Author's note: The Magnificent 7 don't belong to me never will. I was trying to buy them on E-bay but someone out bid me. Two dollars, twelve cents and a chocolate bar just weren't enough. I make no money off my . . . relationship with the boys, obviously or I'd have more than two dollars and twelve cents wouldn't I.
Many thanks go out to my wonderful muses K.T. the opinionated and Pookwana of the mighty red pen. I shudder in terror. A wonderful lady has consented to help me out with the beta work. Three cheers for Kathy. Poor woman has no idea what she's getting into.
If it's written in italics it's thoughts many of which shouldn't be said out loud anyway. /Between back slashes it's mind speech of somekind./
A Change in Itinerary
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On the train headed to Cascade
The engine's brakes engaged and pained metal squealed as the train slowed to a stop. The loss of forward motion caused cars all along the train to slam into their couplings jerking the cars violently. Unprepared the attackers were thrown off their feet. At the front of the private car two of the attackers were actually thrown off the landing and ended up under the wheels. Before they recovered the would-be attackers found themselves under the guns of their intended victims.
"JW cover them," Buck directed. Moving quickly and efficiently, Wilmington bound each man's wrists together behind his back. Ankles were then secured to wrists before tossing the unfortunates into their car.
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"Gentlemen, a simple knock would have merely been polite," Ezra drawled as he looked down the barrel of his pistol at the . . . miscreants. "Please throw your weapons on to the ground to your left."
"What's going on?" An authoritative voice demanded as the conductor appeared lining up the double barrels of a large shotgun on the group. A brakeman stepped into view toting his own shotgun.
Nathaniel cast worried looks at each of the railroad workers but he continued to securely bind the possible criminals and toss them into the private car.
Mr. Wilmington is correct one can ride a horse down the barrel of a shotgun with the business end pointed in one's direction. Ezra froze in place, but didn't lower his weapon keeping a close eye on his prisoners. Nathaniel kept an eye on the conductor but never stopped securing the now unarmed attackers.
"A robbery attempt ah believe Suh," Ezra smiled innocently. "Mah companions and ah were enjoying a simple game of poker when we were alerted to our danger by footsteps overhead. When the doors were damaged by these . . . vandals we took action to protect ourselves."
"I have orders to make sure the hound traveling with them is properly secured," a voice rose in protest.
"Hound?" the conductor frowned.
"Andy those are UNPK uniforms on these guys," the brakeman growled.
"Suh if they are UNPK officers, which seems highly debatable, why then did they not announce themselves, present their orders and conduct their inquiry?" Ezra demanded indicating the splintered door. "Examination will reveal the door was not locked."
"Fancy talker has a point Amos," Andy the conductor remarked to his companion. "Who might you gentlemen be?"
"Ezra P. Standish at your service sir. My companion Nathaniel Jackson," Ezra smiled winningly.
"Nathaniel are our prisoners secured?" Ezra asked calmly.
"Yes," Nathaniel dusted his hands after he tossed the last man in to join the pile in the private car.
"I am going to holster my weapon now, after which I will remove my ID from an inside breast pocket," Ezra explained his actions before moving.
"Deputy Sheriff?" Andy relaxed slightly.
"From Travis County, Colorado territory, as is Mr. Jackson," Ezra indicated the black healer. "If you would be so kind as to allow him to retrieve his ID as well."
"Go ahead only a fool takes on a shotgun and neither one of you fellas strike me as foolish," Andy grinned as he lowered the barrel on his shotgun slightly.
"It's all right Amos, this one's a deputy too. Wave at Pete to start rolling and we'll see what this is all about," Andy ordered.
"If you would be so kind as to ascertain the situation at the other end of the car? I would rather not leave one of my companions behind," Ezra suggested.
"How about you scooting back there and checking yourself. Mr. Jackson and I will be right behind you," Andy ordered cautiously.
"A well considered action Mr . . . ?" Ezra complimented.
"Tucker, Andy Tucker, that's Amos Tibbs," Andy introduced himself and the brakeman.
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"Looks like they really are UNPK," Andy scowled at the ID confiscated from the secured men.
"You have written orders to kick in doors on railroad property and attack passengers?" Andy growled at the UNPK officer.
Buck and JW were sitting on the couch watching the interaction in amusement after everyone had been introduced.
"My orders are to make certain the hound is secure in whatever manner I deem appropriate," Capt. Corbin Stravinski snarled.
"There's no hound in baggage," Amos spoke up. "Why'd one be with Sheriff's deputies any way? Aren't they UNPK property?"
"They stole it," Stravinski snapped.
"We are not now, nor have we ever been in custody of a hound!" Buck barked, springing to his feet. "These . . . FOOLS are trying to claim a freeborn citizen is a hound. We're on our way to Cascade to prove them wrong."
"Well this is a real puzzle," Andy sighed. "I guess first of all I need to see the . . . supposed hound and make sure he's not endangering passengers."
"That kid's our hound," Stravinski snarled.
"I am not," JW bridled. "My name is Josiah William Dunne and I was born in Denver. I've been living in Four Corners for almost three years now. If you try and collar me I'll make sure you don't rape any more babies." JW sprang to his feet only to be restrained by Buck's big arms.
"Somehow I don't think Dunne here is your hound. Don't you have some kind of description of him?" the conductor sighed.
"Every hound I ever saw was closer to these big fella's heights. They're suppose to be ugly as sin too," Amos spoke up.
"This one's a pup," Stravinski growled.
"Perhaps you could describe this supposed hound so that we might secure such an animal," Ezra spoke settling comfortably in an over stuffed chair.
"He's a hound," Stravinski snapped.
"You've got no idea what this kid is even suppose to look like? What . . . were you gonna go up and down this train stealing kids from their families?" Nathan demanded bitterly. "Nothing but slavers!"
Amos and Andy exchanged worried looks at the comment and the implications of the UNPK search.
"We're after the hound these idiots are taking to Cascade," Stravinski roared.
"Why?" Andy asked calmly.
"Because he's ours," Stavinski huffed.
"They're on a train bound for Cascade with the kid. Seems to me there's no need to . . . attack them? There some reason you don't want that kid getting to Cascade?" Amos asked sharply.
"They've hauled that abomination around the country, taking it in with folks treating it like it's human. No telling how much danger they've put people in," Stravinski protested.
"You point out this hound and I'll consider how dangerous he is. You can watch him from secure storage where you and the rest of your men are going to spend the rest of this trip. I don't know for sure what's going on but you're not going to disturb my passengers." Andy announced.
"I want that hound," Stravinski bellowed angrily.
"You and Amos can check out the place but Nate, JW, Ez and me are the only one's here." Buck offered calmly.
"There's seven of them," Stravinski growled.
"Mr. Christopher Larabee, his son Devin and another deputy Mr. Isaiah Sanchez left the train earlier. They are making their way to Cascade by other means."
Stravinski hissed and glared at the four remaining peacekeepers. "You're all going to end up in a retraining center for this."
"Our subpoenas' stipulate that we appear before the judge in Cascade's court by noon tomorrow. In no way does it indicate the means by which we do so," Ezra said coldly. "We will appear together gentlemen. My compatriots and I are pressing charges as well as the railroad I would presume?" Standish looked over at Andy.
"We sure will, destroying property this way," Andy agreed. "I'll lock these orders in the safe. I think the judge might want to see them."
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On the trail
"Come on brother stay with me this time," Isaiah coaxed patting Chris cheek as the unconscious man's eyelids fluttered.
"Preacher?" Chris groaned and rolled to his side and vomited.
"Don't touch that," Isaiah grabbed Larabee's hand before he could investigate the lump on the back of his head. "I only just got the bleeding stopped."
"Vin!" Chris gasped making his way to his feet and staring around wildly before he passed out.
"I could have told you that was a bad idea brother," Isaiah groaned holding his own head in his hands and stared at the crumpled sheriff.
Larabee stirred after a few moments, his eyes opened in a pained squint. "Vin?"
"They took him," Isaiah admitted.
"UNPK?" Larabee groaned.
"No they looked like Indians actually," Isaiah said. "Of course that doesn't mean they weren't working for them."
"They aren't keeping him," Chris struggled to his feet slowly. "How bad are you hurt?"
"A sore head," Isaiah grunted before making his way to his own feet.
"They took the horses?" Larabee hissed looking around.
"Yes they took the horses." Isaiah rubbed his aching head gingerly.
"Grab the canteens and some blankets," Chris ordered as he knelt down and began to repack the food.
"Brother?" Isaiah asked in concern. Scrambled his brains a bit.
"I'm going after Vin," Larabee said firmly.
"Chris, they're on horses and we don't even know which way to start looking," Isaiah reminded.
"They went this way," Chris headed down the trail.
Not as if we're getting anything accomplished just sitting here. Isaiah gathered up the sole blanket and the two remaining canteens and started after the weaving Larabee.
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Vin suppressed a whimper of pain as spikes of agony pierced his brain. The lurching of the horse combined with the pounding headache and then Tanner's stomach protested his head down position. Violently the bound man began to vomit.
Quickly the horse came to a stop and strong hands freed him and lifted him to the ground. A rapid spate of words in a foreign language filled the air.
A supportive arm helped the sentinel sit up. Carefully the stick was pulled from between Tanner's teeth and a canteen made an appearance.
"Rinse and spit," a gentle voice coaxed. "I am sorry for your pain Guardian. My name is Chanu."
Guardian? Vin open his eyes just a slit and studied his captors. Nez Perce maybe? These boys sure ain't UNPK. "Chris?" he asked desperately.
"You are free of him," the Chanu's voice was filled with satisfaction.
Tanner came to his feet in fury. "WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY GUIDE?" Any weakness seemed to be shed as Vin looked around for Chris.
"A headache nothing more little one. We will find a real guide for you," Chanu tried to calm the angry sentinel. Pitying eyes lingered on the slender figure. Poor boy too long held as a slave.
"Chris is mah real guide!" Vin snarled.
"You are safe now," the warrior began soothing the agitated youngster once more.
Tanner snarled and sprang onto the horse's back. Reining it around he set heels to the horse and headed back the way they had come. Fast moving warriors pulled him from the saddle. Despite Vin's struggles he was sat gently on his feet. The warriors encircled him but made no move to restrain him further. The worried raiders moved slightly closer as Tanner began to pace.
"It were nice of yah ta try and 'save' me but I'se already free," Vin growled.
"You were tied," the 'Indian' reminded softly. Years of abuse to overcome. He knows nothing else.
"Ah had a wakin' dream. They was pertectin' me 'til I come around," Vin snarled.
"The black dressed man would have forced you," one of the warriors said impatiently.
"Chris found me through the bond," Vin snapped.
"You cannot see the truth," Chanu said sadly.
"You cannot see the truth. Chris took me away from a UNPK Hunter. Do you see a collar?" Tanner snarled and dropped the hound cloak revealing his partially clothed body.
"Do you not see your own scars?" a warrior asked in horror.
"They's old, from 'the before'," Vin huffed.
"There is no collar," an older man joined the warriors.
"They would have raped him," Chanu said bitterly.
"No, they wouldn't have. Look they had me tied down and staked out like a deer hide. Iffen they was gonna force me I couldn't have stopped them. They didn't even take mah boots off much less mah pants," Vin reminded sharply.
Thoughtful looks were exchanged as that simple fact was presented.
"Look at his throat don't tell me there was no force used." a warrior waved indicating the bite marks on the sentinel's throat and shoulder.
Vin chuckled faintly. "Rekin Chris has a few nip marks of his own."
"Children it isn't uncommon for there to be bruises, nips or even scratches when a bonding pair's in heat," the older man laughed. "I am Kojae." It is something you never forget. Truly bonded this Sentinel. It is for the best, I doubt Spring Rains could have bonded this boy at all. Very powerful, very powerful indeed. Perhaps we can tempt him into a mating before he leaves.
Tanner flushed and ducked his head. Trying to ignore the speculative stares he reached down for the cloak and covered himself.
"That is not a hound cloak," a warrior breathed reaching out he examined the strange cloth. "So very soft."
"Why the cloak at all?" Chanu demanded.
"UNPK's tryin' ta claim me. Chris and mah pack'll go ta jail iffen they don't take me inta Cascade fer a ruling. They's been throwin' shit at us tha whole way. Onliest way Chris could keep me out of UNPK hands was fer me ta wear a cloak in hound gray," Vin sighed.
"They should have taken you into the hills," Chanu scowled.
"This is fer tamarra and tha unborn guardians. It has ta start somewhere," Tanner explained. "We's gonna be cuttin' it close gettin' there on time as it is. So's kin I have our hosses back?"
"You may need help Guardian, your guide was unconscious," Chanu said sheepishly.
"Bring a horse for the Guardian. We will escort his pack to Cascade." Kojae ordered.
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Chris stopped and scowled as a group of horses and riders came into view. "Isaiah do you see what I see?"
Isaiah chuckled. "I'm thinking that some of Brother Ezra's silver tongue has worn off on our boy."
Vin rode up and looked down at his guide. "You loose somethin' Pard?"
"Damn and here I thought I finally found somebody to take you off my hands," Chris snorted.
"Man could have his feelin's hurt. A greetin' like that," Vin chided. /You hurt bad/
/Just a lump on my skull./ "If you want me to take that bag of bones off your hands, it's going to cost you three good horses," Chris growled up at the older man at Tanner's side.
"Done!" Kojae said emphatically.
"Kin some of yah go get our stuff?" Vin asked looking toward the warriors.
Silently, three men rode off.
Chanu scowled, then his eyes widened as Tanner slid from the saddle and nuzzled and snuffled under his bonded's chin. Larabee's hands were shaking as he petted the tangled curls and pulled the tracker close. Vin gently worried the skin under Chris' left ear between his teeth reclaiming the guide.
"God, Cowboy," Chris whispered into the curl covered ear. /I thought I lost you./
"Jist a misunderstandin'," Vin patted Larabee comfortingly. /I knowed yah was comin' fer me./
"Glad to have you back little brother," Isaiah laid a huge hand on the bent head.
"You hurt?" Vin demanded looking over at the big preacher.
"Not to bad," Isaiah answered.
"Let me see," Vin growled slipping out of Chris' arms and around behind him. Gentle fingers parted hair and examined the seeping knot on Larabee's skull. "You'll live."
"Preacher," Vin tugged on an earlobe getting Sanchez to bend down so he could examine the knot on Isaiah's head. "Rekin you got a dandy headache both of you. Wish we had time to let you rest but we're gonna have to ride to make it fer court.
"Nathaniel doesn't want folks to sleep after a head injury anyway," Isaiah reminded as he mounted his horse.
"How's your back?" Chris demanded tugging aside the cloak so he could examine the bruising himself.
"I'se fine," Vin spluttered jerking the cloak back in place.
"Be honest with me or I'm stripping you down to see for myself." Chris snarled.
"Ta tell yah tha truth it's better," Vin looked puzzled.
"Better?" Isaiah said in disbelief.
"Somethin' popped when I was slung over the horse earlier. Think it helped." Tanner shrugged.
"Take it easy," Chris ordered. "Get Nathaniel to look at it when we get to town."
Tanner and Larabee mounted up and headed for Cascade neither one of them even noticing they were instinctively leading the warriors.
"Your people are fortunate to have such a pair," Kojae said to Isaiah as they fell in behind.