." Inez said decisively and tucked the object under her arm as she went to the shop owner to haggle a price.
Knowing just how voracious Inez could be when it came to bargain hunting, Mary decided she would forgo the carnage and began wandering through the narrow aisles cluttered with trinkets, furniture and other decorative items. Other than some silver handled brushes and a grossly overpriced cameo, little caught Mary's interest. In truth, she had come to Bitter Creek to pick up printing supplies and had invited Inez to come with her for the company. She knew Inez wanted to do some shopping for an upcoming visit with her family and thought it might be nice to make a day of it.
After Mary bought the supplies needed at the local stationer, the two women enjoyed lunch at a local restaurant and then spent the rest of the afternoon browsing through the shops. Although she was not an extravagant shopper by any means, Mary bought herself some nice things and picked up some good Sunday clothes for Billy. She doubted whether her son would appreciate the effort considering how Billy felt about sitting still for even a moment, let alone an entire morning. Nevertheless, it was her responsibility to make certain that Billy was raised with some measure of a Christian upbringing. A hard enough task on its own when the only male influence in his life happened to be a brooding and sombre gunslinger with a penchant for black clothes and an almost monosyllabic vocabulary.
While Inez's gentle arguing with the antique store owner faded into the background, Mary let her gaze move across the items gathering dust in their display cabinets. Judging by the thickness of the dust, Mary was convinced the trade in antiques in Bitter Creek was less than a booming industry and the store itself saw little traffic. She suddenly had an insight that Inez would get the bargain she desired. Instinctively, Mary glanced over her shoulder and saw the weary old man sigh in unspoken defeat from behind his steel rimmed glasses.
Mary allowed herself a faint smile as the peak of the negotiation seemed to have levelled off and was descending clearly in Inez's favour. She made a mental note to bring the sultry woman the next time she needed supplies for the printing press. After dealing with saloon clientele, Inez's ability to detect a con from a mile away could not be underestimated. This was what came of having Ezra Standish as her business partner.
Sensing that the transaction was very near completion, Mary was about to join Inez when suddenly, something caught her attention from the corner of her eye. It was little more than a blur of iridescent colour that could have easily been missed had she blinked. However, as it stood, Mary turned back in curiosity. She took a step forward and located the object immediately. It was lying next to a silver picture frame on top of a cabinet. The reflection from the polished surface of the frame had reflected the object's bluish hue in her direction.
Its location into the store indicated to Mary the object neither the faith of value or demand placed upon it. At first, Mary had no idea what it was. It was as odd an object as she had ever seen in her life. No larger than her hand, it was clearly meant for ornamental purposes only but its design was like nothing she had ever seen. Mary picked it up and blew the fine layer of dust from it. As she rubbed some of the more stubborn dirt from the smooth surface, she immediately guessed it was a made of some kind of seashell. Although it retained some iridescence, age had worn most of it away.
Mary studied it closely, unable to fathom what culture could have made this. She had seen Indian relics before but this object resembled nothing like those she had seen. It was neither Navajo nor Cheyenne but the more she inspected it, the more she realised it was definitely of Indian origin. Shaped like two hands placed side by side, the creases of fingers were carved clearly on each digit. However, its oddest feature was what appeared to be eyes carved in the centre of each palm. She also noticed that there were two carved holes at the base of object, beneath the wrist of the sculpted hands. The holes were very small and for a moment, Mary wondered what their purpose might have been. Suddenly it came to her.
A pendant?
It was certainly small enough and that would explain the puncture holes through the shell. The more she thought about it, the more sense it made. Perhaps it was a good luck charm of some sort. The eyes were carved in the shell but stones had been set in place of the irises. Mary held it up to the light and saw they caught the sunlight perfectly, revealing multi-faceted stones that did glow like sapphire but were most likely crystals of some description.
"Are you ready Mary?" She heard Inez's voice suddenly asked and Mary was so lost in her examination that she jumped at the sound of Inez' words.
"I'm sorry," Mary said breathlessly as she felt her heart recovering from the momentary jolt. "I didn't hear you behind me."
"Obviously." Inez smiled and noticed the pendant in Mary's hand. "What is that?"
Mary looked at it herself and found herself shaking her head in answer. "I have no idea." She said honestly and showed it to Inez. "Lovely isn't it?"
Inez gave her a sceptical look indicating otherwise. "If you say so."
"Hey I said your vase was nice." Mary remarked with mock hurt.
"I'm not that good a liar." Inez winked. "You really like that thing?"
Mary returned her attention to the pendant and studied it further. She could not explain her fascination with it for it appeared she was the only one who saw anything extraordinary in its irregular design. Yet Mary could not bring herself to return it to its place on the display cabinet. The notion of letting it languish in this antique store for all eternity bothered her.
Okay, not for an eternity but she did not want anyone else owning it. To them it would always be a curiosity but Mary Travis saw something special. Instinct told her there was more to this item than met the eye and she was suddenly very interested in unlocking the secrets to its origins. Mary knew she was being impulsive because for all she knew really, it could be little more than a worthless relic from some Indian's medicine pouch. However, the possibility that it may not have that simple an explanation was tantalising.
"I guess I do." Mary answered finally.
"Okay," Inez sent a furtive look at the shop owner who was behind his counter. "But let me do the talking when we pay for it. Whatever it's worth, I'm sure I can get him down to half."
"I can't believe it," Mary declared some hours later when they returned to Four Corners. She was still in shock at the wolverine ruthlessness Inez isplayed when haggling over the price of her pendant. Mary was certain the owner was close to tears and even closer to barring them from his premises permanently in the future. Every point he brought up to justify the cost of the trinket was effectively countered by Inez with the skill of a master tactician. It was really quite something to see.
"Were you always like this?" She looked at Inez as they left the livery behind after Homer her horse was stabled.
"Not really," Inez replied considering the question. "I just picked it up as I went."
It was true. When she was travelling from town to town, hiding from Don Paulo, Inez had to think fast on her feet. However, in running away from home without any income of her own, she was forced to learn fast to keep herself from falling into ruin. Unfortunately, whatever town she happened upon, Inez learn that most respectable establishments had little need of employing an unattached Mexican woman with a past. Having no wish to sacrifice the virtue she'd become a fugitive to keep, she sought employment in saloons and bars before her arrival in Four Corners.
"It's easy when you are alone and have only this to rely on." She gestured to her head.
"I suppose." Mary could not disagree with that assessment considering the proof of it was evident. "I've just never seen any antique store owner forced to admit he bought my pendant from an old Indian for practically nothing. Normally, they come up with something a little more extravagant. It drives the price of the piece upward if there is some colourful history to go with it." Mary replied, remembering some of tall tales her mother had believed when she was being conned into buying a particularly expensive bauble.
"Let us say, I knew he was bluffing." Inez remarked. Being a student of Ezra's card games in the saloon taught Inez much. The gunslinger and con man had the real gift and when he spoke about how he sized up opponents during his infamous poker games, Inez found herself paying attention. Without even realising it, Inez was soon able to tell which one of his poker opponents was going to bluff or call. While she would never dream of applying it in a similar situation, she found the skill allowed her to become the bane of merchants across Four Corners and now Bitter Creek.
"Well thank you." Mary said gratefully. "I think I would have strained my pocket book somewhat if I had paid full price for it. I must admit, he was asking quite a bit for it."
"I had sense of what he was about." Inez replied as they turned down the main street of Four Corners. The sun was starting to set in the distance and the town seemed bathed in an amber glow. While there were still people on the street, the afternoon crowd was starting to thin as the local merchants began closing up shop after the day's trading.
"He bought it for nothing and was hoping to make a profit because it looked so unusual." Inez concluded. She glanced at town clock and took note of the time. Ezra must be becoming tired of manning the bar by now. Inez hoped she would have time for a bath as the ride from Bitter Creek had left her feeling rest than refreshed. Knowing her partner well, she had no doubt Ezra was itching to be at card table taking bets.
"I had a good day anyway," Mary smiled warmly at Inez.
"Me too," Inez returned the smile with one just as bright. "Thank you for inviting me."
Since her arrival in town some months ago, Mary Travis and Inez had struck quite a close friendship and it was the subject of much gossip among the locals. Most people found it odd that a pillar of the community like Mary Travis could have anything in common with Inez, the only female employed at the saloon who was not a working girl. Although liked by most folks who came to know her, Inez was a woman with a chequered history and therefore someone to be viewed with caution by the more respectable members of the community.
Anyone who knew both women personally could say the unlikely friendship between Mary and Inez was inevitable for they were both strong willed and in possession fiery spirits. They defied convention by their daily occupation with Mary in her role as newswoman and Inez as a lady bartender. They were both unattached, businesswomen and they were without doubt, two of the most beautiful women in Four Corners. However, despite their unorthodox lifestyle, Mary and Inez guarded their privacy fiercely as well as their reputations. While they sometimes pushed the envelope of protocol for feminine behaviour, no one could impugn either lady's virtue.
"I have to go Sweetwater in a few weeks to get some parts for the press. Why don't you come with me? I do have to stay there the night however." Mary suggested. "Do you have any trouble staying overnight?"
"I don't think so." Inez considered her eyes shifting to the saloon where the number of customers moving through the door was increasing in frequency. Judging by the music and noises emanating from the open doors, Inez decided the saloon was going to have a busy night. "I think I can rely on Josiah to keep an eye on things."
"Josiah?" Mary exclaimed wondering why Inez would put her faith in Josiah Sanchez. Although Josiah was one of the seven lawmen who protected Four Corners, he was mostly a preacher by trade. Mary could not see him running a saloon. "What about Ezra?"
Inez shifted uncomfortably. "I don't trust him."
"I thought you were business partners." Mary retorted her confusion increasing.
"We are." Inez sighed. "Don't get me wrong, he's a wonderful friend but he does not handle responsibility well. I prefer Josiah look after things if I am going to be away for more than an afternoon. At least I know the saloon will still be there when I get back and not gambled away because of one of his strange schemes."
"Oh yes," Mary nodded in understanding, remembering all of Ezra Standish's insane schemes in livid detail. "I did tell you about the time he tried to tutor working girls into becoming respectable society wives?"
"Uh huh," Inez recalled the story. "And the time that he tried to convince you to turn the schoolhouse fund into the Four Corners Casino project."
Mary and Inez met each other's eyes and had the same thought.
"Josiah it is."
"Howdy ladies." They heard Buck Wilmington's voice approaching from behind them. The tall cowboy was on his way to the saloon. "How was Bitter Creek?" Buck asked tipping his hat to both ladies but having eyes only for Inez, Mary noticed with a bemused smile.
"Quite enjoyable Mr Wilmington." Mary answered, knowing Inez would not. The two had an odd sort of relationship. Buck was determined to win Inez's favour no matter how much she might wish otherwise. Mary who was privy to some fiery exchanges between the two, suspected Inez might be sweeter on Buck than he knew. Still, that was an admission Inez would make only after hell froze over. "We did a great deal of shopping."
"I am hardly surprised." He said with his boisterous grin. "You got enough boxes there." He gestured to the packages they were both carrying.
Buck could be utterly charming when he wanted to be. Around Inez, he oozed it in every possible effort to win her affections. While Mary was certain that Inez was not as immovable as she seemed on the subject, it was his forward manner that made Inez hesitate. Despite her outgoing personality, Mary saw a very conservative upbringing in Inez's past. Inez did not offer herself to just anyone and Buck's reputation with the ladies was alarming to any woman who did not wish to be considered just another notch on a long list of conquests.
"Anything interesting happen today?" Mary asked as they continued on their way. Buck who was going in the same direction, fell in step with them, taking up flank next to Inez.
"Not much," Buck answered. "Couple of drunks here and there but then we threw Chris in the jailhouse and it was quiet."
Mary laughed shortly, trying to picture anyone throwing Chris Larabee into jail. Even drunk, he was known to be able to outgun most of the seven. However, she kept that observation to herself. "So I gather it was quiet.".
"Pretty much. Although everything seemed duller without you two lovely ladies around."
Mary rolled her eyes. She had miscalculated. She had given him at least 30 seconds more before he started using his tired repertoire of lines, in a renewed effort to draw Inez's attention.
And predictably, Inez rose to the occasion. "Oh please Senor Buck!." Inez groaned visibly.
"It's true!" Buck exclaimed meeting her gaze. He gave Inez, what Mary called his best 'puppy dog look'. "You know my heart just aches when I don't see you, Inez." He clutched his heart for emphasis.
Mary knew where this was going and she decided she did not want to be present at the fireworks. No matter how entertaining it could sometimes be. She saw Inez blush furiously, even though it was difficult to tell with her tanned colouring. The raven haired siren straightened up and judging from her posture, Mary knew she was preparing to deliver a scathing rebuttal to Buck's declaration. It was time for the innocent bystanders to clear the area. Mary wondered if she should ring the church bell and tell everyone to leave the streets. Buck and Inez's verbal jousting was growing a strange sort of notoriety around town.
"Inez," Mary said hastily. "I'll see you later."
Inez barely heard Mary as her gaze was still locked with Buck's. Mary decided an answer was not really that important and started crossing the street towards the Clarion. As she heard the first sounds of artillery behind her, Mary Travis let out a sigh and shook her head with one thought in mind.
Their children were going to be very loud.
