Arizona Territory 1880s
The stagecoach shuttered to a stop on the hot dusty main street of Copper Canyon. The afternoon sun beat down relentlessly on the stage as the door swung open. "How can it be this hot in May? I think you lied to me," Samwell Tarly complained as he stepped out of the stagecoach. He was already sweating, entry into the direct sunlight only made it worse.
"I think you let yourself be lied to," Jon Snow countered as he followed him out of the coach.
"And how do you figure that exactly?" Sam asked looking slightly offended.
"You choose to believe me about the weather when you knew full well I've never been this far south, or west, before."
Sam gave a small grunt in response and wiped the sweat from his brow.
"At least it's a dry heat," Jon said as he clapped his friend on the shoulder.
"Hot is hot," he heard Sam mumble.
He stood next to Sam and surveyed the town. It looked just like most other southwestern mining towns. The main street stretching out before them in both directions. Both sides of the street were lined with businesses and wooden sidewalks. It did boast a few brick buildings, though most were plywood and several of them looked to have been recently constructed. It appeared to still be a town on the rise.
"You hungry?" Jon asked.
"Look at me," Sam answered, "Am I ever not?" The two men laughed as they grabbed their bags from the rack on the stagecoach and headed off down the street in search of lunch.
They entered through the swinging doors of the nearest saloon to find it was mostly empty. The few men that were in there looked to be finishing lunch. The men were dirty and rough looking. Of the ones that bothered to look up as they entered, none of them smiled. The bartender gave them a nod as they walked up to the bar and took a seat.
"Afternoon boys, just came in on the stage did you?" Jon realized then that the bartender was in fact a tall woman. Sam was just looking at her in shock, his mouth hanging slightly open. The woman didn't seem to be bothered by the reaction though.
"Yes ma'am we did," Jon answered.
"Well welcome to Copper Canyon then. Now what can I get you?"
"Two beers, and whatever you're serving for lunch," Jon answered for them both.
"Coming right up," the woman said. She poured them their beers and disappeared towards the kitchen.
She returned shortly after with two bowls of steaming stew and set it in front of them. She then poured them each a glass of water. "Make sure you drink plenty of water out here. If you don't, well you liable to be dead before you even realize your brain's been cooked." Sam's eyes went wide and he quickly gulped down half the glass of water.
The woman walked away and served the end of the bar before coming back to them. "So where y'all come in from?" she asked as she refilled Sam's water.
"Our last station was Fort Laramie ma'am," Jon answered.
"And you decided it was a good idea to come here, to the desert, at the start of summer? You two ain't exactly bright, now are you?" the woman said. "And stop calling me ma'am. Please."
Sam sputtered a bit, his expression a mixture of shock and annoyance. Jon knew he hadn't appreciated her saying they weren't bright. Sam's knowledge and wit were one of the few things he was actually proud of.
"As you wish. And well, we appreciate the concern, but we'll be alright. In our previous lives we've survived far worse things than a bit of heat," Jon said calmly.
"That so? Well that'll probably help you. Only the tough and the stubborn survive here. What ya'll say your names were?"
"We didn't," Sam mumbled somewhat perplexed.
"I'm Jon. This is Sam."
"Well welcome to the devil's asshole boys. I'm Brienne. This is my place by the way."
She seemed to be waiting for them to say something or challenge her assertion, and while neither of them had really encountered a woman owning her own business, let alone running a saloon, they knew better than to be rude.
"Well, seems like a mighty fine place," Jon said.
"And this stew's wonderful," Sam added.
She regarded them a moment longer and then finally gave them a hint of a smile. "Well alright then. Enjoy your meals," she said and walked away to go talk to one of the other customers.
"What have I let you dragged me into this time?" Sam hissed.
"It's gonna take some getting used to sure, but if play our cards right, this here might just be the land of opportunity for us. Anyway, I'm sure this place is probably more bark than bite," Jon assured him.
They both turned at the sound of loud deep rumbling laughter. A red haired man with wild hair and a wild beard was sitting at the table behind them and apparently had been eavesdropping.
"You two will be dead in two weeks tops," the man said once he stopped laughing.
"And how do you figure that?" Jon asked.
The man laughed again. "I can just tell. I've seen it before. I imagine you got big dreams of hitting it rich in one of the mines. I hate to break it to you but that's rare. And everything in the desert is designed to kill you. Didn't you feel it when you stepped off that stage? If the heat doesn't get you, the rattlesnakes will. And the coyotes and vultures, well they're are just waiting to pick your bones."
Sam sat wide eyed and his mouth hanging open. Jon glared at the man. "As far as welcome wagons go, you're a rather poor one."
"Just trying to save your lives," the man said with a laugh.
"It can't really be all that bad. I would think it's at least safe here in town," Sam said. "Right?"
The man laughed again. "You're probably better off in the desert friend."
Sam looked at Jon nervously. "We'll be fine," Jon assured him.
"I won't be making assurances you can't keep," the man said.
"Listen sir, I don't mean to be rude, but what do you know of it? You seem to be making some bold assumptions and you don't know anything about us," Jon said letting his frustration get the best of him.
"I'll give you that. I might not know you, but I know your type… Let me give it a go, ex army right? Reckon for the most part you been kicking around in the plains, maybe Indian Territory, since you signed up. Finally just got sick of killing all them woman and children, so now you come west to find your fortune?" Jon could feel his jaw ticking with tension. Sam was just looking between Jon and the other man. "Tell me I'm wrong. If I'm wrong I'll pay for your lunch," the man added.
"And if you're right I suppose you'll be wanting me to pay for yours," Jon said after a beat.
"Maybe you are smarter than I'd originally thought," the man said and knocked back a large gulp of his whiskey. "So where you planning to stake your claim boys?"
"Not sure we will be. We came looking for other opportunities. Besides, we're not exactly experienced miners," Sam answered him. Jon just sighed. He really wished that Sam would keep their weaknesses to himself.
"Well no shit? And here I thought I was talking to Henry Comstock this whole time."
"Tormund!" Brienne said sternly from behind the bar, "You stop harassing them shave tails right now or I'm gonna toss you out here like the last time."
"You know threaten to put your hands on me ain't no deterrent," Tormund responded waggling his eyebrows at the barkeep. Brienne shot him a look of disgust as she groaned and walked away. "She's gonna admit she loves me one of these days, you're gonna see."
"I thought you said we'd be dead in two weeks," Jon countered.
Tormund gave a sharp laugh. "You might be alright after all. Tell you what, I'm gonna help you out," he said as he rose to his feet.
Jon and Sam exchanged a look. Jon shrugged a bit as if to say, "He might be crazy, but let's hear him out."
"Eat up boys. I'll meet you outside in ten minutes." He downed the last of his whiskey and went out the door.
Sam just stared after him until Jon told him to finish up. "You can't be serious. We are not going anywhere with him," Sam hissed.
"Seems like he knows the place, which is more than we can say right now. He might be able to help us."
"Or he's going to rob us and use our bones to make weapons."
"Tormund's a bit of a crackpot, but he won't hurt you," Brienne offered as she came to top their waters off one last time. "He's been here for a coon's age, knows the area pretty well. There are far worse people you could fall in with. I recommend you take the help where it's offered. There aren't many people in this town that still give a rat's ass about other folks."
"Thanks for the advice," Jon said as he settled the tab.
"Did you mean what you said earlier? Y'all really don't know that much about mining?"
"No ma'am, we don't. Sam here is actually hoping to apprentice with the town doc."
"I was a medic in the army," Sam told her.
"And I can do lots of things. We're hard workers and we'll catch on quick with whatever we decide I'm sure," Jon said.
"Tell you what, you both seem like good eggs. Come back by tonight, I might be able to help you out."
"Thank you ma'am, we'll do just that," Jon said.
"Alright then, get on with you. You don't want Tormund getting too antsy. And when you come back tonight, please drop the ma'am horseshit."
"Sorry, I'll try to remember," Jon said.
Brienne just smiled and waved them off. They said one more goodbye and then left the saloon to meet Tormund and possibly their future.
xxxxxx
"Fine work as always. The girls are going to be thrilled with these," Margaery Tyrell said as she examined the hem of one of the dresses Sansa had sown.
"I'm glad you liked them. As always, I appreciate the order, truly," Sansa Stark said. She was glad she'd been able to deliver it this week and get paid. She owed the bank their monthly payment at the end of the week and still needed to settle out with the general store as well.
"Of course. And anyways, it's far more affordable to just order the fabric and have you make them than to order the completed pieces from France or New York."
"Do you have any mending this week?"
"Of course. These drunken ruffians cannot keep their hands to themselves. We have far too many dresses with torn straps and hems than is proper. Shae is supposed to be collecting the last of them for you now. I really wish the rougher ones would stay over at the Triple P where their kind is welcomed."
Shae appeared then carrying a canvass bag that was nearly full of clothes. Sansa said a silent prayer of thanks.
Loras Tyrell, Marge's brother and the official owner of the dance hall, appeared then and handed Sansa a small bag of coins. He thanked her and then headed back to the office.
"I'll walk you out," Marge said.
They headed to the back of the hall so she could let Sansa out into the alley. "Marge," Sansa began.
"I told you before, you don't need to thank me every single time. You'll always have my business."
"I know, but am grateful. You were one of the few that didn't waiver after –"
"You know full well I don't believe any of that curse horseshit, not before, not now." Sansa gave her a tight smile and a quick hug. "I'll see you end of the week as usual," Marge added before she went back inside.
She tossed the sack of clothes into the back of the cart and then pulled herself onto the seat. She snapped the reins and the mule headed down the alley. She turned out on to Main Street. She could feel some eyes on her. She had thought they would lessen as time passed, but so far she'd had no such luck.
She stopped in front of the general store and hitched the mule to the hitching post and went inside. Mr. Luwin looked up and gave her a hint of a smile. He was always nice to her at least, probably because she continually paid her bill in full and on time every month.
"What you be needing today Miss Stark?" he asked as she reached the counter. She noticed the store was rather empty of customers at the moment. It helped her relax a bit.
Sansa pulled the list from her waistband and rattled off the supply list. He and the new stock boy worked to gather everything together. She could see the stock boy sneaking glances at her, she knew he was trying to puzzle out if the stories were true. She paid Mr. Luwin as the boy began to lug the supplies outside to her cart.
She glanced at the clock behind Mr. Luwin and was pleased to see she was making good time. She only had Olenna's boarding house to stop at and then she could head for home. She hoped the coach had brought in some new boarders because the work from Olenna's had dropped off recently, and with it the income that she counted on to keep her and Arya on the claim.
She went back to her cart and headed off to the south end of Main Street. She sped up a little when she passed Petyr's Pleasure Palace, or as it was commonly known, The Triple P. She didn't want to risk Petyr seeing her and trying to stop her for one of their chats.
She pulled to a stop in front of the boarding house and hitched the mule up. She climbed down and made her way inside. She sometimes thought of Olenna like she was her own grandmother. And if she was being honest, if it wasn't for people like the Tyrells she wasn't sure how she and Arya would continue to survive in this town. Especially recently. Olenna and Margaery had essentially saved her from ruin when they had persuaded several other businesses into keeping their laundry with her after the incident at the mine.
"Olenna!" she called out.
"Kitchen!" she heard her call back.
Sansa made her way to the kitchen and found her stirring a large pot. "Stage came today. Any new boarders?" she asked.
"I heard a few people got off but no one's been by for a room yet." Sansa knew her face fell a bit. "Don't worry dear, I'm sure they just decided that it was more important to drink or whore before finding a place to sleep. The bag's out on the back porch for you."
"Thanks." Sansa went out back and came back in with the bag of laundry.
"I guess I'll stop back on Friday then," Sansa said.
"Sounds good. I do hope I get some new borders this evening. Ever since that blasted Harren Hall opened up on other end of town it's been more of a battle. And an empty house is not a profitable one."
"Agreed." She did work for both places, but Olenna paid her much better.
"Well do say hello to your sister for me."
"I will. I'll see you Friday," Sansa said and then turned to leave.
"Sansa dear." She stopped and turned to face Olenna. "Have you thought anymore about what we talked about? About the shop?"
"A little, but I still need to save up some more money before I'll be ready."
"Alright then, but I have it on good authority that there is a prime space getting ready to open up."
"Really? Where?"
"The apothecary. Believe it or not that snake oil salesman that took over the place is already looking to pull up stakes."
"I'll keep it in mind."
"Are you certain you two want to remain out there on that claim all alone? It's be a few months now, and well I can't imagine it's getting any easier."
Sansa sighed. "It's not really, but right now it's still easier to be out there then here all the time, what with some folks still looking at us a little funny….."
"Fair enough. Though I must say I still can't believe how stupid these backwater idiots can be. We both know that whole curse nonsense is hogwash. If anyone should be getting the stink eye, well it should be Baelish himself."
Sansa shuttered a bit at the mention of Petyr. "Yes, well we both know no one in this town is going to risk their lives or livelihood calling him out on anything. Especially that."
"It's just not right dear. The things –"
"Olenna please. Let's not do this today," Sansa interrupted her. She had no desire to go down this road again. She just wanted to get back to the claim so she could start on the wash and help Arya with dinner.
"Alright, alright. It just chaps my hide how much power that terrible man has been given."
"I know….. Thanks again for the work. Have a good afternoon."
Sansa turned and headed for the front door. She shifted the laundry bag in her hands and went to push open the door with her shoulder. Just as she leaned in, the door was pulled outward. She stumbled forward into someone. Laundry spilled from the bag.
"I'm sorry," she cried as she quickly tried to gather up the clothes.
"It was my fault. Here, let me help you," a man said. Their hands touched as they grabbed for the same piece of clothing. They both stopped and their eyes met. Sansa inhaled sharply at the sight of the man. He was ruggedly handsome. He had dark hair, a beard and thoughtful grey eyes. The scar on the right side of his face and the one near his left eye somehow made him more handsome to her.
They both crouched there frozen for a few moments taking each other in. The man finally gave her the hint of a smile and then stood up.
"Thank you," Sansa said as he handed her the garment.
She flushed when she realized someone behind the man was clearing their throat. She met Tormund's eyes and gave him a quick tight smile before picking up the bag and quickly heading to her cart. She tossed the bag in, unhitched the mule and climbed in the seat. She glanced one last time at the man, who she noted was still looking at her, and then snapped the reins and turned the mule towards home.