They’d been traveling the roads for over a week. Keeping themselves under a low profile while riding from town to town. Shani reluctantly agreed no bank jobs. Especially when they had such a long way to ride to reach Shreveport and the Underground Railroad. The horses loped into the town slowly. Another stop, it seemed. The town was small enough, and looked friendly enough. People offered a smile and a cheerful greeting as they passed by. Obviously they weren’t privy to the wanted posters with the likenesses of Black Mask and Pale Rider. Or maybe they didn’t care. Maybe they didn’t believe the ramblings of the dime store novels.
Pania saw the man first, sitting tall in the saddle. She couldn’t help but not see him, his large frame that sat almost delicately on the back of his horse. Rather, his Clydesdale. The elven bard took note of the badge on the man’s coat, recognizing the mark of a United States Marshal. She nudged Shani, who was busily taking note of the different businesses in the community. The lithe gunslinger looked to Pania, slightly annoyed, then saw where the bard was looking.
“Ev’nin’, Marshal,” Pania spoke up as she tipped her hat. Shani followed suit as both elves brought their mounts to a halt in the middle of the street.
The large man prodded his war horse forward a bit, stopping beside Pania’s and looked down to the pair of elves. Both of their eyes were like saucers that someone would actually want to ride an animal such as that. “Welcome to Franklin, ladies,” he said in a calm voice. There was no malice in his voice, and even his eyes seemed to smile, a slight contrast to the leathered face. He appeared to have seen a good number of years. “I believe your reputations precede you. Black Mask and Pale Rider.”
Shani gulped audibly. There was no way that she would be able to outrun or even outfox a man like this. “So… um…” Shani tried to say, but found there was no words that came to her mind as she stammered away.
“Wha’ now, Marshal?” Pania simply resigned herself to say.
The large man chuckled lightly, and even then it still sounded like a rumble of an oncoming thunderstorm. “No need to worry, ladies. As long as your stay here is peaceful, then you are free to come and go as you please. Things are done a bit differently in Franklin.” There was just a hint of an accent that Pania could not put her finger on as the man spoke. “As you have so keenly observed, I am the Marshal for this region. Marshal Martin Derringer.
“Well, guess y’already know us, huh?” Shani said without difficulty this time. “I mean, seein’ how ya mentioned our monickers right ‘way.”
“Black Mask,” Derringer stated. “Given to you by the first sheriff you crossed paths with, just because he didn’t know your name.” Derringer smiled as he repeated the tale. Shani just nodded, he was dead on the money, not like in the dime store novels. This alone made Derringer more dangerous than anyone else they had met before. “And Pale Rider,” Derringer continued. “So given to you by the Natives in Maine and New York where you first made your appearance.” He arched an eyebrow as he looked to Pania, and there seemed to be a twinkle in his eyes. “To many in the New England states, that alone was a black mark against you.”
“Aye,” Pania said slowly as she tried to smirk. “Never could understan’ why, mind ye.”
Derringer tipped his hat to the two elves and smiled. “There is an inn and tavern just at the end of this street. They have lodgings available, and they always have entertainment.” He looked to Pania for a moment. “Perhaps that might interest someone like yourself.” He rolled his shoulders as Pania could only sit in her saddle slack jawed. Derringer didn’t wait for a reply as he continued. “And they have legal poker games nightly, something you might be interested in, Miss Wennemein.” Shani just blinked for a moment, and never said a word. “For now, you ladies have a lovely evening.” He tipped his hat again, and urged the powerful mount forward. The Clydesdale lazily loped down the street as Marshal Derringer greeted townsfolk out for an early evening.
The two elves just watched him for a moment, then looked to each other.
“Y’all find thet jist a bit creepy,” Shani remarked.
Pania turned in her saddle and started her horse down the street. “Le’s jus’ ge’ a good meal, a ‘ot bath, an’ ride on. I will say tha’ the good Marshal is fulla surprises.” Shani nodded as she took a deep breath, urging her horse forward as she followed Pania.
The wind whistled as evening began to approached. Clouds pulled themselves together, as if a beckoning hand demanded their attention. Thunder rolled in the distance. Lightning flashed. And an unearthly howl sounded out.
The hunt was on. And the Huntsman would begin to track his prey.
Shani opened the double doors to the tavern slowly and took a quick look around inside. It looked to be a popular place. And the townsfolk seemed to be friendly. Perhaps even overly friendly. As Shani passed by one table, a portly man with a thick white beard smiled and invited her to sit and take part in a game of poker. Shani returned the smile and tipped her hat in thanks, stating she just might have to take in a couple of hands.
Pania found she was having the same reaction as Shani to the smiles and nods of greeting. One young woman asked if Pania would put on a performance later in the evening, to which Pania had to decline, saying she needed a bath and a hot meal in her first. But, she definitely would consider it.
They both saddled up to the bar and began to speak in low tones amongst themselves as they seemed to hang onto the immaculately polished brass railing that surrounded the bar. “This gittin’ any weirder fer you?”
“Aye, weird ‘nough,” Pania replied as she took another glance around the bar. It would have been so much like a tavern back home. Minus all the six shooter, 12 gage shotguns and other pistols. But just like home. She looked back across the bar, suddenly surprised at the appearance of the bartender. He offered a kind smile as he wiped off the bar in front of the two, placing a pair of clean glasses in front of each of them.
“What can I interest you ladies in tonight?” he asked, then quickly held up a hand as though he needn’t hear any reply. “Actually, I think I have just the thing for you.” He reached under the bar and took out a rather ornate bottle, gently placing it on the bar before them. “From our private stock,” he said with a smile, his chubby cheeks making him seem like a kindly middle aged man, and his eyes holding a well of wisdom.
Pania reached slowly for the bottle and inspected it closely. She brushed back some of the dust on the bottle and looked up to the bartender with bewildered eyes. “This… this… this…” she stammered, completely taken aback by the inscription on the bottle.
“Elven wine, I know,” the bartender nodded with a chuckle. He saw the looks the held and felt compelled to explain. “You aren’t the first of your kind to come drifting into this town. As a matter of fact, one of the first citizens here was an elf. We keep that information quiet around here, we don’t need nosy tourists defiling his last resting place.”
“An.. elf?” Shani said with a great deal of force. It was hard to believe, but she supposed it was true. “An’ he left… left… a bottle.”
“Actually, he left an entire reserve for us,” the bartender explained, his smile ever present. “About thirty years ago, he returned home, and brought this to us. A thank you, he said, for everything we had done, and for making him so welcome. I was just a small boy at the time, my father ran this place. About ten years later, he passed on. I remember hearing that he was very old, and just simply wanted a place to stay and live in peace.” The bartender shrugged a bit before continuing. “I suppose his life was filled with a great deal of troubles. We never bothered him about that, really.”
Again, Shani blinked, unable to say a word. Pania would have to do the talking for now. “Is there… any chance we can see the grave? Jus’ ta pay respects. It’s no’ often we ‘ear o’ ‘nother elf in these parts.”
“Certainly, I don’t see why not,” the bartender replied. “But for now, enjoy yourselves. Three days ago word came in that you helped a small village in Pennsylvania against a den of vampires. You deserve a rest after that.” He gave each of them a pat on the shoulder and pushed the bottle toward them. “Consider this one on the house.” With that, he left to perform his duties as the tavern owner.
The two elves never said a word for quite some time, as they tried to let all this new information sink in. It was Pania who finally spoke. “We ain’t dreamin’, are we?”
“No,” Pania replied in a quiet, automatic tone. “I’d say no’.” She picked up the bottle again and a smile came to her face. She uncorked it, and poured some for each of them. “Fer now, le’s jus’ enjoy the moment, shall we.”
The sound of poker chips clinking seemed calm. Shani studied her cards closely as she contemplated her bet. Finally, she took five chips and tossed them into the middle of the table, looking to each of the other participants. “I’ll see yer bet, an’ raise it twenny bucks,” she said casually.
“Elf’s got a mean poker face,” a slender gentleman in a deep blue fancy suit said with a sigh.
“You’re just jealous, Jack,” the portly man with rosy cheeks and a full white beard chuckled. “You always had the best poker face, but after a while you can tell when your dour demeanor means you have garbage in your hands.” Jack just scowled and matched the bet.
“Glad this is a friendly game, Nick,” Jack replied as he watched Nick toss in his ante. “I guess that’s why I always come to Franklin during the summer months.” One of the other players added his into the pot and looked to the last. The last player grumbled and tossed his cards down, muttering something about too rich for him. Jack looked over to Shani. “You called it, let’s see ’em.”
Shani grinned as she placed her cards on the table. “Royal Flush, gentlemen,” she said as she watched the reaction from the others. One of them just shook his head as he grabbed his glass and walked to the bar. Nick could only laugh, and Jack, he sighed openly as he leaned back in his chair.
“That’s five in a row, Elfy girl,” Jack merely stated. “Exactly how much of my money do you wanna take?”
Shani shrugged as she dragged the pot in with a grin. “Hell, luck’s gotta run dry at some point. Let’s jist say I’m havin’ fun. Lot better ‘n back in Madison, where a poker game ended in pistols.” She added her winnings to her pile as Nick picked up the cards and began to shuffle. The player who went to the bar returned with a fresh drink and a bottle of whiskey, which he began filling up the other’s glasses.
“Fortunately,” Nick said as he began shuffling the cards like an old time professional poker player. “Around here it’s an unspoken and unwritten rule. I’ve never heard of gun play at a poker game here.”
“Oh, there has been,” Jack informed them as he picked up his drink, saluting with the glass to the cowboy who’d brought the bottle. “But the usually have to deal with Marshal Derringer. I’ll just say the last time weren’t pretty.” He took a swig of his drink and set the glass down. Shani noted to herself that these four players seemed to have a never ending well of money available to them. Each time the girl that carried chips walked around they always bought more. Waitresses cruised the spacious tavern carrying cigars, drinks, chips and more for the many patrons who had come in to fill this quaint place. There was even a stage for entertainers.
Each evening there was entertainment, and tonight was no different. The poker game seemed to come to a halt as the stage became lit up with the floor lights and the manager of the tavern, the friendly bar tender, walked onto the stage.
“If I could have your attention, everyone,” he called out to the crowd in a boisterous voice. “Each night we have a new entertainer join us, and tonight is no different. Two of our wonderful girls have joined tonight with a very special and surprise guest. Miss Pania Alow, known to most as the scourge of the New England states, Pale Rider. Tonight, we are delighted to find a softer and gentler side to Miss Alow, as she and our usual house will be pleased to perform for you all.”
Shani groaned as she seemed to sink into the chair just a bit. The crowd clapped loudly as the three ladies came onto the stage, dressed in red and black dresses complete with all the finery expected to be seen on ladies who performed the interestng line dances seen in larger halls in larger centers. As the performers lined up on stage, a fiddle player and a banjo player took their seats beside the stage. And the three ladies began evening’s entertainment, singing in perfect harmony, beginning slowly, and sultry.
You can’t afford no ring
I shouldn’t be wearing white and you can’t afford no ring
As the first few lines echoed throughout the tavern, the fiddle and banjo picked up the tempo immediately, and the three ladies began dancing in unison on the stage, hands clutching the dress as they would perform a high kick in time to the music, giving just a hint of another show to the audience.
You finally took my hand
It took a nip of gin
But you finally
took my hand
You can’t afford no ring
You can’t afford no ring
I shouldn’t be wearing white and you can’t afford no ring
A bass player joined in, strumming the strings in time to the beat as the ladies went back to their quick dance, bringing the crowd to clapping in time to the music. A few of the patrons let out a whistle every now and then. Shani peeked toward the stage and saw Pania give her wink as she performed another high kick. The elven gunslinger just muttered oh my lord and sighed slightly.
Mama don’t approve
Daddy says he’s the best in town
And mama don’t approve
You can’t afford no ring
You can’t afford no ring
I shouldn’t be wearing white and you can’t afford no ring
The fiddle player brought the crowd to a boisterous clapping as the ladies danced on stage in time to the music. Each of them offered a broad smile to the crowd, knowing that their endeavor was paying off, just like magic. And just like magic, without little to no practice, they kept singing in perfect harmony at the appropriate intervals.
Baby’s on its way
Say I do and kiss me quick
‘Cause baby’s on its way
The music became quick as the ladies danced on stage, the final part just around the corner as the crowd clapped in time to the music louder and louder, as though to entice the dancers to do more. The banjo picked up the pace as the ladies sang the final line, ending the song with a flare just for the crowd.
The poker players tossed in their chips as the game began to resume. “You seem less than enthused about the performance,” Nick said as he nudged Shani.
“Y’all don’t ride with ‘er,” she said with a huff as she tossed her opening bet into the pot. “So I’ll fergive ya fer thet.” She took a look at her cards before the game began in earnest and sighed. “Well, look like my luck jist ran out.”
lyrics from White Trash Wedding as performed by the Dixie Chicks
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