-What have you come for? Everyone will find out that you are here. Several people will want to hand you over to Ycan.
The manager was right. She was highly sought after, but like the lone rider. If she became a simple civilian, no one would find out.
-I've come for strong men, you know I mean mercenaries. I have business to settle with Ycan. You know I'm tired of all this, my life hasn't been going the way I wanted it to.
The manager with his green eyes watched him, and asked.
─I know how you feel. It's hard life. Everything has gone up, payments have been going down, and all because of rumors of a possible war with the north.
─War? Facing the north?
─Yes, just as you heard.
─I didn't know that, in Cowerdon the news doesn't get through.
-Changing the subject, I know a group of mercenaries who call themselves The Night Silencers. They are strong men, afraid of nothing. Willing to fight for several gold coins. Although they will arrive in three days, you can stay at the Hotel. After all this is a hotel too.
The manager smiled after having commented.
-Thank you, sir.
Our authorities have fought to keep us out of the reach of Ycan's forces.
Who are these authorities?
─Mayor Williams and Commissioner Robert.
─Robert?
─Yes, do you know him?
Coraline mused and uttered a few words.
─Of course not.
-Sorry, for not recognizing you Lady White.
-Don't worry, anyone thinks I'm dead, but it seems I'm still alive. Besides, you needn't worry.
Lady White raised her glass and took a sip of water.
The news traveled in every mouth and in every whisper, the town was not the only one to hear of her coming, one of the men of the town who quickly recognized the Lone rider's attire and stood up.
He walked to her and placed his hand forcefully a pale sheet of paper in front of the outlaw's face. On the paper were the faces of the Lone Rider and Lady White.
- Have you ever seen this traitor and this Lone Rider?
─The traitor already died years ago.
─They say she has the same ring you wear and the same hat you are wearing. Plus her head is worth more than the crown of the kings of England. Of course being wanted in five nations isn't easy, is it, Coraline?
The man finished speaking as he slowly drew his gun.
- Can I drink my glass of water? Because I didn't come here looking for trouble
she asked as she slowly raised the glass.
-Water? Trouble? You think this is a joke. You're the problem.
Robert asked confusedly.
Coraline stood up quickly, grabbing her silver gun, turning boldly. And pointed it at Robert.
-Look, look, look what the wind brought us, Coraline, the town legend, the Lone Rider. Better yet, Her Highness's Lady turned outlaw. Lady White, I knew your death was too credible to be true.
Commented the man. slowly approaching.
-Of course, you certainly saw me die, but that's not the case, I think it's not surprising to see a man yield easily to the feet of a woman, or I mean Lady Ycan's feet, isn't it Robert?
She asked staring into Robert's brown eyes.
-I think that's over now, but... wait, if I remember correctly, you gave in to her as well. If only you had seen yourself on the enemy's side before....
When he was interrupted by Coraline.
-Well, what did I come for? Oh, I remembered. I came to look for a dead man. Do you know where I can find one? Because I think there's going to be one here.
Replied Coraline, she raised her gun about to pull the trigger, to shoot to end the fight, when she heard the voice of an old man.
Their hearts were so far apart that they would never come together to love each other again. Each had gone their separate ways, separating for irrational reasons in life. And now they were about to kill each other. What madness, but Robert didn't want to kill her. He loved her, only secretly.
-Stop!" shouted a white-bearded man in a tall top hat:
-Sorry our welcome Lady White, welcome to your town, we're on the same side, aren't we, Sheriff Robert? ─The mayor meant it.
-Sorry for my behavior, Mayor William, I promise this will not be repeated," Robert apologized as he ducked his face to put his gun away.
-I hope so, because if it happens again there will be no second chances ─Advised the mayor, taking off his hat.
-How are we on the same side? ─Coraline said, tucking her gun into her belt.
-As you may have heard, we are in the same situation, with the same enemy, and as my late father used to say, the Enemy of my Enemy is my Friend. We are fighting against the dark lady or Ycan. She came here and devastated our village, but we managed to resist, come with me to see before nightfall how everything went -While he walked towards the outskirts of the inn -You know, you should not distrust me, we all want and fight for the same thing, even if you think it is not the same... Do you see the houses? The houses or whatever you want to call them, many have run out of water and their owners have fled to different towns because of hunger, we have not been attacked by any bandits but sooner or later we will fall into the same circle as it has happened to others, here we need water, water is worth more than money, if you control the water you have everything and that is what Lady Black has managed to do. Here we will give you shelter if you save our people, we will consolidate your glory so that they will no longer look for you -Mayor while looking at the void with a disconsolate look.
-I know we suffered the same and went through the same, I am willing to fight for the same cause but I did not come to make alliance, I came to find a group of mercenaries to enlist ─Commented Coraline clutching the porch railing.
-We help you in whatever you need, but we also want your help, so you say, will you support us? ─Responded the mayor persuading Coraline.
-Well, I'll help you, if that's the only good thing I can do -Responded Coraline looking at the moon.
-You will stay in one of our people's houses, that's where the shelter is when we were attacked, we took the children and women to the shelter. Our bank is now used as a factory, and we also save our money and water. Do you trust us? -The mayor finished by saying.
Coraline's brown eyes were beyond that, than on money and fame, she knew well they were fighting for the same thing, more if she needed revenge and to rescue her two children, she was looking for people to form her gang, but now they asked her. . they asked for her help.
-I want to get back some things Ycan stole from me and get revenge," she commented.
-Well, I'll see you in the morning at the mayor's office, I hope we get back the things you are looking for, happy night Coraline," replied the mayor retreating like a shadow.
Coraline had not seen Robert in a long time, although they loved each other once, things had changed, the memories of the last event that separated them revived in her mind.