Somewhere between the Sun and Hell...you'll find Water

[Orrin]

((OOC...first timer here...so feedback is appreciated...anyone feel free to join.))

He'd been wandering for months now...how long he wasn't sure...Commancheros had killed his mule probably 2 months back though...his horse had given up the ghost maybe as far back as 14 days ago...he wasn't sure...he was Beyond caring, and at 19 years old, Tiernan Macvey wasn't entirely sure he cared to think about time anymore...afterall... The only thing left to count down now was the inevitable decline of himself. that and how long the pieces of barrel cactus wrapped in his spare shirt would last him. what moisture he could suck from it was already gone...but by chewing on it...a mouthful every evening after sundown, it had gotten him by for the last 5 days. Between the Cactus and the venom from a scorpion he had killed, he'd managed to stave off delerium.


Tiernan could smell it now. Water...and wood smoke. he stopped in a breeze, Flares of orange and green light bursting behind his eyes as the wind; Gentle as it was whipped at his sun leathered face, and the scraps of sun bleached material that had been a shirt. to others, he looked almot frightening...the sun had been hard to him crossing the desert and it seemed he had finally lost it as a town sprang up in front of him. the wood smoke came from the hostelry at the edge of town, and, he soon realized. He was hearing a tortured strain of "Old Dan" being played...no strangled, out of a piano that needed to either be tuned or burnt. smiling softly to himself, Tiernan kept walking. moving towards the smell of water. opening his canteen and pouring the last of the Horse blood from it..an old trick he learned from a previous desert crossing, he came to a water trough, and fell in face first. he lay there for a long moment as if willing his skin to soak up te water and drank his fill in slow tortured gulps, the muscles in his throat didn't want to work properly. when his lungs finally screamed for breath, he rolled out of the trough and lay on the rapidly cooling sand street, the strains of loud croaking laughter ringing out in the streets as Tiernan found Water halfway between the Sun and Hell

 

[AngelofDeath]

ooc: i like the old west theme. i'll be gentle since you're new

Klarissa was just headed out of the General store when she saw the man laying in the street. A quick look around told her he had walked in from the desert. "Thomas!!" Her brother came running out and she said, "Help me get him into the backroom and then go get Doc. Connerss."

Klarissa was 21 yr old with dark black hair and blue green eyes. She was half indian, so he skin always held a slight tan.

"Wow, where'd her come from?" The 15 yr old asked, helping his sister pick the man up. It was obvious he was half straved and near death of thirst, he barely moved as the picked him up

"I don't know let's just get him inside." She gave the door a quick and after a bit of work they had him in the back room and on the bed. "Now go."

Thomas stuck his tongue out at is sister as he left. Klarissa then began to undress the man. His clothes has at least 100 miles of dust in them.

She grabbed the basin next to the bed and began to clean him off. under the dirt he was kinda cute. Once most of it was gone she pulled just the sheet over him and went to find some bandages for his cuts.

 

[Orrin]

((thank you. I have furry Fury to thank for sending me this way))

His body, once cleaned up was muscular. though broken a few times. 2 bullet scars marred his left side, just under the rib cage, another one in his right thigh, and a few knife scars told the story. while young, the wounds and the callouses on his hands meant this one was used to a fulld ays work and then some. half delirious while she cleaned him up, he spoke in fits as he slipped in and out of the heat induced delirium. always one request came clear though..."Water."


amongst the things he carried with him wre an old Hackmore and a Cavalry saddle, branded for the 21st Scouts division, a Colt russian and a Sharp's long rifle. his boots had been worn straight through and his feet looked the same.

when she covered him and left, he spoke quietly in a halting apache tongue. maybe to her...maybe to himself...but even to those that didn't understand the tongue...it seemed Urgent.

 

[AngelofDeath]

Klarissa came back in with a glaas of fresh clean water. She was Cheyenne but she understood the urgency in his voice. Sitting beside him she placed her hand under his head and placed the glass to his lips and tipped the glass. "Here. It's clean."

"Sis!" Thomas came in with the old town docter falling in step behind him.

"So this is our new resident huh?" The old man looked at the man in the bed. "Well looks like you're gonna have your hands full getting him back to health. Now let me examine him."

Klarissa set the glass down and whispereed, "i'll be back." She pulled her brother along and began to cleanup the shop. She said, "Turn the sign, I'm gonna close early and we're gonna get him back to the house."

"What's Dad gonna say?" Thomas asked.

"He's gonna say nothign other than I have a ting for bringing in strays."

"Hey!" The boy grinned and went to go get the carriage ready.

 

[Orrin]

He opened his eyes as the doctor Examined him. looked around the room and slipped into the ladnd of unconscious again. The Doctor would find nothing wrong with him aside from being touched by the sun for too long.

when the Doctor left, he had a puzzled look on his face. passing by Klarissa, he says. "Lots of water. he'll be weak as a kitten for the next while...near as I can tell...he walked in circles in that desert for awhile. Had a run in with Commancheros..I removed a bullet from his back and an arrowhead from his shoulder, but he'll live...can't help but think I've seen his face somewheres before though...I'm sure it'll come to me, though for the life of me I can't think of where I seen him at.

Still puzzling over it, the doctor heads back towards his house, Mrs. sommers had Supper waiting for him.


When Klarissa returned to the room, Tiernan was sitting up, his feet over the edge of the bed they'd split on the bottoms leaving a bit of blood to soak into the dry wood flor. the planks accepted it eagerly...the wood being as thirsty as everything else around here.

He sat there loooking around, the white cotton blanket just barely doing it's duty in covering him for modesty as he looked around in a bit of a daze, trying to fit everythig together while his vision swam in front of his eyes, bringing bile to his throat and threatening to force him into unconscious again

 

[AngelofDeath]

"You need to rest." She grabbed the bandages and knelt down. Her pants soaking in some of the blood. "my name is Klarissa Ferguson. You're in my shop. My brother and I are taking you to our homestead to rest up."

Finishing with his feet, she looked up at him, "What's your name?" She grabbed the water glass and handed it to him. Klarissa then went over to a trunk and pulled out some of her father's spare clothes. He was a bit smaller in the chest and waist but they would do.

 

[Orrin]

He drank the Water eagerly. Too fast at first as he choked on it and almost dorwned himself sitting up. . breaking into a coughing fit that racked his body and brought a fine mist of blood to his lips from his parched and cracked throat, he tooka minute to catch his breath then managed to Croak out. "Tiernan....Tiernan Macvey ma'am...Thank you."

Taking the clothes, he slipped the shirt on. he was deceptive in his size it would seem. narrow around the waist, he was broad in the shoulders, the shirt almost popped at the seams once it was buttoned up, the buttons unable to close around his chest. running sun burned fingers through a mop of Sandy blonde hair, he looked her over with green eyes, almost reminiscent of a mountain lion in their shade and slight almond shape. taking the pants, he slipped them on quickly, realizing the compromising position he was putting her reputation in by being out of his clothes. grabbing the old scrap of leather that was his belt, he strapped it on, the old saddle lattigo cinching around his waist easily, as he stood there unsteadily, she could see a slight deformity in his hip. Chances are she'd seen the same before...gunfighters and ranch hands tended to have the same deformity. it came from wearing t a heavy cartridge belt while the body was still developing.

Looking around once, he opened his mouth and swayed slowly before collapsing onto the bed once more with a grunt.

"Where is this place?"

 

[AngelofDeath]

"Its a few miels out of town, Tiernan. Thats a nice name." She noticed the looks he'd been giving her while he dressed, 'Don't worry. The reputation of a half irish- half cheyenne woman isn't much in this town."

Walking over she put her arm around him and said, "Take it easy, you're gonna need bed rest till your feet heal properly."

"come on sis!" Thomas yelled from atop the wagon. Helping Tiernan into the back she then turned back and locked up. She also tossed his ting in the back and climbed in the back with him.

Thomas had laid an old quilt downin the back. Seeing they were ready he clicked the reisn and the horses started.

"At our home I can change your bandages and getsome food into you." She smiled at him,a curl of hair fallingin her face.

She had no idea the effect that meeting the stranger would have on her life.

ooc; if ur up to talkingmy aim is ravenblood0769

 

[Orrin]

He tried not to lean too heavily on her on the way out to the wagon, though at times the going seemed rough. when she mentioned food, he let out a hoarse chuckle and closed his eyes. "I haven't eaten anything but Scorpion and Barrel cactus since I can remember...well...there was a rattlesnake about a week ago...maybe. what month is it anyways?"

He didn't speak much other than that, just enjoyiong the movement of the Wagon as the moved along the track. He was feeling better for the water, his eyes. his eyes didn't feel like dried chick peas anymore and he could feel the swelling in his tongue and throat coming down.

Now that he could see more clearly for the film of Dust being gone from his eyes, he could see Klarissa more clearly. She was pretty. Living this close to the desert hadn't dried her up yet or sapped her will as it had so many others in this country that shared Grazing rights with Hell.

Rolling his head slightly he looked up at the Boy's back and half smiled. "Handles a team well, your brother does."

 

[AngelofDeath]

"It's July, middle of actually and yeah he does. Thomas can be a brat but he's a good boy." If Tiernan had been looking at his face he would have seen they were blood siblings.

No Thomas was full white, he'd been found in the remains of a wagon train, his whole family killed. Klarrisa and her father had adopted the boy. Looking back at the town she said, "You're lucky you dropped in front of out store. Most people around here would have left you there."

"It's pretty quite out here, we have horses and a couple head of cattle. Not bad really."

 

[Orrin]

He smiled quietly, his eyes drifting closed once more. Maybe he passed out again, he wasn't sure, but it was a full 10 minutes before he replied to her.

"Middle of July...I left Carson in October." leaning up on his elbow for a moment, he scans the terrain around them for a long moment then settles onto his back once more. "I was on my way to Fort Allison and got dry gulched by Commancheros...How far off course am I?"

((Added you to aim. mine is Damnedtakennames))

 

[AngelofDeath]

"A couple hundred miles." They hit a bump in the road and she said, "We're almost home. Once you're patched up maybe we can try and get you to the Fort."

A few minutes later and Thomas stopped the wagon, "Pa!! Klarissa brought a man home!" The boy jumped down and ran for the house.

Shaking her head she said, "Stay here." She got out as her father came out. Johnathan 'LoneWolf' Ferguson came on of the house. At 40 he was still intimadating.

"What'd you bring home now?" He asked walking over, his jet black hair touched with grey.

"Tiernan wandered into town half-dead. I brought him home to heal up." She let the back gate down and climbed in to help him out.

 

[Orrin]

Sitting up, he watches the man quietly. Tiernan hadn't feared man or beast since he was 10, but he had a respect for this man from the beginning. It took a bigger man than Tiernan ever thought to be to raise a famiy and cut something out of the nothing that was this land. As the Man approached, Tiernan spoke quietly, respect in his voice.

"Sir. I don't mean to stay long and soon as I'm able, I'll be willing to do a fair day's work for the care I've already recieved." pausing as another coughing fit hit him, he wiped the mist of blood from his lips once more before offering his clean hand. "Tiernan Macvey, Civilian scout for the 21st down New Mexico way. I've got your daughter to thank for pulling me from the jaws of death back in town, and I'd be much obliged to know the man that raised her."

 

[AngelofDeath]

Johnathan smiled and said, "Well Klarissa you finally found stray worth something." His tone was anything but serious though.

"Father." She shook her head and said, "I lent him some of your spares, his had 100 miles of dust and blood on them. Watch you feet Tiernan." With her father's help she got him out of the wagon.

"You're in the best hands to be found out here young man." They got him inside the house and sat him down by the fire. Thomas was fixing a bowl of stew for him.

"Thomas leave that be and go open the window in the spare room." Their father said as he went to go get fresh bandages seeing Tiernan's feet.

Klarissa sat on the foot and began to unwrap them, "I'm gonna need some water to to wash them again." She smiled at Tiernan softly.

 

[Orrin]

Smiling quietly, he smiled at Klarissa as se knelt to tend to his feet. "They'll keep for awhile ma'am...there's no need to fuss over me this much...but thank you." looking out the window, he says. "I need to get a message sent towards Apple green soon...I don't know that there's going to be time to get to the army and get them to the town. "

He wasn't sure of there Apple Green was exactly, little did he know...he'd wandered into the very town of his own volition. She could see in his eyes though that whatever business he had in the town was important.

 

[AngelofDeath]

Taking the things from her father she said, "You just left Apple Green." She washed the blood and dirt from his feet, at least the blood was red, that meant there wasn't any infection.

"This might sting." She soaked some cotton with oitment before placing it on the bottoms of his feet and rewrapping them.

Sitting back on her heels asked, "Do you think you can manage some food? Too much water and you'll get sick." Looking at him she realized he wasn't that much older than her.

 

[Orrin]

He nods quietly. "From the smell of that Stew...I'd try for eating my weight in it." his eyes darkened as she mentioned he'd just left the town.

"My getting lost may have been a blessing in disguise then. I was on my way to pick up a Brigade detail. I was tracking deserters. Army Sergeant and 4 of his Corporals were heading this way. The sergeant is a large man, stands about 6'5" scar on his left cheek from a Sabre cut, probably still looks pretty livid, he got it when he deserted, shot my Colonel in the back and got slashed for his troubles before the old man died.. you seen him in town?"

his injuries were forgotten for a moment as he spoke, leaning forward in the chair, he watched her with those Mountain lion like eyes, not a scary look, but one definitely eager for information.

 

[xxkildarexx]

She shook her head, focusing on the wounds on his feet.

"I don't think I have."

"Oh." He drew back a bit. "You really don't have to pay this much attention to me. Ill be alright."

"I want to take care of you." She gave him a reassuring smile, bright and warm. God, she was beautiful.

 

[AngelofDeath]

Klarissa's blood went cld hearing the description. That man had haunted her dreams for months now.

"It's possible. not to many soilders come intot he store. They mostly stay at the saloon." Standing she headed into the kitchen and grabbed the bowl of stew as well as two fresh biscuits and brought them over to Tiernan.

Johnathan stood and said, "I'll put the horses up." As he left the limp that was once not noticeble showed.

Thomas bounded out after his father to help, his blond hair flying.

"AS I said before, you're welcome to stay until you're FULLY healed. No sense in you going away half weak."

 

[xxkildarexx]

"Thank you, ma'am." He began to eat, thanking her again after every few bites. "You people are awfully nice to fellas like me. I really should thank you properly as soon as I'm able." His eyes went dark again, but this time, in a more seductive fashion.

 

[Orrin]

He nods quietly and leans back, watching her. "I wish I had that Luxury...but I've a job to finish as soon's I'm able.."

He ate in silence. finishing the biscuits and the bowl of Stew, it filled him to the point of thinking his sides would bust. eyes closed and savoring the acid sting from the salt in the stew working it's magic on the sores in his mouth, he dozed by the fire for awhile though his mind kept coming back to the sergeant and his corporals. finally he pushed himself up from the chair slowly. getting hsi bearings and feeling much stronger for the food in him, he smiled at Klarissa, his eyes staying there for a long moment,a kind smile on his face. "Thank you kindly. you've a healer's touch about you Ms. Klarissa...if you've no objection to it though...I'd like to move my carcass outdoors and find the makings for a cigarette." Turning his eyes to her father, he adds, "there should be enough for 2 if you'd be willing to join me sir."

 

[AngelofDeath]

"Sounds good." Johnathan made his way outdoors while Klarris fixed two bowls for herself and Thomas. She set them on the table and them went to put a quilt on the bed for Tiernan.

Outside Johnathan stood on the porch and wactched and the sun began its descent. "So what happend to your horse?"

 

[Orrin]

Stopping at his saddle bags, he removed the fixings and slipped outside. sitting on the front porch, he began to roll 2 cigarettes, the tobacco was old and dry, but it still smoked well.

"He dried out halfway across the desert, I had to put him down...he was a good mount, but his heart just left him...I'd like to take a look at your stock when you've time and if you've anything to sell. Something tells me I'm gonna need some horse flesh beneath me by the time this job is done."

Offering the man one of the cigarettes, he wet his own and lit it with a match struck on his thumb nail.

It was a quiet night, he liked a quiet night, and silently, he wished they weren't all going to come to an end soon.

"The sergeant's name is Klauson..." it came from him out of the blue as he smoked. "He was to be jailed for torturing of prisoners and general moral Turpitude. If he's in town Sir...I need to know...He knows me and he'll start shooting on sight."

 

[AngelofDeath]

He took the cigarette and lit it. "He's in town. Klarissa had a runin with him a while back. Thats also why I limp. The bastard touched her and shot me. I'm sure she'd be glad to see him to go."

 

[Orrin]

He nods quietly as he finishes his cigarette. cruching it on the ground, he says. "the other 4 are Simms, Claiborne, Detweiller, and Osmond." Osmond was a known name, he was a guin fighter out of the Mogollans Claiborne was a dry Gulcher the other 2 were just general badmen


Looking out across the yard, he looke dup into the night sky finally. "soon as my feet heal...I'd be much obliged if I could borrow a horse. I'm going to have to head into town and get this taken care of....it's not in me to sit."