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AGELESS Campaign Episode 2 - Temple of the Cat-Goddess
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<blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 4729053" data-attributes="member: 8530"><p><strong>Chapter Thirteen, “James’s Troubles” September 1st, 1882, 6:00 P.M.</strong></p><p></p><p>At exactly a minute until six a carriage pulls up to the front of the house. Sol answers the door and lets in the couple just as the clock reaches 6:00 P.M. The blond haired, blue eyed muscular clean-shaven man is in his late thirties, dressed entirely in black, with suitcoat, shirt, pants and tie and a black hat on his head. His boots have a lot of wear but have been recently polished. The only thing not black are the pair of silver Colt Peacemakers on his belt and the metal star pinned to the lapel of his suit coat.</p><p></p><p>The woman accompanying him looks to be around the same age, with tan hair and blue eyes. She has an hourglass figure which is partially concealed by the unflattering black-and-hunter green long wool/cotton blend dress that she is wearing. A matching green cotton shawn is draped over her shoulders beneath a large straw hat with a black ribbon. Sol announces them as Duval County Sheriff Rolf Heinrich Hotzbrun and his wife Gerta Hotzbrun. Sol leads him to their appointed seats. </p><p></p><p>Luiz asks everyone to stand and says a prayer to the Greek/Roman gods. He then welcomes others to state prayers of their own faiths. Alsoomse then says a prayer to the gods of nature. Wilamina then says a prayer to the Celtic deities. Obadiah Kingsley says a prayer to the Ogre deities. Sheriff Hotzbrun then states a prayer to the Norse dieties, with emphasis on Odin, Thor and Magni. </p><p></p><p>After the prayers, Lawrence introduces himself to the Hotzbruns. "Sheriff Hotzbrun, Mrs. Hotzbrun. I'm pleased to make your acquaintance. I'm Lawrence Cantrell. James and I go way back." The Sheriff replies in a somewhat thick Germanic accent, "Yes, he has told me some of your background. That is one of the reasons that I am here tonight."</p><p></p><p>James interjects, “Yes Lawrence, you and John have seen the Conservancy signs, which say that per the Governor’s order trespassers are subject to immediate arrest and prosecution. Well, we're located so far out of town that it would not be feasible to have to go get the lawman if we needed them, tresspassers could loot all of the archeaology site by the time we returned with the Sheriff. So in order to make good on that threat both Sol and I have become Deputy Sheriffs for the County. Sheriff Hotzbrun and his wife are here tonight to meet the two of you and discuss the possibility of the both of you also becoming deputized.” </p><p></p><p>Hardin can't suppress a lopsided grin at the prospect of becoming a deputy sheriff. "Well, Mr. Parker, I have had extensive experience on several sides of the law and must admit the challenge of operating from the good sheriff's perspective is quite intriguing to me." He leans back in his seat for a moment and then straightens, turning towards Sheriff Hotzbrun. "So, Sheriff Hotzbrun, has there been or are you expecting much in the way of...trouble?" </p><p></p><p>As the table begins to pass around and dish out the food he replies, "No, and I want to keep it that way. Better to have people and not need them than need them and not have then. It's a big county, 774 square miles, one fifth of that water. The county's population is around 23,000 but 14,500 of them are in Jacksonville, which has its own police force. I try to have my deputies spread out in the event that they are needed. </p><p></p><p>I have four in the town of Baldwin, nine miles west of Jacksonville, I have another four at the coast with a pair each at the two coastal beaches, Atlantic Beach and Neptune Beach. With four here midway between Jacksonville and the coast that should help keep things covered nicely, especially since you have a coach and several boats available at your disposal." </p><p></p><p>Lawrence says in surprise, "Me? I mean, I'm honored by the possibility, but I'm no gunfighter. I'm an artist." James interjects, "But you are also my friend and a resourceful man. That is what we may be in need of. One reason that I approached the Sheriff and Governor about protection is that I've run into a bit of trouble, unrelated to this project in Florida, but might follow us here." Hardin glances at James. "Anything...interesting?" His attitude is studied calm, but Lawrence notices a gleam in his eyes. </p><p></p><p>James says "Well, it started with a book I was working on earlier this year about the history of the Whig political party that was active from 1832 to 1856 and elected two presidents, Zachary Taylor and William Henry Harrison, both of whom died in office. Harrison's Vice President John Tyler was also a Whig but split with the party after assuming the Office of the Presidency.</p><p></p><p>The subject of this book came about quite accidentally over two years ago. I was attending an auction at the New York City Offices of Sotheby’s Auction House and took a slight interest in a crate full of correspondence from the estate sale of Percival Smoot, executive assistant to John Canfield Spencer. Spencer was a New York politician back in the 1830's and 40's, born in Hudson, New York. He served as an assemblyman and state senator up in Albany but didn't hit the national front until John Tyler fired his entire Whig Cabinet and sought replacements.</p><p></p><p>Spencer served two years as Secretary of War followed by two years as Secretary of the Treasury. He was the only northerner on Tyler's cabinet and resigned near the end of Tyler's term in protest to the annexation of Texas. In my travels to China I had actually been involved in the First Opium War between Great Britain and China, which ended in 1843. In fact, it was during the voyages related to that when I first became acquainted with Roy Huggins and his family. </p><p></p><p>But back to the story, I thought that with Spencer having been the United State's Secretary of War during those years there might be something of value about it in Smoot's Collection, possibly some correspondence to Spencer from Queen Victoria, so was willing to bid up to $ 100 for the crate, but thought it would go for much less.</p><p></p><p>Much to my surprise there was another bidder, a man from Virginia who was very interested. We got into a bidding war and my emotions came into play, with my final bid being $ 650. He outbid me at $ 700 at which point my common sense got the better of me and I dropped out. As the auctioneer pounded the gavel letting the other the other man know he won a wave of emotion crossed the man's face that appeared to be great relief. He then sat back down in his seat and appeared to fall asleep, although in actually, he died, probably of heart failure.</p><p></p><p>He had come alone to the auction and was not known by the Sotheby’s so since he hadn't paid yet the crate went to me as the second highest bidder. What followed was a two-year-long legal battle with the man's estate who wanted to take possession of it, the court holding it in the interim. I eventually won, getting the crate delivered to me in June. During the intervening two years I conducted further research on my auction rival, finding that he was a high official in the Whig Party, which prompted me to dig further. As I've collected all of this information I figure I might as well put my efforts to work and publish it."</p><p></p><p>Percy Smoot was very thorough, having kept records of everything during the thirty-two years that he was working for Spencer. I reviewed the matieral during the week after I received the crate but didn’t find anything specifically. But then my rivals uped the ante, offering $ 2,000 for the entire collection of documents. Of course, the more they push the more I want to hang on to them. </p><p></p><p>I still refused, and they then started to threaten harm to myself, my wife and her granddaughter unless I surrendered the materials. They threated to burn down our house in New York and implied bodily harm. So I had the crate moved and locked away in safe storage. My attorneys have made it known that the collection is now sealed and stored away in a vault outside of my immediate reach, and have been stalling the other parties </p><p></p><p>That was the same time that my friend Doctor Chernoviz wanted to get this Timucuan project going, so I shifted gears this direction. Shortly after I arrived some Pinkerton Detectives working for the other party showed up here and started to make trouble. We also had trespassers on the site, with evidence that they searched through our camp and belongings when we weren’t around. So that is why we got the Proclamation from he Governor and why Sol and I became deputized. We haven’t had any trouble since then." Lawrence pauses for a second and replies, "OK, James. You've convinced me. You know I wouldn't let you face this a man down. I'm in."</p><p></p><p>"Pinkertons, eh...you don't say..." Hardin's voice trails off and he seems to focus on something over and to the left of James for a long moment, a hard set to his jaw. He flexes the fingers on his right hand for a moment and snaps back.</p><p>"I certainly wouldn't want anything to happen and it's better to be safe than sorry," he says in his best Texas drawl. The Sheriff says, "That's good to hear. Well Mr. Hardin, your reputation preceeds you. So tell me, what in your opinion would be the advantages and disadvantage to my making you part of my law enforcement team? Hardin seems to jump a bit at the Sheriff's question...as if he was thinking about something else. He recovers quickly.</p><p></p><p>"Well, Sheriff, let me start with the disadvantages, if I may. It involves that reputation. While this isn't Abilene or Gonzales, there are plenty who might want to test their mettle by going up against a gun hand with my reputation and get a dime novel written about themselves. I have no intention of ending up like Bill Hickok...shot in the back while playing cards. If trouble comes around...and Mr. Parker has already indicated it might...I will be ready and will take any steps necessary to defend Mr. or Mrs. Parker, Miss Ruby, Miss Abigail and the others. Also, even though an extended stay in the state vacation home for reprobates and scoundrels has mellowed me some, if I am expecting trouble...I might be tempted to shoot first and ask questions later."</p><p></p><p>He pauses for a moment and looks the Sheriff dead in the eye, with no twitch or hint of his lop-sided grin. "Now, that said, I have emerged from my confinement a reformed man...admitted to the state bar and an officer of the court. I am someone who intends to walk on the right side of the law going froward. In addition, my reputation as a fast draw and a deadly shot might also come in very handy in persuading ne'er-do-wells that surrender and avoiding gun play is in their best interests. </p><p></p><p>I assure you that my incarceration cost me none of my skill with an iron. The guards were quite amused by my trick-draw antics and even arranged for me to fire at the prison range with some frequency...while under appropriate guard, of course. If trouble comes this way...I will be worth any 3 or 4 deputies you could assign and you have my word that I will cause no unnecessary violence." Hardin says the last in a very matter-of-fact voice filled with utter conviction and no hint of bragging. He glances at James and nods and then settles back in his seat to await the Sheriff's reply. </p><p></p><p>The Sheriff smiles and says, "Well, sir, that is good enough for me. And reputation works both ways, word of you on my team also should to defuse many a situation. And while somebody trying to make a name for themself might try to call you out having another two or three deputies living in the same house should help there as well. They could arrest the person for disturbing the peace, leaving both your physical body and reputation intact."</p><p></p><p>The Sheriff turns back to Lawrence and says, "And you sir, the same question, what would be the advantages and disadvantages to my hiring you." He thinks for a minute, then says, "Well, I have a keen understanding of the criminal mind. I am very good at ferreting out information and getting in and out of places most cannot. Of course, that means I've spent a large part of my life on the other side of the fence from law enforcement. So you only have my word and that of James to vouch for me." The Sheriff tells Lawrence that James standing up for him is good enough for him. </p><p></p><p>At the next table, seated over near two beautiful women, Fish feels more than a little nervous. He avoids meeting Antoinette's gaze -- having worked with half-ogre women under the Big Top, he knows firsthand that conventional wisdom about the strength of their passions isn't altogether unfounded. He absentmindedly rubs the scar just below the back of his collar -- a bite mark he's thrilled to have once received. His implacable grin crooks up at its left edge. As for Abigail, he's gathered from her genteel speech that she's well-educated. "She'd be slumming to spark with me!" he tells himself.</p><p></p><p>To keep himself distracted from impure thoughts, Ben reaches for the breadbasket and offers it around the table. "Marmalade, anyone?" he offers innocently, "or butter?" Handsome silver they may be, but Fish palms the butter knives not for keeps but to provide occasion for a little banter. "Did they forget to set the knives?" he asks quizzically. Luiz states, "It appears that they did. Excuse me, I will go and take care of that oversight." He stands up and heads over to one of the cabinets on the south wall. </p><p></p><p>Fish steps up from the table and follows Luiz, joining him at the sideboard. He speaks to him in a low voice: “Dr. Chernoviz! I beg your pardon. I have the butter knives. There's so much brain power and beauty at our table, I was looking for an excuse to make conversation." Luiz retrieves the knife anyway and softly says, "Well, then, why don't we go back to the table and I will prompt you with questions regarding your past act of bravery and selflessness." </p><p></p><p>At the first table Mina and Gerta converse about her native Austria. Gerta explains that Heinrich and his brothers were senior palace guard for the Austrian Monarchy. Following the 1866 Austria-Prussian war the German Confederation was dissolved. When the new parilament was established in 1867 they gave patronage to their own friends and all prior palace employees were dismissed. That was when they decided to relocate to the United States. </p><p></p><p>Over at the second table Alsoomse and Obadiah get into a somewhat odd and rather animated conversation about migratory ducks. Obadiah is apparently an avid duck hunter and the marshes north of the river are a favorite location for his autumn duck blinds. Alsoomse actually has no problem with his hunting, as the birds have a sufficient population for it and the Delroy-Kingsleys use all of the duck's meat and feathers, unlike other hunters who hunt only for sport. </p><p></p><p>At the third table Antoinette asks Abigail all about New Orleans, as she is named after Jasper's mother of French descent who lived there. Abigail glanced quickly at Dr. Crane, remembering his sensitivity on the subject of her home. But there was so much more to New Orleans than what he knew, so much more complex and beautiful. "My home... it's a complicated place. </p><p></p><p>When the French first established the city they had a hard time getting anyone to come there, so people of all races were welcomed as they were needed. Eventually the French and Spanish intermarried with the high elves and ogres who had fled there from the Carribean. Their decendents are now called the Creole and are the undisputed leaders in the city. I have a Creole ancestor or two, but there are so many more humans in my family tree that I can hardly claim it.</p><p></p><p>But the city itself... such music and dancing you'll never see anywhere. In the French Quarter there is club after club, each offering its own brand of music, Creole, Cajun, classical, each offered with so much joy in living. That is the real hallmark of my home, looking the world in the eye and meeting it with joy despite its hardships." </p><p></p><p>Antoinette says, "My father Jasper has said as similar things. He moved away from there at such a young age he doesn't remember much of it. My Grandmother Antoinette was born in France. She and her older brother Gaston came to the United States as young teens, to Quebec City, as indentured servants to an elderly wealthy silversmith. They had had served four of their seven years of servitude until a time when the silversmith attempted to molest her, so she and Gaston fled, eventually settling in New Orleans.</p><p></p><p>They lived there for a quarter-century, where she wed a coopershop worker named Francois Delroy, and gave birth to Jasper. But her brother Gaston got careless, and made a trip to Toronto believing the silversmith dead and his own crime of being an escaped Canadian slave long forgotten. But the man still lived and had dedicated men to locating the runaway servants. Gaston was arrested and imprisoned. He died in prison, never revealing his sister's whereabouts or new name. To further protect themselves the Delroys fled New Orleans, settling here."</p><p></p><p>Fish says to Abigail, "Miss Marsters, what's your favorite? Café Beignet has the best bourbon, but you can't beat the Tarantula on Decatur for the groove. I don't imagine you've darkened the door at One Eyed Jacks," says Fish, blushing, "the stage show is a bit risqué."</p><p></p><p>Roy opened his eyes slowly, blinking quickly. He stretched his arms over his head and made a grunting noise. "What time is it?" he thought as he reached in his pocket. When he pulled out his watch and saw the position of the hands, his eyes widened and he jumped out of bed as if he'd been shocked.</p><p></p><p>"S***! I guess my quick nap wasn't so quick." He figured by now everyone was at dinner. He made his way into the bathroom and washed up a bit, trying to get his hair to do what he wanted. He then went and laid out a nice suit and got dressed as quickly as he could. He went down the stairs quietly, trying not bring attention to himself, and followed the crowd noise into the dining room. He ducked inside, trying to stay out of sight as much as possible, and sat down at the table next to Antoinette. He leaned over and whispered, in Orcish, "So what did I miss?"</p><p></p><p>While the dinner conversations continue Jemima goes into the kitchen and gets three hot peach cobblers from the oven, one for each table. At the conclusion of the meal, the Delroy-Kingsley family takes the food and dishes out into the kitchen to clean up. James invites everybody else into the living room/lobby for an after dinner drink. Benjamin makes a special point of thanking the Delroy-Kingsleys.</p><p></p><p>Ruby thanks her table mates, "Dinner was very good, thank you so much for sharing dinner with us and I look forward to more of your wonderful cooking and even more pleasant company." She takes George by the hand, leading him to one of the couches and leaves him there. "Safe my seat," she winks at him.</p><p></p><p>"No, you're right, Miss West, I'd best wait on that tipple," replies Fish, flashing a crooked grin. "Although to judge by your dexterity behind a bar, I have no doubt you'd pour it well.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Silver Moon, post: 4729053, member: 8530"] [B]Chapter Thirteen, “James’s Troubles” September 1st, 1882, 6:00 P.M.[/B] At exactly a minute until six a carriage pulls up to the front of the house. Sol answers the door and lets in the couple just as the clock reaches 6:00 P.M. The blond haired, blue eyed muscular clean-shaven man is in his late thirties, dressed entirely in black, with suitcoat, shirt, pants and tie and a black hat on his head. His boots have a lot of wear but have been recently polished. The only thing not black are the pair of silver Colt Peacemakers on his belt and the metal star pinned to the lapel of his suit coat. The woman accompanying him looks to be around the same age, with tan hair and blue eyes. She has an hourglass figure which is partially concealed by the unflattering black-and-hunter green long wool/cotton blend dress that she is wearing. A matching green cotton shawn is draped over her shoulders beneath a large straw hat with a black ribbon. Sol announces them as Duval County Sheriff Rolf Heinrich Hotzbrun and his wife Gerta Hotzbrun. Sol leads him to their appointed seats. Luiz asks everyone to stand and says a prayer to the Greek/Roman gods. He then welcomes others to state prayers of their own faiths. Alsoomse then says a prayer to the gods of nature. Wilamina then says a prayer to the Celtic deities. Obadiah Kingsley says a prayer to the Ogre deities. Sheriff Hotzbrun then states a prayer to the Norse dieties, with emphasis on Odin, Thor and Magni. After the prayers, Lawrence introduces himself to the Hotzbruns. "Sheriff Hotzbrun, Mrs. Hotzbrun. I'm pleased to make your acquaintance. I'm Lawrence Cantrell. James and I go way back." The Sheriff replies in a somewhat thick Germanic accent, "Yes, he has told me some of your background. That is one of the reasons that I am here tonight." James interjects, “Yes Lawrence, you and John have seen the Conservancy signs, which say that per the Governor’s order trespassers are subject to immediate arrest and prosecution. Well, we're located so far out of town that it would not be feasible to have to go get the lawman if we needed them, tresspassers could loot all of the archeaology site by the time we returned with the Sheriff. So in order to make good on that threat both Sol and I have become Deputy Sheriffs for the County. Sheriff Hotzbrun and his wife are here tonight to meet the two of you and discuss the possibility of the both of you also becoming deputized.” Hardin can't suppress a lopsided grin at the prospect of becoming a deputy sheriff. "Well, Mr. Parker, I have had extensive experience on several sides of the law and must admit the challenge of operating from the good sheriff's perspective is quite intriguing to me." He leans back in his seat for a moment and then straightens, turning towards Sheriff Hotzbrun. "So, Sheriff Hotzbrun, has there been or are you expecting much in the way of...trouble?" As the table begins to pass around and dish out the food he replies, "No, and I want to keep it that way. Better to have people and not need them than need them and not have then. It's a big county, 774 square miles, one fifth of that water. The county's population is around 23,000 but 14,500 of them are in Jacksonville, which has its own police force. I try to have my deputies spread out in the event that they are needed. I have four in the town of Baldwin, nine miles west of Jacksonville, I have another four at the coast with a pair each at the two coastal beaches, Atlantic Beach and Neptune Beach. With four here midway between Jacksonville and the coast that should help keep things covered nicely, especially since you have a coach and several boats available at your disposal." Lawrence says in surprise, "Me? I mean, I'm honored by the possibility, but I'm no gunfighter. I'm an artist." James interjects, "But you are also my friend and a resourceful man. That is what we may be in need of. One reason that I approached the Sheriff and Governor about protection is that I've run into a bit of trouble, unrelated to this project in Florida, but might follow us here." Hardin glances at James. "Anything...interesting?" His attitude is studied calm, but Lawrence notices a gleam in his eyes. James says "Well, it started with a book I was working on earlier this year about the history of the Whig political party that was active from 1832 to 1856 and elected two presidents, Zachary Taylor and William Henry Harrison, both of whom died in office. Harrison's Vice President John Tyler was also a Whig but split with the party after assuming the Office of the Presidency. The subject of this book came about quite accidentally over two years ago. I was attending an auction at the New York City Offices of Sotheby’s Auction House and took a slight interest in a crate full of correspondence from the estate sale of Percival Smoot, executive assistant to John Canfield Spencer. Spencer was a New York politician back in the 1830's and 40's, born in Hudson, New York. He served as an assemblyman and state senator up in Albany but didn't hit the national front until John Tyler fired his entire Whig Cabinet and sought replacements. Spencer served two years as Secretary of War followed by two years as Secretary of the Treasury. He was the only northerner on Tyler's cabinet and resigned near the end of Tyler's term in protest to the annexation of Texas. In my travels to China I had actually been involved in the First Opium War between Great Britain and China, which ended in 1843. In fact, it was during the voyages related to that when I first became acquainted with Roy Huggins and his family. But back to the story, I thought that with Spencer having been the United State's Secretary of War during those years there might be something of value about it in Smoot's Collection, possibly some correspondence to Spencer from Queen Victoria, so was willing to bid up to $ 100 for the crate, but thought it would go for much less. Much to my surprise there was another bidder, a man from Virginia who was very interested. We got into a bidding war and my emotions came into play, with my final bid being $ 650. He outbid me at $ 700 at which point my common sense got the better of me and I dropped out. As the auctioneer pounded the gavel letting the other the other man know he won a wave of emotion crossed the man's face that appeared to be great relief. He then sat back down in his seat and appeared to fall asleep, although in actually, he died, probably of heart failure. He had come alone to the auction and was not known by the Sotheby’s so since he hadn't paid yet the crate went to me as the second highest bidder. What followed was a two-year-long legal battle with the man's estate who wanted to take possession of it, the court holding it in the interim. I eventually won, getting the crate delivered to me in June. During the intervening two years I conducted further research on my auction rival, finding that he was a high official in the Whig Party, which prompted me to dig further. As I've collected all of this information I figure I might as well put my efforts to work and publish it." Percy Smoot was very thorough, having kept records of everything during the thirty-two years that he was working for Spencer. I reviewed the matieral during the week after I received the crate but didn’t find anything specifically. But then my rivals uped the ante, offering $ 2,000 for the entire collection of documents. Of course, the more they push the more I want to hang on to them. I still refused, and they then started to threaten harm to myself, my wife and her granddaughter unless I surrendered the materials. They threated to burn down our house in New York and implied bodily harm. So I had the crate moved and locked away in safe storage. My attorneys have made it known that the collection is now sealed and stored away in a vault outside of my immediate reach, and have been stalling the other parties That was the same time that my friend Doctor Chernoviz wanted to get this Timucuan project going, so I shifted gears this direction. Shortly after I arrived some Pinkerton Detectives working for the other party showed up here and started to make trouble. We also had trespassers on the site, with evidence that they searched through our camp and belongings when we weren’t around. So that is why we got the Proclamation from he Governor and why Sol and I became deputized. We haven’t had any trouble since then." Lawrence pauses for a second and replies, "OK, James. You've convinced me. You know I wouldn't let you face this a man down. I'm in." "Pinkertons, eh...you don't say..." Hardin's voice trails off and he seems to focus on something over and to the left of James for a long moment, a hard set to his jaw. He flexes the fingers on his right hand for a moment and snaps back. "I certainly wouldn't want anything to happen and it's better to be safe than sorry," he says in his best Texas drawl. The Sheriff says, "That's good to hear. Well Mr. Hardin, your reputation preceeds you. So tell me, what in your opinion would be the advantages and disadvantage to my making you part of my law enforcement team? Hardin seems to jump a bit at the Sheriff's question...as if he was thinking about something else. He recovers quickly. "Well, Sheriff, let me start with the disadvantages, if I may. It involves that reputation. While this isn't Abilene or Gonzales, there are plenty who might want to test their mettle by going up against a gun hand with my reputation and get a dime novel written about themselves. I have no intention of ending up like Bill Hickok...shot in the back while playing cards. If trouble comes around...and Mr. Parker has already indicated it might...I will be ready and will take any steps necessary to defend Mr. or Mrs. Parker, Miss Ruby, Miss Abigail and the others. Also, even though an extended stay in the state vacation home for reprobates and scoundrels has mellowed me some, if I am expecting trouble...I might be tempted to shoot first and ask questions later." He pauses for a moment and looks the Sheriff dead in the eye, with no twitch or hint of his lop-sided grin. "Now, that said, I have emerged from my confinement a reformed man...admitted to the state bar and an officer of the court. I am someone who intends to walk on the right side of the law going froward. In addition, my reputation as a fast draw and a deadly shot might also come in very handy in persuading ne'er-do-wells that surrender and avoiding gun play is in their best interests. I assure you that my incarceration cost me none of my skill with an iron. The guards were quite amused by my trick-draw antics and even arranged for me to fire at the prison range with some frequency...while under appropriate guard, of course. If trouble comes this way...I will be worth any 3 or 4 deputies you could assign and you have my word that I will cause no unnecessary violence." Hardin says the last in a very matter-of-fact voice filled with utter conviction and no hint of bragging. He glances at James and nods and then settles back in his seat to await the Sheriff's reply. The Sheriff smiles and says, "Well, sir, that is good enough for me. And reputation works both ways, word of you on my team also should to defuse many a situation. And while somebody trying to make a name for themself might try to call you out having another two or three deputies living in the same house should help there as well. They could arrest the person for disturbing the peace, leaving both your physical body and reputation intact." The Sheriff turns back to Lawrence and says, "And you sir, the same question, what would be the advantages and disadvantages to my hiring you." He thinks for a minute, then says, "Well, I have a keen understanding of the criminal mind. I am very good at ferreting out information and getting in and out of places most cannot. Of course, that means I've spent a large part of my life on the other side of the fence from law enforcement. So you only have my word and that of James to vouch for me." The Sheriff tells Lawrence that James standing up for him is good enough for him. At the next table, seated over near two beautiful women, Fish feels more than a little nervous. He avoids meeting Antoinette's gaze -- having worked with half-ogre women under the Big Top, he knows firsthand that conventional wisdom about the strength of their passions isn't altogether unfounded. He absentmindedly rubs the scar just below the back of his collar -- a bite mark he's thrilled to have once received. His implacable grin crooks up at its left edge. As for Abigail, he's gathered from her genteel speech that she's well-educated. "She'd be slumming to spark with me!" he tells himself. To keep himself distracted from impure thoughts, Ben reaches for the breadbasket and offers it around the table. "Marmalade, anyone?" he offers innocently, "or butter?" Handsome silver they may be, but Fish palms the butter knives not for keeps but to provide occasion for a little banter. "Did they forget to set the knives?" he asks quizzically. Luiz states, "It appears that they did. Excuse me, I will go and take care of that oversight." He stands up and heads over to one of the cabinets on the south wall. Fish steps up from the table and follows Luiz, joining him at the sideboard. He speaks to him in a low voice: “Dr. Chernoviz! I beg your pardon. I have the butter knives. There's so much brain power and beauty at our table, I was looking for an excuse to make conversation." Luiz retrieves the knife anyway and softly says, "Well, then, why don't we go back to the table and I will prompt you with questions regarding your past act of bravery and selflessness." At the first table Mina and Gerta converse about her native Austria. Gerta explains that Heinrich and his brothers were senior palace guard for the Austrian Monarchy. Following the 1866 Austria-Prussian war the German Confederation was dissolved. When the new parilament was established in 1867 they gave patronage to their own friends and all prior palace employees were dismissed. That was when they decided to relocate to the United States. Over at the second table Alsoomse and Obadiah get into a somewhat odd and rather animated conversation about migratory ducks. Obadiah is apparently an avid duck hunter and the marshes north of the river are a favorite location for his autumn duck blinds. Alsoomse actually has no problem with his hunting, as the birds have a sufficient population for it and the Delroy-Kingsleys use all of the duck's meat and feathers, unlike other hunters who hunt only for sport. At the third table Antoinette asks Abigail all about New Orleans, as she is named after Jasper's mother of French descent who lived there. Abigail glanced quickly at Dr. Crane, remembering his sensitivity on the subject of her home. But there was so much more to New Orleans than what he knew, so much more complex and beautiful. "My home... it's a complicated place. When the French first established the city they had a hard time getting anyone to come there, so people of all races were welcomed as they were needed. Eventually the French and Spanish intermarried with the high elves and ogres who had fled there from the Carribean. Their decendents are now called the Creole and are the undisputed leaders in the city. I have a Creole ancestor or two, but there are so many more humans in my family tree that I can hardly claim it. But the city itself... such music and dancing you'll never see anywhere. In the French Quarter there is club after club, each offering its own brand of music, Creole, Cajun, classical, each offered with so much joy in living. That is the real hallmark of my home, looking the world in the eye and meeting it with joy despite its hardships." Antoinette says, "My father Jasper has said as similar things. He moved away from there at such a young age he doesn't remember much of it. My Grandmother Antoinette was born in France. She and her older brother Gaston came to the United States as young teens, to Quebec City, as indentured servants to an elderly wealthy silversmith. They had had served four of their seven years of servitude until a time when the silversmith attempted to molest her, so she and Gaston fled, eventually settling in New Orleans. They lived there for a quarter-century, where she wed a coopershop worker named Francois Delroy, and gave birth to Jasper. But her brother Gaston got careless, and made a trip to Toronto believing the silversmith dead and his own crime of being an escaped Canadian slave long forgotten. But the man still lived and had dedicated men to locating the runaway servants. Gaston was arrested and imprisoned. He died in prison, never revealing his sister's whereabouts or new name. To further protect themselves the Delroys fled New Orleans, settling here." Fish says to Abigail, "Miss Marsters, what's your favorite? Café Beignet has the best bourbon, but you can't beat the Tarantula on Decatur for the groove. I don't imagine you've darkened the door at One Eyed Jacks," says Fish, blushing, "the stage show is a bit risqué." Roy opened his eyes slowly, blinking quickly. He stretched his arms over his head and made a grunting noise. "What time is it?" he thought as he reached in his pocket. When he pulled out his watch and saw the position of the hands, his eyes widened and he jumped out of bed as if he'd been shocked. "S***! I guess my quick nap wasn't so quick." He figured by now everyone was at dinner. He made his way into the bathroom and washed up a bit, trying to get his hair to do what he wanted. He then went and laid out a nice suit and got dressed as quickly as he could. He went down the stairs quietly, trying not bring attention to himself, and followed the crowd noise into the dining room. He ducked inside, trying to stay out of sight as much as possible, and sat down at the table next to Antoinette. He leaned over and whispered, in Orcish, "So what did I miss?" While the dinner conversations continue Jemima goes into the kitchen and gets three hot peach cobblers from the oven, one for each table. At the conclusion of the meal, the Delroy-Kingsley family takes the food and dishes out into the kitchen to clean up. James invites everybody else into the living room/lobby for an after dinner drink. Benjamin makes a special point of thanking the Delroy-Kingsleys. Ruby thanks her table mates, "Dinner was very good, thank you so much for sharing dinner with us and I look forward to more of your wonderful cooking and even more pleasant company." She takes George by the hand, leading him to one of the couches and leaves him there. "Safe my seat," she winks at him. "No, you're right, Miss West, I'd best wait on that tipple," replies Fish, flashing a crooked grin. "Although to judge by your dexterity behind a bar, I have no doubt you'd pour it well. [/QUOTE]
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AGELESS Campaign Episode 2 - Temple of the Cat-Goddess
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