*Author's Note*
Thank you for all the follows, favs, and reviews.
El Oracula
Billy POV:
It was a cold an' bitter winter day. If I had half a brain, I'd be at home keepin' warm by the fire, but ever since my mama's just done gone plum ass crazy, I tend t'keep 'way from the cabin. The fire at the my still was cracklin' an' providin' some heat, but the cold was still nippin' at my nose tho. I was sittin' on the ground right in front of the fire, letter from Mary in my hands. Yes, her letters weren't constant cause of bein' so closely watched by Granny Delize, but at least I managed t'get another one t'day. At least I knew she'd write me when she could.
I couldn't help, but to chuckle as I read her letter.
Dear Billy,
Oh my goodness, you wouldn't believe the things that I've gone through lately. I mean I hardly believe them myself. First off, the day before Thanksgiving I had to go turkey hunting with Granny Delize. Granted, I just followed behind her and watched, but I still had to go. She even had the nerve to tell me that next time we need a turkey I'm going to be the one shooting it. Me! Oh dear lord, I think she's going to switch the Christmas menu from ham to turkey too. Oh, lord be with me and give me strength. I don't want to go hunting, that's a man's job. Why ever should I have to trek through high brush and fields for to hunt when I can just send a man out to do it for me? Hell, just because she's too mean to get a neighbor to hunt for her doesn't mean that's not the case for me.
And if that wasn't bad enough, Shaw brought the family plus Cotton over for Thanksgiving. Not because he missed me and wanted to see me, no… He did it cause he got into a tiff with Devil Anse over caring for Cotton and didn't want to face him at the large Hatfield holiday dinner table. My brother hasn't changed one bit either. In fact, I think he's gotten worse in a way. Shaw's not that much of a doting daddy on Endor anymore and I think it has a lot to do with the fact that the little redhead boy looks just like your brother. The more Endor grows the more its evident that he's Tolbert's son. Even makes pissy faces and has an attitude too. He tends to smack Shaw on the shoulder or poke him if he's being ignored, but my brother doesn't do anything other than ignore Endor or shove him over to either Cotton or Jessa.
Oh, yes, it seems that Cotton's my brother's new pet. Mhm, Shaw's got a soft spot for him since he's slow and an orphan. He's spending more time with him then with Endor. Hell, the only time Shaw's spending with Endor is when Cotton wants the boy to be with them when they're playing checkers or sitting and talking. Shaw's always retaken his shining with his firstborn and trueborn son, Silas. Not that I'm surprised. Lydia's looked after by Todd since Endor's Jessa's favorite and Shaw doesn't really give a shit about any of the kids, other then Cotton and Silas that is.
And how did I observe all of this over one day, you might ask. Well, unluckily for me, my brother and his family stayed the entire weekend and didn't leave until Monday morning, so I had plenty of time to study things. Also, it seems that sometimes when Jessa looks at Endor she gets this look on her face that a mix of both sadness and happiness. I think that when she looks at him, she thinks about his poppy. Tolbert.
Well, other then hunting and dealing with my family for thanksgiving I've been learning how to make and stuff homemade pillows and down blankets with feathers. That's a boring task. One I reckon I need to know how to do, but I don't see why a regular quilt or crocheted blankets can't do. I mean that's all I ever grew up on so…
Anyways, I enjoyed reading your last letter. It made me feel like I wasn't alone since we're both dealing with outlandish family issues right now. I hope you don't freeze to death up at the still of yours since this winter's supposed to be a cold one. Not as cold and snowy as last year, but cold enough to be bad. Just try and start building a cabin if you really can't live with your folks. I'd hate to lose my only friend due to frostbite and freezing to death.
Your Friend,
Mary
I shook my head, a line of a smile ghostin' my lips, as I folded up my letter an' shoved it into my pocket. Of course, Mary's more concerned 'bout my health then her loneliness. I have to admit tho that readin' the part 'bout her learnin' to hunt was humorous. Only she'd miss the concept her tough as nails granny's trying to instill in her. Ya know, the whole if ya don't work ya ain't gonna et thing. Boy oh boy, I see tryin' to toughen her up's gonna be a hoot. Reckon if she was still at her brother's she wouldn't need toughened up, but since she's wit' Granny Delize she needs to get tough or else that old hag's gonna break her spirit. Tough times either make or break people; I hope she's strong an' gets made instead o'bein' weak an' breakin' like the women in my family seem t'do.
I also wasn't surprised to hear that Shaw's tired of Endor. I knew it was only a matter of time 'fore that happened since the boy is Tolbert's only son. Hell, if Tolbert was here right now, he'd be doin' all he could t'see that boy an' be able to raise him. Such a shame that he's 'dead' an' can't be a poppy to his son. From what Mary told me, Jessa's still got some love for my brother in her heart. Love that I'm sure Tolbert could've reawakened if he wasn't 'dead' an' gone.
Tolbert POV:
After weeks of ridin' we reached the halfway point of our journey. Little Rock, Arkansas. It was a crowded city smack dab in the south west. Who would've thought, right? Hell, when I say it was a city, I meant it. It was huge, like somethin' ya'd find out east in Georgia or Carolinas or somethin'. So many buildin's of all dif'rent sizes filled up the place. Like all cities one part was a business district, 'nother was the livin' district full o'houses, appartments, an' boardin' houses, while the other was the red-light district full of whorehouses an' saloons.
Of course, I'm currently in one o'the many saloons in the red-light district. I was sittin' at a table wit' Jose Luis, sharin' a bottle of whiskey wit' him, whenever a forbodin' feelin' of danger ran thru me; causin' my paternal insticts t'flare up. For some reason I strongly felt that my son was in danger an' that I needed t'get t'him as soon as possible.
I must've pulled a look or somethin' t'give 'way my feelin's cause suddenly Jose Luis was givin' me a worried look an' askin', "Is somethin' wrong, Senor Tolbert?"
"All'a sudden I got this overwhelmin' feelin' that my boy's in danger." I told the cook, starin' at the whiskey glass I was holdin'.
"Ah, I see." Jose Luis nodded. Knockin' back his shot an' pourin' himself 'nother one, he tried t'assure me wit' the thickly accented words of, "I'm sure your pretty Senorita's doing all she can to keep your son safe. Don't think so darkly, Senor."
"I can't help, but think darkly, Jose Luis." I sighed, downin' my drink. Slammin' my glass onto the tabe wit' a loud thunk, I explained, "The last time I had such a strong feelin' that somethin' was wrong was on election day; my brothers got themselves kidnaped illegal that day; murdered few days later too."
"Hmm, sounds like you've got el oraculo blood in you." Jose Luis mused while pourin' us some more drinks.
"What?" I asked in a snap, my brows deeply knitted, 'fore I downed my whiskey shot.
After knockin' back his whiskey, he set his glass down on the table an' answered me wit', "You know, blood blessed by old ancient gods that enables a Senor or Senorita to see and feel things a time before they come to pass."
Oh, so all that seer shit's real then? Hell, I always thought it was horse shit. I shook my head an' let out an honest scoff of, "I dunno, s'pose so since folks back in the Tug Valley used t'say my ma was a seer. Poppy said that was heathen hogwash tho.", while takin' my cigarette case (Yea, since movin' west I've taken to smokin' more often then I ev'r did back in the hills) outta my pocket, openin' it, an' pullin' out a cigarette.
"Well, if your mama is a seer then you've got el oracula blood flowing thru your veins; it seems to be making itself known now that your family's involved in a blood feud too." Jose Luis explained to me as I stuck my cigarette in my mouth and put my case back into my pocket for takin' out my matchbook an' lightin' up my smoke.
Takin' my first drag, I sarcastically sighed, "Great…"
"Bein' el oracular is both a blessing and a curse, Senor Tolbert. You better learn how to make peace with it or else you'll be driven mad by the what ifs in life that you should've done."
"Speakin' from experience, Jose Luis?" I asked, takin' a drag off my smoke as whores weaved 'round the tables, lookin' for their targeted customers.
Pourin' us some more drinks, the Mexican cook nodded. I took my drink an' down it from listenin' to him explain, "Mi Abuela was el oracula; told me stories of things she saw and could not prevent that left her with guilt." He knocked back his shot 'fore finishin' up his thoughts wit', "She warned me as she did with all her offspring in order to protect us from the ancient blessed curse."
"God, ya would know all 'bout this seer shit." I shook my head incredulously; tippin' some cigarette ashes into the small ashtray on the table.
"Si." Jose Luis shrugged 'fore goin' on to ask, "Since you've got that dark danger feeling you wanna ride out, Senor Tolbert?"
"Yea, might as well." I nodded, standin' up an' snatchin' the bottle of Black Crowe (that I paid for).
"I pray your dark feeling turns to be nothing, for your son's sake." Jose Luise told me, risin' from our table an' followin' me out of the loud an' busy saloon.
Shaw POV:
It was bitterly cold out as I cleaned off all the saw dust off of the saws (my new job *cough* demotion *cough* ever since I returned to work at the lumber mill a week or so after Thanksgiving week and my spat with Devil Anse) while Skunk Hair was just idlin' standin' by me. It was just the two of us here since I had to clean off all of the work gear and it was his turn to pull weekly night watch duty. At least when I was done cleaning saws (both hand and steam engine powered) I could go home. Skunk Hair on the other hand had to stay in this muddy, bitterly cold loggin' camp all night with just a small fire to keep warm and heat up a pot of coffee with.
"Heard tell from the mailman that the McCoys had their lawyer, Perry Cline, post bounties on us." Skunk Hair told me as I cleaned off the large saw used for cuttin' logs into boards.
Yea, I already knew that Perry did that. I mean I learned about it in my dad's history class so I knew it was comin'; was comin' soon too. Poor Skunk Hair, looks like his days are number since I remember learnin' his was gunned down and scalped by Bad Frank (who wanted to collected a $250 bounty) while doin' night watch duty. But I couldn't tell me coworker that. No, instead I just nodded and let out a simple, "Oh."
"But ya know, I bet Ol' Rand'll an' Perry Cline'll call off the bounties if we bargain wit' 'em for peace." Skunk Hair told me, causin' me to just cock my head an' raise a curious brow at him. What the fuck is he talkin' 'bout? They'd never bargain peace with the Hatfields. Upon seein' my curious look, he told me, "McCoys lost their boys, but I'm sure if we hand 'em ov'r their only gran'son they'll call off the dogs from us."
"WHAT?!" I blurted out, feelin' like I just got hit in the head by a 2x4. What the fuck? He can't seriously be thinkin' 'bout tradin' Endor, Jessa's baby (seriously he was her favorite child by how much she coddled him) to the McCoys in exchange for peace and a discontinuance on the bounties.
"Yea, 'morra mornin' I plan on tellin' Anse 'bout Endor really bein' Tolbert's; that we can trade him to the McCoys for peace." Skunk Hair told me his plan, his tone lettin' on that he thought it was the best idea ever. With a chuckle, he added in, "With how much ya hated Tolbert I'm sure you'll be happy to be rid of his bastard that's his spittin' image."
Even tho I hated Tolbert I promised Jessa that I'd protect Endor. Also, that boy was mine. He had my name of Eldridge and was bein' raised by me. I'd never had him over to the McCoys as some kind of peace offering, as the prized only son of Tolbert McCoy. Like fuckin' hell I'm gonna let Skunk Hair pitch this idea to Devil Anse (who know my luck would run with it).
Without givin' it much thought, I grabbed Skunk Hair by the back of the neck and bashed his head into the saw over and over again in a fit of rage. I had to stop him and the only way to do that was by shuttin' him up. He was gruntin' and screamin' in pain as the sharp saw blade cut deep into his skin (I reckon his skull too) as I smashed his head hard 'gainst the blade. I stopped when he shook and started wheeze. I tossed him onto the ground like a rag doll. He moaned and tried to crawl away while the top of his head was mangled and nearly sliced off.
Hell, Reckon I better just put him out of his misery.
I pulled my pistol from my holster, cocked it, and shot Skunk Hair in the back of the neck. Instantly he stopped movin'. He was dead. Hell, now I need to scalp him, hide him in the logs, and go pay Bad Frank a visit at the whorehouse before I can go home. I let out a sigh and went over to the dead skunk. I rolled him over, shot him a few more times, and scalped him.
I placed the scalp into my saddlebag, cleaned the blood off of the saw blade, finished my work, and hid Skunk Hair in a log pile 'fore ridin' off towards Pikeville.
God, what I don't do to keep my family safe.
I kept my hat tipped low, coverin' my face, as I rode into Pikeville as dusk began to settle in the sky. I chose to hitch my horse on a post in the back of the whorehouse and use the backdoor to enter the buildin' in order to stay unseen. I walked up the back hallway and stood in the dark archway leadin' to the main barroom of the saloon. I took in the layout of the room, lookin' for Bad Frank, only to see him sittin' at the edge of the bar closest to the archway I was in.
"Frank." I simply called to him in a whisper-hiss, causin' him to snap his head in my direction. As soon as he saw me, I waved him over.
Frank just downed his drink, slid off his barstool, and hobbled over to the dark archway. Stoppin' right in front of me, he said, "It ain't too smart of you bein' here. Lawyer Cline and Mr. McCoy's got bounties up; givin' out diamonds for anyone involved in the murder of Pharmer, Bud, and Bobby Belcher."
"Yea, well, I brought ya a bounty to turn in." I told him, pullin' a rag out of my jacket pocke and handin' it to him.
"What is it?" He asked, takin' the bloodied rag from me.
"Tom 'Skunk Hair' Wallace's scalp." I honesty answered as he lifted back a corner of the rag to reveal the black and white streaked hair covered scalp.
"Ya want to split the reward?" He asked, coverin' the scalp back up and puttin' it into his pocket.
"Sure, just bring it by the house." Hey, I wasn't gonna turn down $125. I'd be a fool to.
"Why'd ya do it? Ain't you apart of the Hatfield clan?"
"I'm the Vance Bastard, I'm not apart of anythin' other then the family I made with my wife." I answered with a hard and disgruntled edge to my voice. He just nodded, seemin' to accept my answer. "Now, if you don't mind, I gotta go or else my wife's gonna wonder why I'm late for dinner." I told Bad Frank, biddin' him goodbye, before scurryin' off down the hall towards the back door.
Once out of the saloon, I managed to grab a few wanted posters from a stack on a barrel (reckon whoever was puttin' them up got tired and just left them) and was gonna plant them with Skunk Hair in the log pile so it'd look like a bounty hunter got him during his night watch duty. Quickly, I mounted Tornado and rode off towards Wet Virgina.
Oh, tomorrow oughtta be an interesting day at work. Yep.
AN:
So, Shaw killed Skunk Hair and is in cahoots with Bad Frank. YIKES! Oh, and Tolbert seems to have inherited Sally's 'gift'. Well, at least Billy and Mary are writing nice letters to each other.