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Dogs in God's Vineyard is a part of 
Dogs in Almighty God's Vineyard.
6 Characters Here
Anna Ward [243] "The wicked have no place in the vineyard we have wrought. So sayeth the King of Life."
Charles Carver [126] "Wise man once told me, 'If I save but one soul, then all my suffering has been justified.'"
Horatio Morale [116] "Sometimes all you can do is just live day by day."
Margaret Thorne [112] "I will avenge those who have fallen, no matter the cost!"
Sonia Redwood [111] "There is no time to regret the past. You can only look forward, and strive to make a better future."
Ira Murphy [15] "You will profess your love for the One True God, or die by the flame. It is your choice."
Start Character Here »
Chesterfield went pale at Anna's ultimatum, the politician stammering as he tried to come up with a good answer. "I...w-well...I..."
Chesterfield kept that up for a good minute, clearly searching for an answer, or a way out of this in general. His eyes darted around, as if he was considering making a run for it then and there. He'd hardly get up, of course, before two pistols were pointed his way...hence the Mayor kept to his seat.
Finally, Chesterfield slumped in apparent defeat, closing his eyes as he let out a heavy sigh. He'd weighed all his options, and it seemed he'd finally come to a conclusion. "...Yes. There is something I wish to confess."
His hand moved underneath the desk at the same time, and Horatio felt a flash of sudden intuition. His eyes widened, and he dove forward, tackling Anna to the ground mere moments later.
A loud, booming sound rang out just seconds later, a bullet bursting forth from underneath the desk, flying through the air that had previously been occupied by Anna's right thigh.
Horatio was on his feet mere moments later, decades of experience and training taking over at this point. At the same time, a brief look of shock passed through Chesterfield's face. The Mayor evidently hadn't taken into account the possibility that one of the Dogs would see through his ruse before he got a shot off at one of them.
He hesitated, and that proved his downfall. Horatio had already been reaching for his holster as he bolted back up on his feet, and by the time the Mayor had registered his failure, he already had his revolver out.
Out of sheer instinct, Horatio fired off two shots at the Mayor, hitting him dead center in the chest. The bullets hit home, as two large red streams swelled from the bullet holes, staining Chesterfield's shirt.
The Mayor slumped against his chair, his vacant eyes staring forward, and his face forever frozen in surprise.
The whole exchange had taken place in less then ten seconds, and by the time it was over, Horatio was breathing heavily, his body hyped up on adrenaline. After a moment, when the elder Dog registered his opponent's death, he finally holstered his pistol.
"Well," Horatio spoke up, his voice breaking the deafening silence following the gunshots. "Shit."
At once, Horatio grimaced...cursing himself for shooting Chesterfield dead, instead of just disabling him by shooting him in the arm. In his defense though....years of instinct and honing made him go for the kill shot. In the heat of the moment, he hadn't really thought about disarming Chesterfield so he and Anna could further interrogate him.
Well. What's done was done. Chesterfield was dead....but, he had tried to shoot Anna underneath his desk, and no doubt had he succeeded, he would have shot him as well. If it was any consolation, Horatio had clearly been in the right in killing Chesterfield.
"Looks like we're down a suspect," Horatio quipped, eyeing Chesterfield's corpse in distaste.
Chesterfield kept that up for a good minute, clearly searching for an answer, or a way out of this in general. His eyes darted around, as if he was considering making a run for it then and there. He'd hardly get up, of course, before two pistols were pointed his way...hence the Mayor kept to his seat.
Finally, Chesterfield slumped in apparent defeat, closing his eyes as he let out a heavy sigh. He'd weighed all his options, and it seemed he'd finally come to a conclusion. "...Yes. There is something I wish to confess."
His hand moved underneath the desk at the same time, and Horatio felt a flash of sudden intuition. His eyes widened, and he dove forward, tackling Anna to the ground mere moments later.
A loud, booming sound rang out just seconds later, a bullet bursting forth from underneath the desk, flying through the air that had previously been occupied by Anna's right thigh.
Horatio was on his feet mere moments later, decades of experience and training taking over at this point. At the same time, a brief look of shock passed through Chesterfield's face. The Mayor evidently hadn't taken into account the possibility that one of the Dogs would see through his ruse before he got a shot off at one of them.
He hesitated, and that proved his downfall. Horatio had already been reaching for his holster as he bolted back up on his feet, and by the time the Mayor had registered his failure, he already had his revolver out.
Out of sheer instinct, Horatio fired off two shots at the Mayor, hitting him dead center in the chest. The bullets hit home, as two large red streams swelled from the bullet holes, staining Chesterfield's shirt.
The Mayor slumped against his chair, his vacant eyes staring forward, and his face forever frozen in surprise.
The whole exchange had taken place in less then ten seconds, and by the time it was over, Horatio was breathing heavily, his body hyped up on adrenaline. After a moment, when the elder Dog registered his opponent's death, he finally holstered his pistol.
"Well," Horatio spoke up, his voice breaking the deafening silence following the gunshots. "Shit."
At once, Horatio grimaced...cursing himself for shooting Chesterfield dead, instead of just disabling him by shooting him in the arm. In his defense though....years of instinct and honing made him go for the kill shot. In the heat of the moment, he hadn't really thought about disarming Chesterfield so he and Anna could further interrogate him.
Well. What's done was done. Chesterfield was dead....but, he had tried to shoot Anna underneath his desk, and no doubt had he succeeded, he would have shot him as well. If it was any consolation, Horatio had clearly been in the right in killing Chesterfield.
"Looks like we're down a suspect," Horatio quipped, eyeing Chesterfield's corpse in distaste.
Anna stared down at the mayor as a predator eyes it cornered prey, her surge of joy and anticipation hidden behind a calm mask. Finally, answers were at hand. But she was so intent on the fear in the man's eyes, that she did not see the subtle movement of his hand until a half second before Horatio tackled her to the floor.
She reacted swiftly despite the deafening blast, but Horatio was in a better position to draw first. By the time she had drawn her own revolver, still kneeling where she had been pushed down, two more gunshots thundered in the room and Chesterfield was dead.
Scowling as she stood, Anna silently chastised herself for her complacency. They had been so close. But in her pride she had underestimated the man, assuming such a politician and a coward would murder a helpless wife, but not dare fight a danger such as two Dogs.
"He must have records somewhere. Perhaps the stolen pages from Cobbs' journal. We must find something." Anna looked around for cabinets and drawers to tear through, intent on scouring every piece of paper in the office if necessary. She then paused, looking to the doorway. "People will have heard the gunshots. Perhaps you should speak with whoever comes searching, and tell them to bring the sheriff. Tell him what happened, then he can explain to the townsfolk how their mayor was a murderer. We have to search here and in his home until we find evidence of his ties to the attacks."
She reacted swiftly despite the deafening blast, but Horatio was in a better position to draw first. By the time she had drawn her own revolver, still kneeling where she had been pushed down, two more gunshots thundered in the room and Chesterfield was dead.
Scowling as she stood, Anna silently chastised herself for her complacency. They had been so close. But in her pride she had underestimated the man, assuming such a politician and a coward would murder a helpless wife, but not dare fight a danger such as two Dogs.
"He must have records somewhere. Perhaps the stolen pages from Cobbs' journal. We must find something." Anna looked around for cabinets and drawers to tear through, intent on scouring every piece of paper in the office if necessary. She then paused, looking to the doorway. "People will have heard the gunshots. Perhaps you should speak with whoever comes searching, and tell them to bring the sheriff. Tell him what happened, then he can explain to the townsfolk how their mayor was a murderer. We have to search here and in his home until we find evidence of his ties to the attacks."
A few seconds after Anna spoke, the door to the Mayor's office burst open, as Sheriff Thompson rushed in, his pistol drawn. He looked over at the two Dogs, then at the corpse of Chesterfield, before slowing holstering his weapon, heaving a heavy sigh. He looked between Anna and Horatio, an uncertain look on his face. "Well...looks like we're gonna need a new Mayor."
"Anna and I were interrogating the Mayor...backed him up in a corner, I'd say, after a few key questions. The damned fool tried to kill us after that...tried to shoot Anna through his desk." Horatio spoke up, offering the Sheriff an explanation. "We avoided that, and I shot the Mayor dead in response."
Thompson took another look at the Mayor...noticing the bullet hole going through the front of his desk. The black man gave a brisk nod shortly thereafter. "So I see. Well....can't say I'll miss him, to be frank. Cheeky bastard gave me plenty of grief after I became Sheriff. Didn't want a nigger enforcing the law in town, or so I gathered. Well, I'll go tell everyone what happened, calm folks down. I'll go over to Doc Cottle too, have him deal with the body when you're done here. Speaking of which...I was just there when I heard the gunshot. Brother Samuel is awake now, and quite eager to speak with us all when you're ready."
That said, Thompson left the office, going back outside to calm the townsfolk down.
Horatio stared after the Sheriff once he was gone, before turning back to Anna. He looked around the office, considering their options. They had plenty of time to go through the office, see if they could find any evidence connecting Chesterfield to the ranch attacks and kidnappings...but then again, Brother Samuel seemed to be awake now. He knew where the children were, and once they got a location out of him, they could get a posse together to go and get the children back, and kill the men responsible for the whole affair. Chesterfield's office would still be here when they got back...and depending on what they found out when they rescued the children, searching it might not even be necessary.
"What do you think, Anna?" Horatio glanced over at his surrogate niece, wanting her opinion on the matter. "Should we stay and search Chesterfield's office...or leave that for later, and go to Brother Samuel now?"
"Anna and I were interrogating the Mayor...backed him up in a corner, I'd say, after a few key questions. The damned fool tried to kill us after that...tried to shoot Anna through his desk." Horatio spoke up, offering the Sheriff an explanation. "We avoided that, and I shot the Mayor dead in response."
Thompson took another look at the Mayor...noticing the bullet hole going through the front of his desk. The black man gave a brisk nod shortly thereafter. "So I see. Well....can't say I'll miss him, to be frank. Cheeky bastard gave me plenty of grief after I became Sheriff. Didn't want a nigger enforcing the law in town, or so I gathered. Well, I'll go tell everyone what happened, calm folks down. I'll go over to Doc Cottle too, have him deal with the body when you're done here. Speaking of which...I was just there when I heard the gunshot. Brother Samuel is awake now, and quite eager to speak with us all when you're ready."
That said, Thompson left the office, going back outside to calm the townsfolk down.
Horatio stared after the Sheriff once he was gone, before turning back to Anna. He looked around the office, considering their options. They had plenty of time to go through the office, see if they could find any evidence connecting Chesterfield to the ranch attacks and kidnappings...but then again, Brother Samuel seemed to be awake now. He knew where the children were, and once they got a location out of him, they could get a posse together to go and get the children back, and kill the men responsible for the whole affair. Chesterfield's office would still be here when they got back...and depending on what they found out when they rescued the children, searching it might not even be necessary.
"What do you think, Anna?" Horatio glanced over at his surrogate niece, wanting her opinion on the matter. "Should we stay and search Chesterfield's office...or leave that for later, and go to Brother Samuel now?"
Anna whirled toward the doorway as soon as she heard footsteps, her hand on her holster, but she relaxed as soon as she saw Thompson. One small favor from the Lord, at least. Better he be the one to learn of the mayor's death first, and then the townsfolk would hear the news from someone they knew.
She let Horatio explain what had happened as she continued to look around the office, paying no mind to the cooling corpse still in its chair. There was nothing obvious to see, but Chesterfield had certainly been no fool, aside from the actions that led to his death.
Looking back as Horatio spoke to her, Anna frowned to herself. There was certainly a chance that Chesterfield had accomplices in town. And once they knew he was dead, they would be sure to destroy any evidence he'd left behind. Of course, they might instead ride out to warn whoever was holding the children.
And if Anna was to do nothing else in Red Road, she had to find those children. "We need to save those children. Sheriff Thompson can lock up the office here and we'll search it later. Right now we have to find out where the children are being kept and round up the posse, before it's too late."
She let Horatio explain what had happened as she continued to look around the office, paying no mind to the cooling corpse still in its chair. There was nothing obvious to see, but Chesterfield had certainly been no fool, aside from the actions that led to his death.
Looking back as Horatio spoke to her, Anna frowned to herself. There was certainly a chance that Chesterfield had accomplices in town. And once they knew he was dead, they would be sure to destroy any evidence he'd left behind. Of course, they might instead ride out to warn whoever was holding the children.
And if Anna was to do nothing else in Red Road, she had to find those children. "We need to save those children. Sheriff Thompson can lock up the office here and we'll search it later. Right now we have to find out where the children are being kept and round up the posse, before it's too late."
Horatio gave Anna an even nod. "Makes sense. All right, then. Let's see what Brother Samuel has to say."
The two Dogs left the Mayor's office soon enough. A few townsfolk were still nearby, but scurried away rather quickly, upon seeing them. Word had spread quickly from Sheriff Thompson, it seemed, on what happened to the Mayor.
The two made their way to Doc Cottle's office soon enough, stepping inside fairly quickly. Brother Samuel was indeed awake, sitting on a chair as he took a sip of whiskey no doubt provided to him by Doc Cottle.
"Good to see you awake, Brother Samuel." Horatio greeted, nodding to the bruised man. "I'm Dog Horatio...and this is my partner, Dog Anna."
"You're the Dogs? You've arrived, then?" Brother Samuel gave the duo a relieved smile. "Thank the Prophet! It must be a sign that you're here, the same day I came back to town...surely the Prophet Himself is guiding our hands."
Sheriff Thompson arrived a few moments later, interrupting their conversation. He noticed the Dogs, though he didn't look all that surprised to see the Dogs had beaten him there. "I've spread word through the town what happened with the Mayor. No one particularly liked Chesterfield, so no one's gonna question you two too much about what happened. Some people might be eager to loot his office though...and his house too, no doubt. The Mayor was quite wealthy, after all. I laid the law clear though, and it didn't hurt to mention you two still might want to search through his things. Ain't nobody in this town about to do something as foolish as antagonize a Dog, so Chesterfield's office and home should be safe. I locked them up for good measure though, just in case."
"The Mayor's dead?" Brother Samuel spoke up, looking over at them in surprise. "Goodness. How much has changed since I've been away?"
"Quite a bit." Sheriff Thompson gave an uncomfortable little sigh, grimacing. "Lord, you left on your trip before....well, hate to break it to you, Brother, but I'm afraid Sheriff Cobbs is dead now. Got killed a few days ago...not sure who yet, but no doubt the culprit is involved in what's been happening lately."
Brother Samuel looked stricken at that, heaving a heavy sigh. "I see. May the Prophet have mercy on Jacob's soul...and show mercy and guidance to his poor widow. Well, if I have my way, Cobbs' death shall be the last in this town. The devils behind these tragedies will not go unpunished any longer!"
Horatio chimed up, wanting to get to the bottom of things post haste. "We all want that, Brother. Now...before you fainted, you said you knew where the children were. Do you still remember?"
"Yes, I do." Samuel gave a hurried nod. "Perhaps I should start at the beginning. A week ago, I left Red Road on personal business. Maybe halfway through my trip, I was ambushed by these bandits...they forced me off my horse at gunpoint, and tied me up, bringing me back over to their....base. They noticed the robes I wore....the vestments of the priesthood are quite memorable, after all. I believe they intended to get a ransom out of me....that's what they talked about when they brought me over to their base.
"I knew things were even worse than they seemed when they stowed me away, put me in a tent with the...the children. I think all of them were there...tied up, crying, frightened beyond belief. Quite obviously underfed....the poor souls....I tried to comfort them best I could, but when I saw them, I knew I had to get out of here...warn the Sheriff, warn the Dogs, if they had come to town by then. My own safety hardly compared to that of the childrens'. I knew where they were, and I had to get help to rescue them.
"I bid my time...waiting for an opportunity to present itself. Then, yesterday, the Lord blessed my prayers, for such an opportunity did come up. One of the bandits was drunk when they came to feed us, and quite foolishly dropped the knife he'd been using to cut up bread for us to eat. I grabbed it before he could find it...and the fool gave up when he couldn't immediately find it. When he left, I used the knife to cut through my ropes. I succeeded....and while I wished nothing more than to free the children as well, I couldn't risk it! Lord save me...I wanted to help them so much, but freeing them then and there might make things worse. I had no other weapon on me...and it was doubtful I could sneak out of camp with all the children, without one of them making a sound. And then, the trek through the desert! I had no earthly idea if the children could survive such a harsh pace, as weak as they were....God help me, I had to leave them behind. I promised them...I promised I'd come back for them, though!"
Samuel paused there, shuddering as he closed his eyes....quite clearly distraught at what he'd had to do. It weighed heavily on his mind, by all appearances. Still, he soldiered on, speaking again after a moment. "God knows how long I walked, after I snuck out...the hours bled into each other, becoming a blur. The last thing I remember was...arriving near Red Road, and someone...finding me, and bringing me into town."
"Where are the children, Brother? Do you remember where they took you? Where you were held?" Horatio inquired, once the man finished. He didn't envy him at all for the awful choice he'd faced...a part of him thought the Brother could have done better, but even he doubted that the stolen children, malnourished and weak as they no doubt were, would have survived a day's trek through the desert, with no food or water, and a raging sun beating down on them. Not to mention the bandits would have gone after them en masse, no doubt, making their chances even grimmer.
"Yes...I remember. It looked like....an old, abandoned army fort. The kind used by the government to keep watch on unfriendly Natives." Samuel declared, closing his eyes as he recalled the place.
"Are you talking about Fort Jefferson?" the Sheriff spoke up, clearly knowing what the priest was talking about. "It's abandoned, all right...got shut up by the government after the Southern War ended. Yes...makes sense that they might establish themselves there. No one's using it, after all. Perfect place to hide out, and stow away the children."
For the first time since coming to this forsaken town, Horatio smiled. He still wasn't sure what was going on here...why these children were being taken, or by who. But that hardly mattered. Not when the end was so close. They needed to go rescue the children...and now they knew where they were. "Well, then. Seems like we know where to go. All we need is a posse, and we can go kill those bastards, and get the children back."
Easier said then done, of course. They couldn't just go to the Fort, guns blazing. Unless the Fort was severely ruined, the place was no doubt sealed up tight. The bandits wouldn't let anyone in they didn't want to.
Still....the end to this whole mess was near, Horatio felt it in his bones. The tragedies of Red Road would soon be put to rest...and the children would be set free from their prison.
The two Dogs left the Mayor's office soon enough. A few townsfolk were still nearby, but scurried away rather quickly, upon seeing them. Word had spread quickly from Sheriff Thompson, it seemed, on what happened to the Mayor.
The two made their way to Doc Cottle's office soon enough, stepping inside fairly quickly. Brother Samuel was indeed awake, sitting on a chair as he took a sip of whiskey no doubt provided to him by Doc Cottle.
"Good to see you awake, Brother Samuel." Horatio greeted, nodding to the bruised man. "I'm Dog Horatio...and this is my partner, Dog Anna."
"You're the Dogs? You've arrived, then?" Brother Samuel gave the duo a relieved smile. "Thank the Prophet! It must be a sign that you're here, the same day I came back to town...surely the Prophet Himself is guiding our hands."
Sheriff Thompson arrived a few moments later, interrupting their conversation. He noticed the Dogs, though he didn't look all that surprised to see the Dogs had beaten him there. "I've spread word through the town what happened with the Mayor. No one particularly liked Chesterfield, so no one's gonna question you two too much about what happened. Some people might be eager to loot his office though...and his house too, no doubt. The Mayor was quite wealthy, after all. I laid the law clear though, and it didn't hurt to mention you two still might want to search through his things. Ain't nobody in this town about to do something as foolish as antagonize a Dog, so Chesterfield's office and home should be safe. I locked them up for good measure though, just in case."
"The Mayor's dead?" Brother Samuel spoke up, looking over at them in surprise. "Goodness. How much has changed since I've been away?"
"Quite a bit." Sheriff Thompson gave an uncomfortable little sigh, grimacing. "Lord, you left on your trip before....well, hate to break it to you, Brother, but I'm afraid Sheriff Cobbs is dead now. Got killed a few days ago...not sure who yet, but no doubt the culprit is involved in what's been happening lately."
Brother Samuel looked stricken at that, heaving a heavy sigh. "I see. May the Prophet have mercy on Jacob's soul...and show mercy and guidance to his poor widow. Well, if I have my way, Cobbs' death shall be the last in this town. The devils behind these tragedies will not go unpunished any longer!"
Horatio chimed up, wanting to get to the bottom of things post haste. "We all want that, Brother. Now...before you fainted, you said you knew where the children were. Do you still remember?"
"Yes, I do." Samuel gave a hurried nod. "Perhaps I should start at the beginning. A week ago, I left Red Road on personal business. Maybe halfway through my trip, I was ambushed by these bandits...they forced me off my horse at gunpoint, and tied me up, bringing me back over to their....base. They noticed the robes I wore....the vestments of the priesthood are quite memorable, after all. I believe they intended to get a ransom out of me....that's what they talked about when they brought me over to their base.
"I knew things were even worse than they seemed when they stowed me away, put me in a tent with the...the children. I think all of them were there...tied up, crying, frightened beyond belief. Quite obviously underfed....the poor souls....I tried to comfort them best I could, but when I saw them, I knew I had to get out of here...warn the Sheriff, warn the Dogs, if they had come to town by then. My own safety hardly compared to that of the childrens'. I knew where they were, and I had to get help to rescue them.
"I bid my time...waiting for an opportunity to present itself. Then, yesterday, the Lord blessed my prayers, for such an opportunity did come up. One of the bandits was drunk when they came to feed us, and quite foolishly dropped the knife he'd been using to cut up bread for us to eat. I grabbed it before he could find it...and the fool gave up when he couldn't immediately find it. When he left, I used the knife to cut through my ropes. I succeeded....and while I wished nothing more than to free the children as well, I couldn't risk it! Lord save me...I wanted to help them so much, but freeing them then and there might make things worse. I had no other weapon on me...and it was doubtful I could sneak out of camp with all the children, without one of them making a sound. And then, the trek through the desert! I had no earthly idea if the children could survive such a harsh pace, as weak as they were....God help me, I had to leave them behind. I promised them...I promised I'd come back for them, though!"
Samuel paused there, shuddering as he closed his eyes....quite clearly distraught at what he'd had to do. It weighed heavily on his mind, by all appearances. Still, he soldiered on, speaking again after a moment. "God knows how long I walked, after I snuck out...the hours bled into each other, becoming a blur. The last thing I remember was...arriving near Red Road, and someone...finding me, and bringing me into town."
"Where are the children, Brother? Do you remember where they took you? Where you were held?" Horatio inquired, once the man finished. He didn't envy him at all for the awful choice he'd faced...a part of him thought the Brother could have done better, but even he doubted that the stolen children, malnourished and weak as they no doubt were, would have survived a day's trek through the desert, with no food or water, and a raging sun beating down on them. Not to mention the bandits would have gone after them en masse, no doubt, making their chances even grimmer.
"Yes...I remember. It looked like....an old, abandoned army fort. The kind used by the government to keep watch on unfriendly Natives." Samuel declared, closing his eyes as he recalled the place.
"Are you talking about Fort Jefferson?" the Sheriff spoke up, clearly knowing what the priest was talking about. "It's abandoned, all right...got shut up by the government after the Southern War ended. Yes...makes sense that they might establish themselves there. No one's using it, after all. Perfect place to hide out, and stow away the children."
For the first time since coming to this forsaken town, Horatio smiled. He still wasn't sure what was going on here...why these children were being taken, or by who. But that hardly mattered. Not when the end was so close. They needed to go rescue the children...and now they knew where they were. "Well, then. Seems like we know where to go. All we need is a posse, and we can go kill those bastards, and get the children back."
Easier said then done, of course. They couldn't just go to the Fort, guns blazing. Unless the Fort was severely ruined, the place was no doubt sealed up tight. The bandits wouldn't let anyone in they didn't want to.
Still....the end to this whole mess was near, Horatio felt it in his bones. The tragedies of Red Road would soon be put to rest...and the children would be set free from their prison.
Anna met Horatio's smile with a tight grin of her own. Finally, they had a definite target. They could end Red Road's troubles permanently. "Sheriff, gather every stout hearted man and woman in town. We need the posse ready to ride out as soon as possible."
She then looked back to Samuel. "You did the right thing, Brother. We will be able to deliver the Lord's justice and rescue those children, all because of you."
The question that remained was how they would approach the fort. The posse would provide manpower, but they were still only townsfolk. Against a fortified position like a military fort, the monsters inside could easily cut down any attacking force. "How many men did you see there, Brother? What sort of armaments did they have? What sort of state was the fort in?"
Pausing, Anna glanced over to Horatio. "We could possibly have the sheriff and the posse wait a short distance away while we scale the walls of the fort under the cover of night. If we deal with enough of the men inside and then to open the gates, we can then send a signal for them to ride in and deal with anyone that remains."
She then looked back to Samuel. "You did the right thing, Brother. We will be able to deliver the Lord's justice and rescue those children, all because of you."
The question that remained was how they would approach the fort. The posse would provide manpower, but they were still only townsfolk. Against a fortified position like a military fort, the monsters inside could easily cut down any attacking force. "How many men did you see there, Brother? What sort of armaments did they have? What sort of state was the fort in?"
Pausing, Anna glanced over to Horatio. "We could possibly have the sheriff and the posse wait a short distance away while we scale the walls of the fort under the cover of night. If we deal with enough of the men inside and then to open the gates, we can then send a signal for them to ride in and deal with anyone that remains."
"I can't say for sure how many there were, but....a dozen, I think. Six ambushed me on the road...and I saw at least six other men when I was taken to the fort. Far as I know, they only have rifles, pistols, and shotguns...typical bandit weaponry. And the fort wasn't in the best of shapes. It's suffered in the decades since its abandonment. There was an entire wall that had crumbled...leaving a gaping hole in the fort's defenses." Brother Samuel dutifully reported.
Horatio gave a little nod at that. Good...they could use that hole to slip into the Fort, then. They'd still need to employ stealth, though....wouldn't do to give the bandits advanced warning that a posse was riding up. But that crumbled section of wall was their ticket into the place.
"I'll go gather up a posse. I'm sure every able-bodied soul in Red Road will want a piece of this; everybody wants to see those children back, safe and sound." Sheriff Thompson proclaimed. He gave Brother Samuel a little nod, and left the office.
"You can count me in." Doc Cottle proclaimed, giving Anna a wry smile. "Got plenty of experience with Ol' Betsy on the wall there. 'Sides, might need a medic to patch up any wounds the posse gets, when we kill those sons of bitches."
"Your help would be appreciated, Doc." Horatio replied. He looked back over to Anna, considering their plan of action. "Going over there under the cover of night still sounds like our best option...we'll just have an easier time getting in there. Just need to make sure we and the posse aren't spotted when we're sneaking our way over to that crumbled wall. I'd be surprised if those bandits didn't have somebody guarding that hole, day and night."
Horatio gave a little nod at that. Good...they could use that hole to slip into the Fort, then. They'd still need to employ stealth, though....wouldn't do to give the bandits advanced warning that a posse was riding up. But that crumbled section of wall was their ticket into the place.
"I'll go gather up a posse. I'm sure every able-bodied soul in Red Road will want a piece of this; everybody wants to see those children back, safe and sound." Sheriff Thompson proclaimed. He gave Brother Samuel a little nod, and left the office.
"You can count me in." Doc Cottle proclaimed, giving Anna a wry smile. "Got plenty of experience with Ol' Betsy on the wall there. 'Sides, might need a medic to patch up any wounds the posse gets, when we kill those sons of bitches."
"Your help would be appreciated, Doc." Horatio replied. He looked back over to Anna, considering their plan of action. "Going over there under the cover of night still sounds like our best option...we'll just have an easier time getting in there. Just need to make sure we and the posse aren't spotted when we're sneaking our way over to that crumbled wall. I'd be surprised if those bandits didn't have somebody guarding that hole, day and night."
The brother had reported two dozen, and therefore Anna presumed there would be three dozen when they arrived. Perhaps not the best of odd, even with a posse. Or rather not the best odds for someone without the Lord's blessing. The fact that the fort's walls were already damaged and vulnerable was as clear a sign as Anna had ever seen. Now all they had to do was act and fulfill His wishes.
Anna drew in a slow breath, careful to temper her excitement. "We'll ride out at dusk and dismount a mile or two from the fort. The posse will remain there and wait for a signal while myself and Horatio approach on foot. If we sneak in near hour before dawn, they'll be at their most vulnerable. We'll dispatch any sentries, open the fort gates, and light a fire to signal the posse to ride in.
She nodded over to the doctor, her stoic expression briefly faltering into a fierce grin in return. "I appreciate your enthusiasm for the Lord's justice, but I need you to mind a wagon with food, water, medical supplies, so you can treat anyone who needs immediate attention, especially the children. And while the children are being transported back here, you will need to defend them if any of these murderers not at the fort when we attack."
Pausing, Anna looked over to Horatio. Admittedly, one could say she was speaking out of turn, given her youth. But she trusted that she and Horatio were thinking similarly. Regardless, it was at least proper to defer to the Pack's leader. "Do you think there anything else to consider, Horatio?"
Anna drew in a slow breath, careful to temper her excitement. "We'll ride out at dusk and dismount a mile or two from the fort. The posse will remain there and wait for a signal while myself and Horatio approach on foot. If we sneak in near hour before dawn, they'll be at their most vulnerable. We'll dispatch any sentries, open the fort gates, and light a fire to signal the posse to ride in.
She nodded over to the doctor, her stoic expression briefly faltering into a fierce grin in return. "I appreciate your enthusiasm for the Lord's justice, but I need you to mind a wagon with food, water, medical supplies, so you can treat anyone who needs immediate attention, especially the children. And while the children are being transported back here, you will need to defend them if any of these murderers not at the fort when we attack."
Pausing, Anna looked over to Horatio. Admittedly, one could say she was speaking out of turn, given her youth. But she trusted that she and Horatio were thinking similarly. Regardless, it was at least proper to defer to the Pack's leader. "Do you think there anything else to consider, Horatio?"
"No...that sounds like a fine plan, Anna." Horatio gave an approving nod, proud to hear his surrogate daughter come up with such a brilliant plan of attack. Anna would make a fine tactician.
"I'd like to come too." Brother Samuel spoke up, drawing their attention. The ragged priest gave the two Dogs a weary smile, trying to belay any worries they had. "I may not be of sound body and mind at the moment, but...the children....I need to make sure they're rescued. I know you have things in hand, Watchdog, but it would...I just need to be certain. The wait would be agonizing...I need to know the children are safe the moment the bandits are slain. If nothing else....the children would be comforted by a familiar face, no?"
Horatio gave a slow, even nod as he considered the Brother's request. He couldn't blame the man for wanting to tag along. And he was right....it'd be good for the children to see a familiar face after all the gunfire died down. Have someone along to calm them down, make sure they didn't hurt themselves, or something.
"All right Brother. You can come along. You'll ride there with Doc Cottle...you'll be safest there." Horatio allowed. Brother Samuel gave a thankful sigh in reply, giving the older Dog a tired smile.
"Now then..." Horatio turned to Anna, switching his attention to focus on the task at hand. "We just need to get the posse together, and wait for dusk. Then....we ride out."
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In the hours that came in went, Red Road was driven into a frenzy of activity. Word spread around about the whereabouts of the missing children, and over half the town begged the Dogs and the Sheriff to be part of the posse that would go after them. Even those who did not have a favorable view of the Dogs volunteered their services; the issue of the children seemed to unite the town behind the Watchdogs.
After a thorough vetting by Sheriff Thomspon, though, the posse was soon selected from amongst the volunteers. Sixteen people in total, not counting the Dogs, Sheriff Thompson, Doc Cottle, and Brother Samuel; men [and a few women] who were more than proficient with a gun, and could supply themselves with a rifle and the needed bullets. All had some experience in firearms....some of them were hunters and trappers, others had been in shootouts before, and one older man was even a veteran of the Southern War, and had ample combat experience to make him more than qualified to join the posse.
Once dusk started to set, the posse set off. Eleven horses (eight for the posse, two people a saddle with Anna, Horatio, and Sheriff Thompson riding solo) plus a wagon driven by Doc Cottle and Brother Samuel, altogether a formidable war party.
Using a map provided by the Sheriff [plus directions from Brother Samuel, who remembered some of the route he'd been taken on to the fort], the posse rode on to Fort Jefferson, making their way there in quick time.
The posse came to a slow trod once they were a mile or two away from the fort, to mask their approach, and came to a complete halt when the fort was within seeing distance. Torches that had been used for light were snuffed out, and Anna and Horatio went into action.
The trek to the fort took time...going on foot now, as they were, and having to keep as quite as possible so as to not attract attention from any sentries. Step by step, the two Dogs made their way over to the fort...and sure enough, as the Brother had said, there was a gaping hole in one of the walls of the fortress. Two visible sentries were posted outside the hole, the two bandits talking indistinctly about something or another. Anna and Horatio had crept up to the very walls of the fortress itself....carefully following along the corner, the two of them currently out of sight by the outside sentries. One turn of the corner though, and they'd be out in the open.
Horatio turned to look over at his protege, doing his best to speak quietly and softly. The older Dog held a Bowie knife in his hand; given how impractical using a gun here would be [one shot, and they'd have the entire fort rallied against them], using that sort of weapon seemed better.
"How do you wanna handle them?" he inquired, peeking his head around the corner to get another look at the sentries. They were still there, and hadn't budged since their stealthy arrival to the Fort. Both bandits were clearly armed, rifles held idly in their hands.
"I'd like to come too." Brother Samuel spoke up, drawing their attention. The ragged priest gave the two Dogs a weary smile, trying to belay any worries they had. "I may not be of sound body and mind at the moment, but...the children....I need to make sure they're rescued. I know you have things in hand, Watchdog, but it would...I just need to be certain. The wait would be agonizing...I need to know the children are safe the moment the bandits are slain. If nothing else....the children would be comforted by a familiar face, no?"
Horatio gave a slow, even nod as he considered the Brother's request. He couldn't blame the man for wanting to tag along. And he was right....it'd be good for the children to see a familiar face after all the gunfire died down. Have someone along to calm them down, make sure they didn't hurt themselves, or something.
"All right Brother. You can come along. You'll ride there with Doc Cottle...you'll be safest there." Horatio allowed. Brother Samuel gave a thankful sigh in reply, giving the older Dog a tired smile.
"Now then..." Horatio turned to Anna, switching his attention to focus on the task at hand. "We just need to get the posse together, and wait for dusk. Then....we ride out."
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In the hours that came in went, Red Road was driven into a frenzy of activity. Word spread around about the whereabouts of the missing children, and over half the town begged the Dogs and the Sheriff to be part of the posse that would go after them. Even those who did not have a favorable view of the Dogs volunteered their services; the issue of the children seemed to unite the town behind the Watchdogs.
After a thorough vetting by Sheriff Thomspon, though, the posse was soon selected from amongst the volunteers. Sixteen people in total, not counting the Dogs, Sheriff Thompson, Doc Cottle, and Brother Samuel; men [and a few women] who were more than proficient with a gun, and could supply themselves with a rifle and the needed bullets. All had some experience in firearms....some of them were hunters and trappers, others had been in shootouts before, and one older man was even a veteran of the Southern War, and had ample combat experience to make him more than qualified to join the posse.
Once dusk started to set, the posse set off. Eleven horses (eight for the posse, two people a saddle with Anna, Horatio, and Sheriff Thompson riding solo) plus a wagon driven by Doc Cottle and Brother Samuel, altogether a formidable war party.
Using a map provided by the Sheriff [plus directions from Brother Samuel, who remembered some of the route he'd been taken on to the fort], the posse rode on to Fort Jefferson, making their way there in quick time.
The posse came to a slow trod once they were a mile or two away from the fort, to mask their approach, and came to a complete halt when the fort was within seeing distance. Torches that had been used for light were snuffed out, and Anna and Horatio went into action.
The trek to the fort took time...going on foot now, as they were, and having to keep as quite as possible so as to not attract attention from any sentries. Step by step, the two Dogs made their way over to the fort...and sure enough, as the Brother had said, there was a gaping hole in one of the walls of the fortress. Two visible sentries were posted outside the hole, the two bandits talking indistinctly about something or another. Anna and Horatio had crept up to the very walls of the fortress itself....carefully following along the corner, the two of them currently out of sight by the outside sentries. One turn of the corner though, and they'd be out in the open.
Horatio turned to look over at his protege, doing his best to speak quietly and softly. The older Dog held a Bowie knife in his hand; given how impractical using a gun here would be [one shot, and they'd have the entire fort rallied against them], using that sort of weapon seemed better.
"How do you wanna handle them?" he inquired, peeking his head around the corner to get another look at the sentries. They were still there, and hadn't budged since their stealthy arrival to the Fort. Both bandits were clearly armed, rifles held idly in their hands.
Anna had been restless for the entire ride out to the fort, quietly reciting prayers to herself as she tried to rein in her excitement. She would certainly not admit it, but she loved these final moments, where the sinners were cornered in their nests, ready to blindly lash out before they would inevitably be put down.
Finally, they reached the point where they had to dismount, and Anna grinned to herself as they approached the rest of the way on foot. They were close now, so close to bringing justice down upon them all. She would be sure to leave one alive, though. After the rest were dead and the children rescued, they would have all the time in the world to pry the truth from the last sinner among them.
But Anna forced herself to focus on the present as she and Horatio crept up to the edge of the fort. Only two sentries, but still more than enough to raise an alarm. She drew one of the small throwing knives from her belt as she whispered back to Horatio. "We only need to draw them closer and strike quickly." Glancing down, Anna kicked a rock across the ground. The noise would be enough to raise their curiosity, but not their suspicion if they only presumed that it was a coyote or some other beast. At least, that was all Anna could pray for. She crouched down, waiting to lunge forward as soon as the guards had stepped around the corner.
Finally, they reached the point where they had to dismount, and Anna grinned to herself as they approached the rest of the way on foot. They were close now, so close to bringing justice down upon them all. She would be sure to leave one alive, though. After the rest were dead and the children rescued, they would have all the time in the world to pry the truth from the last sinner among them.
But Anna forced herself to focus on the present as she and Horatio crept up to the edge of the fort. Only two sentries, but still more than enough to raise an alarm. She drew one of the small throwing knives from her belt as she whispered back to Horatio. "We only need to draw them closer and strike quickly." Glancing down, Anna kicked a rock across the ground. The noise would be enough to raise their curiosity, but not their suspicion if they only presumed that it was a coyote or some other beast. At least, that was all Anna could pray for. She crouched down, waiting to lunge forward as soon as the guards had stepped around the corner.
The guards heard the noise, sure enough, and looked around, trying to catch where it had come from. The two bandits conversed for a brief minute, before they left their posts, heading over to the corner Anna and Horatio hid behind. Their footsteps echoed softly into the dirt and gravel below them, announcing their presence as they came closer and closer to the Pack...
They rounded the corner, not expecting anything at all....and that was when Horatio struck. While Anna dealt with the other guard, he leaped, tackling the man to his right! They tumbled to the ground hard, Horatio landing on top of him. In the chaos of the fall, the bandit's gun was knocked loose from his hands, giving the older Dog a prime opportunity to slay his opponent.
Before he could cry for help, he roughly grabbed the man's face, using it as leverage to smash his head against the ground and cover his mouth, at the same time. Dazed from both the sudden tackle and the blow to the head, the bandit wasn't prepared at all when Horatio plunged his Bowie knife into the man's throat! His blade pierced straight through the sinner's neck, the blade sticking into the ground beneath them as he bleed out, squirts of blood shooting out from the severe wound. The man below him was seizing up as he gave a muffled cry....gurgling out his last breaths as he struggled beneath Horatio.
The bandit became still all too soon, the stab to his neck near instantly fatal. Crimson blood stained the man's shirt, seeping down to his chest as blood flowed from the wound on his neck; it even stuck to Horatio some too, staining his own clothes. Not to mention the squirts of blood that had splashed against his own face. It was a minor annoyance, but one Horatio was more than used to, given his job.
Hell, he was more than used to killing a man (or woman) up close. He'd done as much with the Marston gang...hunting those bastards down over the years. When he had to, he'd shoot them from a distance...but for most of the kills, they'd been up close and personal. Sometimes he'd even used his own hands.
The men that tortured him and murdered his family deserved no less, after all. And Chester Marston would suffer a similar fate to that of his men, once he finally found that son of a bitch.
Horatio stayed atop the bandit a moment more, before finally climbing back up to his feet, dusting himself off slightly. He reached down and pulled his Bowie knife from out of the bandit's neck, the blade of his weapon now soaked in blood. His coat and shirt were equally stained crimson, and more than a few streaks of red coated his face. The blood wasn't in his eyes though, so he didn't wipe it off just yet. Perhaps it'd even serve some good; maybe sight of a blood-streaked man would help demoralize the gang of bandits.
He turned to face his protege, curious to see how Anna had dealt with her target. "Everything clear on your end, Anna?"
They rounded the corner, not expecting anything at all....and that was when Horatio struck. While Anna dealt with the other guard, he leaped, tackling the man to his right! They tumbled to the ground hard, Horatio landing on top of him. In the chaos of the fall, the bandit's gun was knocked loose from his hands, giving the older Dog a prime opportunity to slay his opponent.
Before he could cry for help, he roughly grabbed the man's face, using it as leverage to smash his head against the ground and cover his mouth, at the same time. Dazed from both the sudden tackle and the blow to the head, the bandit wasn't prepared at all when Horatio plunged his Bowie knife into the man's throat! His blade pierced straight through the sinner's neck, the blade sticking into the ground beneath them as he bleed out, squirts of blood shooting out from the severe wound. The man below him was seizing up as he gave a muffled cry....gurgling out his last breaths as he struggled beneath Horatio.
The bandit became still all too soon, the stab to his neck near instantly fatal. Crimson blood stained the man's shirt, seeping down to his chest as blood flowed from the wound on his neck; it even stuck to Horatio some too, staining his own clothes. Not to mention the squirts of blood that had splashed against his own face. It was a minor annoyance, but one Horatio was more than used to, given his job.
Hell, he was more than used to killing a man (or woman) up close. He'd done as much with the Marston gang...hunting those bastards down over the years. When he had to, he'd shoot them from a distance...but for most of the kills, they'd been up close and personal. Sometimes he'd even used his own hands.
The men that tortured him and murdered his family deserved no less, after all. And Chester Marston would suffer a similar fate to that of his men, once he finally found that son of a bitch.
Horatio stayed atop the bandit a moment more, before finally climbing back up to his feet, dusting himself off slightly. He reached down and pulled his Bowie knife from out of the bandit's neck, the blade of his weapon now soaked in blood. His coat and shirt were equally stained crimson, and more than a few streaks of red coated his face. The blood wasn't in his eyes though, so he didn't wipe it off just yet. Perhaps it'd even serve some good; maybe sight of a blood-streaked man would help demoralize the gang of bandits.
He turned to face his protege, curious to see how Anna had dealt with her target. "Everything clear on your end, Anna?"
The crunch of boots against the dirt was all to easy to hear in the empty night. Anna tensed, gripping the small knife in her hand. She waited a half second, drawing in a slow breath emptying her mind of any distraction. There was nothing but her and the man who needed to die. The two figures rounded the corner and Horatio lept first. While they grappled across the ground she lunged for the second man, jabbing her fist out at the man's throat. The sinner coughed and gasped, but nothing louder than a wheezing breath came out.
But he recovered his wits quickly enough, and his hand reached for the revolver holstered on his belt. Anna jabbed her knife down, cutting into the man's wrist before he could reach the gun. He let out a wheezing cry, stumbling back and grasping at the bleeding gash, then lashed out wildly with his other arm. Anna ducked under the blow and thrust her arm out, her knife digging deep into the man's throat. She drew the blade out just as quickly, leaving him gurgling amidst the blood steadily oozing from his neck as he stumbled back onto the ground.
Anna didn't bat an eye as the corpse twitched faintly before finally falling still. One less sinner in the world, and certainly one far worse than any petty bandit she had killed before. She wiped her blade clean on the sleeve of her coat before looking over to Horatio. Blood spattered as his stood, he perhaps had not killed his opponent with quite as much finesse, but Anna could not fault his effectiveness.
She peered out into the darkness as she made her way to the hole in the wall, then whispered over to Horatio. "We need to open the gates, then quickly set fire to wherever they're stabling their horses. That will provide both the signal to the posse and chaos they need to deal with these sinners. All we need do then is find the children and protect them until the posse arrives. And ensure we have one of these wretches left alive to question."
But he recovered his wits quickly enough, and his hand reached for the revolver holstered on his belt. Anna jabbed her knife down, cutting into the man's wrist before he could reach the gun. He let out a wheezing cry, stumbling back and grasping at the bleeding gash, then lashed out wildly with his other arm. Anna ducked under the blow and thrust her arm out, her knife digging deep into the man's throat. She drew the blade out just as quickly, leaving him gurgling amidst the blood steadily oozing from his neck as he stumbled back onto the ground.
Anna didn't bat an eye as the corpse twitched faintly before finally falling still. One less sinner in the world, and certainly one far worse than any petty bandit she had killed before. She wiped her blade clean on the sleeve of her coat before looking over to Horatio. Blood spattered as his stood, he perhaps had not killed his opponent with quite as much finesse, but Anna could not fault his effectiveness.
She peered out into the darkness as she made her way to the hole in the wall, then whispered over to Horatio. "We need to open the gates, then quickly set fire to wherever they're stabling their horses. That will provide both the signal to the posse and chaos they need to deal with these sinners. All we need do then is find the children and protect them until the posse arrives. And ensure we have one of these wretches left alive to question."
Horatio gave a dim nod, taking Anna's words into consideration. "Good thinking, Anna. I'm not sure about the fire, though. Carries too much of a risk. What if it spreads across the entire fort? Even if it doesn't, we don't know for sure where the children are, yet. If we start a fire, we carry the risk of choking them to death with the smoke. if they're close to the stables. How would we put the fire out, anyway? There isn't a well anywhere nearby, or a river or lake. We'd pretty much have to let it burn out, and that carries too much risk with it, I'd say."
Horatio frowned, idly rubbing his chin as he thought matters over. A fire was risky, but if they could somehow just contain it to the stables, it might work. Even then, though, it seemed too much of a risk. In retrospect, they should have brought Brother Samuel with them; he was a liability in the field, sure, but there was a good chance he'd remember the layout of the bandits' camp. Even if he didn't, he'd certainly know where the children were being kept.
At any rate...they did need to create a distraction to create some chaos in the fort, while they signaled the posse to join them. But what could that be?
"Perhaps just setting the horses loose would be enough," Horatio finally suggested, giving a little nod. "We untie them, do something to spook the lot of them, and watch 'em run wild. The bandits will be besides themselves trying to calm down their beasts. Meanwhile, we signal the posse with the fire from a match....Sheriff Thompson has a spyglass on him, so he'd see a flame that tiny. And with the chaos from rounding up their horses, the bandits will be torn to shreds when our reinforcements come charging in."
That sounded like a solid enough plan to Horatio. It would likely mean most of the horses the bandits had would be killed during the firefight....which was a shame. The horses were innocent in any wrongdoing committed by these foul men, after all. Still, it was a necessary sacrifice to rescue the children.
"We'll need to find out where the children are first, though." he added, after a moment's thought. "Make sure we're there to protect 'em and stop any horses from trampling on them by accident. And we need to take out any remaining sentries in the fort itself....I bet at least four men will be up and about, keeping watch inside. Probably a lot less lax then the guys out here were, though. They've been secure this long, probably think Brother Samuel never made it out of the desert alive, and have the one gap in their defenses covered...they'll be lazy and ripe for picking. At least one of the bandits will be asleep on the job, I wager."
Horatio smirked a little at the thought of that, the thought of ambushing such a unsuspecting bandit quite...appealing. It would make their punishment all the sweeter.
Horatio frowned, idly rubbing his chin as he thought matters over. A fire was risky, but if they could somehow just contain it to the stables, it might work. Even then, though, it seemed too much of a risk. In retrospect, they should have brought Brother Samuel with them; he was a liability in the field, sure, but there was a good chance he'd remember the layout of the bandits' camp. Even if he didn't, he'd certainly know where the children were being kept.
At any rate...they did need to create a distraction to create some chaos in the fort, while they signaled the posse to join them. But what could that be?
"Perhaps just setting the horses loose would be enough," Horatio finally suggested, giving a little nod. "We untie them, do something to spook the lot of them, and watch 'em run wild. The bandits will be besides themselves trying to calm down their beasts. Meanwhile, we signal the posse with the fire from a match....Sheriff Thompson has a spyglass on him, so he'd see a flame that tiny. And with the chaos from rounding up their horses, the bandits will be torn to shreds when our reinforcements come charging in."
That sounded like a solid enough plan to Horatio. It would likely mean most of the horses the bandits had would be killed during the firefight....which was a shame. The horses were innocent in any wrongdoing committed by these foul men, after all. Still, it was a necessary sacrifice to rescue the children.
"We'll need to find out where the children are first, though." he added, after a moment's thought. "Make sure we're there to protect 'em and stop any horses from trampling on them by accident. And we need to take out any remaining sentries in the fort itself....I bet at least four men will be up and about, keeping watch inside. Probably a lot less lax then the guys out here were, though. They've been secure this long, probably think Brother Samuel never made it out of the desert alive, and have the one gap in their defenses covered...they'll be lazy and ripe for picking. At least one of the bandits will be asleep on the job, I wager."
Horatio smirked a little at the thought of that, the thought of ambushing such a unsuspecting bandit quite...appealing. It would make their punishment all the sweeter.
"As you wish." Anna had felt it was worth the risk, given the dangerous situation they were facing, but there was no time to debate the matter now. It would have been difficult enough to only find the children, or set the stables amok, or open the gate and light a signal. To do everything with only two Dogs was a momentously dangerous task. Only the Lord could grant them the fortune to see it through.
"We should split up. Else we will not achieve everything here. You open the gates and light the signal and I will find the children and spook the horses. The timing needs to be close enough to occupy the sinners until the posse arrives." She whispered to Horatio. "Once the shooting starts, I will remain near the children. You will have to ensure one sinner survives to be questioned."
She would have volunteered for the gates, where she felt the greatest risk would be, but someone had to keep the children calm and together during the fighting. Anna knew she far from a mothering figure, but she still was equally far from the image of any cruel man, especially to a children's eyes. A woman Dog had taught her that when she was still in training, and Anna could only hope that these children would listen to her swiftly.
Peering through the hole in the fort's wall, Anna tried to make out any buildings where they could be keeping the children or other guards lurking in the darkness, Everything could go wrong with just one shout. It would only be by the grace of the Lord that everything wouldn't come crashing down around them. Anna let herself grin in excitement, only for a moment. It may have been a selfish thought, but she was all too eager to see justice delivered here and now.
"We should split up. Else we will not achieve everything here. You open the gates and light the signal and I will find the children and spook the horses. The timing needs to be close enough to occupy the sinners until the posse arrives." She whispered to Horatio. "Once the shooting starts, I will remain near the children. You will have to ensure one sinner survives to be questioned."
She would have volunteered for the gates, where she felt the greatest risk would be, but someone had to keep the children calm and together during the fighting. Anna knew she far from a mothering figure, but she still was equally far from the image of any cruel man, especially to a children's eyes. A woman Dog had taught her that when she was still in training, and Anna could only hope that these children would listen to her swiftly.
Peering through the hole in the fort's wall, Anna tried to make out any buildings where they could be keeping the children or other guards lurking in the darkness, Everything could go wrong with just one shout. It would only be by the grace of the Lord that everything wouldn't come crashing down around them. Anna let herself grin in excitement, only for a moment. It may have been a selfish thought, but she was all too eager to see justice delivered here and now.
"As you wish." Anna had felt it was worth the risk, given the dangerous situation they were facing, but there was no time to debate the matter now. It would have been difficult enough to only find the children, or set the stables amok, or open the gate and light a signal. To do everything with only two Dogs was a momentously dangerous task. Only the Lord could grant them the fortune to see it through.
"We should split up. Else we will not achieve everything here. You open the gates and light the signal and I will find the children and spook the horses. The timing needs to be close enough to occupy the sinners until the posse arrives." She whispered to Horatio. "Once the shooting starts, I will remain near the children. You will have to ensure one sinner survives to be questioned."
She would have volunteered for the gates, where she felt the greatest risk would be, but someone had to keep the children calm and together during the fighting. Anna knew she far from a mothering figure, but she still was equally far from the image of any cruel man, especially to a children's eyes. A woman Dog had taught her that when she was still in training, and Anna could only hope that these children would listen to her swiftly.
Peering through the hole in the fort's wall, Anna tried to make out any buildings where they could be keeping the children or other guards lurking in the darkness, Everything could go wrong with just one shout. It would only be by the grace of the Lord that everything wouldn't come crashing down around them. Anna let herself grin in excitement, only for a moment. It may have been a selfish thought, but she was all too eager to see justice delivered here and now.
"We should split up. Else we will not achieve everything here. You open the gates and light the signal and I will find the children and spook the horses. The timing needs to be close enough to occupy the sinners until the posse arrives." She whispered to Horatio. "Once the shooting starts, I will remain near the children. You will have to ensure one sinner survives to be questioned."
She would have volunteered for the gates, where she felt the greatest risk would be, but someone had to keep the children calm and together during the fighting. Anna knew she far from a mothering figure, but she still was equally far from the image of any cruel man, especially to a children's eyes. A woman Dog had taught her that when she was still in training, and Anna could only hope that these children would listen to her swiftly.
Peering through the hole in the fort's wall, Anna tried to make out any buildings where they could be keeping the children or other guards lurking in the darkness, Everything could go wrong with just one shout. It would only be by the grace of the Lord that everything wouldn't come crashing down around them. Anna let herself grin in excitement, only for a moment. It may have been a selfish thought, but she was all too eager to see justice delivered here and now.
"All right. It's a sound plan to me. Let's go." Horatio decisively agreed. When he was sure no one was nearby, he and Anna walked through the hole in the fort, splitting up shortly thereafter to do their assigned missions. Horatio made his way south to the gates, while Anna made her way north to the stables and, hopefully, where the children would also be located.
Horatio crept carefully through the camp...vigilant and alert for any signs of life. He made his way past some tents and run down barracks...both places likely to house the bandits themselves in the camp, and their supplies as well. Aside from the occasional snore though, he heard no sign that anyone in the camp was awake. And he'd yet to encounter another sentry...though he couldn't tell if that was good or bad, just yet.
The sound of footsteps reached his ears, however, causing Horatio to pause and hastily hide behind a section of wall. The footsteps came closer and closer, and the older Dog drew out his Bowie knife, ready to pounce as soon as the apparent sentry came his direction.
The footsteps faded, however, and after a minute Horatio put away his knife and resumed his quiet, stalking pace....tempted to go after the sentry, but reluctant to divert his current path. Going out of his way to hunt out a bandit may well get him caught, after all, and he couldn't let that happen at all.
Finally though, he came upon the main gate...and to his amusement, saw a sleeping sentry propped up against the wooden doors, the man's rifle absently leaning against the wall.
Minutes later the sentry was lying in a pool of his own blood, his throat slit, and Horatio opened up the gates quiet as he could. He didn't get out a match and alert the posse just yet, however. He was still waiting for Anna to do her part in the plan. Whatever she did to spook the horses, he was guaranteed to hear the spooked cries of the beasts of burden. Once he heard that, he knew it would be time to alert the posse.
Soon, very soon...this would all be over, and these vile men would face justice for their crimes. He just prayed that Anna would see the children to safety, during all the fighting.
Horatio crept carefully through the camp...vigilant and alert for any signs of life. He made his way past some tents and run down barracks...both places likely to house the bandits themselves in the camp, and their supplies as well. Aside from the occasional snore though, he heard no sign that anyone in the camp was awake. And he'd yet to encounter another sentry...though he couldn't tell if that was good or bad, just yet.
The sound of footsteps reached his ears, however, causing Horatio to pause and hastily hide behind a section of wall. The footsteps came closer and closer, and the older Dog drew out his Bowie knife, ready to pounce as soon as the apparent sentry came his direction.
The footsteps faded, however, and after a minute Horatio put away his knife and resumed his quiet, stalking pace....tempted to go after the sentry, but reluctant to divert his current path. Going out of his way to hunt out a bandit may well get him caught, after all, and he couldn't let that happen at all.
Finally though, he came upon the main gate...and to his amusement, saw a sleeping sentry propped up against the wooden doors, the man's rifle absently leaning against the wall.
Minutes later the sentry was lying in a pool of his own blood, his throat slit, and Horatio opened up the gates quiet as he could. He didn't get out a match and alert the posse just yet, however. He was still waiting for Anna to do her part in the plan. Whatever she did to spook the horses, he was guaranteed to hear the spooked cries of the beasts of burden. Once he heard that, he knew it would be time to alert the posse.
Soon, very soon...this would all be over, and these vile men would face justice for their crimes. He just prayed that Anna would see the children to safety, during all the fighting.
Anna crept quietly through the fort, peering out into the darkness for any sign of other sinners lurking within. She heard the faint crunching of footsteps in the dirt, but there was no one she could see and no time to go searching for a single patrol. Hurrying as best she could while still keeping her footsteps quiet, she moved towards the back of the fort.
It was a small blessing that the stable was simple enough to find, still intact from whenever the fort had last been occupied. Anna could see a half dozen or so horses in the stable and a cluster of tents nearby where the other men were encamped. Anna crouched down as she moved up to the edge of the stable, and there was still no sign of another guard. She could only silently thank the Lord as she stepped into the stable, quickly untying each horse from the wooden posts.
Once she reached the last horse at the end of the stable, Anna flicked her knife out, cutting across the horse's flank. It was a shallow wound, far from anything that could impede the steed from running. The horse reacted immediately, roused from its sleep by the pain and quickly panicking. As it neighed loudly, the other horses started, and quickly began galloping out of the narrow confines of the stable with their ropes already having been severed.
Anna hurried behind the stable, watching as figured rushed out of the tents and soon their shouting was added to the sudden cacophony. Men were hurrying about, trying to catch the horses before they could trample anyone or rush out of the fort. As Anna watched, she saw that there was one man who had not ran off, instead remaining in front of a large tent set up behind the others. Anna circled around the encampment, approaching the guard from the side. While his attention was still focused on the chaos, she jabbed her knife out and he caught the blade in his neck. The man fell, wheezing and convulsing. Anna glanced over her shoulder, and seeing no one else catch her notice for now, she looked into the tent.
It was a small blessing that the stable was simple enough to find, still intact from whenever the fort had last been occupied. Anna could see a half dozen or so horses in the stable and a cluster of tents nearby where the other men were encamped. Anna crouched down as she moved up to the edge of the stable, and there was still no sign of another guard. She could only silently thank the Lord as she stepped into the stable, quickly untying each horse from the wooden posts.
Once she reached the last horse at the end of the stable, Anna flicked her knife out, cutting across the horse's flank. It was a shallow wound, far from anything that could impede the steed from running. The horse reacted immediately, roused from its sleep by the pain and quickly panicking. As it neighed loudly, the other horses started, and quickly began galloping out of the narrow confines of the stable with their ropes already having been severed.
Anna hurried behind the stable, watching as figured rushed out of the tents and soon their shouting was added to the sudden cacophony. Men were hurrying about, trying to catch the horses before they could trample anyone or rush out of the fort. As Anna watched, she saw that there was one man who had not ran off, instead remaining in front of a large tent set up behind the others. Anna circled around the encampment, approaching the guard from the side. While his attention was still focused on the chaos, she jabbed her knife out and he caught the blade in his neck. The man fell, wheezing and convulsing. Anna glanced over her shoulder, and seeing no one else catch her notice for now, she looked into the tent.
The tent was wide enough to house up to a dozen people, if not more...though when Anna looked into the tent, she would only see one person. A child, a young girl by the look of things. The girl was laying on her side, her hands and feet bound, effectively restraining her and making her unable to move. She was also quite noticeably naked, not a stitch of clothing left on her body, with her body itself incredibly dirty, covered in dirt, dried blood, and other such stains. She may have been asleep, like the bandits, but the noise from the horses had certainly startled her awake. She lifted her head up, straining a bit to move herself into a better position to best see her new guest.
"W-Who are you?" the girl croaked out, her voice rather shaky and raw, as if she'd tired herself out screaming, or otherwise extensively using her voice.
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Horatio, meanwhile, heard the ruckus caused by the stampeding horses. Acting fast, he got out a match, and struck it alive, holding the tiny flame up from the entrance to the fort, knowing that Sheriff Thompson would be able to see the small flame with his spyglass.
He had to put it out after a minute, but the deed was done, and the posse was signaled. He heard a slight noise in the distance, and looking out he saw the telltale signs of an approaching party....the posse, riding on down to the fort!
He ducked out of the way, leaving room for the posse to ride through the gate. After a few minutes the thunderous sound of hoof-beats filled the air, as the large posse spilled into the fort, in pairs of two, until all the men and women they'd gathered were in. They all quickly dismounted, and get out their weapons.
"Shoot to kill! We gotta keep one left alive...but the rest can be damned to hell! Let's go!" Horatio urged, leading the posse forward.
One of the bandits, attracted by all the noise at the gate, came into view, and was immediately shot dead by Sheriff Thompson, the bandit crumpling to the ground moments later. That accomplished, Horatio and the posse started to surge forward, the sound of gunfire soon filling the air as the Dog and his men expertly ambushed the unsuspecting sinners.
"W-Who are you?" the girl croaked out, her voice rather shaky and raw, as if she'd tired herself out screaming, or otherwise extensively using her voice.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Horatio, meanwhile, heard the ruckus caused by the stampeding horses. Acting fast, he got out a match, and struck it alive, holding the tiny flame up from the entrance to the fort, knowing that Sheriff Thompson would be able to see the small flame with his spyglass.
He had to put it out after a minute, but the deed was done, and the posse was signaled. He heard a slight noise in the distance, and looking out he saw the telltale signs of an approaching party....the posse, riding on down to the fort!
He ducked out of the way, leaving room for the posse to ride through the gate. After a few minutes the thunderous sound of hoof-beats filled the air, as the large posse spilled into the fort, in pairs of two, until all the men and women they'd gathered were in. They all quickly dismounted, and get out their weapons.
"Shoot to kill! We gotta keep one left alive...but the rest can be damned to hell! Let's go!" Horatio urged, leading the posse forward.
One of the bandits, attracted by all the noise at the gate, came into view, and was immediately shot dead by Sheriff Thompson, the bandit crumpling to the ground moments later. That accomplished, Horatio and the posse started to surge forward, the sound of gunfire soon filling the air as the Dog and his men expertly ambushed the unsuspecting sinners.
"God and Prophet." Anna uttered quietly as she saw the girl, her stomach lurching at the sight. The sounds of men and horses outside faded for a moment as Anna could only her heartbeat raging in her chest while she fought back the urge to step out immediately to deliver the Lord's vengeance.
But someone had to tend to the girl. Anna pulled off her coat, pulling the derringer out from a inner pocket and stuffing it in her belt before wrapping the coat around the girl's shoulders. She then took her knife and cut the bonds from her.
"My name is Anna and I am a watchdog of the Lord. He has sent me to help you." She said, her voice hoarse as she tried to keep her tone calm. "Sheriff Thompson is coming with help, but I need to you tell me if there are any other children here. Do you understand?"
But someone had to tend to the girl. Anna pulled off her coat, pulling the derringer out from a inner pocket and stuffing it in her belt before wrapping the coat around the girl's shoulders. She then took her knife and cut the bonds from her.
"My name is Anna and I am a watchdog of the Lord. He has sent me to help you." She said, her voice hoarse as she tried to keep her tone calm. "Sheriff Thompson is coming with help, but I need to you tell me if there are any other children here. Do you understand?"
"Y-Yes," the girl managed to croak out, her eyes wide. She gave a little cough, shifting into a sitting position now that her bonds were cut. She kept the coat close around her, trying to hide her nakedness, while she collected herself. "They...they're gone. T-They got taken away this morning....by the men in the carriages. I-I don't know where they went....th-they woulda taken me too, b-but, they said there weren't no room left, and they'd come back for me later. I'm the only one left."
Meanwhile, the fighting continued outside. The sound of the rampaging horses was soon drowned out by gunfire, as Horatio and the posse marched through the camp, gunning down bandits left and right. The sinners themselves soon joined the firefight, many giving up on the horses as they took cover, hunkering down for the fight of their lives.
Just then, the flap of the tent opened up, a scraggly-bearded man bursting in, rifle drawn. He paused for a half-second, surprised to see Anna there, but that didn't last long. Already alerted and having the drop on the female Dog, he raised his rifle, prepared to gun her down--
--And indeed, a gunshot rang in the air, the deafening noise thundering in Anna's eardrums. The man didn't get a shot off, however; instead the bandit gave a harsh cry, falling to the ground as he thrashed around, blood leaking from the bullet hole in his back. Behind him stood Horatio, pistol still smoking.
"Sit still before I finish the job," Horatio proclaimed, slamming a boot down on the bandit's back, purposely grinding the heel of his boot against the bandit's bleeding wound. The bearded man cried out in pain, squirming on the ground, but he stopped resisting, merely moaning out in agony now.
"Looks like we've got our live one," Horatio commented, before looking over at Anna and the girl. The older Watchdog frowned, a sinking feeling already starting to swell in his stomach. "Is she it? Where are the other kids?"
Meanwhile, the fighting continued outside. The sound of the rampaging horses was soon drowned out by gunfire, as Horatio and the posse marched through the camp, gunning down bandits left and right. The sinners themselves soon joined the firefight, many giving up on the horses as they took cover, hunkering down for the fight of their lives.
Just then, the flap of the tent opened up, a scraggly-bearded man bursting in, rifle drawn. He paused for a half-second, surprised to see Anna there, but that didn't last long. Already alerted and having the drop on the female Dog, he raised his rifle, prepared to gun her down--
--And indeed, a gunshot rang in the air, the deafening noise thundering in Anna's eardrums. The man didn't get a shot off, however; instead the bandit gave a harsh cry, falling to the ground as he thrashed around, blood leaking from the bullet hole in his back. Behind him stood Horatio, pistol still smoking.
"Sit still before I finish the job," Horatio proclaimed, slamming a boot down on the bandit's back, purposely grinding the heel of his boot against the bandit's bleeding wound. The bearded man cried out in pain, squirming on the ground, but he stopped resisting, merely moaning out in agony now.
"Looks like we've got our live one," Horatio commented, before looking over at Anna and the girl. The older Watchdog frowned, a sinking feeling already starting to swell in his stomach. "Is she it? Where are the other kids?"
They were too late. The rage that Anna had forced down came roaring back even stronger than before, until her hands were shaking and her breath hitching. Between the gunfire outside and her own thumping heartbeat, she did not hear the sound of footsteps and the swishing cloth of the tent being opened until she knew it was too late, even with the speed of her draw. But Anna whirled around nonetheless, determined to keep herself between the child and any attacker.
The gunshot rang out a half second before her own revolver was raised. She flinched, but kept her aim steady, only for the man to fall forward with Horatio standing behind him.
Anna let out the breath she hadn't realized she was holding, only to scowl down at the bleeding sinner as Horatio asked about the other children. "They've been taken elsewhere. We were too late."
The gunshot rang out a half second before her own revolver was raised. She flinched, but kept her aim steady, only for the man to fall forward with Horatio standing behind him.
Anna let out the breath she hadn't realized she was holding, only to scowl down at the bleeding sinner as Horatio asked about the other children. "They've been taken elsewhere. We were too late."
Anna's confirmation of what he already suspected sent Horatio into a similar rage. He scowled fiercely, stomping down on the wounded bandit's back in an attempt to relieve his anger, despite the sinner's cried pain of objection. "Damnation! Was this all for nothing, then?"
He couldn't help but swear, his anger getting the best of him. He remembered the presence of the girl though, his eyes drawn back to her as she huddled toward the back of the tent, frightened by the gunshot and Horatio's own shouting.
He felt the embers of fury cool some, a more clinical part of the older Dog's psyche taking over. Whatever happened next...this venture wasn't a waste. Even if the other children were gone, they were still able to save the girl before them. Besides...however unlikely it was, there was the possibility that they might find out where the children were taken to. One of the bandits might know, or perhaps they would find evidence of where they were going among any documents the sinners held. Perhaps in a letter, or some such thing.
"Even if the others are gone....we still have her. We saved someone," Horatio, somewhat begrudgingly, acknowledged, focusing on the dirtied girl huddling in the corner, the young child still clutching Anna's coat tight to her small frame.
The echo of gunfire still clung to the air, but the time inbetween shots started to lengthen, as more and more bandits fell to the onslaught from the posse. Between the sudden stampede from the horses, the ambush from the townsfolk, and the fact most of the bandits had been dead asleep previously....it surprised the Dog little how effectively the wretched sinners were being crushed. It was practically a massacre. Not that he minded in the least, of course.
"I'll stay with her...and our prisoner. You go on out, help the Sheriff and the posse mop up the rest of the bandits." Horatio decided, giving Anna permission to leave. "Go on out...I'll be fine. I have...experience, with children."
In fact, looking at the scared little girl....he couldn't help but be reminded of his own daughter. Evangeline....Little Eva, as he had affectionately called her. So bright and cheerful, so full of life. The sweetest little girl you could imagine. And she'd been...so scared. So scared the night she and her mother died. Her screams...in Horatio's darkest hours, the screams of his frightened daughter haunted his dreams and plagued his nightmares. If nothing else, he remembered the screams of his wife and daughter from that horrible, dreadful night.
If he had any solace from that blackened night, it was that he had been rendered unconscious before Chester Marston and his gang could force him to watch his family die.
However, he could do something now he hadn't been able to do for his own daughter. Comfort her in her hour of need.
"She'll be safe with me...and he's not going anywhere. Moment he tries to get back up, I'll shoot him dead. So if he wants to stay alive, he'll bleed out on the dirt." Horatio added, when he noticed Anna's hesitation. "Now go on out there...and give these bastards hell."
He couldn't help but swear, his anger getting the best of him. He remembered the presence of the girl though, his eyes drawn back to her as she huddled toward the back of the tent, frightened by the gunshot and Horatio's own shouting.
He felt the embers of fury cool some, a more clinical part of the older Dog's psyche taking over. Whatever happened next...this venture wasn't a waste. Even if the other children were gone, they were still able to save the girl before them. Besides...however unlikely it was, there was the possibility that they might find out where the children were taken to. One of the bandits might know, or perhaps they would find evidence of where they were going among any documents the sinners held. Perhaps in a letter, or some such thing.
"Even if the others are gone....we still have her. We saved someone," Horatio, somewhat begrudgingly, acknowledged, focusing on the dirtied girl huddling in the corner, the young child still clutching Anna's coat tight to her small frame.
The echo of gunfire still clung to the air, but the time inbetween shots started to lengthen, as more and more bandits fell to the onslaught from the posse. Between the sudden stampede from the horses, the ambush from the townsfolk, and the fact most of the bandits had been dead asleep previously....it surprised the Dog little how effectively the wretched sinners were being crushed. It was practically a massacre. Not that he minded in the least, of course.
"I'll stay with her...and our prisoner. You go on out, help the Sheriff and the posse mop up the rest of the bandits." Horatio decided, giving Anna permission to leave. "Go on out...I'll be fine. I have...experience, with children."
In fact, looking at the scared little girl....he couldn't help but be reminded of his own daughter. Evangeline....Little Eva, as he had affectionately called her. So bright and cheerful, so full of life. The sweetest little girl you could imagine. And she'd been...so scared. So scared the night she and her mother died. Her screams...in Horatio's darkest hours, the screams of his frightened daughter haunted his dreams and plagued his nightmares. If nothing else, he remembered the screams of his wife and daughter from that horrible, dreadful night.
If he had any solace from that blackened night, it was that he had been rendered unconscious before Chester Marston and his gang could force him to watch his family die.
However, he could do something now he hadn't been able to do for his own daughter. Comfort her in her hour of need.
"She'll be safe with me...and he's not going anywhere. Moment he tries to get back up, I'll shoot him dead. So if he wants to stay alive, he'll bleed out on the dirt." Horatio added, when he noticed Anna's hesitation. "Now go on out there...and give these bastards hell."
"As you wish." Anna said curtly, as much as she could say while still keeping her voice calm. As she stepped out of the tent, she could only imagine the horrid fates that awaited the other children. But the worse fear that lingered in her heart was that none of this was any cruel fate that she had seen or heard of before, not when the attacks had occurred over many years, and not if a man in New Life itself could be murdered to hide the truth. The dread and fear and frustration made her hand shake, until she gripped her revolver tightly to stop the trembling in her fingers.
There was one thing she could do. The gunfire had become more sporadic as the posse moved further into the fort, the sinners too slow to escape the ambush having been cut down like the beasts that they were. But a few still remained, ducked behind crates and dead horses as they traded fire with the posse that had scrambled for cover as well.
With the sinners still focused on the posse, Anna gave no heed to any thought of cover as she strode towards them. A trio of them were crouched behind a few crates hastily pushed together, and none of them saw Anna approaching from the side until it was too late. The first glanced to his right as he spotted her, but her gunshot cut off his cry as the bullet tore through his face. Anna continued her advanced as the other two turned to face her, unflinching even as hastily aimed bullets flew her way. Four more shots from her revolver sent them both staggering to the ground.
The fort fell silent, at least for a brief moment until one of the sinners on the ground let out a wail of pain. Anna stepped up to him, calmly leveling her pistol at his head. "The Lord will have no mercy on your wretched souls," She sneered as she fired. As the calm settled once again, Anna let out a slow breath before she looked to the sheriff and the posse. "Search the fort for any other sinners trying to hide, and for any writings they may have left behind. Bring any such documents directly to myself or my fellow watchdog. We must be thorough here and leave no detail unfound, to ensure the Lord's justice is delivered to all who deserve it."
There was one thing she could do. The gunfire had become more sporadic as the posse moved further into the fort, the sinners too slow to escape the ambush having been cut down like the beasts that they were. But a few still remained, ducked behind crates and dead horses as they traded fire with the posse that had scrambled for cover as well.
With the sinners still focused on the posse, Anna gave no heed to any thought of cover as she strode towards them. A trio of them were crouched behind a few crates hastily pushed together, and none of them saw Anna approaching from the side until it was too late. The first glanced to his right as he spotted her, but her gunshot cut off his cry as the bullet tore through his face. Anna continued her advanced as the other two turned to face her, unflinching even as hastily aimed bullets flew her way. Four more shots from her revolver sent them both staggering to the ground.
The fort fell silent, at least for a brief moment until one of the sinners on the ground let out a wail of pain. Anna stepped up to him, calmly leveling her pistol at his head. "The Lord will have no mercy on your wretched souls," She sneered as she fired. As the calm settled once again, Anna let out a slow breath before she looked to the sheriff and the posse. "Search the fort for any other sinners trying to hide, and for any writings they may have left behind. Bring any such documents directly to myself or my fellow watchdog. We must be thorough here and leave no detail unfound, to ensure the Lord's justice is delivered to all who deserve it."
While Anna dealt with the remaining sinners outside, Horatio focused on the scared, vulnerable girl at his side. Keeping half an eye on the still groaning and bleeding bandit, he started talking with the child, hoping to get her to open up.
"What's your name, child?" he inquired, giving the girl what he hoped was a placating smile. "My name's Horatio....I'm a Dog too, like Anna."
The bruised and battered girl seemed nervous around him, still clutching the female Dog's coat tight to her frame. She seemed to become more at ease though, when Horatio confessed to being a Dog as well. "I'm....m-my name's Elizabeth Daniels."
Horatio nodded, briefly recalling the names of all the missing children. She was the sister of the boy who had been left behind, then. The blind boy, Jacob. Well...if nothing else, at least he would be able to reunite brother and sister again. It was a paltry consolation prize, considering the no doubt horrid fates that awaited the children who had already been taken to parts unknown, but the older Watchdog would take what he could get.
"I see. Well Elizabeth, you're safe now. Don't worry." Horatio proclaimed, smiling gently at the child. Assuming a role he hadn't played in...quite some time. "Anna and I will make sure no one else hurts you anymore...and we'll take you back to your brother, too."
Elizabeth seemed to perk up at this, the traces of a smile coming to her lips. "He's....all right, then? I haven't, I haven't seen my brother at all since comin' here."
Horatio nodded in the affirmative, speaking quickly to assure Elizabeth of that fact. Indeed, hearing such news seemed to brighten her a bit, bringing the scarred girl some comfort, which Horatio was more than happy to provide.
The shooting finally came to a stop after awhile, and after a few minutes the flap to the tent opened up, and Sheriff Thompson stepped inside. He looked around briefly, before his eyes rested on the three figures inside. He grimaced, the young man clearly doing his best to hold back from swearing. "Ah...Anna told me the others had already been moved. I was hoping she was wrong, but..."
Horatio nodded grimly, sharing in the black lawman's pain. He stood up, reaching down to help Elizabeth up to her feet as well. The girl hesitantly took his hand, using her free arm to keep the loose coat around her small frame. "The others may be gone Sheriff, but so long as we save one child, everything will not have been in vain."
Thompson gave a little nod, still looking a bit unhappy, bit he pushed aside his thoughts of failure. "True enough. All right then...we got Doc Cottle pulled up in his wagon, now. He'll take care of the girl from here. You wanna take her to him, or should I?"
Horatio briefly considered his options, looking down at the scared, uncertain little girl. "I'll go ahead and do it. You take that bastard there over to Anna...he'll need to be interrogated."
"And then some," Sheriff Thompson agreed, inclining his head. He looked down at the bandit, a grim smile overtaking his face. "No one in the posse is pleased that we came too late to save everyone. Though...well, I imagine a lot of spirits will be lifted once this bastard's got a noose around his neck. After Anna's done with him, of course."
That said, Horatio left the tent, carefully escorting Elizabeth to be tended to by Doc Cottle, while Sheriff Thompson roughly got the wounded bandit to his feet, and marched him over to where Anna was.
People were still searching all over the fort, looking for any last holdouts or documents, as Anna requested, so for the moment she would have the last remaining bandit all to herself, free from interference from anyone else.
"Horatio said to bring this bastard over to you," Sheriff Thompson proclaimed, unceremoniously pushing the bandit forward, making the man gasp out and stumble, tumbling to the ground before Anna's feet. "Do you need some help with him, or should I join the others?"
"What's your name, child?" he inquired, giving the girl what he hoped was a placating smile. "My name's Horatio....I'm a Dog too, like Anna."
The bruised and battered girl seemed nervous around him, still clutching the female Dog's coat tight to her frame. She seemed to become more at ease though, when Horatio confessed to being a Dog as well. "I'm....m-my name's Elizabeth Daniels."
Horatio nodded, briefly recalling the names of all the missing children. She was the sister of the boy who had been left behind, then. The blind boy, Jacob. Well...if nothing else, at least he would be able to reunite brother and sister again. It was a paltry consolation prize, considering the no doubt horrid fates that awaited the children who had already been taken to parts unknown, but the older Watchdog would take what he could get.
"I see. Well Elizabeth, you're safe now. Don't worry." Horatio proclaimed, smiling gently at the child. Assuming a role he hadn't played in...quite some time. "Anna and I will make sure no one else hurts you anymore...and we'll take you back to your brother, too."
Elizabeth seemed to perk up at this, the traces of a smile coming to her lips. "He's....all right, then? I haven't, I haven't seen my brother at all since comin' here."
Horatio nodded in the affirmative, speaking quickly to assure Elizabeth of that fact. Indeed, hearing such news seemed to brighten her a bit, bringing the scarred girl some comfort, which Horatio was more than happy to provide.
The shooting finally came to a stop after awhile, and after a few minutes the flap to the tent opened up, and Sheriff Thompson stepped inside. He looked around briefly, before his eyes rested on the three figures inside. He grimaced, the young man clearly doing his best to hold back from swearing. "Ah...Anna told me the others had already been moved. I was hoping she was wrong, but..."
Horatio nodded grimly, sharing in the black lawman's pain. He stood up, reaching down to help Elizabeth up to her feet as well. The girl hesitantly took his hand, using her free arm to keep the loose coat around her small frame. "The others may be gone Sheriff, but so long as we save one child, everything will not have been in vain."
Thompson gave a little nod, still looking a bit unhappy, bit he pushed aside his thoughts of failure. "True enough. All right then...we got Doc Cottle pulled up in his wagon, now. He'll take care of the girl from here. You wanna take her to him, or should I?"
Horatio briefly considered his options, looking down at the scared, uncertain little girl. "I'll go ahead and do it. You take that bastard there over to Anna...he'll need to be interrogated."
"And then some," Sheriff Thompson agreed, inclining his head. He looked down at the bandit, a grim smile overtaking his face. "No one in the posse is pleased that we came too late to save everyone. Though...well, I imagine a lot of spirits will be lifted once this bastard's got a noose around his neck. After Anna's done with him, of course."
That said, Horatio left the tent, carefully escorting Elizabeth to be tended to by Doc Cottle, while Sheriff Thompson roughly got the wounded bandit to his feet, and marched him over to where Anna was.
People were still searching all over the fort, looking for any last holdouts or documents, as Anna requested, so for the moment she would have the last remaining bandit all to herself, free from interference from anyone else.
"Horatio said to bring this bastard over to you," Sheriff Thompson proclaimed, unceremoniously pushing the bandit forward, making the man gasp out and stumble, tumbling to the ground before Anna's feet. "Do you need some help with him, or should I join the others?"
Anna looked up from reloading her revolver when Thompson approached with the sinner on his arm. "Thank you, Sheriff, I will take him from here. Go help the posse, see to any wounded and prepare to depart. Horatio and I will be with you shortly."
She wasn't sure if the sheriff would have had the stomach to help, but regardless it was better that he didn't see the unpleasant details firsthand. It was different for some to comprehend that the Lord offered salvation in one hand and retribution in the other. And in the end, it was better for the Dogs to see to such different tasks, to spare others from such troubles. Pressing her revolver against the sinner's back, she marched him towards the edge of the fort's interior, away from the posse.
Once they were well away from the others, Anna shoved the man onto his knees, moving to face him and keeping her revolver lowered, but quite ready to fire if he were to move suddenly.
"I know you think I will threaten you. Harm you. That it is the only way I can glean answers from you. But you should know now that any physical harm I can do to you is, in the end, insignificant. Our bodies are merely mortal shells, cast aside and turned to dust when we go to our Lord. And the Lord shall judge us all by our actions. Truly, there is nothing I can do that will compare to the torments that will be placed upon your soul in payment for your sins." She spoke quietly, but with an unflinching steadiness as she stared hard at the man.
With her free hand, Anna drew a knife from her belt. "But I assure you that I can still make your transition to the Lord very, very unpleasant. And slow. So you will tell me these things: Where have the children been taken? Who murdered Red Road's sheriff? And who is Azrael?"
She wasn't sure if the sheriff would have had the stomach to help, but regardless it was better that he didn't see the unpleasant details firsthand. It was different for some to comprehend that the Lord offered salvation in one hand and retribution in the other. And in the end, it was better for the Dogs to see to such different tasks, to spare others from such troubles. Pressing her revolver against the sinner's back, she marched him towards the edge of the fort's interior, away from the posse.
Once they were well away from the others, Anna shoved the man onto his knees, moving to face him and keeping her revolver lowered, but quite ready to fire if he were to move suddenly.
"I know you think I will threaten you. Harm you. That it is the only way I can glean answers from you. But you should know now that any physical harm I can do to you is, in the end, insignificant. Our bodies are merely mortal shells, cast aside and turned to dust when we go to our Lord. And the Lord shall judge us all by our actions. Truly, there is nothing I can do that will compare to the torments that will be placed upon your soul in payment for your sins." She spoke quietly, but with an unflinching steadiness as she stared hard at the man.
With her free hand, Anna drew a knife from her belt. "But I assure you that I can still make your transition to the Lord very, very unpleasant. And slow. So you will tell me these things: Where have the children been taken? Who murdered Red Road's sheriff? And who is Azrael?"