Chapter 31 - A New Job, A New Rifle

Barford Porterson tapped his foot angrily, awaiting a visitor in the lobby of Applecot Mansion.

He couldn't believe it. Five years. Five years since Eliza dared to escape from his grasp. How in the world did she manage to kill Taykaw, one of the most feared sorcerers in the world, and bring back his amulet? There must have been a mistake. Someone in the government must've been spiting him. All that money to bribe his collector to keep their debts unpaid, wasted. He didn't even care that he already made his money back. The fact that she even had the gall to do it pissed him off.

His butler knocked on the lobby door. "Sir, your guest has arrived."

"Bring him in."

The door opened, and the visitor walked inside. He was six feet tall, five inches higher than Porterson. His dirty plate armor rustled loudly against each other, his metal boots clinking with each step. He had brown hair, shaved into a crew cut, and a beard that reached his collarbones. His longsword swayed side to side at his waist, its handle the only thing clean about him. Porterson held back a frown. Filthy people always displeased him, but if he wanted to get payback, then this was the only chance he had.

"So, you're the client." The visitor's voice was gruff and raspy. "What do you need from me and my crew?"

"I'll get right to the point. Mr. Ferdinand Jaw, I trust you've heard what happened with Eliza and Freya?"

"Yes, I read about it from your request. What about them?"

"I want you to find out where they are. And once you do, I want you to gun them and anyone with them down."

"That's a very serious request, Mr. Porterson. And serious requests require serious payment. How much coin are you willing to pay me?"

He shook his head. "I'm not paying in coin. I know there's an item you've been seeking in secret, and it just so happens that this item is within my possession."

"And what is this item you're speaking of?"

"A red, sharp gem. I think you can put the pieces together, can't you?"

He smiled, exposing his sharp teeth. "Oh, I know very well what you're talking about."

. . .

"So, you're looking for a new rifle?"

Maya nodded, saddened by the news. When they reached Morden, Peter went with her to the local gun store to purchase a new rifle for herself. Claire and Alanis went for a walk just outside the town, with an agreement to meet back for dinner at Boyle's. The shop, aptly named "Gunn's Gun Shop", had a similar layout to the Courier's Weapon Shoppe, except that the whole store seemed bigger in comparison. The cashier was a jolly fellow, his belly filling out his button-up shirt and overalls.

"Yes. What do you recommend?"

"That depends on what you want it for, Miss. What're you using it for?"

"Hunting."

The cashier left the counter, picking out several rifles. He gathered them all in one group and placed them carefully on the counter in front of her. "For hunting, I recommend one of these fine rifles here. All breechloaders. Most of the difference lies in the caliber, weight, and balance. Either way, I guarantee any of these will be an upgrade to your old flintlock."

She picked up the first rifle, shouldering and aiming it at the wall. After moving around a bit, she put down the rifle and picked up the next one, repeating her test. She did this to all the rifles, then shook her head, unsatisfied. "I don't like any of these."

"Hmm. Well, these are just my five best recommendations. If you want, you can choose a rifle off the wall."

She perused the wall, avoiding most of them until she saw a particularly large rifle. She lifted it up, shouldered and aimed it, then held onto it. "What's the name of this rifle?"

"That's the Dragoon rifle. Chambered in 45-70. Enough to put down any large animal you'd need, including bears. Technically, we carry a 45-120, but if it can't be put down by a 70, it probably can't be solved by a rifle anyway. It's quite hefty though. You sure you're fine carrying that beast around?"

She slung the rifle over her shoulder, pacing back and forth. "This is fine. How much?"

"Just the rifle itself? Five hundred silver. Ammunition is five silver for a bullet. I'd also recommend  a scope if you're doing long range, but that'll cost two hundred. It's quite expensive, so there's no shame getting a different rifle."

She shook her head. "I'll take this one. It feels good in my hands. Do you have a hundred bullets on hand?"

"We do, but that's gonna be a lot of money."

She placed a gold coin on the counter.

"Well, clearly that ain't an issue for you, miss. Let me get your change."

As he prepared the ammunition for travel, a familiar face walked into the store. "Hey Calvin, how's business?"

The cashier waved at her. "It's doing good! Sorry miss, gotta get some bullets for her." He went into storage to grab even more bullets. 

They turned around to see Scala, her arms crossed and her face sporting a smile. "Scala!" Peter exclaimed, "How have you been?"

"Been doing alright! The cowboys and I are taking a break from our escapades right now, so I'm just by myself. Buying another gun?"

Maya nodded, pointing to her rifle.

"Hmm. Nice choice. You know how to use a breechloader?"

Calvin came in, two boxes of bullets in his hands. "I was gonna teach her, but since you're here, you wanna give her a hand?"

Scala handed him a bag of silver coins, taking the boxes. "Sure." She turned to Maya. "There's a range at the back of the store. You wanna try it out now?"

Maya nodded and the three went out to the back. Steel targets, going from ten yards to three hundred, were stuck into the ground at their designated ranges. Scala taught her everything, from how to properly sight her rifle to the loading mechanism. Maya understood all of it; Peter understood none of it. After Scala finished, she loaded the rifle and aimed at the three hundred meter target.

BANG!

She fired, sending the bullet flying. It smacked the steel target right in the middle, a ding sound confirming her hit. Maya nodded, ejecting the spent casing, and slung the rifle over her shoulder.

"Pretty good for a first time user! So how is it?"

"It'll take some time to get used to it. But I like it!"