Wagon Trail PT 1: Have A Heart
By Wolfa Moon
Disclaimer: don't own. My idea. Reviews Welcome. Please review.
Life was good.
No joy this day.
No sun to see by.
I was loved.
Gone now.
1
Looking down from my position I see the men split up. All I wanted was a day to deal with my lose. To hide from the world in my place of solace. But no. Damn bandits. Couldn't they leave us alone. Yes we are the famous magnificent seven. No one wins against us. Watching, I see my comrades dealing with the men from the front. But what about the back? No one is covering them. Leaping from one building to the next I get closer to my targets. No one sees me. Especially the ones I am about to get the upper hand on. The bank roof is lower then the general stores. no time for the rational thought to say the fall is to far. If those bandits get around the front to the unaware peacekeepers. They would certainly need to rename and recount us. Leaping down I roll a little. The impact a mere haze that passes before me. No time. Going to the back of the bank. Nobody looks up. Breathing in. Today may be a good day to die. Guns drawn.
My second grand leap for the day I land. Knocking the men from their horse I get up firing at them. I get two of the men but that still leaves two other men. turning I see the guns raise at me. I fire at them and duck for cover behind the rain barrel. they fire back. so do I. I can hear the gunplay from out front. they have to fight their battles while I fight mine. Alone.
As always.
My third leap I roll into the open and fire at the two men. They back up and hide inside the general store. Hearing a scream. No. No thought for myself but for the one who screamed. Running inside I spy the one man. The other lay on the ground right inside the door. That even the odds. But the life of an innocent.
"Drop your gun now lawman or I'll shot her." I keep my eyes on the man. my arms lowering the guns. civil gestures of don't harm the girl. But I am not that easy to give up.
"Alice." I call the girl's shield name. Nodding I give her a sign. Kids trust me. Ezra is a prince charming. A knight in shining armor. but the knight always needs squires. Help is always appreciated. "Punt." Our secret words. Secret meaning to help. Alice begins to kick the man. Startled the man releases her and she runs to me. The man aims at me as I wrap my arm around her. He fires and it skims by me as my arm raises and fired at the same time as his. The man drops to the ground. Shielding the girl away from the body. So once full of life now a lump of flesh.
Kneeling in front of the girl I see the tears run down her face.
"Are you alright?" she throws herself into me. My weight unbalanced makes me fall back onto my butt. But am rescued when Mrs. Potter comes inside the shop. She spies me with young Alice in my arms on the floor. She looks about to lean into me for some reason then her features soften. It must be the bodies she now sees littering her store. Alice turns to her mother.
"Mommy!" Mrs. Potter envelops her in her arms. "Ezra saved me." Getting up I dust myself off. Must be from that roll in the dirt. Going over to the body I pick up his guns. They should never be left within the reach of children. Still searching the man.
"Sorry about the mess." I grab the mans wrist and begin to drag him out the back door. My cut burns on my arm as it strains to hold the dead weight.
Once I have the bodies outside. I head over to the undertakers and tell him of the bodies behind the bank. Seeing the rest of the seven in front of the bank. Some moving bodies out of the way of traffic and curious eyes. Walking toward them I see eyes stare, glare at me. Their eyes accusing me. Chris those has fire in his eyes. Walking closer he steps toward me. About to ask anyone injured. I receive a fist to the face.
"Where the hell were you?" the force knocks me on my rear. Damn twice in one day. Looking at the rest of the seven. All thinking I had run out or left them to do the dirty work. Even my confidants looked at me wearily. True I had put the Ezra face on strong hard after my dealings with the lost of the sun. Ezra would hide, never. Standing up I brush it off.
"I was doing my duty." I didn't need to explain myself to him. This town was getting old anyway. I had done my duty. Saved the innocent. Saved their lives. Went up against terrible odds. There was nothing more to say, or that needed to be said. Knowing that Chris really wanted to lay into me. I didn't want to deal with it now. I didn't have the strength.
Walking to a place no one will look for me.
Before I can get there. Alice runs out and give me a big hug. Returning the only affection to be received and needed.
"Thank you Ezra."
"You are very welcome." Alice hands me an apple. "Thank you."
"No thank you." We both share a smile.
"Go play." she runs off to do just that. Walking to the last place, I tilt my head to the undertaker. He nods back and makes his way to the bank with his wagon. Undertaker, people just dyeing to get in.
Not looking back. Really can't deal with this. Need to get some semblance of peace. For I had no peace. No place here anymore. No sun. Nothing to fill me with the want or need.
2
The heat doesn't bother me when my mind is on other things. and right now I was thinking on how my final battle would be played. Listening I hear Yosemite hit his hammer against the anvil giving me a great metronome. A good beat to time to. The forge the last place anyone would think to look.
The music plays through my head. My head hurts. To much going on. To stay, to leave. To back down. To fight. To runaway as far as the ocean touches. To confront my demon and exorcise it out of this plain of existence.
My hands move to the rhythm. To the music in my head. Making the world recede into the black void. For their was no sun to shine down upon it. And all that was left was the silence that needed to be filled. I was filling it. The music was wonderful. Full of rhythm. Love. Lust. Pain. Death. But so great that it melded. So great it took some of the strain off of my heart. Finally feeling something.
The world be damned. If it was so quick to judge. Then let me be judge. Let him come. Let it play. Let people listen. Make them stop what they are doing to listen. To acknowledge that I am somebody more then the mask. I want to be free. Free to be what I truly am. Yet I,
"AAHHH" pain radiates through my arm as it is stilled in mid air. No longer dancing to the music in my mind. Opening my eyes I spy Mr. Larabee holding my arm. Damn him. I pull my arm but he has an iron grip. The grip pulls me up from my spot on the ground. I pull again. feeling the cut reopen I don't care. I pull the same move Alice did and kick him in the shin. Yes a very girl move but my arm hurt. He releases my arm and I back up into the wall of the forge. Why is he here? Moving against the wall to were I can get away from the black clad leader. His eyes watching my moments. He backs up a little. Oh so that is why he is here. Someone must have told or they found the other 4 bodies. Knowing now, I did help.
"Ezra, I wanted to say. I'm sorry." Oh no. He does not get to say it when they're not around. But I really don't have time for this. I hold the wound close to my chest.
"I have grown use to your tantrums."
"But you didn't do anything wrong."
"I know that but to you I did. Even maybe by them. I at least know what I am capable of doing. So please. I dealt with your tantrum. Please go wallow in your bottle and leave me to wallow how I see fit." He moves a step closer to me rubbing his hands together.
"I'm sorry." Why does he keep saying it? Like if he says it enough it will erase the event form the past. Sorry doesn't work like that. Never has and never will. And now he has seriously ruined my calm.
"No you are not. You would apologize to any of them in front of the others. You only say things like sorry or be careful if we are alone. You accuse me of things I don't do. What more do you want for me. I willingly follow you to the ends of this earth but what do I get in return, nothing. So please save me from making you soul have some peace. For you are giving mine none." This place has lost its appeal. Maybe go to the one place he won't follow. Walking a few steps his hand grabs the injured limb again twirling me to face the leader. This time it really hurts. Really feel the pain radiate. I gasp.
"sorry." He releases it as if burned. I back away cradling the injury to my chest.
"All you do is hurt. Leave me be. I will be ready when needed. But for this moment let me be. And do not come looking for me." I begin to step away.
"What happened to your arm?"
"Ask Nathan. I am done with you for now. Call me for the next natural disaster." Walking away I feel his eyes on me. This is not how I wanted my day to go. All I wanted was to gather myself. but no. Bandits, Mr. Larabee. what was one to do? Take the coward's way out or live? Living is the hard part. Death easy. I squeeze the arm to feel the pain. Fell the blood soak through and on my hand. damn. I stop walking. Where am I to go? Too much. Too much.
The world greets me as I fall to my knees. fighting the tears. fighting the world. I can't win. can't let him win.
Someone pulls back the material from my wound. Not wanting to open my eyes to see whom it is I just bite my tongue. Blocking out the world accepting the pain.
"Nathan." I hear the voice cry. the voice of the one who angered me so much but right now I didn't care. Someone else approach.
"Damn. Knew I should have checked it earlier." Nathan had come. Come to do his role. What role was mine again. Hand not strong but could be took my arm and leaned it from side to side.
"How the hell did this happen?" I hear the question that was inevitable to come. Closes my eyes tight as Nathan administers his practiced art. And he tells the how.
"The Nichols. They threaten Ezra with great pain if the information that he gave them was false. This was a taste. Would hate to have found out what they would really have done with his deception if they got their hands on him." (1) Nathan began to pull the two sides of skin together with the suture. Opening my eyes I watch the practiced movements. I begin to hum my battle theme. "You alright Ez?" Looking into his caring eyes. I speak the truth so wanting to be said.
"I'm tired."
"Let's get you to bed." Nodding I stand. The day had just begun but for me it was over. a much needed rest. Much needed. Bed welcoming. So welcomed. But the nightmares not. Never welcome but they come. But now I sleep for one no dreams. Nothing. Nothing at all but pure sleep.
Sleep.
Stepping away from them I feel the pain in my arm and leg. Who cares? Tilting to the side someone is there. My eyes find Chris staring into mine. But I can here Nathan.
"What did you stubbornly do now? Kick somebody under the table to hard." my eyes change. The words hitting a cord in me. One that I had let resonate out. Angry crossed my face and saw Chris. Chris face turned stern from the concern. I knew what had clicked in my head. Was compliant yet now all I wanted to do was hit him. Pushing off Chris I stand away from them. Nathan stern eyes eyeing me up. "Are you ok?"
"I'm fine." heading away from them I hear them begin to follow. I stop. Turning my head I leer at them. "Stop following me."
"We just want to make sure your ok."
"No you just want to clear you conscious. I again reiterate. I am fine and will deal with this manner on my own." they don't follow me. They don't follow me as I grab a bottle of bourbon form behind the bar. They don't follow me as I head to my room. The don't follow me as I go to my closet. They don't follow me into my hidden closet. They don't follow. And that is good enough for me.
3
I don't know how long I stay in there surrounded by everything Eliza. The smell of blue bonnets envelope me like a forgotten blanket. A scent that when you get a waft reminds you of your late grandmother. Or a late love.
Too much. Maybe I should end it. Go easy.
If you do he wins. Then what have you been fighting for?
Bang! Bang!
Someone is at my door. To face the day as a coward or a hero. What is the saying with your shield or on it.
The door to my room is opened.
"Where is he?" I hear Buck question.
"I don't know. Yesterday was a big misunderstanding." Sure it was Nathan. I just saved lives and was struck for doing it. What kind of reward is that?
"We'll she ain't here." Hearing the frustrated draw. They open drawers. They even open my closet door. "All his things are here."
"His belongings." Nathan spoke quietly. He understands. Ezra is the cover and all I really ever need. "She doesn't need any of these. We need this. That is why she stayed."
"To be safe."
"To be normal."
"And Vin ain't helping none. Barely even looks at her anymore."
"Maybe they broke up." Buck laughs.
"Those two break up. That's like saying the world is flat." they was a popular thought at one time. Look how that turned out. "Chaucer still here though and she wouldn't leave without him."
"Could she be on the roof?"
"Maybe."
"I'll go check." Nathan runs out. Buck sighs.
"Damn Vin. Damn Chris, damn us all." My bed creaks. I have been hiding to long. Opening the small door I slide out. The closet door wide open. Looking out I spy Mr. Wilmington. Looking frustrated or a man with a lot on his mind. His head down low and hat in hand.
"Hgm Hmm." his head shots up. His whole body following.
"Eliza." he rushes over and grabs me in a bear hug. Burying his face into my neck. "Though you left us."
"I merely stepped out for a bit. " moving back I let the air separate us. Buck eyes trying to see behind my tropic waterfall eyes. No peeking.
"Are you al'ight?"
"I have been better Mr. Wilmington." he still searches. "There is nothing for you to concern yourself with."
"With you I become concerned." He smiles. To him I am the sister he lost. The one he can't replace. The one that was Chris'. The one who was loved so much by them. Not really replacing her just a very subtle substitute. "You bett'r now."
"Not yet, but I will be shortly." he hugs me again. Physical contact. I want it to last longer. But.
"If you need anything ask."
"I need you to let me go so I may make myself presentable."
"Well you better hurry. Judge Travis pulled in with a bunch of homesteaders." we moved apart. Air between. "Thinkin' he may volunteer us for escortin' them."
"How drab?" nodding my head. "Then I shall prepare and meet you," I pull out my father's watch. "For dinner." I had hid for a whole day. From lunch yesterday to dinner the following. I really must have needed the breather.
"Nathan will be much appreciative."
"So will my stomach." Buck nods and steps back. "Buck?" he looks into my eyes. "Would you hug me again?" Buck came over and holds me tight. Tighter then the previous. Tight as if he were about to lose me. Tight to save my life. "It's true then. You split?" I can only nod. "Ok, I make sure he keeps a civil head around Ezra." nodding into his chest.
"Thank you, but we understand the rules of this. We will remain civil."
"Are you sure?"
"I hope so. Let me pack and I shall join you shortly in the stables. He nods and heads out. Time to pack. To leave town. For a short jaunt.
4
I was walking down the dirt road home. The gate to our yard left open. Odd. It was always kept shut to keep the chickens and Bailey in. there was no sound. He always made sound. Always greeted me. Walking into the yard I find out why. My dog's lifeless body lay to the side of the steps shot.
"Bailey." the figure changes shape into. "Ezra?" my puppy. What is going on? Stepping around the pool of blood I open the door. Michael is standing by my piano. Stiff. His eyes look to mine. Telling me to run. But too late. One of the Nichols grabs me. What? They can't be here.
"Look what we have here. A little filly to ride."
"No." I hear Michael storm forward. Then a shot to my left drops him. Looking at the shooter I see a face. Vin Tanner. No. No.
"NO." Michael crumples to a lifeless heap on the ground. Dead as he was. Engaging my derringer I shot the Nichols but Vin is aiming at me. Aiming at my heart. How ironic. "Do it." and he does. He fires at me right in the heart. Pain radiates as it has done since he told me we were no more. Spasm hits. "AH!"
"Ezra, Ezra," the room is fading but I here someone call my counter perspective. "Ezra, Ezra." The Nichols fade away. The house. But Michael and Vin remain. Vin moves over to the semi lifeless body of my husband. Michael is trying to reach me. And I try for him. Please let me get to him. "EZRA!" there is more force this time and a shacking. "Ezra!" then a slap. The world fade and my eyes open. Sitting up I pull my gun and aim it at my waker. JD tumbles back. Blinking I focus on him. It was a dream. It was a dream. JD stares at me.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes, sorry for my disturbance of your slumber." he shrugged.
"No worries. We have to get up anyway soon. So no big deal." he moves to the fire. "Want a cup of coffee?" I despise the stuff but since I need to stay awake. Keep the nightmares away.
"That would be much appreciative." JD goes over picking up the kettle he hands me a cup and distributes the foul liquid. Two more members of our group join us.
"Morning Gents."
"Hey Buck." JD welcomes back Buck and Vin. I told Buck to not confront Vin about playing nice. But Buck was the protective older brother. And Vin was the EX who was still loved by the family. But the sister couldn't stand to be around.
"We about ready?" Vin speaks. Pulling out my courage I pour it into the liquid breakfast.
"Mister Tanner, the only thing I am ready for at this ungodly hour is the comfort of my down pillow." Civil. A brief smile. Then his eyes focus on something. A woman. So easily ones bounce back. Drinking the breakfast in one solid burning swallow I get up. Time to walk away. Moving to my oldest friend I pull out a sugar cube out of my pocket. Chaucer gladly accepts it. Getting ready for the long ride. I am tired of staying in one place. Maybe when this is done. Maybe I can just leave and run away. Leave Ezra to die here. Reclaim my life. Far away, anew.
5
Riding along the wagons I tilt my head to Billy as he waves excitedly to me. Smiling in return. The man next to him giving a sneer. Everyone had their thought on Ezra. Why should the man be any different? This man who was trying to claim Mary's family as his own. I may not be a threat to the budding relationship. To him I was a threat to Billy. He snapped the reins to move himself quickly form my eyesight. Spying Buck I see him flirt with the ladies of this caravan.
"Hey, Buck, hold up!" We begin to gently walk beside each other. Falling back a little ways away from the wagon. Time to have some fun. Ezra's kind. "I see you've spied our comely young widow." Buck looks at me intrigued by the new information.
"Widow? Oh, I do love that word. They're so in need of comfort." we smile at each other. Ezra full on. NO Eliza here today. Ezra laughs.
"Well, unfortunately, despite her undeniable charms, she's a tad difficult to get close to." Buck looks at me with question in his eyes. And a dash of sparkle for play.
"Ezra, no offense, but you're no match for El Buck." My eyes observe JD joining our little discussion. Not wanting to be left out of his big brothers plans.
"I'll admit that I'm not as indiscriminate in that area as yourself, Mister Wilmington." Buck laughs. True I do know ladies but not in they way he prefers.
"However, the point is, there's another rival for her affections."
"She has a beau? That's even better." Competition. This is a fun game.
"He's a formidable opponent. A rapacious, insatiable thief, stealing her time and attention like a rogue bandit in the night."
"Who is this devil? Hey!" laughing I bring my horse away. The little devil on the back of the wagon throwing apple cores at my friend. Chaucer catches one in the air. Good job. But back to the game at hand.
"That's the gentleman over there."
"Why didn't you tell me that thing belongs to her?" the boy laughs at us.
"If one were to win its affections, one might be able to win hers."
"You saying I can't take him?"
"Not in a fair fight. Actually, I just think I could win him over first." Everyone knew Ezra is the pied piper of children. But this one is different. This one I really didn't get the vibe of welcome. More like brat and am better then everyone else. That I am man. And I really have no intention of winning. Just the matter of a game and a god time. JD pipes in.
"Oh, yeah? And I'll bet that neither of you can do it." Buck and I look to one another.
"Bet? I do love the sound of that word." True it is one of my family's favorite. Buck and eye shake hands. More apple cores get thrown at us. Squeezing my legs tight around Chaucer I move us up along the wagons.
6
We were stopping for the night. Thank god. Tying up Chaucer I become surrounded. Billy comes over excited.
"Ezra tells the best stories." Billy informed the young Katie Whitman. She squealed in delight. Two other children following them. "Ezra, Ezra." turning I smile. A genuine smile. A smile that hurts from muscles unused.
"Hello Children. Master Travis." Stepping away from Chaucer we head to an open area where parents are setting up shop. Parents watched as the children gathered around me. Some glared, some cared, some ignored, some called their children back. For I am a gambler and a bad influence. It doesn't matter. Sitting down Billy climbs up on my left leg. Miss Whitman climbs on my right.
"Hello, Mister Travis how rude of you to not introduce me to your friend." the girls duck shyly.
"I'm Katherine Whitman." Nodding my head.
"A pleasure and honor to meet you." I look at the two on my lap and the one who was not pulled away or unnoticed. "And you too Mister.."
"O'Connell, Seamus."
"An honor to meet you. So what story to tell, hmm. Ok." Sitting a little straighter I start the story. "Once upon a time long ago, even before the days of King Arthur, there lived a blacksmith only three feet tall. He was so short that he needed a stool to stand on to shoe the great steeds of the knights. This bothered him not a bit because although he was small he was very brave. In fact, in his heart he secretly longed to become a knight and win the hand of the Princess." (2) The children listened as I told the story some adults stopped for a little, while I spinned the yarn. It was nice. Billy leaned into me. Katie played with the ruffles on my shirtsleeve. "In time, the littlest knight and the Princess had seven children who loved taking rides on the dragon's back. The End." The children screamed in delight.
"Another, another." The girl cried.
"Card tricks." Pulling out my deck Billy smiles. "Yeah. He's the bestest."
"Bestest is not a word Billy. Venerable."
"Venerable?"
"It's means best." the cards fly through my figures. Dancing their dance. Then they flew. Katie was ripped from my lap.
"How dare you teach children such things?" anger radiated off the man. Grabbing Billy I lift him off me. Standing in front of him. "Billy come here." Billy hid more behind me.
"The boy shall remain with me."
"You are not his father."
"And neither are you. But I am his friend and you are in no right spirits to have control of you behavior."
"I'm in control." Mary must still be playing hard to get. "Now release the boy." Taking a quick glance to Billy.
"Billy take Miss Katie to you mother." risking another glance. "It will be ok." Billy grabs Katie and runs off.
"Hey." the man grabbed me. I didn't fight. Really wasn't in the mood. As I have told Billy. Why fight battles that are not important. Put all you energy to the one that matters. Violence is a sign of weakness. And here it comes. Taking a swing with his right I dodge. But the left get's me in a nicely placed upper cut. And a quick right to the gut collapsing me to the ground. The man took another step to me but was welcomed with a plum of dust as his body hit the ground.
"Get away from him." I heard the fierce growl of our pack leader. Our alpha male, Chris Larabee, to protect his underlings. Looking up I see him there. Standing all proud. Fur puffed out. Tail held high. The other man backs away from the alpha. Turning to me he nods.
"You okay?" sitting up I look at the man as he squats down beside me. Next to his fellow pack member.
"I am uninjured. Besides that was interesting."
"What happened? Billy came to me and told me that you were in trouble."
"Well the man certainly has a mean left hook."
"Here." with help I begin to attempt to regain my footing.
"Much obliged."
"You ok?" so much concern for the lower ranks.
"Ezra, Ezra!" thank goodness for children. Billy ran straight into me and barreled me back onto the ground. Air escaped my lungs. Looking up I see the young face so full of concern. "You ok?"
"Yes, our glorious leader came in and saved the day, or night if you incur upon the time of day." Billy hugged me tight. I hugged back. Looking up I se Chris' questioning eyes.
"Are you okay?"
"I have been better. But I believe I have guard detail."
"I'll get Vin to do It." the voice spoke more. He had seen the distance grow.
"Yes Mr. Larabee."
"Good. Let's get something to eat." we meet up with the rest of our band as they prepare dinner.
Sitting down I am pointed out to watch the show of Mr. Wilmington making his attempt to woo the widow Alice.
He failed. We laugh.
"There you go Buck."
"Well done." he just leers at me. See if you can do better. To bad our joyous moment gets interrupted. And it was turning out to be a pleasant evening. A confrontation and all of us on guard. Something is wrong with this. Moving away to count everyone. Billy comes up beside me with Katie. I guess I am forgiven, for whatever. His father looks at me nodding as I corral the children away from this adult matter.
Sitting down I begin to perform tricks of magic and mystery. Reading their palms, and their future. Some things you can see in the future and other things.
An explosion sounds throughout the encampment. I huddle all the children close and under a wagon. Pulling my guns I make myself ready for anything. Nothing, no one was going to hurt these children. Josiah ran past me a little while later. After all was quite.
"Ezra. Ezra." he calls. Some of the mothers are with him.
"All clear?"
"Yeah." slowly I make my way from under the wagon. The children remaining behind me. Mothers come over claiming their children. Giving grateful thank yous for what I had done. I merely nodded back. I had done nothing yet so much. Moving to Josiah. His eyes appraise me. Seeing if I am hurt.
"What transpired?"
"An explosion. Jack was killed." Oh my.
"I see." moving away from him I make my way toward the destruction.
His body had been moved away while others tried to salvage what remained. Walking around the supply wagon. Looks sturdy. Climbing up on the remains I smell the wood. Pulling the knife from my boot I scrap the wood.
"What are you doing?" Whitman asks with Chris by his side. Glad those two made up. What was there to be mad about? Really. Chris must have set him straight. Either that or Mary. Looking to both of them I pick up the wood and hand it to them.
"Smell that." Whitman smells it and makes a face. Chris smells it and looks at me in shock. I nod.
"This was deliberate."
"I have gathered as such." Chris nods and hands me back the wood.
"Good job." Chris walks off to tell the rest of the seven. We are on more guard now.
"May I?" I turn to the remaining man. He motioned to the wood. I hand it back to him. Watching him he smells the wood. Looking to me. "What am I smelling."
"Glycerin." Katie comes over she smiles shyly at me then smiles to her dad. the dad hands me back the wood.
"Hello darling." he picks up his young girl.
"Hello daddy." she looks to me. "Hello Mister Ezra."
"Lady Katie." she giggles. hopping down from the wagon I throw the piece of wood in the air and catch it. the two are staring at me. "excuse me for the night. I will see you later."
"What about my fortune?" smiling I knell before her. Taking her hand I trace her love line, her fate line, her lifeline. Thank goodness for traveling Gypsies. Looking into her eyes I see all.
"You will have a very prosperous life." looking back to the hand to see more. to make a show. "your fate has fun and adventure. but be careful. you may find your love that way." I trace the lines. "you will be a wonderful mother some day." she smiles at that. pulling the hand away she gives me a hug. looking up I see the father smile proudly at his daughter. letting her go she runs to her dad. he nods to me and they are off. back into the black from which they came. black as cold as night. looking at my lines I curse my love and my life. so much love in such a long life.
7
the ride was the same before. long, hot, dusty. also including everybody's spirits are down. even my own. during the ride I wonder what ifs and has beens. what would I change along my fate line? what would I do if I went here? what will I do when he comes here? how will the others accept who I really am? a liar. a murderer. a woman on the run. a con playing a con. no one disturbs through out the day. leaving me to my own muses. the camp was dead on it's feet.
the threat the only real thing going through their minds. their hopes a new home. lost in the dust. fading.
"These folks are sadder than an old woodpecker in a stone forest." Josiah looks around. then to me and smiles.
"What we need" He taps two large spoons against his palm, "is a little divine inspiration." Making himself more comfortable to play I notice a fiddler walk by and stop. watching, waiting.
"Well, come along, fiddler. Render us a more jovial tune." the fiddler begins to play a lively tune. Clapping my hands I get the rhythm going. others watch as we have fun.
"that's more like it!" Buck's energy radiating. trying to infect the whole camp with it. looking around i see them all wanting to take part.
"Well, come on, folks. What more do you need? Your very own Pied Piper!"
"Whoo! Well, get up, get up!" Buck pulls a woman into the open area begins to dance with her. A man with a banjo joins the fiddler. Music in emotion. others join in. looking around I find my opening to try and win the bet.
sitting all by his lonesome is Eugene. taking a seat next to him I begin to play my hand. this kid really did bother me. but I play the game. giving him sweets and then ending it with a drag from my flask. the boy knows liquor and drinks heartily. then here comes the big act. she is nothing much. but she had her husband and now she has her child. her gem. the flask gets me in more trouble. my boot being one of them. and away from her is the other. so the bet is concluded. no one won. and that is fine with me.
8
the days continued and more lovely time and enjoyment. this was not what I desire to be doing. let me on Chaucer and let the winds take us wherever. this trail thing is for the risky. and I am done with risk except for the one I'm in.
things never go as planned.
someone kidnapped.
we hired to retrieve and protect.
to bad the hostage is no more that Vin's new paramour. Why do I care? maybe because he looks at her the same way he once looked at me. the shiny new toy that everyone must have for Christmas. yet that time had passed. and Christmas was over. now for the newest fashion. Spring attire. new love.
we had succeeded in saving her.
Yippee!
walking around camp I see people. see that life goes on. life that no longer can be mine.
we continue on our trail.
smiling at the by play of him trying to obtain what can't be have. sucks don't it.
Buck nudges me. we are continuing on their trail. Buck nudged me and motioned to Vin. Who cares? but he had that devil twinkle in his eyes. Eliza was his replacement sister. and he would protect her. and help her keep her spirits up. Buck had become more to me since the sun had set. and I welcomed his laugh and nature like oxygen. also with recent activities. Vin was spacing himself away from the pack.
we met up with Vin who was leading the train.
"Well, how long are you gonna wait before you spill the beans about a certain married lady?" Yes his dilemma.
"Oh, for shame, Mister Wilmington. You know a gentleman never tells. Which is why I was hoping Vin might." I pat him on the back. simple gesture always meaning so much. and you thought I was complicated. we laugh, he doesn't. at this moment I don't care. the sun may have set in my heart. but Ezra was burning now. my new sun. a figment of my own creation. not one of gods.
"It's a long, lonely trail, Vin. Can't you just throw a couple of old hungry dogs a bone?"
" After all, the lady in question is quite lovely and what could be more tantalizing than an illicit affair?" Vin grabs me and drags me close. haven't been this close in a while. the emotions radiated.
"I ain't in the mood!" Buck came to the rescue.
"Whoa, now, Vin. He didn't mean any harm by it." Vin lets' go of my apparel.
"Little touchy, aren't we, Mister Tanner?" Vin rides off.
"No offense. I didn't realize it had gone that far." Buck looks to me. I had seen how far it had gone. having seen it before when he once looked at me once upon a time. Buck looked to me I just shacked my head. pulling a little on Chaucer's reins I let us fall back. away from the lead.
my mind wondered to my music. humming I let my hand dance in the air. letting the only bit that Ezra and Eliza shared. music.
Trusting Chaucer to follow. my longest friend. my hands danced through the air. the music flowed nicely. the battle, the people falling. someone tapped my hat off my head. my arms stop their dance grabbing my rare apparel. looking to the offender I spy Chris.
"How's the arm?" I extend my arm and twist it from side to side.
"It has seen better days. but for this moment. the limb is fine." Chris smiled.
"Good. how's your jaw?"
"no longer a thing to recollect on. it was a misunderstanding. something I am quite use to." Chris shacks his head. it was something I was use to. for I was a gambler and have been on the receiving end of other misunderstandings. nothing new. always the same old thing.
"Well he understands now." our alpha protecting his pack.
"That is good to hear." Silence lingers for a while. then a shock.
"what are you composing? earlier you were humming it. so how is it going?" looking to him I see him take an actual interest. maybe finally to get past the walls. or was it he needed to replace the man who understood so well becoming a mystery to him. so instead of figuring out the new go with the one that is on going.
"Something to just ease my mind from other things."
"and Vin one of them."
"As it is yours."
"you've noticed."
"we all have noticed. this is nothing new."
"nothing new?" he laughed. "everything is new."
"and everything is old." he looks to me. really looking at me. tilting his head.
"and everything goes on." nodding I agree with him. "so the composure?"
"continuing." glancing at him I see I have his full attention. this is an unusual turn of events. "the music is right now a theme to fight to. something to quite the screaming, and the noise of battle. something to focus on." he nodded agreeing. you always had to focus but also keep an open mind.
"so when are we going to hear?"
"when it is finished."
" I look forward to it." Chris rides off. that was interesting. we stop again. it was taking forever to get these people to their homes.
the ride was long and I was tired. I must have dozed for the next moment I was flung over someone shoulder. waking fully I smell Buck's damn aftershave. thrashing about I try to get out of his grip. Chaucer I hear neighing next to us. not liking what Buck is doing upon my person. suddenly standing.
"Got you pard."
"Dang it Buck why did you cause such offense upon my person."
"because of the show we are about to behold. wanted you awake for this. "
"Clearly." The tyrant Eugene ran after Josiah beginning him to come and see and all the things a boy asked of a father to do. then the widow Alice joins in too. this is too much. Buck and I stare at each other. Poking him I make him look harder. we both had lost. Buck shoves me back, like how could I lose. especially to Josiah. Laughing I shove him back. he bounces off the wagon. Pushing me away and into.
"Pardon me Mr. Larabee."
"Everything alright?"
"Yes, it seems Mister Wilmington has lost his touch with the ladies." straightening myself. Buck glares at me.
"That will be the day."
"And I believe that day has passed." Buck makes another motion toward me. Ducking behind Chris I run off. Buck in pursuit. Chris laughs for a small burst. then quickly fades on the winds. Continuing our games we round the wagons. Hopping back on my horse I continue on our way. Buck hitting Chaucer's rump as I scurry pass him.
9
Needing to go for a run, I let him run. the wind blowing by us. we are free. the only clear moment we have. racing around the train I fly. But our journey is about to end, Chris' whistles and I come over. just like Ezra the obedient dog. coming over we are dispatched into pairs. Buck with JD and I with our Alpha male. riding around the settlers settled.. Chris watched weary. I watched.
Seeing all and seeing.
seeing is what you thought you saw then to see what is there.
And Vin no longer part of the sky.
TBC
notes:
(1)(On Your Horses Boys by Jordan McKenzie for that AU)
(2) the Littlest Knight by Carol Moore
Battle Theme :
The Greatest Story Never Told – Murray Gold
Or
The Way of the Sword – Hans Zimmer
