Elmore King would roll into towns like a tumbleweed driven forward by a gentle breeze. Guns on his hips he'd greet all who caught his eyes with a friendly smile. He flirted with women, played with children, cheated at poker and haggled with merchants. But when trouble was afoot, and trouble seemed like it was always afoot around Elmore, he'd come out quick with his fists and his guns. The latter saved only for the most dangerous of situations. His job done Elmore would ride aimlessly towards the town entrance. Children would crowd around his horse and he'd ask them all to be good to their mothers. The women would cry out for him to stay awhile even if only for one night. But Elmore would just tip his hat and apologize. He'd ride on but there would always be one lone person waiting for him at the entrance. One person Elmore King had somehow connected with more than all the others. Man, woman or child, whoever it was would stare him straight in the eyes, and ask "Why? Why would ya help people ya don't even know?!"

He would sit quietly in the saddle and cast his eyes off into the horizon. His voice soft as silk he'd say "I reckon somebody taught me better." He'd then gig his horse forward, with the sunrise and the mountains ahead of him and the town behind him.

To know why Elmore King performed those good deeds, to fully understand why he fought for justice when no one asked it of him. You'd have to know his story.

XXXXX

Now Elmore's tale or rather the Kid's tale, "Kid" being his handle back then, began when he attempted to slip away from fellow outlaws in the dead of night with their freshly stolen goods in hand. Kid had more skill at gun fighting then double crossing. So it was to his annoyance that he found himself being chased through the desert under a Harvest moon. His two fore shafted business partners closing in. Kid angled himself towards a town coming up in the distance. Kid had reached the edge of town when the outlaws cut the gap between them. His horse nicked by a trailing bullet Kid leapt off and rolled along the dirt. Hearing the rumble of fast approaching hooves, he jerked himself up and onto his feet.

"Somebody help! I'm being chased by outlaws!" he shouted at the top of his lungs.

He was answered only by silence. Kid knew by the sight of the sand covered board walk that he'd dragged himself into a one block ghost town. "I reckon know I have to shoot them" Kid thought. Truth be told Kid hadn't been born brave. A hard fought bout with influenza at the age of eleven changed his perspective on things like risk, school, hard work and the obligations of a Western man. He came out of the haze of sickness knowing only that he wanted to enjoy his life by any means necessary.

The outlaws reined in their horses a few feet before him while Kid reached for his gun.

"We're gonna kill you to death Kid!"

"Kill me to death? What kind of fool statement is that?" Kid snapped back

Before either outlaw could reply a shot rang out in the dark, surprising everyone. The lighting of sulfur match caught Kid's eyes; he turned to catch a glimpse of a cigarette illuminated face right before it sank into the shadows of the alleyway across the street.

"What in tar-nation?" One of the outlaws muttered.

"I got you covered boys, with a Henry rifle!" declared a gruff voice from the darkness. "I'm going to ask you nicely now to turn away quietly and ride on."

"Who the hell?"

Another shot. This time the outlaw closest to Kid had his hat knocked clean off his head. "Come on now boys I'm running out of warning shots!"

Stunned the outlaws grumbled sourly before turning their horses around and riding away. When the thundering hooves faded completely Kid spoke up. "Well Samaritan why don't you come out so we can settle the 'thank yous kindly' and go on with our business."

A loud whooping cough startled Kid and forced him to take a step backwards. The stranger came out of the darkness with a lit quirley in his mouth and a rifle against his shoulder. Kid made note of the droop of the man's graying mustache and he shivered a bit when he looked directly into a pair of chilly eyes that accentuated a weathered face. To say that there was a contrast between the two men was to say there was a difference between night and day. Kid being only a few years out of his teens was sporting features that were on the side of handsome and youthful. In Kid's eyes the only thing the stranger had on him was the fancy weapons on his hips. It took only a single glance at those well oiled holsters for Kid to recognize a kindred soul.

"You a gunslinger?"

"What's it to you?"

"I'm a gunslinger too. They call me Kid. I'm the wildest, horse ridin-est, whiskey-drinkin-est, skirt chasin-est cowboy, who ever rode a four legged animal across creation. "

The stranger shook his head. "Never heard of you."

This didn't sit well with Kid and he made sure to show his annoyance by puffing out his chest. "Not my fault them news men haven't gotten to putting my name in print." That said he whipped out his gun and pointed it right at the stranger. "Now fork over your weapons, I'm aimin' to add to my collection."

"You're going to rob the man who saved your life?"

"I am obliged. I will be leaving you with your horse."

The stranger stared Kid down as he took a long drag from his cigarette. "I'll let you have my guns after I kill someone."

His interest piqued Kid lowered his weapon. "Who?"

"Captain J.T Mal is my target."

It was like a thunderclap going off in the Kid's head. During the war of Northern Aggression under special order from General Sherman J.T Mal had cut a path of fire and blood through the entire South. Even then there was talk of him being a gunman of the highest order.

"I thought he gotten himself killed in a range war down in Mexico."

The stranger shook his head again before pointing his thumb to the south. "He's in a town two days away as the crow flies."

During his days as an outlaw Kid had grown to trust those peculiar feelings that come from deep down in ones gut. This was an historic event; he'd have a chance to see a famed gunslinger in action.

"Alright then," Kid exclaimed as he waved the stranger forward with his revolver. "That sounds like a hog-killing good time. I'm going to ride along."

"What are you loco?"

"Listen we can ride out of here together or I rob you now and leave you weaponless."

Moments later the stranger was gigging his horse forward with the Kid trailing behind.

"If we're going to ride together I'll need to know your name."

"You asked for somebody's help. I'm Somebody."

The Kid could only laugh at that.

XXXX

The next day just a few hours after the sunrise the smell hit them. Kid looked on with curious wonder as Somebody and his horse lifted their heads into the air simultaneously, and took a long sniff.

"Some things dead" the older gunman announced.

Tense and on guard the two riders splashed across a small stream and followed a winding trail. They had just come into a clearing when he heard Somebody curse loudly. His fingers on the butt of his gun Kid scanned the area. But instead of bushwhackers his eyes landed on a shoddy cabin and a tall cottonwood standing beside it. Kid's then focused on the tree and the bodies hanging from the branches.

XXXX

The stench hit him like a mule's kick when he got closer. Four men swinging in the breeze was a sight even for a wild and wooly individual like him. Foggy eyed he lurched away from the tree and stumbled into the cabin. Seeking relief from the grisly scene outside, he found none in the one room cabin. There he found Somebody knelt over the body of a young girl propped up in a corner. Somebody stood up, a mix of horror and disgust on his face. "Little gal died with plenty of pain and fear. This is all Mal's doing I know it."

Kid found that he had no say in this. Fact is he was speechless. He aimed his eyes out the window and noticed two riders coming in from the distance. "You know those fellas old man?"

Somebody peered out the window. "Bread and pickles, looks like trouble."

By the time the riders had gotten to the cotton wood Kid and the old man were waiting by the door.

"You there!" One of the riders shouted when they came to a halt.

Somebody stepped up in front of the Kid as if to shield him. "You boys got anything to do with what happened here?" he asked.

The riders glanced at each other. "And if we did….You fellas with the priest?" They asked.

The Kid laughed "Priest? Not after what I've done."

"Well wrong place, wrong time then." The riders went from their guns.

What came next was one of the biggest shocks of Kid's life. He saw Somebody's right arm swing down and it might have been the slowest draw he had ever seen in his life. Somebody got pegged with two bullets before he could even clear leather. Moving on from the initial shock Kid pulled on the riders, and he was like chain lightning on the draw. His Colt boomed like thunder and a slug tore into the closest rider's neck. Kid then swung to the right, fanned the hammer of his gun and struck the second rider in the chest knocking him backwards.

When it was all said and done three men lay on the ground, and Kid was dumbfounded on what to do next.

XXXXX

It was deep into the night before Somebody was conscience again. Even in the dark it wasn't hard for him to spot Kid. He was after all, watching over the burning cabin.

"Didn't have the tools to bury em, and it wouldn't be decent to leave them out. So…."

Somebody became aware of the dressings on his wounds. Searching for anything that could help, Kid had discovered the stash of medical supplies Somebody carried in his saddlebag. He stood over Somebody's prone figure and cussed profusely.

"First of all, you sir are the worst lead slinger I have ever seen in my natural borne life. Secondly how many times have you been shot?"

"Plenty" Somebody coughed.

Shot and stabbed on multiple occasions apparently. Some wounds appeared skin deep, others showcased where a bullet or a knife had gone down to the bone. Some of them had been professionally cared for; but more than a few had been hastily dressed and infections were setting in.

"Kid there's a flask in my saddle bag; can you get it for me?"

Kid did as he was told and returned with the flask. Somebody put it to his lips and drank heavily.

"Whiskey?" Kid asked.

"Laudanum, for the pain."

It made sense to Kid. The alcoholic herbal preparation of opium would explain how the old coot could walk around without howling at the moon from the pain. Somebody drank deeply from the flask. "Tomorrow morning we start riding again."

Kid just about fell out of his boots after hearing that. He looked down at the man who but by the grace of God would likely be dead by the next sunrise.

"Pard, I admire your will. But I am of the opinion that you'd be better off with a few days rest."

"No! Mal must be stopped. This business between he and I has gone on longer than it should have."

Though he was backed by the infinite wisdom of youth Kid couldn't make much sense of the situation. His companion wasn't a gunfighter by any definition. In contrast Mal was a man who had dime novels written up about his exploits. Now this withered fool lying on the floor, sucking in wind and coughing up blood, wanted desperately to kill him.

"Well you don't have to be so ornery about it. I just think some…."

"Nothing is to be put before justice" Somebody interjected. "Whether it be friendship, country, or rest...This is what I have come to know in my lifetime."

"Is that right?" Kid glanced back at the burning cabin.

"Did you say something for the deceased?" Somebody said.

The Kid spat on the ground "hell, if I knew what to say I would have said it I'm sure they know that."

XXXX

It was the still of dusk the next day when they passed by the battered sign that read Redemption Pass. They rode in slow and as planned, they made a beeline for the stables. Somebody insisted on not staying at the hotel, or even getting looked at by the doctor. Apparently getting medical treatment and adequate rest left him vulnerable to his enemy. So they paid the stable owner greatly to keep his mouth shut while Somebody rested his body.

Kid however was free to explore. The streets of Redemption Pass were empty for the most part. So Kid had time to entertain his thoughts. Out here in the badlands men especially outlaws were regularly hanged for various transgressions. There was always a reason behind killing other men, but the little girl? His thoughts were suddenly cut short when got the notion that he was being watched. He glanced down the boardwalk to see a young woman staring at him with open curiosity. Unlike the rest she did not have the sickly look, what she did have was a delicate face and a body that warranted immediate attention. She smoothed a wisp of her hair from her face before walking into a saloon. Intuition spoke and the Kid followed her in.

There were men in the back playing cards, others hanging round the piano and its player, and a few more sat the wooden bar. To Kid's surprise the young woman was serving up drinks. He approached her and ordered a drink.

"Your gang drinks for free." She said with fire in her eyes.

"I ain't part of no gang….currently" Kid replied.

She leaned over the bar and whispered to him. "Are you with the priest?"

"Lady I believe you're more apt to see God at the bottom of a bottle than you are in church."

The trepidation on her face was replaced with speculation. "I'll get your drink once I see your money."

Kid placed a coin on the bar."I don't expect change."

She took the coin and returned moments later with his drink.

"Oh, what is a dreadfully pretty gal like you doing in a town like this?"

The bartender rolled her eyes "working for a living."

The Kid studied her when he could. He found her eyes dark and tired. And her body language spoke only of resignation.

Kid placed another coin on the bar.

"I'm looking for a man, gun fighter, war hero" he explained.

The bartender looked him over once or twice "if you're talking about who I think you are. You might as well add sheriff to that list."

XXXX

In hushed tones the bar-tended explained how the lonely town of Redemption Pass had indeed elected Captain J.T Mal as Sheriff. For some time now its prosperity had been withering away. If nothing was to be done in five years it would be a ghost town. No one expected Mal would ride into town one night on the heels of storm. He brought with him new ideas for wealth and a way to protect it. The desperate people elected him sheriff. Mal then surrounded himself with a gang of deputies. Not everyone supported Mal. For a fact some of his plans did toe the line of the law, others were downright immoral by most standards. The local priest rounded up his most loyal flock to oust the sheriff and his gang. The fight that had broken out had been ongoing for weeks; there were many casualties on both sides. It had gotten so bad that some folks were no longer surprised to find children among the dead. The bartender then let slip that the town was steadily going to hell. Kid took a moment to consider all this, but when the bartender made a move to turn away he grabbed her softly by the hand.

"If you hate it here why don't you run away with the wildest, horse ridin-est, poetry-readin-est, love-makin-est cowboy whoever walked along creation."

With a smile on her face she quickly but politely pulled her hand away. "Mister you think too highly of yourself."

Kid stopped his courting when he suddenly became aware that the room had emptied. A loud cheer from outside brought him to his feet and he excused himself from the bar. He peered through the saloon doors, and discovered most of the townsfolk milling about outside. Kid stepped further out to see that they were all staring at a man crawling along in the street. The second most prominent feature on the man was the white collar or his neck. The first was the cattle markings on his face. The man had been branded. A hoarse cry of joy came from the crowd when a man wearing a tin star pinned to his chest appeared behind the priest. The sheriff drank in the crowd's applause clucking happily as the crowd encircled the priest, who in desperation started swinging at all who would approach. This was enough to get Kid's blood boiling. It was true that Kid put more stock in what was preached than preachers, but this was cruel. This was an unarmed man. He was fixin to rain on this so called parade when he felt a tug at his arm. He looked over his shoulders to see that the bartender had taken a hold of him. She shook her head and mouthed the word no. Reluctantly Kid glanced back at the street just in time to see Mal draw on the priest.

XXXX

"How are the injuries?"

"Full of torment Kid, thanks for asking."

Small talk done Kid reported on what he saw. When it was all said there came a long silence between the two men. Somebody sat upright in his bed of hay. "During the war we were…friends. We would pass the time talking about becoming heroes, beating back the traitors, and what you saw when you died. Then came Antietam…. a third of our unit gone in fifteen minutes. Mal got struck down during the retreat. I dragged him back to camp thinking I had retrieved a corpse for burial. But by some miracle he would open his eyes again. "I didn't see anything" were the first words out his mouth. That's when things changed. He had always been a violent man, but I imagined it was…for the war…for the Union, it was fine; I encouraged it in some ways. Now I see….and I can't abide by it any longer."

"You're going to get your head ventilated old timer. His draw, fastest I've seen….No chance you can win."

Somebody struggled to move but his struggles ended with him coughing up blood. "It may have taken fifteen years but I will stop him, justice delayed is still justice."

Kid shook his head. He wasn't one to play a hand at law and order. But it'd be a wonder if Somebody ever stood up again. Mal was a child and priest killing problem. Not just Somebody's problem but everyone's. Kid high tailed it out into the street towards the saloon. There he found the bartender standing by the door.

"You cool yourself down some?" She whispered.

"Ma'am, I'm going lay my cards out on the table. I am going to duel the sheriff and after I win I'm going to come a courtin'."

Though this managed to drag a smile from the bartender she shook her head. "Hush your mouth Kid; it'll be best if you shin out of here right now."

"I wouldn't be able to walk where men held their head up high if I did that." Quickly and unexpectedly Kid grabbed her by the shoulders. "May I ask your name ma'am?"

"Eve" she stuttered. She clearly stunned by his sudden actions.

He pulled Eve into a deep kiss, and it was enough to get her all flustered and red around the face. Kid tipped his hat to her, stepped back, and shouted Mal's name high into the heavens. Then he made for the middle of the street where he and Mal would square off. After taking a single step off the boardwalk the sound of a single shot broke the relative silence of the evening. A sudden stab of pain sent a shock through Kid's body; he clutched the back of his shoulder feeling the wetness that was there. He turned to see Mal stepping past Eve brandishing a smoking gun. He gotten shot in the back! Mal came bearing down on him like a scavenger bird ready to feast. With his enemy suddenly upon him Kid instinctively threw a right hook instead of reaching for his gun. Mal caught his wrist and turned it. Kid cried out like never before as his right hand fluttered with a broken wrist. This additional pain forced him down to his knees. He reached for his gun with his free hand but a swift boot to the gut had him on the floor doubled over and retching in the dirt. Mal snatched Kid's revolver from its holster and tossed it to the side. The he fired into the ground near Kid's head spraying sand and shattered stone into his face. Gleefully he sent a bullet into the meat of Kid's leg.

It was then for the first time in a long time, Kid felt that sliver of fear and desperation creeping down his back. A squeal of "somebody help" was caught in the back of his throat.

"Still a cold bastard eh Mal?"

Through teary eyes Kid took himself in an eyeful of miracle. There on the boardwalk beside Eve, rolling up a cigarette stood Somebody. Standing straight and looking larger than life he stuck the quirley into his mouth and lit it up.

"Step away from the boy Mal. This is between you and me."

Mal took one long look at Somebody and he laughed long and hard. Then with a mocking salute he backed away slowly from Kid's body

Walking tall as if he didn't have a scratch on his body, Somebody approached Kid.

"A bit late to the social eh old timer?"

Somebody chuckled. "Don't be like me boy, while you live your life pay attention to the signs. There are always signs."

Kid nodded a silent thank you and watched as Somebody walked towards Mal. Every eye in the immediate area was watching this life and death standoff.

"On three Mal." Somebody proclaimed when there were no more than a few feet between them. "One, two, three!"

Somebody drew, cocked his hammer back and let his revolver roar. Unfortunately his shot was off the mark, because in the span of the few seconds after he drew and before he fired, a bullet crashed into the side of his belly knocking him off balance. Somebody doubled over but held on tightly to his gun. Playing with his opponent Mal shot him again. The impact completely turned Somebody around and back. He stumbled in the street but refused to fall. Mal fired a third time; the shot hit Somebody's upper body and blew out the other side. It might have been then that it dawned on Mal he had wasted three of his six bullets with Kid. Having failed to drop his opponent, he needed to reload. Somebody straightened out his body, pain written all over his face, blood slipping past his lips. He grinned and leveled his gun.

"My turn."

There may be no deeper silence then one after a fatal gunshot. Mal's face went from amusement to an ugly twisted resemblance of shock. Blood blossoming on his shirt, he attempted to hold himself up but his body gave way and he fell face first into the dust. Somebody sighed so loudly it might have been heard across county lines. His revolver turned in his hand and slipped from his fingers, spinning into the dirt. He then fell onto his back his arm spread wide open. The townsfolk dashed into the street. They stared down at their sheriff, eyes wide, unbelieving, as if they couldn't understand what had just occurred and why.

All this Kid saw from the ground. He wished with all his might that Somebody would survive those shots. But deep down he knew he was asking for too much. He thought briefly about the short time they had spent together. After concluding Somebody did gain his victory Kid allowed himself to black out

XXXX

Elmore King awoke a day and a half later to discover that he had been patched up by Eve. She had even collected Somebody's hat and weapons before thieves could get at them. Once his mind was clear he began to worry that the townsfolk might try and avenge their leader. But vengeance never came. The citizens wandered about aimlessly as if they had just come out of a dream. No one ever spoke about Mal, the Priest or the war between them.

As he healed up, Eve and Elmore got to know each other. Eventually she'd wander into his room and ask "what now?" It was green eyes or green grass for Mr. King. He chose green eyes. They settled down somewhere in Texas. But every now and then he'd get restless. He'd leave home for awhile drifting here and there, and following the signs. See Elmore did not perform good deeds or fight for justice for fame or pleasure; he did it because somebody asked him to.