Struggle - Chapter 7

Sore Loser

End of May, 1838 Canaan

COLE

Martin's saloon was full tonight. The small town had nowhere else to hang out in the evenings if you didn't want to spend the time with your wife. Or in Cole's case, with his cousin and Sam.

Smoke and laughter filled the small space and in a corner next to the bar counter, Ella entertained the guests with the new piano.

Martin's business was going well, Ella's too. So they had attached a few guest rooms to the saloon which could be rented if someone needed a place to stay.

A group of trappers had stopped in Canaan on their way back south three days earlier. They had wagons full of fur and goods from the tribes up north. The men were in a good mood but Cole knew from experience that could change quickly. It wouldn't be the first time trappers staying here caused trouble.

There was no way to avoid the men tonight unless he planned to stay at the ranch - which he did not. Cole had been here every night for over a week, ever since James had left for Liberty again. Ella had already asked if he didn't want to rent one of the new rooms. But that would have been a bit overkill.

He just needed the distraction that the saloon and Martin's whiskey offered. No hunt had come up lately, so sitting on the ranch every evening, with nothing left to do after the animals were taken care of and this crushing silence all around, put Cole on edge. The only thing to watch there was Daniel and Shewa as the happy couple. Or Sam who talked non stop about his latest attempt to improve some gun. He only saw his friend during the meals and Sam barely even looked at him then. Their Scholar was obsessed with his new tinkering, so to speak. If he wasn't working on the gun, he spent his time with Malachi. Cole felt betrayed and sidelined from his friend, and he blamed the little witch.

Sky threaded her way through the crowd to her place next to Ella's feet. Cole was scanning the counter for his usual place when he spotted Mandy waving him over.

He raised a finger at her and she smiled while pouring him a glass of whiskey. Cole gave her a predatory grin, staring at her inviting breasts, which were barely covered by the cheeky red velvet fabric her dress was made of. He should ask her if she had time for him tonight.

George supported the idea that Cole come to Canaan more often, and used it to encourage a friendship between the Knight and his son, Malachi, or at least a cordial colleague relationship. It hadn't worked yet. Without George they quickly found reasons to argue. On top of stealing his best friend, Sam, from him, Malachi showed an open disgust and distrust of Sky. Well that was mutual. Cole's baby growled every time they met. If Malachi had any backbone he would have probably growled back, but the witch nearly pissed in his pants when she bared her fangs at him. Of course Cole didn't have pity and sided with Sky, only fueling her behavior to Harris junior.

Speak of the devil … Sky began growling, not loud, but Cole instantly caught the sound over the piano music. Malachi came up to the bar and took the seat next to him on the opposite side from where Sky lay.

Cole didn't want to stir trouble with the saloon being so full of strangers. "Sky, chitchissee!" which meant 'to be quiet' in the crow language.

Malachi looked disturbed by the exchange of foreign words for a moment but then turned, ordering a Grog as usual. In Cole's opinion it was a disgusting thing to drink consisting of hot water, sugar, and a shot of rum. The witch never drank beyond his thirst and he'd never seen him drinking anything stronger than this. "Harris, is George with you?"

Malachi nodded and stared at Mandy's ass while she pulled a mug from the shelf. Rolling his eyes he began ranting like usual. "The women are so cheap in this godforsaken town. You should come to New York, to civilization. They have a much wider spectrum of whores. You would probably never leave the whorehouses there again."

Cole knew Malachi bit back the rest of his remark, 'and I wouldn't have to share my father with you, asshole.' But he could practically hear the accusation.

"Cole, good evening," George said, patting his shoulder and taking a seat on the other side of him.

"Hey, George. Everything's alright?"

"Of course. And on the ranch?"

George didn't visit often since the Triad had passed away. Cole assumed it hurt the former Advisor too much to be there without his brothers. He knew how lonely it felt at times. "We're fine."

"Good," George replied. Mandy placed George's usual order, a glass of Martin's special liqueur, onto the counter. Cole watched him taking that first sip that made him sigh delighted. "Ah, I'll have to make sure to take a bottle of that with me. I plan to leave for Hartford next week. It will take quite some time to get there but I have already planned some stops on my way."

Mandy pouted. "You wanna leave us, Georgie? We will miss you, handsome."

George gave her a wink then turned to Cole. "I need to talk to Daniel. He wanted to prepare a few letters for some friends for me to deliver."

"I see." Cole finished his glass and raised it for Mandy to refill.

"You're not very talkative today, Cole. Did something happen?"

Cole shook his head. He didn't want to tell George how much he disliked his son's presence at their home.

"Hmm. Maybe you two are gonna join me at the poker table? I bet the trappers have a thing or two to tell from their trip up north," George suggested, while getting up. Taking his drink with him, he headed to the other table.

Malachi let out a disgruntled sigh but followed with his Grog. Cole shook his head at the guy. He finished his whiskey and ordered another one for him and one of George's liquors. He knew George well. Probably another reason why Malachi didn't like him. But since the witch stole his best friend, Cole would take Malachi's father in exchange.

*** WWT - Prequels ***

GEORGE

He approached the two men at the round table playing a game called Maxle. They had taught him how to play it yesterday. It was a fun game where you have three cards in hand and three cards on the table that can be exchanged to get you a good hand. A bit similar to a poker game. The advantage is, you can play it with only two players.

"Good evening, Franz," George nodded at the man with the heavy beard. He was from Germany and spoke a bad kind of English, but over cards it was easy to connect with most men. Glancing to the other one he greeted him too. His name was more complicated. Franz had told him it was Alessandro but all his colleagues called him Alex, "Alex," George nodded at him too.

"Guten Abend, George. Sit, please," Franz offered.

Malachi stepped behind. "This is my son, Malachi." He turned to him and introduced the two. "Malachi, these are Franz and Alex. Franz is from Germany and Alex from Italy. Come have a seat. We could play a game of poker now there are enough of us."

George looked around hoping the others would be in for a round. Malachi took a seat but didn't want to play. Cole came to them with more of the liqueur that made him smile with joy, 'Good boy. He knows me damn well.'

George still hadn't found a way to connect Cole with his son. Of course he knew Cole better than his son, they lived here together for years, seeing each other often. But there was still a distance with Malachi that George wasn't able to bridge.

Cole had something that reminded him so much of Mike that it hurt sometimes. George had been so drunk last week that Cole had to guide him home. The whole way he addressed him as Mike and had mixed up the whole situation. He was glad the boy wasn't mad at him for this painful reminder of his father.

Cole placed the glasses before him. George looked up, "Thank you, son. C'mon take a seat. You will play, right Cole?"

Cole nodded, giving Malachi a side glance. George had no idea anymore how to make the two of them friends.

"He is your son too?" Franz asked, a bit awkwardly pronounced.

George shook his head no. Patting Cole's shoulder. "He is my friend's son. We often call familiar young men 'son'."

Franz nodded and started shuffling the deck of cards. Then he dealt each player two cards and filled the board with five.

The evening went on and half an hour later two others joined their table. George had a good run so far and was in the best mood. He glanced at his two youngsters. Cole smoked a cigarette and had ordered them some more drinks during the last hour. Malachi had sat by and watched until now. His chair made a scratching noise that wasn't very loud over the conversations or the piano music but it made George look up.

Malachi patted his shoulder, "I will be at the counter, Father. I need something to eat."

Geoge nodded and brought his mind back to his cards. They were immersed in the game again when some shouts from the counter drew attention. George and Cole turned at the same time. It was Malachi arguing with some guy. George shot Cole a glance.

Cole got up and nodded. "I'll handle this. Don't worry."

COLE

Cole approached the counter. Sky was on her paws instantly but he gave her a hand sign to stay put. He knew she made a low growl of disappointment even though he wasn't able to hear it over the noises of the crowd.

"... You ruined my vest, you fuckin' shit. And you'll pay for it, outside," the mountain of a man spat at Harris junior.

As much as he had a personal dislike for Malachi, he was still George's son and a member of the Brotherhood. Cole was the Knight now; he had to step up for his kin. He could plague the little witch later in his own way. "Hey, what's wrong here?" Cole pushed between the two.

The guy looked at him with murder in his eyes. "Look at this, the little shit brought his nanny. Or is this your lover?"

Cole checked their surroundings. Some other guys, obviously the man's friends, had stepped closer, watching the events closely. He heard Sky growl behind him. He had to deescalate the situation or this would end in bloodshed. "I'm nothing of the sort! I'm sure we can fix whatever went wrong with my young friend and you."

The guy grunted unhappily, "Your friend slopped his piss brew over my favorite vest."

Cole plunged into his inside pocket to find some bucks for the asshole. He saw him drawing his hunting knife instantly. It got quieter around them. Cole was fast to raise his other hand. "Easy, buddy. I'm only taking my money out."

Sky was at his side and began barking at the guy.

"Shut the fuck up you mongrel!" the guy angrily stomped with his feet to shoo Sky away.

Cole gave Sky a harsh command to retreat. Then he slowly pulled his money from his jacket. His eyes didn't leave the knife and the guy as he addressed the bartender. "Mandy, can you pour our friend here a whiskey, please,"

Mandy took Cole's money and quickly filled a glass.

When he saw the man lowering his knife, Cole dared to breathe again. The guy grunted again, finishing the shot in one swig. Then shoved his knife back into its sheath.

"Mandy will have your vest cleaned for you. Just leave it with her." Cole glanced at the girl who quickly nodded.

The man took his vest off and handed it to Mandy before he retreated to his friends on the other side of the room.

Cole sighed, relieved, and turned to Malachi who had gone even paler than usual. "You alright, Harris?" Malachi just nodded. Then Cole clapped him hard on the shoulder. "Good. Are you up for a whiskey now?"

"Yes, I think the situation would call for drinking."

Cole ordered two more shots. The situation, as Harris called it, had made him go from pleasantly drunk to stone cold sober in seconds.

The two had a couple more shots and something you could call a conversation, though Cole didn't understand half the things Malachi told him about his studies at home in New York.

Someone raised his voice. "... you cheated! Bloody hell!"

The scratching of chairs and shouts from the poker table alerted Cole to what was coming. He turned in time to witness as one of the trappers grabbed George by the arm, pulling a few cards from his sleeve.

"Fuck! I told him not to mess with them," Cole ranted while getting up.

Then he saw the man drawing a gun, pointing it at George. The click of the hammer as it was pulled back seemed to make time slow. Even so, as he saw the man pulling the trigger, he wasn't able to get to George in time.

The shot silenced every other noise in the saloon.

Cole and Malachi instantly rushed to George's side. The others, mostly people who knew George well, grabbed the shooter and disarmed him.

George Harris lay on the ground, staring at the ceiling, shocked. The two young men each took a place at his side.

"Easy, George, we're here."

Malachi didn't say a word but was already trying to get pressure on the wound. It was to his father's left shoulder not far above the heart. Blood oozed from the wound so fast that Malachi's hands were already slick.

Cole desperately searched for help and saw Ella hurrying to them, shouting commands to the other people around. "C'mon everyone, give them some space!" Ella kneeled next to George, stroking his hair. "Easy darling. You're gonna be alright."

George took some ragged breaths and focused on Ella while desperately clinging to Cole's hand. Ella turned her face to the counter. "Jane, get hot water and clean cloths!" Then she spoke soothing words to George again.

Malachi shoved George's vest aside and ripped his shirt apart to get to the wound. He studied it and rolled him a bit to the side to feel his back. "The shot went straight through his shoulder. At least we don't have to remove the bullet. We need to sit him up so we can stop the bleeding."

Cole nodded and they moved him into a sitting position. George hissed under the movement. Malachi took a cloth from Jane's hands and pushed it into Cole's free hand. "Here, you push that against the exit wound and I'll try to clean the front."

George grunted out in pain and got horribly pale when Cole pushed. There was so much blood that fear got the upper hand in Cole's thoughts. George had to make it! He couldn't lose him too. Not so close after the others and not anytime in the future. God could not be so cruel.

George's breaths came unsteady now and he wasn't able to focus on Cole. " … should've listened … to you," he mumbled, a weak grin on his lips.

Malachi shot Cole a glare that made him feel guilty for what happened. He should have watched out for George. "Shhh, it's okay. We'll worry about that later. Just stay with us, George," he pleaded.

*** WWT - prequel ***

MALACHI

They had settled George in one of the guest rooms. Malachi sat at his father's side. He had done what he could, now they had to wait and see. At least the bleeding had lessened.

Cole started pacing the room. "Stupid idiot. I told him not to mess with them. Damn it!"

"Cole, this is not helpful."

Cole shot him a glare but finally sighed. "You're right." He took a seat but soon began fidgeting. "I'm done waiting. I'll beat the shit out of the asshole." He got up.

Malachi got up too. "You will do no such thing. He is locked up and will be brought to the court in Laramee. How about you ride home and tell Daniel and Samuel what happened? Maybe that will settle your temper a bit."

"Fuck Harris, the asshole shot your father! You should be crying bloody murder! Does he mean nothing to you? If he was my father … " Tanner stopped speaking and turned.

Malachi rolled his eyes. It would do nobody any good if he took the law into his own hands. Tanner had an unbelievable temper. No wonder he got in fights so often. He had no idea how his father could love Cole like a son. Malachi had noticed that he called him 'son' at every opportunity. It stung because George always addressed him with his name. Was it so hard for George to show a bit of affection to his own blood? Sure, they hadn't had a typical father and son relationship before. Malachi sighed and looked at his father. George wanted to leave anyway, their relationship would not change much before then.

Tanner crossed the room, mumbling something he didn't understand.

"Where are you going?" Malachi asked.

"Home," Tanner turned. "You don't leave his side!"

Malachi only nodded and took a seat again. It irritated him to no end how The Knight ordered him around as if he was stupid. Of course he would stay with his father.

*** WWT Prequel ****

COLE

Cole headed out with Sky through the backdoor of the saloon. Nobody was here in the backstreet. Taking a deep breath in front of his horse, he felt guilty as if he had pulled the trigger himself. Mike would be so disappointed. Why did every bit of control slip through his fingers again and again? Carolyn, Mike, Wade, Bastian, the incident with Billy, and now George. What next? He felt so guilty for all the bad things that had happened. He had to find a way to do better. He was sick of falling down on his watch - on his job - on his family. George must survive!

Cole hated to admit it but little-witch-Harris was right, he needed to ride home to Daniel and Sam, telling them what had happened.

He was about to climb on Savior's back when Sky began to growl. Cole turned and saw the guy from inside the saloon without his vest. Four of his goons stood behind him. Two with ropes knotted like mini lassos in their hands were approaching Sky. Cole reached for his rifle in his saddle holster. But before he could grab it the boss pointed a handgun at him.

"Tsk tsk tsk, I wouldn't do that, boy. One of your friends down a day might be enough, don't you think so?" the leader said, spitting out some chewing tobacco to the dusty ground.

One of the Lasso-men swung his rope over Sky's neck. His dog began barking and fought the rope, jumping on the man who held the binding. She dug her fangs in the man's leather jacket.

"Bloody bitch," the man kicked Sky brutally. She let out a whine but didn't let go of the man's arm. "Marvin, hurry."

The other one threw his rope over her, dragging her in the opposite direction away from his friend.

Cole was about to explode. No one hurt his girl without paying with a lot of pain. He made a step towards the scene but was stopped by the vest-guy who now pushed the barrel against his chest pulling the trigger. "You won't do anything stupid only because of that bitch of yours, will ya?"

"What do you want," Cole pressed out through gritted teeth.

"Well since you handled the situation with that accident of your friend and my vest so skillfully, I'm sure you can also do something to get my buddy free from the cell he got locked away in for shooting that bloody gambler."

Of course it was just his luck that the vest guy and the shooter were friends. The hell he would help the man who shot George escape. Cole pushed a bit forwards pressing harder against the gun. "First of all you get your bloody goons off my dog."

The mean grin on the man's face widened in amusement. "You are not exactly in the position to make demands. So what is your answer?"

Cole would fight them off until the last drop of his blood was spilled if necessary. He was about to reach for his blade when Malachi appeared behind the group.

Cole saw the witch quickly assess the situation.

Malachi shook his head slightly, sending a silent warning to Cole to not act. "Is there a problem, gentlemen?" he asked, bringing everyone's attention to him.

Malachi pulled a huge green crystal out of nowhere and smashed it full force onto the ground. The stone burst into pieces and colored smoke was set free.

Suddenly every one of the men was screaming in agony holding their heads. The boss of the gang dropped his gun at Cole's feet and took off. The others ran away too, dropping the ropes around Sky.

Cole was confused. He wasn't affected by whatever it was. Then Sky let out a blood-curdling howl . When Cole recovered from the initial shock he hurried to her, trying to calm his beloved dog. But she only cried more. He was scared, what was wrong with his soulmate. Desperately, he tried to find the problem. He loosened the ropes around her and checked her over but found no injury that could be causing her agony. The last of the men hurried away from them.

Malachi stepped over, putting a hand on Cole's shoulder. "I'm sorry about that. It isn't supposed to affect animals. There was no time, I had no other option. Let me help."

He kneeled down next to Sky. She began snarling as usual.

Cole kept physical contact on her. "Easy Sky, I know you don't like him. But he will make it better. I watch out for you."

Sky made a whine and Cole gave him a nod to continue.

Malachi pulled one of his amulets, a snowflake obsidian, off and slipped it over the still whining dog. It stopped Sky's agony almost instantly.

Cole pulled her tight to his chest. "I got you, baby. It's okay. Everything's gonna be okay."

Malachi got up and stepped back a bit, letting Cole calm his dog before he turned his head to him nodding in appreciation. "What did you do to get them so scared?"

"A little emergency spell I worked into the crystal. It causes instant hallucinations of nightmares. Fortunately, our rings protect us from the effect. Unfortunately Sky was not protected. I'm sorry about that. You should think about a protection woven into her collar."

Cole blinked at him but eventually nodded. Still too disturbed to show he was grateful. "Who is with George?"

"Ella came and told me I better come out and help you. She stayed with him."

The Knight got up, not taking his hand from Sky in case she still needed comfort. "You're full of surprises, Harris. Thank you for saving us. You know, maybe you could help me apply those crystals to her collar. George said you are pretty skilled. He talks a lot about you. I guess I should have listened to him."

MALACHI

He was surprised Cole was speaking to him. Usually there was not much more than a grunt or an order; sometimes it was only an insult or, on better days, indifference. To hear even a 'thank you' from Tanner's lips was surprising to say the least.

"Uhm, sure. In the time being, you need to make sure she doesn't lose the crystal I gave her. The effect will last for a few hours yet."

Cole nodded, turned to his horse, and mounted up. A whistle was enough and Sky jumped up too, where she was caught by Tanner like a trained circus duo Malachi had seen once. He wondered if Sky was really a simple half-breed wolf or if she was something more.

"You better go back to George. I want you at his side when he wakes up. I'll be back with the others as fast as I can." Tanner didn't wait for a reply and spurred his horse out of town.

Well, it didn't take Tanner long to fall back to his usual habits of ordering him around. Malachi shook his head. Heading back into the saloon he took a seat next to his father, waiting hopefully for him to wake up.

*** WWT - prequel ***

A few days later, Wilmington Ranch

DANIEL

"You sure you can travel like that, George?" Daniel asked the former Advisor. He was not comfortable with him already leaving.

When Cole first told them about what had happened, Daniel had feared the worst. Thankfully George recovered pretty well from the shoulder wound. A few inches deeper and it would have been the last card game for the old dog. But George was right, the Summers had to know about Bastian. He had written a long letter to Eva and Robert and packed the few personal things from Bastian that had been in his room. His mother would want to have them.

Now the Guardian sighed deeply as he stood in the yard with the others, gathered around George.

Bill, a man from Canaan, had offered to take him to Fort William. Bill's schooner stood waiting in the yard. From Fort William on, George would ride with another party to Liberty before he headed further east.

George's red kite, Milo, screamed from above, sailing a few rounds over them before landing on his outstretched arm. "Don't worry boys. I'll be fine. You make sure you get along without me." He shot Cole and his son Malachi a look before smiling. "I'll send Milo with news."

The former Advisor pulled each of the boys into a tight hug. When he pulled Daniel tight he whispered to him. "You keep an eye on those two. They bump heads as soon as I turn my back on them. Even me getting shot didn't help much." George gave him a pat on the shoulder.

Daniel nodded, his voice betraying him. It felt like he was losing the last connection to the old Triad - and therefore to his father.

He remembered the words Wade had told him on his deathbed, 'It's time for the new Triad, son. You will soon start the adventurous journey that is destined only for you.'

With a heavy heart he let George go. Their time had already begun. He was curious what was in store for them on their own.

The End

A/N: This is pretty much the last prequel story. If no one asks about a certain topic to be told, I will no longer bother you with the timeperiod. A Brotherhood story with Caleb and Dean is in work and will probably attract more readers.

Really sad that no one left a review on this story so far. Maybe I jumped over the shark with Cole's depression and insecurities this time.

If you should feel like telling me anything about how you liked (or disliked) the story; go on. Hope dies last, right?