April 28, 1870

Arizona. 

I wandered around looking for Adder and Kilyko and found Kilyko in Arizona. “Kilyko, what’s going on? I went to the house and couldn’t find you so I decided you were all probably over here somewhere.” 

“Go find help NOW!! And a lot of it!!!” Kilyko exclaimed. 

“What’s wrong?!?!” I asked. 

“Just go find help NOW!” she cried. 

I looked at her and blinked, trying to think of who we could ask for help, since the only people I’d ask were her and Adder. “Who do you want me to find? The only people I trust anymore are you and Adder. Where’s Adder? I’ll go to Texas and see if the army can help us.” 

Texas. 

I ran around looking for help and went into the Alamo, looking for soldiers. A man came over to me and I said, “Sir… I need help…” 

“How can I help?” 

“I need soldiers... an army... I don’t know…” 

“Hmm… I am no army, senora,” he said with a thick Mexican accent. 

“Where is the army?” 

“You mean the bluecoats? I think they are not around here senora.” 

“I thought there was a soldier outpost in Texas?” 

“Hmm… don’t know.” 

I shook my head, not even sure why I was getting help. “I guess I’m on my own then,” I sighed. 

“If I can help? What happened?” 

“I don’t even know what happened. My friend was at the entrance of a village in Nevada and told me desperately to go get help. I don’t even know why,” I sighed. 

“Hmm… who is your friend, senora? Any natives attacked him..or some outlaws?” 

“I’m sorry to have bothered you,” I said. “I don’t even know any details.” 

“Hmm… and your friend? What happened to him? Is he in trouble?” 

“I... I don’t know. I should get back,” I looked at him. 

“Should I follow you? Maybe I can help… got two guns?” 

“I... I guess, yeah. I don’t even know anymore. Probably isn’t safe to be riding alone... But... I don’t even know you…” 

“Oh senora…” he pointed to himself. “Carlos try to help only.” 

“Carlos, mucho gusto,” I said, saying ‘nice to meet you’ in Spanish. “My name’s Trin. I’m a Pinkerton Agent. We really should get back to Oregon.” 

“Let’s find the pendechos. I’ll go with you some steps. May I can safe your path a bit, senora.” 

I asked if he had a horse but he said he didn’t so we headed back to Oregon. 

Oregon. 

I saw Teru dragging Adder through the yard towards the house and I swore. I followed him back to the house and stopped seeing Kilyko. I caught my breath, since I’d just run from Texas to Nevada and back to Oregon. “You want to tell me what the hell is going on?” 

“Not sure go in and sit with them….” she said and we walked into the house to find Adder laying on the couch with his blanket over him. 

“You know I’m getting a little too used to this image, bro,” I said as I sat down. 

“I got two of em this time,” he chuckled. “Including the chief.” 

“Well at least you got a couple of them. Wanna tell me what happened? I saw Kilyko in Nevada and she said to go get help. I ran to Texas and found a Mexican guy but lost him along the way,” I told him. 

“Hope them got shot….” Kilyko muttered. 

“I was making some traps up at the blacksmiths, when one of the shoshone tribe attacked Teru, so I fought him. We chased him into Nevada, where I put him down, but four more of that tribe attacked us. We got a couple more, then we got hurt, didn’t we girl?” Adder said to the puppy and she barked. 

“Aye reckon we got em all,” Adder chuckled and held up the arrow. “Calaveras native ally shot me by mistake.” 

“Wow…” I just shook my head and reached for my flask, pouring some whiskey in my hand for Teru. Calavaras have a native ally?” I asked as Teru lapped up the whiskey. 

“Anyway, Kilyko got me out of there and healed me up. Calaveras turned up in Nevada and fought them, so I joined in. This time I put a couple down, but like I said, the guy who was fighting alongside the calaveras shot me,” Adder said. 

“You look no worse for the wear though. Glad you got out of there okay.” 

“Would you say you would help them again Sun Stone…?” Adder asked. 

“My girl here dragged me out,” Adder chuckled and pet Teru. 

“She’s a good girl,” I smiled. 

“Help the Calaveras? I guess I would, they helped me, in a manner of speaking,” Adder nodded. 

“Look’s like I have some gather work ahead of me…” Kilyko sighed. 

“What do you need?” he asked. 

“If this one keeps getting shot, you’ll be gathering stuff for a full-time job,” I nodded to Kilyko. 

“Arnica...and canabis….” Kilyko laughed. 

“I have herb mixes, bandages, arnica, god knows what else,” Adder said.

“Herbage mix I will need those…” Kilyko laughed. “But wait till I patch you up….” 

“I was bored, back in the early days in Colorado Springs, and I picked up a book of medicines in the Docs, and followed the instructions. I’d seen half the plants growing around the place,” Adder said. 

“I’m gonna need to hunt and fish soon…” I said and then headed out to gather supplies and food.