Here we are again! Hello everyone! This is my second attempt at a TS story, and we'll see if this one runs a little better. Constructive criticism and reviews are welcome, but flames and bashing will be laughed at and thrown to my muse for snacks :3 Enjoy!
(Run of the mill disclaimer: Tombstone and all it's actors, people, and the actual events in which the movie was based on are not mine, this is for entertainment purposes only.)
Arizona was not my lands. My body didn't like the heat from the scorching sun, or the smell of the baking earth beneath my horse's hooves. If I had my way, we'd be miles from here, in the clean airs of the northern corner. I'd heard the warm rains did wonders for the body. Then again, if I had my way I wouldn't be where I was now, trapped in servitude, forced to act as protection to a wealthy land owner and his young daughter. We were a dying race, treated no better then the negros who had fought so hard for their freedoms in the war years prior. Yet where their freedoms gained, ours were lost, with our land, with our people, our way, our culture. Nothing was sacred to the white man, and nothing stopped them from getting what they wanted. I sighed silently to myself. This was life now. I'd best come to terms with it. As we came to our destination, the carriage slowed, and I quickly followed. A mining camp. Seems the master's wealth wasn't enough, he wanted more, so we'd packed up and traveled to the dusty town. Saloons, taverns, and hotels all lined the main street, calling for customers and clients to stay. Pulling up to an inn called 'The Crystal Palace' the carriage slowed to a stop. The horses were hot, and tired, pushed beyond their usual limits in favor of haste. Quickly the boy in the driver's seat dropped down to open the door for the master and my ward. The finest clothes lined their forms, the best of hats, and jewelry. Dropping from the back of my speckled mount, I tied it to the back end of the wagon and quickly moved to stand beside the pair.
"Look at it my dear! You can just smell that silver! Yes, I think we will be very happy here." I resisted the urge to curl a lip. Smelt of sweat and whiskey to me.
"It is quite quaint!" Chirped the girl, her head turning this way and that. Elizabeth Dunn, daughter to my master, and my ward. She had a kind heart, and as much as I'd didn't want too, I did have a soft spot for her, having watched her slowly blossom into a woman. She'd just reached her 15th year, and was beginning to show the curves of a bearer, budding breasts pushing at her bustle, round hips perfect for bearing children, luscious flowing hair. I knew her father was hunting for a rich suitor to take her, and hoped to find one among the many immigrated here in search of wealth.
"Don't you think so Raven?" Giving the barest of nods to her, I said nothing.
"Come my dear! Let's go see if we can't find Behan, he tells me he knows where the best lots are. On the town lot commission you know." The girl lifted her parasol to cover her from the heated sun and took her father's arm. I looked to the boy holding the horses and nodded to the back of the hotel where the stables were held. He stayed quiet and just lead the tired team back to be taken care of. Following the pair, the father prattled on.
"The Oriental! Behan tells me it's a very classy place, where the finest go to play, seems they have a new dealer, bringing in high class play." A group of men stood to the side, one quite old, with a slight belly and boulder hat, the others much younger, with a much more traditional straight-rim to shade their mustached faces.
"Excuse me gentlemen!" The master stepped up to their group and gave a smile of welcome. A sharp eyed man with a kind, but cold stare looked over.
"Yessir, how can we help you?" Spoke the eldest on the end.
"My names Donald Dunn, and this is my daughter Elizabeth, we just came to town, we're wondering if you might know the whereabouts of one John Behan." Spoke Dunn
"It's a pleasure to meet you sir, I'm Wyatte Earp, and this is my brother Morgan, and my associate Doc Holliday, that's Fred White, Town marshal." Donald gave a beaming smile as he shook their hands firmly.
"Wonderful to meet you!"
'Wyatte Earp...why did that name sound familiar?' My thoughts drifted curiously to the group, but the marshal spoke up, breaking my focus.
"I think Behan's inside... I could go grab him if you like."
"Oh that would be most appreciated, thank you Marshal." The older man bowed his head in acceptance and turned to head into a nearby tavern.
"Wyatte Earp, hmm? I've heard of you, lawman from Kansas, right?" The sharp eyed man gave a smile.
"Gave all that up, livin' the dream here."
"Yes! It is a nice place, isn't it." A southern drawl from the man on the end interrupted them.
"Not to be rude, but I do believe you've forgotten an introduction." My eyes snapped to him to find his stare looking over my form, a curling smirk on his lips. "And what would be your name darlin'?" The girl spoke up in my stead.
"She's mute. She doesn't talk." She gave a bright smile my way. "I call her Raven."
"How charming." The attention now on me, the one called Morgan spoke up.
"A native?"
"Yes! Very useful, cheapest labor since the war, she watches over my daughter and I. I acquired them through the relocation's, and have been very pleased with the outcome." Said Dunn, his smile quite smug. Acquired. I nearly snorted.
"Think that's a good idea, just draggin' her around like that?" Asked Wyatte, chewing slightly on a cigar in his fingertips.
"Protection good sir, these savages are born fighters. Nothing but the best for my girl." I looked away from the studying stare of the retired lawman. Another curious onlooker, he'd lose interest eventually.
"If you're interested in one of your own, I'm sure I could make some arrangements."
"Oh no no no... we don't need anything like that." Assured Morgan with a chuckle.
"Are you sure? Wonderful babysitters, after they even out. That one's raised my girl since she was a child, isn't that right princess?" The girl gave a giggle.
"Yes Daddy." The sound of steps approaching had my head turned to investigate. Behan. I nearly hissed at his very appearance. Immaculate, as always, his County Sheriff star shining in the sunlight.
"Donald!"
"John! Wonderful to see you." They two gave exchanged a warm handshake before the Sheriff smiled at the girl.
"And Miss Elizabeth! You grow more beautiful every day." He kissed her hand, drawing another giggle from her lips.
"Great to see you made it without trouble." Said the Sheriff with a smile.
"Yes, no hassles of any kind. We were hoping for a tour of the town! If you aren't busy."
"Not at all, I see you've already met the Earp brothers. Our little town-celebrity." The men exchanged chuckles, but I tuned it out, forced pleasantries weren't usually worth listening to anyway. My study of my surroundings had me slightly on edge. New towns meant new ways, new threats, new people. It would take me some time to acclimate to this rough little mining camp. A sharp snap of a gun through the peace would cause me to react instantly. I reached for my blade and drew, moving to guard the girl while I searched for the source. A pair of drunks were fighting over what I assumed to be a bad card game, and their argument had spilled into the street.
"Just a disagreement, Donald, control your savage." Scolded John, nose upturned. I nearly growled as I glared at Behan, shoving the blade into it's sheath at my waist with a bit more force then probably needed.
"Just a bit skittish in the new place is all. Don't worry, don't worry."