Ext. FORT COURTYARD -- night

Blackstone, spinning a small blade in his hand, and The Shepard and Diggs all stand by the main cabin door with Jenks and Taylor off to the side.    In the center of the courtyard kneeling in the dirt with their hands tied behind their back are Sara and Jebediah, mouths gagged, with 3 soldiers behind them with weapons drawn.    Around the courtyard and up on the parapets are soldiers 12 in all.

The SHEPARD

Do you really think he's going to show Nathanial?

CapTAIN BLACKSTONE

Oh he'll show alright.    Young Williamson has a soft spot in him for women and children.    And if by some miracle he doesn't I am sure Diggs will take great pleasure in killing them both and tracking him to the ground.

Blackstone hears something noone else does.    He stops spinning the blade and cocks an ear, Diggs does as well and fingers one of his tomahawks, quietly removing it into his.

CaPTAIN BLACKSTONE (CONT'D)

Ok young Williamson I know your out there.    Show yourself before I have Diggs here perform unspeakable acts upon your woman!    You know how he is once he gets a head of steam.

Two bodies are rolled off the parapet at the back of the fort.    Daniel stands with henry in hand resheathing one of his gladius.    He is covered in blood from head to toe.

Daniel

I'm here Capt'n.

Blackstone looks furious, every gun even Jenks and Taylor all focus on Daniel.    The three soldiers who had been guarding Sara and Jebediah move around to the other side to face in Daniel's direction keeping their guns aimed at the two.

CAPTAIN BLACKSTONE

Dammit soldier quit killing my men!!!!

DANIEL

Well there's a flip of page.    You used to pay me to kill men.

CAPTAIN BLACKSTONE

I take it all that blood is the men I had stationed in the forest?

Daniel smiles, his face a mask of blood.

DANIEL

You take it right there Capt'n.

Blackstone can't help but smile spinning the blade again.

CAPTAIN BLACKSTONE

You are a wonder.    The best killer I have ever known besides Diggs here.    Ok young Williamson, the game has come to the only conclusion it could of.    Surrender yourself or I will have your woman and the child killed.

Daniel pretends to think about it then raises his weapon right at Blackstone.

DANIEL

I have a counter offer Capt'n.    Let them go and I won't kill everyone here, starting with you.    Take my offer and I will be off with Sara and Jebediah and you'll never see me again.

Blackstone can't help but stifle a laugh.

CAPTAIN BLACKSTONE

Somehow your offer lacks something.    I wouldn't feel warmth in my bones knowing you were still breathing behind me.    I remember the last time I made that mistake, it cost me dearly.    (Tapping his eye)

Daniel shrugs.

DANIEL

What did ya think would happen when ya killed Johns right in front of me.?    I only regret not doin' a better job in makin' sure.    I think maybe I will rectify that real soon.

Blackstone slams the blade into the wood support beam of the door.

CapTAIN BLACKSTONE

Enough of this banter. Surrender yourself or they die right here and right now.

Daniel slowly nods his head.

DaNIEL

Have it your way.

He slowly starts kneeling to lay down the Henry, a couple soldiers up on the parapet start slowly walking to where Daniel is with fear in their gait.

DaNIEL (CONT'D)

(Whisper) now would be a good time.

Blackstone and Diggs step out from the door frame.    The gate is kicked open and crashes against the fort as Tuck comes in wielding two pistols.

Tuck

Get ready for the fires of hell!!!!!!!!!

Tuck starts killing soldiers, three in as many seconds, then fires at the two up on the parapet and whereever a bullet fires from him, a soldier drops dead and chaos breaks loose.    Daniel raises his Henry from one knee and fires three times quickly, a head shot on each of the three who had been aiming at Sara and Jebediah. Diggs starts running towards Sara winding up to throw his tomahawk at her head as Daniel jumps from the parapet landing on a support strut to a pile of bags of flour the whole time watching Diggs move but then one of his own soldiers gets in his way as Tuck continues to fire, killing soldiers and gets shot himself once by Blackstone but he keeps going and fires a shot that hits the doorframe above Blackstone's head.    Diggs throw the soldier out of his way and throws his tomahawk as Daniel jumps the few feet to the ground tumbling into a roll and up to his knee aiming his henry, slow motion, firing, the bullet in time slow leaving his rifle, the tomahawk swooping through the air, Sara's eyes getting wide seeing her death coming, then the bullet hitting the tomahawk shooting it right out of the air.    Daniel bullets flying all around him spots two soldiers coming at him firing their spencers, he shifts aim and kills both then turns just as Diggs runs at him firing his dragoon with his other tomahawk in his hand and hits Daniel with the bullet in his hip his henry flying.    Daniel pulls his dragoon and fires hitting Diggs in the shoulder just as he fires again, the bullet hit in the shoulder causes him to lose the pistol and Diggs bullet hits the wagon board right next to Daniel's head.    He gathers himself and runs towards Diggs firing again but the gun misfires.    Daniel tackles Diggs at a dead run howling like a mad man, they both tumble.    Tuck is freeing Sara bleeding from a belly shot, then hands her the knife he used.    He sees the Shepard slink in the main cabin along with Blackstone.    He says Daniel rustling up with Diggs.    He turns back towards Sara and shoots the last soldier in the compound who had been about to shoot Sara in the back.    Sara looks at him then at where Blackstone and The Shepard disappeared.    Tuck nods.

Tuck (CONT'D)

I'll take care of those swine.

Tuck runs in as he drops his used pistols and take two from two dead soldiers.    He enters the main cabin.    Jenks and Taylor who had been hiding behind the open gate see Sara with her back to them as she frees Jebediah.    They both look at each other and smile.

Jenks

That's our ticket out of here Taylor.

TayLOR

I agree Jenks.    Let's grab her and the brat.

They both with pistols in hand stalk Sara.    Jebediah just getting freed sees them.

JebEDIAH

Momma!    Behind you!

Sara starts to turn as Jenks grabs her hard jerking her to him with his pistol to her head, Taylor covering him, the blade falling from her hand.    Jebediah who is still in her shadow and can't be seen by the two grabs the knife.    She nods at him, he nods back.   

Jenks

Now will see ourselves out of this shithole.

Just then Sara bites Jenks arm grabbin his pistol, her teeth drawing a big gush of blood and a scream from Jenks who yanks his arm but lets her have the pistol.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

JenKS (CONT'D)

Damn crazy...

Sara turns with the pistol and fires twice into Jenks just as Jebediah runs from behind her stabbing Taylor in the groin.

JebEDIAH

You were one of the ones that hurt my momma!!!!!

Taylor sinks to his knees with a blood curdling scream quickly ended with a knife in his eye all the way to the hilt.

JebeDIAH (CONT'D)

Noon hurts my momma!!!!!!

Daniel and Diggs face off with Tuck in the background running into the cabin and Jenks and Taylor sneaking up on Sara.    Daniel's back is to it but Diggs sees and smiles, a tomahawk in his hand and a bowie knife in the other, and Daniel with his two gladius.

Daniel

Time to put an end to a mad dog.

Diggs motions him forward with a wicked smile.    Daniel charges with side sweeps of his gladius Diggs parries it with his tomahawk one then dodges the other swinging back with his bowie slicing Daniel's extended arm, blood spurting heavy, a deep cut, dropping that gladius.    Daniel jerks his arm back and dodges back as Diggs tomahawk slams down where his head had been.    Diggs smirks a bloody grin and    lunges with his bowie but Daniel close into the move spinning himself grabbing Diggs knife arm with his free hand and using his remaining gladius to block the tomahawk.    He smashes his head back twice into Diggs face and slams Diggs knife hand down on his knee making him lose it but then Diggs shoves him off, his nose shattered, then brings his tomahawk up in both hands with Daniel's back to him off balance, but then Daniel spins fast and hard, taking the tomahawk into his shoulder instead of his head.    Diggs's smile becomes blank as he looks down at the hilt of the gladius protruding from his upper stomach, and Daniel's hand holding it then back up to Daniel's face which is steely and has the beast dancing in it.      Daniel steps back and wrenches the tomahawk out of his own shoulder then spins and plants it in Diggs head.    Diggs falls to the ground. Daniel collapses to his knees holding his blood drenched shoulder his opposite arm still bleeding profusely.

Int. Main cabin -- NIGHT

Tuck enters pistols drawn and sees The Shepard attempting to get the floor door to the mine open.    He sees Tuck and yanks the door open to slam on the floor.    Tuck cocks his pistol which echoes like thunder in the room.

Tuck

That's far enough Shepard, it's time to pay for your sins.

The Shepard turns slowly towards him one hand up open begging.    His other hand is slipping a small pistol out of the back of his pants.

The SHEPARD

Please Tuck, please, mercy, mercy.    I'll give ya anything, anything.

The Shepard's hand swings forward but halfway there a hole opens in his chest, sending him to his knees, pistol falling to the floor, then a hole in his forehead.

TUCK

There's your mercy Shepard, more then you ever showed anyone.

A shadow and blurred movement comes from behind him, he swings his pistol up.

Ext. CoURTYARD OF LONESOME HILL --night

Daniel drags himself up and sees Sara holding Jebediah both kneeling on the ground with Jenks and Taylor dead next to them.    He scans the area for danger and sees noone else.    He grabs his dragoon off the nearby ground.    He lifts himself up holding his left shoulder blood leaving a trail behind him as he moves to Sara.    She sees him and runs to meet him halfway.    She grabs him fiercely causing him to wince and Jebediah grabs his leg.

Sara

You are hurt, hurt bad Daniel.    How dare ya when I just found ya get yourself all carved up like that.

Daniel smiles into her hair.

JebedIAH

And I Killed them that done hurt my momma Daniel, killed them good.

Daniel tousles his hair but knows it ain't done.

DaNIEL

Proud of ya son, a damn fine scout and I'll be rememberin' to tell the people tryin' to kill me ya don't take kindly to them carvin' me up.    Now where's Tuck and Blackstone and that damn Shepard?    This ain't done yet.

SaRA

Tuck went in after them both after freein'

She doesn't finish the thought as she sees tuck enter the main cabin doorframe, walking awkwardly, then a sword finishes bursting through his chest and Blackstone comes out from behind him with a pistol aimed at Daniel's back.

Sara (CONT'D)

Strong as mountains.

Daniel

Wha..?

Sara spins him in her arms as Blackstone fires hitting her in the back.    Daniel's eyes grow wide and Jebediah screams. Blackstone growls in frustration that ends quickly as his head explodes from two shots from Daniel's dragoon.

Daniel (CONT'D)

Sara!

Int. MR. Stoke's general store, 1 week later -- day

Daniel lays a bag on Mr. Stokes counter.    Mr Stokes jumps for joy when he sees it's Daniel, whose his arm in a sling, shoulder bandaged, his other arm bandaged.

MR. STOKES

Daniel my boy, so good to see yas.    I'd never thunk to see ya again.    And what is this, some fur you need to sell.

Daniel smiles and shakes his head.

Daniel

Nah that's a bag of gold for ya to see this town to booming.    There's also a map to where the mine is, been pretty played out I think but ya might still drag some shiny stuff out of it, enough to make this a real bona fide town.

Mr. Stokes jaw drops in wonder and excitement.

MR. STOKES

But Daniel, ya don't have ta, I mean, where did ya, I don't know what to say.

Daniel smiles.

DaniEL

Ya don't have to say nothin' except thanks and use it right like I know ya will.    There might be some cleaning up to do.    I spent a couple days burying some good people, but the people that done done that to'em I left where they lay after bringin' justice to their bones and flesh.

Mr. Stokes looks horrified.

Mr. STOKES

Sounds like you been to hell and back.

DaNIEL

You could say that Mr. Stokes, you could sure say that.

Mr Stokes grabs his arm.

Mr. STOKES

Well you gonna stay on with us now?

Daniel shakes his head.

DaNIEL

Nah Mr. Stokes I got somewhere I needs to go.

Mr. STOKES

Are ya sure son, ya'd be welcome.    Nevermind I see that same look in your eye.    Blessings to your road    Daniel, blessings to your road.

DaNIEL

Thank ya Mr. Stokes, same to you.

Daniels starts to leave but turns back.

DANIEL (CONT'D)

Almost forgot.    Thanks for your advice Mr. Stokes, it came in handy.

Mr. STOKES

My advice?

Daniel

I faced my beasts and I spit in their eye.

Mr. Stokes laughs.

Mr. STOKES

Good to know son, good to know.

Daniel

See ya.

Daniel exits.

Ext. Town of lowell outside mr. Stokes store -- day

Daniel exits Mr. Stokes store with a big smile then we see what he's looking at and there sits Sara in a sling in the front seat of a wagon with Jebediah perched on some bags right behind her, a blanket covering the rest of the bags and Brownie and Sunshine tied to the back.    Both of them are smiling at him.    He walks down and gets into the driver seat.

Sara

What a family we are huh?    All bandaged up lookin' like walkin' corpses.

Daniel smiles.

Daniel

Family?

Sara hits his arm and he winces.

Sara

And ya saying we aren't Daniel Williamson?    Ya can't get rid of us that easy.

DanIEL

Never in my days would I say such a thing nor want to see ya both anywhere but where ya are, next to me.

Sara smiles as Does Jebediah who hugs Daniel from behind.

Sara

So where we headed?

Daniel smiles again.

DanIEL

Vermont to see if my good ole' Ma is still kickin' the Green.

Sara nods like it's an amazin' idea.

Daniel starts the wagon going.

SARA

Good, I'd like to meet my future mother-n-law.

Daniel

Mother'n'law?

Sara stares hard at him.

DanIEL (CONT'D)

Mother'n law it is.

Sara looks at Jebediah and thumbs at Daniel.

Sara

Slow leaner this one but he gets there.

The wagon starts picking up speed into the horizon.

JebEDIAH

Momma and Daniel sitting in a tree k-I-s-s-I-n-g

The End.