Author's Note: All properties are the rights of their respective owners, Dynamite Entertainment, etc.
No reviews this time, but hopefully that will change because this is where things start to get interesting.
Once Upon A Time in Hyboria
Chapter 5: Perfect Strangers
From a distance, Walker had gotten the impression that Meroe might have been more like where he had grown up, but as he dismounted his horse at the tavern and inn that Sonja had brought them to, the Bounty Hunter had revised that opinion. Despite the size, and some of the more solidly built stone structures, the parts of the town he had seen wouldn't have looked out of place in the roughest frontier towns. The worst part was the fowl stench that permeated every inch of the whole wretched place, just another thing that made him want to get back to the New Mexico territory.
"This is where we will be staying," announced the redhead as she took Shelby's reigns from Walker and continued. "You rent us some rooms for the night."
Raising an eyebrow, Joshua asked, "While you do what, exactly?"
"Find a stable for the horses," replied Sonja without missing a beat, "And then I am coming back to the tavern to get drunk."
With that proclamation, the Hyrkanian led the horses off, leaving Walker outside the door and able to hear the raucous environment inside. Grimacing, Tombstone pushed open the door and stepped into the lamp lit establishment, which was much like the saloons in the rough mining towns, further reinforcing that comparison. Feeling eyes on him, Joshua narrowed his eyes and scanned the room, seeing several unsavory looking men taking note of his arrival. Fixing each with a glare, the Bounty Hunter strode forwards to the counter, where he could see what he guessed to be the owner looking at him with wide eyes.
"Evening," greeted Walker with a tip of his hat, "I'd like a pair of rooms for tonight."
The owner shook his head, "There are no rooms."
Grimacing, Joshua reached down and came back with a small piece of gold, worth far more than this should cost, but he set it down on the bar and spoke again in the same even tone. "I'd like a pair of rooms for tonight." Watching the owner's eyes look down at the metal, Walker's hand shot out and grabbed the older man's arm as he tried to take the precious metal, "And a night of drinks for my companion and I. Does that seem like a reasonable trade?"
"Indeed it does," replied the owner with a wide grin, knowing as well as Walker that it was very much not. "But I only have one room left. If there's anything else I can…."
Walker held up a hand to silence him as he set his jaw in thought. "I'll tell you what, you look like you have some real toughs in here. Why don't you tell me where they get their work?"
"You sure?" asked the owner, and Joshua kept his face impassive, merely waiting for the answer he had paid for. "Most work for one of two lords, Krughor and Lokaar. The men talk like the feud between those two will come to blows once more. Some have said Lokaar's hiding a large shipment of gold at his brothel. For what, I do not know, but you didn't hear that from me."
Walker nodded, the gears of his mind turning as he filed all of that information away. "A real powder keg," he murmured, getting a confused look from the owner at the strange turn of phrase. Lords running gangs and they were at each other's throats with a big box of gold as the match to set it off? The whole city was a powder keg with a match already inside, all it needed now was for somebody to light it. "Well thank you kindly," said Walker with another tip of his hat, "I'm going to go visit Lord Lokaar's establishment, I'll be back for my drinks later I think."
"Ah, of course, of course," returned the owner, "But your companion, the one you bought the drinks for, who is he?"
Walker cracked a small smirk, "She, actually," he corrected, "Redhead, can't miss her."
Tombstone caught sight of the man's eyes widen as his jaw dropped, and couldn't help but chuckle as he made his way back out into the night.
Having delivered the horses to a nearby stable, the owner of which Sonja had helped some time ago, the She Devil returned to the tavern she had sent Walker into. It was probably for the best that the American went in and not the Hyrkanian, considering how her last visit to that tavern had gone. Despite that, the inn was one of the nicer ones in Meroe, and they had some of the best ale in the city, the latter of those two was the main reason that Sonja led her companion there.
As she got closer, she could almost taste the ale when she saw the door open and a man that could only be Walker, wearing his strange clothing, walk out. He adjusted his peculiar hat and look down the road, away from Sonja. After a moment, the man took a step, only for the redhead to call out to him, "Walker, where are you going?"
The man turned around, "Just going out for a stroll Calamity Dame. I won't be leaving you behind, not without my horse," he said in his odd drawl. Before she could ask a follow up question, the man grabbed the brim of his hat before giving her a nod and turning away.
Sonja was not displeased to see him go, and while she wanted to ensure he did not get himself killed, she was also relieved at the prospect of time away from the man. Walker was unlike any man she had encountered, lacking in the boastful bravado that most warriors had in abundance, the 'Bounty Hunter' was a quiet, nearly unflappable individual who reacted to nearly everything, even killing, with a detached indifference that unsettled the Swordswoman.
There was only one other part of him that set Sonja on edge, that was that he beat her. The Hyrkanian had never lost a duel to a mortal man before, not since she had made her pledge to the goddess Scathach. That she had been beaten by Walker, not a strong and powerful warrior like the notorious Cimmerian further north, but by this foreigner who refused to use a sword and had beaten her with a bit of rope.
She had tried to tell herself that it had not been fair combat, but the less she was able to make that argument sound convincing. It was not his strange 'revolvers' that he had beaten her with, both of them had been without their preferred weapons, but while Walker had simply kept going, fighting with skill and utilizing what he had, Sonja had faltered, caught off guard, and, she reluctantly admitted, been beaten.
Instead of dwelling on that fact, Sonja simply thanked her goddess that the foreigner did not understand what that meant and had been content to merely have her aid in his hunt for a way back to his land before heading into the tavern, hoping that she might distract herself from dwelling on that topic by drowning herself in drink. With that in mind, the Hyrkanian threw the door open and made straight for the bar, pointedly ignoring the blatant stares from the patrons not bothering to conceal how they ogled her.
The stares were something that Sonja was accustomed to, but as she settled into a seat at the bar and was about to call for the bartender, the redhead was surprised to see him appear and set a mug of ale down before her. Not questioning it, Sonja took a draught, gulping down the hearty brew before setting down the mug to see the bartender still there, eyeing her curiously. Matching his gaze, the Hyrkanian waited for the man to speak or keep his peace, and after an awkward moment, he spoke. "Some interesting company you keep Sonja. That man who came in here, ordered two rooms, and paid for your drinks, he was dressed even stranger then you."
Immediately registering what the barkeep was saying, Sonja eyed her drink wearily, "He didn't ask you to do anything to this, did he?" she asked.
A bark of laughter came back, "I'm greedy, not suicidal Sonja," replied the barkeep before his face fell into a frown, "Though if I had known who he was buying drinks for, I might have charged him more."
"It is good you did not, that man is a foreigner to these lands Dominic. He might not have taken kindly to your ways," informed the Swordswoman before finishing off her ale and sliding the glass back across the bar, "Another." Dominic simply turned around and picked up another mug of ale before setting it back down in front of the Hyrkanian. The woman picked up her drink, raised it to her mouth, but stopped just short of taking a sip. "Dominic, have you ever heard of a land called 'America'?"
The barkeeper shook his head, "Never Sonja. Is that where that friend of yours is from?"
"Or so he says," answered the Swordswoman with a hint of dismissal. The man's story was fantastic, but everything about the man was unbelievable, so why not his story too? Shaking her head to rid herself of that thought, Sonja downed more ale. "And we are not friends."
Ignoring the man's snakelike smile, Sonja finished off the second mug of ale, already starting to feel a slight buzz from the alcohol. Stepping away for a second, the owner of the establishment came back, having refilled the first mug and passed it back to the Swordswoman. "Of course not, my mistake. I know of your reputation, and it would take more than a man such as that to beat you, I am sure of it." Sonja did not reply, pointedly staring down at the new mug before downing the entirety of its contents in a single draught. Dominic now had an unsure expression, "That man could not have beaten the She Devil with a Sword, could he?"
"Like I said, he is a very dangerous man Dominic," repeated the Hyrkanian before gulping down more ale.
When she set down the mug, she saw the man's shocked expression before he disappeared, leaving Sonja with her ale for a few moments. Feeling the alcohol begin to take more of an effect on her, she was still happy to see the barkeep reappear just as her mug went dry, this time bringing no less than four filled mugs to her end of the bar. Setting them down before her, the man offered an expression that Sonja was not used to receiving, sympathy. "Does this foreigner know of your vows? What is his aim with you?" asked the older man.
"He knows only what I have told him, which is little," replied the Swordswoman, and she could feel herself begin to slur her words. "As for his aims? He claims he was brought here by the foul magic of Kulan Gath."
"You think he speaks the truth?" asked the bartender as Sonja took another mug.
She nodded, then took a sip, "Since his desire seems to be to find Gath so that he can return to his land? Yes, I do believe him. He claims to knwo where Gath is, but not how to get there," she explained as she took another, larger sip. "I have agreed to go to where he claims Gath is and nothing else," she stated with what conviction she could muster through her buzz. Taking another sip of ale despite that, the redhead muttered to nobody in particular, "If the man can take me to Gath, then it might be the only decent thing he has ever done."
Throwing the mug back to drain it, Sonja noticed the barkeep frown. "Be careful Sonja, I'd hate to see anything happen to my most loyal customer. But please do avoid causing any fights tonight, okay?" Sonja gave a nod and watched the man step away, leaving her to drink in solitude.
Time began to become a drink induced blur as a familiar haze filled Sonja's mind, thought not so much that she failed to notice how Dominic dissuaded other patrons from harassing her. Many men thought that drink made a woman easy, without knowing that she was not like any other woman. Enjoying the solitude, she had truly lost track of time when she finally sensed someone behind her.
Part of her dreaded that it might be Walker, back from wherever he had gone to interrupt her, or worse, attempt to join her, when she wanted nothing to do with the man beyond their agreement. The other part of her wanted to turn around and throw whoever might bother her through the nearest window just on principle, Walker or not.
So it was something of a relief when a voice that definitely did not belong to the oddly dressed 'Bounty Hunter' spoke. "What's a pretty whore like you doing by herself? Can't find anyone willing to pay tonight?" he asked in a condescending tone. Undaunted by the silence he got back, the man looked over his shoulder at his group of compatriots, who Sonja saw goad him on out of the corner of her slightly blurred vision.
Instead of lashing out, Sonja simply took another drink, wanting to do as her friend had asked her and not get into any fights.
"If nobody will pay to share your bed, you can come to mine for free," he slurred at her as she felt his eyes leer down at her. "In fact, why don't we go there right now."
With that, Sonja felt a tug on her arm and could resist temptation no longer. "I'm sorry old friend," she whispered as she felt a newfound clarity, her hand gripping the handle of the half empty mug that much tighter. With both speed and fury, the She Devil swung the mug as she spun, smashing the man across the face with it and sending what ale remained in it all over the floor. Not content with stopping there, her fury fully coming to life as she grabbed the man by his shirt and hoisted him up, his feet kicking frantically as Sonja charged forwards. Screaming a war cry, the Hyrkanian ran the man right into the window that gave a view of the street outside, hearing the glass shatter as she thrust her arms forward, throwing the man out of the tavern before turning around to see the other men get to their feet, undoubtedly coming to avenge their fellow.
Sonja grinned fiercely, if drink could not clear her mind, then maybe the rush of combat would.
Retracing the route into town, Walker approached the place he had pegged as a brothel, hoping that this little excursion wouldn't prove to be a waste of his time. If nothing else, he was sure Sonja would appreciate his little gift and she would get over whatever aversions she still had to working with him.
She probably wouldn't be too happy with what he had in mind, but this was too good an opportunity to pass up.
Approaching the establishment, which was one of the more opulent buildings in the entire city, Walker could immediately tell that trouble was afoot. On the second-floor balcony, a group of finely dressed men were looking down the street, away from the Bounty Hunter and towards an odd scene ahead of him. Turning his attention that way, Tombstone saw three large men, all with swords on their person, accosting an older woman wearing an undoubtedly expensive gown. Looking back up at the balcony and seeing the concern on the faces, Walker yelled up at them. "I can take care of that over there, but it won't be cheap," he offered.
His words caught the attention of who he assumed was Lord Lokaar, who looked down at him and scrutinized him for a second before nodding. Tipping his hat back in acknowledgement, Walker continued down the street, able to get a better look at the situation as he saw the woman try to head back towards him, only for the men to continue to push and shove her until she finally fell to the ground. Grimacing, the Bounty Hunter looked to his left and saw a man standing outside a small shop where, and propped up against the side of it was a row of freshly carved coffins. "Get three coffins ready," advised Walker.
The man, surprised at being addressed, stared blankly at the Gunfighter, who took a few more paces towards the group as the woman tried to get back to her feet, only for a fourth man to join in, kicking her in the side and sending her back to the ground. That action drew a round of raucous laughter from the others as Joshua came to a stop about 15 yards away and said, "I don't find it nice you laughing."
One by one, the four men looked at him as the woman tried to scamper away, only for one of the men to grab the sleeve of her dress. "Looks like we have a tough guy," snarled the one holding onto the woman, giving her a shake for emphasis.
"I don't know what you're talking about," interjected another as he pulled out a dagger, "Doesn't look so tough to me."
Walker grimaced as he drew his duster back, "Why don't you let her go and you won't have to find out."
"Why don't you walk away, and we won't gut you like a fish," retorted a third as he unsheathed his sword. "Is this something you care to die over?"
Walker rested his hand on the grip of his Schofield and raised an eyebrow. "Do you?" he asked simply, "But if you let her go and apologize like I know you're going to…."
The words hung in the air for a second, Walkers fingers drumming against his holster as he waited to see what would happen, his eyes narrowing and scanning from one man to the next, looking for any signs of aggression or compliance. Part of him expected the latter, his reputation meant that when he made an ultimatum, it was only the most foolhardy of men who challenged it, and while he still had his skills and his guns, his reputation had not followed him to this strange land. So when he saw a flicker of movement in the corner of his vision, his eyes darted over to see one of the men take a step forwards, raising his sword high as Walker reacted on instinct. Smoothly drawing his revolver and fanning the hammer back, he fired one at the charging man, able to see blood fly out from the wound in his head before he swung the gun over to the man holding the woman while fanning the hammer back and firing again. The second bullet struck him in the heart before the first man had hit the ground just as the other two registered what was happening. Walker twisted his upper body, keeping the gun pressed to his hip as he aimed by feel instead of the sights, fanning the hammer again to get off two more rounds in rapid succession. The first struck the man who had a dagger, blowing off his jaw while the second hit the man who had his sword halfway out before the round hit him in the chest and he dropped to the ground.
With the echo of the shots fading, Walker watched with a keen eye for any sign of movement from the four men. Seeing none, he gave his Schofield a little spin, causing it to flip before he slid the weapon back into its holster. The woman, clearly shocked, picked herself up on shaky legs and tried to clean off her dress, though her efforts were in vain. Then, she managed to resume walking towards the Bounty Hunter, "Thank you," she managed in a shaky voice.
Tipping his hat, Walker turned to head back to the brothel, only pausing at the shop he had stopped at, "My mistake," he admitted as he held up a hand with all fingers, except his thumb, extended, "Four coffins."
Without waiting for a response, Walker strode on as Lord Lokaar emerged from the brothel, going up to the woman first. Lingering a few yards away, the Bounty Hunter overheard the tail end of what was said, "Terribly sorry what has happened to you Madame. Will you be able to do your duties tonight?" asked the Lord, causing the woman to nod back at him. "Then go change while I meet this stranger, and see if you can find someone to take care of him tonight."
Keeping a straight face, Walker scrutinized Lord Lokaar further, the man was well shorter than Walker, with a full beard that undoubtedly covered multiple chins. He was clearly overweight, a wealthy man who had grown fat off his laurels, and the smell of wine on his breath gave the impression of an unhealthy man, and considering the establishment he ran, Walker could sense the opportunity.
"Many thanks to you my good man, allow me to introduce myself, I am Lord Lokaar," he proclaimed loudly, slurring his words ever so slightly.
"Joshua Walker," returned the Bounty Hunter evenly.
"A foreigner? I have never heard an accent such as yours," mused the Lord, but no response came from the Gunfighter. "Nor have a I seen a man wield weapons like that one you have there, I'd quite like to get to know you Joshua Walker, allow me to welcome you to my humble establishment," he said with a flourish before turning and heading back inside.
Following after him, the first thing Walker noticed when he stepped inside was the smell, getting distinct reminders of the opium den he had to go into to find Pat O'Leary, the only Irishman Walker had come across that didn't drink. This development helped put Joshua's mind at ease, while he enjoyed a good drink, he had seen the kind of effects that opium could have on people and had no love for the stuff or the men who sold it. In his mind, whatever happened to Lokaar didn't bother the Bounty Hunter, as far as he was concerned, the Lord had it coming.
"Now my good man, I do not like anyone to feel as if they have been slighted when they deal with me, so how would a weary traveler such as yourself wish to be paid. Perhaps relax with some of my product? Or do you desire companionship?" inquired Lokaar with a smug expression. Right on cue, the woman Walker had saved entered the lobby with a younger one in tow, an attractive woman with olive skin and dark hair who wore barely more than Sonja did, although her clothing was not the metal of the redheads, but silk that was pressed against what little skin it did cover.
Walker merely shook his head at the prospect, "Perhaps later, I ain't from around these parts, but I'd like to know what goes on in them. Find out if there's anyone who has need of my skills" he explained in a casual drawl. Watching the corner of Lokaar's mouth creep up, Walker knew he had the man hooked, now it was to do was real him in. "But if that's not the case, I can always be persuaded to take silver and gold," he offered, knowing that the greedy Lokaar would never take that option.
The man was as predictable as they came, his smile widening as he came to a quick, and hasty, decision. "A man of your talents could be of use, if you would like to earn more than a few pieces of silver then follow me so that we may discuss such matters."
"Omosa, go with this man, tend to his needs," urged the older woman before turning away. The younger woman relieved Walker of his hat and coat before the Bounty Hunter followed Lokaar upstairs and into a room with fine furniture, sitting on the various sofas and chairs were other well dressed men. A table with wine sat in the middle, while the men held a varying mix of goblets, undressed women, and smoking pipes in their hands.
"Have a seat, feel free to relax and be comfortable," instructed Lokaar as Walker did that, sitting in a large, comfortable chair despite his gun belt getting in the way somewhat. The woman who had been given to him seemed to note that he did not want her close, and instead sat on the arm of the chair while Walker observed each of the men in the room. "My good men, meet Joshua Walker, he might be willing to join us in what we have planned."
"Do we need another my Lord?" asked one of the men, a small, slight one who had a naked woman in his lap. "Surely we already have plenty."
"Good muscle is like good whores, one can never have too much!" shouted back a thoroughly rotund man who had two women sharing his sofa.
"Quite, and we won't even need to arm this one. You all hear the thunder outside? That was this man and his weapons!" shouted Lokaar as he sat down and picked up a cup of wine. "Which means we won't need to worry about him tomorrow."
"What's tomorrow?" asked Walker, making sure to not come off as too interested.
But Lokaar didn't seem to give the question a second thought. "I'm going to get back what's mine from that bastard, Krughor. To do just that I've arranged to buy enough arms to equip forty men, which is happening tomorrow. But you needn't worry yourself about that," assured the Lord dismissively, even though it was something Walker did very much wish to worry about. Not wanting to tip his hand however, the Bounty Hunter merely nodded and leaned back in his seat.
Lokaar nodded back before turning to the rest of those gathered, "Is there anything else that may interfere with our plans?" he asked.
"Yes," interjected the most imposing of the group physically. He was also the only one in the room to have no wine, opium, or women in arms reach. Tombstone instantly marked him as the most dangerous man in the room, besides himself of course. "One of my men reported to me that Red Sonja has arrived in Meroe just this very evening, he saw her leaving Bakasi's stable. It may be best to put off our plans until after she has departed."
That piqued Walkers interest immediately, "Red Sonja?" he asked, feigning ignorance, "Who's that?"
"Pah! Nobody to worry yourself about. Just some whore who claims to be a warrior because she carries a sword," replied the smallest man dismissively.
"Fool, do not speak of what you do not know," shot back the strongman, cowing the first into silence. "I have crossed swords with her before, her skill is more than a murmurs tale."
"But to answer your question Foreigner," interjected the fat man, "She is a warrior of great renown in our lands. The She-Devil with a sword some say." Walker nodded, careful not to give anything away, "Known for getting herself into the affairs of men, to what end? Well, who among us truly understand women?" he asked, getting a chorus of laughter from the other men, except Walker. "But the strangest words said of her are that she has never been bedded. For she will only lay with the man who can best her in fair combat."
This time, Joshua didn't need to hide his surprise, "This is a strange land you folks have," he answered.
Again, another round of laughter came from the others, and was only quelled when Lord Lokaar spoke. "I assure you, not all of our women have such habits. You," he said, clearly directed at the woman sitting next to Walker, "Take him to the guest rooms. Satisfy him. I will send when I have need of you again Joshua Walker," said Lokaar with the firmness of a decree.
"And my payment?" asked the Bounty Hunter as he got to his feet.
"I'm sure you will find your whore to be more than enough payment for now, and if not, then you may have another," replied the man dismissively. Walker didn't reply, instead locking his gaze with Lokaar, "And I assure you, after this venture is through then I assure you that you will be satisfied with your compensation."
"I'm sure I will," agreed Walker, "Good evening gentlemen," he said, tipping his hat and following Omosa out the door as she led him back down to the first floor and went to a section off to one side, which looked to resemble a very fine hotel. But the muffled sounds emanating from the doors gave away that it wasn't quite that. Eventually, Omosa opened one of the doors and stepped inside before reaching up to untie the garment around her chest. "Wait," said Walker, startling her, "I won't be staying here, but I don't want Lokaar to know that," he explained as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a few silver pieces. "Could you get my hat and coat? Then keep up appearances that I'm still here?"
The olive skinned woman, looked at him strangely before cautiously reaching out and taking the silver. "I can do that my lord," she said in a voice barely above a whisper. She was so subservient that it was sad for him to see, no woman as fair as she was should be forced to behave in such a way. "Wait here, I will get your things," she said before excusing herself and leaving the room.
When the door opened up a few minutes later to reveal Omosa with his hat and duster, Walker let go of the grips of his revolvers, knowing there was a small chance the woman would reveal his intentions. "Much appreciated," said Walker in thanks as he donned the items, "What's the best way out?"
"The window my lord," replied the woman, pointing to the glass at the far side of the room.
"Remember, don't tell a soul that I fled the coop," said Walker before throwing open the window and clambering outside. Making sure there wasn't anyone watching, the Bounty Hunter stuck to the shadows as he worked his way back towards the tavern where Sonja was hopefully enjoying his little gift to her. Maybe she even had enough to be able to tolerate sleeping in the same room as him.
If not, he was going to regret turning leaving the free bed he had been given, even if he wasn't keen on sharing it with anyone.
As he made his way back, his mind kept refocusing on a new mystery to unravel, that of his redheaded companion. He wasn't surprised to hear of her reputation, he could confirm that she was that good. But to have never been beaten?
He supposed it was possible, but that didn't make it any less believable. He had gotten his ass kicked a few times over the years, he just usually knew when to know when a fight was worth it and when it was not. The ones that were worth it, he usually won.
And to be fair, he had seen the way she handled that sword, she looked as comfortable with it as any gunfighter looked with his weapon of choice. Of all the others he had seen, nobody matched her grace when it came to wielding a blade. She reminded him a lot of other good gunslingers he had come across in that way, so he supposed it was possible.
It was also possible that it was just a bit of exaggeration, perhaps played up by those she bested. That was something he had some familiarity with.
But what he kept coming back to was the claim she hadn't slept with any man because no man had beaten her. That was something that was too fantastic to believe, for a woman as beautiful as she was, and dressed as she did, she attracted every male eye that saw her. She had certainly caught his.
Which led him to wondering what happened to lead to this odd mix of showing off her body yet not desiring to share a bed with any man who couldn't beat her in a fight. It was odd, and while he was more confused than anything, Walker was left with only one quandary as he approached the tavern.
Was him being the first person to best her why she was so peeved at him? Or did it have to do with this vow she supposedly took?
Before he could ponder these questions further, the window ahead of him shattered as a man flew out of the tavern and tumbled to a stop on the ground. A serious of frantic shouts and screams followed him out before patrons burst out the doors, running off into the night. "What in the hell?" muttered Walker, though he already had an idea of what was happening.
Once the outpouring of people stopped, Walker rounded the corner and saw the unfolding scene inside. Unsurprisingly, Sonja was right in the middle of it, standing opposite four men in her usual attire as one came at her. The man threw a wild punch, and Sonja threw an arm up to block it before throwing a salvo of brutal jabs into the mans face before ramming her knee into the mans balls, causing him to stagger back and stumble to the floor.
Two more men rushed the redheaded woman, and Walker was tempted to intervene, but decided against it. If it looked like she needed his help then he would, otherwise, he thought it best if she got to work her anger out on someone other than him.
She got to work doing just that, backpedalling until her back was against the bar and she reached back for a mug sitting there and throwing it's contents into one man's face. He screamed out, hands coming to his eyes as the second pulled up in surprise, unsure of what to do for a split second, that that was all it took for Sonja to turn the tables. Placing her hands flat on the bar, she lifted herself and kicked the hesitating man in the gut, sending him flailing back and smashing through a table, turning it to matchwood.
The one who managed to wipe the ale from his eyes fared little better, Sonja swinging a knockout uppercut that caused his head to snap back before a follow up right hook to his chin sent a tooth clattering against the floor, with the rest of his body following suit. The last man opposing the redhead charge her in an act of either bravery or foolishness. Incredibly, Sonja stood her ground against a man twice her size.
Despite appearances, her strategy proved valid as she extended one arm and shoved him to the side just enough to throw him off balance as he tried to salvage the situation with a wild flailing punch that managed to connect with her shoulder. Sonja staggered slightly as the man tumbled to the floor and tried to get up, but not before the Swordswoman was upon him, grabbing him by the shirt and heaving him head first into the solid wood bar.
When he didn't move, Sonja, breathing heavily, sat back down at the bar without even looking to see Walker behind her. "Another!" she shouted, the word very much slurred.
Casting another glance around the tavern, the Bounty Hunter saw the owner send an almost pleading look his way as he moved back to the bar, "I think that's enough for you tonight Sonja," he allayed in a surprisingly nonplussed tone. "Why don't you go to your room and sleep it off while I clean up… again," he said as he scanned the wrecked saloon.
"I said another…." Slurred the redhead as she slammed her fist against the bar, but Walker could hear the usual fire in her voice leaving her.
"You can have it in the morning," replied the owner as he nodded to Walker, who stepped up beside the woman.
"Come on Sonja, let's bed down for the night," he encouraged softly, part of him bracing for her to whip around and take a swing at him. He was happier than he would admit when she instead pushed herself up from the bar as the owner slid a key across the wood.
"Room 7," he informed as Joshua took the key in one hand, and took Sonjas hand with the other, leading the redhead through the door the owner was pointing towards.
Soon as they were through, Sonja lost her footing and stumbled into Walker as he reflexively wrapped his arm around her waist to keep her upright, the alcohol she had obviously getting to her. Despite his noblest intentions, Walker couldn't help but be affected by the feel of her smooth skin against his hand or her curves pressed into his side as he helped her to their room and opened the door. Half guiding, half dragging Sonja to the room's only bed, Walker pulled the thick blanked back and helped her onto it, laying her on her side and only stealing a quick glance at her rear before covering her back up, the sound of a light snore already filling the room.
"Now," he said with a sigh, "I think I need a drink."
Closing Notes: And so starts our first little arc, should be three more chapters or thereabouts and inspired by one of my favorite Italian rip offs of a Japanese movie.
Stay Frosty, Misfit Delta out.