The Last Patrol

[Scarlet Angel]

Cyrus and Dick followed Fritz back to his quarters and collected the belongings of the two men shackled in the corral. Cyrus turned to Dick and handed him one small skinning knife. "This belong to Reuben?"

"Yeah so does the big one." Dick said reaching for the bowie.

"Maybe, but he's gonna have to earn that back on good behavior along with the rest of his stuff. Until then they will be in an undisclosed place." Cyrus replied.

Dick thought his brother was being awfully bold but said nothing.

"What about Sam?"

"He's been behaving himself out there. He can have his stuff back. I think I heard some words I don't even know the meaning of out of Reuben."

Cyrus and Dick went to the corral by way of Cyrus's camp, where he turned over Reuben's weapons to one of his men and quietly told him what to do with it so Dick couldn't hear.

By the time Dick and Cyrus made it to the corral men from both scout's camps were milling around, curious as to what was going to happen.

"Turn Reuben loose and give him that skinner back." Cyrus said handing Dick over the keys to Reuben's shackles.

Cyrus went into the corral and unlocked Sam's shackles, and handed over his gear. "You wait for me at my tent."

Sam looked at him then over at Reuben who was having words with Dick. "Yes Sir." He said ducking out of the corral.

Cyrus stood with his back towards Reuben. Slowly he began to swing the shackle in a small circle in front of him waiting while he listened.

"Who is he to say?" Reuben's voice grew louder. "Oh he's calling the shots now. Well who the hell is he to think he's good enough to boss us?" Reuben started towards Cyrus. "I want my stuff back Kane."

"You got to earn it back." Cyrus called over his shoulder letting the chain slide between his fingers making a larger circle as the shackle swung.

"I'm gonna take it outta yer hide." Reuben said charging Cyrus's back.

Cyrus listened to the footfalls and calculated just how close he should let Reuben get with the small pig sticker. Cyrus turned in time to see Reuben intended to cut him just as he had suspected. Cyrus swung the shackle catching Reuben in the jaw. Reuben went down yelling while he rolled around on the ground. Cyrus snatched the knife away from him and put the shackle back on his ankle.

"Don't you ever try that on me again." He hissed.

"You tryin' ta kill me old man?" Reuben growled through gritted teeth, holding his jaw.

Cyrus gave the chain a good jerk. "Either get up and walk to the infirmary or I'll drag you."

Reuben rolled over and glared. Cyrus began to pull. Reuben made a move to try to grab Cyrus again only to be hit by the other end of the chain in the ribs.

Watching him stand Cyrus figured he had hit Reuben hard enough in the jaw to keep him in the infirmary until the scouts rode out.

When they reached the infirmary Cyrus choose a bed and shackled Reuben to it so he couldn't escape. "Give him a bed pan and tell him to behave himself." He said to the man who was closely following trying to find out what had happened.

"Better men than you have tried. If you try again it WILL get you killed." He said pointing at Reuben.

In the short time it took Cyrus to get back to the corral more men from both camps had gathered and were talking about what they saw.

"Men have reputations for a reason." Cyrus growled. "I earned mine. Keep that in mind while yer thinking about if you want to ride with me or not and if I am serious about the rules you'll be following."

[Scarlet Angel]

Dick turned on his heel and followed after Cyrus. "You dang near took Reuben's head off. That was an underhanded move."

"Suppose you would have liked it better if'd he stabbed me in the back." Cyrus replied.

"You set him up." Dick responded.

"I only defended myself. I didn't ask him to try and jump me. You tell those men if they don't want to ride with me they can pack their gear and get out. I won't think anything bad if they go, but I will expect a lot if they stay."

They had reached Cyrus's tent where Sam was waiting like he was told. Cyrus motioned him inside and dropped the tent flap in Dick's face.

Dick glared at the tent flap before going back to his own camp.

Some of Cyrus's crew looked curiously at the tent but knew if it was something they needed to know Cyrus would tell them. They went about their business until Cyrus and Sam came out. He called two of his men over, gave them instructions before Sam, Samuel and Joe headed towards Dick's camp.

Dick's men watched curiously as the three came over packed up Sam's gear and headed back towards Cyrus's camp without a word to the rest of them. Dick was soon answering questions about the new order of command among the scouts.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bo had ridden a good part of the day. Scarlet always said she found piece on the back of a good horse and Dancer was good company. Bo had found that same tranquility, she always said ita peaceful ride was good for the soul and she was right. He smiled seeing the dust rising from riders headed towards him. As the rising dust came closer he realized there were too many riders to be the posse. Bo waited until he positively identify the riders then let Dancer move out at a long trot to meet the returning hunting party.

"Any sign of the posse?" Bo asked turning Dancer around and riding next to Teddy.

"Not at all." Teddy replied looking at Bo. "Something wrong?"

"No. I figured you had ridden out far enough you might see them."

"We rode out far enough we should have seen them if they planned to make the fort by tonight. Unless they are on a different trail and back now." Teddy watched Bo for a minute. "Don't worry Bo. If they don't come home tomorrow I'm sure Cyrus will let us go out looking."

Bo chuckled. "Maybe I shouldn't be so worried. The posse is very capable of their job as I am sure their escort is."
Teddy laughed. "Black beard is capable of his job to and I'm pretty sure he wouldn't go down with out a hell of a fight. We'd seen sign if something was wrong."

Bo was disappointed to see the posse had not ridden by them and beaten them back to the fort. He knew something unexpected and bad had happened but he didn't have the lingering feeling of doom. He figured they would show up sometime the next day.

As the hunting party unloaded what they had brought back Cyrus decided he go to Dick's camp and tell the scouts if they helped with the work they could enjoy the meal too. It had helped his scouts get along with the soldiers better maybe it would do the same with the scouts from Dick's camp.

[Elegant Ella]

"Maybe my men are smarter than they look", thought Dick, watching most of his crew pitch in to help clean and dress the deer, elk and rabbits the hunting party had brought back.  They seemed to be taking seriously what Cyrus had said about helping if they wanted to eat something other than mess tent chow. Drew and Owen especially were making an effort to ingratiate themselves with Cyrus's crew, helping the man skinning the rabbits.

Dick pitched in a bit, although being near the lines where they hung the critters up for skinning gave him goose bumps, while he looked over Cyrus's men deciding on where to start his campaign.  Frank, there, he had a reputation as a ladies man, someone who never lacked for female companionship. It was easy enough to be next to him chopping potatoes to add to the stew kettle.

Frank commented, "It doesn't look like Blackbeard and the girls are getting back today."

Dick couldn't have asked for a better opening and responded, "Maybe they got late starts every morning.  Two men, two women, what do you think they are doing at night?"

Frank stared at him, disbelieving what he had heard, "Might be what you think."

"Maybe the girls just need some privacy to open up." Dick thought this conversation was serving his purposes pretty well.

Frank had heard enough. "You had better stop saying things like that," he warned.

"I'm sure you all think things like that, wondering what it would take to get one of them to do more than dance with you."

"No, we don't. We think of them as our sisters, and are proud they are willing to treat us like their brothers." Frank dropped the chopping knife, and stood up, looming over Dick.

Dick dropped the other chopper and stood to face the shorter man, "More fool you, then, letting Blackbeard mess with your 'sisters'."

Frank roared, and charged. Dick thought he was ready for the impact, having selected one of the smaller men in the crew, but he was bowled over immediately. He soon found himself face down in the dirt with both arms behind his back. He heard jeers from the rest of the scouts, his own men as well as Cyrus's.

Chris's voice was clearest, "You fight like a girl! You couldn't even take Ella down!"

Frank let Dick up again. Dick knew he had to do something to reclaim his dignity. He had seen Ella being taught how to throw knives, but hadn't seen her practice any other fighting skill. "I can take Ella down, no problem. What do you want to bet?"

[Scarlet Angel]

Chris caught Cyrus's sour look. Cyrus never cared if the men fought among themselves for sport as long as no one got seriously hurt, but Dick wasn't a man he trusted not to seriously hurt someone if he could get away with it, and Ella wasn't one of his men.

Cyrus looked over at Bo who appeared to be considering the situation. Cyrus's men were starting to look towards him to see if they should pursue the bet.

"You say Ella and Scarlet have just as much right to be here as any of your men. You let your men fight among themselves." Dick snorted. "You said I was wrong when I said this was no place for women. You gonna post guards around them when we go out?"

Cyrus's eyes narrowed if he could have he would have grabbed Chris by the scruff of the neck and drug him off to have words. "Come 'er" he growled at Chris. Shooting Bo a look Cyrus moved away from the group followed by Bo and Chris.

He turned on Chris when they were away from the rest of the group. "Is there a sign on my back that says cause me pain? First I get the pleasure of having to deal with that group of fools and now this. I expect better of you. I thought you liked Ella."

"I do boss." Chris replied with a guilty voice.

"Dammit man." Cyrus growled at Chris then looked back at Bo. "Can she fight?"

Cyrus was right when he thought Bo was considering the situation that had been proposed. Ella had a lot of good training she'd picked up in the time he'd know her. He could remember a time when he under estimated Scarlet.

"I wouldn't want to try her."

"Ain't what I asked."

"I think she could if she wanted to. She is not one to look for a fight or cause pain. Scarlet knows pressure points from studying the body and the medical knowledge she has. I would imagine Ella has that same knowledge and then some. I would bet on her."

"You put me in a bad position." Cyrus said to Chris. "You go on with your bet but you are responsible for her well being. Something goes south you best fix it. Remember she is what stands between you and Scarlet."

Cyrus headed back to the group leaving Chris standing with Bo. "I thought Scarlet and I were getting along well. How long does she hold a grudge?"

Bo laughed and walked back towards the group.

Bets were already happening when Chris made it back.

[Scarlet Angel]

The damp cold night had turned into a gray drizzling day. The posse talked about something hot to eat and drink in the comfort of their tents when they returned to the fort.

"Hot bath." Scarlet had whispered to Ella whose look told Scarlet she couldn't agree more.

Black beard wanted to sit around the fire in his socks and union suit and not worry about somebody or something coming out of the dark at him. Tensleep thought that sounded like a good idea to him.

The extra days at the Indian village had put them behind schedule so the posse had started early and pushed to make it back to the fort by afternoon.


The scouts and soldiers were at the corral when "Incoming riders" floated through the air.Bo turned to see the riders approaching them. They had someone with them but everybody looked no worse for wear. It was a relief to see them safe since his own dreams had kept him awake at night wondering about what was happening.

One of Dick's men had just climbed into the corral with Cyrus when the posse rode past. Drew Hardy stood along the fence and Cyrus didn't miss the way he watched the posse as they rode past.

Cyrus had been checking out each of Dick's men but hadn't gotten to Drew yet. The way he watched the posse disturbed Cyrus, more so the way he watched Ella and Scarlet. The man that came into the corral to challenge Cyrus thought he would catch him off guard while he wasn't paying attention and swung at him only to be surprised by a block.

By the time the posse came returned to the corral Cyrus's opponent was leaning against the fence trying to wipe the mud off of himself. Scarlet saw Fritz as they approached the group. It looked like he had been practicing with the crowd today. She smiled at him and he smiled back. Her smile grew a bit wider as she thought about going up to him and giving him a big wet kiss but she thought better of it and stopped next to Bo.

Tensleep, Ella and Black beard continued on with Jimmy, followed by Chris and Samuel who wanted to know everything about the trip.

Bo put his arm around her and pulled her close. "I was worried about you." He said quietly.

Scarlet smiled. "I'm glad you worry about me Darlin' but you know I was in good company."

"I see you found something worth dragging back. Ya find Carrie?"

"Yes, I'm gonna clean up then I will tell ya all about it. Got things to tell ya." Scarlet said and started to turn.

Bo didn't let go. "You know you can't say that and walk away."

"Nuthin' bad I promise." She chuckled.

Cyrus had been looking for somebody else to come in the corral but nobody was stepping forward. "Come on ladies are y'all afraid of a half blind old man?"

"We don't think yer half blind Cyrus, we seen what ya did ta Collins there." Some one replied followed by laughter from the crowd.

Cyrus caught the way Drew was looking over his shoulder towards Scarlet. He wondered just exactly the man was thinking. Cyrus knew she was tired; the entire posse had to be from being on the trail. He also knew she was aware Drew was looking at her, Bo was too.

Cyrus knew Scarlet had a reputation as being a good fighter, but he'd only ever seen her fight Chris, and not much of it. He'd seen her show the soldiers a few moves during practice but they had been slow showing the soldiers how to do some them. Cyrus decided it was time to test the reputation he'd heard about since nobody else was stepping up. Even if she lost to him at least the men would see she could defend herself. Maybe it was a good thing they would see Ella defend herself too. It may make men like Drew rethink a few things.

Cyrus stepped up to the fence. "How about you." He said with a grin as he looked pointedly at Scarlet.

Scarlet was surprised at first, wondering why he'd chosen her.

"You're gonna challenge someone whose been on the trail for a week verses these men that got to sleep in their warm tents last night?"

"Yeah, I been told women don't belong here with us. No place for ya here. Heard ya got some skills, they say yer the daughter of one of the most ruthless fighters alive, sister to a Comanche warrior and ya been married to one of best knife fighters I had the pleasure of knowin. It's been said you learned something from them. I wanna know if it's true." He grinned enjoying poking at her.

The men were getting excited, another bet maybe if she took his offer. She was tired but he'd just been fighting too. The men began to look from Cyrus to Scarlet and back.

"We're gonna be long on the trail when we leave here. You gonna be able to stand the long days, sleepless nights and possible enemy attacks. I wanna see what ya got Corbin."

Cyrus knew there wasn't a man there that would say anything bad if she'd told him she take him on in the morning, after all none of them had offered to step forward.

"Are you familiar with the phrase 'be careful what you wish for' Cyrus?" Scarlet said letting her saddlebags slip from her shoulder thinking of the comment she'd heard he'd made before they left. Scarlet removed the holsters from her belt then put it back on so she was only carrying the knife.

Cyrus returned to the middle of the corral a big grin on his face. "Yep, sure have." He called not making the connection to the comment he had made before, that he'd forgotten to apologize for.

One of the men elbowed Bo. "Ya gonna bet on yer girl there?"

Bo looked over at her. She was already plotting what she was gonna do, he could tell by the look she had, calm and dark. "He's goin' down." Bo replied as Scarlet walked towards the corral.

[Elegant Ella]

The posse had stopped to rest at midday, and let the horses graze.  Ella built a tiny fire for making coffee to wash down the rest of the cold meat and flatbread.

Then it was time to get back on the horses and chew up more miles. They didn't see any other people all day.

They finally stopped for the night as the sun was disappearing below the horizon. The earlier campsites were not defensible enough to satisfy Blackbeard.  It was too dark to risk a fire by the time the horses were cared for and given an extra helping of grain.

Ella was not interested in chewing on the available jerky and hardtack, and headed straight for her bedroll. If she dreamed, she was too tired for any dream to rouse her.  Blackbeard's touch on her shoulder woke her for her turn on watch.

Jimmy had offered to take a turn standing watch, and been declined gently by Tensleep. So he woke up when Ella got up and joined her again. Jimmy was still nervous around Blackbeard and Scarlet, but he had walked next to Tensleep during much of the day and talked with him.

They sat quietly, watching and listening to the night until the eastern sky started to show a hint of color.

"What do you think you want to do with your life, Jimmy?"

"I don't know for sure. I have a list of things I do not want to do, which includes farming, mining, cattle driving and being an outlaw.  I never was good enough at book learning to think that anything like bookkeeper or shopkeeper or reporter would suit me. I cannot see myself trying to be a doctor, either. But Marshal Ross told me that having a prison term in my background would not prevent me from getting a job as a deputy," said Jimmy.

"That is true. There are plenty of tales about men who went from the bad side to the good side of the law. Their time as outlaws probably even made them better at understanding and catching outlaws. But you will need to work on book learning, too, if you want to spend your prison time getting ready to be a deputy."

"That's booklearning with a purpose behind it, not just memorizing plays or poems or lists of kings or battles to recite. What should I study?"

"Arithmetic, for starters. You'll want to be able to divide up a bounty fairly, and budget your travel expenses.  Reading and writing to get all the information out of a witness's account, and to write a good report. You should read all of Shakespeare's plays, and try to figure out why all the characters are doing what they are doing."

By now, there was enough light for Ella to start building a fire to cook breakfast. Jimmy brought her water and wood without waiting to be asked. 

[Elegant Ella]

Tensleep did the talking at the stockade and arranged for Jimmy to be locked into a cell with a triple-level bunk bed.  Ella was apologetic about leaving him there, but Jimmy reassured her, "To tell the truth, I wouldn't trust someone with my history either."

"I'll bring you dinner later, and be back in the morning to change the bandage," she promised.

Jimmy tossed his saddlebags onto the top bunk. He and his older brother had slept in bunk beds while they were growing up.  George took the top bunk and never gave Jimmy a turn at it. He expected that Eddie had moved into the bottom bunk after Jimmy left, since it would have been an improvement on the trundle bed. George probably had kept that top bunk until he got married.

Jimmy's leg was sore, but not enough to keep him from climbing up.  His leg wasn't anywhere near as sore as he would have expected for only three days healing. Gus had taken a bullet in the thigh during that last stagecoach job. The wound had hardly bothered him at all once the bleeding stopped, but the next day it started to go bad. By the third day, he was raving with fever, and his leg was swelling and stinking. When he couldn't ride anymore, Charley had cut his throat and abandoned him.


The next stop was the fort's telegraph station.  Tensleep did the talking again, and got Ella access to the key for an hour. The telegraph operator sat in a wheeled chair. He pushed away from the key, and invited Ella to pull up a chair.

Once she was ready to start, Tensleep and Black beard went off on other business. After the initial message, Ella switched to the private code that Patches had specified in her acknowlegement and sent the report that Tensleep had outlined and the assignment regarding Jimmy.

"I hadn't heard of a woman telegraph operator before," commented the fort's operator once she was done. "That wasn't normal code you were sending, either." 

"My handle is ECW, for Ella Coatsworth.  I learned a couple years ago from another woman operator, PMD, who learned in the War, and is another of the Marshal's deputies. She and I have a few private codes we use when we want to keep the Marshal's business private," answered Ella. "She will reply in clear. Should I check back with you daily for replies? That might be easier than you trying to deliver a message to Marshal Ross."

"Sounds good to me," he agreed. "My handle is JMD, for John Morgan Dole."


Once they crossed the invisible border that marked Cyrus's camp, Ella relaxed a little. Except for the room in officers quarters, everywhere else at the fort had to be treated as dangerous territory.  She knew the presence of her escorts would discourage anyone from approaching her too closely, but staying vigilant was important. Ella was still telling Chris and Samuel about the visit to the Cheyenne when suddenly a man's arms wrapped around her chest, pinning her arms to her sides.  His right hand pulled the gun from her crossdraw holster, and dropped it to the ground.

Her first attempt to throw off the grapple failed, and she heard Richard Kane say into her ear, "Come along to my tent, darling."

She replied, "Let go of me!" and tried again to break his hold.  She stomped on his foot with her right boot heel, and was encouraged to feel him flinch.  She bent over suddenly, trying to throw him over her head, but he just lowered his arms to her waist and gave her a little slack.

She used that slack to dig her fingers into his forearms, and then rake her fingernails down his arms.  He released his grip enough for her to pivot on her left foot, ignoring the tug that opened her jacket, and bring her right knee forcibly into his groin.

He let go, and started to bend over, bringing his jaw to meet her left fist with more force than she had put into the uppercut.  His head snapped back, and he collapsed.  She back pedaled to get clear of him, shaking out her left hand.

She knelt beside Richard, and checked his pulse and eyes, then pulled him into a more comfortable recovery position.  He was out cold, and didn't react when she pulled a few hairs from his head. She stood up and pulled her jacket back into place before she looked around.  It looked like almost all of the scouts from both Cyrus's band and Richard's band were standing around the combat, Cyrus's men cheering, Richard's men scowling.  She stood and focussed on one of Richard's men, and said, "Tell him to wash those scratches well with soap and hot water."

Then she mentally gathered her dignity and stalked off.  Chris and Samuel fell in beside her, wearing huge grins. 

"What's so amusing?" she grumbled. 

"We, all of Cyrus's men, just won a big bet," answered Chris.  "I won the secondary bet, too." 

"What bet?" she asked, suspiciously. 

"Well, Dick said some stuff, and Frank took him down. Pretty soon, there was a bet on whether or not Dick could put you in the dust.  All of Cyrus's men bet on you."

"That explains why you two walked me past Richard then just stood back and let him grab me.  He could have really hurt me!"

"We would have stopped him as soon as the bet was settled by him getting you across the line we drew as soon as he grabbed you or by you asking for help.  The bet would also have been settled by you getting loose from him and across the line."

"What was the secondary bet?" she asked, still controlling her temper.

"That you would not put him in the infirmary or kill him.  If you had put him in the infirmary, there was another bet about whether you would treat him or leave him to the fort medic."

Ella had to snort at that.  She didn't know herself whether she would have been willing to treat him. 

"Are you going to set me up like that again?" she demanded.

"No.  There'd be no profit to it.  No one would be willing to bet against you next time.  No one else is going to be willing to try you, either."

Ella snorted again, then laughed.  "I have got to visit the sutlers and get myself some britches.  I need practice; it took me too long to break free. 

[Scarlet Angel]

Black beard eyed Frank. He was about as impressed as when Cyrus had first heard about the bet.

Frank caught his look. "Ya should have heard what he was sayin'" Frank replied. "Cyrus and Bo both knew about it."

Black beard's lip twitched as he walked through the crowd of scouts and soldiers that had turned to watch Ella and Dick fight. Scarlet and Cyrus were on the fence.

"Is Ella ok?" Scarlet asked when Black beard reached her.

"Yeah." He looked down the fence line at Cyrus. "They set her up Scarlet. They set you up too?"

Scarlet's eyes met his. "I was goaded into something. He probably knows I wouldn't walk away, but that's ok."

"Ya think you can take the ol' buzzard?"

Scarlet glanced over at Cyrus. He was strong and fit. She'd learned along time ago age only made 'em more treacherous and less stupid most of the time.

"There's been times I've brought Bo down and times I've lost to someone with skills less than my, but I got a plan today. That is his demise. He should have done me like Dick did Ella."

Black beard smiled. "If I bet on you?"

"If you bet on me go double or nuthin and make it worth while for Ella and my troubles."

"Don't get to cocky Scarlet."

"Mmmm..call it cold and calculated. One should really be careful what he wishes for at times."

Most the men had turned back towards the corral and were waiting to see the outcome of the next fight. 

Cyrus had climbed off the fence and gone back to the center of the corral. "I lied I'm not blind. No coaching on the fence." He called with a laugh.

"If they want cash up front there's some in my saddlebags." She whispered to Black beard.

"You got any rules I should know about?" Scarlet said jumping down from the fence and walking towards Cyrus.

"Yeah don't go any deeper than stitches can fix and don't cut up my purdy face." He said with a grin.

"Stitches fixed Chris up real well." Scarlet said an evil grin crossing her face as she drew her knife.

"Scout's rules friendly engagement." He said.

"I'll not try to geld ya by cuttin' ya." She responded circling him.

Cyrus drew his knife and began to circle too. He noticed she moved with ease and confidence. She was the first woman he'd fought and wasn't sure what to expect.

"Show me what Travis Corbin taught you sweetheart." He said trying to distract her and break her concentration.

Scarlet was done talking now. He noticed her eyes watched him closely. Every move he took she seemed to counter act quickly. He'd seen her move while dancing with the men and she was following his moves now.

"This is more dangerous than a dance sweetheart." He said again trying to distract her but there was no reply.

Cyrus was quick and he moved at her swinging the knife low. He was impressed when she blocked the move with her own blade. It was then he noticed the guard on her knife was a bit different than the normal straight guards he was used to seeing. He'd have to ask her to check it out later. His knife glanced off hers and the tip of her blade went across his arm stinging as it went. He moved back and swung his knife wide catching her on the rib just before she moved back.

Cyrus moved away far enough he had time to look at his arm. He had a long scratch across the top of it, just deep enough to sting and draw only enough blood to let him know he'd been hit. He also noticed she was waiting for him. Letting him look and not rushing him, she could have looked at her own scratch but chose not to take her eyes off of him.

"He taught you the rules of friendly engagement well." Cyrus said but still no response from Scarlet.

He stepped back into her space and swung the blade at her shoulder. She sidestepped him and planted the rounded end of the knife handle into his ribs as she moved.

They were well matched defensively and had gone almost blow for blow. Cyrus was surprised that he couldn't get her to respond to any remarks he made she seemed to keep her wits about her. Their blades locked again, this time his didn't glance off. She had hooked his knife with the opposite side of her hers this time, the guard turned slightly upward on that side instead of downward and she was able to gain some control. Cyrus hauled off and punched her in the ribs. It was a fight after all and they wouldn't go easy on her out there. Her response was hitting him in the groin with a fist while she twisted her knife causing his wrist to twist before they broke free of each other.

They would both have their share of nicks and bruises by the time it was over. She had been taught well Cyrus admired that. "Come on darlin' show me why you belong out here and not over a cook pot or on your back." He said softly so only she could hear him.

Scarlet swung her hand low and close to him. He responded by dropping his to the same level and taking a jab but missed. She did that a couple times to him and he couldn't figure out why. The third time she bent a little lower. His eyes left hers and dropped for a split second. He felt her hands wrap around his wrist, her nails dig into him until he dropped his knife.

"I'm here to make yer wishes come true." She said surprising him that she'd spoke.

He felt her kick the back of his knee hard and it buckled. He didn't know what she was doing but she no longer had her knife, just both hands had a death grip on his wrist. He was down on one knee gathering strength to stand back up when she crossed in front of him. He felt her legs wrap around him as he went backwards into the slop.

He giggled as he lay on his back her legs wrapped around him just above the hips like scissors.

He heard her giggle too. "I heard something about you wanting my legs around you until you were out of breath and sweaty." She said pulling his arm.

Cyrus felt his own arm stretch tight across his neck. Every time he exhaled her legs tightened and he couldn't inhale as deeply. He could feel his own pulse where his arm went across his neck, his chin was tipped up and his own arm was pressing on his windpipe.  His other arm was pined against his body. He struggled to get loose but Scarlet started to lie back pulling his arm across his throat tighter.

"Eventually the pressure of your own arm will cut off your wind and or your blood flow. This I learned from my Comanche brother." Scarlet said. "If we were on the field of battle and I was strong enough to hold your arm with one hand I might just cut you unless I enjoyed watching you suffer. Then I'd just lay back and pull a little more."

Laying there Cyrus realized the last few times she'd swung at him she was trying to set him up just right and he hadn't realized it.

"Let me up." He choked out.

"You giving up?"

Cyrus struggled again only to feel her tighten the pressure points more.

"Yes." He choked out.

"I want yer bottle of good whisky. Ella and I deserve it."

"Yours." He coughed again. "I give." He said loud enough for the crowd to hear.

Some cheers and some hisses echoed through the crowd.

Scarlet let go of his wrist and unlocked her ankles. Cyrus rolled away from her. He lay on his back a minute catching his breath.

Scarlet walked over and offered her hand.

Cyrus smiled and took it noticing how she watched him. "I am not going to start another fight. You won fair and square and I am finished. I will not come up swinging. You have my word."

She smiled and handed him his knife.

"You got mud....all over." He laughed.

"You should see the other guy." She smiled.

"If we were enemies on a battle field..."

Scarlet reached behind her and came up with the knife Cyrus hadn't seen in years. "I would have tried to geld you instead of just a punch."

The women were just as hard to fight as the men he thought.

"May I see the other one you used?"

Scarlet handed him the large bowie as they walked towards the fence. Cyrus admired the S shaped guard which explained how she was able to catch his knife or glance it off during the fight. He handed it back.

"Frank, bring Scarlet the good bottle from under my bunk." He called.

"We look like we've gone rounds with a couple cats." He said looking at one on her ribs. "Sorry bout that one."

"It's the chance you take if you accept the challenge."

Cyrus raised an eyebrow figuring it would be a cold day in hell before he heard either of the women whining about anything. He looked at his wrist. It was marked but nothing as bad as he imagined it could have been.


Ella was at the fence with Bo. "Ella you have something good for the scratches." Scarlet said looking down at herself then at Cyrus. He was just as accomplished at marking someone up as she was.

[Elegant Ella]

"Of course," replied Ella. "I'll tend to Cyrus first, then we can go get our baths?" She saw Fritz approaching, and smiled before adding, "We can get our baths after you talk to Lieutenant King."

Ella took her saddlebags back from Samuel, glad he had offered to carry them for her so that they hadn't been dropped when Dick grabbed her, and suspecting that he had offered exactly for that reason. 

"This is going to sting, Cyrus," she warned before swabbing his scratches with the disinfectant.  None of the cuts was deep enough for stitches, so she dusted them with dry poultice and wrapped them with clean linen.

[1stSgt Fritz King]

He'd heard the commotion, and done his level best to stay away.  Cyrus was in charge of the scouts, and he'd let him run them his way.  But Dick's underhanded grab at Ella was almost too much.  He was happy and surprised that Ella broke free.  Not that she couldn't, but that she minded the battle and not her modesty.  Most women would've done something immediately to cover up.  But Scarlet and Ella weren't like most women.  They were extraordinary women.

Then Scarlet and Cyrus jumped off the fence and into the ring.  Fritz thought "What's he doing now?"  When their blades cleared leather, his first thought was to draw his short Colt.  It was a force of will to keep his hands from moving. 

He watched them dance around each other, sizing up one another.  Then came the cuts.  He knew she wasn't hurt badly, but he still felt the pain.  Fritz recalled the first mission, way down in Mexico.  He'd seen Scarlet fight; a tiger couldn't be more vicious.  Once she'd scissored Cyrus' midsection, he knew it was over.

Fritz met her as she left the ring with Cyrus' whiskey.  He tipped his hat.

"Miss Scarlet, may I have a word with you?"

One hand held the bottle, while the other pressed on her wound.  She looked at him.  There was no smile, but her eyes danced.  She noticed the captain's bars, and her eyes grew wider still.

"I need to dress this wound, Captain.  How are you at field medicine?"

"I've bandaged worse wounds than that in my time.  Do you have your own supplies?"

She pointed to her saddlebags, which Fritz picked up.  She followed him back to his tent.  The orderly stepped aside for the bloodied, blonde scout.  "Ma'am," he said.  She nodded in reply.

"Private," Fritz said.  I have to dress this woman's wounds.  Get me some hot water, double-quick."

The boy ran off, and Fritz tied the flap closed from the inside.  She was upon him almost before he turned to meet her.  His back met the tent pole.  If it hadn't they'd have torn the canvas off the A-frame.  Their eyes, lips and bodies met.  Their hunger for each other blossomed.

"I've missed you," Fritz whispered between kisses. 

"And I've missed you, CAPTAIN," Scarlet replied.

A voice outside cleared its voice.  "Ah...sir?  I've brought the water."

Fritz reached below the ties and grabbed the handle of the bucket.  "Thanks.  Do you think you could rustle up a bit of food for the lady?"

"Yes sir.  Anything in particular?"

"No...anything is fine," Scarlet said.

"Now," Fritz added, let's have a look at that wound," more for the benefit of the boy than anything else.  Fritz turned, and the breath left his lungs.  Scarlet had stripped her blouse away.  Her chest rose and fell in short gasps.

"You need to check all around the wound," she added, "to be sure no infection sets in. Don't bother to wrap it. I have a date with a hot bath." She looked him up and down with a grin. "Perhaps after that we can see how well you are at dressing things if the offer is still open." She purred.

[Elegant Ella]

Ella slung her saddlebags over her shoulder and tucked her right hand into Bo's elbow. "Bo, I think you told Samuel and Chris not to warn me about Dick and the bet," sa?id Ella as they walked away from the corral.

"Now why would I do something like that?"

"Because you wanted me to fight back, and not just defend. I know how many times you've scolded me for not working harder in practice sessions."

"You did very well today."

Ella guided Bo over to sutlers row, and started shopping for britches. She started with a quick survey to identify all the merchants who sold shirts and britches at all. She pulled a string out of her pocket, and selected the right knot for the measurement she needed to match, then started scanning through the stacks for a pair the right size made of sturdy enough fabric. Most soldiers were skinny, and even the bigger and stronger ones were narrower through the hips than Ella, so the sutlers did not have many pairs that were big enough. Finding a shirt and vest was easier. She finally made her selections and started negotiating on price.

"$30"

"That's two months salary for a soldier! I'll give you $10."

"The soldiers big enough for that pair of britches are all officers. $25"

"Which means you have no market for britches that size. $15"

"$20"

"Done." Ella reached into her pocket, but Bo handed the sutler the payment before she could get her money out.

"I can't let you buy clothes for me," she protested quietly, while the sutler wrapped her purchases.

"It's your own money. There was $10 left from the supplies you ordered, and I bet it on you. Fritz's soldiers needed someone to take their money."

"Did I get everything I ordered?"

"No tomatoes, and you're short on potatoes and carrots, but you've got extra turnips."

"Venison stew with cornbread for dinner, then." Ella's stomach rumbled in anticipation.

Bo took custody of the parcel and they continued on to Fritz's tent.  It looked like they had delayed enough. The tent was open and a soldier was handing Fritz a tray of food.

[Scarlet Angel]

Fritz stepped close, put his arm around her and pulled her tight to him.

"You're supposed to be dressing the wounds." Scarlet said teasingly as she pointed to the scratch on her ribs.

He kissed her tenderly "You are making it difficult to stay focused on the task at hand Milady." He replied letting her go. He took the supplies from her saddlebags.

"This is going to burn." He said as he poured the clear liquid from the flask onto the cotton and dabbed it against her skin.

"Just blow on it." She said softly blowing down the back of his neck.

Fritz took a deep breath; she certainly was skilled at distracting him. When he looked up at her she was innocently looking around his tent as if she'd done nothing. He laughed softly, put his hand behind her neck and kissed her.

Scarlet traced her fingertips along his jaw line as she returned his kiss. 

Fritz stepped back so he could finish tending to the scratches. Scarlet could tell by the look in his eyes he could feel the pain of every little nick. She placed her finger tips under his chin and tilted his head back up.

"You married a fighter Fritz. Cyrus is an honorable opponent. I've fought men who have not been so kind on the rules." She said with a smile.

"I know." He said smiling back as he wiped some of the mud from her neck.

Scarlet picked up her shirt and slid it back on. She could hear the Private returning. "I should have sent him for something challenging to find." She chuckled.

[1stSgt Fritz King]

After Scarlet rebuttoned her blouse, Fritz sighed, and took the offered tray.  "Thanks Private.  Why don't you go take a load off for a few minutes?  I'll tell the First Sergeant you deserved a break."

The boy said "Yes sir," and headed off towards the sutlers.

"We do need to talk Milady."

"Ooh!  So serious darlin?  Are those straps weighing you down a bit?"

"I think it's time we told the camp who you really are."

"I don't know if that's such a good idea," Scarlet replied.

"Major Schurmann figured it out by himself.  And I'd bet a few of those scouts you ride with know it too."

Scarlet said nothing.

Fritz approached, and put his hand on her cheek.  "The days are coming fast when we'll be on the move.  No tent, no freedom, no privacy.  The main reason I didn't say anything was to keep your standing with the scouts.  After that row with Cyrus, I'd say you made a damn fine impression."   

Scarlet half smiled.  Fritz could tell by her look she was pleased with herself at the outcome with Cyrus.  "I am not worried about the scouts, Fritz.  The ones that know it makes no difference to, and I doubt they will say anything.  Unless of course they are taking bets, then there are a couple who have inside information.  Although you might get an offer from one of them to try and buy me."

Fritz raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"Just be careful what you bet if you gamble with Black beard." She chuckled.

"I'll make note of that." He replied.

"Fritz, I have not said anything about us because I worry about what the soldiers will say.  My actions are not very fitting of an officer's wife and I'm afraid they would be a direct reflection on you."

He took his wife's hand.  "I don't care what they think.  I love you, and I'm proud that you're my wife.  You fight harder than any man, and love greater than any woman I've ever known."

Was that a tear forming in the corner of her eye, or just a trick of the light?

Scarlet whispered, "When this war is over, you're coming home with me."

Fritz smiled.  "Let's get you a bath.  Then we'll get dressed, and go meet the men."

[Elegant Ella]

Bo and Ella caught up with Fritz and Scarlet as they left Fritz's tent.

They walked in silence for a few minutes, then Bo spoke up, "You two need to know that the man Lucky kicked had tried to bribe his way past the guard at your quarters before he went to the stables. Neither Fritz nor Cyrus seems to worry much about one of the guards accepting a bribe, but I don't know if you are safe sleeping in there. Guards can be knocked out."

"Scarlet and I have been making friends with that entire guard detail, so I don't think any of them would be willing to let someone at us, on top of the dereliction of duty charge they would face. The guard has a fairly defensible post on the porch there, except for getting shot at, and gunfire would attract attention from the rest of the detail as well as the officers in the building."

"Cyrus's men have been keeping an eye on your quarters at night as well, making sure the sentry stays awake," added Bo.

This was news to Ella. She thought Scarlet probably already knew that. It meant that Scarlet's night walking hadn't been as dangerous as it looked.

"I can move down to the scouts camp tomorrow, but I was really looking forward to spending tonight wearing a nightgown in a real bed," offered Ella. "Scarlet, why don't you and Fritz just go ahead and announce your relationship? I slipped out there and told Blackbeard your married name. I'm almost surprised that I hadn't let it slip earlier."

[Scarlet Angel]

"We were talking about that." Scarlet replied then eyed Bo. "Are they taking bets on that one too?"

Bo looked around like he hadn't heard her.

"Who guessed right?"

"Well they wouldn't let me play." Bo laughed. "But they started that shortly after we arrived. You know how they love a good mystery. Cyrus and Black beard. They are pretty smart. Chris and a few others think Fritz and Ella are married and Frank put down Scarlet and Tensleep. According to Samuel Ella is a widow but will not say because she doesn't want anyone approaching her. Bunch of 'em think Scarlet and I are married."

"That would explain why Black beard was so happy when he found out." Scarlet laughed softly and slightly rolled her eyes.

"When did the betting stop?"

"They put dates next to their names and cannot change their answer. They were hoping you would say before we ride for home. Teddy says Ella is married to a Mr. Coatsworth, still living in parts unknown and he thinks you're married to a Comanche."

"Ella if there are men trying to bribe the guards I will stay with you tonight. I can move when you do. I don't think we should take any chances."

[Elegant Ella]

"And just how many nights have you been able to stay in that room until morning? At least if you openly start the night with Fritz, you are more likely to stay put. You walking to the stables in the middle of the night should be more dangerous than me staying alone in the room," replied Ella. "Bo, could you sleep in the parlour again?"

[Scarlet Angel]

Scarlet looked over to Ella. She had that stubborn look on her face, it would be a losing battle and waste of breath to try and convince Ella any different. Bo was a better protector the she was anyway. Scarlet thought. She also wondered how likely she was to stay put in Fritz's tent. True she wouldn't be sneaking out to see him, but there nights she just plain couldn't sleep and she left the room to keep from waking Ella, no doubt the same thing would happen. She was already nervous about meeting Fritz's men, he may not care what they thought but she did.

Bo smiled. "My pleasure Ella. I don't hear anybody snorin' in there."

[Scarlet Angel]

When they reached the room Ella and Scarlet shared Ella and Scarlet gathered clean clothes to put on after their bath.

Normally Scarlet was quick about gathering her things together. It took her a little longer than normal today. She went through her things twice looking for something she thought might be appropriate to meet Fritz's men later, but she knew all she brought was clothes comfortable for the trail or fighting which consisted mostly of button up shirts and trousers. Grabbing clean clothes off the top of her pile Scarlet finally decided if she couldn't be what she thought was proper she would be herself, after all if the soldiers had not already seen that they would soon enough. She was looking forward to a long hot bath just as much as Ella.

[Elegant Ella]

Ella left her bundle of new clothes in the room, and took a clean set. There wasn't a lot of decision required: She had brought two sets of divided skirts with matching jackets, three waists that could be worn with either jacket, and three sets of undergarments. She would need to mend the jacket she had on before she could wear it again. She hoped she had enough spare buttons to replace the ones that had gone flying when Dick jerked it open. She was going to be busy sewing once the Sabbath passed.

They went down to the bathing room, and soon were soaking in hot water. Ella didn't dawdle long in her bath, since she wanted to get letters written before sundown brought the Sabbath.

"Scarlet, I'm ready to wash my clothes. Shall I take care of yours at the same time?"

"Yes, thank you. I'll take care of any chores you need done tomorrow, so you can enjoy your day of rest."

Ella collected and washed the clothes, then drained the tub.

She headed for the door, saying, "Shall I send Fritz in to wash your back?"

[Scarlet Angel]

Scarlet was quiet for a moment. The thought of having Fritz wash her back was very appealing, a few moments to herself to get ahold of her nerves was appealing too. "Give me a few minutes and tell him to knock loud." Scarlet said sinking down to rinse the soap out of her hair.

Ella looked at her. "I get the feeling you were less nervous about fighting Cyrus than you are about announcing your relationship with Fritz."

"I've always thought you were very perceptive Ella." Scarlet smiled.

"Be yourself Scarlet. Black beard was right you know how to treat people when you like them."

"Well don't go spreading that around." Scarlet laughed. "Just tell Fritz to knock loud if he wants to join me in here."

"I will tell him." Ella peeked under the towel that was on the stool next to the bath. "both guns are under the towel and to make sure you know it's him before he opens the door."