They finished up and started out right after, saying their goodbyes to their friends. It was well past mid day, and they still had to make a stop for more gun powder before heading home. They made their way to the provisioner on the edge of town.

Luca took the horses and handed the list to Rose, “I’m gonna stick with them, mind heading in there?”

“Sure love.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek before dismounting and headed inside.

He kissed her back softly, and sat back in his saddle, to wait her outside.

The owner was inside and she read the list to him, carefully crossing off each item as it was placed on the counter. Another person who didn’t mind doing business with the two of them and carried good stock.

He looked the goods over and as she suspected he charged her double but at the least did business with them.

Old Drew took a long pull on his pipe as he counted her salt creds, then he sighed.

“So, you hear about the new family in town?” He asked, “Thirteen daughters, seen em all through town the day past last, not a one holds a candle to my daughter o’course, but they have a ladies charm.”

“Thirteen? Quite a large family.” Rose took the time to listen as he spoke to her, after all if someone was willing to politely address her with conversation, she gave them her attention.

“Ei, large indeed, thirteen daughters and that brother o theirs. Rides around like he owns the town already.” He spit on the floor, “What a cunt.”

“The new deputy?” She asked, curious to find out what she could.

Old Drew nodded. “Bloody creature that one is, ‘less one of his sisters is around. Then the man’s a peach.” He laughed hard at that, “Oh and here, yer husband asked a while back if I found a… particular piece I was to acquire it.” He slid a steel box across counter, “It’s strange, never thought I’d see something like this. But about a week ago, one o them Exorcist’s from out west rolled through, and I heard they carry stuff as such, so I asked, an sure enough.” He cracked the lid, to reveal a crudely carved skull made of stone, a stone she had never seen before.

“Probably for one of his many projects.” She smiled inside, though it didn’t show, her love was always trying new things. She’d have to ask him about it later. “Thank you for the supplies, if you need our services just send a message. A hunts a hunt, but clients on the regular get discounts.”

He nodded and waved her off sending his daughter to help with her parcels.

Rose thanked her for the help and they brought the parcels out to the waiting horses. “Your package arrived.” She held up the steel box to her husband.

He took up the box, no doubt happy to see it, even if it didn’t show on his face.

“The last component I needed, perfect.”

He strapped it to his saddle and helped Rose with the rest.

Letting the shopkeeper’s daughter return to her duties.

“A good haul, I suppose we can be thankful he doesn’t dislike us, I’d hate to see our purse after that.”

He was just about to remount when a soft clearing of the throat heralded the arrival of another.

Luca turned to see a trio of young women standing near by, each with veils hiding their faces and fans a flutter against the assaulting humidity.

The one stepped forward, her deep green dress catching the sun’s rays.

“Afternoon kind witches, I fear I may bother you, but I… we… have a contract. Our valet will give you directions to the house.”

All three curtsied and turned walking away in single file.

The massive man with them seemed way overdressed, his clothes a mass of long trailing clothes wrapping him from top to toe, marking him as a dessert nomad, if only by the dark brown of the skin of his hands.

Luca looked at Rose after they left, “Ten salts says we just met three of the deputies sisters,” he looked over the invitation, “Wonder what this is about.”

Rose shrugged, not one to turn away a chance for more salt and iron.

“Well,” he mumbled, “Let’s go see if my good karma still holds true.”