Chapter 7

Wolf and the Finite Path

I

Rendezvous at the Ranch

Throughout the better part of the day, while the sun was still overhead, Ranger spurred his horse, never breaking it's stride, even to the point of it's mouth frothing and white streaks forming through it's hair below the withers of the saddle. Eventually it's stamina was sapped to the point to where it's head lifted towards the sky while whinnying in protest. The hooves of the overrun creature began to drag and stumble making riding too dangerous for them both. Ranger figured he had ridden far enough to foot the last leg of the venture therefore he halted it's gallop and dismounted. Before he could even undo the saddle synch the exhausted creature grunted and collapsed while filling it's being with heavy breathes. He managed to wriggle the saddle out and tied a generous lead from it's halter to a nearby tree.

He jogged while light was still in the thinning blued, evening sky. It was not until he was under a near black starry night when the ranch came into view. He could not draw closer to it from beyond the forrest without being detected for its borders resided roughly a mile away between a wide open plain. Though his eyes strained greatly to see the happenings upon the ranch he could, from that range, depict some type of conflict.

It was then that he felt the presence of another creeping behind him. He drew his sword to face the culprit.

"You dare raise your blade towards me?" came the familiar tone of Holo's voice from the familiar front of her beast form.

Sheathing his blade he replied, "It seems your venture revealed something strange was afoot as well, if you are here."

Holo shook her fur, "Yes, the targets we came across were but decoys.' then with a hint of concern, 'Durango desired for me to be the one who faced off against Toro, apparently that fell upon your group. If you are here where are the others?" she asked fearing the likelihood of casualties.

"Agatha was gravely injured and was being tended to. Her condition now is unknown to me, but the others are in good health if not a little worse for wear."

Holo let off a quick reactionary growl, "Curse that man for not telling us. He knew Toro was an animal spirit and wanted to use me!"

Ranger raised his hand to calm her nerves, "He had his reasons, and he will answer for them. However, a more pressing matter is at hand."

"Yes, the ranch has been overrun but by whom I am not sure. They seem to be looking for someone."

"They were hired by the mayor and the constable to kill Durango, ourselves and seize his ranch."
"How do you know this?"

"There was a letter found on Barlow warning him of the mayor's plan. It detailed the hiring of Durango and the other bounty hunter named McLeery and spoke of his plan to have all the Parquer and Chesterton families killed. McLeery was instructed to kill the families while Durango would hunt down Liz and Barlow."

"Which is why the families created this ploy."

"Correct, it ended stating that once the rondo of blood was completed McLeery was to join at the ranch to kill Durango and any and all associates to making the Mayor's seize of power complete."

Holo pondered the ironic hypocrisy then quickly drew these connections, "The mayor may have wanted to be free of all outside influence and have complete judicial control of the region. The only way he could do so would be to remove any and all opposition. The crime families who had their hands in every pocket and could sway any judge, and the one bounty hunter who…" she trailed off from there.

"Who is Durango to the mayor?" said an ignorant Ranger unknowing to the man's standing in the politics of the land.

Holo quickly rejoined her thoughts, "During my travels with him I have noticed he has quick reprisals to what he considers to be injustices. He even bludgeoned a farmer for expressing sympathies for Liz and Barlow. What this mayor has planned was a coup and Durango very well may be the only man not crime affiliated to oppose him and maybe would even attempt to kill him for it."

"An additional threat." summarized Ranger.

"Yes, and so are we by affiliation."

"The question is now,' pondered Ranger, 'what should we do about it? We could simply collect our wares and depart."

Holo shook her massive head, "They want all loose ends severed. If we go missing they most likely will assume we are still alive and hunt us. We must move on in our journey unfettered."

Ranger looked out towards the ranch and replied disapprovingly, "Leaving a trail of blood shall fetter us aplenty also."

"I will take care of it!" said the she wolf, her patience fleeting.

Ranger turned around with his finger pointed, "Killing people near societies have consequences!' he suddenly removed his finger placing his hand behind his back of which Holo dinted her eyebrows at. He then spoke more calmly, "We no longer have the luxuries of warding off threats in the wilderness and traversing great distances to cover our tracks. We are coming back to where well organized communities are established. If we kill a mayor, a bounty hunter or any other hired lackey from this point on, we will never outrun the words being spread about it."

Holo sat down, "What else are we to do? Durango and Terrance are coming back unaware that his ranch has been taken over. They will be killed if we do not do something and we need him. He is bound to make his appearance anytime and we are sitting idly by!"
A long ponderous sigh escaped his lips. "Well then, how do you wish to take care of it?"

Holo crooked her head almost excitedly, "Well, we could simply go in ripping and cutting anyone who stands in our way. Mix things up a bit."

Folding his arms and bowing his head near resigned Ranger opted to say, "Indeed.' he then took hold of a loosened branch, broke off a twig and used it to draw a diagram in the dirt, 'Let us formulate a plan at least."
Suddenly Holo perked her head up as if hearing cries of distress, "They have rounded up the ranch hands and plan to slay them we have no time!' she went down and ordered, 'Climb upon by back we move now!"

Without a moment of hesitation, Ranger thrust himself over her back, held her fur for support and nudged her sides with his heels indicating he was fastened aboard.

She bolted forth with enough force to uproot the nearby shrubberies.

As she pattered along with ungovernable fury Ranger could not help but notice a wobble in her stride and commented on it.

Holo replied by saying, "I sprained my paw earlier."

"Well,' said he while bowing low to the wind, 'let us hope it will not slow you down too much."
She gritted her teeth in rage, pushed past the pain forcing herself to run at a normal pace.

Once a more adequate view of the ranch came to his eyes Ranger leaned into ear and simply devised a plan, "Leap over the hostages, I will contend with their captors, you draw off the rest and do as you please."

Holo grunted with excited approval and felt Ranger making ready to dismount.

The ranch hands were numbered in just less than a dozen, all rounded up on their knees in a straight line and surrounded by at least a dozen mercenaries with yet a greater number more ravaging the house and barn while rounding up the livestock and horses.

As the poor souls were forced down they spied one on horseback throwing a leg out of the saddle and approaching them. It was a familiar face, the bounty hunter Durango harassed earlier in the day for selling his bounty off to slavers; this was McLeery. His boots strode up to the first in line and without saying a word, pulled his knife and opened his throat.

The one kneeling besides looked upon him in stunned horror, "Wait!' he shrilled as McLeery moved to him, sanguined blade dripping in hand, 'Why? Can't we talk?!"

"Sorry partner,' said the cold hearted bounty hunter who wasted no time on discourse, 'just following orders." then delivered a mortal draw upon him as well.

As his mortally injured body was then kicked over and could be heard gargling next to the third man in line he aptly shut his eyes and began praying, "Please dear God save us!" McLeery spoke to him as a man simply doing a job, saying, "Don't pray for deliverance, pray for forgiveness." then adjusted him for the strike.

Tears fell, bodies trembled and blood was about to spill once more. However a great disturbance uprooted nearly everything. A great gust of wind emitted enough force to knock everyone over including McLeery followed by a bone jarring yell from one of the other mercenaries.

Holo had leapt over them creating a raging up draft while at the same time Ranger performed a timed leap and shoulder checked one of the mercenaries at high speeds smashing him into the ground. As McLeery regained hold of his senses he beheld the masked man atop his victim, sword drawn, and slicing him across the throat.

The ranch hand intended to be his third victim sat up, saw his opportune moment, seized the blade and drove it into McLeery's thigh.

"Ough!' he yelped while looking down at the carnage then, out of respite, belted the ranch hand across the face with his hardened knuckles which distorted his jaw's regular alignment. The ranch hand covered his mouth and scrambled to escape along with the other survivors.

The mercenaries nearby regained their footing and moved to assail the masked man who had already dismounted from off his victim and proceeded to engage with deadly ferocity. McLeery winced and rocked on his injured side and took a moment to behold what he was watching.

Holo at this point, had made it to the far end where the other members of the band were, who overshot then turned round to face them. There was quite a bit of panic as each man, horse and cow chose every which way to flee from impending doom. For Holo it was only a matter of sifting through the chaotic beasts and pick off every discernible human.

McLeery observed the chaos nary but for a moment before setting his attention upon the hilt buried in his leg. In pain and anguish he set his grip upon it thus sliding it out while muttering, "God…dammit!"

The blade was free and dripping in his grasp while his attempts to stand were overcome by soreness. In a final attempt to preserve his life he let out a sharp whistle with which his pony came to him with a bound. Hoisting himself up into the saddle the treacherous bounty hunter departed into the thick of night.

For Holo, the dispense of the mercenaries was as simple as slashing, clawing and biting at every punitive body that stood against her. She took a few minor blows from the spears and halberds that they held in hand who were then aptly punished by her swift and terrible might. It was a horrible sight to behold, for her power against the human body displayed a similar affect the hand has on the grape. Leaving their juices and soft innards splayed upon the earth.

Ranger was engaging just a fiercely, cutting, slicing and dashing from one opponent to the next leaving each encounter behind a bleeding mess. As he moved and danced around, one such engagement caught him with his sword falling from his dominant hand, who rolled over to retrieve it with his left and continued to fence with that hand the rest of the encounter. Then, strangely, when all threats were felled, he pumped his right fist a few times before transferring it over.

Holo finished off the few remaining mercenaries leaving the Stetson Ranch a cradle of bloodshed but saved nonetheless. She approached right as he was sheathing his sword while unable to help but comment, "Lost your grip on that thing, eh?"

He sighed, appearing so greatly fatigued that it alarmed her slightly, "Even I can fall victim to bad technique at times."

Noticing his state she could not help but move her eyes closer to him and ask with more concern than caution, "Are you alright?"

He was quick to condescend, "Why do you ask?"

"You have seem a tad…worse for ware." said she with chagrin.

"The journey has been long." was all he wanted to say on the matter.

He attempted to walk away but Holo would not relent, "Has it to do with your visit with Doc?"

He stopped and turned sharply bearing eyes like fangs.

Holo went on to say, "Just before we left Yoites you met with Doc privately. Is everything alright?"

Ranger was quick to answer rather rudely, "In the human world, it is a breach of courtesy to ever ask someone the nature of a physician's visit."

She snarled slightly, "There may still be more for me to know of the human world; but never criticize me for caring about you!"

More was about to be exchanged but Holo suddenly lifted her head towards the east, "Someone is coming!"

Then right at that moment two riders side by side came into view. It was Durango and Terrance galloping down having seen and heard the commotion from far away. At they brought their horse's gait to a trotting halt, Durango flung himself from the saddle while Terrance lowered himself with a greater degree of caution.

Durango looked around saw his two slain workers and missing livestock with trembling rage, "So this was the plan all along?"

Holo stood haunched and irritated, "Supposedly, t'was a shame we knew not what you knew when we agreed to this little venture…"

Durango threw his hands out in protest, "Yeah like what?!"

"Like Toro being a bull for starters!" she growled.

The bounty hunter humbled himself slightly as Ranger stepped forward, "Holo was not tasked with the burden of squaring off with him. We were however."

He twinged his lips at a downward angle, "You were successful then?"

Ranger folded his arms sternly, "Not without cost, you may notice we are short a few heads."

Fearing the inevitable answer that observation would bring, Durango forced himself to ask regardless, "What happened?"

"The woman, Agatha,' Ranger recited with hint of angered remorse, 'she was trampled and gravely injured by the beast's fury."

"Ah geez…" he moped swaying around and a pacing manner, "Will she be alright?"

A slight shrug rippled itself across his broad shoulders, "She may lose her leg, she may keep it. Infection may come, it may pass her by. Only the future will tell."

Durango rubbed the back of his neck, "Where did you last see them?"

"There is a lake on the west side of Alpine."

"Yeah, I know which one you're talking about."

"Enough of that!" snarled Holo who loathed being neglected during pressing discourse, "Right now you are a marked man, and as a result, we are all marked as well!"

Ranger addended to her diverted topic, "Here is a letter Liz and Barlow were given, this will explain everything to you I am sure."

Durango took the note presented to him, read it over and said as his enraged hand crinkled the parchment between his fingers, "I knew the mayor and constable were greedy sons of bitches, but never they'd resort to something like this."

Ranger brought his thoughts back to the present, "With the Parquer and Chestertons removed, how much more powerful does this make the mayor and constable?"

Wiping the sweat from his lip he replied, "Seeing how every merc, thug and switchblade no longer have those families to hire the likes of them, they'll most likely fill in as the recruiters. To answer your question; I reckon' They'll be as powerful as the fist of God."

Holo paced around, furious, "And that fist is aimed on us now!" Each man looked to her, "After what has transpired here, they will stop at nothing to hunt us down. They have the money and the man power to do so and it is because of you!"

Durango was quick to shoot back, "Hey! It's me they want, y'all can turn your tail to the wind anytime!

Ranger shook his head, "Do you suppose a corrupted mayor will ever have peace of mind knowing the ones he attempted have killed are lurking about?"

"He will come for us,' said Holo, 'he will come for all of us!"

Suddenly Terrance spoke up, "Maybe not. I mean after all, y'all just killed the land's most dangerous mercenaries, and Toro. Maybe a warning to not come following after you will suffice."

Durango addressed him, "He's still gonna pay for what he did to my ranch." then glanced at Holo who bore her fangs, "I will not do your dirty work!"

Taking off his hat so that he could caress his forehead he huffed, "Fine, fine."

"It is you who will now be working for us." returned Ranger without warning.

Durango looked upon him as if he were mad. Yet Ranger was as of sound of mind as any.

"You agreed to aid us if we aided you in killing Liz and Barlow. The deed is done, your due is required."

"I said maybe."

Ranger marched up to him, "A coward and a liar then?" and went to assail him but Durango parried him off into a grapple and soon a scuffle ensued, "Get your damned hands off me!"

Terrance flung himself over in attempt to split them apart while yelling, "Hey, hey, hey!"

But it was Holo who wedged her mush between them ultimately pulling them apart. Once they were herded away from one another she bellowed, "YOU WILL HELP US!' then lowering her tone, "Or it will be two powerful forces for you to contend with. Is that a gamble you wish to take?"

Terrance, after pulling Durango back said, "The hell's gotten into you?! I ain't never seen you act like this with anyone!"

Shaking him off with a flail of the arms he replied, "I know, it's just…"

Terrance held him hard by the lapels, "You yellow?"

There was a long pause before he finally broke the silence and asked of them, "What do you need?"

"Horses for the wagon, provisions and money." said Ranger knowing it was standard fair.

"And you every step of the way from here on out to help us find Jurgen." quickly added the she wolf.

Holo noticed slight shudder through his frame as she spoke this.

Feeling overcome and defeated, Durango drew out a long sigh and said, "Alright, me and Terrance will round up the livestock and horses. Go get your friends and we'll figure this mess out together."

The task of rounding up the cattle and horses was explicitly more difficult when done at night. Terrance and Durango where set in the right direction due to Holo's senses, who only imparted that information to serve the mutual benefit of the party and not the individual who claimed ownership. Side by side they traversed under the starry night, lanterns in hand and fortunately, due to the herd mentality these beasts where known for, many were found in droves and rounded back to the ranch where Ranger was standing guard.

As the train was being escorted into the corral Ranger noticed from where he was sitting, upon the steps of the house, that the head count of steers and heifers was significantly shorter than what he recalled when first visiting the ranch. Such where the consequences of sacttered cattle.

It was disheartening only because their aim was to sell off as many as they could to finance the campaign, this hindered their profit potential. The only saving grace was that the bull was among them which would fetch the highest price to any cattleman wanting to sire.

Roughly a half an hour passed when Holo made her entrance, the injured Agatha cradled in her mouth, Doc on her back and the news that the rest would soon follow shortly upon her lips.

Agatha was carried off into the house so she could be placed upon the bed with Doc tending to her. Holo laid down upright next to Ranger keeping an ever so alert eye for any reinforcements who could be coming to rectify their first encounter.

At this time whilst dwelling in the silence of post carnage Holo asked with self evaluation, "Are we fools?"

Ranger tilted his head towards her's, "You would not ask if you had not come to the conclusion yourself."

Sighing out her nose she said, "This man is doomed to be more trouble than he is worth. So far he has withheld vital information that could have gotten you killed. He planned to use me for my power. He now has dangerous enemies bound to pursue him of which we will be involved should we have him stay with us. And alas, he attempted to back out of the bargain after we had held up our end…"

"And?" inquired Ranger, an eyebrow squinting at her.

With an even heavier sigh than before she said, "And…we seem to have no choice but to solicit his help."

"Well,' Ranger replied, 'we could simply impart of his horses and provisions to get us by and go our separate ways." he suggested.

"I have thought about it however…' Holo trailed a moment, her eyes affixed upon the blackened woods from afar, '…if Nikiski, a former ranger said we need him to accomplish our goal then we must."

Ranger briefly flexed an eyebrow, "Before we take him so willingly, I want validation of his importance. Mind you, Nikiski and Durango were former brothers in arms, that may influence his want for him."

Holo nodded but only solemnly.

Another hour passed before Jethro, Nikiski, Ottis and Emilio made their appearance on the ranch. At this point Terrance and Durango had finished assessing their losses, so without much further discourse they all rejoined within the house to further their plans. The only detour upon entering was Jethro inquiring the welfare of Agatha of which Holo took a particular interest.

The small dining room was adorned with each member of the party sitting round save Agatha who lay confined to her bed of torment and Holo who remained outside on guard duty. Once more Doc had to provide liberal use of the elixir to not only prevent infection from originating within Agatha's leg but to also prevent an amputation all together. Ranger, who helmed the meeting, was quick to point out this consequence as a result of Durango's omission of details and to also inform everyone else the coup the mayor had planned and the potential danger they were all placed in.

The general attitude used to relay this information soured Durango's disposition, as if he and he alone was blamed entirely for the predicament, even if each man knew it was not true, they justified their feelings regardless.

At the end of Ranger's debriefing Jethro looked upon Durango and said with an expression difficult to describe, "Any more surprises waiting for us? Or have you run out of secrets?"

Durango leaned forward intently upon the table, "You don't get by in this business by letting everything hang off your sleeve. But of course we could try it your way, announce your way into a situation, separate without bearings…and get the little lady hurt that way."

Jethro immediately arose and would have succeeded in reaching across and getting his hands on the man if not for Nikiski and Ottis restraining him at a moment.

Ranger pounded his fist upon the table with enough force to arrest the attention of all, "Enough!"

Once they had simmered down he started up again, "Right now the only thing we should be concerned with is getting on the move now!

At this point Doc had entered by the door frame and leaned upon it.

"And right now the only man who is obligated to make that happen is sitting there." said Ranger his hand extended towards Durango.

All eyes rested on him.

The trail man spat a wad into a nearby spittoon before answering, "What you'll need are horses and wagons. I got enough horses, but the one wagon I have cannot accommodate a group of this size. Remember we gotta haul cargo as well as people."

Ranger informed, "We have one that should suffice."

"What about money?' interjected Jethro, 'Obviously we're not getting that sack of coin the mayor promised."

Durango spoke, but with a good hint of melancholy, for his life assets would fill in that gap, "I've got savings…and cattle we can sell."

"Yes, but coin runs out. How do we stay afloat?"

Ranger answered, "There is a ploy we can use that has worked before. Upon our initial travels we kept under the guise of a traveling merchant with a hired escort. We can trade and make deals along the way to ensure profit."

Durango looked around confused, "With who?' then looking out the window, followed up, 'You mean the wolf?"

Ranger placed both hands on the table and said sternly as he leaned over, "The wolf's name is Holo. And yes; she is more than competent to provide for us."

Durango only sulked back, one eye on the base of the table ledge, "If you say so."

Again, Ranger answered with that same tone proved effective in getting his point across, "It is not because I say so, it is because it is so."

Though she could not be seen, Holo had overheard, and was grateful.

Durango still remained defiantly resilient and murmured, "When I see it, I'll believe it." Terrance patted him on the shoulder, "C'mon now, we don't necessarily have to like each other, we just have to work together.' then looking up to Ranger reassured, 'You can trust us."

Ranger replied with a hint of condescension, "And I will believe it when I see it."

It was an unhelpful comment, but it was deserved.

An awkward silence established itself. That is when Ranger noticed Doc standing idly by.

"Is Agatha able to travel?"

Rocking to and fro slightly he said, "The pain has subsided so she should be fine riding in that wagon. Tomorrow hopefully she'll be able to stand and walk."

Ranger then looked to Jethro and ordered, "Come with me, we are getting the wagon."


II

Indentured in Royal Quarters

The day and a half Holo and company sued their labors in service to Durango, Lawrence in kind, sued a part of himself, namely his anxiety and vexations, to the task at his hand. He was in the hands of his enemy's enemy, undoubtedly making the likes of Jurgen De Buhr and Gustav Bihari incredulously wary of almost certain betrayal. For all Lawrence need do is relay the true nature of his relationship with the afore mentioned which would send the Grand Legion into thrusting every Cavalier within their power to apprehend them. Yet what withheld his tongue from uttering such a conspiracy was the likelihood the tribunal's retaliations would cost him his life along with Matthias and heaven forbid their families.

This was not all however. Lawrence was once a traveling merchant, and by default he had come across all manner of people, systems and companies which had him well acquainted with the doings of conspiring men. The assumption that Gustav could have agents in disguise enacting as eyes and ears on his behalf was more or less a reality given how deep his treachery could go.

Lastly, even if Lawrence did come forth to the appropriate authorities, had he the evidence to prove it? Aside from this, evil men who are masters at the art of deception have many contingencies in place to avoid detection and repercussions should the former fail. He was powerless even in the arms of the grand legion. Thus his lips remained sealed.

The greater cause however to his anxiety was the possibility of him being assassinated by Gustav as a preemptive measure. He had just unfolded a great plan to reclaim their debts and even take power within Dehlmare; of what use was he now?

Thought after unending thought swirled within his head sending him into fits of pacing and mumbling as the sense of dread near elevated his soul beyond the threshold of humanity.

Matthias noticed this which only served to fuel the intensity brewing to the point he found it unbearable and encouraged him strongly to sit down.

"How can I in time like this?' Lawrence retorted, 'who knows what will happen should…"

Matthias quickly brought a finger up to his lips to hush him then pointed to the door with one hand while tapping his ear with the other. They knew not who may be within range to hear on the other side of the door; a simple cavalier could overhear something that could contradict they're facade as associates with Gustav and worsen their circumstances.

Lawrence immediately silenced himself, sat in the armchair next to him and spoke with a lower voice, "I have no idea how we're going to get out of here."

"We wait." Matthias replied.

Lawrence displayed his lack of satisfaction in contrast to that proposal by burying his head in his hands and fidget about. Matthias pondered a moment how best to quell the nerves of his friend and inclined, "Why don't we talk about something else?"

The brim of Lawrence's forehead lifted slightly, "Like what?"

His lips wormed around a moment before he replied, "Why don't you talk to me about Holo?"

Lawrence lifted his face even higher as if confusingly intrigued, "Holo?"

"Yes, the woman you're willing to deal with the devil over; is she worth it?"

A pained smile could not help but incline itself across his lips, "For her, I'd be willing to go to hell and back."

"And take me with you?" inquired Matthias with a grin all too obvious across his face.

Lawrence could not withhold a slight laugh from escaping his throat, "But believe me, sometimes you'll wonder if she's the one who's the devil."

Matthias nodded with a concurring expression, "Yes, during those few hours when we were moving you out of the city, I observed a handful of her many qualities."

Lawrence then became more passive as a natural move to more better ascribe the character of the woman he loved, "What you saw that night was Holo having a hard time. We both were. What we both went through that day I think was too much for anyone. An attempt on our life, finding out we were targets of conspiracy, losing our inn to a fire, having to move and…' he paused a moment then said with a greater tinge of sorrow, '…and being forced to go our separate ways."

Matthias only nodded which bade Lawrence to say more that was on his mind, "But on a good day, Holo is a companion too good for any man to ask for. She's beautiful, smart, playfully manipulative and above all else, she's loyal."

Matthias crooked his head to better ask with earnest curiosity, "How did the two of you meet anyway?"

"Hm?"

"What I mean is; pagan gods usually don't make themselves known, or that attached."

"Well each one is different but if you must know."

"It's not that I must know, it's that I have nothing better to do while here."

"Fair enough.' replied Lawrence who resumed, 'It all started about five years ago. I was a traveling merchant on my way to Pasloe from Yorenz. I stopped by to meet up with some old acquaintances while the village was having its annual harvest festival. You see Holo was living among their wheat as a result from an agreement she made with the village ancestors hundreds of years ago. But of course after time, human ingenuity no longer required her services so she decided to leave. That night I uncovered my wagon to go to sleep and there she was snuggled in my marten furs without a care in the world of what I thought about it. She wanted to return to her home in Yoites and asked me to take her in exchange she would assist me in my bartering for profit. We visited towns, got into strifes, slowly turned our interactions into courtship and…well the rest is history."

"What were some of the tiffs you got in?"

Lawrence rolled his eyes and huffed with aggravated humor, "Oh brother…' he rubbed his chin a moment then said, 'Bankruptcy over bad credit, crashing markets, saving businesses and exploiting others, risking life and death and certain ruin, that kind of thing."

Matthias seemed mostly amused but not wholly of the stories themselves but more as the end result with which he added, "Sounds like a life of adventure, but still, I find it hard to believe one like Holo to settle down as a house wife. It seems…shall I say…odd for one of her caliber."

Where others might take offense at this sentiment, Lawrence was the opposite, "Indeed, but you must understand that almost all the animal spirits we had met have resorted to one thing or another to live in the changing times. One became a chronicler and alchemist, another a simple peddler of arts and crafts.' Lawrence winced slightly as he moved on, 'And there was one living in Winnifel who was a sheep…he became a shepherd and even had to bring himself to eating mutton among his peers to blend in."

Matthias shuddered at the thought of living in such a lowly state that was so far from the pedestal once occupied.

"Living by your side probably didn't seem so bad after hearing that."

Lawrence lifted his eyes, "Oh no, Holo was terrified of the thought of living a life with me."

Matthias became confused with intrigue, "Oh?"

"There are two things she fears and hates. One is not being needed and the second, the worst of all, is being alone. On the few occasions when Holo learned the fate of her homeland and closest friends, she was near devastated beyond reckoning. In fact when she learned of Yoites' destruction she was so desperate to escape the feeling of loneliness she begged me to lie with her just so she could have a child. I refused then and there of course until she got a hold of herself but it was a pain I never wanted to see her in again.' realizing he was going on a tangent he re-centered his account, 'Anyway she did not want to commit to a relationship where I would grow old and die and she would remain the same, untouched by time."

"Well she had to have come around in the end." said Matthias already knowing the outcome.

"Yes, it started when I did just about the stupidest thing any man could do to her. I confessed my love."

Matthias chuckled.

"Of course initially it went about as well as you could expect and for nearly the rest of our journey together we both were too timid to acknowledge our true feelings after that. But suddenly, one cold winter night on a return trip to Lenos, she, seemingly out of the blue, said she loved me back and had no interest in parting ways. Alas we were officially a couple."

Matthias nodded with an endearing smile on his lips. Lawrence suddenly shifted with a horrible realization, "I try to stop myself from thinking about how Holo is dealing with all of this. It's one thing for her to let go of what she holds dear, that's her choice, but to have it taken? I'm afraid of how she may be handling all of this. Alone and lost."

"She's not entirely alone." responded Matthias somewhat darkly.

A deep sigh heaved from the lungs of Lawrence, "Yes,' said he with disdain, 'she's with your alpha ranger, or should I say Chugiak?"

"Whatever you do, never call him that to his face."

"What then? Hero, murderer?"

Matthias contemplated a moment, "When I told you of his past life in the dungeon, I never said your wife wasn't in good hands. He's definitely hard of character, but believe me, if the jaws of hell opened up and swallowed her whole, he would rush in sword in hand and ward off every demon and incarnate to get her back without a second thought."

There was some comfort and reconciliation upon hearing this however Lawrence had become even more curious about the man of whom they conversed, "Do you suppose those two are getting along?"

A slight shade of ill humor grazed over the face of Matthias like a cloud darkening a hill crest, "Oh of course, as you have said, Holo is fun, playful and can be a sass. Everything he is not. A complete full circle if I do say so myself."

Lawrence groaned inwardly, "It is not that I don't believe she can get along with him, however just meeting him that first time and knowing her…I wouldn't be surprised if they haven't tried to kill each other at some point."

Matthias attempted to go along in a fashion formed from levity however his grimness intertwined with his facade could not be disputed, "Yes, if paired with the wrong person, sparks can fly easily from the amount of friction produced."

Lawrence crooked his head, "Has something of the like ever happened before?"

Matthias winced.

"There is one other high ranking ranger whom we have had to keep apart from. His name is Mazarin and the grudge between those two is fierce."

"What happened?"

"It wasn't one event but more of a series. Alpha can have very brutal methods, be uncompromising and can take some obscene risks. He is very quick to the sword, where Mazarin on the other hand prefers to be discreet, diplomatic and more analytical before making any decision. Those two could have such warm disagreements that the count eventually had to put them on assignments on polar opposites of each other just to lower the chance of them crossing paths. It was that or one of them resigning or risk killing the other, neither the count could afford."

"Hm…' pondered Lawrence with a higher degree of concern, 'do you suppose Holo is much like Mazarin?"

"No, in all honesty I'd say Mazarin is more like you. But not so soft around the edges."

There was a brief silence filled with awkwardness after that.

"No offense." offered Matthias.

Lawrence put his hands up submissively, "None taken."

Just then there was a light knock at the door with the individual on the other side calling, "A beg of pardon Monsieur's, may you grant me entry?"

The voice was not familiar to either of them so Lawrence, despite being held within the thresholds of the Grand Legion, approached and opened the door extremely cautiously. There before the threshold was who appeared to be a type of messenger elegantly dressed and wearing a feathered cap atop his head. Within his hands was a silver plate with which an envelope beside ink and quill rested atop.

"Sorry for the intrusion, but for our records we require a few documents to be signed."

"I'm sorry?" inquired Lawrence.

"To clarify, can you please provide you signatures Monsieur's?" his tone, though remained polite, became more adamant

He then gently pushed the platter adorning the tools of his request closer to Lawrence.

A bolt of unease past through him as he retrieved and took them over to the table. Yet as a man of good commerce he habitually examined the documents he was sued upon to write his signature upon and found them to be nothing more than consents and understandings of the nature of his incarceration and the rectifications should proof of his employ with Jurgen fail to be provided within the deadline, namely expulsion from Dehlmare.

There was another set of documents in the like intended for Matthias that were similarly worded but constructed after the manner of security detail. Finding them harmless enough he provided his signature then handed them over to Matthias so the same could be done on his account.

Upon returning them to the messenger he accepted them with no dispute, bowed and said, "Merci, please remain vigilant Monsieur's." then bowed and quitted the seen. Lawrence watched him reach the end of the hallway and disappear into the floor upon his decent down the stairs. The door was then shut leaving Lawrence and Matthias off put by the encounter.

"I don't know about you,' commented Matthias, 'I don't think he worked for the Grand Legion."

Lawrence could only clutch the nape of his collar and whisper with all earnest of soul, "Holo, please be safe."


III

How a Caravan and Destination were Set Under Starlight

Upon returning to the scene at the ranch, preparations for the expedition were underway. Emilio, Terrance, Doc and Ottis were hitching horses to the wagons and situating the wares to their liking. Within the house, Holo, Ranger, Durango and Nikiski were at the table observing maps and conversing their options while the afflicted Agatha rested in her own chamber but was awoken by a slight sense of discomfort leaving her writhing in bed.

Suddenly a cold rag began gently padding her forehead taking her slightly off guard. Looking to who had provided this kindness she beheld Jethro both to her like and dismay.

"Where is Doc?" she asked with a tone that suggested she desired a change of hands.

"He is loading up the caravan and has asked me to watch over you until done."

She laid her head back into her pillow with a thud, "Well how nice of you."

A sigh of remorse was provided from his nose as he replied, "I understand you're still sore with me Ms. McDubbland, but right now I'm all there is."

Reluctantly, she resigned herself to the situation at hand.

Dabbing the cloth in cold water once more, he reapplied it to her forehead, "How are you feeling so far?"

"Leg still greaves me some."

"Doc said that should subside in time, fortunately he was able to save it."

Agatha nodded with cold stillness, "Good, I'll need it whenever I need to fit my foot up your arse."

Jethro sat back in his chair, "Agatha I…"

"That's Mrs. Mcdubbland to you, you deviant!" she snapped.

Jethro was seeing himself at the end of his wits, "Listen, Mrs. McDubbland. I'm sorry for the way I acted, but mind you I was drunk and on the verge of death. I was the furthest from a sound mind. I'm tired of all of us constantly finding reasons to lash out at one another. Now you can accept my apology or you can continue this cycle of malcontent."

Her eyes widened as if stunned. Never had the man taken such an assertive stance with her, it was alarming and daresay, strangely attractive.

He motioned with his hands towards her, "It's your choice."

She made a few attempts to retort but on every attempt the words vaporized before materializing in her throat. Alas she swallowed her pride and said, "I could go for another pillow for me head."

Jethro gave her a passive sign that he would then arose and returned with one that he could snuggle under. As he did so Agatha said, "And just so you know, I was not impressed."

"Pardon?" inquired Jethro leaning ore.

She motioned to his loins with her eyes, "Last night when you told me not act as though I were not impressed with yer manhood…well…I wasn't acting."

Jethro stood there dumbfounded for a moment before realizing her jest in which he let out a gentle scoff of a laugh, "Did I really say that?"

In better humor she said, "Something of the like, you were making slight advances too."

The humor dropped from his face like a rock. As he sat down he replied, "I wish I could take it back, more than anything."

Seeing the man's pain she responded with, "Well you see Mr. McKinley. Back in my whoring days, that be the tone the drunken sailors and degenerates would use with me as they satisfied themselves. It does not take me to places I am fond of."

Jethro rubbed his mouth and face as if to hide tears from forming. He then responded by informing, "And that is why I have warded off strong drink."

Agatha lifted her head up, "You live a life of sobriety?"

"Yes,' he replied with a heart weighed down by the past consequences that caused his resolve to begin with, 'I wasn't an alcoholic, but whenever I dipped myself too far in the bottle my conduct towards women would become reprehensible."

"Not a violent drunk but a salacious one then?" asked she.

Jethro confirmed with a nod.

"Did ye ever…force yourself onto someone?" she asked with both concern and curiosity.

Jethro bit his lower lip, "In a manner of speaking. When me and Gowda where first married we spent some nights together drinking away like newlyweds. And one night I was not in control and she saw a side of me that only the drink could bring out. A side I didn't like, a side I didn't want her to see, a side she didn't know was there. That morning I woke up, hungover in bed with her sitting on the ledge horrified of what I may of put her through. She never told me all the details, but whatever had happened, she did not enjoy it."

"Did she not want to, but you did?"

Jethro shrugged, "I don't think it was like that. I think it was more, instead of a sacred expression of love with the man of her life, it was a night of objectification with a beast filled with wanton lust in his sinews. But now that I think about it, It may well have been the same thing."

He paused and looked to the ceiling to contemplate, "And that was it. I vowed never to drink again, until last night that is."

Her eyes seemed to be filled with painful compassion, "Aye I remember once in the brothel, a crew of rowdy sailors came in and paid me to take on this young man who they found out never experienced the joys of the flesh. When I took him back to me chamber, I could tell he was nervous and frightened and was only there on account of the peer pressure from his lads. Of course seeing how I was paid in advanced I thought I was financially obligated to have him lie with me. When we finished all I could see was a lad full of regret."

Agatha looked towards the ceiling with a look of resentment on her face, "Looking back on it now as an adult, I realize he wanted to save himself for that special someone. I had taken something very precious from him, his purity, and it could not be given back. If I could do it over again with the wisdom I have now, I would have just had him remain behind closed doors with me for a wee bit or so, then let him go his way with none being the wiser. No one would have to know. But aye alas, I was but a wee stupid girl. That is what I resent most about those days."

Jethro frowned, "Why do we always allow things to go that far before we wise up and stop acting like damn fools?" said he with the same resentment she expressed.

Agatha seemed to suddenly let those emotions fall off knowing the demons of our past could not be exorcised fully, "Well, if it not be for hindsight, then there'd be no foresight."

"Yes,' concluded Jethro realizing such faults of our past character served to refine the one of our future, 'every thread, in place or out of place, serves a purpose to the tapestry of our existence."

Agatha crooked her head, "Didn't take you for the philosophical sort."

"Nor I you."

As the two conversed in the bed chamber Holo was having discourse of her own with Durango and the others in accompaniment. The happenings in the here and now had Durango looking over a series of maps, some of the northlands, and was shown where Jurgen's mansion resided in Yoites along the banks of the Siakluk river. His ran along the routes and bifurcations with his finger in full concentration, trying to assume the most logical past the tyrant would have taken.

The most he could assume at best in the present moment was that he had to have descended into the channels that connected to the Roam, from there he could have gone west out to sea, or east further inland. Both options, given the resources Jurgen had, were plausible.

"When you raided Jurgen's mansion,' started Durango, 'did you find any letters, documents or anything of note that could have hinted to where he would have gone?"

Holo first presented the list of names she reclaimed from the secret message Lawrence left in the mansion, "Just a list of these names and associations."

Ranger spoke, "And I had recovered a series of the like in the city of Cross Iron from an Evgeny Ovetchkin who was in Jurgen's circle of cohorts, from the Nabakov trading guild. Every dealing Evgeny ever had, including other names and associations were among what I found."

"Well do you have them here?"

Ranger sunk slightly in his chair, "I sent them off with someone to the count who could make better use of them than I."

Durango's eye dinted slightly, "Remember anything of use?"

Ranger sighed, "Nothing worthy of note."

Stetson light plopped himself back in his chair, "Lotta good that does us."

"Wait!" stammered Holo with some unusual unhinged excitement, "We may not have documents, but we do have a person."

Ranger appeared annoyed, "The boy?"

Holo nodded with a look that said she would not be argued with on the matter. The masked man excused himself to fetch for Emilio. In due time he returned with the perplexed young man. Sitting him down he was instructed, "You are to help us in determining the course your master may have taken."

Durango appeared on alarm, "'Master?' Wait, where'd you round this kid up from?"

"He was one of Jurgen's subordinates, left imprisoned in the mansion." said Ranger.

"You've gotta be kidding me!" retorted Stetson but Holo quelled all doubts by proclaiming boldly, "I trust him!"

Huffing his disapproval, Durango grunted, "Fine, fine.' then producing the maps before the youth inquired, 'Is there anywhere on these maps you think your old master would have run off to?"

Emilio sighed while rubbing the back of his neck, "That's hard to say. The most I could say confidently is where he would not go. Likely not south, and definitely not east."

"Why is that?" asked Holo.

"That's where most of the members of the tribunal are and he owes them a lot of debt."

Durango added, "We need to think more along the lines of where he would go in the face of such failure. If he is seeking refuge he'd go to whoever wouldn't have him killed on the spot. Remember he's gonna have to explain himself to who ever he appears to. I still think he'd get as far away from them as possible."

"Unless…' pondered Emilio
"Unless what?" pressed Holo, her hand seizing his arm.

The boy immediately came to, "Unless he were to utilize the help of Lawrence who was brought up to speed by all their happenings through studying the black ledgers."
"He would have learned all their trade secrets." said Durango coldly.

Holo, knowing her husband the best, added this, "He would come up with plans tailored to each outfit of the tribunal members."

"That would increase their profits individually." summoned Ranger.

"Jurgen's debts would be paid off that way,' said Emilio, 'which means…"

Durango lightly pounded his fist on the table, "He'd go right to em'!" then back to the boy, "Question is, who would he most likely go to first?"

The boy had his hand over of the grander regions of the south, "Well, Evgeny is subdued and Stephano is dead."

"I know,' said Ranger with grim resolve, 'I was there."

The lad gulped then resumed, "The closest one would be Ruslan Ybarra in Lesko."

Durango raised his finger to give the boy an epiphany, "Is this Ruslan one willing to hear him out?"

"Hmm…' thought the boy, 'No. There's a lot of speculation as to how Ruslan rose up to the rank he holds. Many suspected foul play with his predecessor that made Jurgen wary of his antics. If anyone would try and kill Jurgen to take control of the tribunal, it would be him."

"So he's out." said Durango.

Emilio gandered a moment more within the recesses of his mind then suddenly perked up, "Gustav Bihari." came his declaration that sounded as more of a sure knowledge than an astute guess.

Durango leaned, "He's still kicking around?"

"Indeed."

"Who is he to Jurgen?" asked Holo portraying an excitement similar to that of Emilio's.

"He was kind of like a number two,' said Durango looking up as if straining to recall, 'He's the only name on that list I know, meaning they've known each other for enough years to be closer than most."

Emilio then raised his finger to gain the upper hand of attention, "He is more than just a number two, he is also a back up treasurer."

"You mean?" pressed Holo.

"Since Jurgen is leader and main financier of the tribunal, a fail safe was put into place should he lose his fortune preventing the organization's bankruptcy. Gustav was assigned as second financier should the first one fail."

Durango cracked his knuckles, "And if Jurgen is to use Lawrence's planning ability to pay back his debts, who better to line the pockets first than the one you'd want getting richer?"

"Thus extending his life line." said Holo aloud.

"Where's he held up now?" asked Durango of Emilio.

The boy tapped the eastern port town displayed on one of the maps, "Dehlmare."

"Boy he's moved around these last few years."

"Then that is where we must go." demanded Holo.

Durango relaxed in his chair and spoke with ill humor, "So that's it? That's all we've go to go on, a young kid with a hunch and pretty good guess?"

Holo looked to Ranger who said nothing then replied to the bounty hunter, "We may not have all the information, nay we do not even have much information. But we have him as our only source of hope to go on."

"It's a fool's hope to say the least,' he replied, 'you realize what't at stake if we make it all the way to the end of the country and it turns out being the wrong direction, right? It's like having a single arrow and only one bull's eye. Miss it, and there ain't know second chances."

Holo's face became slightly contorted as thought trying to subdue many emotions, "If you have additional input, we welcome it surely."

Durango sighed trying to explain his sudden shift in cooperation better, "You gotta understand, when he first tried to hunt Jurgen down, we had the resources of the ranger organization backing us up. Margins of failure could be forgiven. What we have now are my savings, scavenged goods and the last of my livestock. We bungle this and not only are we out of luck, we're also practically broke."

Holo straightened herself in her seat, "I am Holo the wise wolf, provider of bountiful harvest. I may not be able to provide us luck, but I can provide for us money and ensure we do not go broke. I have learned much from my husband and I will not fail you."

Each man at the table proceeded to carry themselves as if they believed in her most definitely but had not the faith to commit.

Nikiski took advantage of the silence by saying quietly, "There is…one way…to be… sure." then gave himself up to a series of hacks and coughs.

Stetson regarded him with a greater degree of trust than shown to anyone else, "How's that?"

Nikiski let out a soft respire from his nose over his beard, "The same way…we found…you."

Then gave him an indiscernible look that only Durango could interoperate to it's fullest meaning, "So that's how you got the tabs on me?"

His counterpart nodded with solemnity.

Holo and party were beyond lost but could not dwell on it much further before the bounty hunter arose, pointed to the door and said irately, "Let's go talk outside, now."

The two men departed out of the house and were soon engulfed in darkness far enough away that even Holo could not hear them. The door to the chamber opened and out came Jethro holding Agatha up from under her shoulder. Who took her to an empty chair and allowed her weight to shift down upon it. Holo noticed a brief moment that when her stabilization came in doubt both were quick to grab one another before taking seat upon the chair. She lowered her head and smiled at them.

"So, what be going on?" asked Agatha after getting situated.

She then admitted they were listening through the door but the muffled voice from their end made the extraction of information muddled. Holo explained all their logics and reasonings behind the destination proposed.

Agatha became slightly pale looking, "Thinking on Dehlmare?" she asked, petrified.

"What is the matter?"
She bit her lower lip, "That's where I be from, and never wanted to return."

Jethro grieved with her slightly, "I'm sorry Mrs. McDubbland…"

"Oh you can call me Agatha." she corrected of which Holo became giddy inside.

"Alright, Agatha now, I know there are many scars you carry from that but if that is our next course will you stand by us?"

She huffed wiping her moistening eyes dry, "Aye."

Her affirmative commitment could not have come at more precise time as Durango and Nikiski came back in the way they left. All eyes fell on the bounty hunter and said, "We're going to Dehlmare."

Holo hid her suspicion, for there was some resource by which they united under that they were keeping behind sealed lips. She then answered back, "Aye, to Dehlmare then."