I’m In Thomas Durants lavish coach car, he had ordered Bohannon and me, the lead U.S. cavalry officer, to track down the Cheyenne attackers who derailed his train but, there was no way in hell, I was going to team up with an ex-Confederate.

I scoffed at the idea. “Are you telling me,” Looking at Durant, I begin to study him more closely. “You want me to bring this Johnny Reb along?”

“Yes-“ Durant answered quickly until he realized that he was agreeing to me calling Bohannon a Johnny Reb. “No.”

Shaking my head, I clench my jaw as I look at Durant dead in the eye. “Hell no. I don’t take orders from you.”

“But you do take orders from my good friend General Dodge.” As soon as Durant brings up Dodge my eyes narrow. “You are aware that he worked for me before the war, aren’t you? I can always send a telegram if you don’t believe me.”

I didn’t know if he was telling the truth or not. He had a way of speaking like everything he said was fact, when it could be complete and utter bullshit. Sighing, I look over at the Indian beside me in white man’s clothes. “What about him?”

“This is Joseph Black Moon.” Durant introduces him. “He is willing to lead you to his father’s camp.”

The idea of Joseph, “willing” leading us to his father’s camp sounded absurd. “Now, why the hell would he do that?” I asked with skepticism.

“Joseph will negotiate with his father for the hand over of the renegades…” Durant explains. “For a guarantee.”

“No harm comes to the women and children.” Joseph murmurs out, and I didn’t exactly appreciate what he was insinuating. Stepping up to him. Face to face. I look him in the eyes, and I can see him trembling under my gaze. “What kind of soldier do you think I am?”

“I don’t know.” Joseph swallows, “That’s why I want your guarantee.” The tension between us began to grow, as I stared down Joseph. Until Durant finally speaks. “So, it’s agreed?

Looking over at Durant, I nod. “Agreed.” I then look back at Joseph. “But I don’t like it one damn bit.” I declared before walking out of the train car.