March 10, 1870

Colorado. 

This afternoon I walked out of the office and saw Millard on the street in front of the office. He looked over at the mountain and pointed, saying he saw smoke signals. I headed over to the saloon in Devil’s Ditch and started to get some writing done. When the shooting started outside, I   found it harder to focus and watched out the window nervously. 

I sighed with relief when Josh walked into the saloon. “Josh, thank God…” 

“It is a shit storm out there sis,” Josh smiled as he walked over to me.

“Glad you’re here. I’m surprised you made it here alive.” 

“Well it was a hard one to get through," he chuckled and drew his pistol, just in case. 

“Is it over?” I asked, hearing less shooting outside. 

“I’m not sure. I don’t want to go out and find out,” Josh shrugged. “Let me go see, kiddo.” 

“Be safe, bro…” I said and he walked outside. I waited impatiently for him and then walked outside, wanting to find Josh when he didn’t come back after a while. Santos greeted me and I recognized him from the first trial that I had won but I was more concerned with where Josh was. 

I ran down the street and saw Mill and Josh. “Mill... What happened?! Josh…” 

“Injun attack…” Mill held his right arm. 

“They’re not making this easy,” I sighed. 

“Just was capturing some moments of the attacks,” Josh smiled and looked at Mill. “You need a doctor.” 

“Tell ME about it,” Mill chuckled. 

“What is it redskin?” Roy shouted from a distance. 

“Let’s get you over to the clinic. Are you able to walk on your own?” Josh asked him. 

“I hope one is here, Josh. I can walk okay… I think,” Mill smiled. 

Josh and I helped Mill to the clinic where I found Manipi whimpering in the street. I realized the Cheyenne were involved and leaned down to pet the dog. “Hey boy… what’s wrong? Someone in there, buddy?” 

I went over to the courthouse and clinic and heard talking from inside the courthouse. I sighed, hearing Standing Bear and Hawk’s voices. I breathed deeply and leaned down to pet Manipi some more. I swore under my breath and remembered how long it had been since I’d seen Standing Bear. I remembered the times I’d tried to meet to reconcile, without success, and then saw my brother walking over. 

“It doesn’t seem to be going very well in there sis,” Josh sighed. 

“Josh…” I started, but couldn’t even finish the sentence as I snuggled the dog. 

“Hey, we were not a part of this, they can not be mad at us,” Josh said. 

I shook my head and walked across the road towards the clinic. I walked inside and looked between Mill, Roy and Jake. “You guys okay?” 

Ida was still securing bandages on their wounds and I looked between them. “What happened, Jake?” 

“Injuns Miss Trin... They yelled somethin’ about a war council and threatened to attack the town if we didn’t surrender and then hand me over,” Jake said, shaking his head, “Can ya believe that??!?” 

“I’m sorry to hear that, Jake. I think I heard the Cherokee and Cheyenne chiefs in the courthouse? Manipi kinda led me inside and then I took him outside when I heard the voices,” I sighed. 

“Well yeah, we’ll figure out what to do with them,” Jake nodded. 

“I don’t get it, Jake. They complain that we’re interrupting their way of life and that we should let them live on their land and do what they do but... then they come here and attack ours,” I told him. 

“Yeah, I can’t believe it either... I guess they united the Tribes and that made them think they could take down the Town…” Jake nodded and chuckled. “I reckon they were wrong…” 

“Seems they were....this time Jake,” Mill smiled. 

“Yeah and the more we can hang and burry the smarter I reckon they’ll get of not comin’ back…” Jake nodded to Mill. 

“True Jake… True,” Mill agreed. 

“Anything else I should know for the paper, guys?” I looked between them. 

“Well just that I vote for a hangin’…” Jake said after some thought.

“Of whom?” I asked him. 

“Them guys for starters…” Jake nodded across the street towards the courthouse and I sighed. 

“Guess I’ll try to go get a statement out of them.” 

“Ya might not wanna go stress the situation over there…” Jake looked at me. 

“This could be my only chance to get Chief Standing Bear’s perspective.If I’m right I bet Marshal Seetan is boilin’ and frustrated.” 

“We’re not exactly on positive terms at the moment.” 

“Sure, it’s your call.”

I walked across the road and went into the courthouse. “Roy... Still goin on in there?” I asked him in the lobby. 

“If you want enter, do it Miss Paige.” 

“I’m guessing I probably shouldn’t... But I need to talk to the chiefs and this might be the only chance I have to talk to Standing Bear.” 

“Oh yeah, make in interview with him.” 

“Not now Trin,” Chels looked at me. 

“Jim…” I sighed, noticing the man who was also there. 

“Then I will not help the town. Why you be this way? She not hurting anyone,” Tala sighed. 

“It’s not like I have a standing invitation to his village anymore,” I looked at Roy. “I just want to tell their side of the story.” 

“Who is in charge here?” Jim asked. 

“Sure miss Paige,” Roy said. 

Chels pulled out her pistol and said, “I am counting to three. If you two aren’t out by the time I get to three.. I will begin to shoot.” 

“Guess I should go before she starts to come out here shootin’,” I sighed as Chels started to count. I went outside of the courthouse and sat down on the bench, not wanting to miss the chiefs coming out. 

Chet walked over to me and said, “Howdy, how you this afternoon?” 

I nodded to him, but kept my eyes on the door of the courthouse. “Native attack this afternoon. Lots of injuries and two chiefs are locked up in the cell in the courthouse. I’m peachy.” 

“Injun attacks? I missed the whole thing. Was fishing… Caught nothing but a bug bite or two. Which chiefs?” 

“Guess,” I looked at him seriously. 

“I reckon Apache,” he rubbed his jaw and I shook my head. “Who?” I gave him a look, as if it should be enough to answer his question. 

“Ya mean Standing Bear?” he asked as a gun went off and I jumped, nodding. 

“And…” 

“Why he arrested? Where is he?” Chet looked around, his hand on his gun. 

“Let it go, Chet. I need to get a statement from him for the paper if he ever gets out of the courthouse. I’m waitin’ here cos it might be my only chance,” I looked at Chet. “I’m not exactly thrilled about this either.” 

“Why was he arrested?” 

“I’m gonna guess for leadin’ the attack against the town.” 

“Damn, why he want to make things worse? If he had stayed put stuff could be worked out. I going inside.” 

“Chet, no. Chels is pissed, she’ll shoot you too,” I insisted. “Why do you think I’m out here and not in there?” 

“I hadn’t thought of that. Fresh air maybe. Look, I can go into the courthouse as can anyone. I want to make sure trial is fair and all.” 

“Chet... Fine, whatever. You wanna get shot go right ahead but you’re being suicidal.” 

“No, I being stubborn,” he winked at me. “I’ll give you the exclusive interview,” he said as he walked towards the door. 

I sighed, knowing I couldn’t stop him. A few minutes later, I saw Sasha walking out of the courthouse. “Sasha! Are you alright? Is Hawk okay?” I asked, and she nodded. “Thank God... I’m trying to catch them on their way out, to show your side of the story. I’ve heard enough of the town’s side.” 

“Out please!” Chels shouted then. “Someone come and fix the lock on this dang door!” 

“Chief Standing Bear and I may not be on the best of terms but he still deserves a voice,” I said to Sasha, but she rode off with no interest in talking to me. 

“The Apache?” Ella asked as she walked over to me. 

“I’m still trying to get the story,” I said simply, though I knew it wasn’t the Apache. 

“A lot of Apache and us pale ones think I am crazy.” 

“Why do they think you’re crazy?” I looked at her. 

“Because I like to sit on the hills.” 

“If you’re unarmed there should be no problem,” I shrugged. 

“I get frustrated and scream. They drag me back. Maybe I do need help.” 

I noticed Jim walking out and exclaimed, “Jim!” 

“You want a statement, I’ll give you one!!!” Jim exclaimed. 

“Jim, what the heck happened in there?” I walked over to him. 

“I was shot by the ‘law woman’ in there for simply trying to negotiate the release of the chiefs. I drew no weapon and made no threat. There is your statement!” 

I sighed as he walked off and called, “Hey!” I shook my head and looked around, feeling dizzy. I knew I should leave the courthouse and talk to Hawk later at his village. I hoped Chief Standing Bear would give me time but I doubted it. 

I headed to my office and saw someone sitting in the chair. He missed the whole attack and he tried to ask me out for dinner but I offered him a job and he said he’d think about it. I gave him some money as an incentive and he said his name was Tristyn. 

I ran after Chief Standing Bear and and called, “Chief! Chief Standing Bear... Can we talk?” I called but he walked off without saying a word. I sent a telegraph to Wyoming but then Chet walked into the office and stopped me. 

“Whatever yer writing, stop and get the truth.” 

“Have a seat, Chet,” I said, sitting at my desk. 

“Rather stand. Feel like rigged up pole cat,” Chet said. “I got yer story. Not sure you’ll print it though.” 

“Give it to me, Chet. I’m listening,” I sighed. 

Chet rubbed his face, then started talking. “First off all, lawyer was shot by the female marshal.” 

“Heard about that from Jim himself,” I sighed. “What was that all about?” 

“And I sure if I had not been inside, Indians would have been next,” Chet said and took a breath. “Sad thing is not even marshal Jakob seems to care. Law is crooked here, I am afraid. Red man has no rights ‘cept be shot.” 

“Keep talking,” I sighed and continued to write. 

“Well the indians was set free. Marshal was told ‘bout shooting does not seem care n damn it Trin I ain’t gonna let it go. If I need to I’ll hunt that cow down n bring her to trial my way.” 

“Anything else?” I sighed. 

“Nah just that law seem to not care oh n soldiers shot a native woman after she healed them last week.” 

“Well, I’ve got a lot of writing to do here. Thanks for the information.” I knew this wasn’t going to go over well when the lawmen read it, but I knew I had to tell the truth. 

“I gonna get my stuff ready in saloon, I guess. Ya have a good day,” he said and walked out of the office.