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X.O.X
Friday, 21th May, 1869
One Day Later
X.O.X
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Colleen waited until Michaela had closed the door on her way outside, before she turned to her younger brother, trying to get him ready for school.
"Brian, how could you be so stupid!" Colleen yelled, pulling Brian's vest over his shoulder's roughly.
"Weren't stupid! 'Sides she'll get the most money and then the play'll be even better," The ten-year old defended, having informed his mother and sister of the auction only minutes before over breakfast.
"Dr Mike can't be in the auction Brian, and you shouldn't a just asked her like that. No wonder she got upset," Colleen sighed, almost beyond words at her younger brother's seeming insensitivity.
"She didn't get upset," Brian tilted his head towards the back door.
"She was just bein' polite, Brian. Probably didn't wanna burst into tears in front a ya. She's doin' everything she can to hold it together for you and you just keep expecting more!" Colleen yanked his vest closed around his chest, turning away, a hand brushing her face, too exasperated to finish doing up the buttons.
Brian stood, his feet frozen to the floor. He'd never heard Colleen so mad at him before, and he still didn't even understand why.
"Want me to finish cleaning up the table?" He lowered his head, carefully beginning to stack the plates around the table.
"Leave it, Brian, just," Colleen turned back towards the table; her body drooped, letting out an exasperated huff.
Letting the plates drop slightly too loudly back to the table, Brian jogged hastily across the room, disappearing through the back door.
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X.O.X
~.~
"Mornin', Dr Mike. You all right?" Matthew noticed Michaela crossing the garden from the outhouse, looking noticeably uncomfortable.
"Is the wagon ready?" Michaela changed the subject swiftly, smoothing out her skirt over her petticoat.
"Just about, although Brian'll probably still want to ride Taffy," Matthew chuckled, rolling his eyes as the blond boy came hurtling out from the homestead.
"You all ready? That was fast," Michaela paced over to him, assuming he'd notice her and respond.
"Brian?" She repeated, the boy continuing to run past her towards the barn.
"What's with him?" Matthew frowned, witnessing the little display. Michaela held her glance on the barn door as it slammed closed behind him, shaking her head.
"I don't know." She picked up the edge of her skirt, gesturing for Matthew to continue preparing the horses.
"Brian, sweetheart? Where are you?" Michaela frowned, arriving into the barn and checking the horse's stalls one by one, Scout and Flash the only two left by this stage.
"Ma?" The boy's frail voice was eventually audible, Michaela shifting her head from side to side to locate him.
"Brian, Matthew's ready to leave," she continued, still not managing to find him.
"I ain't goin' to school," Came the sullen reply, Michaela eventually pin-pointing Brian's location; the hayloft.
"That's not like you, you seemed excited about the play before?" Michaela gestured with her left arm back towards the homestead.
"Well I ain't now," Brian trailed off, pieces of hay slowly drifting downwards towards the ground.
"Sweetheart, if you wish to talk, you can come down here and we'll talk," Michaela, quickly deciding she wasn't capable of climbing up there again, raised her head, hoping Brian would relent easily.
"Nah, stayin' up here," The boy threw another clump of hay over the edge, Michaela becoming suspicious that he was actually aiming them at her.
"Brian, if you don't stop doing that, Matthew won't have anything to sleep on tonight. Please, you know you can talk to me," Michaela, after rubbing her eyelids tiredly, began brushing the straw from her hair.
"I just don't wanna go back to school, kids are bein' mean," Brian tentatively crawled to the edge of the loft, ensuring Michaela was still there.
"Well, have you told the Reverend?" Michaela frowned, stepping forwards to rest her arms on the rungs of the ladder, trying to maintain eye contact with her son.
"Yeah, he was there, he stopped 'em," Brian responded, feeling hesitant to discuss yesterday's events with Michaela. As much as he had been brought up knowing he could talk about anything with his family, he didn't want to hurt his mother's feelings by informing her of the name-calling the day before. Subsequently, the young boy found himself caught between wanting to talk things out and be comforted, however being sensitive enough to not want to be specific.
"Well then, it shouldn't be a problem anymore," Michaela crossed the barn to reach Flash's stall, sensing they'd reached a resolution.
"Hello, girl," she smiled, brushing the hair along Flash's nose softly, receiving a nudge of recognition from the mare.
"Ma? You shouldn't call people names, right?" Brian's voice was slightly louder this time, Michaela turning to see him descending down the ladder.
"No, you shouldn't, Brian." She kissed Flash's nose slowly, turning to meet Brian as he arrived back on the ground.
"But but what if someone's saying something bad about someone and it's true?" He checked his pockets, pulling out his new pocketknife, and fidgeting with it.
"Well, ah, if it's hurting them, then they still shouldn't say it," Michaela tried to focus on Brian's face, however he was consumed with his new present, and kept drawing her attention away.
Brian continued flicking the blade of the knife from the handle for several moments, Michaela determining he'd had enough time to calm down.
"Well, Matthew's got Taffy all ready," she prompted, leading Brian towards the door.
"Maybe I shouldn't go." He paused in the doorway looking between his horse and Michaela, who stood behind him. "You'll be here all alone," Brian dropped his head, his reasoning a careful mixture of sincerity and manipulation.
"I'll be fine," Michaela rolled her eyes, pushing him gently through the door and into the yard.
"He all right?" Matthew crossed the yard to Michaela's side as Brian went inside to collect his books.
"Yeah, I think. Mentioned some trouble at school, doesn't seem to want to talk about it though," Michaela shrugged, Matthew nodded knowingly.
"Maybe just not with you," he replied, his voice slow and thoughtful, however trying to convey his underlying meaning.
"I," Michaela trailed off, her jaw dropped in sudden realization. She watched silently as Brian exited via the front door, neglecting to say goodbye as he mounted Taffy and began to walk off away from the homestead.
"Hey, Brian! Seeya, Dr Mike," Matthew put his hat back on his head quickly, as Colleen appeared on the porch.
"Let's go," Matthew gestured to Brian's diminishing figure, Colleen quickly climbing up into the wagon, Matthew joining her and starting the horses.
"Have a good day!" Michaela smiled warmly, watching as the horses began their familiar journey from the homestead.
Waiting until the wagon was out of sight, Michaela turned and stepped back inside the now empty homestead. Her upper body rested momentarily against the door as she closed it, before she pushed herself away, gazing around at the few dishes still left on the table.
Realizing she had at least seven hours of uninterrupted silence, Michaela began the ritualistic task of cleaning up the plates and cutlery from breakfast, grateful for the distraction.
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X.O.X
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He had remained hidden in the bushes surrounding the homestead for over an hour now, watching Michaela and the children as they had eaten breakfast and prepared to leave for the day. Stroking the head of the Wolf standing quietly beside him, Sully continued to watch in silence as the wagon departed, Michaela pacing back along the porch, and disappearing from his sight.
Sighing, Sully longed to go to her. He knew he couldn't. Just looking at her again, reminded him of everything he'd seen the day before. As much as he wanted to assure her he was there for her, he feared she would still not want to see him. Not feel comfortable around him. Although she'd told him she didn't blame him, Sully wasn't sure he believed it, after all, he blamed himself; he had failed in his promise to her, to the children in not being able to protect her when she needed him. This thought again brought images from the tepee to his mind, and shrugging, he looked back down at the wolf who had saved his life only a week before.
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X.O.X
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Pouring the left-over dishwater over the garden, Michaela looked up sharply. She'd felt it for several minutes now, a depersonalized feeling that someone was watching her. Leaning the metal basin against the side of the homestead, she ran her eyes over her surroundings, her head moving slowly. Looking down, she patted Pup's head as he lay dozing in the sun beside her. As her fingers ran over his smooth fur she was sure of it. Sully. Her gaze returning to the bushes and trees as far as she could see, she couldn't make him out. Dropping her head back down as she reached for her skirt, Michaela realized of course that she'd never know for sure even if he was there. However, it hadn't been that long ago she'd been sure of his presence nearby, and been wrong. The single memory enough to trigger a stream of events in her mind, Michaela running back quickly towards the confines of the homestead, her breathing heavy by the time she slammed the back door behind her.
Feeling her head touch the wooden door, Michaela dropped her eyes, her hands drawn to her face as moment by traumatic moment flashed its way through her conscious mind.
"No," she whispered, willing the intrusive sights, sounds and sensations to cease. Taking several steps across the room, she found herself encircling the homestead, her gaze drifting from familiar items in a desperate attempt to distract herself. Crossing the room, Michaela arrived at the small table of photos and books. Her teeth clenched tightly in her mouth, she ran the tips of her fingers along the photograph of David, her eyes however locking instantly to the photograph beside it; her father.
Aware of her mouth drying just thinking of him, Michaela was unable to deny the plummeting belief that she'd let him down. As she stared at the picture gripped tightly in her left hand, Michaela reflected on what her life had been whilst her father had been alive. It was a different world. A world in which her determination, independence and non-conformity had been the subject of many disagreements amongst her mother and sisters, however a world in which she'd been secure and protected, if not accepted. It was also a world Michaela knew she could never go back to now; a world in which women like her were ostracized and scorned. A bolt of terror ran through her instantly. Had her family been informed of her abduction? Did they know?
Placing the frame gently against the top of the cabinet, Michaela was torn from her thoughts by the sound of a howling from outside. Moving quickly to the window, she could barely see Pup in the distance, running from the bushes. About to reach for the door to call to him, Michaela saw the familiar head of brown hair emerge over a hundred feet away, fading into the distance, the older wolf by his side.
Looking down at her hand resting on the door, Michaela thought of going after him, however realization dawning on her that had he wanted to see her, he'd have made his presence felt. She could no longer expect that he would want to be with her, not as they had been. He'd agreed to help with the children, however Michaela knew that that was the most she could ever expect. If only she'd known he was alive.
Waiting until he faded from view completely, she dropped back to the edge of the bed, reminding herself she'd promised Colleen she'd take it easy today. Rolling over onto her side, Michaela gazed once again at the collection of photos across the room, unaware of her eyes falling closed.
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X.O.X
~.~
"Oh, Colleen, I," Becky had waited until the Reverend had dismissed them for recess, the two girls walking silently around to the back of the schoolhouse, before she engulfed her friend in a tight hug.
They'd exchanged small glances all morning, Colleen finding it nigh-on impossible to concentrate, looking from Brian's forlorn expression, to the pointing and snickering from the likes of Benjamin Avery, she'd reached beside her to squeeze her best friend's hand more times than she could count in the last two hours.
"I just don't know what to do. I can't stand being here, all the boys talking 'bout us. Bein' home ain't any better though," Colleen pulled away from the embrace after several moments, the pair settling themselves on the damp ground at least grateful for the twenty minutes or so of privacy.
"Yeah, you shoulda heard the stuff bein' said yesterday. Brian nearly decked Benjamin," Becky widened her eyes, informing Colleen of the 'Indian whore' event.
"Guess that explains why he was refusin' to go to school again. Can't say I blame him if this is gonna keep up," Colleen gestured to the boys peering around the edge of the schoolhouse to spy on them.
"You guys get outa here!" Becky got to her feet, attempting to shoo the boys away. Benjamin Avery had other plans.
"Colleen, you gotta come quick, Brian's hurt himself, he's 'round the front," Benjamin tried to keep his voice serious and unwavering, watching as the blond girl pulled herself instantly to her feet, the four running around the side of the schoolhouse arriving at the group of children huddled together whispering.
Colleen looked suspiciously between Benjamin and Becky, seeing Brian sitting quietly next to Steven on the steps, looking perfectly normal. About to approach him, she turned her head sharply as the chorus of war cries began being emitted from the five or so boys only twenty feet away.
"What are you," Colleen barely had time to realize what was going on, Benjamin beginning to run straight for her, all the boys following in torment.
"Get her! Get her!" He cried, the boys responding by increasing the volume of their Indian calls, Brian and Steven looking up immediately as Benjamin caught Colleen's arm, pulling her to the ground.
"Benjamin, stop it!," Colleen felt her arm hit the ground hard, suddenly realizing just what the boys were playing.
"Nah, you gotta fight, come on!" The older boy erupted into malicious giggling, arriving on the ground next to her to grip her upper arms, and continue the 'reenactment'. Becky stood, mouth open as the boys crowded around Colleen, receiving the exact response they were looking for when she struggled against Benjamin's grasp. Brian, running across the playground to get to her side, was grabbed quickly by Cal and pushed to the ground, in mocking playfulness.
"Ha! We've got her now and you ain't gonna rescue her!" He planted his foot squarely on the young boy's chest, making it impossible for him to move.
"Benjamin, I mean it. Get off!" Colleen squealed, trying to see past the boys crowded around her.
"If you want me to stop, you're gonna have to make me," he bullied, leaning over her smaller form, his arms still tightly pushed against her shoulders.
"Here, here," Charles took off his belt quickly, handing it to Benjamin.
"Ahhhh, now I've got you!" Benjamin's eyes glistened with mischievous intent, wrapping the belt around Colleen's wrists firmly.
Becky, watched, horrified for a moment, before running inside to get the Reverend's assistance. Brian, his face shielded with his hands, still tried to squirm from Cal's grasp.
"Let her go, let her go!" He pleaded, the boys' prank having the exact traumatizing effect on him that they'd intended it to.
Colleen looked from Brian's struggling form only several feet away, suddenly aware of the firmness of Benjamin's hands on her shoulders.
"Benjamin, please, you're," Colleen tried to remain in control of the situation, refusing to overreact as she knew that was the response they were after.
"You gotta let your little friend here save you," Benjamin looked up, seeing the boys disperse around him as the Reverend ran from the classroom.
Timothy's eyes took in the scene around him immediately, mortification running through every muscle of his body as he approached the group.
"What the hell are you children doing!" He bellowed, not even aware of his strong language until several children around him gasped. Glancing upwards he begged apology instantly, waiting for the older children to react to his voice.
Benjamin got quickly to his feet, pulling Colleen up with him as he untied her hands and handed the belt back to Charles. Cal too, removed his foot from Brian's chest, the small boy remaining perfectly still, no-one aware of the tears running down his cheeks for several minutes.
"We ah, were just mucking around, Reverend," Benjamin helped Colleen brush the grass from her dress, the young girl scowling at him, however refusing to let him upset her.
"Well, that I could see. I'm beyond words, Benjamin. All of you boys, you're all staying back after school today. We're going to have a long-overdue talk." He gestured to the half a dozen boys surrounding Colleen and Brian, no-one really aware of the young boy's presence until he rose to his feet, running frantically back across the meadow towards the main street.
"Brian? Brian! Brian, wait!" Colleen tried to run after him, quickly realizing it was hopeless and walking to Becky's side as she wrapped an arm around her friend's shoulders in support.
Timothy motioned for the children to return to the classroom, the whines of complaint failing to register as he looked between each of the Cooper children.
"Reverend, should I go after him?" Steven whispered, tugging gently on his arm.
"No, let him be, Steven. He'll come back when he's ready," the Reverend patted the young boy's back as Steven disappeared inside also.
"Colleen, are you all right?" Timothy approached the girl, who'd remained very calm and quiet over the past several moments.
She shrugged, the three of them watching until Brian was out of sight.
"If you want to go talk to Brian for awhile?" The Reverend offered, excusing her.
"No, he'll probably go home. He's been real upset, Reverend. This ain't what he needed," Colleen whispered, squeezing Becky's hand a final time as they all slowly climbed the steps, the Reverend closing the door gently once they were all inside.
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X.O.X
~.~
"Sully, didn't expect to see you 'round here," Robert E. looked up from the horseshoe he was hammering as the Wolf and his master strode towards him.
"Why?" Sully looked him up and down, suddenly suspicious that his presence may not be welcome.
"Just thought you'd be out with Dr Mike, is all. Didn't mean nothin'," Robert E. perceived the defensiveness in Sully's voice, stopping his work and reaching for his canteen of water.
"Yeah, well, don't know if I'm too welcome 'round there either," Sully folded his arms, leaning back against the wooden fence as Robert E. placed his canteen on the workbench beside him.
"That'll sort itself out, Sully. Just gotta give it some time," the Blacksmith nodded his head thoughtfully, his eyes drifting away.
"Robert E., you were with the men when they found her, weren't you?" Sully scuffed his feet awkwardly against the ground, deciding that of all the men in town, Robert E. was the one he could talk openly with.
"Yeah," he looked up, his dark eyes large and reflective.
"Did you see," Sully trailed off, his heart paining at the memory entering his mind once again.
"I, ah, didn't see much, Sully. We'd been ridin' since Tuesday. Made camp Tuesday night, spotted the dog soldiers camp less than an hour after dawn Wednesday mornin'. Once we knew they're all dead, started searchin'. Horace was the one that found her, maybe you'd best talk to him?" Robert E. consoled, understanding that Sully was trying to, as tactfully as possible, create a picture of the events that had occurred in his absence.
"It's not that. I was there yesterday, I saw," Sully hovered his hand symbolically over his chest for a moment, grateful when Robert E. caught his drift.
"Heard it was bad. Not something you want the likes of Jake Slicker seeing. Heard it's got him pretty uncomfortable, working here all hours of the day and night. People passin' by, get to hear what's goin' on," The Blacksmith gestured around him, looking out towards the cafe, people scattered randomly at tables.
"So, what would you do?" Sully hung his head, his voice dull and dejected.
"What would I do?" Robert E. repeated, slightly confused, the two turning to watch as Grace ran frantically between tables, trying to keep up with coffee demands.
"Yeah, if it was Grace," Sully looked back at his friend, their eyes meeting in understanding, Robert E. moving his head slightly at the thought.
"Sully, you know I've seen my share a troubles, what I been through. Let's just say the life I've had, this ain't all that new to me. Seen stuff like this too many times," Robert E's voice had dropped to a barely audible whisper, his eyes fixed on the ground as Sully noticed the tears begin to appear down his cheeks.
"I didn't know," Sully quickly tried to take back his words, Robert E. however appreciative of the moment of connection between them.
"I ain't told nobody 'bout this, Sully. Not even Grace. Back, 'fore I escaped, I had two youngin'. Raised 'em best I could, but still knew they weren't ever gonna be able to be any more than I was. Just something someone owned, to do with what they wanted. My son was about Brian's age, beautiful boy, smart, honest, worked with me, tried to make it easier for me. His sister, 'round Colleen's age, worked inside with her mother and my owner's wife. One day, just like any other, out working the fields, little Carl came running over. Said Verne told him it was quitin' time. So went back to our quarters for supper. We waited for a fair time. Harriet still hadn't come home. Got dark and I went out lookin'. Asked 'round the farm, no-one'd seed nothin'. She, she was a good girl, Sully. Weren't never late home or nothin'. I knew somethin' weren't right, so I kept on lookin'," Robert E. dropped his hands to his sides, his eyes glassed over reliving the event.
"Finally I got to the barn, 'side the meadow I'd been plowin' all day. Was hard to see in the dark, could only see the blood glistening against the moonlight. Was a full moon, always remembered that," he took a loud breath, tears running down his cheeks as his chest began to shake.
"Saw my little girl's body layin' against the hay, all her clothes torn. He'd killed her. My baby girl. Violatin' her weren't enough, he had to slit her throat as well," Robert E. let his body fall against Sully's, his voice trailing off into sobs of indescribable anguish, his hands trembling by his sides.
Sully, at an utter loss for words, brought his arms around his friend's back, looking up, guilt washing over him for his earlier selfish complaints.
"I'm sorry Robert E." Sully squeezed his arms tighter around the man's grief-stricken form. Robert E. was right, it could have been far worse.
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X.O.X
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The small boy continued running, tears streaming down his face as he crossed over the bridge. Feeling the rough ground under his feet as he arrived on the main street, Brian took several deep breaths, wiping his eyes until the tears were gone, his pace never slowing until he turned the corner into the alleyway next to the clinic and eased into a brisk walk. Arriving at the livery, Taffy greeted him warmly, Brian searching his pockets for some candy, which he fed the mare as he untied her and pulled himself into the saddle.
"Come on, girl. Let's go see Ma," his voice still weak from crying, Brian walked the horse back along the alleyway about to turn into the main street when he saw Sully approaching him.
"Brian, saw you running past Robert E's just before. Something wrong?" Sully rested his arm along Taffy's neck, more to stop Brian moving than anything else.
"Just wanna go home, is all," The young boy looked ahead, his mouth closed tightly as he swallowed any remnants of tears away.
"Well how about you and I go grab a piece of pie first, have a chat. Then you can decide how you feel," Sully suggested, sensing the troubled emotions brewing inside the boy's guarded expression.
"Don't want any, want to go home!" Brian frowned, Taffy turning her head sharply at the increased anger in his voice.
"Hey Brian, hey you can go home, won't try an' stop ya, just wanted to see if I could help ya, thought maybe you'd like to talk?" Sully stepped closer to the horse, managing to slip the reins from Brian's fingers, the boy lowering his head as his eyes welled up with tears again.
"Reckon you'd be all right to talk for a bit?" Sully waiting for the boy's resigned nod before lifting him carefully from the horse, Sully tying Taffy up in front of the Clinic before taking their seats on the bench which ran along the porch.
"Something happen at school?" Sully rested his foot on the edge of the seat, glancing at Brian's non-threateningly.
"Kids are teasin' us. Benjamin's," Brian took a deep breath, pulling at the buttons on his vest somewhat destructively.
"Benjamin is what, Brian? Teasin' ya?" Sully frowned, his eyes shifting along the scenery in front of him.
"Saying bad stuff yesterday. Hurtin' Colleen today," Brian looked in the direction of the schoolhouse before returning his forlorn gaze to the wooden floorboards in front of him.
Sully sighed, suspecting that the children would be on the receiving end of some very heartless comments, although not to the extreme that Brian was indicating.
"Hurtin' Colleen?" Sully turned to Brian, his eyes lowered in seriousness.
The boy nodded and proceeded to tell Sully of the morning's events.
"You're all right? Cal didn't hurt you?" Sully touched the boy's shoulder defensively, worried that Brian may have been injured.
"Nah, weren't that hard," Brian reassured, his legs dangling from the edge of the bench, moving slowly.
"Long as you're not hurt. Sure the Reverend'll talk some sense into 'em," Sully consoled, his mind reeling with disbelief at the thoughtlessness of the schoolchildren.
"And wait 'til Ma finds out. She'll really scream at them," Brian smiled, his face lighting up as he remembered Dr Mike's reaction when she learned Miss Chambers was physically abusing his classmates.
"Ah Brian. Maybe, maybe it'd be best if you didn't tell Dr Mike 'bout this," Sully cleared his throat, running his hand along the boy's jacket as his face melded into confusion.
"But she says I can tell her anythin'. Says we shouldn't have secrets," Brian found himself in a moral dilemma, Sully's words contradicting those of Michaela's.
"That's right, you shouldn't have secrets. But sometimes Brian, there are times where we don't wanna hurt someone's feelin's. Right? Where maybe we don't tell them the exact truth, coz we don't want them to feel bad. Know what I mean?" Sully frowned, hoping he was able to get through to Brian.
"Yeah, like I didn't wanna tell Ma 'bout what Benjamin said yesterday, coz that'd make her feel bad. Even when she wanted me to tell her, I wouldn't," Brian turned more definitely on the bench to face Sully.
"What'd he say, Brian?" Sully leant closer, realization dawning on him that what these children were being exposed to was on a different plane from some harmless schoolyard teasing.
"He," Brian twisted his mouth slightly, looking from the Saloon back down to his chest. "called Ma an Indian whore. But she ain't a whore. Is she, Sully?" The young boy looked up nervously to meet Sully's appalled glare, Brian's face tilting as he waited desperately for confirmation.
"No Brian, of course not," Sully sighed audibly, his left arm wrapping around his knee as he shook his head in disbelief.
"Then why'd he say that?" Brian continued, comforted by the ability to talk about it with someone.
"Well, coz sometimes, Brian, young people hear a word that they don't understand and they think it means something it doesn't. They know it's a bad word, so they use it when they want to make someone feel bad. But what Benjamin said weren't true, Brian. Don't you listen to him," Sully reiterated, Brian appearing satisfied with the response.
"Don't worry, I ain't never listening to him again," Brian concluded, somewhat calmer, although still eager to get home.
"So, fancy some pie, now?" Sully nudged Brian's arm affectionately, assuming the young boy would give in easily.
"Nah, wanna get home." He rose to his feet, crossing the porch to untie Taffy.
"All right, Brian. But any time you need to talk, I'll be around," Sully smiled as Brian mounted the horse and prepared to leave.
"Sully, you're gonna come 'round for supper tonight ain't ya?" Brian checked, assuming Sully would as he was in town.
"I don't know 'bout that, Brian. It's up to ya ma." He distracted himself picking at flakes of wood on a nearby post.
"Aw, but you gotta come for supper. I know Ma'd want ya to. She said she don't blame for what happened. Please, Sully?" Brian begged, Sully seeing the desperation in his eyes.
"Well, how 'bout I drop by later on, if Dr Mike wants me to, I'll stay." He patted the boy on the back warmly, Brian pleased by the compromise.
"Thanks, Sully." He led the horse down the main street, eventually disappearing from sight.