Dominion: Backshooter. (Two)

 

He figured that Pritchard Church hid somewhere in town and lay in wait for him to pass by, and when he'd gotten in behind him, his plan was to backshoot Elias. Pritchard much like his brother could be ruthless, but unlike Damian, Pritchard lacked the courage required to commit to such brutal acts, as it could only be summoned when his target had their back turned. He was a little more than a saddle bum, and a coward, by nature, to his core, a no good backshooter. Elias knowing this, quickly realized that he had the bait to set the perfect trap. There was another rocky hilltop across the shorter end of the small narrow valley, the storm clouds were drawing closer, but there was still enough moonlight to illuminate the entire area.

Elias rode out into the open, allowing Pritchard to see him but only from a safe distance, he knew he wouldn't risk a long range shot, in the failing light, but maybe he could draw him in closer, allow Church to think he had a chance, he was still back there, slowly pacing himself at a comfortable distance.  Elias still had time before he was close enough to make an attempt on his life. He surveyed the scene in front of him, laying out the perfect spot to spring his trap. By a large, tall boulder, up on the rise, he tethered his horses and began, collecting rocks to make a small fire pit, he gathered kindling and wood and placed it, unlit at first in the firepit. He retrieved his spyglass and from behind a short cluster of rocks he tried to relocate Pritchard Church's position in the valley below. He was approaching the bottom of the hill. Time to light the fire.

Elias lit the campfire, and slowly moved around the opposite end of the largest boulder and stayed hidden in the belly of the shadows, watching, waiting, Prichard didn't keep him long, Elias could clearly see him. He was on foot then, slowly and quietly making his way toward the rocky top, and when Pritchard saw the light from the makeshift campfire dancing on the neighboring rocks, he could almost feel him smiling one of those evil Church smiles. Church froze briefly, crouched down pulling out his gun from its holster, slowly creeping closer to the campfire light. Elias quietly moved along the edge of the rocks, and when Pritchard darted around the corner, he quickly moved in behind him gun drawn.

"Drop the gun, Church," He froze at the sound of Elias Crowe's voice. "Put it down, son, I don't want to kill you, and I'm sure you don't want to be dead." Elias said.

Pritchard Church like his brother Damian, like their whole family, had lived the lives of wretched men, taking whatever they wanted from the world, without regard or remorse, and now they would be delivered, not only to justice, but to God, survived by three younger brothers, two younger sisters, and a grieving mother, who were all left behind to make sense of it all.  Pritchard Robert Church was 27 years old, at the time of his passing. He tried to turn, but before he could even squeeze the trigger the Peacemaker roared to life, spitting a cloud of fire, smoke and the lead bullet ripped through his chest as a stream of blood spat out his back. He stared at Elias in shocked disbelief.

"You goddamned lawdog." He muttered, falling slowly forward. "You've killed me."

He pulled two more pieces of canvas from Mudbones pack along with two more strands of rope, he stripped the body of Pritchard Church of his weapons and other valuables. Before wrapping the body and tying it in canvas. The loud rumble of thunder over his shoulder gave him pause, he walked down to the bottom of the rocky hillside to where Church's horse stood grazing on desert grass. He grabbed the reins and led it back up the hillside to where he found another cave deep enough for all three animals, he took another sheet of canvas and secured it to more rocks using the rope.

He led his other two animals down to the cave and led them in, removing the two bodies and gear. He built another fire just under the edge of the homemade lean-to, and he settled in for the night just before the first drops of rain began to fall, He poured himself some fresh made coffee, as the rain started to really come down, he sat down and leaned back against the saddle, drinking his coffee, staring out at the empty desert. He was going to be needing to head for Willwood in the morning, it was still a couple of miles away. He would ride there to re-stock his supplies in the morning.

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