Chapter XLI

Washburn pulled his horse to a stop in front of the tiny hotel with a sigh of relief.  They had spent too damn many days on the trail and his body was aching from facing the rigors it was no longer accustomed to dealing with.  He would be thrilled to see a bed with a real mattress - two and a half weeks of sleeping on the hard, muddy ground had made them all tired and miserable.  He crossed the threshold, the spurs on his boots making an obnoxious jingling sound.  It brought the proprietor from the back, wiping his hands on a towel.  But before he could speak Washburn spoke up gruffly.  “How many rooms ya got?”

“Six.”

“I’ll take ‘em all for me and my men.  And I need a place to stable our horses,” nodding when the innkeeper motioned to the stable area out back.  “What time’s supper?”

“Six.”

Washburn rolled his eyes, idly wondering if that was the only word the rotund little man in front of him had the ability to speak.  Then he decided it didn’t matter.  The man was of no consequence to him and if he was able to provide shelter and a decent meal at a reasonable price so much the better.  He motioned to Riggins.

“Pay the man and see that the men settle in and get some rest.  I’m gonna go talk to the Army and see if I can find out what the hell happened to my sons.”

“And after that?”

“After that?  Well, now that all depends on what I find out from the Army.  You scout around the town and see what you can discover.  I wanna know what we’re up against in regards to Stone,” not seeing the proprietor’s eyes widen at the mention of Koko’s white man’s name.  “I’d prefer not to have to chase her down; gives her too much of an advantage. But I’m not sure how the townsfolk feel about her; they might feel the need to get involved and that could get messy.  I’d like it to be neat - less loose ends to tie up.”

“Meet back here for supper?”

“Yeah.  If I get back from the fort earlier, I’ll come find you.”  Then Mordecai headed back out, giving orders to one of his cowboys to look after his horse before turning his steps in the direction of the fort to find some answers.

************

The proprietor of the hotel, one Matthew Carver by name, took the money from Riggins and passed him keys to the six rooms he had available.  He answered the questions Riggins put to him, telling the truth as much as possible without actually giving him much useful information.  The town was already divided over their feelings about Reb Stone having some sort of Injun wife.  No way was Carver going to add fuel to the fire against her if he could help it.  God knew she’d done far more good for the people of the town and surrounding area than most of the holy rollers that wanted to condemn her.

If Riggins knew he was getting far less information than he’d expected, he didn’t let it show in his expression.  Instead he accepted the facts he was given with a polite nod of his head, then went back outside to give the boys their instructions.  He knew if he asked around long enough, he’d be able to find someone more than willing to give him the answers he needed.

The cowboys took his words at face value, too tired to care much about the restrictions they had been placed under.  They expected things to be over with and settled in another day or two - waiting that long for their pleasure would not kill them and would probably be that much more pleasant when they were finally allowed to indulge.

Riggins watched them gather up their things, half leading the horses into the stables; the other half moving to put the saddle bags in their rooms.  Satisfied that they were content to mind their orders for now, he left to make his trek through the town.  Surely somewhere here he’d be able to find the answers he sought.

************

Kitty watched the Washburn contingent arrive in the late afternoon sunlight.  Business was slow - not an unforeseen obstacle in the middle of the week - and she had plenty of time to watch the goings on in the town.   She watched as Washburn went in, followed by a tall, gangly man she assumed was his trail boss by his gait and manner.  The cowboys sat quietly mounted, bedraggled and obviously tired by their very demeanor until the second man came back out and started issuing orders.

Her eyes moved back to the first man - Washburn, she’d concluded given his age and direction.  She waited until he disappeared around the street corner that would take him directly to the fort before allowing her gaze to return to the large group of cowboys now splitting up.

She let her eyes follow the trail boss as he headed up the street, wondering what he was looking for.  When he went into the dry goods store, she called for Ginger.

“Put on your going out duds and go talk to Matthew; see if he knows who those boys are and what they want.  I have a feelin’ Washburn and his bunch just arrived in town.  If I’m right, they should be lookin’ for Reb.”

“What ‘bout you?”

“I’m gonna go talk to Stephen.  Maybe he can go find Reb... give her a heads up that Washburn is here with a posse of men.  Which in my opinion means he’s come lookin’ for trouble.  He don’t need that many fellas just to pick up a body or two.  And besides, he didn’t bring no wagons to transport anything or anyone home with him.”

“All right, Kitty.  I’ll go talk to Matthew,” Ginger replied as they headed up the stairs together.  “I have to say that I’ll be glad when this is all over.”

“Why?” Kitty asked, genuinely curious.  She knew why she’d be glad to see the end of this little saga.  Reb had always looked after them and though Kitty knew Reb was staying away to keep trouble in the town to a minimum, she missed her presence.  “It hasn’t hurt business.  Hell, if we got those cowboys in here, it’d be a nice little mid-week bonus.”

“And who’d service them, Kit?  They’re Washburn’s men and they’re takin’ up sides against Reb.  Who’d take their blood money?”

Kitty smiled and wrapped an arm round Ginger’s waist.  “I knew I could count on you, Ging.  But why will you be glad when it’s over?”

“’Cause it’ll be nice to have things settled.  I’m tired of living in the center of a hornet’s nest that is really no one’s business to start with.”

“You think Reb defeating Washburn will stop that?”

“I can hope,” Ginger replied as she slipped into her ‘going out’ clothing.  “No one much cared until the Washburn boys started stirring up shit about her.”

“We’ll hope, then.  Although I don’t see them close-minded old biddies changing their minds about anything much anytime soon.  It puts them in the wrong, ya know.”

Ginger snorted. “I wonder how they survived back East,” pinning her hair up under her hat and then opening the door and motioning Kitty out ahead of her.  Kitty chuckled.

“Why do you think they came West?”

“Not to find the likes of us or Reb Stone, I’m betting.  Now go see Stephen.  We’ll meet back here and pool our information.”  Then they stepped from the saloon, each heading their own way.

************

Riggins was becoming more than a little frustrated; everywhere he had been in this town so far had been most unyielding with any information about Reb Stone.  If he had been a suspicious man he would have suspected a conspiracy against him personally.  As it was he was fairly confident he was being stonewalled for lack of a better term, but he couldn’t figure out why.

Finally after unsuccessful ventures into the hotel, the dry goods store, the blacksmith’s shop, the tailor’s, the post office and the Marshal’s office, Riggins was at something of a loss to know where else to try.  Then the ringing of the bell signaling the time for prayer meeting got his attention and he turned and headed back the way he had come; only this time he was going to church.

Reverend Hawkins stood outside the door greeting the few parishioners who deigned to attend mid-week services.  There weren’t that many and not for the first time did the reverend wonder if it was all just a waste of time.  Surely if the Lord were blessing his efforts here, there would be more of an outpouring; more people attending; more something at any rate.  Then he saw a stranger approaching and his countenance changed.

“Welcome, Friend,” he greeted. “Have you come to join us in worship?”

Riggins swallowed the guffaw he wanted to emit.  Instead he cleared his throat.  “No, Reverend.  I’m pretty sure God wouldn’t welcome the likes a me.”  Before the pastor could argue his words, Riggins continued.  “I was looking for some information about a bounty hunter by the name of Reb Stone.”

Hawkins’ eyes widened comically.  “I see. Um... well, as you can see, I am preparing to conduct a prayer meeting service, but if we could talk in the morning....”

“Reverend, if I stay for your prayer meeting would you be willing to talk to me tonight?  I really do need that information as soon as possible.”

Daniel scrubbed a hand over his face, making a rasping buzzing noise.  “It’s that important?”

“I b’lieve so.”

The reverend shook his head.  “Let me get the service underway and when we break into prayer groups, you and me’ll have us a little talk.”

“Thank ya, Parson… ‘preciate it.”

************

Honaw’s face scrunched into a frown but he refused to open his eyes, brushing at whatever was tickling him.  It stopped and he sighed, settling back down to sleep.  A moment later the sensation returned and he swatted again, managing to wake himself when his hand came into contact with his face.  He sat up, glaring at the ground around him to determine what had been annoying the hell out of him.  Unable to find anything more than the waving grasses surrounding him, Honaw huffed and lay back down, hoping to get a little more sleep before the sun made its appearance over the horizon.

Donoma chuckled and looked at Koko wide-eyed.  “How did you do that?” her voice a bare whisper.  “He did not even see you, and you were sitting right next to him.”

“Years of practice, Ka’eskone.  Do you not recall the number of times we defeated the rest in hiding and seeking games because they could not find us?  It is simply a matter of becoming part of your surroundings and it is one reason I am as successful as I am as a bounty hunter.”

“I was never able to master that skill the way you did, Warrior.  It was always you who blended us into what was around us.  I had just never seen it work like that before - from the outside so to speak.”

Koko nodded and then kissed Donoma, motioning for silence as they separated once more.  Donoma watched in awe as Koko went around the camp, tickling and aggravating the warriors; even going so far as to awaken many of them without ever once revealing herself to them.  Then as the sun began to edge towards the horizon, just as the sky lightened from black to gray, the men began to stir and Koko sat quietly on Black’s back and waited.

Honaw was the first to open his eyes again, blinking furiously to clear his vision only to shake his head in disbelief when they landed on Koko’s casually sprawled form. One by one the warriors woke up, then fell into silence upon recognition that Koko Kanti and Donoma Chepi were in their midst.  Only Hassun found the voice to speak.

“Greetings from the People, Warrior Champion and Seer of the Great Spirit.  We bid you welcome into our camp,” formally inviting both Koko and Donoma to join them.  Koko and Donoma exchanged glances, then Koko slid negligently from her saddle before assisting Donoma from Dapples’ back.

“We accept your welcome and the warmth of your fire.”  She motioned to the fire that Honaw and Keez were currently stoking back to flame.

“Join us,” Hassun invited, “and hear news we bring from the People.”

Honaw snorted, having finally had enough of the formality.  He turned to Donoma and opened his arms and she walked into his embrace. Koko shook her head with a smile, extending an arm to Hassun in warrior greeting.  Then the rest gathered around them, anxious to welcome them and offer their congratulations on the recent joining.

For a few minutes this went on and Koko allowed it to do so, knowing each of the men present wanted to express their happiness at the newest union among the People.  She watched, seeing no jealousy or mistrust among her brothers-in-arms and sighed to herself in relief.  Takoda and Odahingum had chosen well those they had sent to her aid.  These would watch her back to the best of their ability, and in the event that something happened to her, they would see to it that Donoma was taken care of.

After a few minutes however, she shook those thoughts from her head and motioned the warriors to settle.  They did so quickly, taking their places around the fire and waiting for her to speak.  She looked around at them, meeting each of their eyes briefly before moving on to the next.  Only when she finished did she look at Donoma, holding out her hand and pulling Donoma to her when she grasped it.

“Hestatanemos, you honor us both by coming to us in what could be our time of need.”

“Could be, Koko Kanti?  Have you had no vision of what is to come, Donoma?” Honaw asked his sister not unkindly.  Donoma shook her head. 

“I have seen nothing, Honaw.  The Great Spirit has shown me nothing beyond the finding of my mate.  Has Neho’e seen?” gazing at him expectantly for an answer.  Honaw shook his head.

“Not that he shared with us,” he said, glancing around the camp and finding confirmation in the eyes that met his.  “Only that he felt it best to send the warriors of the People to stand with you if you had need of such.” 

“And the rest?”

“The rest have gone to the summer camp.”  Koko nodded with approval.  “So Koko,” Keez continued speaking, “What can we do?  What did Takoda and Odahingum send us here to do for you?”

“That depends on what Washburn does.  If he comes to town simply to retrieve the remains of his sons, then nothing will need to be done.  You will have taken a journey that will serve no purpose other than to allow us a chance to visit with each other.”

“But you do not believe this to be the truth,” Honaw stated without question.

“No.  I believe he blames me for the death of his sons and that he will come seeking retribution from me.”

“Why has he not already done so?” Keez asked straightforwardly, then blinked and swallowed when all eyes turned in his direction.  “Um… it just seems to me that since it has been more than half a moon since this started, he should have done something by now if he was going to.”

“Perhaps,” Koko conceded.  “But you must keep in mind that he has to travel as well. And we have no way of knowing when he started or what the weather is like or how many miles he is willing to go in a single day. There are many things we are unaware of; therefore we must work under the best assumption we can make.”

“And you believe he will search for you.”

“I do.  If he had already been to the fort and claimed his sons, the Marshal would have gotten word to me.  Nevertheless, since I am responsible, however inadvertently, for the deaths of two of his sons and the crippling of the third, I do not think he will be able to let it go without some sort of revenge.  I further believe that their deaths have interrupted the efforts of the horse thieves that I was accused of being party to - one I am convinced belongs to Mordecai Washburn.”

“Why?”

“Huh?  What do you mean why?  Why what?”

“Why do you believe Washburn to be a horse thief?  From what Hassun explained, he is a rancher with enough food and shelter to provide for his clan.  He has no need to steal.”

Koko snorted.  “Since when does need matter in the grand scheme of things, Keez?  He can so he does.  It makes him richer and more powerful in the white man’s world.  And given what little we have learned, it makes the most sense.”

“Except for one thing,” Donoma commented gently.  Koko arched an eyebrow and Donoma returned the favor, causing grins to break out among the warriors.  “Why were they never caught?  They had to have been doing something extremely well to have remained hidden.  So who was helping them?  And why bring attention to themselves by involving you?”

“Those are excellent questions, Ka’eskone,” Koko stated without qualm.  “I believe the answer to the second part of your theory is revenge.  I was a thorn in their side and they hoped that by slandering my name, I would be forced to work with them.  That definitely could have been to their advantage.”

“And the first?”

“I think Donoma is on the right track,” Koko said.  “However, we need to get moving.  If Washburn is going to come looking for me, I am going to force him to meet me on my turf… on my terms.”

With those words the warriors moved as one to eliminate any trace of the camp.  Then they mounted up and waited for Koko and Donoma to do the same - for where they led, the warriors would always follow.


Chapter XLII

“So then Mister...?”  Daniel Hawkins hesitated and looked his question at the man currently seated across from him.  He had clear eyes and a strong chin and the good reverend had his suspicions as to why this stranger was asking after Reb Stone.  But he decided to let the man speak for himself before jumping to any more conclusions.  His track record in that regard was pretty bad lately.

“Riggins,” the foreman answered without hesitation.  “Everyone just calls me Riggins.”

“Well then, Mr. Riggins... what is it you think I can help you with?”

“As I said, Reverend, I’m lookin’ for some information about the bounty hunter Reb Stone.”

“May I ask why you are looking for her?”  A beat.  “I have to tell you, Mr. Riggins - Reb Stone has been a powerful force for good in this town.  Even those that don’t like her respect the things she has done for this place.”

“Is that why people are unwilling to even talk about her?”

The minister nodded.  “Pretty much.  It doesn’t help that you’re a stranger to them.”

“I see,” Riggins said, truly understanding Hawkins’ point.  “Perhaps you’d be willing to share a little about her then,” he asked.  “All I know is she is a bounty hunter that has crossed one line too many as far as my boss is concerned.  I’m beginnin’ to wonder if she had a legitimate reason to.”

“Your boss... Mordecai Washburn?”

“You know him?”

“I know of him.  He had two sons in the Army stationed at the fort here - both dead now.  I have to be honest with you, Mr. Riggins.  I have heard some things about them since their deaths that don’t paint an honorable picture of them.  They seemed to have personal issues with Stone that have brought some of their own activities into a questionable light.”

“How so?”

The minister folded his hands together on his desk and met Riggins eyes unflinchingly.  “Do you know how serious a charge of horse thievin’ is in these here parts, Mr. Riggins?  Do you know the penalty if a man is proven to be a horse thief?”  Riggins nodded, his eyes wide at the implication of Hawkins’ words.

“Leroy and Reuben were making some rumblings against Stone... accusing her of being a horse thief.”

“Perhaps she was,” Riggins replied bluntly.

“No, Mr. Riggins.  She wasn’t.  It’s not even vaguely possible.”

“Why?” he asked in a reasonable tone.  “She’s done so much good that she’s not capable of such a terrible crime?  Did anyone ever stop to think that maybe the reason she’s done so much good is to keep people from seeing her true motive?  To gain the trust of the people here so she could rob them blind?”

“Except that she hasn’t had the time.  Until recently every spare moment was spent here in town.  And she has been far too busy catching the outlaws and criminals in this territory to have had time to round up horses - to say nothing of having the time or the means to dispose of them.”

“And you think two Army officers would have?”

”All I know for certain, Mr. Riggins, is that Reb Stone is no horse thief.”

“There’s no smoke without some fire, Parson.”

“Then I suggest you go lookin’ where that smoke started.”

“Are you speakin’ ill of the dead, Reverend?”

“The Army ain’t dead, Mr. Riggins.”

Riggins stood and Daniel rose with him.  “Do you know where Stone is?” he asked bluntly as Hawkins opened the door to let him leave.

“No.  She and her mate haven’t been in town for over two weeks.”

“Would you tell me if you knew?”

“I dunno,” Hawkins replied.  “I’d like to think so if only to give Stone a chance to clear her name.  But I don’t think that’s what you want her for, is it?”

“Good evening, Reverend,” Riggins said as he walked out the door without answering the parson’s question.  Hawkins watched him head back to the inn, and after only a moment’s hesitation, stepped out of the room and closed the door behind him.  Maybe he could catch the Marshal before things got ugly.

************

“Are you sure, Kitty?” Murphy asked even as he girded himself with extra guns and ammunition.  He had a feeling he was going to have to go looking for Stone and he wanted to be prepared for any eventuality.

“As sure as I can be, Stephen.  There were a whole passel of cowboys with him and the old man took off for the fort first thing.  I’d say it has to be Washburn, but Ginger went to talk to Matthew about it to make sure.”  She glanced at her timepiece.  “She should be back at the saloon by now.  You wanna go ask her?”

“I s’pose I should.  Could you...?”

“I’ll saddle your horse, but you be quick, ya hear me?”

He chuckled and slapped his hat down on the top of his head.  “Fast as I can, Kitty.  The way this thing seems to be coming to a head, I can’t afford to go slow.  Be right back.”

She waved him out then looked down at her good clothes and grimaced before heading out back to the stable.  I must be nuts, she grumbled to herself silently.  I only hope it’s all worth it.  Then she got down to the business of getting Murphy’s horse saddled, feeling like time was quickly slipping away from them.

************

A knock on his open door made Jon Spencer look up in annoyance.  Usually when the door was open, his sergeant just walked to the desk and waited to be acknowledged.  It made for a more relaxed atmosphere and Spencer appreciated that in light of all the stringent regulations he was forced to work under.  So now he pinned Clemmons with a baleful stare.

“I’m sorry for interrupting, sir,” letting him know that the interruption was official and yet out of his normal jurisdiction.  “But there is a Mr. Mordecai Washburn here to see you.”

Spencer swallowed hard and nodded his head.  He cleared his desk, then nodded to Clemmons.  “Please show him in, Sergeant, and close the door behind you.”

“Yessir,” stepping back and motioning Washburn in.  The door closed with the barest snick and the two men stood looking at one another.  Finally....

“Mr. Washburn,” motioning the older man to a seat.  “I’m so sorry....”

“Save it, Colonel,” Washburn snapped, his voice dripping with sarcasm.  “What the hell were you thinking??  How could you screw this up so badly?”

“Sit down and lower your voice or I’ll have you removed.”

“Careful, Little Man... I know enough to have you locked up in your own stockade for the rest of your life,” though he did lower his voice and take the seat Spencer offered him.  Mordecai nodded his head in the affirmative when the colonel offered him a shot of whiskey.

“Just remember anything you think you know implicates you and no one here will take the word of a grieving father over a respected Army colonel.”

“So you think you’ve got it all figured out, do you?”

“I think I know enough to keep me in the clear.  If you had just stayed out of it....”

“Don’t even go there, Boy!  Who do you think set you up here in the first place??  You didn’t earn that commission any more than either of my other two sons did.  I paid for it... lock, stock and barrel.  So don’t sit there and act like you don’t owe me!”

“I don’t owe you, DAD.  This was payment for your sins remember?  To assuage your conscious for what you did to my mother and your other wife.”

Washburn’s face grew apoplectic with rage.  “Don’t you speak to me in that tone, Boy.  You may be my son, but....”

“NO!  I am not your son; you made that perfectly clear when you gave me this commission.  I was a debt to be paid... guilt to be bought off.  And still it came with strings attached.  How did you manage to get them assigned to my unit?”

Washburn shrugged.  “It was easy.  Anything is easy with money and the right connections.”

“So now what?”

“Now I want you to explain to me how things got so fucked up.  You were supposed to look out for your brothers.”

“That’s rich.  Now you want them to be my brothers??  Maybe you should have explained that to them a little more clearly.  Maybe you should have taught them how to follow orders better.”

“What are you saying?”

“I’m saying it is their own damn fault that they’re dead.  And it’s their damn fault that your little horse operation has gone awry.  I told them to leave things alone.  And I told them to leave Stone out of it.  They couldn’t quite seem to manage it... especially the part about Stone.  Now the entire town is up in arms over the accusations they made.  They believe the Washburn boys were dirty and trying to cover their own guilt by laying the blame on Stone.  If they’d just kept her out of it....”

“So what are you doing about it?”

“Not a damn thing,” Spencer growled.  “When the fervor dies down, you might be able to resume operations again, but I wouldn’t count on it.  All eyes are looking at us right now, and I’m not risking myself or anyone else for you.  As far as I am concerned, the horse business died when Leroy got greedy and Reuben got stupid.”

”How dare you...?”

“How dare I??  Very easily.  After all... you sit back on the ranch and wait for the profits to flow in.  You’re not out here doing all the work and taking all the risks.”

“I have clients....”

“Then I suggest you find a legitimate way to fulfill their contract, sir, because the US Army is no longer at your beck and call.”

“I’ll crush you.”

“You can try.  But I assure you, Mr. Washburn, I have learned a good many things in recent days.  I doubt very seriously you would land on the winning side of a confrontation between us.  And kindly do not forget that I have an entire garrison at my disposal.  How many cowboys did you bring along on this vendetta of yours?  A dozen, maybe?  Do you really want to chance it?”

“You wouldn’t....”

“Try me,” Spencer confirmed flatly.  “Take the bodies of your two sons and go home, Old Man.  Leave Stone alone.  Going after her will only bring you more heartache.”

“I’m entitled to retribution.  I’m entitled to justice.”

Now Spencer laughed, a cruel, bitter sound.  “Justice has already been dealt and even Stone’s enemies would agree with that.  Cut your losses and go home.”

Washburn stood and shoved his chair against the colonel’s desk.  “I’ll make that determination, Boy - not you or some abomination from God.  I owe her and I’m gonna make sure things are square between us before I go home.  You just stay out of my way!”

Washburn stomped over to the door and jerked it open, letting it slam against the wall as he walked out.  Spencer just watched him go, not surprised when Clemmons stuck a cautious head in.  “Would you like me to close it again, sir?”

“No, Sergeant - leave it open.  I think Mr. Washburn was just overcome with grief.”

Clemmons nodded and resumed his seat without a word.  There was no way he was going to tell the colonel that he’d overheard every single word.  Suddenly Jake Clemmons had a lot to think about, and not much time to make a decision in.

************

“You can’t stop us, Marshal.  We’ll either ride with you, or we’ll follow along behind.  But you’re not gonna leave us out of this.  Too many of us here owe too much to Reb Stone to allow her to face this without some backup.”

“And what makes you think something’s goin’ on?”

“Marshal, we ain’t none of us that stupid.  We all know who come to town today and judging from the amount of bodies he brought with him, I’d say it was fairly safe to assume it wasn’t just to pick up his boys and head back to his ranch.  Now what’s it gonna be? Are we riding together or are we followin’ ‘long behind ya?”

Murphy sighed.  Truth was, he wanted the backup.  But he also didn’t want to put these men in danger.  There was a very real possibility that there would be a gunfight, and if that was the case, men were going to die.

“Marshal,” another man spoke up.  “We know the risks and we accept them.  Our choice... not your responsibility.”

“All right then,” Murphy said after another long moment of meeting each of their eyes and seeing the determination writ clearly in every pair.  “Gear up.  We could be out there for a while.  I’m gonna go let Spencer know to keep an eye on things while we’re gone.”  The men nodded and went about their tasks while Stephen Murphy headed to the Army Fort.

The door was closed and he could hear raised voices, but Murphy was so intent on heading out to find Reb that he dismissed it as inconsequential at the time.  Instead he gave Clemmons a brief rundown of what was going on and obtained the sergeant’s word that they would keep an eye on things.  It wasn’t until he was on his way back into town to pick up his posse that it occurred to him that Spencer must have been in conference with Washburn.  He wondered what had caused them to argue or if it was just a father venting his grief.  Murphy hoped it was the second, but he had the feeling there was a lot more to it than he knew.  He only hoped not knowing now wouldn’t come back to bite him in the ass later.

The men of the town were waiting for him in front of the brothel already mounted and geared up, ready to go.  Only Daniel Hawkins remained behind unsurprisingly, although in all honesty Murphy was glad he was staying in town.  The Marshal didn’t trust him and keeping him here meant not having to watch his back out there.

Kitty came out of the saloon, still all gussied up and only a little worse for the wear.  He stepped up to her and nodded towards his horse.  “Thanks, Kitty.”

“You owe me.”

“I certainly do.”

“Here,” handing him a package.  “Somethin’ from Big Mama.  Don’t ask; I don’t know what it is either.  Prob’ly cookies for all of you your first night out.”

Murphy nodded.  “I don’t know how long we’ll be.  The Army’s s’posed to keep an eye on things, but you may want to keep an eye on the Army.  And definitely keep an eye on the good reverend.  I don’t trust him overly much.”

“I’ll do what I can, but make it quick, will ya?  I got a bad feeling about this.”

“Do my best,” he assured her, leaning over and kissing her cheek.  “I’ll even try to get Reb and Donoma to come back with me depending on how things go.”

“I’m not gonna hold my breath.  If I was the two of them, I’d want to be as far away from here as I could get.  But you make sure they know that we’ll welcome them with open arms if they do come back.”

“I’ll tell, ‘em, Kit.  You just take care while we’re gone.”

“You too, Marshal.  That could be a mighty long road you’re fixing to travel.”

He nodded and mounted up, then turned his horse towards the sun that was moving closer and closer to the horizon. They would have to travel after dark, but they would reach Reb’s homestead tonight.  Depending on what they found there would determine their next course of action.  Murphy only hoped they would not be too late.


Chapter XLIII

“So what is the plan, Koko Kanti?  Surely we are not going to wait here for the white man to come and slaughter us?”

“Not at all, Keezheekoni.  We will set up a perimeter around the area.  When Washburn comes he will be surrounded.”

“Why do I get the feeling it will not be that easy?” Donoma muttered under her breath, but Koko turned and met her eyes.

“Because you are wise beyond your years and experience, Ka’eskone.”  She turned back to the warriors of the People.  “I will not tell you it will be easy because I do not think it will.  Washburn has been around for a long time.”

“What if he does not come?  How long are we to wait here?”

“Stephen will find us - I marked the trail for him.  He will let us know if Washburn returns without seeking revenge.”

“Why you?” Honaw asked abruptly.  “Why come after you?  Why implicate you at all?”  He shook his head and looked at Koko.  “It seems to me that it was rather stupid to bring such attention to you when had they simply left you alone, none of this would have happened.”

Koko sighed.  That question still plagued her.  “I was something they could not conquer… could not tame.  It started when I won Black and it went downhill from there.  When I would not scout for them, it made it worse and when I would not sleep with them, it got personal.”

“You were not meant for them.  You were meant for Donoma Chepi!”

“I am aware,” Koko replied to the outrage drolly.  “But they were not suited for that kind of rejection.”

”Koko,” spoke up one of the more silent warriors unexpectedly.  “There is something I do not understand.”

“There are many things I do not understand, Rogi.  What is your question?”

“How did they expect to darken your name with this accusation?  By your own account the one who shot Donoma did so in order to steal Black from you.  How did he intend to accuse you of being a thief when all the evidence points to him?”

“I believe he was under the mistaken impression that the people in town would believe him because of his Blue Coat.  Or he thought that by accusing me, I would be more likely to join him in his endeavors.”

“What an idiot!  That has to be the dumbest idea....”

Donoma snickered.  “From what I have gathered he was not noted for his intelligence.  I am beginning to believe that lack runs in the family.”

“Then we should be glad there is only one other to contend with.  I wish we did not have to wait for him to come to us though.  I would like to get this over with so we can all go home,” Honaw said, not missing the glances Donoma and Koko exchanged.  “What?”

“We may not be returning to the People right away, Honaw,” Donoma said softly, but the camp was so quiet everyone heard her words.  “Koko and I would like to spend some time reacquainting ourselves with one another; spend a bit of time alone together.”

“So suddenly the People are not good enough to be your family?” he asked outraged.  “We watched over you and cared for you when she left you alone, but now that she has returned we are not enough??”  He rose from his place and stomped off into the darkness before anyone could formulate an answer.  Keez stood to follow him, but Donoma laid a hand on his arm and shook her head

“My place,” she stated and with a nod he acquiesced.  Donoma and Koko shared a glance so intimate the rest looked away out of respect for their privacy.  Koko ran a tender hand down the side of Donoma’s face, smiling at the tremor she evoked with her touch, then sucking in her own breath when Donoma kissed her fingertips.

“Be quick, Ka’eskone.”

“I will, Warrior.”  Then she turned and headed out into the darkness in the direction Honaw had disappeared.

************

“Marshal, how much further you figure we gotta go til we find ‘em?” one of the men from the back of the crowd called out.

“Dunno, Thomas.  Maybe an hour... maybe a little more.  Been a while since I had to go riding in this direction.  Truth is I’m not exactly sure where she is; I’m following her trail.”

“But you do expect to find her,” half statement and half question.

“Yep.  It’s just a matter of time.”  Just about that time he heard the cry of a hawk and he pulled up short, forcing everyone behind him to do the same.  “Drop your guns now!” before they could protest.  He dropped his gunbelt and held up his hands, showing he was unarmed.  The rest followed his example and they waited.  A long moment passed before a figure emerged from the darkness and the Marshal gave a sigh of relief when the moonlight revealed Reb Stone’s set features.

“Stephen, what’s all this?” motioning to the silent men behind him.  “I was expecting you to come alone.”

“We wouldn’t let him, Reb,” Thomas spoke up before Murphy could open his mouth.  “We owe you too much to let you face Washburn alone.”

“You don’t owe me....”

“Well, we’re still not gonna let you face him alone, Reb,” Murphy replied before an argument could erupt.  “He brought himself in a passel of cowboys and his trail boss was asking questions ‘bout you all over town.”

Koko nodded thoughtfully.  “That does sound like he’s here to cause trouble all right.  But, um... who’s looking after the town?  If all of you are out here with me,” she continued as she watched comprehension dawn in their eyes, “who is watching out for your wives and children?”

“The Army,” Stephen answered promptly.  “I stopped in and spoke to Clemmons.  He assured me they’d keep an eye on things while we were gone.”

“Clemmons?  Why not Spencer?”

“He was in a closed door meetin’.  I think it was with Washburn.”

“You think?”

“Hard to say with the door closed,” Murphy responded impatiently.  “But I heard raised voices.”  He shrugged again.  “A little odd, now that I think about ‘cause it sounded more like anger than grief.  Might oughta shoulda checked that out a little bit.”

“Too late to worry about it now,” Koko commented.  “Come join us around the fire and we’ll see if we can figure out what we need to do now.”

“Why do we need to do anything, Reb?  I trust Clemmons; he’ll make sure Spence knows.”

Koko shook her head, not sure how to convey her doubts about Spencer.  Until recently she’d had none, but then again, until recently her interaction with the Army Colonel had been fairly limited.  They knew of one another, exchanged greetings in the saloon, but most of Koko’s interaction remained between her and Stephen Murphy.

“Where’s Donoma?” the Marshal asked bringing her out of her brown study.  Koko motioned to the north. 

“Talking to her brother.”

Murphy’s eyebrows rose, but he left well enough alone.  He figured he’d hear about it eventually if he needed to know.  If not... well, it wasn’t like there wasn’t plenty on his plate already.  Koko made the introductions around and then they all sat and started discussing possibilities.

************

“Honaw?”

“Go away, Donoma. I do not want to talk to you right now.”

“Well, I am not going anywhere so you let me know when you are ready to talk about it.”

Honaw turned his back to her and Donoma took the opportunity to look up at the stars.  Honaw wondered at the complete silence and shifted enough to catch the look on her face.  There was happiness there... something that had been missing for five very long cycles.  But more than that, there was peace.  He sighed.

“Why, Ka’eskone?  Why do you not want to return home with us?”

“I am not sure I can explain well enough for you to understand, Honaw.”

“Try, Donoma Chepi.  I need to understand.”

Donoma turned back towards the stars, gazing at them with a small smile on her face.  Honaw watched her, wondering what special magic the lights in the night sky held for his sister.  “All my life,” she began softly, “I have been part of the People... part of the whole that make up our clan. They gave me a home and a family and they are very important to me.  I have always tried to give my best back to the People, sharing my sight with the elders and becoming a healer to those who needed one even when my first priority was Koko.”

“But...?”

“When Koko left the People were all I had and I put everything I had... everything I was... into the People.  They were my whole world... my sole focus.”

Honaw shrugged.  “I know, Ka’eskone.  I was there; I saw it all.”

Donoma sighed.  “I cannot do that now, Honaw.  Koko comes first, last and always for me.  I still love the People and they will always be a part of my family, but Koko is my life.  I cannot return to the People in the capacity I left; I am no longer that person.  And I am not sure the People would understand the change.”

“Why?  We are not stupid, Donoma.”

“No, Honaw.  The People are not stupid.  But this is not about intelligence nor is it about the wisdom of our fathers.  This is about how things have changed.  Things would not be like they were when Koko lived among us before, nor would they be like they were while she was gone from us.”  She paused. “I am not saying we will not visit and I am not saying we will not one day return to the People one day to remain.  But for now... for right now, Koko and I need to be alone together for a while.  We need to adjust to life as an us without anyone else’s expectations on us.”

“Donoma, we all have had to live with expectations from the People as we have grown up.  It is the way of life.”

“Not like this, Honaw.”  He cocked his head and waited.  Donoma sighed again and turned to face him.  “When you and Gaagii were joined, nothing much changed except she had a fire and a home of her own that she shared with you instead of with her Nahko’e and Neho’e.  Her responsibilities did not change and neither did yours.  She remained a gatherer and provider; you remained a warrior.”

“Yes, so?”

“It would not be that way for me.  I would no longer be healer and seer to the People.  I would return to my role as warrior advisor to Koko Kanti.  And she is no longer the warrior you knew growing up.”

“You did not see her in action against the white men who threatened us.”

“You have not seen her in any other way.  To you she has always been a warrior.  To me she is much more.  And I do not think the People would not accept what she is now.  She is more than just People, Honaw - she is white also.  And she has a life among the white man just as she had one among us.”

“And what of you, Donoma?  Do you have a life among the white man?”

“I have a life wherever Koko Kanti is, Honaw.  And that may be among the People again one day.  But not now.  Now we need to be us together just for a little while.  When all this is over I just want a little time to be with her - to rediscover the people we are together.”

Honaw stepped up to Donoma and put his hands on her shoulders.  “I think I understand, Ka’eskone.  I will try to explain to Nahko’e and Neho’e, but I am not certain I can make them recognize the truth alone.”

Donoma smiled.  “Koko and I will explain it to them, Honaw.  Neho’e will understand; Nahko’e will not be happy but she will accept it.”

“You have seen?”

Donoma shook her head.  “I just know.  Now we need to return.  I believe we have guests.”  Honaw cocked an eyebrow but Donoma didn’t answer.  She simply headed back to Koko and the fire.  Honaw jogged to catch up and together they walked back.

************

Washburn returned to the town just as the sun touched the horizon.  He drew in a deep breath of spring air, then stepped inside the hotel.  Carver was no longer behind the desk and none of Washburn’s own cowboys were to be seen. Blowing out a frustrated breath, Mordecai walked back out into the cooling air and stuck his hands in his pockets as he leaned against the railing.  Something odd was going on.

He looked around the town, trying to pinpoint what had set off his intuition, but couldn’t find anything out of place.  Then his eyes landed on the saloon brothel.  He growled.  “Oh, they better not’ve,” he muttered to himself.  Mordecai pushed away from the railing and headed across the street.

It was quiet, which Washburn found strange.  He’d never heard of a quiet saloon before.  Even on week nights like this one was, there were always rowdy men making noise inside - getting drunk, playing cards, being chatted up by the whores who worked there.  So the silence was a bit unnerving.

Unfortunately the curtains over the glass windows had been pulled and he couldn’t see in, forcing him to go inside.  When he did so he was met by a mountain of a woman with the darkest skin he’d ever seen.  He just looked at her while Big Mama glared at him.

“We’s closed,” she said in a tone that brooked no argument.  He snorted his disbelief and she walked right into his personal space.  “I said we’s closed.”

He stepped back slightly and her eyes lit in triumph.  It made him angry.  “Who’dya think you are, nigger woman?  This is a bar and I want a drink.  Now get outta my way,” pushing against her before finding his hand caught.  Her eyes bore into his.

“We. Is. Closed.”

“Is there a problem, Big Mama?”

“No, Miss Kitty,” she called back to the woman on the stairs.  “This gent’man was jus’ leavin’.”

Mordecai looked back and forth between the two women and finally shrugged his defeat.  He had the answer he’d come in for.  With a snarl he shoved his way back out the door.  He noted Riggins coming back towards him from the direction of the church schoolhouse and crossed back over to the hotel.  Maybe he’d have some answers because Washburn couldn’t imagine Riggins going to church for any other reason.

Riggins stepped onto the porch and leaned against the opposite post from his boss.  Mordecai looked at him impatiently.  “Well?”

“Stone’s not here,” he replied succinctly.  “But it appears that all the able-bodied men in town have departed - headed out to parts unknown.  I’m bettin’ that they’ve gone lookin’ for Stone.”

“And left the town unprotected?”

“Well, the Army is still here.”

Washburn laughed without a trace of humor.  “I can take care of the Army.”  He scraped a hand across his chin thoughtfully.  “We should be able to make this work in our favor... force Stone to come to us.  That will give us an added advantage.”

“What’re we gonna do?”

“Tonight?  We’re gonna have a bite of supper and a good night’s sleep.  Tomorrow will be soon enough to figure out a way to get Stone back here without actually killin’ too many of the townsfolk here.”  He chuckled again.  “We do it right... no one’ll have to die ‘ceptin’ for Stone and her little whore.  And I don’t think too many here will mourn her passin’ for very long.”

Riggins wasn’t sure he agreed, but he didn’t comment.  Instead he turned and held the door open for Washburn to enter the hotel ahead of him.  Neither man noticed Kitty step out of the shadows nor head down the street towards the church, determination in her stride.

************

Daniel Hawkins looked up from his desk when Kitty flung the door open.  He sat back when she leaned over his desk, fire burning in her eyes.

“Daniel, we need to talk.”

He motioned her to a chair and waited for her to speak.


Chapter XLIV

It had been a long, long time since Daniel Hawkins had ridden trail as he was attempting to do now.  He’d been something of a rebel rouser growing up and had learned to follow the signs to keep away from trouble when things started to get too hot.  Now he was trying to remember lessons he’d deliberately put from his mind when he’d become a preacher.

There’d been a fight with his wife when he’d left.  She more than any one else in town had trouble accepting Reb Stone as anything other than an abomination against everything she thought God intended a woman to be.  Daniel wondered what secrets Mary was keeping from him to make her opinions of Stone so vehement.

He had prevailed however, when he stressed the danger she and the other women of the town could possibly be in given what Kitty had overheard.  And despite Mary’s disdain for Kitty and the other whores because of their profession even she had to admit that none of them were prone to lying.  In fact, in her opinion they were generally disgustingly honest if only for the shock value it provided them.  So she’d packed him a lunch and kissed him goodbye before closing the door behind him and going to their bed alone. 

Now he rode along in the dark, pondering Kitty’s words even as he looked for signs of the way the Marshal and his posse had traveled earlier.  Fortunately it was a large group and they had made no real effort to hide their tracks.  Daniel had to wonder at the wisdom of that particular circumstance, but he was smart enough to realize there was probably very little the Marshal could do about it given that he had somewhat unwillingly accepted the help of his unlooked for troop of men.

He sighed with exhaustion.  It had been years since he’d been able to go all day and all night too, and marriage had only added to that change.  He rubbed at his burning eyes, hoping his horse was smart enough to continue to follow the tracks for a minute while he rested his eyes.  The next time he opened them, the sun was just edging over the horizon and the horse had come to a complete standstill.

Daniel blinked and looked around, wondering what had caused his horse to stop and him to waken.  Then he felt the chills skitter up his spine, recognizing that he was surrounded by some very unhappy looking Indians.  He slowly raised his hands above his head, hoping that his surrender would keep him from dying long enough to allow him to get a message to Reb Stone.  After that....

The natives didn’t move; merely kept an eye on him.  Daniel remained completely still and silent waiting for something to happen.  He was not stupid enough to believe he could do anything at the moment.

After a little while the group parted though they never took their eyes from him.  He wasn’t really surprised to see Stone step from their midst, but he kept his hands raised as a precaution.  A signal from Koko brought down the weapons aimed at Hawkins and at her nod he slowly lowered his hands as well.

“Reverend?  What brings you out here?”  Not unfriendly, but definitely not welcoming either.

He cleared his throat awkwardly.  “A message from Kitty.  She said you needed to know.”  He cleared his throat again.  “She overheard Washburn and his trail boss Riggins talking.  Seems they’re looking to turn the town into some kind of a trap for you.”

“What about the Army?”

“Washburn thinks he can handle the Army - control them somehow.  I dunno if she knows how; she didn’t share it with me.  But he figures if he owns the town, you’ll come to him and he’ll have the advantage over you.”

Koko ran a hand over her chin thoughtfully.  “He might be right about that.  Then again, he might not.”  She motioned him down from his horse.  “C’mon and have some breakfast with us.  Then we’ll see if we can come up with anything to counteract whatever it is he’s planning.”  Hawkins slid from his horse’s back and Koko looked at him sharply.  “Does anyone else know you’re out here?”

“Only Eunice,” he replied instantly. “And I think I impressed upon her the danger of talking outta turn about this.  At least I hope so.”  Koko threw a look at him and Daniel continued.  “I didn’t like the looks of those fellas.  Riggins seemed like a fairly decent sort but as long as he’s tied up with Washburn....”

“What about Washburn set you off?” Murphy asked when Koko motioned Hawkins to a seat around the campfire.  Most of the warriors were seated on one side and the Marshal’s posse was on the other.  Daniel took his place between Murphy and Honaw, accepting a mug of coffee with a sense of relief.  His eyes were still scratchy and burning from a distinct lack of rest and the coffee was strong enough to make the hair on his arms stand up and take notice.

“I think,” Hawkins said after several swallows of the hot liquid, “it was mostly his attitude.  Obviously he came to town looking for trouble; he refused to let his cowboys visit the saloon.  And despite my religious bent on the subject, I find that highly disturbing.  You can’t make me believe those boys aren’t ready for a little action with the ladies.  And he swaggered back from the fort like he already owned the place.”  He took another sip and accepted a piece of buffalo jerky from Honaw with a grateful nod.  “I was standing on the steps of the church just as he stepped outta the saloon.  According to Kitty he was checking the place out.  Big Mama stopped him like a stone wall,” chuckling at the imagery.  “I didn’t see him but a minute when Riggins left, but there’s just something about him that don’t set right with me.”

“I’m thinkin’ that if what you say is true, Reverend, and I don’t doubt it is, then we’ve got ourselves a right fine mess of trouble.  Question is what’re we gonna do about it?”

Murphy looked at Koko who realized every single eye was on her.  “I will speak with Donoma.”  Without another word she turned and walked away from the camp.

“What t’hell?”  Murphy turned to Honaw and waited for an explanation.  Honaw returned his gaze impassively and the Marshal felt compelled to expound on his query.  “Honaw, where is Reb goin’ and why does she need to talk to Donoma?  Surely someone as delicate as Mrs. Stone can’t be expected to understand the seriousness of the situation we’re in.”

“Donoma Chepi seer and warrior advisor to Koko Kanti.  She will tell Koko what Great Spirit gives.”

Murphy blinked.  Whatever answer he’d expected, this hadn’t even been close.  “Are you tellin’ me she can see the future?”

“Sometimes... if Great Spirit wishes to share knowledge.”

“I’ll be a son of a biscuit.  That could come in real handy.”

“Does... but only when knowledge is given.  Not often.”

“Do you think your Great Spirit shared with Mrs. Stone about this?”  Daniel speaking this time and Honaw turned to look at him a little more clearly as he chewed the tough jerky.  He wrinkled his nose at the white man’s address of his sister.  He understood why - Koko had been very patient in her explanation with the warriors about it.  And he appreciated the respect it afforded Donoma in the white man’s world.  It was still disconcerting to hear her called so.

“Do not know.  Only know she went on vision quest after Marshal arrived.”

“Well, I hope t’hell somebody gives Reb an idea on how to deal with all this, ‘cause I am right fresh outta ideas.”

Honaw nodded but said nothing.  Instead he settled back to wait.

************

Koko walked swiftly but silently to the place where Donoma Chepi had chosen to make her quest.  She remained in the same position Koko had seen her in many times before - sitting on her legs, hands on her thighs with palms upturned and eyes closed in peaceful repose.  Koko did nothing to disturb her but assumed the same position behind and slightly to the right of Donoma.  After a few minutes of light meditation, Koko opened her eyes to find Donoma looking at her with a tiny grin on her face.  She couldn’t stop the answering smile that graced her lips.

“I missed you last night, Ka’eskone.  The blanket was very cold without you.”

“How would you know that, Warrior?  You sat in exactly the same spot and kept watch over me last night.”

“You noticed that, did you?”

“Oh yes, Nutta. I felt you beside me even during my quest.”

“Did you learn anything interesting?”

“Perhaps, but we need to return to the town.  I will explain to you what I saw on the way.  You will have time to consider the knowledge before we arrive.  I do know that we should arrive under the cover of darkness.  It will give us an advantage that Washburn expects to have for himself - the element of surprise.”

“That is very wise, Donoma Chepi.”  Koko rose from her place smoothly, then extended a hand down to Donoma, helping her stand and steadying her on exhausted legs.  “Will you be all right to travel, Ka’eskone?”

“I will manage, Koko Kanti.  We cannot delay our journey.  To do so would mean death or hardship to those we call friends, and I do not want that to happen if we can prevent it.”

Koko stared into Donoma’s eyes and read the truth in them for herself.  She blew out a breath and nodded.  “Very well, Donoma.  I do not want that either.  Come.  We will head back to our cabin so you can rest for a little while.  We will leave from there in time to assure our arrival in town after darkness falls.”

“That sounds like a good idea, Warrior,” Donoma conceded.  “I am glad we are at the closest of the safe places you prepared for battle.”

“As am I.  I will have the men and warriors bunk down in the meadow.  They will be safe enough there and it will give them the opportunity to get a little more rest as well.  I do not think many got much rest last night - too anxious about the whole situation.  Perhaps we will also be able to share a hot meal with them before we leave for town.”

“I think I can manage some sort of stew or something.  We have the supplies; it is simply a matter of finding a pot big enough to feed everyone.”

They arrived back in the camp then and looked around to find every eye on them waiting expectantly.  “Mount up,” Koko commanded.  “We’ll return to our cabin to wait until we can leave to reach the town under the cover of darkness.  Donoma has offered to prepare a hot meal and there’s a meadow where you’ll be able to rest in relative safety.”

The men nodded their understanding and rose in one body to go to their horses.  Making sure the fire was doused Koko followed suit, riding up beside Donoma to lead her little band back towards a confrontation with Mordecai Washburn.

************

Mordecai Washburn opened his eyes just as the sun rose from its bed and started painting its way across the morning sky.  He stretched, wincing as his back popped several times.  This bed wasn’t nearly as comfortable as the feather down one at his ranch, but if sleeping here for a few days would allow him the revenge he sought, then he would bear the discomfort stoically. 

He lay still, working out the logistics of his plan.  The first item on his agenda after breakfast of course, would be to take care of the Army and assure that if he didn’t have their complete cooperation and backing, at least they would not interfere in his right to justice.  After that he would do some scouting in the town... find the best places to put his men for an ambush if it became necessary. Despite his desire to eliminate Reb Stone himself and his expectation of doing so, he wanted to leave nothing to chance.  The woman had been a bane to his family long enough and had already proven her elusiveness by the sheer fact that she continued to survive despite every effort to the contrary.

Satisfied he had a plan for his day, Washburn stretched again - this time enjoying the pull of muscles without the pain of realigning his spine.  He rolled from his bed and washed his face, then headed downstairs to see what was for breakfast.

Riggins was already sitting at a small table with a plate in front of him and the rest of the cowboys occupied the two larger tables in the room.  Washburn looked around curiously before taking the seat across from Riggins, wondering when he’d gotten so old that he was the last man to drag himself from the bed.  Then he gave a mental shrug.  It wasn’t like he wasn’t entitled to a sleep in once in a while, he supposed - especially given how draining this whole damned trip had been so far.

The woman brought out a full plate and set it in front of him, then filled his coffee cup.  He nodded his thanks and picked up his fork to dig in, waiting until she had moved on to the other tables before looking at Riggins.

“Everything quiet?”

“Everythin’s good, Boss.  The boys stayed in last night just like they were told and the townsfolk while not sympathetic towards you, don’t seem to be antagonistic towards you either.  I think....”  Riggins trailed off, not certain Washburn wanted to hear his thoughts on the subject.

“You think what, man?” shoveling more food into his mouth and making it clear he expected Riggins to fill the silence that was left between them.

“I think you’d be better served if the folks here didn’t know they were bein’ used against Stone.  If they find out, it might cause them to rise up an’ riot.  Not sure we really want that.”  Riggins picked up his cooling coffee and took a large gulp.

Washburn continued to shovel and chew as he pondered Riggins’ words.  The man had a good point, and there was really no reason to stir people up early if he didn’t have to.  He really didn’t want to hurt the folks in this town.  They were simply a means to an end.  And with the Army behind him....  He nodded his head and pushed his empty plate away, signaling the woman to refill his coffee.  When she was done and had retreated to the kitchen, Washburn turned his attention back to Riggins.

“All right,” he admitted.  “You’ve got a good point.  Tell the boys to lay low - groom the horses, take a ride out of town as long as they don’t go too far, whatever - just stay out of trouble and out of sight.  As soon as I have the Army on board, we’ll siddown and figure out the quickest way to end this.”  He winced as another twinge went through his back.  “I wanna get back home to my own bed.”  Riggins nodded and made to stand.  A hand on his arm caused him to look at Washburn with a question in his eyes.  “I want you to go take a good look around town; see where we can put the boys when we get word that Stone is inbound.  I was gonna do that myself, but I trust you to take care of it while I go deal with the Army.”

“All right, Boss.  It might take me a while.  I don’t want the women here to get up in arms.”

“Take your time.  We’ll have Stone brought in on our timetable.  Once we’re set and know how to proceed, I’ll have the Army send a runner out to find her.  I’m sure that’ll cause her to come racing back.  And if we’re really lucky, we’ll get that little Injun whore of hers I’ve heard so much about.  Two Stones with one birdie blow,” he added, laughing at his own twisted joke.  “If I’m not at the fort, I’ll be here.  And if I’m not here when you get done, wait for me.”

“Will do, Boss.”  Then Riggins motioned to the cowboys who rose as a single unit and followed him outside to get their instructions.  Washburn drank the last of his coffee, then stood and headed out of the hotel and towards the fort.  He had things to do.

************

Sergeant Jake Clemmons was in a bit of a quandary.  He knew what he had overheard the day before and what it meant.  The real question now was what to do with the information and whom he could trust - not only to believe him but to do the right thing about it.

Before he could come to any conclusions, Colonel Spencer walked in, greeting him good morning and continuing into his office.  Clemmons rose from his seat and followed him in with a cup of coffee.  Spence accepted if gratefully and took a sip before he spoke again.

“Report.”

“Quiet so far, sir.  The staff meeting is at ten and you scheduled an inspection of ‘B’ barracks for this afternoon.  The men of companies ‘A’ and ‘D’ are drilling today and ‘C’ company has the watch.”

“Thank you, Sergeant.  I need to draft a letter to the Secretary of the Army so could you please see that I’m not disturbed for the time being?  Just let me know about five minutes before the staff meeting is to start.”

“Yessir.”  Clemmons closed the door behind him as he left and went to his desk, still pondering his dilemma.  For his part, Spencer went around the desk and took his seat.  He had work to do.

For a little while, things continued to run smoothly and the Colonel was able to concentrate on drafting the letter he felt compelled to write.  Then a noisy disturbance outside his office interrupted his concentration and he went to the door, jerking it open with more than a hint of annoyance.  He saw Mordecai Washburn and his guts roiled with a sick sense of chagrin.  However, he put on his military game face and bellowed, “What is going on here?!?”

Clemmons snapped to attention.  “Mr. Washburn demanded to see you, sir.  I told him you were unavailable, but he refuses to take no for an answer.”

Spencer turned to Washburn and dredged up the courage he should have shown long before.  “I’m sorry, Mr. Washburn.  My sergeant is right.  I’m incredibly busy at the moment.”

“You’ll take the time to see me!“ Mordecai fumed.

“Of course I will, just not this particular moment. I need to take care of Army business first.  Why don’t you join me for lunch?” Spencer extended his invitation courteously though his eyes told a far different story.  “We can talk about whatever is on your mind then and I’ll be able to devote my entire attention to it.”

Mordecai eyed Spencer disdainfully, his fury clear in his eyes.  “Fine, Colonel.  But I expect to be satisfied when I leave.”

“We’ll take care of you, sir.  The Army takes care of its own and you lost two sons in its service.  Now if you’ll excuse me....”  He gave a half-bow before closing his door once more.  Washburn growled but stomped away in a fit of pique.  Clemmons just sat down dazedly shaking his head.  Something was definitely going on here and he needed to find out what it was before it was too late for any of them.


Chapter XLV

“I never realized how quickly one could become accustomed to decadence, Warrior,” Donoma said as she wearily stretched out on the thick mattress of their bed.  The men had swiftly settled into the peaceful meadow and Donoma had started a savory stew in the largest cauldron Koko possessed.  Even now its fragrance wafted from the campsite where the men were currently relaxing.

Now however, Donoma was falling into a deep sleep, trusting Koko’s instincts to watch over them as the warrior wrapped herself around Donoma’s smaller frame in a protective embrace.

Koko didn’t respond; there was no reason to.  Donoma was already asleep.  Koko closed her eyes as well, letting her mind ease into a meditative trance where she could rest and still ponder the words Donoma had shared with her on the ride.

************

“So what vision did the Great Spirit share with you, Ka’eskone?  Will we be successful?”

Donoma cut her eyes in Koko’s direction, leveling a glare that should have caught her hair on fire.  Koko raised a hand to make sure it wasn’t actually burning and despite the seriousness of the situation, Donoma could not stop the snicker that escaped her lips.  Koko smiled sheepishly and shrugged.

”Sorry, Donoma... I know better than to ask such a question, but....”

“I saw that if we arrive by night, we will have the element of surprise that Washburn expects to be his.  I saw some Blue coats fighting with us and some Blue Coats fighting against us.  We need to find the Blue Coats that would be our allies.  I believe they will be the ones to ensure our victory.”

************

Koko had nodded thoughtfully, but now that she thought about it she wondered which Blue Coats would ally themselves with her and against their own.  How was Washburn going to divide the Army?  And who was going to jeopardize their career to keep from following orders?

The more she thought about it, the more she realized that Kitty had to be right about the Colonel.  Only he would have the authority to issue the order to fight, but why?  What did Spencer have to gain from taking up arms against the townspeople in order to assure that Mordecai Washburn got the vengeance he was seeking?  And who, who would be man enough to stand up to those orders?

She would talk to Murphy on the ride into town.  Maybe he could shed a little light on what they could expect and from whom.  First though, she was going to enjoy the tranquility surrounding her in the presence of her mate.  Tribulation would come again soon enough.

************

“So, Reverend... what’s your take on all this?  Surely this goes against everything you believe in.”

Daniel looked around to see a number of eyes staring back at him.  The warriors of the People had settled on one side of the meadow, listening to the conversation but making little contribution of their own.  The townsmen on the other hand stopped speaking to pay close attention to the Marshal and pastor.  Daniel Hawkins hadn’t been nearly as vocal in his disapproval of Reb Stone or her bride as his wife and many of the other women in the town had been.  But he hadn’t stood up for her either.  So they were anxious to hear his thoughts now.

“I’ve never had anything against Reb Stone and I don’t think Mordecai Washburn is in his right thinking mind to believe that he has a right to revenge where she is concerned.  That said, I can’t condone her marriage to another woman and an Injun woman at that.”

“Why?” Honaw demanded fiercely before Keez could think to stop him.  “Why you think Donoma not good for Koko Kanti?”

Daniel looked bewildered.  He hadn’t even thought about the fact that the natives could understand him well enough to not only get angry with him but argue back.  “It... it goes against everything I know... everything I’ve been taught.”

“Maybe you need better teacher.  Great Spirit teaches us find beauty and wisdom in all things.  We all children of Great Spirit.”

“Then why do you fight?” Daniel asked reasonably.  “If all are children of this Great Spirit of yours, why do you continue to fight one another?”

“Not all accept teachings; we fight to protect what ours... homes, families, life.”

“And you believe Reb and Donoma should be mated.”

“Not for me to choose - share heart, share soul - one together.”

Daniel nodded.  “I’ll try to remember that.”  He looked squarely at Honaw.  “I will tell you I don’t believe they deserve the trouble that Washburn is trying to cause for them.  Reb Stone has been a force for good in this territory.  I don’t want to see anything happen to her or to Donoma for that matter.  Personally I’d just like for this to be over and done with sooner rather than later.  Preferably without too many deaths.”

“You do understand that Washburn is gonna have to die, right, Reverend?  He’s not gonna leave Reb alone until he’s dead and buried.”

“I know that, Marshal; doesn’t mean I can’t hope for a quick and bloodless resolution.”  Murphy just shook his head but didn’t comment.  There were just some arguments that weren’t worth having.

************

”‘Bout Goddamn time!” Washburn roared when he was finally admitted into Spencer’s office.  He’d heard the bell ring signaling lunch and had burst in expecting to be shown into the inner sanctum immediately.  But the door had been locked and Clemmons hadn’t been around to introduce him.  No amount of raging and rattling the door had helped his cause and Washburn had sat down to wait him out.  He had no way of knowing that Spencer always ate last, ensuring that his men were fed first.  It was a small gesture, but one that had earned him respect from those that served under him.

When the second bell rang, Spencer opened his door and Washburn pushed his way in with vulgarity.  “Where’s lunch?” he demanded.

“All the men should have been served now.  The second bell is my call to the mess hall.  It means the men have been fed and now I can eat.”

“Are you telling me the leader of the outpost doesn’t rate private service?  That you eat the sloppy seconds and leftovers?” Washburn guffawed in disbelief.

“No.  I’m telling you that by allowing the men to eat first, it raises their respect for me as a leader.  It shows them I’m willing to look out for them.”

Washburn snorted.  “You keep believing that, Boy.”  That ended the conversation and they crossed the compound in silence.  When they reached the mess hall Washburn held the door open and motioned Spencer in front of him with a flourish. “After you, Boy... by all means.”

Spencer stepped in and silence fell except for the scraping of chairs as the men rose in a single wave.  “As you were,” he said, gesturing them back to their seats.  He moved to the empty table that was reserved for him, waiting for Washburn to join him.  Spencer indicated one chair while assuming a seat in the other.  Mordecai grunted but took the seat he was offered. Spencer waited until there were plates in front of both of them before he spoke.  “Now what exactly can I do for you, Mr. Washburn?  I thought we had everything settled yesterday.”

“I’d prefer to speak privately,” looking around the still busy mess hall pointedly.

“Mr. Washburn,” Spencer said confidently and quietly enough that he would not be overheard, “despite your loss, the United States Army is not at your beck and call.  I do have other work that needs attending.  Now....”  He stopped speaking and winced when Washburn’s hand covered his wrist and squeezed more than was necessary to gain his attention

“Now you listen to me, Boy,” clutching tightly and ignoring Spencer’s wince of pain.  “I want my revenge against Reb Stone and you’re gonna make damn sure I get it.  So you can either provide the men I need to hold the town or stay the hell outta my way.”

“And if I don’t?” Spencer asked calmly.

“You ain’t got the balls to do otherwise,” Mordecai sneered.  “Or you’d have already done something.  Besides, if you don’t, I’ll make sure that the little woman you’re sweet on is the first to suffer for your stupidity.”  He grinned maliciously at the look of surprise etched on Spencer’s face.  “Don’t ever think you can get one over on me, Boy.  I been around a long, long time with good reason.”

“You wouldn’t....”

“You wanna try me, Boy?  I got way less to lose than you do.  I know you got men in your command that don’t mind getting their hands a little dirty - they’ve been wrangling horses for me right out from under the Army’s nose for years.”

“I’ll see what I can do.  I won’t order this, but if I can find volunteers I’ll send them your way.  Otherwise I won’t interfere.”

“See that you don’t,” Washburn commanded with a final squeeze before releasing Spencer’s hand.  “I’ll have my revenge on that woman one way or another. You don’t wanna get in my way.”

The Colonel shuddered at the look of madness that stared back at him from Mordecai Washburn’s eyes.  He wondered how long the man had been crazy, then realized it didn’t matter.  “So,” he asked after clearing his throat and leaning back in his seat, “what exactly are you planning?”

Washburn shook his head.  “That don’t concern you.  You just make sure to stay outta my way and no one but Stone and her little whore’ll get hurt.  You get in my way and the blood of everyone who dies’ll be on your hands.  And people will die; I promise you that.”

“What’s to stop me from arresting you right now?”

Washburn chuckled and the sound sent a chill skittering down Spencer’s spine.  “I have a friend keeping an eye on your mama, Boy.  Someone who needs to hear from me regularly.  You’d hate for anything to happen to her.”

The Colonel’s face suffused with blood, turning it an alarming shade of red.  “You wouldn’t!!” he growled.

“Try me,” Washburn invited gleefully.  “Now do we understand one another?”

“Perfectly,” Spencer spat between clenched teeth.

“Good,” putting his fork down and wiping his mouth with surprising civility.  “I thank you for lunch, but I need to get going.  Things to do, you know.”  He pushed his chair back from the table, then looked at Spencer again.  “When I have things set, I’ll need you to send someone out to fetch Stone to me.  Shouldn’t be but a couple days.”  Spencer nodded but didn’t speak.  He was afraid his voice would crack in his rage.  “Good - I’ll let you know.”  Washburn turned and walked out of the mess hall and headed back to town.

Spencer rubbed a hand over his face then signaled for the server to collect Washburn’s plate.  Then he attacked his food with stolid determination.

************

“Ya know, Stone,” Stephen Murphy spoke around a mouthful of food.  “I’m startin’ to think I should hate you.”  Koko blinked blue eyes and looked at Donoma before turning back to the Marshal with a questioning gaze.  “I mean, it’s not enough you got a beautiful wife,” watching the blush crawl up Donoma’s sun-kissed skin.  “But you had to go and get one who could cook straight off.”

Donoma and Koko exchanged glances and then began laughing.  The warriors took up the effort and only the white men were left wondering what was so humorous about the Marshal’s words.  After noting the quizzical looks being directed their way, Koko cleared her throat awkwardly and tried to quell the laughter.  It took a moment or two and she was unable to maintain eye contact with Donoma, but after a short time she was able to hold Murphy’s eyes again.

“Sorry,” she said with the slightest tremor in her voice.  “You’re right.  Donoma is a wonderful cook, and it’s amazing to have that in my life again.  But she did have to learn, Stephen.  She has been cooking for a number of years.  It’s not something she just started doing after we were joined.”

Murphy cut his eyes in Donoma’s direction to see her nodding her agreement.  “Not always pretty,” she confirmed succinctly causing Murphy to choke on his food.

“Well, this is very good, Mrs. Stone.”  The rest nodded enthusiastically.

“I don’t eat this good now an’ I been married for ten years,” one of the men commented.  The rest snickered, including the warriors.  They had all been there at some point.

“So once we’ve eaten, are we headin’ out?”

Koko looked up at the sky.  “Another hour.  We don’t wanna get there too early.  Besides, it’ll take that long to clean everything up before we leave,” motioning to the dishes they were all using.

“All right, boys,” Murphy said as he stood.  “You heard the boss.  Let’s get this stuff cleaned up and then Reb can tell us how we’re gonna bring Washburn down.”

************

“I gots me a bad feelin’ ‘bout dis, Miss Kitty,” Big Mama commented as they sat around the kitchen table.  Kitty had refused to open the saloon for business with Washburn in town and while they were all enjoying the unexpected time off, it made for a very odd situation.  The women of the town had followed her example and kept the remainder of the businesses closed, contributing to the ghost town feeling that was prevalent throughout the town.

Kitty nodded her head.  “Me too, Big Mama.  I don’t see much good comin’ of all this.  I just hope Daniel found Reb.  Otherwise it could get real ugly, real quick.”

“You really think Reb’ll be able to help us out?”

Kitty smiled.  “You really think she’d be able to stay away?”

Big Mama chuckled, her chest heaving with laughter.  “Uh uh.  Dat’n gots a thing fo’ trouble.”

“Wonder how Donoma puts up with it?”

“Honey, I think Donoma’s drawn to it as well.  How’s else you’d be ‘splainin’ Reb?”

Kitty laughed heartily.  “Good point.  Wonder if Donoma’ll be coming along?”

Big Mama snorted.  “Can ya see dat chile bein’ left behin’?  Regardless of what Reb be wantin’?”

“No.  This could be very interestin’.”

“I’m thinkin’ ya can count on dat.”

************

Darkness had long since fallen when the town finally came into sight.  The men had been given their instructions and silently separated to head to their own homes.  The warriors followed Koko’s silent directions, splitting up and making their way to various roofs and other lookout areas they would be using to defeat Washburn.

Murphy left them, heading straight to his office where he had a little area in the back for living.  Donoma and Koko continued on down the road to the saloon, confident Kitty would let them in.

It was dark - something Koko had never seen - so she went around back to the kitchen and rapped lightly on the door.  Big Mama snatched the door open, rolling pin in hand.  When she realized who was standing there, a broad smile broke the solid black of her face and she opened the door wider to let them both come in.  Koko motioned to their horses and Big Mama nodded, gesturing to the small stable behind the brothel.  It was normally used for clients but as there were none at the moment....

Koko took both bridles, ignoring the pointed look she got from Donoma and ushering the smaller woman into the kitchen with one hand before heading to the stable with the horses in tow.  Donoma crossed her arms and huffed but went into the kitchen.  Big Mama put down her rolling pin and poured up two glasses of milk, then set a plate of cookies on the table between them.

She nudged the plate in Donoma’s direction and raised an expressive eyebrow.  Donoma chuckled at the face - it reminded her of Litonya during much of her growing up years.  Both of Big Mama’s eyebrows went up at the sound and she voiced her question aloud.

“Whatcha laughin’ at, chile?”

Donoma’s laughter morphed into a smile and she picked up a cookie and nibbled after another pointed glance.  “You remind me of Nahko’e.  Same face.”

Big Mama frowned thoughtfully over Donoma’s words then allowed a smile to cross her face.  “All mamas be dat way.  Keeps de young’uns in line.”

“Works good,” Donoma agreed succinctly.  Then the door opened and Koko walked in just as Kitty and Ginger came down the stairs.

“Guess we’ll be needin’ more milk,” Big Mama sighed as she got up to get more glasses.  The rest sat down and waited for Koko to fill them in on what was going on.


Chapter XLVI

Washburn came downstairs early the following morning to find Riggins already sitting at the same table he’d been sitting at the morning before.  He took the seat across from his foreman and steepled his fingers in front of his face while he waited for Mrs. Carver to pour his coffee.  He nodded his thanks and she moved off.

“I spoke with Spencer,” he said tersely.  “He’s gonna send me over some volunteers; we need to be ready for them.  I want you to send the boys around to the best places you found to stake out so we can hold the town when the men return.  I’d rather keep this from becoming a bloodbath if we can help it.”

“All right, Boss.”

“Tell ‘em to plan for a siege; they could be there for a few days while we wait for Stone.”

“You want ‘em to set up now?”

Washburn considered for a moment then shook his head.  “No - just have ‘em find the best places and start laying in supplies to ensure we can hold the town for as long as we need to.  Long enough for me to get my justice from Stone.  They can start camping out once we send for her.”

“You really think she’ll come runnin’ knowing it’s a trap?”

Washburn chuckled.  “I’m sure she will.  One thing you learn about do-gooders, Riggins - they can’t resist the opportunity to play hero.  If she thinks she can save lives by showing up here even knowing it’s a trap, she’ll be here.  It’s in her nature.”

“And what about the townspeople?”

“What about ‘em?  The men are gone and the women won’t interfere... especially with the Army on our side.  This should be quick and fairly painless.  And the lawman won’t be able to say a word because it’ll all be open and aboveboard.”

Riggins looked skeptical but kept his mouth shut.  Somehow he didn’t think angering Washburn any further would help matters, but he silently wondered when things had gotten out of control.  They had certainly made a lot more sense when Mordecai had explained them back on the ranch.  Now however, Riggins was becoming less and less sure of that and more and more certain that his boss had slipped into madness.

Riggins stood and clapped his hat onto his head.  “I’ll round up the boys and give ‘em their instructions.  You got any idea when all this might go down, Boss?”

“Couple days, I think.  Soon’s I get them Army volunteers I’ll have Spencer send for Stone.  Then it’s just a matter of waiting for her to get here.”

They never saw Matthew Carver slip out the back way and into the barn to wait.

************

Before the sun had peeked above the horizon, Sergeant Jake Clemmons had talked to a number of men he trusted - men he knew would favor Reb Stone over Mordecai Washburn... especially when they heard the story he had to tell them.  Many of them found his accusation of the Colonel a little beyond the pale, but they had all trusted Stone with their lives at one time or another and found that trust well founded.  In fact many appreciated being able to repay her efforts on their behalf.

So in the coming dawn they mounted up and headed into the town, determined to protect the town and Reb Stone from Mordecai Washburn.  They had no way of knowing things were already in motion.

************

Colonel Jon Spencer looked at himself in the mirror by the flickering light of the lamp.  He had sent his boy away this morning, not desiring any witnesses as he prepared himself for this particular day.  He’d finished his letter to the Secretary of the Army after his luncheon with Washburn, resigning his commission and explaining the reasons why.  He had no doubt he’d end up in stocks before it was all said and done, but for the first night in years he’d slept the sleep of the innocent.

Now in the pre-dawn he dressed in his finest uniform, wanting to make a statement even Mordecai Washburn could understand.  He would not stop Mordecai from challenging Reb Stone - it was the only way the nightmare could end now.  But he would make sure that the Army was ready to deal with whatever aftermath there was... especially if Washburn got lucky and Stone died.  He suspected the town would riot.

Either way, Washburn was a walking dead man.

He headed to his office, surprised not to find Clemmons already there.  Spencer could count on one hand the number of times he’d beaten the sergeant to the office.  Not wanting to wait for his arrival, Spencer sent a runner out to his captains, calling them into his office for a meeting.  It was time they knew what was going on - at least partially.  There were some parts he wasn’t willing to share with them.  His shame would be public knowledge soon enough.  It didn’t take them long to gather, and it only took a few minutes for them to settle down once he began to speak.

“All of you have heard the rumors accusing Reb Stone of being a horse thief.  Some information has come to my attention indicating that the thief is in fact connected to Mordecai Washburn, but at the moment, I don’t have enough conclusive proof to arrest him.  However, I do know that the man is intent on seeking revenge on Stone for the death of his two sons.”

“Colonel, Reuben’s death was brought on by a challenge from Reuben himself.  And Leroy was trampled by a horse.  How are either of those Stone’s fault?”

“They’re not,” Spencer agreed succinctly.  “But Washburn is determined to have his day with her - claims it’s the justice he is owed as the father of two sons dead at her hand.  And we all know that Stone won’t dismiss his challenge.  He will continue to hunt her until she answers his challenge.”

“So what do we do?  As far as I know, she isn’t even in town.”

“I figure to send someone after her to bring her back and have the rest of the men on rotating shifts to keep an eye on things until she gets back.  I don’t think Washburn is stupid enough to do anything to the town or the people there, but I’d rather be safe than sorry.  He seems more than a little obsessed with Stone and I don’t want her absence to provoke him into doing something dumb.”

“I’ll set up a schedule,” Spencer’s second in command volunteered.  “We’ll put the men on a four hour rotating schedule with an hour overlap to ensure there is always plenty of coverage.”

Spencer nodded.  “That sounds good, Robert.  With any luck this won’t last too long, but have the men prepare as if it was going to be a long campaign.  I think things will move swiftly once Stone returns to town, but if she’s out hunting another bounty it could be a while before she’s found.  We don’t want the townsfolk getting antsy and we don’t want Washburn getting stupid.”

“Why don’t we just arrest him?” from the youngest captain.  Smiles and snickers were quickly hidden and every man in the room focused his attention on the table in front of him.  Spencer cleared his throat.

“Mordecai Washburn is a well-respected and very influential man in any number of circles.  We can’t arrest on suspicion... we need proof.  If we can find that, we can arrest him.  Until then it is too risky.  It’s asking for bad things to happen - to us and to the town.  So for now just keep your eyes and ears open.  Meanwhile,” Spencer continued, “I’m going to go talk to the Marshal.  With any luck he’ll be able to find some proof.  Make our job easier.  Major, send out our fastest rider to Stone’s place.  Maybe she and her mate are there - or at least maybe the mate will know where we can find her.”  He paused.  “Actually send a small contingent.  If Stone isn’t home, most can try to pick up her trail while the rest report back here.  That way we’ll know to send out more search parties if necessary.”

“Where does she live, Colonel?”

“Murphy knows.  Send the fastest man to me; Murphy can give him directions and he can lead the rest.”

The Major nodded.  “Very well, sir.  I’ll have them ready to go within the hour.”

“Fine.  Hopefully it won’t take long to settle this one way or another.”

“You think Stone will lose?”

“I think Washburn will try to stack the deck.  I just hope we can prevent him from doing any real damage.”

“We will, Colonel.  He may be an important man where he comes from, but this is our home.  He doesn’t get to come in here and start making his own rules.”

“Agreed.  But first we need to find Stone.  You all have your assignments.  Move out.”

As one body the men rose from the table and filed out the door.  Only when he was alone again did he sit back in the chair and contemplate the bizarreness of fate that now hung over his head like Damocles’ sword.  He hoped this would end sooner rather than later.  With a sigh Spencer rose from his seat and headed to the stockyard.  He wanted to be ready to go when the chosen rider arrived.  There were still things to do.

************

“Are you ready, Warrior?” Donoma asked as she combed her fingers through Koko’s thick hair.  Koko purred in pure pleasure for a moment, then rolled over until she was lying on her side.  One arm held Donoma at the hips possessively while she propped her head up on the other.

“Oh yes, Ka’eskone.  Once Washburn is dealt with we can begin the next chapter of our lives together.  We will go where none can find us and where no one will think to look.  But he must be taken care of first.  I will not have my past hanging over our future.”

“Do you really believe he would pursue us, Koko?”

“I do,” Koko replied without hesitation.  “I believe this has gone beyond justice or even revenge.  I think Washburn is obsessed.  The facts no longer matter; the only thing he is focused on is killing me.”

“He is in for something of a surprise then.  I will not allow that to happen,” she added with a matter-of-factness in her expression that was belied by the fierceness of her tone.

“Ka’eskone....”

“NO, Koko!” Donoma’s green eyes betraying her fury and fear even as she slid from the bed and Koko’s grasp.  “I will not allow Mordecai Washburn to take from me what is mine.  I have only just found you again.  I will not lose you... especially not to a man who has no honor and no scruples.”

“Why do you say that, Ka’eskone?  You have never even met the man,” sitting up and swinging her legs over the edge of the bed as she watched Donoma pace mere feet from her.

“But I did meet his sons.  One who shot me for simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time.  And the other who challenged you for his own petty jealousies and desire for revenge.  A man who raises his sons with so little regard for others obviously has no moral code worth mentioning.”

“You are very wise, Ka’eskone,” standing and taking Donoma into her embrace.

“I am very honest, Koko Kanti.  I will not allow Mordecai Washburn to destroy us.”

“Do not worry, Nutta.  He is not man enough to do so alone, and with the warriors already in place to ensure he cannot use his men to kill me from behind....”

“I will still be there to watch your back, Nutta.  I will not let you face this alone.”

“That is not the way of things, Donoma.  When I call him out....”

“I will be right there.  Do not ask me not to be, Warrior.  It is my place.”

Koko sighed.  She should have known it would not be easy to convince Donoma otherwise.  She tightened her hold on Donoma’s body until she could feel her heartbeat.  “It is your place, Ka’eskone.  But you will need to stand on the sidewalk away from the line of fire... not in the middle of the street with me.”

“No, Koko Kanti.  I will stand beside you.  It is my place,” her voice fierce and adamant, poking Koko’s chest with her finger to emphasize her point.

“Ka’eskone, I cannot put you in danger like that.”

“You are not putting me there, Warrior.  It is where I need to be.”

“But you are putting me in danger, Donoma,” Koko offered softly.  She held on as her words sunk into Donoma’s consciousness and hurt filled the green eyes while she tried to pull away.  “Ka’eskone,” keeping one arm firmly around Donoma’s waist even as she cupped Donoma’s face with her other hand to bring their eyes level.  Donoma kept her eyes firmly on the ground.  “Donoma,” she coaxed softly, biting her lip when watery green eyes finally met hers.  “Oh Beloved,” she whispered.  “I did not mean to hurt you, but the truth is that if you are standing beside me, Washburn will use that.  He will take aim at you instead of me and I cannot live with the possibility of you being hurt... or worse... because of me.  If his focus is solely on me, he will be the only one to die today.”

“You are so certain.”

“I am, Ka’eskone.  You yourself commented on his lack of honor.  Do you not think he would use you against me?”

“He might try, but he will not succeed.  I will not allow it.  But for your peace of mind, I will stand with Kitty and Big Mama.”

“Thank you, Donoma.”

“Just make certain you eliminate the threat to us, Warrior.  I have no desire to live with this hanging over our heads for the rest of our lives.  I want to spend our life together living.”

Koko smiled.  “That is reason enough, Ka’eskone.”  She dipped her head and took possession of Donoma’s mouth until she felt them slipping to the floor.   They separated, breathing hard and stared at one another with heavily lidded eyes.  “As is that,” Koko added when she could speak again.

“Remember that, Beloved.  We have unfinished business now.”

“You are a cruel woman, Donoma Chepi.”

“Yes, but now you have the motivation you need to finish this.”  She eased out of Koko’s arms and pulled her nightgown over her head.  “You should get dressed, Koko Kanti.  Mordecai Washburn does not get to see you as I do and neither does anyone else.”

“Possessive much, Ka’eskone?” Koko asked with a grin as she began to dress.

“Only with things that matter, warrior,” Donoma confessed impishly.  “Now let us go put an end to this.”

“After breakfast,” Koko replied.  “Big Mama will not let us start the day without it.”  Donoma took Koko’s hand and together they headed downstairs.

************

Clemmons led his small brigade around to the back of the Marshal’s office, not wanting to announce their presence to Washburn and the town.  They dismounted and went into the stable.  It was then that they realized Murphy’s horse was there.  They looked at Clemmons.

“I think it means the Marshal has already returned; I believe he left immediately after speaking to me.  But in that case the men of the town are here and probably Reb Stone as well.”

“You’d be right about that, Sergeant,” came a gravelly voice from the door.  “Can I ask what the Army is doin’ in my stable?”

“I told you we’d keep an eye on things, Marshal.  Jones here was supposed to come find you... get directions to Stone’s place.  I think there’s somethin’ you need to be aware of.”  Clemmons explained what he’d overheard in the Colonel’s office.  “So we decided to make sure Washburn can’t use the town to his advantage.  The folks here deserve better than to be pawns in his game.”

“What do you plan to do?”

“We plan to keep him honest,” looking up at the roofline of the buildings along the street.

“In that case maybe I oughtta introduce ya to the warriors of the People - Reb and Donoma’s friends.  They’ve already staked out spots, but I’m bettin’ they wouldn’t mind a little extra firepower.”

“Lead the way, Marshal.  We don’t plan to miss out on this.”

************

“Ah, Colonel,” Washburn welcomed snidely as he stepped into the hotel dining room.  The sun now fully up, was slowly making its way across the sky and lighting the room enough that Mrs. Carver walked out of the kitchen and blew out the lanterns before collecting them.  Washburn waited until she was done before he returned his attention to Spencer.  “Have you brought my volunteers?”

“There are no volunteers, Washburn.  Too many are indebted to Stone and the rest feel no debt to you at all.  You’re on your own.”

“Fine,” Washburn snarled.  “Just keep them outta my way.  This’ll be over in a day or two and then you can go back to business as usual.  Don’t know why you didn’t take care of this damned woman in the first place.”

“Because she was never a threat.  Until your sons went up against her and accused her of their own misdeeds, she wasn’t a problem.”

“That’s enough, Boy!”

Whatever Spencer had been going to say in reply was lost when Reb Stone called out from the street.  “Washburn!!  C’mon out here!  We’ve got business to settle!!”

Mordecai turned to Spencer in a rage.  “When the hell did she get back??  I’m not ready!!”  He pushed the colonel aside and rushed to the window to find Stone standing in the middle of the street directly across from him.  He looked back at Spencer.  “Find Riggins and have him get the men into place.”

“I don’t think so, Washburn.  You’re on your own,” carefully enunciating his words.  Then he crumpled in shock when Washburn put a slug in his chest, creeping right into his personal space to muffle the sound when he pulled the trigger.

“That’s one problem solved,” Mordecai said dispassionately, spitting at Spencer’s body in contempt.  Then he walked calmly into the street.  The time had come to eliminate Reb Stone once and for all.


Chapter XLVII

Mordecai Washburn stepped out of the hotel into the street, carefully observing his surroundings.  Reb Stone stood across from him just off the sidewalk in front of the brothel.  Her whore was just behind her, sandwiched between the old nigger woman and the madam whore.  He sneered - he’d have a good shot at her once Stone walked to the middle of the street.

He looked around, noting the Injuns and soldiers who returned his regard from the rooftops of every building in the town.  He growled, realizing Spencer had, in the end, betrayed him.  Further investigation revealed the men in town had returned and were standing in the doorways of their businesses.

Washburn didn’t see Riggins or any of his other cowboys and he smirked. Had they managed to get into position behind the Injuns and soldiers already in place?  Were they getting into position, recognizing that trouble had arrived before they were fully prepared to meet it?  He had no way of knowing, but Mordecai Washburn knew he’d run out of time.

“Stackin’ the deck a little, Stone?” motioning around them.  “‘Fraid you couldn’t handle an old man by yourself?”

“Hedgin’ my bets, Washburn.  I’m happy to take care of you by myself; the rest are here to make sure you don’t try to cheat.”  There was a scuffle on the roof above them and Reb grinned.  “See, my warrior advisor looks out for me; she’s never steered me wrong.  She didn’t trust your honor.”

Washburn snorted.  “You let your little whore advise ya?  Damn, Stone... that’s rich.”  Whatever else he might have said was lost in a choking sound as Reb grabbed Mordecai Washburn by the balls and twisted, smiling as he grimaced in reaction.

“You watch your mouth, Washburn.  You don’t have to like or respect me, but you disrespect her again and I’ll take you apart with my hands.  I don’t need a gun to beat you.  You got me?”

She didn’t even see him move, but she felt the burn of the knife as he swiped it against her midsection.  She clenched her hand once more before she released her grip on his manhood and stepped back, watching him slide to the ground.  Reb turned to Donoma and rubbed her hand across her belly, wincing when she scraped against cut skin.

She felt him move behind her before she saw it and she caught his arm, twisting until she heard a satisfying snap.  Washburn screamed.

“Oh, that sounded painful, Mordecai.  Does it hurt?” taunting him, throwing him from her.

“Bitch!” he growled through gritted teeth, holding his arm close to his body as he remained kneeling on the ground.  Reb smirked and stepped away from him again, not turning her back.  She glanced at Donoma and the expression on her face caused her to straighten and look at Washburn with serious intent.

“Why, Washburn?  If you and your boys had just left me alone, it woulda never come to this.  I wanna know why.”

He struggled to his feet.  “Why should I tell you, Stone?  What’s it gonna get me?”

“A quick, fairly painless death.”

Washburn choked on his laughter, wincing at the pain that lanced through his body and shaking his head.  “It’d be worth it to me to leave you wondering for the rest of your life.”  He gave another strangled chuckle.  “Besides, who’s to say you’d win?” letting his eyes slide to one side. 

Reb heard the single cock of a revolver’s hammer followed by multiple cocks of shotguns and pistols as every man in town and some women raised their own weapons.  She arched her eyebrow at him.  “Who’s to say I wouldn’t?”

“The beauty of this,” Washburn croaked out as he struggled to stand upright, “is that I win either way,” motioning to where Donoma stood.  “She dies either way, and with all these guns shooting, you’ll die with me but not before you watch your whore die first.”

Riggins stood behind Donoma, his six-shooter cocked and aimed steadily at her head.  Koko met Donoma’s eyes for a long moment.  “You’re makin’ a number of mistaken assumptions, Washburn,” Reb informed the man without letting her eyes leave Donoma’s.  “The first bein’ that she needs my help to get out of this situation.  You forget Donoma Chepi’s a seer who was trained in the ways of the People.  She doesn’t need me.” 

“How fortunate,” Washburn growled as he reached for his gun.  Then a number of things happened simultaneously.

Donoma lifted her arm, throwing the knife she’d been palming even as Riggins shifted his aim to her left and pulled the trigger.  Honaw and Keezheekoni let arrows fly from their bows.  And Stephen Murphy didn’t hesitate to shoot Mordecai Washburn in the back.

Time seemed to stand still as Washburn’s body absorbed the various missiles that had been directed towards it and he realized that he was in fact dying.  As that idea sank into his consciousness, his body slid to the ground and his last thought was malicious glee that Stone would never know why.  Then he gurgled his last breath and died.

The silence that fell as Washburn dropped dead was complete.  For a very long moment not even the sound of breathing could be heard.  Then Donoma ran to Koko and the tableau was broken by the movement only to find a new one being created as everyone watched them come together in a timeless embrace.  The town and everyone in it faded away as their bodies met in a hug that melded them into a single being.  Donoma clung to Koko, taking comfort in the heartbeat that thudded against her own and feeling her shaking slowly subside as the reality of Koko’s solid warmth soaked into her bones.

Donoma pulled back just slightly, enough to allow her bring her hand up to Koko’s face gently tracing the planes and hollows she had grown to love so long ago.  “You are all right, Warrior?” she asked, remembering the cut Washburn had inflicted on Koko’s belly.

“I am fine, Ka’eskone.  It is only a scratch.”  She cupped Donoma’s cheek with one hand.  “How are you, Nutta?  What you did....”

“What I did I would do again without hesitation, Koko Kanti.  He threatened what was mine.”

Despite everything Koko smiled.  “Do you know how that makes me feel, Donoma?  To know that you love me so much....”  Donoma smiled.

“Of course I do, Warrior.  You do the same for me every day.  Why would I do less?”

Koko pulled her in for another hug and Donoma surrendered herself willingly.  Then their lips met and the silence broke into whoops and hollers from the cowboys, the whores and the businessmen.  The women simply stared, not sure whether to be jealous of the love and passion so obviously on display or disgusted by the fact it was two women who shared it.  Then it didn’t matter as they separated sporting twin blushes at the cacophony of noise that surrounded them.

Stephen Murphy was the first to approach them, stepping over Washburn’s body and ushering them towards the saloon doors.  A nod of his head garnered him several attentive businessmen, including Matthew Carver and the Reverend Daniel Hawkins.

“Take Washburn’s body to the undertaker and then....”  A shrill scream from the hotel cut him off mid-sentence.  “Carver, you come with me.  The rest of you look after Washburn except you Reverend.  I need you to find Sergeant Clemmons and Donoma’s brother Honaw and bring them to the saloon.”

The men nodded and scattered to do his bidding.  Koko and Donoma were already inside the brothel when Murphy and Carver entered the hotel.  Matthew immediately crossed to his wife, taking her in his arms and turning her away from Jon Spencer’s dead body sprawled on the floor.  Murphy knelt down and pulled the colonel’s eyelids down over his eyes, wishing there was something he could do about the gaping mouth.

“Matt, take your wife into the kitchen, then I need your help to move him over to the undertaker as well.  I’ll get some of the townsfolk in here to help clean up the mess,” motioning to the blood currently sluggishly spreading across the floor. 

“I’m all right, Marshal,” the woman replied shakily.  “I wouldn’t turn down some help though.”

“Yes ma’am,” he answered respectfully.  “Let us get him moved and we’ll see about getting you some help.”  She nodded and walked into the kitchen.  Murphy and Carver lifted up Spencer’s body between them and carried him out into the street, causing another hush to fall as the townsfolk recognized their burden as a human being.  Without a word several of the men came to their aid while a few of the women moved into the hotel to help with the clean up.

When Spencer’s body had been carefully placed beside Washburn’s, Murphy headed back out the door.

“Marshal?”

“I need to go check on Reb and her mate.  And I’ve gotta talk to Washburn’s man Riggins.  Have the cowboys all been rounded up?”

“Yes, Marshal,” the undertaker replied.  “All but one came peacefully and he’s the one who got into the scuffle on the roof with that Injun and the sergeant.  Woody’s at your office keeping an eye on ‘em.  Joe and Marty went with him to help.”

“Good enough then,” Murphy commented.  “Ya got this?”

“We got it handled, Marshal.  G’wan.”

Murphy nodded and walked out the door and headed back down to the saloon.

Keez and Honaw stood uneasily inside the door, backs to the wall where they could see the comings and goings of practically the entire town from their vantage point.  Daniel Hawkins sat at a table near them with Jake Clemmons, Riggins, Kitty and Big Mama.  Reb Stone and Donoma Chepi were nowhere in sight. Murphy raised a questioning eyebrow to Kitty.

“They’re upstairs,” shaking her head when he stepped that direction.  “I wouldn’t, Stephen.”

“But....”  Then he blushed beet red as he realized the implications of her words and tone.  “Oh.”

“Donoma needed to take care of the cut on Reb’s belly.  And she seemed a little shaken up by everything.”

“First kill,” Honaw said bluntly.  “Donoma healer.  Never take life - always fight with death to keep it.”

“Well in fairness, her blow might not have been the killin’ shot.  Several of us in this room coulda been the one to kill Washburn.”

“Was Donoma... knife first to reach him, then bullets, then arrow.  I saw,” Keez stated with confidence.

“Kezzheekoni our best spotter,” Honaw boasted proudly.

“I’m thinkin’,” the Marshal agreed softly.

“They be down when they’s ready an’ not b’fore,” Big Mama said.

“Well in the meantime, I’d like a few answers,” directing his gaze at Riggins and watching the rest of them follow suit.  Riggins sat up straighter and folded his hands on the table.

“I’ll do the best I can, Marshal.  Whaddya wanna know?”

“I wanna know what Washburn’s problem was... and don’t sit there and tell me it was Reb’s havin’ a wife or ‘cause she was the reason his boys died.  We both know that’s a lie.  And I wanna know what made you turn on him - ‘cause Donoma was never a target for you, was she?”

“What makes you say that, Marshal?  My gun was pointed at her head.”

Murphy smirked.  “If you’d been an actual threat, Big Mama and Kitty would have reacted. They wouldn’t’ve just stood there.  And given Donoma’s ability to do what she did to Washburn, I’m thinkin’ she coulda taken you out if she’d‘ve needed to.”

Riggins nodded.  “I agree.  And you’re right.  I told her I wasn’t there for her.”  He shivered involuntarily.  “She’s a very intense young woman; looked right through me with those eyes of hers.”

The entire table nodded in agreement. They’d all felt it when they met those green eyes for the first time.

“So what’s the deal with Washburn, Riggins?  I’m lookin’ for a reason to let you and your cowboys go home, but you’re gonna have to give me somethin’.  Especially since you all came in here lookin’ to start trouble with Stone.”

“That’s not true, Marshal,” holding up his hands before Murphy could dispute his words.  “Washburn came lookin’ for trouble and I came expectin’ it.  But the boys were just following his orders.”

Stephen Murphy scratched his chin as he contemplated Riggins’ words.  “All right,” he concurred after a few minutes of silence.  “I guess I can understand that.  But the question still remains - why?  What was his obsession with her based on?  She never did anything intentional to draw his attention that I could ever figure out.”

“It wasn’t her as much as what she was.”

“‘Scuse me?”

“Yeah,” came a voice from the top of the stairs.  “I’d kinda like to hear this as well.”  Koko took Donoma’s hand in hers and led them downstairs and to the table.  Hawkins stood and grabbed two more chairs, placing them at the table and waiting for the women to be seated before he resumed his place.

“Reb Stone - you,” Riggins fumbled, motioning to Koko now casually seated across from him still holding Donoma’s hand, “are a woman - a successful woman in a man’s world, bringing men to justice.  On top of that you are a woman who likes women.”

“I am a warrior and the woman who loves Donoma Chepi.”

Riggins blinked at her correction, but nodded his head in agreement.  “Now you have to understand that I got this from him when he was drunk one night so it never made a whole hell of a lot of sense to me... pardon me, Missus,” he said to Donoma.  Kitty and Big Mama looked their outrage at one another, but Riggins missed the byplay.  “From what I could gather, the boss’s wife left him when Malcolm was a baby.  She left him for a woman a lot like you - strong-minded; confident; making her own way in a man’s world without apology.”  Riggins looked around and noticed he had a captive audience.  “Mordecai Washburn was a hard man.  But when the boys were little, he needed all the help he could get and he hired a female cowboy.  I dunno what happened - Boss never shared the details.  All’s I know is that when that cowgirl left, his missus left with her.”

“So he was projecting?”

“Partly,” Riggins nodded.  “Part of it was you kept thwartin’ them at ever’ turn.  It started with that horse - when Leroy whined to his daddy, it brought you to the boss’s attention.  Then you became a thorn in his side by refusing to join him and pickin’ up some of his best allies as outlaws.”

“They were outlaws.”

“I know, Miz Stone, but I’m tellin’ you why Mordecai Washburn became so obsessed with you.  You were a reminder of ever’thin’ he hated.  He decided destroyin’ you would give him back ever’thin’ he’d lost.”

“Washburn stupid man,” Donoma commented curtly.

“He certainly became that, ma’am,” Riggins agreed.  “Thank you for trustin’ me earlier.”

“Good eyes - honest soul,” Domona returned shortly and Riggins’ eyes widened comically.  He turned to Koko who grinned at him.

“It means she trusts you, Riggins.  Be thankful.”

He looked back at Donoma.  “Thank you, ma’am.”  He looked at the Marshal.  “Can I take my cowboys and head out?”

“I have one more question.  How did Spencer fit into all this?”

“He was the boss’s illegitimate son,” seeing eyebrows pop up and eyes widen.  Riggins held up his hands.  “I dunno... I never asked and he never told.”

Koko shook her head.  “That explains so much; makes a lot of things fall into place.  Why soldiers got used for the horse operation, why they were never caught, why no one ever suspected.  What a mess.”

“At least it’s over now,” Murphy said.  He looked at Riggins.  “You take your boys and go, but the next time I see you it best be to do business and enjoy the things the town has to offer.  Otherwise....”

Riggins held up his hands again.  “No problem, Marshal.  We don’t need no more trouble.  We’ve had enough of that today I think to last for a real long time.”

Murphy nodded. “All right then.  Make sure Malcolm understands that.  C’mon and let’s go get your cowboys.  It’s still early enough ya can get a good start out for home.  Ya got a wagon?” 

“We came prepared.  We were intendin’ to take his boys home regardless.”

“We’ll stop by the undertakers and make sure he has Washburn’s body prepared for you quickly.  Then we’ll ride over to the fort and deliver the news about Spence and recover the Washburn boys for you to take home.”

“Marshal, I’d like to go with you to the fort.  I need to explain to my commanding officers why I was AWOL.”

“Don’t you worry none about that,” Murphy assured Clemmons.  “I’ll make sure they know you boys were here at my request.”

Clemmons swallowed hard and nodded his acceptance.  Despite the hardships he sometimes faced because of his choice to join the Army, Jake Clemmons was proud of his career choice and what he’d done with his life since joining.  He didn’t want to lose it for doing what he still believed was the right thing.  “‘Preciate it, Marshal.  Much obliged.”

“The rest of you wait here, please.  We’ve got unfinished business.”  Then without another word Murphy, Riggins and Clemmons walked out the doors, leaving the rest to sit in startled silence until Donoma rose and held out her hand to Koko who accepted it with alacrity.

“Guess we’ll be in our room,” Reb said to the others and followed Donoma upstairs.


Chapter XLVIII

“Donoma?” Koko asked as she closed the door behind them.  “Are you all right, Ka’eskone?”  She reached out a hand to catch Donoma’s only to find herself with a body full of warm seer pressing against her length.  “Donoma?” she repeated, then caught the look of wanton desire darkening the green eyes that met hers.  Koko drew in a sharp breath but stood stock still, waiting to see what Donoma would do.

Donoma lifted trembling hands to Koko’s face, tenderly tracing the lines and planes there.  Her eyes followed the path her hands made until she reached Koko’s collarbone and the open neck of her shirt.  When she heard another sharp intake of air, Donoma let her eyes track back to Koko’s to find them darkened to almost black in passion.  She smiled impishly and moved her hands back up Koko’s chest to tangle in the long hair resting at the base of her neck.

Donoma tugged gently and Koko wasted no time bending her head and taking possession of the full lips beneath hers.  Without warning Koko slid her hands down over Donoma’s ass and trailed her fingers over the back of Donoma’s thigh, causing Donoma to pull away slightly.  Koko glared at her in consternation.

“I cannot lift my legs properly in this dress,” indicting the floor-length gingham skirt she’d worn that morning in deference to their being in town.  “I do not understand how the white man expects to get any manner of enjoyment out of this clothing.”

Koko snorted.  “The white man does not have to wear it therefore he receives plenty of enjoyment from it.  It is fetching to look upon, but even more lovely once it has been removed.  May I?” indicating the buttons that ran up one side of Donoma’s hip, holding the skirt in place.

“If you do not I will, Warrior.  I need to feel your skin on mine.”  She gave a tremulous sigh.  “You could have been killed today, Koko Kanti.  You could have died and left me alone to live without you.”

Koko stilled her hands that were playing at Donoma’s waist in an effort to remove her clothing and shifted them until she was cupping Donoma’s face and staring into her eyes intently.  “I could have died today,” she acknowledged softly, “but so could you.  Had Riggins not been an honorable man, he could have taken you from me in a heartbeat.  It’s a possibility we live with regardless of whether we are here or with the People or out on the prairie alone.  Death is simply a part of life.” 

She held on when Donoma would have turned away, waiting until the green eyes came back to hers and biting her lips at the tears that sat in them.  “I want you to know something, Donoma.  I need for you to understand this.  Even in death, I will never leave you.  I will be right beside you, watching over you and loving you, waiting for you to join me so we can share eternity together.  But I do not plan for that to happen for a very long time, Ka’eskone.  I plan to be a very old warrior before the Great Spirit calls for me to make my way to the Land of our Fathers.  I have a lifetime to live with you.”

“Love me, Koko Kanti.  Take me to bed and show me.”

Reverently Koko removed Donoma’s clothing, letting her fingers trace the muscle and bone of her strong body as it was revealed to Koko’s intense gaze.  When Donoma stood naked before her, Koko let her eyes wander from her toes to the top of Donoma’s fair head, her frank appreciation causing Donoma to blush.  Koko grinned in response before she stepped right into Donoma’s personal space.  “So beautiful,” she murmured, brushing the backs of her fingers along Donoma’s cheek before raising her chin and allowing their lips to meet.

Donoma clutched at Koko’s shirt as they kissed, then pulled away with a furrowed brow.

“What is it, Ka’eskone?”

“You appear to be overdressed, warrior mine.  That is unacceptable to me as I wish to look upon you.”

Koko smirked.  “Then I suggest you take steps to rectify the situation.  I am quite satisfied with the view I have.”  Then her jaw dropped in amazement as buttons went flying across the room before they bounced to the floor.  “Donoma!” she yelped in surprise before finding her lips covered by soft fingers.

“Shh,” Donoma commanded.  “You suggested I rectify the situation.  You do not get to complain on how I choose to do so,” pushing the now useless shirt to the floor, and reaching for the belt buckle at Koko’s waist.  She spared a moment’s thought to be thankful that Koko had removed the gunbelt earlier then her attention was taken with pushing the heavy material of Koko’s trousers down her long lean legs.

“Much better,” she commented when Koko stood naked before her.  She let her eyes and hands make a slow perusal up Koko’s body as she stood, smiling at the trail of goosebumps left in the wake of her delicate touch.  She teased Koko’s nipples with her fingertips before her hands continued their journey up and around to lock behind Koko’s neck.

Koko’s hands on her ass again sent shivers through her body and Donoma was thrilled to be able to follow the unspoken directive.  She wrapped her legs around Koko’s slim waist, reveling in the intimate touch before being kissed senseless once more.

It occurred to Donoma to wonder if she was hurting Koko given the placement of her body in relation to the cut Washburn had inflicted - then Koko was gently depositing her on the bed and thinking went right out the window.

************

“Are you all right, Warrior?  I did not hurt you, did I?”

Koko cupped Donoma’s chin and raised her lips, kissing her for a long moment.  “No, Ka’eskone,” she said with a smile when they parted.  “You did not hurt me.  I feel thoroughly and very well loved.”

“As do I, Nutta.  I wish we could stay here.”

Koko sat partway up so she could see directly into Donoma’s face.  “Here in town?”

“No, Warrior.  Here in bed.”  She pulled Koko back down on top of her and relished the feeling of being completely wrapped in a living embrace as Koko naturally curled around her.  “Being in your arms is the safest place in the world for me.”

“Me too,” Koko confessed.  “I feel like nothing can take you away from me when you are here.”

“Even in death, Warrior,” swearing her own vow to Koko.  Koko leaned down and they sealed it with another kiss.  “I could get used to this,” Donoma said with a smile as they separated again.

“As could I.  But you are correct; we cannot remain here.  Stephen will be back soon, and I would like to finish our business here today so we can leave for home tomorrow.  It is time to begin our life together.”

“We did that already, Warrior - I was five and you were twelve.  That was our start.  But I am not averse to finally being able to begin our lives together as a true couple without the past hanging over us.”

“You are a troublemaker, Donoma Chepi.”

“If you are just realizing this, Koko Kanti, we have far bigger problems than I thought.”  She moved to scramble out of the bed but found herself being pinned to the bed by long legs and arms with the threat of tickling making her squeal.

“I have not done anything yet, Ka’eskone.”  Koko grinned evilly and wiggled her fingers above Donoma’s face.

“I am anticipating.  I am not the only troublemaker in this family.”

Koko snorted.  “Time to take your medicine.”

************

The sound of squealing from upstairs made Kitty and Big Mama smile and brought the rest of the girls from their rooms where they had been stationed during the street fight.

“Guess it’s safe to come on out now,” Ginger drawled as she and the girls meandered down the stairs.

“Yeah, I shoulda come and gotten you once Stephen left.  Mama’n me’ve been sitting here trying to figure out what else there is to take care of.”

“Probably wants to make sure Reb and Donoma are all right though from the sound of things....”

“I just hope he gets back here soon.  We’re burning daylight here, and we’ve lost enough revenue the past couple days ‘cause of Washburn.”

“Sorry ‘bout that, Kitty,” Murphy said as he walked through the door and removed his hat.  “I didn’t ‘spect that to take so long.”

“Everything all right?”

“Yep.  Riggins and his boys are on their way back to the ranch with specific instructions on their expected behavior if they ever return here again.  And I think I got the Army as sorted as I could for the time being.  It’s like a crazy house over at the fort right now.”

“What’s going on?” Reb asked from the stairs.  All heads turned her way and not one face cracked a smile at her appearance though a number of eyes twinkled.  She had on a completely different shirt than she’d worn before and even her clean face and neatly braided hair could not hide the satisfaction that lingered around her entire person.

“Where’s Donoma?” Murphy asked, earning him glares from every woman at the table and snickers from Honaw and Keez.  “What?” he whined plaintively.  “I thought she might like to hear the story as well.”  At that moment Donoma emerged from their room and leisurely took the steps down to stand beside Koko.

Her outfit was completely different, having opted for a light pair of trousers and a shirt very similar to Koko’s.  She slid her hand into Koko’s.  “What did I miss?”

“Nothing.  Stephen was about to tell us what is going on in the fort.  Apparently things are in quite an uproar.”  She turned to the Marshal.  “Tell us.”

************

“I went over with Clemmons to make sure him’n his boys didn’t get into no trouble for coming over here.  See, he never told Spencer or anyone else about me needin’ the Army to keep an eye on things.  He’d overheard Spencer arguin’ with Washburn and figured out somethin’ weren’t quite right with the two of ‘em.  So he decided to take it on himself to look out for the town and got a few of his buddies that he trusted to help.”

“Risky.”

“Yeah, but it worked out,” Murphy said with a shrug.  “However, that wasn’t the cause of the craziness.  The Major wasn’t too upset about me taking the men; figured Spence had cleared it for me without letting the rest of them know.  I didn’t see fit to correct him.  The craziness is because of Spencer’s death and the letter Spencer left on his desk for Clemmons to find and give to Jonson.  It explained everything.”

“Everything?”

“Everything,” the Marshal confirmed.  “It even got me an apology from Jonson since it was clear that Spencer was working outside Army protocol on a number of things, not the least of which was that illicit horse business Washburn had running through here.”

“Did he say why, Murph?”

“Sorta.  He took responsibility for a number of bad decisions on himself, but said he originally got into it as a way to please the father he’d never known.”  Stephen sighed.  “Washburn wasn’t a hard man - he was a jackass.  Pardon me, ladies,” glancing around the table.  “Seems when he was a young buck, him and Spence’s mama were sweethearts.  Only Washburn took advantage of her, then skipped town when he found out she was with child.  Claimed the Army shipped him out.  I have people looking into that though I don’t expect them to find much. Mordecai Washburn was a slippery sonova....  Ahem, ‘scuse me, ladies.  The man was a snake.”

“So what happened, Murph?  Surely Spencer knew better than to trust the man who’d run out on him and his mama.”

“One would think. But apparently Washburn gave him some sob story about the Army moving him ‘fore he could do the right thing, but that he’d tried to support them, even going so far as to get Spencer’s commission in the Army.  Spencer wanted so badly to believe him that he overlooked all the glaring holes in his story.”

“How’d the horse thieving’ start?” Ginger asked.  “I know how some of the enlisted men got wrangled into it, but I don’t understand how the Colonel got caught up in it.”

“Oh, that was easy.  Washburn knew the cavalry needed horses and the Army had to get them from somewhere.  He just convinced Spencer that there was no harm in taking a few of the best from the herd before the Army got their pick.  Not really stealing, he reasoned.  Just skimmin’.”

Reb shook her head.  “All this because he wanted love from a father that disdained his entire existence?”

“Apparently.  It seems it started out as a way for Spencer to bond with Washburn and became a way for Washburn to manipulate and control him.  He stood up to him in the end though.  According to Mrs. Carver Spencer told Washburn he was on his own just before Washburn put a bullet in his belly.”

“Hell of a way to finally grow up.”

“Yeah, but at least things with Washburn are settled.  Major Jonson’s assuming command of the fort until the Army sends instructions telling him otherwise.  Clemmons said Spencer wrote a letter to the Secretary of the Army so something should be coming down on that eventually.”

“You think it was a confession?”

“Probably.  It sounds like he planned to die today one way or another.”

After a moment’s silent contemplation on that statement, Kitty slapped her hands on the table, startling everyone.  She ignored the glares she was getting asking instead, “Now what?”

“I dunno,” Murphy shrugged.  “Reb?”

“I think Donoma Chepi and I are gonna head towards the summer camp of the People.  We have a joining to celebrate and I for one am not gonna be the one to deny Litonya her opportunity to have a party.”  Chuckles went around the table, including loud guffaws from Honaw and Keezheekoni.  “What?” she asked innocently.  “I like livin’... especially now that Donoma is my wife.”

“Koko smart warrior.  Know not to anger wife’s mother.”  Laughter followed Keez’s pronouncement.

“How ‘bout after that, Reb?  Will you be comin’ back here?”

Koko and Donoma looked at one another for a long moment before turning back to Kitty.  “I don’t think so, Kitty... at least not for a long time.  Donoma and I want the chance to just go out there and live a little without worrying about who’s chasin’ us or what outlaw needs catchin’ or who’s got it in for me today.  We’ve waited a long time for it to be just us.”

“We’ll miss ya, you know.”

“I know.  We’ll miss all of you too, but we’re looking forward to it too, ya know?”

“I know,” Kitty agreed with a smile.  “I remember being young once.”

“Once?  You still young,” Donoma stated firmly.  Kitty cupped her cheek gently.

“You’re a sweet kid, Donoma.  You look after her, Reb,” waiting for the nod of agreement she knew was coming.  Then she looked around at the assembled crowd.  “I think we should make a party for Reb and Donoma tonight.  Invite everyone including your wife, Daniel.  Time she comes down to live with the rest of us here.”

“I don’t know, Kitty, but I’ll ask.”

Kitty snorted.  “Step up and be the man in your family for a change, Daniel.”

“Not fair, Kit.”

“Life’s generally not,” Kitty scoffed.  “Otherwise I wouldn’t be a whore and a madam while my brother ran the local church.”  Dead silence met her words and everyone looked at first at Kitty, then Daniel, then back to Kitty again.  “Oh for cryin’ out loud - are we havin’ a party tonight or what?”

“I bes’ getta cookin’,” Big Mama said as she pushed up out of her seat.  “We be needin’ plenny o’ food for dis here party.”

“I’ll have Eunice go around and get the rest of the women to volunteer some vittles as well,” Daniel stated, looking defiantly at Kitty. “If we’re going to give Reb and Donoma Stone a send-off, we’re going to do it up right.  They deserve that much.”

“Well, then... I guess we’re havin’ a party.  I’ll go let the fellas know.  If they know their wives’ll be more likely to pitch in.  ‘Cause no one wants to be seen as the one who put a damper on a good time, no matter the reason for it,” Murphy said knowingly.

“Keez and I will take the warriors; we will go back to the cabin and wait for your return,” Honaw said to Koko in their native tongue.  “We have no desire to be caught here when the white man drinks his firewater and looks for an outlet for his anger.”

“Go ahead,” Koko agreed.  “We will return sometime tomorrow.  It will take us a few days to pack up our belongings so if you wish to return to the People, go ahead and do so.  Donoma and I will not be far behind you.”

“We will wait and escort you.  Neho’e would expect it and the warriors will accept nothing less.”  She nodded and turned away, only to be stopped by his hand on her arm.  “What happens to Hassun, Koko Kanti?”

“That is his choice, Honaw.  He did nothing wrong so he will be able to return to the Army as a scout if he wishes.  Otherwise he is welcome to return to the People with us.”

“He wants to stay with the Army.  I just wanted to be certain he would not suffer for his actions in helping us find you.  He is a good friend.”

“I have found him to be such as well.  He will be fine, Honaw.”

“Good,” Honaw replied, reassured.  He turned and with a nod of his head collected Keezheekoni.  Then the two of them made their way silently out of the saloon and towards the barn where the remainder of the warriors waited.  They were ready to be out of the white man’s town and back onto the open prairie.

“Are you all right, Kit?” Daniel asked solicitously before he walked out the door.  Despite everything he’d never been able to maintain his anger at her for very long.  She sighed and wrapped her arms around herself.

“I’m fine Daniel.  I didn’t mean to reveal everything like that.”  Daniel snorted.

“You didn’t reveal everything, and I’m not ashamed of the fact that you’re my sister.  The rest...?”  He shrugged his shoulders.  “We’ll worry about it as things come up.”  He pushed open the door and turned to her.  “If you plan on this party being a blowout, you should probably get busy.  It’ll be nightfall before you know it.  Don’t worry,” he added.  “The womenfolk’ll be here with their company manners on.”  Then he turned and left.

Kitty motioned to her girls.  Daniel was right about one thing.  There was a lot of work to be done if they were going to do this party up right.  A few words, and they set to work determined to make the night memorable.


Chapter XLIX

“Do you think the soldiers will be all right... the ones that were part of Washburn’s horse outfit, I mean?” Donoma asked as they made their way from the cabin in the early morning light.  “I did not see any of the Army at the town gathering.  Do the Army and the townspeople not celebrate together?  Surely they all owed you a debt of gratitude for what you have done for them,” Donoma stated with a bit of irritation in her voice.  Not that she was enamored of the Blue Coats, especially after what they had all just been through because of one Blue Coat in particular; it was simply the principle of the thing.

“I think the Army is still busy trying to straighten out the mess Spencer left.  Stephen said the Army would not be pressing formal charges against them, but he expected the major to institute some form of punishment upon those involved.  What they did was wrong so there needs to be some action taken, but since they were all following Spencer’s orders, they do not want to ruin their careers as soldiers.”

“Hassun believes they will be shoveling horse droppings for some time to come,” Honaw informed them. “I spoke with him while you were in town.  He told me he hopes to visit the People more often.  He felt welcome among us and I believe that is something he has missed.”

“That would be a fitting punishment for those soldiers who were involved with Washburn,” Koko agreed.  “And Hassun would be welcome among the People.”

“That is what I told him,” Honaw assured them before moving off to join the warriors in a sweep of the area in an effort to give Donoma and Koko a measure of privacy.  Traveling with them as a joined couple was very different from traveling with a sister, a seer or a brother warrior.

“That was an interesting party,” Donoma commented when they were alone again.  “So much like our celebrations and yet so different as well.  What was the instrument Stephen made music with?”

“A fiddle.”

“I liked it.  It had a nice sound.  And he had a good singing voice though not nearly as nice as yours.  Why did you not sing last night, Koko Kanti?  I have missed hearing you sing.”

“That is not something I am comfortable sharing with the world, Donoma... especially the white man’s world.  There is too much expectation there.”  At Donoma’s confused look Koko sighed and continued.  “When I sang with the People, it was because I felt like it.  I had something to express - happiness, sadness, loneliness, regret.  Always there was a reason for my singing, and it was always my reason... not because anyone else in the world expected me to.”

“You sang for me,” Donoma objected.

“I sang for you because it made you happy and that made me happy.  Even when you asked it of me, you never expected me to say yes; you were just glad when I did so.”

“I always thought your singing made the stars twinkle a little brighter, like the Great Spirit was smiling down upon us,” smiling when she saw the light blush trail up dark skin.  “I was glad to see Daniel’s wife came,” Donoma said, changing the subject.  “I think it made Kitty happy.”

“I believe so as well.  Maybe it will be a new start for them as a family.”

“Do you think Kitty will give up the saloon and move into the cabin?  I think short of marrying, that might be the only way Eunice would accept her.”

Koko shrugged.  “I do not know, Ka’eskone.  She should not have to. That has been her life for a very long time, and is very much a part of who she is; but at least she has a choice now.  Perhaps if she and Stephen decide to settle down....” letting her thoughts trail off and Donoma remained quiet.  Finally Koko shook her head.  “I do not know,” she repeated.  “I think it depends on what Kitty wants to do with her life now.  Those girls are her family too. I am not certain she will just give it up even with the opportunity to do so.  It is all she has known for the better part of her life.”

Silence fell between them then though it was not at all uncomfortable.  Their thoughts were mostly centered on the fun they’d had with the townspeople at Kitty’s going away party and the celebration they would soon share with the People in honor of their marriage.

“I hope Nahko’e does not overdo,” Donoma announced suddenly into the quiet.  The warriors who had moved closer once the conversation earlier had ceased snickered.  Koko glared at them and the sound stopped immediately, causing Donoma to smile in Koko’s direction.  Koko rolled expressive blue eyes.

“Ka’eskone,” she said with patient amusement.  “She is your Nahko’e and you have lived with her for how many cycles?  You know very well she is going to overdo.  This party is to celebrate the joining of her only Nahtona to the one who has loved her since time itself began.  It could go on for days.”  Koko’s words made Donoma’s breath catch in her chest and she simply stared at Koko for a long moment.  “Donoma?” Koko called softly.  “Ka’eskone, are you all right?”

“That was beautiful, Nutta,” Donoma replied in an equally quiet tone.  Koko blinked before realizing exactly what Donoma was referring to.

“And it is the truth, Beloved.  Do not ever think any differently.”

“I am simply unused to you stating it so plainly, Warrior.”

“I will endeavor to correct that oversight in the future, Ka’eskone.”

Donoma smiled and blushed.  “I will do the same, Koko Kanti. You should always know how I feel.”

Koko smiled.  “Oh I do, Donoma.  You show me in every look; every word; every touch.  Even when you were still furious with me, I could feel it.”  Donoma’s blush was so fierce, Koko was afraid the blood might actually burst from her skin and she found the reaction endearing.  She grinned at Donoma rakishly and waggled her eyebrows.

“Do not tease me, Warrior; I have many ways of making you pay.”  Koko cocked a brow in mute question.  “For one thing, you can sleep under the stars with the warriors instead of sharing the dwelling with me,” indicating the single tepee they’d decided to bring along.  Koko’s eyes grew comically wide and her lower lip started to tremble just the slightest bit.

“You would not be so cruel.”

“Are you certain?”

Koko held her gaze a long moment.  “Yes,” she finally replied.  “You would be no happier with that arrangement than I would.”

“Perhaps.”  Her eyes were steady but Koko heard the smile in her voice and slumped in reaction.  “So,” Donoma added with an outward smile, clearing her throat.  “Several days, hmm?”

“I think so,” Koko answered, picking up the thread of conversation left nearly forgotten in the ensuing teasing.  “If we are lucky, Litonya will allow only a short celebration with the People so we can make it to the summer camp to have a much longer party with the rest of the tribes.”

“How would that make us lucky, Koko?  That just means twice the opportunities for jokes and tricks to be played on us and challenges to be issued to you.”

“Maybe, but we can sneak away from summer camp much easier than we can the People’s encampment.  There are many more bodies and joinings at summer camp.  There we are one among many instead of one among a few.  Besides... who will challenge me?  We are already wed to one another; there were witnesses and everything.”

Donoma smiled.  “Yes, there were.  But I look forward to seeing you wear your buckskins again.”

“I look forward to wearing them.  They are a testament of the love we shared even before we confessed it.”

“Yes,” Donoma agreed fervently.  “They certainly are.”

They fell silent for a bit after that, their need for conversation diminished in one another’s presence.  So they continued their trek west, guarded by the warriors who traveled with them yet remained separate, allowing them whatever modicum of privacy they could provide.

************

“We should prepare ourselves,” Takoda mentioned to Odahingum one evening as they sat around the campfire together.  “The warriors will be rejoining us soon.”

“Are Koko and Donoma with them?”

“I have not seen, but I do not believe the warriors would return without them if they were successful in their mission.  However, I have not seen that either. All I am certain of is that the warriors will soon return to us.  It is my hope that they were successful; I do not believe Donoma Chepi or Koko Kanti would survive another separation.  And it would break Litonya’s heart.”

“I believe you are correct, my friend.  Can you see how far from us the warriors are?”

“Not accurately though I am convinced they will reach us before we reach summer camp.”

“Soon then.”

“Very soon.”

************

“Koko Kanti?”  Koko looked up from her place in front of the dwelling she and Donoma shared, meeting Honaw’s eyes over the small fire that separated them.  She tilted her head and cocked an eyebrow, waiting for him to speak.  He looked at Donoma and then back at Koko.

“No secrets, Honaw,” Koko assured him.  “She will know whether you tell her now or I do later.  You should know this.  Now speak your mind.”

Honaw cleared his throat.  “I am sorry, Donoma.  I was speaking to Koko as one warrior to another; I did not mean to imply that Koko should keep secrets from you.  I forgot that your relationship as Koko Kanti’s warrior advisor puts you in a different position than simply being her spouse does.”

“I forgive you, Hestatanemo.  You have always had a tendency to try to protect me when you thought you could get away with it,” Donoma smirked.  “Not that I always let you.”

Honaw sighed dramatically.  “That is the truth.”  He glanced at Koko who was openly smirking at him.  “Not one word, Koko Kanti.”  He grinned.  “Now she is your responsibility.”

“At least I can keep up,” chuckling when the smile fell from his face.

“I hate you,” he grumbled, but the twinkling in his eyes belied his words.  “Listen, I wanted to let you know that the warriors and I have decided to ride on ahead tomorrow.  I believe we are less than two days from where we should find the People and we would like to give them a bit of time to prepare for your arrival.”  He sighed.  “Nahko’e will never forgive me if I do not give her at least a little warning so that she can be ready.”

Donoma chuckled.  “That is probably the truth.  Go ahead, Honaw.  We will be fine alone.”

“Donoma speaks the truth, my friend.  We will be fine.  We are far enough from the white man’s world that they should pose no threat and all the People should be headed away from us.  Besides, when we leave the People, we will not have the warriors to look out for us.  That is something the People need to accept; it is best that they do so at the beginning of our journey together.”

Honaw nodded.  “Very well.  We will leave at daylight in the morning.  If you remain here for an extra day, that should give us time to reach them ahead of you.”

“We will follow behind you, Honaw... two or three days.  Just make sure the People keep moving towards the summer encampment.  We do not want to be late arriving there.  But we will make it to the clan before the tribe gets to the encampment,” Koko assured him.  “I told you we would not deny Litonya the opportunity to host the celebration of our joining.”

Honaw nodded.  “We will leave in the morning then.”  He moved away from the fire and back to the small area the warriors had staked out for themselves.  Donoma and Koko exchanged glances, then Donoma leaned her body into Koko’s, gratified to feel the strong arm wrap around her waist and pull her closer.

“I have a confession,” Donoma said so softly, Koko almost missed the words.  She tilted her ear in the direction of Donoma’s lips.  “I am glad they are going ahead; I would like a little time alone with you to prepare for the melee that is soon to come.”

“Me too,” Koko admitted.  “Come,” she said, standing and tugging Donoma up beside her.  “Let us rest tonight so we can send the warriors off tomorrow.  Then we will see if we can find something to occupy us until we are ready to leave.”

Donoma didn’t speak - she had no need to.  The expression on her face was statement enough.

************

Litonya went out to meet the warriors as soon as the word went up from the lookouts that they were approaching.  She looked directly at Honaw as he rode forward and climbed down from his horse to meet her.  The rest waited a few paces back.

“Well?” looking around for Koko and Donoma.

“They are behind us - two or three days.  We wanted to give the People a chance to prepare for their return.”

“Things worked out well then?”

“Things worked out well.  But they will tell you the story when they arrive.  It is their story to tell.”

“Fair enough. In the meantime we have many preparations to make. We will wait here....”

“No.  Koko insisted we continue to move towards the summer encampment.  They will catch us, Nahko’e.  Koko promised as did Donoma.  They have no desire to thwart your celebration.  And since there are only two of them instead of an entire clan, it will make little difference in the distance they need to make up to reach us.”

“All right,” Litonya agreed.  “Let us go talk to your Neho’e and Odahingum.  We have a lot of work to do.”

************

“Are you ready, Ka’eskone?” Koko asked as they approached the People’s encampment.  Donoma blew out a breath and met Koko’s blue eyes.  They’d had three wonderful days of just them and were just arriving at the tribe as the sun reached its zenith.  The call from the scouts had already gone up and they could both see the entire clan gathering to welcome them home.

“They are our friends and family, Koko.  I do not think we can ever be ready for that,” Donoma replied wryly.

Koko laughed, only her eyes betraying her nervousness.  “I tend to agree with you, Donoma.  Come, the sooner we get the greetings out of the way, the sooner we can get started celebrating.”  Then they were arriving in the midst of the People.

Koko slid from the back of the big black, holding his reins and grasping Dapples’ in the same hand before extending her arms to Donoma.  Donoma slipped from Dapples’ back and into Koko’s arms and together they turned to face the People who were waiting to greet them. 

Litonya was the first and she took them both in her arms, murmuring words of welcome and congratulation.  Litonya stepped back only to find herself lifted off the ground and into Koko’s arms.  “Koko Kanti!” she squealed.  “Koko Kanti... put me down this instant!”  Koko obeyed with a chuckle, laughing even harder when Litonya backhanded her in the belly.  She looked at her daughter.  “You have your hands full with this one, Donoma Chepi.”

“Yes, Nahko’e,” Donoma agreed, wrapping her arms around Koko’s waist and feeling Koko’s arm come around her shoulders, completing their embrace.  “And I would not have it any other way.  She completes me.”

“You are happy, my Nahtona?”

“So much, Nahko’e.”  She looked at Koko and time stood still for the long moment they held each other’s eyes.  The entire tribe watched in fascination the public acknowledgment of a bond they had shared since they were children.  “We both are,” Donoma assured Litonya without ever allowing her eyes to stray from Koko’s.

“Have you exchanged promises with one another in accordance with our traditions?” Odahingum asked formally as he came forward, knowing the answer but needing for them to acknowledge it publicly before the People.

“We have, Chief Odahingum.”

“And were there witnesses to this joining?”

“There were,” Koko replied.  “Honaw and Keezheekoni bore witness of our exchange.”  The two men in question stepped forward and nodded their assent of her words.  Odahingum bowed slightly in acceptance of their agreement and turned back to face Koko and Donoma.  He smiled and found the expression reflected back to him two-fold.  “Then the People extend a welcome to the new family of Donoma Chepi and Koko Kanti.  It is wonderful to have you home again!”

A cheer went up from the entire tribe and then they were being escorted into the village area.

************

The celebration had been going on for some time and the sun was just setting when Koko and Donoma were finally able to sit down with Litonya, Takoda and Odahingum.  The People settled round them, waiting to hear the tale of what had happened since Donoma and Koko had left them months before.

Slowly Donoma told their story, drawing gasps and groans as she went through the adventures they had shared during their time away.  When she reached the showdown with Washburn, Koko held her tighter and absolute silence fell over the entire encampment.  Finally....

“So the threat to you has been eliminated, Koko Kanti?” Takoda asked, breaking the silence.

“The most obvious one, yes.  There could be others, but Washburn was the worst.  The rest we will deal with if and when they arise.”

“Are you certain about going off alone?” Odahingum asked.  “The People’s warriors would be glad to stand with you if....”

“No, Chief.  We need some time for us.  There is so much we need to relearn about each other, discoveries we have missed by being apart from one another for so long.  We are not saying we will never return to live among the People, only that we are not staying right now.”

“Let them be, Odahingum,” Litonya spoke up, surprising them all.  “They are entitled to a bit of time alone considering what they have been through to be together again.”  She turned to the two still clasping one another in a singular embrace.  “You will come with us to the summer camp and make an effort to meet up with us there every year until you return to settle with the People?”

“Yes, Nahko’e,” Koko and Donoma said together.

“Good, then let us celebrate!  This is a party!”  With a whoop and a cry from the warriors the party resumed, going on well into the night.


Chapter L

The trip across the prairie was slow and steady as the People made their way towards summer camp.  Koko resumed her classes with the warriors at their request, spending her mornings sharpening skills that had been left to fallow when she lived among the white man.  Donoma’s mornings were used to prepare the things they would need for their journey alone as well as contributing to the daily welfare of the tribe.  Many of the women she shared chores with were intrigued to hear about her experiences in the white man’s world and she was glad to share her stories with them.

Afternoons they spent alone together, much as they had during their growing up years.  After a few days of this Litonya turned to Takoda as Koko and Donoma walked out of the encampment.  “It is good to have them here again even if it is only for a little while.  They bring balance with them.”

“Are you certain it is wise to allow them to leave us again, Litonya?  Surely you have seen the difference having them here makes for the clan.”

Litonya gazed at Takoda with a hint of loving exasperation in her look.  “Takoda, you have been a shaman for the People since before your Neho’e passed on to the land of the Great Spirit.  I know the well being of the clan is your first priority, but you need to stop being the tribe’s seer and be Donoma’s Neho’e instead.  Look at this from Donoma’s point of view.  Her joining with Koko is nothing like anything the People have seen.  They have been a couple for their lifetimes and yet they are just discovering the bond they share.  You cannot blame them for wanting some peace to make that discovery.”

“None of the rest of us had that luxury, Litonya.”

“None of the rest of us have their history nor have we known separation like they have, Takoda.”

“You are not going to give this up, are you?”

“No.  They deserve this together.  They will return one day.”

Takoda smiled. “Are you a seer now?”

“Better... I am a Nahko’e.”

“I surrender, Litonya.”

“I knew I had joined with a smart man,” Litonya said with a giggle.  Takoda just laughed and wrapped an arm around her shoulders and together they watched the sun set.  It was how Koko and Donoma found them a short time later.

Evenings were spent in conversation and games.  There were a few challenges but more because the warriors felt Koko and Donoma deserved the courtesy than because they wanted to break up their coupling.  Not that there was any danger of that - Koko was able to take on all comers and did so on a regular basis, much to the entertainment of the rest of the tribe.

Nights were about the two of them - Donoma tended to the minor cuts and bruises Koko had accumulated during her day while they shared experiences of their time spent apart.  Some nights they spent making love and others they merely curled around one another in sleep.

So they slowly made their way across the prairie towards the summer encampment.

************

Their arrival in the summer camp was a heralded event and a feeling of excitement pervaded the People.  Word had spread of Koko’s return to her clan and her joining to Donoma.  So everyone was out to greet them when they finally reached the summer encampment.

It was odd - hundreds of People observing as they entered the outskirts of the village, but not a sound could be heard beyond the whisper the horses made.  The scouts keeping watch had alerted the camp of their approach, and the People gathered together to welcome them.

Odahingum came first, followed by Takoda.  Then came Donoma and Koko riding side by side in their joining attire.  The respected elders followed behind them; the warriors were next, riding in pairs or threesomes and looking around carefully at the assembly.  Bringing up the rear were the women and children.

When the clan reached the main village of the summer encampment, the ranks of the rest of the People closed around them from behind.  The elders moved to take their places with the others and the People spread out respectfully to watch the greeting between Odahingum and the rest of the chieftains.

“Greetings, my friends.”

“Welcome, Chief Odahingum and the People of his clan.  We understand you come bearing great news.”

“I do indeed.  Koko Kanti has returned to us, and she and Donoma Chepi have joined their lives and formed a new family.”

“Were there witnesses to this joining?” Honaw and Keez stepped forward and awaited the chieftains’ acknowledgment before moving back to their places with the warriors.  “Then we welcome the new family of Koko Kanti and Donoma Chepi to the People and look forward to blessing them on the day of the long sun.”

With that pronouncement a cheer went up from the congregation and the tribe moved to set up their dwellings before mingling with the friends they saw for only a short time once a year.

************

Koko deliberately chose a quiet spot a little separated from the rest for erecting their temporary home.  With Donoma’s help, it was up quickly and Koko led Donoma inside.  Once they were alone, Donoma leaned her head against Koko’s chest; Koko wrapped her arms around Donoma and kissed the top of her head.

“Ka’eskone?”

“I do not like being the center of attention, Koko Kanti.  It is very unnerving.”

Koko chuckled soundlessly.  “You should be used to it, Donoma.  You have always drawn attention to yourself simply by being who you are.”

“Not like this, Koko Kanti.  Before I was looked to for my gift as a seer and when that was not needed, I could become part of the whole... unnoticed by the rest.”

“None here tried to capture your attention, Ka’eskone?”

“Only once....”  Koko raised her eyebrows in question.  “Warriors do not handle public humiliation well.”  Koko didn’t need to speak; Donoma could see the thoughts running through her blue eyes.  “It was the first year we came to summer camp after you left.  Innan thought it was an open invitation.  He did not know that you had taught me to defend myself.  When I refused his attention he went to Neho’e to force the issue.”

“What happened?” Koko asked, unable to resist the twinkle sparkling out of the green eyes.

“He challenged - I answered.  I did not defeat him, but he did not defeat me either.  I was left alone after that.”

“I am sorry, Donoma,” after a moment’s silence.  “I should have been here.”

“We cannot change what happened, Koko Kanti. At least I was able to hold my own thanks to you.”

“I wish I could have seen that,” Koko said wistfully.

Donoma chuckled.  “I do not think Innan would be willing to give another demonstration. The warriors no longer tease him, but it took a very long time for him to live down.”

“I’ll bet,” Koko murmured.  “Come, let us change from our wedding attire into more comfortable clothing.  Then we can go out and mix and mingle with the rest of the People.  Maybe we will run into Innan,” Koko added waggling her eyebrows.

Donoma laughed.  “I do not think he would allow himself to be caught like that, Warrior.  Besides, he has his hands full with the wives and children he has now.”

“Take all my fun,” Koko grumbled, loosening the ties to remove her shirt.  Then she caught her breath when Donoma’s hand started to wander across the warm skin of her back, gently raising the shirt with each passing touch.

“All your fun, Warrior?” bringing her lips into play as she exposed more skin.

It was a while before they made it out among the People again.

************

The next few days were spent renewing old friendships and making new ones.  Innan did manage to avoid them, much to Koko’s amusement.  But it was nice to reacquaint themselves with those that had always counted them as friends.  Finally however, all the tribes of the People were gathered and as summer solstice dawned, they prepared to celebrate the births and marriages of the previous cycle.  The elders blessed the babies first, then it came time for those who had been joined.

The eldest elder stood - a man whose cycles numbered beyond counting - and beckoned Koko and Donoma forward first.  “The rest have requested that you be blessed first and separately.  I believe you make them nervous.”  The assembly tittered and Koko and Donoma stepped forward and took their place in front of the elders.  “For a very long time, we have watched the bond you share grow and develop into something beyond what most witness and even fewer share.  There were many among us that had given up seeing a successful resolution between you.  I cannot tell you how it gladdens all of us to be proven wrong about it.”

“Me too,” Koko muttered, drawing grins from every elder within hearing.

“I will keep this brief,” the elder promised.  “The sooner we finish the blessings, the sooner we start the celebration,” drawing cheers and whistles from everyone.  “So....” he started, clearing his throat before he continued.   “The strength of your mothers; the wisdom of your fathers. the warmth of your clan to surround and comfort you.  Find your hearts in one another; keep them safe and love one another well until you make your way into the arms of the Great Spirit.”

The remainder of the elders echoed his sentiments and Koko and Donoma accepted the cheers and congratulations of the tribe with a blush before they were allowed to move on while the rest moved forward to be blessed.  Then the celebration began.

************

“How do you feel, Nahtona?” Takoda asked, sitting down beside Donoma much later that evening.  Koko had been called away to congratulate those that had been initiated into the ranks of the Peoples’ warriors at sundown though their eyes never left one another despite the current physical distance between them.  “Now that your joining to Koko Kanti has been recognized and blessed by the elders of the People.”

“It does not change how I feel, Neho’e.  Why would it?”

Takoda blinked in surprise.  “You do not feel differently now that you have been blessed?  Like your marriage to Koko has merit or validation now?”

Donoma turned to Takoda then, outrage flowing from her very green eyes.  “My mating with Koko Kanti needs no merit or validation from anyone.  What we share is between us and us alone. We allowed the elders to bless us because it is the way of our People and we respect that.  They would have been disappointed had we not asked for their blessing.  But it does not change the way we feel.”

“Problem, Ka’eskone?” Koko purred as she wrapped Donoma in her arms from behind.

“No, Nutta. Simply a misunderstanding,” holding Takoda’s eyes.  Unexpectedly he smiled at them and took them into his arms briefly before releasing them.

“No misunderstanding, Donoma Chepi.  You responded exactly as I hoped you would - you both did.  Thank you for proving me right,” he said again.  Then he brushed a hand over each woman’s cheek and returned to his place around the fire with the other shamen.  Koko and Donoma watched wordlessly as he spoke, seeing the vehemence in his gestures and watching all eyes turn to them for a moment before the rest grumblingly relinquished some sort of payment to him.

Without a word they exchanged gazes, glancing at the shamen once more before Koko released Donoma from her embrace and extended a hand.  Donoma accepted the invitation and together they walked away from the celebration and into the quiet peace of the prairie summer night.

“Do I even want to know?”

“Probably not.  I know I do not.”

They walked further out into the prairie until the camp was nothing more than a speck of light behind them and the only sounds they heard were those of the crickets, the herds and the grasses blowing in the breeze.  Finally Koko pulled them to a stop and wrapped Donoma in her embrace, gratified when Donoma immediately turned in her arms to face her.

“Do you suppose my Neho’e and Nahko’e are watching?  Do you think they know how happy I am?”

“I think they do, Nutta,” Donoma replied confidently.  “I believe the Great Spirit shares our joy with them.”

“I wonder if we will ever see them again... in this world, I mean.”

“Perhaps one day if we are in need of their help or guidance like we were before.  In the meantime I like to think they know we are finally happy together and that they are happy for us.”  They both looked up at the two stars that represented Honiahaka and Rae’l to them for a few minutes.  Then Koko cleared her throat before speaking softly to keep from disturbing the peace around them.

“Well, Mrs. Donoma Chepi Reb Stone,” seeing the arched eyebrow and chuckling in response to the address.  “We have been lost to and found each other again; have been joined to one another; have made friends in the white man’s world; have defeated the enemy that would have seen us destroyed; have returned to the bosom of our People; and have received the blessing of both chieftain and elders.  What do you want to do now?”

“Tonight I want to return to our dwelling and show you just how much I love you.  Is that not part of our responsibility as a newly blessed couple?” she added with wicked grin, allowing the merriment to peek out of her eyes.

Koko’s grin matched her own and her eyes danced with happiness.  “I believe it is, Ka’eskone.  We cannot ignore this tradition.  It could bring us bad luck and we would not want to start out our blessed lives inviting bad luck upon us in such a manner.”  She ducked her head and kissed Donoma with passionate intent.  “And after that - when we are certain we have fulfilled our obligations?” she asked breathlessly when they separated.

“After that when we are completely sated by one another, I want to curl up in your arms and sleep peacefully until the sun comes up.  And once daylight has returned to the land, I would like to take our leave of the People and go make our own way... wherever we feel led to go.”

“You sound like a woman with a plan, Ka’eskone.”

“I am a woman with a life to lead, and I cannot wait to lead it with you, warrior mine.”

“Come then.  Let us return to the camp so we may begin the ritual honoring the tradition of celebrating becoming a blessed couple.  Then tomorrow we will see what lies over the next hill and the next until we decide differently.”

“I love you Koko Kanti... so much.”

“You are my world, Donoma Chepi.  I love you too.”

************

Their leave taking the following morning was a boisterous affair as every member of every clan seemed to desire to offer well wishes and farewells.  Finally though, everyone was done except for their closest family.  Odahingum was the first of the last to speak to them.

“Be well,” he offered.  “And come home safely.”

Honaw stepped forward next.  “Thank you for allowing me to be part of your journey thus far.  It was a privilege to have been witness to so much.  Now do not go off and forget about the family here that loves and cares for you.  I will be waiting for your return; I want to hear the stories of the sights you find and the places you go and the things you do.”

Donoma returned the hug he gave her fiercely.  “I will write it all down for you, Hestatanemo, so I will not forget anything in the telling.  Watch out for yourself and for our Neho’e and Nahko’e.”

“I will and you and Koko Kanti look out for each other.”

Takoda walked to them next, taking them both in his arms and murmuring a low prayer for them.  Then he kissed each of them and stepped back to allow Litonya to have the final good bye.

“We will miss you while you are gone from us, but I understand the necessity of doing so.  I hope you find what you are searching for soon that you may return to us all the sooner.  But if you do not, know that we will not forget and there will always be a place for you both at our fire.”

“Thank you, Nahko’e,” Donoma said, hugging her mother tightly, then standing back so Koko could do the same.

“I will protect her, Litonya. And I will bring her home to stay when we are ready to settle with the People.”

“And you will return here to summer camp every year until you do?”

“We will make every effort, Litonya.  I promise you.”  Litonya held Koko’s serious blue eyes for a long moment, then nodded.

“Very well.  Go with my blessing.”

The two mounted their horses and looked around at the expectant crowd.  Then without a word they reached out their hands and linked them, turning their horses west and setting off without a backwards glance.

Litonya chanced a look at Takoda and noted the mysterious hint of a smile on his face.  She tilted her head in curiosity.  “You know something,” she said flatly.

“I know that they have each other.  That will make the rest all right.”  They watched until Koko and Donoma were mere specks in the distance before they returned to the encampment, ready to pack up their own things and prepare for the trip across the Plains back towards their winter home. 


Epilogue

There was something to be said for solitude on the vast prairie and the peace they found together there was something Donoma and Koko appreciated on a number of levels.  At the moment, they were appreciating the fact in the most intimate of ways.

Honiahaka and Rae’l had turned away at the first sign of lovemaking between their daughters - not to preserve their modesty as much as to give Koko and Donoma the privacy and respect they deserved.

“It is good to see them happy together, is it not?” Honiahaka asked his wife with a smile.

“It is indeed,” Rae’l agreed.  “It was quite the road to get here though.”

“Yes, but it is not the destination that counts, but the journey we take to reach it.  Koko and Donoma have made a wonderful start to a memorable journey.”

“I hope it is long and filled with happiness.”

“I think it will be,” Honiahaka said.  The pair smiled down upon their children as Koko’s and Donoma’s mingled laughter rang out across the prairie.  He and Rae’l moved further away, knowing for right now, everything was right in their world.

The Drifter had come home and found her place at last.

THE END
09/07 - 06/08