Chapter 2

A few days later we were both decked out in alien modified buckskins. We had been at the so-called cabin for the last week getting used to living in a Microsoft rustic world. The other thing we were doing was checking out our weapons. We must have fired hundreds of shots through our colt revolvers, wanting to be ready for trouble. Because of our enhanced speed, we were probably the fastest draw in the world.

We decided to carry one revolver in a shoulder holster and the other on our hip. A 9mm went in a holster that was on our backs. We knew that we probably wouldn't need the twenty shots that the 9mm held, but it was better safe than sorry. So, today was the day that we had finally decided that we wanted to check out the town.

I named my horse Mister Ed, Ed for short, just to tweak Josi. She thought it was funny as hell, especially since Ed was so smart. She named her mare Rosie. I asked her why that name, and she told me she just thought that it was a pretty name. However, both of the horses were so smart that they understood even the most complex of commands.

After we were about two minutes from town Josi asked the question that I was thinking about. "What do you think the people are going to be like here, Mav?"

"I don't really know, Josi. I hope their nice enough. I would hate to start killing people on the first day here." Most people would have thought I was joking, but Josi knew I was dead serious. I never joke about violence.

When we finally made it into town, we saw that the place was absolutely bustling. People were going to and fore by the hundreds. We also saw a sign up near one of the local taverns that there was to be a poker tournament starting tonight and lasting two days.

"We should join that, Maverick. It would be a good way to get to know people."

I don't know why she asked me to do that. She knew that we both had an advantage when it came to poker. We were both accomplished poker players because we could count cards at an alarming rate. In other words, we were both good at cheating. So why she wanted to join that game, I don't know. But, if Josi wanted it, that's what we would do.

"All right, shorty. If that's what you want." I got a good swat on the arm for that.

We both road up in front of the tavern and tied our horses to the rail in front of it. Josi actually told her horse not to leave unless she was in danger or someone was trying to steal her. I swear to god the horse nodded! With that we walked into the tavern and walked right up to the bar.

The bar had about forty people in it and they all looked like they were having a good time. When the Bartender came up he gave us a smile before he started talking. "Hello folks. I'm Tom Fillman, the owner of this establishment and the Chief of the town. You folks must be new around here, because I haven't seen you around."

"Yes we are. My name is Maverick Kincaid and this is my sister Josi Kincaid. We just sat up a cabin about two miles out and we decided to come into town and see what everything is like. Do you think maybe we could get a couple of beers and you could tell me if it might be possible for me to get a couple of mates?"

I managed to say that with a straight face, but Josi had a shocked look on her face.

Tom gave me a hearty laugh at that statement. "I can get you the beers, but you will have to talk to my wife about the mates. She's in the back helping with the cooking. I'll send her out and you can have a chat with her."

After we got our beers, me and my sister left the bar and went to a table to sit down and enjoy our drink. Pretty soon a pretty woman that was probably in her forties came over and asked if she could sit with us. We told her that it was fine with us. And with that she sat down and introduced herself as Amanda Fillman, the Chief's wife.

"So, I understand that you want to acquire a mate?"

"That's right, ma'am. I could really use the help of a mate at the cabin."

"Does it matter how old they are to you?"

"As long as they have a great personality and can cook and farm, I have no problem with the age of them. Why, how old is the youngest mates?"

"I'll have you know that all of the unmated women can cook!" She said almost indigently.

"I didn't mean to offend you; I just do not know the customs here."

The brunette haired woman seemed to calm down after that. "The youngest unmated women that we have at the moment are twins, and we are afraid that we will never get them married because their twin bond is so strong that they do not want to be separated."

"How old are they?"

"They just became unmated women two weeks ago. They are twelve summers old."

"Would it be possible to take both of them as mates?"

Amanda looked shocked, but then she looked pleased. "It would be very possible. However, it would also be very expensive."

"I'm ashamed to say that I don't know what you're customs are or what I should trade for. I have brought about five pounds of salt and five pounds of sugar with me in hopes of trading. If that does not work, I do have money."

I swear that I thought the woman's eyes were going to pop out when I told her how much salt and sugar that I brought to trade with. I didn't tell her that I also brought 100 gold coins with me just in case. The woman's eyes were dancing with merriment at the thought of so much salt as she talked.

"I think that half of that much salt and sugar will be plenty enough for the mate payment. Of course you know that the unmated women will have to agree first don't you?"

"I wouldn't have it any other way."

Amanda looked pleased with the answer. "Ok, I will go to the un-mated women's quarters and ask if they would consider you for a mate. Having you only live two miles out will help."