He'd lost track of how long he'd been out here now. The sun would have him believe it had been only the day, that it was only now setting to the west. But his mind was not convinced. He was tired enough to believe that it was possible that was sunrise, not set, in which case he was walking in the wrong direction. He didn't remember a night passing – certainly didn't remember sleeping. But he did think that he'd been unconscious for a while, and possibly that accounted for the loss of time.
Perhaps he should just rest here for a bit, try to determine what path the sun was taking. Continuing his trek in the wrong direction would be foolish. Hell, would be downright dangerous, or more accurately, deadly. It was tempting. The thought of sitting, of resting his tired feet, and legs, and back, and everything else, was beyond tempting. But that voice, that annoying voice in his head – One more step Standish, one more step. Don't quit on me! It sounded far too much like Chris Larabee for it to be comfortable in his head. If he had to be listening to anyone, it should be a sweet, delicate feminine voice.
Shouldn't have allowed yourself get into such a ridiculous situation Ezra – that isn't how you were raised. Oh dear Lord – not Mother. He'd asked for sweet and delicate. How did SHE end up in his head now?
Because someone needs to be setting you straight. Honestly, that I should have to be illustrating for you the errors of you ways, and that there are so many of them, well it is just shameful to the name Standish.
"Alright Mother, that is sufficient. I do not require nor desire your manifestation at this juncture. Mr. Larabee, please feel free to insinuate yourself into my subconscious and command my thoughts." He was fairly certain he had said that out loud. Definitely not a good sign. Of course, the fact that no one had answered, either verbally or mentally, was a bit alarming too. It was one thing to be alone in the vast open spaces, but to not even have his thoughts to keep him company was disconcerting. Had he been that thoroughly abandoned.
The idea left him even more drained, and he stopped advancing. His legs began to low him, almost of their own accord. I said keep moving Standish.
"Ah Mr. Larabee – welcome back." Drawing himself upright again, Ezra stumbled toward what he hoped was home.
M7-M7-M7-M7-M7-M7-M7
Sunday nights were usually quiet in the saloon, even more so when the resident gambler was not hosting a game. It made for a slow night for the remaining members of the team. JD had finished his last patrol of the day, and settled down anxiously to a bowl of stew Inez had been kind enough to keep warm for him. She sat a beer beside the dish.
"Sorry my young friend – no milk until tomorrow morning."
"Ah, you're gonna hafta drink like the big boys tonight Kid."
His reply earned him a slap on the back of the head from Josiah. "That is not suitable language to use in a ladies presence."
JD had the good grace to look embarrassed. "Sorry Ma'am." She fought to hide her grin, and in appreciation for his sincere regret, she turned and gave Buck a similar slap as she walked away..
"What was that for?" he cried, grabbing for the hat she'd knocked off kilter.
Without looking back she replied. "For causing him to use such language – and no doubt teaching it to him in the first place!"
Buck tried to save face. "See that – a little love pat from my darlin' Inez."
"Damn near knocked you out there Buck. Maybe Nathan should check you for a concussion." The big man glared a Chris, while scooting his chair a bit further away out of reach of the healer.
"She gets a might testy when Ezra ain't around, don't she?" Vin teased.
"Ezra's got nothing to do with this." Buck was offended. "He ain't in my league here."
"Sure ain't" Vin agreed – then added "he's miles ahead of ya. Face it Buck, those two are totally smitten with each other, even if neither one has figured it out."
"Ezra's only in love with Ezra – and money."
"Tad cynical there Nathan. You don't think anything, not even the lovely Inez, could change that about him?"
"No Josiah, can't say that I do. Whatever else he is or isn't he's a gambler and a reprobate. Says so himself."
"And he's a southerner, which is really the sin you won't forgive him for." Chris added, staring down the former slave. "The other stuff is just your excuse."
Nathan said nothing. "He's done on heck of a job moving beyond all the ideas and beliefs he was raised with Nathan. You think you're ever gonna try to do the same?" Josiah asked
He sighed, knowing in his heart they were right. Since they'd joined forces after the Seminole village, Ezra had clearly made the effort to see Nathan for the individual he was. There had been moments, especially in the early going, but he kept working on it. Nathan could not honestly say he'd made any similar expenditure. He found it far too easy to see the southerner than to see the man behind the facade.
The opening of the saloon doors saved him from having to come up with a reply. Glancing over to see who might be joining them, they were surprised to see Tiny come through. The livery stable worker rarely entered the saloon, finding he had far more interest in and tolerance for his horses that he had for most people. He only cared for those who held a genuine concern for their animals well-being, which accounted for the state he was in tonight as he neared the table.
"Mr. Chris – somethin's wrong. Real wrong. Chaucer's back – he showed up at the livery. Looks like he had a long run. And Mr. Ezra's not around. Not anywhere."
The six had gathered now at the livery. Tiny had stripped the gear off Chaucer and was trying to cool the beast down. Usually none of the others could get near the mount without Ezra being close at hand. Now though the horse kept trying to get close, nudging at them, prodding them. One shove nearly sent Nathan to the ground. Tiny tried to calm the anxious animal, with only minimal success. Chris was going through the gear, looking for any hints on what had happened.
"Chaucer looks ok – rough, but not hurt." Vin watched the gamblers best friend slowly settle under Tiny's brush. He reached down and retrieved the saddle bag. "Chris – his notebook is here." He handed it over, not bothering to try to decipher any writings himself. His reading skills had vastly improved with the help of Mary Travis, and the more covert assistance of Ezra, but the gambler's style was still beyond his ability to read, especially when time might be of the essence.
Chris thumbed quickly to the last writings. After a moment he cursed loudly.
"JD – get a wagon fixed up. We need to get out to Whistler's Peak now. From this it looks like a couple of families of homesteaders were attacked. Parents killed and someone took the kids. Ezra went after them."
"On his own?" "Without his horse?" "Damn fool!" Everyone was speaking at once.
"Hang on – let me finish. Doesn't say how, but he got the kids back. Stashed them at the Peak caves. Sent Chaucer home so we'd know to come lookin' for them."
"Beast knew his man was in trouble and ran like the wind. No wonder he'd so done in." Buck shook his head in a slightly jealous acknowledgement of that special connection.
"OK , Chris. So the kids are safe – shouldn't we wait for morning?"
"No – he stashed the kids, then set himself up as a decoy. He's leading a gang of murdering SOBs away from those kids on his own, on foot – and hurt." He turned the book so the others could see the blood staining the pages. JD started to run from the livery to get the wagon and work horses ready when Buck grabbed at his sleeve while turning to Chris.
"We all want to head out Chris, but we can't ride at night – not up there. Too many missteps and hazards. Won't do any of them any good if we get busted up. We go out at first hint of light. Gives us a chance to get ready properly. Let Nathan get a kit together, we get some food for the kids. Give Chaucer here a chance to rest up – Ezra will want to see he's ok and ride him home." His tone left no doubt he fully expected that to be the outcome, even as his heart clenched with the reality of how unlikely that was.
Reluctantly, Chris nodded. "Get everything together now. We ain't wasting a second of daylight."
M7-M7-M7-M7-M7-M7-M7
It was dark, or at least getting there. Of course, that could have been because he was blacking out. Heat stroke, dehydration, exhaustion and blood loss can do that to you. Despite his desire to find a comfy spot to lie down, or any spot really, he kept moving. The damned voices in his head ordering him to do so was certainly a factor, but there was something else too. Some reason he knew he had to keep going. It would be truly wonderful if he could remember what that had been.
Forcing his weary head up to scan the horizon he was startled to see familiar landscape ahead. The Wheeler ranch – or what had been the Wheeler ranch before the family had succumbed because of a fever that had passed through the area in the previous winter. Hadn't been a plague to the region, but this family, isolated from care and left without heat when the parents apparently fell too ill to realize what was going on, had perished. It had been so tragic to discover the remains, mother, father and children huddled together.
"The children!" he gasped out loud. Of course – that was what he'd been going to take care of. Why he had to get to town.
Very good Ezra. "Welcome back Mr. Larabee. "It had been so peaceful, I'm sorry, so lonely without your companionship."Ezra answered the voice.
Somebody's gotta keep you movin' Standish. Can't have you giving up again now, can we?
Leave him be Chris, he's doin' the best he can. "Vin?" Yeah Ezra, I'm in here too. Figured Chris had to be wearin' on you a bit my now.
Two of them, plus mother lurking in the background. He sincerely hoped no one else was in there. It was crowded enough as it was.
Not crowded Ezra – just real cosy-like. Ah, Buck. Of course. And where Buck was…
Yup – I'm here too. "Welcome to the festivities JD. Did Josiah and Nathan accompany you?"
Nah, but I'm sure they'll show up if you think about them. "Then I must ensure that I refrain from doing so."
Too late Son. "Damn. And Nathan? What, no Nathan?"
No Ezra, Vin's tone was a bit melancholy. Nathan only shows himself around you when you need his doctorin'.
"Strange – I would have assumed I could benefit from such services at this time."
Maybe Pard, but I guess he only comes if there's a chance to save you. Must be beyond that now.
"Excellent words of encouragement Vin."
Hey – it's your words. Just my voice.
"Well, forgive me then if I choose to rebuff you – or me, or all of you. I am almost home, and anticipate traversing the remaining expanse with all due haste. Then I shall repose in my feather bed until you all fade away."
Typical – think only of yourself. Damn, Nathan had arrived. "Relax Mr. Jackson. I do not intend to shall rest prior to ensuring the missing waifs have been safely recovered and are in the secured in the sanctuary of Four Corners. Hmm. I will have to give consideration as to the best situation we can arrange for them. Orphaned so tragically. If we can't discover some relations we shall have to endeavour to find a suitable substitute."
His thoughts were interrupted by a searing pain in his back as the impact of a bullet dropped him to the ground. "It would have been most considerate of one of you gentlemen to provide warning." he berated the voices just before passing out.