patience took a moment to take in what was said
"ok so basically your saying once we get there we will know what we are looking for when we see it"
she shrugged
"well if it helps him out i dont see why not"

The red dirt had long since dried..the brain matter had decomposed.
Movement in the dirt, causing panic to a variety of desert animals.
The dirt poured off of the rising object.


It cracked its neck to the left, and to the right.

Letting out a deep yawn, it spoke.

"Wonder how long I was out for...? No matter.."

Looking down at the area around itself, it smiled.

"I sure do love a well executed magic track..fools."

Enigma removed the false wound from his flesh, and reloaded all his weapons with live ammo. The last bullet he had fired? A blank. He had faked his own death. To what extent, you might ask? Well, the rumors call him the Enigma for a reason. No one really knows why he does what he does. He just does. Maybe he is a psychopath? Probably. Maybe he's got a plan? Also probable.

One thing they do know though, is that the Enigma does not die.


Enigma threw his cloak back over him and looked around, wondering where he should go.

Patience got up and walked over to the horses
"so we just go east to Autumn Canyon and we will know what we are looking for"
she climbed onto the horse and waited for nuck to do the same
"Well we better get a move on then"

Enigma had walked for days, he had minimal water and no food. He could feel his stomach growling. His cloak was tucked into his pack as he approached the tall steel gate. It slid open with a highly audible creak.

This caused a wave of alarm to ring through the property as Enigma collapsed to the ground.

The cloaked figures approached Enigma and lifted him up,carrying him into the highly defended building.

Patience looked over at nuck
"I'm a little tired and thirsty, we didn't really get to rest after all that has happened"
she looked over at the outpost
"I say we go check it out"
she turned her horse to head in the direction of the post

The outpost was dark, and quiet. A single light shone around a single grubby table, in which there was a spare, bloodstained seat.
At the table were a group of shady men, sat playing cards.
One of them saw the two new bloods, and beckoned them over.

Nuck looked at Patience helplessly.
"I don't play..."

Patience looked at them men then back at nuck
"I do"
She smiled and walked over to the table she looked at the seat and decided she'd rather not sit on it
"So what game are you playing?"

The closest man looked up at her, a cigar burning lazily in his teeth.
"Poker. Now play a hand."
It wasn't a question.

Nuck jumped as a pistol was pressed to the back of his head.
"Er... Patience..."

"Now, girl. Just one hand."

Patience tilted her head
"Fine I'll play a hand one on condition"
She pointed at the chair
"You can't expect a lady to sit in such a chair"

BLAM!
Nuck let out a gasp and then a groan as his calf spurted blood, the bullet splintering the floor as it exited his flesh.

"The next one enters his spine. Now. Sit. Down."

Patience's gasped and covered her mouth in shock when he shot nuck in the calf. She looked down at the chair and without saying a word quickly sat on it. She looked back at nuck with and apologetic look and mouthed the words 'im sorry' to him feeling him being shot was her fault. She looked back at the men and sighed waiting for them to deal the cards

"I'm sorry, madam," the man said upon hearing her sigh.

Nuck couldn't hold back a whimper as the gun moved to his left bicep.

"Are you going to complain about those, too?"

Patience shook her head
"No, just deal the cards....please"
she gritted her teeth, she wanted to help nuck with his wound but knew if she were to move from the seat he would most likely pull the trigger again.
"What are we playing for then?"
hoping to get the ball rolling with the game

"Playing for the right to pass here, young lady. This is the last outpost between here and Autumn Canyon. You're not gonna last the trip without coming in here."
The cards were dealt. On the table were the Seven of Clubs, the Seven of Hearts, and the Jack of Hearts.
In Patience's hand were the Nine of Hearts and the Nine of Spades.
"Stay, raise, or fold."

Patience raise an eyebrow
"What happens if i loose?"
She looked at her hand
"ill stay"

"That's easy. You enter the Canyon if you lose."
The men around the table played their turns - one folded, the rest stayed.
Another card was flipped - the Ten of Hearts.
"Stay, raise or fold."

patience looked up at him
"And hats at the Canyon?"
she looked down at her cards

"stay"

The last round.
The last card. The Four of Diamonds.
The game went round - and then one raised to all or nothing.

"Something that should not exist in this land. And no-one can go near and survive."

Her turn came again.

"Raised to all or nothing. Stay or fold. And all -"

Click.

"Being the life of your friend."

Patience looked over at nuck then back at the man
"Wait you didn't say anything about this game having to do with his life"
she looked down at the cards. were the other two bluffing or did they have a better hand. She could stay and risk it but then if she looses nuck life was at stake. If she wins they wouldn't go to the canyon. She took one last look at her cards
"I'll stay"

The cards came up. And the man who had been speaking the whole time had two Jacks.
"Looks like you lose."

Nuck's eyes widened and he shot a desperate look at Patience.

"Outside. Now."

Guns were pointed at Patience all around the table.
"You too. Move."

Patience's eyes grew wide at the fact that she lost. She simply laid down her cards and stood up. She thought quickly and spoke
"Come one boys just one game? is that all i get"
She tilted her head so they could see her eyes which were hidden by the shadow of her hat
"Surely you'll let a lady have another game"
She gave the one man a wink hoping she could convince them to play another round