April 17, 1870

Oregon.

This morning I went over across the river towards Adder and Kilyko’s place. Flower was in the front yard, so I knew at least Kilyko would be home. Adder invited me in and I smiled, seeing the two of them in the library. I set the pot of coffee I was holding onto the table and said, “Hey there you two. Thought I’d come over with some coffee. We can make it Irish if ya like too,” I said, taking out my flask. 

“Thanks,” Adder said and twirled his hat in front of Kilyko. “See? No bleeding.” 

“Good,” Kilyko laughed and smiled at me. “Hello sister..” 

“Hello sis,” I grinned. 

“Let’s just say ol’ Bo Canningham’s a bit poorly,” Adder said. 

“Oh really?” I looked at him. 

“Shot the sumbitch in the street. Although I didn’t plan it, I love how he fell to the ground in front of the courthouse,” Adder said. 

“Seems somewhat fitting. What was the reason for that target, hmm?” I chuckled and looked around. “Ya’ll got some new furniture in here? Looks good. So I tried to find my way back to Colorado last night... Got shot at…” I looked at Adder, since Kilyko already knew about it. 

“I let him know,” Kilyko nodded. 

“I heard,” Adder nodded as well. “You shouldn’t go into those southern territories alone, either of you.” 

“Don’t know who the three were but... were three people shooting around in Idaho. I was bored, Adder.” 

“Idaho? I thought it was Nevada?” 

“Nevada was where the fires were. And where I reunited with Kilyko and them after getting lost in Utah.” 

“You mean they weren’t the same incident?” 

I shook my head and said, “Heard Kilyko’s shout and rode towards the sound.” 

“I was not sure on location as she turned up in Nevada,” Kilyko put in. 

“The bullet just grazed my head and I turned around back through Oregon to go a different way to Colorado,” I said. 

“Maybe the same men? I only know me and the two Moon’s…” she laughed. “Were in Nevada and the tow was on fire we doused them then Trin turned up…” 

“Thank God I heard that shout otherwise I would have been dead lost,” I nodded. 

“We can’t have that happening...and I know better then to leave the area now,” Kilyko smirked, looking at Adder. She grabbed a pillow and tossed it at him. 

“We can trust Black Moon?” I asked as Adder chuckled on impact from the pillow. 

“Yes her tribe is from Arizona and they are at war with the Kingsley group and the other tribe’s…” Kilyko said. 

“Adder you said I should get a new skill... I was trying to improve my navigation,” I said and he chuckled. 

“Although I wouldn’t trust anyone with our personal detail’s....aside from the three of us....but in general it is safe to be around her yes….” 

“Agreed. Though when Tom gets here, hopefully today, he is one hundred percent trustworthy,” I said. “I’m looking forward to having him around more... I’ve missed him.” 

“You both shall let me know if you leave the area and where you are going!!” Kilyko waved a finger at us both. 

“Yes mom,” I chuckled. 

“That goes for you too Kilyko,” Adder raised an eyebrow. 

“Yes....but I have decided I will stay here and not go very far…” Kilyko nodded. “In another word’s unless someone hurt’s either of you my burning day’s are about done…” 

“I just like to go out for rides and feel the breeze on my neck and be one with my horse and nature... but Adder knows this,” I said. “I guess it’s the Apache in me... the distant Apache,” I muttered and Adder chuckled. “Besides... I’m used to having something to do every day. Sitting around writing is gonna get old pretty dang fast.” 

“You sure you are Apache and not...from another tribe?” Kilyko raised a brow. “I like to do that myself but I have everything I need here….” 

I looked at Kilyko and showed her the papers that I kept on me from Josh, proving the heritage. “Josh found that from our fathers’ estate papers after Dad was killed a couple months ago.” 

She read the papers and nodded, handing them back to me. “So it is your Apache but your not like the other’s,” she smiled. 

“I’d have shot her if she was like them,” he said, quite seriously, then burst out laughing. I glared at him, still not thinking it was very funny. 

“I have to find a good spot today...to bury something any suggestions?” Kilyko asked. 

“What kind of something?” I looked at Kilyko.

“Well it is a someone…” she said with a disturbed look.

“Aye, lots of wood and undergrowth in Western Idaho, to the north of here,” Adder nodded. 

“Kilyko…” I said somewhat disapprovingly. “Look you guys... I understand the need to shoot people for revenge but do we have to resort to murder?!” 

“I did not kill him and I will not have him buried on treacherous Apache lands…” Kilyko looked at me. 

“Then what happened to him, if we’re being open with each other and no one else?” I asked. 

“I am not quite sure he road into Colorado to our village his back littered with bullet hole’s..fell off his horse and died…” she flinched a bit. 

“Yikes,” I looked dismally into my coffee. “Did you know him?” 

“He was my brother,” she gave a simple nod. 

I gasped and reached over to put a hand on her knee. “Biological brother or Native brother?” 

“We shared the same mother…” she shrugged. “He was a troublesome man though...alway’s in trouble..with people I think his streak got the best of him..” 

“Kilyko... I’m so sorry... When did this happen?” I asked. 

“While the Apache still were up on the hill....I never told anyone as because that is when I started finding out their lies....only Naca know’s...Tsume would of shot Igmu down if he had heard the thing’s I knew..” she shrugged. 

I felt terrible for jumping to the other conclusion and shot a glare at Adder when he chuckled. “Kilyko.. He should be buried out here... Where you can visit his grave to remember him somewhere safe.” 

“He is here.. I went back for his remains… a few nights ago…” Kilyko said. 

“That’s what you were doing…” I sighed. 

“And lighting the Kingsley loot boat on fire along with their saloon the following morning!!” Kilyko laughed. 

I pulled my knees under my chin and set my mug on the table, a little jealous that they at least had thinks to do. 

“And you can shoot Igmu again that would make me quite happy…” Kilyko grinned at Adder. 

“I have no problem with that! Once I get my business in Colorado Springs out of the way,” Adder nodded. 

“t seem’s you will be busy Sun Stone..” Kilyko laughed and then looked at me. “You alright?” 

I shrugged and leaned my chin on my knees. “I’m fine Kilyko,” I looked at her. “Just bored as heck and miss having something to do. And it’s only been what... a week?” 

Tomas, the mayor of the town, came over to make sure everyone was happy with our new homes. We went back over to our place and Tom helped put up curtains on our windows for more privacy.