Black Water,

5th May 1876

My Dear Mother,

Karen and I have both arrived in Black Water safe and sound. Deep down, I know you're still probably angry about my decision and wanted me to be a lawyer like my father. I know you just want the best for me. Karen may not be your ideal woman, but at least she is always there for me. Here in Black Water, I intend to give it my all. There must be something I can accomplish around here. Write to you soon.

Your only child,

Ronny Davis

#

Many empty glasses slammed on the counter that clanked in response. Several voices followed it, all drowning out each other. The orders, however, were simple. Beer and bottled courage rang out while the piano played in the backdrop. The bar dog weaved through his small space. He took and gave actual, placing it in the cash register that sat on the right of him. The men around the bar chatted to themselves, partaking in almond nuts. A haze of tobacco smoke rose to the chandelier above my head.

The Gentleman's Den, they called it. It wasn't the place I expected myself to be, but I was boarded until Karen returned to me. Still, it had a rather cozy atmosphere. What caught me about this place? It wasn't the brown curtains, the dirty green checkered rugs, and the tables with complimentary stained yellow seated furniture. No, it was the people that passed through the bar with stories ranging from normal to outright insane. Many stories were about the disappearances of cows, people, and wolves. This was the best that Black Water offered, I was told.

In every corner, men were deep in some game of poker or fancy talking to one of the pretty women standing next to the staircase. These women were like vultures, targeting their next prey. If only I could hide among the plant pots littered in this place.

The ones who had a hog-killin' time now lay sprawled either on the floor or barely making it outside, spewing their guts onto the ground. It crossed my mind a few times to relieve them of their pockets for a much better cause, namely my stomach. The ladies had the same idea; many tried to help the men reach outside the door.

"Give me another snort of that oh-be-joyful, bar dog," the man seated on the stool said to the salt and pepper hair bar dog behind the mahogany station.

The bar dog towered over the counter and rubbed his snub-nose before taking the man's glass in his dark, calloused hands. He unscrewed the cover of Aged Sailor's Rum and poured the drink. "Here's for the most infamous Medicine Man of Black Water town." He slammed the glass down on the counter. "What would we do without you?"

It was met by laughter across the bar. Various men held their glasses in cheers or waited to be served.

Bill chuckled, revealing his dry lips, and dull teeth as he drank. "You're the only bar dog I know that says it like it is. Still, it's better to be a medicine man than a barber's clerk. Those are just bad eggs, ain't that right?" the man raised his head in my direction.

"That's why you keep coming back, Bill," the bar dog said, wiping his hand on the white cloth wrapped around his waist. "Well, someone's got to be something."

"Maybe." Bill's deep sunken brown eyes glanced around the room before landing on me. He chugged down the rest of his drink as he spoke. There was a brew of death upon his breath. "Don't be shy. You should get some of this stuff too, Ron. You did well today and then, maybe —"

I shook my head, looking at my full glass, seeing the reflection of my blond hair and olive skin. The Pirate Rum smiled at me. This was about my fifth one. The anti-fogmatic brew rising from it was hitting strongly upon me. "Seated next to you, Bill, I think that you're the devil's son."

Bill laughed. He brought his empty glass down, hitting the counter yet again. "The devil? And I am making so many miracles happen here. Ain't a single lady that doesn't know my name, Bill, the savior of the people, the medicine man of Bagha from Black Water town to Ranca Bay!" His body swayed on the seat. "You made a fair set of change today from our ride to Manco Ridge and I didn't see you complaining when the actual was put into your hand or how hard you work to ensure those poor women would never lose their men again with one bottle."

Looking away, I sighed. "I only did what I had to do. Bill is the only face I know in Black Water."

He turned to me, revealing his black tie and the powerful colors of his blue coat and white shirt. My eyes couldn't help but fall on the man's whole attire: his silver gun holstered in his brown belt, matching brown pants, yellow vest, and brown mule-ears.

He made me seem like a commoner in my faded gray vest, white shirt, and blue pants, with holes in my black coat. Bill didn't look like a man that should be here. Rather someone who should be in the city working some fancy job. A man must always sell himself well, was something Bill had rammed down my throat. An illusion is the best disguise. If Bill and my roles were reversed, my mother probably would be proud.

"Ron, we are saving lives and stopping that unnecessary civil war over a piece of land that no one can own. Who wants to take part in it? Any of you gentlemen?" He stood up, his hand pointing around the bar.

There were loud mutters of no and beers hitting the table with the occasional spit, which drew the ire of the bar dog.

"No spitting allowed. Didn't you read the sign on the wall? If anyone does it again, they are out of here!" the bar dog shouted. He washed his hand by the basin.

Bill laughed, clapping his hand on the counter. "If only I could give a few now to those Bull Prosecutors, they wouldn't be talking about any werewolf sightings anymore."

The men at the bar laughed.

"Crazy bastards," the bar dog replied, "they aren't welcomed here."

"Let me guess," I said. "It's a sign placed outside?"

"How did you know? Guess you read it before you came in?"

My response, however, was drowned in laughter.

Bill smiled as the bar dog poured another round for him. "Ron, you should be grateful for us being friends." His hand was around my shoulder. He drew me tight into an embrace. "You're a reliable man and so am I and we as friends in these times got to look out for each other. I have your back man, your hands ain't dirty, so don't cry wolf. You ain't kill anyone or force them to buy something they didn't want to. They all know what they get into. For some it works and for others well, they might need to buy another bottle more."

"He's a rookie to the game, Bill?" the bar dog asked as he chuckled.

Bill's stubby fingers rubbed the side of his brown hair. "Yes, you can say that, but a fast learner. Once he gets the actual in his pocket, he doesn't know when to quit."

There was a light touch on my shoulder, and I turned to my left. The scent of lilac was upon my nose, and standing before me was a plump woman dressed in a white gown. Her hair was wild. From the moment our eyes met, I already knew in my mind what this lady of the line wanted.

"Hey suga, those are some pretty green eyes you got there. You want to come with me in the back and show me the world?"

"Sorry I'm —"

"The man's taken, lady," Bill interjected with a smile, "but I wouldn't mind a hassle. He's waiting for his soon to be wife, Karen, to return."

Mentioning her name, the woman scuttled away as if Bill had released the wrath of God.

The bar dog chuckled, revealing his white teeth that stood out against his ebony complexion. "Karen, the deputy that has been here for a while causing hell, hunting them Bull Prosecutors?"

"You know her?" I asked, lowering my eyes slightly to the counter.

"Not really, but I heard a word of her." The bar dog shined a glass. "I didn't know she was yours. It's not common here for women to become a deputy or want to be one. She has a fire in her when she's on the hunt. Have a drink on the house for your troubles. I would be at sea with a woman like her."

I smiled. "I guess the average man would be. She's not the typical girl. She's wild, and free, but she has a good heart and a caring side to her. That's all that matters to me."

"You go back long?" the bar dog asked as the patrons at the counter went silent.

"It's about three years now."

"How did you meet a woman like her back in Lantara?" the bar dog asked.

"Luck, but finder's keepers, no?" I asked, taking a swig of the alcohol before me. "Have you ever heard, never ask a man about his past before? I haven't inquired about how you work the bar and not sweep its floor."

The bar dog's grin changed to a neutral expression as he placed a hand on his head. "True things on this side are different despite how it may seem with the protest. We are friendlier here and close knit, ask Bill. We haven't even really taken much into the war of the land except the farmers and, well, those that can't pay back the loans from the bank. Otherwise Black Water is laid back friend. I meant no offense in my wording."

I ran my hand through my hair. "None taken."

Maybe my response was harsh, but I knew well enough if you gave a man an inch, he would want the whole mile.

The piano man had stopped playing, and a hand slapped my shoulder. "Alright Ron, I think I had enough to drink. You're coming with me on the next job tomorrow? Be at the post office at nine o'clock in the morning!"

"It's not like I have anything else better to do," I replied, my tone lowered for only him to hear, "I need actual."

"I know," Bill said. "I will cover the tab."

I chuckled. "You better," my voice rose, "you had the most to drink."

Laugher met the comment by the men at the bar.

I got up from the chair, carrying my drink. It wasn't allowed, but I didn't care at the moment. "I am going outside for a bit before I turn in."

"Ron, I forgot to ask, where exactly are you staying?"

"I have been staying right here." I wobbled towards the door and pushed it open.

The moon's light lit up the town of Black Water. A few people stood in a corner to themselves in deep conversation. Men still lay on the ground, others covered in the mud sitting outside. This was a stark difference from city life. These men would have already been moved off the street. I could make out the very few scant buildings around. A general store and a gun store were across the road. It wasn't long before Bill greeted me outside. How the man could walk straight was a trick he would have to teach me someday.

"You come out here to wait for Karen?" he asked.

I laughed. "No, not at all. I was just getting some air, that's all."

Bill chuckled. "I hope that when she comes back, she doesn't come with a man. You put a lot of belief into this girl. I hope she doesn't break your heart or come back with bad news to tell you."

"She wouldn't do that to me."

"You never know with people, Ron. You never know. I am gone. Got a long ride before I get back."

Bill headed towards his horses, pulling his medicine wagon. He got on and rode off into the darkness. I stood outside looking up at the moon playing peek-a-boo in the sky. The chilly breeze caressed my face. I sipped my drink. People left one after another until only I remained on the balcony outside.

In the distance, the shape of a galloping horse drew closer. It came towards the Saloon and halted. The rider hitched the horse.

Who could that be at this hour?

The figure dismounted, stepping into the light. The person became visible. First, the white hat rested on their head, and their clothes swayed with the wind.

With each step taken, the darkness shrouding their face was gone. It was Karen and holding her hand was a child, a boy I had never seen before. Our eyes met, but no words left our lips. We both were frozen. The glass dropped from my hand, and time stood still. It shattered.