The Making of Talulah Grey

It was some 20 years ago when me Low Slung, Art Tilery, Calhoun Bear and Rye Fell were panning for gold in a creek that fed the Marino River in New Mexico, not the most profitable but much less competition than Arizona, on an average day we were panning about 12 ounces a day, it was enough to make us very rich men. It was a wild and dangerous place you couldn't afford to pan alone, you'd most likely wind up robbed and floating face down in the river and you'd always keep your weapons close and dry. It didn't pay to trust anyone and you chose your friends, who were more like allies carefully, the wrong choice and they'd slit your throat for way less than a troy gold and raids by small bands of Comancheros were quite common, they were friends with everyone and no one.

We were on a hot streak and had bagged 2lb of dust and nugget, of the finest 22 carat, it was worth a King's ransom, when our early warning system was tripped and the empty tins were rattling, in a way that most definitely wasn't natural, not the wind if you know what I mean. In a matter of seconds, we'd grabbed our weapons and were spreading out in anticipation of an attack, no visitors were considered welcome, it wasn't long before three riders came into sight. They were proper dusted up from their travels, but you could see from their clothes they were not your average cowboys, they came to a halt when seeing us fanned out in front of them. The lead rider immediately put his arms in the air to indicate they were no threat, a common deception by a bandit, which was welcomed by the cocking of pistols and rifles, ready to provide the unwanted visitors with a warm welcome.

The lead rider with steely blue eyes slowly removed his hat to reveal, his head of blond hair, he had the look of a northern European, something I remembered well from my youth, it meant only one thing my father had sent him.

I didn't hesitate and shouted.

"What does the old bastard want, quite clearly it's not our gold."

He replied with a Germanic accent and asked.

"Permission to dismount sir."

He was quite clearly military and not to be underestimated, knowing his father would have employed only the best mercenaries.

"Not before you and your sidekicks slowly unbuckle your belts and drop those sidearms to the ground."

Without a moment's hesitation, he unbuckled his belt and gave the nod for the others to follow suit.

Low Slung slipped his pistols back in their holsters and moved cautiously forward to gather up the weapons and only then did we allow them to dismount and tend their horses.

After sharing some beans and coffee Kurt explained why he and his men had sought me out.

"Your father has told us there is a priceless treasure at the Eagles Nest, that must be kept in family hands."

"I've been disowned by the family; it is of no interest to me."

"Your father gives you two options."

"Collect and care for the treasure, with your life and he will forever be in your debt."

"And the other choice is?"

"Start running, we are only the first of many!"

I was left me with no choice he'd already proven he could track me down even in the wilderness and I know him to be a man of his word and I knew it wouldn't be long before me and everyone I love would be dead.

I sorted things out with my companions and set off with Kurt and his men to collect the treasure at Eagles Nest, who once I'd agreed to my father's terms, vowed their allegiance to me until the quest was complete.

We arrived to find the Eagles Nest, a Convent had been ransacked and all the nuns had been killed, rapped or taken prisoners by a band of Comancheros. It felt as if the quest had been in vain any treasure would have taken by the murderous raiders and at this point were still unaware of its nature. The local natives had already moved into what remained of the ruins and were caring for the only survivor the old Reverend mother who'd been badly beaten but was somehow still breathing. When Kurt heard this news his demeanour brightened, there was a spark in his eyes and he demanded to be taken to her, we arrived at the bedside and although barely alive she was still giving blessings, what an amazing woman. Kurt bent on one knee and kissed her hand; it was the first sign of tenderness I'd seen in this stoic man.

He moved forward and whispered quietly in her ear.

"Do you have the do you have the jagged doubloon?"

Even in her wretched state, you could see the delight upon her face."

"Yes, it's stitched in the lining of my veil."

He reached in his jacket pocket and removed a small pouch that possessed a jagged doubloon, with permission he cut the one from her veil and put them together, they were a perfect match.

Tear's weald in her eyes and seeped through the cracks of her aging skin.

"You are too late, Treasure has been taken by the Comancheros, by now she would have been robbed of her virtues."

"Then the treasure is a young woman?"

"Yes, of course, but only just twelve years old, what were you thinking?"

"We didn't know, who or what we were looking for, we were just following orders.

Who is she?"

"She is Treasure Rothschild, a love child, left here by her mother and father and as a baby, with instructions that she would be collected at puberty, by someone possessing the other half of the Doubloon."

At the sound of that name, Denver stepped from the crowd, her face filled with shock.

"This can't be real you haven't aged a day since you left your daughter here."

"Sorry, that wasn't me it was my father.

Did you say Treasure was his daughter?"

"Yes, remarkable he was a handsome and stern man, not unlike yourself."

"I don't wish to be disrespectful, but please don't compare me to that moron.

Who was the mother?"

"His mistress was a beautiful Genízaros slave, Conchita Hernandez."

He turned to Kurt.

"Kurt, she's my sister no matter what, we have to save her, it's not her fault my father is a moron."

"That's what I hoped you'd say Denver, it shouldn't take us long to pick up their trail, once we've gathered some supplies we'll be on our way."

The Reverend Mother spoke.

"There are some more things you need to know, she was christened at the convent with the name of Talulah Grey and is a very intelligent, adaptable and unpredictable child and will not easily be broken."