Lexa tightened the saddle straps on her horse before turning to the small group gathered behind her. The bearded man who had laughed at the messenger earlier was now much more sombre.
"Wish you would let us go with you boss." He turned to the three other men who nodded in agreement.
"Believe me I thought about it Gustus, I think it's been almost five years since you've all been by my side." Lexa smiled then shook her head "But no, this is something I have to do on my own."
He pulled her into a hug and she almost disappeared beneath his large frame, her arms barely making it half way around his waist. She pulled back and laughed at the older man.
"It's only for a few weeks!."
He shoved a bottle of whiskey into her hands and made his way back to the porch before his emotions got the better of him, the rest of the men following after. Lexa turned to the women who were fanning themselves in the morning sun.
"Lexa, you've gone and got us girls all flustered again!." A short blonde giggled as she hugged her. The Queen of Hearts Saloon had been Lexa's home for the past ten years, ever since she had left Polis City at the age of fourteen. Since then the working women had become her family.
After they took turns in hugging her and sharing a few words Lexa noticed there was someone missing.
"She's in her room, refusing to come out." Aileen knew who Lexa was looking for.
She gave the younger woman a kiss on the cheek and tucked a handful of money into her pocket.
Lexa began to protest but Aileen put her hands up, clearly not interested in what Lexa was going to say.
"Just be careful okay?" Aileen pulled her into a tight hug and then pushed her in the direction of the tavern.
"Now go, you know how she likes it when you chase after her." She gave Lexa a slap on the behind before entering the saloon herself.
As the saloon doors swung the older woman declared loudly "All girls are back at work and first customers get a discount!" Which was followed by cheering and the sounds of the piano starting up.
Lexa shook her head and smiled, it was only for a few weeks but she would definitely miss this place. She glanced up at a window in the saloon and saw the curtains move a little. She sighed and considered taking a swig of the Whiskey before making her way up there. Deciding against it she tucked it into her supplies bag and braced herself for the conversation she was headed for.
Making her way up the stairs she could see most of the girls had already found their first company for the day and from what she couldn't see, she could definitely hear. Noises that when she had first stayed at the saloon had made her blush and spend most of her nights with her head buried in pillows. Now they were so common she barley noticed them, including the constant sound of men's conversations, laughter, singing and most nights fighting.
Walking down the mezzanine she run her hands over the banister and looked down onto the saloon floor below, like she had done a thousand times before on her way to Costia's room. When she reached the last door on the right she stopped and knocked softly.
When there was no answer Lexa opened the door and entered slowly.
"Cos? Can I come in?" She asked as her eyes searched the room for its occupant.
This room was much more feminine than Alieen's and Lexa had always noticed the stark difference. There was a modest double bed between the two large windows on the far wall. A small dressing table to the left and a worn single armchair in the corner. The furnishings were mostly coloured soft shades of violet and due to the size of the room they didn't leave space for much else.
Costia was standing at one of the far windows. She was the same age as Lexa and almost the same height.
"Unless you plan on taking me with you, you can leave now." Costia did not look away from the window.
Lexa closed the door behind her and stepped into the middle of the room. She looked to the other woman and noticed she was wearing a dress she had never seen before. It was white with light blue stitching around the cuffs and sat off her shoulders. It hugged her small waist and fell into a full skirt. It suited her small frame and pale skin. Her blonde hair was pulled into a braided bun and long ringlets framed her face.
Lexa looked down to her own attire of brown pants, leather chaps, white singlet, brown vest and her lucky red bandanna tied around her neck. She suddenly felt very under dressed.
"I like your dress, is it new?" Lexa tried to ease the tension flowing from the other girl across the room.
Costia turned and smoothed her hands over the material.
"Yes is it, I thought you'd like it and the tailor said it's good for travelling." She looked to Lexa and held the other girls gaze before Lexa sighed and looked to the floor.
"Costia you're not coming with me." She said matter of factly.
Costia pulled are dress up and closed the distance between them so fast Lexa thought she was going to tackle her.
"Look at me and tell me why I can't come with you Lexa." It was clear the blonde was angry.
Lexa looked up with a soft expression.
"If you think it has anything to do with you, then you're wrong. I'm going to clean up a mess someone from a long time ago made . If I guess right it'll be all meetings with bankers and other old men in musty rooms."
Lexa took the other girls hand.
"And we spoke about all this, if I took you along it'd be confusing and I don't want to give you the wrong idea."
"Again". The blonde said as she pulled her hand away.
Lexa closed her eyes for a second and dipped her head "Yeah, again."
Costia stepped back and put her hands on her hips.
"Well don't expect us all to come running when you're in trouble. I've heard about Polis City, it's all rich folk who think they're better than everyone else. I can see you pissing someone off your first day there!"
Lexa bit her lip to keep from smiling.
"That's an accurate description of both the town and me but I promise to behave. Don't you think Al's already made me swear to keep my head down?"
Costia's temperament simmered at the cheeky grin on Lexa's face and crossed her arms across her chest. Lexa turned around and walked towards the door.
"I have to get moving, this is your last chance for a hug."
As she was reaching for the handle she felt Costia hug her from behind. The blonde rested her chin on Lexa's shoulder.
"Just promise you'll come back to...us."
Lexa gave the girls arms a squeeze and nodded before leaving the room.
It was hot and Lexa felt like her clothes were permanently stuck to her skin. She had been riding for the past six days, stopping when she needed but had no access to homely comforts.
Her lucky red bandanna was now brown with dirt and sweat. She pulled her Stetson from her head and waved it over her face. It felt like a futile action as nothing but the still afternoon air wafted around her.
She swatted a few flies from around her face and the pale coloured Morgan horse she was riding gave an irritated grunt.
"I know girl, we're almost there." She said as she gave the horse a rub under her dark brown mane.
Lexa put her hat back on and gently urged the horse forward towards the entrance of the town ahead.
Two large logs stood with a carved wooden sign suspended between them. Lexa looked up with one eye squinting in the sun and read 'Polis City: America's Finest Town'.
"I guess they're writing whatever they want on those things now." She laughed to herself as she entered into the main part of the town.
Keeping her head low, Lexa noticed the town had changed almost to the point that she didn't recognise it. She was in what us to be the town market, where stall holders would set up and you could buy your daily needs whenever they opened. Some days they didn't open at all. Now it seemed the stall owners had made enough money to hold actual stores. Various shop fronts lined the street on each side offering almost anything you could think of.
There were also a lot more people than she remembered, dressed in some of the finest clothes she'd ever seen. Shifting self consciously in her saddle Lexa made her way towards one of the largest stores on the street, it's sign read 'Gordon & Sons General Store'.
Swinging down onto the ground she almost groaned in pleasure as she stretched out her legs and back, feeling it pop satisfyingly. She hung small bag of oats out for her horse and tucked a small bag of money into her pocket.
"I'll be back in a moment girl." She said giving the horse a pat before taking the few steps up and into the store.
A small bell sounded as she entered and a man with a ridiculously shaped moustache gave her a unimpressed expression as he took in her appearance. Ignoring the man's stare Lexa stood at the counter and waited as an old man made his way towards her.
"Yes, can I help you ma'am?" He was tall but age had made his shoulders slump forward a little, lines etched their way from the corners of his eyes and the small amount of hair he had left was grey and wispy.
Lexa removed her hat and placed it on the counter.
"I'll take some bread, cheese and soap please". She replied as she looked over the items on offer on the surrounding shelves.
"Is that beef jerky?"
The old man nodded as he eyed her curiously.
"I'll take a pouch of that to." She tipped a few coins into her hand as the store owner gathered up her items.
"Ya'll not from round here are you?" He said glimpsing at her from the corner of his eye.
Lexa hesitated for a moment before shaking her head. He placed the items in front of her and rang out the bill. As she handed her money over he began writing in a small note book.
"Now, who shall I name this sale to?"
Lexa shook her head again.
"No need to start a bill, I'm just passing though." She began picking her stuff up, wanting to make a quick exit.
He looked up with a and placed a hand on her arm.
"Please ma'am, I like to keep a record of everything I've sold and to whom."
Lexa looked to his hand and sighed.
"It's Lexa..." She glanced behind her quickly before finishing, "Lexa Woods."
The old man's eyes lit up with recognition as he gave her arm a squeeze.
"I knew it was you as soon as I saw you." He smiled.
Lexa frowned as she searched his face, stumped as to who he was.
He laughed and walked around the counter to where she was standing.
"Let me look at you, you were between hay and grass when I last saw you!", he shook his head, "And my sweets jar has been so full since you left."
Lexa's eye went wide as she realised who he was, a dozen memories flashing through her head.
"Mr. Gordon?"
He smiled "Yes, dear."
Lexa suddenly felt very nervous, she knew there was a chance she would be recognised but did not expect it to be so soon and by someone whom she had terrorised throughout her childhood.
"Nice establishment you have here, much bigger than the old store". Lexa smiled nervously, unsure on how to proceed with the conversation.
Mr. Gordon nodded as he continued to look at her. She shifted her weight as she grew increasingly uncomfortable and bundled her shopping under her arm.
"Mr. Gordon I can pay for all those sweets I stole, make things square, I just don't want any trouble while I'm here." She placed a few extra coins on the counter.
The old man let out a loud laugh before pulling the younger woman into a hug.
"Little Lexa, always finding her way out of trouble," he pulled back "Now, I don't care a continental about anything from the past, including anything anyone has to say about Titus."
Lexa dipped her head and studied the wooden floor at the mention of that name.
"You take those goods and your money back," He turned around and went behind the counter as Lexa began to decline.
"Please, you were one of my favourites, you always made me laugh," His expression grew soft, "For old time sakes."
He placed the money back into her hand and Lexa felt her face grow warm. She was not accustomed to such courtesy from people who knew her past.
"Thank you." She said quietly before turning and leaving the store.
Lexa packed her things into the saddle bag and pulled out a small canteen of water. She gulped down a few mouthfuls before splashing some onto her face and neck.
Leaning back onto her horse she blew out a breath and shook her head, thinking about what had just happened.
Maybe being back here won't be so bad? She thought to herself.
She began taking in her surroundings a little more, trying to work out the new layout of the town. As she stood there a young boy running at full speed while looking behind him crashed into her legs.
Lexa grabbed onto the saddle behind her, dropping her canteen and used her horses frame to keep from falling over. Her horse gave out a whinny of disapproval before going back to her oats.
"Shit." Lexa said under her breath as she wiped at the droplets of water on her pants and crouched down.
"Hey kid, are you okay?" She picked up the canteen and looked him over.
She guessed he was around five or six, with sandy hair and light skin. He stood up and dusted himself off before looking at Lexa with the biggest blue eyes she'd ever seen on a boy. He wiped his nose across his hand as he sniffed and tried to keep from crying. He picked up a small toy he he been carrying, it was a small lump of wood that had been crudely shaped to resemble a sword.
His eyes filled up with tears as the tip hung loosely from the rest of the toy.
"Hey, it's okay..." Lexa reached out to the boy but he was distracted by a noise coming from behind her.
A group of children around the same age had gathered and were pointing and laughing at the boy.
"Look, the cry baby broke his toy!" One called out. "I thought it was already broke!" Another one said and they all laughed loudly.
A taller boy with freckles and a pig nose stepped forward and knocked the toy out of the other boys hands.
"I'd leave it in the dirt if I were you mudsill, that's where you belong."
The smaller boy stood back in fear and Lexa decided she had seen enough, grabbing the bully by the ear.
"Get going you little shit!" She said before pushing him forward and kicking him on the backside.
He ran off rubbing his behind and the group of other children scattered in all directions.
She turned back to the boy and picked up the toy, handing it back to him. He was looking at her with such adoration and awe Lexa felt kind of embarrassed.
"Uh, where's your Momma kid?"
He blinked and pointed down the street.
"At home." He continued to stare at her.
"Go on, get back to her." Lexa turned and put the canteen in her bag, preparing to leave.
"Will you walk me there?" She felt a small hand slip into her own as he spoke.
She looked down and any plan she had to say no dissolved as he smiled up at her.
She packed the bag of oats away and untied her horse, all with one hand as the boy was reluctant to let the other go.
"Okay, lead the way." Lexa said and he began walking.
As they walked the boy continued to look up to Lexa then away again with a big smile. She began to feel awkward again, looking around at the people going by, wondering if they knew how strange she felt.
"What's your name?" His small voice broke her from her thoughts.
"Lexa." She answered.
"That's a funny name" He stated looking back up at her.
"I guess it is." Lexa shrugged, she had gone by the nick name for so long she often forgot to mention her real name.
He nodded and looked back to the street, seemingly satisfied with her answer. After a few minutes of silence he spoke again.
"Do you like books?"
Lexa nodded.
"I like books to, my Momma is reading me one now about a horse who is as fast as lightning!" He squeezed her hand as he spoke and Lexa couldn't help but smile.
"I think your horse kinda looks like him, what's his name?"
"Her name is Heda." Lexa said proudly, giving the horse a pat.
The boy looked from Lexa to the hose then back again.
"Another funny name!" He laughed so hard at this Lexa had to laugh along with him.
"I guess I'm not very imaginative." She said and he nodded in agreement.
"Now you know both mine and my horses name, are you going to tell me yours?" She said with a smile.
They had turned off the main street and were now walking down much quieter part of town, where houses bordered the dirt road.
"It's Aden." He said before letting go of her hand and running to the door of the house to the right.
It was log built house, much like the rest in the street. The old wood was grey coloured and the roof stood not much higher than Lexa herself. A small garden bed sat to one side, with what looked to be an attempt at growing something within it.
"Mom, I'm home, come meet my new friend!" Aden yelled at the top of his lungs.
Lexa grimaced at the volume and chuckled lightly.
"Mom!" He opened the door and called inside "Mooooomma!"
He looked back at Lexa as though he was checking she was still here. Footsteps came hurriedly from inside the house and he stood back as a woman stepped out of the house.
"Aden! What's wrong?" The woman knelt and looked her son over worridly.
Lexa opened her mouth to greet the woman but was struck by how beautiful she was. Her golden hair was long and shining in the sun and had the same smooth clear skin as Aden. But what really had Lexa staring was the woman's face, it was so perfectly shaped, with soft looking lips and brilliant blue eyes. Her dress was a simple lilac house dress, that outlined her lean figure.
Aden swatted his mother's hands away in embarrassment.
"Momma, stop, I'm okay." He pointed over to Lexa. "I wanted you to meet my new friend Lexa, she likes books!"
The woman had not noticed Lexa until then, she stood up and looked at her then back to Aden.
"Your friend?" She asked him and he nodded quickly.
She turned back to Lexa.
"I'm sorry, do I know you?" She asked with a confused expression.
Lexa took her hat off and took a few steps closer.
"No, ma'am, I'm Lexa." She said trying to muster up all the confidence she could.
The woman flicked her eyes over her and Lexa regretted not being able washing up before hand.
"And her horse is Heda!." Aden broke both the woman from their staring contest with his outburst.
"Right." Said Lexa giving him a wink.
"Do you know my son?" The fair haired woman said as she pulled Aden closer to her side.
Lexa turned her hat over in her hands as she decided on what to tell the woman, judging by the look on Aden's face there were some things he wanted left out.
"Well, I seem to have accidentally broken his toy today when I wasn't watching where I was headed." She glanced at Aden who now wouldn't meet her eyes.
"I thought the least I could do would be reimburse you for the cost of the toy."
"Oh," The other woman seemed relived at this explanation "That's very kind of you but not necessary."
Lexa pulled a coin from her pocket and tried to hand it over.
"No please, it's not needed." The woman shook her head, making the waves in her hair bounce around.
Lexa contemplated her next move, biting her lip as she thought. After a moment she put her hat back on and nodded.
"Okay, I'll make it up to you another way." She said with a grin.
The other woman blushed and Lexa felt that familiar wave of bravado kick in.
"Uh, that's...you don't have to do that." The other woman stumbled over her words.
Lexa mounted her horse, "I'll see you soon Aden and..."
"Clarke! Her name is Clarke" Aden said looking up at his Mother who was still contemplating the other woman.
Lexa dipped her hat, "Clarke". She rode away leaving a surprised Clarke and grinning Aden standing on the porch.
