At the edge of town a woman rides in from the north, looking tired from a long ride and a gun on her belt. The hoofs of her horse kicking up shortgrass and dust blown into the streets, made quickly dry by the hot sun. Here in eastern Colorado they don’t have the wealth of the mines but they do have High Plains and the Arkansas River. The river has allowed a few farmers to scrap out some of the land for crops here in Las Animas among the sea of golden grass. In the distance a herd of cattle graze under the watchful eyes of cowboys and girls. Even better is that the town is a stop for the Union Blue, as the train approaches nearly all of the several hundred townsfolk have gathered up on the streets or neat the station.<br/><br/>Including the mayor of the town, a plump woman named Mirabelle wearing a light blue Barege dress and as she passes near, Victoria can hear from atop her horse mention the dress was imported from France. Just then Mirabelle looks up at the stranger and gives her a slight scowl. Despite the rough ride, Victoria is still turning the heads of men and women as she passes. Mirabelle raises her chin and turn on her heel away, an entourage gathered around her as she proceeds to the station. The mayor has to make a wide detour though as a good sized crowd has gathered around a fancy looking buckboard.<br/><br/>A woman stands atop it, a series of bottles arranged neatly as she pitches her wares. Although she’s only been in town two days, the crowd seems to be nearly hypnotized, standing in awe at the gaudy clad women in a suit complete with top hat. Dr. Clearwater has found quite a crowd, as there is a rumor an illness has been passing through town. Even the mayor had come down with it, no fever but a feel of the chills and weakness of the joints and muscle. In fact, the doctor overhears a man who tips his hat to the mayor, “Are you feeling better Ms. Mayor?” Mirabelle fakes humbleness as she is fawned over by the man others. The loud signal horn of the echoes through the streets of the town.<br/><br/>While on the train three strangers face each other. At the last stop several of the passenger cars were detached and replaced with empty freight cars, open gondolas likely to go all the way to the foothills of the Rockies. The consequence being now all the passengers have been moved into fewer cars. A female conductor had directed a young, Mexican nun to squeeze into bench seat. Wedge between the end and a gruff older man armed to the teeth. Funny thing though, coming out of Kansas as they were no one barely took notice. The conductor stayed behind a spell, offering Gerard a crooked yet suggestive smile and reassuring him his mule is safe with the rest of the livestock being transported.<br/>