Dusk had just settled its darkening veil across the land when the seven men came upon a rather large rambling house in the middle of nowhere. A faint light shone through the trees from the curtained windows and the rise of smoke from the cluster of chimneys issued a silent invitation to the tired men. For days they had been in pursuit of a vicious gang who had left a trail of robbed banks, abused women and dead bodies in their wake. They were tired, hungry and cold. And it was getting colder by the minute. The thought of a possible night's rest in a warm room, along with a hot home-cooked meal, caused the leader to pull up his horse and regard the sprawling abode with envy. His eyes searched the surrounding area, looking for anything else out of the ordinary. For it was a strange thing to run across such a large place slap bang in the middle of nowhere. Motioning for Vin to join him, he asked, "What do you think?"
"I think we ain't gonna get much further. Can't follow the trail in the dark."
Chris nodded, agreeing. "Then let's pick it up in the morning at first light. Take a look around, see if anything looks out of the ordinary."
"Got it." Vin headed out to look around the area, just to make sure the gang hadn't holed up here. It was an invitation too good to pass up, especially on such a cold evening with the promise of a snow storm hanging in the air. Chris turned to the others and told them of his plans. "I'm going to see about us staying at this place for the night."
"You think that's wise?" Nathan asked. "Snow's coming, Nathan." Chris could feel its teeth already nipping in the frigid wind. That would make their task of finding this gang of outlaws more difficult and yet, he knew they needed to find shelter themselves. "They'll hole up somewhere," he said, hoping that was true and that they hadn't already gone to ground in the house back in the trees. He'd know that soon enough. Slowly urging his mount forward, the wind whipping his duster out behind him, Chris Larabee made his way towards the big house, trailed by the other five of his men. Dismounting, Chris strode to the front door, brushing some of the trail dirt from his clothing, while his friends waited quietly behind him. He raised his hand to render a knock on the elegant door.