Wyoming.
I headed over towards the Cherokee village and talked with a new Native named Shappa. We talked about how he was Sioux and how I lived in Nebraska. We went into the village and talked with the tribe there and how there was nothing new and things were quiet. “Though... A friend of mine was kidnapped.. I have not heard anything about it in a couple of days,” I told her. “I am growing concerned.”
“Who took your friend?”
“I have a pretty good guess...” I looked down.
“Same who took you Trin?”
“I’m steering clear of it. The sheriff in Amiville is handling it and I trust him. But I cannot help but be concerned.”
“Yes, is understandable. Your friend man or woman?”
“He is the circuit judge... He goes where a judge is needed...”
“Oh, is that why they take him?”
“Probably... Who knows.”
“Sorry to say friend, but the white man has brought much violence to this land”
“I know...” I nodded.
“Once peaceful, lived hand in hand with nature. Now shooting, kidnapping, so many bad things. Hurting women and children, this not the Cherokee way. I wish your friend well Trin.”
“Thank you, Ahawi...” I sighed. “I should ride on and see if there’s more news.”
“Thank you for sharing our fire Trin. You are always welcome”
“Thank you for keeping me warm,” I smiled at her and headed out.
Amiville.
I headed into town and saw Sean talking with Avery. We talked for a while with some others who joined us and I asked, “Anybody know of anything being done with finding Clif’s wherabouts? A ransom being paid? Something?”
“I had heard something of it but not what was being done,” Fritha said.
“Well, as far as I know, the ransom was supposed to be taken to Mexico before fifteen minutes ago,” Sean said.
“I’m worried about him... Do you know if it was done?”
“I just crawled out of bed, so no,” Sean told me.
“I’ve really not heard anything about it,” Fritha said.
I went into the saloon and greeted Gramps and got a coffee from him. We talked with people there about the holidays coming up and other news around the town. I wasn’t feeling very social so I stood and said, “Think I’m going to keep heading home.”
“Okay miss Trin, see ya. Did you have a telegraph where you are? If I hear something I could wire you,” Gramps offered.
“Yes Gramps, there’s a telegraph in Wyoming.. Don’t know if there’s one in Nebraska yet.”
“Good. Well I can send a messenger I guess.”
“Thanks Gramps, take care,” I said.
“I did not notice one in Nebraska, Ms. Trin, when I was in the telegraph office the other day,” Gramps said.
“Well we’ll have to do it by wire or pony express maybe,” I said. “I’ll try to be here most days for news anyway,” I said and walked out of town.
Colorado Springs.
I walked through Colorado and saw Adder in front of the church. “Well hey there, Sheriff!”
“Howdy Trin! How are you?”
“I’m doin alright, just makin the rounds. How are things here?”
“Pretty quiet so far. No bandits,” he nodded.
“Good to hear.”
“Mores the pity,” he kicked at a stone.
“Bored huh?” I chuckled.
“Aye, had a few days of gunfights and I’ve got a taste for it again.”
“Some things never change,” I chuckled. “Was quite the gathering at the Inn last night in Georgetown. Surprised nothing happened there.”
“Ol’ Buu was on his best behaviour!” Adder nodded.
“For once,” I winked at him. “His wife wasn’t even there, though he did decline dancing with me. Well, thought it was in the interest of finding out information about this new gang...”
“Aye, I picked up on what that Sam fella said. Anything new?”
“Haven’t been able to meet with him yet. Town was deserted when I walked through,” I shook my head.
“Aye, it happens.”
“Couldn’t resist seeing if you were in town though.”
“Aren’t I always? Well almost always,” he chuckled.
“Well I guess I’ll let you get back to it. Think I’ll head back home. I need to see if there’s been a telegraph sent about Clif...”
“Take care, have a safe journey home,” Adder nodded. “I bet there will be, after Callaghan’s little disaster last night.”
“Hmm?” I raised an eyebrow.
“We were on patrol in Nevada, and that gypsy woman of Tristan’s called to us for help. She’s dragging some man behind her and when she gets closer, who is it? Harley bloody Buu.”
“Oh really? Of course.”
“Seems those two accompanied Callaghan and Rayce on some mission to leave the ransom money or something. To mexico.”
“Really...”
“Any fool could tell thats not the place to go with such a small group and especially when your only decent shot is a raving psychopath!”
“I could have told him that.”
“Aye. Seems the brains of the sheriffs office left town when we did. And I was the brawn. So I don’t know what they’re left with!” he laughed.
“I was obviously the beauty and brains,” I winked at him.
“So true. Never claimed to be,” I laughed. “Guess I should head home in case anything happens with Clif and they try to reach me there. Always good to chat, Taurus. Stay safe.”
“Take care!”
Nebraska.
I paced my room that night worried about Clif. A knock came on the door and I went to open the door, grinning wide. “Clif!” I exclaimed.
“Hey hun.”
“Clif! Oh I’ve been worried sick!” I ran and hugged him tight. “I’ve been waiting for someone to tell me that you were okay.. that you got out... that...” I didn’t let him go.
“The reports of my death are vastly overrated.”
“I was so worried...” I looked at him. “Your death? I never heard those reports. Let’s talk upstairs? I’ll give ya somethin to drink.”
“Well, it seems my kidnappers thought I was no longer in this world. Sounds good.”
“Come on up,” I said, noticing the plural terms he was using.
“Quite the place,” he said and looked around.
“Well thanks! It’s starting to feel like home... What’d ya like? Whiskey? Coffee, tea, water?”
“Coffee please.”
“Have a seat, Clif... You’ve had a long day,” I said, working on the kettle. “I’ve barely heard any details and it’s been kiling me. All I heard was that you were kidnapped, that it was most likely by Cathy, and there was a ransom out.”
“Thank ya,” he said and took a seat.
“I don’t even know how much they wanted or what... Or if she was workin alone... Or why they wanted you...”
“Well, yeah, I finally heard they had some demands.”
I made the coffee and sat down with him, handing him the cup. “So I’m listening,” I started and looked over at him.
“Well, seems when they took me we headed to old Mexico. I remember being blindfolded nearly all the time. Seems they got spooked, cause i remember being moved , I think to Kingsley. They beat the hell outta me.”
“Oh Clif...” I really wanted to ask him who did it but I let him finish.
“I remember that smell, the tunnel at that old fort, when I went to get Stacie.”
“Stacie?”
“Some time ago, Bill was gonna ‘marry’ Stacie.”
“Ain’t that the same fort the Black Brothers were hidin out in?” I raised an eyebrow.
“Mmhmm. I’d bet money on it.”
“I’ve been to that fort... Nasty place.”
“Aye, it is.”
“Every time I ride by it I shudder.”
“I heard only one voice, but it didn’t sound right. Like someone trying to disguise it, but not doin too well.”
“Okay... Wearing a mask maybe?”
“More involved than that. Not just a mask... but I didn’t see anything.”
“I tried to escape there, but got dragged to some place, I reckon in Mexico.”
“Okay...”
“That’s where they beat me one last time.”
“Reckon they weren’t happy that the ransom wasn’t paid.”
“How much was the ransom for?”
“I heard 5000 gold pieces.”
I raised an eyebrow, “They not want anything else?”
“Never figured I was worth that much. Well, I saw the note once I was back into town. The wanted Frank to become mayor.”
“Right,” I laughed. “Let’s hire the brothel owner who is known to associate with outlaws as the town mayor. That makes perfect sense.”
“Yeah, not odd at all, right?”
“I talked with Logan yesterday... They wanted to look into his business and try to derail him. There was even suggestion that I go in and work for him... so I could get information.”
Clif took a piece of paper from his jacket and showed it to me. “Thanks,” I nodded to him and read the note. “They’re idiots.”
“Trin, I wouldn’t like that, He’s a snake,” Clif said in response to their idea.
“Believe me, I know Clif. I was not about to work for him. Though... I would easily get in. He took me there when it was first starting up, just to show me around. We’d just gone on a boat ride out to a picnic.. Something about him rubbed me the wrong way but I always wondered if I could use his flirtatious nature to my advantage.”
“The kicker is they thought I was dead as a doornail.”
“But you escaped somehow...?”
“Yeah, guess they’d gone to tell the town that I’d ‘died’. I was mighty weak, lost a lot of blood.”
“Okay it’s killing me here.. You keep saying ‘they’... It wasn’t just Cathy?”
“Well, I can’t prove it, but I got a feelin the Horsemen were involved.”
“Of course they were... but how many of them?”
“Well, I only suspect Cathy.”
“You only heard one voice..?”
“I got buffaloed,” he rubbed the back of his head.
“Of course it was Cathy, Clif,” I sighed. “She’s always around that town. She’s the only one of ‘em I’ve seen.. I avoid her with a ten foot pole, but I see her.”
“Aye.”
“What are they doing about it, Clif?”
“Well, Logan has to investigate it.”
“Oh wait I’m jumping ahead... Tell me how you got out.”
“Well, I was lying on the ground, figurin it was my time, was chanting my death song, and the Great Spirit sent two horses to me. Clearly it wasn’t my time.”
“Nope, it ain’t your time yet, Clif.”
“I managed to get aboard one, and it took me home.”
“Good horse,” I smiled.
“Aye, the Great Spirit sent it, I can’t deny it. Gramps patched me up.”
“He did eh? Didn’t know he was a doctor.”
“Well, he can do first aid. I’ll have scars. “
“We all have scars...” I traced my forearm with my thumb.
“That we do.”
“I’m just glad you’re alright, Clif. I was worried sick... But I couldn’t get too involved.. Logan wouldn’t allow it. He told me to trust him. And I do but...”
“I know, and I don’t want you getting tangled up with those horsemen.”
“It’s why I moved out here, Clif,” I looked down. “If they do come I can go to Hawk’s village in Kansas East or Chief Bear’s village in Wyoming.”
“I’d rather go to my Father, that have you have to deal with them.”
“I know...” I nodded. “But I couldn’t just...” I started to get emotional and looked away from him.
“Shh... Hun, protect yourself. That’s all I’ve ever asked of you.”
“But it was... and they... and you’re my...”
“And I’m still here. They can’t get rid of me that easily.”
“They’re idiots,” I muttered. “They’re idiots for even trying..”
“Aye, but it was bound to happen. They work on fear, and I’m not going away.”
“And it was bound to happen that Harley would find me and point his gun at me here.”
“Aye. I think you said it right, they’re idiots.”
‘You knew about that?”
“Hun, I am still a circuit riding Judge.”
“Right... you know everything...”
“Not everything, just the important things,” Clif chuckled.
“Bloody marshals didn’t do a thing, Clif. They just stood there, on the other side of the river, and let
him shoot down my friend.”
“Who are the ‘marshals’ here? Clearly I didn’t appoint them.”
“In Nebraska? The ones who can actually do anything but are never here? Dom is a marshal... Brent is a sheriff... There was another deputy sheriff running around here but I forget his name.”
“Brent is a damned idiot.”
“Charles Striker was a marshal... Haven’t seen him in ages either. Honestly Clif my only protection out here are the Natives. I’ve built up a rapor with them.”
“And that is a good thing.”
“If I have any trouble I can go to the left or right. It’s why I moved out here... I knew Hawk’s tribe would be out here... I’ve been going to his tribe for protection and peace since the beginning.”
“Aye, and if nothing else, they’ll be loyal allies. Which is why I try to remain peaceful with them. I know the native ways and have not forgotten them.”
“I may have met a warrior...”
“Oh?”
“He doesn’t belong to a tribe but he’s Native... He was on his vision quest and he says it led him here...”
“Ah, then we have something in common.”
“He wants to be a healer.”
“Sometimes the ancient ways are better,” Clif nodded.
“His name is Lonely Eagle... He says that the eagle keeps circling over my building... Thinks it led him to me...”
“Then the Great Spirit has been protecting you as well,” Clif smiled.
“We go out collecting things to make traps together...” I nodded.
“This is good.”
“But he is often away meditating or hunting alone... I wish he were around more,” I sighed.
“Aye, it is the way of a warrior.”
“Clif I haven’t felt this way about a man since...”
“He will learn that it is good to be here with you. Much as I did with Sol.”
“I hope so... Clif... We found this woman who didn’t know her identity or anything... We took her to Chief Standing Bear’s tribe in Wyoming.... Then we went and looked for the cave where she said she’d been staying. I couldn’t even go in the cave, Clif... It brought back too many... But Eagle... He understood. He stood outside with me and held my hand.”
“I understand.”
“Betty and the dog Manipi went inside to look around.”
“Did they find anything?”
“He never once asked... Never pushed me to go in... He just knew. Yes, they found a few belongings to confirm she was Cherokee.. I think she’s staying with the tribe in Wyoming but I have not seen her since.”
“You have feelings for this warrior?” he smiled.
“I think I do.. I feel as if... I’m holding back though...”
“Then continue to build the relationship.”
“I feel as if my fear of men constantly disappearing on me is holding me from trusting him fully.”
“My dear, you know me to give good counsel, correct?”
“You always do,” I nodded.
“Tell him, tell him how you feel. He must know this... be honest with each other.”
“But we’ve only known each other a short time and I... What if he...”
“Don’t let ‘what if’ rule you. You can’t.”
“But they’ve always...”
“Those are not every man.”
“I feel safe when I am with him, Clif. Protected, cared for...”
“One must go through much poo to find the treasure.”
“When he touches my hand....”
“But my dear, if he makes you feel safe, then he needs to know that. A true Warrior wants to protect, to nurture. Not to destroy.”
“You’re right,” I nodded. “He must know that I appreciate these things about him. And I wish to learn more about his culture...”
“Us men are odd creatures.”
“You can say that again,” I chuckled.
“We see something right in front of us, but we don’t notice it. Sometimes it is helpful to be reminded of it. Sol is a very patient woman and has to remind me at times of our feelings. And when she does, I love her even more.”
“Indeed... I will tell him the next time I see him. Does she know that you’re safe?”
“Yes, I had Red Paint send a wire.”
“Good. If I was as worried as I was, I can only imagine...”
“She’s back east, but keeps up with me.”
“Clif... Being circuit judge you may have heard... Do you know of a new gang in Georgetown?”
“I haven’t heard of one, but they pop up like roaches it seems.”
“Hmm...” I said, slightly disappointed but not surprised. “I met Sam Stillwater last night... He was dancing with Downy at the Spread Eagle grand opening,” I said, chuckling at the name of the inn.
“Isn’t that the weapon merchant?”
“He runs the Pinkerton Investigators. Not sure if he’s a weapon merchant too.”
“Ah.”
“I’ve heard of him in passing in Amiville... And he’d heard of me... In that story of the girl who’d drowned. I’d always wanted to look into the Pinkerton’s... I’ve heard stories from both sides of the coins about them.”
“Ah. Yeah, I’ve heard stories too.”
“He mentioned the new possible gang... But I wanted to know what your opinions were of them. If this goes well, Clif... It could be a good opportunity to sink my teeth into some cases again. I miss the work... I’m so bored to tears out here that I ride around the areas we cover for the paper just to see what’s up.”
“Well, generally the Pinkertons are good at getting their man, the methods are questionable to me.”
“I’m listening...”
“Well, they seem to relish not waiting for warrants.”
“That’s a good thing isn’t it?”
“Yes, and no. If they take someone without a warrant, a good attorney could get their client off. But they do get their man, I’ll give them that.”
“And if there’s a new gang...” I nodded. “Like I said there ain’t much law up here in Nebraska. Or Kansas or Wyoming for that matter.”
“Well, if they are hired here, then it’s up to the local authorities to keep ‘em under control.”
“What local authorities,” I muttered and he nodded. “If I work with them... I could pick the cases I worked. If anything traces back to the horsemen I’m out. I’ll be the eyes and ears like I was in Amiville.’
“Well being a private group, they can protect a place as they please.”
“They wouldn’t have to worry about jurisdiction.”
“But they can’t break the law.”
“I still don’t get why the marshals can’t just roam free and cover everywhere.. I thought they all worked together.”
“Well, supposedly they do..”
“Right,” I laughed. “That’s why Jake never gives me any suggestions on how to solve situations out here... Like when there were five attacks on three Native villages in a week.”
“Most marshals are assigned a territory as their home area, but have jurisdiction in any territory in our Judicial district.”
“Or when Harley was here they just stood at the other side of the bloody river.”
“Aye, and that’s a problem.”
“It’s almost like they couldn’t care less,” I nodded. “Worst part is I thought I could go to them for help with the attacks on the Natives... But they won’t even listen to me now.”
“Well a lot of them don’t care , it seems.”
“Mack cared, he just wouldn’t go out and do it alone. Neither would Taurus.”
“Aye, and that’s part of the problem, never have a good sized group around at the same time. When we have an equal or larger group, we win.”
“Except for that time...” I started but then tried to keep it in the past.
“But that’s history,” Clif said and then stood.
“I guess it’s getting late,” I said and stood too.
“Yeah, I”ll be back around.”
“I hope so...” I hugged him tight. “Glad to have you back, my friend.”
“Good to be back,” he hugged me back.
“Safe paths, Clif,” I smiled and let go.
“And to you, Trin,” he said and headed out.
Wyoming.
I rode over to the Cherokee village and called out, “Osiyo! It’s Trin!”
“Trin, what do you want?” I heard the chief calling.
“I just want to visit. It has been a long, stressful day and I need peace,” I called back.
“Are you carrying weapon Trin?”
“I’m unarmed!”
“Please Sister join our fire!” Ahawi called over.
“Enter!” Chief called and I went over to sit at the fire. “What news do you bring Trin?”
“Clif has escaped. He came to Nebraska this evening to tell me he was alright.”
“Oh Trin, that is good news,” Ahawi said.
“My friend Clif, a circuit judge in the various areas... Was kidnapped several days ago,” I explained.
“Has he been found?” Chief asked.
“I was worried about him and went to speak to the sheriff in the town where I met him from... He came to me this evening to tell me what happened.. It was just awful,” I looked down.
“I know you were really worried, I am so happy he is safe,” Ahawi said.
“I’m just so relieved,” I said to her.
“Why was he taken Trin?”
“They wanted five thousand coins.. and they wanted someone in particular to be named the new mayor of Amiville. Someone who runs a... house that’s name isn’t fit for children’s ears... And is known to associate with outlaws. They came to the town earlier today to tell everyone he had been killed... I hadn’t heard those rumors, thank the Lord, or I woould really have been a wreck.”
“Oh no.”
“He came all the way to Nebraska to make sure I knew he was alright.”
“I am glad you did not hear that.”
“He said the Great Spirit sent him two horses to rescue him.”
“He is a good friend.”
“Clif is my mentor... a close friend... He is also half Cherokee. His wife was worried sick... They were able to notify her of his safety though.”
“So he is now safe and well?” Chief asked and I nodded with relief.
“For now, anyway... Who knows if they’ll try something again. Their demands were not met.”
“Cherokee are protected by the great spirits, I am glad they sent him the horses,” Ahawi said and I looked into the fire, thinking of what Clif must have gone through. “He is safe now,” Ahawi reminded me.
“Yes he is, Ahawi. I don’t mean to come over here and unload all of this I just...” I looked at Chief.
“Is there more Trin?” Chief asked.
“No... I just needed to vent... To be with nature and feel peace.”
“Trin are you hungry?” Chief asked and then gave me some stew as I talked with Dances with Fire. I told them that I needed to bring Lonely Eagle over to get to know them better. Chief asked how Hawk was and I said I hadn’t seen him for a while. We talked some more and then I headed home.
