Author's Note: I don't own Pirates of the Caribbean or any of the characters. I only own the plot to the story and a few characters of my own
Summary: Western Au. Wild Spirited Elizabeth Swann leaves behind her family in Philadelphia heading to the small Texas border town of Sliverston for a teaching job.
Will Turner was a man not looking for trouble but trouble had always found him. He had a reputation as a gunhand who was rumoured to have killed thirty men. A nonsense Bounty Hunter who rode with questionable characters. Dark Will.
Chapter 3
Sliverston, Texas
1890
Well before dawn. We saddled our horses for the ride over to Blackford to see the man buying horses for the Army. It was a five hour ride to Blackford. It would take most of the day to ride to Blackford and back.
Over a quick breakfast of coffee, and biscuits. I pulled on my coat and hat. I grabbed my Henry Repeater near the door. I strapped my gun belt on. I checked the ammunition in both of my Schofields and on my gun belt.
I placed my bandoleer over the top of my coat. Dalton came out wearing a gun belt with a shiny new Colt Single Shot in the holster
"What do you think your taking that for" I questioned eyeing the Colt on his hip.
"I might need it."Dalton argued.
"When do you think your going to need tha Dalton."
"I'm not a kid anymore Will. I know how to use it. I'm seventeen" Dalton continued to argue.
"Seventeen isn't a man Dalton. You can take it. But you keep that thing holster. I don't feel like telling Pa or worse Nan you got yourself shot" Matthew came out ready to leave. Winchester in hand.
"What you not going to say nothing about Matthew having a six gun Will" Dalton questioned.
"Unlike you little brother I know how to use my brain" Matthew retorted.
"What to do you mean"
"He means Dalton. He thinks before he acts. You've got a temper and the last thing we need is you shooting or getting shot for running your mouth" Henry finished as he stepped out onto the porch.
"What time will you be back"
"Either late afternoon at the earliest or sometime this evening. Or tomorrow morning at the latest."I answered as we mounted our horses.
Blackford, Texas
1890
It was just after ten in the morning when we rode into Blackford. Compared to Drysgate and Sliverston. Blackford was a small city. The streets where a hustle and busle of wagons, and the everyday working man.
There was at least a good dozen boarding houses and hotels in Blackford. Trying to find the fella we needed to talk to would be looking for a needle in a haystack. We slowed to halt near the rail yards.
Someone there might know where we could find this fella. It either there or livestock yards across the street.
"Morning fellas. You would happen the know where I could the fella buying horses for the Army around here could ya" I asked a few men repairing the rails on the yards.
"Sure can Minster. He's staying over at the Blackford Hotel. His names Major Francis Monroe."The taller of the two men answered.
"Thank you for you time minter" I thanked him tipping my hat.
The Blackford Hotel was situated at the centre of town. It looked like some Hotel you'd see in New York or San Francisco. It stood out like a pimple on pumpkin. Here in the main street of Blackford.
"Henry, Matthew and I will go in. Dalton you stay out here with Jack, Pintel and Ragetti till we get back" I ordered as I tied Dutchmen to the hitching post at the front of the Blackford Hotel.
"But" Dalton started to argue. He soon shut his mouth when I shot him a look
We removed our hats when we came inside in the Blackford Hotel."May I help you gentlemen" A short squirrelling looking fella stood behind the Hotel Desk.
"You may. We're looking for Major Monroe. We like to discuss some business with him. Do you happen to know where we might find Major Monroe" I asked
"He's in the dinning room."He nodded to a room to the right near the staircase.
"Thank you kindly Minister."I thanked him as Henry, Matthew and myself made our way to the dinning room.
Major Francis Monroe. Was not overall tall man. He carried himself with a lot self confidence. He looked to be about Pa's age. If not a little older. Another two men sat at the table with him.
Both where around my height or a little shorter. Not by much though.
"Sheriff Scarfield, Mayor Dix. I am simple here to acquire horses for Army and Calvary. Not to be drawn into feud between neighbours" I knew Scarfield by reputation and having honour of meeting the blackguard.
"Major"
"Mr Dix. May I remind you why I am here again" Monroe angrily slammed his hand on the table.
"We don't have any bounties for you Turner" Scarfield sneering notching us standing no far away from their table.
"I anit here for bounties. I've got some business to discuss with Major Monroe here. Scarfield" I replied.
"Mayor Dix, Sheriff if you will excuse me. It seems I have some business to discuss with these young men here" Major Monroe cut off Dix before he could argue.
"Very Well. Good day Major Monroe" Dix and Scarfield left in a huff.
"What can I do your for was it Mr Turner" Monroe turned his attention to the three of us.
"I'm Will Turner. This is my brothers Henry and Matthew Turner. We've come over from Sliverston. To talk business with you. Word is your looking for horses to buy for the Army" I took a seat.
"I am in the market for horses. Will. Your father owns the Broken Arrow ranch doesn't he"
"Yes he does. But he doesn't have any horses to sell. Not the numbers you would be looking for. What price would you pay a head for fifty or more horses" I answered.
"Depends on the quality of the horse. Anywhere from five to fifteen dollars a horse. Like I said it all depends on the quality of horses. Where do you propose to find such a number as that. If you don't mind me asking"
"Mustangs. There's a big herd of them. Fifty or more up in Gun Canyon."Henry spoke this time.
"Well if you could have them roughly broken and at the rail head here in Blackford in six to eight weeks. Then we'll talk business." Monroe held out his hand.
Henry, Matthew and I shook his hand. We had a deal so to speak. Major Monroe put the contract in writing. We had almost two months to break and bring the horses here to Blackford to be paid.
Sliverston, Texas
1890
Well before dawn. Elizabeth was up. Phillip and Syrena where still asleep. Elizabeth left the house. She saddle a horse to go for an early morning ride along the river before Church. Sliverston was a nice town. The towns people had been most welcoming.
The first ray of sunrise where starting to peak over the horizon as she rode along the banks of the Little Howl River. It truly was breath taking country here in Sliverston.
Elizabeth had never seen a more place then this. Her horse snorted and nickered nervously all of sudden.
A growling came from the trees not far from the trial. "Easy girl."Elizabeth tried to calm her horse.
A Cougar appeared from the tree line. It growled. Elizabeth tried in vain to calm her mare. She wasn't having anything of it. It reared and took off at a gallop. Elizabeth tried in vain to stay in the saddle.
On a tight bend. A skunk came wandering onto the trail. The horse scared out her wits. Reared again. Elizabeth found herself in the cold water of the Little Howl River. Just to make matters worse the Cougar had given chase.
It stood on the banks of the river growling. Bareing it's teeth. Ready to attack. Before it could. A shot rang out. It wounded the cougar in the neck. It turned to whoever had shot it. A familiar black overo paint stallion stood not far away.
It was Will Turner behind the rifle. Despite being badly wounded the cougar wasn't going down without a fight.
It lunged for Will's Stallion's throat. Will fired off another round this time. Hitting the cougar in the head right between the eyes.
The smell of burnt gun powered and blood hung heavily in the air. The cougar despite being shot in the head and neck was still breathing. Will shot it again this time in the heart.
"You alright Miss Swann" Will asked as he slid his rife back in the scabbard on his saddle.
"I think so. Thank you Mr Turner. I don't know what would of happened if you hadn't show up when you did" I dismounted off Dutchmen.
"Are you hurt anywhere" I asked as I waded into the river to help her out.
"I think I'm unharmed."Elizabeth took my outstretched hand. I helped her to her feet.
"Mighty dangerous to be riding around here unarmed and alone. Plenty of dangerous beasts about. Both Animal and the man kind alike" I remarked as we came out of the river.
"And what are you doing out here at this hour Mr Turner" Elizabeth challenged
"Checking the herd along the river. My family owns the land on the other side of the river" I replied. Elizabeth started to shiver.
"Come on. We need to get you somewhere warm and dry before you catch your death" I shrugged off my heavier warmer coat. Wrapping it around her.
"What about the horse"
"The horse will be fine. Most likely it will head back to town to your cousin's" I lifted her up onto the saddle. I climbed up behind her.
We crossed the river over to our side of the river. I needed to find a cabin or some form of shelter to get us warm and dry. There was an old prospectors cabin up on Wolf Hill. We used the cabin from time to time when we where herding cattle up this way.
I slowed Dutchmen to a halt. I slipped down from the saddle first. I carried El….Miss Swann I reminded myself inside.
She was shaking and shivering more then before. I had to get her warm and dry or she would get Hypothermia. I got a fire lit. But I needed more kindling
I wrapped a few blankets around her. I headed outside quickly. I grabbed an arm full of kindling to build up the fire. I ducked back outside again. I quickly unsaddled Dutchmen. I brought my saddle and Henry Repeater inside.
I knelt in front of the fireplace. I stoked and built up the fire to get more warm into the cabin."You any warmer" I turned looking over my shoulder.
"No still bloody cold" She answered as her teeth chattered. There was only one thing that could be done.
"You need to get out of wet clothes."Hell Turner get you mind out of the gutter. Now anit the time for though such as that.
"You may need to help me. What about dry clothes"
"I got a spare clothes in my saddle bags. They may be a might big. But there dry"
Hellfire. Why in all that fucking holy. Do woman need to wear so many goddamn layers of clothing. By some miracle I got her down to her shift. Without ripping or tearing anything.
"That needs to come off too. I can give some privacy and decentce to do it yourself" For some god awful unknown reason I could feel blood rushing south. Now was hardly the time for that.
"Will please"
"Alright" I helped her out her wet and soaked shift. I tried not to look nor stare. But fucking Christ. I'm just a man. I'm only human for the first time in six years. I felt something I hadn't felt since Victoria had been taken from me.
I felt my mouth go dry. I swallowed thickly as I handed Elizabeth a shirt and pants. They would be way to big for her.
Once she was dressed. I wrapped her up in blankets. I sat her in front of the fire. She needed warm food to warm her up. All I had my saddle bags was tinned food. The most logical thing to do would be go and shoot a rabbit.
"I'll be back soon. Anyone comes through that door. Beside me. Shot em."I handed her one of my Schofield pistols.
"Where are you going"
"To get a rabbit. Or whatever else I can find."I grabbed my Henry Repeater before heading out the door.
Twenty minutes later. I came back inside with two rabbits in one hand. I skinned and cut up the rabbits. I made a rabbit stew. It wasn't the most fanciest food. But it would do the job.
"Here this should warm you up some. I get some coffee on."I stood back up. I grabbed the coffee in my saddle bags, along with a bottle of Whiskey
I made two strong cups of straight black coffee."Careful it's hot" I handed Elizabeth her mug of coffee. I sat beside her in front of the fire.
We sat in silence for a good twenty minutes. I opened the bottle of Whiskey. I took a long pull from the bottle.
I saw an outstretched hand in the corner of the my eye" What" I asked amused as I glanced over at Elizabeth.
For the first time in six years I felt my heart come alive. I handed over the open bottle of Whiskey. What was it about her that got under my skin and wouldn't let go.
Elizabeth coughed after taking along pull of the bottle of Whiskey. I laughed for the first time in six years.
"It not polite to laugh at a lady William Turner" I only laughed harder.
"Lady huh."I remarked not hiding my amusement.
"I am Lady of high society. It' not polite a from a gentlemen. Especially A Southern Gentlemen at that"
"I don't know about that. Darlin. I wouldn't really fit in with your friends back home" How the hell or why did I feel this way about a woman I barely knew. And had only seen and spoke to a few times.
"I'd rather a rough around the edges Cowboy. Compared to men I know back home in Philadelphia High Society. High Society isn't all it's cracked up to be. There a shallow, self centre Toffy nosed lot. Pretending be something their not" I found myself getting lost in those light brown eyes of hers.
"You anit got a fella back there" What the fuck Turner. Where had that come from.
"No. My father was exactly thrilled when I told him I was coming out to Texas to teach."
"What about the rest of your family" I took bottle of Whiskey back from her.
"They thought I was mad for coming out here. But they where supportive non the less. My brothers wanted to come with me. Meet a real life Outlaw, Gunslinger or a rough rider. They're obsessed with Penny Dread Full Novels."
"It anit like what those novels depict. We don't have shot out every single day. Nor gun fights" I shook my heads of the though of going back to East to meeting her family. It would never work.
"Have you been in many gun duel. There was the boy you shot the other days"
"A few. I've got a reputation with a gun. I've killed plenty of men. None I would lose over sleep over" I was fighting the urge to kiss her. Hellfire. I had never felt this about Victoria.
"So I've heard. The town people like to talk about you. Though Phillip wasn't so gracious"
"Not a surprise there. I'm not exactly his favourite person. He likes to hide behind his bible. He likes to believe there good in everyone."I scoffed.
"Like the man who killed your wife. Syrena told me"
"If there was a man who was the devil reincarnated. Then it's Brandon Matthews."I wanted to bring the bastard back alive just to kill him over and over again.
"It take someone truly evil to do something like that. Was that why you became a bounty hunter"
"In a way" I got lost in those eyes hers again.
Elizabeth felt her heart flutter in her chest. As Will Turner stared into her eyes with those beautiful broken dark brown eyes of his. She knew there was more to the this beautifully broken handsome devil of a man,
He'd been to hell and back. He had lost everything in tragic, brutal and barbaric way. Elizabeth wanted to help heal his shattered heart. If she could.
Just by Will looking at her. Elizabeth felt her self blushing under her collar. At the not so innocent thoughts racing through her head. Lord help her. She wanted to know him biblical and non biblical. Society and everyone could go jump in the river.
"Will. I just wanted to say thank you" Elizabeth suddenly spoke
Before I could reply. She reached a hand over so it rested on the back of my neck. She pulled me towards her. Our lips met.
I fumbled to put the bottle of Whiskey down. I somehow manged to put it down while kissing her back. We pulled away due to lack of air.
"I'm sorry. I shou" I kissed her again before she could continue speaking. I hauled her into my arms. Why and how had I fallen in love with someone I had only met two days ago. I gathered that she felt the same as she kissed me first.
I could hear Victoria's voice in my head. Telling me it was time to let her go and move on. I couldn't keep putting my life on hold. Or continue on this path I was on. Victoria had always been a voice of reason when I lost my head.
This fire cracker from Philadelphia had come crashing into my life. In two days she had somehow gotten through the wall I had put up around my heart six years ago. Hell fire I barely knew her. Yet she made want to be a better man. I wanted to be a better man. I hadn't been living. I had been half living. Maybe it was time to let go of the past and past ghosts as well.