The Devil's Destiny---12
Josiah, Ezra and Mary rode through the long hours, not wavering in their efforts to get to the injured man. The extra horse helped carry the supplies they thought would be needed.
By the time they crested the ridge and slowly began the final trek of their journey they were tired beyond the point of exhaustion.
The Gambler knew they were close to the farm now and he turned to his companions. He pulled his horse to a stop and made sure they did the same. "Just to forewarn you, he's in a deplorable condition"
"I know that, Brother. You told us what that madman did to him," Sanchez told him
"I know I did, but I still think you'll be shocked by what you're going to see. Especially you, Mrs. Travis. I want you prepared for the atrocities inflicted on Mr. Larabee's person."
"Thank you, Ezra, but I assure you I'll be fine. How much further is it?"
"Maybe another hour," Standish explained. He looked up at the sound of an approaching horse. He sighed as he realized it was Vin Tanner. He knew where the other man had been and knew why he'd gone there. "Mr. Tanner, did you find anything?" he asked as the tracker pulled Peso to a stop beside them.
"The cave's completely buried. There's no way in hell the bas..." he stopped and glanced at Mary. "Maguire's dead. There's no way he could've gotten out before it collapsed. We all saw it bury him, Ez. I jest wanted ta make sure."
"How is Chris?" Mary asked worriedly.
"He's still breathin' Mary. Ain't in very good shape, but ya know Chris. He'll fight the devil and beat the odds. Right Ez?" the sharpshooter looked to the gambler for confirmation.
"Absolutely," Standish agreed.
"We'd better get goin'. Nate's outta supplies and he's worried about Chris gettin' pneumonia. Bastard had 'im tied up in a cave with nothin' on," Tanner explained, apologizing again as he realized his language might offend he blond haired woman.
"It's okay, Vin. I understand how you feel," Mary assured him. "You'd better let me take a look at your hands and head she suggested.
"It ain't bad right now, Mary, 'sides we got nuthin' 'ere ta fix it up wit'."
"I think we better get these things to Nathan so he can make sure Brother Chris stays with us," Sanchez supplied, knowing the healer would look after the stubborn Texan no matter how much he protested. Without another word five horses moved in the direction of the farm.
Chris watched the healer as his head bobbed. He knew the man was exhausted and he knew he was the cause of it. He tried not to move, not to breathe too deeply, knowing either would set his body on fire again. He was hot and cold at the same time. The pain from the injuries was slowly growing worse and he didn't want to make things worse. He knew Nathan was out of supplies. The healer was making sure he drank water, but even the small amount he took in seemed to make his stomach churn. He tried to suppress a cough, but soon felt a full blown attack come over him.
Jackson was wide awake and out of his chair before the first cough finished. He sat on the bed and helped his friend sit forward. He ignored the weak gasps of pain coming from the injured man. He held him as gently as he could, but knew his touch was still causing pain. He looked to the door as Wilmington and Dunne entered the room.
"What can we do, Nathan?" the ladies man asked worriedly.
"Pass me that cloth, Buck. I got nothing to give him until Ezra gets back here."
Wilmington passed the healer the wet cloth and watched as he wiped the battered face. He moved to the opposite side of the bed and sat so he was facing his friend. He waited for the coughing to subside and bit back a gasp as he looked into the fever bright eyes. "Hey, Chris, how're you doing?" he asked as Jackson eased the blond back on the bed.
"D...don't feel so g...good right now, Buck," Larabee rasped tiredly.
"I bet," the moustached man said as he took the cloth from the healer and slowly bathed his friends face and neck. "You're gonna be just fine, Chris. Hell, we're not ready to let you go. You gotta keep fighting."
"I am, B...Buck," Larabee smiled thinly. He felt like shit, yet he knew there was no way these men would let him give up. He tried to keep some of the pain from his face, but knew he was failing miserably. He looked from Buck, to Nathan to JD and could see the worry etched on his friends faces. A deep sadness struck him as he realized he was the cause of those lines. He sighed and closed his eyes, hoping to hide the sorrow he felt. A hand on his shoulder made him open tired green eyes.
"We're here for you, Chris."
Larabee smiled at the youngest member of their group. He knew JD Dunne grew up fast and that he was still learning the harsh realities of life in the west. "T...thanks, K...Kid," he said gratefully.
Nathan felt Larabee's forehead, concerned that the fever was continuing to rise. The heat was sapping the small amount of liquids they could get to stay inside him. His eyes met Wilmington's and he saw the same emotions in the blue eyes. "We need to keep giving him water until Ezra gets back here. I should've brought more supplies with me," the healer said.
"D...doing what you can, N...Nathan," Larabee's eyes were closed, but he wasn't asleep. He heard the pain in the healer's voice and knew he was blaming himself. "N...not your fault."
Jackson smiled at his friend, knowing Larabee was trying to ease his conscience. He waited a few minutes, praying that the man would sleep for a while. He looked towards the ladies man again and muttered. "I wish there was a real doctor here."
"Y...you're the... best d...doctor I ever m...met, Nathan," Larabee's tremulous voice whispered as he finally gave into the call of sleep.
The words of faith from his injured friend brought a hint of a smile to the dark skinned healer. He could see Larabee's confidence on the face of the other two men in the room and wondered why they gave that faith so easily. They settled down beside the injured man, keeping watch and making sure he stayed with them. A signal passed between them, one that they all recognized as a unified effort to save a friend.
They lost track of time as they sat in the room. Shadows lengthened as the sun dipped below the horizon. Still the man on the bed labored for each breath. The sound was harsh to the ears of the three men standing watch.
Buck, JD and Nathan looked at each other as the sound of riders came through the open window.
JD hurried to the front of the house and pulled open the door. His excited voice carried back to the men in the bedroom. "Its Vin and Ezra and they got Josiah and Mary Travis with them."
"Thank, God," Jackson sighed in relief, turning to the ladies man. "Stay with him, Buck. I'm gonna get some tea on to boil and get more of those herbs boiling. Call me if he needs something before I get this stuff ready."
"I will, Nate," Wilmington assured him.
The weary healer hurried into the other room and out the door. He smiled at Mary Travis as she passed him carrying supplies into the house. Vin and Ezra carried food and bandages into the house, leaving Nathan and Josiah alone outside the house. Jackson didn't miss the injury to the Texan's head or the grimace of pain as he lifted the supplies. His eyes also noted the bloodied fingers on both hands and made a mental note to care for them as soon as he finished taking care of the gunslinger.
"How is he, Nathan?" Sanchez asked.
Jackson looked into the ex-preacher's eyes and knew this man understood the emotional turmoil he was going through. "He's not good, Josiah, but now that you're here with the supplies things will get better."
Josiah Sanchez knew him longer than any of the others and he could read the pain in Nathan's brown eyes. He knew the healer was harder on himself than anyone else. His friend strived to heal the injured with everything he learned over the years. Sometimes that seemed inadequate, but what Jackson lacked in the way of school learning he more than made up for in experience. "Nathan, we're all here now, including Mary Travis. I think between the seven of us and a little Divine intervention he'll pull through."
The healer nodded slowly as he helped Sanchez with the last of the supplies.
Mary walked slowly into the bedroom, biting back a gasp as she saw the two occupants, one so beaten and battered, the other in obvious emotional pain as he stood watch over his friend. Mary remembered the day Buck Wilmington told her about Chris's family. She knew the private gunslinger was mad that his friend betrayed his trust, yet Mary knew the two men would do anything for each other.
Buck heard soft footsteps and looked up at the pretty blonde woman. "Mary," he said softly.
"How is he, Buck?" she asked as Wilmington stood up to give her his seat.
"He's in bad shape, Mary, but he's fighting."
"Of course he is," she smiled as a pair of glazed green eyes opened and looked at her. "Hello, Chris," she said.
"M...Mary," he rasped. His eyes turned to Wilmington and the ladies man knew what was coming.
"Easy, Chris. Mary, can you tell Nathan I need him?" Wilmington asked as he slid in beside his friend. He didn't bother to wait for an answer as he lifted the blond forward, taking the weight on his arm. He felt the first hacking cough and silently swore on Robert Maguire's soul. He looked up as Nathan hurried into the room. "This is a bad one, Nate," he hissed.
"I see that. Chris?" Jackson knelt in front of the sick man, trying to get him to focus his attention on him. "Listen to me, Chris. Josiah and Ezra brought me the herbs I need to help you. They are steeping right now. The teas will help with the pain and the fever," He turned to JD and Vin as they came into the room. "Set up the tent again and bring in the herb remedy."
The sharpshooter nodded and hurried out of the room, returning in less than a minute with a basin of steaming water. He placed the basin on the bed and with Dunne's help pulled the sheet down over the three men. Vin looked to the door and saw Mary's horror stricken face. He went to her and held her close. He felt her soft sobs as she fought to keep silent. No words of comfort were said, none were needed, both knew how much the injured man meant to them all.
Chris felt the pain in his chest ease and a cloth was quickly wiped over his face. He breathed deeply, taking in the medicinal steam, feeling it ease the burning sensation in his lungs. He felt Wilmington and Jackson ease him back on his pillows and hated what his weakness was doing to them. He knew they were worried and felt helpless and he would've loved to put them at ease. At the same time he knew he needed their friendship more than all the medications combined. He let his eyes slide closed and relished in the knowledge that his friends were there and he wouldn't have to face anything alone.
"Nathan, I have the teas."
"Chris, don't go to sleep just yet," the medic ordered. "Josiah's got something I need you to drink."
"J...Josiah's here?" Larabee opened his eyes and looked around the dull interior.
"I'm right here, Brother," Sanchez said as he took Wilmington's place under the sheet. He kept his face blank and forced a smile in spite of the shock of seeing the injuries on the man he respected as both a friend and leader. "Now why don't you drink the teas and we'll let you get some rest."
Larabee nodded and soon felt a cup to his lips. He sipped at it until the liquid disappeared and did the same to the second one. He remembered seeing the blonde haired newspaper woman and spoke softly. "M...Mary here?"
"She's here; she insisted on coming once Ezra told her they found you. Now why don't we get you comfortable and let you sleep."
"...am kinda t...tired, Josiah."
"Just close your eyes and sleep, Chris. One of us will stay with you."
"A...always do."
The cloudy green eyes closed and Jackson pulled back the sheet. He sat back and rubbed tired eyes. They still had a hard fight ahead of them, but with the additional supplies and medicines he knew Larabee's chances of survival were better. He looked at the six healthy people in the room with him, his eyes coming to rest on the sharpshooter. "Vin, I'd better take a look at your head and your hands."
"It'll keep till you get some rest, Nathan," the tracker assured him.
"I'll rest once I clean those wounds. There's so much dirt packed into the wounds on your hands that infection'll set in pretty fast. Now JD's gonna stay with Chris while the rest of us get some sleep. Look, all of you, I'm tired and Chris is gonna need all our help. That means we have to do this in shifts. JD's shift starts now, since he just got up. The rest of us will sleep as long as we can, eat when we're awake and spend the rest of the time making sure we keep that man in the world of the living. Because I for one, have no intention of losing that man. So just do what I'm asking you too and we'll all get along just fine," Jackson told them, leaving no room for arguments. "Mary, will you give me a hand with Vin?"
"Of course, Nathan," the woman said as she followed the weary tracker into the other room.
Jackson took a clean basin and poured warm water into it. He walked to the scarred wood table and placed it on top. He poured a small amount of Carbolic acid into the liquid and mixed it well. "Vin, I want you to put your hands in there and let them soak. Mary, can you clean the wound on his head for me?" He turned his eyes back to the sharpshooter and asked, "How bad's that back?"
"It's fi... It's not too bad yet, Nathan." He met Jackson's eyes and knew the healer could see right through him.
Nathan knew the tracker wasn't telling the whole truth, but he let it drop for now. He watched as Mary finished cleaning the wound above Tanner's eye and was relieved to see it wasn't as bad as he first thought. As long as it was kept clean the younger man wouldn't have any problems. He took a small bandage and placed it over the wound, wrapping another piece of material around his head and tying it at the back to hold the first piece in place.
Jackson sat heavily in the chair next to Tanner's, rested his elbows on the table and placed his face in his open hands. He rubbed at tired eyes and sighed deeply. No matter how often he did this it never got any easier. Taking a deep breath he lifted his head and turned his attention to the younger man's hands. He was pleased to see the dirt was soaked away from the skin. He took the now sullied water, dumped it and brought back the basin filled with clean warm liquid. He placed Vin's hands in it for a few minutes and then lifted them out.
Tanner remained quiet all through the healer's and Mary's ministrations. He knew Nathan was exhausted and yet the healer always did a thorough job when it involved his expertise. He balked when Nathan took out more bandages, but one look from the deep brown eyes stopped him before he had a chance to say anything. He watched as the former slave slowly wrapped clean bandages around both hands. The material was thin and he would be able to bend his fingers slightly.
"That's it. Just keep those on for a day or two and you'll be able to use your hands. I got something to rub into your back." He took a small jar and had Vin lift his shirt. He rubbed a liberal amount on the sharpshooter's back and replaced the shirt. "Mary," Jackson turned to the blonde woman. "Thanks for helping me."
"You're welcome, Nathan," she assured him.
"You've had a long ride so get some rest. You too, Vin, I think the others are already bedded down. JD'll call us if anything happens," he said, staring at the sharpshooter, almost daring him to disagree. He smiled as he watched the younger man stand up and head for his bedroll. Mary walked to the small, well worn sofa and lied down. Nathan smiled and moved to his own bedroll. It wasn't long before they were all sleeping.
"Hey Doc?"
The weary ex-Union medic turned at the soft drawl and cocked his head. Two blue-eyes, half mast, peered at him from the Texan's bedroll. The bandage was worn like a badge of honor and the mitten-like hands fumbled awkwardly.
"Thanks..."
"Get that mangy head down!" the soft brown eyes replied, with a wide smile.
JD stood in the door and glanced around the room. He smiled as he saw the sleeping forms spread out around the living room. They'd been sleeping for nearly four hours now and he knew they all needed it. He realized all it would take was the sound of his voice or a weak cough or moan from the injured man and they'd all be wide awake and in the room with him. He turned and walked back to the chair by the bed. He picked up the cloth and slowly bathed the sweat soaked forehead. He cursed the hated man who in his sick mind thought he could possess the gunslinger's soul. JD smiled as he realized no one would ever do that. The blond may be hurt and sick, but nothing or nobody could weaken his spirit, which in turn strengthened his soul. He admired Chris Larabee, admired him for being a man who was able to live with the pain of losing the family he loved more than anything. He knew Chris almost lost that battle, but in claiming the victory he'd come out a better man.
"You'll win this one too, Chris," JD whispered and was surprised when a hand reached out and clasped his. He looked at the bandages covering the wrists and most of the arm and swallowed painfully. He forced a smile to his face and spoke softly. "Can I get you anything?"
"T...thirsty," Larabee muttered.
"I got something for you right here," JD grinned as he reached for the cup of tepid willow bark tea. He knew how important it was to get the injured man to drink it. He eased the cup to the still swollen lips and watched as the gunslinger sipped at it, all the while fighting to keep the grimace off his face.
"T...thanks, K...Kid," Larabee managed a thin smile as he saw the look of pride on the young easterner's face.
"You want some water now, Chris?" at the slight nod of the blond head, JD placed the glass of cool water to his lips and waited for the older man to drink his fill. He moved the glass back to the table when he noted the look of panic in the green eyes. "Nathan says you shouldn't fight it, Chris. He says it'll make you feel better."
"D...don't h...help," Larabee moaned as the oncoming coughs once more tore through him. He felt hands lift him forward, but didn't know whose or how many. He didn't know how long the attack lasted, but he felt someone sit on the opposite side of the bed. Voices talked to him, but what they said didn't reach him. All his energy was focused on getting past this new round of agony. He leaned heavily into the arm holding him as he felt the urge ease a little and he was able to take a breath without it tearing his lungs from his chest. He heard their frantic voices and wanted to assure them he was alright now, but he couldn't find his voice. His eyes drifted closed and his head remained pressed against the young sheriff's arm.
"N...Nathan," JD's voice was desperate as he felt the body go slack in his arms. He watched the healer's frantic movements as he lifted the gunslinger back to the pillows.
Jackson's fear that they'd lost their friend was short lived as he felt the pulse in the neck. "He's still with us, but we need to get this damn fever down before it saps everything from him. JD," he called to the pale young man. "JD!" he repeated a little more forcefully until the eyes focused on him, "Did he drink anything?"
"T...the tea and some w...water. Is he okay?"
"He's okay for now, Kid. Mary, take JD outside so he can get some air," he ordered. He wanted to strip the wet blankets off the bed and check Larabee's wounds, but he didn't want the dedicated widow seeing the full extent of the injuries for the moment. He knew she would do as he asked because the kid was so pale he looked as if he would pass out on the spot. The shock of having his mentor go still in his arms weighed heavily on the young man and Jackson knew he needed to get out of the room for a while. He watched as Mary led the sheriff from the room before turning his attention to the sharpshooter. "Vin, you can't do much with your hands like that."
"I can help, Nathan."
"I didn't say you couldn't help, Vin. I said you can't do much. Look, we're gonna need to move Chris off the bed so's we can change the sheets. Josiah, Ezra, bring in some extra blankets and spread them on the floor. When they get that done I want you sitting there, Vin. Me, Buck, Ezra, and Josiah will lift Chris from the bed and place him beside ya. You'll need to keep him sitting so he breathes easier. Understand?" Jackson asked as Sanchez and Standish spread the blankets over the floor.
"Yeah," Tanner hissed as he sat on the blankets. He watched as the four men lifted the partially nude body from the bed and gently placed him in front of him. They eased him down so the gunslinger leaned into the sharpshooter's chest. He smiled as Buck placed a blanket over the blond, a silent reassurance passing from one man to the other. Vin watched as the others moved quickly around the bed, changing the sheets, blanket and pillow cases in order to make it more comfortable for the injured man. He looked down at the bandaged body he held and although he couldn't see his face he knew his friend was awake. He'd felt the change instinctively. "Chris, ya 'wake?"
"T...think so," came the weak reply.
"How're ya feelin'?"
"H...hot, t...tired, s...sick," Larabee answered softly.
"Well, Cowboy, yer 'urt pretty bad, but Nate's gonna fix ya up as good as new."
"H...how long h...have we b...been here?"
"Close ta five days now. Ya been in an' outta it mos' of the time. Ya been fightin' one 'ell of a fever too." Tanner saw the others watching him and knew they were leaving the two friends alone. This marked the first time the gunslinger was awake and breathing a little easier. He quickly turned his attention back to the man in front of him.
Larabee moaned as he twisted to face the younger man. His green eyes narrowed as they landed on the bandage wrapped around his friend's head. He lifted his hand and touched it, frowning as the younger man brought his bandaged hand up to touch it as well. "W...what h...happened?" he asked weakly.
"Jest got banged up a bit, nuthin' fer ya ta worry 'bout," Tanner assured his injured friend. He saw the green eyes fill with pain as Larabee grasped his bandaged hands in his own. "It's really okay, Cowboy, Nathan fixed em up."
Larabee's eyes took on a stony look as he glared weakly at the sharpshooter, "y...you went b...back," he hissed angrily, "Dammit...s...stupid, V...Vin...c...could've," his breathing grew more and more labored as he spoke to his friend. "B...been k...killed...Maguire...or...or c...cave in!"
"I told ya Maguire's dead, Chris."
Green, fever bright eyes widened hopefully. "Y...you f...found ...body?"
"Not 'xac'ly." Tanner couldn't quite meet the pained eyes. "I tried...the whole cave's buried. Ain't no way he coulda got outta there. Ain't no other way in 'r out. We saw 'im at the 'ntrance jest before it caved in.
"R...really dead," Larabee's eyes were filled with trust as he looked into the blue eyes. He saw the truth in them and relaxed his tense body. "Vin, he was c...crazy. U...used a whip a...and a k...knife a...and b...burned me a...and d...didn't work s...so u...used fists. He s...said I w...was d...destiny...n...needed me t...to s...scream. D...didn't scream, Vin... c....couldn't or h...he'd have w...won."
"Calm down, Chris," Jackson ordered as he knelt beside his patient. He watched the two men as the blond talked of his ordeal, but now he seemed to be panicking and was having difficulty getting air to enter his lungs. He watched as the blond head bobbed once and smiled. "You're gonna be just fine, Chris. I'm not gonna lie to you. You're gonna be in misery for some time to come, but as long as you do as I tell you you'll be fightin' to get outta bed in no time."
Larabee saw the worry on each face in the room including Mary and JD who returned from outside. He wanted to tell them he was fine, but this was one time he wouldn't lie. He looked from one face to another before coming to rest on the healer's once more. "U...up n...now," he said, hoping to convey to the others that he was indeed going to be alright. The sound of laughter from the man he leaned against struck a chord in his abused mind and he smiled as the others joined in the laughter. He let his eyes slide closed and listened to the sound of relieved laughter. He knew in his heart it would be a long time before he laughed as easily as his friends, but he didn't doubt that it would happen. He felt his mind drifting towards sleep and barely heard Nathan speaking to him. He opened his eyes and looked into the healer's eyes.
"Chris, we're gonna get you back in the bed."
"Okay," Larabee answered tiredly.
"Buck, you and Josiah take his legs. Ezra, you and JD grab his shoulders. I'll hold his waist," Jackson ordered.
"I'll help you, Nathan," Mary told him as she came forward and knelt beside the injured man.
Jackson nodded gratefully, "You take his head, Mary. Let's keep him as straight as possible. Are you ready, Chris?"
"N...not r...really," the blond answered and tried not to tense up as his friends lifted him off the floor. He held his breath as he was lifted from Tanner's grasp and carried the short distance to the bed. He breathed a sigh of relief as he was settled into the dry sheets and covered with a blanket. He felt a cup placed to his lips and drank the familiar tasting tea. He drifted towards sleep unaware of the makeshift tent being set up and the medicinal vapors he breathed in. The only thing that registered in his fevered mind was that he was
TBC