*****Part 10

The three incoming regulators were shocked at the sight of the once vibrant village that was now draped in death. Chris and the others could hear weeping from several tents. A middle-age man wandered across the compound until Josiah intercepted and guided him back toward a pallet near the fire.

Josiah looked up and forced a grim smile. He walked over to the wagon as Buck and the others dismounted.

"Brothers, I hope you bring good tidings," the ex-preacher tiredly asked, draping his heavy arms over the wagon.

"Sorry, Josiah, we don't have the medicine," Vin explained climbing into the back of the wagon to start unloading.

"Where's JD?" Buck abruptly asked.

Josiah nodded toward a tent a few yards away. Buck ran toward the small tent, set up against a tree in the middle of the compound. Josiah watched Buck race toward the tent, his heart breaking for the gregarious cowboy. He knew how Buck felt about the young man. He turned to find Chris scrutinizing him.

"You look like hell, Josiah."

The ex-preacher forced a smile. "I'll admit I've been better, but I'm better than most."

Chris wasn't so sure about that. Josiah looked like he could fall over at any minute.

"So what happened? I thought someone was bringing medicine," Josiah asked.

Chris exhaled and removed his hat rubbing the rim. He knew how Josiah felt about Ezra; he was like the son he always wanted.

"We sent Ezra ahead with it," Chris stated.

Josiah frowned and his shoulders slumped. The big man turned and walked away.

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Buck stopped within the small opening and took a shuddering breath. JD lay on a small pallet, his hair matted to his very pale skull. His eyes were closed and sunken. A light linen sheet was pulled up to his bare chest. Buck watched the chest rise and fall in quick shallow breaths. He pulled off his hat and moved quietly into the small enclosure.

JD felt his friend's presence and forced his eyes open, wanting to see the man who was like an older brother to him.

Buck knelt down as JD opened his eyes and gave a weak smile. "Buck."

"Yeah, kid, it's good ole Buck. What'cha gone and done?" Buck's voice cracked with emotion and he cleared his throat. He picked up the rag that lay in a small bowl of water and gently wiped JD's brow.

"Sorry," JD whispered. His eyes blazed with the fever within. "Didn't think I'd catch it."

"There ain't nuthin' to be sorry 'bout. You're going to lick this, ain't no doubt."

"Sure." JD barely had any strength to even speak. "The others?"

"Are fine," Buck lied. "We'll have that medicine soon. You just hang on, you hear?"

JD smiled and the pair lapsed into a reflective silence, and Buck soon realized that his friend had drifted off to sleep. He pulled the sheet up on JD's chin and sat back. Buck feared Harker's Fever, but he feared losing JD more.

Buck looked over his shoulder as Chris and Vin slipped inside.

"He's strong, Buck, he'll make it." Chris tried to reassure his oldest friend.

Buck pulled his lips tight and gave Chris a curt nod. He looked back down at the young easterner remembering their first meeting and how he took an almost brotherly interest in the young man. Buck was an only child and living in a bordello diminished his chances of meeting other children. He was lonely most of the time. Him and Chris had been friends for years, but it was a mutual friendship one held by men who had experienced many of life's trials and tribulations. JD, filled the void of a younger brother, someone he could protect and coach, maybe helping the young man to avoid some of life's evils.

Chris and Vin stood silently over their friends and comrades. They were seven men who had faced and triumphed over unbelievable odds. Would their family be torn asunder now by an enemy they could not fathom or confront? Chris clenched his jaw and something tightened inside. The seven were not meant to go out like this.

tbc