The Scrolls of Sonatos

8/2/2019 The Scrolls of Sonatos

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The Scrolls of Sonatos Andrew Roberts



The Scrolls of Sonatos

Based on the Deadlands Universe

‘The year is 1879, and the history is not our own. After almost two decades of bitter fighting, theAmerican Civil War has ground to a standstill. The Confederate States are still free. California has fallen into the Pacific Ocean. Rail Barons fight bloody battles to decide who the victor will be in the race for a Transcontinental Railroad, while a superfuel called ghost rock advances technology by unpredictable leaps and sometimes dangerous bounds. The Sioux have retaken the Dakotas and the Coyote Confederation dances the Ghost Dance on the High Plains. Some even say the dead walk among us.’ -Shane Lacy Hensley

It was a typical Louisiana day. The citizens of Baton Rouge were preparing their favouritenightspots and saloons for the upcoming high stakes poker tournament. Local card sharps weretrying to prove themselves as professional dealers. Folks from all around came into town to sell thefinest booze money could buy. These events came with festivities that could spell pure profit foreverybody. A man in dark finely tailored three-piece suit and bowler hat stepped off the stagecoachoutside Southern Sam’s Saloon. He looked around, noticing the looks from passers-by.“Are you from back East?” Someone called out. The man ignored the question and entered thesaloon.

The saloon showed its usual liveliness, but then everything went quiet as the man entered, with allheads turned to him as he walked to the bar. The bartender looked at him.“Care for a whiskey?” he asked. The man shook his head. “I’m looking for James McCoy,” hereplied. The bartender pointed to a shadowy corner of the saloon. The man walked to where hepointed. Sitting in the shadows of the alcove was a tough looking man, sitting at the table broodingabout unknown events, one hand concealed at his side under the table, the other hand containinga glass, laid down next to a half empty bottle of whiskey. He looked up at the sharply dressed manconfronting him.

“Are you Jim McCoy?” the man asked. James nodded slowly. “Who’s asking?” he responded. Theman sat down but froze upon hearing a clicking sound beneath the table. James leaned back,producing his Colt Peacemaker. “What do you want with me, City Boy?” he asked. “I need someone of your expertise for a job.” The man responded. “My name is Charles Fordham. Iam looking for some gunmen for a dangerous job…” James cut him off. “Are you from Richmond? Are they gonna get through their heads that I’m not aTexas Ranger anymore?” he asked. “We need your experience. An ex-Ranger can be a valued asset .” Fordham replied. “We should beleaving now. This mission is top secret, so we can’t discuss it here.” “I’m saying no.” James said.

“I’m sure we can change your mind.” Fordham replied, “I’m sure we can get some dirt on you.” “So you’re using blackmail.” James said with a beat. Fordham nodded. James sighed and got outof his seat, following Fordham outside.“I’ll need to pick up a few things from my room before we leave.” He told him. Fordham nodded inagreement.

James took the outside stairs of the saloon to his rented room. A large duster coat was hangingfrom the door, while a Winchester repeating rifle lay on the desk, next to a backpack. Searching thepack, he found a bedroll, a canteen, a week’s worth of trail rations, a half -empty box of matches



and a lantern. He put the coat on and slung the backpack over his shoulder, leaving with the rifle inhis hand. Fordham was waiting by a stagecoach.“Come on Mr. McCoy! There’s a private train waiting for us at the station!” He called. James gaveno response as he climbed into the stagecoach.“Just what the hell is this about City Boy?” James asked impatiently. Fordham folded his armswhile maintaining a calm demeanour“You’ll find out in good time.” He said. “You’re not the only one we hired for this job. The others arewaiting at the station.”

Fordham’s stagecoach pulled up outside the station. Waiting at the platform was a blacklocomotive with a single carriage.“A private train black as the night.” James mumbled, producing a cigar from his coat. “Are you anundertaker or do you work for Bayou Vermilion? Or both?” “Who I work for is no concern of yours at the moment.” Fordham responded bluntly. “Now pleaseget on board the train. You will receive your orders in New Orleans.”

James glared at Fordham as he lit his cigar. He stepped on board the carriage to a lavishlyfurnished interior. Another five individuals were seated inside, all clad in duster coats. James satdown as the train left the station.“These are the other posse members who will be working with,” Fordham explained. “I still don’t like the way you have to be so secretive about it Mr. Fordham,” one of the men said,with a distinct London accent.Fordham ignored the comment and continued.“Mr. McCoy, this is Dr. Jonathan Smyth, an inventor and sharpshooter from England.” James pondered for a moment.“Let me guess, this was one of the limeys who captured Detroit from the Union back in ’76.” Hesuggested.“Actually, I was hoping to gain employment with the renowned inventors Smith and Robards,”Jonathan replied, “You may not need an inventor for this mission but you would need a sniper.” He produced a long-barrelled Colt Buntline from his holster.“You have a Buntline?” James asked, “What good is a limey inventor whose only weapon is anungainly $500 revolver that results in lead poisoning for the owner when they try and use it in tightquarters?” “Don’t underestimate it,” Jonathan boasted, “Not when I have it fitted with my special gear.” Hepulled back his coat to reveal an intricate variety of tools, including a telescope, a removable stock,and a pouch with special bullets. He pulled one of the bullets out.“These are hand crafted precision bullets of my own design,” he explained, while assembling hisBuntline, “They have a longer range than regular .45 rounds, and are quieter as well. With one of

these I could fly off a horse’s head from 100 yards away.” As James looked at him sceptically, Jonathan chambered the bullet and opened the carriagewindow. James looked out to see a man being lynched by a group of bandits. He watched as theman swung from the rope as the bandits jeered at him. Jonathan raised the Buntline and fired.James watched as the victim dropped to the ground and fled.

“You could take out an entire army with that contraption,” another man said. James turned to see ashifty looking man standing behind him, accompanied by a giant somewhat oafish-looking blackguy.



“I always thought I’d see you again, Bartholomew Williams,” James said, “I thought I put you awayfor grand larceny in Tucson seven years ago.” “I served that and moved on,” Bart replied, “Arizona has no need for a grifter or a black bruiser.Besides, you only arrested me because my sales pitch got ugly with those guys from Tombstone.” “I have no need for a grifter,” James said angrily. “But I’m sure that Big Bill here will be a valued asset,” Bart said in defence, indicating at hiscompanion. James looked at them. Why did Fordham recruit this pair? Bart was a grifter who tried

to make money selling miracle cures made from cooking oil and cow piss throughout Arizona. BigBill was some bruiser who served as Bart’s apprentice and bodyguard, while making a few quickbucks in prize-fights.Fordham then showed James to an Indian sitting in the corner of the carriage.“Mr. McCoy, this is Black Scorpion, a Choctaw tracker,” he explained. “He can find things whichmost people can’t. Isn’t that right Scorpion?” The Choctaw said nothing, watching as Fordhamintroduced the final posse member.“Finally, we have Dan Cooper, a sapper in the CS army.” “That’s right!” Dan interrupted, “One of the finest explosives experts in the CSA. I’m currentlyworking on a contractual service with pro-Confederate third parties.” He pulled back his coat to reveal a bandoleer loaded with sticks of dynamite, along with a holsteredColt Dragoon. “A parting gift from my brother,” he explained.

“Now that the introductions are over, you should get some sleep Mr. McCoy,” Fordham instructed.“You will have a long day ahead of you.”

As the train rattled through the night, James lay brooding on the palace car’s lavish seats. As helay, he produced a keepsake from his pocket; A five year old newspaper clipping. He viewed thearticle printed on it:

Broadus Brothers arrested by Texas Rangers!James recalled his famous run-in with the gang led by ‘Blazing’ Bill Broadus back in 1874. He

remembered how he led the posse that brought them to justice. He contemplated how he wasalmost happy to see the bloodthirsty bandit and his three brothers standing at the gallows in Austin. As he went into deep thought, he recalled Bill’s final words before his neck was stretched. “You should watch your back James McCoy! I shall not give the devil my soul! You will burn in Hellbefore I do you goddamned son of a bitch!”

James suddenly jolted, leaving his state of contemplation and returning to reality.“You fear portents from your past,” a voice said beside him. James peered upwards to see BlackScorpion watching him.“How did you know about Blazing Bill?” James asked in amazement. “Your keepsake shows a lot about a major event from your past,” Scorpion deduced, “That youwere fearful of Bill’s curse.” James sighed and confessed;“I remember Bill chanting some kind of incantation as he hanged. I paid it no heed when I watchedthe hanging. The following morning I got a visit from one of the marshal’s deputies. He told me togo with him to the undertaker’s. There were coffins that had been freshly made after the hanging.One of the coffins was empty. That happened to be Bill’s coffin. The undertaker himself was founddead in the back room. His throat had been torn out. That awakened some unknown fear in myhead. Fear that I would be next” “Did anything happen?” Scorpion asked. James looked at him in anger, as if he was hidingsomething.“I think you should go back to sleep,” he said sternly.



The following morning, Fordham’s train arrived in New Orleans. As the posse stepped onto theplatform, Fordham led them to a pair of stagecoaches waiting in the street.“Get in boys,” Fordham instructed, “We’ll need to travel incognito until we reach our client. Thecoaches will go separate routes but we’ll meet at a hacienda outside the town.” “I still haven’t been enlightened about this,” Scorpion complained to Fordham. “Yeah,” James added, “Are you recruiting on behalf of the cabinet back in Richmond?”

“You’ll get your answers in due time!” Fordham snapped. “But right now someone’s waiting for you!”

James sat in the coach with Scorpion and Jonathan as it rode off. He reached into his coat andproduced a hip flask, removing the top and taking a swig from it. Jonathan watched him in surprise.“It’s a bit early for that isn’t it?” he stated. James made no response and went to sleep. Scorpiongave him a sharp kick, prompting him to reach for his Peacemaker.“You should not keep that firewater,” Scorpion said to him, in a somewhat nagging tone. With thatsaid he grabbed the hip flask and tossed it out of the window.

Scorpion looked out of the window as the stagecoach approached the hacienda. He felt the jolt asthe horses were stopped near the gates. A pair of armed guards was waiting at the gate. Johnwoke up as they looked inside the coach. One of them knocked on the gate, signalling to the guardon the opposite end to open up. Their coach went forward again before coming to a halt outsidethe main building. Another guard opened the door to the stagecoach.“Sorry boys, but no weapons are allowed inside the compound.” He said patting down the possemembers as they stepped off the coach. James handed his Winchester to the guard, followed byhis Peacemaker and his knife. He watched as another man stepped out of the building to greetthem.“Morning folks,” he said brightly, “I’m Jim Peters, the Orleans County Sheriff. You must be here for that job.” Peters led the posse into the house to a basement. Another armed guard was standing at thebasement door. As the posse went through, James noticed Dan look uneasy as the door wasclosed behind them. The room was well-furnished, but very dark. There was a recognisable smellof alcohol, along with perfumes and colognes that had been used in an attempt to hide it.

“Sit down gentlemen,” a low voice instructed. James obeyed the command and sat at a large tablewith the rest of the posse. An unseen figure was seated at the end of the table, his face concealedby the shadows.“Why is the county sheriff’s place so heavily guarded?” Bart asked. “That’s not your business,” the man replied, “Right now; you’ll want to know what you are hired for.” The posse nodded in agreement. The man continued;“Recently, a set of scrolls have been stolen by Union spies. These scrolls are a source of power

that US should not have. Although there is a peace treaty between the US and the CSgovernments, this power could spell the end for the Confederacy. The scrolls are used by theBayou Vermilion Railroad Company to raise undead workers to lay their tracks. You must recoverthese scrolls at all costs, before the Union begin to raise an undead army to use against us.” “Why does a huckster or a voodooist have connections with Richmond?” Bart asked dismissively. “You are not here to ask questions!” The man snapped before continuing: “We tracked the spies to the Louisiana swamplands. They promptly disappeared.” “You want us to go into the swamp?” Dan cried out in horror, “Only the fools go into the swamps!”



“You may not negotiate where you go.” The man responded, but relented, “You will receive $20 0 inadvance each, followed by another $800 on completion of the mission. Fordham will make travelarrangements outside.” The door opened behind the posse, and they were led outside to the hacienda courtyard by one ofthe guards. Fordham was waiting for them outside with the stagecoaches and their weapons.“We’ll head back into New Orleans where you will receive your horses.” He instructed.

James climbed into the stagecoach with Dan and Jonathan. He watched as Dan pulled a cigar outof his coat. Jonathan glared at him, feeling uneasy.“You know, I don’t think you should be smoking if you carry all that dynamite,” he told him. “Relax Johnny,” Dan replied, biting the end of the cigar, “This ain’t the kind of fire safety you gettaught back in London. I have these unlit, so I don’t risk blowing everyone to the next State.” “So that’s what the army teach in the CSA,” Jonathan said sarcastically. Dan glared at him.

The coaches arrived at a stable at the edge of town. The posse members disembarked and wereapproached by the stable keeper.“The horses are ready,” he said, “These are my best horses, and that city boy has paid me well.” James climbed aboard his horse and prepared to ride out. The stable keeper beckoned to him.“If you hurry, you can reach Vitre by nightfall!” he called to them. Dan rode up to James. “We should take his advice Jimmy,” he stated, “It’s dangerous to travel through the swamps after dark,” Jimmy led the posse out of New Orleans on the South East road. The road began to lead intomarshlands. The sounds of horseshoes against the roads gave way to squelching of stagnantwater and mud. Black Scorpion turned to the other posse members.“Try to steer clear of the banks,” he warned, “The mudsuckers will go for absolutely anything thatmoves.” He was interrupted by the sound of coughing from behind a set of trees. Big Bill dismounted,reaching into his duster and producing a sawn-off shotgun. James nodded.“I’m gonna check it out with Bill,” he said, dismounting and drawing his Peacemaker. The pair pushed through the vegetation to follow the sounds. A wrecked stagecoach came into view; thedead coachmen slumped over the yoke. James listened again. The coughing came from inside thecoach. Something was inside, trying to escape. Bill trained his shotgun on the doors as they slowlycreaked open. James gestured at him, waving his hand downwards.“Don’t shoot,” a voice emitted from inside in an agonised croak. A severely injured man crawled outof the coach. James and Bill looked at him. The man had multiple bullet wounds covering his body,and a horrifically bruised face.“Get to…Vitre…” his said, coughing up blood, “Find Cherie…Beau…mont…” He coughed up blood again before slumping over. Bill approached him nervously. James haltedhim.“It’s too late Bill,” he said, “He’s already dead,” “And you’ll join him you nosy bastards!” another voice called out. Three men emerged from behind

the coach, armed with rifles.“Shit,” James said, “Road agents.”“You’d better throw your guns and empty your pockets if you want to live!” the leader said, standingon top of the stagecoach with his rifle trained on the pair.“James! Get ready!” Scorpion’s voice rang out. An arrow flew over James’ head, hitting the thief square in the chest. As his companions momentarily watched him fall from his perch, James raisedhis Peacemaker and fired, hitting one of them in the stomach. The third thief panicked, firing a wildshot at James, just missing his shoulder. Bill raised his shotgun and fired both barrels. The thief fellbackwards behind the coach. The pair turned around and walked back to the posse. At thatmoment, a clicking sound was heard behind them. They turned around to see the surviving thief



stood up, clutching is stomach while raising his revolver, wading into the bank. Bill broke open hisshotgun, shaking out the spent cartridges, while James stood there watching. The man suddenlyfroze. A large leech-like creature emerged from the bank of the pool, latching onto his back beforedragging the man into the pool. James and Bill walked away silently.

A few minutes later, James and Bill had joined the others and were on the move again.“What happened?” Bart asked Bill.

“A couple of road agents set up an ambush,” he replied, “We took them out and left one for themudsuckers.” James listened to their conversation as he led the posse. He wondered why he’d been picked for this mission. He wondered about why he couldn’t escape this sort of intrigue despite leaving theTexas Rangers.“You’re still thinking about Blazing Bill’s curse aren’t you?” Black Scorpion asked him. Jamesnodded, but said nothing.“You mentioned that his body was missing from the undertakers,” Scorpion continued. “Body snatchers,” James interrupted dismissively. “Even though the undertaker’s throat had been torn out,” Scorpion said, unphased. James felt a five-year-old fear once again intensely growing in his heart.“We should get moving,” he commanded, “We need to get to Vitre before nightfall,” “He’s right.” Dan agreed, “I heard some nasty rumours about these f reaky Bogwalkers that roamthe place at night.” “Why are you afraid of the swamps Dan?” Jonathan asked. Dan just looked away, evading thequestion.

It was getting dark as the posse was still riding through the swamps. Bart then perked up to noticea set of lights in the distance. As they rode closer, the sight of the town of Vitre greeted them.“Okay, here’s the plan boys,” James briefed, “Our quarries are somewhere in the swamplands. If Dan is right, then the Bogwalkers would have got them when it’s dark . Therefore, we will searchthe swamps by day and stay in Vitre at night.”

The posse rode onto the town, receiving frightened looks and hard stares from the townspeople.James noticed a set of stables next to a hotel. The hotelkeeper looked at them, reaching for a largeshotgun.“You aren’t welcome here you goddamn bandits!” he growled at them. “Calm down you fucking nut!” James told him, “I’m not a bandit; I’m from the Rangers,” The hotelkeeper lowered his shotgun.“You’re a Texas Ranger?” he asked sceptically. “If you’re staying here, $3 a night, plus $2 for useof the stables. Metal only, no paper.” James thought for a moment, and then produced a large bag from his coat.“$150 to allow us to set up shop in your hotel, with no questions asked,” he propose d.

The hotelkeeper was speechless. James knew he would be agreeing at the taste of such a largesum. He took the bag and nodded, ushering the posse into the hotel.“Rooms 1 through 6 upstairs are vacant,” he said, “You can use the backroom for planning. H ere isthe key.” James watched as he walked off. He walked upstairs to his room, hanging up his duster andStetson on the door. He looked at his article again before leaving and entering the backroom.

The backroom of the hotel was a dark room with a table and a few chairs. James viewed the room,thinking about the Baton Rouge Poker tournaments as he lit a cigar. Jonathan entered behind him,lighting his pipe, followed by the others.



“Sit down gentlemen,” James instructed. As the others sat down, he briefed them on the situation:“Thanks to the hotelkeeper’s cooperation, we now have a base of operations. Now here’s the plan:We will work parallel to each other while we search for these Yankees. Tomorrow morning,Scorpion, Johnny and I will search the swamps for any sign of their presence. Dan, Bart and Billwill try and keep an ear out for anything out of the ordinary in Vitre. But I want a low profile; so don’topenly ask around unless absolutely necessary. We will convene here every evening to shareintelligence. That’s about it, so we’ll rest tonight.”

After the meeting adjourned, the posse members received a typical frontier meal of pork andbeans. James sat and watched the others eat. He realised that he was hungry, but had little todiscuss with the posse, and he was unwilling to discuss his past, even with Scorpion. As he ate, helistened to the other conversations. Scorpion was conversing with the other posse members.“I was from a Choctaw society in Oklahoma for most of my life,” he explained, “That w as until Idisagreed with our Chieftain on Coyote’s leadership. I went against the old ways, started usingrifles. The chieftain branded me a Ravenite, and I left Oklahoma. I provided for myself in the CSA,as a bounty hunter. I became one of the finest trackers around.” As Scorpion sat back down, Dan took the floor.“As for me,” he said, “I was a soldier in the CS Army. I served in an Engineer regiment, the 12 th

Arkansas Sappers, or as most folks called them, ‘The Bombin’ Bills’. When the Union andConfederacy underwent peace negotiations, my regiment faced disbandment. I was with many ofthe sappers who accepted private missions from third party contractors.” “Like who?” Bill asked. “Dixie Rails, the Texas Rangers, Independent miners,” Dan listed. “Dixie Rails!” Bart exclaimed. “You mean you made money by blowing up trains at the benefit of Dixie Rails?” Dan reacted in terror. James intervened.“That’s enough,” he snarled, “Get some sleep boys. You’ll need it, and I don’t want to have to stopyou from killing each other.”

A few minutes later, James was in his own room, lying on his bed. He read his old news article. Hefocused on the photographs that were included in the article. There was a photo of Jamesunloading Blazing Bill and his three brothers from a prison wagon. As he watched, he slowlydescended into sleep.

It was 1874. James McCoy was stationed with the Rangers in Austin. Blazing Bill Broadus hadstaged a savage attack; He and his brothers had torched a school, using the fire as a diversion torob the bank with four accomplices. McCoy, met by the fervour of the townspeople and the angerof the victim’s relatives, led a posse to search for Bill. By the time that they had found him, two of his accomplices had been murdered after a supposed betrayal, while the rest of the gang had been

traced to an abandoned staging post. The Rangers became engaged in a shootout with the possewhere the other two accomplices were killed, and the building caught fire. After Bill and his brothersescaped, they were arrested. James recalled the events as he slept. He recalled what he saidupon catching Bill.“You’ll be at the end of a rope you sick son of a bitch!” he had shouted as Bill was led away. Theflashback took a sudden dark turn. James felt himself being marched to the gallows by a maskedman. As the noose was tied around his neck, James received several punches in the gut from theexecutioner as a crowd cheered. The executioner then removed his mask to reveal a demonicimage of Blazing Bill. The sound of phantom knocking followed.



James awakened bolt upright on his bed, still hearing the knocking emanating from his room.“Mr. McCoy?” Scorpion’s voice called out. James opened the door to see Scorpion and Johnnywaiting for him.“Are you all right?” Jonathan asked.James simply shrugged at the question. “Just a bad dream,” he replied. “It surprises me that a man with true grit like you has dreams of that kind,” Scorpion commented. “It’s just an old fear from five years ago,” James explained. “Fear that Blazing Bill is searching for you?” Scorpion suggested. James didn’t answer, simplyfollowing the pair downstairs to the backroom, where a simple breakfast of fried eggs and grits waswaiting for them, with Bart, Bill and Dan in attendance.“We’re going to listen out for trouble in the saloon,” Bart told them, “If we get compromised in thetown, Dan will go into the swamps and find you.”

After breakfast, James went to the stables with his team to collect their horses. He prepared hisWinchester and mounted it in his saddle ring.“Those are some mighty fine horses you got there mister,” the hotelkeeper said as the trio gotsaddled and mounted. James ignored the comment as they rode off into the swamp.

A few hours later, James was riding through the swamp with Jonathan and Scorpion. They cameacross a clearing and set up a camp. As Jonathan tended to a cooking fire, James satcontemplating, pulling a half empty whiskey bottle from his coat and taking a long drink from itscontents. Scorpion sat at the tree-trunk next to him.“You are still wondering about Blazing Bill,” Scorpion deduced once again. James nodded silently. “What actually happened after the discovery at the undertakers?” Scorpion asked. James glared at him silently, angry about the Choctaw’s scepticism. He sighed and explained:“After Bill’s corpse went missing from the undertakers, the Marshal recruited me for a manhuntthrough Texas. After a day’s search, we found nothing. At the end of the day, I was told of a largefire, and discovered that my house had been set ablaze. I believed that this was Bill’s curse,especially after discovered that both my wife and my son were killed in the blaze.” Black Scorpion fell silent.“I’m sorry to hear that James,” he said, “Now I must confess to a loss; after I was branded aRavenite by my tribe, my family was killed as punishment. I had no choice but to abandon them,fearing that they would be hunted by the rest of my tribe.” “So you have both lost everything from your pasts,” Jonathan interrupted, pouring coffee fo r theother two posse members.“What about you, limey?” James asked, pouring some whiskey into his coffee before drinking it. “I had no memory of my family,” Jonathan answered, “I was raised in an orphanage in London. Iran away when I was 10 and hid on a boat bound for America. A scientist adopted me, but he waskilled in a train accident when I was 19. He had taught me some basic skills in invention, butnothing much.” James stared into the dregs of his coffee. “Enough talk,” he said, “We should keep searching,”

Meanwhile, back in Vitre, Bart entered the saloon with Bill. He sat at a poker table and joined anongoing game, producing a bag of money.“Metal only. No paper.” The croupier told him. He opened the bag to reveal the coins it contained.Bill sat at a nearby table, nodding to Dan as he sat at the bar. While listening out for trouble, theynoticed a group of thugs enter the saloon and seat at the bar next to Dan. He watched themdiscreetly as the bartender poured them whisky.“Just don’t shoot the place up again fellas,” he requested.



The leader of the thugs grabbed the bartender by the neck. “You don’t tell me what I shouldn’t doyou pipsqueak!” he yelled, “I’ve been searching Vitre and the surrounding swamps for CherieBeaumont! I lost another three men yesterday!”

“That’s Mad Dog Marston, a local road agent,” one of the poker players whispered to Bart. Hewatched as two of Marston’s men ran upstairs, revolvers drawn. Marston walked over to the poker table. “Who the hell are you?” he asked Bart. “Someone looking for Cherie

as well,” the grifter bluffed, “I’m looking for information on her whereabouts.” Marston drew his revolver as many patrons dived under the tables. At the same time, Bartproduced a Derringer from a concealed compartment in his wr ist. Marston’s remaining thug drewhis revolver as well. “You can’t shoot us both with that handbag toy!” he said. Bart remained calm.“No,” he retorted, “But Bill can,” The thug turned to see Bill pointing his sawn-off at them both.“Cherie Beaumont has knowledge of hidden treasure in the swamps,” Marston explained, “I wantthe treasure, and I’m going to get it.”

As Marston talked, and the patrons slowly began to sit up again, Marston’s other two thugs werewalking down the stairs, holding a Cajun woman at gunpoint.

“Boss! We found her!” one of them said as they walked down, only to see the standoff betweenBart and Marston. As they aimed their weapons at Bart, the woman quickly jumped back, throwingone thug though the banister while sending the other one tumbling down the stairs with a sharpkick before running up the stairs. As Marston turned to aim at her, Bart kicked his revolver out ofhis hand while shooting the second thug in the shoulder with his derringer. Marston grabbed Bartand threw him into the poker table, sending chips and cards everywhere. As Bart tried to get up,Marston pinned him to the floor and began punching him repeatedly while the patrons cheered on.The injured thug stood up and aimed his revolver at Bill. When Bill put his sawn-off down, Dantapped the thug on the shoulder, hitting him in the face with a whiskey bottle as he turned around.In the commotion, Bill leapt out of his seat and grabbed Marston, picking him up and throwing himover the bar. The third thug shoved his way through the crowd and attempted to charge Bill, only tobe tackled by Bart, as many patrons joined in, causing the scuffle to erupt into a full on brawl.Marston clambered up over the bar, brandishing the bartender’s shotgun. Thinking quickly, Danvaulted over, kicking the bandit in the head before running out of the back door.

While the brawl continued in the saloon, Dan slipped through the side alleys unnoticed until hereached the main street. As he casually strolled back towards the hotel, the town marshal and fivedeputies approached him. He pointed at the saloon, and they simply nodded and left. Dan moppedhis brow and ran to the hotel, saddling his horse and riding out of town.

The marshal and his deputies entered the saloon, firing their revolvers in the air, prompting thebrawlers to stand still.

“Break it up boys!” he ordered as his deputies cleared them away. Bart and Bill quickly ranupstairs. Marston leapt from behind the bar with the stolen shotgun, attempting to follow them. Oneof the deputies saw him and panicked, shooting him in the chest as he jumped. The local menacetumbled into one of the overturned tables.“Get after them!” the marshal ordered, prompting two deputies to follow the fleeing fugitivesupstairs.

Bart and Bill fled to the balcony above the saloon, where they leapt into the street. As they fled thedeputies reached the balcony and began firing at them with Winchesters.



“Over here!” a voice called to them from the nearby house. They turned to see the Cajun waving atthem from an alleyway. Bill quickly ran to her, diving behind a stack of crates. As they turned, theysaw Bart limping behind them.“I sprained my ankle from the jump!” he called to them. As he limped, one of the deputies fired ashot that hit him in the leg. Bill peered up from behind the crates; only to duck back again as bulletsricocheted past him.“We have to get out of here!” the woman shouted to him. As the deputies continued firing, she

hurled a playing card at them, which exploded in a ball of green energy. The balcony collapsed.

“You’re a huckster!” Bill said in amazement. The woman nodded and fled. Bill followed her into thewetlands, looking back to see Bart being led away by the marshal. He sighed and fled, followingthe woman into the wetlands.

An hour later, Bill had followed the woman to a run down log cabin.“Don’t worry, the posses don’t go this far into the swamps,” she explained. “Who are you?” Bill asked. “My name is Cherie Beaumont,” she explained, “Those thugs think that I know the whereabouts ofa hidden treasure.” “What kind of treasure? Gold? Jewels? Ghost rock?” She shook her head. “No. It’s supposed to be a set of scrolls that bring forth some mysteriouspower. This is a power that no living person can control. It could result in an ancient demon beingsummoned to Earth.” Bill looked at her in shock.“If this demon is summoned, it will re-awaken the conflict between the Union and ConfederateStates,” Cherie continued, “While that’s going on, it will raise a demonic army of its own and finishoff the weakened victors.” “We need to warn James of the danger. He’s looking for the scrolls right now.” Bill quickly left as Cherie watched him.“You’ll need to get him quickly!” she warned, “The Bogwalkers will be out soon!”

Meanwhile, James’ group was riding back into town when he noticed Dan riding towards them.“What happened Dan?” Jonathan asked. “We were set upon by some road agents looking for Cherie Beaumont,” he explained, “Themarshal arrived and arrested Bart.” “What about Bill?” “I saw him get led out of town by some woman. A huckster,” “Shit,” James said, “We need to find that huckster. She might have some useful information.”

By the time that James and his group reached Vitre, the chaos in the saloon had mostly died down.They saw several townspeople clearing away the last of the saloon balcony from the street. James

stared in disbelief at Dan. They rode back to the hotel in silence.

The hotel was completely deserted. A note had been left on the desk:I am unable to perform my duties as I am helping to clean up from a fight at the saloon.

“We’ll need to figure out how to get Bart out of jail.” James said. “Once that’s done, we can find Billand that huckster. She could be that Cherie Beaumont I’ve been hearing about.” “You’re right about that…”James turned around to see Bill enter the hotel.



“Cherie Beaumont is a huckster who knows the location of those scrolls.” “Brilliant!” Dan replied eagerly, “We can find them and get our reward!” Bill shook his head. “I learned from Beaumont that the scrolls summon an ancient evil. We need todestroy them or the world will collapse.” He explained. “So, we’re being used.” Jonathan replied. Bill nodded. Everyone in the room fell silent. After a while, Scorpion finally spoke:“If these scrolls are returned, then the Reckoners will gain enough power to come to Earth. Theentire world will become a Deadland.”

“You seem very knowledgeable about this,” James commented. “That is true.” Scorpion revealed, “I was a shaman.” All eyes turned to face him. Everyone stared in amazement.

“I have been a tracker for many years,” he explained, “Despite the disgrace from my tribe; the OldOnes are still on my side, even when I denounced the Old Ways. They will help us prevent theReckoning. They must help us.” “They can’t do the ritual unless they have the scrolls,” Jonathan reminded them. “That’s true,” James said, “But we need to destroy the scrolls.” “If we do that, we’ll be hunted.” Dan warned them. James cut in; “Before we do that, we’ve got to break Bart out of jail.” The rest of the group nodded in agreement.

Half an hour later, Jonathan was viewing the marshal’s office with the scope from his Buntline. “We want this to be a clean breakout, so don’t kill any deputies. There’s no point in getting a bountyfor killing a lawman.” James instructed. Jonathan kept looking through the scope, noticing Dan crouched behind an old farm wagon.“Dan’s in position, I’ll meet with Scorpion and Bill.” James told him.

James strolled up to the telegraph office where Bill and Scorpion were waiting. Scorpion haddisposed of his duster, wearing a traditional shaman’s buffalo skin garb. They nodded at eachother. James looked over at the farm wagon. Dan was setting up some dynamite. They watched ashe lit the fuse and dived away. The explosion completely destroyed the wagon. Jonathan watchedfrom his hotel room as the marshal and two deputies ran out of the office with their rifles. He wavedthe curtains on the window.“That’s the signal,” James said softly to Bill and Scorpion. They took off across the street.

As they entered the marshal’s office, they noticed one deputy remaining. He was asleep in hischair, his feet resting on the table. James noticed Bart lying on a bed in one of the cells, his legbandaged. A ring of keys was lying on the desk. Scorpion reached to pick them up carefully. Thefloorboards creaked loudly. The deputy awoke suddenly, falling off his chair as he leapt back. Ashe looked up, he saw James training his Peacemaker on him.“You’d better get your hand away from your holster.” James said threateningly. The deputy eased

his hand away.“Wise move.” James commented, “Bill, tie him up.”

As Bill tied the deputy’s hands and feet, Scorpion grabbed the keys and led Bart out of his cell. “I wondered when you’d show up,” Bart said sarcastically.“We’re leaving.” James replied, “Vitre’s too hot to stay. We need to leave quickly.”

The party left the marshal’s office and fled to the hotel where Dan was waiting. They mounted their horses and left when the marshal appeared. He watched them flee town into the night.“Should we get a posse ready?” one of the deputies asked him. The marshal shook his head.



“No.” he answered, “We’ve got two deputies in casts already. It’s dark. The Bogwalkers will getthem.”

The posse rode through the swamplands as quickly as their horses could carry them. As they rodedeeper into the bayous, the horses began to flounder. Several creatures resembling waterloggedcorpses emerged from the marshes towards them.“Bogwalkers!” Dan shouted, drawing his Colt Dragoon and firing wildly as he was pulled off his

horse. Scorpion quickly dismounted and drew a tomahawk. He kicked one of the Bogwalkers awaywhile driving his tomahawk through another one’s skull. Stagnant water oozed from the wound asthe creature dropped to the ground. Jonathan quickly rode away, allowing him to draw his Buntlineand pick off several other Bogwalkers.“Quick! Run for that house!” James called out as he noticed an abandoned two -storey house in thedistance, seemingly part of an old plantation. They quickly rode towards it, the Bogwalkers not farbehind. As they rode, Bart’s horse began to stumble, pitching him off. Bill turned to see him limpingafter them.“Just leave me!” he called to them, “I’ll just slow you down.” Bill stared in horror as his mentor was grabbed by the Bogwalkers and dragged underneath thegrimy waters of the swamp. He turned to follow the others. As they neared the house Cherie wavedto them from the second floor window.“Get in quick!” she called. As the posse attempted to hitch their horses near the house, shelaunched a shower of playing cards from her arms, shredding the pursuing Bogwalkers. Jamespulled his Winchester from its saddle ring and fired at one of the survivors. The monster droppedas the round entered its skull. James smiled as he ran into the house, seeing more Bogwalkersemerging from the swamps.

The house was dark, lit only by a few candles. James watched as Bill and Dan were boarding upthe doors and windows with broken furniture.“Is the house secure?” James asked. Bill ignored him. “Look, I’m sorry about what happened to Bart.” James said. Bill turned to face him. “How are you sorry?” he asked angrily, “How can you feel sorry for someone you put away for fraud?” “If I didn’t arrest him, he would have been tarred and feathered by those guys from Tombstone.” The argument was interrupted by shots ringing out from upstairs. James walked up as Bill and Danwatched him. Jonathan was firing at the Bogwalkers from a second story window with hisassembled Buntline.“This is where my kit shines.” He told James. “Save them.” James replied, “There’s too many to deal with. Use regular rounds on any that areclose to the house.” He fired his Winchester from the window, hitting one of the Bogwalkers in the head. Dan walkedupstairs. He had his Colt Dragoon primed.“I had feared those swamp freaks for a long time now.” He confessed, “Three years ago, my

brother was stationed in Louisiana. He was in the Cavalry, doing some reconnaissance mission inthe swamps, in search of Seminoles. The Bogwalkers killed him. I received a visit from hiscommanding officer where I heard the news. All they managed to find was his Colt Dragoon. It’s been my sidearm ever since.”

Cherie entered the room they were in, accompanied by Black Scorpion.“I know your mission, James McCoy.” She said to them, “You must destroy that scroll or theReckoning will happen.” “She’s right.” Scorpion added, “Fordham’s employer serves the Reckoners.”



“We still need to find the scrolls.” James replied, “But if we destroy them, the Reckoners will knowabout it, so we have to be discreet.” “We can’t desert, because they’ll find it eventually.” Jonathan added. “We need to bring it to my people,” Scorpion told them, “They will be able to destroy it.” The others contemplated Scorpion’s plan, and nodded in agreement. “We can’t find the scrolls yet,” Dan pointed out, “We should wait until morning.”

The sound of thumping emanated from downstairs. James grabbed his Winchester and randownstairs. Bogwalkers had surrounded the house and were tearing down the barricades that Billand Dan had set up. One of the abominations peered through a hole in the barricade. Jamesdispatched it with a shot to the head. Stagnant water splattered the wall. James put everyone towork:“Johnny! Cherie! Find as much supplies as you can and take them upstairs! I’ll try and hold thesebarricades for as long as possible with Dan and Bill! Scorpion, when the supplies are collected, youdemolish the staircase!”

James quickly pressed himself against the breaking barricade. A Bogwalker reached through andgrabbed him. He drew his bowie knife and stabbed it through the eye. Dan fired his Colt throughthe opening while Bill held more planks over the door.“We can’t hold them much longer!” Dan cried out as the Bogwalkers relentlessly clawed at thebarricades.“Get upstairs!” Scorpion called to them. The others quickly ran upstairs as Scorpion began to chopthe staircase with his tomahawk.Bill picked up a large woodsman’s axe that had been collected and started to chop the stairs aswell.As the stairs were demolished, the barricades gave away and collapsed. Bogwalkers swarmed intothe house. By the time they entered, the staircase had been removed, preventing them fromreaching the posse.“How much supplies have we got?” James asked. “There was no food in the house, just our trail rations and canteens.” Jonathan replied, showing hisbackpack.“I’ve probably got some more stuff in the saddlebags on my horse.” Dan said.James perked up in horror.“The horses!” he cried out, running to the window. He looked to the hitching posts to find that thehorses were gone.“Oh shit!” Bill shouted out. “Those fucking swamp freaks have eaten our horses!” James yelled out in anger, firing at severalBogwalkers with his Winchester.

A large explosion rang out in the distance. The Bogwalkers began to lurch away towards thesource of the sound. James watched them leave.

“There’s an old ghost town near here. The scrolls are located there.” Cherie told him. “Don’t worr y,it’s walking distance.” “Now is the time to make move.” James replied. “Let’s go then.” Jonathan said impatiently, tying a length of rope to the banister and throwing theother end from the window.

The posse slid down the rope to swamp floor. The Bogwalkers leaving the house had not takenany notice of them.“Come on, it’s this way,” Cherie whispered. They crept through the swamps, cautious of theBogwalkers.



Jonathan peered into his scope, noticing the edge of the ghost town. He noticed a sign further upthe path:

Spirit Bayou-No firearms allowed.“Don’t get jumpy,” Cherie warned, “The undead rule this town, but the Bogwalkers stay away .”

The posse entered the town, walking up to an abandoned house with a large desk outside it. Aghostly figure stepped towards them.

“Leave your guns with me, or you won’t leave town alive,” it ordered. The figure wore a marshal’sbadge. James turned to notice several walking corpses lurching towards them. He placed hisWinchester and Peacemaker on the table, followed by everyone else.“You may keep your knives with you,” the ghost of the marshal said, “These zombies are whatremains of my deputies. They will not attack without my orders or permission.” He waved his hand. The zombies lurched back into their homes.“State your purpose in Spirit Bayou.” “We’re here to find the Scroll of Sonatos.” Cherie replied.The marshal said nothing, fading away. A series of lanterns began to light, making a trail to an oldmanor house. Cherie led the posse to the manor.

The manor itself was deserted. A crying sound emitted from upstairs.“The scrolls are upstairs,” Cherie whispered, “That crying is from Catherine Black. She was the wifeof the mayor, Stuart Black, who was murdered by bandits. She died of grief shortly afterwards.” “And in death, she has become a Weeping Widow, a servant of the Reckoners.” Scorpion guessed.

The posse crept upstairs towards the master bedroom. Dan peered in through the door. A womanwas stood in front of the bed, clad in a mourning dress. Her face was concealed by a veil and hergloves were soaked with tears. Scorpion entered the room and began a ritual dance while chantingin his own language.“What the hell is he doing?” Dan hissed. “He’s performing an exorcism,” James told him, “So shut up and watch.”

As Scorpion’s dance continued, the Widow began to recoil back in pain. As they watched, theyheard the sounds of shooting from the town. A few minutes later, Scorpion completed his dance.The Weeping Widow burst into flames and quickly reduced to a mound of ash. James walked intothe bedroom, noticing a chest at the foot of the bed. He opened it. There was a selection of mapsand administrative records inside. However, something caught his eye; a scroll with a small butdistinct glow.“This is the Scroll of Sonatos,” Scorpion told him as the others gathered around, “We must destroyit before he can be summoned.” “Your orders were not to destroy it.” A voice said behind them. James turned to see Jim Peters andseveral deputies holding them at gunpoint.“We’ll take that. Sonatos will reward our support for him. However, you all know too much, so youmust witness his first steps on Earth, especially James McCoy. Now move it!”

The posse were led outside the manor by the deputies. They noticed other deputies, accompaniedby various hired guns, disposing of corpses on large pyres in the middle of the town. Severalwagons were waiting nearby. As James watched and contemplated when to make his next move,one of the deputies tied his hands behind his back. He watched as his companions also had theirhands bound and were bundled into one of the wagons.





“That’s still Colonel Francis Harper to you, Ranger or drifter.” Frank replied, “I’m taking you andyour posse in.”

Frank led the posse to the local jail. James was taken to an interrogation room, where he was metby Frank.“I want to know what you are planning.” Frank said bluntly. “A few days ago, I was picked up in Baton Rouge by some city boy named Charles Fordham. ”

James replied,“He took me to Peters’ estate outside New Orleans, where I was hired to recover

some scrolls.” “You were hired by Sheriff Peters?” “No. He was serving under some mysterious benefactor.” “What was the scroll for?” “We discovered that it summoned a demon known as Sonatos. He stole the scroll before we coulddestroy it.” Frank was speechless. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. After a brief hesitation, he spoke:“As a colonel, my copy of Fugitives from Justice in the Confederacy has Chapter 13. There is anentry on the Cult of Sonatos in there. You may know of Chapter 13. It contains details of allsupernatural threats, but was beyond your clearance. You could only speculate on its contents.” James said nothing, listening to his former superior’s speech. “It is the duty of the Texas Rangers to protect the Confederacy from all threats, from the simplebandits to the supernatural forces of the Reckoning. I was sent to Louisiana by Charles Fordham toextradite you. Now, bringing you in is preventing me from carrying out my foremost duty.” James perked up at Frank’s statement. “Your posse shall be released and are cleared to attack the sheriff’s estate. My men will provideassistance.” Frank told him, returning his Peacemaker.

As the sun was going down, James was sitting in a wagon with his posse, rolling towards theestate. They were all looking mean. James said nothing, loading up his Winchester and hisPeacemaker. Bill was sitting beside him, loading a double barrelled shotgun he’d purchased from agunsmith in New Orleans. Cherie loaded a derringer, concealing it in her garter. James nodded ather. She nodded back. The wagon drove to a halt on the hillside overlooking the estate. Jamesstepped off the wagon. Frank had supplied him with six Rangers and three gunslingers.“Why are we stopping here?” he asked the driver, one of the local gunslingers which ColonelHarper had hired to bolster his men.“It’s common see campsites in these hills. The guards at the estate will think we’re just huntingbirds.” The driver replied. James looked at him, unconvinced. He strolled over to the secondwagon, where Colonel Harper was sitting with his men. No one said anything. The only sound thatcould be heard was the sound of guns being loaded. The men disembarked from the wagon andmade their way down the hill.“I’ve brought my Sharps with me James,” Frank told him, “I could cover you from the hill.”

James shook his head.“I’ve already got a sniper Frank. Leave your buffalo rifle here.” James replied, “While the guardsmay think that we’re hunting birds, the sound of that will prove them wrong.”

James turned to Jonathan, who had assembled his Buntline with the sniping gear. He noddedsilently, and crouched behind a nearby rock. There was a guard standing on the rooftop of a smallhouse near the wall of the estate. Jonathan aimed at him and fired. The man dropped down. Helooked through the scope again. None of the guards seemed suspicious.“Give us cover while we clear the courtyard, then meet up with us.” James whispered to him. Jonathan noticed the two guards at the gate. They were also unaware of the dead guard. His heart



was beating rapidly. He chambered two more precision rounds. Taking a deep breath, he fired,hitting the first guard. He then quickly cycled the next round and fired again. The second guarddropped before he could react.

James and his posse, along with Frank and his men were slowly advancing towards the estate,taking cover behind a set of rocks. Dan crept towards the wall, planting TNT at the main gate andtrailing detonation wire back towards the rocks.“We’ll blow down the gate and run in quickly,” Frank whispered to Jam

es, drawing his twoPeacemakers, “Shoot to kill.” James primed his Winchester as Dan trailed the fuse back to the rocks. Dan looked at James andprimed his Colt Dragoon while lighting the fuse. The gate was obliterated in the blast. As the groupmoved out, several men ran out of the dust cloud, firing at them wildly. James and Frank openedfire on them.“I haven’t done a raid like this since I was stationed in Tucson,” James remarked proudly. “When you arrested Bart,” Bill grumbled at him. “No,” James replied, “I was arresting the Blacksnake Gang with local law enforcement. I became agood friend of Virgil Earp on that mission.” “Move it!” Frank ordered them.

The group ran into the estate courtyard, where they were met by a hail of gunfire from the guardsat the estate. They quickly dived behind the nearest cover they could find. As three of Frank’sRangers dived behind a parked wagon, James and Frank ran into a nearby shed with the threehired guns. James smashed the shed window and fired several rounds with his Winchester, killingtwo guards and wounding a third. One of the gunslingers peered out of the door, only to be hit by astray bullet.“Those sons of bitches!” Frank yelled, picking off several guards with his Peacemakers. “We need to get to the main building!” James called out. Dan whistled at him from behind the wagon, lighting a stick of dynamite and throwing it at thehouse. The explosion destroyed some of the crates that the deputies had set up for cover. Cheriethen jumped out from behind her cover and emitted a burst of razor-sharp playing cards, shreddingthe exposed deputies.“I’m coming James!” Jonathan called to them, running through the entrance with his Buntline at theready. As he fired at the deputies, a wild shot hit him in the side of his torso. Scorpion quicklyretaliated with his bow, hitting the deputy in the chest. The deputies retreated into the house as theposse advanced.

James ran over to Jonathan as he lay bleeding against the wall. Scorpion joined him.“I’m sorry James,” Jonathan said painfully, “You’ll have to leave me.” James shook his head. “You can’t give up yet Johnny ,” he said in disbelief.Scorpion placed his hand on Jonathan’s wound and muttered an incantation. The flesh began togrow back as Scorpion chanted. James and Frank watched in amazement.

“You’ve got a shaman in your posse?” Frank asked. James nodded and ran to the main building ofthe estate, where Bill was hitting the doors with the stock of his shotgun.“They’ve barricaded the doors.” He told James. “Dan! Get over here!” James called in response. Dan walked up to them, followed by everybodyelse.“Your wound healed so quickly?” James asked Jonathan. “I’m surprised that shamanistic healing even worked,” Jonathan replied, loading his Buntline. “I’m also surprised that it worked,” Scorpion added, “I have strayed far from the Old Ways for solong that I thought I’d lost my powers.”



Dan set up another stick of dynamite against the door. Everyone ran clear and trained theirweapons. The dynamite destroyed the front door, killing the two guards hastily erecting abarricade. Two more ran down the stairs to take their place. Bill quickly ran into the foyer, firingboth barrels of his shotgun and sending them tumbling down the stairs. James tossed hisWinchester aside, drawing his Peacemaker and following Bill.“I’m heading to the basement!” he called to the others, kicking down the door and rapidlydescending the stairs. Two deputies quickly ran up towards him. He fanned his Peacemaker, killing

both of them.

James reached the bottom of the stairs and kicked the door in. As he entered the conference room,there was a clicking sound behind his head, along with the smell of alcohol. He turned around tosee Jim Peters holding a Colt Army revolver to his head. He closed the door behind him.“So you were waiting for me you yellow bastard,” James said to Peters. “That is correct,” another voice said. James looked to see his contractor sitting in the shadows.“You were out of order, revealing your mission to that Cajun huckster. You shouldn’t have tried todestroy the scroll. I waited for you to arrive before I commenced the ritual to summon Sonatos.Your sacrifice will appease him and fulfil my desire for revenge.” The unseen man clicked his fingers. Several lamps lit up, illuminating the room. James’ eyeswidened as the man stepped out of the shadows. He was unable speak as he found himself staringat the face of Blazing Bill Broadus.“I don’t believe it.” James said in terror, “You’re dead. I saw you hang.” “You’re right.” Blazing Bill replied, “I am dead. I’m Har rowed. There is a Manitou controlling me. Iwork for the Reckoners. And now, Sonatos awaits our calling.

Blazing Bill walked up to James and grabbed his arm. James felt his chilling touch as hisPeacemaker dropped from his hand. He couldn’t resist his nightmare’s ice cold grip, and promptlypassed out.

Frank kicked in the door to the basement to find it empty. He noticed James’ Peacemaker on theground. Scorpion ran beside him.“James may have been caught,” He told the posse, “We must stop Sonatos from be ing summoned.The fate of the world depends on it.” Big Bill loaded his shotgun and scanned the room.“There must be a passage somewhere,” he said. Jonathan looked around, noticing that one of thelamps on the wall was uneven. He pulled it, revealing a secret entrance. The posse entered, to finda large underground temple. A large pentagram lay in the middle of the chamber, with a large altarat the centre. James was tied down on the altar, surrounded by several cloaked figures.

Blazing Bill stood among the figures. He unravelled the scroll and began to recite the incantations itcontained. Jim Peters stood opposite to him, wielding a large ritual dagger. James turned his tosee that Blazing Bill was entranced by the scroll. He struggled against his bonds, but was held

down by Peters, now clad in a ritual garb.

The rest of the posse slowly descended to the bottom of the chamber. Several cultists armed withrifles were overlooking the ceremony. As the posse made a move, the cultists noticed them andopened fire. One of the gunslingers was hit and killed by their fire. The posse returned fire whilehiding behind the large stone columns which dotted the chamber.

“Master, the non-believers have arrived!” One of the cultists cried to Peters.“Kill them!” He growled, “The ceremony must not be disrupted!”



The remaining gunslinger leapt to the floor of the chamber, fanning his revolver at the remainingcultists around the altar. Several rounds hit Blazing Bill. He remained standing, unaffected by theshots. One cultist flanked the gunman, knocking him to the ground and eviscerating him with aritual blade. Scorpion quickly threw his tomahawk into the cultist’s back.

As the gunfight between the posse and the cultists continued, Peters was knocked down after astray bullet entered his shoulder. His ritual blade fell from his hands and landed on the altar,narrowly missing James’ arm.

Thinking quickly, James delivered a swift kick to Blazing Bill whileshuffling towards the blade, clasping it between his feet and rolling off the altar. Peters quicklygrabbed the blade and lifted James up against the altar. James responded with a quick head butt,

jumping aside as Peters slashed at him with the blade, cutting the ropes binding his arms. He thenstruck the sheriff in the face with his bound hands, using the subsequent opportunity to take theblade and free himself.

As the scuffle ensued, Jonathan ran to the floor of the chamber with two Rangers. Blazing Bill haddropped the scroll after James attacked him. The trio quickly trained their weapons on him.“If I were you, I’d stay put,” Jonathan warned. Saying nothing, Bill reached for his holster and drewa demonically engraved Peacemaker. He fanned three shots, immediately dropping his assailants.Jonathan felt an unnatural burning in the lungs where the bullet hit him.“Johnny!” James cried out, running towards his companion. Jonathan was breathing heavily whilecoughing up blood.“I have a confession James,” he said in agony, “I’m an assassin. I was hired as contract killer bythe scientist Darius Hellstromme. Fordham claimed to be working for Bayou Vermillion. Dariusordered me to assassinate their president. He ordered me…” he coughed up more blood and fellsilent. James was speechless. He closed Jonathan’s eyes and stood to face Blazing Bill andPeters.“He would have served the Reckoning well McCoy” Blazing Bill said to him, “It’s a shame that hehad to leave us, just like your wife and son.” James felt the hate rise up inside him. He grabbed Jonathan’s Buntline and fired at Blazing Bill.The bandit stood there, paying no attention to the shots.“Don’t you understand?” he said menacingly, “I’m Harrowed. You can’t kill me like that.” “And you’re just going to send your bootlicking sheriff after me?” James retorted. Blazing Bill shook his head. “Sheriff Peters has failed me, and Sonatos needs to be appeased.” Heexplained.James watched as he grabbed Peters, laying him out on the altar and driving the ritual blade intohis heart. An unholy flame engulfed the altar, producing a large cloud of smoke while thepentagram began to glow. The smoke produced the shape of an apparition which solidified, takingthe form of a large winged demon. Colonel Harper ran down to the chamber floor, firing hispeacemaker at Sonatos. The demon’s tail lashed out, skewering the Ranger. Dan Cooper and BigBill followed him, firing at the demon.Blazing Bill laughed at them. “You cannot destroy Sonatos through mundane means!” he shouted.

James quickly tackled Bill, stealing one of his Peacemakers and shooting Sonatos with it. Thedemon recoiled in pain and swept with his tail, knocking him off his feet. Dan quickly shot atSonatos, only to be grabbed, trapped in the demon’s great talon-like claws. James looked to seeScorpion readying an arrow while chanting an incantation. He then looked to see Dan lighting astick of dynamite as Sonatos prepared to eat him. The explosion sent Sonatos reeling back, wherehe was hit by an exploding playing card followed by Scorpion’s arrow. The arrow caused thedemon’s skin to burn. Sonatos dropped to the ground. Scorpion ran over to it, his tomahawk raisedwhile chanting another incantation. As the demon attempted to rise, Scorpion brought the axedown with full force into its skull. Sonatos burst into flames and crumbled to dust.



Documents

The Scrolls of Sonatos