If you have been following the Busted Gulch story here at the Storytellers Saloon then you know Ruechari has been selected for a special destiny...yet to be revealed. Having grown up in the KitKat Nation. Chief DamagedGoods was the only father she h...
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Billy watched in a sick fascination as Ruechari learned how to shift in different forms. It was bizarre watching her go from one animal to the next. Geronimo was a very patient teacher but it would seem Ruechari was also a quick study.
"You know the animals, use their strength. Think of what they represent and choose the best for the situation. They will never let you down. Remember they are wild, untamed, unbridled do not try and tame them or bend them to your will instead become one with them. They will respond to your strength. They will yield to your command. You fight them and they will fight back which will leave you weak and vulnerable."
The last form he chose to show her was an Eagle. It was a magnificent transformation. She watched him with avid eyes on how he called the spirit of the animal and surrendered his physical form to it.
He shifted back and then said now you.
Ruechari closed her eyes and thought of the eagle, she could feel the wind caress her face, her body. How her sight had sharpened and there was an intelligence behind that sight.
She felt her wings stretch out and when they flapped she could tell the difference in the currents of air, which were warm and would lift her up and which were cold and drop her down. It was exhilarating to be able to fly.
She flew high above the tent and her senses pierced through a dust cloud. She could see so much further. There were riders coming and they did not look friendly. She touched down to the ground her wings wrapped around her body and she returned back to her human form.
"Riders are approaching," she told Billy. "Coming in fast will be here in an hour or so would be my guess, Reaper leads them."
Ruechari, ducked behind another curtain to grab her clothes.
"Never a dull moment," Billy said, grabbing his guns.
Geronimo stayed his hand, "Let it wait. They are coming to you. No need to rush. Stop, think, what you need will always be provided for you."
"All I need is right here," Billy said picking up his rifle and cocking it.
Geronimo looked pointedly at where Ruechari just left. "Are you certain?"
Billy laughed, "Don't go play'n matchmaker Chief. I'm dead and even if I wasn't she is way out my league and my reach. I'm a killer with a past he needs to reconcile with."
Geronimo shook his head, "Shari gave you a second life William. It's for more than just repaying of sins. It's about doing things as you should have the first time around. A second chance. She'll need you before this is through."
"I'll protect her," Billy said. "Reaper will not get anywhere near her."
Geronimo laughed, "So quick to judge, you don't even know the true threat."
"What do you mean?"
"She will seek him out? She will go to him and you will not be able to stop this. I have seen it?" Geronimo said.
"A vision? She gives herself up to Reaper? Why?"
"She needs to see her father, she believes Reaper to be the only person who can lead her there. She will go with him willingly."
"Then I'll keep them apart," Billy said. "I can't lose her."
"Interesting choice of words young William. None of us can afford to lose her, and you are not as indifferent as you would like to believe. Reaper is not the threat. There is a far greater evil out there. The Wraith. He controls Reaper's soul. Reaper is but a puppet on strings and bound to do his bidding."
"The Wraith is after the totem in the burial grounds. If he takes Ruechari's soul and has the totem he can raise an army of unparalleled power. An army of Immortal killers, men who did not choose to repent as you have but chose to continue the path they were on in life in death, the path of pain, the path of destruction."
Billy sat back down. This was far worse than he ever imagined and he felt way over his head. How can he keep her safe from such a creature?
Geronimo sat with him, "He is powerful, but his power is limited. She must willingly give him her soul."
Billy smiled, "Problem solved she would never do something like that?"
Geronimo nodded, "Again there are no certainties in the world William. She may if it meant saving someone she loves."
Her father. That's why Reaper was bringing her to him. He wanted them to reunite, right before the Wraith uses her father as a weapon against her.
