Chained Apache Woman Begged Him to Do Anything — The Cowboy Did the Unexpected Thing
Chapter 36
Theme:
Font Size:
24px
Caleb checked defensive positions one final time as the sun climbed higher: every approach was covered, every fighter knew their role. They'd done everything preparation could do.Thomas approached as Caleb finished his inspection. "Scouts just reported in: large group moving from the north. At least 50 riders, maybe more. They'll be here within the hour.""Right on schedule, then.""You almost sound happy about it.""I'd rather know when the fight's coming than wonder. At least this way we're ready."The warning spread quickly: non-combatants moved into the chapel; fighters took positions. The families who'd come to vote found themselves witnesses to something larger than an election—a battle for the soul of the territory.The loyalist force appeared on the northern ridge right at midday: a dark line against the bright sky. They paused there, letting their numbers sink in. Caleb counted: 60 riders at least, maybe more; they'd recruited since the last estimate.A single rider broke from their line, approaching under a white flag: it was Vincent Carver, his shoulder healed from the wound he'd taken at Sarah's ranch.Clara went out to meet him, with Ayla and Caleb flanking her. They met in the open ground between the mission and the loyalist line."Last chance," Vincent said without preamble. "Abandon this election, restore the traditional order, acknowledge that Marcus was right and this democratic experiment was wrong. Do that, and we'll let you live.""No," Clara said simply."Then everyone who dies today is on your conscience.""No," Ayla spoke up. "Everyone who dies today chose to die for something they believed in. That's on their own conscience, not ours."Vincent's eyes hardened. "You could have been something, Ayla. You were born to power, born to rule. Instead, you're throwing it away for peasants who'll never appreciate what you sacrificed.""I didn't sacrifice anything. I gained my freedom, and now I'm helping others gain theirs.""Freedom!" Vincent spat the word like a curse. "There's no such thing! There's only the strong and the weak, the rulers and the ruled! And you've chosen to be weak!""Then we'll be weak together," Caleb said. "Seems to be working out all right so far."Vincent looked at him with undisguised contempt. "You're the rancher. The nobody who started all this. You should have minded your own business.""I did mind my business. My business was not leaving someone to die when I could help them. Turns out that's a good business to be in.""You'll regret it. Before this day ends, you'll wish you'd never cut those chains.""I doubt that."Vincent wheeled his horse around and rode back to his lines. Clara, Ayla, and Caleb returned to the mission, knowing what was coming.The attack began with arrows: fire arrows aimed at the mission buildings, trying to smoke out defenders or create chaos. But the buildings were stone, and the defenders had water ready; the arrows were more show than threat.