A BETWITCHING MOON
By: Suzy B.
Brittle grasses crunched under the slow plodding horses. The two riders were in no hurry to reach their destination, content to let their mounts have their heads. Fishing poles swayed behind their saddles; silence enshrouded the riders like a comfortable glove. As the trail widened into a dusty clearing overlooking a gently rippling body of water, both men reined in their horses and drank deeply of the surroundings.
"Sure nice to spend some time fishing," JD spoke, breaking the silence as he swung out of the saddle.
"It would have been nicer to wake up in the arms of one of the sweet young ladies in town." Buck's voice was little more than a deep sigh.
"Yeah, right," JD laughed. "Right before her angry husband chased you out of town." He ducked under the playful swipe that knocked his battered bowler from his head.
"'Sides Kid, don't forget we promised Chris we'd take a look at that Gypsy campsite on the way back." Buck pulled the long fishing pole from his saddle. Pausing briefly to nuzzle his mount's cheek, he ground tied the reins and moved towards the edge of the boulders that marked the deepest part of the pond.
"Do you believe what they say about them?" JD frowned, his own judgement clouded by the wild rumors that some townsfolk had been circulating.
"When you gonna learn not to listen to them?" Buck chided as JD sat beside him on the chilled boulder.
"You've gotta admit some strange things have been happening since they've arrived," JD replied quickly.
"There's bound to be a reason for each of them, kid." Buck shrugged. "Gypsies ain't no different than the rest of us."
"You honestly believe that?" He pushed his long black hair out of his face, trying to gauge the truth of his companion's words as he spoke.
"Yes, I believe that," Buck avowed, watching JD keenly. "No, I don't think they perform virgin sacrifices or eat the livers of freshly slain cattle." He paused and sighed. "And I don't think they steal babies from their beds or make milk curdle in the cow." He flicked his hat off and slapped it against his knee. "Dang it all, JD. Just because they're different,
don't make them evil."
"I didn't say they were," JD snapped, light color flushing his cheeks.
"Course you didn't," Buck agreed, nodding. "You just thought that the god fearing townsfolk were right." He paused. "As they always are," he added under his breath.
"I didn't say that Buck." JD's flush deepened as he concentrated on threading a wriggling worm on the fishing hook.
"Just use this to think with," Buck tapped JD's temple with two fingers and then pressed his hand against JD's chest, "and this to believe with, Kid."
JD nodded quickly before turning his attention to the fishing line and throwing it into the water with practiced ease.
"Are we gonna talk or fish?" he shrugged.
"The fish are just waiting to jump on this hook," Buck chuckled as he flicked his line into the water.
Nathan carefully packed bottles and small pouches of dried herbs into his saddlebags. Rain sat on his bed, her keen eyes watching as he moved around the room.
"Thank you for helping," she murmured softly.
"I ain't helped yet, Rain." Nathan shook his head. "I don't know if I'll be able to."
"You will," she intoned solemnly. "I know you will." Rain frowned as a sharp knock sounded at the clinic door, cutting off whatever else she was about to say.
"You sure you don't want me to come with you?" Josiah asked as he stepped inside the clinic, not waiting for a summons.
"Nope." Nathan shook his head. "They'll need you here. Too many strange things been happening lately," he replied. "I'll be fine." He looked up, his eyes serious. "Sides if'n it's contagious, the less exposure the better."
Josiah stepped across the room and clasped Nathan's hand in a tight grip. "Then take care, Brother." Turning to face Rain he smiled at her. "Keep an eye on him for us," he spoke solemnly.
"I will make sure he comes back safely," she promised as Nathan took her hand and led her out of the clinic.
Mary stood on the boardwalk in front of the Clarion, her eyes scanning the small crowd gathering there. Her teeth worried her bottom lip as she watched Chris Larabee stalking towards the steps, his spurs jangling angrily as he moved. Vin leaned on the post at the top of the steps, his hand resting lazily on the butt of his mare's leg, his laconic gaze sweeping the crowd when it was not following Chris' progress. Ezra sat with his feet resting on the railing, boots crossed at the ankles, his fingers laced as his hands rested across the rich brocade of his waistcoat. His hat shaded his eyes as he too followed the movements of the milling crowd.
"What the hell are you gonna do about this?" Pickering spoke forcefully as he stopped at the bottom of the steps, looking up at Vin expectantly.
"Not a damn thing," Chris growled, as he pushed him aside the troublemaker and strode up the steps angrily.
"Those damn gypsies are cursing our town," an angry voice yelled.
"Those 'damn gypsies' have nothing to do with it," Vin replied.
"They've put a curse on us," another cry came.
"The only curse in this town," Ezra offered dryly, "is stupidity."
"What about the mutilated cattle?"
"Any fool can see they were killed by wolves." Vin did little to disguise the anger in his voice.
"Werewolves," came the instant response. "They travel with the heathens."
"Go home, all of you," Chris spoke firmly, his steely gaze boring into the ringleaders of the milling crowd.
"So, you're going to do nothing?" Pickering asked dumbfounded.
"Yep," Chris answered. "And if any of you fools are thinking you might like to 'help' out," he paused, altering his gaze to encompass more than the ringleaders, "think again."
"You'll be sorry," Pickering replied. "When they start stealing babies for their heathen rituals, you'll see!"
"Go home, Pickering," Chris spoke coldly. "If there's any more trouble, I'm holding you responsible."
The crowd slowly dispersed, all muttering and grumbling about the uselessness of their peacekeepers.
Mary slowly made her way across the street. "I'm sorry, Chris," she said as she mounted the steps to stand before the three men.
"What for?" Chris asked, frowning.
"If I hadn't run that story on the lunar eclipse and its supernatural links," she said, shrugging apologetically, "maybe they wouldn't be quite so vociferous."
"And maybe their ignorance precludes their ability to peruse well researched articles." Ezra spoke as he swung his feet to the floor and stood, brushing the dust of town living from his sleeve.
"They would have found any excuse, Mary," Vin added.
"Doesn't have anything to do with the paper," Chris agreed.
"Only way to shut them up is to find the wolves killing the cattle," Vin said. "And before they start killing humans."
"Take Ezra with you." Chris nodded toward the southerner.
"Wonderful," Ezra complained in good humor. "Traipsing through the wilderness again."
"You love it, Ez." Vin grinned as he clapped Ezra on the back. "No matter how much you complain."
"I beg to differ, Mr. Tanner." Ezra couldn't help but smile as he moved off the boardwalk towards the saloon and his room. Now that he had been volunteered, he was eager to get underway. Chris watched the bickering duo walking across the street, their humor bringing a ghost of a smile to his face.
"I am sorry," Mary spoke again. "Can I do anything to help?"
"Nope," Chris replied, his tone softening as he touched her shoulder gently. "It's nothing to do with you or the paper."
Buck and JD led their horses slowly away from the waterhole, a string of fish hanging from JD's fishing pole serving as a testament to his fishing success.
"C'mon Buck. " JD almost giggled as he walked his horse alongside Buck's. "You're just sore cause the fish preferred me!"
Buck's mouth creased into a wide grin. "Guess I can't have the ladies and the critters too." His voice cut off as a lithe figure darted across the path in front of them and disappeared into the undergrowth on the opposite side of the path. Buck's horse reared up in fright.
"What the hell was that?" Buck growled as he struggled to keep his big Grey under control.
"It was a girl, Buck," JD replied absently already turning his horse to follow the apparition as she flitted between the trees, skipping over undergrowth and under low hanging branches that impeded JD's every move.
As she reached the edge of the waterhole, with her only avenue for escape was to swim so she turned and stood her ground. JD pulled his horse to a prancing stop in front of her. The young girl who stood before him stole his breath. Thick black hair fell in a tumbled, curling mass to her waist as violet eyes framed by thick black lashes stared defiantly at him.
"Who are you?" he murmured as he swung his leg over the pommel and slid to the ground, approaching her slowly.
"My name is Danella Trjanejkic," she stated with a proud lift of her chin.
"Why did you run from us?" he asked.
"You were chasing me," she stated, her softly accented voice grew firmer. "Why should I not run?"
"She's got a point there, Kid," Buck spoke as his horse entered the clearing. "Where are you from, Miss?" Buck turned a charming smile on her.
"My family has a campsite on the edge of the town," she stated.
"We were just on our way there." Buck smiled. "Can we offer you a ride?"
She shook her head vehemently and began to circle around the edge of the clearing. Both men watched her warily as she skirted away from them until she darted into the trees.
"C'mon Kid." Buck smiled at the dazed expression on JD's face "Let's see if we can beat her home."
"She's one of them?" JD frowned as he mounted up.
"Yep." Buck nodded, turning to leave the clearing. "Still think they're evil?"
"Not if they all look like her!" JD spoke as he urged his horse forward.
"I knew I'd have to rub off on you eventually." Buck laughed as he followed more sedately.
