Author's Note: All properties are the rights of their respective owners, Dynamite Entertainment, etc.

If you're in need of a laugh, google 'Bishop Sycamore' and go down the rabbit hole...

The title for this is an Iron Maiden song that shares a name with a boar game. It's a modern Iron Maiden song, so I wasn't expecting much, but it's less than 10 minutes long so it's already better than most of their recent stuff.

Once Upon A Time in Hyboria

Chapter 7: Stratego

Sonja glared at Lokaar's brothel with no small amount of contempt, knowing and accepting that she would have to proceed inside in accordance with the plan that Walker had outlined, and and to which she had agreed, but still resisted. Truthfully, she would have much rather gone about this another way, but Sonja had reluctantly agreed that Walker's proposal was better than anything she could come up with. Not that the Hyrkanian lacked in tactical savvy, but rather that there were few good ways to deal with the number of men they were faced with, especially with her desire to see both Lords brought low and not just steal the gold she needed.

Knowing what a blight the two men were on the town, and knowing that there was a real chance to change that along with a substantial payday, was enough to convince Sonja to stoop to subterfuge. Walker would be playing his part too, and in fact should have already returned to the brothel of Lokaar while Sonja returned their horses to the stable. They had pushed hard to be back in place as soon as they could after the ambush they had witnessed, and, knowing that time was of the essence, Sonja steeled herself and strode towards the house of ill-repute.

Pushing her way through the front door, Sonja instantly felt all the eyes in view fall on her, and the establishment was quite crowded despite it being around midday. Many men, whom Sonja suspected were those hired on by Lokaar, lounged about, most enjoying the company of one of the brothels girls who were showing even more skin than Sonja, though not by much. But the Swordswoman was here for a purpose, and would not allow herself to be distracted by such things, instead looking straight ahead and moving with long, purposeful strides.

An older woman in fine clothes appeared, "You're not one of mine," she said. She fit the description Joshua had given of the 'madam' as he had called her, and she looked Sonja over with a keen eye. "But if you are looking for work here, then I can accommodate you."

The Hyrkanian scowled, remarks from men to that effect she had grown used to, but to hear them from a woman was not something Sonja had heard as often. "I am here to work, but not for you," replied the warrior icily, hand reaching to her blade, "I have need to speak to Lokaar. I believe he will have need of my sword arm after what I have seen."

"Well I have need of some other parts of you lass," called a man from across the room. "Why else would a woman like you come to a whorehouse dressed like a whore if you didn't want to get fucked? I say you should argh!"

"Be silent," rumbled a formidable looking mercenary, tall, broad shouldered, muscled, and carrying no less than three different weapons on him. He turned towards Sonja, "Speak She-Devil. What have you to tell?"

The story she had been told to tell was simple enough, it was near enough to the truth. "I was searching for game in the hills when I came across the old abandoned mine and found a man who had claimed to work for Lokaar. He had been slashed by a sword across his chest. He will not be returning."

Frowning, the large man waved her forwards, "Come, follow me She-Devil," he beckoned. Turning, the mercenary lead Sonja upstairs and down a hallway that was lined with scantly clad women, all waiting outside a door that the large man opened. "Stay here," he grunted before disappearing inside. Quickly coming to the conclusion that these women where there waiting to be brought in by one of the men on the other side of the door.

"Who do you suppose this one is?" asked one of the whores. Sonja found herself listening in spite of herself. "You think she was brought in for that new man? I was rather hoping he would ask for me. Have you seen him?"

"No, but I saw Omosa on my way up, and she was not walking straight," replied a fairer skinned girl. "I heard she was the one with this foreigner."

A flare of…something sprung up inside Sonja, only to be quashed just as quickly. Crossing her arms under her breasts, the Hyrkanian gave an annoyed huff, as much with herself as her situation.

"She was," confirmed the first. "He's a handsome man, strong too, but not in a brutish way. Just the kind of man I like." She then turned to look at Sonja, "I would wager he could even satisfy a woman like her. That would be a delightful sight to see."

Sonja paid the woman no heed, and made more of an effort to not have any such thoughts. She only had intentions of working with the man until their bargain was fulfilled and then she would be rid of him.

Before she was forced to dwell on those thoughts, the door opened and the large mercenary emerged. "Lord Lokaar will hear what you have to say She-Devil," he informed before stepping aside. Sonja nodded and went inside, keenly aware that the burly brute was behind her, and saw that in the corner of her eye that he was keeping a hand near his weapons. "Lord Lokaar, this is the woman I spoke of. Red Sonja. She claims to know of the fate of Banuk."

"Is this the same Red Sonja you spoke of?" asked Lord Lokaar, regarding her with the same look that Sonja was used to seeing from 'powerful' men who thought they could rule over her. Sitting to one side of him was a small, weasel like man who had a naked woman sitting on her knees next to him. On the other side of Lokaar was a chair with a more familiar man in it, Walker sat in his strange attire, looking even more out of place as he regarded Sonja with his unreadable expression. "She is even more beautiful than you described. More than enough to tempt men to challenge her for the right to bed her. Would you try Alak?" asked Lokaar.

"No," rumbled the man behind Sonja, "I have crossed swords with her once, I could not best her then and I doubt I could now."

Lokaar let out a bark of laughter, "And now I have seen something remarkable. You are more than a match for any man! But now a woman gives you pause!" he exclaimed jovially, almost as if this were some merry occurrence. "And what about you Joshua? Do you think your marvelous weapons could defeat the She-Devil with a Sword?"

Sonja turned to Walker, watching him slowly draw one of his strange 'pistols' and hold it up as if he were showing it off. "I reckon so," he said in his usual drawl, "The problem with a gunfight is that the loser doesn't usually live."

"And such an outcome would be tragic, to have such a beautiful thing killed," added Lokaar somberly, but his eyes still had a conspiring glint in them. "Still, you think you can do it?"

Walker nodded, face unmoving, "I'd be able to kill her before she drew her sword from thirty paces."

Sonja openly scowled, not sure how much of that was genuine. She knew this to be true, though Sonja supposed the men who saw her expression probably assumed it was for a different reason. Those other men all seemed very impressed with Walker's claims, and the weasel-like one inquired, "Surely there must be some way for you to defeat this woman and preserve her to? To be able to claim a prize such as her would assuredly be worth the effort."

The Bounty Hunter fixed the man with a glare, "Our agreement was information for helping your employee last night. If you want me to do any more work, then I expect to be paid for it." His eyes narrowed, "And no, I mean gold," declared Tombstone coldly before turning towards Lokaar, "If you have no need of me, or are unwilling to pay, then I would like to find work somewhere that will."

Sonja, like everyone else, was shocked by the threat, but she noticed Walker's eyes dart towards…the whore? It seemed that the woman too was staring at him, but as soon as she noticed his gaze, she looked back down. Sonja swore she saw a small smirk on Joshua's lips as he looked back to Lokaar and held the Lord's gaze.

Before Sonja could figure out what part of the plan this was, Lokaar seemed to back down, laughing jovially in an effort to ease the tension. "Make no mistake, I may have need of you yet, depending on what we are about to hear. Speak She-Devil. What tidings do you have for me?"

The Hyrkanian did not like the part of the plan where she had to be courteous to this deplorable man, but it seemed that Walker was still in control, at least as much as he had to. "Bad tidings I'm afraid. I was hunting in the hills when I came across an abandoned mine shaft and, by coincidence, what I believe were your people."

"And what state were they in when you found them?" asked Lokaar.

"Slaughtered to a man, the only one still alive was a rich, fat man. I know not his name, for he did not disclose that before he died. Only that you must be informed that Krughor had set a trap for them and inflicted this fate upon them," answered the Swordswoman, sticking to the script that Walker had instructed her to. She was surprised how simple, and close to the truth, the story she had to tell was, but it seemed to accomplish what it was supposed to, nonetheless. "I checked that none had survived and then rode here."

"That rat faced bastard!" roared Lokaar as his fist slammed down on the arm of his chair. "Did you see any sign of a wagon? Or a chest on it?" asked the Lord.

"No, I saw none of these things," replied Sonja, knowing that she had to give no hint of this one outright lie.

Thankfully, her words were so distracting that none of the men gathered paid any attention to her face. The weasel-faced man drowned a whole cup of wine while Lokaar went pale before boastfully declaring, "I will gouge his eyes out personally for this affront!"

But Sonja could see that the man didn't have it in him. He was soft, and there was scarcely any emotion in his eyes other than fear. Men such as Lokaar could react wildly to this situation, Sonja well knew. Would Lokaar shrink from the moment or would he….

"Alak! Gather the men. We will see to it that Krughor be laid low," ordered Lokaar. His expression was not the calm of a man of control, but the quivering anxiety of a man who was watching control slip through his fingers. The big mercenary nodded and headed out as Lokaar looked back to Walker. "You are free to go, I will send for you when I have need of you."

"And you'll pay me then," asked the Bounty Hunter, his voice low, "right?"

"Of course my good man, until then, feel free to take another girl!" replied Lokaar with forced excitement. But Walker did not argue, grunting as he stood, holstered his pistol, and left the room. "Now you Sonja, would you care to be a part of this, I can assure you that you will be rewarded too."

"250 gold pieces, no less," replied Sonja, a usual rate for her services.

"It will be done, until then, while I know you cannot lay with a man, feel free to help yourself to one of my girls," offered Lokaar, trying to be charming.

But Sonja did not answer, merely spinning on her heel and heading out the door, not able to get far from the man fast enough for her liking.

Closing the window behind him and adjusting his hat, Walker looked around to make sure nobody was paying any attention to his exit. Satisfied, the Bounty Hunter made his way towards where had agreed to meet Sonja. So far everything was going more or less according to plan, and Joshua was slowly learning more about the situation. Fortunately, what he had learned made him all the more convinced that his plan would work.

But Lokaar had acted rashly, and while that played into Walker's hands, it meant he had to move quickly. Striding purposefully through the messy streets of Meroe, he turned down a certain back alley until he came across his redheaded partner, her hands on her hips and a displeased scowl on her face. Cooper could tell that she hadn't been comfortable inside the brothel for any period of time, and it seemed like she wanted to take out her discomfort on him. "Now what?" asked Sonja impatiently.

"So eager to move on Calamity Dame?" asked Walker as he withdrew a cigarillo and lit a match. Taking a puff, he shot Sonja a crooked grin, "I thought you'd be okay with the sight of lovely ladies showing some skin."

That only caused her to cross her arms and, perhaps unintentionally, giving him a better look at one of the few bits of her that was still covered as her scowl deepened. "Did we accomplish our goals in that place? I have no desire to go back."

Savoring the harsh flavor of the tobacco, Walker blew out a line of smoke, "We should be alright for now. It's going to take some time for Lokaar to get his people together, an hour, maybe two. That's exactly how long we have to make our next move."

"And what is that?" asked the woman as she ran her hand through her hair, frustration coming off of her like the heat in the White Sands desert.

Walker took one last puff on his tobacco before dropping it onto the ground and stamping it out with the heel of his boot. "To go tell Krughor what Lokaar is about to do. You know where we can find him?"

Sonja nodded, "He should be in his home, it is not far," she replied before her hand shot out and squeezed Joshua's shoulder with some of her considerable strength. "I am not going in there too."

"You won't have to, this will be my show, all you have to do is stay outside and not be seen. No reason to tip our hand that we're in this together," replied Walker, "At least not yet."

"And after this?" asked the Hyrkanian.

"Hopefully we can make our move," returned the Bounty Hunter. "But if I come out from Krughor's and don't come straight back to you, then meet me at Lokaar's brothel. I'm sorry but, it's the best way to play this. Ask for my room and wait for me there."

"And if your whore's there?" she asked with a potent blend if irritation and venom.

Joshua was genuinely surprised to hear that tone, but just shrugged it off. "Do whatever you want with her, I don't care."

Sonja huffed and turned away, "Follow, Krughor's home is this way."

Walker did not mind trailing Sonja one bit, the leggy redhead leading him through the tight alleyways as Walker kept glancing back to make sure there wasn't anyone trailing him. But even though he didn't see anything that stood out to him, he was keenly aware that Sonja's path led them past homes, inns, and a manner of other places where it would have been trivial to observe the pair without being noticed. And it was not as if Walker and Sonja could blend in easily, not with the Swordswoman's striking figure and the Bounty Hunter's unique attire.

Suddenly, the Hyrkanian came to a stop at the end of an alley that led to a major street and pointed down a ways. "That house there, that is where you will find Krughor." Turning to face him, "I will find some place to watch this street. When you come out to it, I will see you." Then, with a surprising amount of sincerity, said, "I hope you know what you are doing Joshua Walker."

"Nice to know you care, Calamity Dame," drawled Walker, tipping his hat before setting off towards the opulent house Sonja had pointed out to him. Strolling down the street, eyes scanning for any sign of trouble, the Bounty Hunter made his way up to the imposing front door of Krughor's house and knocked forcefully on the oak.

A moment later, the piece of iron covering the view slot in the door was pulled aside, revealing a pair of squinting brown eyes that looked Walker over. There was a grunt and then the viewing slit was slammed shut and the door opened. Waiting on the other side was what Walker could only describe as a servant and a guard, but it was the servant who spoke. "Lord Krughor is expecting you. Come," instructed the younger of the two men.

Walker did as told and followed the kid who barely looked old enough to shave back through the opulent house. Taking in the fine carpets on the floor and artworks on the wall, the Bounty Hunter noted that the whole path was a display of the man's wealth, which appeared to be considerable. Finally, the servant came to a stop at an opulent door and held up a hand, which caused Walker to pause as the servant opened the door and stepped inside. "The man you wished to speak to has arrived, my lord."

There was no audible reply, but the servant emerged and gestured for the Bounty Hunter to enter. Walker went through the door to find Krughor sitting at a finely crafted desk, a small smile on his face. "I have expected you for some time Joshua Walker. Please, sit," offered the old snake, gesturing to a chair.

"Mighty kind of you, and, if I may, you seem very well informed." Removing his hat, Joshua held it in his left hand and used it to keep his right hand hidden dangerously near his Model 3. "How many of Lokaar's whores report to you?"

Krughor's smile grew, "Nine," he said simply. "They told me what you can do Joshua Walker, and of your relations with 'lord' Lokaar, and do not fear, I will not hold that against you." Tombstone kept up his best poker face, not letting it show that he thought Krughor was full of shit as he continued, "They also told me that you sought payment of silver, gold, and such currency from Lokaar, and were denied. I assure you that, should you join me, you will be adequately compensated."

"You are well informed, yes, I don't like to work for free," drawled Walker as he held the older man's gaze. "And I'm ready to start earning my keep, because I don't think your women have reported this to you yet, but it's coming this way."

"Hm?" returned Krughor with a raised eyebrow, "And what would that be?"

It was Walker's turn to smile, "That some woman named 'Red Sonja' reported to Lokaar that you were the one that killed his men, out by some old mine. And I'd wager that Lokaar is going to come over here and make his displeasure known in person."

Krughor then reached down and came back with a small sack, tossing it towards Walker. Cautious, Walker looked inside to see a number of gold coins. "For not lying to me. You have confirmed all of the information I have heard thus far."

Picking up the small sack of gold, the Bounty Hunter gave it a toss before cracking a grin, "I do like that sound," he admitted, exaggerating his happiness. "Though I'm not really one to do much spying, so if you have anymore work for me, I'd rather it be something else more… active."

"To use you to merely eavesdrop on what that fat oaf is saying would be a misuse of your talents if everything I have heard about you is true," replied Krughor, clearly scrutinizing Walker more. His eyes drifted down towards his gun belt, but Joshua was determined to obscure his Schofields as much as he possibly could. He had shown them to Sonja only to gain some semblance of the woman's trust, and he did not aim to get the same from Krughor. After a few futile seconds of trying, Krughor's eyes drifted back up to meet Tombstone's. "I want you to go with some of my men. This mine you heard about, I use it to store many valuable items and I am having them moved. Your presence would be useful in case Lokaar attempts to rob me."

"Shouldn't be a problem. But I will need my horse, I have him at a stable in town," returned Walker coolly. He planned to use that excuse to slip away and see Sonja, let her know that this meeting had gone even better than expected.

But then Krughor showed that he was still one step ahead, at least in some ways. "Timeliness is important in this matter, you may simply ride in the cart," said the conniving old snake. "It will be brought here shortly; you will depart with the rest of my men when it does."

Walker realized that Krughor thought he was just another mercenary strongman to be manipulated, and for now he would play along. "That's mighty kind of you sir," replied the Bounty Hunter with an easy-going smile, not showing his annoyance at being outmaneuvered. "When do we go?"

As if to answer him, the doors opened and the servant that had led him in appeared, saying, "My lord, Sardon has informed me that the men are ready."

Krughor merely nodded once, dismissing the servant before turning to the Bounty Hunter. "You may go Joshua Walker. Return when you are finished."

Instead of arguing, Walker recognized when to fold and walk away, so that was what he did. Placing his hat back atop his head, Tombstone turned and walked out the way he came without another word. Back outside, he took a look around, trying to pick out Sonja amidst the buildings and crowds. He couldn't spot her distinct head of red hair however, and instead of dwelling on it, strolled over to the cart.

The Gunfighter looked around at the five other men, four on horses one in the drivers position of a small wagon. His eyes drifted towards the weapons they call carried, a plan quickly formulating as the group began to get moving.

Walker spent most of the trip listening carefully to the banter of the hired men, seeing if there was anything he could learn from them, either about their employer, or his companion. Even as they got further away from the town, the conversation steadfastly avoided such topics, the men mostly bragging about their exploits and avoiding eye contact with the Bounty Hunter.

It was enough to tell that there was more to this than he had been told, and it wasn't hard to figure out.

The group arrived at the abandoned mine and Walker dismounted his horse. "If it's alright with y'all, I'm gonna keep watch from that there ridge," he announced.

"That is fine," assured the leader, whom Walker caught sharing a conspiratorial glance with one of his men, "We will load the items Krughor has directed us to and fetch you before we depart."

Walker just nodded as made his way away from the group, hand resting on his Schofield as he trudged his way up the same small hill he and Sonja had used that morning. Now, he spent just as much time watching the men in the mine bring out bags as he did looking for any sign of 'trouble' coming towards them.

The sun was on its way down now, steadily dropping towards the horizon, though it probably wouldn't set for another couple hours. Looking back over at the mine, Walker could see that the wagon was now loaded with burlap sacks, some of which were open enough for the Bounty Hunter to spy the distinct shine of the gold inside. But he saw something else, he saw the other men milling about, discussing something.

"Well, might as well get this over with," grumbled Walker as he began to head back down the hill. Upon reaching the bottom, he called out, "You boys about done? No need to sit around here waiting for trouble."

The leader shared a look with the other men, "Agreed. There is just one more thing Krughor wanted us to do," he said as his hand drifted towards the sword on his belt.

But he was never going to be fast enough, not against Tombstone. By the time the mercenary had grabbed his blade, Walker's Smith and Wesson was out and had fired, sending its .44 slug into the man's chest. As the gunshot echoed off the hills, the other's who were about to reach for their blades hesitated, and it was the last mistake they would make.

Fanning the hammer, the expert Gunfighter fired the revolver four more times, the first three were almost instantly deadly to those hit, but the fourth man had time to try and run only to get shot in the back. He instantly stumbled to the ground and, legs unmoving, tried to crawl away. Walker, looking for any other signs of life, slowly strode forwards until he loomed over the wounded man. "Please, I beg you, mercy."

Walker just shook his head as he thumbed the hammer back. "Then you shouldn't have tried to cross the man they call Tombstone," said the Bounty Hunter flatly before pulling the trigger, putting the last bullet through the man's head.

Looking around, Walker reloaded his revolver before beginning the tedious process of hiding the bodies in the mine. But whenever he was bothered by this, all he had to do was look at the wagon with the massive pile of gold in it to remember that this was all for a good cause.

He just hoped Sonja wasn't getting herself into too much trouble.

Closing Notes: I'm really enjoying writing this story, so hopefully I can update it about once a month. We'll see what my real life schedule is though, so no promises.

Stay Frosty, Misfit Delta out.