Vigil 3

Deke wonders if Paladin is accusing them of foul play. Reamer takes clear offense. Paldan insists that it is no private interest to him whether or not that man has an arrow in his back but as a citizen he would bear some responsibility if he kept thie situation quiet. Reamer pushes the edge of the envelpe and insists that he's not about to let Paladin accuse him of mudering his best friend without holding Paladin to account. Adelle tries to ease the tension by advising Paladin to back off because "the boy is nearly out of his mind with hunger."

Deke also tries to avoid a battle and suggests that everyone accept Paladin's apology and move forward. Paladin assures the others that he has NOT apologized and heads back towards his horse. Reamer pulls a knife and charges Paladin from behind. Adelle screams. Paladin draws his gun and shoots Reamer. Adelle rushes to the aid of Reamer and accuses Paladin of trying to kill an "unarmed boy."

Paladin hands Adelle the knife that she failed to notice. She puts the knife into her medicine bag.

Deke points out that Adelle shouldn't blame Paladin for shooting Reamer, "I reckon a suspicious soul who's always thinking evil thoughts about his fellow man out of sheer self-preservation better be handy with a shooting iron."

Deke casts further shade on Paladin when he recalls a grave that he once saw down in Arkansas that had a " motto carved on it in another language which translated to 'evil to him which evil thinks' ".

Adelle is administering to a wounded Reamer. Deke watching over the tender care figures that Reamer hasn't been treated with such kindness since the day "His Ma pushed him out of the nest with barely enough meat on his bones that he could barely sit up although he growed up to be a mighty handsome lad."

Paladin interrupts Deke with more suspicion to which Deke responds, "blame if you don't sound like one of them lawmakers always carrying on about bits and pieces and doodads that plain folks wouldn't give a second thought to." He claims that the arrow is still in the dead man's back because if they had pulled it out, it might " cause a leak and all that blood come rushin out at once."

Adelle is attending to Reamer's wounded arm and says to Paladin "you're not a good shot." Paladin responds tha he hit Reamer "exactly" where he wanted to hit him.

Deke approaches Paladin who instinctively draws his gun. Adelle observes, "Is it impossble for a man to feel like a man without a weapon in his hand?"

Sometimes a gun is just a gun.

Reamer grasps Adelle's hand and proposes that she should disengage from Paladin and that he and Deke would take her "anywheres" she wanted to go. She declines his offer and empathizes with Paladin. "I suppose he can't help being what a life of viloence has made him."

Paladin over hearing the conversation expresses his exasperation by raising his eyebrows and shaking his head just as if he is imbibing a shot of nasty moonshine whiskey.

Stay tuned.