The Fire Within a Ninjago Cowboy

Chapter 5 - Sunday at 3:00 am

Chapter 5 - Sunday at 3:00 am

Kai had to admit that overall, Sheriff Lloyd was a decent guy, even though his strict adherence to following law procedures was sometimes annoying.

Lloyd had sent Deputy Dareth out to Garmadon Ranch to fetch Lloyd's uncle, Mr. Wu, so that the ranch owner could post bail for his incarcerated ranch hand, and therefore Kai would not have to spend the whole night in jail.

On the ride back to Garmadon Ranch, Kai got an earful from his boss about getting in trouble. Kai suspected that some of the yelling was simply a result of Wu being grumpy at getting woken from a sound sleep.

When they had arrived back at the ranch, Kai got some ribbing from his friends about getting arrested, though they all knew the charge was trumped up by Morro.

Jay was very happy to learn that Nya's rejection of him was not a personal one; she was merely following orders from her boss. But if things didn't change, seeing her next week could be a problem. It dawned on Kai that he'd have the same problem if he wanted to see Sam again.

After waiting until his bunkmates fell asleep, Kai sneaked out again, back to Ninjago Town.

The brown-haired cowboy had wondered what caused the unspoken truce between Morro and the Garmadon Ranch folks to become unbalanced. Why did Morro suddenly forbid his saloon girls to socialize with the ranch hands? Apparently it had something to do with Doc Julien, so Kai planned to talk to the physician. Perhaps he'd even fake an injury if he had to, in order to get the opportunity to talk to him.

Kai reached the red brick bungalow on the corner of Main and First where Doc Julien practiced medicine on the lower level and lived on the upper level. He thought it was strange that all the lamps in the house appeared to be lit at three o'clock in the morning. He tied his horse in front and walked up the steps, then knocked on the door.

The doctor did not answer the knock.

Kai knocked again. Still no answer.

Kai took a deep breath and opened the door. The strong smell of whiskey greeted him as he entered the doctor's office.

The apothecary cabinet drawers appeared to be in disarray; some were pulled out halfway and some were missing. A steamer trunk was located in the center of the room. The open lid revealed that it was half filled with physician-related items. It was as if the doctor was packing up his belongings and leaving town.

Kai heard unsteady footsteps approaching from another room. In walked Doc Julien carrying a bottle of spirits and a glass. He was drunk. He halted when he saw Kai.

"Kai," said the doctor, swaying. "What bringsh you here at thish time of night? Are you feeling shick?"

"Don't like to say it, Doc, but you look like you're the one having trouble. Let me help you sit down."

"Thanksh," the doctor replied as Kai guided him to a chair. "I have caused lotsh of trouble."

"What happened?" Kai asked, seating himself in a nearby chair.

"I did shomething really bad, Kai. I shold a potion to Morro and I shouldn't have."

"You sold a potion to Morro? Why does he need one?" Kai wondered.

"Well, you know that pretty blonde shaloon girl, the new one?"

"Sam," Kai nodded. "She is pretty."

"Morro'sh gonna trick her into drinking the potion in the morning sho he can marry her after the church shervice."

"What?!" Kai immediately stood up. "Marry her?! That dirty rotten scoundrel! I've had enough of him. I'm going to run him out of town tonight!"

"No, no, don't confront him, Kai!" The old man's grip on Kai's forearm was surprisingly strong for an inebriated person. "I'm jusht going to leave town quietly with the knowledge that I ruined one young girl'sh life. If Sheriff Lloyd findsh out about the potion, he'll confront Morro, and blood might be shed in a gun battle. At the very leasht, what would happen ish Morro'll come after me becaush he'd know it wash me that told you."

Or he might think Nya told me, Kai realized. That explains why Morro wants to keep her away from us. She knows about the potion and he doesn't want to risk her opening her mouth. He knows we'd tell Lloyd.

The doctor poured himself another drink. He downed it quickly, then slammed the empty glass down on the table next to him.

"I'm shuch a coward, Kai. I wash too afraid of Morro to shay no. He threatened to run me out of town if I didn't do what he shaid. And I like it here in Ninjago Town. And the townshfolk are sho nice, especially the widow Misako."

Kai sat down again. "And we like you, too, Doc. It's that son of a barnswallow, Morro, that's spoiling everything. But don't you worry. We'll find a way to defeat Morro without him ever knowing you told me anything."

Doc Julien's eyelids drooped as he said, "That shounds good, Kai." He slumped back in the chair and passed out in a drunken stupor.

Time was of the essence, so Kai had to leave him in the chair. Kai jumped on his horse and rode toward the Morro Saloon.