Part Five

The Klansmen

Ezra Standish kept a vigil on Julia Pemberton's side after she was well enough to leave Alexandra Styles clinic almost two days after her miscarriage. While the return home lifted her spirits somewhat, Ezra sensed a deep well of sorrow inside her for which there was no cure. Although he wanted desperately to understand it, he had only to look into those emerald eyes to see the inordinate sadness that existed within its depths to know that it was beyond his reach to conceive what pain she was enduring. Surprisingly enough, the women who previously kept their distance from Julia now rallied to her side to offer comfort and support.

Mary who knew better than anyone what it was to lose a child this way had come to Julia's aide with the same tenacity she faced everything in her life. Ignoring Julia's pleas to be left alone, the widow almost forced herself through the door in her effort to extend the hand of sisterhood towards Julia in this most difficult period. Ezra was grateful for Mary's assistance because he understood all too well that there was a wound inside his lover's heart that required his empathy not sympathy to heal. Unfortunately, that empathy was beyond his ability and while Mary provided support with her presence, Ezra noticed that not even the widow could reach Julia in her desolation.

Strangely enough, it was Josiah.

At first, the gambler felt somewhat confused when Julia had requested the preacher's presence in the house, the morning after she was returned home. Ezra had been aware from the early days of their relationship that there was something familiar in Josiah craggy features that won Julia's affection. For a woman whose idea of affection usually translated into some form of seduction, Julia never made such attempts with Josiah. Instead, she treated him with uncommon respect, devoid of her usual sarcasm or blatant contempt. If he did not know any better, Ezra would almost say that she saw Josiah with some reverence.

Josiah did nothing spectacular when he arrived at Julia Pemberton's home. He sat by her bed and read from one of his books. Ezra noticed she seemed to like Great Expectations written by Mr. Charles Dickens but it was not the words that seemed to soothe her so much but the tone of Josiah's voice. She slept easily when Josiah read to her and it was not until almost a week of this practice, that Ezra felt the need to ask. Her answer surprised him.

"Daddy use to read me Dickens," she said with a sad smile, the tempestuous sparkle in her eyes that he loved so much was nowhere to be seen. "He said I was his very own Estelle."

Something had broken inside of her and Ezra did not know what to do about it. The rest of the seven allowed him to spend as much time with her, realizing how difficult it was for him because there were no secrets between them and they were all aware of his loss. Eventually, he came to place with Julia through which he could pass no further. She would let him in but only so far and after a few days, not even Josiah was capable of penetrating that wall of sorrow she had erected around herself. In his entire life, he had never felt so helpless and the need to do something was gnawing at him like Promethean torture.

When the stage pulled into town this morning, Ezra realized what that something was.

Two men emerged and judging from the way they were dressed, he knew immediately that they were from Georgia. They reeked of excess and indolence; their eyes bore the same look he had seen in the mirror for so many years before meeting Nathan Jackson had driven it away. He saw them with their fancy clothes and the contempt in their eyes as they surveyed the town before them, seeing not the progressive little community that had grown through hard work and endurance but a melting pot of racial impurity on the rise.

Nicholas Serfonteine had met them when they stepped off the stage while Ezra watched as he sat outside the saloon enjoying the warmth of the morning with Chris Larabee and Buck Wilmington. It had been the first time in a week he had joined them there because he had been keeping a constant vigil at Julia's side.

On this particular morning, he had been usurped by Mary Travis and Alex Styles who had been regular visitors since this whole crisis had began. Inez had also coming visiting with Julia whenever time allowed her the chance to slip away from the saloon.

Later on, Buck had learned from one of his paramours who worked as a chambermaid at the local hotel that the newcomers were James Micawber and Francis Lamont, both hailing from the fair state of Georgia. The storm that Chris Larabee had predicated had arrived in the for of these two men for Ezra knew just as Chris did that for whatever reason Nicholas had remained in Four Corners, Micawber and Lamont were sure to play a part.

Ezra waited for no more than a day before he made his mood, realizing that he could afford to delay any longer because they needed to know what Nicholas intended and he had been remiss in not trying to utilize his southern connection to gain intelligence. None of the seven berated him for the delay. However, Ezra still felt a tinge of guilt because he knew that the welfare of Four Corners involved more people than just one woman who did not seem to need him very much while enduring a private pain she did not want him to share.

He found Nicholas Serfonteine in the hotel saloon later that evening. In attendance were his two companions whom had not left his side since their arrival in town. As he approached them in the saloon, Ezra could not help thinking they formed an ominous triumvirate as they stood along the counter, laughing about concoctions that would no doubt bring grief to anyone with the incorrect skin colour. Serfonteine's sister Violet was nowhere to be seen but this was hardly surprising. Good southern belles usually retired for the evening by the time the clock struck nine. Besides, Ezra did not believe that Serfonteine would discuss business in front of the young woman.

They saw him the moment he entered the saloon which was not as crowded as the one he and Inez owned further down the street. The hotel saloon was mostly frequented by guests while the general public gave it a wide berth because its dignified surroundings were a little restrictive with those who had a taste for livelier entertainment. He himself rarely visited the establishment and tried not to seem out of place when he walked across the polished wooden floor.

"Mr. Standish." Nicholas said with a smile as he approached. "You've been scarce this past week. I was starting to worry that you had disappeared."

"I had some personal issues to take care of." Ezra answered evasively, not wishing to discuss his whereabouts the past week until he was prepared to make his bid to gain Serfonteine's confidence.

Nicholas waved the bartender over before turning to Ezra and offering to buy him a drink. Never one to refuse a polite gesture, Ezra accepted the invitation to join the trio for a drink before they settled down at an unoccupied table and got to down to discussing the reason for his presence before them. After engaging in some inane chatter about the weather and some measure of local news, Ezra shifted the conversation to the reason he had sought them out.

"I have been thinking about what we discussed last week." Ezra said sipping his glass of rum. "In fact, it has occupied much of my thoughts of late."

"And?" Nicholas met the gaze of his two companions before turning back to Ezra. He was certain that Ezra Standish would aid their cause once he was reminded of his origins and the loyalty that all southerners possessed.

"Events had recently transpired that has given cause to evaluate my choices until this point." Ezra said evasively.

"It sounds intriguing." Lamont remarked off handedly. Francis Lamont had coldness to his manner that Ezra disliked immediately, even though the gambler revealed none of this. It was obvious by the cut of his clothes that he was an over indulged personality, accustomed to never wanting for anything. He was definitely of European stock with dark hair and the kind of features that were Gallic in origin. With mahogany hair and similarly coloured eyes that seemed like dark opals filled with unspoken malevolence.

"Considering your past affiliations Mr. Standish," Nicholas spoke up not wanting Ezra to be offended especially when the man was so close to capitulating to his offer. Although he was not foolish enough to completely trust Ezra just yet, Nicholas did want to know what had caused the sudden change of heart. "You will understand if I inquire what these events are."

Ezra looked around, feigning discomfort as he pretended to sum up the courage to discuss the unhappy subject had brought about this shift in his decision to help Nicholas Serfonteine. "I will discuss the matter only if I have your assurances that it remain absolutely confidential."

"You have our word as gentlemen," Nicholas replied automatically and glanced at both Micawber and Lamont to confirm that pledge extended towards his friend as well.

"Absolutely." Micawber stated in turn. Unlike Lamont, Micawber was in his late forties with soft hands and greying blond hair. He seemed a family man that was an ill suited for the nocturnal activities he and his companions no doubt indulged in so passionately.

"I have a lady friend." Ezra replied, feeling a tinge of guilt using Julia's situation as a plausible explanation for his change in loyalties in his attempt to infiltrate the ranks of Nicholas Serfonteine and his kind. "She found herself in some difficult, if you understand my meaning."

"We are men of the world," Nicholas respond. "I think we understand what you mean."

"Suffice to say my lady friend found herself in an untenable situation where she risked public ruin and was forced to seek help from the local doctor, Alexandra Styles."

"Yes," Nicholas responded, his pleasant features turning a shade dark with distaste. "The half breed woman."

Ezra crushed every reaction of disgust at Serfonteine's description of Alex from his face because he knew the former slave owner was baiting him, provoking him into responding while the others watched closely.

"That is an apt a description as any." Ezra replied betraying nothing. "The high and mighty doctor refused to aid my lady in her unfortunate predicament and forced my Julia into the hands of a backyard operator who almost killed her."

"An unfortunate situation." Lamont said sympathetically. "She is almost as responsible for your lady's state as the butcher who perform the work."

"How is the charming Miss Pemberton after her ordeal." Nicholas inquired, having heard about the beautiful Emporium owner who also had a reputation in Four Corners as a stunning beauty.

"Nowhere near what she used to be." Ezra replied with genuine sorrow because that much of his story was true. Julia was a shadow of who she once was and no one more than Ezra missed her tempestuous spirit. "I know from rumor that Doctor Styles is happy to perform the surgery on women of her own racial distinction and believe that she refused Julia on the basis of her excellent pedigree and a natural desire to see a white woman disgraced."

Forgive me, Alexandra.

Ezra thought this silently but any argument he used to convince Serfonteine of his changing attitude had to be a good one and this certainly qualified.

"Well one cannot expect anything better from a half breed. Like all mongrels, they are vicious." Lamont retorted with a gleam of dislike that revealed much menace.

"Following the incident," Ezra continued, "I realized that my notions of equality were somewhat misguided when the coloured seems to discard the principal whenever it suits them. I have attempted to be amiable but after this, I feel I can no more stomach the hypocrisy then I can stand by and let those people exploit our own race."

"It is unfortunate that your trust has been eroded and I assure you, your situation is not unique." Micawber spoke in a voice that was more appropriate telling bedtime stories. "I have heard many such stories of trusting souls such as yourself who have in the goodness of their hearts attempted to extend the hand of brotherhood to the nigras only to have been disappointed."

"I am relieved to hear that." Ezra tried to sound earnest even though it was disheartening to think that many had fallen prey to such a vile doctrine of hatred simply because it was delivered so eloquently. Just how many had men like Micawber infected across the sound with this dangerous rhetoric?

"So we may count on your support then?" Nicholas replied firmly, there was no mistaking his intentions by the sharp tone of his voice.

Ezra downed the contents of his glass and nodded. "You may count on it and more Sir." He straightened in his chair, as if resolving himself inwardly to what the course he set himself upon.

Nicholas smiled knowingly at the men at the table and then remarked with a satisfied smile. "That will come in good time."

Since she had a light patient load that day, Alexandra Styles had enough time in between her appointment to run her errands for the day. It was a good two hours before her next patient arrived and Alex had resolved get as much done during that time. Her days were often unpredictable, even when Nathan was present to balance the workload because as the only two healers in the vicinity, their services were often in demand. Their patients did not merely encompass the citizens of Four Corners but dozens of families that resided in homesteads across the local territory. Knowing that she could be called on to make a house call at any time, Alex decided she would not waste what precious free time she had during the day and made her way to the main stretch of road that served as the town's main business district.

She was on her way to Gloria Potter's store when she ran into Inez Rosillios. Like herself, the bartender's early mornings were free since the breakfast crowd at the saloon had more or less dissipated and the afternoon crowd had yet to make their appearance. Now that Inez also provided Mexican cuisine to the patrons of the saloon, it was necessary for her to shop for the establishment as well.

Alex liked Inez who was one of the more colorful women she had met since arriving in Four Corners. Unlike Mary Travis who was a paragon of virtue and quiet dignity, unless of course her ire was properly inspired, Inez was a far different creation all together. There was a great deal of strength as well as well as endurance beneath the demure features of Inez's warm smile. Inez felt deeply in all things and her earthy manner often allowed those around her to see things clearly, without the misconception of polite society or the pretext of ego. When Inez spoke, she was honest and forthright and she absolutely accepted nothing more than what she deserved. She was not come into the world with a fortune or a background and yet Inez earned the respect of everyone she encountered by sheer force of will. Alex had met enough people in the world to know such individuals were rare.

Mary Travis and Inez Rosillios were an odd combination and Alex felt eternally grateful to be allowed in their circle of friendship, knowing that it was something she had missed in her life. They were bound no only by the men in their lives but a deeper sense of purpose that most women of their time seemed to lack. Here in the West, they were allowed to live the lives they always wanted, freed from most of the restraints that held other women in shackles elsewhere in the world. In Four Corners, it was possible to be the women they always wanted.

"So how is Julia?" Inez asked as they left the general store and continued further along the street, each with errands of their own to fulfil. Their journey took them down the boardwalk and gave them the opportunity to do some window shopping as well.

"As well as someone in her state can be, I suppose." Alex sighed, unhappy by Julia's distressed mental state. Although Ezra was unaware of her visit to Purgatory, Julia's state of mind seemed to be getting worse not better.

"Physically she's on the mend but I can't say what's going on in her head. She's so sad."

"I know," Inez agreed, having visited Julia only yesterday and had come away with the same conclusion. "Its like there's something inside her that's broken. Her spirit is gone."

"It's a difficult thing to endure." Alex replied, although as far as Inez was concerned, Julia's emotional turmoil was due to a miscarriage not a guilty conscience. "It eats away at you."

They lapsed into silence as they considered Julia's situation, walking past the hotel on their way to the shops on the other end of the street. At this time of day, most of Four Corners' population was up and about. The streets was a hive of activity with horses and carriages moving periodically down the dirt road that ran through the center of town, with pedestrians crisscrossing the street at regular intervals, on their way form one destination to the other. Women with baskets travelled back and forth across the creaking floorboards of the wooden sidewalk, disappearing and reappearing out of shops every so often.

Alex and Inez were still engaged in idle gossip, commenting on the local news that might have transpired since the last time they had seen each other, a day or so ago, when their route took them past the hotel. They had no sooner passed the glass window that gave passers by a clear view of the hotel restaurant when a man emerged from the door ahead and barred their way.

"Excuse me." Alex said politely as she and Inez continued talking while attempting to move past, taking little or no interest in the man who had been an obstacle in their present path.

"You are the doctor, aren't you?" The man declared.

Alex paused and looked up at the man in his expensive clothes and his dark eyes staring at her so intently. For some reason, his gaze made her uncomfortable. If she had to explain why, Alex would be forced to say that his eyes seemed predatory. When she had first met Chris Larabee, the gunslinger's intense blue eyes had the same effect on her until familiarity bled her discomfort away.

"Yes," she said stiffly. "I'm Doctor Styles."

"You are a pretty thing but there are no coloured doctors." He stated firmly.

Alex raised her chin indignantly and was about to respond but Inez beat her to it. The plucky bartender came forward and replied most sharply. "Since you are standing before a doctor Senor and since in your eyes, she does appear coloured, then it is safe to assume that there is at least one coloured doctor, Si?"

"Stay out this, you little Spic." The man flashed Inez a deadly glare that more or less confirmed to Alex just how dangerous this man was.

Alex saw Inez's face curl up in disgust at the term and was preparing an acerbic rebuttal to his insult when Alex placed a restraining hand on her shoulder. For some reason that Alex could not explain, she knew that this man would not hesitate to hurt Inez if she caused him enough inconvenience. "Let it go Inez,"

Alex replied softly. "Let's just go."

"Not yet pretty." The man locked his hand on her shoulder. "I want to talk a little." His eyes showed danger but she also saw the glimmer of desire. It was a dangerous combination.

"Office hours are nine to five. You want to talk to me? Make an appointment." With that Alex disengaged herself from his grip with a sharp pull and continued walking. Unfortunately, the man was not about to let her go so easily and re-establish his hold almost immediately, halting her in mid step as his grip tightened around her arm with even more determination.

"Don't you walk away from me, you half bred whore." He hissed. "We have not concluded our business."

"You let her go!" Inez, never one to shirk away from danger, hurried to Alex's defense and sank her nails into the man's other arm, in an attempt to force him to release Alex. He growled in pain slightly but Inez's attack did not even penetrate his expensive jacket and he used the same arm to shove the bartender to the floor. Inez fell down heavily on the floor and immediately brought everyone's attention to the excitement that was forming into something worse.

"Unhand me Sir!" Alex saw Inez go down and struck him across the face with all the strength she could muster. His head snapped sideways from the force of her blow and his free hand instinctively went to his face as the pain registered.

"You uppity bitch!" He roared and threw a balled fist forward.

Alex had never been hit like that before and when his knuckle connected with her cheek, she felt the air escape her lungs and wondered how men could endure such pain. Her cheek flared with pain. It expanded from the point of impact and spread outwards, making her ears ring from the concussion. Alex was conscious of falling down hard because her jaw hit the wooden boardwalk and send shock waves through her bones.

She had no idea that the man regarded her with a small smile of relish before turning to Inez. Through the sting of pain and the ringing in her ears, Alex heard him speak but not to her.

"Maybe that will teach you some respect."

Then she heard his footsteps against the floor as he made his departure and let the dark claim her.

"Here, put this on your face." Inez instructed a short time later at the Standish Tavern.

Alex regarded the piece of steak that Inez had handed and regarded it with scepticism. "You know this has never been proven to have any medicinal value." She pointed out as she sat on a chair at the usual table occupied by the seven. The side of her face was throbbing and she did not need to look at the mirror to know that she was sporting a considerable black eye.

Apart of her was still astonished at what happened, even after Inez had helped her into the saloon. Fortunately, the crowds had yet to make their appearance except for a few regulars who did not seem to pay much mind to the little drama unfolding before them. Although what the man had done was apparent, to the public of Four Corners, they had been privy to take much interest, perfectly content to let the town's lawmen deal with the situation.

"I'm going over there," Buck Wilmington declared, his self righteous wrath well and truly inflamed as he checked his gun and stated in no uncertain terms that he was not about to let the assault on two of his closest friends. "I'm going to teach him that it ain't exactly nice to hit a lady in these parts."

"Mr. Wilmington," Alex spoke up as she turned towards him, wincing in pain when the action tugged at the tender skin that was tight across her face. "I don't want any more trouble than there already is."

"I don't think you have a choice," Josiah replied from where he was seated at the bar. The preacher remarked as his gaze was fixed on whatever occurring on the other side of the batwing doors.

Alex and Buck followed his line of sight and saw Vin and Chris making their entrance into the saloon. Instinctively, Alex swore under his breath because any chance of keeping this whole ugly incident from getting any worse had just flown out the window and was on its way to Mexico. Vin and Chris walked into the room, having ridden from Sweetwater after dropping of a prisoner into the custody of the local constabulary.

"Alex, I think you're about to get more trouble than you know what to do with." Buck remarked, perfectly aware of how the tracker was going to react the moment he took one look at her face. Even now, Buck could not help feeling fresh anger when he saw the extent of the injury. The flesh under her eye was swollen and purple, distorting her cheekbone somewhat. Unfortunately, there was no concealing a bruise like than as anything but the resulted of a knuckled fist. Buck knew it and when Vin saw it, he would know it too.

The tracker and Chris were engaged in conversation when they saw the grim faces of their friends and most notably the presence of Alex Styles. Alex never came into the saloon unless she had something of importance on her mind to voice that could not wait until after they had emerged from the watering hole. Alex shifted her face away from him, perfectly aware what Vin was like when he was angry. He was a dozen kinds of rage waiting release when he was property infuriated and she had every suspicion that this was going to be one of those occasions.

"What's going on?" Chris asked, tensing immediately by the expression on the faces of Josiah and Buck. Buck was furious, Chris could tell instantly and that worried him. Buck was never angry about anything. He could be threatening but genuine anger was a rare emotion for him to display.

Josiah was did not respond but he looked in Alex and Inez's direction. The barmaid was hovering closely to Alex who was holding what appeared to be a piece of steak over her eye. Judging by the way the doctor was holding the thing to her face, she was trying hard not to let anyone see what was beneath it.

Instinctively, Chris glanced at Vin who was already striding across the floor towards her.

"What happened?" He said dropping to his knees before her.

"It's nothing." Alex shrugged, steadfastly holding the steak over her eye and was quite surprised that it was actually quite soothing.

"Let me look." Vin urged, reaching for her hand and attempting to lower it so he could see just what she was attempting to hide from him.

Alex resisted briefly, knowing what his reaction would be when he saw her face.

However, Vin was determined to see and finally succeeded in forcing her to expose her injury. She saw his jaw tighten when the enormous bruise was finally revealed to him and Chris. Vin Tanner was mostly unperturbed about most things, taking every crisis with a grain of salt. However, when something did penetrate the fortress of his inner emotions, the effect was extreme. Vin felt passionately about the things that mattered to him and when he dropped his defenses to indulge his passions, he was not only unpredictable but downright dangerous.

As he was at this precise moment.

"How did this happen?" Chris demanded wanting an explanation before the storm broke in Vin's eyes.

"One of Serfonteine's friends. The pretty one, " Buck answered automatically. "I think his name is Lamont."

"He was an animal!" Inez hissed. "He just came up to us on the street and what he said. ." Inez could barely managed to speak through her indignation and anger.

"It's starting Chris." Josiah stated and Chris understood immediately. Ever since Nicholas Serfonteine had made it known that he was staying in Four Corners, Chris had expected something like this to rear its ugly head sooner or later. Unknown to the others, Chris and Mary had been investigating the movement Ezra had mentioned and what he had learnt about the Klan was enough to make even his hardened exterior crawl with disgust. The stories he had heard about people being maimed and murdered convinced the gunslinger that he wanted no outbreak of such violence in Four Corners.

"Well its ending right now." Vin retorted and stood up. The tracker's blue eyes revealed the extent of his anger.

"Vin take it easy." Chris warned as the younger man strode past him.

"Like hell I will." Vin said sharply.

"Vin please," Alex hurried after him. She was angry too but she was not prepared to let one violent act escalate into another. She knew that he was only trying to defend her but Vin Tanner unleashed was not something that could be contained. He may very well kill Francis Lamont for this insult to her and Alex did not want that for him or the blood on her hands.

He paused in mid stride, only because it was her. "It has to be done." He replied, staring into her eyes so that she would understand. He had to do this because if he was forced to look into her face with that terrible bruise marking her skin, Vin was going to have to know that he had done something about it or else he was going to go mad with rage. He placed her hand on her cheek and held her gaze long enough to see the fear in her eyes. His gaze remained there long enough before shifting to Chris Larabee's. "Chris, you know what's coming. This is how it starts and it ends with people dying." Vin declared with conviction.

"I don't want that someone to be you!" Alex implored, frightened at what he would do and wanting him to understand that a bruise on her skin is something she would suffer willingly if it meant that he was unharmed.

"I won't get hurt." Vin stated confidently as he kissed her forehead gently and then looked at Chris again. "You would do exactly the same if it was Mary, wouldn't you?"

It was a challenge that Chris could not deny. No, if someone had done that to Mary Travis, they had better started making funeral arrangements because it would save time when Chris Larabee caught up with them. His capitulation showed in his eyes and Chris let out a deep breath. "Yeah, I would." He admitted reluctantly and knew that he was not going to stop Vin merely attempt to temper the intensity of his vengeance.

"I'll be going then." Vin said abruptly and disappeared through the batwing doors, not giving Alex a second glance because seeing that bruise on her lovely features would only drive him further insane with fury and right now, he wanted just enough anger to focus himself not cloud his judgement.

"The rest of you stay here," Chris ordered after Vin had gone. "I'm go with him and make sure he don't do nothing stupid." Although, Chris was not entirely sure he could keep that promise. When Vin got something into his head, it was not easy to wedge it free again.

Alex was staring at Vin crossing the street outside the doors, her face etched in worry as she saw him make a beeline towards the hotel. When Chris approached her, she quickly turned around. "Chris, please don't let him do anything. You know what Vin is like."

Chris did know and reassured her with a far gentler tone that most were accustomed to hearing from him, save Mary. "Don't worry," he almost smiled as he placed his hands on her shoulders and said with warmth. "I'll make sure he keeps his head. Meanwhile, you ought to do something for that eye. It looks nasty."

"She'll be okay Chris," Buck spoke up. "We'll keep an eye on her, you better get going on you ain't gonna find Lamont in one piece when you find Vin."

"Oh God!" Alex exclaimed, her jaw dropping open in horror.

"Way to calm the lady, Buck." Josiah frowned as he shook his head.

"Nothing's going to happen," Chris said hastily trying to assuage her fears as he started out the door. However, even as he left the saloon behind him, Chris knew that Vin was almost as passionate about Alex as he himself was about Mary and if someone had touched Mary that way, Chris was not so sure he would leave the man in one piece either.

Nicholas Serfonteine believed in playing it safe so when he heard that his trusted friend and appointed Nighthawk had become engaged in a public display with the local doctor, going so far as to strike her in full view of the entire town, he was not at all happy. Even now, he could see the suspicious looks of the patrons, eying him with a mixture of distaste and caution. They no longer saw a trio of well dressed southern gentlemen in their company. Now they were seeing thugs who were willing to raise a hand to well respected woman in the community.

"I do not see that I did any significant harm." Lamont remarked nonchalantly while sipping cognac at the counter with no regrets whatsoever over his actions earlier that day. In fact, he had enjoyed the little melee with Alexandra Styles, unable to deny that he had sought her out because of the talk he had heard that she was quite a beauty and spirited as well. After their encounter today, Lamont looked forward to familiarizing their relationship with more intimacy that she could possibly imagine.

"You did a great deal of harm!" Nicholas hissed, unafraid to show his anger. "We have yet to establish the foothold we desire in this township and until we do so, we cannot go about assaulting respected members of the citizenry."

"She's a half bred coloured." Lamont said defensively astonished by all the fuss over a darkie, let alone a woman. "So what if she has a piece of paper that says she's a doctor?"

"You destroy the reputation first then you destroy the woman, you halfwit!" Nicholas retaliated with uncommon vehemence, causing a few people in the saloon to look in their direction at his outburst. "You draw unwarranted support for the bitch by what you did today and in communities like this, you provoke their enmity when you wish to gain their trust."

"I fear I must agree with Nicholas on this one," Micawber added in a show of solidarity. "I have heard the talk about this Alexandra Styles, she's not Nigra and so she's not seen that way."

"The meat is still dark." Lamont pointed out, still very much unconcerned and mildly puzzled by the fanfare. "In the end, that's the only thing that matters."

He reminded them. "I am surprised by your reaction gentlemen, I was merely acquainting myself with the lady and I must admit she is a darling specimen that will require my special attention when the time comes."

Both Nicholas and Micawber knew what that meant. In his home town, Francis Lamont was known to have cut a swathe through the ladies and had quite the reputation as a lady killer. Even when they were engaging in their nocturnal activities, Lamont loved to handle the women. He liked it rough and made sure when he was done with them, they were painfully aware of that fact. However, he confined his sadistic taste to coloured women because no decent society would tolerate a white woman treated that way.

"Well just keep such displays as you produced today to a minimum and it may be possible for you to satisfy that particular predilection." Nicholas warned with the unmistakable warning that he was to be obeyed. "Do not force me to make this an issue of rank, Francis. We have our first gathering tonight with an expected turn out of at least twenty people I do not want your childish behaviour to jeopardize the cause even before it has a chance to flower."

Nicholas had been putting his sojourn in Four Corners to good use in the week since he had arrived. Today, he reaped the benefits of that painstaking cultivation with the formation of a fledgling Klavern that would finally have its time tonight. The secret meeting was taking place out of town and hosted by one of the town personalities who was sympathetic to the cause and was more than eager to see the formation of a local chapter of the Klan. With success so close in his grasp, Nicholas would not let anything endanger it, not even the unrestrained antics of a wayward disciple.

Lamont reacted for the first time, realizing that perhaps he should not have pushed Nicholas this far by his defiance. However, pride would not allow him to make that admission yet "Just see to it that she's mine when the time comes." He repeated himself trying to salvage his dignity.

Nicholas knew the ploy well enough and decided to give the man that much because he needed Lamont if they were to carry out the plans they had intended for Four Corners. While Lamont had been making a public spectacle of himself with the doctor, himself and Micawber had been moving throughout the township, rallying support and the interest of those silent numbers that kept their affiliations silent but required only a nudge to commit to a cause. From their work today, Nicholas knew that were enough voices to begin a local chapter of the movement. All that was required for it to go ahead was no more attention until they were ready to launch their debut.

"Don't worry," Micawber said with a salacious grin, trying to diffuse the situation as well as making it known that this attempt at diplomacy was only temporary. "When the time comes, we'll all get a piece."

Suddenly, the rumble of chatter in the room seemed to die down as two new arrivals made their appearance into the room. Nicholas recognized the black garbed stranger as well as the younger man in the skins. He tensed immediately, watching the duo scan the room quickly before resting their stony gazes on himself and his companions. Both men looked like they meant business and realized that intelligence regarding Lamont's treatment of the doctor had reached her paramour. It was common knowledge that Styles and Tanner were involved in a passionate relationship that almost bordered on the scandalous.

Vin Tanner wasted no time once he located the enemy. He knew who he was looking for of course. Serfonteine had been flaunting his companion's presence ever since they arrived in town. He had promised Chris that he would not do anything stupid but the terrible bruise on Alex's face made that a difficult promise to keep.

Everyone who was aware of what Lamont had been up to this afternoon were also aware that with the arrival of the tracker, it was not good to be on the premises. A few people who did not know better remained at the tables but the majority of people immediately left their drinks untouched and scurried through the door, eager to escape the line of fire. Even the bartender had dropped below the counter and was opting to remain there until the fracas was over.

Nicholas noticed the island of solitude forming around them most prolifically and knew that Lamont was about to suffer some repercussions over his rash actions with Alex Styles.

"You Lamont?" Vin as he stopped right before the three men. Chris Larabee stood a few paces behind Vin, having been given assurances by the tracker that Lamont would not be killed or maimed but would be left with nothing more than a subtle lesson at what it was to hurt someone who possessed Vin Tanner's heart so irrevocably.

"Can I do something for you?" Lamont asked as he responded with a voice full of contempt before he raised his glass to drink, not even giving Vin the courtesy of meeting him eye to eye.

"Nothing really." Vin answered coolly just before he grabbed Lamont by his fancy jacket and dragged him to the window where he promptly threw the southerner through glass where 'saloon' had been painted so nicely.

Nicholas and Micawber made a step to intervene but Chris only needed to look at them with a predatory gleam and offer a one-word warning. "Don't."

There was more danger in that voice then the peacemaker nestled comfortably in Chris' holster or the hand that was poised over it. They took one look at the intent in his icy coloured eyes and knew that to interfere in their friend's predicament would be a mistake and a fatal one at that.

Vin watched Lamont attempting to navigate on all fours with glass all around him with little or no expression on the tracker's face. The man was dazed and where some of the shards had met skin, Vin could see tiny cuts and thin lines of red crisscrossing his face and hands in places. Vin did not give him time to respond as he walked towards Lamont and grabbed him by a handful of dark hair before continuing on his own preselected path.

Lamont had little choice but to squeal as Vin and his hair dragged him back onto the boardwalk. Some people had emerged to watch the fight, especially those who had seen the incident that had precipitated this violence. Vin did not slow down or pause as he held fast the thick locks of hair in his grip, even though Lamont was struggling to keep up, his feet scuffling along the ground because he could see nothing but the floor because Vin was keeping his head down.

When they reached the wall next to the shattered window, Vin slammed the man's face into the hard surface. Lamont did not have time to scream but the sound his head made against the wood and the blood left behind when Vin finally released his grip, indicated that the collision was as painful as it sounded. Lamont dropped to his knees, recovering long enough to hold his bloody nose with his stained hands as Vin grabbed his hair once more and yanked back the man's head so that he could finally see Lamont's eyes.

"I made a promise to my friend in there that I'm suppose to do this subtle," Vin said with that quiet voice of his, even though Lamont's eyes were wide and his face was covered in blood from the broken nose he undoubtedly had.

"You maniac!" Lamont managed to gasp through the pain.

Vin ignored the outburst and continued, calm as ever. "So I'll make this as subtle as I can and a fancy man with all your book learning ought to get my meaning easy." Vin responded, his voice showing no signs of anger or cruelty as he spoke in the maddeningly serene voice of his. "You go anywhere near Alex Styles again and I'm going to take this knife here," Vin removed the inch wide lengthy blade he carried with him everywhere and held it up for Lamont to see. "And I'm going to gut you from neck to nuts. Is that subtle enough for you?" He yanked Lamont's hair back harder.

"Yes." Lamont managed a weak reply; his eyes still fixed on that formidable looking knife.

"Good," Vin said releasing his hold and watching with some measure of satisfaction when Lamont felt back on his haunches, his bloody hands still holding his face.

Vin stood up and noted that Chris had stepped through the broken window. "I'm done." He said calmly and started back towards the Standish Saloon once again.

Chris took note of the bleeding man on the boardwalk as he joined his friend, ignoring the angry glare he was receiving from Micawber and Serfonteine or the startled expressions of onlookers present at the commotion.

"Very subtle." Chris commented as he felt into step with the tracker who was walking away from the establishment in what seemed like almost a casual stride.

"Thanks," Vin answered. "I tried to keep it simple." He said with a faint smile.

Chris cast a parting glance at Lamont when Serfonteine and his other friend risked emerging from saloon to go to the aid of their injured comrade. "Well pard," Chris remarked turning back to Vin. "you're just that kind of guy."

"Nathan is due back tomorrow." Josiah stated. "What are we telling him?" The preacher looked at Chris.

After he and Vin had returned from their encounter with Serfonteine and his men, the group had left the saloon and retired to the jailhouse where they could talk. Chris had given Inez instructions to send J.D. and Ezra there if the duo was to turn up at the saloon first. Both men arrived not long after. What they were discussing required privacy as Chris felt that things were starting to turn in Four Corners and not for the better. It was bad enough that no amount of well meaning coercion had been able to eject Nicholas Serfonteine from town and the man was no fool. He knew that if he wished to press the issue, he could very well have some fancy lawyer slapping them all with orders for restraint that would put into question their role as lawmen.

It was Mary that pointed out that Nicholas knew the law and he was using it to his advantage. He was perfectly aware that once the seven had agreed to become the law in town, they had to live their lives according to its tenets. It was far too easy for the seven to become perceived as gang of armed thugs rather than the protectors of Four Corners. Chris could see her argument and begrudgingly had to admit that the only way to put an end to the man was to play this one by the book. As Mary put it so eloquently; Give him just enough rope to hang himself.

"I don't know." Chris replied honestly, unhappy about that particular situation as he sat behind the desk inside the dimly lit jailhouse, staring at the sky through the barred window. It always astonished him how such loveliness could exist so close to such where so much grief was taking place. With a surge of shock, Chris realized he had thought that very thing the night after finding out he had lost Sarah and Adam. The gunslinger shook the idea out of his head and returned his attention to the matter at hand.

They had assured Nathan that Serfonteine would be gone by the time he returned from the Seminole village but unfortunately, the former slave master had been adamant in staying at Four Corners for whatever dark purpose that was only now starting to come to light. Although the six lawmen had kept a close eye on Serfonteine during his stay, they noted nothing suspicious in his dealings. The man spent most of his time taking in the sights, walking around town and talking to people. Chris had an idea that he was ferreting out the climate in Four Corners, trying to decide if the community had any future as a potential candidate for the cause.

When Lamont and Micawber had arrived, Chris realized that it did.

Vin had escorted Alex back to her house because the doctor felt she had a better treatment for her bruises than the steak Inez had given her for her eye. It was just as well anyway because the tracker was too close to it at the moment and he was liable to react almost as violently as Nathan after what happened to Alex.

"He's not going to be happy to know Serfonteine is still here." Buck retorted, pointing out the obvious.

Chris could not disagree. Nathan had been ready to kill the southerner and that was something Chris had never seen him do. Nathan fought in self-defense. He killed in self-defense but he had never sought anyone out with the intention of doing them harm. "We'll just have to keep him away from Serfonteine until we can come up with a plan to get rid of the man."

"That's not going to work." Josiah stated. "I saw what Serfonteine did to him Chris." The preacher replied with more vehemence in his voice than he normally displayed. He wanted Serfonteine gone too because Josiah was as helpless to the memory of that seventeen year old boy he found almost dead from exhaustion and fever as Nathan was to the death of his sister. "He was whipped Chris, whipped to an inch of his life on the same day he found Rebecca. He had made it like that from Georgia to Kentucky before I found him. There's only so long he can bury that kind of hate and with what Serfonteine is fixing to do in town, I don't think its going to be buried for long."

He was right and they all knew it. Nathan was barely able to restrain his fury and only their earnest pleas for them to think about the consequences of the act kept him from ripping out Serfonteine's throat. However, if he were to return from the Seminole village and find out that his former master was inciting racial violence, Chris was certain that no amount of reason was going to keep Nathan from carrying out his threat.

"What about you Ezra?" Chris turned to the gambler who had been silent. Ezra was mostly quiet these days and the others knew enough about what was bothering to allow him privacy without any attempts to induce him to talk about it. Chris of all people understood what Ezra was going through and could appreciate why he might want as little discussed on the subject as possible. "Serfonteine made any more moves?"

"I do know that he has not remained idle during his time here." Ezra remarked. "Mr. Serfonteine has been quite the social animal. I've seen him talking to almost every respectable white family and businessman in town. Some have entertained him in their homes, others are somewhat cautious over his brand of politics but the overall response concerns me."

Chris could well understand why. It meant people were actually giving thought to Serfonteine's assertions and how long would it take before thinking about it transcended into an action because Serfonteine had opened up long hidden fears?

"What about you J.D.? Learn anything interesting form Violet?"

"Lots," Buck grinned. "But nothing that could help us."

"Very funny." The younger man frowned despite the amusement most of his friends found in Buck's comment. "All she talks about is how great Georgia is and how primitive Four Corners is compared to her home town. I must know just about everyone who is getting married, having an affair, whose beau is whose and what they're wearing at the jamboree. The girl thinks about nothing else!" He said with some measure of exasperation. "And worse of all, Casey's been blowing off all our dates." He was too young to understood why everyone in the room was looking at him with a complete lack of surprise over that particular statement. "What?" J.D. asked suspiciously, noting their somewhat amused expressions.

"Well you're just going to have to be a little more persuasive in your attempts to get the lady talking." Buck replied, his voice oozing with salacious intent.

It took a moment for J.D. to realize what Buck was alluding to. "No way!" He stood up in his chair and looked at the men around him who were struggling not to burst out laughing. "I ain't doing that for a dollar a day. The girl can't shut up! She goes on and on about nothing. How can anybody find that pretty? The only way anyone could possibly like a girl like that is if her jaw was wired shut so she couldn't speak!"

"Calm down." Chris said trying not to laugh and he was trying really hard. He gave J.D. one of those looks that broke no argument even though he did not feel the intensity he was attempting to convey. "Give it a rest Buck." He said good-naturedly as J.D. settled down at Chris' insistence.

"Just keep your ears open." He replied. "Eventually, women like that will tell you what you want to know. You just got to hang in there."

"Mr. Larabee," Ezra continued, now that the comic relief was over. "I think the pattern of how the Klan works, we may need to keep a closer eye on Alexandra."

"He's right." Josiah spoke before anyone could say a word. "Lamont didn't just pick her out of the crowd. He went after her for a reason."

"She is a pretty lady and a lot of people know how close she and Nathan are. If Serfonteine wants to get back at Nathan, Alex might be the way he's going to go." Buck added in complete agreement with Josiah assessment. "And if they were looking for someone who known and respected in the community and not white, Alex would be the one. She's high profile."

"I'll tell Vin to keep an eye out for her." Chris agreed. They were right of course. The attack on Alex today proved that Ezra's statement had some validity. If they were willing to do that in full public view, it chilled Chris to the bone at what they would do to her if they ever got their hands on her alone.

"She ain't gonna like it." Buck pointed out. "You know how she is. She's almost like Mary when it comes to being guarded."

"Well, fortunately that ain't our problem." Chris said with a slight grin and was pleased to know that he wasn't the only suffering the strife of a stubborn woman. "Its Vin's."

"We, the Order of the Ku Klux Klan, reverentially acknowledge the majesty and supremacy of the Divine Being, and recognize the goodness and providence of the same. And we recognize our relation to the United States Government, the supremacy of the Constitution, the Constitutional Laws thereof, and the Union of States thereunder."

Under the dark light of the moon, Nicholas Serfonteine listened to the chant of words from the group of men and women who had chosen to embrace the doctrine he had spent most of the night preaching. He had made his selection well for almost all those he had invited to this little gathering in the woods had opted to join them and were now reciting the words that made them apart of a cause greater than themselves. Like all those before them, their commitment showed in their eyes and the sparkle of understanding now that all things were made clear, gave him a rush of excitement.

Lamont, whose face was partially hidden beneath an uncomfortable looking bandage across his nose, stared at Nicholas who stood at the head of the group and motioned his leader to begin now that the pledge was made among the new recruits. Although he was still rather bitter about the injury inflicted upon him by Alexandra Styles' champion and no doubt lover, the Nighthawk's mood seemed to improve during the course of the evening. The gathering had gone well and they were standing before a varied collection of individuals, from all walks of life, united only by the colour of their skin and the determination to have things they way they once knew. Before the Yankees had brought their world to such a state of decay.

"The floor is yours, Grand Cyclops." He nudged as Nicholas took centre stage in the clearing. The moon and the torches burning brightly in some of the gatherer's possession illuminated his face.

"Thank you, Nighthawk." Nicholas replied because they did not use names when they were congregated like this. The enemies who would destroy them were cunning and known to speak deceptively to gain their trust. Nicholas trusted no one who was not Klan and so the rule was no one would speak their names and this was the last time anyone of them would see each other's faces.

"Having recited the pledge, ladies and gentlemen, you have taken a great step. You have stepped beyond the realm of what is into what can be. It is a difficult path you have chosen and there are enemies all around us. I am the Grand Cyclops and these are my two Nighthawks. Everyone of you has the chance to be more than you are for the Klan is an army and like all armies of God, we have reward those who are willing to sacrifice it all. For the moment however, you are all ghouls but you will not be for long, if the fine stock I see is any indication of what lies ahead."

Micawber who was a veteran Klansmen immediately broke into applause and was quickly followed by Nicholas' captivated audience. The clapping broke out like thunder and rumbled through the tranquillity of the woods with such force that animals inhabiting the area took flight, scampering from the noise that no doubt promised menace as noises produced by humans always did. Nicholas always had the edge. Even in the war when Micawber was forced into service beneath the younger man as his sergeant, Nicholas Serfonteine's ability to command presence was unmistakable. He was not the coward that other officers tended to be in the face of battle and raised his saber higher than anyone when he ran off to face the Yankees, always leading the charge either on horse back or on foot.

Micawber would die for him a dozen times over and knew without doubt he would follow Nicholas into death if required.

The applause died down as Nicholas prepared to speak once more. His oratory was carefully written and he had definitive things to say. He could see the commitment in their eyes and felt no fear. Clearing his throat, his eyes moved over the faces that were staring at him with expectation of what he could say that would change their lives so irrevocably.

"My friends, we are at a crossroads in our nation's future. You see the problem all around you even though you think it is so big now, so rife and powerful that nothing can stop it. It is everywhere and it comes from all directions. Our forefathers fought the Indians, the English and anything that would stop us from taming this land and they did so without hesitation because they were going to build us a New World. In more recent years, we have bled blood, sweat and tears to achieve what we have until outsiders decided that it was time to change our way of life. What is an abolitionist anyway? What do they know about anything? Most of them had been Yankees who had no idea what a paradise the south was. They hated our beauty and culture! They hated our land and their inability to posses it!"

He paused long enough to see the agreement in their faces, the slight nods and quiet whispers among themselves as his word sunk deep into their consciousness, until it dissolved like fluid and permeated their bones. It would soon run into their veins, the self-righteous wrath that would propel them to commit any act of savagery because the end result was worth dying for. Hell, it was definitely worth killing for.

"Your town is an example of this corruption. You have braved the Territory and built a beautiful community only to have the impure swarm upon it like a plague of locusts! They eat at your restaurants and they shop at your stores! If you allow them to fester they will breed until their number becomes uncontrollable and you will be outcasts in your own land!" Nicholas stopped and glanced at Lamont. The Nighthawk met his gaze, knowing what was next on his fiery speech and allowed himself a smile because he was about to be vindicated for his injuries.

"I have been in Four Corners and it is my privilege to say that I feel I know it like my own home." He gestured to his heart as if he had been truly touched by the experience even though Nicholas would not hesitate to leave this flyblown carcass of a town if he thought he could destroy Nathan Jackson any other way.

"I am shocked to see that complacency has allowed you to permit a wanton into your homes, to touch your children, to mend broken bones and press her filthy hands on your brow."

They knew he was talking about Alexandra Styles because the recognition registered in their faces even if they did not understand why she was referred to as a wanton. Nicholas smiled its just what he wanted and this was adequate reparation to Lamont's wounded ego.

"You may think the lady to be a saint but she is not! She trades her service for money like any harlot might do in a whorehouse. She masks her nature behind her supposed kindness but you cannot mask the ugly qualities of a wanton when it is so blatantly before you. Like all her kind, she is the enemy! For they are all Godless under the sky! She is not different! Never forget that for an instant. You know it for yourselves but hide the truth because you believe she is a healer! She does not heal! She corrupts! How many of you have seen the evidence for yourself? How many of you had been repulsed at the sight? I know I certainly do! No decent woman allows any man to touch her and yet she does. She rides away with a her lover, no doubt to rut in the wilderness like the animals, before coming back with the musk of their sin wafting through the air. She brings it into your homes and she bathes your children in it! How many of you have seen him sneaking out her door, like a thief in the night? How many of you want to see a child borne of such a union? To see a mixture of such wanton disregard intermingled with the innocence of one of our own? Can you imagine the monster that will be birthed?"

The rumble of dissent throughout the grove indicated that his audience did not wish to see such an eventuality form. He could see the ugly suspicion starting to form in their eyes and was pleased that the power of suggestion had so much ability to promote a thing that might or might not be true. He had personally heard no blemishes on the lady's reputation but the implantation of suggestion was far more effective than real evidence. Right now, he could almost hear the thoughts rumbling through their minds as they replayed every incident that they knew of Alexandra Styles and Vin Tanner together, seeing more into it than it really was. Very soon, they would actually believe they had seen the venerated doctor having commit the acts of which she was being accused.

"We cannot allow this abomination to continue and though we should not spill blood in our quest to rid this evil form our presence, the Lord has given us a bible in one hand and a sword in another and we must make use of it! You must decide whether you want a harlot to heal your children, knowing that she reeks of the devil in her touch! She may disguise herself in her innocence but we know don't we? We know how they touch because we've seen it. A wanton cannot hide her true nature behind an impressive title, for eventually the instincts will surface and she will burn with the same heat of that drives a bitch dog to rut. She brings that evil into your homes where you sleep and where your children play. I say no more! I say that it must end! Decent folk must be able to stand with dignity and so we must act now. We must put an end to this outrage before it taints us all! Before their union of mixed spirits becomes a new breed of creature that will usurp us in our home!"

"Drive her out!" Someone finally shouted as the tension finally broke and feverish heat of moral outrage swept through the crowd like water swirling in on them.

"Drive her out!" Another voice added itself to the fray.

"She's a whore!" Someone else cried out.

Finally the cries eclipsed one another, until the convergence of sound and emotion became a rhythmic chant that seemed to make the night darker and the silence overwhelming. Nothing else could be heard around them as their voices screamed in protest at the evil that had snaked itself into their lives and the belief that it must be ferreted out at all costs.

Nicholas allowed himself a smile as he exchanged glances with Micawber and Lamont, reveling in the three words that had become the group's manta. The words became the only sound in the world that mattered.

"Drive her out!"

TO BE CONTINUED