February 8, 1870

Georgetown. 

This morning I was working on some writing in the saloon when Chet walked in. “How are things out there?” I looked over at him as he joined me at the table. 

“Pretty peaceful. I saw the chief last night. Him and I had a lil chat and he wants the people who burnt his village. Can’t say I blame him,” Chet told him. 

“Oh does he... Does he know who did it? Or do you?” 

“No, I don’t reckon I’ll be having to try ’n find out. Should have investigated earlier, but didn’t get a chance. Any idea who might have?” 

I looked at him and shook my head. “I ain’t heard anything about that since it happened. Been trying to steer clear of their affairs, if ya know what I mean.” 

“Yeah, I do. He mentioned you and Slade had been to see him. For some reason he still not trusting you. Can’t figure that one out…” 

“Well, I know why he won’t trust me,” I sighed, thinking of the last conversation that was instigated by Slade. “We went out there and tried to talk to the medicine woman. You remember that day when that girl had been tied to the tree and they cut off her hair ’cause she was one of the ones shooting at the chief?” 

“Now hold on…. No, I don’t know that… Hmmm… Fill me in please.” 

“Back when I went out and got shot by Icca after the chief had been shot down... It was Icca, Jules and Anna who were shooting at us. They caught Anna and brought her back to the village. By the time I got back there with the healers they had her tied to a tree and were cutting off locks of her hair. Not scalping her but just warning her.” 

“Okay, now sounds familiar. Was before my time here, when I was still up in Tombstone,” Chet frowned. 

“The chief and the other men tried to get me to take part, by handing me the knife to cut some off for myself, but I was too much in shock that I realized I didn’t belong there anymore. They obviously hadn’t listened the past few months when I was there and didn’t know my whole mission of being there was to stop them from treating violence with violence. When Slade and I talked to the medicine woman the other day, she said that it was like from that moment I wasn’t apart of the family anymore, that I didn’t approve of their ways and that I was no longer feeling welcomed there. The thing is... after that whole thing happened and the chief threatened me, when you and I went to talk with Adahy and Standing Bear about it all… I thought we’d figured everything out. I thought that we’d come to an agreement to accept that we handle with outlaws differently. So what changed from that conversation on? They kept saying that I was only there for my own motives and that I wasn’t focusing on the family aspect or whatever… But my only goal in doing that was to show them that I was being chased by the same outlaws they were, and that I was trying to understand their people and spend time with them. It wasn’t just about having a safe place to hide,” I choked and looked down, getting emotional. “I’m sorry.” 

“Don’t cry. It’s not your fault. You did nothing wrong,” Chet looked at me as he drank his coffee. 

“They seem to think I did,” I sighed. “That ambush in the fort... Them calling me a traitor and saying I’m dead to them… What the hell changed?” I asked angrily. 

“Them indians are funny people with own ways. They have to realize we not living in past anymore. This the modern times n who gives a donkeys arse what they think?” 

“Then why do I care so much?” 

“You care because you’re a caring person is all. It’s in your nature to care little lady.” 

“I wish I didn’t care so damn much,” I sighed and kicked the table leg angrily. 

He smiled and said, “Now now… Don’t be breaking tables. Hate to have to arrest ya.” 

“Maybe I should just go home,” I glared at him. 

“Now ya know I was only joking. Besides, I don’t remember where I put my keys for the cell,” he joked. “Let’s not let chief bother you anymore.” 

“You’re right. I just gotta focus on my job and doin’ it well. You’re the marshal... If I hear of anythin’ goin on over there I’m coming to you directly and I won’t handle it. I’m too close to the problem out there.” 

“Yes, and I don’t want ya getting hurt. Between you ’n me, if Chief finds who set fire good, he wanna dole out own justice good. I just don’t want be told ‘cause then I arrest him.” 

“I’ll be in my office if you need me,” I stood then and looked at him.

“Take care darlin’. An’ don’t get upset.”

I waved to him and walked out of the saloon, thinking to myself it was too late and I already was upset. 

***

Oklahoma. 

I walked over to the village in Oklahoma but an alligator came at me and tried to attack, but I got away, breathing hard and hurting. I had a trap on me though and set it so the alligator was caught. I was breathing hard when I ran into Thunder. 

“Thunder… Thank goodness…” 

“Osiyo Trin. What’s wrong?” 

“Bloody alligator wanted to make me their dinner. Good thing I had a trap on me.” 

“Forgot to tell you he was there,” Thunder laughed. 

“Good to know,” I nodded. 

“Let’s get Dark to look at your wounds,” he helped me up. 

“I’ve still got a couple traps on me at least. I like to keep a few on hand.” 

I walked with a limp into the ranch and exhaled when I saw Dark Rain. “Oh no… how bad is she?” 

“I had a couple traps on me, Thank God,” I said, rubbing my sore leg. 

“That is a good thing,” she smiled. 

“Think he took a bite out of my leg though.” 

“Alright let’s have a look then.” 

Dark Rain rolled up my pant leg and I looked to Thunder with worry and he said, “You’ll be alright. Dark is a good healer.” 

“I know she is. I wouldn’t be alive if it weren’t for her healing me after Icca shot me down in Wyoming,” I nodded. 

Dark pulled out her pouch and a clean cloth and started to clean the wound. I flinched as it stung and she said, “It’s not as bad as it looks, but is sore, I’m sure.” 

“Hurts to walk too much on it,” I nodded. 

“You’re lucky you had the trap or he would have eaten you.” 

“I’m gonna need to make some more of those. Only have two left.” 

“Yes I’ll put my ointment on it promotes healing and takes away the pain,” Dark said as she cleaned the blood away gently. 

“I tell ya... I use Oklahoma as a safe house and I get attacked by an alligator. Ain’t safe anywhere, am I?” I chuckled at the irony.

“We only have one that lingers around,” Thunder laughed. 

Dark giggled and placed a bandage on my leg. I felt the sting as she wrapped the sides around my leg and tied them together, securing them. “There, that will heal nicely my friend. We got to it in good time,” she said when she was done. “But please watch of the gator. He can be mean.” 

“Glad you were here. Well now that I know where it is.” 

“Yes,” she smiled. “e like that spot it seems. I think he comes from the bay.” 

“Congratulations, you’re the first one bit by him,” Thunder grinned and Dark giggled again. 

“Oh I’m the first one am I? Well don’t I feel special. Or particularly stupid,” I laughed with them as I tried to get up on my feet again. 

“Just remember where he is,” Thunder told me. 

“Uh huh. I plan to. So anything exciting been happenin’ lately?” 

“No not much been quiet here. Had a practice today. Dark kicked my butt. Sneak attacks,” Thunder muttered. 

“I do not mean to make you look bad husband….” Dark looked down. 

“Spanked me!” Thunder laughed. 

“Well I think I’m gonna go out and wander ’round a bit. I wanna get more familiar with the area. Thank you so much, Dark Rain. I wish I didn’t have to ask ya to heal me so much,” I looked at her.

“Watch the animals. They bite,” Thunder advised. 

“Will do. See you later, folks!” I said and then Thunder stopped me. 

“Oh, Trin. Before you go…” he said and handed me another trap. “There are three animals out there.” 

“Wado, my friend,” I took the trap. “Chances are I’ll run into ’em,” I winked and wandered on. 

Colorado. 

I saw Chels and rode over to her. “Hey there!” I greeted her. 

“Howdy there Trin...how have ya been?” Chels turned to me. 

I got off the horse and bit my lip at the pain from landing on the wrong leg. “I’m.. okay, Chels. How’re you?” 

“Good to hear.. I am doing alright...how ya doing in Georgetown....it keeping ya busy?” 

“Not really, no. And since I’ve overstayed my welcome over in Bear River... Ain’t much I can do right now. Seems a bunch of outlaws moved out of the area too so there goes that line of business.” 

“Well it’s  good to see outlaws leave.” 

“So now it’s just us and Bear River.. where I’m likely to get shot if I cross into. I’d rather deal with the outlaws,” I sighed and felt the pain in my leg. “Anyway we could sit somewhere? I kinda got bit by an alligator earlier tonight.” 

“Did a Doc check ya? Can sit here,” she motioned to her porch and we had a seat. 

“It happened in Oklahoma and I’ve got Sounds of Thunder and Dark Rain over there. She patched it up but still hurts to walk.” 

A woman walked over and asked for directions somewhere and then said, “Ms. Trin, if your leg is still hurtin’ ya, maybe you need some rest. Don’t walk on it for a few days. I can re-wrap it for ya.”

“It’s been wrapped, I’ll be fine.” 

“Okay. Well let me know if I can help any. Good day to ya!” 

When she walked away I looked over at Chelsea and sighed. “Chels, I’m in a real bind.” 

“Why, what’s up?” 

“I’m pretty much dead to the Cherokee, though the reasons I can come up with as to why make no sense at all. With these outlaws gone... unless more people move to town, we’re stuck with the Cherokee for most of the activity out there.” 

“Well most indians don’t like us...and even more so if we go on there land.” 

“How’s things around here?” I looked around, changing the subject. 

“A few people come around...but as you can see its quiet now,” she shrugged. 

“Well I guess I should head home. Was good to see ya, Chels,” I stood and called for Cleetus, my horse. 

“Was good seeing you Trin...you be careful out there.” 

“Will do my best,” I winked at her and rode off towards Georgetown.