Henry puts down the wounded coyote.
Culver watches as the wounded coyote is dispatched and his focus returns to normal, and the rest scatter. He approaches Perry, and watches his examination of the cattle. He then approaches the fallen coyote and briefly examines them.
”We should see if they are rabid. Perry, I could use your help when you are done over there... and anyone else with some medical training. Do these look rabid?”
After, he stands up and nods at Hank.
”We did not do much Hank, scaring Coyote is not especially dangerous. Could you fill us in on what you are really expecting? I think that our ... lack of coordination came from confusion about how dangerous these are. Are there bigger threats that you expect from Slade McIntyre? Coyotes are skittish you would not have hired us if this was the worst to expect. We may be greenhorn cowboys but these creatures did not even fight back.”
Once Perry completes his examination of the steer he moves to the dead coyotes checking for signs of rabies. (or starvation?)
"I think we're thinking the same thing. Five coyotes are hardly any danger to a herd. Were these the killers of that steer? Were they crazed or starving? There are questions that need to be answered."
While the others ask questions, Henry reloads his gun and checks on the Cow.
Perry notes that there are gunshot wounds on the steer.
The coyotes, however, seem to be healthy... well, except for being dead.
Perry nods when he sees the gun shot wounds. It was what he had felt he might find. "Hank, We've got bigger problems than a few coyotes, or at least the four legged kind. Check out these wounds. The coyotes were just covering up the real crime."
"Coyotes are scavengers and if they're hungry they'll eat pretty much any fairly fresh meat. Somebody dropped this steer before they got here. What should we do with the carcass? Don't want to leave it here where it'll draw every buzzard or other carrion eater for many miles!"
"Anybody here good at tracking? Might ride around and see if you can pick up tracks of whoever shot this one?"
Wei steps forward and tries to see which direction the Steer fell, that might give a good place to start looking for the tracks of the shooter.
"If the beasts meat is still viable we should take it back to the Ranch, why would someone kill this steer? Had it been to lure us into an ambush we would already be under fire."
"Agreed. But you seem to be right, someone shot this animal. It's not the first we've found, but it is the least eaten we've seen. Tie a couple of ropes to it and let's drag it back."
Culver says "Hold a moment" and grabs a buck knife from his bag, digging out the slugs from inside of the steer. He examines the caliber to try to determine whether they would have been fired from long or short range. "Let me take a few minutes to search for where these came from." He then whistles for Yavev, searching for a little while until he finds some sort of tracks, and paying attention to the direction from where the steer was shot. He clutches the beads and feathers on hanging from a leather strap around his neckclose to his chest and periodically mutters to himself in muscogee as he searches.
When the others show interest and skill, Perry, and Shadow, follow along looking for where the shooter might have been standing when he/they shot the steer. If they locate that Perry signals Shadow to assist tracking by scent.
Unfortunately, you do not find much in the way of tracks. It is hard to tell how far the shot was, or what direction. A few of you think you could follow the coyotes, but even Hank agrees that is not much use now that you know a person is responsible.
You drag the animal back to the ranch, and Hank points at a couple of you to help him hang it in the barn. Then he suggests you all get a good nights rest.
Next morning, you start to rise and splash water on your face, when you hear a shout. "Hop to! We got company coming!"
For those that take a quick look, you see 10 riders on horses coming down the long road to the entrance of the ranch.
Perry grabs his gear, whistles for Shadow to come, then moves out to watch the riders approach.
Henry exits his room and makes his way down the stairs. "So, I take it we're not expecting guests?"
He is conspicuously not armed.
Wei comes down with the others, his Sai ticked into his belt behind him. He does his best to blend in with the rest of Mr. Cordon men.
The men ride in, and come up to the porch as Mr. Cordon comes out to see to the matter.
"Gentlemen," he says. "What can we do you for?"
The lead man grunts, and says "We hear you are having problems with your cattle. Ya know, cattle ranching can be a heartbreakin' business. Once you lose one, and then another, you gotta ask yerself, 'Is this what I really wanna be doing with the rest of my short, short life.'"
The man just stares at him.
Culver watches the scene develop from the door, his rifle resting in the crook of his arm
Hearing the insulting conversation, Perry watches his employers for any cue of how he wants the situation handled....
John Cordon, not a man easily frightened, stares right back. "As you can see, I am not without some protection. If you want to be able to leave my ranch, I suggest you get going now, before trouble starts."
The lead thug chuckles. "See there, John, you missed the point. Trouble's already started, when you decided to get into the cattle business around here. There just ain't room for you. You got 2 weeks to sell you land and what's on it to Mr. McInyrne, or you just might not find it has any value left. Tick tock."
With a nod of his head, the riders all begin turning their horses to head back they way they came. One of them looks over at Shadow and says "Better keep that mutt down, boy."
Unless you start something more, they trot away without further incident.
Perry says nothing, but he focuses his attention on the speaker. He wants to remember him for later.
Culver waits for the thugs to leave and then turns to Cordon. "Mr. Cordon, this is the type of trouble I do not mind helping with. Is this your first run-in with McInyrne's goons?"
Breathing a sigh of relief when they ride away, Henry mutters something to himself then says "We should expect they'll be back in a day or two, and start preparing for that; outlaws aren't really known for their patience."
"Well, it's the first time his goons have paid a visit. He made a few veiled threats before, and of course I know he has a reputation for being a merciless businessman. I didn't think he would resort to outright bullying, though. You all get about your chores, but keep an eye open for trouble. I would appreciate it if you could pair up and decide a rotation for a constant watch, here at the house."
Henry starts looking at the others to see who it would be best for him to pair up with.
"I believe that Perry and I would work together well, neither of us use guns things can be resolved, quietly."
Perry hears his name mentioned and nods to the man. "True. Our weapons don't draw as much attention as a gun shot."
"Problem is, do we guard here, or the herd. I'm thinking their most likely target next is to kill more of the herd. Maybe we should prepare for that?"
”I am happy to take a watch alone. My wolf can serve as eyes and ears if I need it - and we may not have enough people to spare for doubling up. We can watch whatever he group seems best - but if you all want, I can lay some traps around the property. I am loathe to hurt horses so we could put them in the spaces only accessible by foot, such as gullys. Mr. Cordon, if you have a bit of spare materials I could improvise a few things. That said, I’d also like to ride around and get a lay of the weak areas of our defenses.”” After the conversation, Culver will range a bit and make a map of the property to the best of his ability.
[ooc]I was looking to see who would want to pair with me.[/b]
Over the next few days, there are no signs of trouble, but you make some preparations and the other hands take up the slack in daily chores. On the fourth night, though, Henry hears a horse off in the distance, and shortly after, sees a glint of moonlight reflecting of something metal moving in the distance. It looks like trouble is coming...
Henry helps out as he can, but it soon becomes clear that he doesn't really have a knack for laying out physical traps.
Henry swats Culver on the arm and then points in the direction before instinctively reaching for a pistol that isn't there.
Realizing his mistake, he points back at the house.
Culver nods and makes a running gesture with his finger, then points back at the house and makes a “wake up” face. He tells Yahvev to lay low behind tall grass for a moment and draws his bow while kneeling nearby. He did not have his horse with him during watch as it would’ve been too obtrusive. He whispers a few short prayers as he readies for an attack. He hopes Henry will be back in time.
ZZZZzzzzZzZzzzZZzzzZzzzzz
Henry shrugs then nods before heading back towards the house.
Henry makes it back to the house without giving himself away.
Wei wakes quickly, "I am not trained is moving through this terrain quietly, I could wait for you to get into position
and act as... bait
Perry wakes, grabs weapons and whistles low for Shadow to follow. "The advantage the enemy has from the darkness is offset by our knowledge that he is there. Remember that he can't see us any better than we see him."
Henry first goes to their employer and informs him of the situation, then goes to the bunkroom and gets everyone up quietly.
Then, against his better judgement, he goes and gets his pistols.
As Henry gets the others awake, John heads down to the front door in his nightshirt.
"Who is out there? Get off my land, or you may find more than you are looking for!"
Suddenly shots ring out. Culver watches as 5 flashes of light proceed the sound. A few hit the house, one clips John's shoulder, and then an almost perfect shot hits the rancher right in the forehead, killing him.
Culver reels at the rapport, and turns towards it. He peers towards the sound and looks for any foes.
If they're farther than 60', he stands up, whistles for Jack, and moves towards the barn. Jack comes running and Culver readies to mount him. Regardless, he shouts, "Cordon is down, we need to fight!" at the people in the house.
Culver whistles for Jack, who kicks down the door and runs towad him. Yahvev stays hidden in the grass, and readies to pounce on anyone with a weapon that he doesn't recognize the smell of.
Henry blinks as Cordon starts yelling, thinking to himself That's not smart. It just tells them where you are. A moment later, Henry's intuition proves true in deadly fashion.
Watching the man fall, Henry does some quick mental math and shouts out "Cordon's been hit in the shoulder! I'm going to haul him inside. Keep fighting!"
He then proceeds to pick up the body like you would help up someone injured and carry it inside.
The men outside start to close in on the house as Henry drags Cordon inside.
It is still dark outside, but it doesn't seem to be affecting the men closing in.
Wei moves to the nearest gunman, drawing his Sai as he moves. He attempts to take the mans gun.
-
The main tong of the weapon slides into the trigger guard and with a twist Wei sends the gun spinning from the man's hand.
He says quietly to the man. "You should not be here"