The Wild West Triad
Story: Meilean
Beta: Lamia Jade
A/N: I wanted to know about Caleb's great great grandmother Lily Seaver and that's how this all came to life. What brought me to the point where Cole Tanner, Daniel Wilmington and Samuel Colt got my heart. Right now, I'm working on a prequel for their journey to Wyoming. When this story get you like me, check out for more soon or add me to your favorite list to not miss these.
Thank you so much for the Beta LamiaJade and also Sensue for reading trough and pushing me to add more color and life to the surroundings.
Historical hint: I did my best to research the Wild West and I know that Wyoming in this time was not actually settled. But I wanted it to fit in Ridley's stories and had to keep the timeline. So, if you find things that maybe happened later in history - this is still an AU - so forgive me. I had to change a few facts.
I also took some facts from Ridley's story "Prisoners of the past" (unfinished work) which is sadly not online anymore. Maybe she gets the muse to finish it with this story.
Disclaimer: Don't own anything Supernatural (belongs to Kripke) or Brotherhood AU (Ridley C. James' baby)
Rated: M (adult content, drugs, bad language and violence)
And now have fun with the wonderful characters of the Wild West Triad ...
There are evils in this world that are beyond any imagination
Merlin knew them – feared them.
To save the world from evil,
he created The Triad.
Noble men, each armed with special talents to fulfill their destiny.
The Guardian to lead,
The Knight to protect and
The Scholar as the brain of the unit.
To their side, he sent The Advisor well trained in the crafts.
Each generation should be protected by these four men who could choose others, the hunters, as their army.
But the Guardian alone had the power to bring forth the metal for the rings
of protection and to be known as member of
The Brotherhood.
Chapter 1 – Canaan
January 10, 1840 - Canaan, Wyoming
It was a cold sunny winter's day as Cole Tanner, the current Knight of the Brotherhood, exited the two-story house which held the store for supplies in the first level. Pushing up the collar of his jacket to shield him from the blistering cold, he turned right and limped along the rows of wooden houses. Leaving their prairie schooner to his left for his cousin, Daniel, to load, he headed towards the saloon. Most of the buildings that he crossed were designed for small farming families, and included a barn for their chickens, pigs, cows or horses.
Focusing on his footing, Cole stepped on the wooden planks, covered by the fresh fallen snow, on the main trail to prevent himself from falling in the mud. His constant companion on four white paws, Sky, walked tightly beside him and kept him from slipping. Tanner made his way slowly through the village which constantly grew. A good decade before only five families arrived here to settle down. His uncle Wade, Daniel's father, was one of the first settlers. Now Canaan had a population of around 80. They had been even more before the Yellow Fever. Soon there was the need for a few more professions like the doctor, the blacksmith and since two years even a preacher. Cole didn't attend Church since his uncle died. Wade was the only father he knew and he missed him like hell. It hurt him to his core that God had decided to take the man away from them.
"Tanner, where is your cousin? I need one of his breeding bulls for my cow." Old Bill stopped Tanner's way to the saloon. The old man was a butcher from Texas and had come with his son to find gold in the Big Horn River. But until now they earned more money with the beef trade he used to do while his son was out and tried to find the precious nuggets in the river.
"Hey Bill. Daniel is purchasing the supplies. He will be out soon. Did Chris finally find some of the nice and shiny nuggets?"
"Ah, no. He froze his ass off out at the river bank last week. We should've never leave Texas. The cold weather is aching my bones. Wait a second." Bill turned from the front porch-like deck and headed inside to come out soon with a small linen sack which he placed in Cole's hands. "Here, I made new beef jerky for you and your fella."
"Thanks Bill. Be good."
Cole headed on. Bill was one of a few who knew what they were doing. He opened the small sack to take a few jerkies out for Sky, who started dancing around him hoping to catch one of the precious meat pieces. He threw one in an arch over to her and she jumped in joy to catch it. Tanner ate a piece of jerky, chewing while he spoke. "It comes handy that we dragged Chris' ass away from this nymph. His father would be lost without the coward, what do you think Sky?" A soft 'wuff' confirmed Cole's question as Tanner stored the sack safely in his jacket pocket.
The two-story building of the Saloon and Cathouse came into view and Cole longed for the warmth it offered. He only needed to cross the muddy ground of the market square to finally get some of Martin's snake poison to relieve the pain in his leg. At least it would taste better than the Laudanum he drank for a while to ease the ache. The wound from the last hunt hadn't healed well yet and was still hurting and bothering him.
Cole doesn't feel like The Knight of the Brotherhood today as he was about to climb up the three steps with too much effort. Sky's paws now bristling with mud let dark footprints on the wooden neatly cleaned steps. But before he was on the top step, he heard sobs to his left which caught his attention and he stopped.
Turning his head to the noise, he whistled his white wolf-like dog back. "Sky, come on, we have to check this out first." Cole turned and walked along the step to its end and lured around the corner in the small alley which led to the blacksmith's backhouse.
In the alley between the saloon and the blacksmith, Lily Seaver stood sobbing noisily and wiping her eyes with a handkerchief. His heart began to pound faster as he recognized her and he withdrew back to Sky around the corner. He had spoken first time with Lily ….
… Two weeks ago...
Samuel and Cole brought back her husband, Noah Seaver the town preacher, to their home, hiding the fact that he was bleeding like a stuck pig past the church next to their small cottage. The priest would be alright soon - it had just been a head wound that bled profusely.
Guiding Seaver inside the cottage they found his wife inside. Lily had been very concerned and took care of Noah. The two men helped until he was settled and patched up.
Noah was soon asleep and Lily guided them downstairs to the kitchen table to have a seat. But Sam preferred to wait outside with the horses.
Cole only wanted to give her an explanation and make sure she would be in control of the situation with her injured husband, before he'd join Sam outside.
Tanner watched her closely. Some of her brown curls had sneaked out of the knot she wore and she was shaking from stress and concern. "Thank you for bringing him home, what happened, Mr...?"
"Cole Tanner." He offered her a hand. "I'm sorry for what happened. We met at Will Brighton's home."
It was the truth so far. The priest had checked on Will Brighton, a farmer living a few miles west from Canaan. According to the other parishioners, he had been acting strangely for a while and had not been seen in Mass, the last few weeks.
The Triad had heard the rumors too and wanted to exclude a supernatural problem. Daniel had sent Cole and Samuel to the farmer. It occurred Brighton had been possessed by a demon. They hadn't dealt with demons before but knew about them and what to do. Wade Wilmington, former Guardian, had trained his boys well.
Sam had spoken the first part of the exorcism while Cole had kept the possessed farmer occupied, who was attacking him with a severed bottle. Noah Seaver decided this moment to step in and intervene. Without his distraction, Samuel would not have had time to finish the ritual, before the demon could hurt Cole more than just the slash on his leg. The possessed man had whirled around, staring furiously with his obsidian black eyes at the priest. Grabbing his robe, the demon had thrown him with inhuman strength through the room, where Seaver hit his head pretty hard. Samuel had enough time to finish the exorcism and Noah had only witnessed how the thick black smoke fled Brighton and was sent back to hell before he passed out.
Cole spoke on to Lily. "Mr. Brighton had been ill for a while and we wanted to check on him too. In the house, Noah stumbled and hit his head unlucky on the table. Don't worry, he will have a bad headache but will be better soon."
"I see. Thank you. You seem not be what to expect by the talk in town, Mr. Tanner. I've heard quite a few tales about you." Mrs. Seaver shot him a knowing look.
Cole smiled lopsided and got curios. "Interesting, what rumors exactly did you hear?"
"Well, I don't think I should spread them around, apparently they are wrong, as I don't see a self-regarding daredevil in front of me. You seem to care for others around you."
"You are quick with a decision about me, you don't know me at all. Maybe you should be careful and listen to the rumors. But all who don't think bad of me can call me Cole. And what is your name if I may ask?"
She blushed on her high cheekbones and a smile flashed over her full lovely lips. Cole watched her closely. She was the sweetest thing he'd ever seen. "My name is Lily."
He caught himself staring at her beautiful perfect face. The moment of silence between the two of them felt loaded. Tanner saw her embarrassed hiding her golden-brown eyes under her full long lashes and averting her gaze from him. Com' on Cole she is married, you should go, now. He argued with himself. Aside from that the adrenalin subsided and a throbbing pain began to pound in his quickly bandaged thigh. He got up and suppressed a grunt. "Well Lily, I should go, Sam is waiting for me outside. I think you got it covered here with your husband."
"Sure. Maybe you come to Mass next Sunday?"
Cole grabbed his hat from the table. "No, I don't think I will be there. I'm not attending Church. Hope Noah is up soon. See ya Lily."
"Yes, good night Cole."
Now...
Until today he hadn't seen Lily Seaver again, but he had to admit he often thought about her since that day.
Cole turned to Sky whispering. "It's Lily Seaver. What do you think? Is this a job for us, hun?" Watching Sky turning her head to one side he thought for a moment, too.
He decided to ask her what bothered her and started limping in the alley carefully. What welcomed him in there didn't match his picture of her. Lily's shoulders shook from heavy sobs and she tried to dry her tears with a fine white handkerchief with her head down. Cole ran his hand absently over his throbbing leg and approached her further.
"Lily? Are you alright?"
The woman startled embarrassedly, quickly wiping away the last tears from her eyes and only half turned her gaze to Cole. "Um, yes, thank you, Mr. Tanner. I'm fine."
He stepped closer and circled her so he could see her face fully. "Lily, I thought we'd agreed to use our informal first names. Is there anything I can do ...?"
A faint smile flashed over her face about Cole's comment, pushing her handkerchief neatly back in her the sleeve of her black winter coat. „It's nothing Cole, really. I should go home now." With these words, she turned in her dark blue dress and left Cole standing somewhat dumbstruck in the alley. Tanner watched her hurry out to the main street until she disappeared. He rubbed his forehead in frustration. Cole knew it wasn't right to interfere, she was Seaver's wife. However, it bothered him that she was unhappy.
Cole turned around further brooding over the reason for Lily being so upset. He pet over Sky's fur and started limping back to the saloon. Tanner barely was on the first step again, when he heard his name.
"Cole!"
Tanner snorted in frustration. Is it really that difficult to drink a glass of whiskey in peace? The 26-year-old turned towards the shout, pushed his freezing hands in his pockets and peeked up from the rim of his hat to greet the arriving riders. On two horses the Triad's Scholar, Samuel Colt, and their Advisor, Malachi Harris, made their way to The Knight.
The two of them were gone for five days to find a special book for The Brotherhood. Books were a Scholar's special field and for it was a book with some summoning spells it was better to have their Advisor-Witch Harris on board.
The two pulled the reins of the horses and climbed stiffly out of the saddles. Samuel looked tired but grinned widely as he jumped down, as if he had the best gift ever in his bag. He pulled off his gloves and stretched the stiff fingers. "Hey, how's your leg doing?"
"Hmm, it's still connected to the more important parts." Cole answered and shifted his weight on the uninjured side to ease the throbbing. The creeping cold made it worse.
Sam had made his way at Cole's side and tousled Sky's head. "Don't be so grumpy. You act like a girl when you are injured. Let's douse the successful mission instead."
Frowning Tanner watched Harris who haven't spoken a word until now. "Harris what's wrong? You gonna have a drink with us to finally man up?"
"No Cole, I meet you later for lunch, I have something to do first." He turned to this horse to rummage in his saddlebags without further explanation.
Cole didn't take the bait. He would not start to address their Advisor with his first name. The younger man's face was priceless, every time Cole called him Harris. He assumed it was because it reminded Malachi of his father. The young man was not proud to be the man's son who was only known as a gambler and drunk for most others. Tanner let himself be carried away by Samuel's good mood. Patting him on the shoulder he turned with his friend inside through the double door of the saloon.
"Let's hear what was going on, that you are in such a good mood, Sam."
*** The Wild West Triad ***
Malachi Harris opened his saddle bag, took out a linen sack and headed to the church building about hundred yards up the hill. The mud mixed with the snow on the path and he wished he hadn't decided to walk the short way. His thighs and back ached from the long ride and he was glad to move his limbs. But the price seemed to be dirty trousers. He sighed angrily.
Once again, he wished his father and former Advisor, hadn't ordered him over to this godforsaken territory. The only thing that made it bearable was the proximity to his grandmother and the coven. Wyoming had a strong line of power on which the coven ground was based. Malachi assumed that Wade as the former Guardian knew about it too because also the Wilmington Range was built on the same pulsing line of power. It made it much easier to cast the spells to protect the property which was the home of the Triad. He had decided not to live there with the others. Already too much people lived on the Wilmington Ranch for his taste. Malachi hated it to have no privacy and he didn't come along very well with Tanner under the same roof. Would it have been only Samuel living there, he'd have stayed.
Harris could wish as much he wanted facts were facts. That were the reasons he decided for the spacious rooftop of the boarding house of Mrs. Cunning, an elderly clean woman and an old friend of his father George. George Harris had raised him from young age to be his successor as The Advisor, also because of the wishes of his grandmother, Maddalena Taluti, leader of the witch coven south.
But his father decided to start a fight over a dumb card game and was shot in the back not long after his Triad passed away by the Yellow Fever that decimated the population of Canaan. That was the glorious story of the former Advisor of the Brotherhood. Malachi was sure he was the youngest man ever chosen for the job. Without the guidance of his grandmother and the trust she had in him, he already would have run back to New York and his friends.
The church building in front of him was nothing special. A small bell tower exiting the roof with a cross on top and the white painted boards were the only things which made it different to the houses in Canaan. Harris brushed his sleeves and tugged his black clothes straight before he entered the church.
Taking his bowl hat off, Malachi quietly entered the building and closed the door to keep the sneaking cold and noises of the day outside. Approaching towards to the altar, his fingers slid confidently over the wood of the pews.
*** The Wild West Triad ***
Noah Seaver stood sideways in front of a wash basin and dried his hands. He was still lost in thought about the latest argument with his wife. Why had God punished him with such a woman? She knew how to put him in a burning rage in seconds, that was for sure. Maybe it was the age difference. Lily was young with her 22 years and he already turned 34. It's been particularly bad lately. She kept complaining that God wanted to punish her because she had not yet conceived a child in the four years they were married. They kept quarreling about it.
When he heard footsteps behind him, he turned around, but relaxed immediately when he saw the tall pale man sauntering closer. "Malachi, you are back. Did everything go well?"
With cat-like movements the man made the last steps to the altar clapping his hands together. "Absolutely, it went even better than I thought it would."
"Did you talk to Brad? Was he able to help you?" Noah was glad to help Malachi to get into contact with the preacher from Fort Laramie with the special collection of books about angels and demons.
Noah and Lily had spent a week in Fort Laramie with the preacher, before they headed further to Canaan. He had wondered about Bard for his collection, even had thought bad of him for a while, but they all had interests and he understood Bard a little bit better since the incident at Brighton's farm. His interest about demons was woken too.
After Noah had heard the Latin words of the exorcism Samuel Colt had spoken, and witnessed the smoke that flowed from the possessed man, he was sure these men acted in the name of God. Noah was determined he had to offer his help wherever he could. Malachi had finally begun to tell him more details and he wanted to be a part of the crusade against the demons.
"Yes, he was able to help us to find the right book. He sent me to you to bring you this." Malachi opened the linen sack he had brought with him and put the content, a silver goblet, on the altar. "He said it is a gift for the church and is hoping it is growing."
Noah's face lit up in awe. "Oh my, look at that fine work. Thank you, Malachi, for bringing it. Tell me if I can help you further."
"We could meet tomorrow and I could answer a few of your questions. How about noon?"
Seaver smiled bright and was eagerly to learn more. "Yes that's a good time."
*** The Wild West Triad ***
"... and you really think that this old book is of any use? I hope it is not only a book that made you so beam in joy." Tanner swallowed the content of the small glass in a single gulp. The saloon was full of men today and they gathered one of the last two free tables.
Sam ogled the girls on the second level who waited for paying clients to care for their needs. Leaning back in his chair, crossing his hands behind his head he smiled self-confident and answered his friend. "Well, I wasn't just there for the book. I brought something for you, too."
Tanner watched Sam making contact to his favorite girl, Cindy. Tanner knew the most of them by first name, but while Cole had fun with many of them and liked to explore the things they had to offer, Sam did not. He always asked for his curved red-head Cindy.
But today Cole wasn't in the mood. He couldn't stop thinking about Lily Seaver and didn't want the company of the girls. Tanner tried to distract Sam from Cindy. "So, you bought me a late birthday present? What is it?"
"Don't be so eager. I'll give it to you at home."
A man walked into the saloon, looked around briefly, and then headed towards the two of them. Cole didn't have to turn around he recognized his cousin by the sound of his boots combined with the spurs. Tanner set them up three glasses of whiskey and pushed one into the free space next to him and placed the bottle with the amber liquid in the middle of the round table. "Did you get everything Danny-Boy? Try the new tanglegfoot from Martin, it will definitely drive away evil spirits."
***The Wild West Triad ***
Daniel Wilmington took off his hat and rubbed his mustache as he sat down to join his Brothers at the table. He studied Cole's eyes for a moment. When you grew up together, you could read the other like an open book and Cole was obviously brooding about something. When they got to Canaan, he was moody over his aching leg, but this look was different. "What's eating you, cousin?"
"Looks like a girl if you ask me Daniel."
Sam and Daniel grinned conspiratorially at each other. Cole often had something going on with one of the girls here. So, it wasn't unusual. Daniel reached for Sky to rub her bright white fur and spoke to the huge dog who was every bit a family member as the men surrounding the table. "Huh, old Lady what have you done to our good old Knight?" Sky's only answer was a whine and a lick on The Guardian's hand.
"Are you two ever growing up? Besides, it's none of your business." Cole angrily finished the whiskey shot.
Wilmington kept rubbing Sky while jokingly tried to calm Cole's bad mood. "When this nice dog-girl isn't the only one who has your full attention, it's definitely our business."
A tall, slender man in black clothes walked inside the full saloon, watched around and headed for the table of the three. Taking his black bowl hat off to keep it in his hand he sat down. "Sorry for the delay. I'm starving. I hope Martin has something new on the menu."
"God, Harris this is not New York! Be glad that we even have a restaurant here. Better drink this first." Cole poured him a Whiskey, too and pushed the glass to their Advisor.
Malachi Harris didn't accept the drink. Only a quirked brow and spoke on. "After lunch, we should ride to the ranch. We have news."
*** The Wild West Triad ***
The whole Triad rode out of town after lunch and turned in the western path at the crossroad before the church building. Daniel and Malachi were ahead in the prairie schooner. Cole had offered to ride Harris' horse home because Malachi hadn't stop complaining about his hurting back. Samuel reined his horse next to Cole.
"What have you two done on your birthday without me?" Samuel asked Cole. Getting no answer he watched over to his friend and saw him staring deep in thoughts along the northern path to the church and the small cottage next to it. "Cole?"
"What? Sorry did you say something?"
The Scholar rose a brow to Tanner "Yes! Where are your thoughts? I asked what you two did without me for your birthday." Samuel decided to watch him closely to find out what was on his friend's mind. But now he just wanted to be home.
The small track passed several fields and a few sheds, before they rode past the pasture of Wilmington Ranch. Daniel had kept the business running what his father Wade had started. The cattle ranching was a good way to earn money.
Finally, the last bend brought the snow-covered roof of the Wilmington Ranch within sight. The tips of the few Thuja trees surrounding the ranch peeked over the slight hill. The top of the rise gave way a picturesque mountain valley, the warm wood built lovingly by Wilmington practically calling the Brotherhood home. As they approached the outer fence around the yard, Samuel remembered the first winter he spent with Wade and his boys here. It had soon become his home though they had some problems that first winter. Time had passed by and now they were on their own. He missed Wade.
His father Charles was well acquainted with Wade. After an incident as his ability kicked in, his father decided that Sam was better off with Wade. But all three boys hadn't expected to move soon to the new Territory of Wyoming. It was a rough but beautiful land in the middle of nowhere and Sam had found peace here. His clairvoyance ability wasn't the only thing special about him. With the help of Wade's Triad he found another thing he was able to do but he still practiced to change the aggregation state of elements.
What should Sam say, his father was right. Without help, his abilities would have driven him insane. Wade had given him a new family and a destiny in The Brotherhood of hunters of which they were now the leaders - the Triad.
The Scholar looked at them one by one and was glad that these men were having his back. But something was brewing. Samuel could taste it in the air, but couldn't put his finger on it yet. But for now they had to discuss their latest discovery.
The wagon and the two riders were now crossing the wooden gate to the ranch. The metal "W" hung between two posts at the entrance and rocked slightly in the wind. The house had grown to a big inviting two-story lodge. The big barn was built-on, which includes the stables for the horses and the hayloft, as well a workshop area for Sam's inventions. In the next stable building was for the cattle when they were not on the pasture. A separate garden was attached to the house including a small pond. An own water well and a fine outhouse lay only a few paces behind the main house. In the front a wide yard had place for their prairie schooner and the two horses of the arrivers. Sam relaxed in the familiar surroundings. He was tired and just wanted to wash the dirt off and sleep for a month at least. Unfortunately, the debriefing had priority.
Daniel took care for the horses and the wagon while Samuel started to load off and store the supplies he had bought in town. Then they headed to the others inside.
Malachi had restarted the fire and was now checking Cole's leg what they had placed on one of the eight chairs that surrounded the large dining table in the center of the big entrance room. Sky and her two meanwhile outgrown sons Huck and Finn, lay lazy around the fireplace as the two of them entered packed with the supplies they needed in the house.
Though Daniel was well trained in field medicine, he couldn't deny that Malachi's skills in wound care and the crafts were an asset. Maybe he would make a good doctor, if he could finish his studies in New York in the future. The Crafter even had taught Samuel a view tricks about the Triad Magic and its working.
"... damn it, Harris? What the hell are you a butcher?" Cole drew in a painful breath as Malachi cleaned the festering cut.
"If I don't treat it, it will become gangrenous, but if you want to be the first Knight to ride into battle on a wooden leg then just keep going. What have you done to the cut it was healing well when we left!" Harris was rolling his eyes while he tried to apply an ointment on Cole's wound.
"What? I can't sit here all day. I began to be bored shitless." Tanner grabbed the bottle from the table and took a long swig.
"Tanner, this is not meant for drinking ..." Malachi shook his head and tore the bottle from Cole's hand to soak another cloth with it.
"After all, it numbs the pain better than your old herbal brew."
"When the two of you are done bickering, we could get started." Daniel got up from the table to reach into the bookcase and unlocked a lever that disengaged the shelf.
With a gentle pull on the wall shelf, a hidden room was revealed. Samuel entered the secret room what they called The Hort and returned with a small black velvet bag.
He put the content on the table. A tarnished oval amulet with a white center stone rounded with smaller blood-red ones. They all recognized it from their Triad's consecration ritual. Next to it was the newly obtained open book that Sam and Malachi had brought. The sketch on the side bore a striking resemblance to the amulet called The Eye of Isis, one of the Brotherhood's artifacts. It had the ability to summon demons, maybe even control them. They had to keep such things save from the wrong hands.
"We should be grateful that it's in our care. God knows what might happen if someone discovers its true potential. No one could predict what hell might break loose if someone manages to use it."
"But it could be a godsend if we manage to use it as a weapon against the enemy. Think about the abilities some demons have, if we find a way to control..." Malachi had got up from his chair, his eyes shining with excitement.
Sam put a hand on Malachi's shoulder and moved him to sit down again. "No, that is far too dangerous. The risk of something going wrong is too great!"
"You are damn right Sam, for now it's safe here on the ranch, the property is protected by numerous spells. Now that we also have the only book where it's mentioned, we don't have to worry anymore." Daniel collected the amulet and the book to stow them away safely in The Hort.
Malachi stopped him. "Let me study the book for a while. It has more to offer. Maybe something in there can be useful."
Daniel let Harris take the book and only brought away the amulet. "Alright Malachi but don't forget to give it back after your studies."
The Guardian declared the meeting over and Samuel was eager to give Cole his present. "Come on, Cole, I want to give you something else. It's in the barn."
Sam waited for his friend to remove his injured leg from the chair, where it had been lying during the whole conversation. Cole got up with a grunt to follow Sam but didn't seem like he was as young as 26-year-old Sam, who was excited as a toddler before Christmas and hurried Cole out of the house.
*** The Wild West Triad ***
The Knight closed the wooden door of the barn behind the two of them to leave the freshly falling snowflakes outside. Meanwhile Samuel had put the lantern on the table. He pushed some hammers, files and other things aside to place a wooden box, he had pulled from the workbench shelf on top of it. Sam revealed its content. It was the handgun he had been tinkering with for a whole year, but something new had been added. Carved into the handle made of dark brown walnut was a protective symbol in the form of the five-pointed star, a devil's trap. A masterpiece - undeniable. Also, in the box underneath were thirteen bullet-like metal pieces neatly lined up, each stowed in a recess in the box.
Pointing out the bullets in the box, Samuel proudly explained. "These are cartridges, it's a brilliant idea, I got it from a friend, a well-known inventor. If they weren't so compact, it wouldn't be possible to accommodate the necessary ingredients in such a way that it works. This is your birthday present."
Cole stepped closer in awe. His friend knew him well. He loved weapons in every variation. Some people had books or pictures in their shelves. Not so Cole, he thought by the word decoration more about his knife collection and his rifles in his room. "Sam, it is unique, you have outdone yourself. What do you mean by these "cartridges" what are they supposed to do?"
The Knight stroked and inspected the gun with a blissful smile on his face before The Scholar explained further. "The cartridge is a combination of the bullet, the powder and the primer all put together in one piece. These cartridges used in combination with that gun can kill demons and I mean really kill, not just exorcise them. And thanks to the compact design, you no longer have to reload with powder, etc. You can simply fire all the bullets in the rotating cylinder one after the other before you have to reload it simply with further cartridges."
Tanner lowered the barrel of the gun and stared at his longtime friend. "If that's true, it will open so many more opportunities." Cole thought for a moment. "But the vessel will inevitably die too. How did you manage it to work? Have you tested it yet?"
"No, demons don't just run past here and let themselves be shot. But we'll get our chance, and besides, I'm pretty sure that it works. I implicated pieces of your magical blade. You can also use the revolver with normal cartridges. I have to find out more about the composition of the metal of your Dragon's Talon to prepare more ammunition. But I will work it out. Who would have thought that it comes handy that you broke the tip of your beloved knife, good old Knight?" Sam teased.
Cole grinned wide at him. "Yeah, see, I don't do things randomly. I only broke my favorite weapon to challenge you. Glad you repaired the blade as good as new. Wade would have been so proud of you."
Sam closed the wooden lid and handed it to Cole. "Thank you. So far, it's only these thirteen. So, spare it. You can get used to the gun with normal bullets." Samuel pushed another box with more "normal" cartridges into Cole's hand and could see how the smile on Tanner's face grew wider and wider.
*** The Wild West Triad ***
Lily had finished cooking and cleaned up the house. She had already washed the dishes brought the used water out and had swept the kitchen which had only place for a table four chairs and a work area for her baking and cooking. Pans hung over the plate on the side and a shelf next to it held all other dishes they needed. She entered the next room, a small storage area and took the freshly baked bread from the morning out to slice it for the supper.
There was no way she wanted to attract Noah's anger again today. Why was her husband suddenly so obsessed with learning all about demons? God would deal with them without a priest having to condemn them. But Noah didn't want to hear about that especially from a woman. Lily was used to this. Her brothers never wanted to hear her out, too.
The woman opened the stove door and added a few pieces of wood out of the woven basket to keep the fire burning, further brooding over Noah's motives.
This quarrel was different, Lily had never seen him so angry. Noah had blamed her not supporting him and silenced her with angry screams that allowed no arguments.
She was sure that God was punishing her because Noah seemed so astray. Lily prayed for a whole year now for a baby but she didn't receive. It was the subject of their quarreling before she brought up the latest event what her husband called an exorcism.
When Noah entered the house and ripped her out of her thoughts, there was a deadly silence between the two of them. The priest's wife didn't dare to speak to her husband anymore. Noah however looked ruefully. Maybe there was hope to have a normal conversation over the meal. But they ate dinner in silence and Lily tidied up afterwards. The priest ignored his wife, took off his robes and went upstairs to their small bedroom. She heard him talking a few minutes later immersed in prayer.
Lily soon followed to slide into bed next to her husband. She turned off the petroleum lamp, the last remaining light source. Trying to avert her eyes from Noah, she was lying motionless next to him when he put his hand around her waist to pull her closer. When he began to push up the bottom of her nightgown Lily shifted away. Men always believed that everything could be solved with a little coitus. The young woman stiffened. She really didn't have the need for tenderness today. As much as she wanted a child, today wasn't the day. Sensing the aversion, Noah withdrew his hand in frustration and turned, pushed back in the other direction. Silent tears ran down Lily's cheeks until she fell asleep.
When she woke up the next morning, her husband was already out of the house. A little disappointed, she let out a heavy breath and started her day's work. Lily was determined to make it up to Noah today. After all, the Lord taught forgiveness, and Noah had never raised his hand against her. Everyone did have a bad day. And men had needs. His wife would wait for him to come home later. By then his temper should have calmed down and they could talk and make it up to each other. Yesterday she wasn't in the mood but today Lily was sorry for brushing him off so hard. Maybe they could have a romantic evening.
*** The Wild West Triad ***
Same time in the boarding house of Canaan
Harris came home from the ranch frustrated. He was barely inside his room and pushed the door close before he vented about Wilmington and Tanner. "Damn conceited idiots, they never listened to me. Especially Daniel is the most arrogant man you can imagine. Calling him only a smartass is an understatement. Paired with his stubborn cousin Cole, the two can really drive anyone nuts."
The crafter wished they would respect him and his power more. But instead, he was treated as their lowly assistant and doctor when the gentlemen liked it. Nobody saw the potential that slumbered in the amulet. He could control it. Harris was quite sure of that. The crafter opened the book he had taken home with him and started to read to learn more about using the amulet.
His eyes got tired and burned hours later and Malachi closed the book and rubbed his reddened eyes. A look in the mirror told him that he seemed even paler than usual today. He climbed up to the small open loft, where he had his alcove and slumped onto the mattress to call it a day.
When he opened his eyes again the sun was already shining through the small window what told him it was past noon. But what shocked him more was another presence he felt in the room. Malachi jerked upright and bumped his head on the timber construction of the roof. A stifled curse escaped his throat before he could recover. He looked down to the living area and was amazed to see none other than Noah Seaver absorbed in the book Harris had brought home yesterday.
"Noah, what the hell are you doing in my room?"
Seaver looked up and unconsciously held his finger to the last passage in the book to easier find the last words he had just read.
"Ah, you are finally slept in. Your journey seems to have been quite exhausting. Mrs. Cunning let me in. You could not be woken up when I got here, so I used the time reading a bit. Does this amulet really exist?"
Harris climbed sleepily down the ladder and poured fresh water from the jug into the basin. He washed his face with the cold water to clear his mind.
"Besides, you didn't come to our appointment and I was curious about how you live, so I rode here and I have to say I wasn't disappointed."
Seaver had gotten up and was re-inspecting the spacious room of the boarding house, looking at a bundle of herbs dangling from the ceiling. Next to it stood a small table on the wall, which was decorated with carvings and crystals. Malachi tensed as the priest took a look into the small wooden box that revealed an immense selection of different colored candles. Noah dropped the lid and turned to Harris. "Do you need all of these things for your hunting-whatever?"
Harris had followed the priest through his room and corrected the direction of the candle box neatly in a rectangular position to the table again. "Let's start with the easy things, Noah. Come over and have a seat, you want something to drink?"
Harris didn't wait for an answer and filled two cups of cold tea from last night, placed them on the table. Closing the book, he took a seat next to Seaver. „Well, the world that you know, it is only the vail that covers the bad things. Things like demons are real, you saw it with your own eyes. We are men of an organization to safe the people from things like that."
Noah looked up surprised. "You trying to say there are not only demons?"
"Well yes, there are more, like angry ghosts and monsters. Still interested?"
Noah thought for a moment but nodded. "Yes, tell me more I want to help. Maybe finally God is showing me, why he sent me to Wyoming. I believe everything is God's Will, even if we don't see how some things can be good."
"Well about that amulet you read. It can be used to get an advantage over demons."
The crafter refused for now, to tell Noah that you have to summon them from hell in the first place. But if he played it smart now, he might have found a way to back up his theory with Noah's help. The priest had been like a dog with a bone since he got wind of the existence of demons.
He had to work for a while with the priest to train him and carefully make him understand the need of summoning a demon for his mission. It wasn't like he wanted to free a demon. Malachi planned to send him back where he belonged when they had used him for their advantage.
*** The Wild West Triad ***
Three weeks later - Candlemas-Day 1840 – in the church building, Canaan, WY
Noah screamed with all his might, but no one could hear him. He just wanted to break out of his own mind he was trapped in. What had he done? He should have never looked at the demonic book. His wife was right with her warnings. He should let the Lord handle these things. What had gotten into him to help Malachi to use his unholy amulet? Harris probably didn't even know what had happened after that blow he had sustained to his head. The sudden surge of dark energy had thrown the crafter across the room, his head connecting with one of the pews, where he was lying unconscious now. But Noah remembered every detail clear as day…
…He was standing inside the large circle they had drawn, clutching the amulet tightly, his hand soiled with red liquid that reminded the priest far too much of blood. Harris was reading from his book in an unknown language and suddenly an energy seized Noah's body and the amulet in his hand began to change. First the chain began to shine, sparkling silvery and looking almost new. The shine spread to the pendant; the silver almost glowing. Finally, the middle stone of the pendant started to pulse in an unnatural light, the reddish shades like blood. Then some kind of sudden force emitted from the pendant, a shock-wave which tore Harris off his feet.
Wind rose even though they were standing in the locked church and thick black smoke crawled through the shutters and snaking towards Noah. He was paralyzed with shock, rooted to the spot for far too long, until the priest finally started to move. He stumbled two steps backwards and fell. Noah watched with horror as snake-like smoke crept towards him. Seaver continued to flee, Unintentional crossing the circle's protective line. The smoke penetrated his airways with brutal force. He felt suffocated then the world went black…
… When Noah's eyes opened again, he wasn't his body's master anymore and he felt a demonic smile spread across his face. "Ah, it was about time ...", Noah heard his voice say, felt his shoulder stretch. But these weren't his thoughts nor his movements.
*** The Wild West Triad ***
It felt good to possess a human body again. He stretched. Azazel, The Prince of Hell had big plans. As the amulet had called, he saw his chance and took it. For his war he had to forge his own army and the humans so he thought were the key to his victory over his brothers.
Azazel walked to the basin filled with water and looked at the reflection of his new face. It showed a middle-aged man with half-long wavy brown hair. He had a long but symmetric nose and seamed not the kind of man who ate over his hunger.
The demon's yellow eyes glowed bright and he grinned over the irony of his vessel being a priest. Blinking twice his eyes flashed and turned to his vessel's normal muddy-green color. He avoided the devils-trap though it wouldn't harm him and stepped over to Harris. Not too gently he roused the Crafter who was already coming around, rubbing his aching head.
"What happened, did it work?" Harris blinked, still somewhat confused.
"I don't know. You tell me. At least it knocked you out."
*** The Wild West Triad ***
The kitchen door opened slowly and Lily smiled at Noah. Their relationship had returned to some kind of normal. Noah was soon finished with church duty and she was looking forward to a relaxed meal with her husband.
"Hello, lunch is ready, are you hungry?"
She did not wait for an answer, but served her husband from the soup and put the bowl on its rightful place at the table, next to some slices of freshly baked bread.
Noah let his gaze wander through the room and then his eyes landed on Lily with an appraising look. It only took a few moments until a big grin settled on his face and he came closer to her. Grabbing Lily's wrist tightly he pulled her closer and roughly pressed a kiss on her lips.
"Uhgh ... Noah ... what is this about? ... Ouch, you're hurting me! ..."
"I'm hungry, but not for food. Turn around woman!"
Panting she tried to wriggle out of his grasp. Then Noah hit her face with his fist she couldn't believe this was really happening. The impact blinded her and a raging fire-like pain shot though Lily's left eye. The priest's woman started begging desperately with tears running over her face. "Please, Noah stop it, please!"
"But we haven't even started yet, honey."
Merciless her husband turned Lily's arm around so that she was forced to bend over the sideboard.
"NO! NOAH!"
The young woman felt Noah grabbing his hands in her hair, punching her face against the wooden surface. He spit the words in her ear like venom.
"Shut up woman, you're mine and I'll take whatever I want from you."
Blood oozed from a cut of her cheek and ran warm and wet over her face. She kicked out to get rid of him. But he pressed a hand over her mouth and pressed her onto the piece of furniture where more than just Noah's body pinned her at place.
With no strength left, barely getting enough oxygen in her lungs to breathe Lily could only let it happen and felt with pure horror when he pushed her skirts up to take her forcefully. Her resistance had only seemed to fuel his greed even more.
*** The Wild West Triad ***
Noah saw his wife curled up on the floor, crying heartbreakingly. He had been horrified to see what his hands and body had done to her. The priest was absolutely ashamed and tried to shake his mental bonds, prayed to God for help and begged the demon to release him without success. Instead, a voice inside his head made itself known loud and clear.
"Oh Noah, Noah, it's a shame you don't want to play a little. Your wife gave me so much pleasure. I like a little challenge with your kind. She really tried to fight. I can feel that she is well suited for breeding. You on the other hand are really a pathetic specimen. Even your wife resisted more than you when I took her. Soon she will give birth to my demon spawn. Then maybe I will release you back into your misery. But until then, shut up and quit whining!"
A preverbal door slammed shut in Noah's mind's eye and he was once again alone with his thoughts and the images carved deep into his consciousness. He started rebelling and screaming, fighting for control. But was left alone and locked away somewhere in his own head.
Azazel leaned down to the curled-up woman to make sure she was still breathing. "I'll be gone for the rest of the day sweetheart, take good care of yourself." With these words, the demon turned around and walked out the door.
*** The Wild West Triad ***
February 02, 1840 – later that day
Tanner buckled up the saddlebag in which he had stowed the map he had bought from the surveyor. Daniel was obsessed with maps of Wyoming. Cole wondered if his cousin had missed the job and should work for the railroad instead. Though, when it came to repairing things or new inventions, it was probably Sam who took on the leading role here.
The Knight directed his stallion in the familiar direction towards the ranch. Cole was happy when he finally arrived back home. It was getting late and he wanted to be at home before dusk.
Though his birthday was in winter he still wasn't a fan of the white cold flakes. Cole longed for the warm fire the ranch would offer. His cut finally had healed but a throbbing pain stayed every time he was out in the cold. The doc in Canaan had given him Laudanum to numb the pain what worked so far though he wanted home.
He had lived with his uncle Wade since his mother, Wade's little sister, died when Cole was only five years old.
When he was twelve and Samuel came to live with them too, they soon moved from Wade's farm in Connecticut to Wyoming and found a new place for their home and their hearts. They had helped to build the ranch up from the bottom to the top. It was home. Lost in thoughts, he wondered if any of them would one day start a family of their own. His mind drifted further around a woman and kids. The woman had Lily's face and he imagined how it would feel like to hold her in his arms.
Daydreaming he almost rode past the red drops in the snow but Sky growled at the smell of blood and brought his attention back to his surroundings. Tanner jerked the reins of his stallion, who immediately obeyed and slid out of the saddle, hurrying after his faithful dog who rushed to the bank of the river. A shape of a body, a woman to judge by the clothes, lay near the bank of the water. Brown curls covered her face which was turned to the side and a pool of red oozed from her slit arm staining the virgin snow. Cole turned the body over. Striding her hair out of the face, he recognized Lily Seaver's swollen and blood covered face with horror. "Lily? Oh God, Lily! What the hell happened?"
Frantic he searched for her pulse. Her skin felt ice cold but gladly he found a slow throbbing. Cole sighed relieved that she was at least alive.
A slight whimpering and pleading came from her lips barely audible, but Cole understood the words clearly. "No, Noah stop hurting me, please!"
Cole ignored it and reacted quickly. Rushing back to his horse, he almost slipped in the snow. He took bandages and his water bottle out of his saddlebag. Sky let out a sympathetic whine and nudged Lily's face with her wet nose. He tried to clean the cut and stop the bleeding. With practiced fingers, The Knight put a tight bandage on her cut wrist. It almost looked like she wanted to take her own life.
While he took care of her, his gaze wandered to her face again. It was puffy from crying and her cheek was cracked and caked with blood. He didn't even try to speak to her again, but instead wrapped her in his coat and heaved her onto his horse while addressing Sky like one of his brothers in arms. "Come on girl, we have to get her to the ranch." He spurred his stallion on, wasting no more time.
Sky soon rushed forward to the door and her barking mixed with Cole's urgent shouts. "Daniel, Sam, I need help here!" The tumult could not be overheard in the two-story ranch house where Samuel and Daniel sat deep in conversation. The two younger dogs inside answered Sky's barking and Samuel's concerned gaze met his friend's. Both pushed back the chairs and hurried out of the house. Cole had already dismounted and was about to pull an unconscious woman off his horse. "It's Lily, I found her by the river bank. She has lost a lot of blood and is cold as ice."
"Help him get her inside, I'll get what we need." The Guardian ordered Samuel and turned to hurry back into the house.
Colt was immediately at Cole's side and helped him getting the woman into the house. They put her on the blanket that Daniel hastily had thrown on the floor in front of the fireplace as a makeshift bed.
Surrounded by the three dogs Cole felt cornered and in a harsher tone than usual he ordered them to back off while stepping back from Samuel to give him some space to work. The Knight ran his shaky hands smeared and sticky with Lily's blood over his face. He couldn't get a clear thought and could only watch as Samuel peeled Lily from her frozen wet clothes.
Rushing down from the upper floor, Daniel reappeared armed with dry clothes and a metal box. "Here make sure that she gets warm again." He dropped the pack of men clothes on the wooden floor next to her and began to sterilize bandages in the boiling kettle that was hanging over the fire. "Cole what exactly happened?" Getting no answer, Daniel tried again. "Cole!"
The Knight's head jerked up as he forced his way out of his shocked state. A grim expression rushed over his face, mixed with traces of Lily's blood, he looked like one of the Absarokee on the warpath. He didn't move an inch. Instead, he spoke his mind. "That was Noah, I'm sure of that."
"What do you mean, Cole? It looks like she's opened her veins. What has her husband got to do with it?"
"Back at the river she said his name over and over and begged him to stop."
Sam looked up at Cole, who clenched his fists in anger. "Cole, that can mean a lot, she is married to him, you already know that, right?"
Tanner's eyes met The Scholar's. As Samuel said, she was Noah's wife and yet, it made him furious. It was clear to Cole who was obviously to blame for Lily's condition.
She had started to speak with Cole when he was in town over the past few weeks. First over nonsense like the weather but she soon trusted him more and expressed her concern about the ongoing quarreling with her husband.
The message he could read between the lines was clear. Noah had argued with her over and over, now the situation had obviously escalated.
Daniel washed his hands and began to change the bloody bandages that Cole had hastily but professional put on. He cleaned the cuts, inspected the wound and saw they needed a few stiches. He also noticed abrasions around her wrists and dark spots around her throat fitting to a man's hand. He frowned, but said nothing about it. "Luckily, she didn't cut well and missed the artery. The bleeding nearly had stopped. We can only hope and pray that she will come around soon to find out more. You can't just guess. Though someone has to ride to Seaver and let him know."
"No, we'll wait until she wakes up, I don't want him here if he had caused this."
Daniel thought for a moment, but then nodded at Cole. He respected Tanner's wish. A blind man could see that Cole cared about Lily Seaver. They would wait for now."
***The Wild West Triad***
Tanner didn't leave Lily's side as well as Sky who was lying at the end of the bed to warm the woman's feet.
After treating and changing her into dry clothes they had taken her to Cole's room. He sat next to her on a hard wooden chair, cleaning his weapons. Seaver's self-righteous face kept coming back to his mind as he imagined beating the shit out of the priest. For Cole it was crystal clear Seaver had driven his wife to the point of suicide.
His muscles stiff and his old injury pounding like hell he shifted in the chair, got up and pulled the Laudanum out, took a swing and stored it again. Tanner limped back to the chair and once again sat down. Sighing frustrated he took the cloth and weapon oil again.
A tender touch tore him from his thoughts of revenge and he let the oily cloth and gun fall to the table to quickly grab Lily's weak hand, which she had placed on his arm. She frowned and looked at him questioningly. "Cole? Where am I, what happened?"
"Easy Lily, you're in my room at Wilmington Ranch. I found you near the river bank. What happened and who dared to beat you like that?"
Lily turned her head to the side in embarrassment and began to cry. Cole leaned over her and gently turned her face back to him. "Shh, it's ok now. Don't cry. You are safe here. Do you want to tell me what happened?"
More tears ran down her cheeks and she covered her eyes with her uninjured hand. Cole gently stroked her curly brown hair, until she calmed down. Finally, she started to speak. "It was Noah, he came home and ... I - I said to let go of me, but - but he hit me. He never was physically violent on me before. He pushed me over the sideboard…I couldn't move barely breath… and he said, 'he can take whatever he wants from me'. I begged and screamed at him to stop, to let me go, but he wouldn't listen… and after he was done… he left. When I came around... I was so shaken and scared of him coming home again. I just started walking until I was at the river and then ...I had my knife..." Her voice cracked and she burst into tears again. Cole's arms tightened around her as she cried.
*** The Wild West Triad ***
"You can't seriously consider starting a war with Seaver for bedding his wife! Are you completely out of mind?" Daniel knew there was no reasoning with Cole when he was so angry and he had no doubt that The Knight was able to do something stupid in that state.
"Don't talk about her as if she is one of your cows. You don't get it Daniel. He abused and raped her badly. Isn't that our job to protect the weak and innocent?"
"This is different! It has nothing to do with the supernatural. It's just the way things go sometimes. Of course, I have pity for her, but sleeping with your wife is not rape. You also have no idea what exactly happened between the two of them. You shouldn't interfere."
Cole slammed his cup on the table leaving a puddle of water on the surface when it spilled over the rim at the movement. The angry gesture made Sky pull her paws over her eyes and howl sadly. "Call it whatever you want, I'm not just going to pretend nothing had happened and watch him hurt her again."
Daniel grabbed Tanner's wrist and looked deep into his blue eyes. "Damn it, Cole, if you don't listen to me as your friend and family, I have to order you not to do it as The Guardian!"
Tanner glared back and yanked his arm free of his cousin's firm grip. "You have no right to do this, as you said it's no supernatural problem." Cole turned and walked out of the house with long angry strides, Sky close on his heels. Sam got up and was about to follow the duo outside, when Daniel's voice stopped him. "Sam, say something. Am I wrong? He will cause a war."
"What can I say to that? Can't you see he's in love with her? And it's nothing like his usual conquests. I've seen this coming to a head for weeks and now we're screwed. Why on earth does he have to fall in love with a married woman? Not to mention the wife of a priest." Colt ran a hand over his face, sighing heavily. "I'll see if I can soothe his ruffled feathers a little. But don't get your hopes up." With these words Sam left the house.
Daniel rubbed his eyes in frustration and brushed his hair back from his face. "Damn it!" They had already enough on their plate, now he had to deal with a love-sick Knight on top!
TBC