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 14
Sliverston Texas
1890
I was woken by a storm rolling over the ranch. I got out of bed before dressing for the day. Pa was the only one awake when I came out my room dressed for the day.
"Want to join me going for a ride this morning and do a spot of fishing." Pa asked a pouring himself a cup of coffee.
"Sure" I answered pouring myself one.
With our coffees finished. We made a run for the barn. I saddle Dutchmen and Dad's horse Bay Roan Stallion Trooper.
It was only lightly drizzling with rain when we mounted our horses and rode out. Not heading in any particular direction.
We rode in silence for a few miles.
"Something on your mind Pa" I asked as we rode along.
"It's been a while since we've done this. Your Nan's been pestering me to tell you to bring Elizabeth out to the ranch so we meet her properly" Pa answered.
"I know she cornered me last night when I got in from coming back from town. I'll bring her and her father out here when I get the time."I say as the rain started to ease off.
"Father. Will you haven't gotten her into trouble have you"
"No she's not with child if that's what your thinking. Phillip's meddling brought him out here."We crossed Dead Man's Hollow.
"What's Phillip got against you two being together" Pa questioned a few miles later.
"Philip hates my guts for killing Brandon Matthews. He reckons I'm not good enough for her" I shook my head as we got closer to the spot Pa had often taken us to go fishing.
"Brandon Matthews got what he deserved. And it's hardly any of Phillip's business what goes on between you and Elizabeth. He's not her father nor her brother" Pa drawled as he slowed Trooper to a stop and dismounted.
"Well Phillip seems to think he's protecting her. He really needs to get his head out of his bible and see the real world for what it really is" I dismounted Dutchmen.
"So want to make a wager who'll catch the biggest fish" Pa challenged as he handed me a fishing pole.
"Depends how badly you want to lose that bet" I challenged back taking the fishing pole from him.
"Boy I've been finishing for more years then you've been alive"
"That make prehistoric doesn't it "I ribbed.
"Shut up and fish" Pa shook his head as he baited his hook.
Sliverston Texas
1890
Dawn had fully broken at Broken Arrow ranch. The Turner family and ranch hands rose from their bed for a new day.
"Where's Pa and Will" Henry observed noticing two empty seats at the table for breakfast.
"They left earlier this morning. Your Pa left a note. They've gone fishing" Stephanie explained.
Little Howl River, Broken Arrow Ranch Side Sliverston Texas
1890
The fire crackled low as it burnt as I added more tinder to the fire. A pot of coffee was boiling as was our fish we'd caught earlier.
"So you ready to pay up on that bet old man. Seeing how I caught the bigger fish" I poured a cup of coffee for both of us.
"You must have cheated"
"And how would I cheat" I countered.
"Five dollars was the bet wasn't it"
"Ten" I corrected.
"Ten dollars as to who would catch the biggest fish."Pa handed over the payment for the bet between us.
The fish we'd been cooking was ready within a few minutes after that. We ate off tin plates and with our knives.
"You seem a lot happier son"
"Happier how do you mean" I asked taking a bit of my fish.
"The demons that have been haunted you every since Victoria died. Seemed to easing. Your a lot like your older self. How you where before she died. Your happy for the first time in a long time" Pa answered.
"I was in the dark for so long. But somehow Elizabeth she broke through all that darkness I was in and brought me to the light. Was it hard Pa moving on after Ma died"
"It was hard. Just because I still you and Henry's ma doesn't mean I love Stephanie any less. You can still love two people. Victoria will always be with you. Just because you love Victoria still doesn't mean you'll love Elizabeth any less" Pa advised.
We stayed for a few more hours. Before putting the fire out and saddling our horses. We headed back to Broken Arrow.
It was just after mid morning the time we got back to the ranch. Ethan one of the hands took our horses to unsaddle and cool them off.
"You two going to settle down soon" Pa asked as we made our way across to the ranch house.
"Nan already on my back about that. We've only been together a month. So there's no rush"
"No rush huh. Time you get around to marrying the girl I'll be a grandpa again no doubt" I only laughed as we walked up onto the porch.
"You expecting anyone Will" Pa nodded as a buggy came towards the ranch house.
"That's Major Monroe. The Army Horse Buyer. I saw him in Sliverston yesterday. He said he was going to come out to take a look at the horses we have him sometime in the next few days" I explained.
"Good Morning Mr Turner" Major Monroe spoke as he brought his buggy to a stop.
"Major. This is my father Bill Turner. Pa this is Major Francis Monroe" I introduced the pair.
"Major it's a pleasure to meet you. I let Will show the horses" Pa took his leave inside.
I showed Major Monroe over to the corral where the horses we had for him where. Most of them where broken expect for a few that still needed to be broken in.
"How many do you have broken in" Major Monroe asked as he cast an eye over the herd of horses.
"Around forty there still five that need to be broken in" I answered.
"There a fine herd of horse. Very fine indeed. Perhaps some of the best horses I've seen in a good while. I know we agreed on fifteen dollars a head. I'll upping my price to thirty dollars a head for each horse" That was double what we had agreed on. As the saying went don't look a gift horse in the mouth.
Thirty dollars a head for forty five horse that came to 1350 dollars spilt evenly among the seven of us came to about a hundred and ninety three dollars each.
Major Monroe stayed for another hour before heading back to Sliverston. After lunch. Pa sent me, Matt, Henry, Jack and Dalton to town for supplies.
Matt and Dalton where driving the wagon with their horses tither to the back of the wagon. Henry, Jack and myself rode along beside them. When we came into town. Jack disappeared off to the Rattlesnake.
"You two sort out the supplies from Browns, then head to Davy's. We'll be at the Rattlesnake. Just meet us there when your done. And try to stay out of trouble" I relayed that last part to Dalton.
Henry and I tied our horses to the hitching rail beside Jack's mare out the front of the Rattlesnake Saloon. We headed down to the Sheriff's office to check on any bounties there may be
"Will Henry. What bring you to town" Hector looked up as we entered the Sheriff's office.
"Just come to see if there any bounties."I answered.
"None at the moment. It's been pretty quite perhaps a little to quite" Hector commented before we left.
Henry and I made our way up the boardwalk to the Rattlesnake. I bumped into someone.
"Shit sorry Mister" I apologised
"No damage done William" It seemed the man I had bumped into was Elizabeth's father.
"Mr Swann this is my brother Henry. Henry this is Elizabeth's father Weatherby Swann" I suddenly remembered my manners.
"Henry a pleasure to meet you" Weatherby shook Henry's hand.
"You as well Mr Swann. Will I meet you at the Rattlesnake" Henry took his leave.
"I'll meet you there." I say to Henry before turning my attention to Elizabeth's father the man who no doubt would be my father in law one day. "Would you, Elizabeth, Phillip and Syrena be free for dinner one night. My family was hoping to meet you"I asked.
"How far is your ranch from Sliverston"
"About an hour. Phillip knows where it is" I answer frowning. I swore I recognised one of the men riding into town.
"Would three night from tonight be alright"
"That should be fine" I agreed.
"Very well then. Do you know where the local bank is"
"Sliverston Bank's just down the street across from the Rattlesnake Saloon" I directed.
"Thank you Will" Weatherby thanked me before leaving.
Dalton and Matt had finished getting supplies and where in the bar with Henry when I walked in. I ordered a whiskey. Gibbs was pouring the glass of whiskey for me when Jack came down stairs having cleaned up the poker tables once again.
"What's up Will you seem preoccupied." Henry noticed I wasn't all there.
"I think someone's going to rob the bank. I saw some fellas riding into town. I recognised two of them one was Mad dog McLeod and Carnicero."
"The Butcher" Jack's face paled.
"That's him. Dalton go and tell Sheriff Barbossa. Matt move the wagon around the back of the Rattlesnake."I relayed.
Dalton went to get Hector and his deputies. Matt moved the wagon around the back of the saloon. Henry, Jack and I stood on the front porch of the Rattlesnake. Watching as they entered the bank.
We grabbed our rifles from our horses. Just as we came back up the steps. Hector was coming our way with Dalton and Deputies Mullroy and Murtogg.
"You sure it's them Will" Hector asked.
"It's them alright. I killed McLeod's younger brother Ira. Brandon Matthews was running with him. They where the ones who raided the ranch that day" I answered.
"McLeod nor Carnicero are going to come quietly. Their more likely to kill whoever is in there rather then surrender. Mullroy gathered ever man who can at least shot straight. I don't care if it's a rifle. Pistol or scatter gun. Get whatever guns Davy has and hand them around.
I want every gun we can get pointed at those bank doors. There will be hell raining down on them as soon as they step out of that bank" Hector explained his plan.
"What about the school house. Should we get the all children out. It's only up the street" Henry spoke.
"I'll go get them out" I volunteered.
"Take them to the Sheriff's office. The walls are thicker in the jail"
I made my way to the school house. I didn't bother knocking on the door as I walked in the middle of lesson.
"Will's what's wrong" Morgan noticed me first.
"Bank's being robbed. Sheriff want you and the students moved to the Jail for your protection in case there's a shootout" I spoke looking directly at Elizabeth. I didn't mention that her father was in the bank while it was being robbed at this very moment.
Elizabeth felt uneasy as they made their way to the Sheriff's office with Will. There where men with guns everywhere covering every angle of the street.
"Be careful" Elizabeth said before I left them in the Sheriff's office.
"I will be" I say as I turned and left.
"Will you might want to get up onto the roof of the Rattlesnake. You're the best shot we've got. Just incase they come out with hostages."I nodded in reply before making my way up onto the roof of the Rattlesnake.
Davy was already up there with two Remington Rolling Block Rifles. I took the Rolling Block Rifle he handed me.
"MCLEOD you and your men come out with hands up and unarmed. No one needs to get shot here."Hector called on McLeod.
"And why would we do that Sheriff" McLeod laughed it off.
"I got a hundred rifles covering those doors and every angle of the streets. There's no chance of escape. So surrender. No one needs to die today."Hector called on them again.
"We're all going to die one day Sheriff. Some are going to met their judgement day sooner then they think" McLeod called back.
There was silence for a few minutes. The silence was broken as McLeod and his men came out. I felt my blood run cold. They had a few hostages Weatherby being one them. Goddamn it this wasn't good.
"So it looks like we're at impasse Sheriff. So this is how it's going to go. Your going to let us go and will let our hostages go one we're over the border" There was no way McLeod would leave any of them of them alive.
"You think you've got leverage to get out of here alive McLeod."
"I've got leverage alright. I got hostages" McLeod countered.
"Take the shot" Hector called to me.
I exhaled before taking the shot. McLeod dropped dead as did Carnicero from Davy's shot. McLeod's men seemed to sense there was only one way to get out this alive. That was to surrender. They all dropped their gun belts and raised their hands.
Hector and his deputies where slapping irons on the remaining members of the McLeod gang when we made our way into the street.
"Are you alright Mr Swann" I asked he was sitting on the front steps of the bank in a daze. He was face was covered in McLeod's blood.
"I..."Weatherby was still in shook.
"Will" I looked up as Elizabeth came running over to me.
"Are you alright. Father what happened" Elizabeth turned her attention to her father.
"I'm fine Elizabeth. William saved my life. I was in the bank when they came in to rob it. I didn't think I was going to live" Weatherby took the bandanna I handed him to wipe the blood off his face.
"Are you sure your alright Father"
"I'm fine Elizabeth. It's just the shock at what happened. I could do with a good stiff drink. You should go back to work" Weatherby answered.
"I'll take care of him. You'd best get back to work" I tried to reassure Elizabeth that her father would be fine.
"Alright. I love you"
"Love you too" I replied as we kissed briefly.
"Is there a good place to get a good strong stiff drink around here William"
"Right across the street" I answered. We made our way across the street to the Rattlesnake. Today had been one of those crazy days it seemed.