Willa Mansi

Blade

I stopped Rose at the top of the hill. I looked down at the big home. "There it is," I laughed.

Bud looked around us, "Wasn't this a residential area?"

I slowly rode down the hill, "He tore everything down. He didn't want squatters."

"Nice guy," Bud laughed.

"I like it!" Tex announced.

A sharp click sounded behind us and we stopped. "No need to stop, just turn around and go back where ya come from," his voice was forceful.

We raised our hands, "That's no way to treat the guy that saved your life," I laughed and slowly turned around in my saddle.

"Well you old son bitch!" he laughed and uncocked his gun. "Get on down!" he waved his hand. I could hear Tex sigh with relief as I dropped down. "Ha!" he walked up to me and gave me a quick hug.

"Is this Blade?" Bud pointed at the older man.

"In the flesh!" Blade took a step from me and held his hands out like a ringmaster would to the crowd. "Whatchya see here, boys, is the SOB that can end any life!" he put his hands on his hips. "I was a sniper for our government before it went to hell." He squinted at the horizon, "Made pretty good money." He pulled out a pair of small binoculars, "Now I'm down to huntin' bounties."

"You're a bounty hunter?" Bud gasped.

Blade pointed at the badge on Bud's waist, "Yeah, but I won't hold that against ya."

"Wow," Tex smiled, thoroughly impressed with my wild friend.

"You boys up for steaks?" he smiled up at me and tossed a thumb over his shoulder, "There's a steer not to far from here."

"Yeah!" Tex said excitedly and stood up in his stirrups.

"Here," Blade said and tossed him the binoculars.

He looked through them, "Wow. Yep. There he is."

"Whole heard," Blade nodded.

"I see them," Tex looked from side to side, "Ain't had real Texas beef in years."

"Them yours?" Bud asked.

Blade smiled up at him, "That's what the brand says. I'm a Rancher too."

--------------------------------------------------

"I dunno," Blade shook his head and sat back in his chair.

"I think we could do it," Luke, Blade's ranch foreman smiled broadly, "We ain't had excitement around here for awhile."

"Excitement?" Bud frowned at him, "This isn't a game...."

Blade held his hand up, "Just an expression, Sheriff," he picked up his glass, "We know it's serious."

Luke rubbed his chin and talked to Blade, "Won't be easy getting in there."

"Explosives?" Blade swallowed his drink, "or walk up to the gate?"

"Explosives could take out a by stander," Luke shook his head.

"The Sleeping Chamber should be nearly empty," I said, "Except for the captives."

Blade pointed at Bud, "You need to lose that badge if you're coming."

"Easy enough," Bud nodded and tossed it on the table.