They call me, Krigun

The train ride home was less eventful than the one to Sundown City, much to Boone's approval. The rattle of the cart and the sound of iron crossing tracks helped Boone sleep most of the way.

After the tournament, he and most of the competitors were admitted into the hospital. There they were tended to their wounds. Wrapped in clean bandages, and given more numbing alchemy drinks than Boone could count.

He didn't sleep much there ...

But the train brought a tranquil peace he'd been missing since he had left home. Maybe it was the idea of returning home, and the thought of sleeping in his own bed that helped him drift, but whatever it was, he slept hard until the train stopped at the station between Sun Down City and Lone Creek.

Boone stretched and stood to his feet, looking out the window at a man on a horse; an abundance of letters packed into a sack on his saddle.

"Is that a mail carrier?" He asked. Leslie nodded, leaning against Jostice's shoulder. He was passed out cold. Boone''s eyes widened. "How long before we get?"

"Ten minutes ..."

Boone had already pulled a small box, and a piece of parchment from his sack, spilling ink as he wrote:

Dear O'donovans,

Quincy: I'm sorry I hit you with a bottle, though you did try and shot me, so I hope all is forgiven. Olivica: Thanks for taking my side. We won!  You're a special girl. And I will cherish your friendship and remember your kiss, always.

This is your share of the winnings. Hope it serves you well.

Boone Rigger

Once he read it over three times, Boone folded the paper unevenly and stuffed it into the box, emptying the coins, and tying the box with the leather on the pouch.

Boone raised from to his feet.

"That's quite a gift," Leslie smiled, "You certain you want to part ways with it?"

The boy shrugged, "it's just an old box," then hurried outside where he greeted the carrier.

He was a lean man, with a tall-rounded hat, and a mustache that folded around his lip. He was wearing a grayish-black uniform, mounted on a horse of the same tint.

Boone raised the gift, "can you do me a favor? There's a small ranch just southwest from here -- between Ghostbound and Sundown -- you mind delivering?"

The man glanced down, his eyes cold and sharp. "I'm headed north. And don't have enough rations."

"Oh," Boone said, lowering the package. "I much appreciate it." He turned on a heel and started walking towards the train. "Hey, boy, do I know you?"

Boone turned, raising an eyebrow. "My face is likely reminding you of some other poor boy --"

"Hell, I do know you. You was one of them slingers in The Iron Alchemist Tournament. Your tower was close to me and I saw you brew them spells, or am I mistaken?"

The boy nodded, lips sealed.

"You know what? You reminded me of this one fellow I raced against long ago." He snapped his fingers. "Rigger. Remmiron Rigger. He was one finest wagon racers I'd ever seen ... much better than his brother." He chuckled.

 Boone raised an eyebrow, "Brother?"

He held out a hand, "what'd you say your name was?"

The boy hesitated before taking his hand, giving him a nice squeeze and shake.

"Rigger. Boone Rigger, is my name. And Remmiron was my father."

The boy squinted, peering at the boy. "Well I'll be a horse ass," He chuckled.  "You two nearly look like twins, with them blue eyes, and blondish hair." He held out his hand. "I'll tell you what. My horse is tougher than he looks ... an old son-of-a-bitch, but tougher than nails. I'll take your package south if you do one thing for me."

Boone looked around and he shrugged. "Sure. Anything."

"If you tell your father, Rider Riley says hi. Can you do that for me, boy?"

Boone nodded, handing him the box. "I can do that." Tell him in his grave. He held out a coin. "And here's for your services."

The man laughed and waved. "Truth is, I'm not ready to go back to civilization just yet. I belong on the road, so you're doing me a favor." He took the package and set in his sack.

The train hooted behind him.

"You best get ... wouldn't want you to miss your train."

Boone looked over his should, taking a few steps back. "You take care of yourself Mr. Rider."

"And you Mr. Rigger."

The two waved to each other then Boone ran thankfully to catch his train home.

***

It had been years since Boone had been to the ranch and it looked nothing like it used to. 

The barn and the farmhouse that loomed over the land, burnt down to ash. The fence that held the horses in, and the track that they raced upon gone, replaced by a golden weed that seemed to grow out of the dirt like tentacles. Even the large trees with limbs that twisted with beauty, were black and charred, not a single leaf on them. 

The three of them approached the small hut that Leslie and Rynan would call home until the new house and barn were set up. They were spotted before they made it ten steps; Rynan's large, oversized body racing out of the home. Red coiled hairs bouncing. The half-moon grin upon his freckled face.

"You made it!" He said, swinging arms around Leslie and lifting her until her boots dangled and swung wildly. He slobbered as he kissed her cheek. "I missed you! And love you! And won't ever let you out of my sight again!"

Barrot came from the rear, walking up, and shaking Jostice's hand. "You allowed her to choose?" He smiled sorely. "Good man."

Boone watched the youthful man's face twist while  Jostice squeezed. "Thanks for looking after the boy."

With a tug, Barrot freed his hand and waved the pain away. "No, problem."

Leslie was much gentler, giving the man a soft hug, whispering "thank yous" in his ear. Likely in pain from be picked up and squeezed by her brother. His drool dripping down down her cheek.

The large boy's eyes shifted towards Boone and a playful smile extended up his face. The pain had slowed Boone down some, unable to move at the speed of the large man. His bones crunched as Rynan lifted, swinging him around like a doll. Eventually he set him down on the ground, when his fun had been filled. 

"You want a kiss to," the boy pursed his lips.

"You do and it will be the last you give."

Boone's warning didn't stop Rynan from slobbering on his cheek. He grinned, wide and toothless while his ears wiggled wildly. And Boone wiped the drool, only able to laugh. 

"I'm glad you're alright," He gave Rynan a pat that only made his hand red and palm ache. "Was worried about ya."

"Worried about me?" The large boy waved a hand. "Please … we was hunted, but Barrot and I were able to give them bounty hunters a slip."

Barrot nodded, "we were lucky no Legionnaires came after us. The bounty hunters were enough to deal with."

Leslie smiled at Rynan. "Looks like you were almost able to handle yourself without me."

Rynan chuckled, "Almost …"

Their laughter filled the ranch for the first time in a long time. 

Barrot hesitated before pulling out a tin container, holding it out for her eyes. "I applied it twice a day like you to me, but Rynan's wound is getting worse."

"Give me that!"  Leslie swiped the tin in her hand. She looked around noticing their eyes on her. "It's expired, is all. No damn good." She slid it in her pocket.

Rynan looked around, thick lip trembling. "Where's Grandpappy Jerocobish … and your uncle Grotknot? Are they hiding somewhere?"

The three of them stayed quiet.

Barro glanced first at the wagon, shaking his head then Rynan followed his eyes, looking upon the two long coffins in the back.

***

The ceremony for Ma Jean, Grotknot, and Grandpappy took place at Boone's cottage, and was exactly what they all hoped it to be. Everybody said kind words about them. Has folded, heads bowed, just as Ma Jean would've liked it.

They then buried Jerocobish next to Ma Jean, and Grotknot in a temporary grave just until they could bring him north, where he could sleep next to his own kind. Boone planned on returning his book to his Kin afterall.

Afterward, they took supper together on the table. It was nice, reminding Boone of the times he shared with grandparents: so many platters of food and plates stacked, that even Rynan laid with his belly out unable to shovel down more. 

They told stories of each one of them, Boone speaking the most, though he found it odd how much Jostice knew about them; almost as if he'd known them longer and lived with them for many years.  He was his father best friend, afterall, so it didn't suprise him too much to learn tales he'd never heard.

Night fell upon them, and they all slept like overly stuffed babies, until the next morning they all got ready to set back towards the ranch.

"You sure you don't want to come with us?" Rynan asked, more than Boone could count. "You could stay with us … so you don't have to be alone." He then whispered, pointing behind a shoulder. "Besides, I don't want to be alone with them two. I can't stand that sappy stuff."

Boone laughed, patting him on the shoulder. "Thanks, but no thanks. When it gets you can come stay here with me for a few weeks. And we can have Wildgun and Mammoth the Kid adventures without anybody telling us not to."

Rynan giggled. "I'd much like that."

Three more times of saying, "no"  and Rynan finally gave him one last hug that popped his back; Leslie a much gentler squeeze and "if you need anything let us know"; And then Jostice a hand shake and "you know where to find us."; And the three of them were off towards the ranch, disappearing before dawn. 

Boone stood at the doorway long after they'd gone. And when he was ready, he walked to the table and sat there listening to the silence. Only until he allowed himself to weep. 

***

The shrike from door woke him up from the table, and he peered across the room, looking upon a silhouette in the doorway.

Boone looked around the room, then pulled his obsidian blade from his hip, extending the tip towards the shadow..

"Who's are you?"

The figure stepped into the room, cloak over his face, the candle that had near burnt out flickering. The man removed the hood, displaying a dark shade of brown skin with sharp cheeks and nose. Dark brown eyes. Hair tied up and tangled into a feather. Leather strands, runes, and beads hanging around his ear. Arms crossed. 

"I says … Who. Are. You?"

The man shook his head, looking the boy up and down three times, before giving his answer. "I am you grandpappy Krigun." Behind him stood a shadow. "And you've already met E'krek ... We have much work to do."