Back at The Lone Star Saloon, the barman poured me a tall one.

Just as I was about to take my first sip, Sheriff Ben Hayes walked up behind me, “Better make that two, Floyd.”

Ben pulled up a stool next to me at the bar and crossed his arms over the bar top, “You done good work, Marshal. Don’t let him take that away from you.”

My hat was pushed back high on my forehead as I stared into the foamy head of my beer. I probably looked like a kid whose mutt ran away.

“Was it worth losing the lives of your men though, Sheriff? You have three deputies who’ll never see their women or kids again. Never get a chance to have women or children, or do any more good in this dusty hellhole,” I growled.

“Shane,” Ben said, his voice a low rumble, “Those men weren’t just my deputies. They were my friends. Good men. And they knew the risks. We all take that oath, knowin’ it might be the last one we ever make.”

He paused, taking a long pull from his beer. “You did your duty. You brought down a dangerous man. That counts for somethin’. Don’t let the weight of this get to you. Let it harden you, make you stronger. This town needs a strong lawman, Shane. This town needs you.”

Sojourn
Heart 2 + Bonds 2 + Action 2 = 4
Challenge 7 & 8 = Miss
No relief is found & Pay the Price

Pay the Price
24 = Something of value is lost or destroyed
Endure Stress, as a result of guilt over the deaths of the deputies

Endure Stress
Heart 2 + Action 6 = 8
Challenge 6 & 6 = Critical Hit
Take -2 Stress & lose no momentum as a result of the crit

I sat in silence and after a long moment, began to drink my beer.

Sheriff Hayes, for his part, stayed with me until I had finished three glasses.

And even though my spirits refused to lift, the buzz of the alcohol numbed any pain I felt as a result of the faces swimming in my head.