Chapter 29

The day passed quickly as they waited for the horses. The Wematin were true to their word, and by midday, they had selected ten magnificent Wematin horses for Ben to take back to the Golden Ranch in Lawless Ridge. Their coats gleamed in the sunlight, and their eyes were filled with a wild intelligence that Ben knew would serve them well in the tough terrain around the town.

As the sun dipped low in the sky, casting long shadows across the landscape, Sunukkuhkau and Harkahome, two of the Chief’s best warriors, approached them, their expressions stoic. They had been chosen to accompany Ben and the horses back to Lawless Ridge, to ensure the peace between the two groups remained strong.

The journey back to the Golden Ranch was filled with a mix of excitement and nerves. The ten Wematin horses trotted alongside them, their spirits high, and the two warriors rode proudly, their eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of trouble. Beulah and Lois couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe at the power and beauty of the horses, a stark contrast to the dingy streets of the town they had known for so long.

Afternoon sun painted the landscape with warm hues as they approached the town. The sight of Lawless Ridge in the distance brought a pang of reality to their hearts. They had a long road ahead, not just to rebuild the town but to rebuild themselves. The thought of facing their pasts and the town’s dark secrets was daunting, but with Ben’s belief in them, they felt ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Sunukkuhkau and Harkahome, the two Wematin warriors, led the way through the dense forest that surrounded Lawless Ridge. Despite the encroaching darkness, they moved with a confidence that suggested they could see as clearly as if it were midday. Their sharp eyes missed nothing, and their keen senses were on high alert for any sign of danger. Ben, Goldie, and Beulah followed closely, their own eyes straining to make out the path ahead.

The forest was alive with the sounds of nocturnal creatures, but the horses seemed unfazed, their hooves falling softly on the packed earth. The shadows grew longer and more ominous, but the warriors’ steady guidance kept them moving forward. Ben felt a newfound respect for these men, who had grown up in this unforgiving land and knew it like the back of their hand.

Sunukkuhkau and Harkahome’s eyes pierced the darkness, as if the night held no secrets from them. Their movements were fluid and silent, a testament to their skills as trackers and hunters. Ben marveled at their ability to navigate the dense underbrush without stumbling, their every step calculated and precise.

As they rode deeper into the forest, the darkness grew thicker, the moon and stars obscured by the canopy above. Yet the Wematin warriors forged ahead, their confidence unshaken. Ben found himself leaning into their certainty, his own doubts momentarily silenced by their unspoken promise of safety.

The rustle of leaves and the occasional hoot of an owl were the only sounds to break the silence, until the sudden snap of a twig echoed through the night. The horses’ ears perked up, and the warriors’ hands went to their bows, their eyes searching the shadows. Ben’s heart pounded in his chest, his hand tightening around the reins.

“Riders,” Harkahome murmured, his eyes narrowing. “Approaching fast.”

Ben’s eyes scanned the darkness, his heart racing. He could feel the tension in the air, a palpable force that seemed to coil around them like a snake ready to strike. The thunder of hooves grew louder, and within moments, a group of riders burst into the clearing, their silhouettes stark against the moonlit sky.

They were outlaws, their faces twisted with malice and greed. The leader, a tall, lean man with a scar across his cheek, pointed a rifle at Ben. “Hold it right there,” he snarled. “Those horses look like they’re worth a pretty penny.”

Ben knew that a fight was inevitable. He couldn’t let these bandits take the horses, not after all they had been through. He took a deep breath, his hand hovering over his pistol. “You don’t want to do this,” he warned, his voice calm but firm. “These horses are not for the taking.”

The outlaw leader sneered. “Oh, we’ll be the judge of that,” he said, his finger tightening on the trigger.

Before he could fire, a blur of movement from the left caught Ben’s eye. Beulah had drawn her own weapon, a wicked-looking knife that glinted in the moonlight. With a feral growl, she launched herself at the nearest outlaw, her blade flashing. The man didn’t even have time to react before she buried the knife in his throat, blood spurting in an arc that painted the night red.

The outlaws were caught off guard by the sudden attack, and the Wematin warriors took advantage of their surprise. Sunukkuhkau let an arrow fly, catching another bandit in the chest. Harkahome charged, his horse’s hooves thundering on the ground as he rode down a third. The battle was swift and brutal, the sound of clashing steel and grunts of pain filling the air.

Ben drew his pistol, firing with deadly accuracy at the scar-faced leader. The man’s eyes widened in shock before he toppled from his horse, a crimson stain spreading across his shirt. The remaining outlaws broke rank, their eyes wide with fear as they realized they were outmatched.

They turned tail and fled into the night, their cries of terror echoing through the forest. Ben watched them go, his hand still steady on his pistol. He looked over at Beulah, her eyes wild with the aftermath of the fight. “You okay?” he asked, his voice gruff.

She nodded, her chest heaving. “Yeah,” she said, wiping the blood from her knife. “We did it.”

The warriors exchanged a look, a silent nod of respect passing between them. They had faced danger together and come out victorious. It was a bond that could not be broken, a unity forged in the heat of battle.

As they continued their journey, Ben felt a newfound sense of purpose. They had faced adversity and come out stronger for it. Beulah and Lois had proven themselves capable of standing up to the darkness that threatened to consume Lawless Ridge. And as they emerged from the forest, the lights of the town shimmering in the distance, he knew that together, they could change the course of its destiny.

The first light of dawn washed over the Golden Ranch as they approached, the buildings casting long shadows across the dirt road. The ten Wematin horses trotted alongside them, their coats gleaming in the early morning light. The sight of the ranch brought a mix of relief and determination to Ben’s heart. It was a symbol of the future they were fighting for, a beacon of hope in a town that had known only despair.

The gates swung open as they arrived, and Goldie stepped out to meet them, her eyes wide with surprise and relief. “You made it, sweetheart” she said, her voice gruff with emotion. “And with reinforcements, no less.”

Ben nodded, a tired smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “We’ve brought more than just horses,” he said, gesturing to Beulah and Lois. “These two beauty are going to be sheriff’s assistants.”

Goldie’s eyes widened, then she beamed with pride. “That’s right,” she said, stepping forward to embrace them both. “You’ve earned it.”