The sun hung in the sky as Angpetu galloped into the town of Brogden, the day was not yet finished but it would be soon enough; soon the blue would turn to crimson and amber and night would fall bringing out the unspeakable thing that were whispered about. The Padre had given her some much needed information regarding odd happenings in the town over the last several weeks; unknown deaths seemed to be plaguing the area and he feared it was more than a new disease. The town doctor seemed unable to answer any cause of deaths and the dear father was tired of burying his parishioners.
Pulling back on the reins, she brought her steed to a slow trot as she came into the town proper, looking at the residents with apprehension. Could one of them be the cause or was it still hiding. Coming to a stop in front of the local tavern she dismounted and tied off her horse before grabbing her pack and rifle. She ignored the looks she received but paid attention to the hushed words; talk of a quick-draw duel that had occurred not long before she arrived floated to her ears . Interesting, she thought to herself as she pushed her way into the tavern. Angpetu needed to recruit people but this was not something she could come out openly and say so she concluded that her best course of action would be to hold up here a few days and see if any individuals would stand out to her.
Brushing past the ruffians of the Saloon she continued to ignore the looks she received; side stepping several free roaming hands that attempted to touch her as she walked. Procuring a room on the second floor and making sure that it would be facing the main thoroughfare of the town she proceeded upstairs to what would be her home for the next several days. Opening the door she groaned slightly at the surrounding and the mixed aroma of tobacco smoke and cheap perfume as she stepped in. Closing and latching the door behind her, she set her belongings down and headed over to the window, opening it to clear out the vile combination that was assaulting her senses. Evening was quickly approaching and the sun was setting and it seemed there was a ruckus occurring in the middle of town now.
Sliding outside of the window onto the wrapped upper veranda of the tavern she knelt down and watched with rifle in hand. Just what she needed tonight, a mob bent on slaughtering another native. She remained quiet as she watched, listening to the charges and rolled her eyes; fear and ignorance, the perfect fuel for such situations. They were livid and bent on this one person being the sacrifice for all that was wrong in their lives, she knew it would not be enough. She knew if another came around they would do the same.
The Sheriff stepped out of the office, chewing on a bit of straw as he did and leaned against a post as he watched. “Shut it!” he bellowed over the furious crowd before spitting on the ground and pushing off the post. “Ya’ll know I don’t put up with mobs and pitch forks. I am the law in this town, not you,” he grumbled as the crowds yelling slowly began to quiet; several of the mobs participants screaming out various charges still. The Sheriff shook his head and un-holstered his side arm, firing several shots into the air above them; the crowd giving out a collective gasp but it had the intended effect. “Harold, did you see this man steal your corn?” he asked quickly and the man shook his head. “John, did you see him bed your daughter?” he asked turning his head in the direction of the man yelling about his daughters honor. John shook his head no. “And did a single one of ya see this man summon a spirit?” he asked projecting his voice over the crowd in general; they all shook their heads no.
“Then I suggest ya’ll let the heathen go,” the Sherriff demanded as he took a stroll over to the man that was bound. “Injun, you must be loco to be setting foot near here but that’s the only crime I see you committing right now,” he said sternly as he took the binds and began to release the man. The crowd stepped back but they made their protests very vocal as they began to yell again. One in particular decided to take it upon himself to issue the justice he felt was needed, the death of the bound one; drawing his side arm quickly and aiming to finish this Indian off before the Sherriff had a chance to release him.
Angpetu had been watching the scene unfold; pulling a single cartridge from her belt and loading it into her rifle. She watched the one the Sherriff referred to as John; his speech was slurred and his footsteps sloppy. “Cic maith sa toin ata de dlitch air,” she muttered under her breath as she rose from her crouched position and took aim, she would not fire unless it got out of control but sadly it was quickly approaching that point. Seeing the man draw his gun she took aim and before he could get a shot off Angpetu aimed and let out a short breath as she squeezed the trigger of her rifle. The firing of the rifle broke through the air as the bullet made contact with the drunkards’ pistol and sent if flying out of his hand. The crowd and Sherriff ducking down somewhat as John screamed out and started shaking his hand vigorously, letting out a yelp. Stepping out of the shadow of the Saloon so she could be seen.
“I suggest ya’ll go home, next time I won’t be so sloppy with me aim,” she yelled out as she pulled another cartridge from her belt and rose her rifle; pointing it back at the crowd. “That means git!” she added as she took aim once again. The Sherriff looked up swiftly and nodded towards her.
“Ya’ll heard the woman, git!” he added and the crowd slowly dispersed, save one. John was not going to let this heathen get away, stumbling he picked up his gun and tried to fire again but it was too late. Angpetu squeezed the trigger once again and this time hit him in the chest, his corpse crumbling quickly to the ground.
“I warned him,” she spat as she lowered her weapon.