Character Building: Captain Samuel Williams

20 Dec

Previously, I went over some of the main characters of the rewrite to Black Mask & Pale Rider. Those were looked at as the “heroes” of this tale, which is really kind of off as a description as there are no heroes, nor are there any villains. At least, not in the first book. Now, to look at the main antagonist, the one who will chase Shani and Pania across the States.

Captain Samuel Williams is a United States Cavalry officer. He is dedicated to his duties and does not question his orders if he feels they are fair and presented to him without deception. A veteran of the Battle of Antietam in Maryland, Williams proved his loyalty to the Union. Although the Civil War continued, the President had his sights set on expansion west, and there were unsavoury characters that needed to be taken in to allow this to happen. Two of those included the outlaws known as Black Mask and Pale Rider.

Williams was informed that these two were seen as agitators. Pale Rider would rob stage coaches, hold up law abiding citizens in broad daylight, and it was even reported she had killed a United States Marshal. Black Mask was a bank robber, a cutthroat, a brigand. She was also a gunslinger, and word had spread about her kill count in street fights. Williams was ordered to use whatever resources he had to bring these two to justice. But they were to be brought in alive and made an example of.

Williams was a law abiding man. He knew that word of these two was unsettling to many along the Eastern seaboard. Their capture would help to ease tensions, allow for Western expansion, and even ensure that the British Territories to the north would not look to starting a fight with the Union. The Union and the Confederacy were both vulnerable to outside sources thanks to their own internal conflict.

A good judge of character, Williams hand picked his men. Some had served under him in the past. Others were new recruits that he had heard good things about. Once they were together, they would make their way west to Chicago, where Pale Rider had been rumoured to be holed up. His plan was to capture Pania first, then head south to the border States and seek some assistance in capturing Shani and whomever she might be allied with.

Williams stands a good six feet two inches tall, is an accomplished rider and rifleman. When he speaks, his words are measured and very well thought out, even during tense situations. He has shoulder length sandy blonde hair that is kept neat and clean, just as he does with everything in his life. Even while serving in action, he managed to find time to keep his uniform presentable. Williams is a man who pays a great deal of attention to detail.