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    Admittedly, Ryker let out a small snort seeing the man suddenly fly to life after the water crashed into his face. He didn’t feel bad, even as the man coughed to clear the airways he may have clogged. “Too long,” he answered, but he had walked away from him then and was gathering his own things. He could have gone after Marigold himself, but that wasn’t a risk he should take. He was trying to save her, not get both of them killed.


    He went over and hauled Mari’s things over his back as well, and quickly trotted out of the room. He returned only a few minutes later and by then he noticed that Clyde was up and moving- and fairly well. He was glad for that, at least. He wasn’t sure the actual state he was in, but he put in the effort to look alive.


    “Let’s go. I reck’n they were ‘eaded towards Widow’s Cliff.” It had it’s name for a reason. A lot of men, many who couldn’t pay for their land or food would often throw themselves over the cliff- death was an easier sacrifice than giving up everything. Sometimes it worked in favour of the Widow, even if she became distraught, she would be paid for the land and then from there could find somewhere else. Yet, it was still horrible, and even worse that it was well-known for it. The town itself was fairly large, getting to a similar scale of Barrow Peak, but it was run-down, one of the older towns in the area. It was filled with a lot of good people- but also a lot of bad. There were some rumours of it being a popular spot for the Reapers, so his guess that they were headed in that direction was entirely a hunch.


    “We ‘eeded to go an h’r ago.” He said suddenly, breaking the silence that had overcome him during his thought processes. Turning his head swiftly to face the direction of travel, he jogged down towards the stairs. He was quite obviously ignoring Clyde’s question of why he wasn’t there, but he didn’t feel he had to answer. He’d tried, and that’s all that mattered in his mind. Yes, it hadn’t done much in the long run, but the reapers would have forced him against Clyde and Marigold if he had been with them… they had far too much leverage on him.


    Getting outside, the man hurried over to the stables. They had paid in advance, so the stablehand didn’t even glance in their direction as they secured their horses. Ryker was quick to get the animal saddled and did the same for Marigold’s horse, just in case they had to make a fast get-away. Once he was ready and the bags were packed accordingly, he hopped up onto his horse. He didn’t wait long before he kicked the beast, and it lunged forward into movement, it’s ears pinning back but simply only because it wasn’t overly happy at such a pace after being held up in a stable all night. “Let’s get a mov’on, gunslinger.” He muttered, gripping the reins. This wasn’t making out a good situation for any of them.

    Clyde shook his head as Ryker made a get away out of the room without really bothering to even give any kind of excuse for why he hadn't come to help. Shaking his head the outlaw hoofed it down the stairs after him ignoring all the looks from the patrons down below. Luckily it wasn't nearly as crowded in the day time so he could get out the door without much trouble. Of course he was a little stiff from being asleep most of the day and now having to suddenly take off after Ryker, who he was surprised could move so damn fast. As he was making his way towards the door he frowned he thought he saw an old familiar face. It was only for a moment and when he turned back the person wasn't there anymore. Clyde shook his head and then went after Ryker again. Maybe getting hit in the head was making him see things.


    Making it out into the street by the time he got out it seemed that the lawman was already with the horses. Shaking his head Clyde went quickly into the stables taking his own horse. It didn't take him long to get his horse saddled up and was ready to go. Shaking his head as he turned when he heard the flurry of hoofbeats behind him. Cursing under his breath he swung up on to his own horse who was dancing under him wanting to follow the other horses. His arm got stuck painfully with the saddle horn in his scramble to get up. Still, he was getting faster on getting up in the saddle.


    Muttering curses as he went he clucked his own horse up. The horse gladly obliged moving quickly and almost knocking over the stableboy in its haste to get back with the other horses. "Alright there Sheriff I'm with you." He said simply holding his horse which was now feeding off his nerves about the whole thing. Widow's Cliff was going to be a hard ride. He was praying to whatever would listen that Ryker's hunch was right. If it was wrong then they would loose Marigold. He didn't know what Ryker knew for sure, but he was going to have to trust him, which he wasn't a big fan of. Still, he was doing this for Mari. Shaking his head he gathered up his reins and kicked his horse up using the nervous energy to get the horse up and moving. It took a few strides before it really got its feet and he started the way out of town.

    Ryker was rather quiet, something that was unusual for the boisterous sheriff. Even if he didn’t speak to them often, he did speak. He seemed to be contemplating the difference situations, but his drunken mind couldn’t wrap the thoughts around his brain in the right way and each time he thought he had it figured it out, the answer came short-handed. He glanced back towards Clyde, watching the man in wary silence- as if he couldn’t trust him, but what choices did he actually have? He could only assume Clyde felt the same way, but he was the sheriff and Clyde was the bloody outlaw.


    His silence remained heavy in the air, even as the horses’ occupied the empty space with the pound of their hooves, and the growl of their noses as they sucked in and pushed out air roughly with each stride. They would get to Widow’s Cliff by sunrise the next morning, even when they would slow down to give the horse’s a break. Widow’s Cliff wasn’t far from Bull’s Creek, but most of the towns out here were designed that way for a reason. They gave enough distance for personal space, but stayed close enough that trade was easy enough. That and it was easier for merchants to carry goods to and fro from the various posts out here in the middle of nowhere.


    Refocusing ahead of himself, he noticed the remainder of a dust cloud- he could only assume that was them and although it was barely any clue at all, and it could very well just be the wind kickin’ up the dirt, it was a chance. That’s all he needed. He steered his horse and Mari’s in that direction, but slowed the pace down to a trot. “Ai that woman.” he let out a hefty sigh, shaking his head to clear out the thoughts of what they would do to her once they reached their destination. His eyes landed on Clyde again, however, and he bit his tongue. He hadn’t realized how hard he was biting until he tasted iron and withdrew his teeth from the pink flesh. He was wondering how he was dealing with this. “They gon’ kill ‘er.” His voice was no louder than a murmur, but it was still audible. He had a feeling he knew why- but it wasn’t purely for her killing the few outlaws she’d had no choice but to. No, it was something more- it had to be for the reapers to willingly seek her out like this.

    Clyde really expected silence between the two of them as they rode. He hadn't probably said more then a handful of words to him. Besides, he was pretty used to traveling in silence with other outlaws. There wasn't a whole lot they could have to say to each other at times. This time the silence seemed to be born out of mutual discomfort for the current set of circumstances. Clyde sighed when he caught Ryker glancing back at him like he expected the gunslinger to shoot him in the back or something. Then again he didn't have the highest opinion of the lawman either. He was only really doing this for Marigold. Any other set of circumstances he probably would stay clear of him. The more the outlaw sat in silence the more uncomfortable he got thinking about what happened. It didn't sit right the way Ryker hadn't been there and then dodged the question. He didn't put much faith in the man's loyalties.


    Riding along Clyde stared straight ahead his mouth drawn in a thin line. It was hard to really tell what he was thinking. All that was on his mind was doing his damnedest to get to the Reapers before they killed Marigold. As an outsider looking in he had no idea what they wanted with her or why they had come hunting her down. Clyde urged his horse on already hearing the huffs of air as the horses churned up dust and dirt in their wake. Slipping his bandanna over his mouth the only thing visible where his eyes which were still dead locked in the direction of Widow's Cliff.


    Forced to pull up on his horse as they came across a dust trail and Ryker changed directions they nearly slammed on the breaks he pulled off the cloth from his mouth giving him a questioning look. It might be the dust left by the riders, or it could just be some up turned dust. Still, that wasn't what made him finally say something for the first time in a while. Clyde had turned his horse and started to follow Ryker, against his better judgement, but paused narrowing his eyes slightly at the lawman. "Damn right they're going to. If you think its a lost cause then start riding back for Burkshire." The outlaw challenged clearly agitated at him stating what they both clearly knew. It didn't help her any to sit here and talk about it. Clyde slipped his bandanna back up on his face and kicked his horse up a bit gripping on to the reins tightly.

    There was a tenseness that overcame his muscled body when Clyde snapped out at him. In an instant he lost his cool, be it because of the stress, or perhaps simply because he hated Clyde. “Listen ‘ere, outlaw,” his tone was thick with agitation, a fire burning in the dark depths of his eyes, ”you don’t know a damned thing ‘bout Marigold, not enough to be lovin’ on her,” his knuckles had gone white with how tightly he clutched his reins, his horse pinning its ears and raising its head- as if ready to kick. Seemed too that any slur he had naturally he certainly didn’t have when he was p***ed off. Who the hell was Clyde anyways, actin’ all high and mighty?


    ”Without me pretty boy y’all got no leverage an’ like hell anyone will listen to ya about defending ‘er.” It came out like poison from his lips, but when he noticed Clyde urge his horse onward, he growled. He spurred up his own horse, who quickly obliged- the creature ready to bolt with the growing tension- it would only be a matter of time before he and the horse snapped and who knew what would happen then. “Ya think yer the only one doin’ this for Amanda? If she hadn’t asked me not to, you would be locked up with the rest of the bloomy bast*rds back in Burkshire.” The hostility was only rising, but this was at least killing time- even if it wasn’t a great way to do so.


    After putting his two-cents into the argument, he fell silent again. It was obvious though that his blood was boiling and it was almost impressive with how he was holding in the steam. His free hand, which was also holding onto the reins of Marigold’s horse, was rested on his thigh- but he was close to his gun. He didn’t care if Amanda said not to lock him up- she didn’t say he couldn’t bloody well shoot the guy. Giving his head a quick shake to clear the fog in his brain, he focused on the horizon, eyes narrowing slowly as he caught hint of Widow’s Cliff. He could see only the rise of the mountainside it resided on, but it was better than nothing at all. He couldn’t let himself get slowed by his anger towards Clyde- he’d just make sure Amanda was saved by his own hands… maybe then she’d wake up.

    Clyde turned slightly as Ryker came up on his side. Clyde leaned over slightly in his saddle as if to hear better when the sheriff told him to listen up. "Alright I'm all ears lawman." Sarcasm dripping from his words. Clyde really in truth was only listening to Ryker because there was nothing else to listen to besides the sounds of the animals they were riding, so there was nothing to drown him out. "That's bull Ryker, utter bull! I don't know who she was, I'll give ya that much. But, I don't have to. I can see the person she is right now and that's all I gotta see." Gripping his reins he kept his horse moving lightly drifting it close to Ryker's horse in a taunt. Who was he to sit up there and say that he didn't know her enough to be in love? Spurring his horse on his eyes were staring ahead, because there was pure rage in them and he didn't want him getting to see how angry that comment made him. It left him fuming as it took everything he had not to reach back and put a bullet right through his mouth.


    Clyde rolled his eyes and kept riding. "Leverage ain't worth much in a gunfight. Doubt they're going to just drop their weapons because you're here. Otherwise they wouldn't have dared to take her in the first place." His words were stabbing and harsh, of course he didn't plan on just going in there and trying to take them all on. "And one more thing, if it weren't for Mari then I wouldn't have come anywhere near the rotting carcass that is Burkshire." With that last insult he turned back around setting his jaw. This guy was delusional, talking like he was the righteous lawman who was going to save her. The outlaw didn't care how she got rescued or who got the glory, he just wanted her safe, that's all.


    Hunched on his horse he had no more to say or if he did he decided it would probably end up getting him shot in the back. Not that anything he said before might not get him shot too, but he couldn't take them back. As Widow's Cliff came into view he switched his reins over to his hurt arm and put his other hand near his gun ready to pull it. He was just getting ready in case bullets started flying. Now the young man had lost any interest in thinking about the lawman anymore. Now he was just focused on keeping his eyes on the horizon and scouting around. No telling what they were riding into.

    sorry about that, ended up being busy !


    __



    He felt his entire body seize in a fit of internal anger as the outlaw dared to speak back to him. His eyes burned and his tongue pressed against the back of his teeth, which were firmly clenched in frustration. Oh, the words he would say if God wouldn’t strike him down for it. He just wished he could beat the living hell out of Clyde- but he couldn’t honestly say he was more afraid of God’s might than Amanda’s anger.


    Giving his head a quick shake, he focused on Widow’s Cliff. It came upon them slowly, ominously beginning to tower over the two men like it had a certain air of strength- Ryker could feel the weight of the town push down on his shoulders and even the horses felt the caution that rose. Hesitantly, he led the way into the town. He had gotten back ahead of Clyde simply because he felt like Clyde had no idea where they really were and because this wasn’t any place to fool around. He held his reins a bit tighter as they entered, but much to his shock… the streets seemed dead. He could hear many voices to the right, but he couldn’t see a damned soul. Steering his horse off to the side, his dismounted and landed with a gentle grunt.


    Casually, or as casually as the man could, he tied the horses to the post and began heading towards the voices. By now, it was already sundown and the sickly light stabbed through the landscape, piercing windows and even into his body- where he could still feel its lingering warmth. He found himself unconsciously biting at his lip and sighed as it turned raw, rounding the nearest corner and then freezing.


    He could only stare out at the raised platform, his eyes settling on Amanda, who was down on her knees with her head hung- blood gently dribbled from her mouth which splattered with a cough that wracked her body, pain etched into her features and the tenseness of her muscles. In front of her on solid grown stood just about the entire town- all of them were shouting curses, calling her horrible things- but they all believed she deserved it. It was only when he focused that he could make out what the man next to her was saying, though it seemed they’d arrived right in the middle of the speech.


    “…..it is because of Miss Loxcrow ‘ere that we face such hard, difficult times. And so many of y’all might believe she’s innocent, that her words are true, but I tell ya she’s about as kind as a rattlesnake. She don killed her own pa for this to continue, the slaughter of outlaws. Me and my brothers, well, we’s got the solution. We were the solution- but none of this ain’t gonna end till she’s dead. All y’all are awares of that, ain’t ya?” The man quickly received feedback, they all agreed. Marigold just closed her eyes- she couldn’t fight this. She couldn’t fight all these people- but she just hoped that- her thoughts were cut short, looking up at Ryker yelled out- caught by one of the other men around the outer circle, while another tried to grab Clyde.


    “Oh, so y’all decided to join us for the show before dinner, how nice.” The man on stage smiled, his deep features dark, while the rest were lit by the sunlight. “Course, y’all were the main attraction! Watchin’ how dear little Amanda ‘ere betrays both of ya.”

    Clyde felt a little lighter having gotten the last word in their little spat. He was pretty sure that he would pay like hell for it later if they both survived this. Oh well, he could cross that bridge when he got to it. He followed behind Ryker not letting too much distance get between their horses. His muscles tensed as the town came into view. Pulling his bandanna away from his face he was surprised that the streets were dead. It was still daylight and most towns even had some drunkard wandering the streets after dark. It gave the outlaw an uneasy feeling in his gut. Everything told him this wasn't going to be good. Slipping off his own horse and tying it with a quick release not he didn't try and act casual keeping one hand near the gun on his hip.


    He followed the voices narrowing his eyes at what came into to sight. If there was one thing the outlaw hated it was mobs. Mobs got together and all common sense went out the window. A lot of groups turned into blood thirsty lynch mobs that were ready to spill blood. He also hated them because of the numbers. There was no way on this green Earth that he and Ryker could take on all of these people. His hand still rested near his gun especially when he spied Marigold up on stage. Momentary worry flashed in his eyes. If he could of he probably would have rushed up there guns blazing if this were one of those comics they were publishing back East where the cowboys went rushing into situations they were outnumbered in and somehow still came out alive with the girl. This wasn't no comic and he was forced to stay standing right where he was. Hearing Ryker get nabbed he whipped out his gun as another came for him.


    About to shoot he shook his head and lowered his gun Clyde would have loved to shoot this guy in the chest, but he guessed that killing someone in front of this crowd would probably turn them on him or he might hit someone with a stray bullet. Instead as the man made another lung for him he brought his fist up and clocked him hard in the side of the face. The guy went tumbling sideways knocked flat on the ground. "Anyone try that again and I will put a hole through you." Clyde gave a fair warning still keeping his gun poised now. Staring up at the platform he watched the guy who was clearly running this thing. "I don't want to take any kind of part in your dog and pony show here." Clyde yelled back at the man on stage setting his jaw. It wasn't clear if he had heard the claim that Mari had killed her own father. He seemed more focused on not getting shot and making sure Marigold was still okay. His eyes continued to flicker around keeping an eye out for any others who thought it would be a bright idea to grab him.

    The man on the stage set his jaw, the action putting such a strain on his body that several veins bulged in his neck, his face gaining a red tint out of the anger that overwhelmed him. He didn’t send any more men after Clyde, but sat back on his heels and looked down at Marigold. The woman kept her head down- pretending not to know who the two men were, but this also confirmed to the man that they were in fact exactly who he wanted them to be.


    Stepping forward, he opened his arms as if embracing the air and allowed a laugh to echo from his lips- the sound gritty but loud. “Oh, but you already are. Don’t ya know why you’ve come here? Certainly not to rescue someone who has put you in this predicament. I mean y’all better think on it… the way she found ya out in the bloomy desert moments from death’s sweet kiss,” this made Marigold looked up, straight at Clyde. He wouldn’t believe them, would be?


    “Not to mention all the people ya’ve come across who don’t really put up a fight, eh?” He offered, a smirk making its way onto his thin, cracked lips. Marigold’s body tightened, looking back down at her knees. Maybe, at one point, she’d wanted to get Clyde caught because it would clear her name- but not anymore. That had changed after she’d found him. She had made all plans to kill him, but there had been something different about the man, even despite his past… it drew her to him. When it came down to the moment with a gun pressed against his head, she couldn’t pull the trigger.


    “He’s wrong.” Marigold’s voice joined the fray, looking at both Ryker and Clyde. “You have to believe-“ she felt the painful sting of the dislocation of her jaw as the man shifted, hitting her across the side of the face with the barrel of his gun. The woman was knocked to the ground and could only groan horrendously as tears brimmed her eyes, blinding her vision. “This b**ch is a liar. Why do ya think this whole thing started? All because an outlaw flirted with death,” the preacher looked directly at her, “Daddy didn’t much like it,” the words were spat from his lips. Placing a foot on Marigold’s shoulder, he pushed the woman onto her back, his weight pushed onto her chest as he bent across his own knee, gun in hand as he watched Clyde. ”You don’t mean a damned thing so this snake, no one does. She killed her own pa which started this entire purge when she blamed it on an outlaw. She blamed it on you,”

    Standing where he was he lowered his gun to his side watching the man on stage like he was a rattlesnake curled up right in front of his path. Clyde's face didn't really change at first. The outlaw had never been good at listening to the preacher on Sunday's as a boy so, he already didn't seem very interested in what he had to say. He was paying more attention to Marigold staring right at her even though she was trying to keep her head down. The moment he brought up the fact that she had very conveniently rescued him right when he needed saving. His eyes snapped back to the speaker seeming a bit shocked by the fact that he even knew that fact. It wasn't a secret, but it also wasn't something that was well known either. It put him a bit on edge. The guy had his attention now. He briefly flickered his eyes over to her and time seemed to freeze when their eyes met. It was clear he was wary of what they were saying. No, he wasn't close to convinced yet, but it did make him a little unsure.


    He opened his mouth seeming ready to bite back with a denial, but he was struck dumb at the fact that yes she had found him in the desert when no one was around for miles and that they had run into opposition that couldn't be considered more then a minor annoyance really. His mouth hung open for a moment before he shut it again drawing in a deep breath. He was very tempted to take aim at the man on stage. It wouldn't be a very difficult shot, but it was also risky, for his one gun he was sure there were several that would answer and a few would probably just take Marigold out while they were at it. So, he was stuck in a situation he didn't like in the slightest.


    His jaw tightened when she looked down at her knees not seeming able to even look his way anymore. His gut twisted up into an ugly knot. Maybe there was some truth buried in his words...A small seed of uncertainty was planted in his mind. Despite it he looked at her when she tried to plead to them, but was cut off by a gun barrel colliding with her jaw and she went down. Tensing up the outlaw gripped his gun tighter and looked near ready to storm the stage. Before he could make any moves though he heard a hammer of a gun cock behind him. Clyde tried to look back at who it was, but got the gun pressed against his neck. "Hasn't anyone told you its rude to not look at someone when they're talking to ya?" A voice taunted him, it sounded familiar to him. The outlaw still kept hold of his gun, his whole body stiffening. With no where else to go he turned to look back at the preacher listening begrudgingly. There was no way for him hide the shock on his face when he was slapped in the face with the idea that she had laid the blame of her father on him. It made him almost physically ill to consider and was only made worse by the gunman behind him laughing in response. It was a smooth laughter that carried on the air despite the tense situation. Whirling around Clyde was full of p*ss and vinegar no longer carrying there had been a gun pointed at his head.


    The face that met his was one he never had wanted to run into again. A man of medium build that wore a crooked smile stood in front of him gun still poised his finger resting easily on the trigger. That wasn't the note worthy thing that made him stick out. That went to the large what looked like a bite mark that ran from his nose to his jaw. It looked like it was from a dog or a coyote maybe, the story of which it was changed with the night. "I can see the smoke comin' out your ears partner. Finally starting to catch up with things." When the man smile it seemed to stretch his scars and make his face even uglier. "Why did ya figure that I dumped you in the desert, but only gave you a bullet in your arm?" He questioned balling up a fist and hitting Clyde hard in the wounded arm which made him nearly drop his gun. The outlaw clutched his arm in clear pain. "I guess you can't have the looks and the brains partner." Taunting him Clyde's face flushed with pure rage. Here was his partner that shot him and left him, Dogface Kody. Clyde looked about ready to blow at who though was not really that clear. Things were just spiraling around him like water down a drain.

    The silence hung in the air like a heavy fog, even the crowd standing in front of the stage had fallen silent as the turmoil unfolded in front of their eyes. Marigold had bitten her lip, yet was hauled to her feet as her lips parted, speaking only to the preacher. He seemed to smirk rather satisfied as she looked at Clyde, her heart sinking and her words caught in her throat. She felt suffocated by what she had to tell him, but knew it was the only way to get him out of this... Even at the cost of him hating her. "...Yes, okay... I... I did make a deal Clyde. I told 'em I would play along... they said it would clear ma' name if I got you in my place... you were worse than me- and maybe I did shoot my pa but if I didn't... who would've? I didn't think the men would keep goin' I..." She swallowed the lump in her throat, but found only worthless words in places she had hoped to find retribution. "B-but that changed Clyde... I fell in love with you-" The preacher pressed his gun against her neck, whistling. "Man, I think that's about 'nough dont'cha?" he cackled, the noise throaty and disturbing, "I reckon it's about time Clyde Riley got a move on, then." He nodded at Dogface Kody, before he cocked the hammer of a gun, still holding it against Marigold's throat. The woman didn't try and move, but she stared at Clyde, the heartbreak visible in her own eyes that she had told him the truth... something he hadn't needed to know. She was trying to right this wrong and now...


    Ryker clenched his fists, shifting and punching away the man that was holding him back. Instantly he reached for his gun, aiming it at the Preacher. The man, however, just simply rolled his eyes. "Do it, and my finger'll pull the trigger, partner. Don't and she'll still die. You ain't gonna win this one." He said. Ryker hesitated, but the man was right... They couldn't win this. But how could he watch Amanda die? He couldn't. He glanced at Clyde, as if waiting for some kind of cue- an idea... something. He wasn't going to give up, was he? Sure Amanda had betrayed him but didn't it count that she kept him alive? That she was taking his place, even after admitting she had been horrified of losing her own life? That had to amount to something. Yet, he lowered his gun, placing it back into it's holster. "Com'on Clyde..." Ryker urged, slowly backing away from the man he had earlier knocked down. He wasn't sure the preacher would in fact kill Amanda, but he wasn't sure that he wouldn't.


    The preacher watched Amanda's friend turn away and he allowed a crooked smile to come upon his sun-dried face. Shifting the gun lower, he pulled the trigger.


    Bang.


    Marigold's vision flashed white and her ears rung with numbing pain. Falling to the ground, she couldn't even bring her hands to her gunshot as they were bound behind her back. She lay still on the boarded stage, watching as vermilion seeped from her clothes, staining her body and the wood it's brilliant colour. It was weird, that she couldn't feel anything, but she could hear shouting, whether that was cheering or not she couldn't tell. She could hear Ryker's distant voice, screaming bloody murder at the men... But then, silence overtook her senses, her head laying gently against the wooden post she had been next to and she allowed her eyes to close. Serendipity. She felt warm, even as her body began to go cold. Death's embrace truly was sweet.