Where The Dusty Trail Ends.

Chapter 2: Changing Tides

The man had turned his back to her as he wiped down his shotgun. The pungent smell made her wince and irritably clear her throat, which he promptly ignored. Out of no where, a bag hit her chest and sent her sprawling into the dirt beside the bodies.

This fear sent her a shivering reminder of the position the man was in. He could kill her whenever he liked...so why hadn’t he? Juno dared not question it and instead peeked in the bag to see what she could find, and there was a fresh set of clothes.

“Change into those. Prison garments will draw attention. I want to get back to James and get you out of my sight. Heaven knows what the hell he wants with someone like you.”
His voice was gruff and blunt, and he didn’t look at her. The man felt above her in every form, that much was obvious by his body language. The attitude was simply icing on the cake.
“Get changed, damnit. Don’t stand there like a stupified squirrel! I brought a nag for you to ride. The half dead thing should last us to Strawberry-”

“-Strawberry… Where are we? Right now that is. I, uh, haven’t seen nuffin’ since 4 years ago.” 
The woman interjected, already slipping the soft fabric shirt on. However, she neglected to wear the skirt, opting for workmans pants off a dead guard instead.

“We are about fifty miles west of Saint Denis...nearly trampling on Rhodes. Not a wise place to be, mind you. Lawmen roosting like rats everywhe-” He narrowed his eyes as she once again hushed him with her endless questions.

“What is your name? And..who is this James, man.” Slipping her hat on, she rooted in the bag and pulled out a bolt action rifle, which she immediately set down. Worry crossed her face and a hard swallow forced its way down her throat. Juno hadn’t seen a weapon of this caliber since the warden had captured her.

“M’names Griswold Cormac. Not that you need to know. You won’t be seeing me once we get back to James. Did that yellow-bellied loon really not explain a damned thing?”
His temper flared, and Juno could see his jaw muscles roil behind the bushy mustache and shade of his hat.
“Hims the man who told me to come get you. I get paid upon delivery. So don’ go dying before then, ya hear?” 
With that phrase, Griswold squared his shoulders and exhaled, a finger rising to his lips. A sharp whistle echoed into the undergrowth, and Juno was left with a look of confusion. That is, until a light colored mare erupted from the bushes. A Missouri Fox Trotter it looked like, and a mighty fine one at that. One look at the soft brown eyes and Juno felt her heart drop in remembrance of the beautiful roadster she had lost.
A mangy beast staggered out from behind Griswold’s horse. The Nag. Scrawny damn thing that would make you itch just looking at it. 

“Here’s your ride. Ain’t much, but it’s what James could spare. I see the way you’re looking at her. I know it ain’t nothing compared to my Anna.”
His gloved hand patted the neck of his mare, which whinnied in soft reply.

“...What about Vixen? Did he tell you about her? The Warden’s got her...and...and-” Out would come her first lie in playing along with this crazy ordeal.
“James said he would pay you extra if you helped recover her. Trust me, when you see her, you’ll understand.” 

A dubious look crossed the man's face as he pulled the bandana, but that action proved his motivation towards money.
“...How much extra we talking?”

Juno was stumped and for a moment she looked out of her ranking. Then, a price burst forth from her lips, and stupidly so.
“Half a pound in gold dust! If safely delivered with the target! And...and ONLY if both are safely delivered.”

Griswold Cormac caressed his goatee, putting a few stray whiskers back in place as he debated. He took a good quarter of the hour before he walked towards her and hopped on Anna. The mare nickered and nibbled on Juno’s wavy locks, seemingly happy with the woman. 
“Confound that bastard...you’ve got a deal. Let’s get this over with…We are burning daylight!”

Juno felt the ghost of a smile creep to the edges of her lips. Finally, life was going her way. And with that, the woman raised a calloused hand to the bandit.

“M’names Juno Skoll Spitz. Pleasure to meet you, Grizz.”

“Don’ call me that. Ought to bring your stone cold self to James...useless son of a bitch. You’re both pushing me to my limit.” 
Griswold rolled his eyes and clicked his spurs gently against Anna’s sides. The mare snorted, impatiently tapping a hoof as she waited for Juno to get moving.
“Well? Are you coming or not?”

“...I am not riding that dead horse walking. I will have fleas for weeks. Besides, I think your mare is fond of me-” She replied with a smirk.

“Hellblazes- No! You cannot-” Griswold started, but was silenced by the woman effortlessly sliding behind him on the horse. Her arms were crossed, and the stubborn expression showing triumph underneath. “-..ride...my horse… Fine. Whatever. Sooner we get that mare, sooner I get my fare. God damn, I am a lyrical genius.”