Jin moved away from Kazuya, only when the younger one gathered himself enough to remain on his feet without trembling, and with Liwan standing close enough to support him if anything. Only then the horrified young gunman returned through the rock crevasse for their horses, which were waiting there patiently and innocently, not aware of the brutal happenings in the village.
When Jin got back, leading Kuro and Ukushi on their reins, Liwan led them away from the destroyed pueblo, toward the mountain, which created the natural, though painfully useless, protection of the tribe. All three of them walked up along the secret and almost invisible path, until they reached the cave, which entrance could have been spotted only from a few-step distance.
Kame almost started to cry, when they found practically all children and most of women from the village hiding there. But in front of the survivors, the younger one was able to keep his emotions under control somehow. Jin watched him worriedly, when Kazuya squeezed little Beara in his hug. The Indian girl didn´t sob, despite having more than enough reasons for it, she was just shaking like a leaf in the wind, hiding herself in the young man´s arms.
The other kids were very quiet, obviously tired and scared to death. The Indian women were also sinking in silence and watched their arrival with tearful eyes, hugging their children tightly.
Along with Liwan, also Hawk Eye, who accompanied them on the search for Sioux rebels, survived the attack and two other young Indians. From the elder people, there was just the Shaman. Cloud Dancing had a bloody scratch on his head and a bandage on his right leg. The old Indian observed Jin and Kame with a serious and unreadable expression, not saying a single word.
After a touchy and tearful welcome, three young men gathered at the cave´s entrance, where Liwan´s father joined them soon after. They kept watching the fading smoke from the pueblo, which was now hidden behind the trees, while Liwan told them about what happened before they arrived.
"I was on my way to hunt, when they came," the young Indian started in a quiet voice. "The group of white gunslingers with scarves over their faces... We underestimated them, when we thought we were safe here. Their spy probably found out more than we expected. They did not come through the woods. They built the wooden rafts and crossed the lake."
Kame was listening to his friend in shocked silence, while Jin was trying hard to control himself and not to yell in pure frustration.
"There were many of them, too many," Liwan continued heavily. "Before our guards realized something was happening, they were already in the village... I heard gunshots, so I returned. They had no mercy. They wanted to kill everyone…" the Indian paused for a while, his very dark eyes staring somewhere far away. "I came across my father first; his leg was injured. Beara was with him. I dragged them to safety first. Our women escaped into this cave, as it was agreed before, but not all of them made it. I went back to village again, as soon as all of them were safe, but… When I came, it was too late already."
Liwan was standing there with his back straight, his head raised up proudly, but he was speaking in a moved voice, which revealed his true emotions clearly. It was hoarse and full of suppressed anger.
"Hawk Eye and the other two survived because they were out fishing," the Indian continued, suddenly cutting the words as if with a sharp knife. "Everybody else was killed by White Faces. If they had found this hideout, they would have killed the rest of us, too. They were looking for us, but they gave up eventually. I was watching them, when they left. They picked up their dead and crossed the lake again, landing somewhere on the south shore."
Liwan finished the longest talk Jin had ever heard from him and fell silent. Kazuya remained next to him, the sorrow curving his face, while Liwan´s one was perfectly cold, except the burning fire in his eyes. Cloud Dancing was sitting on the stone behind them, curled up in the warm blanket, and seemed like he was not paying attention to them, as his face was completely blank.
"Who was leading them?" Jin just had to ask; he needed to hear it, even though he knew the answer already.
Liwan turned slowly and looked at him.
"That man who wanted to shoot me in Bozeman," he replied with pure hatred in his voice.
Kame closed his eyes, saying nothing at all.
"Grenet," Jin spitted out that name with all disgust he felt.
"I thought so," the Indian nodded. "I was not sure, as you said he was in prison."
"He was. He was even condemned to death," Jin informed him. "But unfortunately, he escaped. We found out about it yesterday, that´s why we came back..."
"Ah, so…" Liwan reacted quietly. "How did he escape?"
"Karnaka´s gunmen got him out. They killed the soldiers, who guarded him," Jin replied frowning.
Liwan didn´t react on that.
Short silence followed, in which they didn´t look at each other. Liwan, Kame and Jin were sinking in their own thoughts for a short time. But despite that, there was some kind of agreement among three young men, which could be felt almost physically. The atmosphere was tense and heavy and the Shaman was watching their small circle with a painfully knowing look.
"This was definitely Karnaka´s order," Kame whispered in a quivering voice suddenly, with his eyes still closed.
"Yes, I know... He wanted to get rid of our tribe for long," Liwan added sharply.
Jin didn´t comment on it, his hands were hidden deep in his coat´s pockets and his eyes focused in the direction of the former pueblo.
Kame looked at his Indian friend wordlessly and Liwan repaid him that stare. Before the younger one could speak again, the Indian was faster.
"I will go with you," Liwan said.
Kame stared at his friend, lost of words.
Jin still kept silent. He didn´t have to be a genius to know, what those two were probably thinking. He was focused on the same thing for months already...
"Akanishi is not the only one seeking justice anymore," Liwan continued. "It is my duty to get payback for what was done to our tribe."
"But you also have responsibility for the survivors, Liwan," Kame objected. "You need to take care of the kids and women..."
The Indian frowned. He knew that his white brother was right. There wasn´t anyone capable enough to take care of what was left from their tribe. But he had no intention to give up on the most important thing first, and that was a payback for all those dead, so that their spirits could rest in the Eternal Hunting Grounds in peace.
"I know and I will take care of them," Liwan reacted determined. "But this comes first. They can stay here for a short while. My main and most important task now is to avenge our tribe. The acts of that man cannot remain unpunished."
"I understand, but..." Kame hesitated.
"There are no more excuses, Kame," Jin joined the conversation. "I fully agree with Liwan. I wouldn´t be able to look at myself, if we didn´t do something. The time has come... And don´t even think you will omit me from this," he stated with his eyes focused at the Indian.
"Not at all, Akanishi," Liwan reacted. "As far as I remember, you were the first one who came up with revenge idea on that powerful White Face."
"That´s completely right," Jin nodded seriously. "And there´s nothing to wait for now. We know where Karnaka resides. The sooner we make our move, the less he will expect it."
"But Grenet will not be there probably," Kame assumed gloomily. "It would be too risky for Karnaka in the current situation."
"We can deal with Grenet later," Jin reacted. "Karnaka is the one giving the orders. And I will not let that old son of a bitch go with this at any cost."
"I agree," Liwan stated firmly.
Kame took a breath, already giving up on any objections. He wanted Karnaka and Grenet pay for what they did as well. He would just feel better if it did not bring Liwan and Jin into danger again.
"We need a plan," he said, trying to suppress the shaking of his hands.
"We´re three clever heads, we will figure something out," Jin stated self-confident.
"For once, I have no doubts about that," the Indian nodded deadly serious.
*
It took them a few hours to discuss, what would be the best way to deal with Raynold Karnaka once for all. When they were finished, none of them wanted to lose any more time.
They had a specific goal now, on which they could focus and push the pain and sorrow a little deeper inside of them.
Only the old shaman didn´t say a word during the whole time; he just watched three young men gathered in the circle and discussing their payback. He didn´t say anything because he knew, that once they had decided, there was absolutely nothing what could stop them. Not to mention he didn´t even want to do that...
*
There was one woeful task, which they had to carry out first, before they could proceed with their plan. Liwan, Kame, Jin and other three remaining young Indians had to gather all dead. There was no way they would let the poor Indians rot on the ground, thrown around like puppets without strings.
One by one, in common voiceless efforts, they placed all bodies into the rock cracks located north of the village. According to the usual customs of Blackfeet Tribe, the deceased were put inside, in the arms of cold rocks, along with their most precious belongings and covered by stones, to prevent wild animals from reaching them.
Cloud Dancing was preparing for the long rituals meanwhile, assuring his son that he would do them all by himself, so that Liwan could leave.
In the end, with the Shaman´s blessing, almost all men set off on the journey from the poor sanctuary. Only Cloud Dancing, all women and kids, and the youngest warrior stayed to protect them. Jin, Kame, Liwan, Hawk Eye and one of other two Indians left the mourning tribe behind.
They travelled together until the first big valley, which cut the Rocky Mountains landscape toward the north. The Indians separated from the two young white men there, heading to their own task.
They kept watching the small group until the first turning, where Liwan turned his horse back to them and made that sign with his hand, which Jin had already seen before. Kame greeted him back, making the same circle in the air in front of him, too. Then the Indian part of their expedition was gone and they continued to the civilization, feeling much older than during the opposite journey, but at the same time more determined than ever.
***
The stalls behind Harada´s Saloon were almost empty, but still the warmness of the animal bodies was filling up the space, together with the smell of hay and faint scent of dung. Jin was leaning over the wooden counter of one of many stables, listening to any suspicious noise, which might have warned him to hide himself. He was waiting for Kazuya´s return.
They reached Bozeman two days after they witnessed the atrocity in the Indian pueblo, sneaking toward the saloon hopefully unseen. Jin refused to proceed on his own journey, unless they made sure about the situation in the city first. Kame set off to check out on it, while he was left in the stalls impatient and nervous.
Who knew what else those fuckers of Karnaka might have planned? Who knew where Grenet was hiding at that moment?
Jin flinched at the sudden warm touch on his neck. It was Kuro, who sensed the tension of his master and nudged him with his muzzle, snorting into Jin´s ear. Jin turned to face his faithful black friend and caressed him gratefully. It was as if Kuro always knew what to do to help him.
The fast light steps were heard outside the stalls. It could have been Kame, but it could have been also somebody else. Jin didn´t wait for the entrance to be opened, grabbed the top of the counter and jumped over it swiftly, hiding himself behind the strong body of his horse.
A gust of the ice-cold air blew inside, before the door was closed again. Jin didn´t see the owner of the steps from behind Kuro and he was too careful to look out, until the soft voice was heard: "Jin?"
"I´m here," he let Kame know about himself, when he recognized him and approached the counter again.
The younger´s face relaxed a little, when he spotted the older one and stepped to Kuro´s stable from the opposite side.
"So?" Jin asked curiously.
"Captain and his soldiers are here; they´ve returned yesterday," Kame informed him about what he had found out.
"And empty-handed, I guess," the older one murmured.
"Unfortunately," Kame nodded. "They had found some tracks after the big group of riders in the end, but they were old and Grenet long gone."
"Did you tell Walker about what happened?" Jin asked.
"No, I haven´t talked with him yet, just with Harada. But I will inform him about it, I have a feeling we can trust the captain."
"I feel the same about him," Jin nodded in agreement. "Just… I suppose you do not intend to mention our… plan?"
"Of course not," Kame replied quietly and he handed him a little package. "Here, something on the road. I asked Miss McBain to prepare some late lunch."
"Thanks," Jin took it with a grateful nod and took it to Kuro´s saddle, feeling Kazuya´s worried look on himself.
"What about Grenet´s men?" he asked, while hiding the food inside his bag.
"It seems almost all of them are back now," Kame replied in a serious tone.
"Any troubles?"
"Not yet."
Jin returned to the counter and looked right into the younger´s eyes.
They stood there for a while; silent, and anxious about their separation, but there was no other option. If they wanted to do what they had decided, some proper cover was necessary. They couldn´t disappear both. It would have definitely turned against them later. Most of all, they were both determined to stop Karnaka forever and their personal desires had to step aside for the moment.
"Will you be all right?" Jin asked with his throat tight.
"I will… After we will be done with that inhuman man," Kame whispered repaying his look. "Jin, promise me, you´ll be careful," he urged on the other.
Instead of a spoken reply, Jin leant closer to the younger one and placed a soft reassuring kiss on his lips. Kazuya backed off, putting one of his palms on Jin´s neck.
"Extremely careful," he insisted on his request, not letting Jin distract him.
"I promise," Jin said. "Only in case you´ll promise me the same."
"Deal," Kame nodded with a heavy heart. "Will you find the way to my house?"
"Do you dare to doubt my sense of direction?" Jin asked, pretending to be insulted.
Kazuya´s smile was so sad, that Jin almost reconsidered his decision to leave. Just the idea of not knowing what would be happening with his handsome bartender made him feel awfully anxious.
"Of course not," Kame assured him then.
"That´s good to hear... We´ll see each other soon, all right?" Jin wanted to sound encouragingly, but it didn´t turn out as good as he hoped. No matter how brave and determined Kame was trying to look, he was deeply shaken by that awful massacre and Jin hated the idea of leaving him there alone.
"I´ll be waiting," Kame nodded and let his hand fall from Jin´s shoulder.
Jin mounted his faithful horse and led him through the exit opened by Kame. As he said before, it was time to settle the unfinished business. The time to show to Raynold Karnaka, there was justice in the world and that it could come to him from somebody else than from God, who was obviously too busy with other, more important stuff to pay attention to one of many cruel bastards on the Wild West.
***
A sharp crack of the whip, which cut through the crystal-clear and frosty air, was followed by a pained scream.
"I said no slacking off, shithead!" an angry voice of one of his guards resounded on the back yard, where a several of slaves were chopping off the wood for the supplies.
Raynold Karnaka let another cloud of white smoke escape his lips, almost finishing his cigar. He had a good view from the veranda, so that he could observe the back part of his property comfortably seated in the armchair.
"Back to work! Now!" another strict order was heard and the punished slave crawled to gather as many wooden logs as he could.
The master of the white mansion smiled. Everything was working precisely just as the clock in his workroom. Everything and everyone was obeying his orders.
He had always enjoyed that feeling of power over other insignificant human beings. Being able to decide about other people´s lives or deaths brought him satisfaction. Nobody could resist him; everyone – women or men – were falling onto their knees in front of him. Nobody could stand in his way without paying the highest price possible.
It took him long years to reach this position, of being the one who decides. He might have been old now, but he was powerful and feared man, and he felt that everything what he had ever done was worth of this.
The slaves were working quietly and fast. Karnaka watched them from his armchair, dousing the cigar. They were nothing more than insects. Just tools, which kept his household in motion. The slaves had no meaning for him. The more powerful and richer he was, the more he enjoyed his opponents. The wiser and stronger they were, the more he enjoyed playing games with them.
Such as Major General Ord. It was interesting to face the skillful man after a long time, but he was already too focused on his upcoming retirement and he could have been easily influenced.
As for Captain Walker, he was a harder nut to crack. It was the man in his best years, clever, stubborn and worst of all – honest. He couldn´t be corrupted, he didn´t get discouraged by threats. This military leader lost almost all his subordinates already, but he still didn´t give up. Even though Walker was not a big burden to him yet, Karnaka appreciated this man.
And then there were those two very annoying brats, who were stupid enough to make an enemy to themselves from him. He had to admit that they were very persistent and in a way, he enjoyed dealing with them.
They were like what they were thanks to his influence. Both youngsters were his creations, probably chasing after their creator at the very moment. He expected them to come – Kamenashi as well as Akanishi. He destroyed their families and now he stroke the final blow over them thanks to the great idea of his most loyal servant. Raynold would have been disappointed if they didn´t come for revenge for the Blackfeet Tribe. He was looking forward to meet them again.
He didn´t know what Akanishi was like before he came to his farm, and how much he was influenced by his decisions. Though as came to Kamenashi, he knew that he was a very kind and nice man, a protector of those dirty red skins and very fond of his poor sick mother. Karnaka was quite curious about what could have awoken in that young man after all those disasters piled up on his head. He wanted to know what kind of man he was now.
Karnaka just had to make sure that his guards wouldn´t be so hasty to shoot them to death before his confrontation with both youngsters could have happened; that would be such a shame.
Math Grenet was a little different case. Raynold awoke all negative characteristics in the man and sharpened them into perfection. Math was a dangerous, but very effective tool to have at hand. He could always get out of control, but the thrill of that possibility satisfied Karnaka, too.
Suddenly, Raynold was disturbed from his deep thoughts by the familiar voice behind his back.
"You should come inside, my lord. This freezing air is not good for your health."
"Cameron," Karnaka focused on his subordinate. "I expected you to return sooner…"
"I apologize, sir," Cameron lowered his head. "I was hold back in Bozeman."
"I suppose you have a lot of news then," Karnaka got up from his armchair slowly.
"Yes, sir. I will report you about everything. I had already prepared a hot tea inside."
"You know me well, Cam," Karnaka assumed, already heading back into the house. "That´s just what I need right now. But a little whiskey to it would do no harm."
"It´s prepared too, my lord."
*
"Everything was performed according to your orders, sir. Almost all Blackfeet Tribe´s Indians are dead. It seems that only a few women and kids escaped and they won´t survive the winter in the mountains."
Karnaka frowned unsatisfied at the first information.
"I said to kill them all," he stated coldly.
"They resisted fiercely, sir. Meanwhile, those women hid themselves somewhere and Math and his men couldn´t find them."
"In case they were looking for them at all," Karnaka murmured.
"I doubt they would dare not to, sir."
"All right... I have no intention to bother with them anymore; the main purpose of it was accomplished... Where is Math now?"
"In Livingstone," Cameron replied stiffly. "Though, he wasn´t happy about your following orders…"
"I don´t care about what he is or isn´t happy," the old man stated. "He should realize that I could have let him swing on the rope easily."
"I suppose he realizes that, sir. But he became really difficult to deal with, I´m afraid he might get out of our control completely."
"Why do you think so, Cameron? Explain in details," Karnaka demanded.
"As you ordered, I met with him in Livingstone. He was already there in front of myself…"
*
It was an early evening, when Cameron arrived to the dirty place, which dared to bear a notice ´Saloon´. Following the instructions of the place´s owner, who was one of many people in debt towards Cameron´s dear master, he headed to the small back room, which was hidden behind the main taproom. He heard some suspicious noises and moans from behind the door, but that didn´t stop him from opening them and going inside.
The servant´s eyes narrowed as he observed the scene on the table in the corner of faintly lit room, where two bodies were moving against each other, exhaling fast between the heavy gasps for breath. Or more precisely to say, panting Grenet was almost crushing the skinny body of a painfully groaning harlot with his furious thrusts into her womb, using such a force that it was a miracle the poor table hold off against it.
Cameron shut the door behind himself louder that necessary, but the sharp thud didn´t interrupt the man from finishing his task at all. With a long satisfied exhale, Grenet came inside the woman, even though she was hitting him over the chest to push the man away. The killer pulled out of her only when he caught his breath again.
Cameron watched with an unmoved expression, as Grenet let the harlot go of his grip and zipped up his pants. The brunette slipped off the table shaking, her cheeks wet with tears. She folded her skirt down and looked at her customer.
"I´ll pay you off later, get out now," Grenet sent her away lazily, as he made himself comfortable in the chair.
The woman hesitated; she was probably afraid she would not get paid at all.
"But…"
"Get lost, bitch, if you don´t wanna piss me off!"
The harlot lowered her head, rushing to the door. Only then, Cameron noticed it was a very young girl and not a woman, as he thought at the first glance. He waited until the door was closed again and focused on the man in front of him fully.
Grenet had already lit up the cigarette between his lips and was welcoming him with a wide grin.
"It took you so long that I got bored," the man informed Cameron.
"Your behavior is disgusting as always," Cameron assumed coldly.
"Dear Cam... There´s nothing disgusting about fucking somebody. It´s just fun. You should try it sometimes," Grenet mocked him satisfied. "At least once before you die."
"I don´t think that you´re in the position to worry about me, Grenet. You were not supposed to let anyone see you here. You risk too much."
"Nah, is there a warrant issued on me already? I don´t think so. I´ll be fine."
"We cannot risk that. You will not stay here," Cameron stated firmly.
"Says who?"
"Mr. Karnaka, of course. Your order is clear – as inconspicuously as possible you will leave this area."
"I don´t think so, I have some unfinished business here…" Grenet objected immediately.
"Unfinished business?" Cameron repeated with his eye brows raised. "What do you mean?"
"Don´t act a stupid one, Cam. Indians were not the only annoying fuckers around here. I have a score to settle with that bastard Akanishi for the massage he gave to my face."
Cameron thought that Grenet couldn´t look any uglier than he already did, even if the young gunman had tried to accomplish it, but he kept that for himself.
"And then there´s our baby boy Kamenashi. He hasn´t got a lesson from me yet," Grenet continued with an awful smirk.
"Well, you can forget about that, Grenet," Cameron informed him.
"What?" the man hissed out. "What did you just say?"
"Mr. Karnaka doesn´t wish you to stay around here anymore. If you´re arrested again, it will mean troubles for him. You´re ordered to leave to Fort Collins. There is a job set up for you already."
"Fort Collins?!" Grenet burst out. "Are you kidding me? That´s in Colorado! It will take ages to get there in this season!"
"That´s the point," Cameron reacted stiffly. "You´re supposed to escape. You´re fugitive now and we cannot afford it to influence the business of our boss here."
Grenet stood up, his face getting redder and angrier with each second.
"Do you have something to tell me, Grenet? Objections against your superior´s order?" Cameron asked still perfectly calm.
Grenet gritted his teeth: "I´m sure that Boss would appreciate if I dealt with those two."
"Mr. Karnaka will deal with Akanishi and Kamenashi according to his judgement, you don´t have to be involved anymore."
"I will say it more clearly then... You will go back to Karnaka with my request – I want to be the one to deal with them!"
Cameron was thinking quickly. The situation came to the very dangerous point, when Grenet would really get out of control. There was a too big risk for his master and he had to deal with it wisely.
"All right… You´ve been very useful, Grenet, and loyal. I understand you want to solve some issues personally…"
"You surprise me, Cam! You´re able of some thinking, good. I thought you´re just Karnaka´s dog."
The servant avoided to react on the offense, as Grenet was not worth of any argument.
"I will return to the farm and present your request to Mr. Karnaka. I´m sure he will assign you some men to help with the task."
"I don´t think that will be necessary," Grenet opposed. "Danny is with me already, he´s guarding next door. And Brad promised to come, too."
"I´ve noticed," Cameron nodded. "But I think at least one more should accompany you, just for sure."
Grenet shrugged, obviously calming down.
"Ok, let´s play it safe. Not that they would have a chance against me now..."
"I´ll do it under one condition," Cameron continued. "You´ll stay here, unnoticed, until my return or your helpers´ arrival, is that clear?"
Grenet´s expression told Cameron that he was not very happy about that and didn´t seem to agree.
"You don´t want to cause any more problems to your boss, do you?" Cameron asked the other man with an obvious threat in his voice.
And Grenet finally remembered who his employer was.
"Of course not!" he exclaimed hastily, searching for another cigarette. "All right, I´ll wait here. I´ll enjoy myself a little meanwhile. Just don´t take too long, Cam…"
*
Raynold Karnaka listened to his servant without any remarks until the end.
"You did well, Cameron. But what should I do with this stubborn gunman now?"
"That is up to your decision, sir."
"What do you think I should do with him? I want to hear your opinion."
"Well… I think that Grenet´s behavior is too unpredictable, when it comes to those two. I don´t think we should let him deal with them, at least not now. Moreover, he´s too exposed in Livingstone. Walker won´t let it go easily, if somebody mentions spotting Grenet there. It would bring us only inconveniences, sir. I recommend proceeding with your previous decision to show him off to Fort Collins."
"Good, I was wondering if you think the same as me. Assign three men plus Brad to force him to leave Livingstone at the earliest possibility. Accompany them there and hand my decision over to him."
"And if he resists anyway?"
Karnaka´s look focused on his servant´s face: "I´m sure you know what to do in that case, Cameron…" he replied slowly.
"Sure, my lord," Cameron nodded calmly.
"Well, and now when we solved out this issue, what about our two young rebels?" Karnaka asked.
"Kamenashi had already showed up in the city, it seems that he discussed some serious issue with Walker, who set off to the woods again then," the servant replied.
"So, he found out?"
"Probably, sir. But they keep it quiet for now."
"Interesting. What about Akanishi?"
"No sign of him. It seems as if he stayed in the mountains or left somewhere else. He was not with Kamenashi, as far as I know. They were spotted in the morning a few days ago together, but not since then."
"So, nobody made a fuss about the Indians?"
"No, at least not yet, sir."
"Isn´t it suspicious?"
"A little, sir," Cameron nodded.
"Hmm... All right, double the guards, before you leave to Livingstone," Karnaka decided. "But make sure everybody knows that I don´t want any white youngsters, who might appear, to be killed."