Disclaimer: All the characters from the "Magnificent Seven" T.V. series are property of Trilogy Entertainment, The Mirisch Group, MGM Worldwide.
War had come to the Territory.
For years Chris Larabee had watched it brewing beyond the boundaries of Four Corners, hoping that the town he had grown quite surprisingly to cherish, would avoid becoming embroiled in the malaise that had consumed the rest of the Territory. He watched as honest lawmen and crooked politicians fought it out, some fighting for the cattle ranchers and some for the homesteaders. The battle was had been bloody with no clear winner although the ranchers seemed to be left in better condition than the homesteaders. However, it was clear that their supremacy was coming to an end even if the day would not be for quite some time. With the appointment of Territorial Judges like Orin Travis who saw the seven's installation in the town of Four Corners as its peacekeepers, Chris had thought that the war that had raged throughout the Territory was winding to a close.
Unfortunately, the arrival of Benjamin Bosshard had shown Chris that the neutrality of Four Corners was about to be tested and with the introduction of Mallaeson Davis into the equation, the complexion of their situation altered dramatically. With the enforcer and his gang certain to beset the seven once Bosshard gave him the word, Chris knew he had to draw out a battle plan while they still had time. Chris hoped to minimize the danger not only to the seven but also to Four Corners itself when the gang of outlaws rode into town. For the moment however, the primary concern for Chris as well as the rest of the seven was their families. With Bosshard's pattern of vengeance clearly aimed at the families of his enemies, Chris did not think his reaction following Ezra's news to be any kind of over reaction. Bosshard had murdered Ezra's father and spent the better part of a decade searching for the Marshal's family, Chris had no doubt that he would do the same to Mary and the others if given the opportunity.
The Wilmingtons were entertaining a full house as the small convoy from Four Corners arrived at the homestead with Chris in the lead, informing Buck that his family was in as much danger as the rest of them. While Inez packed her things for the journey with the rest of her friends, the seven men sat down to discuss where it was their womenfolk would go for the duration. Chris wanted Mary and the others to be as far away from Mallaeson Davis and his gang as possible and hopefully, their departure from town had been done with the maximum veil of secrecy, giving Bosshard no clue where they could have gone. However, it would not take long for them to notice the absence of several of Four Corners most prominent citizens and inspire a search. Chris intended to have all the women and children as far away from here as possible by the time Mallaeson turned his attention to them.
"So where are we taking them?" Buck asked anxiously. Like the rest of the seven, he had heard about Mallaeson Davis' role in the situation and was not happy that a sadistic brute like that might be placing Inez and Elena Rose in his sights.
"How about Judge Travis?" JD offered, hoping that a large town like Eagle Bend might make Davis think twice about coming after their loved ones.
"We ain't exactly popular there." Nathan reminded them. "I don't think that Sheriff has forgotten about how we kept my pa from hanging." When the seven had stood up for Jebediah Jackson after he had murdered the former overseer at the plantation where he and his family were slaves, they had permanently ran afoul of the local sheriff who thought they were protecting Jebediah and keeping justice from being done. Even though that sheriff had since been replaced, the man still resided in Eagle Bend and was quite to remind everyone how the seven had stood against their town. No, Nathan did not feel entirely happy about entrusting the fate of their loved ones in the uncertain atmosphere of Eagle Bend, even if Judge Travis resided there.
"I agree," Ezra pointed out unhappily. "Besides, I think taking the 'brood' to Judge Travis might be somewhat obvious. If I were a betting man...."
"Now that's an understatement if I ever heard it," Josiah drawled, unable to resist the glib remark even though the situation was tense.
"You are a veritable court jester Josiah," Ezra retorted but his response was just as amused at Josiah's remark. "However, if I may continue. I do believe Nathan is right. Eagle Bend is not a viable hiding place."
"I figured more or less the same," Chris answered as they sat beneath the porch of the house while inside the sound of women chattering could be heard.
"What about the Indian Reservation?" Buck suggested. "I seem to recall those folks out there owing us one for what happened with Chano and Claire Moselley."
"No good," Vin answered first. "People know we got close ties there. If they point the finger that way, it won't be just the women that get hurt. Mallaeson and his bunch ain't got no love for the Indians either and the way things are after Julius got those renegades riled up, it could be almost as dangerous as leaving them in Four Corners."
Chris thought deeply, hearing his friends throw ideas forward and finding each solution inappropriate for their purposes. No, they needed something that no one in town had any inkling about, a place that was completely isolated and well fortified. He thought of Mary and his two sons, of Elena Rose and Lilith, of the child slumbering in Alex's belly and knew that whatever place they chose had to be absolutely safe. He thought of the stories he had heard about Davis, about the bloodshed he left in his wake and knew that none of the solutions offered so far could serve their purposes or allay his fears. He was about to leave nothing to chance. They had come a long way and they had build lives in Four Corners, lives that were very much symbolized by the feminine voices emanating from the house and the sounds of children that felt like sunshine in the soul. When they had first come together, they had never suspected that their odyssey had just began.
Becoming seven had changed everything for them.
Suddenly, it came to Chris and he raised his eyes sharply, making contact with Vin first who knew immediately that his best friend had come up with an answer. He was leaning against the hitching post and straightened up. Vin who had been facing him did the same thing and they both turned slightly towards the others, as if this was something that they would do together. The others noted the solidarity of their movements and suspected that their leader had reached a solution. They held their breaths in anticipation, waiting for him to speak.
"The Seminole village." Chris spoke after a moment. "It's far enough away from here and hard to find if you don't know where it is."
"Yeah, you're right, " Vin started to nod. He had not known exactly what Chris would say but he had seen the light in his friend's eyes to know that he had an answer of some kind. Now that Chris had revealed what it was, Vin agreed with him. It was a good idea. When they had first traveled to the Seminole village, it had required the Indian Chief to lead them to the small community in the mountains. The village had been established for runaway slaves and had been isolated enough to ensure that they remained free for a long time. It was seldom visited by outsiders and was safely anonymous. Thus, even if Mallaeson had some idea where Alex and the others were, he would have a difficult time finding his way to the village.
"That's a good idea," Nathan spoke up first, knowing the place better than most of them from his frequent visits back to the place when Rain still lived there. "The Chief will take good care of them and even if Mallaeson does find his way there, the Seminole know how to hide and see to it that he never reaches the women."
Chris hoped it did not come to that but for right now the Seminole village was the best that could be afforded in terms of safety and considering the time constraints left to them, it was an option they had to take. He looked at the other faces around him and waited to hear them voice their agreement as well before he made any final decision even though the truth was, they really did not have much of a choice. This was so far the best solution to their difficulties and despite the rustic and remote setting of the Seminole village, it was undoubtedly the safest place for their loved ones to seek sanctuary for the moment.
"Hardly the most lavish place for either my mother or Julia," Ezra frowned aware of the arguments he would receive from his mother anyway, when it was disclosed where they would be headed. "However, I am certain they will manage."
"Like the man says," Josiah drawled. "We don't have much of a choice."
"Casey will be fine," JD said confidently before adding, "Nettie ain't happy to leave her home so one place is just as good as any other for her."
Chris let a small smile cross his lips when he remembered how difficult it had been for Vin to convince the lady to leave her home. His best friend was one of the most fearless men he had ever met but even Vin seemed to quake in his boots a little when Nettie's dander was up. Fortunately, Vin's determination not to let Nettie remain had won the day and the old woman had begrudgingly admitted that anything that made Vin dig his heels in with that much stubbornness deserved her obedience. It was just as well because Chris was certain that had Nettie continued to protest, Vin would have reached his goal by hog tying the lady and taking her away across his shoulder.
"We're agreed then," Chris stated with finality. "We'll send them to the Seminole village. Buck, you and JD go with the women. Make sure they're not followed to where they're going."
"When do you we leave?" Buck inquired, although he guessed by the urgency of the situation that it would be soon. At the moment, Bosshard was still licking his wounds but soon he would seek out vengeance and Buck would feel a great deal more secure if their families were well away from the area before that happened.
"Immediately," Chris stated firmly as Buck had expected he would. "Get all the supplies they might need for the trip and get going. The sooner they're heading away from town the better. I want to take advantage of the night as much as possible. It will lessen the chances of their being seen leaving."
"What about us?" Ezra inquired.
"We're heading back into town," Chris explained. "There are a couple of things I want to look into before Mallaeson and his men turn up."
"Like what?" Josiah inquired.
"Like what Bosshard has on Gloria Potter." Vin surmised easily enough, knowing his friend well enough to make that assessment.
"Right," Ezra agreed immediately. "I assume it must be damaging indeed if it is enough to frighten such a strong willed woman into capitulating. I suspect he probably threatened her family. Being a woman alone with a gaggle of children to feed can place one in a vulnerable position."
"That's probably the only thing that could make Mrs. Potter run scared," Chris ventured a further possibility. "It wouldn't surprise me if Bosshard threatened her children."
"That would certainly be in keeping with his methods so far." Ezra concluded.
"We better be sure before we do anything," Vin retorted. "I don't want Mrs. Potter or her kin getting caught between us and Bosshard when things finally come a head."
"Vin's right," Chris agreed with the younger man's remark. "That's what we're going to do first when we head back to town. One way or another, we're going to finish this." The gunslinger's lips curled into an angry sneer.
Ezra Standish said nothing but he had no doubt of that whatsoever, even if he had to take care of it personally.
Less than an hour later, the carriages were loaded with supplies, the women and children headed off to the Seminole Village with Buck and JD playing escort to ensure no harm befell there during the journey. As anticipated, Maude was unhappy about being sent to an Indian village to hide from Bosshard and Ezra had the impression that it was not the accommodations but the thought of not being on hand to witness the man's comeuppance herself that had his mother so resistant. However, after much debate and the threat of tying her up and putting her in a wagon himself if she did not agree, Maude found that she had little choice but to comply with her son's wishes and Ezra hoped that was the last he would hear of the matter.
After another emotionally charged farewell, they bade the ladies off on their journey and returned to Four Corners. As they rode into town, the atmosphere seemed charge with expectation. The town almost had an uncanny sense went it came to trouble and it was reflected in the quiet streets as the five men returned to town since their hasty departure the night before. Chris wondered if Mallaeson and his men were already here and that alarmed him because he had hoped that Mary and the others might cover a little more ground before the outlaw and his mercenaries began hunting for them. However, it became apparent that there was no such danger at the present time as the peacekeepers rode to the Standish Tavern. He supposed the disappearance of the ladies might give the town some indication of danger since there could be no other reason for such a hasty evacuation.
"You go on ahead," Chris said to his companions as they dismounted in front of the tavern and had done tethering their horses to the hitching post. "I'm gonna see Gloria Potter." He announced.
"I'll come with you," Vin offered predictably and Chris accepted his attendance with a slight not.
"Ezra," Chris regarded the gambler. "Find out what you can about what's happened since we've been gone." He punctuated the order with a sweeping gaze across the streets of Four Corners, before returning his eyes to Ezra once more. "It's seem pretty quiet around here and its making me nervous."
"I can appreciate that," Josiah remarked with the same uncertainty as he regarded the community. The air was heavy with something that felt a great deal like danger but as of yet, the streets seemed quiet.
"You think they're here or that they've been here?" Nathan inquired, referring of course to Mallaeson Davis and his gang.
"Possibly," Chris shrugged, but somehow he did not think so. They had been openly vulnerable when they had ridden into town. If there were a time to pick them off one by one, that would have been it. Mallaeson was not known for his subtlety. When he came after the seven, they would know it. Chris hoped that it would not happen for at least a day, giving Buck and JD enough time to return to them. With the number of men that were known to ride with Davis, Chris would prefer if their own complement were full before the seven was forced to deal with them.
"Keep your eyes open," Chris remarked, offering that last piece of advice to his companions before he and Vin started towards Gloria Potter's home while the others continued towards the Standish Tavern.
Vin and Chris did not progress too far along their journey when they saw Gloria emerge from one of the side streets, her eyes finding them immediately. The expression on her face indicated that she had been seeking them ought and she raised her skirts slightly as she hurried towards them. There was no doubt in either of their minds that the lady was frightened. However, Chris could not imagine why since she had capitulated to Bosshard's demands and sold him her store. By rights, she ought to have no reason to fear as gravely as she appeared to at the moment, although Chris could not say that he would be entirely at ease either if anyone had that much power over him.
"Chris," Gloria reached them in the middle of the street. Her cheeks were puffed and she was breathing hard as if she had been scouring town for some time in her efforts to find him.
It was not lost on Chris that they were suddenly on a first name basis again. Certainly, her manner was a world of difference from the hostility she had shown them earlier when they had tried to inquire what was wrong.
"What is Gloria?" Chris asked exchanging a knowing glance with Vin that they were about to be hit with something new.
"Its all over town," Gloria gasped, pausing in the middle of the boardwalk. She was so flustered that she barely noticed the curious glances she was acquiring from passersby in the street. "Ezra shot Bosshard."
Chris nodded grimly, guessing this much when he saw how silent things were. "Yeah he did. Apparently, he was threatening Julia."
"You can't hurt him!" Gloria cried out. "You can't do anything to harm him!"
"He's broken the law Gloria," Chris said firmly. "He was blackmailing Julia into selling him the Emporium."
"What's he got on you ma'am?" Vin asked before Chris could. What was she so afraid of? Surely she had to know that with Bosshard now exposed, she need no longer have any fear of him threatening her family.
"Nothing." Gloria muttered, still feeling some resistant to telling them the truth even though she was starting to understand that if she did not, no one would be able to help her or Robbie when the shooting started.
"Gloria," Chris sighed, seeing the fear in her eyes and wishing badly that she would confide in them so that they could help her. "You have to trust us. We won't let anything happen to you or your kin but we need to know what's going on."
"You can't make that promise!" She exclaimed, almost breaking down in tears.
"Why?" Chris took her by the shoulders and made her look up at him.
"Because they have my son!"
Both men fell silent immediately. Of course, they had suspected something in this nature but they had not realized that Bosshard would go so far to kidnap a child. However, it made perfect sense when Chris thought about it. After all, Bosshard had been attempting to operate in secrecy and kidnapping Gloria's child would not only ensure her cooperation but her secrecy since her first impulse would be to run to the seven for help. Finally he understood why she was so afraid now and why she had been so unwilling to speak to them, especially with that kind of threat looming over her head.
"Is that why you sold the store?" Vin asked, even though it was a foregone conclusion.
"Yes," she nodded, all resistance gone now that they knew the truth. "They took Robbie on his way home from the Conklins'. I haven't seen him in almost two days. Bosshard said I'd have him back as soon as he was done in Four Corners. He didn't want me coming to you with the truth."
"They wouldn't be fool enough to keep him in town." Vin ventured a guess.
"No," Chris agreed with that assumption. "Too many people to keep a child hidden like that. I'm guessing the boy ain't in Four Corners."
"You don't think he's with Davis do ya?" Vin raised his gaze to Chris but could tell the gunslinger had already come to the same conclusion. The idea that young Robert Potter could be in the company of a man like Mallaeson Davis made Chris' blood boil. The man was very indiscriminate in his murders and it made little difference if the victim was a full grown adult or a child. However, Chris did not think Bosshard would kill the boy just yet, not when he could be used an instrument of obedience for his mother.
"Its more than likely." Chris nodded.
"Mallaeson Davis?" Gloria asked fearfully, recognizing the name immediately. There were few people who did not know who the notorious outlaw was even though his crimes had not touched the community of Four Corners. The lurid tales of his murders graced most publications even the Clarion News on occasion.
"Yeah," Chris nodded reluctantly, not wishing to worry the widow any more than she already was but Robbie was her son and she deserve to know the truth, no matter how unpalatable it might be for her to hear it. "Bosshard's got him waiting in Purgatory. I'm guessing after Ezra shot him, Davis will be headed this way."
"Oh my God!" Gloria cried out in horror. "You mean my Robbie has been with that animal!" The idea that her son was in such close proximity to a ruthless killer sent fresh slivers of terror through her, as if she was not already on the verge of complete panic. She grabbed Chris shirt and stared at him with tear filled eyes. "You have to help him!" She pleaded. "I'm sorry I didn't come to you! I was so afraid that he would hurt my children but you have to get my Robbie back! Please!"
"Gloria, we'll do what we can," Chris tried to reassure her but knew it was a futile gesture. No mother faced with such news could be expected to remain calm when she loved her children as much as Gloria did. "I promise you, we'll find your boy."
"Oh thank you Chris," she started to sob loudly, garnering the attention of those around them that looked at her with concern. "I've been so scared ever since I heard about Ezra! I thought he would hurt Robbie out of spite."
"I don't think he'll do that," Vin said quickly, trying to allay the woman's fears. "He needs your boy alive to keep you in line, I don't think he'll risk hurting him." Of course what Vin did not say was that with Gloria taking them into her confidence, Bosshard had no use of the boy at all since she had defied him. However, he was not about to bring that up just yet. Right now, Gloria had to believe her son would be returned to them.
"I hope so," she said unconvinced. She gazed at them with the knowledge that she would have to trust them to return her son to her, no matter how much anxiety she was feeling in the moment at their ability to do that. "Please bring him back. I don't know what I'll do if something happens to him."
"Gloria go home," Chris looked her in the eye. "We'll go after Robbie but you need to watch over the rest of your kin, make sure they're safe while we're getting him back."
"Alright," she nodded, just grateful that there was something she could do while she waited for them to act. "I'll do that. Thank you Chris," she swallowed thickly, wiping the tears from her eyes and calming herself down because it would do no one any good if she was hysterical.
"Gloria," Chris repeated himself. "We'll find him."
She met his gaze and held it for an instant, knowing in that moment that he would move heaven and earth to see that his promise was kept. For Gloria, that was enough and she finally turned away, leaving the two men in order to go home to protect the rest of her children while they retrieved Robbie.
Neither Vin nor Chris said anything for a few seconds after the lady had withdrawn, choosing instead to watch her put some distance between them as she faded into the people on the street this morning. Once she was gone, it was Vin who stirred first, raising his gaze from beneath his hat to Chris.
"You really think we can get the boy away from Davis?" Vin inquired.
"We got no choice," Chris drawled. "We have to. Now that everything is out in the open, he's got no reason to care whether or not Gloria talks to us. It makes no difference to him whether or not the boy is alive. Knowing Bosshard, he might just have Davis kill Robbie out of spite."
"Looks like we're headed for Purgatory," Vin said sucking in his breath.
Chris did not look at him as he agreed with the tracker's statement. "Looks that way."
It appear their meeting with Mallaeson Davis would come much sooner than any of the seven had expected.
Maude knew she was insane.
She should not even be entertaining the idea but she could not help herself. The further the caravan she was travelling drew away from Four Corners, the more she became preoccupied with thoughts of Ezra facing that dreadful man as Peter had once done. Despite there being marked differences in the occasion, Maude was terrified he might end up the same way. Once again she rebuked herself for not being a better shot when she had pulled the trigger on Bosshard a few nights ago. She was disappointed that after years of hiding and dreaming of vengeance, she had failed to the rise to the occasion and had allowed Bosshard to survive the encounter to wreak more mischief upon those she cared about.
The mood among the women was generally quiet. Each seemed embroiled in their private thoughts. Mary was busy fussing over her children and Maude suspected that the exaggerated care was more for her benefit rather than that of either Billy or little Mikey. It might be Mary's way of coping with the worries she had regarding Chris' well being. Maude herself was engaged in a similar activity, continuing to shuffle a deck of card in her hands as if the dual colored suits could give her some comfort. Julia Pemberton seemed content to stare aimlessly into the parch landscape through which they were traveling.
The young woman had not said much since their departure and Maude had the feeling that she was regretting being the cause of this entire situation coming to ahead. None of this was her fault, Maude snorted to herself. She had no reason to feel guilt when it was Bosshard's own dark machinations that had forced the situation to take the shape it had. However, she supposed that there would be no convincing Julia otherwise until Ezra returned to them safe and sound. Unfortunately, Maude's nerves were no calmer either and she was in no position to offer her son's fiancée any comfort.
Her concerns centered mostly on her departure from Four Corners. Once, long ago, she had been sent on a similar journey as this, under the guise of it being for her own protection and the consequences of that departure was to watch helplessly the man she loved die in the street. Now her son was sending her away from a situation that was too much akin to how his father had died that she was able to think of anything else. For so many years, Maude had protected Ezra from Bosshard and his killers to avoid just this very possibility. She had sacrificed their relationship for his safety and only she knew how much that distrust she saw reflected in his eyes for her had really hurt.
For too long, Ezra had believed himself to be a burden in her life. Maude supposed he could not be blamed for thinking then. What else was a child supposed to think when he was shunted from relative to relative? Maude would have liked nothing more than to keep her son close to her in those early days but it had not been possible when Bosshard and his men were searching for a mother and a child. Maude had believed it would be simpler if she was on her own, to throw suspicion off herself if any of Bosshard's lackeys were to come across her. She also knew that it was no life for a child as young as Ezra to be travelling with her when she was moving from one con to the other. After Peter had died, she had only herself to rely on for financial support and it was much easier for her scams to reach fruition without a child in tow.
When he was old enough, she kept him with her but by then it was too late. There was a rift between them that could not be breached and no matter how hard Maude tried to teach him the trade that kept them both one step away from destitution, she sensed his study was half hearted. When she told him about his father, she had masked the truth and unwittingly cemented Ezra's belief that being a part of the con was all that he was good for since he was genetically predisposed thanks to his parentage. Maude knew that it was wrong to keep Ezra from knowing about his father but she feared losing him the way she had lost Peter. For too long after the Marshal's death, Maude lived with the very real fear that Bosshard would find her and made good on the threat to her and her son. It had been so branded upon her psyche that there came a time when Maude started to believe anything was justified in keeping that threat from becoming a reality
The lie had followed her for years and now in the open, it had damaged what little trust that Ezra held in her. She knew that if he were to face Bosshard, even with his six friends at his side, he could still be killed. Maude had been just aware of the numbers in Bosshard's arsenal that had driven Chris Larabee to send them away from town with such haste. Anything that could give the hardened gunslinger such cause for concern did not bode well for the seven and Maude was left with the terrible possibility that she might outlive her son just as she had outlived his father.
No!
The horror of that screamed so loudly in her head, she was surprised Julia who was next to her did not hear its frightened wail. She could not let Ezra die! However, she was powerless to do anything while she was trapped in this caravan, headed towards an undiscovered Indian village in the hills. They almost to Seminole community with Buck and JD having left them a short time ago to complete the rest of the journey now that it was certain that they were not being followed. Rain had taken the lead with Alex, since the duo had been to the village on numerous occasions before this. The night was bleeding away into the dawn and they were all very tired from the journey but the caravan had been instructed to continue ahead until they reached their destination so the village was not far ahead now.
Unfortunately, the closer they reached their destination, the more Maude was being bombarded with this overwhelming need to do something. She was never very good at being one of those women who were contented to sit at the sidelines while the fate of their men was being decided without them. For so many years, she had protected Ezra from Bosshard and now she was being asked to stand aside and let him fend for himself. Her maternal instinct would not allow her that luxury.
"I cannot do this," Maude muttered.
Julia turned to her. "Do what?" Her brow arched in suspicion.
"I cannot stay here and let him face that man." Maude turned to her.
"You have to," Julia said firmly, seeing the calamity that was threatening to emerge in the face of Maude's indifference to Ezra's plan. "Maude we'll only get in the way."
"He my son." Maude declared firmly, refusing to let herself be swayed by any argument, no matter how sensible they may be. "I've protected him this long from that animal, I refuse to stop now."
Julia had been holding the reins to surrey they were riding but suddenly, Maude wrenched the strips of leather from her gloved hands. "Maude, what are you doing?" Julia demanded.
"I'm going back to Four Corners." Maude said stiffly. She pulled the reins, directing the surrey to turn away from the path it had been travelling steadily upon for some hours now.
"No!" Julia cried out, attempting to wrestle the reins from her, refusing to allow her to do this foolish thing that would no doubt cause more Ezra more harm than good. "I'm not letting you do this!"
By now, the commotion caused by their voices had drawn the attention of the others and the procession came to a halt. Maude knew she did not have time to debate the situation with Julia or the others because no doubt, they would try and stop her from leaving as well. Without giving Julia any warning, she shoved the younger woman off the surrey, unseating Julia who tumbled to the hard ground with a short cry of surprise. Once Julia was off the carriage, Maude grabbed the reins once more and glanced briefly at the Emporium owner who appeared dazed but relatively unhurt.
"I am sorry about this Julia," Maude apologized, genuinely sorry about what she had done to make her escape. "But I must do this."
"You're not going to be helping him!" Julia managed to recover enough to say that as she struggled to her feet.
However, Maude was not listening. With a snap of her reins, the surrey rolled forward abruptly, leaving nothing but a cloud of dust in her wake. Julia scrambled to her feet and saw the carriage rumbling away into the distance. She called out after Maude but knew her words would have little hope of stopping the woman.
"What happened?" Mary demanded when her wagon reached Julia.
"Maude's gone back to Four Corners," Julia shook her head in disapproval before she dusted herself off. Other than her disheveled state, she had suffered nothing worse than some scrapes.
"What!" Mary exclaimed in shock. "Why?"
"She thinks she has to protect Ezra!" Julia cried out in exasperation.
"Protect Ezra?" Mary mystified expression deepened. "How does she think she can do that?"
"She can't!" Julia grumbled. "Mary I have to go after her!"
Mary was already shaking her head in disapproval of this idea. "Julia, I don't think that's a good idea."
"You're probably right but so is letting Maude get to Four Corners with the way things are down there." She retorted.
Unfortunately, Mary could not tell Julia she was wrong about that assertion despite her natural inclination to convince Julia otherwise. Hopefully Julia would be able to reach Maude before either of them reached Four Corners. Whether or not Julia could convince Maude to return with her once that happened, was another thing entirely.
After more days than he could care to count, the outlaw Mallaeson Davis was finally visited with some news he could stomach after too many days languishing in the small Mexican town of Purgatorio. While the provision of ample liquor and women was always a welcome distraction, he and his men were beginning to get restless and were craving for excitement that would pit them against the peacekeepers of Four Corners. The stories that he had been hearing about the so-called 'Magnificent Seven' were more than enough to inspire his interest and Davis did so like a challenge. He had heard the Larabee had a fast gun and was eager to see if that reputation was justified.
Fortunately, it appeared that his time in Purgatory was just about done with the arrival of Bosshard's chief lackey, Marks. Davis has become accustomed to seeing Marks at Purgatory, usually ferrying messages to and from Bosshard who was never content unless he knew exactly what Mallaeson Davis was up to at all times. Davis liked to think it was because Bosshard was a little afraid of him despite the fact that he was the man's chief enforcer. Bosshard was well aware of what he was capable of doing even to those he might perceive as acquaintances. He supposed that it was his savagery that kept him employed by the Santa Fe Ring. After all, in the years Davis had been in their service, the organization had very little to complain even though it was becoming apparent that the stranglehold they had been able to maintain over the Territory was coming to an end. This attempt to garner new territory in Four Corners was just another desperate attempt to regain ground lost by government mandates and Territorial Judges who ensured that the justice was done.
None of this effected Mallaeson Davis to any great extent for there would always be need for men like him and if not, the south of the border ensured that his way of life would not come to an end for quite some time yet. For the moment, he pledged his allegiance to Bosshard and his ilk because it kept him and his companions in liquor and woman with more than their healthy shares of mayhem and killing. Beyond that, Davis' needs were scarce. However, he could not deny that he was tiring of their tenure in Purgatory and wished to complete their business in Four Corners, especially with the seven lawmen who had earned such a reputation in the vicinity.
For the moment, they were all listening to Marks relating the latest news from Four Corners, in particular the episode between Bosshard and one of the peacekeepers. The information drew great amusement from his men even though they all knew that Bosshard's injury, most of which was to his pride, would require their involvement to salve. It suited Davis just fine; he was itching to pit himself against Larabee anyway. If it was simple revenge that allowed him to do so, Davis had no complaints.
"What about the boy?" Jaques inquired.
The French born outlaw had been mostly responsible for Robbie Potter ever since he was brought to Purgatory to be held hostage for his mother's silence. Jaques had considered this beneath his dignity, a situation not helped since the child was not taking his incarceration well and had been branded by the Frenchman as a whiny brat. Davis, who had seen the man slit open pregnant women in extreme bouts of savagery, knew Jaques was more than capable of killing the boy if given leave to do so and was probably asking the question so that he could terminate his tenure as babysitter by doing just that.
Marks paused a moment as he considered the question and then replied simply, "Kill him."
The order had come from Bosshard himself so it did not prey heavily on Mark's conscience to give such an order. Since it was very likely that the seven lawmen and their women would be dead by day's end, the time of subterfuge was over. It was also a good way to see to it that Mrs. Potter remained silent about their business if she were given a pointed example of what would happen to the rest of her children if she were tempted to speak.
"When do you want us to move?" Davis asked since that matter was more or less settled with that simple instruction. He needed no clarification.
"Tonight," Marks declared firmly. "Bosshard wants you to hit their homes first and then the town itself. The Emporium is to be burnt to the ground."
"Whatever you say," Stephens drawled, thinking of what he would need since he had ridden through the town and saw how large the structure was. It had to be a controlled burn he thought or else a fire of that size would take half the town with it.
"Where are you and Bosshard gonna be?" Davis asked, wondering if Bosshard would care to get his hands soiled on this occasion. Judging from what Marks had told them so far, this was no doubt a personal issue with Bosshard and Davis would have been surprised if Bosshard did not wish to take charge personally.
"Bosshard wants to take care of Standish," Marks retorted which was of no surprise to anyone. "You can have the others. Burn the bodies when you're done."
"What about the women?" Jaques asked, drawing a snigger of throughout the room since most of them had the same intentions regarding the subject.
"That's up to you," Marks returned, knowing the treatment of the women was also part of the lesson of terror that needed to be conveyed to those who might think of standing up to them. "Just kill them when you're done."
"You don't have to worry about that," Jaques grinned and the malevolent gleam in his eye left no mistaking that he would neglect that order.
As Marks continued to drone on, Davis' mind drifted away and he consoled himself with the fact that there was now end in sight to the present boredom when the sun set on this night. He was eager to show the Magnificent Seven just how wrong they were about that particular appellation.
"So what's the plan?" Vin asked as Chris, Ezra, Josiah and Nathan rode towards Purgatory.
Not long after they had spoken to Gloria Potter on the street, the lawmen were riding hard out of Four Corners, bound for Purgatory. At the time, they had given little thought as to the specifics of their rescue mission, only that it had to be done and quickly. With things coming to ahead with Bosshard, there was no telling what the man would do to young Robbie Potter now that he no longer had any use for the boy. Chris had promised Gloria that he would return Robbie to her safely and it was a promise he intended to keep. He had no wish to see the widow and her family suffering because she was unfortunate enough to become caught in the crossfire between the seven and Bosshard.
"We get the boy out." Chris said simply as they rode towards Purgatory.
"Undoubtedly Mallaeson Davis would be the child's minder," Ezra pointed out as the distance horizon began to reveal the uneven shape of the small Mexican town. "It will not be a simple matter to bypass him to reach the boy."
"Well think of something," the gunslinger retorted, not about to let the details bother him even though he knew he should. Unfortunately, they had no idea where the boy was being kept which made things a good deal more complicated.
"Chances are Davis won't consider the boy that much of a problem to keep him close by," Josiah pointed out.
"Maybe we ought to get you to sing again Ezra," Nathan found himself remarking, casting a look of mischief in the gambler's direction.
Ezra threw back a dark glare at the healer and retorted sweetly. "I think I've done my turn in female garments. Perhaps it is your turn Nathan."
"As interesting as that sounds," Chris interrupted the conversation before anyone got the idea of putting Josiah in a dress and that was something Chris truly did not want to see, "I don't think that's going to work with Davis."
"I don't know what else is going to." Vin pointed out, unable to think about how they would sneak past Mallaeson Davis and his men, especially when they needed to find a young boy who may or may not be in Purgatory.
Chris considered the possibility, wondering what would distract the group long enough for someone to reach the boy. Davis would probably keep Robbie close by which meant that it was possible the boy was being held at the premises the gang had inhabiting of late. It was a slim hope but one the seven had to exploit because there was simply no other alternative. Having come to the shaky conclusion of where the boy might be left Chris with another problem. They needed a distraction and one that would ensure the outlaws attention would be away from the boy when he was being rescued.
The answer came to Chris Larabee almost immediately but knew that it was risky, as it was desperate. It would mean bringing the confrontation between the seven and the gang far sooner then Chris would have liked but he supposed this was never going to be easy. However, in the fragmentary beginnings of the plan that was forming in his mind, he understood that it was this way or not at all.
"I have an idea," he gazed at his friends after a moment.
"I ain't gonna like this am I?" Vin spoke up almost immediately after he caught sight of the look in Chris' eyes.
"Probably not," Chris confessed readily and saw the other's sharing the same expression of concern, mirroring the tracker's in almost exact intensity. "But it's the only shot we going to have at this."
Ezra Standish let out a deep sigh before remarking, "I have a feeling we are going to miss the plan that involves one of us in a dress."
Robbie Potter has spent much of the last three days being kept in a room above the cantina/ saloon where the Davis gang had been enjoying the pleasures afforded by the rough and tumble border town. It was a place of odious smells, of regular gunfights where men lay dead in the street and whose boots were more likely to be claimed before their bodies. It was a place where his life hung suspended on waning thread that could snap at any moment despite the cruel taunts of the men who said that he would remain alive as long as his ma cooperated with some friends of theirs. He tried not to listen to the sounds coming from the other rooms, some violent, others lustful, aware that it was not meant for his hearing but unable to keep the noise from entering his head.
He cried a lot and felt weaker for doing it. He wanted his ma but did not dare voice that desire because that would make him look weaker than he already did. He was only a little boy but he knew instinctively that he had to be a man if he wanted to survive this. Robbie thought about his father and wished that he would come to the rescue before he remembered that his father was dead and no one would be coming for him. Robbie remained within the confines of the small room that had been his prison for days, hoping that the big man with the gruff accent would not be back to check on him. Instinctively, the bruises on his arm where Jaques had grabbed him started to throb even though Robbie knew that it was most likely a mental response rather than a physical one.
He did not like the way Jaques looked at him and there was such sinister intent in the man's eyes that Robbie had no doubt that Jaques would kill him if his ma did not do exactly as she was told. A part of Robbie was furious that they had treated his ma this way. Fresh tears formed in his eyes as he thought about his ma and what she must be enduring while he was gone. She worried so much about him and his siblings that Robbie knew this would just be tearing her to pieces. He wished he could make the men who were holding him hostage suffer just as much as his ma probably was at this moment. Unfortunately, he did not know if he would survive long enough for that.
His room was located above the saloon and as Robbie gazed outside, felt his heart sink once more because he was reminded that it was too much of a drop for him to make any attempt at escape. When he was first placed in this room, he had considered the idea but soon changed his mind when he realized what a fall from that height could do to his young bones. Besides, he doubted that anyone would help him if he hurt himself and would only succeed in engendering the wrath of Jaques who would no doubt assist him in breaking a few more bones for the attempt at escape. The people of Purgatory did not look as if they would be eager to help him.
If Ma dared to tell Mr Larabee, things would be different. He just knew the gunslinger and the six men who followed him would be riding in here at a moment's notice to save his life. He thought of Jaques and the others outlaws whose company he had been forced to endure and knew that none of them could hold a candle to Chris Larabee or his personal favourite of the group, Ezra Standish. Ezra would take care of them easy, Robbie sighed. However, despite his fanciful imagination, Robbie knew that neither Chris nor Ezra would be coming to rescue him. How could they, when they did not even know he was gone? Ma would be too afraid of anything happening to him to be able to confide in the lawmen that kept Four Corners safe.
As he gazed outside the window, he saw the inhabitants of Purgatory going about their business. These were mostly composed of working girls and outlaws who used this place as their oases from the law and from the desert. A Mexican in a poncho was laughing his way across the street, his face hidden by a large sombrero. In his arms was a pretty Mexican working girl that was enjoying his attentions even though he could barely walk straight. Robbie wondered if he was a part of the gang downstairs before turning away in realization that it mattered little whether or not he did because he was not going to help Robbie either.
Nobody was.
Vin Tanner moved swiftly through the horses that were hitched in the immediate vicinity of the saloon where the Davis gang had been spending most of their time and sliced through the leather pieces that held the saddles on top of their horses. The reality was that this tactic would do little to slow down the gang once they got it in their mind to come after the seven but the few minutes of time it afforded he and his companions to get away could be the difference between life and death. Vin had been chosen for this particular duty since it was relatively easy for him to fade into the background and remain unseen. In his buffalo and bounty hunting days, Vin had been able to sneak up on many a prey utilizing this ability at stealth.
Having made the latest saddle useless to its rider, Vin raised his eyes and searched the street for Chris Larabee. The gunslinger was proceeding on horseback through the street, his duster pulling down heavily at his sides since he had filled it with bottles of liquor ready for use. Vin sucked in his breath, aware that it was time to find Peso because once Chris started, they were going to have to move really fast. The gunslinger was fast approaching the saloon where the Davis gang was undoubtedly making their own preparations to come after them and their families in Four Corners. Vin had made a quick survey of the place when the seven had first arrived in town and knew that not only Mallaeson Davis was here but also Bosshard's lieutenant Marks.
Chris noticed Vin in his peripheral vision and tried not to draw too much attention to the tracker by his gaze. The rest of the community in Purgatory had already noticed the gunslinger garbed in black, having the unmistakable aura of someone who was not to be trifled with or tolerated being interfered with. The locals kept their distance as Chris brought his black gelding to a halt past the hitching post and almost to the doors of the establishment where Davis and his men were known to be. He glanced upwards with an imperceptible gaze, as if will alone could let him see through the dusty walls of the building. However, Chris knew that he would have to take the next step on faith alone because that was the one thing he could count on when it came to the men he rode with.
Without delaying any further, Chris dipped his hand into one of his pockets and extracted the bottle of liquor that was corked with a strip of cloth. Dangling its end against the cheroot in his mouth, it did not take long for the fabric to start burning. The flames did not take long to begin its journey to the flammable liquid contain within the glass and Chris wasted no time in tossing it through the doors, not bothering to wait for the sound of crashing glass before he lit another.
The bottle impacted less than a second and although Chris did not see its landing, he heard it well enough. The crashing sound of breaking glass was followed by a familiar sound of escaping gas that could only be a fire igniting across the floor. He heard a few screams and guessed that the alcohol he had used as a propellant had unfortunately doused some of the patrons when it had splattered free of its confines in glass. Chris hoped that it was only Davis' men who had been harmed but did not allow the possibility to weigh too heavily upon his conscience since it was a child they were attempting to save. He did not wait to hear any more before he tossed the second bottle into the saloon, attempting to light as many as the makeshift explosives he had on his person before he was forced to flee. He hoped Ezra was making good use of the distraction he had provided for he feared that it would not last too much longer. Chris was in the middle of lighting the third bottle when the first patrons of the saloon emerged. Smoke had started billowing out of the windows in thick dark columns and both workings girls and drinkers were stumbling frantically out of the batwing doors.
Chris had barely enough time to toss the third bottle into the saloon when he saw Mallaeson Davis appear through the doors, weapons drawn. Chris dug his heels into his mount and sent the gelding forward into a robust trot. He did not intend to stick around long enough to cross swords with Davis, just enough to let the man know that a gauntlet of challenge was being thrown at his feet.
"They say you're plenty tough Davis," Chris sneered as he drew his gun at the man who was searching the area for the person responsible for the attack on him and his gang of outlaws.
"Who the hell are you?" Davis glared at him.
"Larabee!" Marks exclaimed the instant he staggered out the door and caught sight of the gunslinger.
"Larabee." Davis' eyes narrowed in calculation at the sight of the enemy that he had been so eager to kill in Four Corners.
Chris dug his heels into his horse once more, forcing the animal into a gallop now that Davis knew who he was and made one final remark to provoke Davis into coming after him.
"You come see us in Four Corners now," Chris called out with a hint of challenge in his voice. "That is when Bosshard lets you off your leash!"
Davis' face contorted in rage. "You just signed your death warrant Larabee! I'll be coming for you all right! You and your whole fucking family!"
Chris flinched as he heard those last words while riding away to join Vin and Josiah. He had no doubt that Davis would make good on his threat, especially if the hatred in his voice was any indication. The gunslinger shook away the vicious words, knowing that he could not waste time dwelling on them when it was far more important that he concentrate on ensuring Davis' threats did not become a reality. He had played his part for the purposes of their plan to rescue Robbie Potter.
Not it was up to Ezra.
"I do believe that is my calling card my dear," Ezra said gallantly to the young woman named Helena who had aided him in carrying out his ruse to slip past Davis and his men.
"My pleasure Senor," Helena smiled alluring at him as she tucked a number of bills he had given her as reward for her cooperation, in between her cleavage.
Ezra discarded the poncho he had worn onto the floor they had procured for the purposes of the illusion they had manufactured just as pandemonium broke out downstairs with the shattering sound of glass. No doubt Chris had made the opening move in his attempt to distract Mr. Davis and company. Ezra could hear sounds of shouting and feet making a mad scramble across the floor as a loud swoosh swept the building that could only be the sound of alcohol being ignited by fire. Hurrying to the window, he peered out and saw that some of Davis' men had made a beeline for the door and knew that he had a narrow margin of time in which to act. Fortunately, there were not many rooms in the establishment so his search would not take too long.
"It would be advisable if you vacated the premises my dear," Ezra stated as he crossed the floor towards the door. "I have a feeling things are about to become very warm."
With that, Ezra left the room and stepped out into the hall noticing that several people were hurrying out of the rooms, the women were running out the back stairs while the men, most likely from Davis cadre of outlaws, were hurrying down the steps to investigate the commotion. Ezra noticed that only one door remained unopened and ventured a guess that it might be the room he was seeking. Drawing his gun, he made his way unnoticed in the panic and twisted the doorknob. It did not surprise him that it was locked. Taking a step back, Ezra did not stand on ceremony and proceeded to deliver a swift kick to the door. It came apart from the hinge easily, swinging forward forcefully before meeting slamming onto the wall.
He paused for a moment, waiting to see if anyone was guarding the boy and was grateful when he was greeted with silence instead of bullets. He supposed that the cutthroat outlaw probably did not consider a young boy much of a threat, at least not enough to post a few guards. Entering the room, it did not take him long to find his quarry who was quivering behind the bed from the fear of all the chaos that was taking place around him. However, upon seeing him, young Master Potter become decidedly animated.
"Mr Standish! You came!" He stared at Ezra with nothing less than awe and wonder. "I just knew you would!"
Ezra was somewhat confused. "You knew I was coming?" He gazed at the boy bewildered.
"Sure I did," Robbie said enthusiastically as he emerged from his hiding place. "I knew that if ma told Mr Larabee, you'd sure to come."
"Well we cannot disappoint such faith can we?" Ezra smiled faintly and gestured the boy to come towards him. He could hear more and more bottles being broken and knew that Chris would soon face the full wrath of Mallaeson Davis and his men so it was imperative that he and the boy leave immediately. "Come on Master Potter, we do not have much time to spare."
Robbie was not about to argue with him and followed the gambler out of the room. Within the hallway it was quiet, anyone who was leaving had already done so and the predominant noise seemed to be emanating from downstairs, where people were vacating the premises to escape the fire that was starting to blaze out of control. A thin cloud of smoke filled the hallway, guaranteed to become thicker as the intensity of the fire increased and Ezra knew that it would be wise not to delay their departure any longer.
"Take a deep breath," Ezra instructed Robbie as he held the child's hand in his, while his other hand held steady grip of his Remington. Both man and boy moved quickly through the smoke filled hallway and reached the alternate stairway with little incident. They descended quickly, encountering no one as they moved down the twists and turns in the staircase. The temperature was starting to rise and an experimental touch of one of the walls indicated that there was a fire on the other side. Ezra decided they could not have time their departure any better. Robbie said little as they made their escape. He was too frightened to speak, Ezra guessed and it felt almost like an eternity when they emerged out a small down in the alley behind the building.
Nathan was already there, waiting for them with Chaucer. The others had already gone ahead, no doubt in anticipation of the onslaught that would result from this attack.
"Come on!" Nathan urged as they ran towards the horses. "All hells gonna break loose any second."
Ezra did not doubt it as he reached Chaucer and helped Robbie into the saddle. "We are going to have to make a hasty departure young man," Ezra said as he climbed into the saddle behind the boy. "Will you be able to remain astride?"
"I know I can," Robbie retorted bravely, not about to disappoint his secret idol when so much was at stake.
"Good," Ezra offered him an encouraging smile before turning facing front Nathan once more. "How far away from their horses?"
"Not far," Nathan retorted. "Chris has made them plenty mad, I reckon they be going after him as soon as they get saddled up."
"Well then we better make haste ourselves," Ezra dug his heels into his horse and sent Chaucer sprinting forward, with Nathan's own horse following close by. He knew as well as Nathan that from this point on, it was going to be a race to keep ahead of Mallaeson Davis and his men before their final confrontation in Four Corners.
What happened when they got there was anyone's guess.