Silver Moon
Adventurer
Chapter 81, “Heading Out”, Friday, March 17th
Ruby states, “The books are of no matter. If we can get our friends back by giving the books, so be it, I don’t care what kind of value they are, our friends are more important. As for the value of that particular book, we weren’t there, we don’t know exactly what was said. But I don’t fault him for lying about that book, if that is what he did, any wizard would do the same to get something like that back.”
The point of the books is to get our friends back. Who said we would give up the books without getting our friends in return? I thought that was the point, and the instructions were going to be given to Katherine today on how to make the exchange. If we cannot leave Katherine behind then we cannot go at all. Ringo will know we are up to something if Katherine does not show up and can order them killed though magical means before we will even arrive there. It is not a smart plan. So either she stays or we all stay.
Personally I don’t like leaving her alone either and she doesn’t have much experience with dealings with these kinds of people. I would rather burn that book than return it but that was her choice and it is done. But we can insist on being there or we can at least counsel Kate on what to do. Ringo will have to know that without us, or Katherine at least, he will not get the books back ever until our friends come back to us and therefore our friends are valuable and should be kept safe until at least this deal is done.”
“Like I said, they may already be on their way here and not still at the farmhouse, making a trip there worthless. Maska is tired, it is the middle of the night and if we ride hard we will be tired too and not at our best to fight eighteen men, plus the Indians we will come across on the way there, not counting whatever other creatures roam at night. I think we should wait until morning and find out what plan Ringo has for exchanging the books with our friends. Then we decide if we ride out or make the exchange.”
Jake listens intently to Ruby and Minerva. "Ruby girl, I think your instincts are right. We will end up helping the Earps and we ought to go rescue our friends now. I think its go with our heart time. Do the Earps and Isby want the Cowboy gang bad enough to get out of bed in the middle of the night? I'm sure Flint will help Nanuet, and I bet he's itching to use that dynamite of his."
Jake laughs, "We're talking all this common sense and I could only think that Nanuet wouldn't let me rot there. And neither would you. So neither will I. If we can get some more help, we should go." He looks to Minerva. "The gods hate a coward, eh?" Minerva laughs, "I see last weeks sermon made it to your ears, Senor"
Ruby breathes a very heavy sigh. "You two go, find whoever you can to go with you. I'm staying with Kate. Hopefully I'll help her with Ringo tomorrow and Nanuet and Chester will be here safe and Ringo will have his damn books and it'll be over with. If it doesn't go as planned, well, we'll try to find you to help. If you don't see Nanuet and Chester figure they are here and come home, don't do anything stupid." Ruby looks away from Jake, knowing he won't like this plan.
Oh," escapes Jake's lips unbidden. "That definitely shifts the odds against us then, having no magic to oppose Ringo if he is there. We wait then." Jake reaches down and rubs the wolf's fur. "Maska will need a safe place to sleep. Senorita Minerva, you must get some rest too, I don't believe you have had any. I'll be rising before sun up to gather what support I can for tomorrow from Jeff Mills, Flint and Warren Earp. I am now convinced that Ringo will have his war, and that it will do us harm if we take no action. I won't be the recurring victim of his blackmail. Why wait for the barbarians to be at the gate? If he wants war so badly let's bring it to him, let's make it unattractive to be a member of the Cowboy gang shall we?"
Ruby looks at Jake with some admiration. "I like that idea," Ruby says with a small smile, "Make it unattractive to be a Cowboy." She sits next to him. "Jake, I don't know if anything I can do magic or otherwise can oppose Johnny Ringo. I am only worried that if we don't show up at the meeting in the morning, he will know we left and order them killed. I usually follow my instincts but they aren't always right. I'm trying to do the smart thing this time instead of following my feelings and ending up doing something dumb, something that can get our friends killed." Ruby looks down. "I already feel guilty enough for them getting caught 'cause of me."
Jake replies, "Even if Ringo gives them up, who's hostage next. Maybe he just threatens us with blowing up the Lucky Lady every week to keep us in line and doing his bidding. Are you going to live like that? I'm not." Jake takes off his hat and taps his knees with it impatiently. "What if he shows up for the trade and starts renegotiating the deal to get more. Why not, we are the weak victims of blackmail. Are we going to deny him? Sure, we say no to him. Ok, he says, so I'll show you how serious I am. Are you ready for that? I am not." Jake looks her in the eyes. "I am not."
"Running away is easier in some ways, but we decided to stay. Staying means we have to fight or be victims. I will not be a victim. Maybe my idea is a crappy one, but I'm not staying to be a victim. Giving him more power and more power over us is the wrong answer. Don't make me do this without you. Instead of denying what you know in your heart is right, be smart and figure out how to fool or delay Ringo so he doesn't know Katherine is not meeting with him, or at least so he doesn't know we are rescuing them. Your magic does not have to be more powerful than Ringo's, but without you and Katherine we have none on our side. If you think about it I bet you could convince others to help us too." Jake stops the tapping and puts the hat firmly on his head. "I'm out of clever plans, I'll listen if someone has one. I'm for a good old fashioned surprise party and rescue."
Ruby's eyes widen as Jake speaks these words. "Let's go back upstairs...NOW." She grabs Jake tightly by the arm and starts pulling him. When they get back up to their room Ruby closes the door before looking at Jake with some annoyance. "Are you crazy? You just told Minerva that Katherine could use magic. She didn't know and it is Kate's right to decide who she wants to tell. You HAVE to be more careful Jake, don’t you know what can happen?"
"All right, all right, I'm sorry. I know what can happen. I just thought I heard Katherine tell us in front of Minerva that Ringo is more powerful that you two, that the he had a spell book, but he wasn't more powerful than your teacher. I don't think the Senorita is stupid, and therefore understood what Katherine said since you already told her your specialty."
Ruby plops down on the bed and puts her head in her hands. "I don't know what to do. I don't want you going anywhere without me, I really don’t. And if it was just me I probably would be gone already. Maybe we can leave Jeff with Kate?” She looks at Jake confused before shaking her head. “I don’t want to leave Kate. I was also really hoping to NOT give Ringo any answer so he didn’t know we weren’t on his side. But by doing this, we are sending a message, and his anger will be greater. You think staying is going to make him mad? Us not being there in the morning is going to make him madder. Are you prepared for his anger to be taken out on us? How much are you willing to lose when he DOES decide to show us how serious he is? What if Nanuet and Chester are dead now, and because we go Kate dies too. Or Minerva. Or...” Ruby pauses, "Me or you. I don't want to lose you. We need to make the right choice."
"We are going to have to confront Johnny Ringo sometime. We can't wait until he gets more powerful. If we bow down to his blackmail he will just push us and push us until we snap. What will be the blackmail the time we snap, and how much more dangerous will it be?" Jake paces right in front of the bed. "What if they are dead? You told me a few minutes ago they aren't! Yes of course it is dangerous. Believe what you will, but I am certain it is more dangerous in the long run not to go. Yes, I agree it is better to leave Ringo wondering, and maybe we still can if we do it right." Jake stops pacing and sits next to her. "I can make all kinds of arguments for going and for not going. It comes down to this, if it weren't for you and Nanuet I would have been dead that day in the bank. How can I leave his life in Johnny Ringo's hands?"
Ruby sighs. “They WERE alive, when I did my spell just a while ago. But how do we know Ringo didn’t get pissed and give the orders to have them killed.” Ruby starts playing with her hair, unsure of how to proceed. She continues quietly, “You’re right. Nanuet saved your life, I understand that you feel the need to go for him. I want to go for him too. It’s just for once I have more to think of besides myself. And when Ringo finds out what we’re done, after we get them back…” Ruby shudders, “I’m scared Jake.”
"You're scared? I'm terrified." Jake laughs darkly. "I'm scared regularly. What has that to do with anything? This time it is Chester and Nanuet that they have. Next time the Cowboys take you or me or Katherine. Which time does someone not come back alive?" Jake stands up suddenly. "Every ounce of my body screams that letting Ringo make our decisions just delays one of our friends inevitable death. I can't live here and be his puppet."
Ruby stands and faces Jake. She takes his hands in hers. "Baby, I can see you feel really strongly about this. I'm not against what you want to do, I'm just not sure it's the right thing. But what I do know is to stand by your side is the right thing for me, and I'll do it, whatever you think is right.
He replies, "Right or wrong let's do it. Jake Cook stands by his friends. Thanks Ruby, I...." Jake stops talking and hugs her firmly, almost squeezing the breath from her. "Thanks." Ruby lets out a small grunt as Jake squeezes her. After a moment she hugs him back, "You're welcome," she whispers and kisses his cheek. "Now let's go get our friends." He replies, “Come on we have a lot to do.”
Jake and Ruby approach Jeff’s door and explain that they will need his help. He prepares a bag and comes with them. They pick up Minerva at the Comstock House before heading to the El Parador to get Kate. There is no one inside at this early hour except for Dorita and Pedro.
Ruby approaches Dorita. “Senora, a group of us are making a dangerous trip today. Could you pack us some food we can eat while we are traveling?” Dorita nods and heads into the kitchen. She emerges with some packages of food and pulls Ruby aside. “These help you, special tea. You use.” There are nine bottles, three of each tea. Dorita explains what each tea does so Ruby understands. Ruby hugs her tightly. “You ARE the best!” She gives her a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you.”
Ruby excuses herself and asks Jake to go find Flint and Naki-Yaki while she gets Kate. She knocks softly on Kate’s door and waits for an answer. After waiting a few moments with no answer, Ruby went a door or two down the hall and stepped into Mr. Gonzales room, opening the secret door and going inside. There was no one in the front hall, but there was a dim light coming from the library. Ruby stepped inside and saw Kate asleep with her head on an open book, pen near her hand.
Someone shaking her shoulder woke Kate up out of her uncomfortable sleep. She sat up and rubbed her face, leaving a bit of ink across her cheek. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to fall asleep, I... Never mind, there's news?" Ruby quickly filled her in on the situation and Kate nodded. "I'll get my guns and be ready in a minute. I'll meet you downstairs." Ruby headed back downstairs and waited for Kate, and Jake to return hopefully with Flint and his friend. While she waited she prepared her horse to ride.
Kate tucked away her work and went to her room. She made sure she had both the derringer and Tom's pistol, that both were loaded and that she had extra ammunition for them. Then she took a moment to collect her money from the different places in her room where she kept it and put enough in an enveloped to pay Conrad for the house. She tucked it with her other papers with a note that read only, "You know what it's for." Hat and duster in hand, she went downstairs to join the others for a late night ride.
Jake locates Flint and his Apache friend, and fills him in quickly on the situation. "Come down stairs and meet with Katherine and Ruby as fast as you can." Jake heads back down stairs to meet up with the others. Jake was waiting downstairs when Kate arrived. A few moments later Flint and Naki-Yai also came down. Kate turned to Jake. "So, we're going? Are we getting anyone else as well?"
Ruby walks back into the Cantina with Jeff in tow. "Only one last stop to make, if we decide to. The Marshall's Office. It's that or we go now." She looks around the group waiting for a reply. Kate says, "More is better," Kate said, trying not to grit her teeth. "I'd like all the backup we can get. I forgot something, I'll be right back." She ran back up to her room and grabbed the bag of bandages she'd rolled back when they had protected the Earth spirit, then went back downstairs.
Jeff Mills arrives at the El Parador, a revolver on his belt and his old single-shot rifle flung over his shoulder. Jake says, "I want to tell Warren Earp and Rodriguez, maybe they'll offer help. Is Isby in town, is that something you think would be worth sharing with him? Katherine, can you, Minerva and Jeff rig up something for Maska to give the wolf a rest on the way?"
"Judge Isby is gone now and he won't be back for four weeks. The night he comes back we have a date and I'll tell him then." Ruby looks around at the shocked faces. "What?" She smiles, "Come on let's go to the office. Oh and button up, it's still raining hard out there." Ruby turns on her heel and walks back out to her horse.
Jake follows Ruby out and over to the Marshall’s office. He knocks on the door and says loudly. "It's Jake Cook. I need to talk to you." There is some movement inside and then a candle is lit. Eduardo Rodriguez opens the door. The wood elf is dressed in red long johns and holding a revolver. "What's the emergency?" he asks.
"Can you step out a moment?" Jake then says quietly, "I don't want Gifford to hear. It's the Cowboy gang. They have hostages and we are going to get them back. Thought you and Warren ought to know, and maybe even offer to help." Eduardo says, "Can't leave the prisoner and you won't be let into the Boarding House at this hour to get Warren. Tell me what you know and we can figure this out in the morning."
Ruby states, "We can't wait until morning, I'm sure you understand. But maybe you could send some backups if you think of someone you can trust tomorrow. We might need some help by then." Jake explains that Nanuet and Chester are being held captive, Johnny Ringo is holding them to blackmail us, and Ringo also wants to have a war with the Earps. "Other than that, everything is fine in Promise City. If you can't come with us, at least don't let anyone know we left town. That and keep any Cowboy gang members from coming after us in the morning." He give Rodriguez the rough directions he knows to the ranch. "Any words of wisdom?"
Eduardo replies, “Other than that you're crazy to go I can't think of anything. But if they were my friends I'd do the same thing. Warren and I will keep an eye out for Ringo." They leave the Marshall’s office and head back to the barn. "We'll need extra horses for Nanuet and Chester in case we can't steal any. Flint do you have plenty of dynamite? How are we taking Maska?"
Ruby says, "Maybe Dorita or Grant have some ideas? The only thing I can think of is to pull something behind one of the horses, or bring a cart. I bet there is one around here we can use. If we have to move fast we'll have to leave it though."
Jeff says that he can carry the wolf across his lap, that he's big and strong enough to handle it. He suggests wrapping the wolf partially in a blanket to make her more comfortable. Kate says, "Also to help hide her scent a bit. Horses don't always like wolves. We can ride through the ranch and get a couple extra horses. I have two here in the stables, so someone can ride Meribel and I'll take the stallion."
Ruby says, “"Or we can do that. Maska is that ok with you?" When the wolf doesn't take off Ruby takes that as an ok. "Alright let's go. I have some food and some tea from Dorita I'll tell you about when we get out of here." Ruby mounts her horse.
"Anybody need anything else?" Jake asks as he holsters his shotgun and rifle on the horse. He puts the saddle bags full of ammo across the back and the six sticks of dynamite he had from Flint previously in his pockets wrapped in cloth. He checks his revolvers and sawed off shotgun and mounts up. Kate says, "I can't think of anything else. Let's go."
Minerva finds a blanket to wrap Maska in and packs her saddlebag with some rope she finds in the barn. She also packs enough food and water for both herself and Maska. She straps on her pistol and rapier and places the rifle in the holster of the saddle. Her dagger is in it's customary spot in her boot. She mounts her horse and tucks Luna under her cloak to keep her dry.
The ride west begins uneventfully. The group has traveled the road many times, but never in the dead of night. They hear animals in the distance. Luna alerts Minerva that elves are watching them as they travel south of the Dos Cabezas Mountain range. They continue east towards the Dragoon Mountains as the first light of dawn begins to rise from behind them.
Ruby states, “The books are of no matter. If we can get our friends back by giving the books, so be it, I don’t care what kind of value they are, our friends are more important. As for the value of that particular book, we weren’t there, we don’t know exactly what was said. But I don’t fault him for lying about that book, if that is what he did, any wizard would do the same to get something like that back.”
The point of the books is to get our friends back. Who said we would give up the books without getting our friends in return? I thought that was the point, and the instructions were going to be given to Katherine today on how to make the exchange. If we cannot leave Katherine behind then we cannot go at all. Ringo will know we are up to something if Katherine does not show up and can order them killed though magical means before we will even arrive there. It is not a smart plan. So either she stays or we all stay.
Personally I don’t like leaving her alone either and she doesn’t have much experience with dealings with these kinds of people. I would rather burn that book than return it but that was her choice and it is done. But we can insist on being there or we can at least counsel Kate on what to do. Ringo will have to know that without us, or Katherine at least, he will not get the books back ever until our friends come back to us and therefore our friends are valuable and should be kept safe until at least this deal is done.”
“Like I said, they may already be on their way here and not still at the farmhouse, making a trip there worthless. Maska is tired, it is the middle of the night and if we ride hard we will be tired too and not at our best to fight eighteen men, plus the Indians we will come across on the way there, not counting whatever other creatures roam at night. I think we should wait until morning and find out what plan Ringo has for exchanging the books with our friends. Then we decide if we ride out or make the exchange.”
Jake listens intently to Ruby and Minerva. "Ruby girl, I think your instincts are right. We will end up helping the Earps and we ought to go rescue our friends now. I think its go with our heart time. Do the Earps and Isby want the Cowboy gang bad enough to get out of bed in the middle of the night? I'm sure Flint will help Nanuet, and I bet he's itching to use that dynamite of his."
Jake laughs, "We're talking all this common sense and I could only think that Nanuet wouldn't let me rot there. And neither would you. So neither will I. If we can get some more help, we should go." He looks to Minerva. "The gods hate a coward, eh?" Minerva laughs, "I see last weeks sermon made it to your ears, Senor"
Ruby breathes a very heavy sigh. "You two go, find whoever you can to go with you. I'm staying with Kate. Hopefully I'll help her with Ringo tomorrow and Nanuet and Chester will be here safe and Ringo will have his damn books and it'll be over with. If it doesn't go as planned, well, we'll try to find you to help. If you don't see Nanuet and Chester figure they are here and come home, don't do anything stupid." Ruby looks away from Jake, knowing he won't like this plan.
Oh," escapes Jake's lips unbidden. "That definitely shifts the odds against us then, having no magic to oppose Ringo if he is there. We wait then." Jake reaches down and rubs the wolf's fur. "Maska will need a safe place to sleep. Senorita Minerva, you must get some rest too, I don't believe you have had any. I'll be rising before sun up to gather what support I can for tomorrow from Jeff Mills, Flint and Warren Earp. I am now convinced that Ringo will have his war, and that it will do us harm if we take no action. I won't be the recurring victim of his blackmail. Why wait for the barbarians to be at the gate? If he wants war so badly let's bring it to him, let's make it unattractive to be a member of the Cowboy gang shall we?"
Ruby looks at Jake with some admiration. "I like that idea," Ruby says with a small smile, "Make it unattractive to be a Cowboy." She sits next to him. "Jake, I don't know if anything I can do magic or otherwise can oppose Johnny Ringo. I am only worried that if we don't show up at the meeting in the morning, he will know we left and order them killed. I usually follow my instincts but they aren't always right. I'm trying to do the smart thing this time instead of following my feelings and ending up doing something dumb, something that can get our friends killed." Ruby looks down. "I already feel guilty enough for them getting caught 'cause of me."
Jake replies, "Even if Ringo gives them up, who's hostage next. Maybe he just threatens us with blowing up the Lucky Lady every week to keep us in line and doing his bidding. Are you going to live like that? I'm not." Jake takes off his hat and taps his knees with it impatiently. "What if he shows up for the trade and starts renegotiating the deal to get more. Why not, we are the weak victims of blackmail. Are we going to deny him? Sure, we say no to him. Ok, he says, so I'll show you how serious I am. Are you ready for that? I am not." Jake looks her in the eyes. "I am not."
"Running away is easier in some ways, but we decided to stay. Staying means we have to fight or be victims. I will not be a victim. Maybe my idea is a crappy one, but I'm not staying to be a victim. Giving him more power and more power over us is the wrong answer. Don't make me do this without you. Instead of denying what you know in your heart is right, be smart and figure out how to fool or delay Ringo so he doesn't know Katherine is not meeting with him, or at least so he doesn't know we are rescuing them. Your magic does not have to be more powerful than Ringo's, but without you and Katherine we have none on our side. If you think about it I bet you could convince others to help us too." Jake stops the tapping and puts the hat firmly on his head. "I'm out of clever plans, I'll listen if someone has one. I'm for a good old fashioned surprise party and rescue."
Ruby's eyes widen as Jake speaks these words. "Let's go back upstairs...NOW." She grabs Jake tightly by the arm and starts pulling him. When they get back up to their room Ruby closes the door before looking at Jake with some annoyance. "Are you crazy? You just told Minerva that Katherine could use magic. She didn't know and it is Kate's right to decide who she wants to tell. You HAVE to be more careful Jake, don’t you know what can happen?"
"All right, all right, I'm sorry. I know what can happen. I just thought I heard Katherine tell us in front of Minerva that Ringo is more powerful that you two, that the he had a spell book, but he wasn't more powerful than your teacher. I don't think the Senorita is stupid, and therefore understood what Katherine said since you already told her your specialty."
Ruby plops down on the bed and puts her head in her hands. "I don't know what to do. I don't want you going anywhere without me, I really don’t. And if it was just me I probably would be gone already. Maybe we can leave Jeff with Kate?” She looks at Jake confused before shaking her head. “I don’t want to leave Kate. I was also really hoping to NOT give Ringo any answer so he didn’t know we weren’t on his side. But by doing this, we are sending a message, and his anger will be greater. You think staying is going to make him mad? Us not being there in the morning is going to make him madder. Are you prepared for his anger to be taken out on us? How much are you willing to lose when he DOES decide to show us how serious he is? What if Nanuet and Chester are dead now, and because we go Kate dies too. Or Minerva. Or...” Ruby pauses, "Me or you. I don't want to lose you. We need to make the right choice."
"We are going to have to confront Johnny Ringo sometime. We can't wait until he gets more powerful. If we bow down to his blackmail he will just push us and push us until we snap. What will be the blackmail the time we snap, and how much more dangerous will it be?" Jake paces right in front of the bed. "What if they are dead? You told me a few minutes ago they aren't! Yes of course it is dangerous. Believe what you will, but I am certain it is more dangerous in the long run not to go. Yes, I agree it is better to leave Ringo wondering, and maybe we still can if we do it right." Jake stops pacing and sits next to her. "I can make all kinds of arguments for going and for not going. It comes down to this, if it weren't for you and Nanuet I would have been dead that day in the bank. How can I leave his life in Johnny Ringo's hands?"
Ruby sighs. “They WERE alive, when I did my spell just a while ago. But how do we know Ringo didn’t get pissed and give the orders to have them killed.” Ruby starts playing with her hair, unsure of how to proceed. She continues quietly, “You’re right. Nanuet saved your life, I understand that you feel the need to go for him. I want to go for him too. It’s just for once I have more to think of besides myself. And when Ringo finds out what we’re done, after we get them back…” Ruby shudders, “I’m scared Jake.”
"You're scared? I'm terrified." Jake laughs darkly. "I'm scared regularly. What has that to do with anything? This time it is Chester and Nanuet that they have. Next time the Cowboys take you or me or Katherine. Which time does someone not come back alive?" Jake stands up suddenly. "Every ounce of my body screams that letting Ringo make our decisions just delays one of our friends inevitable death. I can't live here and be his puppet."
Ruby stands and faces Jake. She takes his hands in hers. "Baby, I can see you feel really strongly about this. I'm not against what you want to do, I'm just not sure it's the right thing. But what I do know is to stand by your side is the right thing for me, and I'll do it, whatever you think is right.
He replies, "Right or wrong let's do it. Jake Cook stands by his friends. Thanks Ruby, I...." Jake stops talking and hugs her firmly, almost squeezing the breath from her. "Thanks." Ruby lets out a small grunt as Jake squeezes her. After a moment she hugs him back, "You're welcome," she whispers and kisses his cheek. "Now let's go get our friends." He replies, “Come on we have a lot to do.”
Jake and Ruby approach Jeff’s door and explain that they will need his help. He prepares a bag and comes with them. They pick up Minerva at the Comstock House before heading to the El Parador to get Kate. There is no one inside at this early hour except for Dorita and Pedro.
Ruby approaches Dorita. “Senora, a group of us are making a dangerous trip today. Could you pack us some food we can eat while we are traveling?” Dorita nods and heads into the kitchen. She emerges with some packages of food and pulls Ruby aside. “These help you, special tea. You use.” There are nine bottles, three of each tea. Dorita explains what each tea does so Ruby understands. Ruby hugs her tightly. “You ARE the best!” She gives her a kiss on the cheek. “Thank you.”
Ruby excuses herself and asks Jake to go find Flint and Naki-Yaki while she gets Kate. She knocks softly on Kate’s door and waits for an answer. After waiting a few moments with no answer, Ruby went a door or two down the hall and stepped into Mr. Gonzales room, opening the secret door and going inside. There was no one in the front hall, but there was a dim light coming from the library. Ruby stepped inside and saw Kate asleep with her head on an open book, pen near her hand.
Someone shaking her shoulder woke Kate up out of her uncomfortable sleep. She sat up and rubbed her face, leaving a bit of ink across her cheek. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to fall asleep, I... Never mind, there's news?" Ruby quickly filled her in on the situation and Kate nodded. "I'll get my guns and be ready in a minute. I'll meet you downstairs." Ruby headed back downstairs and waited for Kate, and Jake to return hopefully with Flint and his friend. While she waited she prepared her horse to ride.
Kate tucked away her work and went to her room. She made sure she had both the derringer and Tom's pistol, that both were loaded and that she had extra ammunition for them. Then she took a moment to collect her money from the different places in her room where she kept it and put enough in an enveloped to pay Conrad for the house. She tucked it with her other papers with a note that read only, "You know what it's for." Hat and duster in hand, she went downstairs to join the others for a late night ride.
Jake locates Flint and his Apache friend, and fills him in quickly on the situation. "Come down stairs and meet with Katherine and Ruby as fast as you can." Jake heads back down stairs to meet up with the others. Jake was waiting downstairs when Kate arrived. A few moments later Flint and Naki-Yai also came down. Kate turned to Jake. "So, we're going? Are we getting anyone else as well?"
Ruby walks back into the Cantina with Jeff in tow. "Only one last stop to make, if we decide to. The Marshall's Office. It's that or we go now." She looks around the group waiting for a reply. Kate says, "More is better," Kate said, trying not to grit her teeth. "I'd like all the backup we can get. I forgot something, I'll be right back." She ran back up to her room and grabbed the bag of bandages she'd rolled back when they had protected the Earth spirit, then went back downstairs.
Jeff Mills arrives at the El Parador, a revolver on his belt and his old single-shot rifle flung over his shoulder. Jake says, "I want to tell Warren Earp and Rodriguez, maybe they'll offer help. Is Isby in town, is that something you think would be worth sharing with him? Katherine, can you, Minerva and Jeff rig up something for Maska to give the wolf a rest on the way?"
"Judge Isby is gone now and he won't be back for four weeks. The night he comes back we have a date and I'll tell him then." Ruby looks around at the shocked faces. "What?" She smiles, "Come on let's go to the office. Oh and button up, it's still raining hard out there." Ruby turns on her heel and walks back out to her horse.
Jake follows Ruby out and over to the Marshall’s office. He knocks on the door and says loudly. "It's Jake Cook. I need to talk to you." There is some movement inside and then a candle is lit. Eduardo Rodriguez opens the door. The wood elf is dressed in red long johns and holding a revolver. "What's the emergency?" he asks.
"Can you step out a moment?" Jake then says quietly, "I don't want Gifford to hear. It's the Cowboy gang. They have hostages and we are going to get them back. Thought you and Warren ought to know, and maybe even offer to help." Eduardo says, "Can't leave the prisoner and you won't be let into the Boarding House at this hour to get Warren. Tell me what you know and we can figure this out in the morning."
Ruby states, "We can't wait until morning, I'm sure you understand. But maybe you could send some backups if you think of someone you can trust tomorrow. We might need some help by then." Jake explains that Nanuet and Chester are being held captive, Johnny Ringo is holding them to blackmail us, and Ringo also wants to have a war with the Earps. "Other than that, everything is fine in Promise City. If you can't come with us, at least don't let anyone know we left town. That and keep any Cowboy gang members from coming after us in the morning." He give Rodriguez the rough directions he knows to the ranch. "Any words of wisdom?"
Eduardo replies, “Other than that you're crazy to go I can't think of anything. But if they were my friends I'd do the same thing. Warren and I will keep an eye out for Ringo." They leave the Marshall’s office and head back to the barn. "We'll need extra horses for Nanuet and Chester in case we can't steal any. Flint do you have plenty of dynamite? How are we taking Maska?"
Ruby says, "Maybe Dorita or Grant have some ideas? The only thing I can think of is to pull something behind one of the horses, or bring a cart. I bet there is one around here we can use. If we have to move fast we'll have to leave it though."
Jeff says that he can carry the wolf across his lap, that he's big and strong enough to handle it. He suggests wrapping the wolf partially in a blanket to make her more comfortable. Kate says, "Also to help hide her scent a bit. Horses don't always like wolves. We can ride through the ranch and get a couple extra horses. I have two here in the stables, so someone can ride Meribel and I'll take the stallion."
Ruby says, “"Or we can do that. Maska is that ok with you?" When the wolf doesn't take off Ruby takes that as an ok. "Alright let's go. I have some food and some tea from Dorita I'll tell you about when we get out of here." Ruby mounts her horse.
"Anybody need anything else?" Jake asks as he holsters his shotgun and rifle on the horse. He puts the saddle bags full of ammo across the back and the six sticks of dynamite he had from Flint previously in his pockets wrapped in cloth. He checks his revolvers and sawed off shotgun and mounts up. Kate says, "I can't think of anything else. Let's go."
Minerva finds a blanket to wrap Maska in and packs her saddlebag with some rope she finds in the barn. She also packs enough food and water for both herself and Maska. She straps on her pistol and rapier and places the rifle in the holster of the saddle. Her dagger is in it's customary spot in her boot. She mounts her horse and tucks Luna under her cloak to keep her dry.
The ride west begins uneventfully. The group has traveled the road many times, but never in the dead of night. They hear animals in the distance. Luna alerts Minerva that elves are watching them as they travel south of the Dos Cabezas Mountain range. They continue east towards the Dragoon Mountains as the first light of dawn begins to rise from behind them.