The story of a Lone Wanderer

Part 3 - Journey Begins

The trio decided to move to a private room rented from the Eliot. Neptune kept looking through the window, Bazza sat next to the table and Brad decided to lay down on the bed with his hat covering the face. No one said anything for few minutes, no one knew what to say. Brad took off the hat and broke the silence.

"I have to get to those mountains"

Neptune turned towards him "Haven't you heard? If they spot you, they'll kill you."
"Then I'll make sure they don't see me" Brad said with a small smile on his face, but deep down he knew that this would be a suicide mission. However, he had nothing to go back to, revenge is all he had. He thought for a while and realized that he doesn't know the area at all, how long it takes to get to the mountains and what dangers he might encounter on his way. He looked at them and said "Any of you got a map around?" Bazza quickly responded "I do, in my shop, let's go."
With that, they walked out of the room and headed for the exit of the Saloon. While passing the bar, Eliot spoke up "So you wanna kill the bastard?" Brad looked at him, slightly surprised but Eliot quickly explained "I heard what you were saying at the table when he walked out. You might need some help, go talk to the Sheriff, Omnicson got on his bad side already so he might be able to help"
"Appreciate that, thank you" Brad responded and walked out of the Saloon where Neptune and Bazza already were waiting.

Together, they walked to the shop and entered its back room. Neptune flipped the light switch while Bazza looked for the map in one of the cupboards. Brad sat down at the table, Neptune has done the same. Brad took the hat off, and took out a pendant from his pocket and opened it. He looked at it for a moment and sighed. "What was her name?" "Agnes" Brad responded to Neptune's question. "She's beautiful" "Yes, she was beautiful"
Bazza interrupted their talk with putting the map in the center of the table "Let's have a look".
On the map, they could see the town they are in, the roads leading to other town but also the mountains that Omnicson was talking about. The ride from the town to the mountains would take at least a day on the horseback, but that isn't a problem. The problem is the forest close to the mountains. Although it provides cover from the lookouts eyes, the forest is a home to a lot of wildlife.
"I think I can handle a few coyotes or boars" Brad claimed "Well, animals aren't your only worry, there were reports of Indians in the area" Bazza said with a look of worry. Brad started pondering about the thought of Indians being there. He had some encounters with Indians, some weren't so bad but from some, he barely came out alive. "Well, I think it's time to pay Sheriff a visit and talk to him. Could I ask you a favor and prepare my horse for the journey? Here's cash." Not a problem, I'll pack some food, medicine and other necessary things" the merchant responded. Brad thanked him and exited the store. He looked to his left and noticed the jail at the end of the town, he started making his way towards it.
Sun was behind him so he had no trouble in seeing some people that stared at him while he walked into the jail.

He looked around and noticed few things, two cells, one of them being empty and the other had someone was sleeping in there with cell doors open. He also saw a person sitting behind the desk smoking a cigar. Brad noticed a star on jacket, it was a sheriff. Sheriff looked at him, stood up and extended his hand towards the stranger "Tyrodin Reinhardt, Sheriff of Dry Vale, and you are?"
"Zylbrad" Brad said while shaking the hand of the sheriff. "Well Mister Zylbrad, how can I help you today?" "I'm here regarding Mister Omnicson. A little bird told me that you two don't go along together very well, is that true?" Tyrodin looked at him with a raised eyebrow, let out a big puff of smoke and said "Well, that bird is very talkative, you wouldn't know his name, would you? But yes, Mister Omnicson isn't a person that I could say I like." "That makes two of us. I plan on going to the mountains where his mining is going to be happening. Anything you know that might help with dealing with that S.O.B.?"

Sheriff looked at the man, and said "Little brave, aren't we? Something personal I presume? Not my business, however there is something that could help. Omnicson needs explosives for his mining, and he's got a lot of it. It's stored in a wagon, with a red skull on the side"
"Hmm, that can help with dealing with him. Thank you, I think it's time for me to start heading towards the mountains" Brad started walking out, sheriff spoke up again "Be sure to come by when you come back, that is, if you come back" Brad didn't look back or responded, he just started walking back towards merchant's shop. He saw Bazza refitting the saddle back on the horse and Neptune feeding the horse.
Brad walked up to them and thanked them for the help "No problem, I packed some bandages and special ointment if you happen to get bit or shot by anything. Also added some ammunition for your gun." "Thank you again, it's my time to head out" Brad got up on his horse and turned it towards south. "Good luck and be safe" Neptune said to Brad, he nodded and started his journey.

Who knows, what dangers he might encounter on his way to the mountains? He can only hope for a safe travel that Indians won't be as hostile towards strangers as Omnicsons lookouts.