Ezra reined his horse in as he saw Vin step from the saddle. He saw Vin go to one knee and he had a feeling it wasn't to examine the ground. He had watched as the other man went even beyond what Ezra had expected him too.
"Mr. Tanner it's getting too dark to track, we need to find a camp." Ezra watched as Vin staggered to both feet. Vin had said nothing since early that morning when the trail had spilt. He had remained silent and sullen. Ezra watched as Vin seemed to look around the area and take note of where they were.
Vin turned and stepped to his horse and, with near the last of his strength, he hauled himself into the saddle. He hoped Ezra had thought he was checking the trail when he had had his leg give on him as he had stepped down. If he'd been by himself, he'd have ridden to a spot and crawled into a hole and stayed there. But he had someone else to think of. They were pretty close to the ruins and there were very few people who knew about them. They would be safe there. And there was good water and grazing for the horses.
Vin turned the strip faced black from the direction they had been heading and dropped down into a gully. The black knew where they were heading and he carefully picked his way along the ghost of a trail. They came out of the gully and crested and rode into another one. This one was cooler than the last and it started to widen out, turning from a gully to an arroyo and then into a deepening narrow walled ravine to drop down into a solid walled canyon.
Ezra was tired but, as they had started down into the arroyo, he had begun to pay attention. He had ridden little of this country and had heard Vin and Josiah talk about places like this. Where, when you look out across the country, you think it's flat and then you drop down into something and suddenly find you're in a deep canyon.
In the last of the light, they broke from the ravine's narrow entrance into the walled canyon. The floor was sandy and the sides went straight up. The light was enough to light the east side of the canyon wall and it showed deep red rocks. There were trees and brush that lined the edges of the canyon and he saw several flocks of birds take flight as Vin headed the black down the canyon.
Ezra's green eyes tried to take in the whole sweeping landscape at once and when he looked back at the way Vin had ridden, Mr. Tanner was no where in sight.
Ezra booted his horse and trotted in the direction Vin had gone in. There was no sign of him. Ezra drew his horse to a halt and listened. He looked up and down the canyon. There was no Vin Tanner in sight.
"Are you coming or not?" Vin's voice was tired sounding, his west Texas accent was strong.
Ezra's head turned toward the trees and brush that were lining the side of the canyon walls, that was where Vin's voice had come from. "Ah, Mr. Tanner, if you would be so kind as to explain where you have vanished to I will gladly follow you."
"Just a little to your right, you'll see the opening."
Ezra heard Vin's horse walking away. He moved a little to his right, reined the sorrel toward the brush and saw a spot where horse and man might pass.
In the dimming light he saw Vin's shadowy figure ahead of him and he pointed his horse through the rest of the brush and trees, they were climbing back uphill. Suddenly he came out on top of a wide opening and looked up, his mouth going agape.
It was a structure in front of him, running up the side of the canyon wall, like a four storied building. It looked like it was set into the side of the rock cliff. It was made of stacked rock and there were wooden beams occasionally. It was very quiet. Off to one side he could see a pool of water, there was grass at his horse feet, actually at his horse's knees it was so tall.
He saw Vin move to the left and disappear again. Ezra hurried to catch up and almost trotted over Vin.
Vin had dismounted and was standing next to the black. He glared up as Ezra jerked back on his horse and reined him around the far side of the black.
Ezra sat there a moment, looking at the horse corral that was in front of them. A natural cull-de-sac had been blocked off with pole fencing. It did not look as old as the Ruins did. Ezra stepped down off his horse and heard Vin remove his saddle. Ezra followed suit, turning his horse in with Vin's as the other held the pole gate for him.
Ezra pulled the bridle from his horse, watching as the horse made it's way toward the sound of water. He turned and looked at Vin as the other slid the two pole gate into place. "Mr. Tanner, how in the world did you know about this place?"
Vin turned and looked at him for a long minute.
Ezra saw a deep pain cross those blue eyes, not physical pain, but emotional. He thought he would not answer and then he watched as Vin tilted his head slightly, as if listening to some sound only he could hear. His blue eyes went to the cliffs above.
"Lived here fer a little while." Vin turned and headed back to where he had left his saddle. Stopping there just long enough to strip the saddle bags and bed roll off and lay his horse blankets out so they would dry, he gathered his things and headed for the dark entrance of the closest doorway.
Ezra followed until they came to the doorway. He heard Vin moving around inside. There was no light, it was pitch dark inside. He couldn't see Vin at all. He could hear him moving in the darkness and Ezra knew it must be from memory. He heard a match scraped on rock and it flared to life in the corner of the room. He saw the match touched to a small stack of twigs and wood and realized it was a fire hearth that Vin was kneeling in front of.
The room began to take shape as the light from the fire grew. It was about twenty feet by twenty feet. There was the fire pit, a stone bench to the right of where Vin was kneeling. There was another opening off to the left. Ezra looked up to see that the roof was made of wood poles. He took a step into the room and dropped his saddle bags and bed roll just inside the door. He squatted and rummaged in the saddle bag, producing a small coffee pot and a bag of coffee.
"I'll make coffee." He turned and stepped back out of the building, heading to the water source.
Vin got the fire going well and stood up slowly, his hand going inside his jacket to touch his bandaged side. It hurt like hell. He looked around the room and felt the old memories try to slip into his mind. He shoved them aside and set about checking for any unwanted critters that might be lurking in the corners.
Ezra returned and walked to the fire pit. He looked down at the fire and saw that the pit was already set up for a coffee pot. He set the pot on the rock that protruded out into the flame.
Ezra straightened from the fire and drew in a deep breath. He had instructions from Nathan and he wasn't sure if he wanted to ignore them and get a tongue lashing when he got back, or the one he'd get when he broached the subject here.
He watched as Vin took his saddle bags and bed roll to lay just at the edge of the bench. He watched him carefully. Noting how he moved. He couldn't believe he was still on his feet. Vin's color was still washed out and there were circles forming under his eyes. He moved as if he were a hundred years old and when he moved just right, there were little catches and he would touch his side and find another way to get what needed to be done, done.
Vin set his saddle bags to the side of the fire pit, then unrolled his bed roll so his saddle bags would act as a pillow.
Ezra took a deep breath as Vin started to remove his gun and knife belt. "Mr. Tanner...I have instructions from Mr. Jackson about taking a look at your wound." He smiled his best smile
Vin looked up, giving Ezra a sideways glance under the brim of his hat. He saw the pleasant smile on the face but Ezra's green eyes were staring directly at him and there was no bluff.
"I have a command of instructions to facilitate the inspection of the wound." Ezra saw those blue eyes narrow and for a minute he thought he was going to have a fight on his hands. Vin's hands stilled at the buckles that held the shortened Winchester in place.
Vin was too tired to argue. All he wanted to do was lay down and rest. "All right...but make it quick."
Ezra blinked several times, stunned. He watched as Vin removed the gun belt and jacket and pulled his shirt out. He moved toward Vin as the aroma of coffee started to fill the room. "Turn toward the light." He started to inspect the bandage and Vin's side.
The skin around the wound had looked good. There was no redness, the skin felt a little warm and there was very little bleeding. Ezra had done as Nathan had directed and had deemed the deed done. "Looks good."
He watched as Vin had laid down on his bedroll and stretched out. He could tell the tracker was more than wore out and knew he needed rest. Ezra poured him and Vin a cup of coffee and handed Vin his cup.
Vin took the cup without comment, just glad to be stretched out and still. His side hurt but, since he had gotten out of the saddle, the pain had eased some. He looked over at Ezra who suddenly produced a small bag of flour, a bundle of dried meat and a small pan.
Ezra saw Vin looking at him with a touch of surprise. He smiled, making his handsome face look much younger. "Please allow me to practice my culinary skills on you." He turned back to the task at hand. "I assure you my skills are quite good.
Vin tried to find a softer spot to lay and sipped at the coffee. The coffee was good. He said so.
Ezra's face broke into an open smile. "Then permit me to make it better and take the edge off what ever ails you." He reached inside the short coat inside pocket and produced his silver flask.
Vin grinned.
Ezra was glad to see the grin and poured a healthy amount into Vin's tin cup. He was a little more sparing on his. He found a small wooden bowl next to the fire pit, taking it he went outside to clean it and put water in it. He whipped up biscuits and a thick stew.
It was not a feast, but the biscuits were good and the meat with a gravy was excellent.
"When did you learn to cook?" Vin looked over at him after his fourth biscuit. Ezra when they were on the trail with the rest of the fellers had always stayed away from cooking chores.
Ezra just turned and smiled at his companion. "It can be our little secret."
XXX XXXX XXX
There was a soft knock at the door. Nathan got to his feet as Buck came through the door. He had lost the trail and come back to town. He'd go out at daylight and see if he couldn't pick up Vin and Ezra's trail.
They were working in four hour shifts. The sleeping powder was keeping Chris down and semi-quiet. As it started to wear off, he dreamed and mumbled in his sleep.
Nathan nodded to Buck as the other came quietly into the room. "I'll give him the medications now and then come back in a couple hours."
Buck watched as Nathan mixed the powder in a glass with water and he walked over to the bed with Nathan. Buck slipped his hand under Chris' head and lifted it to help Nathan get Chris to drink the liquid.
Chris tried to keep from drinking but, with both of them there, he had little choice. He swallowed the bitter tasting liquid. He tried to push them away with his hands, but they were knocked down and held at his sides.
"He's been a little restless, but not bad..." Nathan straightened and looked at Buck's brown eyes. "If you need me, I'll be across the hall."
Buck flashed him a smile. "Hope you can sleep through the snoring, I don't see how JD can sleep with himself." He could tell the Nathan was just about out on his feet, he'd gotten little sleep in the last couple days.
"See ya in a couple hours." Nathan set the glass down next to the water pitcher and headed out of the room.
Buck stood where he was at, looking down at his friend. He saw him shift a couple times; reaching out with a hand and then letting it drop to his stomach. He mumbled something unintelligible and then laid still.
Buck walked over to the window and looked out into the empty street. It was still four hours to daylight. He leaned up against the wall and stared out.
Buck moved to sit in the chair, the lamp light was low. He was still staring out the window. He dozed off and on, his head dropping down would jerk him awake. He moved the chair closer to the wall and leaned his head against it, he was going to close his eyes for just a minute.
"Cleatus...Why---"
Buck jumped. Chris's voice was a bitter growl.
Chris moved his head, his right hand went down to his hip where if he was wearing a gun, his hand would have touched it. He moaned in his dream and then laid still.
Buck watched him for a few minutes and then went to looking back out the window.
"Buck?"
Buck came out of the chair and toward the bed. "Yeah Pard..."
"The horses, we have to deliver the horses down to the Chavez ranch." Chris's voice was raspy. He shifted in the bed, moving slightly then laid still. A worried look came to his face. "Got a get them delivered so I can get that twenty head of cattle...and then we can round up more of those mustangs to break."
Buck felt a twist in his gut. Chavez was where they had delivered the horses, leaving Sarah and Adam alone. He stood there looking at Chris. He saw a smile touch the pale lips.
"Adam." Chris's lips drew up in a wider smile. "Come help me feed your mom's chickens. She's not feeling to well this morning," His smile stayed.
"That's it, spread the feed on the ground." He seemed to be listening; his smile went to a grin.
Buck realized he hadn't seen that grin on Chris's face for years. It was a easy, relaxed happy grin. One that came when he had talked about Sarah, Adam, the ranch and their plans, it had never touched his face since coming back from Mexico.
"Yeah, mommy's been sick in the morning, but it won't last long...Do you think you'd like a little brother or sister..."
Buck staggered; he groped for the chair, dropping into it heavily. It scrapped on the floor. Sarah had been pregnant... He remembered now, how she had been real quiet in the mornings.
Buck felt the knot twist even deeper.
Chris had kept it a secret.
"Buck---" Chris shifted in the bed, his arms reached out. A frown went to those pale lips. "Smoke...do you smell the smoke?"
And Buck smelled the smoke. It had been a long time before he didn't smell it. When they were about a half mile out, they saw a wisp of smoke rising from above the tree's. He remembered he had joked, saying Sarah had breakfast waiting for them. As they had drawn closer they had smelled the stench of the smoke, knowing it was more then just the wood stove and he had seen the terror in Chris eyes.
The groan that escaped from between Chris's clenched teeth was an inhuman sound. He watched as his hand moved---
Buck's mind was taken back to that moment in time. He could smell the stench of the burned house, he watched as Chris's horse slide to a stop in front of the burnt pile of charred lumber that had been his home. He saw Chris launch himself up onto what had been the porch and have his leg go through the charred lumber. Chris was screaming Sarah and Adam's names at the top of his lungs frantically looking around the area as he tried to get his leg out of where it had dropped through. Pulling the leg out, he put an eight inch gash in his calf that they didn't discover for several hours.
Buck arrived seconds behind him and dismounted, feeling the terror and fear well up inside him as he saw the half dozen charred timbers that were still smoking. He saw Chris stumbling across the smoking mass of black, reaching down and pulling still smoking wood away.
Screaming Sarah's name.
Then Chris came to a dead stand still, he became silent. His eyes looking down at what Buck could not see. His wife and son lying side by side, Sarah's drawn contorted arm around their son protectively.
"WHY!" Chris's voice cried out into the night.
Buck came out of the chair and went to kneel next to the bed; grabbing Chris's searching hands in his. "It's alright Pard. It's alright..." Tears well up in his brown eyes, spilled over, and ran down his cheeks. He felt the hollow empty feeling he had felt three years ago when he couldn't help Chris then. He had helped a silent, anger ridden friend bury his wife and child and then followed him as he went on a path of revenge and self destruction. And then had finally parted company because he couldn't handle what Chris had become.
Chris lay still for awhile.
Buck had sat down on the floor, his back against the bed. Resting, remembering things he didn't want to remember. He sat in the dimming darkness as daylight began to lighten the eastern sky.
There was a knock at the door. Buck got to his feet as Nathan came into the room, sleep still clinging to his face. " I over slept, how's he doing?" Nathan rubbed a hand across his face, blinking the sleep away. He looked down at Chris and then at Buck. Of the two, Buck looked worse for the wear. Nathan moved toward Buck. "Bucklin...you alright?"
Buck stood up straight, folding his hands under his arms. He didn't look at Nathan, his eyes remained on Chris. He blinked several times and let a sigh escape. "I'm..." his voice caught. "I'm gonna ride out after Vin and Ezra." He headed around the end of the bed and sidestepped Nathan.
Nathan reached a hand out stopping Buck. "You sure you ok?"
Buck still didn't turn and look at Nathan. "Rough night..." He shrugged Nathan's hand off and went out the door.
Nathan watched the door close and then he stepped to Chris's side. Reaching down he felt for a pulse at Chris's wrist. He looked at the door as it opened and an angry, confused JD came into the room.
He stood there looking at Nathan, bewilderment written across his face.
His dark brown eyes were wide. He whispered. "What's wrong with Buck, he just about took my head off."
Nathan gave him a sad looking smile. "He had a bad night."
"More like a bad morning I'd say!" He looked at Nathan and then Chris.
"I'll go get breakfast like I did yesterday?"
"Yeah, make it a beef broth for Chris, like yesterday…"
"Ok...Be right back..." He turned and headed out of the room, closing the door behind him. Checking to make sure Buck was not in the hall way.
Nathan felt Chris stir as he held his wrist.
"Nathan?" Chris voice was a raspy whisper.
"Yeah, it's me." He let go of Chris wrist.
"How long have I been asleep?" He hurt all over, he felt stiff and sore like he had been rode hard and put away wet.
"A day and a night." Nathan moved toward the dresser where the water was. "Let me get you something to drink."
"I don't want no more of that sleeping stuff." Chris strained his ears listening for that sound of paper that the powder was kept in.
"I don't think you need it anymore. I got some broth coming and I want---"
"I don't want no broth…order me steak and eggs..." He felt hungry.
"Easy there, let's take it a step at a time."
"When can we take the eye bandages off.?" Chris heard Nathan walk back over to the bed and very carefully he scooted up, taking his time. His head wasn't hurting and other than the fact that his whole body was stiff and sore he felt pretty good.
"We'll take a look tomorrow." Nathan reached out with his free hand and gently caught Chris's groping hand. He placed the water in his hand and watched as Chris tasted the water, found there was nothing in it, and drank it down.