Wizards, Whiskey and Wonderful Things - Concluded

Chapter 33, “Nanuet’s Cousin”, Monday, March 13th, 1882:

Chester wakes up shortly before noon. He washes his face and changes his clothes. Feeling refreshed, Chester decides to leave his gun in his room. I don't want to be bothered with that where I'm going. He goes to the First National Bank of Promise City to open an account with $20. He chuckles to himself, Good thing I didn't have money at Condon's. I don't want to see them right now. Must be time for lunch. I'll stop by the Lucky Lady.

He enters the saloon to see Jake, Ruby, Nanuet, Kate, and a couple people he doesn't recognize. An elf and a half-orc. He lights a cigarette and walks to the group. "Morning all." Jake says, "Hi Chester. Glad to see you without bars in the way." Jake pats him on the shoulder and then says quietly into his ear. "How does Condon expect you to guard the bank without going inside anyway? You think it will be enough to stand in the street and look tough?" Chester bursts out laughing. "That's great. And here I was thinking I was going to quit over this when they had the nerve to fire me.”

Chester then adds, “We're going to get a nice reputation. After all, how many people go before Judge Isby and make it out OK?" "Two." Jake replies simply. "And only once. We already offered you room and board here for helping out with security. You can do that until you figure out how else to earn some cash. It seems crowded though, hope you don't mind sharing a room with Nanuet or that new guy or Hoovers alcohol. Frankly I don't know who in Hades is staying here, but you're welcome here." "I'm staying here! That's all that matters, right baby?" She winks at Jake. Chester asks, "New guy? What new guy? I assume it's someone who isn't here. Maybe I should room with the liquor, just to keep it safe, of course."

"But yes, why haven't you moved in yet Chet?" He replies, "I don't know. But, I'm ready now. But then who would escort Katherine back to the El Parador?” Chester says, "Sure. Not like I have anything else to do today." He gives a bitter laugh. "I'll be back in a bit." Ruby smiles innocently and says, "Don't worry Chester. We'll have some building for you to do eventually. But wait, how many jobs have you lost since you been here?"

"Chester," Kate smiled. "It's good to see you out and about. This is Chopido, and Mr. Caine. They're here to see Nanuet," she finished, nodding toward the kitchen door where Ruby and Nanuet were emerging. Ruby bounces back over to Jake and sits next to him, putting her hand on his leg. Nanuet walks forward and greets his cousin, surprised to see him. Chester says, "It's nice to see you too, Kate. Sometime I would like to hear the story behind this.” "Yes, I owe you that much," Kate said softly with an apology in her eyes. Chester says, "You don't owe me anything. You can talk when you're good and ready."

Chester turns and says, “Greetings, Chopido, Mr. Caine. So what are looking for Nanuet for?"
Nanuet walks forward and greets his cousin, surprised to see him. Kwai Chang says "Excuse us, we are intruding upon your conversation. Maybe we should go elsewhere to speak to Nanuet." Kate interjects, "No, no, please. There's no need of that unless you want privacy. We've just had a difficult couple of days. Why don't you have a seat?"

They sit with Nanuet and the others. Chopido says "My cousin, I do not wish to cause you difficulty but my friend Caine and I are both in some difficulty. The two of us were in the wrong place at the wrong time, and were falsely accused of being involved in a robbery." Chester comments, Chester glances at Jake, "There seems to be a lot of that going around." "Like anyone will believe that." Jake mutters. Nanuet looks around the table. "My friends, you have been involved in too much trouble lately. Chopido, let's go somewhere more private to discuss your troubles." "You know you're just going to tell us about it later anyway..." Kate smiled and let the statement hang there.

Nanuet and his cousin move off to the other side of the room to talk more privately. Kwai Chang Caine goes to join them but before leaving the others says, "Maybe later you could help me also. I too have a cousin somewhere in this town. He is a human by the name of Job Caine, I believe that he plays cards for a living." "Job plays cards here." Jake replies to the half-orc. Ruby comments, "Job has a lot of cousins, wasn't Al his cousin too? I wonder what happened to her?"

Kate says, "Job seems to have quite a lot of family. We met his cousin Alison in January. She moved on after about a week. Something about your face was familiar, but I didn't place it before." Kwai Chang Caine replies, "My mother was a Chinese Orc, my father was an American sailor that visited China. My father's brother was Job's father. I have never met Job before but my half-brother Danny spoke of him. I do not know of this Alison." Ruby says, Kwai Chang Caine replies "My mother was a Chinese Orc, my father was an American sailor that visited China. My father's brother was Job's father. I have never met Job before but my half-brother Danny spoke of him. I do not know of this Alison."

Jake says, “Your cousin should be dealing tonight. Though he doesn't like his poker distracted. Perhaps you should come a little early. Do you think he'll be pleased to meet you?" Caine replies, "I cannot say. He may not even know about me." A quick discussion reveals that, while they know that Job has purchased a house somewhere in town, the only ones who have ever been there are Jeff Mills and Tony Lucky, neither of which is around at the moment.

Ruby says, "You'd better come early then, Jake is right, Job doesn't like to be distracted." She turns to Chester. "Why don't you get your stuff and move in today? Seems a good a time as any." Ruby sees Luc out of the corner of her eye. "Hey Cowboy, come over and meet some new people." She leans in close to Jake, "This is the new guy I was telling you about." She looks to Luc. "This is Jake and Chester, you haven't met them yet." Luc walks over casually. He recognizes Jake from the other night after mistaking him for Ruby's pimp. " This guy must have been born with a deck of cards in his hand" Luc thinks.

He stands in front of everyone and tips his hat as he extends his hand to both of them “Luc, you say? Pleased to meet you." Jake takes a good look at him and meets him eye to eye while shaking his hand. "Where do you come from?" You know," Luc says meeting his gaze, " here and there. I get around a lot. Just looking for a place to call home I guess." Chester extends his hand. "Nice to meet you, Luc. I see Ruby has taken you under her wing. What brings you to town?" "Likewise," Luc says holding his gaze with Jake, "Just got into town night before last. First town I saw so I decided to stop and stay a while" Chester replies, "You'll like it here. Although you'll need to watch yourself around the local law. They can make things hairy if you're in their way."

Ruby says, "Have fun Chet. When Jeff gets back from wherever he is, he'll help you with your room." She turns back to Kate and Jake. "Oh well, that Luc guy can be talkative when he wants to be." Ruby shrugs. "Jake, any plans for today? I'm guessing no since you didn't know you would be out of jail." He replies, "Besides not going back to jail, I don't have any plans." Ruby sighs, "Then let's go talk, ok?" Ruby stands, "Will you excuse us? Kate I wanted to find out about your trip, maybe later?"

Kate says, “Of course. Why don't you stop by the El Parador when you have some time and I'll tell you about it. "I'll meet you there around 6, then. Don't feel like you got to explain yourself to me. You've been under a lot of strain recently and we're all worried about you. See you later."

Katherine took a seat downstairs at the Lucky Lady, suddenly uncomfortable in this room full of strangers. "Job is a good man," she said to Caine. "I'm sure he'll be pleased to meet you." Ruby takes Jake's hand and leads him upstairs.

Nanuet took his visitors upstairs leaving only Chester and Kate left downstairs. She would have to tell Chester what Earp had wanted from her, but just at this moment she was tired of talking about it. "Why don't you go pack for your move, Chester? But come have one last dinner over at the El Parador, and I can fill you in on what happened. Since there's no trial today, Mr. Berg might have some time to give me some advice. Don't worry, it's not trouble of any kind."

Katherine picked up her handbag and walked through the streets to Mitchell Berg's office. Mitchell Berg welcomes Kate and asks if she would like a cup of tea. Tea would be lovely, thank you." She took a seat on the visitor’s side of his desk and waited until the steaming cup was in her hands. "Thank you for taking care of Jake. It was an odd situation, to say the least.” He replies, "Well thank you, but you're really thanking the wrong person. It was Frank Condon and Marshall Earp that took care of everything, I was more-or-less just an active bystander." She comments, "Frank Condon? I'm surprised, he didn't seem to believe Jake and Chester's version of events."

He replies, "That had nothing to do with it. After getting robbed by the James Gang last July and Deadeye Douglas in January he doesn't trust anyone at this point. But his main concern was adverse publicity, since he's having a difficult enough time convincing people that his bank is a safe place for them to put their money. If word got out that his employees were planning to rob him too that would pretty much end his business altogether, so he did what he could to keep this out of the public eye."

She says, “I have one legal need, and one non-legal question that I hoped you might be able to help me with. Do you have time?" He says, "I have until lunch. I'm meeting with Judge Isby most of this afternoon to go over various pieces of legal paperwork but am free until then." She replies, "Well, the question first. Several people have told me now that I really should be teaching school. I wondered where I would start inquiries. I've heard mutterings of a school being started here, but I don't have any facts. I'm also not sure what's required to teach legally in the Territory."

He states, "You just need to be hired is all. The town already has a private tutor, but he only teaches children of two families, Doc Eaton's and King family out at the Bar-W Ranch. The Merchant's Association and the Promise City Vigilance Committee have both talked about a school. But that's not the top priority of either. The Merchant's Association is more concerned about a Fire Wagon and Fire Company given the dynamite explosion last January and the Vigilance Committee is making the church their priority.”

She says, "Well, perhaps that will just have to be later then. I do have plenty on my plate as it is. Perhaps some parents would like another option for a tutor. Now, the legal bit. I'd like to make a legal will please. It will be simple, I just want to make sure my affairs are all in order. Life here seems to be, unpredictable." Kate then explained that she wanted her share of the ranch split between the other owners, with half of her share given to Ginnie. Also that Ginnie was to have any money in her account and be placed in a boarding school if she desired it. Her books were to go to Ginnie as well, and any other belonging be sent back to Boston.

Berg takes notes of what Kate wants and says that he can have the paperwork drawn up by Tuesday morning. "Thank you, it will be a weight off my mind. And thank you for the tea." Kate said, standing. "I'll see you tomorrow then." Kate left Mitchell Berg's office and went back the El Parador. She had told both Ruby and Chester to see her there, so it was best she actually be there.

Nanuet and the two visitors go into one of the rooms on the second floor. He looks at his cousin and half-orc companion. "I'm sorry cousin, I have been a bit distracted lately. You have my undivided attentions now." He looks over at Luc and still realizes that he doesn't trust him. Looking back at his cousin, catching his eyes, then looking back at Luc he says "Yeah, I think it is best if we discuss this somewhere else. The crowd will start gathering soon. I am sure we can use one of the rooms upstairs, I have been staying here occasionally."

Nanuet motions for them to follow him as he leads them upstairs to the room he is familiar with. When they are all inside he grabs his cousin in a big bear hug. "I did not greet you properly cousin, there has just so much going on as of late. So, tell me your troubles again. You said something about being accused of a robbery?"

Chopido says, "Yes, two weeks ago, up in the town of Gillett, near where our tribe's homelands are. The town’s blacksmith was caught with the money from a stagecoach robbery. Three men had robbed the stage, and he named us two as his accomplices. We had never seen him before, we were just travelling through.

When the Sheriff tried to arrest us Caine fought back, leaving the lawman lying unconscious on the ground. We've been running since then. I was going to go the reservation near San Carlos but learned that a posse had been sent there looking for us. So we came here instead, I remembered this was where you said you were coming to look for the killers of our family. I also didn't know where else to go, and Caine also had a cousin here who he wanted to meet.”

Chester walks back to the El Parador and begins packing. He straps his gunbelt back on. Good thing I haven't collected too much stuff while I've been here. He lugs his suitcases upstairs to his new room. He whistles when he opens the door. "This is nice. They've done a good job with the place."

Chapter 34, “The Summons”, Monday, March 13th, 1882:

Ruby takes Jake's hand and leads him upstairs. They go to their room and Jake shuts the door. Ruby looks at him expectantly. "Not like I don't know what you want to talk about." Jake stands in their room and looks awkward. "You said in the letter you were terrified because you didn’t know if I felt the same way. I have strong feelings for you Ruby West, and I've done things for you that I've never wanted to do for anyone else. You also said don’t tell you something just because I think it’s what you want to hear." He puts his hands on his hips and shakes his head. "Damn, every time I tell the truth around here it brings nothing but trouble."

Ruby sits on the bed, sitting on her feet. She looks up at Jake. "Look, I said that because not one person who ever said it was telling me the truth. I don't want you to be another in a long list of people that I don't believe or trust. I know the truth has brought us a lot of trouble," Ruby reaches out for Jake's hand, "But let's at least know we can tell the truth to each other, no matter what it is." She looks down. "You don't feel the same way, it's ok. I just don't want things to change. I just wanted you to know how I felt and that I would have done anything to get you out of the whole mess."

Jake takes her hand briefly to kiss it and then lets it go. He steps over to the window and pushes the curtain aside. Resting his head against his forearm, he leans on the top of the window while looking out. "Sometimes I despise the truth. Folks go around expecting so much from it, thinking it will make things right, but it always is less than they want. Can two people even have the same truth? I don't believe the truth is good for everyone; some folks just aren't made to handle it. Most folks don't really want the truth when they ask for it, what they really want is to feel good. Me, I would rather make them feel good. It works out good for them and good for me. You, however, are asking me for the truth good or bad. I wish you hadn't asked me, but I will tell you." He turns from the window and looks at her.

In a plaintive gesture he spreads his arms slightly. "I wasn't kidding when I said I won't pretend to understand. Ruby, you want me to give you a yes or no answer. I can't. Not if you want the truth, because the truth is I don't know. Neither was I when I said maybe you could teach me." Jake puts his hands in his pockets and starts to pace. "You know ol' Silver Jake has been known to be a pretty good conniver. Say the right thing, make a lady feel good, get what I want for a while and everyone's happy." He stops pacing near the bed and looks down at her. "Red told me I was married to you but just didn't know it yet. I thought he was joking, or maybe I hoped he was." Ruby raises her eyebrows but says nothing.

"I'm not a man of deep thoughts, go ahead and laugh but it’s true." Jake sits on the bed next to Ruby. "I plan when I have to but live in the moment when I can. Has something happened to Silver Jake Cook and he just hasn't noticed? Wouldn't be the first time something snuck up on me. It would be the only time for falling in love, if that what this is." He turns and looks her straight in the eyes. "Dammit, how would I know?"

Ruby reaches out her hand and gently pushes some hair off Jake’s face before running her fingers down his cheek. His brown eyes are serious but she could see the feeling behind them. She leans towards him and whispers, “You know like this.” She kisses him slowly and softly and puts his hand on her chest so he could feel her heart pounding. Moments go by, what feels like an eternity, and Ruby’s kisses get more intense before she finally pulls herself back. Slightly breathless she says quietly, “I know because I feel it. And I know you feel something too.”

"I can't stop being me, but I will be up front about it." He slides his hand up to her throat and then the side of her face. "I do feel something for you, and I don't want you to lose you. I don't think boring rich men are going to make you happy. I don't know how long you and I can make it work together, but while we do I promise you a time you'll never forget nor regret." Jake finally smiles a bit. "That wasn't very good convincing was it? Have I told you how beautiful you are lately? Have I reminded you yet today that you are the most desirable woman I've ever met? Did I tell you how much I missed those kisses while I was in jail? Maybe we'll make it work a very long time..." He trails off as he wraps his arms around her and returns the kiss.

Ruby laughs lightly in between kisses, “No, tell me all that again. I never tire of it.” Ruby lets Jake continue to kiss her and she whispers, “I hope it lasts for a very long time, Mr. Cook, I really do.” She locks eyes with Jake, “And maybe we can teach each other what this love thing is about, if you give it a chance.” Ruby pulls Jake to the bed, “But let’s worry about that later,” she smiles as she starts slipping his shirt off. “You were gone a long time…”

Some time goes by and eventually they fall back to the bed. Jake lies belly down on the bed and Ruby lies on top of him, caressing his back. Ruby casually says, “Oh, I forgot to tell you earlier. I am having dinner tonight with Mr. Eastman.”

"Hermes!" Jake exclaims without dislodging Ruby from his back and then laughs. "You play me like a blasted violin, woman." He then rolls over and squirms to face her. "You've been doing that since I met you. I must be muy loco over you."

Ruby holds herself up above Jake, her hair hanging in his face. "Of course you are moy laco or whatever you just said. Wait, what does that mean?" Ruby playfully furrows her brows. "I'm not trying to play you baby, I have to go tell him I won't marry him. Unless you want to do it?"

"It means very crazy." Jake grabs some of her hair with his teeth and pulls down a bit before letting go. "I'll leave that up to you. If you want, I'll make sure he goes away." Jake smiles a bit at her. "You said he is rich. Do you think he wants to leave any of that here in Promise City or are we supposed to be nice to him?"

"Very crazy, ha," she leans down and kisses him lightly before pulling herself up again. "He said he made a fortune, for me. But this is tough because he knows my parents and I don't want them to know where I am. Besides, you don't want to meet them. And you already know I don't want to leave." Ruby bites her lip, "So that is why I am having dinner with him. But I tried being nice already, he doesn't seem to get it." Ruby continues dramatically, "And the advice from my friends last night was to get you to marry me instead." Ruby gives him a shocked face before laughing.

"I think you need some smarter friends. The judgment of anyone who'd recommend me as a husband is suspect." Ruby laughs hysterically. "I'm sorry, I have to agree with you, you're just not marriage material, Mr. Cook. You're too good in bed." Ruby sits up on Jake's lap. "So, did you have an idea for helping Mr. Eastman leave some of his money here? I could always show him just what kind of a wife I would make." Ruby crunches up her nose as she thinks, "But he might actually enjoy that..."

"You said you tried to be nice. We shouldn't scam anyone who you might feel guilty about. There is always poker though." Jake seems to lose his interest in the conversation and is gently running his finger up and down Ruby's curves when he abruptly continues. "Might be better just to get him out of town if you are worried about your parents. Seems a shame not to have him redistribute some of his wealth in Promise City though."

"Guilty? Me? I was only trying to be nice because one, we don't need more enemies and two, yes, my parents would be an issue." Ruby puts her hands over Jake's and helps him find the right curves. "Poker, yes, maybe I'll bring him by. He is staying for a week, not sure if he would leave sooner than that." Ruby is also concentrating more on Jake than their conversation. "MMmmm.. that is nice... you think you could beat him Mr. Cook, he is after all, also vying for my attentions."

"I don't know if he knows how to play poker or not, I suspect I'd have the upper hand in that." He continues to gently massage her. "Outside of poker, I don't intend to play fair." He turns her and pulls her down to him so that she is laying face up on top of him while he continues to caress her. "I don't mean to brag, Ruby dear, but if I'm not mistaken I already have."

"Yes, yes," Ruby whispers, "We know all about your upper hands and not playing fair and stealing poor girls hearts...taking all the advantage you can." Ruby reaches her hands over Jake's head. "But you'd better be careful, one of these days someone might do the same to you." She wiggles a little until she is comfortable then closes her eyes. As far as she was concerned she had no where better to be.

A while later Postmaster Eddie Palmer arrives at the Lucky Lady with a letter for Jake Cook. Hoover offers to take it but Palmer is insistent that mail be delivered only to the intended person. Hoover sends Harry Rote up to Jake and Ruby's room to see if Jake can come down.

Ruby wakes from her second cozy nap of the day, very content. She tries to pull herself out from under Jake but even in his sleep he is holding her tight. She gives him a light poke. "Jake," she whispers, "Wake up." She blows gently on his face until he starts to stir. "We should get up sometime today." He releases Ruby, stretches and smiles. "I suppose we ought to..."

He is interrupted by a knock on the door and Harry's voice. "Jake, there is a letter for you. Can you come down and take it?" "...get up." Jake finishes. "Sure Harry I'll be right down." He gets up and pulls some clothes on, and Ruby does too. They head down together.

Postmaster Palmer hands Jake a letter. It is in a plain brown envelope with no return address and is marked "Jacob Cook, Lone Star Dance Hall and Saloon, Promise City, Arizona". He opens it and inside is a sheet of paper with just one word on it, "Tucson", written in red ink. Jake says, "Mr. Palmer, can I have you deliver my mail to Miss West if I'm not around?" He replies, "I don't see why not, she is your business partner." What is it, Jake?" Ruby asks curiously, trying to look over his shoulder. Jake stuffs the letter in his pocket and thanks the Postmaster. "Ruby, I need to go up stairs."

Jake goes quickly up to their room. "I need to pack." He hands her the sheet of paper with just one word on it, "Tucson", written in red ink. "I need to be on the stage tomorrow morning." Ruby starts looking slightly nervous, biting her lip and pulling on her hair. She walks over to Jake and puts her arms around him. "Jake," She looks at him with big eyes, "Do you have to go? I mean, you just got back from jail, and last time you were gone so long... This isn't because of the whole talk we had earlier, is it?"

"No. Hell no. I don't have too many folks I can call friends," He pushes some stray hair off her face. "or more than friends. Most of them are in Promise City. Only one is in Tucson. Either he's being a bit dramatic or....." Jake doesn't finish that thought. "Look if you were in any trouble there isn't anything that would stop me from coming to help you. I need to get my stuff all together, but tonight I'm all yours."

"Alright." Ruby quietly helps Jake pack his bag. Most of Jake’s getting ready is taken up meticulously cleans his guns, taking extra time with his Peacemaker. After that he packs some clothes, his long barrel Colt, and his sawed off shotgun. He trades his old hunting knife for the fancy new one and takes some time adjusting the sheath so that it is easy to draw and comfortable in his boot.

When he's not looking Ruby quickly sticks a Queen of Hearts playing card inside the book of Fairy Tales and stuffs it on the bottom of his bag. Then while he finishes she starts getting ready for her evening out with Mr. Eastman. She pulls out her cream dress, the one she bought in Tombstone and slowly gets dressed. When she is finished she sits on the bed, waiting for Jake to be done packing. "I guess I don't need to say I'll miss you." She replies, "I'm gonna miss you as well. Make that dinner short, I'll be waiting."

At the end of the afternoon he attempts to see Berg, who had asked him to stop in. After that he makes the rounds and checks in with Katherine, Nanuet and Chester. He lets them know he'll be gone for a few days.

Chapter 35, “Dinner Conversations”, Monday, March 13th, 1882:

Ruby takes a seat downstairs in the main room, waiting for George Eastman to show up. Eastman arrives at the main doorway. He has a bouquet of flowers in his hand, which he gives to Ruby. He takes Ruby's arm and walks her the whole one block south on Allen Street between the Lucky Lady and Promise City Hotel and Cafe. A table has been prepared for them in advance, with a fine embroidered tablecloth, candles, and better than usual china and silverware. Ruby notes that the tables in the room have also been rearranged to give their table more privacy.

He has also pre-ordered the meal, the main entree is a roasted chicken prepared with a wine sauce. A very expensive bottle of wine is brought to the table. Ruby let George lead her to dinner and do most of the talking at first. She was impressed by the surroundings and getting treated so well and was actually enjoying herself. And while she looked forward to seeing Jake she knew that she only had a little time before he would be leaving her again and she dreaded it. So, she would take her time with dinner and put it off a little longer.

Ruby raises her glass of wine to her lips and takes a sip. "Well, Mr. Eastman, you certainly know how to impress a girl. Why don't you tell me of some of your adventures, your travels. I admit I have a weakness for the exotic." Ruby let George lead her to dinner and do most of the talking at first. She was impressed by the surroundings and getting treated so well and was actually enjoying herself. And while she looked forward to seeing Jake she knew that she only had a little time before he would be leaving her again and she dreaded it. So, she would take her time with dinner and put it off a little longer.

Ruby raises her glass of wine to her lips and takes a sip. "Well, Mr. Eastman, you certainly know how to impress a girl. Why don't you tell me of some of your adventures, your travels. I admit I have a weakness for the exotic." He goes on at length about his world travels, the various counties he has been to and the many things that he has seen. "Well, I must admit to being slightly jealous of your grand adventures. You've done so much in your young life and you are very accomplished." Ruby drinks down her wine. "I just don't see why you would want or need me in your life." She puts her hand on his, "And I'm sure you have women vying for your attentions everywhere you go."

He replies, "Constance, you are the only woman I can think of. And as I told you before, my wandering days are over. The photographic plate business has been very rewarding for me and I am now expanding into the production of cameras. Constance, I am not just talking about machines for professionals to use. I have this vision of making the camera affordable for every household to own one! Constance Grace, we will have more money from this than you ever dreamed of. I can give you the life that you have always wanted!"

"The life I always wanted? I don't even know what that is anymore," she replied quietly. Ruby's glass had been refilled and she took another sip. "Please tell me George, what would our life be like?" He states, "Why we could live anywhere you wanted to. Manhattan, Albany, Rochester, the Hamptons, any where you wished to in New York state. And we would travel to Europe every year, visit the art museums and historic cities. And we would be part of the society crowd. You could have servants to do whatever you didn't wish to do yourself and you would never have to work again. And your singing, we could build our own concert hall where you could perform whenever you wished! How does that sound Constance Grace?"

"It sounds wonderful actually," she said quietly, "Except for the society part. That's why I left home, all the back stabbers and people being fake. I'm sure you know what I mean. I have no intention on returning to that." Ruby had finally found something she could argue against not wanting. And it was true, there was no way she was ever going back to that.

He exclaims, "That's fine, I could do without the society part as well. They probably wouldn't support my ideas anyway, preferring to keep photography to those who can now afford it instead of providing it to the masses. I also have ideas about running my factory that the elite of society would never agree with, sharing the profits with the workers for instance. So how does that sound Constance Grace, mansions, servants, world travel, your own concert hall in Manhattan and a man who truly loves you." She says, "George, I have to be honest with you. It does sound good, more than good really. But, I'm sure Helen has told you, I have a boyfriend."

He replies, "Well of course you do. A beautiful woman like you is sure to have attracted lots of boyfriends over the years. But that was because you had given up on me. My fault, running off around the world like I did, I don't blame you for not waiting. But I'm back now and asking for your hand in marriage. Can this boyfriend of yours offer you what I have?"

"No, he can offer me none of it." Ruby blushed and then was silent for a few moments. There were things that Jake could offer her that George never could. But Ruby had no guarantee that Jake would even come back from Tucson, just as before. And he was the one who that very day had said he wasn't sure how long they could make things work. "George, I have to go now." She stands. "Thank you so much for the lovely dinner." She turns to walk away then pauses and turns back. "Helen said you were in town for a week. Maybe we could have dinner again? I need time to think and maybe spend some time with you." He stands and calls out "I understand Constance. Yes, I plan to stay for the next week or so. Good night."

Jake waits impatiently at the Lucky Lady for Ruby to return. Ruby closed her eyes and paused, briefly, but continued to walk out. She had hoped that Mr. Eastman would not want to see her again and she knew she was not as forceful as she should have been. She made her way back to the Lucky Lady and looked around for Jake. What she really needed at that moment was him to be his absolutely charming self, the one that she was crazy about and adored, so she could put George Eastman and his fortune and servants and mansions out of her mind.

Jake sees Ruby come into the Lucky Lady with a look of concern on her face. Not good he thinks. To him it appears that she consciously removes that expression before looking around the room. Even worse he thinks. Jake waves and gets up to greet her. "Ruby West, you are positively dazzling. I picture you in my mind when you are away from me, and wonder if that beautiful woman in my head can be real. I must be imagining her. Then when I see you again I realize just how paltry my imagination is." Jake offers her his hand. "What can I do to make my princess happy?"

Ruby takes Jake's hand and smiles at him. "Just stay with me and I'll be happy," she continues quickly, "I mean, for tonight anyway. And be your wonderfully charming self, so I have a fresh reminder while you're gone." Ruby looks into Jake's eyes, "And promise me you'll come back as soon as you can."

Ruby could see a look of question on Jake's face, although he was trying to hide it. "I don't think Mr. Eastman will be a problem anymore," she lied. "Nothing for you to worry about any way." She avoided his gaze as she spoke but looked up at him at the end. "He doesn't offer me anything I need. So, why don't you spend the night telling me why you'll miss me when you're away?"

Nothing you need, huh." Jake runs his hand through his hair and scratches the back of his neck. "Nothing for ol' Jake to be fretting about, eh?" Jake stands close and faces her. He traces a finger along her lips while looking in her eyes. "If everything is fine then princess I won't trouble you with my silly questions."

Jake puts his arm around her and escorts Ruby to the corner of the room. "I won't be gone a hour longer than absolutely necessary." He sits and puts her on his lap. "Tell you ALL the reasons why I'll miss you? I better get started, the stage leaves early in the morning." Jake glibly entertains her with his admiration for a while and finally gets to, "... and the cute way you bite your lip or pull on your hair when you are nervous. Ruby West you are intoxicating, just watching you lifts my soul. I think you are addicting too, but a much finer flower than any poppy could be." Jake's eyes go unfocused for a moment looking beyond her, "I'm a fool for leaving, but Silver Jake Cook stands by his friends."

The words seem to come out of his lips before he realized he said them. There is the slightest shake of his head and his eyes come back to look at hers. "I'll miss you because you light up the world, for without you it would be a dimmer place indeed." Jake places his free hand on her dress between her breasts. "What is in there girl, what could possibly be in that heart that makes poor Jake so crazy?" He then moves his hand to her mouth, putting fingers on her lips to keep her from answering. "No don't speak yet."

He gives her a soft kiss. Then he says quietly, "Damn you Ruby West, you are like the very air I breath. Sometimes I'm afraid if I don't have you I'll suffocate." Jake sighs. "Where was I, ah yes, did you know the sound of your laughter is like the sweetest wind chimes tinkling in the spring breeze..."

Ruby didn't hear one word Jake said after that. She didn't care if it was true or he was only saying it to make her feel good or to get what he wanted. It sounded sincere enough for her and it felt true. Jake may not know the truth, but I'm going to make him realize it and feel it like I do. The night went by with them barely noticing anyone else and it wasn't long before their bed called to them.

About fifteen minutes before six o'clock Kate went downstairs from her room into the Cantina. Inside her handbag she had a candle an another pinch of the powder that would give privacy. Chester would come in for dinner and she could tell her story for the last time. It was a relief actually, to know she wouldn't have to go through it again, at least not for a long time.

Kate had been expecting Ruby today as well, but she hadn't come. But she and Jake had been apart for several days, and she probably wanted to spend time with him. The details of her trip to Boston could wait.

Chester came in and Kate smiled and waved him over, then lit the candle and sprinkled the powder over the flame. He was the last one of her friends who had still been in the El Parador. She did not want to live at the Lucky Lady, but she keenly felt the separation from the others. She supposed it was something she would just have to get used to.

He says, "Good evening, Katherine. What's with the candle?" She replies, "It's something to keep our conversation private." "I see. I guess there's more to the story than what you've told the Marshall." Once Chester was seated and Dorita had brought them each an overflowing plate Kate said, "I know I don't have to tell you, but I want you to understand what happened. And I do appreciate your patience. You sat in jail for days and are still willing to let me keep my secrets. But keeping them hasn't protected you from them, so you might as well know."

Chester says, "Jake told me the bank thing had something to do with you. The Marshall used us as a prod to get what he wanted from you. I admit, I was worried. Wyatt said that he could steer Judge Isby into finding us guilty. I didn't fancy going to prison again. Didn't enjoy that one bit. But now, you've made your peace with the Earps?"

She says, "I....uh, you're been to prison?" He replies, "Well, the stockade really. You remember Lt. Gamble? When he was my sergeant, we didn't get along, as you probably could've guessed. Anyway, we were arguing and I punched him a couple times. So I got court-martialed, and spent a couple months in the stockade. Then I got a dishonorable discharge. That's basically the reason I came to Arizona."

A little less confident than she'd been a moment before, Kate quickly sketched in the truth of how Tom died, and the fact that she had helped Tucker run from Tombstone. She liberally left out details from her trip to Boston, telling him only that she needed to go there to get letters from her parents that would prove Tucker was gone. "As for making peace with the Earps, I had already made mine. Wyatt assured me we can consider the matter closed, but he has four brothers that I don't trust. Only time will tell if they've made their peace with me."

"Isn't Morgan the one you bandaged when we got ambushed? You save his life and he isn't man enough to tell you the truth?" Chester shakes his head. "From what I've seen and what you've told me, it's good that Tucker is in Europe. These Earps don't seem to care about justice. Thank you for telling me this, Katherine. It must be hard."

She says, "It has been, but it's been getting better. Yes, that was Morgan I bandaged that day. After Nanuet healed him he woke for just a moment, and when he saw me he said "I'm sorry," before he passed out. It's the only word I've ever had from him. I didn't understand it then, not until Ruby told me what she and Jake had learned in Tombstone. Then a lot of things fell in place. But I'm done letting the Earps drag me into the past. It's time to get on with life. Tom would want that, not to have me obsessing about how he died." Kate and Chester finished the dinner, then she sent him off to the Lucky Lady.

She didn't work in Monday nights anymore, and Ruby would want to spend her time with Jake tonight. Ginnie was amusing herself in the Cantina, so Kate went upstairs to spend the evening with Mr. Gonzales. His room is empty and Kate finds a note on the wall reading "I will see you tomorrow my little birds".

Luc made himself busy this day. He had a lot on his mind. He was up late cleaning the saloon the night before. He was going on only a few hours sleep. He went to bed the night before in a haze. He lay on the bed a few minutes before sleep took him. Before he fell asleep, he would have bet money he saw someone sitting in the corner of his room.... with feathers on. Luc couldn't get the image out of his head. There was something familiar about the whole thing. " I'm just going nuts I think." Luc said to himself as he stood out back and light a smoke.

It's a fairly quiet Monday night at the Lucky Lady Dance Hall and Saloon. Both poker games go well with a fair amount of money for the house. Sonoma provides signing and Clarisse Townsend comes in for two sets as well. A few people who still have coupons from the prior week's paper stop by to redeem them. Chopido and Caine come in near the end of the evening and sit at a table. Caine asks Sonoma which gambler is Job and then spends the next half-hour watching him from across the room.

Chapter 36, “An Over-eager Child”, Tuesday, March 14th, 1882:

The next morning Ruby watched from bed as Jake got dressed to make the stage. She didn't smile or speak, she just watched. Finally he was packed and ready to go, and he wandered over to the bed. Jake reached for her hand, "Don't be mad at me, you know I have to go." Ruby sighed. "Yes, I know. So go. The sooner you leave the sooner you will come back for me." Jake leaned over and kissed Ruby. "Goodbye for now, Princess." He turned and headed for the door.

"Jake wait!" Ruby called out from the bed. She jumped up and dragging the sheet she ran to him. "Baby, please be careful." She grabbed him and kissed him passionately. "I'll be here, waiting for you." She gave him a smile and hug before releasing him. "Tell Red I said hi." She watched Jake walk down the stairs before shutting the door. She went to their window and waved to him as he walked down the street. Then she got back in bed and it didn't take long for her to fall back asleep. This time she knew he would be back.

Chester goes to the El Parador stable to get his horse ready for a ride. Once that's done he goes inside to get some breakfast and something for lunch. Chester rides out to the mine to check on the miners. He reflected on the night before. Chester had sat quietly at the bar, nursing a beer. He decided that he would have to watch what he does, not knowing what the law would try to use against him or his friends in the future. As for the present… as for the present, he would just enjoy the company of his friends.

Chester decided that he needed to keep an eye on the new guy, Luc. “There's one who's no stranger to violence.” He thought to himself. He shook his head and thought “Is Ruby trying to take in every wayward newcomer?” He had been the first and loudest to applaud Clarisse at the end of her sets. Before he left he had told her how well she sang. He says out loud “She's a lovely girl. Last night wasn’t the time to ask her out, I was still a bit riled up about the Marshall. Maybe tonight.”

The workers at the Fisk Mountain Mine are happy to see him. In addition to the owners Lewis, MacNaulty and Elliott they have hired a half-dozen men to help, consisting of former employees of Brown's Ice House Samson Hill, Beecher Lawson and Will Hickey plus three regular El Parador patrons Arturo Barletta, Manuel Abrego and Jorge Doninguez. Also on hand are two guards who Chester had hired, a wood elf named Alfonso Rios and a human named Paul Dixon.
Chester dismounts and ties his horse to the rail. He pulls out a notebook and pencil. "Good morning guys. Alfonso, Paul, were there any problems?" “None he replies. Chester spends the rest of the morning looking around.

Two full nights of restful sleep had made a difference for Kate. The dark circles were disappearing, still there but only shadows now. Kate turned her head this way and that, examining her hair and riding clothes in the mirror, then laughed. "Vain thing," she muttered and turned away from the mirror. She'd slept late today, and Dorita would be fit to be tied if she didn't appear for a meal soon. Kate grabbed her riding jacket and went downstairs to breakfast.

Ruby woke again mid morning. She had spent most of yesterday in bed and was well rested. She got out of bed, and while not entirely thrilled with the idea that Jake was gone she had confidence that she didn't have the last time he left. He'd be back as soon as he could. Ruby had a few errands to do, but decided to start the day by visiting the El Parador. She would enjoy Dorita's breakfast and most likely some sort of lecture, then she would find Kate. She took her time getting dressed and headed over to the El Parador. Ruby arrives to find both Kate and Ginnie just sitting down for either a late breakfast or early lunch.

Ruby walks over to Kate and kisses her cheek. "Morning!" She nods to Ginnie, "And good morning to you too, kid." Ruby has a seat. "I'm starving! Where is Dorita?" Ruby leans back in her chair. "I want to hear all about your trip to Boston, but first I should tell you, Jake is going to be away for a while again." Kate exclaims, "Again? Well, I suppose the last time was, what almost a month and a half ago. But I have to wonder where it is he runs off to. It's also none of my business. Are you going to be alright without him, I know you wanted him back with you...."

Ruby sighs, "Business stuff." She runs her hand through her hair. "I was always alright without him before, but I do miss him when he's not around. It's lonely in that big room when you are by yourself. But enough of that, tell me about Boston. How is your family?"

"They're well," Kate said, looking at Ruby. "I didn't see my brothers, but Mother and Father were both there, as well as a couple of family friends. We had a couple very good meals, and I got to sit with Papa for a while and just talk. They want me to come home, of course, and it was tempting. I spent a lot of yesterday thinking about it. But I have too much here to leave now."

"Kate, that's sweet. I'm glad you decided to come back. And I know what you mean about being tempted. Mr. Eastman has a lot of money and that is what tempts me." She turns and looks right at Kate. "I'm shallow like that," she shrugs and laughs. "But you, you have the ranch and I know how much you love it. I haven't been out there in a while. Maybe we can take a ride one of these days. So, any plans for today?"

"A ride out to the ranch actually," she said, pointing out her clothes. "And I think I want a new dress. No, I know I want a new dress. If you want to go with us, there are some other things I can tell you about my trip. I'm not sure how exciting it will be for you once we get out there, but you're welcome. Did you have any ideas?"

'Well, yes, I did want to close my account at the Condon's Bank, for obvious reason." Ruby raised an eyebrow. "I also wanted to talk to Wyatt Earp, but that could wait. Hold on a minute." Ruby got up from the table and went into the kitchen. A few moments later she came up with a push, but a few plates full of food. "That's more like it." She put the plates down and sat. "I could always use a new dress. Sounds like fun."

"Yes, whatever you want from Earp, it's probably a bad idea to take me along. I never did find out what happened yesterday. I should have asked Chester last night, but I didn't think of it. I was busy telling him the parts he didn't know. We can go to the bank on the way out of town, then go to Mary Kelley's on the way back in." Ruby laughed. "You know I spoke with Earp Saturday night. I'm not so sure I'm top on his list either. But let's go find out how he feels, no? Otherwise the rest of the plan sounds good." "Oh by the way, I need help fixing another dress..." "Yes, I know you talked with Earp, what else could you possibly want with him? How he feels about what? You ripped another dress?"

"I only meant seeing him is the only way we'll know how he feels about my visit to him. Don't worry I won't drag you there. Apparently Jake had some talk with him, and I'm going to offer him a job." Ruby looked up at Kate before taking another bite of food, "Yes, only Jake could find a way to offer his jailer a job.” Kate replies, "Wyatt Earp in the Lucky Lady. Well, at least he'll have to believe you if something crazy happens there some night. There are worse things than having a Marshal for an eyewitness. Why don't you go talk to him after breakfast and meet us back here, then we can go out to the ranch."

“As for the dress, it had nothing to do with Jake," Ruby laughed. "Well," she blushed, "Actually it did. He shot me. It was an accident but now my dress has a hole in it and blood stains. We're going to need to fix it like we fixed my leather pants."

Ginnie says, “Ma'am Kate do you think the dress shop might be interested in some of the lace I have. I wouldn't mind making some money for the material for a dress for myself or for that matter some material to make one of those fancy crazy quilts that I remember from back east.” Kate replies, "I'm certain they would be interested, Ginnie. They would make the dress for you, you know, unless you really enjoy sewing that much. I just can't seem to get the hang of it. A quilt for your bed at our new house would be nice, wouldn't it?"

Ginnie says, “Um Miss Ruby didn't you fix your pants by sitting in a tub of water? That won't work for a hole. I might be able to fix the dress or at least change it enough so that the hole doesn't show. I never really thought about having someone else sew for me I've been making my own clothing since I was a wee babe and it's a lot less expensive to get fabric than a dress. and you end up with lots of scraps for the crazy quilts.” Kate replies, "I'm sure Mrs. Kelley has plenty of scraps you could rummage through for your quilt."

Ruby laughed. "I made them fit nice by sitting in a tub of water. But I got shot in those pants too and yes, there was a hole." Ruby looked to Kate with furrowed brows, "Haven't you shown this girl anything?" She turned back to Ginnie. "There is more than one way to fix a hole, kid. When we do it we'll let you watch, maybe you'll learn something you do pick things up fairly quickly." Kate says, "No, in fact, I haven't. I barely know what I'm doing as far as that goes. I didn't think it was appropriate for me to start teaching someone else."

"Sounds good. I'm done now actually so I'll run and get changed and then see him and meet you back here." Ruby got up and took a few steps away from the table. "Kate," she waited until she looked up. "I am really glad you decided to stay." With that Ruby headed back to the Lucky Lady. Kate shook her head as Ruby bounced out. It was hard to stay angry with her, and when the moment had come Kate hadn't confronted her about telling Earp that Tucker was with her family. But Kate was honest enough to admit that she had been missing her friend, and she didn't want to upset things. But it would have to be discussed.

Ginnie asks Kate, “Ma'am Kate dress first or after the ranch?” Kate says, "I had planned on after. Is there anything else around town you need? Or maybe we could look around a little for some furniture for our house." Manuel Gonzales comes downstairs and joins Kate and Ginnie for their meal. Ginnie says to him “Mr. Gonzalas have you talked to Ma'am Kate yet? and do you need anything we're going shopping today I'm going to trade some of my lace for material for a dress and maybe scraps at the dressmaker for a quilt.”

He replies, "No Ginnie, Katherine and I have not had that opportunity yet. You need to learn some patience child. And no, I do not need anything other than a meal, but thank you for asking." She says, “I know, but every time I have ever waited for something it has been taken away from me so I don't like to wait as the chance will disappear.” Kate says, "No one's going to take anything away from you, Ginnie, but I understand how hard it is to wait. What is that about you needed to speak to me?" Kate asked her teacher.

Gonzales leans over and whispers into her ear "Little Ginnie memorized the incantations and motions that I cast to get us to Boston and has been trying to do them herself." Kate's eyes turned to Ginnie as Mr. Gonzales spoke. Her eyebrows raised but she clamped her lips shut for a moment. "That's incredibly dangerous, is it not?" she asked him in a whisper. Ginnie protests, “I didn't try them. I showed them to you. I know umm it can be dangerous so I wanted to make sure that I was somewhere that was safe and with someone who could stop what I was doing if I didn't get it quite right.”

Gonzales was about to answer Kate’s question when Ginnie makes her comment. He tells Kate "I think the three of us will need to think about this further. Ginnie, Kate and I will need to talk about this once we've thought this over. We are not opposed to your leaning, and you've shown that you know how to be discreet, we just don't want you to endanger yourself in any way." Kate adds, "And having this secret does endanger you. Ginnie. Please remember that. Secrets of any kind are dangerous."

She answers, “Ma'am Kate I've held more secrets than you'd ever know and I know how to keep them and how dangerous they can be. I promise not to do anything without checking with you first sir. I didn't put any of it down on paper so the only place it is in my head.”

Once back at the Lucky Lady, Ruby ran upstairs and dressed in her leather outfit. It was much more comfortable than the stuffy riding outfit. She put two braids in her hair, grabbed her guns and was off. She arrived at the Marshall's office quickly. She laughed to herself, she didn't have a knot in her stomach like she last time. She confidently strides in and looked for Wyatt.

Neither Wyatt or Warren are in at the moment. Eduardo Rodriguez is sitting behind the desk. Ruby notices that he is now wearing a Deputy Marshall's badge. Ruby nods to him. "Mr. Rodriquez. How are you today?" He smiles, "I'm just fine Miss West. I didn't think it would happen but the Merchant's Association actually voted to make me a Deputy. It was a close vote. I must say, that Mr. Adair's prejudice against non-humans is about the worst I've ever encountered. Wyatt says that you've had a run-in with him as well.”

She replies, "Yes, I have had a few runs in with Mr. Adair. Seems he decided he doesn't like me or Jake and is trying to make both of us suffer for it. Tell you the truth, I'm been afraid he might try something worse than just vote against one of us." He says, "Then we have something in common. He said that a wood elf like me should never be allowed to carry a badge or gun. It shows how little he knows, I don't even use revolvers. I find that a well thrown dagger works far better at a short distance."

She asks, "I'm wondering, Can you tell me where Wyatt is?" He replies, "Probably around half way between here and Tombstone I would imagine. He had some new information he wanted to pass on to his brothers, something I believe you know something about."

"Ah, I should have figured Wyatt would be heading straight to Tombstone." Ruby shrugged. He says, "Yes, but he didn't want to leave Warren here alone, so had to wait until the Merchant's Association met this morning to vote me in."

She comments, "Our business will have to wait for another time then. Well, perhaps you might like to come by the Lucky Lady and check us out. You know we accept all races in our Saloon and drinks would be on me, for not holding grudges about my bad behavior last weekend. I was just worried about my boyfriend, I'm sure you understand." Ruby leans back on the desk and smiles at him.

"Yes Ma'am, and I was truthful with what I told you on Friday. I was there because Wyatt asked me to go there, but I did enjoy enjoy my meal and it is nice to know that there are places that accept all races." Ruby's smile stayed warm. "Shall I expect you to come by tonight then?" He says, "Yes Ma'am. I agreed to take the day shift and Warren will take the night, so I will be off duty unless some trouble should arise."

She says, "You may call me Ruby, Mr. Rodriquez. And perhaps I'll even sing tonight, since you'll be by. I usually have off on Tuesdays. At any rate, I'll see you later." With a wink and a bounce Ruby leaves the jail and heads over to the El Parador to wait for Kate and Ginnie.

Ginnie asks Kate, “Can we go look at the fabric now? I think I might need to make a pair of pants for work on the ranch too.” Kate answers, "Pants are a good idea. I think Ruby wanted to... and there she is," Kate said as Ruby came in. "Ruby would you mind if we went to Mary Kelley's first? It's probably not very polite to go after the ranch when we'll be smelling like a stable." Smelling like a stable?" Ruby crinkled her nose. "Just what were you planning on doing out at the ranch? But sure, we can go to Mary Kelly's first. I never turn down the chance to shop."

Kate says, "What I always do at the ranch, work with the horses. Although today I thought I'd show you our little house, since you haven't been out there for a while. Let's go get a new dress, and Ginnie can get her fabric. Mr. Gonzales, will you have time for me when we get home?" He replies, "Yes, we have a lot to do together." "Oh what are you two up to now?" Ruby asks curiously. Kate looked at her teacher for a moment, wondering if there was more to that comment than she thought. Ruby obviously thought so. "Nothing outside the usual, as far as I know," she smiled. "I'll see you later, Mr. Gonzales."

He replies, "That you will. Wear something nice, we may go out for a late supper. You can join us too Ruby if you'd like." He looks at Ginnie's disappointed face and says, "Not you little one, although if you're good today I'll have Dorita work with you tonight on something you may enjoy." "Late Supper? What's that all about? People will be suspicious," Ruby laughed. "A late supper with you might save me from one with Mr. Eastman, though." They bid Mr. Gonzales farewell and head over to Mary Kelly's Dry Goods.

Chapter 37, “Talking about the boys”, Tuesday, March 14th, 1882:

"The color certainly is stunning," Kate said, admiring the fabric. "It's probably a little much for every day, but I seem to need fancy clothes more often than I would have guessed around here. The neck is a little low though, don't you think? Even lower than on my other new gown." Ruby raises her eyebrow. "Am I ever going to say a neckline is too low? Silly...But you wouldn't want a certain someone to get the idea that you are ready to move on, now would you?" Ruby holds up the stockings, smiling at Kate. "A certain what? Who in the world are you talking about, Ruby?" but her neck was turning red.

Ruby laughed. "I guess I'm not getting any input on these stockings. I'll just take them both." She turns to walk to the back of the store. "You know who I'm talking about, a certain gentleman who you've been spending many hours with..." Ruby ignores Kate's discomfort and finishes making her choices. "Done when you two are..." Ruby takes a seat on the counter, waiting for Kate and Ginnie.

Mary Kelley examines the lace and tells Ginnie that she would be more than happy to exchange them for fabric. She is particularly interested in Ginnie's reference to quilting, as she has a large wooden barrel filled with various scrap materials. Ginnie explains that her mother had taught her the "new" fad of crazy quilting before she died in Boston. her family had used the quilting as a very good way of taking lace scraps and using them as display. The materials that are used for the base pieces of the crazy quilt are the velvets and silks of the better dress shops much like the dresses available here. However Ginnie will also explain that she has some experience in pieced work also in cottons and wools and would be very happy to trade lace for scraps.

"If this is something that you have not availed yourself of Mrs. Kelly I would be happy to show you the technique I was taught." Mary Kelley says that she would be happy to work with Ginnie and suggests that she stop by for a few hours everyday, adding "I have all of the materials and tools here that we would need." I do have my lessons and they take precedence. I would need to make sure that Ma'am Kate approved but it would be nice to work with such wonderful fabrics and good light even for just an hour or so a day. Kate was still admiring the red dress when Ginnie and Mary approached. Mrs. Kelley explains her proposition to have Ginnie work with her at the store.

"There will still be time for lessons, and working is a lesson of it's own. I don't see any reason why you shouldn't spend some time here." Kate agreed. "I take it you were able to come to an agreement about the fabrics as well." Ginnie interjects, “I think we both will benefit from the arrangement Ma'am Kate. When should I be here? Early afternoon right after lunch might be best because I do a lot of my lessons in the morning and readings after supper. Would that work for you Mrs. Kelly? Ma'am Kate?” Mrs. Kelly says that is fine, that she and her husband close for lunch and noon and reopen at 1:00 PM and stay open until 5:30 PM so anytime during then would be fine.

That sounds just fine Ginnie. Thank you Mrs. Kelley. I'm sure it will work out well for both you and Ginnie." Kate looked over at Ruby and stood up straighter. "I'd like this dress please, but I think it would be a bit big for me. If you can use my measurements you already have to alter it, and I'll come back in a few days for a final fitting? Thank you." Kate paid for the dress, and Ginnie got a large bag of fabric and scraps for her quilting. Ruby jumped down off the counter, and the three went back to the El Parador to get their horses for the ride out to the ranch.

Ginnie quickly put most of the scraps from the bag in her room at the El Parador pulling just a few wool scraps and stuffing them in her inside pocket. Then she mounted the horse that Ma'am Kate had picked for her. She still didn't ride well at all and hung on for dear life saying little as they road to the ranch trying desperately not to fall off the horse as they road. Ruby shook her head. "I would offer to teach you to ride, but I'm not the expert here. It would be a smart idea to learn though." "Ginnie, you're making it harder for yourself," Kate said riding up next to her. "Meribel is very gentle, she'll be careful of you." Kate then went through a few pointers on riding, how to sit comfortably, and how important it was for her to stay calm so the horse would stay calm.

Ruby turned and looked around the ranch. "Wow you've made a lot of progress. Kate, is that your house?" Ruby looked over the land curiously. She watched carefully, ready to grab the reins if necessary as she talked to Ruby. "He's just a friend," she said, picking up the conversation that had begun at Kelley's store. "Right and Jake's my brother." Ruby hopped off her horse.

Kate ignores the comment and says, "That's Sonoma's house there, ours is the one that's still unfinished. It should be ready soon. Do you have any of those bedframes still free, we're going to need some." Kate slid down off the stallion and helped Ginnie off Meribel. "I think it's riding lessons today dear." She replies, “Wasn't riding out from town the lesson? After all, I didn’t fall off.” Ruby laughed at Ginnie. She could be so cute and innocent when she wanted to be. And that was a good thing as far as Ruby was concerned. Kate tells the girl, "Not falling off is a good start. But you should learn how to fall without hurting yourself, and how to stay on without making your whole body hurt."

"Well, it looks good," Ruby said looking off into the distance. "Almost done, that's great. You need a fresh start and you said you wanted a home of your own." Ruby got lost in her thoughts for a moment before snapping out of it. "Bedframes.. I'm not sure but I think there should be some left. Is there anything I can do right now?"

"You could help feed and water the horses. It won't take too long. Then I'm going to work with Ginnie a little bit on riding. I don't think we'll stay out too long today. Let's go take a look inside my house first." "Sure, I can help with the horses." Kate began to lead Ruby and Ginnie over to the house. "I may have to put a small outbuilding in the back. I'd like to get back to studying chemistry, but that's not something you want to mess with in the house." As she opened the door Kate leaned over to Ruby and said, "I didn't know you and Jake were related. Interesting relationship you have there."

"Are you developing a sense of humor, Katherine Kale?" Ruby cocked her head at Kate before flipping her hair. "Fine, have it your way, you and Mr. Booth are just friends... we'll see about that." Ruby wandered the house looking it over. "This is so exiting. I'll never have a place like this, so I'll just have to borrow yours on occasion, when I get the urge to be homey." Ruby touched her lip before chuckling. "Like that will ever happen."

She continued to wander before calling out from the back room. "Mr. Eastman offered me my own mansion, with servants. And my own concert hall. And as much traveling as I want. Plus he says I wouldn't have to do anything I don't want to, like all that fake society crap." Ruby sighed. "That all sounds pretty tempting, I admit."

Kate replies, "I've always had a sense of humor, Ruby. I just hadn't been feeling much like letting it out. It is tempting Ruby. To have the home, to travel, everything you could want without having to deal with society rules. What did Jake say?"

"I didn't tell him. Actually I lied and told him he had nothing to worry about." Ruby started to get uncomfortable. "I never dreamed I could or would have any of that. Then again, I never dreamed there would be Jake either. But now it's a problem. Mr. Eastman seems to have an extraordinary amount of money and if this would have been 3 months ago I might be considering his offer." She looked up at Kate, "Ok, so I am considering his offer anyway. Not really because of him but because of Jake."

"Jake said he wasn't sure if he loved me and he didn't know how long we could make things last." Ruby kicked at the floor. "So I went to dinner and didn't tell Mr. Eastman what I should have told him." Ruby paused to adjust her dress. "But then I came back to the Lucky Lady and Jake was there and he said without me he would suffocate. Is that true or just Jake trying to get what he wants? I so wish it was true and I could just believe him. I know he loves me, he has to! But then I thought what if he really doesn't and I'm just fooling myself? I was so confused!"

"But then I decided, I have to follow my heart, right? And that belongs to Jake, so that's where I have to stay. And now I have to make Jake realize it too. And tell poor Mr. Eastman I can't marry him, that I love someone else." Ginnie interjects, “You are better off telling yourself the truth first. Label each man with the side of the coin when you go to flip the coin. You'll have one side that you want it to land on while it's in the air the way you want it to turn out is the answer to your problem. You can make a decision knowing you'll know where your heart lays is it Jake or the money.”

Ginnie says, “Ma'am Kate while we're here I'd like to check Mr. Flint's jacket and pants for rips I brought some wool scraps so at least I can reinforce the elbows if nothing else.” They locate Flint who is happy for the company of the women. He owns two pairs of clothing so changes into the less tattered set and gives the others to Ginnie to repair. The clothing is dire need of both repairing and cleaning.

Kate greeted Flint with a smile. "We'll have a cup of coffee together before we leave, it must get lonely out here.” He replies, "Not so much lately, I've had me a regular visitor these days." "Who is that?" Ruby asked suspiciously. He replies, "An Apache woman. She'd noticed how inept I was at doing things and took pity on me. Showed me how to do some simple things to control the animals and also how to better tend the land. She's been visiting me for a few weeks now. Comes over most nights at around sunset and stays until around midnight. We couldn't speak each other's languages at first but have now managed to teach each other a few hundred words of each."

Ruby interjects, “"Flint, I'm impressed, taking help from the Apache. What's her name?" He replies, "Her formal name is Naki-Yai but she calls herself Etenia, not sure what the name means yet. And don't go getting any wrong ideas, there ain't nothing romantic going on here. Just a helpful woman keeping me from letting this ranch go to ruin due to my own ignorance about such things."

Kate comments, "Etenia, hmm? Well, I'm sure I'll meet her when Ginnie and I begin spending some nights here in the house. You said she noticed your troubles? I wonder if the Apache are keeping an eye on us?" ," Kate said seriously with only a hint of a smile. "I haven't been out here enough, I'm sorry. Although I have to say, I don't really know how to make the ranch run either. Thank goodness Sonoma has a head for that.

Kate says, “Ruby and I are just going to take care of the horses a bit and we'll be back." They started walking toward the corral. As Ruby walked with Kate she pulled at her hair. "Even the kid knows more about love than I do, what the hell do I know?" Ruby shakes her head. Kate answers, "You finally admitted it to yourself, that's a good start. I think that Jake is more cautious, more wary than you are. Once you decide to do something, you throw yourself into it. Jake is always thinking, always looking for the pitfalls and the dangers. I don't doubt his feelings for you, and you shouldn't doubt them either. It's just going to take him longer to let himself relax. And yes, you have to follow your heart. I can't say I understand how a man you haven't seen for four years is so certain he's in love with you, but some men are like that."

Ruby answers, "No, Mr. Eastman can't possibly love me. He doesn't know me. Sometimes I think even if Jake really knew me he might not be as. well.. forget it. But Mr. Eastman is no different than all the other men who call love what is really just attraction or excitement or lust or whatever you want to call it. That's nothing new. But for once I want it to be different. And different is either Jake or Mr. Eastman's money. I'd prefer Jake."

"Jake may not be perfect but he has many endearing qualities about him. He knows just what to say to me at the right moments, he knows what I need, at least most of the time. And have I ever told you how good he is in bed? He knows how to make me melt, he knows exactly the right spots and..." Ruby caught Kate blushing. "Ok, I'll stop," Ruby laughed. "But what about Conrad Booth? You say you're only friends but you certainly have been spending a lot of time with him lately..." Kate immediately answers, "We would never be so bold as to assume any romantic attachments.” Ruby gives he a very skeptical look. Kate answers, "Friends spend time together, Ruby. He's been kind to me these last few months, but all we have been is friends. We went for a drive last Friday. He saw me at the El Parador with my hangover and got Dorita to bring me something to clear it up. Ginnie had gone to the ranch and I didn't want to be by myself, so when he suggested a drive I said yes.

I showed him the ranch, then we took a drive and had something to eat by a stream in a little grove of trees. And we talked. We talked about my past, about Tom, my family. He didn't know any of it, he's never pushed. He told me I transform people, that he had experienced it firsthand. I wish I had asked him how." Kate paused, uncertain. "He does care for me," she added, not meeting Ruby's eyes. "But he knows I'm not ready, and he respects that. We will be just friends until I'm ready to decide if there could be more."

"Well, I'm sure your friend Mr. Booth will enjoy your new red dress then, as a friend of course." Ruby smiled and shrugged her shoulders before starting the walk back to the cave. "Ruby?" Kate hurried to catch up with her friend and hugged her tightly for a few moments. "Life used to be a lot simpler for both us of, didn't it?" Ruby hugged Kate back. "Yes it really did."

They finished up the ranch work before long, and Kate spent a half hour riding with Ginnie, trying to get her used to the feel of a horse beneath her. Ginnie pulls Kate and Ruby aside during the riding lesson “Um... is there any way we or you could... you know do something um... "quickly" to get this pair of pants and shirt cleaner. I've patched it best I could but I think it might be able to stand by itself, and I'm not sure if there are visitors living in it but there might be.” Kate laughed. "Yes, we can take care of that." She let Meribel's body shield her from view and cast a couple quick prestidigitation spells and a mend spell, cleaning the clothes and strengthening a couple of the spots where Ginnie's fabric hadn't quite been able to cover the holes. I don't know how long he'll keep them like that, but it's better for now."

They spent some time talking with Flint before they prepared to ride back to Promise City and their evening appointment with Mr. Gonzales. Once they arrive back at the El Parador Ruby puts her horse away and speaks with Kate. "Kate, what time is dinner tonight? Mr. Gonzales said wear something special, it's too bad your red dress won't be ready. What are you going to wear. Any idea where we're going?"

Kate says, "No, I have no idea. I heard nothing about this before this morning. I'm guessing we might be going to see Maggie, but I can't be sure. He could be planning on taking us to Boston for all I know. I have some nice gowns from Boston that I haven't had the opportunity to wear here. I'll pull one of those out. Hopefully I won't be overdressed. As for what time, I'd guess around seven maybe? Would you like me to help you get ready?"

Ruby replies, "Oh yes, that would be fun! Maybe I'll even wear some jewelry...hum.... Not sure what to wear though. You do such a nice job with my hair. This is exciting, I like surprises, don't you? I am going to go back to the Lucky Lady. What time will you come by to help me get ready?" "Oh, about five-thirty, alright? We'll need to get back to the El Parador with time for me to dress." Sounds perfect. Meet you there!"

Chapter 38, “Going to Galeyville”, Tuesday, March 14th, 1882:

Chester learns that there haven't been any problems either with the mine or the trip back to town. MacNaulty tells him that a load of silver is ready to go back, so Chester says he can escort it back to town. The men load the wagon with the ore. Barletta and Lawson drive the wagon to town with Chester on his horse, watchful for bandits.

Back in town, Ginnie knocks on Mr. Gonzalas's door but it's locked so she heads to Mrs. Kelly's dress shop to begin working on some of the crazy quilting that she had told Mrs. Kelly about. At the Lucky Lady, Chopido repeated his story to his cousin, "Yes, two weeks ago, up in the town of Gillett, near where our tribe's homelands are. The town’s blacksmith was caught with the money from a stagecoach robbery. Three men had robbed the stage, and he named us two as his accomplices. We had never seen him before; we were just travelling through.

When the Sheriff tried to arrest us Caine fought back, leaving the lawman lying unconscious on the ground. We've been running since then. I was going to go the reservation near San Carlos but learned that a posse had been sent there looking for us. So we came here instead, I remembered this was where you said you were coming to look for the killers of our family. I also didn't know where else to go and Caine also had a cousin here who he wanted to meet.

Nanuet had spent time with his cousin getting any other news he had. "Well that is an interesting story about the Blacksmith. Bad timing, bad luck, wrong place right time, whatever you want to call it. I can help you hide hear for a little while, but you know you can't stay here too long. I have a friend who may be able to help with your appearance. Any other ideas?” They do not. Caine says that they can talk further after he has had a chance to speak to his human cousin.

Nanuet next sees the pair mid-afternoon on Tuesday March 14th. Caine says that he had a chance to speak to Job and that he has another cousin who he was unaware of, namely Alison Caine. Five years earlier Kwai Chang Caine had met her full-brother Danny, who did not mention Alison at the time. Caine is very anxious to find her and asks Nanuet "Job said that you and your friend Kate were the last ones to see her. Do you know where she might have gone to?"

Nanuet thinks hard on the name. "Alison Caine you say? The name does ring a bell. Ahhh yes.." Nanuet tells them about Alison and Black Isaac O'Dell. About how they helped him settle his revenge and then shortly after that took off together. "She came back for a little while but I haven't heard from her in months. Maybe she headed back towards Galeyville. Might still be running with that O'Dell fella."

Kwai Chang Caine and Chopido indicate that they may head off to this Galeyville in search of her. They say they will stop by the Lucky Lady early this evening to see if Cousin Job or any of the others there want to join them. Nanuet exclaims, You can count me in. Maybe I can find another body or two. Heard Galeyville is pretty rough. Best if we leave the women home for this one."

Nanuet heads around trying to find Chester. He finds out that he went out to the mines so he leaves messages at the El Parador and Lucky Lady that he would like to meet up with him later that day at the latter. He also figures this might be a good chance to see where the new guy’s loyalties lie. "We'll see what that Luc guy is made up of after all."

Nanuet has nothing to do except wait for Chester to come back to town and for Luc to show up for work. If he sees Job around town he will mention to him that he, Kwai Chang Caine and Chopido will be heading to Galeyville to look for Allison if he is interested in coming.

Two blocks away, Ruby gives her a smile then heads off to Condon's bank. She walks in with purpose and up to the counter. "I'd like to close my account please." While he is waiting Nanuet also decides that taking his money out of the bank is a good idea. He heads there and see Ruby at the counter. "Good afternoon Miss Ruby. I see you had the same idea that I did? I want to talk to you for a moment when you get the chance." After they finish their business at the bank the two head back to the Lucky Lady.

"Miss Ruby, I was wondering who else that we know has accounts at the Condon's bank? Do your partners at the Lucky Lady have accounts there and where does the business do it's banking? I think we can convince quite a few people to close their accounts and move them to the other bank. Do you want to do that or just let things go?" Ruby laughs. "I've already thought of that. I'm not sure what bank we use but I will find out."

Nanuet says, "Also, this new guy Luc. I am not so sure about him. I know he skipped out on work the other night, and you saw what happened his first night between him and me. Well, I want to give him another chance. I am heading to Galeyville soon with my cousin. If you will give Luc some time off then I was figuring on taking him with us. He looks like he knows how to use a gun and from what I hear Galeyville is a rough place. We could use another body on our side and give me a better chance to feel him out."

Ruby starts twirling her hair around her finger and looking up. "I think it should be fine, if you take him that is. I think Jeff can handle the door. I really hired Luc to help with the new construction." Ruby looks at Nanuet. "So sure, take him with you. I trust you and you can let me know what you think of him when you get back. I did tell him it was a try out. But why are you going to Galeyville?"

"Do you remember Alison Caine? She is Kwai Chang Caine's cousin and he wants to meet her. Last I heard of her she was headed to Galeyville. I haven't had any adventure in a while and would like to spend some more time with my cousin so I figured I would go with them. Not sure when we are leaving but I figure soon, maybe first light tomorrow."

Ruby exclaims, "Yes, I remember Alison. It's nice of you to take them to Galeyville looking for her. But Nanuet, I hope you'll be careful, a lot of the Cowboy Gang is rumored to be there.
Ruby sighs. "Everyone is leaving, off on adventures and for once I have to stay behind. I hate staying behind you know," she looks at Nanuet with a small pout. "But I guess it was going to happen eventually. When will you be back? Any idea?"

Nanuet smiles and blushes. "Thank you for being concerned for my safety. I will be careful. Hopefully I won't run into any of the Cowboy Gang there. I am not sure when we will be back. I think the plans will become more defined tonight when I speak with Chopido and Caine again."
Nanuet walks Ruby back to the Lucky Lady and helps get the place set up for the evening’s business while waiting for Chester or Luc to arrive.

Ruby helps with various jobs around the saloon, always dropping what she is doing to socialize with the customers. When Eduardo comes in for dinner she indicates to Niles that his dinner and drinks are on the house. She sits and chats with him for a while, waiting for Katherine to show up.

After Ruby left the stables, Kate and Ginnie got some clean clothes and went over to Gilson's bathhouse. Kate had a long soak and carefully washed her hair before climbing out and dressing in the plain skirt and blouse. She and Ginnie returned to the El Parador and had a light lunch before Kate left Ginnie to her own devices and went to help Ruby dress. Kate walked into the Lucky Lady and approached the table where Ruby chatting with a half-elf. "I'm sorry to interrupt, Ruby. I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long."

"Oh no, Kate, it's fine. This is Eduardo Rodiquez, our new Deputy Marshal. I asked him to come by for dinner. Excuse me please, Mr. Rodiquez, I have a prior engagement tonight. I hope you enjoy your meal!"

Ruby and Kate head upstairs. "I was thinking my red dress, it's one of my nicer ones. What do you think?" Kate smiles and Ruby starts getting dressed. "I picked out some real jewelry to wear tonight. Usually I don't bother with it, but this is what it's for right?" She puts on matching ruby necklace, earrings and bracelet. "Don't even remember who gave it to me," Ruby shrugged. Kate helps put her jewelry on and then works with her hair, which is a considerable task. Ruby stares at herself in the mirror for a few moments before approving how she looks. "Ready!" They head back to the El Parador to get Kate dressed.

Chester, Lawson, and Barletta arrive at the smelters without incident. Chester helps the two miners bring the ore into the building. After that he walks his horse to the stables at the El Parador, and brushes it down. The he enters the Lucky Lady. "Good afternoon, Nanuet. How've you been?” He replies, “OK, I guess. Do you want to come to Galeyville with us? Me, Chopido, and Caine are going there to look for Allison Caine, his cousin. I was waiting for you to come back." Chester says, "Sure. Let me sit for a second. I just came back from the mine."

Nanuet replies, "That's fine, I don't think we are going just yet. I am waiting for Chopido and Caine to come back and then we can make our plans. I have just heard Galeyville could be a rough place so I figured the more the merrier. Ruby says the Cowboy gang might have some numbers there too so we need to be careful. I think I might invite Luc to come with us, see if he can put his money where his mouth is."

Chester says, "Good idea. Seems like you don't like that Luc very much." Nanuet answers, "Well he has a big chip on his shoulder, that is for sure. Drinking on the job, not paying attention to his job and giving me a lot of lip, then he didn't show up the next night at all. But Ruby seems to like him, so I figured I would give him another chance. She is right, we have enough enemies around here already."

Chester comments, "Drinking on the job. That's not good at all. I hope Ruby's right about him. He might give the place a bad name." " Nobody I know I hope," Luc said as he walked up to the two chatting men, "Can't have no bad element's hangin 'round here." Nanuet exclaims, "Hey Luc, your ears must be ringing we were just talking about you. Look, you and I got off on the wrong foot. I want to try again, wipe the slate clean and start over."

Nanuet reaches out his hand and offers it to Luc. "What do you say to a little adventure? My cousin and his friend are in town. They need to visit Galeyville to find somebody. Galeyville can be a rough place from what we have heard and there may be some people there who don't like us. My thinking is that we have strength in numbers. You, me, Chester here and my cousin and Caine at least. I already talked to Ruby and she said you could have the time off. What do you think?"

Luc eyes Nanuet suspiciously as he takes the cigar out of his mouth. Everyone in this town seems to have split personality. One minute they want to kill you and the next they like you. Luc smiles slightly and shakes his head as he extends his hand. " Might as well go along. I could use a little bit of excitement. Seems all you folks like to do 'round here is gab and point fingers. I think it'll be good to get out of here for a while." Luc shakes Nanuet's hand and turns around and walks away. As he is walking he says without turning " Come get me when you're ready to leave. I'll be around"

Two hours later....Chopido and Caine arrive at the El Parador barn and get their horses ready for the twelve-mile ride east to Galeyville. They wait for Nanuet, Luc and Chester to arrive. "Chester, I think it is time for us to head over to the El Parador now and meet my cousin and Caine. Hopefully we will see Luc on the way."

The two head to the El Parador ready for adventure. They find Luc coming out of one of the saloons on their way. The three arrive at the stables and greet Caine and Chopido. "Are we ready? Let's try and make it there while there is still light." As Chester checks his saddle, he says, "Ready as I'll ever be. Do you know where to look first, or are we playing it by ear? And do you expect any trouble? I've got my rifle with me just in case."

Nanuet comments, "Good idea bringing the rifle. Been about two months since I have heard anything about Alison best I can recall so I guess we will be playing it by ear. I never expect trouble, but it seems to find us doesn't it?"

The five men ride out of town to the south and then east. They travel for the first few miles to the west of the Chirichaua Mountains, the road then travels east and through the pass between the mountains. None of them can see any Apache warriors but all five sense that they are being watched. Nanuet comments, "Just keep to the trail and we should be fine. Hopefully they recognize me and just let us pass peacefully."

Chester asks Chopido, "So, how did you know Nanuet was in Promise City?" Chopido replies, "He told some family this was where he was coming. He was on a quest to find the man who killed most of our family."

They continue on through the mountains. They do not see any Apache. With the mountains now to the west they can no longer see the setting sun, but there is still enough light in the sky for them to make out the distant town another mile off. Nanuet comments, “That looks like where we want to be boys." Nanuet picks up the pace a bit but makes sure his rifle is easily accessible should there be any immediate trouble. "Actually, maybe Chester should head up in front, in case they have a problem with elves?" Chester says, "Good point. I'll go on ahead."

Chapter 39, “The City of New Orleans”, Tuesday, March 14th, 1882:

In her room, Kate dug through her trunk for one of the few fancy dresses she'd brought from Boston. She pulled out an emerald green gown with beading along the cap sleeves and bodice. The neckline itself was low, with black lace bringing it up higher. Ruby helped her into the gown, and Kate was pleased that Ruby had to actually pull her corset a bit. She had been too thin before, the corset had hung on her like a stiff shirt. After the dress was on and settled correctly, Kate swept her hair up and pinned it elaborately behind her head in loose, twisted curls.

"I don't have any jewelry like yours," Kate said, admiring Ruby's necklace, "But I have a few things." She pulled out a gold, diamond shaped brooch set with a single green stone, long black gloves, and three slim gold bangles. Kate turned her head this way and that. "That'll have to do. Let's go overwhelm Mr. Gonzales with our splendor." Ruby and Kate arrived at Mr. Gonzales door and instead of walking right in they knock.

He doesn't answer and they get tired of waiting and go inside. Kate and Ruby state the incantation to open up the secret Mansion. They see Manuel Gonzales waiting inside, attired in the nice suit that Simon Bolivar had purchased for him. Gonzales says "There you are. We're almost ready to go." "We?" Kate asks. Gonzales says, "Yes, Sonoma will be joining us." He calls into the Mansion's main bedroom "Sonoma, they're here. Are you changed yet?"

Sonoma sweeps out of the other room. The upper section of her hair pulled up in a bun and sewn with freshwater pearls. A tall silver comb anchors a delicate black veil that cascades down her back dotted here and there with more fresh water pearls that have a violet hue to them. The deep violet the silk gown fits tightly around her upper body ending in yards and yards of a very full silk skirt. More fresh water pearls close the selves as buttons and the bottom of the gown is encircled with black lace that matches the veil. "I'm ready whenever you are" she says smiling "It's nice not to be covered with mud for a change.”

Ruby exclaims, "Oh I'm so excited!" Ruby smiled. "Where are we going?" He replies, "New Orleans". Ruby eyes grow large and she grabs Kate's arm. "I always wanted to go to New Orleans!" Ruby jumps up and down a few times. "You know they accept magic there..." She says to Sonoma and says, "I've never seen you all dressed up! You look beautiful! This is going to be fun... wait..." She turns to Gonzales and asks curiously, "Why are we going to New Orleans?"

"For dinner," he replies. She replies, "All the way there just for dinner?" Ruby furrows her brow but only for a moment, "Oh, who cares. Let's go!" Kate gave her teacher an inquiring look but didn't ask any more questions. They would find out what he was up to when he was ready.
"Sonoma, you're lovely," Kate complemented her. "I'm ready whenever you are."

He leads them into his workroom where a fire is already burning in his brazier. He says, "You all know the routine." He makes the incantation, tosses in the pink powder and thrusts out his hands. The three women are already holding hands and the two free hands grasp his. The room around them disappears........and they find themselves standing inside of a dark mausoleum filled with caskets, a faint amount of light shining through stained glass windows.

Gonzales quickly puts out the fire in the brazier before the entire crypt fills up with smoke. Kate covered her mouth and coughed, shrinking back from the nearest casket. "Well, it's private enough, I suppose." Ruby looks around at her new surroundings. "Um.. ewww..." She looks at Manuel. "I know, I know... Can we get out of here please? It's creepy." Sonoma comments, “There is nothing to be worried about. Any dead that would walk would be from elsewhere. We are safe here. Ruby says, "Dead that would walk? You mean like Storm?"

He says, "Well yes, we can depart.” The head outside and find themselves surrounded by more crypts. He comments "One thing about New Orleans is that it is so low, below sea level in fact, that they can't bury their dead. So all cemeteries consist of crypts. That greatly assists us wizards in traveling here, providing multiple private places right inside the city. Plus so many people visit these crypts to pay their respects that nobody thinks anything of seeing a group of people exiting from one."

They pass through some iron gates and find themselves on a busy city street, with gas street lamps illuminating the roadway. Dozens of horse drawn carriages pass going both directions. Elegant mansions line both side of the roadway. Sonoma asks, “So where are we going to dine?”

He says, "We are going to dine at a restaurant known as the Commander's Palace. Emile Commander established the restaurant two years ago and it already has a reputation as being the finest in the city. It is patronized by all of the most distinguished families. It is at the corner of Washington Avenue and Coliseum Street, around a quarter mile from here. We are a bit early so I thought you might enjoy a short walk around this fine city."

"A walk would be lovely," Kate smiled. "How are we early? Are we expected by someone, or is the restaurant not open yet?" He says, "We're dining with somebody but we have a little over an hour until our reservation. Come along, I'll show you this city. I know it well, I even lived here for almost a year, but that was a long time ago." Ruby raised her eyebrow at Kate, then took Mr. Gonzales arm. "When did you live here?" she asks as they start walking.

He states, "Well over a century ago, a short while before you were born Sonoma. I was here from summer 1766 until late spring 1767. The City was a bit of a 'no-man's land' at that point. At the end of Europe's Seven-Year-War in the 1763 Treaty of Paris France ceding the city to Spain. But Spain was too preoccupied with their holdings in Central and South America to be bothered with it. They didn't even send an occupying army until 1769. It was nice to be here then, as it was about the only place in the Americas that the European powers left alone."

Ruby says, "You know, it must be nice to live so long, you get to see so many amazing things, see the times change, travel all over. Have a full exciting life. I'm a bit jealous." She is quiet for a moment as they continue to walk. "So, who are we meeting for dinner?" He replies, "We are dining with a French wizard, the Grand Arch Mage Marc Andre Guillieaut. He is one of the more powerful mages in the entire world, probably not the most powerful, but one of the top dozen or so.”

Ruby exclaims, "Well, that certainly is exciting. But I wonder, Mr. Gonzales, are you on that list?" He replies, "Hardly, my skills may appear great to the three of you, but despite my long life I've actually had very little time to advance my skills. That was mostly due to being impoverished for much of my life, as learning wizard magic generally requires monetary resources. Most of what I know I learned only during the half-century of so that I was active in the Mexican Military.”

Gonzales warns, “He's also a bit of a ladies man, which is part of why I wanted to bring three of you along instead of two. With two he might have misinterpreted one of you as being brought for him as a date. And Ruby, I would advise against excessive flirting with him, he might reciprocate and I haven't trained you yet on how to shield your mind against mind control spells." Ruby answers, "But what if he tries it anyway? I mean even if I don't act like my normal self, men can be... well... men. Should I be nervous?"

He says, "Well, that is part of why I insisted that we meet in the fanciest restaurant in town. He wants to remain a citizen here, so I doubt he would cause a scene. He's also got other things on his mind right now, so unless you make him focus on you he probably won't." Sonoma comments, I wouldn't worry too much there are unwritten rules on poaching apprentices I'd just avoid umm... advertising availability.”

She says, "Alright, I understand. I'll try to behave myself. Besides, I'm not available." Gonzales laughs and says, "I should say so, you have your hands full at the moment with both your boyfriend and your fiancée, there's no need to add a third man to the picture." "He's not my fiancée!" Ruby says forcefully. "And it's not funny." Pouting she says, "Why don't you just show us around?"

"He's a ladies man, hmm? Are you sure you just brought us along to keep his fancy from fixing on one lady, or were you thinking he might be impressed by your good fortune in apprentices?" Kate teased. "You said this man wants to remain a citizen here? I understood magic was acceptable in New Orleans, are there any restrictions of some kind? Or just against mind control?"

"Kate, how can you even ask that?" Ruby looked at her friend questioningly. "Would you think that someone controlling your mind would be looked on in a positive way? Just think of what someone could make you do..." Kate says, "Of course they wouldn't be. I only meant to ask if there were other restrictions we needed to be aware of. I don't even want to think of what one could be made to do. I think we should learn those shielding spells."

Gonzales states, "To understand the role of magic here Katherine you first need to know something about this city. This land is at the delta of the Mississippi River, but unlike other great rivers, the land within 200 miles of the river's end was marsh like and low, with no obvious high ground for a port city to be built. You have to travel nearly a hundred miles up river, to Baton Rouge, to find high ground. But the river is too shallow for ships and that location was deemed to far to portage goods to. Add to that the low areas were subject to floods, heavy rains, high humidity, hurricanes and home to large quantities of mosquitoes, snakes and alligators.

The obvious answer was to change the geology and geography of the area, and that was done through a combination of wizard magics and druidic magics. Of course, now that it is part of the United States you will never find mention of that in any school text. They credit all of the changes to marvels of engineering and natural levees that have essentially created a large bowl-shape protective boundary surrounding the city. But the truth was that without magic this city would not be here.

So magic is no longer allowed, but the locals who have been here for multiple generations all know the truth, and most of them practice magic while behind closed doors. Mages in the city don't flaunt their skills. To do so could bring them trouble from the tens of thousands of recent Irish and German immigrants to the city who worship the Roman and Norse gods, but it's safe to say that nobody in this city will be hanged for being a witch."

"I wonder how much of what I learned as a child is wrong. It's a shame, even here people have to hide. I wonder how much longer before it's the same in New Orleans as it is in the rest of the country," Kate said sadly.

Gonzales says, "Probably never, the Aristocracy in the city would never allow that. Today New Orleans is the tenth largest city in the United States, with a population of over 225,000. One fifth of those are native born humans , one-fifth half-elven Creole, one-fifth of ogrish blood and the remaining two-fifths recent immigrants mostly from Germany and Ireland. The Aristocracy of this city are the Creole, do you know much about them?"

Kate replies, "I've heard the term, but I really don't know much about this part of the country. And what I do know I'm not sure I trust. When you say Aristocracy, you mean society, don't you? We don't have Aristocracy in the United States." As they continued their walk towards the restaurant he replies, "Ah, but this is New Orleans, a town of both Spanish and French background. That is but one of many European aspects that has been carried forward.

To understand the Creole you need to again first understand the history of this city. The Frenchman La Salle first scouted out this land exactly 200 years ago this very year. For the three dozen years thereafter the French used the river, but encountered all of the difficulties of not having a port city at the end of it that I had described.

In 1718 Frenchmen Jean Baptiste La Moyne and Sieur de Bienville chose this site for the future city of the "Isle d'Orleans." A French engineer named Adrien de Pauger designed the gridiron pattern of streets and alleyways and laid out what was to be. The mages and druids then came in to reshape the land to make this place possible.

But once that was accomplished there was still a need to populate this place, and the French had a difficult if not near impossible task in trying to convince people to come here. Those who came were the most desperate, the poor, pardoned prisoners, those without hope. The dregs of France but with them they brought new hope.

In other parts of America the high elves were displaced by the Europeans, not here, as manpower was needed to establish the city regardless of race. So the Choctaws, Chetimaches and Houmas tribes remained and worked alongside the French. They were then joined by wood elves from Texas, Mexico and Latin America that were fleeing from the Spanish. Escaped ogre slaves from the Caribbean also came and were welcomed. With the equality between the races intermarriage soon began and a new race was born calling themselves the Creole. And since this race built the city they became its rulers and leaders.

When the Spanish attempted to move in they found that the Creole would not be ruled, so they compromised and mingled in, soon intermarrying as well. So now we have this half-elvan race comprised of the blood of French humans, Spanish humans, high elves, wood elves with just enough ogrish blood mixed in to add an inner strength and determination. And all five of those races used wizard magics! They not only rule here, but the Creole have gone on to establish themselves as leaders of other Caribbean and Latin American nations. Our mutual friend Simon Bolivar was born to Creole parents. "

Chapter 40, “Commander’s Palace”, Tuesday, March 14th, 1882:

Kate comments, "Very different from what I was taught. I didn't think I needed further education as far as history went, but it seems many things have been rewritten. History should not be mutable. A fascinating city, though. I wish I could spend more than one night." He replies, "You may get your wish, but it's too soon to say at this point. If we need to stay over I'm sure that Guillieaut will be able to provide us lodgings and a change of clothes for tomorrow."

Ruby says, "So, let's go meet this guy, Guil-li-eaut is it? And why are we meeting with him anyway?" Gonzales says, "He contacted me yesterday and asked for this meeting. He was rather cryptic but said enough to indicate that this could be a serious matter. He has a lot of power, but he is alone. He has never left France before. He doesn't know this county and doesn't really know anyone in it and he needs some help.

He was using a magical spell to contact me and all I could hear was his voice. That was yesterday, which is why I had left the note on my door not to be disturbed. I believe that you really need to be able to look into a person's eyes to be able to gauge their true feelings and intentions. Despite all of his power, one spell that he never mastered was the transportation spell so he couldn't come to me. So I agreed to come to him.

He then finishes by saying, “And it gives me a chance to show this wonderful city to the three of you." Ruby gives Mr. Gonzales a kiss on the cheek. "Well, thank you for taking me, well, us, on this grand adventure. And just let me know what I can do to help you." Ruby continues to hold on to Mr. Gonzales as they walk, as she looks around the city in awe.

Katherine smiled her thanks at her teacher while her mind busily worked. A powerful mage needing help. One Mr. Gonzales might be willing to help despite the fact the he suspected him of using mind-controlling spells. It would have to be a very serious matter to make Kate consider helping such a man.

As they walk he explains how New Orleans is sometimes called the "Crescent City" because it of the design shape to go around the bend of the Mississippi River as it flows by the city. This unusual shape means despite the attempt at a grid pattern there is no traditional "north, south, east, or west" mode of getting around, with curvatures of several major streets, so that two streets that may begin at one end of the city as parallel could actually end up perpendicular at the other end.

They are surprised to see the spires of a large Roman/Greek Church Cathedral from the direction of the historic French Quarter. He says, "Yes, one of the city's many contradictions. While wizard magic was promoted many of the early French founders were also believers in clerical magic who where persecuted in their home county so fled to here. It is not unlike your friend Minerva, who will have far more freedom to practice her religion here than she would have in her native Spain. The Cathedral that you see was originally built in 1724 and rebuilt twice after a hurricane and a fire. The present church is in Jackson Square and was dedicated in 1794."

They continue onward. Gonzales senses nervousness from the ladies and tells them "Relax my little birds, I was forewarning you about this mage simply as a point of caution. He is not an evil man, just a self-centered one. But he is seeking me out regarding a higher purpose than himself, so I do not believe that any of us have reason to fear him. I would not have brought any of you had I thought this trip fraught with danger. And if worst comes to worst we can always just leave, he won't be able to follow since he doesn't know the spell."

Gonzales leads his three "little birds" into the New Orleans Garden District, which runs from Magazine Street to St. Charles Avenue and from Jackson Avenue to Louisiana Avenue. The area is filled with mansions and foliage that give the district its name. "Are you ready?" he asks. "I'm always ready," Ruby smiles while fussing with her hair.

Kate was quiet as they walked through the Garden District. It had a sort of otherworldly quality, with the Spanish Moss hanging down from the trees and the thick, moist air. "Yes, I'm ready," Kate answered when Mr. Gonzales asked. "Can you believe I'm actually hungry?" "Good, that's a welcomed change. We're here!" They are outside of a large two-story wooden building painted teal green with white trim and a three-story clock tower in the corner. http://www.commanderspalace.com/new_orleans/index.php

They enter the building, which has multiple private dining rooms off from the main room. The host approaches the group and says something in French that Ruby and Sonoma don't understand. Gonzales explains who he is looking to see. The man responds. Manuel tells the ladies "He is here."

They cross the room and are shown a table where a man in a white silk suit is seated. He has a thin white-and-gray van dyke beard and a full head of gray hair. He has a gold vest with a matching gold necktie on his white shirt. Gold cufflinks and a gold necklace accessorize his clothing. Four gold rings with fancy gems are on his fingers, two per hand. Ruby stays behind Mr. Gonzales and waits for him to speak. Katherine blinked. She hadn't thought anyone could wear so much gold at once. Yes, this one had a high opinion of himself. Kate straightened her shoulders and put on her society manners.

The Frenchman stands and bows towards the ladies. He says in English, with heavy French accent, "Hello, such lovely women Mister Gonzales. Ladies, I am Marc Andre Guillieaut. You may address me as Marc." Ruby steps forward and offers her hand. "Pleasure to meet you Mr. Guillieaut, my name is Ruby."

Gonzales says, "Yes, these three women are my current apprentices. They had never visited this fine city so I thought they would enjoy the trip. I also value their counsel and opinions, so they may be of help in resolving your current predicament." Guillieaut says, "Yes, but discussion of business can wait until after the meal. This is the finest restaurant in the city."

Kate bowed her head slightly in greeting. "Bonsoir, monsieur. Je suis Mme Katherine Kale, il est un plaisir de vous rencontrer. J'espère que nous pourrons vous aider." <<translation: Good evening, Sir. I'm Mrs. Katherine Kale, it's a pleasure to meet you. I hope we'll be able to assist you.>> Vous parle le Francais!" he states. Gonzales says, "Oui, but I am afraid that my other two apprentices do not. Best that we stick with English.

A waiter is summoned and Guillieaut orders for the entire table. Kate tells the mage, "My mother is French. She and my father were married in Europe, then he brought her back here." The first course is served in short order, consisting of a salad made with artichoke leaves, prosciutto, oven-dried tomatoes, several cheese, olives with roasted eggplant vinaigrette dressing. For Kate it felt strange to be sitting in a fine restaurant, eating this kind of food again. The meal at her parents had been more than she was used to anymore as well, but it was home. Kate ate the salad and kept her eyes and ears open.

Guillieaut monopolizes the conversation, talking mostly of his native France, the beauties of Paris, and the wonderful wines that his family vineyards produce. That reminds him to call over the Wine Steward, and he notes that two of his family's wines are on the menu. He orders two bottles of each to be brought to the table. The next course is served, consisting of blue crab with cornbread stuffing, caramelized pork belly, wilted cabbage, quince jam and bourbon-sugarcane glaze. Kate sipped the wine out of politeness, but kept her actual consumption light. She was still careful of how much she drank, despite feeling better. Alcohol had a way of making your brain fuzzy, and she had the feeling she would need her head clear.

The next course is served, consisting of a five bean cassoulet croquette, mizuna greens, sunny side up quail egg and duck sauce. "Oh, I can't wait to see what dessert is!" Ruby exclaims as another extravagant course is brought out. "And this wine is very good. I would miss eating like this every day too."

Ruby readily drinks some wine. "I've always wanted to see Paris. My grandmother traveled around the world and she would send me letters from all over. I'm sure it's as beautiful as you describe." "And you are right about this meal, it is delicious." Ruby pushes her hair off her face. "When did you come here to New Orleans?" He replies, "A mere four weeks ago. I had never set foot outside of France until two months ago, and I miss my homeland."

Kate comments, "It's a difficult thing, leaving a home you love." He responds, "A home I love? I despise it. For the last decade it has been a cesspool, a place of vile filth ruled over my selfish and corrupt politicians. When I was made a very lucrative offer to participate in a work of greatness I jumped a the chance and took it." Kate says, "In that case it is the France of the past you miss, not the France you left. What endeavor pulled you away?"

Ruby comments, "Yes, a work of greatness? I suppose that has to wait until after dinner for an explanation?" He replies, "Yes that. I resigned from participating in that task on the first day. It was not properly researched and I had been misinformed about my role. The proposed project was a fifty-mile long canal between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, to be constructed in the Latin America.

They sought my participation to utilize my more powerful spells to cut down on the construction time. But the place was not one where magic could be fully utilized. The magical ley lines of the earth that we tap into not only were not there, but it was one of the rare places on the planet where a magical dead zone existed. I attempted a few spells, and what was produced was but one-hundredth of what it should have been. It was also a hot, miserable, bug infested place that was not suitable for man nor beast. So I came here instead.

The dessert cart is brought out. Choices are a Chocolate Molten, which consisted of a white chocolate cafe au lait and chocolate covered espresso beans, a boysenberry tart with a French vanilla whipped cream topping, or a spiced apple cobbler with cheddar cheese topping. "Chocolate for me please," Ruby says with a big smile. Kate waved away the desserts. She had already eaten more than enough to fill her, and their companion didn't do much for her appetite. Thankfully Ruby was up to the task of keeping the man talking. At least the talk about ley lines was interesting, she would have to remember to ask Mr. Gonzales about where more of these "dead zones" might be.

Ruby comments, "Now, that sounds like an impossible mission you just described. A canal between the oceans that is. I hope you have found a more attainable pursuit to spend your waking hours." He replies, "Unfortunately I have. Manuel, would you care to do the honors?"

He hands Kate a small bag of powder and says, "She has been getting good at this one." He gestures to the lit candle in the center of the table. "Do you hide in corners and watch me?" Kate teased as she sprinkled the powder on the flame. "But thank you for the compliment." The spell didn't have any visual effect, but Kate always felt a strange shimmering at the back of her mind as the spell's effect moved out. She shivered a bit. "We're all set."

The French wizard reaches inside of his coat and takes out a newspaper. He hands it to Gonzales who glances at the cover and tells his apprentices "This is a copy of yesterday's Times Picayune, New Orleans main newspaper." Guilleaut says, "The story is on page six."

Manuel turns to the page and reads:

Mystery at Sea The British merchant ship, the S.S. Jesmond, made an unscheduled stop in its journey on its way to our city. It had departed from Messina, Sicily with a cargo of dried fruits on February 26th.

When the ship reached an area 200 miles west of Madeira and 200 miles south of the Azores they noted that the ocean had become unusually muddy and that the vessel was passing through enormous shoals of dead fish. The ship's Captain David Robson then saw smoke on the horizon, which he presumed came from another ship.

The next day the fish shoals were even thicker and the smoke on the horizon seemed to be coming from the mountains on an island directly to the west, where, according to the charts, there was no land for thousands of miles. Captain Robson anchored offshore, worried that this uncharted island was surrounded by reefs. Even though the charts indicated an area depth of several thousand fathoms, the anchor hit bottom at only seven fathoms.

Robson went ashore with a landing party and found a large island with no vegetation, no trees, no sandy beaches, bare of all life. The shore they landed on was covered with volcanic debris. With no trees they could easily see a plateau beginning several miles away and smoking mountains beyond that.

They headed toward the interior in direction of the mountains but found that progress was interrupted by a series of deep chasms. To get to the interior would have taken days. They returned to their landing point and examined a broken cliff, part of which seemed to have been split into a mass of loose gravel as if it had recently been subjected to great force.

The sailors then found an arrowhead in the broken rock, and Captain Robson send for picks and shovels form the ship so that the crew could dig into the gravel. He and his crew soon uncovered crumbling remains of massive walls. They continued to dig near the walls for better part of two days, finding bronze swords, rings, mallets, carvings of head figures of birds and animals, and two vases or jars with fragments of bone, and one cranium.

Then they found what appeared to be a mummy enclosed in a stone case, encrusted with volcanic deposit so as to be scarcely distinguished form the rock itself. The rock sarcophagus aboard the Jesmond as dark clouds began to roll in off of the horizon, and Robson resumed his course. This reporter has examined the artifacts and they appear to be authentic. Robson's plans to donate the artifacts to the British Museum upon his return to England.

"Well, that story is quite exciting, a true adventure if I ever heard one. Where did the Island come from?" Ruby furrowed her brow. "But what does this have to do with you?" In answer to Ruby's question Gonzales turns to Kate and asks "Do you remember what I told you about the origin of all magical writings?" "If I remember correctly, the language used to write magic is Atlantean. Are you suggesting this island is Atlantis?"

Guillieaut replies, "Not just suggesting it, this is the island is Atlantis, or at least a part of the lost continent. French, Spanish and Portuguese scholars have been researching the location of Atlantis for several millennium and this location is consistent with what most have concluded. He pauses and says, "And therein lies the problem. These artifacts cannot fall into the wrong hands, the result could be disastrous to all who utilize magic."

Kate says, "The Jesmond is a British ship, and they are giving what they've found to the British museum. So these things would fall into a country aligned with Clerical magic. Could they use these artifacts to damage the ley lines somehow?"

The French Wizard replies, "That is just one possibility. The greatest risk is the sarcophagus. Only an Atlantian Emperor would have been buried in such fashion, and they were the mightiest of wizards. But while they were all knowing in terms of wizard magics their knowledge of clerical magics was negligible, as they did not believe in gods. If a grand high priest were to use clerical magics successfully bring this Atlantian back from the dead then his knowledge could be used or misused in any number of ways. It could be disaster for us all who practice magic."

"Back from the dead?" Ruby tapped her lip in thought for a moment. "How is it, sir, that you and Mr. Gonzales are involved in this? I mean, have you just taken it upon yourselves to remedy this situation? Seems like a very large endeavor for just two men to fix... And there is the question of why the island has surfaced... and why now... and who else realizes it is the island of Atlantis, if that truly is what this is... and who would try to bring back this man from the dead..."

Guillieaut says "Ah, so you've grasped several aspects of this problem. You are indeed a wise young woman.” Ruby blushes and bats her eyelashes. "Thank you for the compliment, coming from a man such as yourself it is a high compliment indeed." He continues, “To answer your questions in order, I knew nothing about this until I read yesterday's newspaper story. It was not safe for me to contact any of my associates in France and the only wizard I knew of in North America was Mr. Gonzales so I contacted him.

As to how we will remedy this situation that is what we are meeting now to discuss. Why the island surfaced, well, it sounds like a new volcano was the cause. That will probably lead to a war, as each sea power will claim the island as theirs. As to who will realize that this is Atlantis, I imagine that hundreds in the city read the article and have reached the same conclusion. A contingent of New Orleans police now surrounds the British ship to keep the curious away. And while bringing back the dead is both rare and dangerous I suspect that the leaders of many nations would deem this important enough to attempt."

Ruby says, "I suppose time is of the essence in regard to this. What do you propose?" Ruby looks to Katherine to try to gauge what she is thinking about another 'save the world' adventure.

Chapter 41, “Boys Night Out”, Tuesday, March 14th, 1882:

The five men ride towards the town of Galeyville. Continuing their previous conversation about Nanuet’s quest for vengeance, Chester asks Chopido "Did he succeed?" Chopido replies, "I haven't asked him yet. Brought enough of my own problems, didn't want to remind him of his." Nanuet interjects “Who are you asking? You are talking about me right? Yeah, I succeeded, that is how I met most of the others, well Ruby, Kate, Storm, Alison and O'Dell anyway." Chester interjects, "Er, Chopido, but I should have asked you first. Sorry, Nanuet.

They enter the town of Galeyville, which is comprised of around 120 wooden buildings, around half of which appeared to have been abandoned. The main street was lined with over a dozen saloons filled with people, one of which had piano music coming from inside as well as what appeared to be a lot of activity. It had a sign that read “Silver Star Saloon” above the doorway. "Well, that looks like as good a place as any to get started, unless you want to get room first?" Nanuet says, pointing to the Silver Star Saloon.

Chester says, "This looks like a busy place. Let’s hope elves are welcome." The five enter the saloon. There are thirty patrons inside, twelve at the bar and the other eighteen at five different tables. Two tables are empty. A class mirror behind the bar is cracked and broken in four places. There are at least 200 bullet holes in the walls and ceiling. Most of the furniture shows evidence of having been damaged at some point.

All but two of the patrons are human, another is an ogre and the last is a dwarf. Most are dressed as prospectors or laborers. There are two people standing behind the bar, one serving drinks and the other holding a shotgun. Luc looked around the saloon. This is one of the worst hell hole places he's been in a long time. " Looks like these boys have a bit of trouble once in a while." Luc says, the sarcasm hits the floor like tobacco spit as he lights a cigar.

Nanuet comments, "Yeah, I am sure they have. Lets be careful, don't need any unnecessary trouble tonight." Nanuet scans the room carefully as his eyes adjust to the low light trying to see if he recognizes anyone other than his companions. Nanuet says, "Chester maybe you should do the talking. I mean I have no problem doing it but I am not sure I they take well to my kind." He replies, "Not a problem. Have anything against me just asking if anyone's seen Allison? What's she look like?" Nanuet gives him a full description of Allison, the best that he can remember. He says to also ask about Isaac O'Dell.

Chester walks up to the bar. "Evening, there. I'd like a round of beers for me and my friends."
The bartender says, "That'll be two bits." He serves up five beers. "Thanks. Here you go." Chester puts three-quarters on the bar. "And I'd like to know if you've seen a couple of people around recently." The bartender replies, "I've seen lots of people. You have names for 'em?"

Chester says, "Names are Allison Caine and Isaac O'Dell. I heard they might be in town." The entire saloon becomes immediately silent. A trio of humans at the far end of the room stand up, two raising revolvers towards Chester and the other pumping his Henry rifle. Luc spots the guns and shakes his head. " I should have kept riding," Luc says quietly. His hands drop to his gunbelt where he sticks his thumbs into the belt near his guns.

Chester sighs. He's about had it with people pointing weapons at him. "I take it then, you've heard of them. What in Hades did they do?" "What we're doing to you," one shouts and points his weapon towards Chester and fires. The man beside him says "Goodbye friend of O'Dell," as he fires as well. The first shot doesn't even come close. The second one goes through Chester's hat, missing his head by a fraction of an inch.
"If I die here someone is gonna regret it" Luc thinks to himself as he ducks to take cover, curses and draws his pistols and fires." "Whoever said we were friends of theirs?" Nanuet hollers. Nanuet unsheathes and throws a knife at the man who fired at Chester. Luc's shot strikes the one holding the Henry rifle in the chest and he collapses to the floor. Nanuet's knife misses, landing with a hard thud into the wall. Four men had been cowering behind a table more towards the middle of the room but one of them says, "The stinking Injuns are attacking white men!" He and his companions reach for their revolvers.

Luc turns and aims at the four new men" Ain't got nothin to do with you boys," Luc says," go back to yer drinks or get out. This isn't what we came here for." Nanuet yells out, "Chopido and Caine, we need your help here! They shot at us first!" Nanuet unslings his rifle but does not fire. Chester flips a table over to use as cover. Then he draws his Remington and fires back. "Why are you shooting at us? Stop this before you get killed."

Caine charges up to the table with the four new men and then dives through the air. He vaults over the table and strikes two of the men in the side of the head dropping them. "We warned you!" Nanuet lets out a war cry and then fires at the man who most recently shot at Chester. Nanuet's shot hits the man in the head and kills him. The third man fires at Nanuet and misses. Caine moves his hands in towards his chest and then flings them outward, striking the other two men and knocking them backwards.

The man behind the bar with the shotgun yells "ENOUGH" and fires one barrel up into the ceiling. He then swings the shotgun towards the room and says, "Who wants the second barrel?" At the sound of the shouting shotgun wielder Luc spins his guns on his fingers and holster's them. He stands calmly and waits for the situation to be fully defused. "Nobody does. We didn't come here to cause trouble" Nanuet says as he lowers his rifle. "We just came here looking to find someone’s relative is all. No reason for people to die. Chester, you were saying... ?"

The saloon quiets down. People who had moved behind either the bar or tables retake their seats. The third companion of the two dead men hastily exits. Two of the men that Caine had struck help up their fallen friends and escort them outside. The bartender looks to Chester and Nanuet and says "Can I get you men a drink? You look like you could use one." Nanuet exclaims, "Yeah, I'll take a whiskey actually. Better make it a double." Nanuet slings his rifle back on his shoulder, rights the table that Chester flipped over and walks over to the bar.

Luc walks to the bar and stands with his back to the bartender keeping an eye on the door and the rest of the room. Nanuet comments, "Nice shot there Luc, glad you came along. Sorry to get you into this mess though." Luc takes the cigar out of his mouth and blows the smoke out. " When we get back," Luc says putting the cigar in his mouth again," I want a raise." Nanuet says, "Have to talk to the boss lady about that one." Chester says, "Nice shooting there, Luc." He turns to the bartender. "A whiskey for me too. "Who were those guys?"

After serving up whiskeys to the men the bartender says to Chester, "So I gather you're the one in this group who is related to O'Dell?" Chester says, "Me? No, but he's a Caine." He points to Caine. "Why'd those guys start shooting at us?" While that is going on the bouncer heads across the room, grabs each body by a foot, and unceremoniously drags them both into a door to a backroom. Chester raises an eyebrow at this, but doesn't say anything. I don't think Jake and Ruby would want to do that at the Lucky Lady.

The bartender says "You mentioned O'Dell. Not the best name to drop in here.” The last time he was here Black Isaac O'Dell killed eight people. Their friends remember that." Chester comments, "That's good advice. Thanks. Eight people, huh. How did that happen?" " Maybe he asked about Alison Caine too," Luc says. The sarcasm might as well have hit someone in the face. Chester gives a hard look at Luc. "You know the nicest people," Luc says and takes a drag on his cigar. Nanuet replies, "I wouldn't say I know him. He came in with me and a few others, like Miss West on the stage to Promise City. Last I heard of him he had skinned out and headed here with Al Caine."

Nanuet comments, "And I thought it would just help to jar people's memories about Alison Caine. She is the person we are really looking for. They originally came here together so I figured I would mention him as well.” The bartender replies, "O'Dell had a woman gunslinger with him. Never caught her name though. They moved on some time last month. Couldn't tell you where." Chester asks, "Anyone else who might know more?"

The bartender replies, “You could ask around town, but there could be some consequences like what you saw here already. Most folk don't stick around long though, the town's been dying since last summer when the silver ran out. Hard to believe but less than a year ago over 500 people lived here and we would get two or three stagecoaches a day. Now we're down to under 100 folks and a stage comes through just once a week now."

Chester says to the bartender, "Do you know where we can get some rooms for the night? A place that'll accept Indians?" He replies, "No hotels left here, last one burned down in November. But there's lots of places you could sack out. Take your pick, half the buildings in town are unoccupied." "Well, that was easy. Thanks for the info and, um, sorry about the mess." He tosses another quarter on the bar. The bartender says "No need to apologize, we make more money these days selling off the possessions of dead customers than we do on drinks."

Nanuet turns to Caine. "Well I guess it is up to you if you want to stick around and try and find out where she went to. What do you think?" Kwai Chang Caine says, "Sounds like another dead end. Thank you all for at least helping me check." Chester lights a cigarette. "You're welcome. What're going to do now?"

The five head outside and over to where they tied up their horses. A revolver gunshot then rings out. They see a man stagger out from an alleyway ten feet away. He is the companion of the two men that were killed inside. He collapses, a large bullet hole in his back. In his hands is a sawed off shotgun that hasn't been fired yet.

Another man steps out from the same alleyway, his gun still smoking and pointing towards the ground. He looks at Nanuet and says "We're even now." Nanuet recognizes him as the former Cowboy Gang member who he and Jake Cook had questioned and released from the bandit's hideout nine weeks earlier.

Chester reaches for his gun, but realizes the man probably saved their skins. "Nanuet, do you know this guy?" He replies, "Yeah, I know him. He was one of the guys that Jake and I found that night we went looking for the people who were shooting at us on the way to the silver mine. I healed him, gave him a second chance. Now it looks like it paid off." Chester tips his hat to the man, "Thanks pal."

Nanuet then says to the former Cowboy gang member: "Thanks. We're here looking for Alison Caine, any idea where she might have headed off to?” He replies, "No, but I know who you mean. Only around five or six women left in the town these days so she stuck out, even though she dressed and acted more like a guy. She had that O'Dell fella cleared out three, maybe four weeks ago. Rode east I believe, which would be New Mexico."

Nanuet asks, “Also, is there a safe place 'round here where we can rest for the night?" He answers, "Yeah, I have a place down the street. Lots of beds there, it used to be a bunkhouse for one of the mines. I've got three roommates but they won't mind the company as long as you're all willing to take a shift on guard duty."

Nanuet replies, "Well I don't imagine that it would be the best idea to travel back to Promise City tonight. I can handle guard duty, don't need much downtime anyway." Nanuet turns to the other four with him. "Well, what do you think? Spend the night at the place he mentioned and then head back to Promise City with first light?" Chester replies, "Yeah, let's stay here for the night. I can't see in the dark. You sure you want to handle guard duty by yourself? I can pull guard duty, too."

Nanuet answers, "Oh, I wasn't volunteering to do the whole night myself, just saying I was willing to do my share." The men head to the former bunkhouse that the outlaw directed them to. They introduce themselves and offer to take their turns at watch. Nanuet makes sure to get the layout of the place and note all the potential exits.

The four men at the bunkhouse are a little apprehensive at first, sharing their quarters with strangers. As such, guard duty is shared with one of each group. In what little conversation occurs during the night they discover that Galeyville is a dying community and that robberies and killings are commonplace. The law has all but abandoned the town, and the only time any of the County's Deputy Sheriffs ever come here is to arrest a specific individual for crimes committed elsewhere, not wanting to even hear of the goings on in Galeyville.

The group are more than willing to move on at first light. Chopido and Caine announce that they are continuing east into New Mexico in search of Alison Caine. Nanuet, Chester and Luc ride back to Promise City without incident, arriving back in town at 7:30 AM.

Nanuet says, "Well gentlemen, that was an interesting trip. Chester, thanks for coming along, trustworthy as always. Luc, you did well. I'll put in a word with the boss for you. I am sure you didn't get much rest last night so maybe you can crash at the Lucky Lady for a while. I'll see you tonight." Nanuet heads to the Druid's grove and calls for Maska. The two hadn't seen each other in a while and spent the morning in training and in play.

Chapter 42, “Girls Night Out”, Tuesday, March 14th, 1882:

Katherine closed her eyes for a moment. "More than one war would be caused I think. With the knowledge they could gain in Britain, the Clerical countries might decide to reopen hostilities with those who still follow arcane magic. And if they don't, wizards seeking to keep the knowledge from them might."

When Kate opened her eyes, they looked tired. "The sooner something is done, the better. And the quieter the better as well. When you say disastrous, what exactly do you mean? Beside all out war, could they learn to just look at someone and detect if they use the arcane arts? Could they poison the lines somehow so we are harmed when we use our skills? Or is it all this and more?"

Guillieaut says, "That's the problem, we don't know! We only have one Atlantian volume, the secret third book that Homer wrote. Homer's other writings all burned with the Library of Alexandria. I'm letting my imagination run wild I know, but worst case scenarios are what we are dealing with here. Another problem is that so many people in this city have ties to European nations. This information may have already been communicated. When I said that this could be disastrous in the wrong hands I was including both France and Spain in that assessment. The French government is now in anarchy, after the fall of Prime Minister Gambetta in a coup two months back. Spain's present government is not much better."

Gonzales asks when the ship is scheduled to set sail. The Frenchman replies, "At dawn this Saturday, March 18th." Gonzales says, "There is time then, I believe I have a solution. Were you able to locate the sign of good faith that I spoke of yesterday." Guillieaut says, "Yes." He reaches into a pocket and removes a small pouch made of black velvet which he hands to Manual. Manuel in turn passes it over to Kate and says, "Hang on to this, you may want to use it later."

She asks, "What is this, Professeur aimé?" He says, "Something I thought that you could use. It is called Dust of Forgetfulness. You sprinkle it onto a person and they have no memory of what transpired in the previous hour. It might help you to get those ten minutes you were looking for."

"Why, I.... Thank you. We will have to discuss your thoughts on that later. Thank you." Kate took a deep breath. "So we really can't trust anyone in Europe with this knowledge, and we certainly can't trust it in the United States. I hate the idea of destroying a possible source of new learning, but this it seems is too dangerous to be let out. Such a shame. You had an idea, Professeur aimé?"

"I have several. Sonoma, we need you to talk to speak to your other teacher, Mother Jiminez. I suspect that the sudden appearance volcano may be related to the Atlantic Ocean earth spirit having moved to the southern hemisphere to help keep watch over South America. As for the ship, we obviously have to make sure that those items never make it back to England. I wouldn't want to destroy any of them, just keep them hidden from those who would seek them out.

Marc, if I were to get an experienced group of adventurers here within the next day or two would you be able to help give them assistance in extracting these artifacts from the vessel?" He replies, "Oui, who do you have in mind?" Gonzales replies, "I'm thinking of a group known as Arcade's Gang. I've worked with them before. They recently returned to the United States and are in this region at the moment. They had had experience with assignments such as this. And right now they owe me a favor or two."

Ruby comments, "You know where they are? We've been hearing a lot of rumors about them since we've come to Promise City. I didn't think they would ever head back there. Are you in contact with them?" He replies, "Yes, I met with them yesterday. (In the Arcade’s Gang Story Hour, Chapters 81 & 82, “The Man from Atlantis”)

He then says, “That reminds me...." He fishes into his pocket and takes out a ring, which the women recognize as being the magical device that creates "Tex". He hands the ring over to the French Wizard and says, "If you have the time I would appreciate it if you could recharge this Polymorph Item device. The persona that is currently in it would be too dangerous to ever use again." Kate shook her head. "Not Tex. Poor Madeline has lost her escort. I'm sure you'll tell us later how he met his demise."

Guillieaut asks, "Do you want me to imprint a new image?" Gonzales replies, "No thank you, I know how to do that myself. You can give the ring to an Arcade's Gang member named Morgana to return to me. She is another of my apprentices." Ruby turns and looks at Mr. Gonzales curiously. "How many apprentices do you have anyway?" "Well, it seems like you have a plan then and you won't be needing us?" Ruby almost breathed a sigh of relief thinking about the danger they would be avoiding, but held it until Mr. Gonzales confirmed her answer. He smiles at her and says, "We can talk about that later. I have a hunch that I might be needing help from all four of my current apprentices by the time we are finished."

Kate nodded at Mr. Gonzales with a half-smile, then looked down at her hands folded in her lap. In the last few quiet weeks, she had realized just how reckless she had been with her life. Helping the Cartwrights, going into the mountains to protect the earth spirit, running off to Tombstone to look for Morgan Earp. She didn't regret any of it. She had helped people, made a difference, but she had not been responsible for anyone else then. Now there was Ginnie to think of. And her life was no longer burdensome; there were things to live for. It was a new life, and she wanted to see where it would lead. But her new studies were part of that life, perhaps these dangers and responsibilities came with that. She sighed softy and met Ruby's eyes. "I will do what I can, of course."

Ruby let her breath out but it wasn't a relief like she thought it would be. "Whatever you need, Mr. Gonzales, you know we'll help you." "So...what now?" Gonzales replies, "Now we thank Mr. Guillieaut for being a wonderful host and inviting us all to this fabulous meal. Marc, that you so very much. While there clearly was a greater purpose for this meeting you could not have found a finer place to hold it. Your family's wines were wonderful and you should take great pride in them. My apprentices and I will be going now, but I'm sure that our paths will cross again.

You should be meeting my other associates either tomorrow or Thursday. While Morgana is an apprentice and would see this mission as being a greater good I am afraid that her partners have less of an altruistic perspective. I would suggest that you find each of them an appropriate magical item as further incentive to assist in this venture. I will see what I can do in regards to both the Island and finding a safe location for us to store the artifacts. Good day kind sir."

Kate tells Marc "Merci du dîner, monsieur. C'était un plaisir de vous rencontrer, ont une soirée plaisante." <<translation: Thank you for dinner, Sir. It was a pleasure to meet you, have a pleasant evening.>> Kate smiled and took her teacher's arm. Sonoma states, “I would also like to thank you for your hospitality. I will do what I can to find what druid magics may be effected by this new occurrence and assist in whatever way my mentors deem appropriate.” Ruby states, "And I thank you too, as it has been my pleasure to meet such an interesting and powerful man." She offers her hand again. "Maybe we'll meet again someday?"

The four leave the restaurant. Gonzales leads them in the direction of the French Quarter of the city. He says "And now Katherine and Ruby, you're going to learn one of the main differences between the perspective of the humans and the elves. As you've just heard following that excellent meal, a potential crisis exists, one that could lead to war between nations and possibly jeopardize all that use wizard magics. I'm sure that Guillieut is assuming that I will do what he would in my situation and make this my only priority, spending every waking moment for the next several days searching for solutions.

But my little birds, the solution is already in place. I have already spoken to Arcade's Gang about this and they are on their way here, I put that in place yesterday. And the trip to Los Angeles will have to wait until tomorrow if we wish to return to Promise City tonight, as I can use only two transportation spells a day. So we've done what we can for right now. I propose that we now head over to Bourbon Street and find some of the most exciting nightspots that New Orleans has to offer for some good music, lively dancing and just plain fun."
Kate says, "I believe Guillieut assumes many things. I'm sorry, Professeur aimé, I do not like that man. Arrogant is putting it mildly. I hope I was not rude. As you say, there is nothing more to do tonight. I would enjoy some music, although I can't say I've ever been to a 'night spot.' I'm not certain those are places for me," she finished a bit primly. He replies, "If you are uncomfortable with the place that Madge Duprey has recommended to me then we can go elsewhere, I also know a quieter place run by some old Creole friends of mine where you will also hear fine music. In fact, why don't we plan on visiting both places, the night is young."

"I'm not uncomfortable. Please, I'm sure whatever you have planned is fine. Ruby and Sonoma would enjoy lively dancing and 'plain fun.' Just promise me, Ruby, that you won't invite all the men to buy me drinks," she said with a little smile. "Don't worry Kate, I won't make that mistake twice." Ruby flipped her hair over her shoulder. "No, I'll ask all the men to buy ME drinks," she laughed.

Gonzales replies, "Actually I would suggest that we all go light on the drinking. Of those four wine bottles I estimate the Guillieaut consumed around two himself but the four of us managed to empty the other two. We may want to stick to lemonade or good old fashioned southern iced tea for the remainder of the night." Kate exclaims, "The three of you actually. I didn't have more than half a glass." "Oh, that's no fun. But dancing and excitement does sound fun and I think we can all use some... fun that is." Ruby smiles and looks genuinely happy to be having a fun night out. "Let's go!" Ruby adjusts her dress strategically, fluffs her hair, then waits for Mr. Gonzales to show them the way.

It was hard not to smile. Ruby's excitement was infectious, and Katherine didn't want to dampen it. And there really was no reason to. There was nothing more to do tonight, and it would be a shame to have come all the way to this beautiful city and not enjoy it. She looked at Mr. Gonzales and Sonoma. Neither of them would chide her for enjoying herself. She shook her head. She was the only one who still worried about what was proper for a widow. Tonight she would worry about what was proper for Katherine, and that just might mean allowing herself to have a little fun. "Alright Ruby. But you might have to show me how," she said and smiled.

Gonzales says "When Louis XV transferred Louisiana to his cousin Charles III of Spain they renamed this boulevard Bourbon Street, not for the liquor but because Charles was from the Royal House of Bourbon, the Spanish royal family. This was originally the Spanish Quarter of the city. Many buildings on this street still show the Spanish influence from the four-decades of their rule. Notice the wrought iron fences and balconies, as well as some of the older houses, which hint of Spanish architecture. It was during the Neopleonic wars and the revolution in Haiti that tens of thousands of French refugees flooded the city and took over this section, making it the French Quarter."

They continue their walk and he points out several other buildings "This is still called the French Quarter, but after the Civil War most French and Creole moved on to the better parts of the city. During the last few years the famine on the Island of Sicily has brought in over five thousand Italian immigrants who have moved into this section, just as thousands of Irish did during the start of their famine in the generation before that. Kate, I believe that your husband's family was of Irish descent.

Ruby kept quiet as they walked through the city. The buildings were impressive looking enough, but she didn't really care about any of the history, of the city or the houses or any of it. She was ready to dance and have a bit of fun, hopefully she could get Kate to join her. If Madge had recommended the place they were going, Ruby was sure to love it and she looked forward to arriving.

The hear the sounds of lively music coming from a building at the corner of Bourbon and Toulouse Streets. The sign on the building reads "Madame Antoinette's". Gonzales says "This is the place that Miss. Dupre worked at before. Let's head in."

The building is 100 by 120 feet in size. It has a high ceiling, 30 feet up. Fancy chandeliers hang from the ceiling. Eighty tables of different sizes fill the room where close to 200 patrons are, a quarter of which are along the bar running the full eastern wall. A large stage, running the full 100-foot width and 20 feet deep is on the far end. A pair of grand pianos is on the stage, one at each end, and a twelve-man orchestra is set up on chairs just before the stage. Three dozen beautiful French dancing girls wearing low cut black dresses, multiple petticoats, black fishnet stockings and black shoes are dancing together on stage to the lively and festive music.

Ruby stands silently taking in the sight as her smile grows larger and larger. Finally she takes Kate hand, “Let’s go get a table.” They squeeze through the crowd, keeping their eyes open, until they spot a small table near the stage. They make their way to it and sit. “This place is amazing,” Ruby says loudly. She watches the girls dance for a while before announcing, “I’m going to the bar to get a drink. Anyone want anything?” She gets their orders and heads to the bar.

She crams her way up to the bar and orders two whiskeys and three sweet teas. She bobs her head to the music waiting for the drinks. She gets bumped into a few times so she keeps her eyes open but remains calm and relaxed. The drinks show up and she quickly drinks one of the whiskeys before returning to the table. “So who wants to dance with me?” Ruby stands at the table with a cocked head and grins.

The dancing girls finish their routine and exit the stage. The orchestra continues and several couples head out to dance. Manuel is thrilled with the prospect of dancing and heads with Ruby out to the dance floor in front of the stage. The orchestra begins with several fast dances for the first fifteen minutes. A pair of pianists take their places at the grand pianos and the orchestra then switches over to the waltz and other slower more formal dances. Ruby discovers that despite his age Manuel is very spry and a good dancer. Once the orchestra switched to the slower classical pieces Kate began to relax. She and Sonoma sit together and chat while the others dance.

Ruby enjoyed Manuel's company on the dance floor, she could just relax and enjoy herself with him, and she felt safe. After monopolizing him for a good long time Ruby pulled him off the dance floor. "I don't want to keep you to myself all night, maybe Sonoma or Kate would like to dance?"
Kate says, "I should take my chance while they're still playing my music. Do you need to rest first, Professeur aimé?" "Nonsense my dear, right this way." He pulls Kate out onto the dance floor just as another waltz is beginning. The familiar steps came back easily, and Kate and her teacher sailed gracefully through the dance. As they stepped into the next dance Kate said, "I'm sorry if I haven't been much fun tonight. Sometimes my upbringing still gets the better of me, and I start to think I shouldn't be traveling and enjoying myself."

Ruby glanced around the crowded saloon. "I'm going to look for the owner and introduce myself. But save a few more dances for me please!" She gives him a wink and heads over to the bar. After squeezing in again, she gets the bartenders attention. "Is the owner of this impressive establishment around?" "Oui, Jacques DuMont is the man standing near the stage" he gestures to a man forty feet away in a silk three-piece blue suit with a white silk ascot that has a diamond pin in the middle of it. A beautiful well-dressed young lady is standing to either side of him.

"Thank you sir," Ruby nods and leaves a dollar on the bar. She approaches the well-dressed man with a warm smile. "Mr. DuMont? My name is Ruby, Ruby West." She extends her hand to him. "I'm a friend of Ms. Duprey's." Dumont replies, "Bonjour jeune dame, vous connaissez mon cher ami Madge ? Comment est elle faisant, j'ai entendu qu'elle est sortie à l'ouest. Queest-ce que je peux faire pour aider une belle femme de yung telle que vous-même ? Est-vous un chanteur ou le danseur peut-être ?"

Ruby laughs and shakes her head. "I don't speak French, the language of love...." Ain't that the truth, she laughs to herself. "Do you speak English?" He shakes his head and says "Je ne parle pas anglais." "Hold on one moment," Ruby holds up her hand in a 'stay right here' motion.

She approaches Kate and Mr. Gonzales on the dance floor. "Oh, I am sorry to interrupt you... when you are finished Kate, could you come with me? I want to speak to the owner but he only speaks French." "It's alright Ruby, I'll come now." Kate let go of Mr. Gonzales' hands and made a graceful if a bit grandiose curtsey. "I am sure you will save another dance for me as well, Monsieur. But there is another partner for you, yes?" she said looking over to Sonoma. She took Ruby's arm in hers. "Lead on, dear."

"Thank you Kate, you are a sweetheart." Ruby leads Kate back over to Mr. Dumont. "I tried to introduce myself and tell him I am a friend of Ms. Duprey, Madge that is. Can you tell him that?" "Of course Ruby." Kate turned and smiled to the owner and began to explain quickly in French that Miss West is a friend of Miss Duprey. He tells Kate that Madge's name was all he could tell that Ruby was saying before. He repeats what he had said to Ruby "You know my dear friend Madge? How is she doing, I heard that she went out west. What can I do to help a beautiful young woman such as yourself? Are you a singer or dancer perhaps?" He also asks the same of Kate.

Kate translates for Ruby and then tells the gentleman in French “No, I'm not a singer or a dancer. I do play the piano, although nothing like the fine musicians you have here.” Ruby has Kate translate her saying, "Oh, Madge is very happy at her new Saloon, but it's nothing like this. This place is incredible!" Ruby continues on without stopping explaining about Madge and what she is up to. Both Kate and Mr. DuMont look at Ruby with exasperated looks, for she isn't leaving much time for translation. Finally she finishes up, "And thank you for the compliment. Yes, I can sing and dance, I sing with Madge sometimes, she has been, um, tutoring me."

Katherine does the best she can trying to keep up with Ruby and not laugh. They chat for another ten minutes and then DuMont excuses himself. He heads up on stage to introduce the next act. The orchestra takes a break and head away from their instruments while the two pianists stay. He introduces his top singer, Jacqueline Lashane Tollier. She comes out in a low-cut red dress that Ruby is immediately envious of. She has a soft sultry voice that has a mesmerizing tone to it. They sit in awe and near silence for the next half hour while she sings her heart out, alternating lyrics between English, French and Italian.

Afterwards Gonzales comments to the three woman "Of course, you realize that if I do teach you mental magical resistance techniques you won't have quite the same appreciation for magically enhanced performances like the one you just witnessed." Ruby glances at Gonzales with wide eyes. "Oh is that what that feels like? Madge started to teach me how to do that but I've been holding back on trying it. I guess in a big place like this you would need some help."

She puts her hand on Mr. Gonzales. "Thank you so much for bringing me here, I love it and I'm having so much fun! I could live here, maybe someday..." She retreats into her thoughts for a moment then shakes her daydream off.