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As always, I would love your reviews at the end.

Chapter 1: All the Pretty Horses

West of the Mississippi 1856

The west was not for the faint of heart. It was a harsh land with little vegetation, unbearable winters and scorching summers. Only during the brief months of fall did the people of Mystic Haven find new hope as they stored up on supplies for their families and braced themselves for the impending snowfall.

They grew some crops, burying the seeds deep into the freshly toiled soil in order to shield it from the frozen earth. Even then, it was never a definite that they would make it through the winter, the snow needed to melt and the earth thawed in order for the small vegetation to push its way to the surface. They made sure to have plenty of feed for their animals, taking care to keep their horses especially well fed since they would be the only suitable transportation in the upcoming months.

Every year, since Caroline was little, she watched the town grow stronger and stronger. Yes, some were lost to famine or disease, but with each new year the people learned how to ration their food and build sturdier homes, and with the west expanding their small town began to expand too.

The town council was in works to begin building a new railway station in the spring. This impending station would bring needed employment for the men and they would no longer have to wait for the wagons to arrive with their monthly supplies. They would be able to receive them weekly once the locomotive was up and running.

Caroline's father had a large hand in making the railroad a reality. He was the Sheriff, and the head of the Council, and a true leader of their tiny town. In a world where even the lawmen were crooked, he remained loyal to his people. He brought justice to those who harmed and protected those in need.

On a clear September day, Caroline awoke to a familiar sound beckoning her to her window. Her horse Angel was nibbling the flower beds on her window sill, huffing and puffing to welcome her to the day.

"Angel, it's too early," she said and rolled over to shield her eyes from the invasive sunshine. This did not deter the animal from being any less disruptive. "Fine!" Caroline said with a huff, "you win! How did you even get out of your stable, anyway?"

He was a magician, that's how. A warlock of horses.

Caroline drug herself in to the kitchen where she found her mother, happily cooking over the stove and whistling a cheerful tune.

In her prime, Elizabeth Forbes was every young man's ideal mate. She was beautiful with her golden hair and bright eyes, it didn't hurt that she was also the daughter of a very wealthy proprietor, bringing stature to any man that obtained her hand in marriage. Bill Forbes was not the wealthiest of suitors, he had no family of his own, but his kind and dutiful heart won Elizabeth over. She left her family and followed him out west, to start a new life together.

"You're in a good mood," Caroline said and kissed her mother on the cheek.

"I have every right to be! My family is healthy, we have plenty of supplies for the winter, and your father is on his way to town to finalize the remaining paperwork for the new railroad."

"Oh that's wonderful!" Caroline said and scooped herself a small bowl of porridge.

"Which reminds me," Elizabeth began, "I'm glad you're finally awake, your father forgot this and I need you to ride in to town to give it to him."

She handed Caroline a small envelope. "What is it?"

"Just more paperwork, will you make sure it gets to him?"

"Of course." Caroline placed the envelope in her small handbag before returning to her breakfast.

"Oh could you swing by Fell's and get a pound of flour, and the bank as well, I need to send a telegram to your grandfather."

Caroline just nodded her head before retreating to her room to get dressed. Her family could afford for her to look more presentable, but she was never one to fuss over what she wore. She chose a plain skirt with small pink primroses and a cream cotton blouse. She pinned her hair in a loose bun at the nape of her neck, giving the illusion that she put more effort in then she actually did. Jewelry was never something she adorned, save a simple silver bracelet that she never removed.

It was a silly gesture between two small children, but it reminded her of a time when she didn't have a care in the world. She could get dirty, swing from tree branches and just be herself. The memory of the Mikaelson boys never truly left. Their features began to smudge with time, the details of their faces becoming less clear, but the one thing that always remained was his eyes. They were a magnificent blue with a hint of green around the irises, and she imagined that they were the color of the sea.

She sometimes wondered what ever happened to him. After their final day together she never saw him again, or even heard of his whereabouts. It was as if the Mikaelson family were ghosts of this town, leaving little behind to remember them by, besides a deserted home and a few run down businesses. Most of the town sighed with relief when Mr. Mikaelson sold his property or just gave it away. It was surprisingly uncharacteristic of the man, even Caroline, who was so young, found it odd that a man who was so ruthless would just give away the things that he owned.

But, as much as she missed the company of his sons, she grew to appreciate the fact that they were gone. The town thrived and expanded, no longer living in fear of the tyrant.

Caroline gathered her things and made her way to find Angel. He was standing under a large oak tree, peeling the bark off and chewing contentedly. "There you are," she said and approached the horse with a smile. He stood there obligingly, allowing her to brush the dirt and loose hair away from his body. She checked his hooves to be sure his shoes were still in working condition, before throwing the saddle on his back and anchoring it to his sinewy form. She slipped the bit between his teeth, tossed the reins around his neck and stepped in to the stir-up to mount her trusty steed.

Nothing made her happier than being on that horse. He was still a little green at the young age of 5, but he was disciplined and trusted her, as she trusted him. He had a harnessed power, and she knew that if she allowed him to he would race her toward the horizon fast and free without a care in the world. But today he would need to be alright with just heading toward town.

"I know, buddy, I'd rather run free today too," she said as she stroked his neck.

Angel whinnied and shook his head before taking a few hot footed steps in the direction of town. "I promise, just as soon as I can manage, we'll go for a nice long ride."

When they finally reached town, Caroline noticed her father's horse tethered outside the Sheriff's station. She would run the small errands that her mother requested before delivering the forgotten envelope.

Some time later she was waving her thanks to Mr. Fell and hitching the newly purchased flour sack to Angel's back. He neighed and pranced in place, annoyed with the extra burden he'd have to carry. "Hush now, it's not that heavy," Caroline scolded and stroked his nose and muzzle. She knew exactly what she needed to do to make it up to him and she reached in her pocket and withdrew a shiny red apple and suddenly all was right in the world again for Angel.

Next stop was the bank. She crossed the dusty street and up the steps, passing by the local bulletin board. This was the place they posted town events, job openings, and any other important information that needed to be shared. At the very end of the board, she noticed the Wanted posters. She was always intrigued by the black and white sketches of people she would never meet.

There were some familiar faces, The Salvatore Brothers were among them. Saint Stefan and Damon "The Face" Salvatore grimaced at her. She had heard stories of them wreaking havoc in the North. They said to not be fooled by the Saint title, that indeed there was nothing saintly about the younger brother. The older brother was a bit more aloof, she never quite understood why they called him "Face", perhaps it was because he was handsome but she had a hard time seeing his allure in this particular sketch of him. Stefan had a bounty of $200 while Damon had one of $100 but if brought in together the reward was four.

She continued down the line, and saw another man with shoulder length hair, a nicely groomed handle bar mustache, and a bowler hat. All it said was "Wanted: The Gentleman - $300 Reward".

Wow, she thought. I wonder what he did to deserve such a hefty reward? She stared at the pictures a little longer, trying to memorize the men's faces, one should always be on guard no matter how outlandish a thought it was that she would ever cross paths with these men.

"Dangerous men," someone said beside her.

Caroline jumped and swung her head around toward the unfamiliar voice. She smiled gingerly at the stranger. "Yes, I suppose they are," she said.

"I heard this one prays over his victims after he brutally murders them," he offered and pointed at the Saint. "A guilty conscience I suppose," he jeered.

"And this is his brother, yes?" She pointed at the next poster. The stranger nodded. "And, do you know who this man is, "The Gentleman"? He looks far too refined to have such a hefty reward on his head." She peered closer at the poster, as if a distant memory was scurrying its way to the surface.

"No one really knows," was all he said. "However, I can tell you that he runs with, well actually all three of these boys run in the same Gang."

"And what Gang would that be?" Caroline's curiosity was getting the better of her.

"The Demon Dogs," he said, "Have you heard of them?"

Caroline had definitely heard of them, being the Sheriff's daughter she was always in the know when it came to the threatening criminals of the area. They were a ruthless group of men, moving from town to town, robbing people of their livelihood and leaving a wake of victims in their path. They kept their identities secret, however, it seemed these three individuals have had a run in with the law. Hence, the Wanted posters.

"And how do you know that they run with that gang?"

"Where I come from, it's a known fact. I've even witnessed one of their robberies."

Caroline was shocked by this information. The Demon Dogs had always been a phantom, something to spook the locals with their terrifying personae, no one in her world had actually seen them. She always thought herself brave, and imagined never backing down to such men, but the thought of actually encountering them, now had her heart racing.

"Have you ever heard of "The Tailor"?" He suddenly asked her.

She glanced back at him and eyed him inquisitively, "No, I haven't. Is he another gang member?"

He nodded his head, and Caroline finally took real notice of the man beside her. He had a young face, despite the deep set wrinkles around his eyes, no doubt from being in the sun most days. He had a nice smile, and a soft twinkle in his eye, but there was something slightly off about his overall appearance. He couldn't have been much older than her, or perhaps even younger, but he looked as though he had been through hell, but had come out the victor.

"'The Tailor' is the worst of them," he said with a concerted smile, that made the hairs on her arms stand up on end. When she didn't say anything, he continued, "They say he got the nickname because he's a bit of a seamstress. When his victims were uncooperative, he would punish them by cutting out their tongues."

Caroline gulped in fear at the image. "What a terrible thought."

"Yes, and then in order to stop the screaming, he would take a needle and thread to their mouths and sew them shut." He was standing closer to her now, still wearing that unsettling smirk as he described the gruesome act.

"Yes, well," she cleared her throat. His stare had increasingly become more uncomfortable with his words. "If you'll excuse me." That was enough story time for Caroline and she began to walk in the direction of the bank. When he didn't move out of the way she said again, "Excuse me," as politely as she could muster.

He bowed low and tipped his hat before gliding his hand to the side, as if permitting her safe passage toward her destination. She returned a curt nod and walked briskly away.

(***)

Caroline couldn't get the stranger and his stories out of her mind. She stood in line at the bank, her mind in a haze at the new information she had just received. What kind of demons does one have to possess that would make them so ruthless? She didn't know, but hoped that one day the men would be brought to justice.

The door to the bank opened behind her and she glanced back to see who had entered. Her heart sank when the unnerving stranger stepped in. He made eye contact with her and winked before pulling his bandana over his nose. In one swift motion he had a shotgun in the air and cocked it.

"Alright, Folks!" He yelled. "This is a stick up!"

Uh-oh.

I would love your reviews! Let me know what you think so far. Who do you think the stranger is? The Gentleman? This is just the beginning folks! I'm so excited about this story.

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