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The Mountain Man [with nightsorceress]

Gar saw NeeNa come out of the tree line, and nodded his head, "Good shooting, round up their horses and take what you want from their belongings. Hook Lee's pack horse onto ours, we'll take his furs into Bridger and trade them." Cameron and his Shoshone Indian wife came out of the tavern, "Glad you came along when you did Gar, don't know if we coulda held them off much longer." Gar nodded, "Their horses and whatever belongings you want are yours. Guess we better bury them and those scalps hanging from Jim Howie's horse. Least the victims will now rest in peace," He put his pistol back in his belt, picked up a shovel and pick and went out into a clearing near the river to start to dig their graves.
 
NeeNa smiled a little when he said she was a good shot. She was glad she could put a side her fears and help. She nodded a little at what Gar had said about taking what she wanted, although she did not need nor want anything from these killers. As he went to bury the bodies she walked back to retrieve their horse. she brought the horse back to the crossing and tied them up with Lee's back horse and then went to see how Gar was doing.
 
Cameron and Gar had just finished burying the bodies. Gar wiped the sweat from his brow with a bandana that he had gotten at an earlier rendevous. He looked up and saw NeeNa, "Cam this is NeeNa, she's the one who shot the arrows, NeeNa this is John Cameron." Cameron smiled and extended his right hand, "Pleased to meet you, how did you hook up with Gar, he's been alone for such a long time up there." Gar smirked, "Let's just say our paths crossed." Cameron and Gar started to walk back towards the tavern. "Tiani has a pot of venison stew all ready to eat," Cameron looked at Gar and NeeNa, "You're not leaving without some food in your belly at least." He took Gar's shovel and put it back in the tool shed, then headed for the front door of the tavern. Gar looked at NeeNa, "We'll eat, this will give the horses a chance to rest before we head out towards Fort Bridger."
 
Neena shook the Cameron's hand, "nice to meet you, and Gar saved my life" she smiled sweetly at Gar. She though Cameron was a nice fellow and she hoped his wife was the same. She watched as Gar took the shovels back to the shed and then followed him inside. She stayed close to Gar however not sure how Cameron's wife would react to meeting her.
 
Gar sat down at a table in the tavern, as John went behind the bar and brought out a jug and three cups. He poured some of the ale into each of the cups, handed one to Gar and NeeNa, and then kept on for himself. "To good friends and good food," he toasted and then slug his drink down from the cup. Gar did the same, both men were used to drinking liquor. Cameron poured another round for he and Gar as he looked at the kitchen entrance, "Tiani, we have guests." Moments later, the Shoshone squaw came out of the kitchen, with a tray that contained four bowls of steaming hot venison stew, as well as the utensils. She looked at NeeNa, but said nothing as she put the bowls of stew around the table. She then looked at Gar and her husband, "Coffee," and then looked at Nee Na, then went to the coffee pot to bring four cups of coffee. She than sat down and started to eat her meal.
 
NeeNa followed suit with the men and held her glass up, and then took a sip of the ale. It was different then anything she was use to. It was not bad just different. She watched as Cameron's wife brought out the food. She did not seem as welcoming as Cameron, She knew she would have to ask Gar about it when they were alone. NeeNa nodded her head a little at the offer of coffee, she was nervous to say the wrong thing.
 
Cameron and Gar talked some more, as they caught up on things since they had last seen each other. Cameron looked over at NeeNa, "Don't be worried about Tiani, she is still a bit shook about the visit from the scalp hunters. It takes a time or two for her to warm up to you." Gar finished his coffee, then got up, "If we are to hit Bridger by night, we best be going, thanks for the hospitality." He and Cameron shook hands, and then he waved to Tiani, who stood in the kitchen doorway. Gar went outside and checked the cinch on his horse. He mounted his horse then turned and saw a rider in the distance on the rise above the Cameron tavern. He looked again and the rider was gone. He then looked over at NeeNa, " Let's ride." Gar waved to Cameron as he crossed the river, it was the shallowest point for 30 miles. The trail then continued on the other side to Fort Bridger.
 
NeeNa was glad to hear that it was just not her that Tiani was not friendly too. "thank you for the meal it was very good" she said to both Cameron and Tiani as she followed on Gar to the horses. She then crossed the river with him. Once across she looked at Gar, "You really are a noble man for helping people the way you do, first me and then Cameron and his wife."
 
The horses dripped of the water from the river as Gar rode out of the Big Muddy at a walk. He looked over at NeeNa, "Not all people are noble, like me, I just figure that I treat people the way I hope they treat me." He then continued along the trail at a walk, "I helped Cameron build his barn a few years ago, he's helped me some in the past as well, in fact got him and Tiani hooked up." Gar winked as he glanced around, and discreetly saw the mysterious rider in the distance, as he continued towards Bridger. The sun was just setting as he reined up his horse. He pointed to the fort, "That's Fort Bridger, hmmm..looks like the Army has arrived," as he scratched his chin. He then looked out in the valley to the rendevous area. It was a small town that sprung up over night, and stayed around for about three days or so, and then disappeared again. "That is where we are going," he told NeeNa, as he turned his horse in that direction, the two pack animals in tow behind him.
 
"its a shame more poeple are not like you. It would be a much nicer world if there were." she smiled once again and looked at what Gar was was, "Is it a bad thing that the Army has arrived?" she questioned softly having no idea what that meant, if anything at all. She followed him to the little town where she could see movement, hopefully he would have buyers for his furs.
 
Gar smiled at NeeNa, as they reached the outskirts of the little town, "It's not a bad thing the Army has arrived, just means civilization isn't too far behind them, farmers, cattlemen, settlers, merchants..." He looked about as he rode down the street. There was a barber shop, bath house, and numerous small tents that served as saloons, the raucous and celebrations already started and echoed out into the street. Other tents were used for sleeping quarters. The merchants were also there as well, operating from wagons and tents that had signs in front of them. Gar looked at NeeNa, "We'll set up camp just outside town, unless you want to stay in Rendevous."
 
NeeNa smiled back at Gar. She liked when he smiled it seemed to soften his rugged face. She looked around as they rode she had never seen anything like this. it was a little villiage that seemed to only be here for the season. She did notice however eyes watching her, she knew why they were starring at her. She looked down a little trying not to draw attention. She looked at Gar as he suggested camp. "I think outside of the town would be better"
 
Gar nodded as they rode past the last of the tents and buildings. "Don't let it bother you, they're just jealous you are with me, " then waved at one of the merchants, "Had a good year Drucker, lookin forward to trading with you." Samuel Drucker stood on the porch of his hastily put up building he called a trading post. He was small in stature, about 5 foot 4 inches tall, hair only on the sides of his head, brown in color, the top of his head completely bald. Drucker waved back, "Okay Gar, get settled, I'll see you later," then walked back into the store. Gar found a spot outside of the small town, the noise still echoed out that far from all the activity going on. He dismounted and started to tether the horses. He looked at NeeNa, "We best put up a lean to so we and the goods will stay dry. You can start doing that, while I unpack our gear. He then focused on unsaddling the horses and getting their gear together in a pile. After constructing a fire ring out of some stones, he then gathered wood to start a fire.
 
NeeNa watched as Gar and the balding man, Drucker, talked she still felt other peoples eyes looking at her. She nervously bit her lip and tried to make herself smaller until they were out of the town and setting up camp. Once she had her instructions from Gar she set to work setting up the lean to. She did her best to make it comfortable as possible setting up the bed rolls in side. then she came to Gar side. "is there anything else you would like me to do" she standing close to him, not close enough to be in the way, but still close.
 
Gar looked at the finished lean to, "Very nice job NeeNa, nice and stout," as he checked the poles saw she had already set up their bed rolls." He started to break out a skillet from one of the packs, "Take the coffee pot down to the stream, get us some water, and then may want to water the horses. I'll make up some beans and salt pork." He handed her the coffee pot, and then started to cook up their meal. He glanced back at the village and heard all the carrying on as it echoed around the open area. He had to know the men at the fort heard it as well. It was too dark to see Drucker anymore that night, he'd get some rest and then see him in the morning. The smell of the food filled the air around their camp, as the horses fed themselves from the great amount of grass where they were camped.
 
NeeNa smiled at Gar and nodded and head down the the water that was just out sight from the camp. She bent down to fill pot when suddenly she felt hand grab her. she let out a scream. "shut that mouth you savage" the man who grabbed her said as he pushed to the ground, as he did so his knife came out and began to cut away her clothes exposing her. "you are mighty pretty for a savage." he was clearly drunk and his intention clear. NeeNa let out another loud scream, hoping gar would hear "I said shut up" the man yelled and slapped her face hard.
 
Gar had finished their meal, and had started to wonder where NeeNa was. He knew the stream was nearby. He heard the scream, and dropped the skillet, the food still in it, and started to run towards the stream. He came out of the trees and saw the drunken male bent over NeeNa, with a knife in his hand. He picked up the coffee pot on the ground and threw it at the male, hitting him on the side of the head to get his attention. He then ran and open field tackled the male as they both went into the water. The male got up and started to swipe the blade of his knife at Gar. Gar was able to dodge all but one, which caught him on his left forearm. He then picked up the male as if he was a potato sack, and tossed him on the bank. He then landed a series of punches across his face, and threw his knife into the stream. He roughly picked up the male and held his face against his, so he made clear eye contact, "You touch that woman or even look at her the wrong way and I will kill you," he then kicked the male square in his ass as he watched him stumble away. Gar then went over and tended to NeeNa, not worried about the knife wound on his left forearm.
 
The man had moved off her and she heard the rustling and the water splashing. She heard voices. but everything was a blur to her now. She was trembling in the dirt afraid to move. her eyes filled with tears, her clothes lay in pieces all around her. she was so afraid when she saw a man come near her but it was gar. she let our a faint cry she was shaken deeply by the events that had just taken place.
 
Gar crouched down beside NeeNa, water dripped from his deerskin shirt. He saw her clothes were tore up by the man's knife. "It's okay, he won't bother you anymore," his left hand stroked her hair softly, the cold water had nearly stopped the bleeding from the slash on his left forearm. He tried to piece her clothes together, enough to get her back up to camp. He carried her in his arms back to the lean to, and slipped her out of her clothes, and wrapped her in the blanket on her bedroll. He then fetched some water in the coffee pot and put on some coffee. He stoked up the fire and got it as warm as he could, then got out of his deerskin shirt, and trousers, hung them near the fire to dry in the heat and night air, and put on a spare shirt and trousers. He brought her a cup of coffee and looked at her, "Drink this slow, I added some rye whiskey to help settle you down." He then started to tend to his wound with the pouch he had retrieved from his saddle bag, and then worked on sewing together her clothes as he used the firelight to work.
 
When Gar picked her up her arms wrapped around his neck. Her face buried against him. She safer in his arms she was lucky to have him. She wrapped herself up in the blanket her eyes seemed to stare blankly at the ground. She sipped the coffee slowly and her witts started to return to her. She look at him and saw his wound and saw him sewing her clothes. she looked horrified. "Gar, I am so so sorry to be such trouble for you. perhaps it would be better if I traveled on from this point on my own, then you wouldn't get hurt like you did." there was real concern and caring in her voice as she spoke.
 
Gar smiled as he paused from sewing her clothes. "I can't force you to stay NeeNa, but I come to be used to having you around with me. I sure would be grateful if you stayed. That jackass that attacked you had it coming. He caught me in a good mood, otherwise he would have breathed his last breath at the stream." He then held up his completed job of sewing her clothes, "How's that look, should at least do until we can get you something better tomorrow." He then handed her her clothes, put the sewing thread and needle away, and then the medicine pouch as well. He checked the torn white sheet he had used as a bandage that he had gathered his last trip to the rendevous, and then sipped on a small bottle of whiskey for a pain killer. Gar checked the fire once more and then laid down beside her on his bedroll under the lean to. "Nobody will bother you anymore tonight, I promise." He then brought her over close to him under the blankets, his right arm around her and his right hand over her belly.
 
NeeNa looked at his sewing, he do a nice job, and it was clear to her he had to be able to mend his clothes as he had no one to look after him. "I do not want to leave, I have come to deeply care about you Gar, and I would like to stay with you longer." she said softly as she laid down next him. her body was pressed so close to him. "you are the kindness soul i have ever met" she then leaned in close to him, she gave him a soft kiss. "Thank you"
 
Gar smiled as his right hand started to massage her belly button softly, "Oh, sometimes I can be half grizzly and wolf, but that's pretty rare, only when somebody would try and harm you." He kissed her back softly, "You stay on as long as you wish NeeNa, good night." He then got more comfortable under the blankets, and held her close to him. His eyes watched the fire as it burned in the fire ring, and his ears listened to the sounds coming from the rendevous. In other days, he would have been liquoring it up like the other trappers, but now that NeeNa was here, he enjoyed her warmth close to him, something that any amount of liquor would never provide him.
 
"Then i wish to stay forever" she whispered softly when he said she could stay as long as she liked. She was not sure if he had heard her, however part of hoped he did, wondering what he would think of that, would he even want her to. She snuggled into the blanket more, her body pressed against his. her face nuzzling his neck. She was not sure if he would want this much contact with her, however she had to see.
 
Gar smiled softly, "I'm glad to hear that NeeNa," and then drifted to sleep. He loved her up against him like that. His late wife did the same especially in the winter, when shared bodily warmth kept them quite warm under the blankets she had made from the animal skins. His right arm stayed around her all night as he slept peacefully and soundly. By the time the sun rose, the rendevous town was quiet, except for the merchants who were getting up, and some of the trappers who had made it through the hangover phase. Others who had stayed up all night were sleeping soundly where they found a spot. Gar woke up with the sound of the birds chirping, looked around and kissed NeeNa's lips softly, "Good morning," he smiled as looked at her cuddled up close against him.
 
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