The Unforgiven
Chapter 1 Road's Meeting
Roland sighed as he rode on the back of his horse, Topsy.
He had been in the wilderness for a number of tendays now and according to the map he'd gotten in the last settlement there was a town over the hill. Unlike the area Roland was used to he was in a very fertile land and it wasn't at all like the places he was used to there were no rolling deserts here only grass lands and forests. That he had to admit ,even if he was used to the desert, was a beautiful area.
It had been some time now since Cuthbert, Alain, Jamie and Sheemie had left his side. He missed them but the world was moving on and if he didn't start playing catch up soon he would be left behind. Not just by Walter but also Ka itself would leave him in the dust.
Roland and Topsy were currently traveling through a forest looking for a settlement named "Road's Meeting". A romantic name but it gave Roland the impression that many people ended up there and not just travelers but outlaws and bandits.
He wasn't in a position to argue though and the previous settlement the locals had all reported sighting a man dressed all in black but he went by the name of Flagg. Roland had heard the name before and was just one of many of Walter's alter egos. The locals had also warned Roland of several outcast gunslingers in the area who had taken to hiring their services for the highest bidder. Apparently Roland was still in an area were being a Gunslinger prompted respect. The thought made him laugh he could travel thousands of miles from his homeland and be respected for what he was but if he actually decided to go home to the small town that was Gilead he would be shot where he stood. All the "Good Man's" work.
Roland was still young and his was far off from earning any elderly aches and pains. In fact he was only just at the stage where he could grow a proper beard if he wanted to.
His guns rested on his hips as they always did. The guns slowly tapped against his thighs as he bobbed up and down on Topsy.
He was traveling down a mud path which had been carved out by the wagons that came through here on a regular basis. Fortunately this area of the world was still busy being content with themselves than fighting. He was beginning to give up on ever coming across "Road's Meeting" when a small man wondered out on the path apparently unaware of Roland's presence he also had a bumbler following close behind his heels. He was dressed like a normal woods man in furs and leathers and he also had a bow with a relatively full quiver. Roland could tell from the man's mumblings he was disappointed with something.
"Hile" Roland called out. The man nearly jumped out of his clothes when he heard Roland's greeting and he quickly turned to face the stranger.
"Hile" he sighed, he then noted the guns on Roland's hips "Gunslinger" he added respectfully bowing his head.
"Bad hunting season?" Roland asked.
"Yes. Something's got the animals spooked and they're more awares than normal" The man said then added "Gunslinger" bowing his head again.
"Say Thankya, but there's no need to say gunslinger after every sentence you say" Roland smiled.
"Thankya. May I ask Gunslinger? What brings you here?" he asked bowing his head again.
"I'm just traveling" Roland replied not wanting to give too much away. Something wasn't right here and he was intending to find out what.
The man lowered his head again. "Pleased to met you, but I'm afraid I must get back to town. Then I must get back to hunting. The local Inn pays me to supply them with fresh deer"
"May I have your name before you go?"
"Yes Gunslinger. Me names Edward" He again bowed his head.
"Long days and pleasant nights Edward" Roland said a tipped his hat to him.
Edward bowed again and then quickly disappeared back into the forest with the bumbler in close tow.
Roland resumed his travels down the road at least he now knew that the town was near by.
About twenty minutes later Roland and Topsy turned a bend in the path and he saw the Town entrance. It was a large log gate with iron doors and they had a crucifix on top. Obviously the man Jesus influenced this town. He could see through the gate, which was currently open, and he saw the town's high street. It certainly was a town there were at least four saloons and couple of inns. There was a set of stables and other merchants down the high street that he couldn't see. The whole town had been crammed into a clearing in the forest and it was so crammed in that a few houses that Roland could see were actually set into the forest slightly. It made the whole town feel crushed and tiny as the trees towered over the town. It also appeared to be very dark as the trees prevented direct sunlight however they it looked pleasant enough. Roland rode through the gates on Topsy's back. It promoted several of the townsfolk to gawp at him. Apparently they'd never seen a Gunslinger before or they weren't to keen on them. Roland tried to not the staring faces bother him but they seemed to all be gathering to see the new arrival.
He heard many whispers and caught glances of various people going inside away from the presence of him.
It all added up to something wasn't right in the place. Edward had already suggested that not all was, as it seemed. However the faces of the people confirmed it.
He rode all the way down the high street and found and inn/tavern called the "Sword and Stone". He hopped off Topsy and tied his reins to the bar running along a water troff outside the inn. Topsy let out a sneeze K'Chow then went to gorging himself on the water.
"Don't drink to fast friend" Roland smiled as he stroked his neck.
Roland didn't hang around he needed to know if Walter had come this way and whether he was still here. Even standing in the street Roland could sense magic in the air it made the hair on the back of his nape tingle and not in a good way. This magic was corrupt and disgusting it had only been used for destruction and madness. He plodded up the steps and opened the doors into the tavern.
Inside the bar there were plenty of men all sitting around drinking playing cards and other activates, there was even a darts bored in one corner. The area was quite full as many of the men of the town had probably finished with there jobs for the day and had gone for a glass of whiskey or other spirits.
The whole building was made from wood, no doubt obtained from the forest that engulfed the town, There were several windows on the front of the building but the sun was the wrong side of the building now and various lanterns had been lit giving the bar a mystical aura. In here the corrupt stench of the magic was even stronger. Walter was still here or had not long left.
The whole room went quite and many people stopped what they were doing to gawp at the Gunslinger who had just entered the bar. He was greeted with a few smiles but many of the faces appeared to be ones of fear. Roland didn't hesitate and he instantly bowed his head whilst touching the tip of his hat. Which he promptly took off afterwards. He marched over to the bar and he was surprised to see a line of stools in front of the bar. No bar in his life had he seen such seats but he sat down on one and laid his hat on the bar.
By now the silence had given into mutterings and many people went back to what they were doing. Except for three men. Roland could see them in the corner of his eyes. In the dark corner of the room three men sat staring at him. Not watching or peeking at him but down right staring at him. Roland glanced across and as soon as he did so they all looked away and went back to pretending to talk.
All three men were darkly clad. The one in the centre who was opposite Roland on the table was wearing a hood and wearing priest robes. They weren't black though much to Roland's disappointment they were dark green. The one on the right looked about Roland's own age, he was dressed in a dark green cloak and normal clothes dark faded jeans and a black shirt. Roland also noted the guns on his hips, but he was no gunslinger this was an outcast, one who had failed their final test to become a slinger and sent out of Gilead in exile. The other on the table was another with a gun but only one, he was younger than Roland he wasn't wearing a cloak. He had black faded jeans and a shirt with a dark waistcoat and had a red bandana around his neck. On the thigh closet to Roland he wore a knife belt. He was a knife thrower, one who had also been sent out in exile judging by the gun on his hip.
Roland looked back to the bar and saw a young woman in front of him, dressed quite reasonably. She was quite attractive Roland supposed but he hadn't been interested in woman since Susan, the girl in the window.
"What'll be 'slinger" she smiled, at least the barmaid was pleased to see a Gunslinger.
"A bottle please, and a room for" Roland paused, "Three nights" he needed the rest although he didn't want it he'd sooner be after Walter but he had no desire to be one of the nameless dead in the wilderness.
"Bottle eh? and a room I hope you've got enough" The barmaid replied.
Roland put a hand into his pouch and pulled out several silver coins and dropped them on the bar. The three men in the corner noted this and began eyeing up the purse.
"Thankee 'slinger" The barmaid cooed and snatched up the coins eagerly, she left briefly and returned with a bottle of whiskey, a glass and a room key.
"One more thing if it please you?" Roland asked pouring himself a drink. "Who are the three men in the corner who've been fascinated by my arrival."
"Them's Flagg's cronies, well they weren't before but when 'e arrived they've suddenly been flashing more money around and been bossing people around more. One in the centre with the hood, that's Abel. The one with the cloak, e's Evan. The kid out of 'em is Imp. All exiles I'd avoid them 'slinger unless your that good."
Roland smiled. "I'm better" he said remembering the other exiles he dealt with when he was only fifth teen. Things in this town weren't entirely right and Roland was going to find out soon either by accident or purpose.