Once out on the street, Lori replaced her goggles and kerchief over her face. Redhand and Devin were already a blur in the storm, sprinting down the road, their figures barely discernible through the windblown sand.

  Lori, on the other hand, chose a more measured pace and strolled along. She kept one close eye on the jailhouse in case they might abandon their attempts to extinguish the blaze and come after her instead.

  As Lori walked, she grappled with a pang of regret over her actions. The destruction, the chaos she had unleashed left her uneasy. But then she glanced at the storm raging around her, the wind whipping sand into a frenzy. It reminded her of the turmoil Redhand must have endured in that jail cell. Lori's resolve hardened. The jailbreak had been necessary, and the ‘Hard’ marshal had brought it on himself.

  After a hundred paces, Lori could no longer see the jail through the storm. The howling wind and stinging sand obscured her vision, so she felt safe enough to jog the remaining distance to the fort. Upon arrival, she found the gates tightly closed, with Redhand and Devin frantically pounding for entrance. The fort's formidable walls loomed above them, promising sanctuary but remaining resolutely shut.

  Redhand turned when Lori drew near. “They will not open the gates.”

  Lori pounded on the gate. “Could you let us in, please? We have to get going!”

  The small wicket window flew open with a loud clatter, revealing the stern face of a soldier. “Not with a seven-foot werewolf, no!” he shouted before slamming the window shut.

  Lori tried not to laugh as she reached into her pocket for the medallion and handed it to Devin. “I guess I should be grateful you didn’t punch another hole through the gate.”

  The werewolf draped the medallion around his neck, it’s cool metal resting against his fur. He pressed it into his chest with a gentle reverence, closing his eyes as a wave of relief washed over him. The transformation commenced, and his towering, fur-clad figure began to tremble. Slowly, the beastly facade melted away, revealing more human traits beneath the wild exterior. His rugged fur retreated, exposing the man within, though his garments lay in shreds from the strain of the change. The air around him seemed to settle, and the tension drained from his body as the medallion's enchantment completed its spell.

  Once the change had completed, Lori pounded on the door again. “There’s no werewolf out here! Let us in!”

  The wicket window opened once again. “I told you-!” The soldier stopped and blinked, seeing only three normal human beings, one with tattered clothing. He frowned suspiciously and slammed the window shut yet again. A loud knock echoed through the gates as the soldiers inside slid the locking hatches open and the one gate opened just enough to let them through one at a time.

  “Thank you, kindly,” Lori said and touched the tip of her hat to the soldiers who watched them warily as they passed.

  The trio made their way towards the barn. Lori couldn't help but notice how Redhand positioned himself, keeping her as a barrier between him and Devin, his eyes darting with suspicion toward the younger man. Devin, acutely aware of Redhand's mistrust, walked with his gaze fixed on the ground.

  Lori stole a glance at Redhand as they walked. He was incredibly old, his face lined with wisdom that only a lifetime of experiences could carve. His long, white hair was held back by a ponytail bound with leather cords, and three eagle feathers with silver adornments decorated the band of his top hat. His shirt was made of buckskin, contrasting with his black wool coat. His pants were denim, but his moccasins were worn and full of holes. Despite the state of his clothes, which were in dire need of replacing, he carried himself with a dignity that spoke of deep wisdom and experience.

  Lori was about to introduce herself when he spoke.

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  “I have heard of you. The little raven who rides a dragon. You are the child of the Colonel.” He spoke slowly, choosing his words carefully, it seemed.

  “The little raven?”

  “That is the name you have been given. I was given a name once.” He looked at his hand. “I reached my hand into the chest of a great buffalo and pulled out his heart.” He wiggled his fingers, then dropped his hand back to his side. “It was red.”

  Lori had no idea what to say to that. “Well, you can call me Lori. And this is Devin, my friend. You have no reason to fear him.”

  “I do not fear him.” Chief Redhand had a look of deep thought as he walked. It was several moments before he said, “But I do not care for his hidden friend.”

  Lori laughed, then abruptly covered her mouth, embarrassed of her outburst. “Well, that medallion he wears keeps his friend at bay.”

  They walked on, and Lori felt obliged to say something, and when she finally thought of something to say, Redhand spoke again.

  “It is good he has it to wear. I think it is like a pair of pants: Best left on in the company of others.”

  Lori covered her mouth and choked down a fit of laughter. She glanced at Devin who glared at her with embarrassment and hurt. She couldn’t help it, and continued to laugh until they reached the barn doors. Redhand was nothing like she had imagined, and she felt an unusual camaraderie with this enigmatic chief.

  Devin pulled open the barn doors and they entered. They found Jangles, Ford, Ebeneezer and Wakiye waiting.

  Jangles jumped to his feet. “Are you okay?” He sniffed at her and looked her over.

  Lori patted his muzzle. “I’m fine, Jangles.”

  Ford and Ebeneezer greeted Redhand with a handshake, expressing their pleasure at his arrival. The barn was dimly lit, the musty scent of hay mingling with the earthy aroma of straw and dirt. Redhand proceeded to a dimly lit corner of the barn and retrieved his peace pipe from the well-worn saddlebags he used while riding Wakiye. He exchanged a few words with his thunderbird friend.

  Ebeneezer and Ford illuminated the area by lighting lanterns and hanging them on posts. The flickering light cast their dancing shadows on the wooden beams, while the distant howling of the wind outside reminded them all of their mission.

  Devin found his satchel and gave Lori a dirty look before he went to one of the more private stalls to change out of his torn clothing. Lori felt guilty for bullying her friend into giving up his medallion and putting him in such a situation. She sighed. It had worked, but she knew how Devin struggled with his affliction, and the cost of new clothes. She should have thought of another way.

  Lori caught Ebeneezer’s attention. “Need to get some expenses from you.”

  “Expenses, lass?”

  She nodded toward Devin. “A few dollars for clothing.”

  “Well,” Ebeneezer tipped his hat back and scratched his furry head, “I don’t think I should have to pay for that.”

  Lori shrugged. “Then we’ll just have to add it to the next leg of our journey. By the way, the rate for riding Jangles is ten cents a mile. Now that’s under normal conditions. Since there’s a storm, I’m going to have to add a fee of about five dollars for unnecessary endangerment, which you don’t have to pay, of course, if you’re willing to wait out the storm.”

  “Ah…” Ebeneezer nodded.

  “Then there’s the commission fee of ten dollars since we have to go out of our way to Hakitaw. Didn’t mind letting you hitch a ride here since we were going here anyway, but I’m afraid we’re not going to Hakitaw, so you’ll have to pay for the charter.” Lori folded her arms as if considering all the costs.

  “Don’t forget the goat fee,” Jangles added.

  “Right. The goat fee. We have to pay for a goat for Jangles to eat. That’s at least two dollars.”

  “Goat fee, you say,” Ebeneezer said flatly.

  “Landing fee,” Jangles continued. “That’s an extra three dollars, which you don’t have to pay. We can just toss you off as we fly by your destination.”

  “Well, I must pay for that!” Ebeneezer said with no enthusiasm. “Any other fees I should be made aware of?”

  “The shut-the-hell-up fee, which you don’t have to pay if you shut the hell up,” Lori said, tallying up the costs on her fingers.

  “So, how much do I owe?”

  Lori pretended to count in her head, squinting one eye nearly shut from the strain of her fictional mathematics. “That comes to $97.38.”

  “Really? Why so cheap?”

  “We are running a special this week,” Jangles growled.

  “Lucky me.” He reached into his hat and removed a bill fold from which he counted out ninety-eight dollars. “Keep the change.”

  “All sixty-two cents? Bless you sir! Bless you!” Lori took off her hat and bowed extravagantly. Jangles did the same.

  Ebeneezer rolled his eyes and went back to helping Ford light lanterns.

  Lori and Jangles retreated to a corner where they laughed quietly amongst themselves.

  Devin returned from the stall, now dressed in a new pair of pants and black and white checkered shirt. “What are you two laughing at?” he asked as he shouldered on his suspenders.

  Lori and Jangles broke into another laughing fit. Lori gave Devin a hug, then handed him fifty dollars.

  Devin’s eyes lit up as he counted the money. “Oh, wow! Thanks, Lori!”

  Lori wiped her eyes. “You’ve earned it, Devin. And, I owe you for coming along, anyway.”