Betwixt Night and Day
by Wyndewalker
AU: The Cougar and the Falcon - Fantasy - Closed
Feedback E-Mail: wynde @ wyndewalker . com
Betwixt Night & Day
Vin Tanner heard the commotion long before he saw it, and then his first glimpse was the view the falcon gave him from a nearby rooftop. A group of men were dragging the dark-skinned Andolan healer of the village down the street. The snatches of shouted words he heard were enough to tell him the group of strangers were up to no good. When the group came into his view he saw Mary Travis, the widow who ran the village school, step into their path holding a crossbow in her hands.
"You can't do this! That man did nothing wrong."
"He killed our boss. Said he was a doctor."
"No! I said I knew some healing tricks. I was just trying to help."
"Nathan didn't kill your boss. Blood poison killed your boss. Now let him go." Mary insisted.
The men just laughed at her. The closest one on a horse kicked the crossbow out of her hands, knocking her to the ground. She quickly struggled back to her feet.
"Are you all just going to stand there and let them hang him?"
No one made a move and the group continued on unhindered. Vin gave a disgusted grimace as he turned on his heel and disappeared into the trade post behind him. He came back out a moment later with a longbow and quiver full of arrows in his hands and Mr. Potter, the owner of the trade post, on his heels.
"You go after them and you're fired."
"Aw hell, I'm likely ta get myself kilt. Now I've gotta worry about a gettin' a new job too?" Vin ignored the mental snort of amusement that came from the falcon.
At that moment he looked up and met the gaze of a man dressed all in black standing across from him. A slight nod, a tilt of the head and they fell into step with each other. At the edge of the cemetery they stopped. The man in black held his crossbow loosely, but ready. Vin had an arrow nocked and ready, belying his relaxed stance.
"Think you boys have had enough fun for today," the man in black called out. "Time for you to let him go."
"We'll let him go when he's dead," the ringleader of the group shouted. "He killed our boss and he's gonna pay for it."
"That so? You do everything you can to save that man, mister?" he addressed this to the dark-skinned healer.
"Yes, sir, I did. He'd gone too long without having that wound tended to."
"Shut up you liar!" the ringleader backhanded him, making the healer stagger into one of the men holding him.
"You've got until the count of three to let him go. Or not," he amended as the strangers started shooting at them. They quickly returned fire.
Vin noted with idle detachment that the man in black was pretty fast with his crossbow. His own movements were fluid as he shot one arrow after another. He took out the man holding Nathan on the wagon but could do nothing to prevent the dead man from falling forward between the horses and startling them into bolting. The healer let out a choked off cry as the wagon jerked out from beneath him and the noose tightened around his neck. Vin quickly sighted on the slender rope but had to duck, knocking his aim off, when a crossbow bolt swished passed his ear. He heard as well as felt the angry scream of the falcon as the bird swooped down raking the shooter's head with his claws. It gave Vin the time he needed to shoot the rope, severing it. Nathan fell to the ground, chest heaving as struggled to take in a deep breath.
The remaining men from the lynching party were quickly on the run. Vin and the man in black had just started to turn away when a young man came running, his crossbow at the ready as he shouted, "I've got 'im. I've got 'im."
The man in black spun on his heel, nocking a bolt and firing in one smooth motion. The bolt quivered at the youth's feet, stopping him in his tracks. "What's the matter with you? You never shoot a man in the back."
The falcon suddenly screamed out a warning and the two men turned back to the cemetery, both ducking to the side. They found their would-be attacker falling to the ground, a knife in his chest. Nathan nodded when they looked at him, "One of you want to pull that knife out of him and cut me loose?"
Vin cut the ropes binding Nathan's wrists while the man in black removed the noose from around his neck. "Much obliged to you. Name's Nathan Jackson."
"Vin Tanner."
"Chris Larabee," the man in black said, helping Nathan to his feet.
The call of the falcon had Chris reaching for his crossbow, but Vin's, "No," made him pause. He watched as the lean, longhaired man held up an arm for the falcon to land on gracefully.
Vin grinned at them, stroking the breast feathers of the bird; "He's a friend of mine."
They watched the bird huur for a brief moment, leaning into the caress, before he snapped at the fingers. He then hopped up to Vin's shoulder where he began fastidiously cleaning his claws of the blood on them.
"Interesting friend," Chris commented.
"I like him well enough." The smile grew broader when the bird bumped its head against his ear in rebuke.
Walking back into the village, they found themselves confronted by the widow. "I'm Mary Travis, the School Headmistress and I sit on the Village Council. Where did you come from?"
Chris shrugged continuing to walk forward, "Tavern."
"Where are you men going?"
The three men looked at each other and smiled. "Tavern."
They left her behind and stepped into the dark interior of the village tavern. A path cleared before them as they made their way to the bar, several of the patrons raising a glass to them. The bartender eyed the falcon on Vin's shoulder suspiciously, who eyed him right back.
"Whiskey," Chris grunted. Two glasses appeared, one in front of Chris and one in front of Vin.
Vin tilted his head to the side, giving the bartender a look. "One for the Doc too."
A third glass appeared and amber liquid poured into all three.
"Like I said before, I ain't no doctor. Just good at fixin' people up."
"You still have the right to a drink," Vin answered, lifting his own drink. He paused at the sight in the mirror behind the bar. He turned catching the attention of the other two men who turned around as well. Standing before them was an older dark-skinned Andolan, like Nathan, and an Eloni, a member of one of the tribes to the east who'd been driven from their homes a couple of decades earlier.
"We would like to hire you," stated the Eloni. "Our village needs help. We can pay you."
The Andolan held up a gold medallion. "It is not much, but it is all we have."
"What kind of help you need?" Chris asked.
"A group of outlaws have raided our village twice now. Each time they come they steal our food and the pelts we have hunted. They will return again in a week. We do not have much more to lose," said the Eloni. Left unspoken was the thought that all they had left was their womenfolk.
"Melted down that medallion's worth about 35 marks. Seven men, that's five marks a man."
"The Eloni have been real good to my people," Nathan put in. "Giving us shelter, helping us escape during the Great War. Five marks is more than enough to get my help."
Vin shrugged, "I don't have much else to do. I'm in."
The falcon shrieked at Vin's words, his wings spreading. Vin shushed the bird, swearing softly when his fingers were nipped. Chris looked at him questioningly. He just gave him a half-smile and Chris turned back to the two Elders.
"We'll help you."
"Thank you," the Eloni bowed his head in gratitude. "Our village is a half-day's ride to the north at the foot of the Sangera Mountains."
"Noon tomorrow then."
The Andolan and the Eloni both bowed and left. Eventually the usual business of the tavern resumed and the three erstwhile partners turned to each other.
"Now all we need is four more," Chris said, downing his shot. "I've got a friend who should be in town. He'll be willing to help, assuming I can get him out of bed long enough."
The two men grinned at Chris' chuckle, guessing why his friend would want to spend so much time in bed.
"I know a man too. An ex-Cleric of sorts, he's working on rebuilding the church just outside of the village here. It's said he's got a powerful lot of demons in his past, killed some men even. I think he'll be willing to help," Nathan said.
"My partner'll join us too," Vin said, flicking his fingers at the falcon who'd just nipped his ear.
"All right. When can we meet this partner of yours and this preacher?"
"Ezra'll be here tonight. Just look for the poker game and you'll find him. He'll know who you are."
"Where will you be?" Chris asked.
"I've got some business needs tendin' tonight. Don't worry. I'll meet you in the morning at the livery."
"We can go see Josiah now if you'd like? Might take a bit to get him to go with us. He's a little peculiar every now and then."
Chris nodded. "Let's ride."
Leaving the tavern, the three men headed to the livery to saddle their horses. Chris and Nathan watched bemused as the falcon, perched on the stall door, pecked at the nose of Vin's horse every time it tried to nose the bird. At one point the horse actually managed to knock the falcon off his perch. The falcon landed on the ground with an undignified squawk. An exasperated sigh followed. "Will you two quit it?"
The stall door opened and Vin stepped out, lowering his arm for the falcon to hop onto it. Vin's voice was amused as he spoke to the bird. "Don't go givin' me none a that 'he started it' crap. If ya'd quit peckin' at Peso's nose he wouldn't keep tryin' ta push ya off the door."
"Are you actually communicating with that bird or is that just what you think he'd be saying?" Nathan asked swinging up onto his horse. "And how do you know it's a he?"
The falcon, now perched on the fence rail, let out another shriek, his chest feathers puffing out.
"Oh, he's most definitely a he," Vin chuckled, looking fondly at the bird who was once again preening his light brown feathers. Sitting in the sun the way he was, they could see highlights of auburn and gold among the darker mahogany feathers. "As for communicatin', we share a bond, mostly just emotions and strong images. After a while it's second nature figuring out what it means."
Chris stared at him for a moment before nodding his head as if something he'd suddenly found the answer to a puzzle. "Hunter?"
"Yeah."
"How long have you had him?" Chris asked, nudging his horse to get them moving.
Vin gave him a sharp look. "I don't own him. He's free to come and go as he pleases. We've been together close to three years now."
"Just asking," Chris shrugged, sharing a glance with Nathan. Apparently it wasn't wise to come between a man and his bird. The rest of the trip to the old church passed in silence.
Reaching the ruined building, they found a bear of a man casually lifting and shifting rocks that had to weigh 50 or more pounds like they were pebbles. Nathan dismounted, calling out a greeting. "Hey, Josiah. Nice day isn't it?"
"Nice enough, brother. It could be raining." Josiah grinned and continued his task.
"We've got a job I thought you might be interested in," Nathan tried the direct route.
"That so?" He looked over at the two men who'd remained mounted. The black-clad one was obviously a mercenary of some sort, while the other wore the tighter generally snag-proof, clothes of a tracker. A Hunter maybe? A shrill cry had him looking a skyward.
A large bird circled above then dove at the two men on horseback. He was about to cry out a warning when the tracker held up his fist and the bird--a falcon he realized--snapped out it's wings spooking the mercenary's horse as it landed gently. The falcon was transferred to a perch attached to the saddle horn. The tracker held a small bowl of meat cubes, which the falcon picked at daintily.
"Don't see too many of them around here," Josiah commented, stepping closer for a better view. He was surprised to see there were no jesses or other restraints on the falcon.
"No. Reckon ya don't," Vin agreed, lightly caressing the feathers.
"So, what's this job?"
"An Andolan and Eloni village to the north's being raided by a group of outlaws for their food and valuables. They need our protection." Nathan said, glad Josiah was finally showing some interest.
"The Lord giveth most to those who do for themselves."
"These are the meek and dispossessed of the earth, Josiah. Aren't they the souls you're always talking about saving?"
"I'll think on it."
"But, Josiah."
"Pays not much, but we can promise you one hell of a fight," Vin added.
"Hell? I've already been to Hell. Not entirely sure I left. I'll think on it."
"You do that. We're leaving first light tomorrow. We'll swing by, see what decision you've made." Chris nodded to Josiah before pulling his horse around and heading back to the village.
*********
Back at the village they stabled their horses once more. Nathan left to go put together some supplies he figured they'd need. Chris and Vin headed towards the rooming house where Chris was certain they'd find his friend. The falcon remained in the livery perched on a rafter above Peso's stall.
*********
On the second floor of the rooming house a tall man with wavy black hair and a thick mustache lifted his lips from the blonde woman he'd been kissing. "I swear, Miss Molly, you are the purtiest filly I've seen this side of the Sangera Mountains and the tastiest too."
She giggled as he bent his head once more to nibble at her neck. "Oh go on, Buck. You're just trying to sweet talk me."
"Is it working?" he asked, grinning boyishly down at her, gently petting her hair where it lay on the pillow.
"You know it is," she giggled again and pulled the covers up over them.
A loud banging on the door had then sitting upright staring. Then a voice yelled through the door, "Hey! You in there with my wife?"
"Oh Lord, it's Billy," Molly breathed.
"Your husband Billy? I thought you said he was in Uma prison?" Buck whispered, scrabbling off the bed to grab his clothes. Luckily he hadn't removed his longjohns yet.
"He is. He was," she babbled. "I don't know what he's doing here."
Buck looked at her incredulously as the banging and shouting continued. "I'd say he's looking for his wife."
He hopped around the room, trying to gather his things, while pulling on his pants. At the window, he paused to give Molly a good-bye kiss then climbed out onto the porch roof. With his pants still around his knees, Buck's exit was neither graceful nor controlled as he tripped, rolled, then fell off the porch roof to land at Chris's feet.
Inside, the door flew open just as Buck disappeared through the window. Molly stared at the scruffy-looking tracker in surprise and confusion.
"Sorry, ma'am," Vin drawled with a grin. "Wrong room." He tipped his hat, winked and walked away, leaving her to gape at the empty doorway.
Buck scrambled to his feet, looking around for signs of an angry husband coming after him. All that was forgotten the second he caught sight of Chris leaning against the porch railing.
"Chris! You ol'war dog! Good ta see ya!" Buck grabbed the black-clad man in a big bear hug, holding him a few moments longer than was proper.
"Keep hugging me with your pants down and folks are liable to talk," Chris said quietly, a small grin tugging at the corners of his mouth.
"Aw hell, Chris, folks already do. How'd you know I was in town?" He asked releasing his old friend so he could finish getting dressed.
"I make it my business to know who's around. Got a job if you're interested?"
"Well, hell, yeah. What's it pay?"
"Five marks."
"A day? A week? Five marks a week?" Buck frowned, almost waiting for the punchline.
Just then Vin walked up behind Chris, gave Buck a quick once over before turning to Chris. "He in?"
Buck looked from Vin to Chris. "He with you?"
Chris nodded.
"There going to be women where we're going?"
"I reckon so."
"Well then, I reckon I'm in," Buck grinned and rubbed his hands together. Chris and Vin chuckled at the lascivious look the ladies man got on his face.
Vin trembled slightly, turning to see that the sun had begun to set. "I've gotta go now. You'll find Ezra at the tavern in about an hour or so."
"Where are you going?" Chris asked, reaching out to grab the tracker's arm. A low rumbling growl halted him mid-motion.
"Told you. I've got some things to take care of." With that, Vin took off down the main street of the village. He ducked down an alleyway and out of Chris and Buck's line of sight.
"Strange fella. How long you known him?"
"Since this afternoon. I trust him. We prevented a group from lynching the local healer."
"I thought I heard something going on but I was kinda occupied at the time," Buck grinned, then slapped Chris on the back. "Lord, it's been too long since we last saw each other. What's it been? 3 years?"
"Just about," Chris acknowledged, looking away as his pale green eyes grew hard.
Buck sighed. "I'm sorry, Chris."
"Not your fault, Buck."
He managed to keep himself from sighing again. Even if Chris didn't blame him for the deaths of his wife and son, he still blamed himself. Deciding it was time to change the mood, he said, "You hungry? There's this pretty little filly lives down the way and, boy howdy, can she cook. Got her a pretty sister too. C'mon, Chris, it'll be like old times," Buck grinned and drew him along, talking all the while about the two sisters' attributes.
*******
At the edge of town Vin broke into a run. When he was a safe distance away he began pulling off his clothes, racing the setting sun. He lost by a small margin, unable to get his shirt completely off before the Change hit. His last human thought was, "Aw hell, Ezra's gonna be mad about the shirt."
Moments later a tawny golden cougar stood where the tracker had been. The large cat shook off the remains of the ripped shirt then gently pawed the clothing into a pile. After a look in the direction of the village he took off in the opposite direction, quickly lengthening his stride into a ground-eating lope.