I would find a large fold of money in my purse the next day, from the lunger no doubt when he'd sat upon the bank. Instinct had me using it for a range of supplies, but the main one of notice would be at least two more blades to add to the large one I kept sheathed at my waist. I felt... vulnerable, weak, with every lustful stare I received from the red sashed cowboys. None of them touched me though, all looked, but most actually made a point to leave me alone, especially when with my Master or Charge. I smelt foulness in the air. Something unsightly was festering over the horizon.
"Raven? Raven are you listening?" I was snapped back into my thoughts by my ward, who'd been chattering about buying yet another horse.
"You weren't were you, where's your head at?" I gave a tiny shrug of apology that she instantly accepted.
"Daddy gave me two hundred dollars, do you think it will get what we want?" Maybe. The challenge would do wonders to ease my constantly whirling thoughts as of late. So off to the edge of town we went. Livestock, meat, furs, all trade was usually done around the pins with the exceptions of a few wandering carts that would come and go.
"Miss Dunn!" My head snapped to see Behan, walking with a boulder hatted man, slightly older, their suits pristine.
"Sheriff Behan, how do you do?"
"Wonderful, Miss Dunn, Wonderful. Let me introduce you to someone, this is Mayor Klum."
"Oh, Mayor! Wonderful to meet you, daddy tells me great things."
"And you as well my dear, tell me what brings you out to this side of town?"
"Oh, I let my father asked to use my mare for a bit of breeding, and in return he's letting me pick out another. Raven is here to help me." She gave a smile and instantly, I saw the distaste in the sheriff's stare as they looked to me.
"Well...I'm sure the Mayor and myself could certainly... assist you in picking out your new mount. Shall we?" Asked Behan, holding out his arm.
"Oh, well thank you! Raven, are you coming?"
"That won't be necessary." A hard stare from the Sheriff had my lips turned down in a slight frown.
"Well...Why don't you see about anything else we may need while we're here...find me when you're done." Said the girl. Bowing my head in acceptance, I stepped away. I wouldn't go far though, playing the distant shadow. I did, however, pick up a few things along the way, before running across the one familiar face in the crowd. Walking to the pelt stand where he stood looking at the wears, I plucked it from his fingers with a tiny smile.
"Hey now, oh." Wyatt gave a fond smile as he looked to me.
"Hey now, I won't have you disruptin' my customers, get out of here." Growled the owner, looking to me with scorn. I curled a lip, but Wyatt spoke up.
"No it's alright, it's alright, I was...actually hoping our paths would cross today." My brows lifted and he smiled as he picked up another pelt.
"I'm having a wrap made for Maddie, my wife." I gave a nod of acknowledgment.
"Rumor has it you know your way around a pelt." I gave a tiny flash of teeth as I tugged on my fringed outfit.
"You made that?" I nodded.
"And what could you do with this?" He gestured to a rabbit's felt and my brows lifted, motioning across my shoulders.
"Yea, that's what I want, how many do I need for it?" I held up three fingers. Looking back to the dealer, he spoke.
"Three of your finest rabbits." The man dug around a bit before tugging out a trio of pelts close enough in color to fit. He ran a hand down it's front and nodded.
"These are good, how much?" While they bargained, I took the pelt and studied it. As Wyatt reached for his bills, I stopped him and shook my head.
"What?" I stroked down the soft front, and found few imperfections, but I quickly turned it over and pointed to small holes where the skin was thin, or where they had slipped with the knife. Throwing the rabbit back to the pile, I moved to the next, a look of displeasure on my lips. This one was far too dry. I showed the man, flicking off a piece of skin.
"Jesus, don't you oil these?"
"Don't listen to her, she doesn't know what she's talking about."
"All due respect sir, she's the one wearin' a deer skin." I smirked a bit and tossed the bunny away, looking over the last one. This one actually didn't look half bad, and I held it to Wyatt.
"This one works?" I nodded.
"Alright, how much for this one?"
"Dime set." Digging into his pocket, the faro dealer held out a pair of dimes, but I quickly grabbed his hand and uncurled it, taking one out before pushing it to the dealer.
"Oh no-" I raised a brow and gave a pointed look to a fur stand across the path before looking back. We could easily take our business elsewhere.
"Fine." He snatched up the money and I placed Wyatt's coin back into his palm. Grabbing his single pelt, he chuckled and rolled it up before stepping away.
"You know, for a silent woman, you sure are persuasive." I gave a tiny smile.
"But now that leaves one question." My brows lifted. "Where am I gonna find two more to match this one?" I held a questioning hand out for it, and he passed it over. Looking close, I ran my thumb against the grain. At the bottom was an orange tan before melting to the dusty brown. Looking up, I tapped my chest a bit.
"You can find it?" I nodded. This fur was familiar. I knew where this family of rabbits ran, I'd seen them through town and on the dim outskirts when I hunted for a simple meal for the boy and I.
"You're sure." I gave a firm nod.
"Alright... alright, you find me two to match this one, I'll make sure you're well compensated." I gave another tiny smile and nodded, happy to make business.
"Raven! Raven, come look at the horse Sheriff Behan found." Said Elizabeth as I approached the pin. My eyes turned to a golden colored horse tethered to a horse before her.
"Fine beast here, and for a very reasonable price." Boasted Behan, chest out in an almost proud manner. Cocking my head, I stepped into the animal's enclosure. A cattle horse. It's hooves were very fine, and pointed, it's legs a bit on the lengthy side for a woman of Elizabeth's size. But that might be overlooked, he had a very fine demeanor, letting me run my hands up and down his form. What I didn't like the look of, was his knees.
"Yes, I think this will be a fine mount for you Miss Dunn, just think, a pretty horse for a pretty girl." I heard her giggle, but ignored it. Moving up, I pulled open it's mouth. Just as I feared. This horse was old. It might have miles left on it, but the dull shape of it's mouth had me worried, horses with untreated teeth lost them, and then couldn't eat. I shook my head and let it go.
"What's wrong?" I made a motion to my mouth, pointing to my teeth in explanation.
"Well a bit of wear is expected-" I shook my head firmly at the Sheriff. Pointing to the animal I flashed my hand three times.
"Fifteen? He's that old?" I nodded to her.
"Oh... I don't think Daddy will like that." I shook my head once more.
"Well what about the spotted one there?" I turned and looked over to see a pony that struck me. It's coat was similar to my own horse, a dusty, dotty, spotted brown over white. Smaller in size, it would be much more reasonable ride for my charge. Pointing to it in question, she nodded. I stepped over the wood boundary and began to look it over. It's back sat straight, eyes bright, very alert. This one's teeth were much nicer, meaning it was still young, seven or eight years. It's knees showed no sign of hard wear, nor did it's feet. I looked to the girl, and finally gave a look of affirmation.
"How much?" She asked the owner, who had watched me close from the moment I stepped inside the pin.
"$300 ma'am." I shook my head and held up one finger.
"$100." Said Elizabeth.
"No no, now, that's too low. $275." I flashed a one and a five.
"$150."
"$250."
"$160."
"$250." I snapped my fingers and held up two fingers before making a cut sign.
"$200, final offer." Said the girl firmly. The man looked to me, then to the girl, before nodding.
"Alright...alright, 200." I nodded to the girl to give over her funds before grabbing the rope for the horse and leading it out of it's pin.
"Oh! How wonderful! Thank you Raven!" The Mayor seemed to be hiding his amusement while Behan's ears turned a bright red.
"Well, we're happy you were able to find a suitable horse Miss Dunn." Said Klum, patting her hand with a smile. "We'll leave you to enjoy your purchase."
"Oh, thank you so much for your help!" She waved as we passed back, and I gave one satisfactory smirk to the Sheriff. Today the Indian was right.
