Shani sauntered out of the room as the first rays of dawn began streaming in through the windows. She grinned like the cat who ate the canary as she ran a hand through her messy hair, and paused a moment before she closed the door to the bedroom. “You boys have a good nap now, ya hear,” she said with a sly grin as she looked back to the two young men who lay sprawled on the bed. She shut the door quietly and began down the hallway.
A few of the doors opened and the girls of the boarding house peeked out as they watched Shani, giggling quietly. Pania too had opened the door to Miss Arella’s room and leaned on the door frame, a knowing smirk on her face. “Did ye ‘ave fun?” she asked with arms crossed as she studied the elven gunslinger, seeing her in a new light. Shani noted that Pania had already dressed and seemed ready to ride.
“Rode hard,” she replied with a sly smile and a deep sigh. “Put ‘way wet.” She nodded and turned to look toward the other rooms as the girls yet again let out muffled giggles. Shani let them have their fun and turned back to her partner. “Didn’t git no complaints.”
“I should say no’,” Pania replied with a giggle as the pair began walking down the stairs into the main room of the boarding house. The smell of fresh bacon and eggs, hash browns and coffee wafted its way throughout the house, a sign that Arella was already up as well. “I dare say they may ‘ave ‘eard ye in Shreveport, wha’ with the way ye carried on.”
Shani gave Pania a slight look of disapproval, but pushed the thoughts aside. She needed to have fun that didn’t involve gambling, drinking and shooting. “It’ll be nice ta have a decent breakfast thet ain’t somethin’ we shot, ‘r somethin’ at a tavern,” she commented, changing the subject quickly.
“Arella’s cookin’ is some o’ the best I’ve ‘ad in this world,” Pania replied, trying to selling Shani on the idea. “’Sides, it’ll give us a chance to take a look at these,” she said as she took out two envelopes. She handed them both to Shani who opened each one and began reading the enclosed letters. Pania noted the elven gunslinger’s brow furrowing in frustration and anger. “Those were the only thin’s left from our lich after ‘e evaporated inta dust. Seems tha’ someone contracted ‘im out. Name’s on tha’ seal on the envelope.” Pania pointed to an ornate seal of wax that had held the envelope closed. It read simply, Mandrake.
“So wha’s the plan?” Shani said as she handed the envelopes back to Pania.
“First, breakfast,” she said as she moved into the kitchen. She gave Arella a warm smile and hugged her tight, ending it with a quick kiss good morning. “Then we should more ‘n likely ‘ead north ta Minnesota. I did some diggin’ an’ found out tha’ this Mandrake fella ‘as a mansion near St. Paul.”
“You been busy,” Shani noted as she took her seat at the table.
“I ‘ad me fun already,” Pania said with a grin. “’Sides, I didna want ta interrupt ye.”
Shani rolled her eyes and shook her head as a plate of food was placed before her. “Y’all ain’t gonna let me live thet one down, are ya.”
*****
On the streets of Bloomington, life was returning to normal. The townsfolk gathered talking about the night’s events, some in shock, some as though it were a grand adventure. Others passed it off as an excuse for some juvenille raucus. But still they talked about it. Slow Hand Johnson sat in the saloon and just listened, a smile on his face, as he knew none of their speculation was close to what had happened the previous night.
He finished his breakfast and tossed down some cash on the table, collected his things and rose to greet the morning light. A few people had begun to make their way onto the streets, as businesses began to open for the day. Wagons began rolling in and Slow Hand would stop as he walked, letting them pass by. He saw riders down the street, and felt a twinge go through him. “Those’re U.S. Army,” he muttered to himself as he peered down the street.
Riding tall in the saddle of the lead horse was their captain. A well known man by many. In Slow Hand’s case, known for the bounty this captain chased. He changed his direction and began walking toward the boarding house. He had to warn Shani and Pania that Captain Williams was in town.
*****
Shani returned to the main living room of the bordello after freshening up. She’d dressed and made sure that her gear was all in one piece, all the while trying to be quiet while the two young men were in a deep sleep. She tied her hair back in a pony tail and slid the stetson onto her her as she cleared her throat. Pania and Arella were sitting on the couch, not actually doing anything, but seemingly lost in each others eyes. “We still got us some supplies ta git,” Shani reminded Pania.
“I’ve taken care of some of that,” Arella announced as she looked up from her dream like state. “Some rations have been packed for both o’ you. Plus any extra ammunition that ya need.” She looked back to Pania with a sultry smile. “Gotta keep those pistols ready, honey.”
Shani rolled her eyes and sighed. She’d let Pania have her fun, at least for a little while. Then it was back on the trail to find this Mandrake. Her thoughts of the coming ride were broken, as the door opened quickly. Slow Hand walked in, urgency etched into his features. “Slow Hand, what the hell’s matter?” Shani asked quickly, knowing the usual pleasantries of the morning would be gone with his look.
“You two gotta get on the road again,” he anounced without hesitation. “Now. Captain Williams an’ his men just showed up in town. I figgered it’d take ’em a helluva lot longer ta get here.” He looked over to Shani with a smile. “Wanted ta win my money back. Guess I’ll have ta wait.”
“Now rest fer the wicked,” Pania remarked as she slipped into her long coat and dropped the duster hat on her head. “C’mon. We best make tracks now.” The pair of elves quietly exited the bordello, their horses waiting for them on the street. At least Slow Hand had made sure to get them ready before they had to run.
Shani took quick glances across the street as they approached the horses, noting the horsemen in uniform were busy around the tavern. “Maybe we kin catch a break,” Shani whispered.
Across the street, the men tended to their horses in a casual manner. Private Johnson was hitching up his horse as he managed to look up toward the bordello. He froze for a moment as he saw the two elves. For a brief moment, he almost said nothing. He remembered what these two had done in the South. Acting as sheriff and deputy to help clean up a small town. But they had their orders. He had no choice.
“Sir…” he said in a whisper like voice, then bolstered his courage and forced his voice to rise in timber. “Captain Williams!” Williams, along with the other soldiers, looked toward Private Johnson. Captain Williams gaze continued as he looked across the street.
Shani and Pania nearly froze in place. Pania was already in the saddle, Shani had one foot in her sturup. “Shit,” she muttered to herself.
A few seconds seemed to draw out like hours as the staring contest continued. Captain Williams was the first to break it. “Men, mount now!” he shouted, which seemed to snap Shani out of her trance. The lithe elf jumped into the saddle and coaxed Gipsum into a gallop. They’d have a head start as the soldiers still had to unhitch their horses, but here they were once again. On the run.
“Jus’ like ol’ times, aye,” Pania said with a grin as she tried to bring some levity to the situation.
Shani gave Pania a quick look and spurred her horse forward. “Yeah, ‘cept I’m gittin’ kinda used ta ridin’ at a leisurely pace.” She took a quick look behind them as they raced down the main street of Bloomington. They had a long ride ahead of them, and having the pursuit would not be helpful. “Let’s jist git our asses ta St. Paul an’ figger this out. ‘Cause ifn we don’t, no tellin’ what this bastard’ll do.”
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