| ********** Vin was grateful for the hour’s rest he had been able to con out of Henderson. His legs felt stronger and his eyesight was continuing to improve. As a matter of fact, outside of a fuzziness around the edges, the sharpshooter was pleased to note that his vision appeared to have fully returned. Unfortunately, his relief was short lived. While he had been resting, Macray had informed Henderson that Vin worked for Judge Travis and was, therefore, a lawman. Henderson had immediately withdrawn his offer and he and his gunfighters had disappeared leaving Vin at the mercy of Jack Macray. Before Tanner knew what was happening, his hands were tied behind his back and he was thrust out into the middle of the street like some prize piece of meat. The vultures in the settlement began to collect outside the buildings, all wanting to secure a good place to view the hanging. Purgatory was the only town Vin had ever been in that had a permanent hanging platform right in the centre of the street. It wasn’t an official one with a trap door, just a raised platform near the saloon. The platform had only been erected to enable everyone a clear view of the execution. A long plank had been nailed to the side of the building to provide a place to secure the rope. Vin stared at the noose and inwardly shuddered, though his face remained calm and blank. At least with a proper hanging, a man’s neck was broken as he fell through the trap door... therefore there wasn’t any struggling. Apparently, a quick and relatively painless death. This however, was little more than a rope slung over the branch of a tree. Vin had seen this sort of thing before. He had actually stopped several in his lifetime. Macray would make him stand on a chair and then the chair would be pushed out from under him and he would slowly choke to death kicking and squirming at the end of the rope to the cheers of the animals around him. Vin turned to study the trail out of Purgatory. There were men approaching the town and while Vin couldn’t make out their faces due to the distance, he could make out their shapes. Unfortunately, they weren’t the familiar outlines he was looking for. Where are you, boys? Tanner’s mind filled with a single image. Now would be a good time for you to arrive, Cowboy. ********** Hang on, Vin, we’re almost there. Chris and his men were approaching the hill overlooking Purgatory at a rapid rate. J.D. felt his heart launch into his throat. He began to pray in earnest. He actually knew what to expect. Buck had explained it to him the first time they had stopped to water their horses. The scoundrel had tried to make it as gentle as possible, but the words themselves didn’t change the reality. Buck had said that Vin would be left hanging in the town, perhaps for a whole day and was likely to be strung up when the boys rode in. The horrific image of their companion dangling like a ‘mangy dog’ - left to rot, caused the young sheriff’s stomach to turn. How could anyone do that to Vin?! The group urged their horses up the incline and then pulled the animals to a stop so that they could study the town below. Their eyes were drawn to the hanging platform for it was there five out of six of them expected to see their companion. Standing on the platform near the saloon was a large man addressing the crowd. The Seven were too far away to hear what was being said, but as the man spoke, more people flooded out of the buildings. “He must be alive!” Buck cried, leaping out of the saddle. He couldn’t see Vin, but the crowd collecting around the platform meant the hanging was yet to take place. The other regulators were overcome with relief and very welcome disbelief. All but Chris had been certain that they would be too late. Thank, God Vin was alive. “There he is!” J.D. yelled, pointing to Vin who was being held at the side of the street. Chris jerked the head of his horse sharply. Buck dived at the rider and literally dragged the gunfighter out of the saddle, the two of them ending up in a heap on the ground. “Chris, no!” “GET OFF ME!” Larabee roared, trying to toss Buck off. The other four men watched with dismay. Buck grabbed his friend by the front of the shirt. “Chris! Chris, listen! You can’t just go riding in there!” “He’s right,” Ezra agreed. “GET OFF ME!” With that, Larabee’s smashed Buck in the face. The scoundrel was propelled to the right. Larabee leapt to his feet and raced for his horse. “Chris, if you go rushing in there, they’ll hang you right along side him!” Nathan shouted. “Then I’ll see you all in hell!” Buck grabbed the back of Larabee’s duster and spun his enraged friend around. “Chris, he needs you, but not like this. You aren’t gonna help him if you go down there alone and all fired up like this!” The gunfighter’s eyes, that were normally flinty and reserved, were wild with desperation. Buck could see the horror reflected in them. For Chris, it was happening all over again. His family was being murdered and he was powerless to stop it. “Chris, he needs you to be thinking straight!” “You tell us what you want us to do, brother, and we’ll do it, but we can’t just ride in there without some sort of plan.” Larabee’s entire body shuddered as he consciously took control of his emotions. The Seven’s leader yanked free of Buck’s hold, his strangled eyes returning to the town below them. Vin was standing erect, which meant he was okay. The man on the platform pointed to the clock at the top of one of the buildings. The clock showed 11:52. Larabee guessed that Macray was saying he was going to hang Vin at exactly noon. That meant Chris and the boys had eight minutes to plan a rescue. “Most of the spectators will clear the street as soon as the bullets start flying,” Chris muttered, trying to clear his mind and concentrate on the task that needed to be performed. “The judge said a dozen men.” Larabee’s experienced eyes roved the scene below, trying to identify those that would stand between his men and rescuing Vin. Larabee cursed. He could count eighteen men with guns drawn. They were surveying the town looking for interference, which meant they were connected to Macray. Chris Larabee’s mind zapped at the speed of light. “J.D., I need you in that alley beside the livery. You see the three men just to left of the stable, they’re yours.” “Right, Chris.” “Josiah and Buck, if they’ve got eighteen on the street there are going to be some inside watching through windows. Find them and take them out. Claim the high ground.” Both men nodded. “Ezra, I need you in the alley directly across from the platform. Take out the men on the platform. You‘ve got to stop them from getting Vin anywhere near that chair.” “It will be done.” “As soon as you’ve taken out the men on the platform, you’ll have to deal with the three there, you see them?” “I see them.” “Nathan, there is a group collected on the veranda of the saloon.” “I’ll take care of them.” “As you do, work your way toward the platform. It’s up to you to get Vin down and to safety.” Nathan nodded. “I’ll deal with the nine that are at the end of the street.” “Nine?” Buck asked. “Haven’t got any choice.” Chris Larabee was the fastest on the draw. He could only afford to place one man that far away from Vin. Chris was the only one quick enough to take the nine down on his own. The only problem was, it meant that he was too far away if... Larabee shot a look around the group. Only two men would be in a position to do it - J.D. and Ezra. Chris knew he couldn’t ask J.D - J.D. wouldn’t be able to do it. That meant it had to be Ezra. The gunfighter turned to the gambler. “Ezra, if something goes wrong and... if Vin ends up hanging, I need you to shoot him for me.” “WHAT?! five voices gasped as one. Chris stepped up to Ezra so that there was less than a foot between them. “If they put him on the chair and somehow the chair goes before we can get to him, I want you to promise me that you’ll kill him.” “I don‘t understand,” Ezra stuttered. “I gave him my word that I wouldn’t let him hang. I won’t be in a position to honour that promise. I’m asking you to honour it for me. Please.” In Larabee’s eyes, Ezra saw a lot of things - from towering strength to overwhelming fear. Chris loved Vin like a brother, Ezra knew that as certainly as he knew the sun would rise and set the next day. How could Larabee possibly even consider...? The gambler just couldn’t fathom what Chris was asking him to do. “If the chair goes, I‘ll try for the rope first,” Standish proposed. Over a short distance, Ezra was a dead shot. He’d have a fair chance of shooting the rope out. Chris shook his head. “No.” The Seven’s leader stepped closer to Ezra. “No. Can’t take that chance. I don’t want him to hang... not even for a second. I gave him my word,” Chris whispered. Ezra swallowed. Larabee was asking him to ‘kill’ Vin. “The moment the chair goes, don’t pause, don’t think. Just give him a bullet. It’s what he wants. He doesn’t want to hang. He doesn‘t deserve to go like that.” Larabee swallowed, his green eyes pleading with the horrified man staring at him. “Please, Ezra. I gave him my word, but I‘m not going to be close enough to do it. I promised him.” Standish fought to find an appropriate argument, but he could see that this was more than just what Chris wanted. This was Vin’s wish and it was tearing Chris apart that he wasn’t going to be in a position to carry out his best friend’s request, nor honour what was obviously a sacred pledge. Ezra knew how hard it had to be for the likes of Larabee to ask another to take Vin’s life. The gambler felt numb, but despite the absolute repulsion he felt at the very thought of shooting one of his best friends, Ezra’s head bobbed once. Larabee reached out and clamped his hand on the gambler’s shoulder in silent thanks. For a full two seconds they stared at each other. Then Larabee dropped his arm and glanced back down into the town. The big man was still on the platform ranting. The clock showed that it was five to twelve. Five minutes to get into place. “Alright boys, let’s go. Be careful and good luck.” ********** “Get the murdering sonofabitch over here!” Macray yelled. Vin was shoved roughly toward the platform to the sheiks and cheers of some of the crowd. Those close jostled him. Vin gritted his teeth and tried to ignore the throb from his side. As the tracker climbed the stairs, one of the men dragging him pushed him in the back. Losing his footing, Vin sprawled onto the rough wooden boards that had seen the murder of hundreds of men. Macray grabbed a handful of the injured man’s jacket and yanked him to his feet. “A lawman!” he shouted. The crowd began to mutter and curse. “He murdered my brothers!” Vin remained quiet as he tried to collect his thoughts. The best thing for him to do was to keep his mouth closed. If he was going to die, there was no sense getting the crap belted out of him first. “This is what I think of cowardly lawmen!” Macray slammed his fist into Vin’s stomach. The tracker weathered the blow without flinching. So much for avoiding the beating. The mob began to move restlessly. “Think you’re real tough, don’t you lawman?” “I ain’t no lawman,” Tanner snarled. His control was leaving him. If he was going to die, then he may as well get some satisfaction first. Macray launched his fist again. Vin ducked and slammed his shoulder into the huge man with bone-shattering force. Jack Macray stumbled backwards, almost toppling off the platform. Two of his lackeys grabbed Vin and held him. Macray regained his footing and strode back toward his defenceless prisoner. *** Chris Larabee’s hand descended to his holstered piece. He was in position and watching the horrific spectacle with his jaw so tightly clenched that he had gone white with rage. Chris’s face had twitched when the bastard had shoved Vin. His eyes had narrowed when Macray had dragged Vin to his feet. Reflex had sent his hand to his holster in an unconscious attempt to protect his best friend. Larabee had felt the blow. He didn’t know how much longer he could just stand and wait. The gunfighter scanned the area. He could see that J.D. was in place, but there was no sign of the rest of his men. “Come on.” *** “You’re gonna regret that!” Macray snarled. “Whatcha gonna do? Beat me? Hang me? Reckon you already got that covered,” Vin chuckled. His defiance fuelled Macray’s anger. The huge thug sent two quick punches into Vin’s body. The tracker sagged between the pair holding him. *** Larabee’s gun was in his hand, the anger he felt rising up and consuming him. He couldn’t stand by and watch this. His green eyes narrowed as Macray reached out and grabbed a handful of Vin’s coat. *** “You ain’t so tough without your six friends are you?” “They’ll come.” The words hadn’t been loud, but were so firm and assured that the tracker’s breathy pain-laced voice filtered to every corner of Purgatory. Macray burst out laughing. “You think so? They’re half way to Mexico by now. I paid a group of men to shoot up a ranch not far from Four Corners and then sent one of my men into town to tell your ‘friends’ that the Paulson ranch was under attack. I knew they’d ride out and leave you.” Macray dropped his hand, stepped forward and leered at Vin. “Paid those men to ride out as soon as they saw your friends and to lead them as far away from Four Corners as possible. So don’t hold your breath. They ain’t comin’.” “They’ll come,” Vin repeated. Maybe not today, maybe not until they got back, but Chris and the boys would come. “You’re a dead man.” The final phrase was whispered - for Macray alone. The smile on thug’s lips fell. There was something about Vin’s face that made the hair stand up on the back of his neck. “You’re friends don’t scare me.” “No, then why did you send them away? They’ll come. They’ll hunt you down like an animal. You’ll never be rid of them.” Vin believed every word. His friends would avenge his death. Chris Larabee would not stop until he had choked the life out of Macray with his bare hands. Chris. For a split second, Vin was overcome with guilt and sadness. He had let Larabee down. They had an unspoken pledge to protect one another - to mind the other’s back. That job would now have to fall to the rest of the boys. “Get him up on that chair!” Macray screamed, unnerved not only by Tanner‘s apparent lack of fear, but by his claim that his friends would come. *** Chris’ finger began to flex on the trigger on his revolver. Not on the chair! He had to stop Vin from being put on the chair. The gunfighter scanned the street once again. He could see J.D., Ezra and Buck, but where were Nathan and Josiah? They couldn’t attempt the rescue without all of them in place! *** Vin didn’t struggle as Macray forced the coarse noose around his neck. Cold, hard reality crashed into place with that action. The tracker stared straight out in front of him. He tuned out the sounds of the crowd. His mind filled with an emptiness. He was going to hang. It had been his worst nightmare. It no longer was. His worst nightmare was failing his companions - in a sense he had. They had signed on to protect Four Corners. Now they would have to do so without his help. He had promised to mind Larabee’s back - now the others would have that privilege. He had pledged Chris his friendship. Vin prayed that Larabee would be able to forget that they had ever been friends. The death of stranger can not touch a man’s soul. The death of a friend, on the other hand, was soul-destroying. “I’m sorry, Chris.” The words didn’t remain locked in his head. He spoke them without realizing. Hang on, Vin. Tanner’s eyes narrowed as he was overcome with a familiar feeling. His guarded blue eyes searched the crowd in front of him. Chris was here! He knew it. He could feel it. Vin spotted the familiar figure in black at the back of the mob. Their eyes met. We’re here, Cowboy. We’ll get you out of this... one way or another. You have my word. Vin felt his entire body relaxed. The boys were here. He had no need to worry. He would not hang. One way or the other, Chris would ensure that he didn’t hang. Tanner scanned the crowd. He knew Macray’s men were strategically placed around the town to ensure that the execution took place. Someone would have to take out the three men on the platform. The shooter would need to be close. Best place was the alley. Ezra Standish nodded his head as his and Vin’s eyes met. Tanner acknowledged his friend with a half bob and then continued to look for the rest of his team. Larabee would need a man near the livery to take out the trio there. A well-known bowler advertised the presence of Four Corner’s young sheriff. J.D. grinned reassurance. The group near the saloon? Vin spotted Nathan moving amongst the crowd and getting into position. That left Buck and Josiah. The boys would need someone to take the high ground. Vin flicked his eyes skyward. Buck was perched on top of the roof of the boarding house. The scoundrel lifted his rifle. Macray grabbed Vin and thrust him up onto the chair. “At exactly noon, you hang, lawman!” *** Josiah! Larabee cursed. Where was the preacher? They were cutting it too fine! *** The rope was hurled over the support and tied off. Tanner could feel the cord pulling against his throat. Now it was just a matter of the chair being pushed. Vin knew his friends were waiting on Josiah. Despite the seconds that were ticking away, Vin had complete faith in his associates. Larabee would not let him hang... and yet, Chris was in no position to do what may need to be done. Only J.D.... no, not J.D. - Ezra. Tanner glanced toward the gambler. He could read the turmoil on his partner’s face. Larabee had arranged the dignified death that Vin craved, the tracker could see it in Standish’s face. Ezra stared into Vin’s calm blue eyes. Tanner gave his friend a look of understanding and thanks. ‘He knows,’ Ezra realized. ‘He knows what Chris has asked me to do and the bastard is letting me know it’s okay. Damn him!’ Thirty seconds to go. A man standing on the balcony of the saloon was jerked inside. Moments later, a huge figure replaced him. Sanchez made eye contact with his leader. “NOW!” Time slowed. Every second took on an entity of its own. *** Chris Larabee’s finger depressed the trigger on his revolver once. One of his nine targets fell. A second shot... another man chopped down. The other seven began to turn. Larabee’s gun barked again. A third man collapsed. *** On Larabee’s signal, Josiah Sanchez took aim and obliterated the man on the balcony across from him. The huge preacher searched for his next target. *** Buck fired. The man on the roof opposite tumbled into the crowd below. *** J.D. blasted one of the trio standing together. The other two swivelled. The youth leaped to safety. *** Nathan’s first bullet found its mark. Three to go. *** Ezra levelled his revolver and fired at Jack Macray. The huge man catapulted backwards and tumbled down into the crowd. Ezra fired again taking out one of the other two men who were a threat to Vin. *** Larabee could hear the shots in the background as he fired a fourth, fifth and sixth bullet, cutting three more obstacles down. Chris lifted his rifle just as one of the remaining trio fired. *** Vin watched the chaos unfold around him. The crowd was diving off the street. It was one thing you could count on about the residents of Purgatory. They didn’t involve themselves in anything that wasn’t their business. “Push the chair!” Macray bellowed, opening fire on Ezra. The gambler ducked back behind cover. The remaining man on the platform dived toward the wooden structure that was preventing Vin from swinging. “NO!” Six bullets from six different weapons ripped into Toby Hannon. The thug’s body remained upright for a split second and then it toppled to the right... directly toward Vin. “NOOOOOOOOOO!” Larabee’s voice filled the air. What followed was five seconds of hell for six men. *** “Nooooooooo!“ Larabee’s voice filled the air... As the chair was knocked from beneath Vin, Ezra’s revolver snapped up. He levelled it at Vin’s head. The chair fell. Tanner’s body arched. Ezra fired. The gambler shut his eyes as the bullet left his gun. The moment he pulled the trigger, the cold, heartless weapon slipped from his nerveless fingers. Stunned and devastated by his own barbaric action, Ezra stumbled backwards into the alley. *** “Nooooooooo!“ Larabee’s voice filled the air... J.D.’s own voice joined Chris’. The youth froze. Hannon’s body connected with the chair. Dunne shot a look across at Ezra. Standish pulled the trigger. “No!” J.D. began to race toward his companion on the platform.*** “Nooooooooo!“ Larabee’s voice filled the air... Josiah roared an unholy curse as the bullet-riddled body struck the stool. “Ezra, don’t!” Too late. The bullet had been fired. Sanchez looked away and prayed for three souls - Vin, Chris and Ezra.*** “Nooooooooo!“ Larabee’s voice filled the air... Buck sought Chris out. He saw his companion disappear under three men. Wilmington raised his rifle to provide his oldest friend with the help he needed. The shot from Ezra’s revolver echoed over the street. The moustached man shut his eyes knowing what had just happened and then he forced them open and set about trying to provide protection for those of his friends who were still alive.*** “Nooooooooo!“ Larabee heard the voice and knew it was his own.... He saw the corpse fall toward Vin. Then his vision was obscured by a mass of bodies. Three men tackled and brought the gunfighter to the ground. Chris waited for the bullet. “God, please!” A punch caught him on the side of the head. Larabee made no attempt to fight back. A shot pieced the air. Dear, God, no. Vin was dead.*** “Nooooooooo!“ Larabee’s voice filled the air... Nathan Jackson was twenty feet from the platform when Hannon’s body started to topple. The dark skinned healer flicked his eyes to Ezra. The gambler was raising his weapon. Nathan drew a knife. He took aim. This would be the most important ‘shot’ of his life. The healer’s wrist snapped. The blade caught the sun as it cut through the sky on its mission. Ezra fired. The knife severed the rope. Tanner’s body dropped to the platform, but Nathan couldn‘t be sure if it had been soon enough!The healer rushed up the stairs. There was a shot to his left. Josiah had just taken out one of Macray‘s men who had Nathan in his sights. Several shots followed as the preacher and J.D. set about covering the healer. “Vin!” Nathan shouted. The tracker was laying on his back, his eyes closed, his face as white as chalk. Nathan searched for Ezra‘s bullet, but there was no sign of it. The slug, that had indeed been on a direct coarse with Vin’s skull, had whistled over the tracker’s head harmlessly, but with less than hair’s width to spare. “Vin,” Nathan coaxed, carefully removing the noose. “Come on, Vin.” Still the tracker lay motionless. Nathan lowered his head to his friend’s chest. To his relief, he identified both breathing and a heart beat. Nathan moved swiftly to examine his unconscious companion’s body. He found a growing egg on the back of the young man’s head where Vin’s skull had crashed against the floor. “Vin?” Nathan coaxed, gently shaking his patient. Tanner’s eyelids fluttered and then opened. “Nathan?” “Yeah,” the healer answered, his face beaming with a smile that could light up an entire planet. J.D. collapsed beside Nathan. “Vin, you’re alive!” “I am?” Tanner croaked as he attempted to sit. “No, you rest there,” Nathan ordered, pinning Vin to the ground. Tanner began blinking as he tried to sort out what the hell had happened. The sound of roaring guns stilled. The gunfight was over. Josiah and Buck had eliminated the final few strays... Buck taking care of the three men who had attacked Chris. Larabee threw the bodies off him and raced toward the platform. He could see both Nathan and J.D. couched over Vin. His best friend was on the ground. They had cut him down already. When Chris reached the top step, he froze. “Oh, God.” It was a strangled gasp. Everything that meant anything to him had just been stolen from him. Vin, his best friend... his family, was gone. Nathan shot a look as his leader and smiled. “He’s okay, Chris.” “What?” Larabee couldn’t comprehend the words. “Hey, Cowboy,” drawled the mass on the ground. “Vin?” Chris stared down at his friend as Nathan sawed through the ropes that secured the tracker’s hands. “VIN!” Larabee raced the final couple of steps and dropped at his brother’s side. “What took you so long, Chris? Cut it a bit fine, don’t you think?” Shock radiated out of the Seven‘s leader. He couldn’t think. Couldn’t process nor assimilate what was going on. He’d heard the shot. “Vin?” “Yeah, Cowboy, I’m okay.” Larabee grabbed Vin, dragged him up into his arms and held him for a fleeting moment. Then he shoved the slight man away so his eyes could confirm what his brain was trying to convince him. Tanner and Larabee stared at each other. The other men on the platform knew a conversation was taking place, but it was a silent and private one. Without warning, Vin and Chris’ arms snapped together. That action contained more emotion than any other they could share. It was a symbol of their brotherhood. A silent but overt pledge. It was their way of communicating everything they felt. J.D. found himself grinning. He had never felt this happy or relieved. Finally, Chris turned to Nathan. “Ezra shot the rope?” The healer shook his head. Vin dropped Larabee’s arm, picked up the severed section of the cord and handed it to Chris. “Looks like a knife to me, pard.” Larabee studied the coarse article in his hand and then lifted his amazed eyes to Nathan. “You...?” Nathan shrugged. “I was close enough and... “ Chris offered his hand. Nathan smiled and took it. “Thank you.” The gunfighter’s voice was so choked with emotion that the words were barely recognizable, but Nathan knew what his friend was saying. “Nathan, I owe you,” Tanner stated, gripping the healer’s hand. “No, Vin, I reckon we’re even.” “But I don’t understand. How... oooooh. You mean Nathan threw a knife and it... WOW!” J.D. exclaimed. Buck and Josiah appeared above the crouched group. “Sweet Jesus, Nathan, I couldn’t believe my eyes!” Buck thundered. “Reckon the Lord may have had something to do with it, Buck, what do you say, Josiah?” Sanchez smiled. “I reckon you may well be right, Nathan,” the preacher agreed, clapping the healer on the back. “Ezra?” Chris asked, turning to search for the only member of the Seven who was missing. “He... he disappeared right after he...” Chris nodded and started to climb to his feet. “Chris, let me go,” Vin requested, leaning on Nathan and Buck as he struggled to his feet. “Now, hang on a minute, you shouldn’t be doing anything. Not only did you wack your head when you fell but...” Nathan’s voice faded out. The healer could see that his patient was weak from the beatings he had received and the lack of rest he should have been getting following such massive blood loss, but this decision was out of his hands. Vin and Chris stared at each other. Larabee nodded. The gunfighter threaded Vin’s arm over his shoulders and assisted the weakened man down the stairs. When they reached the bottom, Vin extracted himself and headed down into the alley alone. Chris watched him for several seconds and then dropped his head to offer thanks to whatever immortal being that had seen fit to save Vin‘s life. *** Ezra’s back was against the rough wooden wall. His eyes were squeezed shut as he tried to eliminate the image his mind had formed. An image of his bullet smacking into Vin. Vin, who in a single look, had assured him that it was okay. Tears streamed down Standish’s colourless cheeks. What the hell had he done?! He’d killed one of his best friends. One of the best men he’d ever known. A man who was more than a friend. Vin Tanner had saved his life so many times in the past weeks that Ezra had lost count. The quietly spoken tracker had been the first of the Seven to penetrate Standish’s defences. Vin had offered his friendship with no strings attached. “Dear God, forgive me,” Ezra begged, his voice shaking uncontrollably. “Vin, I’m so sorry.” Slowly, Ezra sank down to the ground, his legs no longer able to hold him. The gambler’s hands came up to cover his face. His entire body began to tremble as he was consumed by an amalgamation of grief, shock and self-abhorrence. What sort of monster could murder a friend in cold blood? Ezra heard the approach of footsteps. He guessed that it was either Buck or Josiah. “Ezra?” Standish heard the word and chose to ignore it. “Ezra, you alright?” “Go away and leave me alone. I do not want your words of wisdom, or damnation or promises of salvation!” “Ezra?” Standish was aware that the person was crouching in front of him. “Ezra?” It was only then, that the gambler registered the voice - a Texas twang coloured by deep concern. Apprehensively, Standish removed his hands and found himself staring into Vin’s very troubled face. “Oh, God?” For a split second, Ezra wasn’t sure what he was looking at. Vin reached out and laid his hand on his friend’s shoulder. “You okay?” “You’re alive?!” “Yeah. You okay?” “You’re alive... but...” “Let me help you up.” Vin attempted to help Ezra to his feet, but at some stage the roles reversed. “I...” “Nathan threw a knife that cut the rope just before you fired.” Ezra stared into Vin’s face. Before he knew what he was doing, he had thrown his arms around the tracker. “I’m okay, Ezra.” Standish pulled away, but continued to stare at his serious friend with amazement. Insidious guilt rose up and destroyed his relief. The gambler dropped his face ashamed of what he had done. “How can you ever forgive me?” Vin stared at the other man, his brow creasing with deep puzzlement. “How can I forgive someone who was prepared to risk his soul to save mine? Who was prepared to honour another man‘s promise because he knew how much that pledge meant?” Ezra was stunned. Vin was a man of so few words, but there were times when the illiterate tracker used language in a way Ezra could only dream about. Vin offered his hand to his friend. “I don’t know how to thank a man for something like that, Ezra.” Standish found himself humbled by the passion in his partner’s voice. “You do not need to thank me, Mr. Tanner. I am sure that if the tables were reversed, you would have done the same for me.” A grin slipped onto Vin’s tired face. “Yep, reckon you’re right, Ez. I’d shoot you as soon as look at ya.” Ezra couldn’t help smiling. “I don’t know whether to thank you or...” The gambler searched for an expression the tracker would appreciate. “...or knock your blasted head off.” Vin’s grin matured into a full smile. His hand was still held out to Ezra. Standish glanced down at it and then took it warmly. “I owe you, Ezra.” “No, I think if we were to count, I’m probably still quite a number in the rears.” “Ezra?” “Yes, Vin?” “I ain’t feelin’ too good all of a sudden.” Vin had paled considerably. Now that he was certain that Ezra was okay, the temporary energy he had mustered was deserting him rapidly. Pure adrenaline had fuelled his body. As it left him, the tracker became aware of every aching muscle, including his pounding head. Vin’s legs began to shake. Standish took his injured companion’s arm and threaded it over his shoulders. “Come on, let’s get you back to Mr. Jackson before you collapse.” “Reckon you could just stick me on a horse and we could keep this to ourselves?” “I’m afraid not.” “Damn. Gonna want to put me on a travois again.” “More than likely.” “Over my dead body!” “I’m not so sure you’re in any condition to argue.” “Wanna bet?” “No, I believe that to be a bet I would be sure to lose.” The two men emerged from the ally to be greeted by the gasps of their companions. “Vin?!” “Aww, hell. Just let me rest a few minutes and I’ll be fine,” the tracker grumbled as he was flocked by his concerned friends. Nathan took Vin’s other arm and indicated that he wanted his patient in the shade of the building. “Put him down here, Ezra.” “We’re gonna need a travois to get him home,” Buck muttered. “Don’t need no litter. I just need to catch my breath is all.” “His side’s bleeding again,” Nathan muttered. “Concussion too, by the look of it.” “I ain’t complainin’,” Vin grumbled. “I’m going to need some warm water to clean up his wound and some bandages.” “I’ll see what I can find,” Buck stated, turning to retrieve the articles. “Where’d Chris go?” Vin asked, searching for his friend. “He was here a moment ago,” J.D. stated, surprised. Buck and Josiah were struck by the same thought simultaneously. “We find Vin and get him to safety. Then we go back.” “Oh, hell!” The two men raced off like the hounds of hell were after them... or perhaps to pursue hell personified. Vin shoved Nathan’s hand away. “Help me up.” “Now, Vin...” “Gotta find Larabee.” “Chris can look after himself.” “Macray dead?” Vin demanded. The other men suddenly understood. “Not yet,” J.D. muttered. “Chris see him hit me?” “Yes,” Ezra answered quickly. He had shot a look at his leader at the very moment Macray had sent two blows into Vin. Standish had never actually feared Chris before. He had been wary of the gunfighter when he first met him, but he was never afraid of him... until that moment when Macray had stuck Larabee’s best friend. “Help me up,” Vin demanded. “You aren’t in any...” “HELP ME UP!” Nathan cursed and then he and Ezra pulled Vin to his feet. Both men held on until they were sure that Vin was able to balance unassisted. “He’s gone after Macray on his own,” Vin stated without emotion. “Anyone see which way he went?” “No, but I imagine Macray would have been trying to put as much distance between himself and Mr. Larabee as possible. “Yep,” Vin agreed, striding off toward the livery. Nathan rushed after him and took a hold of Tanner’s elbow. Vin said nothing, perhaps because he knew he needed the assistance, possibly because he was so intent on his mission that he failed to note the action. ********** Chris tackled Macray. He had spotted the focus of his anger headed for the livery and had chased him down. Jack Macray outweighed Larabee by at least x pounds, but this was to be a very one-sided battle. Every blow Chris rocketed at the thug was, in essence, a return of the agony Macray had put Vin though... with interest. Larabee dragged the other man to his feet and then continued to vent his unrestrained rage. Macray tried to defend himself, but the blows were descending with such speed that the thug could not little more than cower. “Chris.” The voice was calm, almost soft, but firm. As Macray fell under Larabee’s assault, Chris followed him. “Chris.” There was no urgency in the voice. No request. It was just Larabee’s name. Chris grabbed Macray by the front of his coat. He glared at the bloodied man, but the gunfighter was so far past rage that he couldn’t find the words he needed. “Chris.” Still holding Macray, Larabee glanced back over his shoulder. His boys were standing just in the entrance of the livery watching him with hard expressions. Vin had walked to stand only a few feet from his leader. “Chris, let’s go home.” Tanner and Larabee studied each other. “Come on, Cowboy. Let’s get out of here.” Chris turned back to Macray to find his rage had left him. He stared down at the beaten man. “If you ever set foot in Four Corners, I’ll see to it that you leave in a box.” Then Chris drew the other man up so that their faces were almost touching. “If you ever lay a hand on him again, I‘ll tear you apart with my bare hands.” Chris shoved the thug away and stood up. He continued to glare at Macray who stared up at him with terror. “Chris.” Larabee turned and walked back toward his best friend. He stopped directly in front of Vin. “I’m sorry.” “For what?” Vin asked quietly. For not being there when you needed me. But you were. You always are. “Ya cut it a bit fine. Thought I was gonna have to rescue myself.” Chris allowed his relief to present on his face. Vin started to smile. His pupils enlarged. He grabbed Chris and dived to the left. There were two simultaneous shots. The bullet from Macray’s weapon flew harmlessly by his target. The bullet from Josiah’s rifle entered Macray’s chest and silenced the man forever. “That had to hurt,” Vin commented. Chris dragged his eyes from Macray and let them fall on Vin. He shook his head with relieved amusement and then assisted his friend to his feet. “You look like shit.” “For a man that just got hung, I reckon I look okay.” Larabee winked at him. “I reckon Josiah‘s God must be watching us today.” “Or his Devil. Don‘t reckon he‘s ready to put up with two soulless bastards like us just yet.” Chris found himself overwhelmed with relief and happiness. He hadn‘t allowed himself to consider that Vin would be dead when he arrived, but he realized now that his best friend should have been. By some miracle Vin had survived until Larabee and the boys arrived. Even then, things hadn’t exactly gone their way. First, Vin had been put up on the chair with the noose around his neck. Then the chair had been reefed from beneath him. When Larabee saw that, and then heard the shot, his soul had screamed and shattered. Vin reached out and placed his hand on his companion’s shoulder. It was time for Larabee’s soul to be repaired. For long seconds the pair stood and communicated in a way that was theirs alone. “Let’s go home,” Chris whispered. Vin dropped his arm. “Sounds good to me.” “Boys, we’re gonna need a travois,” Chris ordered. “I can ride,” Vin insisted with firm annoyance. Larabee ignored the comment. “I have some things I need to do before we go. Get things organised.” His men nodded and then set off to carry out their leader’s orders. “Come on, Vin,” Buck coaxed. “Don’t you start fussin’. Hell, if Nathan ain’t bad enough.” “I need to clean that wound. Let’s find you somewhere to rest while the others build the litter.“ “I’m tellin’ you, I can ride. It ain’t as if I gotta walk all the way back to Four Corners. Hey, Peso’s around here somewhere. Them bastards stole all of the horses from the livery. You find me Peso and I’ll ride home.” Chris listened to Vin’s determined argument as the men disappeared. Ezra hadn’t moved. Larabee had signalled him to stay. Chris approached him. He stopped several feet from the other man. “Ezra...” “Don’t, Chris.” “I’ll never forget what you did.” “I don’t believe I will either.” “I owe you.” Ezra flashed Larabee a cocky smile. “I rather like the sound of you owing me a favour.” The gambler’s smile gradually left his face. “I can’t believe I pulled the trigger.” “I knew you would.” “Because of my less than stellar character?” Ezra muttered lowering his head. “The heartless gambler.” “I knew you would put his and my wishes above your own. I made him a promise. You honoured it for me.” Chris took two more steps and offered his hand. Standish glanced at it and then accepted the tendered thanks. “Thank you.” “No, my friend. Thank ‘you’ for your faith and trust.” ********** Ezra grinned broadly as he approached his companions. Buck and J.D. were crouched lashing a litter together. Vin was sitting against the wall of a building nearby, his wound redressed and his voice raised and insistent as he tried to convince Josiah that he was more than capable of sitting in the saddle. “Hell, I can even sleep in it, if that’s what Nathan wants! Ain‘t no need for me to be ass draggin‘ in a litter!” Standish stopped beside Nathan who was standing several feet from the other men. The healer was staring at the platform with an intensity that left him oblivious to what was going on around him. The young man just couldn’t believe he had done it. “Mr. Jackson, your timing was impeccable.” Nathan turned to Ezra and sighed. “I was standing about here when I threw the knife.” “A remarkable throw.” “It’s an impossible distance.” “But you did it, my friend. For that, I am eternally grateful.” “You get on it!” Both men turned to see Josiah, Buck and J.D. standing around Vin who was on his feet and flatly refusing to get on the mobile stretcher that had been attached to Peso. “I reckon we make a pretty good team, Southern Boy.” Ezra smiled. “That we do, Mr. Jackson. That we do.” “Don’t know why he’s so dead against the litter. He’s so damn tired he can barely stand up.“ “He was a loner. His independence is inherently linked to his survival. He still finds it difficult to relinquish control of his destiny... even to us.“ Nathan was floored by Ezra’s apparent understanding of a man who was potentially everything Ezra wasn‘t. The gambler chuckled when he noted the look of shock on his companion’s face. “Mr. Tanner and I are at opposite ends of the spectrum on a number of things, but when it comes to trying to accept that we are no longer alone, we are like two peas in a pod.“ Nathan gripped Ezra‘s shoulder. “Got more than we bargained for when we signed on to protect that village.“ “Yes, indeed.“ With that, the pair wandered over to play their part in convincing their pig-headed tracker to lay down. Unfortunately, their breath was wasted. The moment Chris reappeared, he stopped beside Vin and pointed. Tanner held his ground. The rest of the Seven tried to conceal their mirth. This would be a clash of wills and these two men were as stubborn as they came. “Get on it.” “I’m more than capable of sittin’ on my fanny and lettin’ Peso do all the work!” “I’m not in the mood for arguing.” “Couldn’t give a shit.” “You honestly tellin’ me you think you can make it back to Four Corners?” “As long as I don’t have to walk,” Vin snapped sarcastically. “Nathan?” “He’ll fall out of the saddle within ten minutes.” “Stuff you, Nathan!” “Get on the litter.” “If you like it so much, you get on it and choke on the dust.” “Vin.” “Get stuffed, Chris.” “I’m not having you fall out of the saddle.” “I won’t.” “We’ll all be there to watch your back.” “You can watch it as it rides by you on a horse.” “You tell me to my face that you feel fine,” Chris demanded. “You give me your word that you aren’t hurting or feeling tired and you can get on that horse.” Tanner started to open in mouth but clamped it shut. For several seconds he seemed to consider the proposal. Without warning be began cursing Chris with fiery passion and then started to lower himself onto the litter. Halfway down, his side started to bite. Six sets of hands grabbed him at once. The men froze, smiled and then all but Chris stepped back. With Larabee’s help, Vin settled himself. “This is stupid. Ya only need to ride on a litter when ya can’t sit in the saddle and...” “You comfortable?” “No.” Chris patted his irritated friend’s arm and then turned to the others. “We ready?” “I want to go and find my knife,” Nathan stated. “It must be somewhere around the platform.” Nathan and Josiah walked over together and began to search the ground for the missing knife. “Here it is,” the preacher called. “Brother, I’ve seen some mighty fine shooting in my day, but I haven’t ever seen anything like that.” Chris Larabee appeared behind the pair, the severed section of the rope in his hand. The three men surveyed the distance the knife had travelled and again contemplated the accuracy Nathan had with a blade. The Seven’s leader nodded to the healer. “Hell of a shot, Nathan.” The dark skinned man grinned knowing that this was the highest praise Larabee ever gave. The serious gunfighter fingered the rope in his hand and then handed it to Jackson. “Hell of a shot.” Return to "Hell of a Shot 3: To Honor Another Man's Promise" index You can drop me a note here.  © April 2001 Aussie Lass. : This relates only to the creative property in this story. The distinctive way the story unfolds, the specific dialogue and unique situations are mine. I acknowledge that some of the characters and settings belong to the owners of “The Magnificent Seven” and I thank them sincerely for turning a blind eye so I can borrow them. (g) No infrigement of copyright was intended and no profit has been made from this story... so, please don't sue me. It wouldn't be worth your while. |
