Perspective, pt 3

The saloon doors swung open and Tanner swept through, holding the princess close to him. "Stay near," he muttered to her, smiling, "the worst scum in the world hang out here, and I don't want you to get hurt."

She just walked beside him, she seemed oblivious to the chaos and noise that engulfed them. He put her in a dimly lit booth in the back and asked the gap-toothed and battle scarred waitress for whiskey. She sauntered off, wiggling her veined, blue cheese colord hips at the patrons she passed. Tanner grimaced and prayed for strong liquor.

After two shots he looked at his watch. His contact was supposed to have met him by now. Tanner looked around the bar nervously. Something was up.

Upon completing that thought the saloon doors slammed against the inner wall as a man went sailing through them. A group of heavily armed men in royal red ponchos walked in after him. Their leader, idenified by a gold braid on his shoulder quickly scanned the room and pointed at Tanner.

"Oh bugger," Tanner muttered to himself as the group plowed through the bar to him.

"I am Captain Ace Irlvin of the Red Knights. By order of the Family of Vesta, you will release the princess to me at once and submit yourself to the Scourge and Hammer of Justice," The lead man ordered.

"You'll never take me alive!" Tanner shouted as he pulled his pistol. The last word croaked out his throat as his lungs filled with blood. The patrons of the bar didn't seem to even notice.

Captain Ace reholstered his pistol and motioned for a man to grab the princess.

"I didn't intend to."