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cardinal-copia-popia · 1 year ago

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A Town Called Meliora, Chapter 2

Read HERE on AO3

Chapter 1

Warnings: a smidge of violence at the beginning

Chapter 2: On the Road

Kate had one of her recurring nightmares that night, the one about Jim coming into her room covered in blood. She never saw him, but she knew it was her father's.

Jim was all smiles as he approached her, even though she was cowering in the corner, tears coursing down her cheeks.

"You're finally mine," he would say and attempt to grab her, to pull her into his arms.

She would usually force herself awake at that point, but this time, the dream continued.

Before Jim could get to her, a voice called from the doorway, and as soon as Jim turned around to see who it was, there was a crack of a gunshot, making Kate jump. Jim cried out in pain and fell to the side, clutching his stomach.

Kate cried harder, thinking whoever had shot Jim would shoot her next. But as she looked up at the person now slowly walking into the room, the spurs around their booted feet jingling with each step, she realized that was not the case. It took her a moment to recognize who it was.

In the shadows under the brim of the black stetson shone a white eye, fixed on Jim, who was writhing on the floor in pain. Gunmetal glinted in the room's dim light, and another gunshot tore through the air. Kate jumped again, covering her face with her hands, not wanting to see Jim's body go limp or see the dark shine of blood seeping out and into the floorboards.

The next thing she knew, smooth, leather-clad fingers wrapped around her wrists and gently pulled her hands away from her face. Through her tears, she gazed up into the mismatched eyes of the man who had saved her from Jim during the fire.

"You are safe now, Signora," Copia said quietly.

Without a thought, Kate threw herself into Copia’s arms, sobbing in relief. Copia's hold on her was firm yet gentle, with one arm around her waist and his other hand cradling the back of her head.

“You will always be safe with me, tesoro. Always.”

Kate awoke with a small gasp the moment she felt Copia’s lips touch her forehead. It was dawn, the steadily rising sun casting long shadows over the ground. She could hear the ghouls moving around and speaking in low tones near the horses. Across from her, a little way up the hill from the outcropping of rocks, stood Terzo and Omega, their backs to her, gesturing around as if deciding which way to go once they headed out.

Only then did she notice the warmth of a body at her back and the gentle puff of air on her neck. Copia was not touching her anywhere, but he was close enough to provide a little bit of warmth. Kate’s instinct was to lean back into him, remembering how surprisingly safe she felt in his arms when she had been riding with him the night before. She should not feel safe with any of them at all. If she were smart, she would be running for the hills as fast as she could.

She knew the stories surrounding the Emeritus men and their… ghouls. Hellspawn is what they were. No wonder they always wore those masks, hiding their true identities. Copia and Terzo’s father, Nihil, had rumors swirling around him for years about him being a devil worshiper, so it seemed only logical to assume his sons would be, too.

She sat up quickly, drawing her blanket tightly to her, and looked down at Copia. If he was a devil worshiper, he was a handsome one. But that was probably how he drew people in…

The movement woke him. He blinked a few times and then smiled up at her sleepily.

“Buongiorno, Signora. Sleep well?”

The rasp of sleep in his voice made her involuntarily shiver. There was no point in denying his handsomeness, no matter what he was, with his neatly trimmed mustache and sideburns and the dusting of scruff on his cheeks from not having shaved since the morning before. And that smile of his… It was infuriating, really. Whenever he smiled at her, he seemed so smug, like he knew something she did not.

“Just fine, thank you.”

He sat up next to her, his gaze trailing over her, not in a leering or intrusive way. It was more of just an assessment, as if he was making sure for himself that she was alright.

“That is good, then. I was worried you might get too cold.”

“I was comfortable enough.”

That smirk of his came back. “Then I am pleased my presence was not entirely unwelcome.”

Kate huffed and stood, straightening her dress and folding the blanket. “Here,” she said, holding it out to him. “Thank you for letting me borrow it.”

Copia stood and took it from her. “You are very welcome.” He then surprised her by bringing it to his nose to smell. “I hope it stays smelling like flowers.”

She felt her cheeks heat up, but she did her best not to look into the comment more. She supposed the scent of her perfume was better than the smell of sweat.

They ate another meal of beans and bread before packing camp. Kate was folding another blanket when Terzo’s voice cut through the calm, early morning haze.

“Copia! We have visitors!”

Copia, who had been standing opposite her and kicking dirt onto the last embers of the campfire, looked up, obviously startled. “Saltarian’s men?”

Terzo shook his head. “I do not think so. I do not recognize them. But you might want to hide your woman.”

Kate bristled at that. “His woman?”

Copia hurried around to her, grabbed hold of her arm, and led her over to the other side of the horses. “Stay here, Signora, please.”

He pushed her down gently but firmly until she was sitting on the ground next to the log the horses were tied to.

“I will not—”

“Signora,” Copia interrupted. “Please.”

His tone was stern enough that it made her listen. She did not even protest when he drew a blanket around her.

“I will be back shortly, but if you hear me call out to you, get on a horse and ride away as quickly as you can. Do you understand?”

He waited until she nodded before covering her head with the blanket, hiding her from view. “Stay still and quiet, Signora.”

As she listened to his retreating footsteps, she realized with a start that these visitors might be Jim’s men. It would be just like him to come after her like this…

A few moments later, she began to hear the murmur of voices, but she could not make out a word between the blanket and how far away they were. The horses next to her began to shuffle around and snort. Kate had been around horses enough to know the signs, and if the horses were detecting a possible threat, she should be ready. She prepared herself to jump if she heard Copia shout.

She nearly jumped out of her skin when she suddenly felt something touch her shoulder, and a second later, the blanket was pulled back from her head. She looked up into the long face of Copia’s white horse, who nudged her shoulder with its nose, letting out a low, breathy whinny.

“Not now,” Kate hissed, gently trying to push the horse’s face away.

But the horse was insistent.

“What do you—”

Before the words were barely even out of her mouth, she heard a shout and the thudding of boots hitting hard, dry ground. Somehow, the horse knew, and Kate moved in a flash, hiking up her skirts enough to get her foot in the stirrup and throw her other leg over the saddle. Now was not the time to sit like a proper lady.

There was a sudden movement from the other side of the rocks, and the next thing she knew, Copia was charging around them, followed by Terzo and the ghouls. Copia did as he had done the night before and swung up onto the horse behind Kate, nearly wrapping his arms around her as he took the reins.

“I am pleased you were paying attention,” was all he said before he spurred his horse into action, taking off in nearly the opposite direction they should have gone to get to Meliora.

Kate held onto the horn of the saddle with a death grip. She had grown up riding horses but had never known one to go this fast. And Terzo and the ghouls were easily keeping pace beside them. They probably looked like they were flying across the ground. She was not about to complain, however. One glance behind them, and she could see they were leaving their pursuers in the dust.

Despite the agitation she could sense coming from Copia, the solidness of his body at her back was comforting. She recalled what he had said in her dream and wondered if it was true. How safe was she really with him?

They rode for hours, never stopping but occasionally changing direction. The landscape around them slowly changed, with the dusty earth becoming greener, more lush. A line of trees lined their path along the right, and if Kate looked hard enough, she could see that they were following the course of a river. The sun chased them across the sky, eventually lowering in front of them. At one point during their journey, Copia placed his hat on Kate’s head to help shade her face from the sun.

It was early evening when they stopped and made camp near the river they were following. The ghouls kept watch, allowing Copia, Terzo, and Kate to rest, but Copia and Terzo were confident they had not been followed.

“Who was it?” Kate asked while waiting for what little beans they had left to heat up. “Was it Jim?”

“Not him specifically, but it was his men,” Terzo answered. “He was looking for you.”

Kate looked away, willing the tears she felt threatening not to fall. She ate her meager meal in silence, barely listening to Copia and Terzo make plans for what they would do tomorrow. They talked about going to the nearest town, replenishing their supplies, and continuing until they were sure they had lost Jim’s posse before returning to Meliora. They eventually stood and walked a few paces away to speak to Omega and Aether, their backs to Kate.

It was then that Kate could not take it anymore. She stood and used their distraction to sneak off to the edge of the tree line, away from everyone else, feeling like she could not get enough air. She was tired and sore and… just ready for this to end.

She gazed across the open expanse of land before her. Copia said she was not a prisoner, and yet… Why could she not just leave? Run away? She could hide somewhere Jim would not find her. She could go to Texas, to her brother. Surely Jim would not follow her all the way out there…

Without much thought, she took two steps forward, intent to start running, a desperateness to get away clawing up her chest, when there was a noise behind her and an arm suddenly hooked around her waist. She was pulled back against a warm, solid body, a body she was now getting used to the feeling of, especially after feeling it against her back for hours today. Almost immediately, the panic she felt ebbed.

"I am surprised you were able to sneak past the ghouls. Where do you think you're going?" Copia all but purred in her ear.

Just like with that morning, she fought against the urge to melt back into him. “I wanted to run.”

“Why?”

She squeezed her eyes shut. “I hate feeling trapped.”

Copia let her go and took a step back. “You’re not trapped. Go. Run away, piccola volpe!”

Kate turned, frowning. “Piccola volpe?”

Copia smirked. “It means little fox. You must be sneaky and cunning to get past the ghouls unnoticed.”

“But you noticed.”

“I noticed your absence, sì.” He then looked around them at the flat land dotted with mountains in the distance. “Where will you go?”

“I don’t know. Texas, maybe. To my brother.”

“If that’s the case, Signora, you might want to run that way.” He pointed in the opposite direction they were facing. “Unless you intend to get to Texas by way of California.”

Kate’s shoulders dropped, and she felt tears stinging her eyes. She hated this so much. Why couldn’t Jim just leave her alone?! Copia stepped up to her and placed his hands on her shoulders.

“I did not mean to make you cry, Signora. I am sorry.”

She shook her head and wiped the tear away before it fell too far. “It’s not you that upset me. I just hate that I’m in this situation, to begin with. Part of me is glad I’m out here, actually away from him. But if he’s just going to keep chasing me…”

Her tears only worsened, prompting Copia to draw her into his arms. Kate gladly took the comfort he offered by clinging to his coat and pressing her face to his chest.

“So long as you are with me, Signora, you are safe,” he murmured, echoing what his dream self had said.

She pulled back, sniffing. “Why are you doing this? You don’t owe me anything. You don’t even know me.”

For once, Copia’s smile was warm. “You are someone who needs our help. That is good enough for us. That stronzo Father Jim is someone we would… deal with anyway, even if you were not involved. And for whatever it is worth, Signora, I am sorry you are. That is why we must get you to Meliora. You will be safe there.”

Kate stared back at him for a moment. “Why do I get the feeling there’s more to your interest in Jim than him just being a terrible person?”

Copia looked away thoughtfully. “Because I believe he is somehow connected to the troubles that ail my family. How wealthy is Jim in his own right?”

“Not very. That’s why he wants my father’s money.”

“And yet he dresses as though he lives in a mansion.”

Kate frowned. “You’re right. That’s relatively new, actually. I remember when he first showed up in that fancy suit you saw him in. He was so proud of it.”

“When was this?”

“About two weeks ago.”

Copia’s expression turned grim. “Have you ever seen him speaking to Mr. Saltarian?”

Realization of what he was getting at hit Kate, but she shook her head. “No, I never saw them together. Mr. Saltarian only seemed to have business with the sheriff.”

“I see…” Copia let her go and turned away, pulling a bandana from his pocket and dabbing the perspiration from his face and neck. “Mr. Saltarian has been in Meliora as well, trying to do business with my brother, Primo.”

“Is he the sheriff?”

“No, my other brother, Secondo, is. Why?”

“Well, for us, McDaniels oversaw the sale of buildings and land in the area. That’s why Mr. Saltarian was there. He wanted to buy up the buildings, make them his so he would get any profit from the travelers coming through.”

Now, Copia looked alarmed.

"Do you think he's doing that in Meliora?" Kate asked.

"I suppose it is possible, but…” Copia shook his head. “Why? He is already the richest banker in the West."

"Maybe he's doing it for power. Control."

"Hm, perhaps." Copia squared his shoulders. "Whatever the case may be, we must return to Meliora as quickly as possible. I must report this back to Primo."

Copia was about to turn to head back to camp, but Kate stopped him, acting on a whim.

"Um, Mr. Emeritus…"

"Copia, please, Signora."

She smiled a bit. "Only if you start calling me Kate."

Copia returned it. "Okay, Kate."

She ducked her head, feeling rather embarrassed about what she was going to ask. "Copia," she began again, "would you mind… sleeping next to me again?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Of course, but… may I ask why?"

"I have… nightmares. About Jim. Usually, they're bad enough that I can't sleep very well, but last night… well… It was as though, with you there, it wasn't so bad," she finished quietly, unable to look at him.

Copia tilted her face up, his finger under her chin. "So, I was welcomed after all."

The smirk on his lips was enough to have Kate pushing him away in frustration. "If you're going to be like that, never mind!"

She turned to leave, but Copia caught her wrist and pulled her back to him, chuckling.

"I am sorry, Kate, truly. I was hoping to lighten the mood, but… I should not have tried to make light of your nightmares."

She huffed, still seeing the faint smirk on his lips. "Just forget about it. I've managed this long without you."

Copia let her go when she pulled away this time, though she could feel his eyes on her as she made her way back to the camp.

When she went to sleep that night, Copia was still up, keeping watch, but she briefly awoke in the middle of the night to the feeling of him moving to lie down beside her, though she could tell — even through the haze of sleep — that he was trying not to wake her.

She had no nightmares.

Secondo Emeritus paced angrily in front of Primo, annoyed that his older brother did not seem worried.

"It has been three days since Copia left," Secondo said. "He and Terzo should have been back long before now."

"Perhaps Terzo convinced Copia to go gallivanting," Primo said, unmoved.

Secondo stopped to look at him. "Are you not concerned?"

Primo's gaze flicked up to meet his. "Not at the moment."

Secondo huffed and left the back room of the saloon, shooting a glare at Saltarian's table. After Copia left town, the man had taken up a near-permanent residence at a table near the back of the saloon. Why, Secondo did not know.

The banker smiled a bit and touched the brim of his hat in greeting.

"Well, Sheriff," Saltarian called. "I suppose you'll be even busier now that more travelers will be passing through."

Secondo stopped and approached the man's table. "What do you mean?"

Saltarian's smile turned smug. "I mean, since that little town, Wayridge, burned to the ground, I reckon your town will have to pick up the slack."

"Burned?!" Secondo exclaimed. "When did this happen?"

"Oh… three or four days ago. A shame, too. I was about to close on some business dealings with the sheriff. Unfortunately, I hear he perished in the flames."

Secondo stared hard at Saltarian, trying to determine whether or not to believe him.

"There are rumors, Sheriff," the banker continued. "Rumors that your brothers were involved. Would also be a shame if something unfortunate were to befall them."

Secondo growled and slammed his hands down on the table, leaning down to get in Saltarian's face. The banker was entirely unmoved. "You leave my fratellini alone, stronzo, or there will be Hell to pay."

Saltarian still had that smug look on his face, giving Secondo the distinct impression that he was being messed with. The banker raised his glass in a sort of salute.

"And you'd know all about that, wouldn't you, Sheriff?"

Secondo was about to spat out another retort when a voice suddenly cut through the din of the saloon.

“I wouldn’t do anything you might regret, Sheriff.”

Secondo turned to look at the woman standing to his right. She was of medium height, with graying blonde hair styled atop her head and her expression that of sucking on a lemon. Sister Imperator, she was called, though her real name was Elizabeth. There were rumors she was once a nun, but Secondo doubted the validity of such talk. As of right now, she was a thorn in Secondo and Primo's sides and had their father wrapped around her little finger. Secondo could barely do anything in town and not constantly find her sticking her nose where it did not belong.

“This is not any of your business, Imperator,” Secondo said brusquely.

She scoffed. “I beg to differ. My son is missing and may be involved in arson. I have every right to know what’s going on.”

Secondo may not like the woman, but he supposed she did have a point. Copia was her son, after all. “I do not know any more than you do. Perhaps you should speak to Mr. Saltarian. He seems to know everything .”

Saltarian just smiled in a sickly sweet way.

“What I want is to speak to your father,” Imperator said. “Where is he?”

Secondo rolled his eyes. “Where he always is. Upstairs, gambling away his very generous allowance Primo insists upon giving him. But Nihil will not know any more than we do.”

“For once, I agree with the sheriff,” Saltarian commented.

Secondo snarled at him.

Imperator pursed her lips. “Perhaps not, but I still want to speak to him. And I want to speak to you later, Sal.” She shot Secondo a glare. “Alone.”

Hearing Imperator use such a nickname for Saltarian caught Secondo’s attention, but he did not comment. Instead, he shook his head.

“I would not dream of sticking around for that. But I will remind you both: this is my town, and it is under my protection. I have no qualms with locking either one of you up in a cell for a few days, understood?”

“Of course, Sheriff,” Saltarian said in that way of his that bordered on condescending. “You’ve got to carry out your duties; no one will begrudge you of that.”

“Grazie,” Secondo bit out. “Good day.”

With that, he turned on heel and stalked out. Fresh air, that was what he needed. He needed to calm down and think about this logically.

But he was not Primo. And if Primo would not do anything, then Secondo would.

#ghost band #the band ghost #my writing #copia #papa iii #terzo #papa ii #secondo #papa i #primo #sister imperator #mr. saltarian #nameless ghouls #A Town Called Meliora #western au #cowboy copia

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