April 24, 1870

Oregon. 

I went over to Adder and Kilyko’s place this morning with coffee in hand and handed them the coffee. We sat on the front deck and talked about how the night had been pretty quiet.

“Yeah, I thought for sure someone would have seen me over in Nebraska poking around and come around to shut me up,” I said to them. “Guess I’ve still got it,” I chuckled. 

“Don’t suppose you know any more names?” Adder asked. 

“Not other than the ones I told you from Cole,” I shook my head. 

“You have a way with words you could probably talk your way out of it..” Kilyko laughed. 

“You have no idea hon,” I chuckled, though I knew Adder had a pretty good idea. 

“Ok. I’m thinking of picking them off, one by one.” 

“I still want more information. I wanna know who the other members are that they’re not telling me about,” I said. 

“Aye, I’d like to know that too,” Adder said. 

“Think I’m gonna poke around Colorado today and see if anybody can tell me anything,” I said. 

“One is female…” Kilyko said after some thought. 

“I’ve been confirmed that Twist is among them,” I nodded to her. 

“I never liked that woman…” Kilyko nodded. “So you will go to town and see what else you can find?” 

“Everybody I talk to keeps sayin’ that there’s more that they don’t know their names. I aim to find out who today,” I said. 

“Just be careful out there. Place is full of brain dead morons these days,” Adder said. 

“Like mister marshal we met last night who seemed to really not like us Pinkertons,” I looked at him. 

“Oh who was it?” Kilyko asked. 

“Don’t know his name,” Adder shrugged. “Teru didn’t like him much though.” 

“Tall with a bad way of greeting people?” she guessed. 

“Aye,” he nodded. 

“I’ve met him before back in Colorado I think it was. Tulman or Tubman or Tukas or... Tulkas! That’s it! He didn’t remember me though, clearly. Met him at the newspaper office.” 

“Tulkas? I remember hearing about a telegraph message about him. Burnt a village or something,” Adder said. 

“Tulkas?!?!? That man is an ass…” Kilyko grumbled. 

“That’s be the one, I believe. I never trusted the guy when I met him but never saw him again after that. Annoying part is he might know something.” 

“Damn tribes have been here,” Adder glanced at something Kilyko handed him.

“That woman you mentioned…” I looked at Kilyko. “The one riding the Cheyenne horse but she wasn’t Cheyenne..” 

Kilyko huffed and opened her hand towards Adder. “No it was not her this time around...and I rather not discuss it at this time...they had someone with me that...put me on edge…” 

Adder handed her his flask and I looked at her with concern, but didn’t press, and changed the subject. “How are your hands feeling?” 

“Just fine… thank you, by the way,” she smiled. “You did a good job wrapping.” 

“Glad to hear that,” I smiled and finished my coffee. “Well I think I might wander on down to Colorado. Think Teru would be up for a walk?” 

“I’m not even sure where that dog is…” Kilyko said. 

“If you can find her! I think she’s off hunting,” Adder laughed. 

“Maybe she’ll catch up with me along the way. I’ll see ya’ll later,” I said and headed outside. I didn’t have to walk long before Teru ran over, whining a bit as I pet her. “What’s wrong girl?” I checked the dog for injuries. I noticed a knife cut on her shoulder and scratched her behind her ears. “Where did this come from girl? Let’s go get you to Kilyko.” 

We walked back to the porch of the house and I looked at them, “I found her. She’s got a pretty clean knife cut in her shoulder.” 

“Who the hell did that?” Adder scowled. 

“You might wanna look at her, Kilyko,” I held the puppy to her and looked at Adder. “You know all the information I do.” 

Kilyko glanced at the wound and reached for her pouch, handing it to Adder. “Flush it...use bear fat mix with bitter root and skull cap it look’s clean….” 

I leaned against the steps railing, thinking I could guess who had done it. Adder nodded and started cleaning Teru’s wound as the puppy whined sadly. “I’ll leave her here with you. Looks like I better go through Nevada.” 

“Be safe Trin,” Kilyko nodded. 

“Aye, be careful,” Adder said and I nodded as I headed out. 

When I got to Nevada, I went over to the sheriff’s office and knocked on the door, muttering for him to come. I sighed as he didn’t answer and rode through Oregon, towards Colorado. I saw a soldier sitting at a table in front of the saloon and waved to him. 

“Have a seat would love some company,” he waved and I walked over to sit with him. 

“Name’s Trin. Nice to meet you!” 

“Nice meeting you. Name is William,” he said and I smiled, holding his hand a little longer than I normally would. He was very attractive and Tom hadn’t been around much. I was beginning to wonder if he would ever be coming back. 

“You new to the area? Think I would have remembered meeting you…” I smiled sweetly.

“If I could have the pleasure to know your name ma’am.” 

“Name’s Trin,” I said again. 

“Nice name. Used to be station in these parts when the fort was here.” 

“A soldier, eh?” I nodded to his outfit. 

“Yes ma’am was sent here to see how the situation with the natives. Quiet place now. How long you been here?” 

“Lived here only a few weeks... I move around a lot. I’m a Pinkerton Agent.” 

“I don’t see many you folks around these parts. Been trouble lately?” 

“We’re few and far between,” I smiled when I saw Teru come over. “Easy girl, he’s friend,” I said as Teru growled at William. “This is Teru. There has been a bit of trouble lately actually. I’ve been trying to get some information on a gang…” 

“Which gang would this be?” 

“Not to mention this poor thing got a knife to her this morning and I’d love to know why,” I leaned down to check the cut on Teru’s shoulder. “The Black Bandits. You heard of ’em?” I looked at Will. 

“Can’t say that I have. Then bandits come and go,” he said and I leaned closer as Teru continued to growl. “Growly thing,” Will said. 

How about some names... The names Billy and Sky Talon mean anything to you?” I asked, trying to calm down Teru. 

“Can’t say that I have.” 

“How about TJ... Twist... Johnny…” 

“TJ sounds familiar.” 

“I thought it might,” I nodded. “Maybe a dance will jog your memory?” 

“That it could. Must admit I am out of practice.” 

“All honesty, so am I….” I smiled and reached over to trace his hand idly. He took my hand and we stood. 

“How you say we practice some. Ma’am may I have this pleasure?” 

I smiled and accepted the dance, moving with him to the music in an easy motion. I slid my hands up and down his sides as he held me and said, “So you live in the area here now?” 

“I am looking for a home and should be here a while.” 

“Am mighty glad to hear that. Gets kind of quiet out here,” I smiled. 

“That it does. Was starting to wonder if this was a ghost town.”

“See darlin’ the thing is... these bandits they robbed me the other day.” I looked in his eyes and said, “I’d really like to know who they are…” 

“They are brave or stupid to rob a Pinkerton. I will keep an eye out for you.” 

“Thanks, darlin’. They’re causing trouble out here and I’d love it to stop.” I smiled. 

“Do you know who owns this town?” 

“Man named Tomas something and his wife Amaly,” I nodded. 

“Only one way to stop their kind,” he said, looking at me. 

“There’s a marshal over in Nevada who don’t seem to like me either.. Or Teru…” 

“You think he is on their payroll?” 

I looked at him, not having thought about that idea before. “A man disguising himself as a marshal but who’s really a bandit? It’s possible…” I slid my hands around his waist. 

“That seems to happen more than it should,” he smiled.

“True enough I just hadn’t thought of that possibility… You’re pretty good at this, you know.” 

“Thank you but I must admit you make it easy.” 

“Darlin’ I’ve got months of practice... Used to be a saloon girl,” I blushed. 

“What made you quit and become a Pinkerton?” 

“That is a very long story….” I sighed a bit. 

“I don’t need to know. We all have things in our past we soon like to forget.” 

I nodded, grateful he understood. “Long story short it has a lot to do with what you were called out here to take care of.” 

“Story all too often told by many I fear. One day I dream of retiring on a nice farm.”

“Oh yeah?” I smiled. “Become a rancher?” 

“I like to have a nice heard of horses and cattle.” 

“I’d love to have a horse of my own again... I grew up on a ranch actually,” I smiled. 

“Life is a funny thing as I never dreamed of being a soldier.” 

“I never dreamed I’d be law, but you gotta do what you gotta do, right?” I nodded in agreement. 

“Very true,” he said and held me closer. I smiled and looked in his eyes, quietly swaying with him. “Trin tell me what your dreams are?” 

“To not be alone,” I sighed and leaned my head on his shoulder. “I’ve got a couple friends here that live across the river from me…” 

“They are good friends?” 

“I moved here with them. They’re my best friends. But... I thought I’d be moving here with my brother... and he went back to our ranch in Canada with our mom… And there was this other man... Tom... we were gonna move out here together but I ain’t seen him much around recently either… I’m not sure if you’d still call us a couple. It’s honestly been weeks..  No word, no telegraph, nothing..” 

“What part of Canada?” he asked, and I was grateful for the change of subject. 

“My parents own a ranch up in Manitoba... Well... it’s my mom’s now, I guess,” I swallowed hard then. “Josh went back to help her run it... He’d come down to this area to tell me that our father had been killed.” 

Will held me closer and said, “My condolence to you and your family.” 

“It was hard... several other parts to the story that are better left in the past, but... after a while Josh went back to help mom with the ranch. How about you? What’s your story, darlin’?” 

“Your brother sounds like an honourable man…” he said and then answered, “Was ranch hand in Georgia. Like most young men I dreamed of being a hero and going to save the world. When the war started I decide to join. Keeping the story short I slowly became an officer. Was short live as we know how that war ended,” he said and I pulled him closer as he talked. “Was giving a chance to come out west and what I thought would be to help people and protect them so I joined up with the Yankees and been in these parts since. First was station in Arizona at first now been transfer out in Oregon.” 

I explored his uniform with my finger and said, “Arizona eh? Been through it a couple times but not often. I tend to stay out of those parts... Get lost too easily.” 

He ran his fingers through my hair and said, “It’s a hard life there. Gone through many hard times.” 

“Haven’t we all,” I sighed and felt his firmness against me, feeling more and more comfortable with him as we danced. 

“I do pray that my commanders leave me station here as I am enjoying the quiet life and the people here.” 

“Tell me what you’re thinking right now..” I whispered and looked in his eyes. “William?” 

“Trin… Tell me what your are thinking right now?” 

“I…” I stammered and blushed. “I asked you first.” 

He leaned in to kiss me and I kissed him back, feeling the heat rush through me as we danced slowly. I saw Kilyko coming over on a horse and stepped back a bit, looking between them, “Kilyko, hi,” I said and continued to hold Will close. 

“Oops, I did not mean to interrupt you,” Kilyko laughed hard. 

“It’s okay. Kilyko, I’d like you to meet someone,” I told her. 

“Well…” she blinked. 

“William, this is one of my friends I was telling you about. This is Kilyko. Kilyko.. this is William.” I stood and put a hand on the small of his back as we walked over towards the fence on the porch. 

“Kilyko nice to meet you,” he said. “Nice horse you have.” 

“And you too, William,” she nodded to him. 

“William is a soldier... We were just talking about the bandits and trying to learn more,” I told her. 

“I see....and this is Dream...one of my babies…” Kilyko said. 

“Yes was trying to see if I came across the bandits,” Will said. 

“Nice way to look!” she grinned and I ran my hand up his back as he blushed. 

“Nice name for a horse.” 

“Found her as a foal she looked like she was in my dreams…” Kilyko explained. 

“She’s a new one. I haven’t seen her around before,” I smiled at her. 

“You own a ranch in these parts?” Will asked her. 

“She is the little foal I have had quite a while now. She is just all grown up…” she pet the horse’s neck. “I’ll be on my way. Nice meeting you. gain, have fun you two,” she said and rode away. 

“Say she dress a little nice when ridding. would think that dress gets in the way,” Will commented when we were alone. 

“That’s how she always dresses. Me... I prefer pants,” I winked at him and slid my hands down to his waist. “So…” I said somewhat awkwardly. He blushed and cleared his throat and I reached up to caress his cheek. “Don’t go soft on me now, soldier.” 

“Like to continue our dance.” 

“Actually I was thinking maybe you’d like to see where I live?” 

He touched my cheek with his hand and said, “I would like to see where you live.”

“Follow me,” I smiled into his eyes and we walked towards the house. “Well, this is me,” I smiled as we stopped in front of my house and he took my hand. 

“Very nice place. By the river.” 

“Not a bad view, hmm?” I smiled, looking over the river towards Adder and Kilyko’s place. 

“I like the view.” 

“Shall we go in?” 

“I would like to see more.” 

I showed him around the house inside and we talked about my dogs that hung around from time to time. He seemed nervous as we walked into the bedroom and once I’d showed him the room, I led the way back to the couch where we sat close to each other. 

“So.. I should have asked... You don’t have a wife back home who’s gonna be upset with me, do you?” 

“It’s been a long time since I seen her as she refuses to come out west,” he said. 

I nodded, thinking of Tom, and understood. “I don’t know about you but.. I feel something here... and I don’t feel that often.” 

“I do as well. It’s still feels strange as it’s been so long since I really sat and got to know someone outside of the military.” 

“I understand. Being law sometimes you get so caught up in the job and don’t really give yourself time to actually meet anyone. Tom was actually a marshal. Before we moved from Georgetown to Colorado…” 

“I knew a Tom in Georgetown that was a Marshal. What was his last name?” 

“Tom Gearbox…” I looked at him. 

“It’s a different Tom. Last name sleeps my memory right now but if I heard it I would know.” 

“William…” I started as we saw Kilyko and her horse back towards there house from my window and he pulled back a little. “Is it wrong that I really want to finish that kiss?” 

“No as I would like to finish the kiss as well. I also don’t want you to lose your honour to your friends?” 

“I will tell them that you could become a close friend... They will be happy I am happy.” 

“I would enjoy seeing you happy,” he said and leaned in to kiss me as we sat on the couch. I heard Teru howling and tried to ignore it. “Sounds like wolves,” he said. 

“Shh…” I said, kissing him again, but Teru howled again. “We should really see what’s going on.” 

Teru howled as if something was wrong and Will took my hand as we stood. “Sounds like panic,” he said. “I don’t see the dog that was howling,” he said, looking around. 

I found Teru and leaned down to her. “What’s going on, girl?” 

Teru pointed her nose towards Idaho and lifted her front paw, growling. “Looks fine to me,” Will observed. 

“Your gun loaded?” I looked at him. 

“Always. Why, what is going on?” 

“She’s pointing towards Idaho. We’ve had some trouble there with the bandits.” 

“Should go look then.” 

Suddenly Kilyko shouted out from her window, “Trin, we may have visitors later or soon! Go inside and stay there! Teru come home!” 

“William and I can go check it out!” I called to Kilyko, looking at William as Teru grabbed my boot, trying to lead me towards the bridge. 

Will checked his rifle and smiled at me as I stood at the bridge, pointing out Rex, my other dog. We saw some natives in the distance and Will said, “Shh not sure if they are friendly.” 

“There’s two sets of tracks here. Dream is shoed... that means this other track is someone else’s,” I told him after leaning down. Will pointed towards north and I nodded, kneeling with my finger on my gun. I snapped my other fingers for Rex to come by. “Maybe I should go talk to them and just see what they want?” 

“I think they are Cherokee but not sure,” he said. 

“Never mind then,” I swallowed hard. 

“I will go chat with them. Just watch my back,” he said. 

“Will…” I put a hand on his shoulder. 

“Peace. Do you speak English?” Will asked to the two Natives. I thought to myself that I knew damn well they spoke English, but I didn’t want William to know about that part of my past yet. 

“Something wrong with those two,” he shrugged. Teru howled again and I looked at her, putting my finger to my lips to shush her. “I don’t think they will do any harm at the moment,” he said and I slung my gun over my shoulder again. “I have no reports telling of in hostiles around.” 

I saw another kind of movement and held William’s arm tightly. “Let’s go back,” I said, really not wanting to deal with the Cherokee. I saw the group off in the distance as we headed home and stopped, “Will… That’s…” I squeezed his hand as he took mine. “I wanna know what the hell they’re doing here.” When Teru continued to howl I called, “Teru, come!” 

“One way to tell,” Will said and I sighed, looking at him. “Do we go talk to them?” 

“If they shot you once good chance that it will happen again.” 

“They didn’t shoot me, they robbed me,” I shook my head, recognizing Billy among the group. 

“Is that Kilyko up there?” Will asked, looking up at the hill and I looked that way and nodded. “Maybe should have a chat with them.” 

“What the hell is going on?” Kilyko asked. 

“I have no idea. We saw Cherokee in Idaho... Just saw Billy here,” I told her. I saw Billy at the entrance of Nevada and put a hand on Will’s shoulder. 

“Billy again?” Kilyko sighed and headed into town. 

“We can’t show them fear. Might as well go find out what they want,” I said. “They prey on fear.” 

“Will be right by you,” he promised. 

I walked over to someone I didn’t know and said, “Hello there. Was just a man over here we’ve seen before. Do you know him?” 

“No but they were shooting. I think one was shot down.” 

“You might want to get to safer ground,” I told her. 

“Okay thank you.” 

“Sure thing. Will…” I looked at him and we walked into the saloon, not recognizing anyone there. They greeted us as Kilyko got herself some whiskey and I said, “Been some trouble in this area lately.” 

“Many who live here are dog lovers,” one of them observed, looking at the dogs running around our feet. 

“I must go and report into HQ,” Will said. 

“Okay. I’ll see you soon?” I looked at him and squeezed his hand tightly. 

We heard gunshots outside and he said, “Will be back once I am done.” 

“Stay safe, darling,” I told him. 

He kissed me on the cheek and I sighed as I watched him go. Tulkas walked in then and he said he hadn’t seen anything and Kilyko told him to go look. 

“Me? Why?” he laughed. 

“Because you’re a marshal,” I rolled my eyes. 

“Typical leave a woman to do a man’s job…” Kilyko said and started to walk back towards Nevada. 

“True,” Tulkas said. “Kill not Allesio. Is better for you. Him is my brother.” 

“Excuse me?” I looked at him. 

“And have no warrant for him. Nevada is pacific town. Snow is pacific town.” 

“This area is crawling with Cherokee and bandits as we speak,” I told him. 

“Sure,” he laughed out loud. 

“You find that funny?” I raised an eyebrow. 

“Then do not kill people in Nevada,” he said. “Is not my problem. Today is good day for walk,” he looked at the sky. 

“You’re a marshal!” I exclaimed, getting angry now. “You have more jurisdiction than…” 

“Not for shoot.” 

I watched the riders go by and thought to myself if that wasn’t a gang, I didn’t know what was. 

“Outlaws versus outlaws is a problem,” he said. 

“And as law it’s our problem to erase the problem,” I said. 

“The law does not see more troubles. Sure. Only works when see civilians. The outlaws no is my problem if not shoot Civilians.” 

“Fine, then you carry on. I’ll worry about safety around here,” I rolled my eyes. 

“Have a nice day miss,” he looked at me. “You friend is better not shoot in Nevada.” 

“I can’t control what my friend does,” I said to him. I saw a woman standing by the wall and went over to her. “Can I help you with something?” 

“No, just resting a bit, to continue my journey!” she said and I sighed. 

“Ain’t a safe place right now, is all.” I saw Kilyko come back and waved to her. 

“I have no fear!” the woman exclaimed. 

“Kilyko.. Talk to me. What’s going on?” I asked her.

“I’ve gotten used to these frequent attacks!” the woman said. 

“Where the hell is that marshall….” Kilyko looked around. 

“The marshal has decided that he’s going to let the outlaws fight against each other,” I muttered. 

“Just another snivelling brat hiding behind the badge,” she muttered. 

“I think Will went to get us some back up. He should be back in a while,” I said and watched as Rex ran over to me and fell, but I didn’t see any wounds on him. 

“Well I am going to get get me some shut eye I see anymore of these strangers disturbing the peace I will shoot them in the junk..” Kilyko turned towards home. “They’re fine… Sent them home.” 

“Let’s get you home too, Rex,” I said to the dog. “"Was having a pleasant time with Will till this violence took over," I sighed. 

Rex and I headed home and I locked the door, setting out some food and water for him. Rex kept scratching his eye and I told him scratching it would only make it worse. We went for a walk and found Will and waved to him. “I need your help with something if you’re not busy?” 

“Sure I have some time.” 

“Care to join me to Nevada?” 

He leaned over and kissed me on the cheek and said, “Lead the way.” 

I smiled and kissed him back on the lips. “That’s a nice greeting,” I smiled and called for Rex. We went to the saloon and found Kilyko. I told her we were looking for Tulkas but Kilyko walked away without a word. 

“I don’t think she likes me too much,” Will said. 

“She don’t have a reason to not like you, darlin’,” I looked at him. 

“Mister Marshall come on out!” Kilyko was shouting and we looked at one another with curiosity. 

“You find him?” I walked over to her. 

Another dog attacked Rex and Kilyko pulled her gun out of her holster and eyed it. “Don’t try me today…” 

The dog ran off and I told Kilyko, “Kilyko there’s something wrong with Rex’s vision. And I wanna find that damn marshal.” 

“Me too… I have a few thing’s I need to say to him…” Kilyko nodded and pulled the pouch from her skirt to look at Rex as she bent down to him. 

“He seems to be having trouble looking out of the left eye,” I told her.

“And that marshall hide’s from me…” Kilyko shook her head and took care of Rex. 

“We’ll try to talk to him,” I said, looking to Will for support. 

“Will back you up dear,” he promised. “Just hate turning my back on a wild dog.” 

“Let’s go Rex I will fix you at home..” Kilyko said to the dog. 

Tulkas walked over to us then and greeted us. “Howdy. Why come for Nevada?” 

“We’d like a word with you,” I started. “A few words, actually.” 

“Well well Mister Marshall…” Kilyko looked at him.

“Sure. Speak then.” 

I nodded to Kilyko and she asked, “First off what the hell was my dog doing in your cell?” 

“Mmm… That dog?” Tulkas looked down at Rez. 

“No… a tan puppy…” she said. 

“That I not know. Sorry. Tell me? Soldier?” he looked at Will. 

“I’m sorry, or you asking us to talk to a dog and ask her for a reason she was in jail?” I looked at Tulkas. 

“What would you like to know Marshal?” William asked. 

“Me? Nothing. For here all is calm. No problems,” Tulkas shrugged. 

“Calm?!” I exclaimed. 

“Yeah.” 

“This place was crawling with Black Bandits, Cherokee... and you call that calm?!” 

“Calm? You just had a town full of bandits and that is calm….” Kilyko pulled out her pouch and put it over her shoulder. 

“Sure. Only know outlaws of Oregon,” he shrugged. 

“Those outlaws are NOT from Oregon, Sir.” 

“Agent delivery note,” he said and showed me a note. 

“You are friends of these sorts Marshal?” Will asked. 

“Outlaws of Oregon? They are from Kingsley and Nebraska,” Kilyko said. 

“Sure. When attack Oregon can works if like. When Oregon can attack works if like,” Tulkas said. 

“May I see?” Kilyko looked at me. “Trust me no one want’s to attack Oregon they would be stupid too…” 

“Not sure,” Tulkas laughed. 

“So it’s another man reporting a robbery from the same people who robbed me. And you call this situation calm?” I asked Tulkas, reading the report. 

“Maybe take care. Never know,” Tulkas shrugged as I handed the note to Will and then to Kilyko. “I kill four outlaws of Oregon for here other day. Maybe is better control this town,” Tulkas said. 

“How do you know they were from Oregon?” I asked him. 

“Well, when I am tortured, tell me. For here have more hard hand. And no is my problem if outlaws kill outlaws. Better for me, less job.” 

“It’s your problem if outlaws try to attack citizens, or other lawmen, or animals,” I looked at him. 

“Those are the black hill bandits Marshall..” Kilyko read the report and laughed. 

“The central is Tuscon,” he said. “Well can ask in Tucson.” 

“We all know at Tucson they bread them outlaws,” Will said. 

“We do not need to ask we know who they are and where they are from...before you even do…” Kilyko said. 

“I do seem to remember you Tulkas,” Will said. 

“The point is, whether from Tuscon or not... They’re here now,” I pointed out.

“Not sure this,” Tulkas laughed. “Think not come for here again. And if come… And if eaten… Is for kill outlaws. Not civilians. And no stolen banks.” 

“You have no idea…” I shook my head. 

“Sure,” he said and I looked to Kilyko, too flabbergasted to say anything else. “Maybe but when pass to Oregon can works. But this is my town.” 

“Really well they burned my damn house!!” Kilyko exclaimed. 

“Oh,” he laughed. “Maybe is a ugly home. Call the army.” 

“And damn near burnt my pups,” Kilyko added. 

“I am sure can help you build again,” Tulkas told her. 

“Are you a Marshal? I would think not,” Will looked at Tulkas. 

“Mmm I see no star?” Tulkas shook his head. 

“No need....someone will handle them…” Kilyko said. I was starting to lose my patience but I tried to keep calm. 

“Who did you shoot to get star?” William asked. 

“Can ask in Tucson,” Tulkas laughed. 

“Probably a Mexican…” Kilyko muttered. 

“For here is calm,” Tulkas said. 

“Why do we need to go to Tucson to ask what?” Will asked and I was relieved I wasn’t the only one who was confused. 

“For our law know if am not,” Tulkas said. 

“Then again a Mexican is more man than him…” Kilyko shrugged and lit a cigar. 

“Marshal it’s never calm where you are,” Will said. 

“I think the law here no works with Oregon,” Tulkas pointed out. “Ask the army.” 

“The law here no works,” I rolled my eyes and looks at Will, knowing it was pretty obvious he was army. “Let’s go,” I turned and started to walk away. 

“Welcome,” Tulkas said. “And no shoot in this town if can okay.” 

“It works good letting a bunch o’ bandits running around shooting each other while you take a gander? Mmhmm, we will see what will work well later…” Kilyko walked off angrily. 

I made a mental note to talk to the sheriff me and Adder met last night and Tulkas said goodnight, whistling away. “Unfrickin-believable,” I muttered as the three of us walked off. 

“Careful of that Marshal I am sure he is part of an outlaw gang,” Will said. 

“Wouldn’t surprise me in the least,” I nodded. “Kilyko, where the hell is Adder?” I asked, stopping as we got back to Oregon. 

“I don’t know,” she sighed, shaking her head and called Rex over. She took out a waterskin and a cloth and started to dab at the dog’s eye to clean it out. When she was done she cleaned out his nose with the cloth. 

“Kilyko seems all is calm now so I must go,” Will said. 

“Seems so… what a big mess..” Kilyko shook his head. “Sure you won’t stick around for Trin? Seems we’re always the ones left behind!” she said as Will headed off and I hugged her before heading home.