Reverse 1999 Fanfiction : Wild West Arcanist (English Version)

7. The Day After

     Sundance Kid and Tennant following the road to the nearby village with a church stand taller with a bell on the tower. The village has a working stable and blacksmith, however most homes has been abandoned. On the far right from the church, a barn seems destroyed with numerous noose and ropes. Tennant investigate the barn in confusion, touching some noose and ropes on the ground. As she grabs it, she can feel and smell a familiar scent.
"Jasmine? Huh?" Tennant gets even more confused.
"Sundance?"

"Yeah?" Sundance Kid approach her.

"This has Indian scent."

"Ah, the Injuns?"

"No, the Real Indian."

"Oh...Hindustan?"

"Yes. Is there...Hindustan people here? This rope, I can sense an Arcanum within. An Arcanist, perhaps?"

Suddenly, a young man walking seems walking out from the church. He's approaching them, his face all blank and bruised.
"Arcanists?"he asked.

Tennant and Sundance nods, the young man then snickering.
"Dammit...they hire even more, eh?"

Sundance Kid asks him, "Are you Bounty Hunter?"

"Hell yes. The name's Billy the Kid." Billy put out ropes from his hands.

Tennant finally realize his tricks.
"Indian Rope Magic. How'd you know that!?"

Billy pull the rope into his hands again, "Just say, some merchant I met a year back in Mexico. Man got strange liquids and scrolls, said I got spirit. So he grab my hand, a strange...what was it...Incantation?, it goes through my hand. Then here I am."

"Really?" Sundance Kid looking at the ropes on his hands, "Ain't it better to work in a Farm? With that many ropes, you can be a damn good saddle slicker."

"I lived by the Guns." Billy said, "Spent my young life among the willows, I can't rest easy...even with Pat Garret help. I need ballast."

"Excuse me." Tennant cut their conversation politely, "Young man, have you fight the Vigilante?"

"Yes. In here." Billy answered,  "The priest know him, but he refuse to tell me. Said he'd suffered enough."

Tennant decide to meet the pastor on the church, she fixed her outfit and buttoned her coat before entering. She goes inside, opening the door slowly, then feel a serene and peaceful atmosphere. The priest sitting in the front row on the left, he notice her presence.

"Young lady. What can I do for you?"

"Excuse me, father. For I needed an answer."

"Answers requires question." he said, "Have a seat and pray for a moment."

Tennant goes to the holy water stoup and then sits to the front row on the right, she close her eyes to pray. Not long after, she start a conversation with the Priest.

"Forgive me for bothering you, father."

"Its alright. What do you want to know?"

"The Vigilante."

The Priest take a little sigh, albeit with a very calm expression. "He was a friend. I presume you are here for..."

"No." Tennant answered before the priest finished, "Im no Bounty Hunter. I was looking for Eleanor Winders. But the Mayor wants me to find Vigilante first."

"Eleanor Winders..." the Priest looking at the cross, "Such tragedy. A wife of a great husband. For the Lord first giveth, and taketh away."

"You...you know her?"