Post by Kit on Aug 24, 2009 8:05:23 GMT -8
Author's Note: This is my first published Fan Fiction. My writing style is most likely not what you are used to as its based almost RPG style, However I hope you enjoy it anyway. Thanks to my Beta Pet.. All remaining mistakes are mine ;D
The Night of the Maiden's Truth
Jim sat quietly on the train. They had just finished their latest assignment and he was looking forward to a month long vacation. He and Artemus had agreed their first stop would be New Orleans to celebrate Mardi Gras, then they were to go their own way for the remainder of vacation. Jim considered Artie a brother but sometimes even family could get on ones nerves. He turned as he heard the door open and he smiled.
“About time Artie.”
“Sorry, James I tried to hurry.”
“What was so important?”
“This?!” Artie held up a small package
Jim extended his hand “Aw, Artie you shouldn’t have.”
Artie pulled the package back “I know that's why I didn’t.”
Jim gave his best hurt look and then smiled as he pulled a cord next to the fire place to signal the engineer that they were ready. The train gave a lurch and pulled forward out of the station. They would stop at least once to take on more coal and water, other than that it would be a quiet trip. They passed the time with cards and chess. Occasionally Artie would go to his lab and Jim would read or clean his weapons.
While Artie was in his lab Jim thought how nice it was to have a partner who understood his need for space, and how dull it would be without him. He looked to the door that led through the galley and to Artie’s lab, how many times had he thought he would never see that gleam in his partner’s eyes again after explaining a new invention; the train would not be home without Mrs. Gordon’s son. Occasionally he would dream of a time past when he thought he had buried his partner and seen the last of that famous Artie smile. He shook that thought off, they had always managed to get out of any situation and the fates, or a guardian angel, were with them. Jim went back to his reading when he heard a loud explosion; He was in the lab in a moment where smoke filled the small compartment.
“Artie?!” He coughed.
“Over Here Jim” Artemus stood by an open window
“Are you OK?”
“Yeah fine, that’s a lot of smoke!”
“Artie someday...”
Artemus held up his hands “I know someday one of my inventions is gonna get me.”
Jim shook his head and headed back to the parlor car and returned to his paper. They would be stopping for water and coal soon and he was glad, time to get out of the train for a bit. Artemus came through pulling on his jacket apparently in deep thought, no doubt Jim thought he was trying to figure out how to use that smoke to their advantage.
Jim looked at him,” When we stop I am going to take a little walk.”
Artie just nodded as he sat down to do some calculations.
Jim walked into town, it was small but he managed to find a saloon. He walked in sat down at a table not far from the bar and ordered a beer. He finished his drink and ordered another one as he conversed with the saloon girl who wasn’t hard on the eyes. He then stood bid his farewell and left as he neared the Wanderer he saw a young man leave.
Stepping inside Artemus was opening a package “What did we get?”
“Not sure.” He opened the package pulled out a letter and froze he gaze focused in the box, Jim noticed his tenseness.
“Artie what is it?” For a long moment Artemus didn’t respond Jim became worried “Artie?!” he stepped forward tense and ready for anything.
Artemus moved his other hand into the box and picked up a small gold broach and held it gently as if it would break. Jim laid his hand on Artie's shoulder; Artie lay the broach down and opened the letter all he said was “No, it can’t be.”
“Artie?!” Jim slightly shook his friends shoulder “What's wrong?”
Artie said nothing just handed the letter to Jim.
“Mr. Gordon,
We regret to inform you that, Elizabeth “Faleena” Gathew has passed from this world and was laid to rest in the town of Red Rock, Texas. We apologize for informing you this way however you could not be reached by wire.
Sincerely,
Hiram Matthews, ESQ.”
Jim sat down and looked at Artie he could see the sadness in his friends eyes, but he couldn’t understand, Artie had never mentioned this lady.
“Hey, Artie I am sorry” Artie just nodded.
Jim stood and looked at the map it was a good 12 hours by train to the station closest to Red Rock followed by a 30 minute ride. He walked over the speaking tube used to talk to the engineer and gave the instructions at the next switch they would head south toward Red Rock they had two weeks after all and could take a side trip.
Artemus was quiet for a long while into the trip and Jim didn’t push he would talk when he was ready or so Jim thought. Artemus looked up from his writing into the concerned green eyes, of his partner, brother and best friend and quickly looked away he wasn’t ready to talk about this at least not yet.
Jim was not used to this, Artemus was being quiet way to quiet, this was so unlike his partner and he was worried. The train ride had been silent, Artemus stayed in his lab and Jim did his best to give him his space but this was eating him up inside why did Artie feel the need to hide this from him; they had very few secrets if any. Jim couldn’t take it any longer and finally spoke as they saddled the horses.
“Artie, Who was she? Talk to me.”
Artemus looked over his saddle at Jim and knew he should tell him but instead he opened the door to the stable car and let down the ramp. He led his bay out and into the morning sunshine. They had stopped here late last night and placed the train on a side railing. Artemus had slept very little and Jim was all to aware of that fact...he had heard him prowling the train and working in his lab in the night, he knew better than to get up as that would just add regret for keeping him awake to Artemus’ apparently troubled mind.
As they mounted their horses and headed south west toward Red Rock Artemus finally opened up to his partner.
“I knew Elizabeth a long time ago; I knew her better by her stage name Faleena. We met not long after the war and before I was commissioned by President Grant, she was working in a theatre that my troupe stopped at. She was the opening act, Jim you should have seen her dance.”
Artie paused for a moment at the memory and continued. “She had raven hair, and the darkest brown eyes I had ever seen, and a heart of gold, which got her into trouble on more than one occasion. I tell you Jim I never ate so well as when we were in that town. We parted as great friends and then lost touch a few months after that, always touring she had no idea where to reach me. I ran into her a couple of years back while on assignment she helped me gather the information needed in the Kirkland Case.”
“She worked for us?”
“No she was his secretary, seems she found what she thought was that respectable job. I bought her the broach as a thank you gift. We kept in touch and she moved to Red Rock soon after that. That was her home town. I had planned on seeing her this vacation”
Jim spoke solemnly “The present”
Artie nodded and stifled any tears that were beginning to show. “If life had been different I might have settled down with my Faleena, but we were set on two different paths, and were good friends”
Jim was quiet “Artie, how come you never mentioned her?
“Never had a reason too I guess. I suppose I should have.” He paused a moment
“Sure Artie, you were just afraid I might steal her away from you.”
Artemus smiled “You are absolutely right James-my-boy.”
They stopped just outside of town and Artemus walked up into the grave yard it only took a moment to find the fresh grave, he paused and said a few words in silent prayer, this time he allowed the tears to escape as he spoke softly “I am sorry my dear Faleena, had I known you were ill I would have been here.” He lay a small box on the ground and walked away, replacing his hat back on his head
“Artie I think we should speak to the sheriff and find out what happened.”
Finding the Sheriffs office they walked in to see a burly man with dirty blond hair and hazel eyes he stood a good 6 ft tall and looked to be built like a brick wall.
“Excuse me sheriff, Elizabeth Gathew, Was a good friend of mine could you tell me what happened to her?”
He looked at them both and they showed their credentials
“Elizabeth Gathew oh yes, she contracted a fever while helping the sick in a recent outbreak, we lost her last week. She was a good woman.”
“Thank you Sheriff” He nodded and both Jim and Artie left.
Artie sighed which didn’t go un-noticed by Jim “Hey Artie how about a drink?”
“I could use one.”
*************
They walked into the saloon and Jim ordered two whiskeys and sat at a table with Artemus.
Jim lifted his glass “To old friends, not soon forgotten.”
“To old friends” Artie downed his glass and ordered another, he was about to down it when they heard gunshots, both stood almost knocking their chairs over.
Once outside they could see someone behind a water trough pinned down by several gunman. The sheriff was out and next to the agents and begin returning fire at the gunman, the gunman turned and begin to fire in their direction all three men took cover and both Jim and Artie returned fire.
The person behind the trough took this as a chance to escape and made his way to the stables. Grabbing a small revolver he mounted the awaiting horse, a gunman stepped in front of him, he pulled his revolver and fired, the horse jumped the body and bolted out the back. The firing outside the hotel continued on for a few more mins and those gunmen not killed in the attack mounted their horses and went after the figure.
Both Jim and Artie mounted their horses and took off after the gunman and whomever all this trouble was over. As the figure rode their hat came off and dark curls reveled the retreating person to be a woman.
She rode as fast as she could, she knew her tracks would be easily followed but soon she would find a spot to release the horse and go on foot hopefully giving the illusion she was still on the horse. Suddenly a shot rang out and her horse fell she managed to jump from the poor beast before it crushed her. She moved quickly to a nearby grove of trees, she would have no chance in the open.
The two riders found the fallen horse and it was her sheer bad luck that she missed, they came off their horses quickly and begin to return fire.
She fired her revolver; her rifle had fallen with the horse and was hopelessly trapped beneath the dead animal. As she fired she heard the familiar yet menacing click of an empty chamber reaching down she noticed she had no bullets left. She holstered the gun and cursed under her breath, and resolved herself to the fact it was over, this was it. She started to stand when she heard gunshots and she ducked back down.
Jim and Artemus were riding up fast firing on the two gunmen, the first one fell and the other mounted his horse and was off, not nearly fast enough as Jim came up beside him on his own horse and knocked the man off. Jim turned his stallion around gun drawn and pointed at the man trying to stand “Don’t move” he growled the man was looking past Jim.
Artemus was next to the one gunman on the ground. “This ones dead Jim”
Jim dismounted and walked up the gunman “Who hired you?”
“I am already a dead man, so shoot.”
Jim knew it was no use, a person couldn’t reason with someone who already resigned himself to death. He turned the man around and was marching him toward Artemus when a shot rang out and the man fell Jim rolled behind a tree, Artemus behind the fallen horse, they saw a lone rider head up over a ridge they waited a few more minutes, and then stood.
“Artie, do you have any idea...?”
He could see Artemus looking as if he had seen a ghost, standing next to a tree was woman with raven hair and deep brown eyes she was staring at Artemus, She stepped forward and spoke
“Artemus, My friend is that you?”
“Faleena?!” He said shocked
“I am sorry, it was the only.....” she stumbled and Artemus caught her and helped her to the ground, he lightly touched her cheek as if afraid she would disappear.
“I thought you were dead?”
She laid her hand on his, “Not yet” It was then he noticed the blood on her shoulder.
“Your injured we have to get you back to town.”
“No, you both should leave, they are after...” The last trailed off as blackness took her and her hand slipped from his.
Jim picked her up and once Artie was on his horse handed Faleena to Artie, he mounted his black stallion.
Jim and Artemus both looked at each other and Jim spoke “Maybe she can shed some light on this.”
“I hope so.”
**********
The Night of the Maiden's Truth
Jim sat quietly on the train. They had just finished their latest assignment and he was looking forward to a month long vacation. He and Artemus had agreed their first stop would be New Orleans to celebrate Mardi Gras, then they were to go their own way for the remainder of vacation. Jim considered Artie a brother but sometimes even family could get on ones nerves. He turned as he heard the door open and he smiled.
“About time Artie.”
“Sorry, James I tried to hurry.”
“What was so important?”
“This?!” Artie held up a small package
Jim extended his hand “Aw, Artie you shouldn’t have.”
Artie pulled the package back “I know that's why I didn’t.”
Jim gave his best hurt look and then smiled as he pulled a cord next to the fire place to signal the engineer that they were ready. The train gave a lurch and pulled forward out of the station. They would stop at least once to take on more coal and water, other than that it would be a quiet trip. They passed the time with cards and chess. Occasionally Artie would go to his lab and Jim would read or clean his weapons.
While Artie was in his lab Jim thought how nice it was to have a partner who understood his need for space, and how dull it would be without him. He looked to the door that led through the galley and to Artie’s lab, how many times had he thought he would never see that gleam in his partner’s eyes again after explaining a new invention; the train would not be home without Mrs. Gordon’s son. Occasionally he would dream of a time past when he thought he had buried his partner and seen the last of that famous Artie smile. He shook that thought off, they had always managed to get out of any situation and the fates, or a guardian angel, were with them. Jim went back to his reading when he heard a loud explosion; He was in the lab in a moment where smoke filled the small compartment.
“Artie?!” He coughed.
“Over Here Jim” Artemus stood by an open window
“Are you OK?”
“Yeah fine, that’s a lot of smoke!”
“Artie someday...”
Artemus held up his hands “I know someday one of my inventions is gonna get me.”
Jim shook his head and headed back to the parlor car and returned to his paper. They would be stopping for water and coal soon and he was glad, time to get out of the train for a bit. Artemus came through pulling on his jacket apparently in deep thought, no doubt Jim thought he was trying to figure out how to use that smoke to their advantage.
Jim looked at him,” When we stop I am going to take a little walk.”
Artie just nodded as he sat down to do some calculations.
Jim walked into town, it was small but he managed to find a saloon. He walked in sat down at a table not far from the bar and ordered a beer. He finished his drink and ordered another one as he conversed with the saloon girl who wasn’t hard on the eyes. He then stood bid his farewell and left as he neared the Wanderer he saw a young man leave.
Stepping inside Artemus was opening a package “What did we get?”
“Not sure.” He opened the package pulled out a letter and froze he gaze focused in the box, Jim noticed his tenseness.
“Artie what is it?” For a long moment Artemus didn’t respond Jim became worried “Artie?!” he stepped forward tense and ready for anything.
Artemus moved his other hand into the box and picked up a small gold broach and held it gently as if it would break. Jim laid his hand on Artie's shoulder; Artie lay the broach down and opened the letter all he said was “No, it can’t be.”
“Artie?!” Jim slightly shook his friends shoulder “What's wrong?”
Artie said nothing just handed the letter to Jim.
“Mr. Gordon,
We regret to inform you that, Elizabeth “Faleena” Gathew has passed from this world and was laid to rest in the town of Red Rock, Texas. We apologize for informing you this way however you could not be reached by wire.
Sincerely,
Hiram Matthews, ESQ.”
Jim sat down and looked at Artie he could see the sadness in his friends eyes, but he couldn’t understand, Artie had never mentioned this lady.
“Hey, Artie I am sorry” Artie just nodded.
Jim stood and looked at the map it was a good 12 hours by train to the station closest to Red Rock followed by a 30 minute ride. He walked over the speaking tube used to talk to the engineer and gave the instructions at the next switch they would head south toward Red Rock they had two weeks after all and could take a side trip.
Artemus was quiet for a long while into the trip and Jim didn’t push he would talk when he was ready or so Jim thought. Artemus looked up from his writing into the concerned green eyes, of his partner, brother and best friend and quickly looked away he wasn’t ready to talk about this at least not yet.
Jim was not used to this, Artemus was being quiet way to quiet, this was so unlike his partner and he was worried. The train ride had been silent, Artemus stayed in his lab and Jim did his best to give him his space but this was eating him up inside why did Artie feel the need to hide this from him; they had very few secrets if any. Jim couldn’t take it any longer and finally spoke as they saddled the horses.
“Artie, Who was she? Talk to me.”
Artemus looked over his saddle at Jim and knew he should tell him but instead he opened the door to the stable car and let down the ramp. He led his bay out and into the morning sunshine. They had stopped here late last night and placed the train on a side railing. Artemus had slept very little and Jim was all to aware of that fact...he had heard him prowling the train and working in his lab in the night, he knew better than to get up as that would just add regret for keeping him awake to Artemus’ apparently troubled mind.
As they mounted their horses and headed south west toward Red Rock Artemus finally opened up to his partner.
“I knew Elizabeth a long time ago; I knew her better by her stage name Faleena. We met not long after the war and before I was commissioned by President Grant, she was working in a theatre that my troupe stopped at. She was the opening act, Jim you should have seen her dance.”
Artie paused for a moment at the memory and continued. “She had raven hair, and the darkest brown eyes I had ever seen, and a heart of gold, which got her into trouble on more than one occasion. I tell you Jim I never ate so well as when we were in that town. We parted as great friends and then lost touch a few months after that, always touring she had no idea where to reach me. I ran into her a couple of years back while on assignment she helped me gather the information needed in the Kirkland Case.”
“She worked for us?”
“No she was his secretary, seems she found what she thought was that respectable job. I bought her the broach as a thank you gift. We kept in touch and she moved to Red Rock soon after that. That was her home town. I had planned on seeing her this vacation”
Jim spoke solemnly “The present”
Artie nodded and stifled any tears that were beginning to show. “If life had been different I might have settled down with my Faleena, but we were set on two different paths, and were good friends”
Jim was quiet “Artie, how come you never mentioned her?
“Never had a reason too I guess. I suppose I should have.” He paused a moment
“Sure Artie, you were just afraid I might steal her away from you.”
Artemus smiled “You are absolutely right James-my-boy.”
They stopped just outside of town and Artemus walked up into the grave yard it only took a moment to find the fresh grave, he paused and said a few words in silent prayer, this time he allowed the tears to escape as he spoke softly “I am sorry my dear Faleena, had I known you were ill I would have been here.” He lay a small box on the ground and walked away, replacing his hat back on his head
“Artie I think we should speak to the sheriff and find out what happened.”
Finding the Sheriffs office they walked in to see a burly man with dirty blond hair and hazel eyes he stood a good 6 ft tall and looked to be built like a brick wall.
“Excuse me sheriff, Elizabeth Gathew, Was a good friend of mine could you tell me what happened to her?”
He looked at them both and they showed their credentials
“Elizabeth Gathew oh yes, she contracted a fever while helping the sick in a recent outbreak, we lost her last week. She was a good woman.”
“Thank you Sheriff” He nodded and both Jim and Artie left.
Artie sighed which didn’t go un-noticed by Jim “Hey Artie how about a drink?”
“I could use one.”
*************
They walked into the saloon and Jim ordered two whiskeys and sat at a table with Artemus.
Jim lifted his glass “To old friends, not soon forgotten.”
“To old friends” Artie downed his glass and ordered another, he was about to down it when they heard gunshots, both stood almost knocking their chairs over.
Once outside they could see someone behind a water trough pinned down by several gunman. The sheriff was out and next to the agents and begin returning fire at the gunman, the gunman turned and begin to fire in their direction all three men took cover and both Jim and Artie returned fire.
The person behind the trough took this as a chance to escape and made his way to the stables. Grabbing a small revolver he mounted the awaiting horse, a gunman stepped in front of him, he pulled his revolver and fired, the horse jumped the body and bolted out the back. The firing outside the hotel continued on for a few more mins and those gunmen not killed in the attack mounted their horses and went after the figure.
Both Jim and Artie mounted their horses and took off after the gunman and whomever all this trouble was over. As the figure rode their hat came off and dark curls reveled the retreating person to be a woman.
She rode as fast as she could, she knew her tracks would be easily followed but soon she would find a spot to release the horse and go on foot hopefully giving the illusion she was still on the horse. Suddenly a shot rang out and her horse fell she managed to jump from the poor beast before it crushed her. She moved quickly to a nearby grove of trees, she would have no chance in the open.
The two riders found the fallen horse and it was her sheer bad luck that she missed, they came off their horses quickly and begin to return fire.
She fired her revolver; her rifle had fallen with the horse and was hopelessly trapped beneath the dead animal. As she fired she heard the familiar yet menacing click of an empty chamber reaching down she noticed she had no bullets left. She holstered the gun and cursed under her breath, and resolved herself to the fact it was over, this was it. She started to stand when she heard gunshots and she ducked back down.
Jim and Artemus were riding up fast firing on the two gunmen, the first one fell and the other mounted his horse and was off, not nearly fast enough as Jim came up beside him on his own horse and knocked the man off. Jim turned his stallion around gun drawn and pointed at the man trying to stand “Don’t move” he growled the man was looking past Jim.
Artemus was next to the one gunman on the ground. “This ones dead Jim”
Jim dismounted and walked up the gunman “Who hired you?”
“I am already a dead man, so shoot.”
Jim knew it was no use, a person couldn’t reason with someone who already resigned himself to death. He turned the man around and was marching him toward Artemus when a shot rang out and the man fell Jim rolled behind a tree, Artemus behind the fallen horse, they saw a lone rider head up over a ridge they waited a few more minutes, and then stood.
“Artie, do you have any idea...?”
He could see Artemus looking as if he had seen a ghost, standing next to a tree was woman with raven hair and deep brown eyes she was staring at Artemus, She stepped forward and spoke
“Artemus, My friend is that you?”
“Faleena?!” He said shocked
“I am sorry, it was the only.....” she stumbled and Artemus caught her and helped her to the ground, he lightly touched her cheek as if afraid she would disappear.
“I thought you were dead?”
She laid her hand on his, “Not yet” It was then he noticed the blood on her shoulder.
“Your injured we have to get you back to town.”
“No, you both should leave, they are after...” The last trailed off as blackness took her and her hand slipped from his.
Jim picked her up and once Artie was on his horse handed Faleena to Artie, he mounted his black stallion.
Jim and Artemus both looked at each other and Jim spoke “Maybe she can shed some light on this.”
“I hope so.”
**********