CHAPTER 1

A heated Sunday, like most days. A rundown saloon stood in the middle of nowhere. Falling apart, paint chipping season after season, a letter dangling, and a few broken windows. Drunken singing, and a load of rowdiness going on. Booze, and burnt food mixed an awful aroma. A stranger burst through the doors. The force almost breaking them off the frame. All went silent, each staring at the intruder. A grin grew upon his face.

"Good morning!!" cheery attitudes were, noticeably uncommon. Taking his hat off in politeness. Flustered by the attention received. A dark head of, with a massive scare cutting through the side. "Nice of you all, paying so much attention to little ole' me"

Waltzing up to the bar, eyeing the patrons. Some were humans, others not so much. Placing his gambler's hat atop the counter, decorated with a few stitches. Greeting the bartender with a nod. Unnerved by how upbeat his new customer was. Stiff as a board barely moving. Hesitant to even talk to him. Streams of sweat began to run down his cheek.

"Am I scary?"

"Oh no, just rare to see a newcomer" chuckling nervously pouring a shot glass. Hands trembling, trying to avoid any contact. Drops splashing by the glass "So, uh what can I get you?"

"Some water not a big drinker"

Departing to fetch his beverage, as the intruder glanced around. Most had returned to drinking and gambling. Only a few kept watch, remaining within the shadows. Keeping his grin, discomforting most. Returning with a drink in hand. Sliding it over to the mysterious patron.

"Thank you" grasping the glass. Feeling a coolness once touched. Taking a sip taste refreshing. Smacking his lips to the flavor "Not bad"

Tugging out a parchment from his duster pocket. Revealing a wanted poster. Glancing between patron and drawing. Trying to remain calm taking heavy breaths. The man still grinning, as he awaited. A slow tap on the paper. A drawing of man with short hair and scruffy beard was shown. The man gulped roughly, stifling a cough. "You know who this is?"

Silent, anxiety overwhelming him. Face turning red, sweat glistened his skin. A sharp inhale staring at the person across from him.

"You know who I am, and I bet you know why I'm here" whispers chilling the man's spine. The bartender kept glancing at the upper floor. Grinning even bigger, following his eyes. Catching sight of a room on said floor. Leaving the counter with his hat.

Storming up the stairs, rushing to the door. Kicking it down, seeing the man who matched the poster. Obviously shocked to see company. Jumping off a worn-out bed. A scent of cigars, as well as stale beer. By sight of several bottles on dresser. He had been staying here for about a week.

"Arther March, Lawman Deadhorse I'm here to arrest you for robbery and murder" Deadhorse announced readying a pair of cuffs.

Taking a step in a massive arm wrapped around his neck. Pulling back, his assailant hit the rail. Bucking and throwing savage hits, to escape. Deadhorse felt the hold tighten. Air unable to leave his throat. Vision beginning to blur, throwing an elbow. Striking a rib, then throwing his head back. Drawing blood from the heavier man. Slipping, both sent themselves over the rail.

"Shit!"

Falling onto a poker table breaking the legs. Rendering it into splinters of wood. Getting the wind knocked out, as sharp pains jabbed. Gasping for air rising from a puddle of booze and dollars. A trio of others surrounded Deadhorse. Taking a breather, gaining a second wind. The crowd circling them.

"Anyone who doesn't want no part of this, please leave!" After hearing his words all fled. A couple stopping to collect cash that had fallen. Nothing, but space was between them. Fists up and ready tight in the air. "Come on! What you waiting for!"

One rush swinging a vicious hook. Ducking Deadhorse struck the man's ribs. Wind exiting, soon busting his jaw. A wad of spit flung out his teeth. As he stumbled to the floor.

"Round 2?"

The other two charged, Deadhorse delayed one with an uppercut. As another gripped him by the collar. Forcing him back, halting his advance. Landing a kick to the inner thigh losing any traction. Breaking the hold throwing right and left hooks. Landing a solid chest kick. Hearing any air rush out.

"Argh!!" The last caught him by the waist. Slamming the lawman into the wall. Getting a hold around the thugs head. Connecting powerful knee to the side. Loosening the hold freeing himself. A series of punches landing. Blood began leaking from the thug's nose. Ending with a strike in the throat.

Surrounded by broken wood and glass. Liquor covered the floor and his clothes. Drenched in it, taking a sniff. A sour expression of the overwhelming scent. Picking his hat out the rubble. Waving of any debris that remained.

"That's stronger than the drink"

Arther attempted an escape after. Sprinting out the saloon doors. Deadhorse grabbed a chair-throwing it. Hitting the wanted man's back as a silent cry escaped. Steady footsteps inching closer. Deadhorse chuckled standing over him. Arther glared fiercely, as a boot pinned his head down.

"Arther took me a few days to get ya" Deadhorse pulled a revolver out its holster. Putting lead in the back of his legs. Blood spurting out.

"Argh!!" Shouting in pure agony. As blood-soaked his pants. Chuckling once again. Holstering the gun, his grin remained. Whistling, echoed throughout the town. Heavy hooves trotting down the street. A jet-black Sleipnir answered. Six legged horse that could travel for miles.

"Sorry, gotta keep ya from running" grabbing the back of collar. Dragging him to his Sleipnir. Strapping him to the saddle. As six hooves kicked up a dust cloud. "You're definitely going to get a couple of scars"

"Just let me go"

"You didn't let that man in Greenhill go did ya?" tightening the rope around his hands. Jumping atop the black steed. Gripping the reigns to head out.

"Hey!!"

Noticing the Barkeep chasing after him. Any anxiety before evaporated. Now anger filled any action.

"Are you gonna pay for all those damages!"

"You're lucky I don't shoot you for harboring this wanted man!" His words shut'em up. Biting back anything that would be said. Sprinting outta town, Arthers screams followed.

Deadhorse was a ruthless Lawman. Known for keeping his catches barely alive. Yet many couldn't deny the results. Most of any bounty Deadhorse collected was completed. Not many Lawmen existed. Many favored bounty hunters, didn't care about due process. Mostly cause of the code they lived by. No deaths, only justice.

What stood within the heartland of Blood Mountian territory, was Fort Myers. Built at least two centuries ago, by a corrupt baron. Lawmen stormed in overthrowing him. Made out of red stone strongest brick made, able to take cannon fire. Mounted gattling guns, a few cannons, with a army of trained Lawmen. The pinnacle of law and justice. Still one of the best defended fortresses west of the Styx river.

The Lawmen order made it home, while also conducting assignments. The Sheriff of Fort Myers was Markus. A man who wielded three decades of experience. A dark-skinned gentleman, who rarely tolerated insubordination. a scar trailing down his cheek.

"Can someone tell me where Nathan is?!" Markus shouted, voice deep enough to be called God's. A glare to kill any man. "Well!?"

"He still hunting that man from Docktown!" a deputy shouted.

"Fucks sake! That was two weeks ago those people want him now!!" Raging as another brought in papers. Most likely more pleads and warrants. Lawmen received tens of others each week. "How bout Deadhorse?"

"Caught sight, be here half an hour"

"Finally some good news" grumbling throwing a glance over the new papers.

Deadhorse trotted into Myers, his perp dragging behind. Face covered in blisters, dried blood painted his face, and most likely infection settled into his legs. Hopping off his Sleipnir, untying his hands. A few other acolytes came to help.

"You're here good, take him to the cells, tell the Doc he needs help" ordering as the two picked the nearly dead body. Groaning in pain as they picked him up.

Deadhorse headed straight to Main Hall. Slamming open the doors for an entrance. All took notice, as he jogged through. Grinning widely, getting all inside whispering. Busting through Markus's doors. The sheriff shooting a sharp glare.

"Shit! Deadhorse those are my doors! Not yours!"

"Sorry, just thought you'd be glad that I brought Arther March here"

"I would if he wasn't ready to meet the lord above!"

"Oh, you heard that?"

Exasperated to his best Lawman's behavior. Deadhorse could catch lightning if he tried. It would be how he treated it the problem. Rising, Markus threw a folder. Catching, Deadhorse flipped through.

"Politics?" crinkling his nose in disgust. Always hating government work. Never straight forward, always shady.

"Straight down from the Silver Tower, outta our nation's capital" taking a cigar. A tiny flame burning the end. The scent horrible and stale. The assignment talked of meeting with President Ulysses.

"Yes, but something else too" picking a recommends paper off the bulletin. Handing it off, as the Lawman read it. A heavy description of recruitment. Quizzically staring at the poster. It had been posted for a time. A month perhaps. "The two are connected, we need to meet with the President"

"And why me?"

"Well I thought you coming from the Zuzeca, you'd be the best" he snapped back. Deadhorse was one of the few tribesmen people saw. As there were many other tribes living within isolated areas. Extremely dangerous to those who didn't follow the path. "Anyhow you'll be investigating-"

"Wait to hold on"

"What seems to be the problem?"

"This is related to Republican territory?"

The Republic of Janus was a territory of city-states. Governed by The Twelve Houses, each one for a state. Thinking they above Union Law. The history between the Republic and the Lawmen Order has grown outta hostility. Houses have attempted to bribe Lawmen for assassin work. Thus bad blood has flooded between them.

"Yes, I know that!"

"Then why are we answering a poster from the Houses?"

Markus peered past Deadhorse. Shutting his doors from any easy listening. Going behind his desk tugging out a file. A map sat showing key points. "What's this?"

"This here is Abbott territory, but theirs rumors of a coup' de tat" an eerie tone had Markus's tongue. Not trusting to tell the whole truth. "Ulysses hopes we can find evidence and disrupt any though about the subject"

"Ulysses must be disturbed by any though invasion or war?"

"Oh yeah! This assignment is put under heavy wraps no doubt" the younger again didn't seem to connect. The elder rolled his eyes. "About a hundred years or so ago House Abbott almost started a rebellion under their flag"

"And President Ulysses thinks they're at it again?"

"Exactly, but first let me explain" Markus took a seat. Pulling a map out and file. "We've sent others on different assignments, but disappeared once they entered"

"Why start now?"

"Why not now?"

"What?"

"The head of house Abbott has had both sons and daughters marrying them off thinking they can persuade other families into lending some extra men"

"Of course, why else would anyone want kids?" Deadhorse spoke sarcastically heavily.

"Not the point, anyway they're trying to get a meeting with House Hernandez"

"Why Hernandez?"

"One of the largest fleets, and stock of Sleipnir" a chuckle escaping. " If I was them I'd be doing the same"

"So we head into Republic territory..."

"You could be finding a war we didn't see coming "

"How you so sure?" A raised eyebrow formed. Not easily convinced on the simple run down. Janus army was the most ruthless ones out there. "They could be just protecting their own"

"Please, Janus believes they're like God's will on this earth" leaning over his desk. " Believe me, we'll find something"