The valley was wonderful, KC reveled at the band of horses that roamed within the sparse grazing land. The herd was small around 20 to 30 mares and foals, their proud leader standing tall nearby on a small hill. A place that gave him a great view of the open land around him. KC could see the stallion watching him and Lucky as they watched the group. "Take care of your family," KC whispered to the stallion before turning Lucky away from the herd and riding on.
It was good to see a band of horses around the area. Lucky tripped causing KC to hold him up with the reins before letting the horse walk out again. There was no denying that this ride was doing the stiff and sore stallion some good.
"They disappeared, longer we spend out here searching," Vin didn't finish his sentence as he rode along side Buck. Buck nodded with a grim look on his face, before adding, "Just too much country to scavenge," Buck twisted in his saddle taking a look around the area they were riding in. Half hoping that it would bring some bit of information his way. The trees held their tongues not betraying their secret.
"Water couple miles up we should stop there and rest the horses. They could use some refreshing." Buck nodded to the Tracker as they headed their steeds to the water hole.
The ride back to town was slow, KC wished that the stallion were sound again. Everything in town seemed quiet as KC dismounted and then led Lucky back to his stall. "Somethin's gonna hav' ta give," KC told his long time friend as he removed the tack, knowing that before long he would either have to ride out of here on a lame horse or find Lucky a new home. KC knew that he wouldn't be happy if he wasn't allowed to roam.
Near the saloon a man waited back in the alley patiently for the rider that had gone into the livery. A cigar held gently in his teeth as he took deep savoring puffs from it. The shadows that fell onto the man's face, shielded his features from those who meandered down the boardwalk. He caught sight of the rider as she walked out of the livery, and moved with purpose toward the saloon that he stood next too.
KC passed the man as he headed to the saloon, a familiar smell of long ago entered his nostrils and he tried to remember when he last smelled that scent. Never breaking stride, KC stepped up onto the boardwalk and entered the saloon. Lily was behind the bar with Terrance who calmly took a bottle of whiskey and filled the glass on the bar. KC noticed that it was the bottle that he never watered down. He moved toward the bar.
Jolted from the side KC drew his fist around stared at the wide eyed woman that stared at his fist that stopped in mid swing. Drawing his fist down KC cussed under his breath and moved away. He didn't know what had him riled. Lucky was getting better, there was still the matter of taking up Lucky's sale with Terrance who had snuck out from behind the bar. Looking around KC couldn't find the snake eyed man that seemed to drip with ungentlemanly behavior at times. And reek with it at others.
"Cher," Lily called from behind the bar. KC turned to look at the woman who waved him over. Finishing the last stretch to the bar, she looked at the woman kindly. "Could you take this over to Josiah, and his friend?"
Nodding KC took the two drinks and moved over to the table of the old gunfighter, he could feel the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end as he placed the old gunfighters glass in front of him. Keeping one eye on Josiah, KC took notice of the Cheyenne that sat across from him. Placing the woman's drink before her. Josiah kindly smiled at the boy, as he made his escape from the table. His eyes followed the boy's movement back to the bar.