Western Flower | ✅

Chapter 18 - His Name That Sat On Him Was Death

As the smell of burning wood and smoke filled the air, the streets of Cedar were empty. Residents had taken refuge in their homes or they had gone to the aid of the marshal, it was a good thing too as they would need all the help that they could get to defeat Abraham and his men in their fortress.

"Doc, are you happy to tend to those who are injured and stay and protect them if needed?" Asked Lucas, he didn't want to leave anyone behind who could be of use in gunplay but he was of more use giving medical attention.

"I am but you only have limited supplies in your office, most of which I will require to tend to Betty's needs," the doc replied with a hint of concern.

"Damn those bastards, the hell they could do that to her. Level with me doc while Ira is out of earshot, how bad is it?" Lucas asked with sorrow in his gravelly voice.

"Bad" stated the doc "some of the worst injuries I have seen of this kind, I'll be able to reset her jaw and nose. There is some minor internal bleeding, but --" even the doc couldn't finish what he was about to say.

"Don't worry doc" Silas started before Bill carried on. "We will make sure that they wished they had never been born." The group saw a visibly distraught Ira approach the three of them.

"Ira," Lucas addressed Ira and put his arm around him to offer some form of comfort. "It'll be ok son, the doc says Betty will be just fine, unlike our adversaries." Lucas knew that was not strictly true, but he had to protect Ira from the truth. The rest of the group could sense what the marshal was doing, Ira was in a fragile state and needed to focus on the task in hand.

"Reckon there might be a problem there" Ira replied "there's twelve of them and six of us including Rose and Pearl. I don't wish to discredit you ladies but those men are professional cold-blooded killers, we ain't.

Just as Ira finished talking in the distance there were gunshots being fired into the air, the group turned in anticipation of the arrival of the two horsemen all of them looked puzzled apart from Pearl who had a big smile on her face.

"Oh, if I'm not mistaken that is all about to change," exclaimed Pearl. As she did the riders on horseback slowed their steeds and swiftly dismounted, the two figures were dressed for battle and well-armed by the looks of things.

"Sorry we are late, the bloody horse threw a shoe," the taller of the two said. The rest of the group were stunned to see that it was a woman stood before them, two in fact

"Better late than never Cathy," replied Pearl. The woman called Cathy was tall, now Bill looked at her he could see how intimidating she could be. She had a woman's figure, clad in leather and laden with more than enough firepower. The other woman who rode in with Cathy was very similar although she was shorter with Blonde hair.

"Ladies and Gentlemen this here is my associate Emily," Cathy introduced the other rider, the group now all greeted each other.

"Y'all talk funny, where you from?" Asked Ira.

"We are British, my dear," replied Emily.

"I called upon my old associates a couple of days ago after a confrontation between myself and Bram," Pearl declared. "They are more than capable of taking on anything that Bram can throw at us."

"If you vouch for them then I am happy" Lucas spoke up, after he finished he then reached into his waistcoat and pulled out a handful of something that shone brightly. "All of you that are to bear arms in this fight, take one each." Lucas gave everyone a deputy badge. "We will do this right in the eyes of the law."

"Can ya'll shoot?" Ira asked his new acquaintances. Pearl looked angrily at Ira and Bill, Silas and Lucas raised an eyebrow in surprise. Cathy and Emily obviously took offence to being questioned in such a manner. Before anyone could break the silence Emily drew her revolver and shot Ira's hat off his head, as it flew into the air Cathy and Emily emptied their guns shooting the moving hat.

"Shit, y'all can shoot?" Declared Ira, still in disbelief. The three men laughed at Ira, Pearl had a smug look on her face. "Looks like the odds are in our favour."

"What's the plan?" Asked Bill, the group now fell silent as they waited for Lucas to instruct them.

"Bill, Cathy and Emily you will form one group, there is a door to the back of the saloon that leads to a storage area behind the bar." Lucas began, "Silas, Rose you take up positions. Silas you on the roof of the general store and Rose you on the roof of the gunsmith's."

"What about you, Ira and Pearl?" Asked Silas cautiously.

"We will lure as many of them on to the balcony," replied Lucas. "When we do you and Rose will try to take out as many people as possible that will also distract them. Bill, Cathy and Emily can then infiltrate the saloon to attack from within. We must take Abraham alive," demanded Lucas.

"FUCK THAT!" Roared Ira.

"Ira, don't even think about it!" Exclaimed Lucas and as he put his arm around Ira. "The time for revenge will come, but not now."

With that the group's attention then turned to the doc, he approached gingerly. "I need more supplies but I cannot leave the sick and the wounded, Bill could you?" The doc asked and Bill nodded to acknowledge him. "I just need my satchel, it should have everything that I need."

Bill left swiftly, for someone of his size he moved quickly and quietly. He knew that he needed to avoid being detected as he knew if he was seen by Abraham's hired thugs they would surely try to take him down. Bill finally came to the end of the alleyway opposite the doc's building, he knew was risky but he made a run for it. He made it without consequence. He entered the cabin and was greeted by a familiar face.

"Evening Bill," said John, much to Bill's surprise.

"What in Gods name are you doing here?" Exclaimed Bill in surprise.

John smirked, "Ironic words Bill, I am glad that you heeded my words. I have one last piece of advice for you, the cause and answer to this whole situation is in the safe."

Bill looked flabbergasted, "can't you just talk normally for once and not in riddles friend?"

"Goodbye Bill, maybe one day we will meet again," replied John. With that he left and walked in the direction out of town. Bill stood for a moment confused.

"Who are you?" Bill said to himself as he watched John disappear into the distance. With that, he grabbed the satchel and left the cabin, as he made a run for it a wave of bullets flew past him. Luckily none hit him, although a few came close.

Bill then made his way back to his comrades with haste. He greeted the doc and gave him the satchel, with that the doc then continued to tend to Betty.

"Right ladies and gentlemen. Prepare yourselves, we will commence with our strategy in 30 minutes," stated Lucas.

Authors Note
What will happen next? Will it all be ok or will it all go horribly, horribly wrong? I hope that you enjoyed the chapter, if you did please don't forget to vote and leave your feedback.