Camp Northeast of Haylliesburg, 3 days prior
Josiah sat next to a small fire, and three other men, on the road leading to the small town of Haylliesburg. The four men had been riding together for the past five days, with Josiah having joined them as part of a bounty hunt on the way to the next town, and decided to stick with them for the company. Josiah passed a stout bottle of whiskey between him and the men, talking with them as stew cooked over the fire. The night was still and quiet, only broken when a voice called out "Mind if I join you four?" The men from the camp looked up, and waved the rider over, who dismounted and walked with his horse to the fire.
"So what brings ye to our camp, stranger?" Josiah asked the man, passing him the whiskey bottle. The man took a large swig and said "Well, I'm riding out from Haylliesburg, on my way to the other towns near here. Supposed to be postin' notes for our new job openin'." He handed the men a flier, which they each read, passing it around. Josiah looked over it, nodding to himself, and mouthing the words as he read them.
"So they be needin' a new sheriff? Well, I'll hafta look inta that. Been meanin' ta settle down, might just be tha right place ta do it." On those words, the stew began to steam and boil, signifying it was done...
Arrival in Haylliesburg, 9th February
Josiah Solomon Murphy was a simple man, with rather simple taste. He liked good whiskey, good work, good cards, and not much else. So when he rode into Haylliesburg that fateful day, he knew exactly which buildings to look for. He'd come here because of word about the town needing a new sheriff, which he'd heard from a couple camps over the past three days. He'd also come because he needed a good, stiff drink. So when a man in the center of town asked him why he had come here and what he was looking for, Josiah simply said
"Saloon, lad. I'm lookin' fer a drink." The man pointed out to him which was the saloon, Josiah gave him a silent thanks, dismounted, tied his white Mustang stallion to the post, and walked inside.
@Sigurd@Stekkmen@Vas Khaleen@FallenTrinity@bluetommy2Stepping into the saloon, Josiah stopped to take it all in. The bar had the same smell of alcohol, drunks, and animals that he had long since grown accustomed to. Stepping up to the bar, he placed a small order.
"Shot o' whiskey, if ye would." Taking his drink from the barkeep, he quickly downed it in one gulp, taking a second shot, and then a third, before paying. He noted the folks at the bar, finding the sight of a woman interesting, but not all that strange. It happens, after all. Then he noted the poker game. Most of the patrons were no different than the tens of other bar flies Josiah had seen in his travels, except one. The Native. Obviously a foreigner to these parts, Josiah felt an odd feeling, almost that of kinship with the man. So maybe that's why Josiah did what he did, stepping up to the table and asking
Ye got room fer one more in yer game, there? It's been a few days since me last game."@bluetommy2