Queen: Well, all is right in the world fellow Pards... I have my whip back (glares at her cohorts) and the story is proceeding nicely. Now some of you have wondered who we are....

Adept: Yeah....and guess what...

Master: We ain't tellin' ya!

Queen: Very good my fellow Smarmsluts, no we are NOT revealing ourselves at this time. But we do know some of you want to figure this out. So...

Master: We'll give you a hint!

Adept: Ohh.. I like hints!

Master: You would *snorting*

Adept: Are you insinuating something?

Master: Well...

Queen: ENOUGH! (cracks whip)

Adept&Master: Sorry, ma'am.

Queen: OK.... back to the program. Hint #1... you all know us... heheheheheheh

Master: Thats it?

Adept: Only that little tidbit.. you could tell them we....

*sound cut of midstream.....*






~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ashes of the Mind, pt 4
by the Smarm Sluts


It was the day of Ezra and JD's departure to the asylum. As the morning sun turned towards noon, Chris was beginning to get annoyed.

"Ezra, If your going to get there on time, you have to leave now!" The gunslinger couldn't imaging what might be delaying Ezra this time.

"I will have you know Mr. Larabee." Ezra frowned into the afternoon sun. "I sent a telegram out to my mother, she knows someone who might be able to get us what information we need without this horrendous charade. Wouldn't that be a better solution to this thorny problem?"

"And if she doesn't have it?" Chris was disgusted, trust Ezra to try to wiggle out of something like this. "We may blow our only chance of getting you in! I say go ... NOW!"

The last word was a threat filled grown, one tone Ezra recognized and never wanted aimed in his direction. he knew he had no more time. So he just nodded and went to get on his horse, signaling JD to mount up. He had a really bad feeling about this trip, and to tell the truth, he didn't quite know why he was so hesitant to do this. It would be an easy job, even with JD along.

Ezra smiled as JD mounted his horse, joking with Buck. The boy had learned his role well. Ezra had coached him daily, sometimes with the others watching, and even they said he sounded good. Cover story in place, JD would be alright. He just hoped the boy didn't make a grievous error. Or at least one Ezra couldn't cover up anyway.

Heading off to the south, Ezra still couldn't shake the deep foreboding he felt. It was just under a days Journey towards the bordertown near the asylum. He and JD would reach their target just before sundown.


~ ~ ~ ~


Chris watched as the two figures disappeared into the horizon. He was still mad at Ezra's delays, but figured, information or no information, they needed to check that Asylum lead in person. By later in the afternoon, the Judge would have their second destination and the rest of the group would go there looking for clues. it seems on of Jed's men was seen hiding in a nearby town, and Chris wanted him bad!

"I have it Chris!" Josiah hailed from the telegraph office. "Judge says a marshal near Eagle Bend saw him headed towards River Flats yesterday morning."

Buck joined Chris and Vin in the jail, as Nathan crossed the street to meet them.

"So we head out now?" Chris asked, "The Judge meeting us there?"

"Seems so Chris." Josiah looked at the telegram again. "He left as soon as this was sent, so if we hurry, we can meet him in River Flats tomorrow morning."

"Seems we should go in at dark," Vin drawled. "Go in quiet."

"Good idea Vin." Nathan said . "Less chance of spookin' him."

"Everyone clear on that? Lets saddle up." Chris barked, eager to get into the chase. He wanted Jed in his sights. This time without the bastard hiding behind one of his men! That and his fight with Ezra that morning left him in a bad mood. He just couldn't shake it.

The others split up to grab their saddlebags, everyone had them packed and ready, and meet at the barn.

The hunt was beginning.


Continue to Part 5