April 22, 1870

Oregon. 

This morning I walked over to Adder’s and Kilyko’s place and met a little puppy of Kilyko’s named Kora. I looked over at Adder and asked what he’d been up to and he pointed to where his new wagon was submerged in water. He said he had been delivering crap and I said, “Well I’m glad you two are keeping busy.” 

“Aye, busy, but not out of trouble!” he nodded. 

“So situation normal for you then, bro,” I winked at him. 

“Aye,” he chuckled. “We paid a visit to Kingsley last night to get the information on the whereabouts of the Black Hill Bandits.” 

“You sure you two should be the ones gathering that info? They don’t even know who I am…” 

“Aye, I’m sure. Those folks will shoot people for kicks, whether they know ’em or not,” he nodded. 

I sat quietly, thinking about how lately I’d go out there just to get myself shot or… something, but I didn’t even want to voice it in front of them. I leaned back against the railing and looked at both of them. 

“Was good to ride out there today. That wagon took a bit of getting used to though,” Adder said. 

“I think Kora liked it too!” 

“Aye, reckon she thought it was all one big fun adventure,” Adder agreed. 

The puppy nipped at me and I sighed and combed my fingers through the puppy’s fur, but stayed quiet, looking down at the dog. 

“Something wrong, Trin?” Kilyko asked. “I’m fine,” I lied, focusing on the dogs playing. 

“Spit it out, Trin..” Kilyko looked at me. 

“Just wondering what the hell I do now, is all,” I admitted. “Seems like you guys are fine without me getting information for you... I go to Colorado and it feels wrong to even be there. I stay here but you guys are off doing your vigilante justice... I’ve got literally nothing less unless you guys are here. I went all the way to Colorado before Adder went to shoot up the mayor, saw the sheriff there... came back and you were already gone. I just don’t know what to do anymore,” I sighed. “Seems the only thing to do around here is shoot people or cause trouble and that just ain’t me.” 

“Yeah, and I’m sorry about that, but I had to act fast that day,” Adder said. 

“Sorry Trin...did not know you felt that way….” Kilyko said. 

“Tom’s never here... I haven’t seen Josh in months…” I sighed at myself, frustrated that I was complaining, but they’d asked. “I just don’t know what to do anymore. Maybe I should just…” I bit my lip, looking down as I remembered a thought about throwing myself into the fire when I’d been sitting in Hawk’s village one night, when Bill’s gang was coming after me. 

“There’s plenty out there to do that doesn’t involve shooting,” Adder told me. “What about the saloon?” 

“Plenty!” Kilyko nodded. 

“What about the saloon?” I looked at him. “Does anyone even go to the one here?” 

“If theres no one to run it. no one will go. Run it, get some performers booked, a dancing girl or two, and draw people in.” 

“I’ve got enough experience from working as a saloon girl…” I nodded. 

“If you have the experience then do it!” Kilyko nodded, but I still wasn’t sure about the idea though, since it meant that they’d still be out gallivanting on their own without me because I didn’t want to do anything dangerous. “Have any of the tribe’s bothered you since the man told you about the bracelet..?” 

“Haven’t seen a soul since then. Ain’t gonna go riding out there to find out either.” 

“Probably a smart move…” she nodded. 

“Adder’s right... No point in thinking about them anymore. They obviously never knew me at all.” 

“They known nothing… of truth…” Kilyko agreed and Adder nodded. 

“That bracelet was my last tie to them. I’m glad to be rid of it,” I told them. 

We watched the dogs play and I watched Kilyko with them, still thinking thoughts I shouldn’t. Kilyko aimed a gun at the cougar that came close and she shot the gun off, scaring it off. I continued to play with the second puppy that had joined us and Kilyko told Adder about the cougar out wandering about. 

The cougar came back and ran around, taunting us as if it was telling us to come out. I commented on how I used to be a sniper in Georgetown, though my gun was back home. Adder went in the house and got his gun and Kilyko asked me to stay with the dogs at the house while they went after the cougar together. I sighed, frustrated that yet again I wasn’t apart of the action, and drew my guns, just in case. Kilyko ran over and asked if the dogs were okay. 

“If it comes back again, I’ll shoot it down,” Adder said. 

“It safe for me to head across the river now?” I looked between them, suddenly not in a very social mood. 

“You alright, Trin?” Kilyko asked but I shook my head and stepped down onto the grass. 

“Aye looks like it Trin, but keep your door locked,” Adder told me. 

“"Be safe and thank’s again for protecting them!!” Kilyko hugged me tight. 

“It may be back in the area, so we’re all gonna need to be careful,” Adder told us and I started to walk away but he called, “You have a think about that saloon idea Trin, I reckon it’ll be good.” 

“I just..” I choked, not even able to speak as the emotion was right at the surface. 

“Trin, you alright?” Kilyko looked at me. 

I fell down on the ground and cried against Rex’s fur. They ran over to me and Kilyko grabbed me, hugging me close. “I’m scared…” I whispered. 

“Of what?” Adder asked. 

“Trin, what has you scared?” Kilyko looked at me, rubbing my back. 

“These thoughts…” I wiped my tears away angrily. “These thoughts that I’ve had before but now are coming back to haunt me…” 

“What kind of thought’s?” 

“About wondering... why I even… And if I should just…” I said, unable to even voice it. 

“You should what?” 

I swallowed hard and cried against Kilyko’s shoulder as Adder handed me the flask and I took a sip, grateful for the drink. 

“Tell me Trin no one here judge’s you…” Kilyko told me. 

“Thoughts about... just letting the cougar… Attack me and not..” I looked at her with a long sigh.

Kilyko nodded slowly as if sheunderstood. “Things are rough for you right now sister...I understand but what would we do without you?” 

I looked between them, not sure I knew who I was anymore. I tried to grasp a past that didn’t even feel real anymore. “You’d go off and get justice for yourselves... Like you’ve been doing... Even when I tried to get out and get information I got shot down emotionally or it wasn’t even useful…” 

“But it was useful to me and I am sure it would of been useful to Sun Stone as well we can’t hold the gripe’s against time and thing’s just happen...your a smart woman Trin with a logical mind...a bit more then me…" Kilyko sighed softly and gave my arm a soft squeeze.

“And your effort was appreciated Trin,” Adder nodded. 

“You both know all I’ve ever done is tried to present the truth…” I looked at them. 

“And the truth about Free Feather still needs to be presented to people, theres still a need for the word to be spread,” Adder said. 

“I just... I need to know that it’s valued still…” 

“It is,” he nodded. 

“They didn’t even read that she’d allied with the Apache though... They didn’t even care she’d lodged a war against her own town. All they focused on was that you were gone,” I looked at Adder. 

“You do know I need you around you are the only person I have shown emotion around...aside from Sun Stone but he has a hard time getting it at time’s you do not..” Kilyko nodded. “I have never shown emotion around anyone before..” 

“And they didn’t seem to care about that much either, to be honest,” I said. “I’m sorry guys.. I’ve just… I’ve been feeling left in the dust lately. And it got to be too much. I’m sorry I…” I wiped the rest of my tears away. 

“There are thing’s you can do that we can not…writing, spreading the truth of our antics… mingling with other people in a more natural way...I have a limited...area of dealing with people ,” Kilyko shrugged. 

“And I just don’t like people,” Adder nodded and chuckled. 

I smiled at him and reached for his hand, standing shakily and leaning against him as he gave me an awkward hug. “Thank you…” I said to them, giving Kilyko a hug too. I felt safe again, knowing they were still on my side. “You said earlier you went to Kingsley for information about the Black Bandits?” I looked at Adder. 

“Yes and some information that would be really useful is who they are under the mask….” Kilyko said. 

“Aye, asked in the Saloon there,” Adder nodded. 

“I’ll see what I can find out down there,” I nodded. “Maybe some people in Colorado know something.” 

“Thanks. We know where they’re based, but names would be a great help. They’ve always been masked.” 

“I’ll see what I can do,” I looked between them. 

Idaho. 

Rex and I wandered over towards Idaho and got stopped by the man and woman that I had seen yelling at Kilyko’s house while she was inside and it was smoking. “You’re a long way from home,” the man commented. “I remember you from the house in Oregon..pretty sure you were nosey.” 

“Just out for a walk,” I shrugged. “Yeah I was nosy, there was a fire.” 

“I think your walk just got a little bit harder. You can do this the easy way or the hard way,” he hopped off his horse. 

“What do you mean?” 

“Easy way is you give us one hundred coins… The hard way you work in the mine until you make enough gold for one hundred coins.” 

I reached out the hundred coins from my pocket and handed it to him as if it was no big deal. 

“Well um… that was easy. Kinda wish I asked for more,” he chuckled. 

“I try not to make things too difficult. No need to really.” 

“Well… carry on your walk then,” he smiled. “And keep ya mouth shut…” 

“Not even gonna tell me who ya are? Keep my mouth shut about what? I don’t know anything.” 

“That’s good… Here ya go,” he passed me a flag. 

“Have a nice day miss,” the woman said and I took the flag without another word. 

I headed to the saloon, getting myself some whiskey. I took a look at the flag and swallowed hard when I read, ‘Black Hill Bandits’ on the flag. I swore under my breath and ran back to Oregon. 

Oregon. 

I knocked hard on the door and Kilyko and Adder let me in. I said nothing but dramatically lay the flag on the table which read ‘Black Hill Bandits’. 

Kilyko looked at the flag and narrowed her eyes, “What happened?” 

“What the hell?” Adder exclaimed.

“You wanted information on the Black Hills Bandits?” I said and sat in the chair. 

“What information did you get?” Kilyko looked me over. 

“Two of ’em just robbed me for one hundred coins in Idaho South. Same two who I saw out in front of the house here when Kilyko was inside and they told me to mind my own business,” I said. 

“Which way did they go?” Adder nodded, looking angry. 

“Well, they told me that I should keep my mouth shut and I was like I don’t even know anything. So then they said that I could go on my way and I asked, ‘I don’t even get to know who you are?’  That’s when they gave me the flag and rode off.” 

“Were they masked?” Kilyko asked.

“So I went to the saloon to wait it out a bit. They started to ride towards Wyoming then came back towards Oregon, then back again. Yeah, they were both masked. But I would recognize that man’s voice anywhere. It was the same guy as was here. I’ve seen ’em riding through Idaho before too... I think they might be located there.” 

Kilyko nodded slowly and Adder nodded. “Main thing is you aren’t hurt.” 

“I wasn’t gonna make it more difficult than it had to be. What do I care? I’ve got coins. He said he almost wished he’d asked for more. I bet he will the next time. Next time I ain’t gonna be so friendly.” 

“Once I catch up with him, there wont BE a next time,” Adder chuckled. 

“Do you know who he is, bro?” I looked at him. 

“No, but I know where he lives.” 

“Am I right about Idaho?” 

“No, Nebraska,” he said and I looked at him, confused. “How does Nebraska fit into all this?” 

“I wonder how they liked their pile of shits…” Kilyko grinned and I looked at her, putting the two together. 

“They have a small house and barn out there. Call it the Black Hill Ranch. Even has a bloody big sign,” Adder said. 

“Gonna get some lunch then head on out again,” I said and stood, setting the puppy down that I was petting. 

“Ok, but be careful Trin,” Adder nodded. 

“Of course,” I walked outside, grateful for something to do. I headed to my house, getting my Pinkerton badge since I might get more respect that way. I also got my sniper rifle and tied my hair up into a pony tale before heading out again. 

Nebraska. 

I rode through Nebraska and headed for Dom and Quiet Water’s house. I greeted her and asked if we could talk. “What do you know about the Black bandits?” I said once we’d gotten reacquainted. 

“Yes, I seen them around,” Quiet nodded. 

“Can you give me any names…?” 

She pointed to the ranch across the river and said, “I sometimes see them there and in town. Only  name I remember is TJ and Billy.” 

“TJ?!” I raised an eyebrow, shocked. 

“Yes. They women too, I see with the men. But not know their names.” 

I thought about how I knew TJ wasn’t the one who robbed me, so it had to have been Billy. “How many would you say there are?” I felt my heart racing, knowing I had come to the right place. 

“Five I think other day I saw,” she counted on her fingers. 

I coughed nervously and said, “Okay well I met two... I know the third... that means there’s still two I haven’t met yet. You’re sure there’s only five?” 

“Yes, I counted five.” 

“Do you know who their leader is?” I asked. 

“No.” 

“That’s okay... this is a huge help… I’m guessing Twist is running around with them too since TJ is there?” 

“I not seen her,” she shrugged. 

“Hmm… Have they been causing much trouble around here?” 

“Just town a little, but they not bother ranches here.” 

“That’s a good thing. Anything else you can tell me, Quiet?” 

“Yes, they good shot.” 

“That’s good to know too,” I swallowed hard. “Have you had first-hand experience of this?” 

“No, only had heal.” 

“I was almost a victim this morning... thank God it didn’t go that way though.” 

“Where?” she frowned. 

“Quiet, if they head this way I need you to hide me in your house. I am not safe,” I said and she nodded, looking at me. “Can we go inside now? Just in case?” I asked. 

“Okay.” 

We walked inside and I found a telegram machine and sent a telegram to Kilyko and Adder to tell them to come to the house in Nebraska. It wasn’t long before Kilyko found me and I told her that I’d found information and didn’t want to be alone on the ride home. 

Oregon. 

Kilyko and I walked in silence back home and I asked if Adder was home, only wanting to share the information once, but he was sleeping. 

“What is the information you got?” Kilyko asked as she lit a cigar. 

“I got names... and numbers… My mouth dropped when I heard one of the names.” 

“Then we will have you share it at one time when he is awake…” 

“I know it will make Adder pissed,” I nodded to her. “I also saw the fort ya’ll were talking about. I knew once I got this information I’d better high-tail it out of there before they found me in their area.”

“I do not really care about most of them just the one that damn near burnt my foal and pup’s to ash’s....and robbed you….” 

“Can we sit in your living room until Adder wakes up?” 

“We sure can…” Kilyko said and I reached over to wrap my arms around her and hugged her tightly. “Thank you… Doing this just now... I’ve felt more alive than I have in a long time... Since probably the last time I put this badge on. I want to run a Pinkerton Agency out of Oregon.”

“And I’ve a personal job for you...but it may be dangerous…” she smiled and nodded as she hugged me. 

“I was an agent back in Georgetown and it was the best few months. I felt so valuable and needed and respected and… A personal job? Let’s talk at your place.” 

We headed over to Kilyko’s place and were surrounded by three puppies as we sat down on the couch. We talked about them and she said, “Yes, a personal job…” 

“Tell me about it while we wait for Adder to wake up.” 

“I had a dog when I lived in the apache village Nova....she has since passed....but a man from Kingsley took her and beat her...chained her to his home not quite sure how he was but I found her and brought her home.....I want to find out who sells dogs in Kingsley…. Because if I catch him near my family I will put a bullet in his ass if it is the last thing I do….” 

“I’ll find out,” I reached over and squeezed her hand. 

“I want to put a stop to dog napping….” 

“It’s cruel and insensitive.” 

“Yes....and there is a fella in the next town if I catch him over here….” 

“Which next town…?” 

“Nevada.....he is a us marshall he told me he shoots dogs….” 

“He told you that?” I raised an eyebrow. 

“He tried to do something with flower yes he did… I want information on him too he told me he was a US marshal stationed there….” 

“I’ll try to find him,” I nodded. 

“Thank you…” “It’s my job now,” I winked and tapped at my badge. I chuckled as the puppy hopped up on Adder’s chair. “Don’t think Adder’s going to like if you steel his chair, little one,” I said to the puppy. 

“And a good one for you with those skill’s you have!!” Kilyko grinned. 

“I mean it when I say I feel more myself when I wear this badge. I’m glad I never gave it back to Sam. Sam was my boss in Georgetown... He once told me the information I gain is more valuable than the battles I fight. That has stuck with me since then and become my personal mantre.” 

“He is right you have a way with people….” 

“I got out of getting shot at this morning, didn’t I? And I even got a flag out of them,” I winked. “And I have a one in three guesses who he was, too.” 

“You did good work Trin I think you will be quite successful!” she grinned. 

A while later, Adder walked in and I grinned up at him. “Bout time you got back.” 

“Didn’t think you still had that,” he chuckled and pointed at my badge. 

“I never gave it back to Sam, did I?” I smiled. 

“Ah, good thinking.” 

“Figured it’d give me more respect, then I thought... Why don’t I just open my own agency in Oregon? Make it legit. Anyway…” I looked at him seriously. “I have news.” 

“Aye?” 

“I got two names of Bandit members... and I’ve been told there’s at least five of them and they’re all good shots.” 

“Ok, start with who told you, please?” 

“I was thinking of who I know in Nebraska... From when I lived there. I remembered Quiet Water and Dom were always very informative to me,” I said and he nodded. “So I went over to their place and talked to Quiet Water. She’s deaf but can read lips and I figure she would know better than anyone. So I asked her about them and she gave me two names. Billy and... TJ..” I looked at him for his reaction. 

He raised his eyebrows with shock and then a grin broke out across his face. “Oh, this is going to be even more fun than I thought.” 

“TJ?” Kilyko’s eyes widened. 

“I asked if she’d ever had first hand experience of being shot by hem and she said no, only had healed people who have. I saw their fort too.” 

“Fort?” Adder asked.

“Well, she said there was a fort across the way and nodded in the direction it was. There’s this place with sticks all set up around the perimeter... Clouds of circles of smoke all around it… I don’t know if it actually was their fort but.. I can put two and two together as anyone else can.” 

“Was that in Nebraska too?” 

“It was in Iowa... Just by the bridge where you go into the Native lands of Kansas.” 

“That is blue coat camp belongs to Harley Bu…” Kilyko shook her head. 

“Buu’s is in Wyoming isn’t it?” Adder asked. 

“All the more reason for that look in your eyes, Bro,” I grinned at Adder and he chuckled and nodded. 

“Maybe I am confused!! I know what camp near cherokee land’s is a blue coat camp..” Kilyko said. 

“I don’t know whose fort I saw.. but while at Quiet’s I got this strong sense that I’d better get out of there and fast,” I said. “I sent a telegraph from Quiet/Dom’s house for one of you and Kilyko came and accompanied me back home.” 

“You’re a right little terror aren’t you?” Adder looked down at the puppy. 

“That little one tried to steal your chair earlier,” I told him. “Told her you probably wouldn’t like that so much.” 

“Anyone named her yet?” he laughed. .

“No…” Kilyko said. 

“Nope but I want her when she gets bigger,” I shook my head. “Kilyko said there were three puppies... One for each of us.” 

“Terror is too boyish.... Terro? hmmm... Teru?” Adder said. 

“Definitely Teru. Just what I was going to suggest,” I nodded. 

“Did she just agree?” Adder asked, hearing the puppy bark. 

“Come here, Teru,” I giggled and watched as Teru and Saiya played with each other. 

“So, Billy and TJ. No clues on who the others are? One of ’em seemed to know me when I last ran into them,” Adder said. “And it wasn’t TJ. I’d know that moron anywhere, mask or not.” 

“She said there were some women around with them. I don’t know if Twist has been there though. I asked and Quiet said she hadn’t seen her,” I shook my head. “He wasn’t the one who robbed me this morning either. I’d bet it was the Billy guy she told me about.” 

“Good work Trin, thanks,” he nodded. 

“My pleasure. Was fun doing it again. Haven’t felt this good since the last time I wore this badge.” 

“Billy I will deal with…” Kilyko said. 

“Just be careful around him, Kilyko. She said they were good shots. And the way they carried themselves this morning... I don’t doubt it.” 

“The guy we spoke to down in Kingsley told us they’re crap shots,” Adder said. 

“Was a man and a woman,” I chuckled. “Probably cos he wanted to seem better than them.” 

“They’re the kind to rely on strength in numbers, not ability,” Adder said. 

“I shall..” Kilyko nodded. 

We heard a crash from the bedroom and wondered what was going on. I walked into the room and saw Teru covered in water and chuckled. “What you two doing in here?” I laughed as Teru licked her mother’s nose and she barked with the bowl sitting on her head. I leaned down and picked up the bowl and pet the puppy. “You silly little thing. You got a towel, Adder?” 

He rolled his eyes and chuckled, “Aye, in the cupboard under the bowl.” 

I giggled and went to get the towel and dried up the wet puppy, kissing the puppy. “Gonna have to keep our eyes on you, aren’t we, little one?” 

Adder chuckled and then asked, “Would you two say an ex-County Sheriff could be a valuable asset to an outlaw gang?” 

“Depend’s on which gang….” Kilyko said. 

“The Black Hill Bandits,” he grinned. 

“Went in there to find the water bowl upside down on Teru’s head,” I chuckled, bringing the puppy into the living room again, not missing Adder’s statement. 

“Oh dear, she’s gonna be fun,” Adder laughed. 

“Poor thing was sopping wet,” I chuckled. 

We joked as we watched the dogs play and then I decided to head home. They thanked me for the information and I smiled and waved as I headed out.