The Billy the Kid and D Files

They were found on a roadside, deep in the Nevada desert. Part of a cache of documents obviously intended for a secure location, the files have been kept secret until today. Their earth-shattering contents will amaze, possibly frighten and answer the question: what happens when an infamous Old West gunslinger and a centuries-old time-travelling Druid meet up?

 Chaos. Card games. Drinking. And chaos.

Part 1: Introductions

Billy: D! D? Where are you, Partner?

D: I am… trying to angle myself around herself over here as she eats and types. And the Romans considered my people to be barbarians.

Billy: I know my Ma never used to let me eat and talk. I’d be backhanded for sure! Or bonked on the head with her old wooden spoon!

D: You are speaking my language, Billy. These (what do you call it A? A: First world? D: That’s it.) These First World Europeans and their American cousins don’t know what life is truly like. Plus, they have no manners.

Billy: I know exactly what you mean. Anyway, I think I do. I don’t know a lot about history, but I do love to read. Maybe one day you’ll loan me a book from your time. Well, I’m assumin’ that you’re from a different time than I am, anyway. Earlier than the 1800s, I’d bet.

D: I am – I was born in 667 AD … a good 1100 years before you, Billy! But your world and my world really aren’t that different. That’s why I love the Old West. It was the last time men did battle with the elements, rode on horseback and counted their livelihood through cattle. I never did get a chance to spend much time in the American west during my travels through time, but when I read about it… well, it reminds me of home. We counted our fortunes in the number of cattle we had. And my family – my clan – was wealthy in land and cattle. Never did get to lasso one, though – Sigh.

Oh, and I’ll hunt up a scroll for you – my people didn’t write much – no written language (Except for my mother, but that’s a whole other story!), but other cultures wrote about us. We scared the Romans and the Vikings fled before us, for a time, anyway! What about you, Billy – I’ve heard all sorts of tales about you – sometimes written by people who weren’t always too kind in their words!

Billy: Thanks D, I’m not sure what a scroll is, but thanks! You sound like you come from a great place. The forefathers of cowboys and outlaws. That makes it an honor for me to know you, partner. And about me, well, there’s some who love me and some who hate me. Some look at me as an old west Robin Hood. But others have argued that I was nothing more than a bloodthirsty monster. I cannot say I have a heart of gold, but I didn’t kill for fun. Yes, I stole more than my share of money and cattle, and even some right nice horse flesh. But I never took anything from people who couldn’t live without it. I just couldn’t steal from the mouths of motherless youngsters, or take the only means of transportation from a lonely widow woman. Some say I had a streak of meanness a mile wide in me, but I don’t. That’s not to say I won’t fight for what’s mine and protect those that I love.

D: I think that goes a long with living a full life and having your name remembered well past your death, Billy. I think those that call you infamous are just jealous! Tell me, do you have a favorite heist? One that really sticks in your memory? And how does Briana feel about your adventures? A never tires giving her opinion when she’s writing mine.

Billy: I suppose you’re right. But I must say, I’ve always liked having and ‘infamous reputation’. It has a nice ring to it. And I have a memory that comes to mind right away. It wasn’t a heist, but an escape. It’s the greatest escape I ever made. I’d been sentenced to die, and only two weeks before I was to make my last walk through freedom and end at the gallows, I made the most glorious escape in all my history. But even that memory has a sour note. I had to kill a man who I thought of as my friend. He was the kindest lawman I’d even known. *sigh*

Briana: I love Billy. Really I do. If I’d lived during his time, I’d have hunted him down and–

A: Oooh!

D:A, get your mind out of the gutter!

Billy: Briana, please. I am trying to talk to my friend. You hardly ever let me out of this place and I do still like to have fun. My land! D! Can you believe these women???

D: They’re terrible! I’m all for equal rights (you’ve never seen terror until you’ve seen Celtic women fighting beside their men in battle), but these two are beyond decency.

I like your infamous reputation too, Billy – but I’ll fight any man who says you have a meanness. *You* didn’t make fun of my spurs. I’m sorry about your friend, though. Those are tough choices to have to make. I’ve watched men – friends – die. Sometimes I was the cause, and others – well, they were bloody and lawless times too. Who do you consider the biggest outlaw of your time? Who were your biggest rivals?

Billy: D, I won’t lie to you. I thought you looked just dandy! And your spurs were the best part! I had me a pair like those, back when I lived in Texas. They were about the niftiest gadgets ever invented. And actually, I don’t mean to sound vain, between the years of 1878 and 1881, I was the biggest outlaw out there. Everyone wanted me dead. And of course, Sheriff Pat Garrett was my worst rival. He would lead to my undoing, one way or another. And ah yes. It is the loveliest of all visions when the woman you love fights by your side. Speaking of, it is a good thing I brought a friend with me. D, I’d like you to meet my girl. This is Angel. Angel, this is my pal D.

Angel: Howdy. Nice hat you have there, Cowboy.

D: Did you hear that, A – he called me his pal and said the spurs were fine.

A: D . . . focus, D. There’s a pretty girl – kiss her hand or do something druidy…

D: Druidy?

A: You know what I mean.

D: *blushes* Why thank you, Ms. Angel. It’s a pleasure to meet you.

Angel: The pleasure is all mine, Good Sir. Billy has told me ever so much about you. All very good things, of course.

Billy: *chuckles* This is the girl Pat Garrett tried to take from me.

D: Thank you, Ms. Angel – Billy! She’s divine. I can see why the Sheriff was keen to steal her from you! Tell me, was it a rousing adventure? How did you get away?!

Billy: I’m afraid that is a tale for another day, D. Briana’s telling me we have to step aside now. Care to continue this later, partner?

D: Do I ever, Billy! I’ll see you soon.

Read The Billy the Kid and D Files, Part 2

Find out more about Billy and Briana at her blog, When I Became an Author.

Wondering how D and Billy met? It all started when A decided to go on hiatus…