(M) The Treasure of the Lost Mountains IC (bluemoon x Siks apocy RP) (M)

[bluemoon]

As evening set, the seventeen men...and two women...in Ez's group settled down around a large bonfire for their dinner. Unlike a typical meal with everyone sitting with their own gang, they all ate together at her request so she could determine the shift rotation for guard duty that night. Considering the dangers, it was finally decided that six men, in groups of two, would cover a three-hour shift each. Ez chose the teams, and although she would have preferred to team with Jackal, she split her shift from his, allowing for a better allocation of skills. As she finished the roster, she looked to Sammy, who was sitting between her and Jackal, a look of anticipation on her pretty young face.

"You will shadow with me Sam, if that is okay? I'm sure Owens won't mind a third?"

Owens nodded curtly and Samantha brightened. Her excitement at a chance to be included in the watch evident on her face, her youthful features lifting in a smile. She squeezed Jackal's hand and looked at him shyly under her long lashes. After a moment, she realized she hadn't responded and she added a nod, mimicking Owens, before rising to gather up the dishes from dinner.

"Leave those," Ez directed, "...we have first watch and need to get geared up. Owens meet us in five," she called. Together the two women walked to their respective sites, each gathering up their weapons and additional ammo. When they met with Owens, they set off to the north, finding a good vantage point to observe the camp. The location was level, but at a higher elevation, and had several rocky outcroppings and small groupings of vegetation...and too many places for shadows to hide as far as Ez was concerned. The only positive thing was the half moon--they wouldn't have to worry about visibility unless clouds moved in. Together the three settled in, Ez periodically talking softly to Sam as time ticked slowly by.

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Ez was discussing Crawlers with Sammy, describing the creatures propensity for emerging in the dark and surprising their prey, when Owens stated he needed to take a leak. Ez paused, noting with good humor that Sammy's eyes were wide, the description alone scaring her. She was pleased with her positive outlook and the young woman seemed to absorb information like a sponge.

"Just a sec..." Ez responded, but when she lifted her head, the man had already disappeared.

Torn with indecision, Ez finally decided to wait for Owens and give him a good oral whipping when he returned. She could understand his reluctance to have two women stand over him while he urinated, but the buddy system was in place for a reason. It wasn't like she had never seen a penis before...and the same was true for Sammy. Sometimes men could be so infuriating.

After ample time had passed, Ez started to pace, worry setting in. She called out to him using their special signal--an owl's hoot--and waited, listening intently. She realized suddenly that the silence was complete...when had the night insects stopped chirping? She turned to Samantha, waving the girl over to her and putting a finger to her lips. She crept forward, Sammy copying her movements and keeping to the shadows as much as possible. When they came to an outcropping, Ez scooted around, pressing herself to the rough surface, leading with her hand.

A mix of smells hit her senses as she rounded the edge--first, the heavy odor of ammonia, then, copper. In the dim light she could see a dark patch and she bent to dip her fingertip into the substance, cringing at the warmth.

"Sam...you have to go," she whispered, putting her mouth as close to the girl's ear as she could. "Wake up the camp...anyway you can." She could see the girl's reluctance. Her fear. "I have to look for Owens..he could still be alive." She put her hands on the girl's shoulders. "Keep low..stay to the shadows. But you have to go fast." She gave the girl an encouraging nod, knowing this was breaking her own rule to stick together, but there was no way she could do both--not if there was a chance at saving Owens.

Finally gathering up her courage Samantha nodded. She would go wake up Jackal. He would be able to help find Owens--she was sure of it. She wasn't going to let Ezra down. She took off at a slow jog, doing just as Ez had instructed, not knowing that two sets of eyes were watching her.

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Hidden behind a clump of trees, two darkly dressed men, who liked to refer to themselves as "salties", watched as the buxom blonde headed back towards her camp. They had been watching the two girls creep their way around the rocks--although it wasn't until the taller one had whispered that they had realized that she too was a woman. Both men wore grins, the heavier set LaSeur sporting a full beard. In charge, he pointed to the blonde and then to his companion, and then they split up.

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Ezra found Owens a hundred yards from the rock, lying in a thickening pool. It had been easy enough to find him...she had simply followed the blood trail. She knelt by his side, her hands pressed to the gaping wound on his head, knowing she was doing nothing, but unable to stop herself. The man tried to speak and she shook her head. "Shhh...help is coming. Just hold on." Then his breath hitched and his chest fell, no other sound coming from him. Ez bowed her head, cursing silently while she wiped her hands in the sand.

Just as she was rising, Ezra heard the sound of a twig snapping right behind her and she turned quickly, seeing a dark figure almost upon her. The man laughed at her surprise, a deep and resonating sound that sent chills down her spine. Fight or flight? she screamed to herself, grabbing for her gun in its holster. Despite his size, the man was fast, and before she could even lift the gun out, he had gripped her hand in his, squeezing, his much larger appendage swallowing hers. The small bones in her hand were ground together and she reacted instinctually, bringing her knee up to connect with the man's upper thigh. He bellowed, his hand loosening enough to allow her to twist free from his grip. ...and she ran, flight winning out over fight this time. She ran blindly, deeper into the wastes, before a shadow stepped out from the trees and snagged her from behind.

"Hey LaSeur...need a hand with this wild cat?" called her newest captor, his hand gripping the back of her leather jacket as she struggled. With a quick move, Ez drove both of her arms backwards, allowing the coat to slip from her arms. For a brief second she thought she was free--but she was hit from behind, the force of LaSeur's body contacting hers sending her to the ground, his heavy weight holding her in place. With a grunt, he grabbed a handful of her hair in one hand and twisted her right arm behind her back with the other.

"Done fighting? Or do we have to get real nasty?" he growled in her ear, twisting her arm higher until she groaned. He pulled her head back and slammed it against the rocky ground until she stopped struggling. "Get me a rope--gonna tie this bitch up good and tight. ...and don't forget to get her weapons."

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Sammy had made it past their look-out spot and started to pick up her speed as the camp came closer, her confidence increasing with each step. She never heard the man running behind her and never saw his rifle sweep in front of her feet, tripping her up. She fell forward, her momentum crashing her to the ground in a tumbling roll. Stunned, she looked up, seeing a tall slender man looking down on her with a lopsided grin. He was panting, his eyes riveted on her breasts, his eyebrows lifting when he saw her look at him. For a moment she froze, unable to think, but all that changed in a heartbeat when the man reached for her.

With a quick gab, Sammy kicked her foot against the ground, pushing herself backwards as she reached for her gun. She did not take the time to aim, just pulled the trigger once it was pointing in his general direction. The bullet whizzed past him and he cackled, a high pitched chitter-like sound. She remembered Ez's words..."wake the camp"...and she screamed then, loud and clear, the sound cut short by a blow to the side of her head.

[SikstaSlathalin]

The attack came from all sides. But Vash's keen nose was what awoke Jackal, it was very rarely that the lawman never listened to his mount's nose. But these bandits seemed to have been scouting the camp for a bit, because before Jackal could get up he was jumped on by three men. But they misjudged one thing, never run up on a Chabbit. Vash let out a vicious screeching hiss and began swatting the men away blood staining his blunt claws. All three were killed and the lawman recovered shortly there after, His rifle at the ready and soon he heard Sammy's scream and like a switch the camp came alive and the other men jumped up from their beds dropping Salties like flies. They had the element of surprise, but the bandits didn't bring any guns with them.

His rifle barked and Salties died each time he pulled the trigger. He had no idea as to the number, but the Salt Flyers were a good sized group and decently organized. He knew a number of low ranking Black Jacks that fled to their ranks. The leader was a mystery though even to the vigilante, they were only known as Salt, but whoever they were they really liked women and used any man they captured as some kind of to-the-death gladiator.

"Stay here Vash, kill all who come near you!" He ordered his mount who reacted like a savage dog snarling and hissing. He left his coat and most of his effects by Vash just taking his guns, some ammo, and his two blades. Jackal needed to find Ez and Sammy, but he wasn't sure where they were set up on their guard shift. He just began running the perimeter of the camp his mind moving towards what he hoped was the obvious spot.

He arrives and sees Owens tied up, but he was killed before he showed up. Looked like a single axe strike to the top of his head. The girls weren't here, but Jackal wasn't alone. Some of the younger Salties were carrying some of his groups supplies away, but they didn't notice Jackal nor did they react in time before one's head was exploded. And the other was dropped with a round going through his shoulder and spinning him around making him drop his loot. The kid let out a scream than the lawman was upon him smashing the butt of his rifle into the boy's forehead.

Stunned the kid groaned but he was silenced, by Jackal pressing the stock of his rifle against the Saltie's throat. "Where did they take the women!?"

The kid growled lightly refusing to speak. But the Lawman really wanted an answer. Taking a sharp rock he pressed it to the boy's eye.
"Talk, or I'll cut your eye out and dig around your brain for the answer." His voice was low and dangerous.

The boy's courage faltered and he swallowed nodding his head. Jackal moved the rifle.
"Where are the women that were standing guard here?"

"LaSeur is taking them back to Salt...*cough*... an hour or so West!" The boy coughed staring at the sharp rock still very close to his eye. Jackal looked up and saw the faint footprints of two men who looked to be dragging heavy objects.

The boy took advantage of Jackal's distraction to shout at the top of his lungs.
"THE JACKAL IS IN THE CAMP!" Anger flared in the Vigilante's eyes and he quickly jammed the sharp rock directly into the boy's eyes socket before smacking his skull hard killing him outright.

He could save Ez and Sammy still. Running at full speed he followed the tracks and burst through the tree on the outskirts of their camp. He didn't see any of the other men in the expedition, he wondered if they were captured, killed, or just ran the fuck away. But that would be for later, he needed to save the girls. He landed in a small crater dust flying up around him, it wasn't much but it distracted the Salties long enough for him to three more shots off killing three more raiders. But a shotgun blast in the sky called his focus and he turned to see both Ez and Sammy trussed up like dead Kufu unconscious and at the feet of a heavy man with a full beard. Before Jackal could aim his rifle the bandit aimed both barrels at the girls' heads they were close enough together that one shot would kill them both.

The man let out a bellowing laugh shaking his head in amazement.
"My damn, Jackal Lawless as I live and breath. Heard you fly through the sky on ink black wings and wielded lighting instead of some shitty old .308." The gathered goons laughed nervously, LaSeur was the only one crazy enough to goad the lawman so they let him do it. "And after all these years of being untouchable all it takes is threatening two whores to stop you dead in your tracks. That's a bit of a let down. But I'm sure the boss won't mind us bringing you in for a prize as well as two more playthings for her. Grabs his things boys."

The other Salties inched back some putting their hands up like they were being asked to touch a roaring fire. The big man sighed shouting at them. "Grow some balls, he won't try anything! Not as long as I have his little bedmates under my gun." He cocked the hammer on the shotgun back moving the barrel closer which caused Jackal to disarm himself tossing his rifle, pistol and blades aside, but he would remember the man calling the boss a 'her'. The Raiders scrambled to grab the weapons for their own use, but once again LaSeur shouted this time like he was yelling at misbehaving children. "All weapons go to Salt to pick first. You fucks know that!"

The men grumbled, but the weapons were tossed into a bag and loaded onto LaSeur's horse. Jackal studied each and every feature of the bearded man. After he killed whoever this Salt bitch was he'd enjoy skinning that fat fuck over a hot fire. But his thoughts of revenge were cut short by a hard blow to the back of his head which knocked him out.

With three prisoners and a nice haul of supplies the Salt Flyer mounted up and rode West towards a natural stone amphitheater like salt quarry where the enigmatic Salt was waiting for her prizes.

[bluemoon]

An untold amount of time later Sammy woke up with a pained groan. Her eyes were blurry, but her body felt cold. Moving her hands over herself she felt her bare skin. She gasped and quickly felt her chest--she was wearing some kind of fur bikini top and a weird thong loincloth. But other than that she was nude. Her senses fully returned and she looked to be in a cage of some kind.

Ez was next to her still knocked out, but she was wearing the same kind of outfit only her's was red rather than brown. She shook the older woman, but a rich mocking laughter was heard from the darkness around the cage. The sounds of bare footsteps on stone were heard then torchlight began lighting up around the hut. Soon Sammy saw a woman swaggering around, the many skulls on her belt clacking lightly as she moved. She was very beautiful, but also had the wild look of someone bordering on psychotic rage. Sammy froze up, her hand gripping Ez's firmly.

Salt licked her lips. "Hmm one of my toys is awake, start by kissing and groping her. I'll be in soon."

Eagerly, the men reached into the enclosure, grabbing at Sammy to pull her out. Desperate, the young woman clung to Ez's hand as long as she could, the men's efforts finally separating them. "Ez..." she cried, "...wake up." Then she was lifted out and carried to the bed, thick furs beneath her. The men didn't waste any time following Salt's orders, one of them holding Sammy's wrists while his mouth pursued hers and the other running his hands along her bare skin, kneading the soft flesh. Sammy struggled against them, but the men anticipated her moves, delighted in them, their laughter filling the room.

As for Ez, she didn't know if it was the sound of her name or Sammy's pleas that awoke her, but she came awake in a thick fog, struggling to regain consciousness. She could see lights behind her closed eyelids and slowly she opened them, squinting against the pain in her head. "Sam?" she questioned, before realizing the girl was not with her, but across the room. It was the sight of her struggles that finally pulled Ez from her stupor.

"Sammy!" she screamed, grabbing the bars before her and shaking them violently. The action caused her pain, it seemed everything ached, but she continued, trying to find a weakness in the structure. When all her efforts failed, she began screaming curses at the men, telling them to leave her alone. She felt helpless...and guilt filled her. This was her fault...she had failed to keep the girl safe...and on her first night with the group. All earlier thoughts of her dislike for the young woman disappeared, and in another burst of anger, she struck the bars again then started pacing, the cool air causing a chill to spread over her skin. Surprised, she looked down at herself, noticing for the first time that she was scantily dressed in red skins.

Lady Salt watched the men torment the younger girl, they were never allowed to actually violate her toys before she got bored with them. But watching them fight was all foreplay for her, soon they would tire and she could have her way easier with them. She had already removed her fur skirts and was standing in the fur bra and loincloth as Ez and Sammy were. But Sammy had some fight in her and Ez's yelling and anger was just so arousing. Soon she snapped her fingers and ordered the men away.
"Go play with some of the old toys. I'm ready to break these two in now." The men reluctantly stopped, but one look at the dried men's scalps on the woman's wall made them leave.

Sammy took this chance to run back into the cage and into Ez's arms. Salt licked her lips and followed her hips swaying slowly. "Hmm you two almost have as much fire as your Master out there, but then again...oooo the legends I've heard about Jackal Lawless, hmm if he survives the night in the ring, I may bring him into my bed and let him be the first man to have me without first being castrated. He'll give me such strong daughters. But I'm sure you two know all about him." She slowly opened the door to the cage and entered, slamming it shut behind her, locking it and tossing the key on the far side of the cage. It sailed through the bars and clacked into a window that looked down on a dirt ring with barbed wire acting as the fence. She was unarmed, but Salt was a well-built woman and a Raider Queen, so unless Sammy and Ez thought up a plan quick they might be in trouble.

Sammy tried to be brave, but those men and now the crazed Raider were quickly wearing down her courage. Ez stepped up with an idea to save Sammy some pain. She squared off with the raider. "Take me, Salt." The words came out of her mouth like bile, but she wasn't going to let Sammy be the first to suffer more than she already had. "Master Lawless hasn't trained her well, she's just a girl we picked up in the last town."

Salt stopped and shook her head. Shoving Ez aside.
"No I'll save you for later, she's already like a scared little bunny. I like scared little bunnies."

Ez responded in kind and sucker-punched Salt square in the head. It stunned the Raider, but also worked her right up. She grabbed Ez and slammed her into the cage kissing her deeply while her hands ripped open Ez's top and letting her hands go to work. Ez quickly shot her eyes to the keys on the window sill, signalling Sammy to grab them while she kept Salt busy by playing rough back, ripping at the Raider's own clothes.

Sammy took a few seconds to figure out Ez's plan, but quickly acted. The cage was just close enough to the window that she could almost reach the keys with some work, but when she looked out the sight almost made tears come to her eyes. She saw Mr. Lawless in just his pants in the middle of the dirt ring surrounded by what looked like ten dead Salties. He was wounded, heavily and his body was coated with dirt and sweat. He was shouting something while more Salties surrounded him.

Sammy pulled her eyes away from Jackal with difficulty and pushed her body against the bars, reaching for the key and finally snagging it with her fingertips. Behind her, Ezra continued with the charade, her hands clutching Salt's breasts as she brought her mouth to the woman's neck. She pushed her body against the woman's, flipping their positions so she was now in front, her thigh moving between the queen's as she began to kiss her again. Faking arousal, Ez moved her hands to her face, grabbing her hair roughly as she increased the intensity of the kiss. When she pulled away, her expression had changed from passion to hate and she looked hard at her captor, slamming her head forward. Salt's head hit the bars and Ez shoved it against them again, feeling the woman's nails rake across her cheek. She cried out and threw herself into the woman, slamming her entire body into the attack. With satisfaction, she saw the eyes roll upwards. Salt crumpled to the ground.

"Fuck you..." Ez growled, then turned to Sam, unable to look her in the eye. "Come on...let's go."

.............

Once outside the cage, Ez and Sam searched the room for weapons, finding little other than sex toys. While they searched, Sam relayed what she had seen out the window, her voice hitching as she tried to control her tears. "We'll get him," Ez assured her, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder. She pried open crates, finding more of the fur outfits and resigned herself to putting on another top piece rather than go without. They had almost looked everywhere, when Sam reached between the mattresses. When she pulled her hand out she was holding a small pistol.

The women left the hut, armed with a small knife and pistol, hardly worthy of going to war, but it would have to do. Ez was surprised by how few men were in sight, though she could hear voices coming from the arena close by. Taking Sam by the hand, she pulled her along, entering the building and keeping to the side. There had to be a way for them to get below but first they would need to keep out of sight. Ez started opening doors until she saw a set of stairs heading down. Together they descended, finally coming to the ground level. Here the sound of cheering was louder, and Ez quickly moved deeper into shadow, ducking down into a small alcove that had a sparse supply of medieval weapons. She put her finger to her lips and stayed low, waiting for a good time to help Jackal...but not really expecting one to come.

Sammy sighed picking up what looked like an axe of some kind and handed the pistol to Ez, her hands were too shaky to be a decent shot, but Ms. Bastian seemed perfectly calm and steady. She wished she was like that, maybe then she'd have more of a chance with Mister Lawless. He seemed the type to like brave strong women more than...scared little bunnies like her. The girl could hear cheers and boos coming from beyond the tarp that covered the door to whatever building this was it looked like some kind of armory and she wondered if their clothes and things were stashed in here somewhere.

She wished she had the courage to look out and see what they were doing to Mr. Lawless, he looked like he was in a great deal of trouble in the ring even though he'd already killed ten Salties himself. She visibly shook looking down at her hands trying desperately to hold onto the axe. She laughed ironically.

"I bet my mother would be proud of me, my first day as an adventurer and I've already been ambushed, beaten, felt-up, and now I can't stop myself from shaking."

Her thoughts elsewhere, Ez glanced over at Sam. She wasn't surprised the girl was frightened, she herself was afraid, both for their lives and Jackal's, although she kept the feelings locked away. She couldn't come up with a way to distract the men in the arena that did not involve dying. Without better weapons and some luck, she would be leading herself and Sam to slaughter.

Ez moved closer when the girl continued to shake, wrapping her arm around the slim shoulders, and pulling her close. She did it for comfort, but also for warmth. She leaned in close, keeping her voice low. "Hmmm...your mother was a doctor, wasn't she?"

The girl leaned into the older woman's arm shaking her head slowly.
"No...well not really. I was adopted by the two formally good Doctor's in Outpost 4. Drs. Green and Green. And they were pretty good parents for a bit. They taught me to read and write and were actually training me in medicine. That was until Doctor Regina died when I was thirteen, then Doctor Dave tried to raise me himself. But he couldn't keep up with his medical practice and raise me, so he turned to gambling to make up the differance, but he sucked at it so he turned to the drink. And soon he was 200 Gold Chips in debt to Simon, and when you're in debt to Simon you pay one of two ways. In blood or in boobs." She let out a sigh cupping her large chest and squeezed her boobs firmly. "I was only fifeteen, but I had these already so I got my first...and only job. I still wasn't quite enough so Simon shot him dead on the spot." Tears streamed down her face. "So I was an orphaned whore, and the worst part was the Greens told me my real mother was alive somewhere. She was fifteen herself when she had me, but the dad was dead and as strong as my real mother was, according to them, she couldn't raise me herself. They did tell me she was a damn good adventurer even so young though."

Ez listened to the story in silence, her body feeling a chill that had nothing to do with her scant clothing. She sighed heavily and shook her head. "I'm sorry..." she said, "...that...that you went through that. No child should have to pay for their parent's mistakes." Chewing her lower lip, she looked away for a moment, listening to the sounds of the fighting outside as they continued unabated.

"...and your mother...your real mother...I know she would be proud of you. This life...scaving...it takes some getting used to...and there are lots of dangers. All things considered, you are holding up well..." She squeezed the girl's hand to reassure her, giving her a small smile. "It shouldn't be long now...I think things are starting to escalate out there...if we are going to act, it will have to be soon. I might need you to stay here...as back up...do you think you can do that?"

Sammy smiled and squeezed Ez's hand back, but was going to ask how Ez would know. But the loud sound of a gunshot was heard over the snarling crowd around the Arena. Silence immediately followed and the women could hear foot steps running back their little hidden door. Ez peeked out and saw that the men that were closest to their new hiding spot were gone. Giving her and Sammy an unhindered view of the carnage below and a quick route to a a pile of crates that could hide them both easily. With something happening in the camp she no longer felt safe leaving the girl alone.

She took the girl's hand and led her to the large crates. Crouching low they could both see the arena and hear Jackal. He was hoarse from yelling and in his hands were a small hatchet with blood dripping from the head and a two foot long steel pipe. There was some ruckus going on by Salt's Hut, the Raider Queen must've woken up from Ez kicking her ass. But Jackal and the six new men he was fighting didn't seem to care. Each of them wanting the honor of killing the Jackal and Jackal was simply refusing to die.

"Come on you fucking dogs! I'll send you back the Devil's asshole right here right now!" Blood was dripping heavily from Jackal's body and the dirt under him had turned to rust colored mud staining his barefeet and trashed jeans. The Salties glanced around at their dead comrades, when LaSeur started this game they were eager to try and kill Jackal. But they overestimated their skills and numbers vastly. Jackal quickly killed the first three attackers and armed himself the next seven survived longer being more cautious, but still Jackal killed them all. But they wounded him, eventually he would bleed out...they hoped.

But these six were young and growing bored fucking Salt's old toys and watching Jackal kill their friends. Ez knew the look on Jackal's face he was showing the wild rage he showed in the bedroom when telling the Frankie story, dangerous, but as scary as that one was it was the quiet burning rage he showed when she first told him about Gabe's lies she hoped to never see again. This loud killing rage was something she could handle it would pass as soon as he got away from the Salties. But she didn't know what would happen should he get pushed to the quiet danger of pure rage she knew the man capable of.

The six new combatants circled Jackal who snarled grasping his weapons tighter. Words from scripture began flowing from his lips agai.
"For he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer." The Salties had no clue what he was saying, but two of them charged. The vigilante moved like lightning his hatchet came up horizontally, he flung it pointblank into the head of the nearest man. The attacker's forward momentum caused his feet to continue forward while his head was whipped backwards. He then brought the pipe up and hammered the back of the hatchet in splitting the man's head cleanly. But he didn't forget the other attacker swinging his entire body around he crashes the pipe across the man's head the sound of bone cracking echoing around the arena.

This brought the rest of his attackers upon him he was down one weapon. The remaining four swarmed him. But once again Jackal moved quicker then they expected he ducked under the first swing ripping the hatchet from dead man number seven and took out the legs of dead man number nine, before he smashed the axe into his chest. He rolled over number nine's body the pipe coming around to smash the knee of number ten. He spun on his heel and brought the hatchet up and around severing ten's spine. The whole thing only happened in a handful of seconds the bodies almost hitting the ground as one. But Jackal was on his feet shouting like a beast at the rest of the Salties.

Ez watched Jackal take out the six men with awe...fascination....and dread His movements were fast, liquid, and she almost couldn't keep up with the numerous strikes that destroyed the Salt men. He was more like a machine than a man, and with his final outburst, she felt her heart beating rapidly, her breath coming in gasps. So mesmerized was she with the events that had unfolded before her, that she didn't hear the approaching footsteps until a baritone laugh reached her ears.

"Well now...what do we have here?" LaSeur mocked, looking at Ez and Sammy with humor in his eyes. "If it isn't the little wild cat...and her kitten...seems I have bettered you again." He allowed his eyes to rove over their bodies openly, lust filling their depths. "I do like your new look."

Ez leaped to her feet, pushing Sam behind her as she faced off with the man. He was tall and broad, more of a bear than a man, and her bravado brought a smile to his already amused manner. Keeping his stance relaxed, he gestured for one of his men to come closer.
"Go let Salt know we've found her lost pets," he ordered, then turned his attention back to them.

As the man moved towards her, Ez stepped backwards, trying to keep some distance between them. Finally, with little room left to navigate, she stopped, glaring up at him in defiance. La Seur laughed, reaching out to her and tracing a line along her cheek. "Salt likes you...really...really...likes you. No one stands up to her...ever. It's a shame...I was hoping to get a piece of you." He back handed her then, surprised when she smiled.

"A big man like you...and that's the best you got?" she taunted, finally in her comfort zone. When he stuck her again, blood began to ooze freely from her lip. He saw the change come over her and he moved in closer, his mouth covering hers as his hands groped at her and freed her breasts from the fur top. She met his eagerness, grabbing his upper arms to pull him closer. When his hand slipped around her waist, she grabbed it, firmly. "No..." she gasped, redirecting him to her stomach and pushing it downwards. As he continued his advances, she reached behind her back with her left hand and pulled the small dagger from the waist of her fur G-string. LaSeur was a big man, but as she had noted from their first encounter, he also was quick. Ez had no more brought her hand around when her wrist was grabbed. His grip was crushing and he began to laugh. "What did you plan with this--to poke me a little?" He shook his head, his amusement shadowing his earlier lust.

Ez stared at him, her tongue wetting her lips as she regarded his easy posture...his humor. "No..." she responded, "..it was just a distraction." ...and with that, she pulled the pistol around to the front of her body and squeezed the trigger. Although Ez had anticipated him dodging her first attempt with the dagger, what she wasn't expecting was for him to twist so quickly with the second, diverting the strike from a killing shot to one that only cut through the meaty part of his side.

LaSeur roared, his hand going to her throat. His grip tightened and Ez felt all the strength go out of her limbs. She saw a flash of movement, followed by a feminine scream, and the air rushed back into her lungs. Taking no time to breathe, she brought up the pistol again and fired point-blank at his chest, squeezing the trigger until it clicked on empty, LaSeur's blood covering her in an instant. As he dropped to the sand, she saw Sam behind him, her axe firmly embedded in his side.

"Go to Jackal..." she directed, her hands on her knees as she gasped, seeing the slick gown of red that now clothed her. "I'll be right behind you." ...and she was, at least for a few steps. But Ez's luck had run out that day, and in the next moment she was retrained again, this time by her hair. With a quick movement, her head was slammed into a wooden beam, her knees buckling, but her body staying upright due to the pressure of a female body now pressing against her back. "My pet," Salt purred in her ear, "..how I 've missed you." The leader's arm encircled Ez, her hand cupping the scaver's breast and pinching the nipple firmly. Ez gasped with the pain and heard more laughter. "You like that...don't you...and I have so much more to give you." The feel of cool steel was pressed against Ez's brow, the gun's muzzle moving along the line of her jaw, down her neck, between her breasts, then along her flat stomach, finally ending at the waist of her fur panties.

"Have you ever made love to a pistol? It's...delicious...as I will show you...and so much more. Of course you will be securely tied to my bed...splayed. I will let your master watch...maybe even let him join in, if he behaves."

Salt grabbed Ez's arm and twisted it behind her, the gun once again against her temple. She moved them into the arena, finally stopping before Jackal, Ez essentially acting as a body shield. With the gun firmed placed, she allowed her hand to rove along Ez's blood covered chest as she scanned the carnage before her with pleasure.

"Well now, Jackal Lawless...you have exceeded my expectations. I applaud you. Never before have I seen a man like you...you are just what I have been looking for...and since your whore has killed by best dog...well...I'm looking for a replacement." Her eyes roved over his body hungrily, her hand moving lower on Ez's abdomen. "Yes...you and I shall rule together...you by my side." As her finger played at the waist of the fur, Ez visibly stiffened, her body starting to shake.

"Tell me vigilante, which one of these whores is your favorite? I like this one...but it's your choice. The other one we feed to the dogs...the men can be so hungry." The leader lifted her eyes to the man before her, her mouth tightening into a grimace. "I will make you mine...or you will die...with your whores. What will it be? Choose me, and I'll let her live...or...we can decorate this sand with one more body." As she watched the man, waiting for his decision, the scavver looked up, meeting Jackal's silvery gaze for the first time.

Where once there was a killing fury, now there was a molten fiery glare, full of hatred and a touch of insanity. Ez recognized that look and it frightened her...even though she knew she had not instigated it, she was in its direct line. She tried to back up...calling to Sammy to move behind him...but Salt clamped a hand over her mouth, silencing her in an instant. There was nothing she could do but wait for his vengeance.

Sammy needed no further heeding once she was free she rushed behind Jackal. Holding her bloody axe to her chest she looked at the change that had come over him. She's seen lots of angry men, loud angry, drunk angry, pathetic impotency angry. But this was a more terrifying one, one she'd only ever seen in animals about to attack. Cold, steady, coiling up some kind of savage attack. The girl worried if being behind him was safe, but she remembered an old saying Dr. Roger used to say, "it's better to be at the right hand of the devil than in his path. And as Jackal moved himself squarely between Sammy and Salt's line of sight the girl felt safer than she had in a long time.

The slavering hordes of Salties were silent, eager for Salt to give them the order. They'd swarm the arena. The tall man may be able to kill a few of them, but he wouldn't be able to take them all on and as soon as they got the cute little whore back she'll be all the reward they need. But Jackal stood like a statue, his back straight, his shoulders set back and his steel eyes glowed with the hellfire of pure rage.

He dropped the pipe and flipped the hatchet to his left hand.
"Stay here you need not fear any further harm." Was all he said as he walked towards Salt and Ez. He stopped a few feet short of the women his steel eyes resting coldly on Ez for a second before they stared directly into Salt's, the Raider Queen met his gaze fearlessly but he could see the fear and lust behind them. They stayed like that for a few seconds, but Jackal spoke.

"Release us all or die in the hellfire I will visit upon this camp of sin." His voice quiet, his voice steady, and Ez knew he wasn't bluffing. She tried to inch out of Salt's grip, but the woman grip held and Ezra could feel the woman's body tense up in sudden anger.

She cocked the hammer back on the pistol aimed at the Scavver's head and shrieked almost directly in Ez' ear.

"NO MAN ORDERS SALT THE QUEEN OF THE WASTES TO DO ANYTHING!"

Jackal's face flared in anger, but his voice remained calm.
"Then you have chosen death." He lifted his right hand to his lips and let out a shrill animal like whistle. Salt stared at him in disbelief for a few seconds, then curled her finger in on the trigger. But soon the sounds of screaming men and the strange hissing roar of some beast. And in seconds Vash burst through the wall of Salt Flyer, his mouth was foaming and his claws and teeth were stained with blood. While not known meat eaters, the Chabbit species when tasting blood have been known to go into a berserk rage. It was the result of mutation and a very excitable nature, and it was the beginning of the end for Salt and her bandits.

Jackal let out another whistle getting his raging mounts attention. The mad creature looked it's eyes looked like the same kind of cold rage as his masters. Jackal pointed at Salt and said a single phrase
"Bring her to me." Vash let out a savage roar and bound towards Ez and Salt. The Raider shoved Ez away and tried to fire at the Chabbit. But the beast was undaunted, and collided with Salt and fully threw her into the ring almost directly to Jackal's feet.

...and in the next moment, Ez felt herself falling forward and the events that followed occurred so closely together that she could not separate one from another. A burning sensation raked along her scalp and the report of a gunshot rang harshly in her ears. She fell to the blood soaked sands, feeling another body crashing into hers. Sammy was there suddenly, her mouth moving, but nothing coming out...and Ez felt herself being pulled away, the young girl struggling with her weight. There was screaming and Ez put her hands to her ears, her own voice joining in with the others in a mix of frustration and pain. She shook, her eyes riveted on the scene before her...the frightful man in front of her, the screaming Raider at his feet. Slowly as Sammy pulled her away form Jackal and Salt she calmed herself, starting with her breathing, then working to control the tremors, the pain, the torment. Her wall rebuilt itself, brick by brick, while the pretty young blonde girl cried beside her.

Salt was still stunned by the attack by the Chabbit, she scrambled away. The animal's throw caused her ankle to break in the fall, but still she was trying. Jackal easily kept up he even picked up a discarded whip one of the men he killed had. Once it was in hand he took an extra long step and stamped on the woman's broken ankle making her scream for help. But the enraged Chabbit with no further orders was reeking havoc through the camp. His tough paws ripping through fleeing men and some women, his path crossing many campfires kicking the sparks up everywhere many of the coal catching on the dry huts and other materials around the arena. Soon the entire Salt Flyer camp was ablaze, but none of it mattered to Jackal he was simply enjoying the sheer pain he was inflicting on Salt by pressing into her broken limb. Salt tried to kick free but the man knew what he was doing. She was topless still so he quickly twisted her to her back and lashed the whip down and across her back. Salt let out a piercing scream. But Jackal shouted.

"Be silent raider whore! Your penance begins now!"

He lashed another stroke crossing the first.
"That one was for the defilement of my camp!

Salt screamed again turning on the man.
"Please no more, I let the girls go!"

Jackal's eyes and face remained still his eyes on fire with his desire to punish. A third slash cutting the woman's lowerback.
"That one was for attacking and killing some of the men."

Salt was crying from the pain now still pleading.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry please. Please I'll let you be in charge, you can be my master as much as you are the others. I can be a good slave, like them" She fearfully pointed at Ez and Sammy.

Sammy was clutching Ez's arm her eyes wide and her body shaking with Ezra's. "Ms. Bastian why is he...doing that- he's a good man. That-that can't be Mr. Lawless!" Tears were streaming down her face seeing her hero in such a monstrous light.

At first, Ezra didn't answer, considering what would be best to tell the girl. With each whip strike on Salt's skin she flinched, but she was calmer now, almost under control. "He's doing what needs to be done--ridding the wastes of vermin. It's just his way..." She ran a hand along Sam's hair, trying to comfort her. "It doesn't make him a bad man...just a vengeful one."

Sammy looked up at her, her blue eyes red rimmed and filled with tears, "..but she's begging...shouldn't he giver her mercy?"

"Mercy doesn't cure the disease...only death does that." ...and she truly believed her words...although she found it difficult to watch the Saltie queen's torture. Death was easier when it was quick, but Jackal's method was anything but that.

Jackal brought his whip down again and Salt screamed again in agony. "I have silver...it's all yours..please just stop..."

Jackal was unmoved by Salt's pleas. But Sammy's cries stopped him. Salt hand turned over to her bleeding back her breasts bouncing gently as she tried to inch away.
"Yes, yes, all the chips you want and three pleasure slaves! What...what more could a man such as...yourself want?"

Jacakl stopped whipping Salt, and soon the sounds of gunfire could be heard then Gabe and the rest of the men crested the hill staring down upon what looked like a genuine scene from hell. Blood, Fire, and dead bodies were everywhere. Gabe looked down, his greedy eyes eagerly devouring the topless women before him especially Ez. He could also see the fear in her posture as she watched Jackal whip the Raider bitch. He could use all of this to his advantage.

Sammy cried hiding her face in Ez's bare shoulder.
"Please Mr. Lawless stop, you're better than this." She cried only glancing at the vengeful one.

Clarity seemed to come to Jackal. Salt had moved to her knees before him her hands gripping his belt trying to undo it, hoping maybe she could prove her worth and eagerness by pleasing him quickly. He stopped her mouth lifting it away from the front of his pants. Shaking his head.
"Where are our items?"

Salt kept her one hand on Jackal's pants and pointed the other to the hut Ez and Sammy came from after escaping her own hut, it was stone and mostly unaffected by the conflagration still raging around the Bandit camp. "There, there Master Lawless, take as much as you want." She stood up and began moving towards the armory, but the loud crack of a rifle ripped through the air and the Raider Queen collapsed to the ground a bullet hole through her head. It was Deck, he thought she might go after Sammy. Jackal looked up at Deck who simply glared down at Jackal shaking his head slowly before holstering his scoped rifle.

But the lawman looked at Ez with his cold almost dead stare. His eyes didn't roam over her topless body, a sight that would've aroused him easily. But this time he simply redid his pants and began stalking over to the cowering women. Deck took in a sharp breath lifting his rifle to Jackal, Gabe and the others quickly joining in the short cook's worry.

With rifles baring down on him, Ez watched the vigilante's approach. Instinctually she moved to block Sam, uncertainty filling her when she saw the blank expression still plastered on his face. She put her hand out, trying to signal him to stop...knowing she couldn't face him on her own...but also knowing she would die trying if she could spare the girl. As he approached she took in the array of wounds he suffered...it would be her only advantage. Her eyes flitted to the men aiming down on him and she shook her head, hoping to stay their hands. She had to believe he wouldn't hurt her...or Sammy...and if she was wrong, she would suffer the consequences.

With each step the blood loss, and exhaustion began to show plainly on Jackal's face and in his quickly faltering steps. Sammy continued to hide behind Ez, the image of Jackal whipping Salt and the present dead look he was giving them both. They would be branded in her mind, but also Ez's sudden protectiveness over her played through her fear. At the start of the day she wouldn't have anything to do with her and the girl even thought Ezra hated her, but now she had thrown herself in the way of danger for Sammy at least three times. Why?

She almost voiced her question when Jackal stopped a few feet in front of them his eyes unfocused and his body swaying slowly. "Now you are safe." He quickly dropped to his knees, then fell forward landing to the side of Ez, his hand coming up to grip her's and Sammy gently before his eyes closed.

Gabe and the other men rode down surrounding Ez, Sammy, and Jackal. The underboss grunted. "Told you he liked the killings."

Ezra had gone still with Jackal's collapse, immediately feeling concern, a tightening in her chest filling her as she stared at him. There was relief when her men arrived, the feeling quickly leaving her with Gabe's words. She pulled her eyes from Jackal's inert form, gently removing her hand from his, and rose. Her nudity did not deter her from standing tall in front of the scarred man, her shoulders squaring off. She slapped him across his face then, putting everything she had into the blow.

"He is a better man that you will ever be..." she said simply, her own exhaustion preventing her from saying more--even her rage was used up.

As Ezra turned from him, she reached for Sammy's hand and drew her to her feet. She led her to the armory where their weapons and clothing were stored, as well as other sorted supplies and coin. She handed Sam a bag with a red cross on it, her own, and told her to help Mr. Lawless. As the girl ran back to his side, Ez pulled down large sacks and began filling them, quickly replacing their lost supplies with new ones. Her expression went blank--mirroring Jackal's only a moment before, as she tried to work out her feelings--those for the vigilante...and those for Sam...

[SikstaSlathalin]

Even with the Salt Flyer camp burning around them the Expedition quickly grabbed what loot they could. Weapons, clothing, food, medicine, water and even a couple of Salt's old toy were gathered up like cattle and led away from the burning wreckage. It was done as quickly as possible, and as they group rode away hard the dark sky was lit up bright orange for miles and the black smoke could be smelt all the way back at the small oasis.

Jackal had been carefully placed in the flat bed of a supply wagon with Vash who has recovered from his blood rage, but was still tweaked his fur bristling and his jaws snapping at anyone who wasn't Ez or Sammy that came close to his wounded master's side. Sammy was seated in front of the wagon with Jackal, she'd cleaned up what she could of his wounds, but even with her bag she'd need lots of time and clean water for him. Neither of which she'd have bobbing around in the wagon, but that suited her fine right now.

She couldn't look at Jackal now without feeling fear of him, but it also strangely aroused her. The blood, carnage, and near death experiences filled her head with all kinds of thoughts, desires, and adrenaline. She stole some glances at Ez as she rode in back her eyes distant, but her hand was laying gently on Jackal's shoulder holding a bandage over a nasty wound.

They were a few miles from camp still, but the silence was too much for the young girl. She tried to think of conversation, but could only think of one thing.
"Thank you Ms. Bastian...for saving me."

[bluemoon]

Ezra glanced at Sammy, the girl's voice pulling her from her thoughts. The wound on Jackal's shoulder had bled through the bandage, adding to the gore already covering her, but she kept applying pressure steadily and offered the girl a slight smile. "I didn't save you Sam...Jackal saved us... both of us...but you saved me first. If you hadn't struck LaSeur with that axe he would surely have killed me." She took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. She could see the girl was having problems coping with their experiences and wasn't sure how to alleviate them.

"...the things that happened...they will forever haunt you if you do not push them from your head. You have to try to forget."

"I'm not sure I can," Sammy responded, a tear rolling down her cheek.

Ezra said nothing else, but continued to hold her hand until they reached the camp.
...............

The camp was in shambles, tents torn open, food spilled into the sand, supplies scattered, and bodies littering the grounds. While Sammy tended to Jackal's wounds more thoroughly, the rest of the surviving members rebuilt their site. Ezra had Gabe scout the perimeter to identify weak spots...with fewer men, they would have to strategically set up guards to ensure safety. Deck did what he always did, cooked and reorganized the goods. ..and the bodies were buried or pulled deeper into the wastes for the denizens to devour. Within a few hours, the camp was back in order and the mid-day meal was sizzling over the fire.

With the work done, Ezra slipped into the secluded pond to bathe, scrubbing the dried blood and sand from her skin. But no matter how hard she rubbed, she couldn't remove the filthy residue in her mind. Only the bottle of moonshine in her pack could do that, but she restrained herself from giving in to the temptation so soon. Dressed in her typical clothes, she made her way to Sammy.

"You should go ahead and get something to eat...get cleaned up...get some chow," Ez suggested. Sammy nodded, actually relieved to be getting a break. She had cleaned all of Jackals wounds thoroughly, and applied fresh bandages. She had been forced to remove all his clothing and was shocked by her own blush when she looked at him in his natural state. Since then she had been flustered and looked forward to some time alone.

Once Sam had gone, Ez sat down by Jackal's side, looking into his pale face. She put a hand to his forehead, feeling the damp sweat that coated his skin. "You're going to be okay," she said to his still form. "You have to be." Her hand gently combed through his hair and she leaned closer to him. She remembered the poem he had recited when she had asked how he had survived all those wounds and quietly, mostly to herself, she recited the words...

"Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death.

I shall fear no evil, for I am the rage against the dying of the light.

I am he who shall not go gently into that dire night.

Standing at the end of the path of light, I am vigilance against the grasping claws of the dark...

She stopped abruptly...her head bowing. Lightly she ran a finger along his cheek, letting it come to rest once it was on his lips. His eyes moved rapidly behind his lids and she stared into his face, a look of sadness coming over her features. "I need you Jackal...I've never needed anyone...but I need you." She kissed him, letting her lips linger on his. Eventually she laid herself along his side, taking comfort in his presence.

How long she lay there, she didn't know, but it was the sound of Sammy footfalls that brought Ez back. She sat up quickly, observing the young woman closely. She was carrying two plates and her hair hung damply along her shoulders. "I thought you might be hungry," she said, "...Deck said you haven't eaten." Ez took the plate and set it down by her, quickly dismissing it. "I'm not hungry...but thank you. What I do need is for you to stay by Jackal...he's not to be alone...ever. Deck can help you...set up a schedule...neither of you will go on perimeter watch until he is healthy enough to be on his own."

Sammy looked at her in surprise. "O..okay," she stammered. She had been hoping to get away and stretch a bit, but Ez's orders did not leave any room for leisure time. "He's going to be okay Miss Bastian. He's strong...and I just feel it."

Ezra looked long into the youthful face, her expression blank. She forced a reassuring smile and nodded. "He is strong...and he's survived worse. Let's just hope you are right."

[SikstaSlathalin]

The young woman nodded but she put the food in a box and handed it to her leader. "Just in case you get hungry Ms. Bastian food helps all types of healing." Ez took the food and slipped out the back of Owen's wagon which has been retrofitted into a small hospital not only for Jackal, but a few other men that got wounded and even a few of the Salt Flyers female prisoners. That was before Ez sent them away with some of the stuff her group scavenged from the burning ruins of the Salt Flyer Camp. The men weren't happy about it, but they couldn't argue with the boss.

Now though it was just Sammy and Jackal. The inside of the covered wagon was warm and stunk a little, but after she removed her t-shirt and had actually grown content with the fur bra Salt had put her in. It was comfy and kinda sexy even with the memories it brought to her mind. Besides she only had one shirt right now and it needed a little washing. Between herself and Deck the lawman was stable, but young Sam wished she had some of the equipment from her adopted family's office. His blood would return on it's own, but it would've been quicker with an IV drip and a possible transfusion. But then came the issue of blood type, she knew her blood was O Negative so she could help him. But stuff like that required a more sterile environment than the back of a supply wagon even after Deck and her scrubbed it as clean as possible.

Infection was her biggest concern here. As tough as Jackal was even if half the stories she's heard about him were true all it would take is a single germ to put him beyond her help. Ez had made sure to bring Jackal's stuff to the wagon. His coat, weapons, and the rest of his kit. She could even hear Vash snoring loudly outside. She'd never seen that kind of thing or even heard about it, Chabbit's weren't uncommon mounts in the Outpost, but they were creatures of broken spirits. Beaten and mistreated by their owners. But Vash was more like a loyal war hound to Jackal, coming to his aid in a fight, protecting his gear, and even coordinating an attack with the man. And now he was sound asleep outside.

Jackal stirred in his sleep mumbling something fearful. Sammy couldn't understand it, but she wetted a cloth and placed it upon his forehead. He was nude aside from a loincloth they swiped from the bandit camp and the girl couldn't help but marvel at the sheer number of wounds decorating the man's prone body. Just by looking the girl could tell any one of these should've killed him. But here he was battered, bandaged, but breathing. Despite her fear of him, she couldn't help but almost revere him. He was like a God or something a force beyond flesh and bone. Slowly she leaned down and kissed Jackal on the lips whispering to the unconscious man.
"Thank you...Master Lawless." She sat back feeling her cheek turn red and hot, she knew there was something between Jackal and Ezra something deep, but she still felt like she owed him that much as a thanks. Moving her legs out from under her she ate her food in silence letting her mind run in any direction it wanted. Her job was to keep Mr. Lawless alive, but staring at an unconscious man wasn't something that required her full attention until she needed to check his vitals.

The food was simple salted meat, hard cheese, stew, and a little bit of watered down whiskey. As she ate her eyes began roaming over Jackal again remembering his body...every part of it. She quickly shook those ideas from her head then found herself looking at the man's affects. Most notably the old black book that was stuffed into one of his pockets alongside a map of some kind. She didn't pick up the map, she knew what it was he'd told her about it, but never showed it to her. At first she was a little put off by that, but she knew he had his reasons. But he never talked about the black book so in her mind there wasn't any rule against her looking at it. She finished her food and sat Indian style sipping the whiskey slowly. She felt the warmth flowing through her body and it gave her courage enough to open the book. She's seen books like this before, the Greens even had one for a little while, she was never much of a reader but she had nothing else to do now.

Inside the cover was a neatly written dedication.

"To Jacky,

Remember son, there are things in this world that can't be solved with a gun or a knife. Sometimes you must surrender to the unknown rather than trying to fight it before you can overcome it. You are strong and the spirits of our ancestors flow through you. Let them be your guides rather than the anger at the things you can never foresee.

Love Desert Rose (a.k.a mom) XOXOX"

Sammy didn't realize it, but she was reading the passage out loud and as she finished Jackal shot up like a live wire startling her and forcing her to drop the book and jump backward onto her rear.

"What?! who?!" He shouted instinctively reaching for his pistol that wasn't there. He almost spun on and aimed to punch Sammy, but as he saw it was her he sighed raggedly and laid slowly back down panting heavily. "I'm...I'm sorry Sammy. Where are we? Are we still in the Salties camp?"

The girl recovered from her fright and shook her head.
"No...no Mr. Lawless. We're back in our own camp the Salties are gone. Don't you remember anything?" She handed him a canteen and helped him drink.

The man swallowed a few big mouthfuls shaking his head.
"Not really, last thing I remember is surrendering to that bearded asshole to save you and Ez...Ez! Is she ok? Are you ok?" He tried to sit up again, but the young medic pushed him back shushing him.

She recapped the canteen and adjusted his pillow.
"She's fine, I'm fine we lost a few men. But overall we won, now rest here Ez brought your book." She handed the bible to him, Jackal let out a pleased smile hugging the book to his sweaty chest before falling back to sleep.

Sammy let out a quiet sigh relaxing her back and letting her mind wander more.

[bluemoon]

Ezra walked the perimeter of the camp before circling back to her belongings and finally giving in to the pull of the moonshine. She had planned to use the bottle for trade...glad now that she had decided against it. Everything was worked out with her crew for the next few days...and until Jackal was well enough to travel there was little to do but wait. It was this reasoning that persuaded her to break her personal rule of not drinking while on the trail. This, and the fact that she needed a distraction.

Sitting on a flat rock that overlooked the wastes, Ezra opened the bottle and took a long drink. The liquor burned her throat for the first few swallows, then mellowed out. She paced herself, keeping her wits about her, while maintaining a comfortable numb. ...and then she began to focus, something she had been unable to do without the alcohol. The recent events had occupied her thoughts until this moment...and now she turned her mind to the important matter of Samantha and Jackal. Each a different problem, and yet, both intertwined.

Ezra was not the motherly type...she hadn't thought she would be a good mother before and wasn't ready to face that even now. But she also had a responsibility to make good her failings in regards to Sam. Could she continue with the lie and not tell her the truth--she didn't know ...and that also brought up the problem of the girl's attachment to Jackal. He had brought her here...and that made him responsible for her. Could Ez break that bond for her own selfish reasons? Did she care enough for Jackal to break her daughter's heart? It was these thoughts that occupied her mind as she sat looking out at the vast nothing, her eyes not seeing what was before her, but rather focused within.

As the night settled, Ezra continued her vigil of drinking and thinking, her body knowing when to consume more alcohol to maintain the proper level of intoxication to keep her in this state. She shut out the noises of the camp, concentrating only on the night creatures and occasionally looking up to the stars. Sometime during the night she bathed again, returning to her perch wearing only her black top and underwear. Her body shivered as the cold embraced her, but she sought no warmth. When morning came, she made her rounds of the camp, acknowledging no one, but pausing briefly by the medical wagon...but not going inside. She did not eat or sleep, the dark circles under her eyes prominent. By the time night had fallen again, she had finished off several bottles of liquor, hers and ones stolen from the Salties, and still she continued to be unresponsive to others, keeping with the routine she had developed over the past hours. The men watched her nervous walking, drawn to her almost naked body, but kept silent when Gabe gave them a look of warning--he enjoyed the show...liked the bruises on her skin and the silent way she had about her. He hoped it would continue.

--------------------------------

Deck awoke the second night some time before daylight. Although he had not approached Ezra during the past 24 hours, he had been watching her, as had many members of the group. Her drinking was not unusual, she could drink most men under the table, but her state of being worried him. With a few hours of night left, he crawled from his blankets and saw her silhouette still occupying the same spot. Shaking his head, he walked to her and sat down, his hand touching her arm softly. He recoiled a bit, her flesh cold and damp, her hair dripping from a recent dip in the pond. When he tried to put his jacket over her naked shoulders she jerked, shrugging it from her.

"Ez...Ez...you need to come back to us. This camp will not hold up much longer without you. Gabe will take it from you and no one can stop him." He put his hand on her arm again. "You're so cold hon...your gonna catch ill."

Ez looked at him then, a sadness in her eyes--but there was clarity--she saw him. His presence here confused her as he rarely woke in the night. "Why are you here?" she asked, her voice husky.

Deck gave her a paternal smile. "Worried about you is all...and I had a dream."

"Jinny?"

The old man nodded. "Sometimes I forget her face...and in my dreams she is a stranger."

Deck looked sadly to the shadowed land and Ez felt his sorrow as her own. He was a friend, and feeling compassion for him allowed her to conclude her own doubts.

She touched his hand gently, giving him a comforting smile. "She had hair like the sun, red and full of light. ...and she always wore it in a relaxed bun, a loose strand on either side. She would curl those strands with her fingers all day to keep them just so," she began. "...and the two butterfly clips to hold it in place...blue and purple."

"..and freckles..."

"Yes, she had sun kisses on her nose and cheeks and blue eyes like the clearest lake."

"I miss her Ez."

"I know...me too. Do you want me to continue?"

Deck smiled. "No, I can see her now. She was so beautiful."

Ez nodded. Deck rose and when he placed his coat on Ez's shoulders this time she allowed it to drape her in its warmth. It was only then that he noticed the bottle she held was empty, her hand holding it loosely by its neck. "I wish I could remember her like you." He turned away then, pausing for a moment before continuing. "Jackal has been asking after you...I think you should go see him at first light. Not sure he believes us saying you're okay anymore." When he returned to camp he set to making a fire, placing a pot of water over the flames.

----------------

With the coming of Dawn, Ezra went to the wagon to wait for Sammy to awaken. Deck brought her some coffee and she took the mug in both hands. She was dressed in her typical clothing and appeared worn, but coherent. There was no hiding the bruises and scrapes on her face, but her expression showed strength of resolve and determination.

As soon as she heard rustling in the wagon she crawled inside, observing Sammy rolling away from Jackal's side. Her blonde hair was tousled, evidence of a fitful night, but she was blushing, her soft cheeks aglow with color.

"How is he?" Ez asked, ignoring the girl's obvious fluster.

Sammy looked at the sleeping vigilante shyly, but with obvious adoration and maybe a little fear. "He's better...he even ate a little yesterday. Drinking. Wakes up every few hours. But, I don't know if he remembers.."

Ezra regarded the girl carefully. "You've cared for him well. Thank you."

Sammy felt troubled by the way Ez kept staring at her, almost scrutinizing her. Her gaze was kind, but Ez was known to be moody and she was afraid she had done something to upset her. Her next words only added to the confusion.

"Samantha? I...I would like to have a...I need to..." Ez sat down and patted the spot next to her. "We...um...we need to talk. Okay?"

Dread filled the young girl's heart. She had seen and heard the last time Ez had "needed" to talk to Jackal. What had she done wrong? She nodded at Ez. "Sure...what about?"

"I'd like to tell you about your father."

[SikstaSlathalin]

Sammy had just come back from her 12 hour break watching over Jackal. She and Deck had been trading places taking care of the wounded lawman. He wasn't getting worse, but his progress was slow. She had no clue how he took care of himself in Durcell when he got torn up. She doubted he had a Doctor on hand, but he was a man of resources and...sheer will.

Sammy had seen a lot of tough guys in her life, but Jackal was head and shoulders above most of them (both literally and figuratively). He seemed to have some kind of guardian angel on his shoulder. It was late so she snuggled under a blanket and caught a few more hours of sleep. Jackal was warm, so nature decreed she kind of insert herself into his arms for warmth. She was having a nice dream when she heard Ezra enter and quickly rolled herself away wrapping the blanket around her shoulders.

She listened to Ez and moved besides her picking up some warm tea Deck had made for her. She inhaled the sweet smell of pine needle and mint before sipping the drink letting the fluid flow down her throat and warm her up some. She sat on her legs bringing the blanket up around her more. But the older woman's desire to talk about her father kind of threw Sammy off. She didn't even know her mother's name, and how would the Scavver know either of them? But she knew better than to be blatantly rude to the Expedition leader.

"Ok...but how do you know him?"

Ezra smiled at the girl. "I met him a long time ago...on the trial. He was badly injured...covered in sores from traveling the Scorch. But it was the bullet wound that was killing him." She brushed a lock of hair out of the girl's face. "You look just like him...I'm surprised I didn't notice that before. Seems his features were stronger than mine."

Sammy's eyes widened and she dropped her tea an audible gasp falling from her lips. She squeaked in surprise quickly grabbing some old bandages to mop up the tea. "What!-What are you saying?!" She huddled into the blanket some more not sure how much more shock her system could take. But as the news sunk in tears trickled down her young face. "M....mom?" She held her hands over her mouth not sure if she wanted to scream with joy or be furious with the woman who abandoned her and wound up condemning her to a few years as a 3 Silver Chip whore. So she simply hugged her crying gently.

Ez stiffened briefly with the physical contact, slowly putting one arm around Sam awkwardly. "No..I mean yes...but don't call me that. Ez is fine." She let the girl cry for a few seconds, trying to decide how to continue. "I didn't know...not until the Saltie camp...and then I didn't know how to tell you. I never thought...I never expected to meet you."

Sammy cried more her fingers digging into Ez's jacket. It has been years since she cried like this. She often fantasized about what her real mother would be like. On cold nights when the John had gone to sleep and she was too sore to enjoy sleep herself she thought on the stories the Greens told her when she asked. They never said her name nor did they really describe her looks just that she was fearless, smart, and knew the wastes like the back of her hand. She was something of a legend like Jackal, but a painful longing always sat in her chest. She thought about what she'd say and do if she ever met her, but now that she was here the girl was at a loss.

She never expected to meet her mother either. She cuddled into Ezra's arm some more wiping her tears away. "Why? Why didn't you ever find me? You knew I was in Outpost 4 and you've been there a few times. I remember seeing you in the Rascal House and the Den. Why...mom, didn't you and ...dad want me?" She knew Ez didn't want to be called mom, but the girl was just in too much shock to listen.

Ezra shook her head, there was no easy way to tell her, no way to soften the truth. Sighing heavily, she gently removed the girls arms from her and looked at her fully.

"I was just a child Sam...only 14 when I was pregnant. I didn't know how to be a mother...I could barely care for myself. There was no way I could care for a child in the wastes...and scavving was all I knew. I didn't want to find you...you have to understand...finding you would only bring regret...and I had nothing to give you. I thought you were better off without me. But don't think you weren't wanted...your father loved the thought of you in a way I never understood. He died before you were born...the sickness eating away at him over the months."

Sammy frowned lightly placing her hands on her thighs. That was the answer she expected, though not the one she hoped for. A childish part of her hoped if she ever met her mother it would've been a huge misunderstanding and she would've been told her mother was always looking for her but couldn't find her. But that's all those thoughts were childish hope, because after all those silly thoughts her mind turned to reality. In all likelihood her mother was a whore like Sammy, or some fool who didn't know to say no. She sighed gripping Ezra's hand squeezing it firmly. "Thank you for your honestly mom...Ez...Ms. Bastian." She didn't know what to call her at the moment. But she kept hold of the woman's hand enjoying the closest thing to a mother's touch she felt in awhile. "So what can you tell me about my father? I'd like to know everything. His name, age, appearance, how and where you two met, what the relationship was like, how long were you together, what happened between you two, and how did he die?" The girl kept her tears at bay for now, but she couldn't help but look at Ezra in a different light than before. Before she was just her boss and potential rival for Jackal's love, but now she looked at her like a mother and she a child looking for advice.

Ezra laughed lightly, once again shaking her head. She hadn't expected to go into the whole story, but she realized she couldn't leave things as they were.

"Okay...um...his name...it was Jonah Windham. ...and he was older..maybe 40 or so. I never really asked. ...and he was like you, blonde hair, like summer wheat, and blue eyes...a little taller than me with broad shoulders.

I met him near here...I thought he was dead and I was going make a claim on his things. But when I turned him over to search his pockets he looked at me. He had been shot, like I said, and had lost a lot of blood. Bandits had torn through his village..killed his family...and chased him into the bad lands--the Scorch.

I didn't know how to help him, but he talked me through removing the bullet and stitching him up. He was very strong, but it took him weeks to recuperate. Afterwards, he became my teacher. He taught me to read the stars, to track...hunt. How to be a guide. There really was nothing else between us, but when you spend so much time together, things happen.

He was lonely...missed his family...and wanted to start a new one so his line would not die with him. See, he knew he would die...the rad sickness only got worse, and after almost a year, he did. We stayed together the whole time...but we were only lovers until I was with child. I don't think either of us were in love...just companions. ..but he was a good man...so few are. If he had lived...I'm not sure...but things would have been different."

Sammy nodded slowly looking down at the floor of the wagon closing her eyes and logging all this information away for later. Sammy'd never been with child, she always, always used condoms, she didn't think she'd make a good mother either, she guessed it ran in the family. But some of the other working girls had kids, most didn't make it to full term. The few that did though generally abandoned the child. Picked up by traders, lonely couples, or even traveling raider bands, the woman wasn't herself afterwards no matter what she did.
"He sounds nice, wish I could've met him."

The girl sat in silence for a few seconds, trying to get her thoughts in line. Once Ez left the wagon she might give Sammy the cold shoulder and refuse to answer more questions. After all these years of abandonment it would probably be an easy transition. But now that she knew Ez was her mom she wouldn't be able to ignore it. It would eat away at her, she'd had to live with these thoughts of abandonment her whole life. The Greens told her as soon as they could and that caused her to shy away from them for most of her life. And after they died she was a meat puppet for whatever horny man paid her fee but it was all physical intimacy, no emotional attachment. It was a job, and one she hated, she even tried killing herself once by hanging. But she was found by another girl and cut down, whores can be close and she had a few she was closeish to, but once again it was more survival than affection.

And once Mr. Lawless entered her life and saved her from it her need for affection immediately attached to him. He was the first person to show her some kind of good emotion. And then when Ezra tried to save her so much in the Salties camp she grew attached to her as well...and now that she's her actual mother she desired nothing more than to stick around Ez and try for that familial connection. She really wanted a family.

"So...what does this mean? We won't be able to go back to just employee/employer not now. At least I won't be able to, I know you said you couldn't offer me anything back when I was a kid, but now that has changed I think. Mr. Lawless is a good teacher, but since he's incapacitated now. I...I'd like to learn from you and...and maybe we can wipe the slate clean and give this mother/daughter thing a try?" She looked at Ez hopefully. "And you can keep an eye on me so I don't fall to Mr. Lawless's obvious charms?" She attempted a joke, but the hope was still in her voice and eyes.

Ezra laughed with light humor, knowing the "obvious charms" were simply the vigilante's kindness towards Sam...but she understood how someone like Sam could fall for him. Wasn't that exactly what was happening to her also? "I'll do what I can," she responded with another chuckle. "...and as for mother/daughter, I'd like to keep that quiet for a time...I hope you don't mind, but I don't want anything to get in the way of my authority just yet. We'll approach a way to let them in later. Okay?" She knew this was not what the girl was hoping for, but for right now, it was all she had to offer. She smiled and lifted Sam's chin to look at her directly.

"...but we can be friends...good friends...and I can teach you...just like your father taught me. It'll almost be the same, but you won't call me mom, just Ez. ..and when the time is right...we'll tell everyone...I promise."

Sammy nodded softly nuzzling into Ez's hand a little. It wasn't exactly what she wanted, but under the circumstances it made sense to her. She was the newest member of the group and a former whore and any special attention or treatment she got from the leader wouldn't go over well especially with Gabe prancing around like he's in charge of the group since Ez was out of sort. And she's heard talk of mutiny around some of the fires at night.

"Alright Ez, I'll do my best to not slip up. I'm really just happy to have any kind of mom now. Also you might want to keep an eye on Gabe. I've been hearing some of the men talking about mutiny with Gabe at the head of it. I don't know if he's actually gonna try anything, but with you in your slump the past two days and Mr. Lawless in here he's getting full of himself. I've been spending most of my time in here, but I've heard Vash get up and start snarling, then heard Gabe's voice cuss the beast out before leaving a few times. And some of the girls we saved from the Salties came in with rope burns around their neck." She looked down bringing a hand up to rub her own rope burn, it was mostly faded but the skin was still a little rough. She was glad all of the women they saved were quick to beat feet away from their camp afterwards, but she knew a couple would hang around.

Ezra nodded. "...good to know...but just leave Gabe to me...we have a bit of history." Although she made light of it, she knew it was going to be more of a problem than she wanted to admit. The Black Jack couldn't seem to stay in line and if not for Vash, he might very well have come in here and slit the vigilante's throat while he lay unconscious. She patted the girl's hand. "I think I'll go get some breakfast Sam...let me know when he wakes."

Sammy smiled at Ez and nodded as she left and began checking the tall man's bandages. Most of them looked to be dry and free of blood so that was a good sign. Ez on the otherhand stood up and walked slowly from the wagon aiming herself for Deck's fire to get some food.

[bluemoon]

Ez nodded at Deck as she grabbed a plate of food and sat down to eat by the fire. The food seemed tasteless as she spooned it into her mouth slowly, realizing she really wasn't as hungry as she should be. Her thoughts kept going back to Sammy...her daughter...wondering if things had gone as well as, or worse than, she had planned. Either way, there was a weight lifted from her shoulders...no doubt in her mind that she had made the right decision in telling her. She wondered how the rest of the camp would take it when the time came to tell them. ...and what of Jackal...would it change what they had..whatever it was.

With half a plate of food remaining, Ezra set down her left-overs and stood, looking for Gabe within the camp. She was dreading the encounter, but this new insubordination had to be addressed before it became worse, and there was no one but her to do it. She finally spotted him standing amongst the other gang members, him the center of attention as typical. As she strode over there, attempting to appear casual, all their eyes turned to her, especially Gabes. Before she reached them, he was already moving in her direction, meeting her half way and giving her an all-knowing smirk. She didn't have a chance to say anything before he reached out and touched the scratch marks across her cheek, his fingers tracing their outline. She flinched slightly, standing her ground despite his closeness. His head cocked, like a dogs, and he laughed.

"Boss...well now...isn't this a pleasure. The boys and I were having us a friendly wager...and it seems I have won." He looked at her closely, trying to unnerve her, but succeeding only in causing her anger to flare.

"Wager?" Ez asked, despite her misgivings.

"Yeah...well...see we heard the Saltie boss, well she had a thing for girls...and we were wondering which one of you gave her some fun. The boys thought it was Candy, her being a whore and all, but, no, I said, it was Ez...she's up for almost anything. Didn't really think you had it in you though." His smile increased, "..but the scratches prove it...now, how 'bout you tell me all the details? It'd keep me warm at night..."

Ez shook her head, forcing herself not to react, not to slap him again. Instead, she bit her lower lip and played her tongue along it, squinting her eyes as she regarded him silently. She decided to ignore his little taunt and dive right into her reason for seeking him out.

"You need to back down Gabe..." she started, taking a step closer to him, but keeping her hands at her sides. "I won't have you talking the men against me."

Laughter, short and sharp. "Nothin' doing. Ain't been doing no talking."

"I know about your little trips to the wagon...the Chabbit is not going to let you near Mr. Lawless...you are wasting your time."

"Oh...you mean that...I wasn't looking after the vigilante...just wanted me some sweet Candy." He winked, running his tongue along his still swollen lips.

"Cand...Samantha...is off limits. I think we already made that clear. If the remaining Saltie girls want to play your game...then that is their choice...but I won't have you forcing them either."

"Lots of rules boss...not sure I can remember them all."

"I will not talk to you again Gabe...the next time you are gone...one way or another."

This time the laughter was loud and genuine. "...and who is going to stop me? You? The sleeping giant? The whore?"

Ez sighed heavily, looking down at the ground before meeting his gaze again. "You may think you can run this camp, but you are wrong. Unless you plan to head back to Carousel, you will be lost. The scavving locale is in my head...not yours...and I will not take you to it. Anywhere you want to go, I know the way, not you. Whether you like it or not, you need me." The words from her mouth were like a growl...a challenge...and Gabe took them as such, with his usual lack of concern.

"I can make you...." he threatened, "just wait and see if I don't, once your vigilante dies from his wounds, there will be no one to protect you." He met her gaze, anger causing him to forget what happened the last time he had threatened her.

"You do....and I will lead you to your death." She turned from him then, knowing any further words from her mouth would only lead to more trouble...and cursing. If not for his connection with the other Black Jacks in the camp, and his influence over them, she would have killed him right then.

[SikstaSlathalin]

Sammy's mind was absorbed in the thought of what it would mean to have Ezra as her teacher and mother someday. She was mix of excited and afraid at the prospect, Ezra would be a great teacher and she'd be a good role model, but as for a mother the young girl had no clue. She could be very protective and sincere, she could be cold and uncaring, she could just be lost in the whole idea and get them both killed.

The teen didn't know, but it was nice to know she had family now. But as she was thinking about it a quiet groan from the lawman brought her back. He was trying to open his eyes, Sammy quickly grabbed some clean water and helped him up bringing the tin cup to his lips. He drank it haltingly choking a little, but soon the cup was empty. And Sammy laid him back down slowly. "How are you feeling Mr. Lawless?"

The man groaned quietly and looked around at the wagon his eyes clear and alive again. "Oh sore as all hell. How long have I been out?"

Sammy poured him another cup of water helping him sit fully up and handing it to him.
"About three days, Deck and I have been keeping an eye on you. We weren't sure you'd pull through."

Jackal sighed gently sipping the cup empty and stretching his sore body some.
"I've lived through worse, what happened?"

Sammy quirked her eyebrow some, she was worried he'd have some kind memory loss after the incident.
"Well after you surrendered to LaSeur, he took you, Ms. Bastian, and me to the Salt Flyer Camp. You were put into a gladiatorial arena of some kind, while Ezra and I were taken to be...toys for Salt."

Jackal's face hardened and he quickly looked the girl over. But Sammy saw him shaking her head and smiling.
"I'm ok, Ezra saved me from Salt, then again from LaSeur, and again from...you." She wasn't sure if telling him everything would be smart, but it would better to hear it from her than some of the men.

The lawman frowned relaxing some.
"From me?"

The woman nodded slowly placing her hands in her lap.
"Yes, you changed...in the arena. You were like...I don't know...some kind of angry animal. You killed the Salties quicker than I could blink and in very brutal ways. And you seemed to be quoting something the whole time. I couldn't hear it all but you called yourself like the Avenger of God or the like. And your face...it was like unmoving, just anger, anger, and more anger. To be honest it was...it was kinda terrifying. And then you called Vash to the camp and he slaughtered Salties by the dozens."

Jackal's frown grew and his shoulders sagged low. So he went full Angel of Death, it was a term used to describe the way he killed Frankie and his goons and how he generally was in his crusade. To this day he only remembers bits of it. Most of what he knows is from hearing about his actions afterwards.
"I'm sorry I scared you...but what happened next?"

Sammy squirmed a little she'd been doing her best to not think about what he did to Salt after Vash knocked her into the ring. But...he had a right to know.
"Well you ordered Vash to knock Salt into the arena with you then you....." She closed her eyes trying to block out the sounds of Salt's screams and pleas for mercy. "You whipped Salt, over and over. You listed her crimes like a Judge or something."

Jackal sighed bringing his hands up to his face rubbing over the new scabs and scars. And Sammy no doubt say it and it brought up painful memories of her time as a hooker.
"Did...she say anything?"

Sammy nodded wiping at her eyes.
"Yes she pleaded with you to stop. She offered to free me and Ez, she offered money, weapons and supplies, she even offered herself as a pleasure slave at the end."

Jackal felt bile welling up in his throat.
"And-and what did I say to her pleas?"

Sammy shook her head.
"Nothing you just kept whipping her and listing her crimes, until...until I shouted for you to stop."

The man's eyes widened in surprise. He's never just stopped before, and he would've expected Ez to do that not the girl.
"What was Ez doing this whole time?"

Sammy looked up at him her eyes moist.
"She mostly just held me and tried to keep me calm. Telling me you were a good man bringing justice to the wastes, curing the disease of raiders the only way you know...but killing it."

The two sat in silence for many long minutes. Sammy was having flashbacks of the unearthly anger she saw in Jackal that not, hoping her telling him the truth wouldn't set it off. She...wasn't sure what she'd do then. Maybe she would have better luck using her body to keep his hand from her throat, but the way he ignored Salt's pleas shot that hope down. Jackal on the other hand was filtering through broken memories trying to grasp the scope of what he did that night and maybe come up with some way to soothe the fear he felt coming off Sammy. He had an idea, but first he needed the full story. He reached over and gripped Sammy's hand gently the girl instinctively tensed up and cowered a little, but Jackal patted her hand shushing her gently.
"It's ok Sammy, that man...that beast is asleep now. And with luck he'll stay asleep, what happened after I...I...whipped Salt?"

The girl sighed relaxing her shoulders and looking back into Jackal's handsome face.
"Well Gabe and the rest of the men showed up, Vash had set fire to the Salt Flyer camp, Deck shot Salt after you rejected her and she was about to lead you to the Bandit Camp's armory. And then you approached Ez and myself...that same silent rage in your eyes as when you were whipping Salt. You looked at us and said. "Now your are safe." Then you just collapsed and we brought you back to our camp by the Oasis here."

Jackal nodded slowly. He pulled the girl close and hugged her tight kissing the top of her head as she quickly wrapped her arms around him.
"I am sorry you had to see that Samantha. It's a part of me, I've never been very proud of....but it is a part. And as such I can't remove it sadly. But I thank you for snapping me out of it and for patching me up. Now, can you help me get dressed I'd like some fresh air and I should probably find Ez and see how she's doing."

The girl shook her head trying to pull Jackal back to the floor.
"No Mr. Lawless, you should be resting. A lesser man would've died in the night, but even demi-gods like yourself should be in bed for a few more days."

Jackal winced lightly and chuckled.
"And I will I promise, but fresh air does a body good and besides it looks like you could use a bath and some fresh air yourself." He smiled running his hand through the girl's dirty hair and picking some dried blood from her t-shirt. "I'll be back in an hour or so, or Ez will knock me out and drag me back here. But you go get some air, is my stubborn Chabbit around still?"

The girl nodded agreeing with the Vigilante's assessment of her own filth.
"Yes, he hasn't left the wagon's side since we brought you back here."

The man laughed slowly getting to his feet and with some help managed to get his shirt, pistol, boots, coat and hat on. Then together they slowly exited the wagon the cool air of the morning hit Jackal like a truck. Making his head spin causing him to stumble a little, luckily Samy was ready for it and stabilized him. Vash awoke and let out a furtive growl coming quickly to Jackal's aid using his bulk to hold the man up with a purr. Jackal laughed thumping his mount on it's side.
"There's my big furry pillow. You miss me boy?" He scratched Vash's neck illiciting another purr from the Chabbit. The beast took on Jackal's full weight and gave Sammy a quick hug. "Ok Vash and I have it from here. You go get cleaned up ok Sammy." He looked around at the men who looked like they've just seen a ghost. He chuckled then patted the girl on her back. "Don't forget your gun too Sammy, never trust these dogs you hear me?"

The girl nodded she left her gun by her bed roll in the same spot she decided to camp with Jackal before the Saltie Raid. It wasn't that far a walk and it was right next to a ledge that could offer her some privacy. She kissed Jackal on the cheek then moved quickly to her little fire. Jackal smiled and watched her go.
"She's a good kid Vash, a very good kid. Now let's go find Ez." The Chabbit snorted and led Jackal to the outskirts of camp where Ezra was standing. The approached as silently as possible, but still Jackal whistled to get the woman's attention. They were far enough away for him to use her pet name and they could speak in private.
"Hey there Ezzy."