AGELESS Campaign Episode 2 - Temple of the Cat-Goddess

Adventurer's Guild of Exemplary and Legendary Explorers, Scientists and Scholars (AGELESS)

Episode 1: Gateway to the World - Chapters 1 to 40

Episode 2: Temple of the Cat-Goddess - Chapters 41-145

Episode 3: Pending


This Pulp campaign is set on a quasi-historical Earth-like world that also includes the traditional D&D races, classes, magic and deities. This campaign is set on the same gaming world as my Wild West campaigns, although this game will have more of an international pulp flavor than a western. The game will include some characters and players from the previous campaign although most will be new ones. Several historical figures will also appear in this game as both Playing Characters and NPC's.

Playing Characters
1. Nanuet, Male Elf, Ranger3/Cleric3, (Dire Wolf)
2. Ruby West, Female Human, Rogue1/Bard6, (Queenie)
3. George Eastman, Male Human, Ranger1/DivineBard3 (Fenris)
4. Thomas Imamu Sapathwa Crane, Male Half-ogre, Bard2/Monk2 (Animadversio)
5. Roy Huggins, Male Gnome, Fighter1/Rogue3 (Reveal)
6. Abigail Elizabeth Marsters, Female Human, Aristocrat2/Wizard2 (Orchid Blossom)
7. John Wesley Hardin, Male Human, Fighter4 (Oldius Oneius)
8. Benjamin ‘Fish’ Trout, Male Human, Rogue4 (Rusty Halo)
9. Lawrence Cantrell, Male Human, Rogue4 (Kafitrar)

Primary Non-Player Characters
10. James A. Parker, Male Human, Figher1/Wizard3 (SilverMoon/NPC)
11. Wilamina Hamilton Parker, Female Human, Sorcerer5 (NPC)
12. Alsoomse, Female Elf, Druid/Sorcerer (NPC)
13. Pedro Luiz Napoleao Chernoviz, Male Human Cleric/Wizard (NPC)
14. Solomon Star, Male Human (NPC)


World Background:
This world has no Judeo-Christian religious background, with the Greek &Roman deities worshiped as the dominant religion among Western Civilization. The official ‘Greek-Roman Church’ is organized similar to our history’s Roman Catholic Church. Other Pantheons actively worshiped among the Western nations are the Norse and Celtic. Other parts of the world worship the deities native to those regional races and culture. Wizard magic originated on the long-lost island of Atlantis. In addition to “The Iliad” and “The Odyssey” Homer’s writings included a third volume titled “Atlantis” which containing Atlantean wizard spells. This book was considered to be heretical and ordered to be destroyed (although copies survived).

Europe had major upheavals during the 14th to 16th century, but rather than it being the Protestant Reformation the conflict was regarding Clerical Magic vs. Wizard Magic. The Clerical-magic countries of Great Britain, Ireland, Scandinavia, Germany, Italy and Greece colonized most of North America. The Wizard-magic countries of France, Portugal and Spain colonized Central and South America. Africa and Asia were colonized by nations of both outlooks.

The original indigenous races of the world are as follows:
England, Wales, Central Europe, southern Europe, Saharan Africa and Mediterranean regions = Humans;
Northern Europe and Scotland = Dwarves;
North America = High Elves and Centaurs;
Central & South America = Wood Elves;
Central & Southern Africa = Ogres and Half-ogres;
East Asia = Orcs and Half-orcs;
India = Goblins;
Australia = Halflings;
Pacific Islanders = Gnomes;
Antarctica = Giants and Bugbears.

The world itself is “low magic”, where the vast majority of the people use little-to-no magic. Most priests, druids, sorcerers, wizards and bards tend to be no higher than 5th Level. In the United States ‘Wizard Magic’ is considered to be witchcraft and is illegal (although many people secretly own a magic item and/or know one or two low-level spell that can discretely assist them in their chosen professions). Great Britain’s Queen Victoria is a staunch opponent of all Wizard Magic. Within the Pro-Wizard Magic nations the tolerance towards Clerical Magic varies widely. France is currently in political disarray as a druidess and her followers recently overthrew the government in a bloodless coup.


Chapter One, “A Trio of Trains”, Friday, September 1st, 1882, 10:30 A.M.

Introduction
James A. Parker was happier than he had been in months, for today was a very special day. Not only was he going to be reunited with his beloved wife of four-and-a-half years, who he has not seen since the middle of June, but today would also mark the arrival of nine other remarkable individuals who had recently been invited. These friends and associates possessed the skills and talents necessary towards the goal of unlocking the mysteries that James and his current team of archeologists had only just begun to unearth.

After enjoying a fine breakfast with his three colleagues at the house constructed upon the archeological site, Parker set off towards the City of Jacksonville, Florida, approximately twelve miles to the west. The archeological site is situated alongside the Saint Johns River, and for most trips to-and-from the city the usual mode of transportation has been the group’s sailboat. However, for today’s excursion the sailing vessel would have become too overcrowded given the large number of people plus their requisite luggage.

Thus, Parker headed instead over towards his most recent purchase, a brand new Concord Coach, and undraped the canvas cover over it. The Concord brand of stagecoaches were built in Concord, New Hampshire by the Abott-Downing Company, who made three different models designed to comfortably accommodate six, eight or thirteen passengers. For the current venture he had purchased the largest of these, with custom made wider-than-usual (and magically enhanced) wheels to better distribute the weight on the sandy soil of the region. After hitching up the team of six horses to the carriage he set off towards the city.


The First Train
Some fifty-five miles to the north, a southbound train belonging to the Savannah, Florida and Western Railroad has just pulled out of the Brunswick, Georgia train depot. Aboard this train is James Parker’s wife Wilamina Hamilton Parker, her Granddaughter Constance Grace ‘Ruby’ West, Ruby’s fiancé George Eastman and their elvan friend Nanuet, of the Native American Yavapai tribe .

This quartet had left New York City the previous day. The 850-mile journey from New York to Savannah, Georgia had been in the most elegant style, traveling aboard a luxurious Pullman Coach making its biweekly run between the two cities. The custom-made railroad car had spacious individual sleeping compartments as well as an adjacent dining car with a master chef. This group therefore managed to each get not only a good night’s sleep but also a start of the day with a exquisite breakfast, an altogether unusual experience given the state of most 19th century rail travel.

At Savannah the Pullman Coach reached the end of the line. The four needed to then change trains for the final 125-mile leg of the trip. They are now traveling inside a regular passenger compartment of a standard train. Seated in poorly padded bench seats facing each other, Mina looks towards her three companions and smiles.

The Second Train
A train belonging to the Georgia, Southern and Florida Railway is simultaneously departing the depot at Lake City, Florida, now on the eastbound track towards Jacksonville, Florida some seventy miles distant. This depot it situated at an the intersection of two important rail-lines, this specific train having just changed off from the northeast to southwest rail-line that runs a 1,100 mile stretch between Saint Louis, Missouri and Fort Pierce, Florida.

Three individuals on board this train are among those that James Parker plans to meet. Two of these have been travelling inside the First Class passenger compartment of the train, one having boarded in Saint Louis, the other in the southern Illinois town of Metropolis. They are each seated separately as they have yet to be introduced to one another.

The third individual is acquainted with both and had intended to make introductions and converse along the way, but his presence was redirected elsewhere as a result of his race. Doctor Thomas Imamu Sapathwa Crane had recently conducted some research for James Parker at universities and libraries in the cities of Montreal, Quebec and Cleveland, Ohio. From Cleveland he took a southbound train to Nashville, Tennessee where he changed trains to this one heading southeast, upon which his two other colleagues were traveling.

However, despite having a First Class ticket he was denied admittance to the car by the train conductor, whose actions were then supported by the local police, as the good Doctor Crane is of the half-ogre race.

He was similarity refused admittance to both the Second and Third Class passenger cars, being forced to travel inside a freight car. The car was partially filled with hay bales, where some fifteen other ogres and half-ogres were likewise traveling. Adding a further indignity, the freight car was locked from the outside and not opened during any stops for the 500 miles from Tennessee to Florida. This did allow him considerable time for meditative contemplation, interrupted only once when an ogre who thought the Doctor to be asleep attempted to steal from him. When finally released from his confinement and with suitcase in hand, Doctor Crane waited until the last possible second before the train departed from Lake City towards Jacksonville before stepping up onto the steps and railing between the First and Second Class compartments. Ignoring the yells directed at him from workers at the station as the train increased speed, he leisurely climbed up towards the backdoor of the First Class compartment and with his considerable strength pulled the secured door open and stepped inside.

The First Class Concierge immediately moved to intercept him. Doctor Crane then confused the man by politely handing him the appropriate ticket while stating in his British accent, “Here you are good man! I believe this is what you are seeking.” Looking forward he then exclaims, “Ah, there you are!”, having sighted both of the others (which is no great surprise given that every passenger in the car is now looking in his direction).

The first is an old friend of his, a male gnome by the name of Roy Huggins. That particular race was native to Pacific islands and within the United States gnomes had only recently begun to immigrate to the western states of California and Oregon as well as the territories of Washington and Alaska. So not surprisingly, he was the only gnome on this train. Huggins family immigrated to the United States over four decades earlier and has been employed by Parker since that time. Crane and Huggins had both served together during the American Civil War as members of a United States sponsored espionage team led by James Parker. In the years since the war they have only been together twice, at a funeral in 1876 and on an early 1878 mission with the Parkers in Istanbul, Turkey.

The second of these two individuals is an attractive young woman named Abigail Elizabeth Marsters, who he had met a few years back at an academic seminar while she was working on a pair of advanced degrees. He had recently worked with her at another archeological site in England and based upon that experience had highly recommended her services to James Parker.


The Third Train
Situated some ninety miles further west and upon the same eastbound track, also belonging to the Georgia, Southern and Florida Railway, is yet another train. This particular east-west section of track stretches some 1,675 miles from the Atlantic Ocean at Jacksonville, Florida all the way to El Paso, Texas at the Rio Grande River along the border of the New Mexico Territory.

This train also has three individuals on board heading to meet up with James Parker. The first of these is the notorious gunfighter John Wesley Hardin. Captured by the law in Pensacola, Florida in 1877, Hardin served nearly five years in a Texas prison before receiving a pardon by the Texas Governor. His time behind bars was a productive one, studying the law, and he passed the Texas Bar Examination upon his release.

Recruited by James Parker to serve a dual role as both lawyer and occasional guard, he has spent the previous week in the Florida capital of Tallahassee seeking reciprocity from the State to practice law. With both the Texas Governor’s pardon in hand as well as depositions from prominent citizens of Pensacola attesting to his good character when he lived there under the alias John Swain, Hardin persuasively made his case.

Earlier this morning Florida’s Governor, the publicity seeking William D. Bloxham, personally presented Attorney Hardin with the needed legal credentials amidst a flurry of reporters and photographers. After refusing to answer any questions and then having to intimidate the most persistent of the reporters to leave him alone, Hardin gathered up his belongings and headed towards the train depot.

Once aboard he sought out the other two men also heading to meet with Parker. The first of these is a young man named Benjamin 'Fish' Trout, a third generation carnival employee who usually winters in Florida, heading back this time from a Texas carnival a few months earlier than usual. This early return to the Sunshine State was prompted by a telegram from Wilamina Hamilton Parker, an interesting older woman that Trout had worked special assignments for on two previous occasions.

The other contact is a male human in his late thirties by the name of Lawrence Cantrell. He had boarded the train in New Orleans, where he had gone there to conduct a special errand for his long-time friend James Parker. Cantrell had served together with Parker during the American Civil War as members of a United States sponsored espionage team.

Chapter Two, “Passengers on the First Train”, September 1st, 1882, 10:30 A.M.

Mina looks towards her three companions and states; “I am so glad that the three of you were able to join me for this trip. James promises that Florida should be an interesting adventure for us all.” Her Granddaughter exclaims, "Oh Nana, we are so happy that you and James invited us along!" Ruby stood and stretched, her long legs were cramped in the small space but she didn't care, she was too happy to complain about anything right now. She stepped into the aisle and paced back and forth, her long red hair bobbing up and down on her shoulder as she bounced around.

"I've always wanted to have a GOOD adventure, not some 'crazy outlaws are chasing you and want to kill you in the dusty desert' kind of adventure either. Or 'your Saloon competitor constantly trying to ruin you and kill you' adventure." She looked at her elvan companion Nanuet and smiled though her nose wrinkled, "Or 'creatures of the night wanting to suck the life out of you and keep you for eternity' adventure." It was at that moment she realized she was in a crowded train car and was getting strange looks at her last comments. She continued loudly, "Or SO I'VE READ ANYWAY."

A laugh escaped her full lips and her hazel eyes twinkled with mischief she continued her blabbing. "A REAL adventure! With all my favorite people in the world here! Well, except a few..." She was momentarily lost in her fantasies as she wondered how Kate was doing overseas... how Mr. Gonzales was faring with his wizarding studies... or Dorita and Pedro were doing in the Cantina now that the town had different people in charge... how Chester was managing as Marshal of Promise City... how Jane and Richard and Red were back at their Meeting Hall in Tucson... her mother and new husband and young brother were getting on as a family back in Baltimore.

But as much as she missed her friends her heart was 100% here, with one of her best friends, her beloved grandmother and her much loved fiancé on their way to a new adventure. She practically squealed, "I am just so excited. Are we almost there yet?"

She stopped pacing and plopped down in the seat next to George, taking his hand in hers. "I'm especially happy you decided to join us," she said as she smiled widely at him, with that special smile she had just for him. "It would have been very difficult to participate in this without you, I would have been missing you and longing for you so much, I don't know that I could have done it. Or wanted to." After a long moment of staring at him giddily she slowly pulled her stare away. "And of course Nanuet, who has to come along because SOMEONE needs to save my butt all the time!" She giggled at that thought, even though it was true.

George smiled back at Ruby. "I would not have missed it my dear Constance. In truth, though I still have many ideas for development in the lab, I have missed the excitement of the travels of my younger days. And the opportunity to experience that with you was too great to pass up." he says as he pats her hand again. George puts away his pen and journal where he had been taking notes of the journey and recording notes for the lab. He then stood up and stretched himself and walked a few steps in the aisle. He was getting anxious as well, though he was more calm than Ruby.

Ruby asks, "So Nana, NOW are you going to share some details? I mean, we're soooo close!" "I am honored to be invited to accompany you Mrs. Parker" Nanuet said as he continued to fidget in his seat. Being used to being outdoors and uncomfortable in the confined space Nanuet had kept to himself most of the trip. He was glad that the trip was nearing the end and was interested to see what this land of Florida would be like. He watched Ruby pace and shook his head wondering to himself how may times before had he seen her do the same thing. He smiled at the comment about having to save Ruby's butt and thought about the adventures they had experienced together.

Mrs. Parker replies, "Nanuet, James was very impressed by your dedication last June to rid the world of that awful undead creature which was after my Granddaughter. If you had not been directly involved I fear that neither Ruby nor I would be alive today. You have earned yourself a place in this new Guild of his." Nanuet's expression didn't change at Mina's explanation but he did say, "I was just doing what I thought had to be done. Thank you for thinking so highly of me though, it does have much meaning for me. I'd be interested in hearing some details myself", Nanuet said as he turned his head back to Mina and then to the window watching the landscape fly past.

Wilamina Parker smiles at Ruby. There was a strong resemblance between the two women, with the same vibrant red hair of which Mina's only showed a few white strands intermixed. Looking to be in her mid-to-late-fifties any observer would automatically assume them to be mother and daughter, rather than there being a generation in between. And a mother and daughter relationship also well describes the bond that has grown between these two during the last ten weeks since they have been reunited.

With a smile she says, "I don't want to give away all of James's secrets, he's put a lot of energy and effort into this. I can tell you this, he is assembling an archeology team to investigate the mysteries of one of the very first European settlements in North America." Looking to George and Nanuet as well she adds, "And he plans to offer each of you membership in a new Guild that he is forming, for world explorers, scientists and scholars."

Ruby practically squealed, "That's SO exciting!!! Both parts but mostly of the world travel part. Oh Nana, tell me we're going to be able to go around the world!! George, I have ALWAYS wanted to travel all over! We can have so many fun adventures!" Mina says, "Relax Ruby, I honestly don't know that we're going anywhere soon other than Florida.”

"Mrs. Parker, this guild that is being assembled, what is the goal of it?" asks George. She replies, "It has two goals, one academic and one commercial. It has been formally incorporated in the State of New York and a total of eight offices are being established upon four continents. The commercial goal will be to provide ongoing funding for the academic side, while simultaneously bringing opportunities to the indigenous populations of each region. The academic goal will be world exploration and the expansion of knowledge..." She then lowers her voice and whispers so softly that only the four of them can hear..."knowledge of magic, both wizard and clerical in nature."

Mina says, “The commercial part of the business will be primarily the transportation of local agricultural products. That might not be so exciting unless your idea of fun is spending a month or two on a slow moving freighter filled with bananas and oranges. The academic mystery solving will probably be far more to your liking." Ruby crinkled her nose. "No, no riding with bananas and oranges for me. But anything academic probably isn't for me either, you know I'm not all that smart."

Ruby’s grin was so wide her face hurt. "I can't wait to get started." Looking out the window Mina says, "It will be soon Ruby, we just crossed over the Satilla River Bridge. We're almost to Florida now." Looking back towards George she says, "You may be able to offer some suggestions regarding the commercial side, but it is the academic side that he is hoping you will join Mr. Eastman." He replies, "I shall serve where ever my talents are put to best use. This new, association has lofty, but admirable goals. I am honored to contribute towards the alleviation of suffering among my fellow man." Mina replies, "I believe that you will be able to contribute much to his endeavor, including documentation of our findings using photography. James is very anxious to meet you."

Ruby sighed, "Well, I have never been to Florida and while it may not be as exotic as India or Turkey it's still somewhere new, and that will be exciting in it's own right. If we don't get to travel I'll just have to get my wonderful fiancé to take me somewhere fabulous on our honeymoon." She gave him the big puppy dog eyes and smiled, she knew he would take her anywhere she wanted to go.

George raised an eyebrow at Ruby's cloying display, but his faced softened and he smiled "Of course Constance. Where ever you wish. Do you wish to see Istanbul then? Or the sub-continent?" asks George taking Ruby's hand in his. Ruby's eyebrows furrowed together. "Sub-continent? What is that? I do want to see Turkey..." "The sub-continent refers to the British holdings in south Asia, India and its environs. An area large enough and due to mountain ranges, isolated enough to nearly be a continent on its own." explains George patiently.

Mina laughs and says, "Funny that you should mention both Turkey and honeymoon in the same breath. Istanbul Turkey is where James and I married and honeymooned, on Sunday it will be four-and-a-half years. Now that is an interesting tale of world adventure. James had been asked to go to Istanbul by his friend Secretary of State William M. Evart, to help ensure that the treaty negotiations to end the Russo-Turkish War went smoothly. The United States officially wasn't directly involved, but Evart was an old family friend from Massachusetts.

So James brought myself and several others along, two of whom you will meet later today, to discretely help ensure the safety and security of the negotiations. As it turned out, both the Ottoman Empire and Russia had hired assassins to murder their rival diplomats. We spent six-weeks stopping one assassination plot after another, unbeknownst to any of the diplomats present, and the treaty was eventually settled upon.

During the mission as part of our cover James and I had pretended to be a married couple, a ruse that we had used in the past, although our relationship was actually purely professional and platonic. But unlike the previous times, neither of us was married to anybody else then. So at our team's end-of-mission party to celebrate the successfully treaty signing he got down on his knee and proposed, saying that he had become comfortable with the idea of us as a couple. I was still in shock and contemplating a response when our mischievous friend Roy managed to round up a preacher and within minutes of my agreeing we were wed."

"Nana! You had a sort of shot gun wedding!" Ruby laughed, "That is a great story, you are full of surprises. But it's actually very romantic, the thought of wanting to be together and just... doing it right then because you couldn't bare to wait. Yes, that is totally dreamy..." Mina gives Ruby a wide smile and says, "Yes, and for the most part it has been an excellent marriage, better than the previous marriages for either one of us."

Nanuet also listens to Ruby and her desire for excitement and travel. "Ruby, will there ever be enough excitement for you? I fear not. And as for traveling to new and exciting places there is still so much even in the local area around Promise City to learn and understand. I guess I'll never understand the human desire to flit about from one thing to the next so quickly."

Turning to her elvan friend Ruby says, "Well Nanuet, no, there will never be enough fun and HAPPY excitement for me! I detest being bored, you know that. Imagine every day doing the same thing day in and day out, always knowing what to expect? Like just being a dull and lifeless housewife and mother?" She shivers and throws her hands in the air exasperatedly. "I would just die! As for Promise City, it's all dirt and dust and miners and more dirt. What's there to know?"

In response to Nanuet's quip, George smiles "I am hoping to break Constance of her old habits. Though I may have only ephemeral results." laughs George. Ruby blushed hard, times like this when George used words that were out of her league embarrassed her and the last thing she wanted was to look stupid around George. She stuttered out, "What does epm-ehe-ephemeral mean?" George took Ruby's hand in his. "It means passing or fading. Like the beauty of all other women aside from you." says George earnestly. Looking over at Mrs.' Parker he quickly adds "And of those she is descended from" with a small bow.

"As for Istanbul, I don't speak Turkish, but I know enough Arabic to get along well enough. I will need to brush up on my Hindi if you want to see India. I should look up that Englishman, Richard Burton. He was quite well versed in Hindi and knows the continent well. I have heard he is in Trieste these days I may have to look him up if we get over to Europe."

Ruby let her embarrassment fade away for a moment before she spoke again. "Is this Burton fellow a friend of yours? And, do you plan on bringing him along on our honeymoon? Because, you know, I have some plans for that and they require us being alone." Her lips formed into a grin again, "Mostly." "Where is Trieste? I think you may have to do the planning and surprise me, since you know your geography so well."

"Trieste is in the Austro-Hungarian Empire my dear, over in Europe. But I do not know Sir Burton, but you have given me a wonderful idea. I shall start a correspondence with him, ask him about his travels and for suggestions with Hindi, for a future trip to India. Thank you Constance." George said as he kissed Ruby before pulling out his notebook again and began making a few notes about his plans.

Ruby watched George make some notes, giving him a moment to write. Then she squeezed his hand and bounced in her seat, "Oh George! You're going to take me all over Europe! Do you promise? That would be so wonderful!" She was practically squealing, anyone who knew Ruby knew her dream, well one of them, was to travel. "And you know all about the world so we would just have the most wonderful time ever!"

Nanuet remained quiet and listened to the others converse. He was glad that Ruby had asked the question regarding George's use of tricky words to save him the embarrassment of having to do so. The time spent in Promise City and traveling with Ruby and the others had helped his understanding of the white man's world but he still lacked the social refinement of some of his new companions. "How much longer until we're there. I really need to get some fresh air."

"Poor Nanuet," Ruby leaned forward and patted his hand, most likely giving him a pleasant view down her low cut dress he would blush at, "It's the hardest for you being stuck in here, in this stuffy, cramped place. And poor Maska, riding invisible in the back, alone, in the freight cars. He must be even more miserable. I reckon we'll all need to stretch our legs when we get out. This is really the slow way to travel, compared to other more convenient ways that is. Though that last train wasn't too terrible, nicer than most places I've lived in the past four years."

Nanuet gave Ruby's hand a gentle squeeze before she withdrew it. "A home is what you make of it Ruby, what makes things comfortable is not always the material things but the spiritual ones as well. Yes, Maska and I are both uncomfortable but not terribly so and I wouldn't want to miss out on this. Besides like you said, somebody has to be there to keep an eye on you or as I have heard the expression, 'save your bacon.'"

Ruby giggled at that. "Bacon is quite delicious so I daresay worth saving! You're such a good friend Nanuet. Besides, you elves have so much time to do things, why shouldn't you travel and see the world? In the course of your life, this will be just a moment for you." She looked at him a little jealously for a moment before smiling at him again.

He replies, "Yes Ruby we are a long lived race and could potentially see much of the world but to truly learn from your surroundings I feel you must completely immerse yourself in them and that is a lengthy process. Also, and I say this with as much love as I can, spending time with you has certainly taken a year or two off my life!" Nanuet couldn't help but smile at Ruby as he said the last part.

Ruby's mouth open and shut, open and shut as she stared at the elf before her. He had just managed to do something no one else had, at least not easily, and that was leave her speechless. Finally she gulped and spoke slowly. "Well... I hope that isn't a... bad thing...?" She looked at him like a child who was guilty over being caught with her hand in the cookie jar. Without looking up from his notes George added dryly "Don't worry my dear he has more than enough to spare."

"George!" she gave him a playful smack but with a horrified look on her face. "That's not nice." She tried to keep a straight face but giggled anyway. She knew Nanuet would have a sense of humor about George's attempt at humor. Nanuet laughed lightly and nodded at George after he made his comment. "True enough, true enough. And Ruby, I hope you know me well enough to know that I meant that in good fun and as a good thing. I have experienced more in the time I have known you than I have in the rest of my life combined. I wouldn't trade it for anything either."

"Of course I do Nanuet and I know you were only teasing me. That sense of humor of yours is coming around nicely." The grin on her face faded but only a little. "Yes, we certainly have been through some times, good and bad alike. I don't think most people would believe us if we told them our adventures together. But friends stay true and you and I shall be lifelong friends. And when I am old and wrinkled and you are still young and handsome you will lie to me and tell me I am the most beautiful woman in the world because you are such a good friend. Right?"

George looks up and takes Ruby's hand "I will always tell you that you are the most beautiful woman in the world, and it will never be a lie Constance." says George with a smile. Ruby smiled lovingly at the handsome man besides her before leaning into him and kissing him warmly on the lips with just a little too much passion for public displays of affection. "You're so sweet baby," Ruby cooed at him as she gazed into his eyes. George gazed back into the eyes of the woman he loved, had always loved. He leaned his forehead against Ruby's and held her hand in his. "I just tell the truth Constance." George replied kissing Ruby back. "Well good. I enjoy the truth. When it's good anyway. When it's not, feel free to lie."

Nanuet says, "Ruby, Ruby, Ruby. Beauty has nothing to do with wrinkles. Beauty is so much deeper than that. You have always been a pretty girl, and I have little doubt that years from now your beauty will be a wonder to behold." She gazed at her friend for some time and wondered how well he knew her - how she had actually considered what it would be like to always be 18 years old and beautiful for eternity. She hadn't let herself think on it too much, the thought that she pondered it for a moment - a long moment- was enough to make her shudder.

"Nanuet you are very sweet but you are so different from me. After all, without my ravishingly good looks what would I have? Besides my sweet voice? And my future husband's money?" She stared at him for a long moment besides bursting into laughter. Nanuet always, always made her laugh. "Thank you for the compliment my friend. Your unique way of thinking of things is very helpful." He says, "One as confident as you Ruby, I am surprised you feel you have nothing to offer the world besides your looks and charms. I have a feeling your contributions to society will far outweigh what your expectations are."

George had his head in his notebook as Ruby spoke, pausing to add an emphatic yes at key places and offer a reassuring smile. His head was in two places, his work and with Ruby. He was learning to balance those together. Constance had certainly changed his life very quickly the last few months. Yet his work was as much a passion for him as Constance was, not that she enjoyed sharing any of his time or attention. Still she viewed it as a necessary evil. Still George was excited. He had been cooped up in his lab a long time, and it had been ages since he had gotten out for some excitement. And this was something he could sink his teeth into, this guild business.

Chapter Three, “Passengers on the Second Train”, September 1st, 1882, 10:30 A.M.

Roy stood up on the seat and waved at the ogre, trying to get his attention. "Get your big butt over here, Doc!" he yelled out. "Stop making that poor man piss himself." Roy chuckled as he said this. Roy made a seat for Doc Crane. "So what have you been up to, Doc?"

Nonplussed by the all-too-familiar routine of contempt and discrimination towards ogres (not allayed in the slightest on part of the offenders by his mixed human-ogre heritage), Thomas smiles fondly at his diminutive friend as he strides the length of the car in a few steps, passing by the gaping mouths and shocked expressions of the other passengers.

"Ah, my dear Huggins, it is good to see you again, my friend. I see that little has changed with you: you seem rather healthy and hale, and your penchant for the use of the vernacular of the gutter has obviously locked your sense of propriety in mortal combat and dispatched it with aplomb."

Thomas sets his intricately and elaborately carved walking stick, taller than Roy, against the car's bulkhead, dropping his carpetbag to the floor in front of the gnome, and pushes it beneath the seat bench. He sits down upon the seat across from Roy, the wooden and iron frame creaking loudly from the weight and bulk of the half-ogre. He pulls his spectacles off, examines them for dust, wipes them deftly with a handkerchief, sets them back upon his face, and looks down at Roy (whose face is still well below his despite both being seated) flashing a smile that splits his deeply-brown ogrish face wide.

"It really is good to see you again, Huggins. As to what I've been "up to", as you put it, I suppose the answer you would be expecting in your parlance would be... shall we say, a little of this and a little of that? Since the Turkish affair when we last met, I've spent a great deal of time on my estate in Bermuda, studying the old philosophers and their brilliant musings, which appear to us as simple as a infant's first steps, into the realm of the physical sciences, particularly Heraclitus' theories on the immutability of change itself.

I can see you have absolutely NO idea what I'm talking about. No matter! Let's see... oh yes, there was that bit of business with young Watson and the Ogre soccer team in Scotland, which would have been the last time I saw James and Miss Mina ... sorry... Madam Parker. I must confess that does take a bit of getting used to, don't you think? And then..."

Thomas will continue on for so long as Roy will let him, as he always relishes the opportunity to converse at length with an old friend, oblivious to whether or not he's retaining the interest of said friend. His near solitary existence on Bermuda provides him little in the way of good conversation, and his excitement at being reunited with his companions again has given him plenty of enthusiasm to fuel his musings and ramblings.

Roy listened to Doc drone on and on about his theories and such. He was used to the Doctor talking over his head, usually more figuratively than literally. Roy always thought it interesting that Doc, especially in the situation of obvious racism that was taking place on the train, would still consider Roy intellectually inferior. You would think the Doc would have learned a thing or two about judging a book by its cover.

The first time it happened, Roy had told the Doc to go **** himself. However, after years of working together, Roy realized the Doc didn't do it on purpose. Roy always assumed it was his years alone in Bermuda that made it difficult for Doc to talk to others. Regardless, they had quickly become good friends and made a very "interesting" team, to say the least.

As it stood, Roy just let the Doc be Doc and nodded his head at the appropriate times as he half listened to him. He was more interested in what Mr. Parker had in store for them. "Yeah, yeah, yeah, that's great Doc," Roy said to the hulking brute after 10 minutes of non-stop talking. "So what do you think Mr. Parker is gonna show us?"

Sensing that Roy probably wasn't interested in an extended discussion of Pre-Socratic theories of epistemology and being, Thomas leaned down and pulled his carpetbag up to root around for one of the many texts he was devouring of late, picking out a particularly interesting one on the unique alchemical properties of the soils, plants, substrata, and mineral composition of northeastern England. He settled back in his seat, and looked up and around to catch the attention of a porter.

"I am a bit hazy on the details from Parker's communiqué, other than something about a pre-colonial archaeological find of some import. Drat! I do believe that porter is deliberately ignoring me." Sensing his temper on the edge of fraying, Thomas lets out a deep calming sigh, somewhat frustrated by the continued contempt being shown to him by the train's staff.

"Huggins, do us a favor, if you will. I could really stand a spot of tea and a biscuit or three to take the edge off my appetite -- perhaps a loaf of bread as well, and several apples. Could you catch that fellow's attention and see if you can make any headway towards service for us? I've neither the energy nor the inclination to continue to make a fuss with these benighted souls who seem rather determined to keep alive the attitudes of a bygone era. I don't really think it would be productive for any of us if I get any more irritated by the current situation, and as I am quite hungry, I am growing more likely to lose my temper ... which would be most unfortunate."

Roy chuckled at the mention of Doc's temper. It's what made them a good team. Both were working hard on controlling their tempers. Doc seemed to have a better handle on it than Roy does, though, so Roy knew Doc must have been really upset to ask Roy to handle it. Roy stood and made his way to the closest employee on the train. "Excuse me, where can I get something to eat on this train?" he said as politely as possible.

The First Class Concierge tells him "Er, um, well, yes sir. I believe that we have available for the main entree a seared line-caught cod in a Beaujolais-and-rosemary sauce and served with freshly baked twelve-grain whole wheat roll and a side of a sliced fruit medley which includes both empire apples and freshly picked Florida oranges. For dessert we have available a delightfully made French pastry of a vanilla-chocolate pyramid with a subtle topping that hints of an impeccably creamy crèmes brûlées. A fine Italian red wine comes with that as the beverage. Does that meet with your approval sir?"

Roy grins slightly and decides to press the man a bit and says, "And if it doesn't?" He replies, "Then I can recommend to you a number of restaurants in the Jacksonville area that you can visit upon your arrival...Sir." Roy kept grinning. He had seen the Concierge's type before. Since the guy worked in the first-class, he decided that he was first class as well. Roy decided to play with this one a little bit.

"Look here son, I know that being the First Class concierge is a hard job. You have to make sure that everyone is happy. See that woman over there?" Roy pointed to the older woman with the large brimmed hat. "I'm sure she's happy." "And that guy?" Roy will then point to the younger gentleman who was, at the moment, trying to make the acquaintance of an obviously uninterested young blonde woman. "He seems really happy."

"Now look over there." Roy pointed at the Doc. "He's not happy; not one bit. He's tired, grumpy, and hungry. It's really not a good combination." "And now look down here." Roy pointed at himself. "I'm not happy. Now, why am I not happy? I'm glad you asked."

Roy's grin faded and he spoke quietly but firmly. "Here's what you're going to do to make me happy. You're going to bring two of the full course meals over to where my friend and I are sitting. One for me and one for him. Then you're going to bring me a whiskey and a beer. And then you are going to apologize to my friend for keeping him waiting for his meal. In that order." Roy's eyes narrowed. "Because, if you don't, I won't be happy. And you don't want to make me unhappy." Roy's fingers twitched as they always did in these situations.

The man replies, "Yes Sir, the dinner for both you and your servant. Now is your beverage request a substitution for the wine or in addition to it?" "Wine. Then whiskey. Then beer." Roy smiled broadly and good-naturedly slapped the man on the arm. "We'll be waiting patiently for your arrival." Roy made his way back to his seat and plopped down across from Doc. "We shall be fed shortly. And try to look somewhat menacing when we are, okay Doc?" Roy said with a wink.
Puzzled at Roy's insistence at why he needs to be menacing, Thomas returns to his book, thankful that sustenance was on the way, in no small part to Roy's directness and amazing ability to always convince people to see things his way. Thomas believed Huggins to be, without a doubt, one of the most fascinating people that he'd ever met in all of his travels and dealings, and despite his sometime crude bearing and quick temper, he knew him to be one of the most decent and upstanding men he'd ever know.

The man heads to the rear of the First Class Compartment to a three-by-five foot section to the left of the aisle. He spends ten minutes banging around and then emerges, pushing a sliding cart upon which are two silver platters with lids, a glass and a mug. He reaches where the two adventurers are seated and attempts to place a pair of thin wooden platforms with folding legs over the laps of the two men, but the frames were made for humans so Doctor Crane's is too small with him having to place it directly atop the half-ogre's knees. Roy's on the other hand is too large and so he hurries off, soon returning with a pillow to better prop the platform above Roy's lap.

He then places a frosty-mug of beer and a double-sized shot glass of whiskey in front of Roy on the platform side and then places the two trays on the platforms. The lids are removed to reveal the food, which doesn't exactly live up to the five-star descriptions. It consists of an open-faced fish sandwich with a thin slightly warm filet on one piece of slightly warm bread with a teaspoon-sized amount of a red jelly on the other piece. Beside that on each platter are half-an-apple and half-an-orange with the core and peelings removed, and a glass half-filled with a grape juice that barely smells of alcohol.

Looking up from his book when the food arrived, Thomas did his best to put a menacing frown on his face, but given Roy's smile and shake of the head, and the apparent lack of concern on part of the steward as he walked away, Thomas figured that the glance, without any real meanness behind it, probably made him look more constipated than intimidating. Honest to a fault, Thomas simply didn't do guile and deception well. Thomas politely acknowledged the arrival of the steward, deeply absorbed in his book, absentmindedly lifting it as the steward fussed with the pillow on his lap. He muttered a quiet "thank you ever so much" without lifting his eyes from the book.

Roy looks at his tray and starts laughing. "Holy ****, boy. This is the food you got all snooty about? My mother can cook better food than this and she's a horrible cook!" Roy reaches out, grabs the whiskey, and downs it. He stops laughing and looks at the concierge. "Ain't you forgettin' somethin'?" The man says, "I will bring out the French pastries at the completion of your meal Sir". He then points to the now empty shot glass and asks, "Would you care for a refill?"

Hearing Roy's laughter, Thomas looked up, set the book down, and lifted his platter cover. Seeing the quality (or obvious lack thereof) of the food being served, Thomas' equanimity turned quickly to cold anger. He knew that the mediocre-at-best fare before was not the customary standard for first-class dining in the American rail system. "Oh no," he said quietly, with real menace in his voice, "this will not do. This will NOT do."

The Concierge looks towards the half-ogre and with a slight quiver to his lip and a bead of perspiration appearing on his brow states, "I'm truly sorry, but this is all that we have remaining. The First Class meal was served to those in this car back while we were traveling between Atlanta and Macon, Georgia" Gesturing towards Roy he states, "I believe that your employer was napping at that time. For you to have received one of those meals you would have needed to board the train earlier than Lake City, Florida."

Roy just sat back to watch the show. "This should be good," he thought to himself. "Employer? Oh yeah, this'll be great." Roy kicked his legs out, put his hands behind his head, and smiled grandly.

Thomas gave the Concierge a hard look, his anger rising. Seeing the obvious discomfort of the man, a hint of fear in his eyes, Thomas decided that the man was likely telling the truth. If not, Thomas thought to himself, well, as the esteemed Orc philosopher Sun Tzu once wrote, "He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight." Thomas had spent his entire life fighting a war to preserve his dignity and honor in the face so much public contempt and hatred for his kind, and sometimes it was difficult to remember which battles were the truly important ones, and which ones were not.

This one, Thomas thought, was not. "Fine, fine," Thomas said, nodding dismissively at the man's pleas. "Firstly, Mr. Huggins is no more my employer than I his. We are peers and travelling companions, as hard as that might be for you to understand. With respect to the disappointing meal before us, I am not ungrateful for your efforts in preparing what you did have available for us. Perhaps an additional loaf of bread and a few more apples might make the difference, and we can only hope that the next time I travel First Class on this line will see a marked improvement in how I am served." With that, Thomas continued to hold the man in his stern gaze, awaiting his response.

Without a second's hesitation at being dismissed without any bodily harm the man hurries back to the rear of the car as quickly as he can, and from the sounds heard, is rapidly preparing the food. He rushes back within three-minutes of his departure with a very full wooden tray atop which are twelve cored apples, seven pealed oranges, nine pieces of bread, a small ceramic bowl with the red jelly, a plate with butter and two butter knives, and nine small sugar cookies each with three dabs of different sauces atop (those apparently being the aforementioned French pastries). Also on the tray is the whiskey refill.

Before the concierge put the tray down, Roy helped himself to a handful of cookies. "I know you're trying to watch your sugar intake," Roy said through a mouthful of cookie. "And you know I'm always happy to help you resist temptation." Thomas barely suppresses a smile at the rapidity with which the concierge retreated, followed by his near-immediate return with the abundantly filled tray. The ancient wisdom of the Orc warlord rang true: sometimes victory is won by avoiding the battle altogether.

"Top notch, top notch, my good man!", Thomas said to the man, reaching into his large vest pocket for the customary tip, placing it into the concierge's hand as he set the tray down, raising a bemused eyebrow as Huggins quickly pilfered a handful of the cookies. Roy swallowed big and rinsed his mouth with the fresh whiskey, gulping it down as well. "Aaaaah! I really do love our time together, Doc. There's always somethin' goin' on that'll make a great story to tell," Roy said with a wink.

Thomas replies, "Indeed, indeed, Huggins. But where are my manners? Here I've been, going on about my studies and myself. Tell me what you have been ... what was the expression -- 'up to?' -- since we last met. I am sure whatever it was, that is also a great story." As Roy listened to the question, he noticed, over Doc's shoulder, the young woman get up and start walking in their direction. "We'll catch up later, Doc. Besides, you know me," Roy said as he sat up and ran a hand through his hair. "Nothing like living in the present."

A few seats behind the oddly matched pair having a late lunch a young woman had fallen asleep reading a small book. The racket made by the concierge finally managed to wake her; wide blue eyes blinking behind the spectacles that had gone askew when her head had lolled against the window. Abigail straightened the spectacles, patted her hair and closed the book. As far as she could tell there was only one person in that seat up ahead, and he was the man she had been looking for. Walking forward she heard him speaking to someone else, then saw his diminutive companion.

"Dr. Crane," she said with a smile, making free with one of his cookies. "How lovely to see you again." To the surprise and even horror of some of the other passengers, she then leaned forward and kissed the ogre on the cheek. "I'm sure you'll introduce me to your companion who I'm also sure has a fascinating story to tell." Roy slid over to make space for the young woman. "Pleased to make your acquaintance, Ma'am. My name's Roy Huggins. And you are?" He took the woman's hand as she sat down and kissed it lightly. He then held it gently between his hands, as if it needed protecting.

"Abigail!" Thomas sputtered in surprise, completely taken aback, and flushed from the kiss. He turned, rising abruptly out of courtesy, almost knocking over the tray of food, and rammed his head into the low bulkhead of the car, designed for those less than seven feet tall. "Ow!" He sat down just as quickly, rubbing his head, struggling to recover his poise in order to make an introduction of Huggins to Abigail ... a useless effort, it seemed, as the two were already engaged in conversation, completely unaware of (or too polite to note) his pratfall.

She replies, "Abigail Marsters. But you were about to tell a fascinating story. I love stories, especially ones that tell me a bit about my new companions. You are coming with us to meet the Parkers, aren't you? New companions and a mysterious quest sound just about right to me." "Oh indeed it does Abigail," Roy says, still holding on to her hand. "As for my tale, it's nothing special. Have you ever heard of a place called... Katmandu?"

And once again, Thomas marveled at his complete dumbfoundedness and outright clumsiness whenever he found himself in the presence of a beautiful and genteel woman ... and most particularly THIS woman, Miss Abigail Marsters. It was as if he was anything BUT an Oxford-educated doctor of natural sciences and archaeology, seasoned by decades of world travel, intrigue and war, as experienced in the ways of the world as one could be.

Instead, he became a shy, bumbling, fumbling near adolescent, variably incapable of the most basic discourse and rational behavior whenever he was anywhere near Abigail Marsters. By great Zeus' beard, Thomas was thankful that Abigail's attention was turned completely away from him, as Huggins related his wondrous tales of his adventures in Katmandu. Although his skin was as brown as his mahogany cane, he was sure, despairingly so, that his embarrassed blushing must be patently and horrifically obvious.

Even as Roy began his story, Abby used her free hand to help right the Doctor's tray, putting cookies and fruit to rights. In the process she stole an apple and leveled a smile at him, continuing to make occasional eye contact as Roy spoke, not wanting him to feel she was ignoring him in favor of his companion. The gnome Roy says, "Well, it's beautiful country and I'd love to visit there someday, but I'm talking about the Katmandu trading company based out of Chinatown in New York. "

"It all started last year, when I was contacted by one Lo Feng. He had heard that I had a good eye for reading people, so he asked me to join him on an upcoming business transaction with this Russian trading group called the Muscovy Company. So I'm sitting there, in this dingy office in some dockside warehouse, when this huge bear of a man walks in. Now when I say "bear of a man" I mean that literally. The man was as hairy as I'd ever seen and his nose was a bit longer than it should have been. I also noticed his fingernails were really claws. I asked later what the hell he was and was told he was a "lycan." Apparently they're some kind of half-man, half-animal critter."

"Anyway, so the bear sat down and didn't say a word. He just stared at Lo Feng and me. A lesser gnome would have been nervous in a situation like that, but not me. I never broke eye contact. I think I made him sweat a bit. Five minutes later, this older man in a suit, this one was normal looking, comes walking in and Lo Feng got up and shook his hand. This guy was named Yuri and he apologized if Ivan, the bear, had startled us. Lo Feng said it was not a problem and that they should get down to business."

"For the next few hours, Yuri and Lo Feng discussed everything under the sun, from family to shipping rates. If I hadn't known any better, I would have thought the two had been friends for years. To tell you the truth, the only thing that kept me from falling asleep was that I was so fascinated by Ivan. You see, he had an interesting tell. Every time Lo Feng would bring up money, whether talking about dock fees or bribes to local officials, Yuri's left foot would silently tap the floor twice. Not in a big way, mind you, but very subtly. I'm sure it wasn't a conscious decision on his part but then tells usually aren't. I knew something was wrong but I kept my mouth shut."

"Anyway, when it was all done, Yuri and Ivan got up and left, Yuri thanking Lo Feng for his time. After they were gone, I told Lo Feng what I saw and told him that I thought Yuri was planning on cheating him somehow. Lo Feng was grateful for my assistance and told me that he'd be in contact. I had pretty much forgotten about the whole deal until about a month later when I received a package. In it was a very nice pocket watch and a letter. The package was from Lo Feng and the letter was extremely interesting. It seems that, since our meeting, Lo Feng had kept tabs on Ivan. Ivan eventually led Lo Feng to a plot by Yuri to try to take over all of the trading business currently done by Katmandu."

"In his letter, Lo Feng said that he took care of them and that they would not bother him again and that the watch was a token of appreciation for my work." Roy let go of Abby's hand and pulled out a nice pocket watch he was currently wearing. "Not bad for a couple hours work, eh?" She replies, "Not bad at all. So is that your work? Reading and understanding people? I noticed you working the concierge a bit. I suppose whatever the Parkers need us for requires people of unusual talents. Do you have others?"

"It's not the only thing I do. I'm also an excellent card player. And my reflexes are second to none. I can usually outdraw any man, or woman, if they try to pull a weapon on me. Ask the Doc; he'll tell ya." Roy nodded at Doc as he said this, hoping he'd remember the mission in Turkey and how he'd thrown up the silver platter just in time to stop the bullet aimed at the Russian ambassador. "So how do you two know each oth..." Roy trailed off as he glanced at Doc. Something was obviously wrong with him.

Chapter Four, “Passengers on the Third Train”, September 1st, 1882, 10:30 A.M.

John Wesley Hardin slides down the aisle of the train with practiced ease, avoiding wayward elbows and outstretched feet with with fluidity. Earlier, he had allowed to porter to stow his larger valise in the baggage car, but the hint of a frown and the hardening of his eyes had warned the elderly negro away from the smaller bag. The heavy bag that rings with the faint bell of metal upon metal as it brushes a seat back.

A flat smile, devoid of mirth, flits across Hardin's face as he scans the First Class car, searching. His eyes scan back and forth across the nattily dressed businessmen, so with their wives or mistresses, probing for hidden weapons. He notes a hideaway gun in a waistsash and another in a boot-top but the passengers, for the most part, seemed to be unarmed. Habit forces a quick look back over his shoulder to see if anyone is watching with too much interest. Momentarily mollified, the set of his shoulders relaxes and his free hand drops away from the butt of one of the Colt 1877 Lightening pistols sewn artfully into his suit-vest.

The ends of his mouth turn up a bit more as he says to himself, "Damn it's good to be free!" He notes a pair in a quad-seat that look a bit out of place - one gangly youth that looks like he made a wrong turn coming out of the big-top sitting across from a man that has "The Look" about him. That man glances up, meeting Hardin's steady gaze. His eyes flick down, taking in the well-concealed brace of pistols and taking the Texan's measure. He glances back up and nods imperceptibly. Hardin stops in front of their seats and tips his hat. "I suspect you would be Trout and Cantrell...I'm Hardin. Do you mind?" He motions to a seat with the bag-hand and waits expectantly.

Benjamin ‘Fish’ Trout is busy whittling a sturdy chunk of soft wood with an elegant-looking jacknife. The shavings fall around his ankles. "You must be that sharp-shootin' Texan just won himself a pardon, no? Please join us, Mr. Hardin!" he says, grinning earnestly. Cantrell looks up at Hardin. He says, "Your reputation precedes you, Mr. Hardin." The forger waves at the empty spot. "By all means, have a seat. Ben here was just telling me a story of his former life."

Trout says, "Larry, please. My friends call me Fish!" His pale blue eyes sparkle. "Lydia the Tattooed Lady gave me the nickname when I was 14. She said,'The boy needn't breathe, it seems.'" He grins lasciviously. Ben's voice is warm, almost melodic -- but there's a gravelly quality to it too, as though he is accustomed to shouting. His puckish demeanor is difficult not to like. Lawrence slaps him on the back and says, "Fish it is then." With a wink, Fish asks, "Mr. Hardin, sir: is it true what they say about a Texan and his hat?"

Hardin tries to suppress a grin and fails and starts laughing as he takes the indicated seat. "Well...I haven't been to Texas in a while...being otherwise occupied. But a gentlemen never shares such secrets anyway, so I might have ta let you wonder on that for a bit longer. If you ever get by El Paso again, though, ask around for Shady Sadie and I am sure she will tell you...for a price!" Hardin seems to think his own "joke" is quite funny and laughs again, slapping his own knee...

While the three men are making their introductions a young human woman also makes her way down the center aisle. She has long curly brown hair, a shapely body and a face that one would have considered pretty if not for her long oversized nose. Despite this, Trout still takes an active notice of her as she passes by. She takes an empty seat in the bench immediately behind where Cantrell and Trout are seated. While he is talking to the men the observant Hardin notices that she reaches into her shoulder satchel and removes a notebook and fountain pen and begins writing.

Hardin's smile fades and his eyes narrow as the woman produces reporter's tools. Cantrell is taken aback by the sudden turn in Hardin's countenance, from mirthful to deadly serious in the blink of an eye. He stares hard at the young woman, lips a razor thin line. "Damn reporters..." The whisper sounds like the hiss of an angry rattler...

Fish stands, as though in polite deference to Hardin's arrival. As he does, he deliberately fumbles the chunk of wood that he was whittling over the back of their seat into the lap of this mysterious woman. He then scoots past Hardin and, manufacturing a blush, introduces himself to her.

When Fish moves suddenly, Hardin's hands are a blur, moving impossibly fast... He has his pistols halfway out of their concealed vest holsters before he sees the falling wood. With a barely audible grunt and another flinch, his hands are back at his sides. He looks past Fish towards Cantrell and offers a slight shrug as he relaxes back into his seat. "Old habits die hard..." He smiles again, but it stops well short of his eyes...eyes that look like they belong to an old man...not someone a few months shy of his 30th birthday.

Lawrence raises an eyebrow at the display and says, "Mighty impressive Mr. Hardin. I take it you didn't learn that for show." Hardin chuckles grimly and says, "I was...intemperate in my youth. Fortunately age - and an extended holiday - have shown me the path of righteousness. I stay in form to guard against those who may not have faith in my redemption."

Cantrell guffaws. "Youth is the time for intemperance. My own youth in Delaware was ill-spent. The war forced me to focus on what was important. Did you serve?" Hardin shakes his head. At the next bench Fish states, "I'm terribly sorry, miss! Riding trains make me so nervous!" He studies her reaction. She smiles at him in a friendly manner while simultaneously shutting her notebook. She says in a Southern accent "No need to apologize Sir, just try to be more careful in the future." Fish crouches to retrieve his whittled chunk of wood from the floor of the train. He attempts to disguise the glance he casts up the woman's skirt.

Hardin offers Cantrell another crooked grin and slides his eyes back over to the young woman seated behind Cantrell and Trout. She notices Hardin's attention towards her and puts away her notebook and pen in her travel bag. She then gets up and heads down the train to an empty seat around ten feet further away. Hardin feels a slight twinge of guilt as the young woman moves away and silently berates himself, “C'mon, John, quit picking on little girls...it's not like she was a Ranger or someone else out to get you.”

Fish retakes his seat and looks out the window. "Not that I would know, but I've been told that a traveling circus provides great cover for moving covert intelligence..." Hardin returns to his seat and focuses on his new companions, but steals a occasional glance at the young woman to see what she is about. The young lady appears to now be reading a book while seated in the aisle seat three rows away. Cantrell replies, "I hear you, Fish. I hear journalists can get into all sorts of places too."

Hardin snorts, "I don't have any problem getting into places...my difficulty is more in getting out. "So...how do you two know Mr. Parker?" While waiting for them to answer, Hardin's mind wanders back to a very sticky situation on the wrong side of the Rio Grande involving Parker, some wizard magic and a very unfriendly customs agent... Cantrell replies, "James and I go way back., to the War as a matter of fact. We, uh, served together. Went all over the place. I haven't seen him in a few years, but we've kept in touch by cable."

Fish says, "I don't know Mister Parker, sir. I am acquainted with his wife, Lady Wilamina. I suppose one could describe what I have done for her as 'courier' work: 'retrieving' and delivering something she'd ordered. She pays well too! Charming woman."

The train continues for another hour and then makes a short stop at a major train depot with multiple train turnarounds. The Conductor pokes his head in the car and says, "Lake City, change trains here for Atlanta". An older couple get up and depart. Hardin checks both entry doors - out of habit - several times before the train starts moving again.

Back on the first train, reflecting upon the comments that she made regarding her current marriage, Wilamina Parker’s facial expression then changes and with a sigh she adds, "Our only real problem has been with James's daughter. Since he and I have known one-another for over a half-century she is now convinced that ours was a long-time love affair and that he was unfaithful to her mother. Her constant innuendo on that subject was what led us to move out of the Parker mansion in Newburyport, Massachusetts and to my house in Tarrytown, New York. They now haven't spoken in over two years."

Ruby says, "Oh, that's sad. You would think this girl would want to see her father happy! And you two are certainly happy," she grins. "What's this girl's name and how old is she? If I ever bump into her I'll have to set her straight." Mina replies, "Her name is Mary and you probably will meet her at some point, as James plans to use the Mansion again as one of the meeting places for the Guild. Newburyport will be one of the eight shipping offices, which the father of the aforementioned Roy will be managing for James. That probably will not help James and Mary's relationship much, as both of Roy's parents had worked exclusively for her these last few years."

"Roy, one of the men we're meeting here in Florida?" Ruby pondered for a moment. "His father is a house manager? What does Roy do? I mean, he got this job because of his father?" Mina says, "Oh no, Roy is a fellow adventurer, he got this job as a Guild member due to his skills and past experience working with James. Roy and his parents first came to America a little over four decades ago from an island in the south Pacific. They've worked for the Parker's ever since. Roy likes to travel but his father is happy staying in Massachusetts, and James wants somebody he can trust managing each of the commercial offices of the business. James's son and uncle will each manage two of the foreign offices."

"South Pacific you say?" Ruby's eyebrows came together, a sure sign she was thinking hard. "Is he not... human? I am ashamed to admit I don't know all my history and geography." She continued to speak to herself as if she was working out a complex problem, "I wonder, is that where my friend Chumbley the halfling is from or was that Australia? Kate would remember." She sighed and shrugged, "I suppose I will have to remember to ask her. Nana, what kind of people come from the South Pacific?"

Mina replies, "Roy and his parents are gnomes, little people, even smaller than dwarves." Ruby blinked a few times. "Little people? I wonder if I have ever met a gnome before? I didn't think anyone was smaller than a dwarf…except maybe a halfling... perhaps I have in my travels. Well, this Roy fellow sounds interesting I would say."

Ruby adjusted her legs and turned her body, the hard and straight seat was not exactly comfortable and they had been traveling so long already. She was just itching to get off this train and get started. "This Mary, I am sure we'll get along just fine, after all, we are related by marriage, right? How long can she hold a grudge over her father being happy anyway, that's just silly." Mina says, "I'm not so sure. The bad blood between her and her father predates our marriage. She still blames him for a broken engagement between her and a prominent Boston aristocrat, which occurred almost a decade ago. She also blames him for her parent's divorce even though it was her mother who initiated it and not James."

Ruby replies, "A broken marriage to a prominent aristocrat you say? Do you know the story, I am curious to hear it and why she would hold a grudge so. As much as I know James he is nothing but kind and helpful and you love him so much I can't see he would have any faults." Mina replies, "A broken engagement, not marriage, he refused to marry her after....." (Mina then lowers her voice and leans forward, saying softly to Ruby, so low that Nanuet and George can barely hear). "After Mary told him she would only be able to have one or two children. Having a son to carry on the family name was very important to him, so he ended the engagement."

Mina continues, "Mary blamed James because, well, it actually was his fault, a side effect of magic that we use to prolong our aging process. That's why I was only able to have the one child and James has only sired two, and each with a different former wife. The longer-life is also passed on to our immediate children, you'll notice that your mother for example looks at least a decade younger than her chronological age but you'll also note that she has only had two children, and each from a different father."

Ruby says, "Oh I didn't know that. About the children part of... you know." Now that she thought about it her mother did look quite good for her age. She knew her Nana did but she had been the one to use the magic, the same life prolonging magic Ruby was eager to use when she was old enough. She hadn't spoken to George about this yet and wasn't certain how he would feel about it. Nor had they really spoken about children, Ruby had conveniently avoided that topic. She glances sideways at her fiancé and realized it was not fair to him to not discuss these topics so she made a vow to do it... soon.

Mina says, “As for his divorce, it was actually his wife who left him, she ran off with a European Prince. But Mary is now convinced that she only did that because he was unfaithful first, which was not the case."
Ruby asks, "A European Prince? However did that happen?" Mina says, "In January of 1874 James and his wife Eleanor were invited guests at the wedding of Queen Victoria's son the Duke of Edinburgh to the Grand Duchess Marie Alexandrovna of Russia. Simultaneous to the ceremony a group of Italian thieves broke into the Queen's castle and stole a very precious heirloom.

So James and two of his friends decided to then follow the trail of the thieves across the English channel. Leaving Eleanor back in London, the trio were soon able to retrieve it, but an entire squadron of Italian thugs then following them back to England. Fearing that these men would go after his wife, James asked another wedding guest who had his own formidable group of bodyguards, the Crown Prince of Luxembourg, to help protect her. During the next month while James and his colleagues evaded and stopped the Italians that Prince courted and stole his wife from him."

"Well, that wasn't very nice, was it? Those Princes just think they can do whatever they please... Poor James, that is pretty tragic. Though I daresay it worked out in the end." She grinned at her Nana. Things in her life had started off poorly, just like Ruby and their family curse, but she had managed to take advantage of life and was living pretty darned well. Ruby only hoped she could be as happy and successful as Nana one day.

Ruby placed a hand on George’s face and kept it there while she kissed him again. Then she snuggled her head onto his shoulder, scorching down into the uncomfortable seat. "This is horribly uncomfortable compared to our last train. It feels like it's taking forever and I'm just so excited to get there." Mina smiles and says, "That custom Pullman spoiled you, it's probably the fanciest train in the country. It only makes runs between New York and Savannah, with stops in between in Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington DC, Richmond and Raleigh. Beyond that this type of train is more the norm. But we're almost there, only another twenty miles or so, should be less than a half-hour until our arrival. Ruby says, "It definitely did spoil me, it was beautiful. We were lucky it happened to be going our way. And only twenty minutes, thank Aphrodite!" Her legs were again starting to twitch, she was very ready to begin their adventure.

George patted Ruby on the knee. "I am sure the mosquitoes will have you wishing to be back on the train." he laughed. "Very funny," she said and leaned over to kiss him again to hush him. "You don't even want to know the places I've lived, mosquitoes are nothing! And I have dealt with much bigger blood suckers as you know."

Mina asks, “So Ruby, did you have fun this last month? I haven't seen that much of you other than at your mother's wedding." "Well, this month has been very busy Nana. We've been planning the wedding. We had a lot of discussing to do about when it should happen but I think we've chosen a date and church and all that. I thought we should do it quickly but George is right, we have a lot of people to appease and it should be a big event. We picked out a lot of the other things that go with planning a wedding of this size. You know, George knows a lot of people." She smiled. "Kate helped me choose a beautiful gown in New York City and it's being made as we speak. And caterers that will come up to Rochester for whatever various parties that will happen. I am certain George will find some other wedding details to bore me with." She squeezed his hand in hers. "Though I must say I'm warming to this big wedding thing."

"Then there has been..." Ruby leaned forward towards her grandmother and Nanuet, "Well, George... we've... figured out some things about George. Seems he has been blessed by the gods as we have, he just needed to listen to his heart and figure it out. He's been working tirelessly on that and I have been helping as I can. His goddess, Athena of course, has always been watching over him." She glanced sideways at the man beside her, Ruby considered how much to tell but determined it was his story, if he wanted to share it. She grinned. "So we have been practicing."

"Then George has had his work - getting ready for him to be away and also opening the Tucson office - but he's still taken the time to bring me in and teach me some of what he does. It's actually very interesting and my man is so smart to invent all these wonderful technologies that are changing the world." She had a proud grin on her face as she spoke of his accomplishments, anyone could tell how much she adored him.

"And I have been working on getting to know his staff better at home. You met them that day before... you know... THAT day. Al, Rosie and William are all very nice people and I think they like me. Though I still can't get them to eat dinner at the table with me." She pouted a little at that, she didn't like that they had to change their eating arrangement because of her, she never considered herself above them but they kept insisting that it wasn't proper now that she was there. "I have decorated a little in the house to keep me busy but I'm not sure George loves my exotic styles and tastes. May be a little too colorful for him," Ruby laughed. "I assume George doesn't complain because he doesn't want me to be bored."

"And of course it's the summer so we did spend some time outside, picnics and hikes and the gardens and swimming and things like that. We saw some theater too. And that little amusement park that has some rides, oh I love that place so much and George takes me there a lot. I do adore the summer but I forgot how much more humid it is here than out West!"

Ruby curled her long red hair around a finger as she spoke, stopping occasionally to think on more details. "I think that is everything." She paused and looked out the window for a moment, watching the land speed by. "Not exactly the life I thought I would be living at the beginning of this year I would say."

Chapter Five, “There is a house in New Orleans… ”, September 1st, 1882, 11:30 A.M.

On the second train, Roy looks at his companion and asks, “You ok, Doc? You look a little flushed." During Roy's tale, Thomas did his best to quell his nervousness, apparently to no avail. "Wha? Umm, yes Huggins, I'm quite alright, quite", Thomas stammered out. "I... um... think that the long day of travel has finally caught up to me, and I'm just a bit out of sorts with slight fatigue and hunger. I'm sure I'll be fine after I get something to eat." Regaining his composure a bit, he said, "After all, as you might imagine, I've got quite an appetite to satisfy!" Thomas managed a smile, which he was sure was no more convincing than his previous attempt at looking menacing.

"As to how... ummm... Miss Marsters... ummm... and I ... uh... know each other, well that would have been our ... being together... NO, I mean WORKING together, working... at the ... uhhhh... Pitt Rivers estate back in England." Thomas gulped, as he felt the sweat break out on his large forehead, in which he was sure must have been huge rivulets. He had led slave rebellions, fought Confederate soldiers, stopped Turkish assassins, entered the lairs of underground denizens best left undiscovered and undisturbed, and from the deck of a sinking ship, even stared into the abyssal maw of the Maelstrom itself ... but all of that was nothing, nothing -- there was nothing he feared more than the intimacy of small-talk with Miss Marsters. At the dinner table, or on the parlor floor, even dancing, Thomas could hold his own quite well -- there was safety and comfort in the large crowd. But here, with her so close, and his shyness so obvious? Terrifying!

Thomas continued on: "The estate is an archaeological dig of some import for scholars of the confluence of early Roman and Saxon society." Sensing ground where his footing was surer, Thomas stammered less, as the scholar within took control over the shy adolescent. "Pitt Rivers is an astounding man -- a genius in his field, and meticulous to boot." On an impulse, warming up to the chance to talk about their experiences at the dig, Thomas reached for an orange and fumbled with it a bit as he talked, his large fingers struggling with the tiny fruit. "I believe that Miss Marsters would agree with me that we learned much under the tutelage of Pitt Rivers, and that he's single-handedly advancing the ... OH, DEAR!"

As Thomas spoke, one of his fingers gouged too deeply into the orange's meat, spraying juice and pulp straight into his eyes, bouncing a seed off his forehead. "I... uh... oh." Roy bit his tongue and tried not to laugh at his obviously flustered friend. "I certainly learned more that's of practical use there than I did at University," Abigail agreed as she handed Dr. Crane a handkerchief pulled from her pocket. "That juice must sting. I can never manage to be neat when I peel an orange either. You'd think I was still two years old." Thomas took the handkerchief from Abigail, muttering a quiet "thank you" as he avoided looking directly at her. As he wiped the orange pulp and juice from his face, he listened to Roy and Abigail chat.

As she relaxed Abigail's accent became more pronounced, making it easy to guess that she was New Orleans born and bred. "Pitt-Rivers insists that all artifacts are important, and that everyday items can teach more than treasure. And I have to say I agree. He's also opened up some lovely public gardens that I spent a lot of my free time in.
And I of course enjoyed being in my father's native land. I took the chance to meet some aunts and uncles while I was there."

Roy quickly turned to Abigail. "I noticed you were reading a book before you joined us. May I ask what it was?" She replies, "Oh, just a novel. After university I find I don't want to do so much hard reading as I used to. This particular one is Vanity Fair, about a particularly amoral if clever young woman and her rise and fall. Rather juicy, actually," she laughed. "Not quite a penny dreadful, but my mother would still be horrified."

"I promise not to tell her," Roy said with a wink and a grin. "I couldn't help but notice your accent. New Orleans, correct? Did you know LeSoleil Levant?" Thomas was about to remark that he, too, had recently read Thackeray's novel, but was sidetracked when Huggins queried her about LeSoleil Levant. Strange, he thought to himself, that name sounded somewhat familiar, and yet he couldn't place it

"Only by reputation," she grinned back. "And yes, N'awlins is home. Such a gorgeous place, although the summers can be unbearable. LeSoleil Levant... didn't offer services an eighteen-year old needed. It's gone now. I was twenty when it folded, I believe. To the chagrin of more than one gentleman I might add. But there is no shortage of those kinds of services in New Orleans. Such music and dancing! I haven't traveled very widely yet, but I cannot imagine a place to rival my home for music and dancing."

"I am in definite agreement with you there, girlie. There is no better place in this country of ours than the Big Easy for singing and dancing. I was there the night they closed Madame Levant's doors, you know. Being something of a card player, I found myself partaking of her business somewhat frequently. Good times, they were. But I say adieu to the past and bon jour to the future. All I need is my suitcase and a trunk to make it in this world." Roy drinks his latest refill of whiskey and slams the glass on to the tray. "What say you, Doc? How come you never took up my offers to show you around New Orleans?"

Thomas finished wiping his face, and folded the handkerchief before starting to hand it back to Abigail. He stopped, and instead put it into his coat pocket.

"I'll have this laundered and returned to you, Miss Marsters. Thank you again." Suddenly, the realization dawned upon him suddenly, after he thought about the conversation that he just heard, that the woman Roy had been talking about was none other than the infamous Madam of the House of the Rising Sun -- not only famous as a den of iniquitous behavior but also as a key nexus of the espionage network that the Union had created in its efforts against the Confederacy.

Glaring at Roy for his scandalizing choice of conversation, combined with his memory of what New Orleans meant to Ogres, Thomas replied "While I am sure that New Orleans was undoubtedly a veritable wonderland for your devotion to the pursuit of secular pleasures, I can assure that it was a much different experience for me, and will likely continue to be so. Those of my -- ilk, shall we say -- are generally not accorded with a great deal of respect or kindness... to say the least. The city's attitudes towards Ogrekind haven't changed much since the end of the War -- and at any turn of every street corner, it felt to me that you could almost hear the echoes of the gavel sounding the end of yet another slave auction, sending another innocent soul into bondage."

Thomas found himself on the verge of blood-boiling anger yet again. This time, he was solely focusing on his dear friend at its source ..., which, clearly, was not at all Huggins's fault. Closing his eyes, and taking yet another in a series of deep breaths to calm himself, he sought again to regain his composure. "I... I'm sorry, my friend, for my tempestuous digression. I am sure you do not need a lecture from me about either iniquitous behavior or man's inhumanity to man. As I said, it's been a long day, and I am perhaps overtired from the journey and the strain of suffering from an excess of ... Southern courtesy." (those last two words dripping sarcasm, a rare display from Thomas).

"If you will pardon me," Thomas said as he stood up, "I think I need to find the necessary room and attend to my dishabille from my battle with the orange. If you and" (gazing into her face directly for the first time as he nodded to her) "Miss Marsters will excuse me?". He then left to find the train car's water closet. Roy looked a bit confused as Doc walked off.

Turning back to his new companion Roy says, "Well, I understand where he's coming from, I mean the racism in New Orleans can be palpable in certain locations, but I always wished he had come down and stayed with the folks I stayed with. As long as your money was green, they didn't care what you were." Roy shook his head sadly. "Anyway," he said as he turned to look at Abigail. "How do you know Mr. Parker?"

Abigail's eyes followed Dr. Crane as he walked down the aisle. She suddenly realized she was still wearing her spectacles and pulled them off. "New Orleans bears its share of the shame of the south, but there are so many places that have always rejected it. I don't know Mr. Parker. I'm invited on Dr. Crane's recommendation." He replies, "Interesting. And what specialties do you bring to this ragtag bunch?"

She answers, "I'm not entirely sure. I have no idea what we're going to be doing. As far as I know all I have to offer is my education and a thirst for adventure." Abigail looked at Roy for a moment, wondering how much it was safe to say. "We girls from New Orleans also have some other talents on occasion."

While Abigail and Roy are engaged in conversation and Thomas attempts to compose himself again, they are now leaving the Baldwin, Florida train depot for the final nineteen-miles of the trip to Jacksonville. For the next dozen or so miles the outside scenery changes from marsh and forest to vast cotton fields as far as the eye can see, many with ogres and half-ogres out picking the cotton.

Back upon the first train, George Eastman put away his notebook and his pen. Stood and stretched. The seats were a bit uncomfortable. Looking at them he made a mental note to have someone look into the curve of the spine and how a seat back might support it better. "I agree, this has been a long journey, though I think the easiest part perhaps. Still a bit of fresh air would do the constitution good. I think I shall step out onto the balcony. Would you care to join me Constance?" says George offering his arm.

"Certainly," she nodded, and stood also, wondering if she had said something that upset him. She hooked her arm around his and with an "Excuse us," to Nana and Nanuet she followed him where he led her. Nanuet goes to looking out the window and observing the landscape. They pass alongside various farms and plantations where cotton and sugarcane are being grown. The fields are being worked by ogres and half-ogres.

George and Ruby step through the rear door of the passenger compartment onto a platform the width of the train and only three feet in length. A metal fence surrounds it, with a gate in the middle. The gate is currently shut and secured with a simple latching mechanism, and on the other side are steps down to the ground and then up to the next train car. With the gate shut it allows the passengers a degree of safety to stand and take in the scenery. The surroundings are mostly farms and fields, but they now also start to pass through a small residential area with small clapboard houses that appear to be occupied by a mixed group of both ogres and working class humans.

George walked with Ruby to the edge of the platform, watching the scenery moving past quickly He breathed in some fresh air. The air inside had been getting a bit stale with out the windows open. George turned to his fiancé took her in his arms and kissed hr passionately. He broke after a few moments and held her hands in his. "I just wanted a moment alone with you was all Constance." he said as he put his arm around her waist and watches the scenery some more as Ruby laid her head on his shoulder.

She grinned up at him, "Of course you did darling," before standing on her toes and kissing him again. Then she settled into his shoulder to watch the landscape with him. "I fear we won't have much time alone on this trip, we will be surrounded by so many people. We'll have to steal time, I think."

"And steal it then we shall," replies George kissing her again. "I feel like we have just begun our lives together, engaged as we are, though not yet married and yet, with you, with these friends, and the guild, that events are drawing us apart. I feel like we should be picnicking back in New York right now, not sitting on some cramped train on the way to the swamps of Florida. But I will admit to being excited, both for the travel and adventure and to be with you. I know you would not truly be happy back in the parlor in New York," says George as he bends to kiss Ruby again.

Ruby enjoyed that kiss for a while and the fresh air that was swirling around them as they did. "George, I would be happy with you in that parlor, as long as we were together. But in a way you are right, I wouldn't be happy sitting there forever, I would get bored, even with you my love. You have your work and I was just never meant to sit home all day and do nothing but primp. Still, I would do it for you and try my best."

She pushed the deep red hair off her face. "I disagree about these events drawing us apart. I think quite the opposite, we will have a little adventure and it will be fun and exciting and this traveling and experiencing new things will bring us together." She put her hands on George's chest and pressed herself into his arms, staring into his eyes. "We have just begun our life together darling and it shall be a long and happy one for us."

"I am happy to hear you say that, but remember that I have had you absent from my life for many years, and am in no great hurry to share you or my time with you with anyone. Nor am I inclined to risk losing you by allowing you to traipse about getting injured, sick or bitten," says George with a smile. "I just want to have my time with you Constance, I have searched for you a long time, I have found you and don't intend to let you go, now or ever. My love is burning within me, only you may quench it my love, and so I am loath to lead you into danger, and yet I cannot keep you safe at home. What ever shall I do with you my darling Constance?"

Ruby grinned at George, her smile filled with happiness. "You shall love me George, that's all I really need from you." Her hands went to his face and held it gently facing her. She kissed him softly on the lips as she gazed into his eyes. "You love me better than anyone ever has, I understand you want to protect me. And I love you even more for it. So you will keep me safe so I can quench that fire in you. And at the same time I get to be a little selfish and fulfill my own needs. But you will love me, and follow me and keep me happy for the rest of our lives, as I shall do for you." She kissed him again, this time longer and a little more passionately.

When she pulled back she looked off again at the scenery. "But speaking of time... there is something I have been wanting to talk to you about. Since you brought it up..." She turned to face him again. "Have you wondered why my grandmother looks more like my mother and my mother looks so young herself?"

George smiled back at Ruby. "Well, I did wonder at first my dearest. But I did some research, you know how I love that. And though I do not know exactly how it is done, I suspect that you and your grandmother share the same "gift" And that through that gift, women maintain their beauty longer. I have found several references to priestesses of Aphrodite performing the same feat," replies George.

“I should have known you would do your research,” Ruby laughed, the thought having never crossed her mind. “While we obviously share the same bloodline, what keeps my grandmother young, I do not share. Yet. It’s actually…,” she stood on her toes to whisper in his ear, “…Magic.” She returned to her normal height so she could look him in the face. “I know you might be hesitant to think about it but… well… according to her it can double your life. Wouldn’t that be so wonderful, to have all that extra time together? And to stay young and beautiful that much longer? She says you can’t use it until you stop growing at 21 but George, I would love to do it. You know how I hate to think of getting old or ugly.”

"It would be nice, the wisdom and knowledge of age, the health and energy of youth. Imagine an extra 20 or 30 years of work in the lab." says George. Looking down he adds "And of course with you. But I do not fear getting old or ugly my love. And you will never ever be old or ugly to me. What I fear is being without you."

Ruby gazed into his eyes returning the love she saw there before kissing him. "You will never have to be without me George. There is no reason to fear it." She gave him a quick peck on the cheek. "I mean it." She smiled and took his hand. "We should talk to Nana about it and see when and what we have to do. She said I had to wait but you could do it soon if you wanted. This is so exciting! Yes, imagine all that energy of youth..." She gave him a little eyebrow waggle and giggled at her insinuation.

George smiled and gave Ruby a pinch on the bottom before gathering her in his arms again. "Who says I lost it?" he says with a wicked grin of his own before kissing her passionately. Finally breaking he looked down at her. "Yes ask her what I or we need to do. Perhaps that could be her wedding present to us." George suggested.

"You haven't lost a thing," Ruby giggled as George pulled her to him. "That is a FABULOUS idea George Eastman! I bet Nana and James would love to do that for us for our wedding." She was quiet then for a moment, they would soon need to go back inside and begin gathering their belongings. "Sometimes I wish we had gotten married already George. I know why we should wait I just sometimes..." she shrugged. "I don't know. Wish I was Mrs. Eastman." She forced a smile, "But it will be good to wait, I know."

George smiled "The day you have patience Constance shall be the day the sun shall rise in the west. And you don't lie well either." he said kissing her. Then whispering in her ear "You never know what passions the tropics will inflame."

“You love me even for all my shortcomings George Eastman, not that there are many,” she teased. She kept her comment about lying to herself. She had been making an effort to be truthful with George for some time now and she felt it was paying off; still, there was a lot about her he didn’t know. “The tropics… is Florida considered the topics?” She paused momentarily to ponder that, pushing some long red hair off her face. “Well, whether it is or isn’t, I’ll certainly always be looking for ways to inflame your passion,” she said shamelessly flirting. She squeezed his hands in hers and giggled. “I don’t think you’ll complain too much. As I don’t think you’ll complain when I’m Mrs. George Eastman.” She furrowed her brows together in her common “I’m thinking” face. “Ruby Eastman? Mrs. Ruby Eastman? What do you think?”

"Mrs. Constance Eastman my love. You can be Ruby West, but you have always been and will always be my Constance, and you need to be proud to be my Constance." George lifts up Ruby's chin and looks into her eyes. "You don't need to be Ruby West anymore Constance. You don't need to run from anything any more. You will be, you are now, Mrs. Constance Eastman. You need to be proud of that, to be yourself, your real self. You can always be that with me Constance, no matter what." he says as he kisses her gently.

After their kiss Ruby stared into his eyes for a long moment. "I am proud to be your Constance, I am." She grinned, "I just hate the name. But at the very least I will be your Mrs. Eastman." She laughed a little to herself then grew quiet. "It's almost time to go back inside," she said quietly. She paused, staring at his chest instead of his face. "Thank you, for everything. The only place I will be running from now on is to you."

George gathered Ruby into his arms and hugged her tightly for a long time. And it was only as the brakes on the train began to squeal that he broke and gave her one more kiss. "I am glad you no longer need to run away from things future Mrs. Eastman." he said with a smile. "Now come we must get our bags." he said as he open the door for her. “To start our first adventure, together!” Ruby chirped.

They had spent some time outside and as the landscape and time went by they realized they were very close to the train depot according to Nana's 30-minute prediction. "We should go back in and get our things ready George, I'm ready to get off this train!" They headed back inside to Nana and Nanuet who while much calmer than Ruby also looked ready to leave the cramped, uncomfortable train behind. "Everyone ready? Fresh air and room to stretch the legs at the least. Nana, will James be here to pick us up?" "Oh yes, you can count on that," she says, the anxiety showing in her tone of voice.

Chapter Six, “Reaching Jacksonville,” September 1st, 1882, 11:45 A.M.

The Saint Johns river can now be seen to the east and between the river and train tracks are a number of working sawmills with stacks of finished lumber. These are followed by several large warehouses from which the train occupants can see barrels of sugar, bales of cotton and crates of fresh produce that are being prepared for transport by both railcar and ocean barge. The workers at these places again reflect an even mix of humans and those of ogrish blood.

They cross on a metal railroad bridge over a tributary river flowing into the Saint Johns and then travel two blocks west of downtown. The growing community is a welcoming sight, with wide streets lined by mammoth-sized oak trees. Multi-colored flowers are planted alongside the cobblestone sidewalks with park benches and wrought-iron streetlights placed every hundred-or-so feet. Many stone-constructed mercantile buildings as well as dozens of wooden hotels can be seen lining both sides of the streets throughout this business district.

The train begins to pull into the station along one of over two dozen tracks at the busy rail yard. The elaborate Union Station is situated just beyond the tracks. Near the front of the station are several horse-drawn trolleys coming to and fro. They can also get a glimpse that two blocks eastward over near the banks of the St. Johns river is a public marketplace with permanent stores as well as several dozen pushcarts and temporary tables with vendors hawking their wares. There appear to currently be hundreds of customers at the market.

Ruby gathered her bag excitedly. "Hey, look at that little market over there! I wonder what they have... what are Florida specialties anyway? I'd like to go check it out if we have time, oh George, will you take me over there?" she grinned at him. "Nanuet, you need to get Maska off the back of the train, right?" She stepped over near her grandmother and spoke in a soft voice. "Is something wrong Nana? you sounded a little nervous earlier when I mentioned meeting James."

Mina replies to Ruby, "I've missed him. This is the longest we have been apart since we were wed." As they exit the train along Track Three, Wilamina spots her husband anxiously waiting on the railroad platform forty feet away. Standing just under six-feet in height, he is attired in a comfortable white cotton shirt, bow tie, slightly worn tan cotton-and-wool-blend suitcoat and matching trousers, topped off with a tan wide-brimmed felt hat. He has blue-gray eyes and dark brown hair that is just starting to turn white along the temples and sideburns.

Ruby notes that he is now clean-shaven, his having worn a neatly cropped short beard and mustache during her visitations in June. He has the appearance of a robust, muscular man in his mid-fifties although Ruby is aware that he is actually much older than that. Mina breaks away from the others as she and her husband both rush towards each other at a pace that most of those in high society would deem to be improper for the time. Equally improper is the public display of affection that immediately follows, as he sweeps her up into his arms and spins her around, followed by a long and passionate kiss.

"Awww," Ruby squeezed George's hand, "Look at how sweet! He is so good for her." She grinned at the two and gave them private time to reconnect while she looked around the station.

Ruby fanned herself a little. "Oh my gods, it's HOT. I didn't think it would be so hot! I mean, it's still pleasantly warm up in New York but it's still like the middle of summer here." She wiggled out of her travel jacket and dropped it onto her bag at her feet. Her outfit, a thin white blouse with a square neck and long peach skirt, the whole proper getup, was still warm but at least without the jacket her arms and chest were more bare. "I hope it cools off."

When Nana and James finally parted Ruby hurried over. "Hi James! It's no nice to see you again!" She gave him a big hug. "How are you? Where is everyone else? Are we the first ones here?" She waved the boys over, "Come say hi George and Nanuet!" James Parker shakes hands with George and Nanuet and tells them both how glad he is to finally meet them in person. Turning back to Ruby he states, “Yes, your group is the first to arrive. I only arrived here myself a few minutes ago. Let’s go locate a porter and then quickly gather up your luggage.”

Pointing over towards the west side of the train depot he states, “A train will be coming in over on Track Fourteen in another ten-to-fifteen minutes. It has some other members of our group on it, so after we gather the luggage we can head that direction and wait for it to arrive before loading everything up onto the coach.”

Ruby let the men figure out the bag situation. "How many people are we expecting James? And after we get them, where are we going? I'm so excited but I don't know too many details!" James replies, "I'm picking ten of you up here this afternoon, three will be on the next train and three on the one after it. We should wait until we're in private to discuss the specific details of what I have in mind for this new team."

Ruby exclaims, "Ten! How exciting! Lots of new people to meet. I hope they're all nice." She looked back over to the market. "Do I have time to go over there and look around James? While we wait? I'd like to stretch my legs. Besides, it will give you two a few more minutes alone." He replies, "We'll have time between the arrival of the second and third trains."

"Well, by then I'll have lots of new friends to talk to!" she chirps. "So, is it always this hot down here?" James replies, "Today it is unseasonably warm, northern Florida usually isn't that bad. Now down towards the southern part of this state, that gets really hot. But Ruby, didn't you used to live in the Arizona Territory? It gets pretty hot there too."

Ruby laughed. "Yes, I did live in Arizona... it was hot but it wasn't humid like this there! Perhaps it's just me and all the traveling we did, we had cramped quarters today. But you should ask Nana to tell you about the train we traveled in most of the way down here!! It was so beautiful!"

She gazed around at the crowd to check out what the locals were wearing. "I figured I might have to do some shopping once I found out what we would actually be doing." He says, "There will be time for that in the next few days. On Monday night we'll be coming back to the city for a ball, we could arrive a few hours early for that and you could do some shopping with Mina." She paused momentarily, recalling what he'd just said. "Did you say a ball? Like, a real ball, with music and dancing?"

James laughs and says, "Yes, a real ball. Jacksonville has a social club for the elite and they have been trying to get myself as well as my colleagues Doctor Cernoviz and Mister Star to join since our arrival in June. I told them we were too busy, but would find the time after my wife joins us in the fall. Well, now it's fall, and she's now here, so they're holding me to what I said. I secured invitations for you and George as well as many of our new colleagues also."

Nanuet first went to retrieve Maska and then did as much as he could to be helpful with the bags. She kept an eye on Nanuet as they spoke, making sure he didn't need her to cast another invisibility spell on Maska. The quartet (and the invisible wolf) make their way over to Track Fourteen along with a half-ogre porter who has loaded their luggage onto a rolling cart. They see the smoke from the train's engine billowing in the distance as the train begins to pull into the station.

Ruby stood anxiously on the platform, with a large smile, twisting her long red hair on her finger for the second time that day. She was excited to see who her new companions would be, though she didn't have any idea what they would look like she kept a sharp eye out as people were slowly disembarking off the train.

She was tall for a woman of this time, almost six-feet tall with her boots on, though her grandmother who was standing on one side of her was just the same height and build as she was. Her height made it easier to see over the crowds and her hazel eyes gazed over the people who were coming off the train with curious interest. Her striking beauty and curvy figure earned many glances from men passing by but Ruby had long ago learned to ignore those glances - or use them to her advantage when she felt like it. No, all the attention of the young girl was currently drawn to that train.

As the train pulled into the station, Thomas emerged from the bathroom, re-composed and mostly free of the orange debacle. Roy and Abigail had already gathered their things, and waved to him to follow as they disembarked. Thomas returned to the seat, grabbing up his carpetbag in one swoop with his left hand, as he flipped up his bowler hat into the air with his right hand, catching it perfectly on his head as he took his walking stick and exited the car.

Thomas stopped for a moment to take in the hustle and bustle of Union Station. He hesitated a moment before disembarking, momentarily self-conscious at his appearance. He dressed as he was in the finery of a landed British gentleman: a dark-gray worsted double-breasted suit, perfectly tailored and fitted to his large barrel-chested frame, with weathered black riding boots. He wore a hat to shade his head from the sun, being almost completely devoid of head and facial hair, a trait not uncommon amongst many of ogrish descent. His carpetbag dangled hung on one end of his elaborately carved and engraved mahogany walking stick, which he held at an angle over his back, while with the other hand he re-adjusted the large white cravat around his neck.

His hesitation was due, in no small part, to the tensions he knew his presence might cause his traveling companions. Not that he was worried in the slightest about the companions themselves -- Thomas knew Parker to be an enlightened man of egalitarian beliefs who not brook ignorance or prejudice from those he called friends. His concern was for the attitudes and actions of those who called the Deep South home, who would likely take offense at seeing an ogre (or half-ogre, in his case) styling himself in gentleman's finery, and would little concern at expressing it. The last thing he wanted to have happen was for his companions to suffer any indignity or disgrace because of him.

And yet, Thomas knew, he could not control the attitudes of others, although he might try to change them by setting a genteel and honorable example. He resolved to himself to remember above all what the greater purpose is in all of his endeavors, and to return the loyal friendship and camaraderie that his companions gifted to him.

Thomas and Roy see James and Wilamina Parker standing on the train platform accompanied by a young male elf and a young human couple. The young woman looks like a younger version of Mina so is clearly the granddaughter she spoke of. Roy leapt up as soon as the train came to a full stop. "Care to join me, Abigail?" he asked as he offered his arm to her. Together, they found Doc and made their way off the train.

Once on the platform, Roy look around for Mr. Parker and excitedly pointed him out to the rest of the group. He made his way to Mr. Parker and extended his hand. "Hello, Mr. Parker. Damn nice to see you again. Mrs. Parker, always a pleasure." He grinned slyly and took Wilamina's hand to kiss the back of it. "And who are these fine looking folks with you, Mr. Parker?"

Roy extended his hand to the male elf, always glad to meet a fellow non-human, and shook it strongly. Nanuet was surprised by the strength of the grip from the halfling. He shook his hand warmly and said "Greetings, pleased to meet you. Roy isn't it? I'm Nanuet of the Yavapi tribe."

He did the same to the human male and, just as he had done with Mina, kissed the human woman's hand as well. "Enchantée." If the strangers were anything like normal people, they were probably wondering how they mistook this person for a child. Most people assumed, from a distance, that this 3'7" person, with his long brown hair and dashing good looks (at least he thought so), was a handsome little boy. But once you got close, they realized he was nothing but; especially once he opened his mouth.

Ruby smiled as the small man kissed her hand and she gave him a courtesy. "You must be Roy, Nana spoke about you on the train. I'm Ruby, er, Constance, this is my Nana," she tilted her head towards Mina. "But you can call me Ruby. It's a pleasure to meet you. How was your trip?" It was a little difficult, as it was with the halfling Chumbley back home, to not want to kneel down to speak to the "little person" and Nana had put it, especially since Ruby was so tall.

Thomas stepped down stairs from the car, walking up behind Roy, towering over the gnome by almost twice his height. He smiled as he watched Roy make his all-too-usual introduction (often barely disguised as an attempt at seduction) to a woman, this time a stunningly beautiful redhead, who seemed slightly taller than most human women Thomas was accustomed to. He set down his staff and carpetbag, doffed his bowler hat and held it close to his breast with one hand, bowing as he extended his other to take hers. "I am Doctor Thomas Imamu Sapathwa-Crane," boomed Thomas in his voice deeper than any bassoon, "at your service, madam."

Ruby offered her hand, her long, soft, graceful fingers getting lost inside his large warm hand. He bowed and she in return again curtsied, she was trying her best to use good manners on this trip to not embarrass her grandmother, James OR George. Instead of pulling her hand away she kept it in his, apparently distracted by something. As he stood up to his full height in front of her, only a foot away, her chin rose as she watched his face. She said in awe, "Ruby West. It's a pleasure to meet you."

Nanuet nodded to the others, waiting for them to come to him rather than approach them, worried about how they might perceive him being of full elvish decent. He occasionally glanced to the area where he had left Maska, anyone watching him might wonder why he was glancing at what would seem to be an empty near the train platform.

Abigail stood back with Dr. Crane as Roy made his grandiose greetings. "Leave no lady uncomplimented seems to be his motto, Doctor. I rather like him," she smiled. "I hope I won't disappoint your colleagues." As Dr. Crane greeted the lovely young woman, Abigail checked herself over to make sure everything was in place. The lovely, dark blue traveling down trimmed with black embroidery was straight and as wrinkle-free as could be expected and the crisp white blouse underneath showed just its collar above her jacket. It was perfectly tailored to her slim, graceful figure, flaring out over her hips and fitting snugly under her pleasantly rounded bosom.

She patted her hair, just dark enough to be called brunette instead of blonde and shining like honey in the sunlight. The curls arranged around her face framed deep blue eyes that couldn't hide the glint of fun and humor. She offered her hand to her host and hostess, saying, "I'm Abigail Marsters. I hope I can live up to whatever Dr. Crane has told you." Out of the corner of her eye Ruby watched and sized up the young woman speaking to her grandmother. She squeed inside that there would be another girl on this trip with her and relished the chance to speak to her herself.

James Parker states, "Thomas has spoken very highly of you and anyone who has worked a dig with General Pitt Rivers and passed his precise standards is exactly who we need for this project." As an afterthought he adds, "Although don't expect the same degree of order and precision from this team, we'll be a lot less formal and hopefully a little bit more fun."

She replies, "I'm looking forward to finding out more about this mystery project," she answered with a smile. "But I trust Dr. Crane's judgement. If he thinks it will be a good fit for all of us, then it will. And I could use a bit more fun in my life." Abigail moved down the line, greeting the silent but handsome elvan man hanging back slightly. "Abigail Marsters," she said and offered her hand. "I hope your journey wasn't too uncomfotable. May I have the pleasure of knowing your name?"

Nanuet awkwardly took Abigail's hand not knowing if he should shake it or kiss it as he has seen other human males do. He decided to shake it and did so clumsily. His face blushing he smiled and said. "A pleasure to meet you Miss Abigail, I am Nanuet of the Yavapi tribe. The trip was long and I am glad to finally be here, I hope your trip was pleasant enough."

Gathering up the luggage of the trio from this train, they head to the station's parking area. They approach a Concord Coach that looks to be brand new, the paint and stain on the woodwork showing no marks or scuffs and with the sun shining off the exterior metal with a sparkling gleam. Unlike other coaches that Ruby and Nanuet have ridden in, this one has a much larger passenger compartment. Instead of a single center door of each side this coach has a pair of double doors on the right passenger side. Inside there is a center bench in a “T” shape designed to seat five in addition to the four-passenger benches at the front and rear of the interior coach.

Checking his pocket watch James says, “We have three more colleagues arriving today, it will be another hour until their train gets here. Why don’t we pay the porter to stay and watch the carriage and we can then walk over to the outdoor market and get us all something to eat. We should also pick up some extra food for the remaining three to eat on the ride back to the house.”

Walking between one and two blocks away, in the direction of the river, James says, “This is the Ocean Street public market, the larger of the two marketplaces here in Jacksonville. The other market is a bit fancier and is further uptown at the intersection of Hogan and Church Streets, nearer to the banks and the fancier hotels.

I prefer this market to the other at that one has racial restrictions, only allowing non-humans to enter if they are servants and in the company of their human employers. It is also easier to get to this market by boat than the other, with several public docks near by. The selection at this market is actually better, as are the prices. While the quality of the food and merchandise here can vary widely, if you have a keen eye you should be able to find things sufficient to your liking.”

Chapter Seven, “Jacksonville Market,” September 1st, 1882, 12:30 P.M.

There are around thirty vendors of uncooked foods and an equal number of vendors offering pre-cooked foods. Among the cooked foods are a number of people serving rice and fish dishes. There are also a lot of vendors serving fresh poultry, primarily chicken, cooked in a variety of different styles. Several ogre vendors are selling fried southern-style catfish accompanied by fried yams. One vendor has cooked pork products. There are also a half-dozen human vendors of Spanish origin selling traditional Spanish foods. Most bakers present are selling wheat bread and rolls.

"Oh, there is always SOMETHING to buy," Ruby commented as they walked to the market, one eye on the shopping the other on her new companions. "Lunch does sound good, I am already starving! I wonder what Florida delicacies are..." As they walked she wandered over to the blue eyed girl. "I'm sorry we didn't have a chance to say hello earlier, my name is Ruby. And your name is Abigail? Will you be joining us the entire trip?"

Abigail replies, "I don't even know what the trip is yet! But I signed on for the entire project, whatever it may be. From what Roy and Dr. Crane have said traveling with this group is a rare opportunity, and not the kind of thing they prepared us for at University. From your looks, I'd guess you're family to Mrs. Parker?"

Ruby gave the girl a grin. "Yes, she my grandmother. I know, shocking, right? The similarities?" she laughed. "And what's funny is neither of us looks much like my mother." They continued to walk on towards the market. "I don't know what the trip is yet either, it's a surprise! But I love surprises, so I'm excited to find out what it is. University you say, you went to school?" Ruby wondered if she would be a boring smarty pants.

"Mmhmm." Abigail's voice turned to a mother-like tone and she added, "It's a very great privilege to go to University, Abigail." In her own voice she went on. "My mother was very proud. And I wouldn't trade that experience for anything, but it was about so much more than just classes. My mother would be horrified to hear about some of the things we girls got up to there. I went to Wells College, a university just for women, and let me tell you getting that many girls in one place you better expect some trouble." She laughed and shook her head. "Most of it was pretty innocent. But we had enough supervision to sneak around to get away from it now and then too."

"Well, that sounds pretty fun. At least, not how I pictured like, boarding school. You'll have to tell me some of those stories while we on our trip, I bet they're entertaining. Myself, I hated school and couldn't wait to be done with it. My parents never even mentioned college, I just they just figured I would be married off so I didn't need it." She shrugged. "Though sometimes I wished I paid a little more attention that I did." A sad look crossed her face but only for a moment, the grin returned and she continued quickly, "Besides, it'll be more fun to learn this way, practical application and all that. Who knows what varied things we'll learn this trip!"

They walked a bit quietly, both sizing the other up. "So, do you have a boy you're leaving behind for this trip?" "You're not" said George to Ruby teasingly. "No, I'm definitely not," she said the wide smile hurting her cheeks as she took his hand. "This is George, George, this is Abigail. Abby was just telling me about her college days. You and I both missed out on those but I was saying this is the better way to learn anyway."

"A pleasure to make your aquaintance Abigail." says George shaking Abby's hand. "Well Ruby there is nothing learned in college that you can't learn alter in life if you apply yourself. Though I am jealous of your experience attending College Abigail, do not waste your opportunity." says George. "How are you, George?" Abigail shook his hand. "College is better for some people, life is better for others. I think I'd like to try them both. I didn't leave any particular boy behind. I spent plenty of time with plenty of them, but I haven't been looking to get settled with one. I might someday if a good one comes along. And if he doesn't I have plenty to keep me entertained for more than one human lifetime. They do add a bit of excitement to life though, don't they?"

Ruby replies, "Yes, they certainly do add some excitement to life. They definitely keep it more interesting I would say. But in good ways." Nanuet followed behind the group observing their gait, looking for anything unusual in the way they walked... a years old habit coming from his tracking abilities. He half-listened to the conversation between Ruby, George and Abigail and was glad to hear they were getting along so well.

Ruby drags George and Nanuet over to the ogre vendors. "Hey, we're in the South, we should try some southern like foods, right?" Ruby gets two orders of the catfish and yams. Next she proceeds to get some chicken, fish and some pork and rolls, enough for them and extra for the people who are still haven't arrived yet. "Are we finding a spot here? How about over near the water?" She looked for Roy, Thomas and Abigail. "Are you all ready to eat? We're going to head over by the water to eat I think."

George did a fine balancing act juggling all the bowls that Ruby kept buying and handing to him. As he ran out of arm space he finally said "I think we have enough for now Constance, let's go find some shade to eat under. One of those big oaks I saw not far from here."

The eight adventurers find a shady place to sit a short distance from the market on the upper bank overlooking the Saint Johns River. The eight have a variety of different foods, with Mina and James sharing bowls of various rice and fish dishes, the two of them using chopsticks to eat.

The river ranges in width from a half-mile to a full-mile across. Fifteen-to-Eighteen miles inland from where the river empties into the Atlantic Ocean, Jacksonville is a key United States port and the only significant one southeast of Savannah. The port is a beehive of activity, from the large warehouses to the north to the smaller merchant vessels nearer to where they are eating and the various fishing vessels on the opposite shore. A ferry landing is at the end of the roadway just beyond the marketplace, with ferry boats of various size on either side as well as one making its way across.

The racial mixture of the hundreds of dock workers is primarily ogre, half-ogre and human. They do see a large merchant vessel manned primarily by Chinese orcs and half-orcs. Several of the fishing vessels appear to have elvan crew. And at a large military dock are three United States Naval vessels as well as a British Royal Navy vessel, the British ship having several dozen halfling sailors in addition to their human crew. They all sat down to eat and exchanged niceties while they did.

Roy stretched out in the grass, enjoying the warm sun and the cool breeze. He ate a bit here and there, mainly between sips from his flask. He didn't say a lot, which was kind of strange for the little man with the big mouth, but he had gotten caught up in the moment. He figured he would let the rest of the folks make their introductions and discuss business. He was content to simply lie there and let life pass him by.

Thomas sat and leaned back against a great live oak tree next to the river, enjoying the repast of fresh foods the group had purchased from the market. Content and relaxed from the meal, he removed his riding boots to feel the touch of the grass against his feet and between his toes. He stretched out his legs, cramped from the train, and basked in the warm sun and humid air, which wasn't all that different than that of his native Bermuda.

He listened to the conversations around him, but remained mostly quiet other than a smile and a nod here and there, with a quick exchange or reply here and there. Mostly, Thomas was just happy to be sitting in the sun, in the midst of friends, old and new, living in the joy of the moment.

Ruby looked at Abby, Thomas and Roy. "So, how was your all trips? Where did you come from?" Her question about their travels broke his reverie. A strange and beautiful woman, he thought to himself, with something unsettling about her, although not necessarily in a bad way. He had the sense that, like Abigail, there was a lot more to her than what simply met the eye. A feeling he'd felt before, not unlike that which he felt in the presence of his mother ... the mystique of power held in check by a strong force of will.

"Well, Miss West," Thomas replied, "my travels were mostly fair and somewhat accommodating, with only a little of the usual ... ahem... travails that one of ogrish descent might expect to encounter in the heart of what was once the Confederacy. I am a native of Bermuda, born and raised, with a small estate there bequeathed to me from my mother in England. Parker's letter reached me there, and I traveled by sea to Montreal, and then by rail to Cleveland, doing the odd task here or bit of research there at Parker's request, before arriving here in Jacksonville."

"Bermuda to Florida by way of Montreal?" asks George quizzically "Rather circuitous route don't you think Dr. Sapathwa-Crane?" James Parker has finished his meal and wanders over, hearing the question. "Yes Mr. Eastman, I asked a few of my old friends to run a few errands along the way, primarily research. I suspect that I may soon have some rather extraordinary things to share with all of you, but wanted to first do some final confirmation....just to be sure."

Ruby exclaims, "Bermuda? Bermuda! That's so exotic! You have to tell me ALL about it Dr. S-sa-ppat-wa, er... Thomas. What's it like there? Is it really hot all the time? And beaches, is it all beaches there? What kind of people live there? What kind of food do you eat there?" Ruby continued to pepper the poor man with questions until George placed a hand on her arm and she blushed. "Well, maybe you can tell me all about it later." She went back to her lunch, finishing her roll. "So James, was your research confirmed then?"

He replies, "I should know by tomorrow, I clearly haven't had a chance to review what my dear friend Doctor Thomas Crane has brought me, and I'll also need to review items arriving on the next train with our friend Lawrence Cantrell. Speaking of which, we should finish up this meal soon and be making our way back to the train depot."

As they relaxed under the trees Abigail eventually pulled most of the pins out of her hair and let it fall. It felt good to bake in the sun for a while, especially after having been in England for a while. It had been harder on her than she liked to admit, being in that rainy country and missing the warm sunshine of her home. Florida was close enough. She listened to the others talk and offered her own comments where they seemed to fit. She wasn't shy by nature, but just now her mind was busy making notes about her new companions and trying to find how they were all going to fit together.

Meanwhile the train with the aforementioned Cantrell and his colleagues Trout and Hardin is now ten miles to the west of Jacksonville and beginning to slow down as there are now a number of residential country roads that cross the track. The cotton fields outside are now intermixed with several small towns as the city nears in the distance.

After lunch was mostly finished Ruby approached Nanuet, who had stayed off to the side. She offered him a package. "Here, I got this lunch for Maska. I hope she is doing okay?" Nanuet accepts the package from Ruby and smiles warmly. "Very kind of you Ruby, I am sure Maska will appreciate it. I haven't had much of a chance to tend to her and I am concerned how she'll do in this climate, but she's an extraordinary animal so I am sure she'll be fine. Last train coming in now? That's good, I too am eager to get more information on what we'll be doing, it is exciting starting something new and meeting new people."

"I would not worry too much Nanuet. The Red Wolf is found all over the South, even as far as the Everglades here in Florida. So while Maska may need to adjust, I am sure he will do as well as his red cousins." Says George "Your knowledge of the local fauna is impressive Mr. George and that does help put me at ease. She'll be fine, I'm sure." George laughed. "Well, I am at a disadvantage you know Nanuet, it's not like I can see her to judge that for myself" replies George with a wink.

After that Ruby rounds up the group, "Time to go get the newbies off the last train then we can head to... where ever is it we're going. I'm so excited to find out what we'll be spending our next bit of time doing!" As they walked back Abigail walked near Dr. Crane. "I see you've been keeping your cards close to your chest again, Doctor," she said lightly. "Then again, I have my own secrets. I get the feeling among this group, secrets will have to go by the wayside." Thomas looked up, shielding his eyes from the sun, to see Abigail's face in a corona of tawny gold, looking down at him. Secrets indeed, he thought to himself, and one that I dare not to reveal to you ever...

Although struck nearly dumb by her beauty, he caught himself from staring too long, fearful that her bright blue eyes might be able to bore straight into his heart. He stood up, brushing the grass off his pants and jacket, chuckling as he said "That may be true, Miss Marsters, but I assure you that for my part, I'll not pry where I am not welcome, and will do my best, as any gentleman should, to preserve and protect your reputation and privacy. As for secrets of mine, you know well that I am an open book, guileless and incapable of hiding anything, especially from you."

James Parker leads them over to the track and they arrive right as the train is pulling in. Ruby takes George's hand and squeezes it, excitedly waiting for the train to stop and the next set of companions to disembark. The Parkers step forward as a trio of familiar human males step off from the train. Lawrence strides forward and shakes Parker's hand. "James, how've you been? You're looking well. I got your cable and came as fast as I could." He replies, "It is good to see you too old friend. You are somebody who I can always count on." Lawrence looks over the assembled group. "Quite the team you've put together old friend."

James replies, "Well the last time I took on a project of this magnitude, twenty years ago, we put together a team of fourteen, ten male and four female. Given the success of that experience I decided to do the same again this time. And we'll have half-a-dozen of us from before, as in addition to us five standing here Lawrence we also have our dear friend Sol waiting back at the house." Lawrence hugs Mina and says, "Mina, my dear. You look as lovely as ever. I bet you've had your hands full keeping James out of trouble." She replies, "Not lately, he's been down here without me since the middle of June. I'm quite anxious to see exactly what kind of trouble he has decided to now get all of us into."

With his duffle slung across his shoulder, Benjamin closes the gap between them with feline grace, grinning like a cat. "Lady Wilamina! So good of you to meet our train!" Fish pats his bag, and then mutters to her softly, "I have your package." Hardin's sharp eyes take note of Ben's boots for perhaps the first time: they are soft-soled and exquisitely tailored, but they also appear to have been deliberately smeared with dust. Hardin arches an eyebrow and whispers under his breath. "That lad is odd..."

He then extends his hand to James. "Mr. Parker, good to see you again. I really appreciate the invitation and don't suppose you had anything to do with that...spectacle in Talahassee." James give's him an odd look and says, "I'm not sure exactly what you are speaking of, but I can take a guess. If it had anything to do with our good Governor Bloxham I'm not at all surprised. That man will do anything for attention. Ever since he decided to sell off the Everglades to balance the State's budget it's just been one headline story after another for him."

Hardin tips his hat to Mina. "Ma'am. Mr. John Wesley Hardin - reformed man - at your service." He offers Mina a crooked grin as he dips his head in a slight bob. His eyes, however, stay level, taking in every detail of their surroundings, quickly noting potential threats and out-of-place people.

Ruby stepped forward to the two new men. She started with the first man, who obviously knew her grandmother. She gave him a little curtsy. "Ruby West," she smiled, "Mina is my grandmother. Pleasure to meet you sir," she said, offering her hand. Fish grasps it politely and smiles at the pretty lady. "I'd kiss your hand if I were a gentleman..." he says with a twinkle in his eye. "Unfortunately, I'm just a circus hand. Benjamin Trout, at your service. My friends call me 'Fish'."

"A circus hand!" Ruby exclaimed, "Well that must be an interesting job! I am a performer myself actually, we'll have to sit down and tell stories one day soon. It's very nice to meet you, Fish." She paused for just a moment, "Why Fish? Because of your last name?" "Well, not exactly..." replies Ben. Ruby nodded to the next man and did the same thing, smiling and offering her hand. She thought he looked familiar but wasn't positive but... something about the way he acted was familiar too and was off putting. Something about his eyes...

Roy makes his way to the front and shakes Lawrence's hand. "Long time, no see, Lawrence," he says with a wink and a grin. "I promise not to tell too many tells of our times in Spain." He offers his hand to Hardin. "And you are?" “John Wesley Hardin,” the man replies. After Roy introduces himself to Hardin, Lawrence slaps Roy on the back. "Roy you devil, you. What's it been, six years? Ever since the funeral."

The three who exited the last train were an odd combination. One introduced himself as John Wesley Hardin and Abby leaned to Dr. Crane and whispered, "The Gunslinger? Mr. Parker is full of surprises." Thomas smiled as they walked towards the trio. "Indeed he is, Miss Marsters, indeed he is. No truer words were ever uttered." When her turn came she offered a handshake. "Mr. Hardin. If someone had told me even an hour ago I'd be meeting you today, I'd have said they were crazy."

Hardin takes all of the glad-handing, introductions and other hubbub in stride. He is very polite to the ladies, although those who are observant can tell he is clearly uncomfortable with all the commotion and people. His hands barely flinch when Fish tosses the fabric into the coach and he flashes the carney that crooked smile that stops at the bridge of his nose.

For the most part though, he maintains a stoic demeanor, responding in clipped sentences when spoken too and offering little substantiative to the general conversation. His eyes, however, are everywhere...silently taking the measure of everyone aboard. If someone catches him staring, he holds eye contact for an uncomfortably long period of time before offering a perfunctory nod with a thin-lipped smile.

Gathering up the luggage goes rather fast as all three men have learned to travel light. Nanuet greeted the new arrivals and offered to help carry bags to the coach. They head over to the large elaborate coach. Fish walks up to greet the horses. He rubs the lead mare between its eyes. "Governor treatin' you right, girl?" he says softly, glancing in Parker's direction and reaching into his pocket for a carrot stick.

Thomas turned away to gather his bag, and looked up as Parker called everyone to the carriage. "I believe, Miss Marsters, that is our call to leave. Shall we?" He extended his arm out for Abigail to take, as they readied for their departure. "Lead on, good sir," she said and laid her hand on the offered arm.

James says, “You may as well all get comfortable, the house and archaeology dig are twelve miles away and these sandy roadways tend to be slow. It will probably take us close to another two hours to get there.” Nanuet states, "Anybody mind if I take a seat up top? I'd prefer that after the long train ride." "Sure, I'll be happy for your company," James says. The two of them climb up top and quickly secure the luggage from the three new arrivals.

The interior of the carriage is very spacious, having been made to accommodate thirteen passengers. The coach interior is designed to comfortably seat thirteen human-sized passengers, four in the rear bench facing forward, two in the center bench facing back, one on the side center bench facing the side double doors, two on the center bench facing forward and four on the front bench facing back. So there is plenty of space for the nine humanoids and the invisible wolf.

Fish takes a seat near Wilamina and sets his duffle across his lap, having declined to have it stowed with the rest of the luggage. Once they start across the river, he asks her in a very low voice, "When did you want your package, m'lady?" She whispers back, "In private, after we get to the house."

Ruby hopped in the coach. "Well, this is very cozy for all of us. I hope someone is a good storyteller for the next couple of hours..." Abby replies, "Most of my stories revolve around University girls sneaking off the campus to go into town and drink and dance. Once you've heard one of them you've heard them all. Our time in England was mostly rain."

The Concord Coach heads down the street and reach the St. Johns River and ride onto a long steam-powered barge-style ferry boat to take them across the two-thirds-of-mile span of river. The current appears to be strong but the vessel has no difficulty traversing the water. There is a large amount of boat and ship traffic this afternoon. In the distance a few miles to the east they see some small hills with stately plantation-style mansions upon them.

Lawrence points to the mansions. He asks, "Is that where we're going? Doesn't look like the place for an archaeological dig. Might mess up the lawn." Mina replies, "James said twelve miles, so it will be further away than those mansions. His letters spoke of having a large group of students helping him with the digs this summer, so I imagine the lawn will indeed be rather torn up at our destination." He replies, “That's good, then. That means fewer gawkers and prying eyes."

Once on the other side of the river the carriage passes what looks and smells to be the part of the outer city where fishermen work and live. After then traveling through a short forested section they find that they are again traveling again through farm lands, with the main crop in this section appearing to be rice, irrigated from canals connected to the river. As the road takes an incline they can see the plantation-style mansions that were visible from the river, most with citrus groves nearby. The rice fields then change to fields with other crops, with some being corn and beans in addition to sugarcane.

Chapter Eight, “The Timucuan Conservatory,” September 1st, 1882, 2:30 P.M.

After traveling for approximately eight miles north and east through farmlands since crossing the river on its southerly flow around Jacksonville, they once again come upon the mighty river. From this point onward the river flows primarily east to the Atlantic Ocean approximately eight miles away.

They soon approach a bridge over a stream with a small pond surrounded by houses to the south of the bridge. Immediately north of the bridge is a good-sized cove flowing out just south of the Saint Johns River. Docks with small fishing boats line the cove. There are also several mills along this side of the shore, each with driveways out to this roadway. It is mid-afternoon and all of the mills are in full production, the various mill workers looking to be an even mix of human and ogre.

A short distance after the bridge there is also a large wooden building with the signs “Mill Cove General Store” and “Saint Johns River Eastern Postal Office” above the doorway. James Parker stops the coach in front of the store and climbs down from the top. He stops to tell those inside “I’m just going to go inside to check and see if we received any mail today. We still have another two-and-a-half miles to go until we reach the house. Please feel free to get out and stretch your legs.”

He then adds, “This is also the closest store to the house if you should ever need to purchase anything. On weekdays one of us makes a daily trip here to check for mail. The proprietor is Casey Remmick and the postmaster is his uncle, Heath Remmick.”

Fish clambers out of the coach. He saunters up to the horses, running his open palm along their haunches. "Tough ol' girl!" he mutters affectionately to the mare he'd fed the carrot earlier. "You're so strong, and you're oh so-o-o brave. It's a hot day to have had to drag us all this far. I hope your groomsman gives you a good brushing when you get back to the barn!" He tousles her ears.

Ben then steps into the general store. "Mr. Remmick, I'd like your best bottle of bourbon." He peruses the fabrics on display. He locates the one he'd hoped to find, and has Remmick cut him a half-yard. With his bourbon tucked under his arm and the cloth wrapped up with twine, he bounds back into the coach. He tosses the black & white striped fabric toward Hardin's lap with a wink. "I bet you're grateful not to be wearing that pattern anymore."

Waking up for the first time during the trip, Roy catches a glimpse of the bottle in Fish’s lap. "You're gonna share that, right?" Roy says as he rubs his eyes and grins. "Trust me, I'm little so I don't drink much." With a grin that lights up his face, Fish replies, "I'd be honored to bend elbows with you, little man!" He looks across the cab and adds, "You a drinking man, John Hardin? Care to join us?" Hardin brightens up a bit at the prospect of a good bourbon, however. "Well certainly, Mr. Tro...er...Fish. I would be happy to sample that bottle. Although from the looks of Mr. Huggins there, you probably should have gotten two!"

Lawrence gets out of the coach, excusing himself as he climbs over people to get out. He raises his arms above his head to stretch out his aching back. He checks his watch and says, "At least we're making good time." Ruby had hopped out of the coach to stretch her long legs. She wandered into the store to have a good look around. She had grown used to the large and cosmopolitan stores of New York City and this was much smaller than that. "I'm glad I brought everything I need," she commented under her breath.

She smiled and introduced herself to Mr. Remmick as James's granddaughter-in-law. "I hope he hasn't been too bothersome Mr. Remmick, I think this one is a troublemaker," she laughed. Casey Remmick is a short man in his late-twenties who has already acquired a middle-aged-spread around his middle. He has light brown hair that has started to receed, with a bushy beard and mustache and gold caps on most of his teeth. He says, "No trouble at all, he's one of my best customers these last few months. Any friend or relative of his is a friend of mine."

"And if he trusts you, I do too. Would I be able to mail letters from here? I have a little brother at home who I promised I would write." He replies, "Certainly, my Uncle Heath is the postmaster here. There is no mail delivered on weekends and today's mail has already gone out, but if you get it to us by Monday we will be sure to send it out." "Excellent, thank you very much!" Ruby glanced to the door. "Well, looks like it's time to go, pleasure meeting you and I'll get that letter to you soon." She gave him a little wave before hurrying back outside and climbing into the coach next to George. "The owner was very nice."

James exits the store carrying a wrapped package around one-foot-square and three letters. He hands one of the letters to Dr. Crane stating, “Our timing is good, you have mail that arrived for you today from Bermuda." Still seated in the carriage as the others shopped in Remmick's store, Thomas looks up from his reading, surprise in his eyes, extending his hand to take the letter "Really? Hmmm, I certainly hope it's not bad news from Kuung Fong (Thomas' half-orc manservant tending his small estate back in Bermuda).

He then turns to several of his companions who had exited the coach and says softly, "You should all know that Mr. Remmick and I have an arrangement with the ship that brings in International mail from the Carribean islands, it gets dropped off here on the ship's journey down the river and therefore never falls under the inspection of United States Customs agents in Jacksonville." Abby kept her voice just as quiet and raised an eyebrow. "You find it necessary to do that? What have I gotten myself into here?" Keeping his voice low as well James replies with a smile, "Why, Nothing more than the secrets of Atlantis."

The coach resumes its journey, after a half-mile reaching a fork in the road on which they turn northward, following the road a half-mile inland from the eastern shore of Mill Cove. The passengers have an excellent view westward, seeing not only the cove but several miles of the main river to the west and dozens of islands on the river varying in size from a half-acre to a triangular island to the northwest that is almost two miles on each side. The road heads this way for over a mile before forking again, the wider road going left and heading out to a western peninsula above the northeastern side of the cove. James turns right onto the less traveled roadway.

Ruby leaned forward in her seat to get a better look out the window. "That water looks so beautiful, such a clear blue color like I have never seen! Will we be getting to swim?" Hearing that, Fish keeps his filthy thoughts to himself.

Mina laughs and says, "I imagine so." She gestures over to a sandy section of the cove where some young children are playing in the sand and says, "There looks to be a beach over there. The river itself is probably too swift but that cove appears to be calm enough."

They soon reach a point where the roadway it is blocked by a metal-and-wooden locked gate, with a wooden post-and-beam fence, running north for a half-mile until it reaches the river and south for at least a mile before turning eastward. Beside the gate is a large wooden six-by-four foot sign, painted white with dark red lettering. The sign reads:

TIMUCUAN CONSERVANCY

Established jointly by Bradford Academy of Massachusetts and the AGELESS Corporation of New York, this Conservancy is dedicated to the preservation of the cultural history and artifacts associated with the extinct Timucuan tribe of Native American Elves.

Per proclamation on June 23, 1882 by Florida Governor William D. Bloxham this tract of land in and around San Mateo Hill is hereby protected and any trespassers upon this land will be subject to immediate arrest and prosecution.

Lawrence looks at the sign as they pass. "We're entering elven lands? The plot thickens." I knew someone in New Orleans who collected Timucani artifacts. Word is he couldn't keep track of 'em all!" says Fish nonchalantly. He casts a furtive glance at Wilamina.

The carriage slows but does not stop and as the lead horses approach the gate, with the gate unlocking and rising on its own from both sides, allowing the carriage to continue onward. Once they are through, the two gates lower again and appear to automatically re-lock. Once they are beyond the gate, the passengers see that running both north and south the full-length of the fence is a stone pathway two-feet across, with a similar stone pathway now running parallel to the right side of the road. Beyond the path are rows of citrus trees running parallel the roadway on its southern side, the north side remaining open for a view of the river.

Nanuet read the sign carefully, doing his best to decipher the written words that are still somewhat foreign to him. "Mr. James, what exactly made the Timucan tribe extinct, and why are you interested in preserving their cultural history?"

James replies, "That is one of the mysteries we are seeking to unravel. We are quite fortunate to have here working with us the nation's foremost historian on Native American culture and history, as she has lived over three centuries of it herself. The Timucan occupied quite a bit of land that is now northern Florida and southern Georgia. They were a people set apart from other Elves, up to a foot taller in height and with a language unrelated to all other North American native languages. They also were among the only tribes to refuse to participate in the Great Conclave. At the time of the first contact with Europeans they numbered 50,000.

Curiously, they took on a unique attitude towards the Europeans, viewing them as friends. That was part of their downfall, being too trusting of the Spanish. As happened with most elvan tribes, a great many of them died of diseases brought by the Europeans, although the Timucan appeared to have greater immunities to those than other elves. All but one of the twelve Timucan tribes disappeared primarily through intermarriage with the Spanish and abandoning their previous way of life, with several tribes relocating as a group to other Spanish colonies in the Americas, and upon reaching there then abandoning their own culture and adapting to that of their new homes.

The one exception was the Saturiwa tribe, who resided in this exact area. They disappeared almost overnight, a plague is suspected as the cause although no bodies were found. Many theories exist, by tomorrow I should know if there is a new theory about that."

The road makes a gradual turn to the left in the direction of the south shore of the Saint Johns river, going for a quarter mile before turning east a quarter-mile in and continues parallel the river from one-hundred feet away. "Well, looks like we can have fresh orange juice with breakfast every day!" She turned to her grandmother. "Nana, do you know how many other people are living or working here? Will we be meeting more people when we get there or are we mainly the team working on this project?"

Nana says, "There are at least three others who have been working the archealogical site that will be part of our team. During the summer there was also a team of students from the Bradford Academy listed on the sign, but they would have gone back to Massachusetts by this time." Ruby exclaims, "I can't wait to find out what we're doing. I admit, the thought of digging in the dirt every single day sounds boring but with this group you've assembled, I don't think that is what we're here for." She takes George's hand excitedly. "Nana, I know things will get very crazy here once we arrive but I'd like to talk to you about something in private, at some point when we get the chance."

She glanced around the group. Most were looking out the window, curious to see where they were headed, others were making small talk. "I am glad we're almost there. It's hard to make friends in a coach!" Though immediately after speaking those words Ruby recalled one of the first days of January of that very year, when she had met some special people who would change her life forever. And it made her smile.

A short distance later they reach a section where there is a long dock on the river that appears to be recently constructed. There are three boats tied to the dock, two being plain small sailboats approximately fifteen-feet in length, each with a fair degree of wear-and-tear. The other boat is a thirty-two-foot-long luxury sailboat that appears to be brand new.

Immediately after the dock is a pair of buildings, both twenty-five by forty feet in size. One is a dilapidated single-story building of clapboard construction with cotton curtains over the window openings and a roof made of a patchwork tin-and-steel remnants that have been welded together. Beside it is a freshly constructed two-story building made from solid wood timbers, with glass windows that have fancy hand-carved shutters, and with slate shingles on the roof.

Three men with brushes are busy painting the building white. One of these men is a human who looks to be around forty years in age. Another is a half-ogre who looks to be around thirty. The third is an ogre who looks to be around twenty. Sitting on the ground near the men is a quartet of hound dogs. The three stop painting and wave to Parker as the carriage passes by.

As the carriage continues to move away down the road, a young woman who appears to be in her late teens exits the building, bringing a platter with a glass pitcher of lemonade and glasses to the painters. She is a shapely and ravishing beauty with fully human features, the only indication of any ogre blood being her caramel-colored skin and six-and-a-half-foot height.

Fish again keeps his filthy thoughts to himself. Roy pours himself a drink and enjoys it. "Thank you, sir." As he drinks, his eyes make their way toward the tall woman bearing the tray of lemonade. "Oh what I wouldn't give to climb that tree," he says to no one in particular. Thomas eyes also following the coffee-skinned woman with obvious interest, then his head towering over the gnome as he looks down. "Indeed, Mr. Huggins, indeed," with a stern tone in his deep voice, but obvious mirth in his eyes at Roy's muttered aside.

Hardin’s eyes also follow the coffee skinned woman as the coach slides by, reluctantly tearing his eyes away after Roy's comment. He frowns a bit at the gnome, clears his throat and nods toward Ruby. "Mr. Huggins, have a care for our company." Roy turns quickly. "Huh? Oh yeah." Roy quickly downs his drink and looks at Ruby. "I'd be willing to climb you, too," he says to her with a sly grin, winking at George at the same time. He anticipates a slap in 3...2....1....

Ruby's eyebrow shot up but she smirked. George would certainly be offended but the comment just made her want to laugh. "I realize that we don't really know each other yet boys, but you'll find that it's likely I've been in worse situations and places than some of you have." She set her hazel eyed gaze on Roy, her smirk growing. "I don't doubt you'd like to climb me Mr. Huggins. Unfortunately for you those days are over and my fiance here would probably not be too happy with the idea of sharing me with anyone. Nor my grandmother or her husband James either."

Roy smiles and turns back to Hardin. "Well, I tried," he says with a shrug. Hardin tries to give Roy his best "dead-eye" stare and fails... He just laughs, shakes his head and tips his hat to Ruby and Abigail. "My apologies, ladies" "None needed, but thank you. That's sweet. I'm sure Abby here knows how to take care of herself just as well as I do but it's always nice to have a valiant hero step in."

Ruby crossed her arms and leaned back in her seat, crossing one leg over the other casually and says to Roy, "You didn't try very hard, now did you?" she laughed. "Well, now I feel left out," Abigail laughed, obviously amused by the whole conversation. She had been quiet since Mr. Parker mentioned Atlantis. It opened a whole new set of questions, including how much did he really know about her. Anyone who knew much about New Orleans would suspect that someone born and raised there would know a little arcane magic, and Atlantis was the lost seat of all Arcane knowledge. It seemed in this company she would have no secrets, and it was a relief.

"Oh you're always free to join us, miss," Roy says with a smile. She replies, "We're going to be working together, so you might as well call me Abigail. Or Abby, or even Gail. I'm not peculiar about it. Miss Marsters is so formal." "I'm just warming up," Roy says to Ruby with a wink. He turns to Abigail. "Well feel free to call me Roy because, well, that's my name."

Mina had been enjoying the banter between the group, finding it funny that the girls had already figured out how to counter Roy rather than be shocked by his antics. For decades Mina herself had been the main target of his letcherous comments and inuendo, but those comments stopped the very day she married James. And she was sure it had nothing to do with the marriage vows, her prior marriage never curailed the gnome....even when her husband was present.

Ruby laughed again at Roy. "You and I need to play cards, I think. You do play cards, right Roy?" Roy shook his head. "Never played a day in my life, Miss." Upon hearing that Mini has to turn her head away from others to suppress her laughter. Ruby says, "Well, then perhaps I can teach you. I'm okay... sometimes." Then she cracked up. "I like you Roy, you're interesting." Roy answers, "If by interesting you mean 'sexy in a dangerous kind of way,' then you've got me pegged."

She says, "Of COURSE that is what I meant Roy, what else would I have meant?" She flashed him her brilliant grin. Oh, this trip was going to be fun. Fish giggles, teasing, "She called you 'interesting'! Next thing you know, she'll be telling all her friends that you have 'a nice personality'!" Roy gives Fish a sly wink and a barely perceptible nod. "Don't fret Fish, you can earn a nice personality too if you try hard enough," Ruby teased. "Of which I have no doubt you will."

The continuous grove of citrus trees soon ends as the carriage approaches a slight hill rising to an elevation of no more than one-hundred feet. At the top is a flat thirty-acre plateau. As they continue to climb the hill to the plateua what stands out the most on the plateau is the newly constructed building at the top, presumably the ‘house’ that Parker previously referenced. Calling this building a house is a gross understatement, as before them is a four-story tall mansion with four-chimmnies that has a two story-wraparound porch on two of the sides that is supported by grand round columns.

The building is painted white with red trim that matches the color of the red bricks of the chimneys. It is rectangular, some seventy-five-by fifty feet in size for the first and second floor excluding the proch which runs ten feet out on both the entire north and west sides. The porch columns are spaced ten-feet apart except for a twenty-foot section on the front north wall facing the river with a wide front staircase down to the ground and a fifteen foot section at the southwest end of the porch with another staircase goes down to the ground.

A forty-five degree angled slate shingle roof comprises the third and forth floors. The third floor has six fifteen-foot wide flat-roofed dormers that have with large glass picture windows. Two of these are on each longer side wall with another on each of the front and back walls. The fourth floor has four ten-foot wide flat-roofed dormers with shuttered windows, one in the center of each side. The angled roof ends at a ten-by-thirty-five foot flat rectangular roof, with the building’s four chimneys at each of the four corners of this section and a white-painted iron fence on all sides. Several telescopes of different size are mounted to this area of the roof.

Ruby says, "Please tell me this is where we are staying. It's amazing!!" She leaned forward in her seat to get a better view of the house, maybe a little too far forward. Fish.again keeps his filthy thoughts to himself. Ruby states, "Is that a... telescope... on the roof? To look at the stars?" "I believe so," Mina tells her granddaughter.

The carriage crests the top of the hill. A barn is on the hill on the opposite side of the building. Two other structures are near the building, one being a twenty-by-fifteen foot storage shed with the barn-style doors open to reveal it filled with barrels, buckets, shovels, several wheelbarrow, mallets, poles and ropes. Leaning against the back wall is a group of eight bicycles, each with large front wheels and small rear wheels. Hanging on hooks on the wall above the bicycles Benjamin Trout also catches a glance of a pair of unicycles, a mode of transportation he is quite proficient with.

Grinning with what his comrades are beginning to recognize as his trademark mirth, Fish asks Mina, "Will I be sleeping the in barn again, m'lady?" He feigns a small frown, lip trembling. Smiling back she says, "I'm sure James has something more suitable for you. But depending upon your antics you might still wind up in the barn at some point." "Not if she values the sanctity of her sheep." whispers George to Ruby causeing her to snort as she tried to suppress her laugh. Ruby giggled, "George Eastman!" she admonished him but squeezed his hand. "I think I have been a bad influence on you!"

The other structure is a Native American style-building that is oval shaped being fifteen-feet-long and eight-feet-wide with a curved roof. The walls are made of deerskin. Five feet in front of the building is a stone fireplace with an iron cauldron handing above it on a tripod. Towards the southeastern rear of the hillside plateau is a small corral and adjacent twenty-by-thirty foot single-story unpainted barn of new construction with a pitched roof.

The thing that mars the possible beauty of this plantation-like setting is the total lack of a well-manicured lawn. There is no grass at all on the plateau, just plain dirt and gravel interspersed with several more of the two-foot-wide stone pathways. The ugliest and most prominent feature on the lawn are the dozens of large holes and dirt mounts dug throughout the hillsides and the plateau, some with posts and roped off areas around the holes. This destruction makes this plot of land surrounding the mansion to more closely resemble the craters of the moon rather than a fine southern plantation.

As the carriage passes them by, Thomas examines the holes with great interest. Poking his head out the window of the slowing coach the half-ogre states, "Parker, you do keep your cards close to your vest. I am most intrigued by the work that you've been doing here, and simply cannot wait to hear about it!"

Chapter Nine, “James’s Associates” September 1st, 1882, 4:00 P.M.

A trio of individuals is sitting upon two of the several porch swings and they stand as the carriage approaches up the drive. Two are dark-haired human males dressed in suits, dress shirts, ties and hats. One appears to be a thin man with a short beard and mustache who appears to be in his late thirties or early forties. Lawrence, Mina, Roy and Thomas recognize him as their old friend Solomon Star, a man with great entrepreneural vision. The other man looks to be a few years older, slightly plump, with eyeglasses and a salt-and-pepper mid-length beard and a receding hairline. He is not known to anybody upon the coach except for the Parkers.

The third person is an attractive female elf who is the human equivalent of mid-thirties. She has long black hair tied back with a white-and-tan bow. She is attired in leather sandals, tan cotton pants, a leather belt with several belt pouches handing from it, a short-sleeved white cotton shirt and a buckskin vest. For jewelry she has bracelets on both wrists, both silver with small stone inlayed, a ring on her right hand, and a silver necklace with a locket. Mina smiles and waves at her friend. Although the elvan woman was never a member of the Civil War team Lawrence, Roy and Thomas have each met this member of the former Wampanoag tribe on several previous occasions.

The carriage comes to a stop in the driveway before the front porch steps as the trio descend and James Parker assists his wife down. Mina immediately rushes up to the elvan woman and they give each other a big hug. Mina asks her “Have you been keeping our James out of trouble Alsoomse?” “As if anybody could!” the elvan woman replies.

Ruby hopped over the others to get out of the coach after her grandmother. She stood behind her patiently, smoothing down the wrinkles on her travel dress while the woman and her grandmother greeted each other. They must be good friends to greet each other this way, Ruby mused. Once her grandmother stepped back, Ruby extended her hand and smiled. "Ruby West, it's a pleasure to meet you."

The elvan woman smiles and says, "And it is a pleasure to finally meet you as well. Mina's letters said that you two looked a lot alike, I see that is definitely the case. You are the spitting image of her when she was your age." "You knew my grandmother when she was my age? I'd love to hear all about that," Ruby laughed. "I've always wondered if I was much like her."

Alsoomse says, "We'll have plenty of time later to discuss it in detail. The short version is that I first met her back in the 1820's shortly after she, James and each of their mates returned from Egypt. The four of them were guests at mine and my husband's home on the island of Martha's Vineyard for the better part of a year." Ruby's eyes widen. "I would LOVE to hear those stories. I hope to get to Egypt myself one day too. Maybe I'll get in the same trouble as Nana did," she winked at her grandmother.

Mina turns to the group and says, “This is Alsoomse, she is originally from Plymouth, Massachusetts. As a girl she witnessed the Pilgrims landing at Plymouth Rock and attened the First Thanksgiving.” James walks over and affectionately wraps his arm around the elvan woman while saying, “She has spent most of the last two centuries researching the history and culture of the various tribes of Native Americans Elves. Her work on this project has been of vital importance. She is also a linguistic expert, with resources at hand regarding nearly all of the languages of the world.”

James next introduces the man with the eyeglasses saying “This is Doctor Pedro Luiz Napoleao Chernoviz. He is a world renowned physician, scientific writer and publisher of medical texts. For the last forty years his ‘Prescription Vademecum and Medical Guide’ has been the worldwide standard for the mixing of medical elixers just as his two-volume ‘Popular Medicine and Complementary Sciences Dictionary for Family Use’ is regarded as the world’s best medical guide for non-physicans. His books are also works of art, with the beautiful illustrations and high-quality engravings.”

James adds “Doctor Chernoviz was originally from Poland and earned his medical degree from the University of Warsaw. For the last fifty years his residency has alternated between France and Brazil.” “And since April, the United States,” the Doctor adds. James says, “Yes, in fact it was Luiz here who first brought the archeological site to my attention and the two of us concocted together this idea of the AGELESS Corporation.” The Doctor shakes the hands of each person and says, “Please call me Luiz.” He has a rich baratone voice and voice that gives no hint at all of a foreign accent.

Thomas steps forward, extending his hand, to introduce himself to Dr. Chernoviz. I am Dr. Thomas Sapathwa-Crane -- it's a pleasure to finally meet you. Dr. Chernoviz. Your works are a treasured part of my library collection back in Bermuda." He replies, "A pleasure to meet you as well, James has spoken quite highly of you. And please, call me Luiz."

James then introduces the third man as “And this is Solomon Star. Like Lawrence, Mina, Roy and Thomas, Sol was also a participant with my special team back during the War of Succession. He is an entrepreneur and has spent the last six-years up in that mining boom town of Deadwood, South Dakota. He now co-owns a chain of retail stores throughout the whole Dakota Territories. We are very fortunate that I was able to persuade him to come and help us get this business venture off the ground.”

"Mr. Star," Abigail said, extending a hand, "Living in Deadwood is taking your life in your hands. I hope our times here are just as exciting if a bit less dangerous." He replies, "Deadwood has calmed over the years, when I first got there it was rather wild. My business partner and best friend became Deadwood's Law Enforcement Officer, after which things became much safer for the both of us. As for here, I'll make no promises. James Aloisio Parker and danger often go hand-in-hand."

Nanuet finds himself staring at Alsoomse and turns away in hopes that she doesn't notice. He takes a moment to gather himself before shaking hands with all three of the people who were introduced. He is warmly greeted by all three. When he is still meeting Alsoomse she gestures towards the still-invisible Maska and says with a smile, "I've always liked canines. Would you please introduce me to your companion?" Nanuet looks in the direction that she gestures, then looks back at Alsoomse, then repeats the gesture. He stammers a bit and says "Oh, uh sure. Perhaps a little later when things are settled down, not so many new folks around all at once. Her name's Maska"

Roy heads straight to Alsoomse and takes her hand, kissing it on top. "A pleasure to see you, Alsoomse, if I may be so bold." She lifts him up in the air and gives him a kiss on the cheek saying, "Welcome Roy, I think you'll like it here." As she puts Roy back down, he turns to everyone else. "Any of you ****ers try that and I'll kill you." Roy's face is beet red and it's obvious he was highly embarassed by the gesture. "If you can reach that high!" teases Fish.

He smoothes out his clothes and extends his hand to Solomon. "Good to see you again, sir. I trust all it well on the home front?" Sol says, "Oh, you heard about that then? Well, yes, the trial stretched on for six whole months but at least I was acquitted." "As I assumed you would be," Roy says with a nod. He holds his hand out to the doctor. "Good to meet you, sir." The man returns a firm handshake and says, "The pleasure is all mine, and please, call me Luiz."

Ruby asks Alsoomse, "Is your husband here too?" She replies, "No, I am afraid that he passed away twelve years ago." "Oh I am sorry," Ruby blushed, embarrassed. "Well, I hope you will tell some stories of him too, I'd like to hear about him. And I look forward to getting to know you too. Now, is this were we're staying? I'd love to see the inside of this gorgeous house! That porch looks perfect for a swing and a glass of bourbon to end an evening."

Roy lets his head hang. "'Twas a great shame when he died." His head then came up with a sly smile. "But I will do my best to comfort you in your time of need, Alsoomse." She smiles at Roy and says, "Thank you my friend, but my time of need was seven to twelve years ago as I observed a five-year mourning period after he was gone. He lived to a very old age for a human and our marriage lasted for more than a century. I have many fond memories as well as a wonderful daughter, grandson, great-grandson and great-granddaughter. And I now have a new and exciting job as the Secretary of the AGELESS Corporation to keep me busy." "Well then, by all means, tell me all about it..." he says as he offers her his arm and escorts her into the mansion.

James suggests that they head inside and leads them up to the porch. The front entrance consists of a pair of five-foot wide wooden doors with frosted glass windows and elaborate gold knobs and doorknockers. The north wall of the building continues for twenty-five feet to the left of the doors and fifteen feet to the right, so when adding in the additional ten-feet of porch also to the right the doors are exactly centered. Above the door is another white-and-red TIMUCUAN CONSERVANCY sign, with the exact same wording as the larger sign out by the main gate.

James and Solomon each open a door in unison and gesture for the party to enter. The room is a vast main lobby/living room, twenty-feet long north-to-south and thirty-feet-wide east-to-west. The room has a pair of fine leather couches with a matching loveseat and six matching chairs. The walls are paneled with a mahogany wood with matching mahogany coffee tables and end tables near the other furnishings. The room has a high ceiling eighteen-feet up as this room occupies this space in both the first and second floors. An elaborate chandelier hangs from the center of the ceiling and illuminates the room.

The front doors are on the north wall of the room five feet in from the northeast corner. Five feet west of the main doors is a staircase that goes up a few steps to a landing in the northwest corner of the room then continues up along the western wall to a door to the second floor. There are exterior windows along the staircase but the drapes are currently drawn. In the space beneath the staircase is a wooden saloon-type bar with a hinged opening along the south wall and behind the bar is are multiple shelves of glasses of various sizes and assorted bottles of liquors. On the side wall of the staircase is an elaborate carved sign that reads:

Adventurers Guild of Exemplary and Legendary Explorers, Scientists and Scholars

The south wall has one door five feet in from the side wall below the staircase, which James gestures to and says, “That door leads to the side hallway, with a door out to the side porch. The hallway also has a pair of water closets in case any of you should need to use one after the long journey here.”

Next on the south wall is a pair of hinged swinging double doors five to eleven feet further east, then northwest chimney. Each of the four chimneys are five feet square but angled diagonal rather than parallel the house, thus two of the four sides of this chimney point into the room. There are metal grates along the chimney throughout the eighteen foot length to the ceiling to heat the room when needed. One side of the northeast chimney also points into the room in the corner, with a four-foot-wide door between the two chimneys on the south wall.

The east wall runs seventeen feet from the chimney to the north wall. Along these walls are two doors. The door closest to the north wall has a metal plaque that reads:

AGELESS Corporation Chairman
Doctor Pedro Luiz Napoleao Chernoviz

The other door has a metal plaque that reads:

AGELESS Corporation President & Vice President
James A. Parker & Wilamina H. Parker

Sol heads behind the bar and asks, "Would anybody care for a drink?" Fish gestures, "Yes please! Can you mix a Bourbon Street? I find that I'm longing for a bit of New Orleans." He casts a sly glance at Wilamina. "Three fingers of your best whiskey, chased with a little amaretto, over ice, wedge of lemon." Drink in hand, Ben makes his way to one of the couches.

"That sounds excellent, I'll have the same Mr. Star. A bit of home," Abby said in her thick accent. "I thought I would miss New Orleans here in Florida, but looking around this place I think I'm going to be too fascinated to be homesick. Beside being entertained by my new companions."

Roy does his best (worst) Southern accent. "Why ah do believe that, when in Florida, we should do as the Floridians do. Ah would like a mint julip, if you please sir. And for you madam?" he asks of Alsoomse. Sol says, "I know what she drinks." Moments later Sol hands Roy a silver platter with his mint julip and a glass of what looks like iced tea. "

Ruby says, I'll have some tea too, thank you Sol.” He asks, "Regular or Alsoomse blend?" "Um... I'll try Alsoomse's blend I guess, wouldn't want to insult the host," Ruby grinned. Ruby comments, “This place must be new, when was it built?" He replies, "We started early last month, we finished it on Tuesday." She says, "Looks like you got this house done just in time to fill it with people, but that sure seems fast to get this big house out." She says, "Well, I can't wait to see the rest of the house."

Sol replies, "I hired lots of builders, money wasn't an object, time was more important to our benefactor." He hands her the iced tea and says, "You many want to be seated before you sip it, the effect can be a bit disorienting to those who haven't tried it before." "Oh really?" Ruby says curiously, looking into the cup. "It can't be stronger than whiskey!" She takes a seat at the bar, "Cheers!" and takes a big sip of the tea.

Across the room, the gnome brings the platter back to their chairs. "Tea?" Roy asks Alsoomse. "You're not going soft on me, are you girlie?" She smiles and says, "Not exactly, it is my own special blend. A mix of chamomile, spearmint, birchroot and Elixer of Sense Heightening, with two spoonfuls of honey to sweeten it." Roy replies, "Sense heightening, huh? Sounds..... interesting."

Unlike most iced teas, which are made from Oriental black tea, this one tastes like a cross between mint and honey. Ruby takes several sips before she starts to feel different. The room suddenly becomes much brighter and the voices of the others in the room become much louder. She then begins to pick up variety of smells that she identifies as....the leather furniture....fresh paint.....body odors. Looking at her companions new details stick out, not just seeing their faces but the length of fresh beard growth and the pores of their skin.

She takes another sip and can now clearly differentiate other ingredients, also tasting chamomile and a birch taste like that from birch beer. The ice cubes in the glass seem to be much, much colder than they were a minute ago.
Alsoomse approaches her and says, "Perhaps I should take that and get you something else? "Oh no... I love it...," Ruby said with wide eyes, still taking in her surroundings. "It's so... different. How long does this last? Does it get... more... than this?"

Alsoomsee says, "Here, let me at least take it back to the bar and dilute it somewhat for you. There's a bit too much Elixer of Sense Heightening in that glass for somebody who has never had it before. Sol should have known better." "Alright, I trust your judgment." She hands the elf back the glass, practically hearing the drops of condensation falling from it as she did, the mint still tangy on her tongue. George wasn't too near to her yet she very keenly smelled him close by and she looked to him, the corner of her mouth upturning at her favorite scent in the world. "That's some GOOD tea!"

Furrowing his brows with almost burlesque concern, Fish speaks quietly to his shapely companion, "Miss Ruby, you're drooling!" He dabs at the corner of his own mouth to indicate where she is salivating. "Stop yelling, I HEAR YOU!" Ruby said in her own raised voice. She used her tongue to slowly lick her lips, they even tasted a little salty from the hello kisses on the cheeks she had given out not too long ago. "Better?" she asked him with a mischievous grin.

"Why, Miss Ruby," Roy continued in his bad Southern accent. "I do believe you've caught tha vapahs!" She replies, "The what? I don't speak Japanese Roy." "You know, the vapors." Abby produced a fan from some unseen pocket, fanned her face dramatically and sank gracefully into a chair as if she felt faint. "Alas, I left my smellin' salts at home," she laughed.

Nanuet had followed the others into the house and slowly takes in the details of the room. When Sol offers drinks he walks towards the bar and says "Your finest whiskey please good sir." He takes the drink and takes a generous sip. He hears the conversation concerning Ruby and the tea and makes his way towards her slowly, keeping an eye on her to make sure she's okay.

George walks up to the bar asks Sol for a scotch and intercepts the new, diluted tea from Alsoomse and offers his arm to Ruby. "Come my dear let me rescue you from this roy-bald conversation" say George smiling at his pun as he leads Ruby over to the love seat where they sit closely, enjoying their drinks.

Lawrence gets a glass of scotch from the bar. He casually watches the group, noting how they act with each other. He slaps Sol on the back, "How have you been? So, Deadwood, huh? Where have I heard that name before?" Sol answers, "Probably because that's where Wild Bill Hickock got himself killed." Lawrence snaps his fingers, "That must be it. A damn shame. But when you're number's up, it's up. Anyway, I hear you're quite the businessman."

Hardin takes the introductions in stride, gauging the meddle of each as he shakes hands and looks each person full in the face. His gaze isn't challenging, merely inquisitive. At Sol's mention of Hickok, he perks up. "So, Mr. Solomon, where you there when Wild Bill was killed and can you shed any light on what really happened? Most of what I have heard is innuendo and rumor. Mr. Hickok and I became acquainted in Abilene and I considered him a...friend. Did they do justice to that McCall bast...er, fellow? Terrible thing for a gunfighter to go down from a bullet in the back..." Hardin keeps his gaze on Sol, but his thoughts seem far away.

Solomon Star replies, "I was in town at the time but not in the saloon. I didn't really know him very well, having just been in town a short while myself. Near as I can tell the newspaper accounts were rather accurate. My business partner Seth Bullock knew him better. And Mr. Hickok and I did have a few other mutual friends."

Lawrence bows to the female elf saying, "And Alsoomse. You look as lovely as ever. I bet your new job as secretary keeps you busy." She smiles and says, "It has so far Lawrence, especially during the summer when this entire hill was crawling with teenage children. While I did enjoy playing 'mother' it is nice to be in the company of just adults again." "That's a nice thing. Sometimes youth rubs off on a person. I promise we won't be nearly as much trouble," Lawrence says with a wink.

James says, “Sol, why don’t you give all of our newcomers a tour of the house and they can each select their bedrooms." Sitting on the love seat with Ruby, George finishes his scotch and sets the glass down. "I suppose then James that you will make us all wait until after dinner for your reasoning for assembling such distinguished company here?" asks George.

James replies, "Oh no, we'll be having company for dinner who shouldn't know of our secrets. I also have some research to do with items and information that have only now arrived with some of you. We will be going over the project in detail tomorrow after lunch, although I imagine that you'll get an idea of some of it from Sol's tour."

Sol replies, "Okay everybody, last call for drinks, we'll start the tour in ten minutes." Lawrence tells the elvan woman, "Looks like we'll have to catch up later. It is good to see you again, Alsoomse." He makes an exaggerated motion to check his pocket watch and shouts to Sol. "It's not even evening and you're cutting us off? That's not good for business." He walks to the bar and says, "I'll have another scotch, if you please. It's pretty good, single malt?"

Roy holds up his glass, now only containing ice, and shakes it at Sol. "Boy, ah say boy, ah believe ah need a refill. And make it a little strongah this time, if you weel." Fish jests, "Sol, he'd like a maraschino cherry with it too -- with a little pink parasol, if you have one." Between the bourbon shared in the coach, and the double he just downed, Fish is feeling his liquor. He doesn't disguise this innuendo about cherries and Ruby nearly so well. Sol actually does, so is able to accommodate Fish's request for Roy's order. Sol then asks Fish "Would you care for one as well?"

Ruby finishes her tea quickly, by the time her cup is empty her face is flush. With her senses on overdrive, it's hard to keep still. Her eyes dart around to catch every light and her ears perk up at every noise. She could even feel the humidity in the air, every tiny drop of water on her skin. "Oh, I LOVE cherries, can I get one too?" She hops up from the couch and bounces over to the bar, where Sol laughs and hands her a bowl of cherries.

Ruby could not believe the vibrant red color or the luscious smell coming from that bowl. She drew a cherry to her full lips and popped it in her waiting mouth. She closed her eyes, savoring the most delicious and tasty cherry she had ever had. "Oh my gods, I am in heaven." She slumped against the bar with a huge grin. "And I don't want to share these! Alsoomse, that tea is so fabulous!!" She finished the small bowl of fruit. "Now THAT was a tasty snack.”

Thomas kept mostly to himself at the gathering of old friends, engaging in light conversation or banter as the circumstance arose, declining Sol's offer of awareness enhancement potions or the like, preferring to keep British custom of having tea only in the late afternoon.

Chapter Ten, “Touring the First Floor” September 1st, 1882, 4:30 P.M.

Ruby asks cheerfully, “Shall we go see our rooms?" James looks towards Mina and says, "All except for Mina that is, we already know where her bedroom is and I can show her around the house later. For now I wouldn't mind some alone time with my lovely young bride. I think a bicycle ride down to Chicopit Bay sounds in order.” “And where is that darling?” Mina asks. He replies, “Around a mile-and-a-half to the southeast. The way there is one of the many stone bicycle paths that the Academy students built on the property. Much easier to ride on the stones than the sandy soil, plus it gave us something to do with all of the rocks that we kept digging up.”

Alsoomse finishes her drink and says, “While you do that I’ll go put away the carriage and tend to the horses.” "I prefer to stay outdoors if that's alright with you so I won't be needing a room. Alsoomse if you wouldn't mind the company I'll assist you with the carriage and the horses." She replies, "Certainly Nanuet, I would welcome the company." The head outside and instead of climbing up to drive the carriage she goes to the front and leads the first pair of horses from the front yoke. Fish calls out under his breath, impishly, "That first mare likes carrots!"

Luiz also stands and says, “And I will go and pay a visit to the Delroy-Kingsley family to check on how tonight’s dinner is coming along.” James laughs and says to the Doctor, “Or rather, you'll go check on Jasper and Jemima’s daughter Antoinette.” Luiz's face takes on a shocked expression and he answers, “James, How could you ever think such a thing? You know that I’m happily married to my darling wife Julie." James replies, "Your darling wife Julie, who currently resides in Paris, France you mean?" Luiz counters, "Absence makes the heart grow fonder. And I am also old enough to be young Toni’s grandfather! We’re just good friends.” “If you say so,” James chuckles.

After Sol hands Lawrence his drink he exits the bar and says, “We might as well start the tour right here with the Chairman’s Office.” He opens the door to the ten-by-twenty foot room with an eight-foot high roof. It has two large windows on the wall by the porch and another large window on the eastern wall. Between the windows are short bookcases filled with books. In the far corner is a closed roll-top desk. The most prominent feature in the room are a pair of long and deep wooden file cabinets along the south wall, each seven-feet-long, five-feet high and four feet deep.

Near the door is a small desk with a pair of chairs, one on each side of the desk. On the north wall between the two large windows is a framed portrait of the Doctor with his wife and six adult children. On the wall near the desk are several framed certificates in the languages of French, Polish and Portuguese. The only document in English is a license to practice medicine issued by the State of Florida. Fish scans the room for entrances and exits. It's not as though he's casing the joint -- it's force of habit, kinda like how that cowboy fella looks someone up and down every time he meets 'em for the first time.

Sol says, “This is our first of many hidden secrets, our secret hospital. You’ll want to step clear of the filing cabinets.” He goes over to the desk and fiddles with an inkwell made into the desk. As he does so across the room the two apparently hollow file cabinet facades begin to rotate forward and down into the floor and away from the wall, pivoting on an axis built into each cabinet side. The back of the cabinet that had been against the wall therefore pivots upward, now becoming the top. They both eventually come to rest at a ninety-degree angle from where they had been with both having now transformed into state-of-the-art stainless steel medical operating tables. Sol next goes to the roll top desk and inserts a key, turning it clockwise. The desktop rolls up and the lower drawer extend, revealing themselves to contain several dozen metal medical instruments, rolls of gauze, and close to one-hundred elixir bottles.

Sol states, “Luiz is one of the very best physicians on the planet and you won’t find better equipment than what you see right here. Alsoomse is also a very skilled nurse, experienced with healing magics from several cultures. No matter how serious any injuries that members of our team might sustain, if we can successfully get the wounded back to this room alive, then I would conjecture there is a 99.99% percent probability that our medical staff will be able to save them. That is also why we his office is here in this corner room with the wide windows, as he prefers direct sunlight to operate by than artificial."

George, always interested in light and lighting then asks "If the good doctor prefers natural light so much, why have north facing windows? Surely a southern exposure would provide more direct light all day." Sol says, "We thought of that, but needed the southern section of the building for another purpose. This works as we also have special reflectors that can attach to the porch railings to reflect light inwards as necessary." George says, "I would be most interested in seeing those after the main tour Sol." says George muttering about wavelengths and refractive indices.
Ruby says, "Injuries? Have their been a lot of injuries?" Sol replies, "There may be in the future, better to be safe than sorry" Sol resets the medical tables back to their file cabinet form and they exit the room.

Continuing the tour, the next room is the President and Vice President’s Office. It is also ten-by-twenty feet with windows on the east wall and a vented chimney in the southwest corner. The room has a plush red carpet is furnished with two large desks each with nice leather chairs. Three other leather chairs are also within the room. Mounted on the wall to the left of the is a metal shield that has fancy navy blue and red heraldry with a white sword painted in the middle. Painted around the edge are the Latin words “Magnus Imperium Maximus Officium”

Several paintings line the south wall, the most prominent being a four-by-seven foot painting in an elaborate gold leaf frame. The painting is of seven well-dressed men standing beneath a banner that reads “Massachusetts Abolitionist Society”. The clothing styles of the men indicate that it was painted some time in the mid-to-late 1850’s. The man in the center is a younger James A. Parker.

Abigail recognizes two of the others as the authors John Greenleaf Whittier and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Ruby and George both recognize a man in the painting as somebody who they met during earlier this summer. He is a young Frederick Seagram, the father of Ruby’s best friend Katherine Seagram Kale. Thomas, Lawrence and Roy are personally acquainted with all seven men in the portrait, the other three being John Albian Andrew who was the Governor of Massachusetts during the Civil War and the five-years that proceeded it; William Phillips, a prominent Boston attorney; and William Lloyd Garrison, also from James’s home town of Newburyport, who published an anti-slavery newspaper called The Liberator.

Thomas took in the sights of the house and facilities, amazed by the solid craftsmanship and detail obvious in their construction, impressed at the rapidity with which the structures had been built on the grounds. And once again, he thought to himself, Parker is one of the most resourceful and capable men he's ever had the pleasure to meet, and to work so closely with. Thomas only hoped that he'd be able to make contribution to the efforts to come that would be truly worthy of the trust and respect Parker gave him. Stirring from his reverie, he followed the others on their tour through the house.

Continuing south, Sol opens and leads the group through the lobby doorway between the two fireplaces on the south wall. This leads to a north-to-south hallway eight-feet-wide and twenty-five-feet long with three doors along the east wall to the left, one door in the center of the west wall to the right and a pair of double doors at the end to the south.

The first door to the left has a plaque similar to the previous two offices, this one reading:
AGELESS Corporation Secretary
Alsoomse da Rosa

Sol opens the door to another ten-by-twenty foot room with a large window on the east wall. The room has a simple desk, just one chair, and various mats and pillows on the floor. The south wall is lined with filled bookcases. The north wall has several dozen shelves containing various Native American items. The room smells of incense. The chimney in the northwest corner of the room doesn’t have heating grates but instead is open, with a small fireplace built into it. On a shelf near the fireplace are cast iron pots and pans.

Abby took a deep breath of the incense as they entered the room. With a faraway look she said only, "This room smells of home." The particular scent wasn't familiar, nor were the items, but the feeling of the room... Suddenly she was a tiny girl again, in her nanny's rooms where there were all sorts of items that seemed spooky to a child. Exotic scents floated to her nose and the glitter of magic, things her mother and father couldn't see, floated with them. Beautiful Suzanne's rooms; she with the skin the color of creamed coffee, the lilting voice and comforting arms. She missed her father who had passed on, loved her mother, but only for Suzanne was she homesick.

There is a painting on the wall between the chimney and door. It is a portrait of three people with a seascape behind them. One is Alsoomse when she was the human equivalent of late teens or early twenties. Next to her is an olive-skinned human male with curly dark hair who is dressed as a fisherman. They are holding together between them a half-elvan toddler-aged girl who bears a resemblance to them both.

Ruby exclaims, "Awww, Sol, is that Alsoomse's daughter? She is so cute! Is her daughter here too?" Sol replies, "No, Natalia lives at her home up in Massachusetts, on the island of Martha's Vineyard. That's where this portrait was painted, around one-hundred-and-forty years ago. The only relative of Alsoome's who is currently in Florida is her Grandson."

Continuing the tour, they return to the hallway and approach the final door on the left from the hallway has a sign that reads:
AGELESS Corporation Treasurer
Solomon Star

Sol says, “This is my office, come on it.” The room is the same ten-by-twenty foot size as the previous three, again with a window on the east wall. It has very little open space to walk, with two desks, three chairs and four tables, each piled with various papers, charts and books. The walls have several framed newspaper stories, most about the ‘Bullock & Star Retail Stores’. The room has a doorway on the south wall near the east-facing window.

Sol points to the door and says, “That will be your office Attorney Hardin, as we will probably be working closely together.” The door to that office is opened to reveal a ten-by-fifteen foot room, with longer section parallel the east wall with two windows. The room is currently furnished with a desk, two chairs and two wooden filing cabinets. There is a door on the opposite wall. Fish peeks in to see if there's a spittoon installed therein for the Texan. Ruby inquires, "Mr. Hardin, what is your role in our party, if I might ask?" “Attorney,” is his response.

Returning again to the main hallway he brings them to the final door on the left. It has a plaque reading:
AGELESS Corporation
Photographic Laboratory

Solomon opens the door to reveal a windowless interior room that is also ten-by-fifteen feet in size. The only other door is to the south wall. It has various shelves, cabinets and sinks. Benjamin thinks to himself, "I bet there's some silver in there!"

George Eastman is impressed by seeing that the room is stocked with all of the latest equipment for the development of film, many being from his own company but also a few things made by his competitors, some items of which he had heard of but had not actually seen until this very moment. Sol references to the chimney in the southwest corner and says, “That grate has special vents to allow you to regulate the level of light or heat to radiate from it so that you can keep this room as hot, cold or dark as you need it to be.” Very nice Mr. Star" says George admiring the space.

Ruby rolled her eyes just a little. "Oh no, I've lost him. George that is, he'll always be in here!" Then she smiled. "Hopefully he'll have something great to photograph. Looks like you've got all the best stuff here for him to work with though." George smiles at Ruby "Well Constance, this is why James brought me down here. But I promise to not live here. Or better yet , you can assist me in the lab here" says George with a smile. The look on Ruby's face could peel paint off the walls. And George had to laugh "No, of course not." laughed George. "But I will make time for us my dear, have no worries."

Lawrence says, "I take it by your wife's comments that you're in the photography business? I've seen Mr. Brady's fine work documenting the War of Rebellion." George looks at Lawrence "I......dabble a bit in photography, yes Mr. Cantrell." says George with a wry smile. "And Mr. Brady was a pioneer in his work, an inspiration to the art of photography. It is a shame though that he has fallen on hard times." says George wistfully. Lawrence replies, "That is too bad. His pictures helped bring the war to the general public. Someone should do something for him."

Sol heads away from the double-doors on the end and towards the center door on the western wall. He opens it and leads them into a good-sized kitchen, fifteen-foot-square. Two large ice chests are to the left of the door on the south wall. Wood stoves line the east wall of the room, vented to both of the chimney sides. The chimney also has open doors on both sides into this room revealing bread ovens. The west wall is lined mostly with cabinets. In the center of the room is a table with a butcher-block top. A sink with a hand pump is in the southwest corner. A dumbwaiter is also on the west wall.

Sol says, “We have an arrangement with the Delroy-Kingsley family where they cook and share one meal a day with us. During the summer that was always the noon meal, as the student archeology teams therefore didn’t have to stop at mid-day to prepare anything. Ever since the students left we’ve varied which meal it is. Today they’ll be joining us for our evening meal. They always cook extra, which goes into the iceboxes, so there is usually something that can be heated up for the other meals. Of course, if any of you actually wish to cook that would also be appreciated.”

"I can cook!" offers Fish cheerfully. "I did so often enough, preparing meals for the big top gang." He shakes out his shoulders and rolls his head. "Mr. Solomon, is there a high ropes course or some-such here on the grounds? I need to stretch a bit. There's no rush. I'm just curious." Sol smiles and says, "No, nothing of that sort, although we have plenty of land if you wish to build it. We actually own around three square miles of land here." Fish grins, "Nah, that won't be necessary -- if y'all don't mind my using the second-floor porch railings as balance beams, the peak of the roof as a catwalk, and the south trellis as rigging!"

Sol points to the north wall door and says that goes back into the lobby. He opens the door on the west wall, to the side hallway, which is ten feet across to the porch door and a five foot wide corridor going north for fifteen feet to the lobby door, with the two water closet doors on the left of this corridor.

They exit the kitchen from the southern door and enter the main dining room, which is twenty-foot-square. It has three round tables with white-and-red tablecloths on each. The tables each have seven chairs around them with place settings at all twenty-one chairs. A lazy-Susan with various spices and condiments is in the center of each table. An unlit chandelier is in the center of the room. The east wall has large picture windows, the drapes being drawn to show the porch and let in light. China cabinets are along the south wall.

"This is nice," Ruby comments. "Who does the shopping?" Sol replies, "Until today, primarily me. I've work retail stores most of my life so know prices and merchandise. I get the basics from the Mill Cove store on the daily mail runs. Around once a week I also make a trip into the city, and would welcome assistance with that run. Going to the city for shopping is actually a rather leisurely activity when you use the larger sailboat to travel there and back."

She states, "Oh, I love shopping, any kind. I can help you out with that. And I would love to see the city - Jacksonville is it?" Sol says, "Yes, the city your train arrived at. It currently has a population of 14,500, which means that there are plenty of stores." "Excellent!", she answers.

They exit the dining room in a door on the west wall near the fireplace in the southwest corner. This leads to a small ten-by-seven foot hallway that is immediately south of the first central hallway, with the double doors to that other hallway on the north wall. This hall also has a water closet. There is a door to the right which Sol says leads down to the basement, where they will light the fires for all of the chimneys during the winter months. He adds, "And by next summer we hope to also have installed a cooling mechanism that will circulate cold air using the same chimney and ventilation system.”

A pair of large double doors are on the south wall of this hallway. These doors have more than one lock on them. The left door of these double doors has a plaque reading:
AGELESS Corporation
Transportation and Logistics Office

Fish discreetly sizes up the locks -- through sheer force of habit! Ruby also stares at the locks curiously to determine how complicated would they be to get open. As someone who once tried to break out of the inside of a bank vault, this wasn't too complicated, though she wouldn't doubt magic was involved. She asks, "What's in the transportation office so valuable that needs multiple locks?"

Sol unlocks the doors and leads the group through. Inside is a vast windowless room, running twenty feet north-to-south and the full fifty-foot east-to-west width of the building. In the center of the south wall is a staircase running up to a doorway to the second floor. Both southern fireplaces are half within this room on the northern wall. Doors along the northern wall east of the fireplaces lead to the photography lab and Attorney’s Office. A set of thick double-doors that open into the room are along the back southern wall near the southeast corner. It is currently bolted shut and blocked with an iron bar. Fish sizes up those doors too, for good measure.

The room has a single-story for the eastern thirty feet, but in the western twenty-foot-square section there is an eighteen foot high ceiling comprising the first and second floors. On the north wall next to the chimney at the beginning of this section is a ladder mounted to the wall that leads up to a catwalk balcony on the northwestern corner of the room. The single-story section of the room has several large filing cabinets.. Signs above each pair of cabinets read “The Frolic”, The Heidi”, “The Isabella”, and “The Magnificence.” Those who have known James Parker for decades recognize the latter as the name of his own three-masted sailing ship. Two desks and five chairs also fill that section of the room.

Lawrence asks, "Are those ship logs, Sol? I recognize The Magnificence. It looks like James has been quite busy." Sol replies, "The cabinets will hold the logs. The company is new so, we're on our initial voyages right now. The Parker family is renting The Magnificence to the AGELESS Corporation for the indefinite future. She's an old ship but has been well maintained and is very swift on the high seas." Lawrence states, "I know that ship well. Old Boss Tweed thought he could get away from us. But the old girl got us to Spain in record time. Let's hope these other ships serve as well."

The most impressive item in the room is a huge fourteen-by-eighteen-foot table in the center of the two-story part of the room and up against the eastern wall, with just a few feet of walking space around both sides to the north and south of the table. The table itself has painted upon its entire top a detailed map of the Atlantic Ocean, showing the Atlantic coasts of North America, South America, Africa and Europe. Eight red two-inch diameter stars mark the map. There is a brass plaque next to each star naming its location.

North America has stars marked upon “Newburyport, Massachusetts”, “New York, New York” and “Jacksonville, Florida”. South America has a single star marked on “Rio de Janeiro, Brazil”. Africa has a pair of stars, one towards Africa’s southwest coast marked “Luanda, Portuguese West Africa/Angola” and another on the northwest coast marked “Bissau, Portuguese Guinea”. Europe has a single star marking “Lisbon, Portugal”. The remaining star is at an island chain several hundred miles west of Europe and marked “Ponta Delgada, Azore Islands”.

Also on the map are four model ships cast in metal, each four inches long and each with a wooden toothpick sticking up and flying a full-colored one-by-two-thirds inch cloth flag . A three-masted sailing ship model with a United States flag is at the Newburyport location. The other three models are all two-masted paddlewheel freighters. One has a United States flag and is currently southeast of Cuba and pointed towards Jacksonville. Another has a Peruvian flag and is sailing across the south Atlantic between Bissau and Rio de Janeiro. The other has the flag of Switzerland and is at the Lisbon location.

A rack with several long pointer sticks is mounted along the north wall, apparently used to move the ship models across the board. Ruby stepped into the room and curiously approached the table. She ran her hand across the painted on map as she gazed upon it. "Oh, the world is big," she said in awe. Her eyes flitted from area to area, her imagination running wild in her head. "This is a beautiful map. Does it have something to do with our little adventure?" She couldn't quite contain her excitement at the possibility of going somewhere more exotic than Florida.

Sol replies, "It does indeed. This map illustrates the commercial side of the business, which will fund the academic exploration side. You see here the eight ports of the AGELESS corporation and the tracking of our vessels when in port or at sea. The manager at each shipping location is responsible for lining up commercial shipments, with the focus on agricultural products of the indigenous populations, dealing directly with the people at the lowest level whereever possible. For example, once this Jacksonville location is fully established we hope to purchase citrus and rice directly from the underprivileged humans and ogres who grow them rather than rich intermediaries and plantation owners. We also plan to purchase alligator-skin products from the Siminole elves further south."

Ruby paused only briefly, the word business immediately bored her. She says, "Oh that's right, Nana mentioned that briefly. Smart to set up business to fund the fun stuff." Abigail nodded, listening with interest. "Sound plan. Not only does it make sure that the right people are getting paid for their labor, it also lowers the corporation's costs by cutting out the middleman . This map and set-up is amazing, but it does seem a bit... over the top for just tracking business. I'd guess it's also used to keep track of the more adventurous side of this corporation." Sol replies, "James will explain the details of the adventuring side of the business tomorrow and some of this will make more sense then. But think of it this way, we have now established a legitimate means to explain any travel being done by any of you between these four continents."