Hello and welcome to the next chapter of Swordmen of the west! Were back as the gang are going to visit an old friend that going to cause trouble. So let get right to the action. Disclaimer: I don't own any of the series that appear in this story. They all belong to their respected creators. On with the show!
Recap
Last time on Swordmen of the west: The gang were taking things easy as they were adjusting to life in the camp. Hosea wanted to go hunting for a large bear he saw. Arthur, Kirito, Sinon, Yuuki and Silica went with to help him out. They stop by Valentine to get Arthur a new horse and supplies for the hunt. Once they got to where Hosea spotted the bear they learn a bit bout the gang past. The next day they set out to track the bear as they pick up it trail. But things took a turn as they learn that the bear was really a demon bear from SAO. They were able to take it down as they try to figure out how Death gun was able to bring the SAO monster to life.
Tales of Tamers Xilla
Dimensional Tales
Swordmen of the west
Chapter 9
Paying a social call
Asuna Pov: It been a few days since Kirito and the others went on that hunting trip. To think they would run into another SAO monster out there. I just glad they made it back in one piece, but still how is it that Death gun is bringing all of these monster to life. Someone must be helping him do it, question is who. Right now was walking around camp with Lizbeth as we spot the man we capture back on the mountain. Kieran I think his name is. "I can't believe that guy is still tie up like that?" Lizbeth ask. "From what I hear he part of a gang that is rival to this one. They been fighting for years. Dutch want to see if he can get anything useful out of him. But so far all the guy does is beg for mercy." Is aid feeling bad about this situation. "It just how things are Asuna." Kirito said as he came over to us. "Since coming here we all have to do things were not proud of." He said. 'Maybe so Kirito, that doesn't mean we have to like it." I said. We notice Arthur went over to Kieran to talk to him.
"When's this going to end…" Kieran ask. "You got some speaking to do of your own… about that old gang of yours." Arthur said as we walk over. "I said… I told you… I don't know nothing." Kieran said. Arthur sigh. "That's what I thought." He said as Dutch and Bill came over. "Whoa, hold your horses there… it seems the cat has got our friend here's tongue. I was thinking Mr. Williamson could have a word." Dutch said. "You ready to talk boy?" Bill ask as he was ready to beat Kieran to a pulp. "And we resolve this with out you beating him to death." I said. "Only if he feels like talking miss Asuna." Dutch said. "I told you mister… I told all of you. I don't know nothing, okay? They-They ain't no friends of mine. I just been ridden with them for a while." Kieran said. "Horseshit. You see, we heard that part… so how about you tell the truth. Dutch, what do you want me to do?" Bill ask. "Hurt him. So the next time he opens his mouth… it is to tell us what is going on. Ah… who am I kidding? One of O'Driscoll's boys couldn't open his mouth… but he'd tell a lie. Screw it. Let's just have some fun… geld him." Dutch said.
Geld him what that suppose to mean? I got my answers when Bill laughs excitedly and ran off. Kieran started to panic as Dutch walk to him. "What's he doing? Where's he going?" He ask. "Oh, don't worry… they're only balls boy… just gonna cause you trouble. You know, in Imperial Rome… eunuchs was among the happiest… and most loyal of courtiers." Dutch said as he pull down Kieran pants to reveal his privates causing us to look away in disgust. Bill return with a pair of large tongs. "Oh god your cutting his nuts off, what in the hell!" Lizbeth shout in shock. "Kirito do something." I said. "I don't know Asuna if nothing else works." My husband said as he lean against a tree. I don't believe this. "You sick bastards! What do you want from me?" Kieran ask as he struggles. "Well, you are going to talk. The only question is now… or after we got these little fellers off?" Dutch said as Bill snap the tongs at Kieran groin. "Okay! Okay! Listen. I know where O'Driscoll's holed up… and you're right… he don't like you… any more than you like him. He's at Six Point Cabin." Kieran said as he gave in.
Bill look disappointed as he lower the tool. I left out a breath of relief. "I'll take you there… I don't like him. I mean, I like him even less than I like you. No offense." Kieran said. "Oh, none taken." Dutch said with a grin. Arthur move to untie Kieran from the tree. "Okay then, partner. Why don't you take a few of us up there… right now." He said as he look to Dutch. "I got this, Dutch. Should be fun. Alright you… come on… let's go." Arthur said as he stove Kieran forward. 'We might as well go too." Kirito said. 'Yeah, I want to make sure this doesn't get out of hand." I said. "Same here." Lizbeth said. "Let's both hope you ain't trying to trick us, O'Driscoll." Arthur said. "I ain't no O'Driscoll." Kieran said as we walk through camp. "But you sure as shit was. John, Bill, come here… we got a social call needs making." Arthur said as John and Bill came over. 'What going on?" Sinon ask as she came over. "Were going to track down the O'Driscoll leader and pay him a visited." Kirito said. 'Ready now, then count me in. Yuuki busy with the kids and I need something to do." She said.
We got to our horses to mount up. "Where we heading?" Arthur ask. "Up into the hills behind Valentine. I'll show you." Kieran said. "John, you take this little rattlesnake with you… any nonsense, kill him." Arthur said making Kieran glup for his life. "Sure. He taking us to Colm? " John said as he got Kieran onto his horse. "That's what he says. Come on." Arthur said as we rode out of the camp. "I'm taking you to him. Look, I-I-I'll give you more directions, when we're close, but if I know where we are, it's up past Valentine." Kieran said. "Alright, I'll lead. Sharing saddle with an O'Driscoll. Who'd have thought." John said. "How many times I gotta say? I ain't an O'Driscoll." Kieran said. "You sure look like one and… you smell like… goddamn. You smell like one too." John said. "I smell like horse shit." Kieran said. 'Damn right you do, when was the last time you bathe." Lizbeth said as she held her nose. "I been tie to a tree for weeks miss." He said. "Morgan. You got throwing knives in your saddle bag. Dutch said you might… I was asked to give them… and I'm doing you the further courtesy of telling you about it." Bill said.
"Next time you wanna give me something, how about you give it to me? Stead of hiding it somewhere, hoping the opportunity comes up to mention it." Arthur said. "Last goddamn favor I do you." Bill said annoy. "Kieran are we getting close to the spot?" I ask as we arrive near Valentine. "I-I-If I got my bearings, it's over here. Yeah… I know this country, take this track up through the rocks." He said as we head up a path past the rocks. "How you holding up, John?" Arthur ask. "Fine. Still ain't right, but I'm fine." John said. "You damn well should be after all that bed rest." Arthur said. "Hey, alright, Abigail wouldn't let me up… you know her… she won't be reasoned with. It was thanks to Asuna that 'im still alive." John said. "I was happy to help." I said. "Yeah Asuna healing magic do wonders for us. With all the times Kirito tend to rush head first into danger." Lizbeth said as Kirito roll his eyes. 'I do not." He said. "Yes you do, rushing into the world tree and get own by an army of guards ring any bells?" I ask. He bow his head. "Leafa told you about that didn't she?" He ask.
I only smirk. "Well, when you was having a failure of reason… and hiding behind your woman… we were getting shot at." Arthur said. "And I'd do the same for you… if you was in a bad way…" John said. "I hope so, but I fear you don't know how to help anyone… excepting yourself." Arthur said. "You see, O'Driscoll? If this is how he treats his friends, imagine what he does to his enemies." John said. "I got an inkling of what you all do to your enemies where you put those gelding tongs to my parts." Kieran said. "Bill, you still got those tongs?" Arthur ask as Kieran look back at him. "I got a knife. Won't be so clean, but it'll do the job." Bill said. "Ok can we stop talking about cutting off his balls, I swear it like hanging out with Klein." Lizbeth said as she shook her head. "Keep that in your mind, young feller. Right at the forefront of it." Arthur said. "I swear… I promise. I'm taking you to Colm as best as I can. You'll see. I'll make good. Those are the hills. Head for 'em." Kieran said as we came to a few hills.
"Save your horses, we got a climb, boys." John said as we move to the hills on foot. "Ah trees, why can't we just go to a nice beach." Syakomon said as she floated next to me. "Sorry Sya-chan, I promise to take you to Kijara when we get back." I said. "Excuse me how is this clam talking?" Kieran ask. "Mister I am a beauty of the deep and you will show some respect!" Syakomon shout as she snap her shell at him making him back up. "Yes maem." He said. "Word of advice Kieran don't insult the clam." Kirito said as he recall the time when we first met out Digimon. "You know… you all ain't that different from the O'Driscolls." Kieran said. "What did you just say?" John ask angry. "I been watching you all these weeks and, uhh…" Kieran said. "You been tied to a tree… you don't know nothing about this gang…" John said. "Yeah, well, I'd… I'd say you don't know much about the O'Driscolls… but maybe I know more about you than you know about them… and I know all about them. so…" Kieran said.
"Like what?" Kirito ask. "Tell us then… how we like those mongrel dogs?" John ask. "You're outlawed like them… you're out to survive like them… you live rough… you live hard… fighting the law… nature… you're out for yourselves…." Kieran said. He then turn to look at us. 'As for you lot, you seem to be out of place and want to go home. Or at least what the little girl said to me." He said. "You talk to my daughter?" I ask as I glare at him. "Well she was nice to me so there that." He said trying to defend himself. "How mature trying to get a little girl to vouch for him." Sinon said. "See? This is why you're an O'Driscoll, O'Driscoll. You're out to survive… we're out to live… free. Colm's a sneak thief and a killer… Dutch is… Dutch is more like a teacher." John said. "From where I been, you just look the same is all…" Kieran said. "Ok that enough out of you, Asuna were going to need to talk to Yui about talking to strangers." Kirito said. "That we do." I said. "Boys, we're almost on 'em. Now… who knows if this son of a bitch we got with us is talking true… but if it's what he says it is… and Colm O'Driscoll's here… we can end years of fighting. Here and now." Arthur said.
"Amen to that." John said. "Hear, hear." Bill said. "I swear, this is where he…" Kieran said. "Oh stud up." John said. No one say anything for a bit until Kieran spoke up. "Okay, now now cut left up here. W-We go down the hill, into the forest." He said as we head into the forest. "So what our plan to deal with these guys?" Lizbeth ask. "We're going in quiet, taking them out as we find him, trying not to set things off. But if we do… We move quick and hard. We settle this like we know how. Okay?" Arthur said. "Okay by me." John said. "With you, Morgan." Bill said. "Were good to go." Kirito said as I nod. "Let do this." Lizbeth said. 'Through the trees here. Hey, we're real close. I'd leave your horses the other side of this clearing…" Kieran said as we got off our horse and head in on foot. We move in as we found a cabin in the woods. "The cabin's in the clearing down there. There'll be a bunch of fellers hiding out there too." Kieran said. "Are these fellers armed?" Arthur ask.
"Armed. Drunk. Wary of strangers." Kieran said. "Hm were have to be careful when going in." Sinon said. 'And Colm O'Driscoll?" Arthur ask. "Oh, he'll be holed up in his cabin. Be passed out, booze blind, likely as not." Kieran said. "Over there someone coming." Bill said as we move out of sight as a trio of O'driscoll came walking by. John grabs Kienan and puts the revolver to his head to keep him quiet. One of them stop to pee on a tree. Uh gross. "What are we going to do about the pisser Morgan?" Bill ask. Arthur took out a throwing knife as he threw it at the man hitting him in the back of the head killing him. We saw the other two as Kirito and I nod to each other. We move quickly as he thrust this sword into one and I slam the handle of my to one neck to knock him out. We saw one more on a log as John got behind and stab the man with a knife a few times. "Okay, now what? We're at the perimeter." John said. "Wait on my mark… I'm going to take a look at these boys." Arthur as he shot at one of the O'driscolls getting the rest attention.
We move it as the fight started. Arthur, John and Bill hold their positions as they shoot at the outlaws. Kirito ran forward as the bullets fly past him as he evade them. "Double circular!" He shout as he swung forward to knock several of them back. "Jamming thunder!" Vielecmon shout as he shot the burst of purple thunder at them shocking them. I stood before one as I ready my self. 'Hello darling how about you and I go somewhere private." He said with a perverted grin. "Sorry I'm spoken for Liener!" I shout as I thrust my sword into him to make him fly into the trees. "Black pearl!" Syakomon shout as she shot her pearls to pelt at them while some of them trip on them. Sinon was on the hill as she was sniping them as they drop like flies. Lizbeth use her mace to smack one upside the head and then struck on in the stomach. She saw a 3rd trying to run as she threw it as it hit him in the back of the head. 'Bull eye." She said as she pick up her weapon.
"That's it. They're turning tail!" John said as the last of them turn tail and ran away. "What bunch of wimps." Lizbeth said. "Leave 'em. Colm's still here." Arthur said. "Let check the cabin and drag him out." Kirito said as he me and Arthur went to the cabin. But once Arthur went to open the door it was kick open as Arthur was knock to the ground. A man holding a rifle came out as he aim at the down Arthur. I was about to move as the man was suddenly shot dead by Kieran. We look at him surprise as Arthur got up. 'You ok?" Kieran ask. 'I'm fine thank you." Arthur said as he look inside and saw no one else was here. "Come here! you set us up!" He shout at Kieran making him walk to us. "You did, Colm O'Driscoll ain't here!" He said. "He was here, I swear, I sw… If I was setting you up…" Kieran said. "Not to mention he did save your ass so give the guy a break." Lizbeth said. "The girl got a point Arthur." Bill said. Arthur sigh. 'Alright then, go on, get out of here. get lost." Arthur said.
"Get lost?" Kieran said. "He telling you to go dude." Sinon said. "That's as good as killing me. Out there… without you… Colm O'Driscoll's gonna lose his mind about this. No I'm one of you now." Kieran said. Arthur groan in annoyance. "Give me a break. Alright then. But I'm warning you…" Arthur said as the two of them head into the cabin. The rest of the gang went to loot the bodies as our group head to the horses. "Well that was eventful." I said.; "Yeah, shame we didn't get Colm." Sinon said. 'Were bound to run into him again. For now let finish up here and head back to camp." Kirito said. I nod as I felt a chill up my spine. "You alright Asuna?" Lizbeth ask. "I'm fine thought I felt someone watching us." I said as we got on the horses and rode of. Normal Pov: Unaware the gang were being watch by a pair of cloak figures. "There they are you remember your mission correct 112?" A red cloak figure ask the one in white. "I do master, I'm to recover the crests from them." 112 said in a girl voice.
"Good, don't let your past with Kirito get in the way, as you see he have move on from you. but do as your told and you will get what I promise you." Red cloak said as he walk into a black portal and vanish. 112 continue to watch the gang as they rode off. "Kirito-kun, forgive me for what I'm about to do to you." She said as she vanish from sight.
Chapter end
Preview
Vielecmon: We get some troubling new about one of the gang as we run into a figure from Kirito past. Next time on Swordmen of the rest: Chapter 10: A hollowful reunion. Kirito just who is this person?
And that is if for the chapter folks. Sorry for the short fight, most of them are going to be short or so base on what I have to work with. Next time Kirito is going to get a blast from the past. Stay tune to find out what happen next. Until then this been Crimson Dragonic blazing out!