C. S. Lewis

"You really think two look outs will be enough?"

"All I can spare, men need sleep with the harvest carving out 20 hour days."

"Isn't gonna be a harvest if those raiders sneak up on them."

Jedediah "Kid" Curry let out a long suffering sigh and squinted up at his partner who had been riding his shoulder ever since he had sat down at the table in their hotel room.

Golden, New Mexico was barely a town anymore now that the gold boom had petered out. The two ex-outlaws had ridden in only expecting it to be a quiet stop to rest up on their way to Texas and Patrick J. McCreedy. Now that the hoopla over their amnesty had died down they needed a stake and hoped the land baron would consider them worth investing in.

But that was before they had been recognized.

"This is really eating at you Heyes isn't it?"

Heyes straightened offended, "What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about you can't handle the idea that these folks picked me to be in charge over you."

"I didn't want a job organizing sod busters," Heyes replied firmly.

"Exactly, so why don't you go back to your book and let me get on with working out what I need to do next?"

"I just thought two heads were better than one is all," Heyes said in a slightly hurt tone that made Kid roll his eyes and once more put down his pencil.

"Heyes it’s just a small settlement, not the Denver mint."

"Two hundred people's lives at stake, not to mention their farms and crops."

"I know that Heyes."

"And…"

"HEYES!"

Heyes looked up innocently. "Fine if you don't want my help…" he said and opened his book.

Kid shook his head. He should have known he would get no work done here. Heyes had found a perfectly good job looking after the only saloon in town and should have been in 7^th heaven. But somehow Kid being offered the job over him to organize a farming community to protect itself against raiders from across the Mexican border during the harvest hadn't set well with him and he had taken to dogging his cousin's every move.

"Heyes you know as well as I do something like this can't have two leaders. What's bothering you? That Luke recommended me over you?" Kid asked mentioning the former gang member who had turned farmer and presented Kid with the offer.

Heyes looked up offended; "Luke didn't 'recommend' you over me. The only reason they hired you over me is because they saw you draw…" He stopped wishing the words back in his mouth as soon as he said them.

Kid quietly stood up and gathered his papers. "Think I'll finish this back up at the settlement.

"Kid, I didn't mean…" Heyes tried.

"Yes you did and it may surprise you Heyes but I can manage to find work not solely based on how well I shoot this gun."

The door shut softly and Heyes wished it had slammed.

Disgusted with himself he sat down on the bed. He hadn't meant to imply Kid couldn't lead those folks. All he had wanted to do was help. After all he had been the leader of the Devil's Hole Gang. A little experience should count for something.

Deciding it felt better to be mad at Kid for being overly sensitive than angry with himself for feeling left out, he stretched out on the bed and opened his book.

"Give a man a little power…" he grumbled and turned the page.

"Fair sir will you joust?"

Heyes sat up startled scrambling to his feet confused. Where the…? What had happened to his hotel room…hell what had happened to his hotel? Spread out before him was a lush green landscape sloping down to a winding river larger than anything he knew was nearby.

But he was quickly distracted away from questioning his location by the man on the horse in front of him.

Or more to the point…the long spear he had trained on him

"Fair sir will you joust?" the man repeated impatiently.

Heyes considered this. The rider was in armor from head to heel, in fact Heyes noticed amused, his horse even had it on! In one hand he held a shield elaborately decorated in red and green, in the other a long spear like object pointed directly at him.

"I said sir will you joust?" the question was yelled this time.

"Will I what?" Heyes said getting up annoyed. "Where am I? What is this place? Who are you?" he said going on the offensive.

The man on the horse seemed to stiffen and grow indignant at this behavior.

"I am Sir Henry of the King's Round Table!"

"Of course you are," Heyes said rolling his eyes wondering where the circus he belonged to was.

"Sir you insult me!" the man roared pointing his spear at Heyes chest.

"I am not in the mood for this," Heyes growled. "Look could you lift up that helmet? I feel like I'm talking to a can of tomatoes!"

The helmet was flipped back furiously and Heyes started to laugh.

"Harry? Harry Brisco?"

"You forget yourself knave! I am Sir Henry of…"

"That's wonderful Harry, look where am I?"

"Will ye try a passage of arms for land or lady or for…"

"When did you join the circus Harry?"

The rider suddenly turned his horse and retreated a couple hundred yards and then turning began rushing towards Heyes helmet down, spear ready.

"Harry what the hell are you doing?" Heyes said from the branches of the tree he had quickly leapt up into.

"You are my prisoner sir."

"All right, all right, just put that thing down before you hurt somebody, like me!" Heyes growled climbing down and having no better idea what to do let Harry lead him down the dirt road towards a town he could just make out in the distance.

It soon became increasingly clear this was not the west he knew. The neat kept fields parceled by stone fences he had never seen before and when they reached the top of the hill his doubts were confirmed.

There magnificently rising up into the light blue sky was a castle. As amazing as anything he had seen in picture books as a child. A fortress made of towers and turrets surrounded by a sleepy little town along the banks of the river.

"What is that…" Heyes gasped.

"Camelot," Harry said proudly. "Now let us see what King Arthur makes of my prize!"

"Harry if you poke me one more time with that spear I will flatten you!" Heyes said stopping and turning angrily as they reached a turn in the river where a group of men were attempting to make a water wheel work at a mill.

"You are my prisoner! I have captured this barbarian!" Sir Henry said rather loudly clearly hoping to draw attention to himself.

"That's it!" Heyes said and with one hand brought the knight down with a loud crash and without looking back strode off furious with himself for not having figured out what was going on yet.

"Barbarian indeed," came an amused mocking voice that was oddly familiar and Heyes turned to stare at the man who had spoke. He was dressed in the trouser and tunic that a knight wore under his armor and strapped to his side was a sword in a scabbard that looked as if it was well used. "Sir Henry tends to effect friend and foe the same."

His stance against the tree he was leaning was casual, but there was an air about him that was both cocky and confident, but Heyes only noticed all that later.

"Kid!" Heyes said breaking into a grin and moving to clap him in a hug of relief. But before he could reach him the man's sword was in his hand and Heyes was stopped short.

"Know your place stranger!" the man said his eyes suddenly those of a warrior

"Kid its me! Heyes!"

"I know you not sir," the man replied as Sir Henry hurried up with a group of men whose swords were drawn in support.

"Sire are you hurt?" one of the men asked worriedly.

"Sire? Kid what is going on?"

"Barbarian, hold your tongue before the King!" Sir Henry hissed.

"Shall I run him through Majesty?" another of the knights asked eagerly.

"Run me through? Kid tell these lunatics who I am."

"Which I would gladly do if I knew," the man said amused replacing his sword.

Heyes finally pulled back next to Harry confused and hurt at Kid's reaction. What was going on?

"You think you know me as friend Barbarian?"

"Everyone knows Arthur, King of Britain," Harry said nervously. "He is mad sire, from the blows I gave him in battle!"

"Harry you couldn't hit the broad side of a barn," Heyes snapped back and the King found himself swallowing a smile.

"What is your name Barbarian?"

"Hannibal Heyes," Heyes said pulling free of the arms holding him. "As if you didn't know! I swear Kid if you thought this up to get me back for…"

"Silence knave! You cannot challenge the king!" an older night said horrified.

"Kid I'm not challenging anyone I just wanna know what is going on!" Heyes said frustrated.

"He is a knight?" the King asked Henry.

Henry paused, to say he was not would indicate he had breached a cardinal rule of chivalry, but to lie meant he would lose his prize.

Harry studied Kid's eyes and decided it was safer to give him up.

"He is a Knight from a far realm, I captured him."

"Give him a sword," the King said with a soft smile as he drew his own. "Defend yourself sir!"

Heyes rolled his eyes as a sword was thrust into his hand begrudgingly, "Kid I am not going to…hey you almost hit me!" he said indignant ducking a swing of the 'King's weapon.

"Defend yourself sir! You have insulted the King!" Sir Henry said worried Heyes unorthodox behavior was going to look bad on him.

"I didn't insult anyone!" Heyes said angry now pushing Kid's thrust back.

A glimmer of respect formed in the man's blue eyes.

"You have some skill."

"I beat you at every game we played with sticks when we were children," Heyes said and suddenly realized, aside from nearly being killed, he was enjoying the skirmish.

It had been one of their favorite games as children. Heyes's father even going so far as to make them wooden swords to duel one another and slay the occasional Kansas dragon that reared its ugly head in their imagination.

Heyes, older and bigger had at first won all the games, but as Kid had grown and they had evened out it was soon an equal match with no winner ever assured.

But the man he was fighting now was far more experienced and the fight should have been short lived, except for one thing, Heyes knew how his partner thought. All their games as children had given him the advantage of experience in how Kid went up against an opponent.

Which Heyes quickly seized on and at one point actually brought the point of the sword up to the man's throat and then with a grin saluted him and pulled back.

Instead of being angry the King grinned back himself enjoying the man's cunning and insight. But in the end it was no match against the years of experience and Heyes found himself backed against wooden water wheel his sword brushed from his hand and his opponent pressing him for his victory.

"You gotta teach me that one Kid," Heyes grinned and the trust in his eyes made the man frown.

"Kill him!" came the shout from some of the men enjoying the skirmish.

Heyes smiled, "I'd rather you not Jed, this is just getting interesting, besides if you kill me your never gonna get this water wheel working."

"You have skill with such things?" the King asked grasping at a reason not to kill this man he had found a worthy challenger.

"Whoever designed this didn't know a thing about steam power."

"Do you swear allegiance to Camelot and I its King?"

Heyes looked at the man, "King Arthur and the knights of the round table?"

"Speak sir!" one of the knights growled.

"As always Kid you have my loyalty and friendship."

The sword lowered, but the man's confusion did not.

"I do not think this wise majesty," a tall knight said glaring at Heyes and Heyes stared back startled at his resemblance to Jim Stokely.

"Perhaps Galahad, but my people need this mill," the King turned and stared into Heyes's eyes as if searching for an answer to a question he had not yet formed.

"Your Majesty weakens his position trusting such barbarians," said a dark eyed man who had been watching from the fringe and looked remarkably like Jake Halloran the cattle boss they had tangled with in Tenstrike.

"A man isn't weak because he uses his mind as well as his sword," Heyes said. "Besides isn't the wisest way to destroy an enemy to make him your friend?"

The King let out a laugh, "Well said sir, he has you there Mordred."

"He's Mordred?" Heyes said his lack of awe clear and then turned to the King and bowed low. "Your majesty, forgive my forwardness, it was only my enthusiasm to meet a legend that caused my impropriety."

"You wield your tongue as well as your sword," the King said amused. "Are you as clever with contraptions such as this?"

"Sir I can honestly say I can fix this so you'll never need man or animal to turn it again."

"You are most confident Sir," Mordred snarled.

"And where are you from Sir Heyes?" the King asked his eyes twinkling at the interchange.

"Wyoming sir."

"Well Sir Heyes of Wyoming if you can do as you say you will not only be welcome in my court, you will become one of my advisors."

"Sire you are not serious!" Mordred said horrified as he and the knights pulled the King away attempting to reason with him.

"You got lucky you did boy," Sir Henry mumbled to Heyes sorry to lose his prize and walking away.

"Uh Harry I could use a little help…"

But Sir Henry had lost interest and followed off with Mordred

"Me and my big mouth," Heyes said pulling off his hat and running a frustrated hand through his hair feeling more than a little lost. It seemed now that he was no longer a threat, he was also no longer of interest. To make matters worse he was hungry and thirsty and had no idea how to handle the problem without another sword fight.

He turned feeling eyes on him and saw the King, alone, watching curious.

"You'll find Sir Henry is adverse to anything that might resemble work," the man said studying him. "You are in Camelot 5 minutes and all ready you have fought its King, vexed its knights and annoyed its critics. Tell me Sir Heyes are you always this quick to seek adventure?"

"Actually I've had a little too much adventure lately," he admitted wearily not even sure if he was allowed to sit.

The wistfulness of the man confused Arthur almost as if he had been kin.

"I'd like to watch you perform this magic," Arthur said taking a seat on a tree stump.

"You mean you don't trust me," Heyes said insightfully.

"That too," Arthur said, but his grin took the edge off it. "Explain to me what you plan to do."

Heyes found himself breaking into a smile. It wasn't Kid, well it wasn't suppose to be Kid, but he was enough like him to make him relax and eagerly draw out his plan for a steam engine to power the mill and water wheel in the dirt.

"This is ingenious," Arthur said finally looking up.

Heyes grinned, "Thank you, it is used a lot where I come from."

"I'll have my squire round up some help while you make a list of supplies you need," he turned to go and then stopped. "Have you eaten Sir Heyes?"

"Just Heyes," the dark haired man said and admitted embarrassed. "Actually I'm starving."

"As am I. I will see about a repast as well," he rubbed his hands together. "This is going to be interesting."

"Thank you," Heyes said and the way he looked at him made the King frown.

"You say you know me, your looks confirm this, but for the life of me I know you not."

"Yet you helped me."

Arthur thought about this, "That troubles me as well, perhaps you really are a wizard and have cast a spell on me."

"If I was then I wouldn't need you to find me lunch," he laughed.

The King finally smiled, "True, unless you were truly canny, we shall see Sir Heyes, we shall see."

*******************************************

"How is it you know of such things?" Arthur said watching Heyes work on the small steam engine that would power a series of wheels and in turn the mill.

"Because I had to stop one or two of these engines in my time and to do that I had to know how they did work," Heyes smiled tightening the last bolt.

It had taken the work of two blacksmith's and an armor merchant, but stepping back Heyes nodded for Arthur's squire Isaac, (who to Heyes chagrin resembled Billy Boggs from their snowed in gold rush cabin), to stoke the fire. Then to the amazement and delight of all; the wheel slowly began to turn crushing the wheat laid in the large stone wheel's path.

Heyes didn't miss that Arthur cheered as loudly as the rest of the men and accepted his slap on the back and hearty well done with a slight touch of melancholy. It had been too easy to forget this was not his partner as they worked along side each other.

"The King is pleased!" Arthur declared for all to hear.

"Child's play!" Mordred sniffed stomping away.

"He really is hard to impress," Heyes sighed amused.

"Such wonders without magic!" the King said captivated. "Dine with me tonight and tell me of your other…what did you call them?"

"Inventions," Heyes smiled.

"Inventions," the King said liking the way the word tasted.

"I am pleased your majesty is pleased," Heyes said with a slight nod of his head suddenly feeling tired and drained.

"You will accept my hospitality. Isaac find him a room and something more suitable to wear to dine with the King," Arthur ordered and then finally allowed himself to be led away by his knights who were eager to speak with him alone.

"Do you have a horse to stable or belongings I could carry my Lord?" Isaac asked eager to serve him having watched him work his fascination quickly turning to awe.

"Ah, this is all I have with me," Heyes said feeling suddenly homeless.

"That is not a problem," Isaac smiled liking Heyes as easily as the King had. "I should think you would like a drowse to before supping with the King," the boy said leading him through the gate Arthur had disappeared through.

"Drowse? Ahhh, nap! Yes I suppose it wouldn't do to fall asleep at the King's table."

"Sir Henry has, but the King liked that and forbid anyone to wake him!"

"Thank you Isaac I'm grateful to have a friend to fill me in. I'm feeling like a fish out of water here and besides I've never had dinner with a king before!"

The boy relaxed. "I will stay close if you have any questions, besides," he added with a grin as if sensing the man needed to be distracted. "The finest wenches of the court favor the King's table!"

Heyes found himself grinning back, "Thank you, wenches you say?"

"Aye, they have eyes only for him, but perhaps your countenance will please them!"

"Perhaps, besides Kid gets enough women," Heyes said giving him a wink.

"Why do you call the King that?"

Heyes looked melancholy for a moment, "Because he reminds me of a friend."

"It is good to call the King friend. Come I shall fetch you wine and you shall drink to your victory!"

"Our victory," Heyes said firmly.

The boy blushed pleased and as the two men entered the castle gate neither noticed the King watching and listening.

know you better."

************************************

Hannibal Heyes awoke to the first rays of the morning sun and to someone hissing his name. Sitting up bleary eyed realized he was naked under the bear skin covering and nicely entwined around something soft and very female.

For a moment he just enjoyed the revelation and then suddenly noticing the stone walls realized the night before had not been a dream.

"Kid?" he said confused his head pounding. He had discovered something last night called Mead and it sure as hell could give the roughest moonshine a run for its money on potency.

He looked down a the woman snoring unconscious and realized he didn't know her name though the royal finery littering up to the bed from the door indicated she was no serving girl.

"Sir Heyes we should retreat before fair lady is compromised," Arthur said impatiently from the door.

As the event of the wild tumble into bed after the King's six-hour dinner filtered back into his memory Heyes felt certain this was not the first time the lady had been 'compromised'. But he was too much a gentleman to say so and picking up his clothes he quickly pulled them on wincing at how cold the stone walls kept the rooms of even a palace.

"Is it ever warm in this place?"

"That is why there are wenches," Arthur said looking none the worse for wear after the evening's revelry and he had left with two!

"That was some party," Heyes said a little unsteadily as he stepped out the even colder corridor.

"Party? Sir Heyes that was merely dinner; stay on and I will show you how Camelot really celebrates," Arthur laughed.

"What time is it anyway?" Heyes yawned.

"Dawn, I thought you would like to break fast with me."

"Dawn? Aren't you King? Don't they get to sleep in?" Heyes said aghast as he was led into a huge kitchen filled with workers, which instantly bowed when they entered.

"I have found since having this position thrust upon me that sleep was the first thing I relinquished along with my freedom. Two for your best meal Mabel," he yelled over to the cook and to Heyes's amazement took a seat at the wooden table in the midst of the kitchen. Surprisingly it didn't startle anyone and instantly mugs of warm ale were at their elbows.

Heyes stared down at the liquid a bit queasily, "Any chance of coffee?"

"I know not this food."

"Well then that's the next thing I'm going to invent," he vowed.

The King smiled, "I was impressed by what you did show me yesterday." He stopped as huge steaming plates of food were placed in front of them. "Eat, it will warm you up. John, another log on the fire for my guest."

"Thank you," Heyes said grateful. "What did you mean by you had this position thrust upon you?"

Arthur blew out a breath as his ale cup was refilled. "I was quite happy being a knight for hire. I was actually rather good at it and owning allegiance to no man I was able to pick and choose what I thought worthy of dying for."

"Is that normal, knight for hire?"

"In these times it is more and more. I was a nobleman, but I had returned from war only to find my estates lost and my family dead. So I wandered making a living as I could, until I came here."

"The King drew the sword from the stone!" Isaac said putting a basket of warm bread down in front of them and looking at Arthur in awe.

"I pulled it out of a tree. Mine had broken and I needed a weapon having walked into a bloody rebellion and instantly forced to choose sides," Arthur said dryly. "It seems my choice of steel branded me the next King due to some confounded legend and the next thing I know they were crowning me and sticking pieces of paper in my face to sign."

"Must have been more to it than that," Heyes said shrewdly tearing off a piece of bread.

"Well to be honest I did rather like the challenge of building something up for a change so I agreed to stay around until it was all sorted."

"How long ago was that?" Heyes grinned.

"7 years," Arthur sighed disgusted.

Heyes laughed, "Harder to leave than you thought?"

Arthur smiled as one of the kitchen maids walked by and winked at him. "Well there are certain advantages of being a ruler."

"Yes I can see how that might cause you to linger."

"But the problem is," Arthur said annoyed. "Is everyone wants a piece of my time! That mill yesterday was the first constructive thing I've accomplished in months. Everyone wants me to hear all their troubles and be six places at once."

Heyes nodded understanding. He had the same problem when he had taken over Devil's Hole. The men realizing they had a leader that would listen to them had plagued him night and day with questions and problems interrupting any attempt he was making to plan their next job. The Devil's Hole Gang would never have hit their first bank if Kid…

He stopped, Kid.

Kid had quietly and effortlessly taken over half of the work of leading the gang, the unglamorous half. He had made it clear to the men that his ear was as important as Heyes's. He had coordinated the details for jobs and the camps every day existence. He had taken on the practical share of leadership without complaint and in doing so made Heyes's part a whole lot easier and a great deal more fun.

"Ya know," Heyes said quietly making a face as he tasted the warm ale. "I might be able to help you that…"

********************************

A month went by and Heyes found himself more and more in the company of the King who so reminded him of his cousin. Their afternoon walks together around the castle grounds had become a ritual they both looked forward too, along with the ideas that they bandied back and forth to improve the kingdom.

It was one such walk when Heyes suddenly pulled the King up short. They had just rounded a stone wall that led down a deserted stretch of track away from the hubbub of the castle. It was the King's private 'thinking' area and no one would dare invade it without fearing for his life or freedom.

"I think we have a problem," Heyes said softly as the six figures slowly rose up from the shadows suddenly no longer concerned with remaining unseen.

"We? Leave while you may," Arthur said softly drawing his sword.

"Boy you are as ornery as…there are six of them you know."

"Less than twenty is beneath me."

"Of all the swelled heads…"

The six men dove at them and Arthur made short work of two with one pass of his sword.

Heyes, limited without a sword, made do with kicking one senseless and picking up his sword disarming a second and adding an upper cut to the chin for good measure.

Both now armed turned to face the two final men instinctively moving back to back to protect each other. They quickly made short work of the their attackers or so Heyes had thought until he looked up and saw the archer on the balcony above them aiming straight at the King.

Without thinking he pulled his gun from the borrowed tunic he wore and fired. The explosion vibrated against the stone walls as the body fell with a heavy thud into the fountain beneath him.

Everyone froze and stared at him.

"What manner of witchcraft is this?" Arthur said warily crossing himself, his sword now pointed at Heyes. Around him the assassins fled in terror leaving their fallen companion as the sound brought the King's guards running up confused and worried.

"It's called a gun, it’s a weapon where I come from."

"You are a wizard? A demon?"

Heyes shook his head, "Would I have lost to you in that fight that first day if I had been?"

He took another step forward and Arthur took one back defensively.

"Jed it’s a gun, I can show you how to use it…though that will be a switch. I have a feeling you'd be real good at it."

The monarch weighed this offer, but did not drop his sword.

"Kid, your majesty…" Heyes said embarrassed and annoyed all at the same time. Finally in the interest of trust he turned the weapon around and offered it to the King.

"You would give me such power?" Arthur said confused.

"Well I'd share," Heyes said and grinned.

Arthur blinked slowly lowering his sword. "Sir Heyes you perplex me."

with me I fear you will need it after saving my life. Such a thing is not popular with my enemies."

*********************************

on Heyes's. Despite the King's insistence they had never met he was constantly trying to be persuaded different by Heyes who refused to give up his cousin now that he had begun to feel he had him back again.

Camelot in turn delighted in the newly formed 'partnership' between the King and his 'wizard' as word of Heyes's saving their monarch's life and how spread and was embellished at every tavern.

The King found he enjoyed Heyes's quick mind and practical imagination and was constantly summoning him to court to discuss ways to improve his Kingdom.

"Sir Heyes is late, that is not like him," the King said softly to Isaac. It had been a boring afternoon of hearing the petty squabbles of his noblemen and he longed for an excuse to escape.

"No sir it is not, would my liege wish me to…"

The boy was stopped by the appearance of Mordred dramatically striding into the room with a bevy of guards. In the midst of them were Heyes and a young boy of no more than 7.

Arthur closed his eyes; trouble was this man's mother's milk!

"Mordred what is all this about!" the King sighed.

"This 'advisor' of yours your majesty disrupted court this afternoon defending this urchin!"

"He was arrested for stealing bread," Heyes said calmly. "I merely offered to pay for it."

"Stealing bread is against the law," the King said just as calmly.

"With the penalty hanging?"

"He won't steal again!" Mordred said fiercely.

"Well you got me there," Heyes said rolling his eyes. "Your majesty is not the greater crime that a child must steal food to survive or help his family survive? Shouldn't the ruling body take some responsibility in causing the conditions that force its subjects to result to such extreme measures?"

"You see! You see!" Mordred cried vindicated. "Tis rebellion!"

"Tis common sense!" Heyes yelled back annoyed. He hadn't expected to be swept up in a social debate, he had merely thought hanging for a loaf of moldy bread a little extreme.

"Are you criticizing how I rule Sir Heyes?" Arthur asked darkly.

"No sir, I'm just suggesting that if you went about among the common folk a bit more you might have a different opinion of some of these laws Mordred here drafted," Heyes said folding his arms stubbornly.

"You dare to question my…." Mordred roared.

"Enough!" Arthur roared and it silenced them both.

"Ah your majesty I don't think Sir Heyes meant to question your authority…" Galahad said trying to pour oil on the waters. He approved of this new advisor to the King or more to the point approved of how he annoyed Mordred who he loathed and distrusted.

"You are impertinent sir!" Arthur said darkly.

"Frequently sir," Heyes admitted. "But being impertinent doesn't mean I'm wrong!"

************************************

"I could have thrown you in the dungeon," Arthur grumbled an hour later as they began their walk. "Or banished you."

"You do a lot of that," Heyes asked interested. "How many times is it now?"

"Since your arrival four," Arthur said with mock weariness, grinning in spite of himself.

"But you always unbanish me," Heyes pointed out cheerfully.

"What was it you called this letting knaves and thieves go free?"

"Amnesty," Heyes said with a small smile.

"What will you do with him?" Arthur asked curious.

Heyes looked back at the boy he had saved following devotedly.

"I told him he was free."

"He has no where to go, besides you need a servant."

"And what will I pay him with?"

"You don't have to pay him, just feed him."

"I'm all ready living on your charity as it is."

"You earn your keep," the King said begrudgingly. "Does he have a name?"

"Not from what I can tell, I've been calling him Kyle."

"He will make a fine page," Arthur nodded and then looked Heyes in the eye. "And you were right Sir Heyes, hanging him would be a terrible waste for a loaf of bread."

****************************

"He listens to him incessantly," Mordred said furious as he paced the cluttered thatched cottage hidden in a wall of briers and trees.

"And Arthur's knights? What of them?" the nobleman said from the only chair in the room.

"There are grumblings," Mordred conceded. "They are jealous of his trust in this stranger so quickly."

"If Arthur's kingdom is to be taken his wizard must be removed before he builds a wall round him none can penetrate."

"Assassinate a wizard? You ask much your Lordship. How?"

"Attack where he is vulnerable…his affection for the King is his Achilles heel!"

*****************************

"Just try it!"

Arthur sighed, "Sir Heyes…"

"I keep telling you its just Heyes, go on, I made some more bullets."

"Yes by melting down one of my swords!"

"With this gun you won't need swords," Heyes told him happily.

"To use such a weapon against an opponent would be unchivalrous," Arthur said frowning arms folded.

"Kid it could save your life!" Heyes groaned rolling his eyes.

"Life without honor is a sham, thank you, no. I am bound to fight the good fight under the rules of…"

"You are the most stubbornness man that ever walked!"

"And you sir the most arrogant, just because my way is different than yours does not make it wrong!"

Heyes found himself nodding; "Yes I know that. I'm just worried about you."

Arthur sighed confused again. Just when he was certain this man was the devil incarnate he would say or do something with such genuine brotherly affection for him he was caught up short.

"So where are you off to today?" Heyes asked trying to change the subject.

"To slay a dragon."

"No, really."

Arthur allowed his page to begin dressing him in his armor. "I shall be gone several days, if I do not return, well I would appreciate you looking after whoever takes over next. And don't let them trick you into pulling any swords out of anything."

Heyes caught him by the shoulder; he wasn't joking!

"Kid you can't fight a dragon!"

"Sir I cannot shun my duty."

"Look there are no such things as dragons."

"I'll explain that to the villagers it is eating when I get there."

"Kid I am serious."

"As am I wizard, take care, lately I fear your life is more in danger than mine."

"At least let me come with you."

"I need you here, besides you don't believe in dragons. What use would you be to me when the thing sneaks up and eats you because you are ignoring it."

"How many dragons have you killed?" Heyes asked exasperated.

"Six, but don't ask me about trolls," the King signed wearily. "I lost track on them years ago."

***********************************

Heyes looked up and listened. His room in the east tower had been at Arthur's insistence, the King feeling it gave his new friend a safe haven away from the political intrigue of the court and ample warning of anyone arriving unannounced.

Which was why he now quietly moved over to the door. Pulling his gun from his tunic he moved cautiously reached for the door handle and with a yank pulled it open only to have Sir Henry tumble in.

"You startled me sir!" he said standing quickly and then beginning to shake at the magic weapon pointed at him.

"Harry don't you know its rude to sneak up on people?" Heyes sighed shaking his head and turning.

Harry coughed, "I have news concerning the King."

Heyes sharply turned back, "What kind of news?"

"That Mordred is raising up the noblemen in the North against him, he is riding into a trap."

"Kyle get my horse, come on Harry!"

"Me? But I only…"

"You know this countryside and you are going to get me to the King the fastest way possible!"

*******************************************

"Sir Heyes this haste will only destroy our horses!" Sir Henry gasped four hours later. The two men had ridden ruthlessly leaving Kyle and his less superior mount behind. "There is a small village ahead, let us rest our horses or we shall surely have them drop from under us! The King destination is but an hour from that."

Annoyed, but knowing he was right Heyes finally nodded and pulling his horse in slowed it to a walk as they entered the small town surprisingly vacant of people.

"Bit quiet for market day," Heyes said suddenly alert, old instincts dying hard.

Suddenly from out of the stable horses rushed up to them and instantly they were surrounded.

"So the great wizard of Camelot deems our humble hamlet worthy!" spoke a fashionably dressed man in dark purples and blacks.

"I haven't had the pleasure?" Heyes asked calmly. Harry Waggoner? Royalty? How hard had he hit his head?

"Lord Buckingham," the man said and was disappointed when no reaction came.

"I'm afraid I haven't heard of you," Heyes lied and managed a small yawn. "But then the King and I rarely see the minor land owners."

"I should slice you down here you insolent dog!" the nobleman snarled.

"No my liege," came a familiar voice. "There is only one way to destroy a servant of the black arts!" And Mordred rode up and pointed dramatically.

Heyes turned with the others to the open field just beyond the village and swallowed at the stake set up in the middle of it. Around it men were bringing brush and wood for fuel.

"We must use fire to send this demon back to hell!"

And with a yell of rage from his captors Heyes was pulled from his horse and as a vicious blow caught him on the side of his head he sunk into blackness.

********************************************

Heyes slowly came back to consciousness brought around by the smell of smoke and the nagging feeling this should mean something bad.

Lifting his head, and regretting it, he tried to move his arms and realized they were tied behind him on the stake pointed out to him earlier. Around his feet brush and wood had been piled high and tight and finally getting his eyes to focus he realized Buckingham's men ringed the dry brush with lit torches.

"You have been found guilty of the black arts of Satan, Wizard!" Mordred cried dramatically and Heyes coughed trying to find his voice, but the smoke from the torches was drifting across to him and his all ready dry throat and tongue refused to cooperate.

A church official hovering terrified behind Mordred (and who looking frightening like Curt Clitterhouse) began waving incense and mumbling meaningless memorized prayers.

"Burn demon!"

Seizing a torch Mordred flung it into the wood, instantly it caught and began to crackle and spread.

Feverishly Heyes worked at his ropes, while somewhere in the distance he heard a cry go up and the men around him begin to react.

But his mind was only concentrating on freeing himself and angrily he worked at the ropes.

Suddenly something thudded against the back of the stake and he realized a human body had leapt the flames and was standing behind him.

Instantly his hands were cut free.

"Can you jump?" came the King's voice.

Not sure if he nodded he felt the man's arms propel him over the burning wood to the cold grass beyond where they both tumbled hard.

Heyes felt no urge to even try and rise, but Arthur was instantly on his feet, sword in hand, yelling for heads, feet and hands of all who had taken part.

"Don't die on me wizard I have just come to tolerate you!" Arthur said a moment later and Heyes felt himself lifted gently onto a blanket. "Bring him water!" Arthur barked angrily that such a thing had not been thought of.

"How did you know?" Heyes asked coughing as the water was forced down his throat.

"Your squire, I take it he fell behind, but in doing so saw Mordred's men pass and went in search of me."

"Did you kill the dragon?"

"I thought you did not believe in them?" Arthur said with a smile, but his eyes were worried.

"I'm learning around these parts don't discount anything. The noblemen from the North…"

"I know, as soon as I see you settled I will meet them in battle," and looking up he called to Isaac. "Bring a litter!"

"I am not being dragged behind a horse."

"Heyes for once can we do things my way?"

The frustration and weariness in the man's voice was so much like his cousin that Heyes found himself smiling as he drifted off into unconsciousness.

*******************************

"No, no good Sir rest!" came a soft voice and Heyes opened his eyes to an old woman watching him worriedly.

"Where am I?"

"The home of a man loyal to the King and his wizard," came Kyle's voice.

Heyes blinked to see the boy staring at him worriedly. "How long have I been out?"

"You have slept two days sir," the woman said bathing his head.

"Kid…Arthur, the King where did he go?"

"To avenge you sir, they say the battle is fierce!"

"Damn fool is walking into a trap!"

"For an honorable man there is no choice," Kyle recited from his training. "Today is a good day to die!"

"Sure there are, lots of them, and they all revolve around making it a good day for your enemy to die," Heyes said getting up and regretting it. "Where are my clothes?"

"Sir we have orders that you…"

"Do you know who I am?" Heyes said dangerously. "You want me to turn your family into sheep or something? GET ME MY CLOTHES!"

********************************

Dawn had decided not to come that morning. In its place it send a cold, bone chilling fog that seeped up from the ground and hung low over the battlefield like a burial shroud.

Hidden among it the bodies of men dead and dying grew colder in its embrace, no care given to whichever side they had fought.

"Damn it Galahad stop fussing," Arthur groaned pushing his friend away with a bloody hand. "Where is Isaac?"

Galahad swallowed not sure if he wanted to tell his dying friend that his loyal servant and been struck down trying to protect him as he had fallen.

"Gone for help sire," Galahad said unaware of the blood tried down his face or the fact that his right arm no longer had feeling.

"Liar, he would never leave me. Tis a rotten end, I should have least liked to have gone quickly, dying slow wearies a man so."

"Do not talk of dying sire, even now the men regroup."

"Those loyal and bravest died first my friend. All that is left are sheep and they have scattered. I fear this land will never be united."

"You have led well sire, but men are ignorant and evil…"

"Mordred has sown his lies well," Arthur sighed and then with a smile clapped a hand on his Galahad's arm. "Ah but think of the songs they will sing about us after this day!"

Galahad smiled back, "Aye my liege, legends live forever."

"Well how about we just try for today!" Heyes said angrily riding up and leaping off his horse only to stop in horror at the scene before him.

Blood was everywhere, and the jagged gash in Arthur's armor revealed a wound too terrible to contemplate. And yet still he managed to try and sit up straighter against the oak that he leaned against.

"Sir Heyes I gave orders."

"Damn it Kid," Heyes said swallowing as he took Galahad's position and tried to see what he could do only to pull his hands away bathed in blood. "What the hell did you think you were doing?"

"What every knight must, fight the good fight," Arthur said amused and then coughed and gasped for air."

"You can't fight fair with evil, hasn't life taught you that?" Heyes was yelling now furious.

The wounded man smiled, "A Knight of the Round…"

"I know, I know…"

"And be warned when I am gone do not let them convince you to take this damn sword, it will be the death of you," he said and with a burst of strength plunged the blade back into the tree beside him.

"Look your not going to die, you can't die," Heyes said stubbornly.

Arthur smiled, his eyes so horribly like his cousin's that Heyes felt like he had been punched in the stomach, "I am afraid I have let you down then old friend, I would have hoped to have been…what was that word you were so fond of…ah yes, partner! I would have hoped to have been a better partner…"

Then with a sharp wince he stiffened and breathing his last and went limp in Heyes's arms.

"Damn it Kid don't you dare! NO!"

****************************

Heyes jerked awake sweating; his breath ragged like had been running.

The softness of the bed felt strange and he pushed the book off his chest almost terrified of it as he studied his hands for blood.

Finally his breathing slowed, dream, it had been a dream.

Running his hand through his hair to push it out of his eyes he walked to the window and leaned out to breathe in some air.

He stiffened as he looked up in time to catch a group of riders passing under his window; at least 20 of them on horses that had been ridden hard and ruthless.

More raiders; they had been arriving steadily over the last two days waiting like vultures until the harvest was over so they could swoop in and take it.

And Kid would die fighting the good fight to stop them.

"Well not this time," he said grimly and strapping on his gun grabbed his hat and slammed out of room.

**************************************

Jedediah Curry straightened up with a soft groan wanting nothing more than a chance to close his eyes and sink into the blackness of sleep.

He had been existing on catnaps the last few days trying to be every where at once. The farmers were hard workers, but they lacked experience with the kind of traps and fortification Kid knew they were going to need if they were to keep the marauders at bay. He had little hope of the local law or town offering anything in the way of help. They would gladly take the farmer's money, but risking their lives was out of the question.

He still wasn't quite sure what had made him accept this job. As a rule anything this crazy or suicidal did not appeal to him. But when Luke had coaxed him out to see his farm, his family, what he had made of his life after outlawing it had fueled a hope in him of something similar and he just couldn't stand by and let it be taken away.

The community was 200 strong, unfortunately only 50 of those were men and most of the children under the age of 10. Most were like Luke; people chased out of everywhere else by life and circumstances and had decided to make this a last stand.

Whatever the reason he had been suckered into the job and wished for the 10^th time that morning that his partner was beside him on this. He had been a fool to let pride keep him from asking Heyes for help and suggestions. His cousin was a strategic genius and thrived on impossible circumstances. However clever and experienced he himself was he knew he didn't have Heyes white hot imagination that could find ways around problems he would never think of.

"You still looking for hands?"

He turned surprised to see his cousin standing there holding the flyers the farmers had passed out in town.

Kid stared at him genuinely surprised and then wondered why he had been.

"Work, I'm looking for work, wondered if you could use another pair of hands."

Kid's mouth felt dry and he leaned over the pump to let the cold water run down his neck and revive him as he took a drink.

"What happened to the saloon job?"

"Man went through a window, they fired me."

"Can't hold you responsible for that."

"They can when you’re the one who put him through it," Heyes said the first sign of a smile playing at his lips, but his eyes looked worried, almost haunted.

"Thought you didn't like farming?" Kid said his face revealing nothing.

"Man has to eat," Heyes said simply.

Kid finally gave into the voice in his head yelling at him. "Yea, I could use some help."

"Looks like you could use some sleep too. Why don't you catch a nap and I'll take over your watch."

"Heyes I got twelve things to do before breakfast."

"Then make me a list, I can follow orders."

The way he said it made Kid frown confused. He wasn't used to humble in his partner and it was a bit unnerving.

Finally Kid nodded and pulling out some paper put down his routine and his concerns at each stop. He doubted Heyes would ever get to the last one, which was helping bring the wheat in from the fields.

"Tell the men you have my authority," Kid said and moved to saddle his horse.

"I thought you were gonna take a nap?"

"Can't, need to check on how many…"

"Twenty more last night. Brings the total to close to 50, reckon that's about it."

Kid nodded looking even more tired, it wasn't a gang, it was an army and with what he had to work with... "Figure they'll give us another day or so to finish, don't strike me as being too patient."

"Actually could be a bit longer," Heyes said softly. "Seems they got a hold of some bad whiskey."

Kid blinked, "Bad whiskey?"

"They were pretty sick when I left, awful sight all laid out like that," he finally grinned.

"What did you do?"

Heyes said nothing, but his innocent expression was all Kid needed and he broke into a grin.

"Heyes…thank you."

"Go get some sleep you look like hell. If you are gonna lead and inspire confidence you can't go around looking like we all ready lost."

"Good point."

"I know, it sounded sensible when you said it to me the first time."

*************************************

Kid awoke horrified to find the sun was just setting and struggled up from the cot angry he hadn't been awoke as he had ordered.

"Mr. Heyes said to let you sleep and feed you when you woke up before you bit my head off," an elderly woman said setting a steaming plate of food down in front of him.

"Where is Mr. Heyes," Kid said, the smell of the food tempting to distract his anger.

"Right here Mr. Curry," Heyes said coming in carrying a pot of coffee and two cups. "Thanks Mabel," he said winking at the woman and kissing her on the cheek. "Knew he wouldn’t stay angry with a pretty woman bringing him food."

Mabel, to Kid's amazement, giggled like a schoolgirl and hurried out.

"I see your usual charm has stood you in good stead," Kid said grumpily never having gotten a name out of the woman, let alone a giggle.

"She was worried and feeling useless, I gave her something to do," Heyes said with a shrug at his look.

"I should have thought of that," Kid sighed.

"You usually do, but taking the lead makes you miss a lot of little things if you haven't got a good right hand man," Heyes said pulling out a pad of paper. "Do you want a report now or after you eat?"

Kid looked up at his cousin's eager expression. He was in his element and the excitement in his eyes was contagious. There was just something about Heyes, he could make you think anything was possible. He must have been a cup of cool water to the weary and frightened community.

"Now is good," Kid said resigned.

"Well the left field is clear and they left it primed for burning like your ordered, good idea that. I moved the women and children into the church compound as you suggested…."

It took twenty minutes and Kid listened silently as he ate as Heyes finished his list off and then sat back waiting for more orders.

"That's it?" Kid said stared.

"What did I miss something on your list?" Heyes said concerned.

"You didn't change anything!"

Heyes looked confused, "What did you want me to change?"

"Nothing, but I figured you'd take a look at everything and see a million things wrong and just…"

"Take over," Heyes said softly. "You really think I'm that arrogant or you're that bad a leader? Kid what you have done to fortify this place is amazing, I wouldn't have thought of half of it. Its practical, resourceful and more important workable with the people you got."

Kid stared at him some of his apprehension dissolving in his cousin's praise. "Yea, but you must have some ideas?"

"A few, but just adding on to what you've done. Sometimes a fresh eye can spot things you miss when you are in the thick of it. Which was what I always grateful to have with you when we were leading the gang."

The two stood uncomfortable, mutual admiration, while secretly pleasant, wasn't their way.

"Well lets hear them," Kid said. "Then I gotta get to the field."

"Did your part. And to answer you question, no I have no idea why people do this for a living."

"You farmed?"

"My father was a farmer if you'll remember I do know how to do it. Listen you doing anything tonight?"

Kid looked up interested. "What you got in mind?"

"A way to slow down that bunch so we can finish up here."

"I'm listening."

"I'm gonna needs some of the boys, young, smart, not afraid of horses and oh, a bucket of apples."

*********************************

As Heyes had predicted the makeshift camp formed at the end of town by the raiders was more a sickbay than an outlaw camp. Most of the men weren't moving at all, which was why when young Stewart Majors, Luke's son waked brazenly in and offered to care for their horses he met with little resistance.

"Your one of those sod busters eh boy?" the leader of the group, a bandit known as Madera said miserably. "Why you wanna help us? Your father know you’re here?"

"No sir, he just wants me in the field all day. My ma came into town for supplies and me and my brothers saw your horses," the boy recited what Heyes had taught him. "Boy I sure would love to have a horse like that! If you let us ride one we'll brush them all down and feed them! We even brought apples!"

"How do I know you're not a spy for your people?" Madera said grabbing the front of the child's shirt and from where they stood watching, hidden, Kid unhooked his gun.

"Spy for what? My Pa knows you’re here! Everyone does!"

"Boy got a point," one of the men said falling back onto his blanket with a groan. "Let him feed them!"

"Listen to me boy," Madera growled shoving his unshaven, sweaty face into the child's. "You feed them all, give them water and then you vamoose and if you try anything I'll find you first and skin you alive while your momma watches, you understand?"

The boy nodded terrified and finally the bandit released him feeling sick again.

"More whiskey!" he shouted unknowingly. "Something to kill my suffering!"

********************************

"How many of those bottles did you spike?" Kid asked an hour later as they safely hurried away from town.

"Entire supply."

"What!" Kid said in awe.

"The Doc had a whole case of that stuff and with his needles it was real easy to slide through those corks…"

"Ma is gonna be so proud of us!" Stewart said proudly as he and the other boys rode along with Luke and their fathers, their trophies hanging from their saddles.

"Ah Stewart maybe we should tell your mom a bit later," Luke said worried.

"Yea like after Heyes and me are gone," Kid said shaking his head staring at the reins and harness the boys had taken from each of the horses.

"They sure are gonna have a devil of a time riding without reins!" one of the boys said proudly.

"And with us buying up every bit of rope," Luke grinned. "Heyes feels like the old days, just like one of your plans!"

Heyes looked up sharply worried about his partner's reaction, but Kid was poker faced.

************************************

Kid had to admit he made his rounds rather warily as the story spread of the whiskey and the halters half expecting the men to have realized they had made a mistake choosing him over his partner. But to his surprise they were merely impressed he had 'talked' Heyes into helping them and congratulated him on the sly way he had gotten such expert help.

Slowly Kid pieced together that Heyes had talked him up and his confidence in him had inspired the men who had been feeling uncertain as the time began to run down.

"So I was behind most of our biggest jobs huh?" Kid said dryly arms folded as he reached Heyes's post.

"Yea you were, don't your remember. I did finally," Heyes said with a grin looking down from his post from the top barn window and then sensing something held the binoculars back up. "They're coming."

Kid scrambled up the ladder and took the binoculars and cursed as Heyes signaled the church and the bell began to toll.

"I think I'm almost relieved," Heyes said and then stopped to find his partner laughing. "What is so funny?"

"Look for yourself," Kid grinned handing him the binoculars.

Heyes focused them and finally caught what his partner found so amusing. On each of the horses for reins were bright sparkling ribbons!

*****************************************

The trick, Kid had explained to the people, was to bring as many of the raiders down as possible before they reached the stronghold. Hand to hand fighting would not go well and while the men could easily pick off a rabbit or a squirrel with a shotgun, shooting a man shooting back was another story.

Which was why the trenches had been dug and covered, the fields lit as the riders crossed and sharp logs spiked ready to be raised up as riders approached causing the horses to rear and if they were lucky drop their riders.

Kid was never happier to have Heyes there when he heard his gun going off in the distance. He, Luke and Heyes were the final defense stopping any riders that got through and his partner's skill had heightened the odds considerably in their favor.

Suddenly from his position in a tree he saw Heyes drop down from his shelter and start to run. Turning he realized three of the riders had broken through and were heading for the barn with lit torches.

"Heyes!" he yelled and then frustrated yelled for the men with him to cover him and jumping down he caught his horse and took off after him.

He reached the barn just as the bullet did.

************************************

Heyes's charge to save the barn had brought a shot of adrenaline to the tired farmers and suddenly he found himself backed up by six other men armed with pitchforks and shovels and just as mad as he was. The fight quickly came down to hand to hand fighting and the pent up fear and frustration of the little community erupted in courageous as well as foolhardy fights, but the tide had clearly turned. All around him bandits were surrendering to the farmers unable to comprehend the resistance they had met.

"Tie them up, tight, and put them in that hole you dug. We'll get a telegram off to the army to collect them," Heyes told Luke who nodded still a bit dazed to realize they had won.

"Look out!" someone suddenly screamed and Heyes whirled gun in hand only to hear three shots ring out and could only watch as three of Madera's men fell one after another from the trees behind him.

Turning back he followed the direction of the bullets knowing only man in existence could have made all three shots that fast and that accurate.

He was just in time to see Kid slide down against the tree he had been bracing himself with.

**********************************

Kid leaned his head back as his legs collapsed under him and gulped in some air. The bullet had caught him in the side and it was burning like hell.

He considered checking to see how bad it was and then decided it would simply take too much effort. He had used the last of his strength to fire off the three bullets that had stopped the men about to bushwhack Heyes. Besides it looked like they had won, no one would begrudge him a little rest.

He had just shut his eyes when he heard a horse pull up short and knew who the rider was without opening them. One person always got there first.

"How bad?" Heyes said sliding down next to him on his knees.

"What the hell were you doing running to that barn like that," Kid said and opened his eyes to show he was perfectly fine, which might have worked if he had managed to keep them open.

"Hey I brought in that damn wheat, nobody is gonna burn it to the ground after all that work!" Heyes said indignant, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Damn it Kid were not outlaws anymore, you aren't suppose to get shot." He went on gingerly pulling his shirt free and sighing with relief that it was only a deep graze and the bullet had passed on through.

"I know, next time I wanna be leader you just flatten me until I come to my senses," Kid said hurting more than he was showing.

"Yea well try and avoid pulling swords out of trees for a while all right?'

"What?" Kid said confused.

"Long story remind me to tell it to you over a bottle of whiskey."

"Whiskey?" Kid said warily as Heyes helped him to his feet and slung his arm over his shoulder.

"I might have hidden a case or two that I didn't touch," Heyes grinned.

"Good I wanna get nice and drunk so they fire me," Kid said firmly. "Look Heyes I never did thank you for…"

"Your welcome your majesty," Heyes cut him off.

Kid laughed and then winced, "Not likely."

"Oh I don't know it's not as impossible as it sounds," Heyes said finally exhaling. "However, what do you think of Harry Brisco as a knight?"