Western Flower | ✅

Chapter 16 - The Four Horsemen

"Mmhmm, that was a lovely meal!" Declared Silas gleefully, "thank you, Rose." With that Bill cleared away his and Silas' plate, he was thankful for the meal as well but thanked Rose in a different way. He approached her from behind and as he bent down to kiss her neck and tickled her ribs, this caused the three of them to break out in laughter.

"Oh, you wicked man!" Rose exclaimed playfully, threatening to hit Bill with the ladle that she was holding.

As the laughter quietened down the young lovers looked at each other before turning their focus towards Silas, as they looked at him they noticed his mood had changed. His face had a sombre tone and tears in his eyes. Bill and Rose were puzzled by the sudden change in Silas.

"Silas, whatever is the matter?" Asked Rose concerned. She sat down next to Silas and held his hand, with this he looked at her and forced a smile.

"I'm sorry, it's just that it has been a while since this house has heard so much laughter and seen so much love," replied Silas.

Rose cupped Silas' hand in hers, with that Silas brought her hand up and kissed it gently in appreciation of her kind gesture, this brought a smile to Bill's face.

"It was always one of my favourite sounds, old man, mums laughter," Bill said as he placed a hand on Silas' shoulder. For a moment the three of them remained in silence.

"I think that we should call it a day work-wise," Silas broke the silence with a sigh.

"Are you sure? There's still a few hours of daylight left," replied Bill in surprised.

"Of course, we have been working like dogs in the past few days. Anyway, there's a bottle of tequila with our names on," Silas declared.

"Oh no, you at least have to finish off the work in the barn whilst I tend to the chickens and feed some of the livestock" Rose exclaimed.

Bill and Silas looked at each other like two schoolboys being told off. With that, they headed to the barn to finish their work for the day, once they had got to the barn the two men set about their work in silence. Bill looked around the barn a few times in an inquisitive manner.

"Pa, who else lives around these parts, save us," asked Bill.

"No one," replied Silas "obviously the Healy's did and so did Jeremiah before all that business in town but he lived nearer to Cedar, why do you ask?

"No reason, is there anyone at the Healy's place?" Queried Bill.

"I've heard of people passing by but no one actually settled," replied Silas.

Bill nodded in acknowledgement and the men carried on going about their business in silence, as they finished up they walked over to where Rose was and accompanied her back to the house. As they entered the house they headed back to the kitchen.

"What's for dinner, I'm starving," asked Bill.

"Dinner?" Gasped Rose, "leftovers! I swear all you do is eat!"

"That's not all I do." Said Bill with a raised eyebrow and knowing look at Rose.

With that the room was once again filled with laughter, Silas walked over to a cupboard and fetched the bottle of tequila that he had previously mentioned as well as three glasses. He then poured three glasses, the three of them then toasted and all drank at once.

"I best serve dinner if we are going to carry on drinking like that," Bill stated in jest.

"Don't forget that loaf of bread Rose baked earlier," Silas added. "That will certainly soak up some alcohol."

As Bill walked over to the kitchen to grab the loaf of bread and food Silas poured another tequila for the three of them.

"If I was you I'd go easy on the tequila, you don't want to be like a bear with a sore head in the morning" laughed Rose.

"The night is still young," Silas replied in jest.

"And don't forget, we can handle our tequila," added Bill.

With that the three of them could hear someone shouting outside in the distance, they waited for a moment then returned their attention to each other. Silas was about to speak until there was a loud know at the door, Bill stood up and walked to the door to see who it was. He opened the door and was confused by who was standing in front of him.

"Doc?" Bill asked puzzled. "To what do I, sorry, we owe the pleasure?"

"Oh, there is no pleasure in our meeting. I come bearing ill news." Replied the doc, his voice shaky and urgent.

"You best come in," Bill replied, as he stood aside to let the doc in the house. With that Silas poured a tequila and handed it to the doc.

"What's wrong?" Silas asked, bearly giving the doc the time to finish his drink.

"The marshal sent me," the doc exclaimed, struggling to get his words out. "Cedar is under attack"

"What do you mean?" Asked Bill concerned. The atmosphere in the room had changed and Silas, Rose and Bill all looked at each other before looking at the doc, waiting for his answer.

"Abraham Cohen's seemingly lost his mind. He, Edgar and about twelve men started shooting up the town and even set a few buildings on fire. Lucas asked me to come to you for reinforcements, he, Ira and a few others are trying to hold the fort but they are outnumbered." Replied Doc

"Shit, twelve men. I hope to God God they're not who I think they are," gasped Silas.

For the first time for as long as he could remember Bill saw genuine fear in the eyes of his father, this made him uneasy and almost afraid to ask.

"Who?"

"They call themselves the devil's disciples" replied Silas with a lump in his throat "guns for hire. They don't just kill, they rape and pillage as well. They destroy everything in their path, they kill without remorse, men, women even children."

"What monsters!" Exclaimed Rose horrified.

"Oh, my dear Rose they are worse than that" replied Silas, who then turned to Bill. "Gather all firearms we possess, don't forget the bows - they may be of use."

With this Bill hurried to empty the armoires in both his and Silas' room. He loaded the rifles and shotguns so that they would be ready as well as the revolvers and added another holster to his belt so he could carry a second revolver. He then went to the barn and fetched Coal's saddle and started to saddle him up.

"I am coming with you," Rose declared as she marched towards Bill.

"The fuck you are!" Bill shot back.

"She's right, we will need her Bill! Rose is a great marksman," exclaimed Silas.

With that the four of them set about saddling up their steeds, they did this in silence and as quickly as possible.

"Lucas said that when we are just out of town approaching his office I am to light a stick of dynamite that he gave me so that they know we are close. They will then fallback and we will rendezvous." The Doc said addressing Silas, Bill and Rose.

With that the doc motioned for Silas to lead the way, Bill followed then Rose and the doc. They initially began with a trot, which quickly turned into a canter then as Silas spurred his horse they galloped off into the night and en route to Cedar with haste!

Authors Note
Well, Cedar is on fire and under siege from Abraham Cohen and his hired guns, how do we think this will turn out? I hope you liked the chapter if you did please don't forget to vote :-).