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"There's not enough room in this forum for the two of us." FM slammed his emptied whisky glass down on the wooden counter. "Step outside, Grix......"
Grix eyed FM carefully. They'd known each other for a long time, but things had been gettin' a little strained lately."
"What's this about, FM," he demanded, making his way through the packed but hushed saloon and pushing the swinging doors outwards as he stepped onto the dusty ground outside.
"Well," replied FM, pushing open the doors again and following Grix outside into the hot, dry air, "You've bushwhacked one of my topics just one time too many. It's time we had this out. Mano a Mano. Poster to Poster."
Grix paused in his stride to think of a witty retort about FM's last comment, then decided that now was probably not the time.
"So, what's it to be? 10 paces, turn and fire?" asked Grix, making sure his gunbelt was fastened properly.
"You know me better than that, Grix. 30 paces." FM checked his gunbelt. The Smith and Wesson 6-shot revolver hung loosely at his right hip.
They stood back to back under the glare of the midday sun, and started to count.....
1....2....3....
The occupants of the saloon were packing the windows trying to get a glimpse of the showdown outside. This was unheard of. The last shootout in the town of Last Chance Reserve had been quite a time ago, when the Er-no posse had cleaned out the Desperate Dans, but this was different. Two equally matched opponents were about to face off.
Insane Bartender was going even more nuts behind the saloon's counter because he was losing good sales whilst all this was going on.
Outside, the count was at 25.... as FM glanced to his right and saw PB on the roof of the Red Splat Hotel and Boarding House, shotgun at hand. PB nodded with a knowing look. FM nodded back.
The count was 26.... as Grix looked across to the SR Saddlery, where he spied Sniper with his trusty Winchester Rifle. Grix gave a brief nod. Sniper returned it.
27....28...29..
Dust whirled up as both men spun to face each other. The blast of PB's shotgun firing both barrels broke the deafening silence that preceeded it, and a cloud of sand flew up at Grix's feet as the buckshot ploughed into the ground.
Grix drew his gun and took aim, FM was still drawing his because he was left handed and his belt was on the wrong way, Sniper fired his rifle, and there was a sharp report, then a clatter as PB dropped his shotgun and swandived off the roof of the hotel and landed in a horse trough.
FM grappled with his pistol, it had snagged in the holster, and he reminded himself to be more careful where he left his chewing gum.
Grix took pity. (No he didn't). Grix fired his gun. Fortunately, FM and done his research and Grix's eyesight wasn't as good as it should have been, and at 30 paces it was like trying to read a Wanted Poster through a mirage. Grix's first bullet flew out of town faster than a newbie Gameaday winner. He wasn't sure if he had hit FM or not, but then he heard FM pull back the hammer of his Smith and Wesson with a
*click*
Grix eyed FM carefully. They'd known each other for a long time, but things had been gettin' a little strained lately."
"What's this about, FM," he demanded, making his way through the packed but hushed saloon and pushing the swinging doors outwards as he stepped onto the dusty ground outside.
"Well," replied FM, pushing open the doors again and following Grix outside into the hot, dry air, "You've bushwhacked one of my topics just one time too many. It's time we had this out. Mano a Mano. Poster to Poster."
Grix paused in his stride to think of a witty retort about FM's last comment, then decided that now was probably not the time.
"So, what's it to be? 10 paces, turn and fire?" asked Grix, making sure his gunbelt was fastened properly.
"You know me better than that, Grix. 30 paces." FM checked his gunbelt. The Smith and Wesson 6-shot revolver hung loosely at his right hip.
They stood back to back under the glare of the midday sun, and started to count.....
1....2....3....
The occupants of the saloon were packing the windows trying to get a glimpse of the showdown outside. This was unheard of. The last shootout in the town of Last Chance Reserve had been quite a time ago, when the Er-no posse had cleaned out the Desperate Dans, but this was different. Two equally matched opponents were about to face off.
Insane Bartender was going even more nuts behind the saloon's counter because he was losing good sales whilst all this was going on.
Outside, the count was at 25.... as FM glanced to his right and saw PB on the roof of the Red Splat Hotel and Boarding House, shotgun at hand. PB nodded with a knowing look. FM nodded back.
The count was 26.... as Grix looked across to the SR Saddlery, where he spied Sniper with his trusty Winchester Rifle. Grix gave a brief nod. Sniper returned it.
27....28...29..
Dust whirled up as both men spun to face each other. The blast of PB's shotgun firing both barrels broke the deafening silence that preceeded it, and a cloud of sand flew up at Grix's feet as the buckshot ploughed into the ground.
Grix drew his gun and took aim, FM was still drawing his because he was left handed and his belt was on the wrong way, Sniper fired his rifle, and there was a sharp report, then a clatter as PB dropped his shotgun and swandived off the roof of the hotel and landed in a horse trough.
FM grappled with his pistol, it had snagged in the holster, and he reminded himself to be more careful where he left his chewing gum.
Grix took pity. (No he didn't). Grix fired his gun. Fortunately, FM and done his research and Grix's eyesight wasn't as good as it should have been, and at 30 paces it was like trying to read a Wanted Poster through a mirage. Grix's first bullet flew out of town faster than a newbie Gameaday winner. He wasn't sure if he had hit FM or not, but then he heard FM pull back the hammer of his Smith and Wesson with a
*click*
Page:
As they made their way into the relative safety of Sheepy's gunshop, pb looked through the window at the scene outside. The town was visably divided into two now. Half of the population were behind Sheriff Meka. Although they all knew of his weakness for drink, they still trusted him to keep the town safe, and sending Ali and Joe to the gallows had strengthened their faith in his work. Leading them was Jenny, who had seen her plan to get what she wanted from the sheriff fast disapearing.
The other side of the town was routing for Tony, mostly because they were mainly the rich folk who had a lot of money invested in the bank and felt that if they lost favour with their bank manager, they'd have a lot else to lose besides. Leading them was Edgy, the town's Funeral Director who had made a huge profit in recent months and looked as if he would make an even larger one now.
The atmosphere buzzed with electricity as people pointed their newly aquired guns at one another and shouted abuse. All the pent up anger and frustration that usually went unsaid had now risen to the surface and it was affecting nearly everyone in the town.
---------
A lone crow looked away from the proceedings and flew off into the distance towards the rising sun and an old forgotton temple. For anyone who would have been watching it from the town, it became smaller and smaller as it flew away, becoming just a single black speck in the sky then dissapearing altogether.
---------
The other side of the town was routing for Tony, mostly because they were mainly the rich folk who had a lot of money invested in the bank and felt that if they lost favour with their bank manager, they'd have a lot else to lose besides. Leading them was Edgy, the town's Funeral Director who had made a huge profit in recent months and looked as if he would make an even larger one now.
The atmosphere buzzed with electricity as people pointed their newly aquired guns at one another and shouted abuse. All the pent up anger and frustration that usually went unsaid had now risen to the surface and it was affecting nearly everyone in the town.
---------
A lone crow looked away from the proceedings and flew off into the distance towards the rising sun and an old forgotton temple. For anyone who would have been watching it from the town, it became smaller and smaller as it flew away, becoming just a single black speck in the sky then dissapearing altogether.
---------
Ant slept easily that night... under the watch of the dead... but Ant did worry about something... how on earth was he still able to breathe?
(Nothing to do with the lack of certain writer's actually thinking things through?)
...Err... Big air sac, under the earth. Yup. Or just magic.
(Magic is easier.)
Magic then.
---------------
The strange man told Grix of the rock he found.
"So a pair of eyes, a staff, and a cloud..."
He looked at the stone... was that a cloud? He couldn't be sure.
The stranger looked back at the stone, "The thinker, the fighter, and the watcher."
"Yes... I did think that... but what about the man in the centre, with the tail and red eyes?"
"...I don't know... perhaps it's something that binds them."
"Or the thing they are attacking."
The stranger took back the rock, and began to translate. "The eyes... can be found in a grave..."
"Real eyes?"
"I doubt it... in the White Heaven graveyard... but it speaks of nothing about a name... or number..."
"Ok, let's leave the eyes till last then. Where's the err... cloud?"
"The temple of the dead... Ant's in there. He will find it."
"Destiny, and all that?"
"Yes... and the staff..."
"Is where?"
"Beneath our feet... beneath the Crow Sun shrine."
Grix looked at the mosaic tiled floor... white, dirty, cracked and worn. But the floor was large. They didn't know where to dig.
The stranger walked down the room, looking into the stars through the holes in the roof.
"There must be another clue in here somewhere..." The strange man looked closer at the white mosaic tiling.
"This floor wasn't originally white... look at the painting on some of the little tiles."
Grix bent down, and looked at some of the tiles... he brushed the smashed glass from some old windows away, and began to scrub the tiles with a cloth... the white paint peeled away... and left a black tile underneath. The stranger looked at Grix, and got on his knees and began to scrub too.
When they had finshed... they read what the tiles spoke to them...
"It's just numbers. It makes no sense..." Roman numerals ran from the top corner to the bottom, seemingly randomly placed, counting from 1 to 24.
"It makes perfect sense..." Said the stranger. "All we need to do now is wait."
"Wait until what?"
"The crow sun."
Grix was confused...
"When may I ask, is the Crow Sun?"
"The Crow Sun is refered to as sunrise... when the light is born again."
Four hours until sunrise... perhaps they should get some rest. But would they wake up in time?
"I'll stay awake," Said the stranger. "Don't worry."
------------------
Tony walked towards the town square... Sheriff Meka was attempting to escort Ali and Joe to the gallows...
It was indeed time to step forward and turn this town around.
"You! Sheriff Meka!"
Meka tried to keep his eyes open, as Tony walked towards him.
"You are stripped of your badge... hand me it!"
Meka looked funnily at Tony, was he serious?
He sighed.
"Ooookkkkkk Tonnnniii. Hereeee's my baddgi."
He gave Tony his badge, and put his head on Ali's shoulders.
"It's time to show this town that we do NOT tolerate such useless behaviour in this town!" Tony ordered some of his workers to grab Meka, and to take him upto the gallows.
"Hey!" Shouted Ali and Joe, "Thanks Tony! You're a great boss!"
Tony nodded at more workers, and they pulled Ali and Joe up to the gallows too.
"Sorry boys, but you always put too much sugar in my coffee."
The preacher, still standing in the doorway, laughed...
pb, Venombyte and FantasyMeister all looked at eachother... the town was falling apart... what could they do?
FantasyMeister looked around... and saw Sheepy in his shop... Sheepy nodded at him. FantasyMeister nodded back.
"Come on," He said... "Follow me."
"Where are we going?" Asked Venombyte.
"To repay a favour."
(Nothing to do with the lack of certain writer's actually thinking things through?)
...Err... Big air sac, under the earth. Yup. Or just magic.
(Magic is easier.)
Magic then.
---------------
The strange man told Grix of the rock he found.
"So a pair of eyes, a staff, and a cloud..."
He looked at the stone... was that a cloud? He couldn't be sure.
The stranger looked back at the stone, "The thinker, the fighter, and the watcher."
"Yes... I did think that... but what about the man in the centre, with the tail and red eyes?"
"...I don't know... perhaps it's something that binds them."
"Or the thing they are attacking."
The stranger took back the rock, and began to translate. "The eyes... can be found in a grave..."
"Real eyes?"
"I doubt it... in the White Heaven graveyard... but it speaks of nothing about a name... or number..."
"Ok, let's leave the eyes till last then. Where's the err... cloud?"
"The temple of the dead... Ant's in there. He will find it."
"Destiny, and all that?"
"Yes... and the staff..."
"Is where?"
"Beneath our feet... beneath the Crow Sun shrine."
Grix looked at the mosaic tiled floor... white, dirty, cracked and worn. But the floor was large. They didn't know where to dig.
The stranger walked down the room, looking into the stars through the holes in the roof.
"There must be another clue in here somewhere..." The strange man looked closer at the white mosaic tiling.
"This floor wasn't originally white... look at the painting on some of the little tiles."
Grix bent down, and looked at some of the tiles... he brushed the smashed glass from some old windows away, and began to scrub the tiles with a cloth... the white paint peeled away... and left a black tile underneath. The stranger looked at Grix, and got on his knees and began to scrub too.
When they had finshed... they read what the tiles spoke to them...
"It's just numbers. It makes no sense..." Roman numerals ran from the top corner to the bottom, seemingly randomly placed, counting from 1 to 24.
"It makes perfect sense..." Said the stranger. "All we need to do now is wait."
"Wait until what?"
"The crow sun."
Grix was confused...
"When may I ask, is the Crow Sun?"
"The Crow Sun is refered to as sunrise... when the light is born again."
Four hours until sunrise... perhaps they should get some rest. But would they wake up in time?
"I'll stay awake," Said the stranger. "Don't worry."
------------------
Tony walked towards the town square... Sheriff Meka was attempting to escort Ali and Joe to the gallows...
It was indeed time to step forward and turn this town around.
"You! Sheriff Meka!"
Meka tried to keep his eyes open, as Tony walked towards him.
"You are stripped of your badge... hand me it!"
Meka looked funnily at Tony, was he serious?
He sighed.
"Ooookkkkkk Tonnnniii. Hereeee's my baddgi."
He gave Tony his badge, and put his head on Ali's shoulders.
"It's time to show this town that we do NOT tolerate such useless behaviour in this town!" Tony ordered some of his workers to grab Meka, and to take him upto the gallows.
"Hey!" Shouted Ali and Joe, "Thanks Tony! You're a great boss!"
Tony nodded at more workers, and they pulled Ali and Joe up to the gallows too.
"Sorry boys, but you always put too much sugar in my coffee."
The preacher, still standing in the doorway, laughed...
pb, Venombyte and FantasyMeister all looked at eachother... the town was falling apart... what could they do?
FantasyMeister looked around... and saw Sheepy in his shop... Sheepy nodded at him. FantasyMeister nodded back.
"Come on," He said... "Follow me."
"Where are we going?" Asked Venombyte.
"To repay a favour."
"Come with me..." The Indian said to Ant.
Ant did as he said.
As the Indian was walking, he tripped over a large rock. "Oh QWERTYUIOPASDFGHJKLZXCVBNM!!"
"Oh dear," Ant said in a disappointed manner, "You're not supposes to use God's name in vain."
"That maybe for your God," The Indian said, "but our God likes it."
"My God's better. Yours doesn't exist. Mine does." Ant said stubbornly.
"No, mine exists, your doesn't." The Indian said.
They carried on arguing into the night.
Ant did as he said.
As the Indian was walking, he tripped over a large rock. "Oh QWERTYUIOPASDFGHJKLZXCVBNM!!"
"Oh dear," Ant said in a disappointed manner, "You're not supposes to use God's name in vain."
"That maybe for your God," The Indian said, "but our God likes it."
"My God's better. Yours doesn't exist. Mine does." Ant said stubbornly.
"No, mine exists, your doesn't." The Indian said.
They carried on arguing into the night.
As he escorted the two miscrients back to the jail, meka had an idea. Why keep them somewhere where they can make a nusiance of themselves, when he could have them publicly flogged in the main square. After all, that's where they started most of their trouble and the townsfolk loved to watch wrongdoers get their just desserts. It would only add to their respect for the sheriff and make his job of running the town even easier.
Ali and Joe were originally planning to be taken back to their cells. They had drugged the Tequila, and even with only one sip Sheriff Meka was feeling the effects. Their idea to turn the suprise around and jail the sheriff was backfiring though, as they found themselves being taken in the opposite direction, right to the town square.
---------------------
The stranger was wondering around the sunken temple, joining in the search for any unusual clues that they might have missed, when he tripped over a pretruding rock and stumbled in to the sand. He turned to look at what he had just tripped over, and saw some strange writing on the rock. Translating the ancient text, he saw that it refered to a diagram hidden just beneath it in the sand, brushing this away he discovered a triangle with three circles, one at each point and a short description of where these could be found. On one circle there was a pair of eyes, on another a spear or pole and on the final one was a cloud. He also noticed that in the middle of the triangle was the shape of a man, but it had a tail and the eyes were coloured red.
----------------------
pb followed his instincts as he and the others searched for the Preacher. They arrived back in the town, where a crowd was gathering. A man in a suit rushed past with a large bag of money, racing towards the local post and communications office, he didn't even seem to register the trio as he passed them.
FM looked at the scene, still feeling woosy and unable to think straight. What had happened to him back there? All he remembered was that he had just blacked out and then the next thing he knew was walking towards the town with these two. He had asked Venombyte what they were looking for and had been given a run down on the events preceeding their journey. He didn't like the sound of any of it.
Life used to be so easy, thought FM, just hiding from the law and keeping enough money to live on or get to the next town until things died down. Now he seemed to be caught up in some fight with Indian spirits, Gods and demons. Not your usual day at all. The people in this town were acting really odd recently too. Most of them seemed to be preoccupied with either hurting someone or being led by the sheriff, not an ideal situation given the sheriff's love for a drink and inability to make a sensible decision.
They walked to the square and saw the events in front of them. Pb noticed that the preacher was standing on the steps of a small house and smiling as he watched the town's people baying for the blood of two men, who were being tied to a post.
-----------------------
Sheepy had been busy recently. His gunshop had never known this amount of trade before, even back in the days of the goldrush when his father owned the shop. He had had to made an order for dynamite, shotguns and a whole new range of pistols, which had only just managed to get to the shop on time. Everyone seemed edgy at the moment, they all seemed ready to pounce and were talking about how they mistrusted everyone else in the town, everyone apart from the Sheriff that was.
------------------------
Tony the bank manager rushed in to the post office. He noticed that no one was around and rang for assistance. After a few minutes he rang again, this time a bit louder. "Where is everyone!" he shouted. He hadn't noticed the crowd outside in the square. "Damn! I'll do it myself then." he said as he jumped over the counter. He saw the telecom unit in front of him. Luckily he'd remembered how to use the thing and there was a sheet in front of him showing him what to do. He sent the message to the land registry office and filled in the paperwork that he'd carried with him. Sealing it down carefully, he placed it in the sack of mail ready to go on the next cart. The reply came back that his offer had been accepted and he realised that he now owned the town.
Walking out into the fresh air, Tony saw bright colours swirl in front of him, the sky was clear and there was a freshness in the air he had never felt before. Now he'd show them what owning the town meant. He walked towards the town square....
Ali and Joe were originally planning to be taken back to their cells. They had drugged the Tequila, and even with only one sip Sheriff Meka was feeling the effects. Their idea to turn the suprise around and jail the sheriff was backfiring though, as they found themselves being taken in the opposite direction, right to the town square.
---------------------
The stranger was wondering around the sunken temple, joining in the search for any unusual clues that they might have missed, when he tripped over a pretruding rock and stumbled in to the sand. He turned to look at what he had just tripped over, and saw some strange writing on the rock. Translating the ancient text, he saw that it refered to a diagram hidden just beneath it in the sand, brushing this away he discovered a triangle with three circles, one at each point and a short description of where these could be found. On one circle there was a pair of eyes, on another a spear or pole and on the final one was a cloud. He also noticed that in the middle of the triangle was the shape of a man, but it had a tail and the eyes were coloured red.
----------------------
pb followed his instincts as he and the others searched for the Preacher. They arrived back in the town, where a crowd was gathering. A man in a suit rushed past with a large bag of money, racing towards the local post and communications office, he didn't even seem to register the trio as he passed them.
FM looked at the scene, still feeling woosy and unable to think straight. What had happened to him back there? All he remembered was that he had just blacked out and then the next thing he knew was walking towards the town with these two. He had asked Venombyte what they were looking for and had been given a run down on the events preceeding their journey. He didn't like the sound of any of it.
Life used to be so easy, thought FM, just hiding from the law and keeping enough money to live on or get to the next town until things died down. Now he seemed to be caught up in some fight with Indian spirits, Gods and demons. Not your usual day at all. The people in this town were acting really odd recently too. Most of them seemed to be preoccupied with either hurting someone or being led by the sheriff, not an ideal situation given the sheriff's love for a drink and inability to make a sensible decision.
They walked to the square and saw the events in front of them. Pb noticed that the preacher was standing on the steps of a small house and smiling as he watched the town's people baying for the blood of two men, who were being tied to a post.
-----------------------
Sheepy had been busy recently. His gunshop had never known this amount of trade before, even back in the days of the goldrush when his father owned the shop. He had had to made an order for dynamite, shotguns and a whole new range of pistols, which had only just managed to get to the shop on time. Everyone seemed edgy at the moment, they all seemed ready to pounce and were talking about how they mistrusted everyone else in the town, everyone apart from the Sheriff that was.
------------------------
Tony the bank manager rushed in to the post office. He noticed that no one was around and rang for assistance. After a few minutes he rang again, this time a bit louder. "Where is everyone!" he shouted. He hadn't noticed the crowd outside in the square. "Damn! I'll do it myself then." he said as he jumped over the counter. He saw the telecom unit in front of him. Luckily he'd remembered how to use the thing and there was a sheet in front of him showing him what to do. He sent the message to the land registry office and filled in the paperwork that he'd carried with him. Sealing it down carefully, he placed it in the sack of mail ready to go on the next cart. The reply came back that his offer had been accepted and he realised that he now owned the town.
Walking out into the fresh air, Tony saw bright colours swirl in front of him, the sky was clear and there was a freshness in the air he had never felt before. Now he'd show them what owning the town meant. He walked towards the town square....
After running into the nearest house, meka grabbed a cloth from a table, and wrapped it thrice around his hand.
After his meeting with Therasula, meka was unsure of exactly where he was, but one thing was for sure, he needed a drink.
On a shelf across the room meka could see a bottle of tequila, he headed for it, arms stretched out and mouth watering. Sweet tequila would numb his pain. But as he approached the bottle he could hear voices approaching the house. Familiar voices.
______________________
Joe and Ali walked down the street, close to the buildings in the shade so as to not be seen as easily.
"So y' think that darn sheriff will fall for it? Ali?" Asked Joe, scratching his brow.
"Damn right, if there's one thing meka can't resist it's tequila. After his public humiliation, he'll have no choice but to leave town!"
Moments later Joe and Ali walked into a house.
"Someone's been here!" Said Ali, alarmed "Y'll better come out now, y'hear me! cause if I find any one here, I'll slit y' throat!"
Joe went to say something, but Ali gave him a "Shh!" before he could.
"I guess it's not kids then, they run when y' shout. Youu look upstairs to see if anythings missing. I need a drink."
As Ali headed towards the shelf upon which his tequila sat he was alarmed to find it missing, but before he could call out to Joe he was reunited with his tequila, as the bottle came crashing down on the back of his head.
Joe heard the smash and came running down the stairs, only to feel the weight of a chair against his skull when he reached the bottom.
"These may be strange days we live in" Said meka to himself, "But not so strange that meka don't get his man!"
He threw the men into a cart, wincing only slightly at the pain in his hand, and headed on back to the jailhouse.
After his meeting with Therasula, meka was unsure of exactly where he was, but one thing was for sure, he needed a drink.
On a shelf across the room meka could see a bottle of tequila, he headed for it, arms stretched out and mouth watering. Sweet tequila would numb his pain. But as he approached the bottle he could hear voices approaching the house. Familiar voices.
______________________
Joe and Ali walked down the street, close to the buildings in the shade so as to not be seen as easily.
"So y' think that darn sheriff will fall for it? Ali?" Asked Joe, scratching his brow.
"Damn right, if there's one thing meka can't resist it's tequila. After his public humiliation, he'll have no choice but to leave town!"
Moments later Joe and Ali walked into a house.
"Someone's been here!" Said Ali, alarmed "Y'll better come out now, y'hear me! cause if I find any one here, I'll slit y' throat!"
Joe went to say something, but Ali gave him a "Shh!" before he could.
"I guess it's not kids then, they run when y' shout. Youu look upstairs to see if anythings missing. I need a drink."
As Ali headed towards the shelf upon which his tequila sat he was alarmed to find it missing, but before he could call out to Joe he was reunited with his tequila, as the bottle came crashing down on the back of his head.
Joe heard the smash and came running down the stairs, only to feel the weight of a chair against his skull when he reached the bottom.
"These may be strange days we live in" Said meka to himself, "But not so strange that meka don't get his man!"
He threw the men into a cart, wincing only slightly at the pain in his hand, and headed on back to the jailhouse.
Meka walked off towards the man, he had his hat pulled over his face...
"Hey! You! Grix!"
The man stopped, still not showing his face behind the hat... Meka drew his gun, and aimed it at him.
"You are in very, VERY deep trouble... put your arms in the air."
The man went to put his arms up... but instead, slowly reached for his hat, and tipped it back.
He looked at Meka straight in the face.
Meka stared back... it certainly looked like Grix... same profile... but something was terribly different, but what?
"Who... are you?" Meka asked.
"My name, is Meisha Theralasa, and I ask you to let me go on my way."
Meka looked back at Meisha... and then... he noticed it.
The thing that had killed many men already...
Meka stared long and hard at it... he couldn't believe it!
"Please look away from my face, and let me pass."
Meka still stared... the man's eyebrows... joined... at the middle...
"LOOK AWAY, AND LET ME PASS."
"My god! A monobrow!"
Still unable to take his eyes off it, Meka stepped forward for a closer look... the fuzziness overwhelmed Meka... it hypnotised him into a defenseless trance...
Meisha pulled out his gun, and shot...
Meka's gun went flying behind him... he didn't have a chance...
Meka fell to the floor.
Meisha tipped his hat forward, and walked past Meka.
Meka squeezed his hand with all his force... the blood kept coming. He stood up, and ran indoors looking for something to stop the bleeding.
"Hey! You! Grix!"
The man stopped, still not showing his face behind the hat... Meka drew his gun, and aimed it at him.
"You are in very, VERY deep trouble... put your arms in the air."
The man went to put his arms up... but instead, slowly reached for his hat, and tipped it back.
He looked at Meka straight in the face.
Meka stared back... it certainly looked like Grix... same profile... but something was terribly different, but what?
"Who... are you?" Meka asked.
"My name, is Meisha Theralasa, and I ask you to let me go on my way."
Meka looked back at Meisha... and then... he noticed it.
The thing that had killed many men already...
Meka stared long and hard at it... he couldn't believe it!
"Please look away from my face, and let me pass."
Meka still stared... the man's eyebrows... joined... at the middle...
"LOOK AWAY, AND LET ME PASS."
"My god! A monobrow!"
Still unable to take his eyes off it, Meka stepped forward for a closer look... the fuzziness overwhelmed Meka... it hypnotised him into a defenseless trance...
Meisha pulled out his gun, and shot...
Meka's gun went flying behind him... he didn't have a chance...
Meka fell to the floor.
Meisha tipped his hat forward, and walked past Meka.
Meka squeezed his hand with all his force... the blood kept coming. He stood up, and ran indoors looking for something to stop the bleeding.
Sheriff meka_dragon had just about enough for one day. After heading out to Joe's place and finding it deserted he decided to leave it for a bit, and go for a drink.
However as he looked out across the barren land he could see a figure, heading for town.
He could just make out a checkered waistcoat, and there was only one man he knew that dressed like that. Grix Thraves.
Why was he no longer with FM though, he wondered, had he been betrayed? Had they met upon those indians?
meka didn't know just yet, but he had a feeling that his jail cells wouldn't be empty for much longer, as he headed out towards the man in checkered waistcoat.
However as he looked out across the barren land he could see a figure, heading for town.
He could just make out a checkered waistcoat, and there was only one man he knew that dressed like that. Grix Thraves.
Why was he no longer with FM though, he wondered, had he been betrayed? Had they met upon those indians?
meka didn't know just yet, but he had a feeling that his jail cells wouldn't be empty for much longer, as he headed out towards the man in checkered waistcoat.
The two men sat in the sand... each in a checkered waistcoat... each with a black hat...
"I never thought in a million years that this would actually happen." The stranger said.
"You met the indian, yes?" Questioned Grix, even though he knew the answer... "What did he say?"
"Ant will learn the way of the first water... that's what he's doing inside the temple now... Masala knows not of that... and it's best it keeps that way."
Grix nodded... simply his knowledge about Ant's destiny could have terrible consequences...
"Anything else?" Asked Grix...
"He said one word as he died... Theralasa."
Grix flinched at the word. "It is true."
"It was... expected." The stranger said... "It just confirms it..."
Grix drew in the brown sand... "It's getting darker. The sand."
"Yes... I noticed. It nearly reached a light point at one stage..." The stranger looked towards the clouds. "Unfortunatly, Masala grows stronger..."
Grix took off his black hat, and shook the rainwater from it. "But as long as we remain together, then he cannot win?"
"We lack one... where there is a start, and a middle, there is always an end. And without the middle, the three cannot unite." The strange man stood. "Fate controls us from now on."
"We should head back to the town tommorrow." Said Grix. "We might find him there."
The stranger stood up. "Yes. But we must rest first. We should head back to the shrine... we can shelter from the storm there, and perhaps look around more... perhaps there is something you missed."
The two men set off...
------------------------
A man wearing a checkered waistcoat stood in the rain... the desert was long and tireing... and something told him that he should head for the town...
He stopped, and stood as rainwater nearly flattened his hat agaisnt his face.
He wasn't a traveller... he should head back, immedietly.
He turned on his heel, and started to walk the 10 mile journey back to the town...
"I never thought in a million years that this would actually happen." The stranger said.
"You met the indian, yes?" Questioned Grix, even though he knew the answer... "What did he say?"
"Ant will learn the way of the first water... that's what he's doing inside the temple now... Masala knows not of that... and it's best it keeps that way."
Grix nodded... simply his knowledge about Ant's destiny could have terrible consequences...
"Anything else?" Asked Grix...
"He said one word as he died... Theralasa."
Grix flinched at the word. "It is true."
"It was... expected." The stranger said... "It just confirms it..."
Grix drew in the brown sand... "It's getting darker. The sand."
"Yes... I noticed. It nearly reached a light point at one stage..." The stranger looked towards the clouds. "Unfortunatly, Masala grows stronger..."
Grix took off his black hat, and shook the rainwater from it. "But as long as we remain together, then he cannot win?"
"We lack one... where there is a start, and a middle, there is always an end. And without the middle, the three cannot unite." The strange man stood. "Fate controls us from now on."
"We should head back to the town tommorrow." Said Grix. "We might find him there."
The stranger stood up. "Yes. But we must rest first. We should head back to the shrine... we can shelter from the storm there, and perhaps look around more... perhaps there is something you missed."
The two men set off...
------------------------
A man wearing a checkered waistcoat stood in the rain... the desert was long and tireing... and something told him that he should head for the town...
He stopped, and stood as rainwater nearly flattened his hat agaisnt his face.
He wasn't a traveller... he should head back, immedietly.
He turned on his heel, and started to walk the 10 mile journey back to the town...
Grix and the stranger exchanged glances, perhaps thoughts too. pb was sure he didn't know the half of what was happening here.
"Hey, fill me in on some details, I don't know the half of what's happening here" pb said.
The stranger turned to pb and spoke
"All in good time. There are priorities which must be addressed here, and the first one is...him"
The stranger pointed to FM.
"Yeah, what's up with him?" Grix asked.
"The man you were with, the preacher. he.....did things to him, to his soul."
"We can make use of this, however. I will perform a ceremony on him. It will make him better for while.....and it will have other effects, too."
"Such as?" Grix asked
"It is better that I do not tell you now. Let's get this started."
------------------
Sherrif Meka returned to the jailhouse. When he saw the empty cells he cursed, using explitives which are best left unwritten. Meka was a drunk, but stupid he was not. Nobody busted outta his jail cells and got away with it. He checked he had plenty of ammo, and left the jailhouse, headed straight for joe's shack. He knew they'd be there.
---------------------
"It's over." The stranger said. "How do you feel."
"Pretty good" FM replied.
"That's good. Now you, pb, and venombyte have to go and find the preacher. He doesn't have the power those two that he does over other people, and you....well, you'll find out."
"Why do we have to find him?" FM asked "And what when we do?"
"I'll guide your thoughts" the stranger cryptically replied.
"What are you and grix going to do?" asked venombyte.
"We have....other business to attend to. We must prepare. Now you three go. Hurry, you don't have much time."
"Hey, fill me in on some details, I don't know the half of what's happening here" pb said.
The stranger turned to pb and spoke
"All in good time. There are priorities which must be addressed here, and the first one is...him"
The stranger pointed to FM.
"Yeah, what's up with him?" Grix asked.
"The man you were with, the preacher. he.....did things to him, to his soul."
"We can make use of this, however. I will perform a ceremony on him. It will make him better for while.....and it will have other effects, too."
"Such as?" Grix asked
"It is better that I do not tell you now. Let's get this started."
------------------
Sherrif Meka returned to the jailhouse. When he saw the empty cells he cursed, using explitives which are best left unwritten. Meka was a drunk, but stupid he was not. Nobody busted outta his jail cells and got away with it. He checked he had plenty of ammo, and left the jailhouse, headed straight for joe's shack. He knew they'd be there.
---------------------
"It's over." The stranger said. "How do you feel."
"Pretty good" FM replied.
"That's good. Now you, pb, and venombyte have to go and find the preacher. He doesn't have the power those two that he does over other people, and you....well, you'll find out."
"Why do we have to find him?" FM asked "And what when we do?"
"I'll guide your thoughts" the stranger cryptically replied.
"What are you and grix going to do?" asked venombyte.
"We have....other business to attend to. We must prepare. Now you three go. Hurry, you don't have much time."
The indian...
"Hello Coolio. I told you you were part of something bigger... more important..."
Ant was amazed at the swivel chair... you don't normally find them in the middle of a desert, in a ancient temple.
The temple of the dead...
"So you're dead? How?"
"That, for the moment at least, is unimportant... For now, I need you to do something for me."
Ant got up, and headed for the bookcase.
"The red one... that's it."
He took it from the shelf.
"I shall teach you everything I know... so you can master the staff correctly."
Ant looked at the indian, confused...
"Staff?" He said. "What staff?"
"The Staff of The First Water... capital letters are necessary."
"Ah... what would I want with that?"
The indian sighed... this was going to be hard work.
"Hello Coolio. I told you you were part of something bigger... more important..."
Ant was amazed at the swivel chair... you don't normally find them in the middle of a desert, in a ancient temple.
The temple of the dead...
"So you're dead? How?"
"That, for the moment at least, is unimportant... For now, I need you to do something for me."
Ant got up, and headed for the bookcase.
"The red one... that's it."
He took it from the shelf.
"I shall teach you everything I know... so you can master the staff correctly."
Ant looked at the indian, confused...
"Staff?" He said. "What staff?"
"The Staff of The First Water... capital letters are necessary."
"Ah... what would I want with that?"
The indian sighed... this was going to be hard work.
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