Kingsley.
This morning I had coffee in the saloon with Nat and a man named Catka. He was a Scorpion scout and said that Allesio had sent them to talk to me. We talked about my past in getting information as a newspaper publisher and agent. I admitted that my guns weren’t my strength, but I could snipe if I needed to. Catka told me that I was welcome as a scout of the Scorpions. I told them that the truth was paramount. I told them that I’d known Harley for a long time and asked how many were in the group and Catka said there were about thirty to forty members.
“With most of the other gangs we are friends,” Nat said.
“How about the natives?” I asked warily.
“Apache and the army and not at all like us.”
I perked, wondering how that was going to go over with William. “But you help the sheriff and deputies here in town. Are there deputies in Kingsley? I’ve only met Max.”
“So if you go around in the western states like new Mexico, Arizona and so on… be carful… maybe Apaches attack,” Catka said.
“Trust me, I’m well aware. Some day I’ll tell you my history with the Native tribes. They don’t like me so much already.”
“Well I am half-blood… Maybe you think about what Native I am. Our tribe is called Los Mestizos… it’s an independent tribe of half-bloods… ‘cause other tribes are all crazy,” he laughed.
“I have apache four generations back,” I admitted. “But I will never understand that tribe. Or any of the others for that matter.” I chuckled that we were on the same page.
“I see… We understand each other,” Catka smiled.
“This will work well, Catka. Perhaps you and I could scout together,” I blushed a little and smiled, looking at Nat. “How did everyone fare in the fight yesterday? Harley and his group seemed to think that they had won.”
“I was not there yesterday,” Nat said.
“Oh…. I have someone I scout with. It’s Nahimana… You will get to know soon I guess.”
“You already have two scouts?” I looked at Catka as Nat walked upstairs.
“Yes… but I have to say… What kind of bandits are they that a pet cat fights for them?” Catka laughed. “Oh, we have a few scouts.”
“That’s a really good question. I was wondering the same thing,” I chuckled.
“You are the fourth scout, I guess. And the first white scout,” he smiled.
“Apparently there was a man named ‘Sam’ that helped Harley’s gang yesterday,” I informed him. “When they were talking, Harley said he could heal someone in Texas if they ever got there, but they also mentioned meeting somewhere in Colorado.”
“Yes we know...but we already took revenge just before we came here.”
“Oh did you?” I frowned, seeing my information wasn’t useful.
“Well we knew that he is in the mine in Texas often...so we did have a look there...and indeed..he was there.”
“Well that’s all I found out yesterday so I wanted to pass the information along.”
“Well fine… Don’t hesitate to give information....regardless if you mean we could know already...so it’s safe that no information will be missed.”
“Of course,” I smiled and nodded.
“And if you got questions, don’t hesitate to ask.”
“I will for sure. Thank you, Catka. I hope that I am helpful... I’ve been kind of feeling lost as of late. It’s nice to have something to do again,” I nodded.
“I understand...well sometimes its calm here but sometimes hell is out...you will never know,” he laughed.
“Are you looking for anything specific today?”
“No not at all today. I have to do hunting today...meat in our village is low...and Nahimana would complain if I do not.”
“Is Nahimana... your wife?” I clarified.
“Wife?” he laughed. “We are not married as that it is what you suggest....but we are very close you know,” he smiled.
“That is good then. I tend not to get too... attached, if you know what I mean.”
“Yes I know what you mean...it makes many things more simple.”
“It does indeed. Can just enjoy the moments that come your way with no strings attached,” I shifted then, wondering why I brought it up. “Anyway... I guess I do have one other question. How do you get along with the Black Bandits?”
“You mean the Black Hill Bandits I guess… Well they are enemies… We had many fights with them in past.”
I nodded with relief that I wouldn’t be working with them. They robbed me last week is why I asked.”
“And we figured out that they are allied with the Shoshone tribe from Nevada.”
I nodded, knowing that information already as well. “Don’t get me started on the tribe from Nevada.”
“Oh you got trouble with them before?”
“They stopped me on the street in Idaho West and said that I could do it the easy or the hard way. They wanted one hundred coins so I gave it to them, not wanting violence. Then I asked who they were and they showed me their flag. Found out later through investigating that they had a fort over in Nebraska, and found out it was Billy and Sky Talon who done it. They were circling an area where I was this weekend but they didn’t attack.”
“Aah… yes this pair of…” he said and started to swear about them and then blushed.
“Hey, if the shoe fits,” I chuckled and he laughed with relief.
“Don’t sensor yourself around me, Catka,” I smiled. “I only worry.... How Angelo will take this news.”
“Angelo? You know him?”
I shifted uncomfortably and looked down at the floor. “We uh... I’ve known him a while, yeah.”
“Doesn’t sound lucky… got problems with him? A lover?”
“No. All I ever wanted to be was his friend. But he didn’t seem to want any more friends,” I shrugged.
“Oh yes… That’s Angelo.”
“I just hope he doesn’t hold my past over my head.”
“Well, the news today was he found his own bandit group in the northern states, but will still be allied with us.”
“Oh really?” I raised an eyebrow.
“Yes...he got a little dispute with a member of the Calaveras… Icey… guess you know her.”
“Yeah, I’ve heard the name more than a few times.”
“And so he founded his own gang....well what should I say.”
“Well I guess we’ll cross that bridge when it comes, huh? I should get out there and see what I can find out. Thank you again for this opportunity,” I smiled.
“Okay, I will hunt now… So we meet again. Take care, Trin.”
“Safe travels to you, Catka. We will touch base soon,” I nodded and waved as I had out of the saloon.
***
I waved to Nat as I headed up to the highest point of the Scorpion hideout. “Hey Nat! Mind if I come up?” I asked her.
“Yes sure you may come,” she beckoned me forward and I walked up the walkway, taking a seat beside her.
“How are things?” I smiled to her.
“Hi.. Ye had luck… Here are some small fall… I’m fine, thank you, and how are you?”
“You had some luck with what?” I grew curious.
“At the poker table is a summary… because you should not sit on,” she giggled.
“I love poker. Great way to pass the time when nothing is happening.”
“Yes you can play well here or in the casino.>”
“Everyone else is out and about?” I asked, looking around.
“Yes,” she nodded and pointed to a picture on the wall, showing a dead hand with a few cards in it.
“I would guess a bad hand? His luck ran out?”
“Called the poker hand which holds the skeleton in hand ‘death man’s hand.’ The leaf hate Wild Bill Hickok when he was shot in the back at the poker table. Hence the name.”
“Allessio is not here?” I chuckled.
“No. Come, I’ll show you a few things.”
We walked through the hideout and she showed me where the escape routes were. We climbed up mountains and found a spot at the highest point and I looked out over the amazing view. She showed me the church in town and where there was a store.
We walked past Adder’s place and he said that he had his new house set up. “Nat was just showing me around. Think she went on ahead but I wanted to stop and take a breather,” I said, looking around to see the girl was gone.
“Should be safer too, without the Shoshone so close.”
“Indeed. Though I hear the Apache like to come around here,” I said and he nodded. “Kilyko lives here too?”
“Aye she does. And the dogs and horses,” he nodded.
“Don’t have room for another huh?”
“No, it’s a bit tight,” he laughed. “Had to ask.”
“Nat must have gone on without me. Can I come in and look around?”
“Sure,” he said and led me inside. He showed around the house and I asked if we could talk, but he had some things to do so I headed back outside and greeted Teru.
Kilyko walked over and I waved to her. “Hey Kilyko! I was just visiting Adder.”
“Ah how are things?”
“Things are okay. Just wonderin what to do about this housing situation.”
“Talk to someone about it?”
I went to sit on the chair beside her and asked, “Should I keep the safehouse in Oregon or just make the permanent move to Kingsley?”
“Your choice, Trin,” she shrugged a bit.
“Guess I could look around Kingsley.”
“I’d talk to Genth.”
“Guess I should go find him. I’ll talk to you soon I guess,” I stood.
“Oh by the way Teru bit the Cherokee chief for you….” Kilyko laughed.
“Oh did she?” I smiled.
“Yes I found her injured and him howling…” Kilyko laughed.
“Well that makes me feel better,” I winked. “Wonder what transpired to turn into that.”
“Crazy dog!!”
“Smart dog,” I chuckled. “Well I should head home. Good to see you again hon.”
“You too take care!” Kilyko waved and I headed back to the saloon.
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