Ellie comes out of the cottonwoods on foot, one hand pressed against her side. Dust clings to her coat, and blood darkens the fabric where the bullet struck.
Her horse lies back along the trail, reins tangled in the scrub. The animal is still, while the empty saddle rocks gently in the evening wind.
Amos Bell
Easy now. You hear me? Keep your hands where I can see them.
A rancher steps from the porch with a shotgun held low, not aimed. His wary gaze travels from Ellie's revolver to the distant trail.
Amos Bell
Someone shooting at you, or did you bring that trouble here?
Beyond the cottonwoods, a faint rifle crack rolls across the flats. The rancher turns toward it, then looks back to Ellie.
Amos Bell
You can stand there and bleed, or come inside and let me see that wound. Your choice.
✓ Quest Accepted
Get treatment for the gunshot wound
✓ Quest Accepted
Find safety from the pursuing shooter
“You’re not going to betray me and rob me”
NO, AND WORSE (Likely, rolled 98)
Amos Bell
No. I ain't going to rob you.
The rancher lowers the shotgun another inch, but the rifle cracks again. This time, the shot answers from somewhere close beyond the cottonwoods.
Amos Bell
Worse than that. Whoever's after you knows this place, and they ain't waiting on the road.
A horse snorts behind the barn. The rancher's face tightens as a shadow slips across the darkened gap between the outbuildings.
Amos Bell
They got in ahead of you. Keep that pistol down, and move slow toward the house.
From inside the ranch house comes the sharp scrape of a chair dragged across the floor, followed by a muffled knock against the window.
“I move slowly toward the ranch house”
SUCCESS (Fair Agility, rolled +1)
Ellie lowers her pistol and crosses the yard at a measured pace. The rancher keeps his shotgun angled toward the cottonwoods, watching the dark between the trees.
Amos Bell
That's it. Slow and steady. Don't turn your back on those buildings.
The porch boards creak beneath Ellie's boots. Behind her, another horse shifts in the scrub, but no shot follows as she reaches the front door.
Amos Bell
Inside, now. Stay to the wall and keep that hand where I can see it.
Ellie enters the ranch house. Lamplight spills across a plain room, revealing an overturned chair and a window standing open to the night.
The rancher backs through the doorway after her, then pulls it mostly shut. He plants himself between Ellie and the yard, shotgun ready.
Amos Bell
You're in. Let me see that wound before the bleeding gets worse.
“I let the rancher inspect my wound”
SUCCESS (Great Willpower, rolled -1)
Ellie lowers her hand from the wound and allows the rancher closer. He sets the shotgun within reach, then carefully opens her coat and examines the blood-darkened fabric.
Amos Bell
Bullet went through clean, looks like. Hurts bad, but I don't see bone or anything lodged inside.
He fetches a basin, folded cloth, and a small bottle from a cupboard. The lamplight catches his weathered hands as he washes the wound with practiced care.
Amos Bell
This'll sting. Hold still as you can. I got whiskey for the cleaning, not the drinking, so don't give me that look.
The whiskey bites across the torn flesh. The rancher presses clean cloth through the wound, binds it snugly around her side, and ties the knot without pulling it tight.
Amos Bell
There. That'll keep you from bleeding out tonight. You need rest, water, and a doctor when it can be managed.
Amos Bell
Now tell me if those riders are coming for you, or if I ought to be worrying about my own house.
Quest Complete
Get treatment for the gunshot wound
Attribute Upgrade: Agility Fair→Good