Dokis, whiskey, and gun powder Part 7

	As the group left the village behind them, Anon looked up at the shining sun. Natsuki was better now, and the group seemed whole again. Anon rolled up his cigarette and struck a match off of his boot.

"Monika, when we get closer to the valley, I think we should have Yuri ride up front with us. If they're really as bad as Dakotah says, then we should keep a closer group. Also, I don't liker her back there by herself with no one to watch her back. Not that I don't think she COULDN'T handle herself, I just don't think she should have to."

Monika nodded, "I agree, it may be too dangerous to keep her back there."

"I'll go back and discuss it with her." Anon lightly pulled the reins of Sally to drop back.

"You're an idiot, Monika. Just ask him already." She murmured, watching Anon disappear behind her, "What's the worst he could do, say no?"

Monika looked to the sky, "It would be easier if the job just didn't end. Then we could keep traveling together."

"What's that, Monika?"

Monika nearly fell off of her horse, "Anon! I didn't notice you. Sorry, I'm just thinking out loud."

"Mmmhmm. Well, I talked to Yuri. She agreed to come up front and ride with us. When we stop for lunch we'll discuss the plan then,"

"O-Okay, Anon. That sounds good." She was blushing incredibly hard.

"Is there something on your mind, Monika?"

"Well...Anon...I-I do. I just don't kn-"

"Monika, I think we have company." Anon put his hand up immediately.

He began under his breath, "One, two, three....four, five...six....seven....eight, nine, ten...eleven...twelve. Shit, we might have a war party on our hands."

He whistled, and Yuri spurred her horse to the front of the pack.

"I counted four back there, Anon." She said, as she rode alongside him.

"Get back to the other two and warn them. Monika, guard up. We might have a war party on our hands."

Monika nodded and pulled her revolver out. Anon checked his own and loaded the one cylinder he kept empty.

He heard weapons being checked behind him.

"I didn't think we would have visitors this far up the mountain. I wonder how they knew about us." Monika said, her voice trembling slightly.

"I don't know, but I don't like this. Something's not right about it. We may have to just ride through, No stoppin'."

Monika nodded and began scanning the trees.

****

	It was well past noon, and the group had finally lost the war party.

"Anon, why would they just give up? Why would they come out here and do nothing with so many numbers?" Monika asked, holstering her weapon.

"I don't know. Maybe they figured we had seen them and were afraid they lost their element of surprise. Even then, if they feel they've been found they usually just attack."

"I'll drop back and let the others know."

"Yuri, if you would let them know we'll be stopping soon for lunch that would be great."

Yuri nodded and let the wagon catch her.

"Monika, you were saying something before we were interrupted?"

"Oh! I uh....can't remember, so it must've not been important."

Anon didn't believe her, but decided not to push it.

"Girls, there's a clearing coming up. We'll take our lunch there. I would like to make it as quick as possible."

All the girls sighed in relief. Anon figured they must have been hungry. Since he hadn't seen the war party in a while, he assumed they were in the clear.

As they pulled into the clearing, Anon scanned the area to see if there was any signs of people. It looked liked the area hadn't seen people for some time.

Anon hopped down from his horse and began gathering wood for a fire. Yuri seemed to still be worried about the war party, as she still had her rifle in her arms.

Soon a fire was going and Anon began cooking some of the deer meat. Sayori and Natsuki wouldn't stop asking if it was done yet. Monika stared at Anon with look of want and sadness.

"It's done, so you two can quit askin'."

He began passing the food around. Yuri still hadn't calmed herself, leaning herself and her rifle against the wagon.

"Monika, is there something on your mind? You haven't been the same since we left the village." Anon asked, breaking her from her trance.

"Oh, Anon. I-I'm fine. I wanted to ask yo-"

Anon saw a glint of metal from the tree line.

"Monika! Get down!" Anon screamed, leaping over the fire to tackle her to the ground. An arrow whizzed over his head as they both hit the ground.

"UNDER THE WAGON! NOW!" Anon yelled, as he pulled himself and Monika from the ground. He fanned his revolver at the tree line to give the girls cover. There was now a volley of arrows flying towards them.

Yuri had taken cover from behind the wagon and was firing back the the volley.

Anon heard fire coming from under the wagon. He wasn't sure who, but someone was firing from the group.

"Yuri! Left side!" Anon pulled his rifle from the wagon and began firing at the line of eight natives running towards them.

"Girls, continue fire on that tree line! Yuri. help me with the cavalry!"

Yuri nodded, reloading her rifle. Anon gave her cover with his rifle, hitting one the warriors.

Their war cries filled the air. He couldn't imagine how terrified the girls must be. He had seen the toughest of men break from the stress of an attack.

"Cover me! I'm out!" Anon took cover to reload. Natsuki had stuck her head out to help defend the wagon.

"Anon, where do you need me?

"Watch for the cavalry! Any of 'em get close enough, shoot 'em!"

Anon began to cover Yuri as she needed to reload.

The girls must have hit some of the archers as the arrow volleys became less frequent.

The shots rang out from under the wagon. Anon turned to see a bloody native lying next to where Natsuki lay.

"God damn savages!" Anon yelled, planting a round the native's chest.

He ran to the wagon to grab the other girl's long guns.

He lay them next to Natsuki, "Here' have Sayori lay fire on the tree line. Monika, I need you out here.
Yuri, crawl under the wagon for cover and get on that tree line. MOVE IT!"

The girls all scrambled to follow their orders. Sayori calmly began shooting towards the trees as Yuri helped Monika up. Yuri dove under the wagon and began doing her work.

"Blast the horses if you have to! Do not let them near the wagon!"

Anon heard the blast of Natsuki's 1887. She had made a wonderful mess of a native who had gotten to close.

"GOD DAMMIT! Keep these savages back!"

Anon began to push rounds into the load gate. Suddenly, he felt a weight drag him to the ground. A native had gotten the drop on him and was now wrestling him to the ground.

Anon gave him a swift punch to the nose to disorient him. Anon threw his rifle away. He couldn't use his revolver as he had emptied it on the tree line. As he reached for his knife, the native raised a large hunting knife in the air with both hands. He came down, but Anon managed to block the attack. Unfortunately, both of his arms were being used, and he had no leverage. All he could do was keep the attack at bay.

"You red-skinned fuck! You better kill me, because when I get up I'm tearing yer ass apart!"

Slowly, the knife began to come closer to Anon's face. Anon was at a disadvantage and had no leverage.

Anon began to panic. He looked around and noticed the natives were now encroaching the wagon. It seemed they had lost.

Anon strained his best to push back.

Suddenly, the natives arms were limp, and Anon's ears were ringing. Monika had blasted the enemy, and painted the ground near them a brilliant crimson with her coach gun.

"Anon! The girls need help!" Monika shouted, spending the other shell on a native reaching for Natsuki.

Anon pulled himself up and grabbed his rifle. It seemed the tree line had been taken care of, as there were no more arrows coming at them.

Their numbers had thinned. They were down to six men, and it was pretty clear they knew they were in trouble. One of them whistled, and they began their retreat.

"That's Right! Fuckin' savages!" Anon began firing at them, and had managed to hit one more in the back before the group disappeared into the woods.

"Girls, come on out. It's safe. Is anyone hurt?"

The girls slowly crawled from under the wagon through the snow. Anon noticed a but of blood where Yuri had crawled from.

"Yuri, where are you hit?"

She gave Anon a confused look, "I wasn't hit, Was I?"

Anon pointed to the ground, "That's coming from you. Climb up in the wagon so we can take a look."

Yuri hopped up with Anon, "You girls keep an eye out. Make sure they don't come back. As soon as we're done here we'll be heading out."

Yuri had removed her coat and was now looking herself over, "Anon, I don't see any wounds."

He grabbed her left arm where the sleeve had been turned red.

"Yuri, it looks like you were cut by an arrow. Not bad enough to be fatal, but it will need treated. It seems to have got you in the shoulder."

Yuri nodded.

"Yuri, can you....uh...remove your shirt. I need to be able to treat the wound."

Yuri turned a bright red, C-C-Can't I just roll up my sleeve? or at least have Monika treat the wound?"

Anon nodded, "Monika, can you come here for a minute."

Monika rounded the corner and peeked into the wagon, "What's wrong, Anon?"

"Well, Yuri has a small wound but she's uncomfortable with me treating it. Could you treat it for her?"

"Of course! Just keep watch while I do so."

Anon dropped down from the wagon as Monika made her way to Yuri.

****

	"How's your arm, Yuri?" Anon asked.

"Oh, it's fine. I actually don't really feel anything. Is it weird that I didn't notice?"

"Nah. I've heard of it before. Some soldiers in the civil war talk about that. They would get shot or stabbed but were so enveloped in the battle they never noticed until much later."

Yuri nodded, "I-I appreciate your willingness to help me. I-I j-just didn't fee-"

"Don't sweat it. All that matters is that you're fine."

The sun was now setting and they were making their way to the valley. Luckily the further down they went the warmer it became. The snow was getting less deep.

"Monika, we'll be making camp about three miles from the valley opening. Hopefully that'll keep us far enough from the injuns there. I don't think they'll be bothering us again anytime soon."

They had traveled well into the night until they came upon a camping spot.

"Okay, Let's get a fire going. Luckily the weather isn't so harsh down here." It looked like the snow storm had skipped that end of the mountain. It also helped their situation that the sun rose on that side of the mountain.

After the fire was lit, Sayori began cooking the last of the deer meat. Anon surveyed the damage to the wagon. It was okay, other than the arrows stuck into the sides. It was amazing that none of the horses were hit.

"You girls did great today. I know what happened was a scary event, and y'all kept a level head. You should be proud of yourselves."

"I just wish Yuri didn't get hurt." Natsuki said, giving Yuri a concerned look.

"Oh, don't worry about me, Nat. I hardly feel it. I was worried about you guys and Anon. There were so many arrows flying I was sure someone was going to get hurt."

"Keep in mind, girls, we have to get through the valley. We're not through it yet."

They all nodded, except for Natsuki, who gave a huff, Geez, Monika! Don't you think we know that? Can't we just have this time to unwind? Way to kill the mood."

They all began to laugh. Anon caught the glimpse of Diniih in the distance. The blue wolf began to howl at the moon.

"What are you telling me, friend?" Anon whispered under his breath. He desperately wanted to know why he was following Anon. Was he warning him?

"Anon, is everything alright?" Sayori tapped his shoulder.

"Yeah, sorry. I was just lost in thought."

"Well, we're getting ready to turn in for the night. You should join us."

"I'm gonna stay up. Someone has to keep night watch, especially due to the injuns from earlier. You girls get your sleep."

"I-I'll sta-"

"No, Yuri. You definitely need your sleep. If you don't that wound will take longer to heal."

Yuri nodded, and joined her bed roll with the others.

Soon a chorus of snoring was echoing from the girls. Anon rolled a cigarette and lit it. He looked into the woods, hoping to see the blue wolf again.

"Show yourself to me friend. Tell me what's on your mind."

****

	Soon the birds were singing their morning chorus to greet the sun. Anon waited all night, but the wolf never showed itself. Diniih just howled to him.

The girls began waking up one by one and greeted Anon. Natsuki started on breakfast.

"Anon, did you even move from that spot?" Monika gave him a concerned look.

"No. I figured it was best to not move so much in case we were being watched."

Everyone had their fill and began loading the wagon.

"Okay everyone. This is the last push. Once we make it out of the valley we'll have about a thirty mile ride to the drop off. With the ride through the valley, which is about twenty miles. If we make it to town tonight, we can rent a room and make the delivery tomorrow. Let's not waste any time."

The girls took their normal roles and head out on their final push to their destination.

All the girls were on their guard. They knew they were heading into dangerous territory, and the air was tense.

It wasn't long before they hit the opening to the valley.

"It's funny, Monika," Anon began, "It's called a valley, but it turns into a Canyon further down. Instead of hills, it turns into rocky walls."

"That's interesting, Anon." She gave a sigh.

"SO, did I do something wrong? Because you have been acting strange since leaving the village."

"You didn't do anything, Anon. It's just, I don't want this to end."

"Want what to end?"

"This, Anon. And I'm sure the girls would lo-"

She was cut off by an arrow flying past her head.

"Anon! Girls! We have company!" Yuri shouted, shooting her rifle towards the tree line.

"Move it! We can't afford to stand still, we'll be surrounded!"

Anon spurred his horse and the girls followed suit. Soon, there were arrows coming from both sides of the valley.

"Keep yer heads down! they can't keep this up forever!"

Anon could hear Natsuki trying her best to shoot back at the tree line. When the arrows began thinning, a cavalry of forty men on horseback came down from the trail behind them.

"Natsuki! Behind us!"

She pointed her shotgun to the rear of the wagon and began firing. Anon joined in firing with his revolver.

Monika and Yuri dropped back to help them fight off the horde approaching them.

The valley had now turned into a small canyon. rock walls had surrounded the group on both sides. It wasn't long before they were fighting off the stampede behind them as well as natives attempting to attack them from above. They had even resorted to jumping onto the wagon.

"Natsuki! Keep an eye on the ridges! We'll take care of what's behind us."

Natsuki began peppering the natives with buckshot in an attempt to keep her and Sayori safe.

The herd behind them had begun to catch them. If they caught the wagon there would be no way they could get out of it. God only knows what would happen if they were caught.

Suddenly, a native managed t hop onto the wagon, knocking Natsuki over. The native attempted to wrestle her gun from her. Sayori reached for her side arm to help, but it was knocked away by the man.

"I'm comin', Nat!"

Anon rode next to the wagon. He couldn't get a clear shot without risking hitting one of the girls. He turned to ride side saddle and stayed steady with the wagon. When he had an opportunity, he jumped. He pulled his knife out and grabbed the native, sticking the knife in his neck. He threw his limp body over to the side and extended an arm to Natsuki, "You okay?"

She nodded, picking up her shotgun. Anon looked back at the pack. It was getting closer now. It wouldn't be too long before they caught them. Anon hopped into the back of the wagon. There had to be something that could help them. He looked around until he saw it. The delivery crates. He opened one up to reveal sticks of dynamite.

He looked around and made his plan. Ahead there was a part in the canyon that looked like it had loose rocks. He could use the sticks of dynamite to create a rock slide. But what if it didn't work? What if the rocks didn't come down? What if they sent reinforcements?

Anon took five sticks from the box and collected two of the revolvers he retrieved from the men they dueled. He knew what to do. He hoped the girls wouldn't be too mad at him.

"Sayori!" He shouted as he lit two of the sticks. Sayori turned to him with a look of intense fear.

"Take care of Sally for me."




END PART 7