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Story Hour
"Here There Be Vampires" A Promise City, Arizona Story Hour
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<blockquote data-quote="orchid blossom" data-source="post: 2819624" data-attributes="member: 12815"><p>They bid Whittaker good bye and go about collecting their belongings to load onto the stage. Jake gives Chester his badge and asks him to return it to the sheriff. "I have had enough of that thing."</p><p></p><p>"Me too. Let's go darling." Ruby takes Jake's hand and starts pulling him out the door. "We certainly made the most of the chubby baby making bed, didn't we?" she laughs. Her spirit was lighter, having not found Colin Turner in Whittaker's house, although the thought he was out there somewhere still weighed heavily on her mind.</p><p></p><p>At the rental house, Jake takes a moment to sharpen his hunting knife, lather his face and shave off the sides of his beard. He seems rather pleased to have just his mustache and chin beard back. After hauling their belongings out, he give Minerva a hand with her and Nanuet's gear. She helps Nanuet herself, not letting anyone else help him to the stage.</p><p></p><p>"Ruby, time to get your dress. Want to meet me at the stage or are you coming?"</p><p></p><p>"I'll go with you. What if he's there? You can't go alone." Ruby breathes in deeply again. "I would have been happy to go about being stupid and thinking he was dead..."</p><p></p><p>"Together then." They go collect her dress and whatever else they can find that belongs to her and then make their way to the stage.</p><p></p><p>Before Jake and Ruby leave, Ruby sticks her head in Kate's room. "Time to get up Kate, the stage is here. Are you alright?"</p><p></p><p>Kate pushed herself up against the pillows. "I'm alright. I'll get my things together. Is everyone gone to the stage already or should I wait here?"</p><p></p><p>"Minerva has taken Nanuet. If you need help I will ask Chester to come back for you, or Jake and I will return after we finish the rest of our chores. We still have a few things to do."</p><p></p><p>"No, I don't need help, I just wanted to know where to be. I'll see you at the stage, dear."</p><p></p><p>Ruby nods and heads out the door.</p><p></p><p>Kate stretched and got herself out of bed. She didn't even have a spell left to clean the blood out of her blouse. Instead she folded it carefully and put it at the bottom of her bag, then dressed in fresh clothes. It only took a few minutes to pack her bag, pick up her other small bag with the medical supplies in it and head over to the stage.</p><p></p><p>Chester goes to the Sheriff's office. "Sheriff Weeks? The stagecoach is here."</p><p></p><p>"I reckon you're leaving then, Mr. Martin."</p><p></p><p>"Yep. We rooted out the vampires from here, so our job is done. I hate to leave you in the lurch, but our home is in Promise City."</p><p></p><p>"I'll be sorry to see you all leave. You've been a lot of help. I don't know what would have happened had you not come to town."</p><p></p><p>"Chester says, "Don't dwell on that, Sheriff. Just try to look forward. Greely and Turner are gone, so you don't have to live in fear anymore. By the way, Whitaker is alive. He might be running guns, though. I followed him and Romo the other night. They met some Mexicans who gave them a wagon filled with guns and ammunition. Romo took the wagon northwest of town."</p><p></p><p>"Now that's something I can understand. All this hocus pocus and things that go bump in the night were just too much. Good bye, Mr. Martin and thanks to you and your friends."</p><p></p><p>Chester shakes his hand and returns the badges. "It'll do you good to learn about the supernatural. Things aren't always what they seem."</p><p></p><p>Jake and Ruby make their way toward the stage. "Count back to when you found the ashes and ask the driver to be more specific about when he saw the man. It could have been the night before," Jake suggests uncharacteristically optimistic.</p><p></p><p>"So much has happened, I don't even remember exactly when that was, Jake."</p><p></p><p>While loading up and making sure all of the group is on board, Jake questions the driver further about which night he saw the man with the blue eyes, to determine if it was before or after the morning that Ruby found what she believed to be Colin Turner's ashes.</p><p></p><p>Ruby tries to act like she isn't listening closely to the stage drivers answer as she hesitates to get on the stage until the last possible moment.</p><p></p><p>Once on the stage, Kate tucked herself into a corner and was dozing even as Jake and Ruby were still outside.</p><p></p><p>Chester helps Minerva take Nanuet and their bags to the coach. "Are we ready to go? I explained to the sheriff what we did."</p><p></p><p>"Just about Chet," Jake says, "Good job. I am happy that you are the only deputy in the bunch again."</p><p></p><p>Chester chuckles. "Felt weird being on this side of the law, didn't it? I bet most people who know you would be surprised, too. I am ready to get out of town. I miss Clarisse something fierce."</p><p></p><p>By Jake's best guess it was later the same day that the ashes were found that the coach rolled into town and was told by this stranger that you were not ready to leave yet and the coach could move on.</p><p></p><p>"All aboard!" the stagecoach driver yells out. "I always wanted to be an engineer" he says with a chuckle.</p><p></p><p>Everybody is loaded up for the trip to Albuquerque which takes the better part of the rest of the day. It is dark when they arrive in the city. Nanuet seems to be holding his own, but does not seem to be improving.</p><p></p><p>Inside the stage, Kate heard Jake and Ruby quietly talking about the man who told the stage driver they weren't ready to leave.</p><p></p><p>"Blue eyes and something about him?" She asked without even opening her eyes. "When we stop, ask if he had an Irish accent. I'd guess it was Jacky O'Neill."</p><p></p><p>As they unload, Jake takes Katherine’s suggestion and asks the driver about the Irish accent and anything else he can remember to see if it could have been Jacky O'Neil.</p><p></p><p>The vague things that the driver remembers about the stranger do not lead Jake to believe that it was O'Neil. He is not fully convinced it couldn't have been, but he has a lot of reasons to doubt it after speaking with the stage coach driver.</p><p></p><p>"Who has the information on where to take Nanuet?” Jake asks. “We can worry about rooms after we get him the help."</p><p></p><p>"Mr. York said to ask for Brother Malcolm. I'd assume we'd want to go to the main church and ask there. They should be able to direct us." Kate raised her voice and asked the driver how they get to the main church.</p><p></p><p>Ruby had been extremely reluctant to get on the stage. Only after Minerva reminded her of Nanuet's need for help did she board.</p><p></p><p>She did not sleep or relax and seemed jittery the entire ride.</p><p></p><p>Once they arrive in Albuquerque, Ruby quickly hops off the stage. "Uh, do we want everyone to go with Nanuet? Seems if we all go we might overwhelm the poor priest." Her hand keeps instinctively brushing against the waist band of her skirt. She looks to Jake and says softly, "I need a drink."</p><p></p><p>Minerva keeps a protective arm around Nanuet and helps him alight from the coach. "It is not necessary for all of us to escort Nanuet to the church. I shall bring him. In the meantime I would appreciate it if someone could find us some food and refreshement and also inquire as to when we may expect the train."</p><p></p><p>"Come Mi amore. You will feel better soon. " she says in her gentle spanish accent. Minerva guides Nanuet to the Church and knocks on the door of the rectory.</p><p></p><p>"You should take someone with you Minvera. Chester?" Ruby turns towards her friend, "Kate, maybe you should go along too and let them check you over. Just in case." Ruby's tone is more commanding than questioning. "I am definitely going to get a drink. And maybe some food too."</p><p></p><p>"I'll be fine Ruby. You ought to know, blood loss makes you feel weak. It'll be better tomorrow. But I'll go if it will make you feel better. Going back to Foster's and the saloon next door? Then we'll know where to find you."</p><p></p><p>"Yes, it will make me feel better if you go too." Ruby pauses before continuing softly. "Please Kate, go with them."</p><p></p><p>She plasters a smile on her face, "Yes I will relaxing at the bar. Maybe Jake will get rooms for us while you do that. Take care."</p><p></p><p>Chester says, "It won't hurt to have the priest take a look. Who knows what sort of magic Greely put in that bite."</p><p></p><p>On their way to the church, he asks Kate, "Did Ruby seem distracted to you? With Turner and Greely gone, there's nothing to worry about. Is there? She's still hitting the bottle heavily, too."</p><p></p><p>"She's not sure Turner is dead. The driver was back once before, and someone told him we weren't ready to leave. It was after Turner was supposed to be dead. We should ask Thom about it and see if he knows anything. I doubt Greely and his boys were happy about Turner bringing us behind him searching for monsters."</p><p></p><p>"I didn't know about the mystery man. If it was Turner, why would he want us to stay? It seems to be the last thing someone being hunted would want. OK, let's ask Thom about this after we have the priest look at you and Nanuet."</p><p></p><p>"I feel silly. I'm quite well, just tired, which is what losing blood will do to you. I'd be better off eating a large meal. But I'm glad to go with Nanuet," she said, nodding her head toward Miss Florencia and Nanuet ahead of them. "She wants to do everything for him herself. I was the same way with Tom. It took me a long time to admit I needed help."</p><p></p><p>"Don't feel silly. You were bitten by the living dead. All things considered, the gods must have been watching out for you." Chester follows her glance. "She wants to prove how much she loves him. That she's able to take care of him when he's sick. When did you know you needed help? If I'm not prying to much."</p><p></p><p>"It's alright, Chester. It was probably about the time I collapsed from exhaustion. I would sleep now and then in a chair by his bed, but whatever he needed done I wanted to do myself. We had a nurse, and the doctor was often there but I couldn't stand not helping.</p><p></p><p>In the end the doctor had two patients instead of one. Luckily, I only needed some rest and a stern lecture about being of no use in such a state."</p><p></p><p>"It's in your nature to be as helpful as you can. 'Can' and 'should' are two different things. But when it's someone you love, you don't think about that." He see the door open. "We better catch up."</p><p></p><p>The door is opened by a man wearing a heavy brown robe tied with a belt in the middle, the robe fits very loosely to the point where his hands hide inside the folds of the sleeves. He smiles a fatherly smile to the couple and greets them. "Welcome to the Albuquerque Church, please come in and we can discuss what fate brings you here."</p><p></p><p>Minerva points out to Kate and says "She's with us, but I need to get him inside, please wait for her while I help him to a spot where he can rest." She then turns to Kate and hollers to let her know that she is going inside with Nanuet.</p><p></p><p>Katherine and Chester made it to the door where the priest was waiting. "Good evening," Kate said politely. "We've just come from Thomaswell, and Brother York told us to ask for Brother Malcolm. It's a long story, but our friend has an unusual wound that needs attention."</p><p></p><p>"Si, Are you Hermano Malcom?" Minerva turns to look at him over her shoulder as she settles Nanuet into a chair. "We, must speak to him at once." She says her dark eyes full of concern.</p><p></p><p>"Greetings all my children. Brother Malcolm is a name I have not used in some time, but it is I that you seek. Please come inside and make yourselves comfortable, I will see to your friend in just a moment."</p><p></p><p>The robed man leads them to the chapel area of the church and directs them to make themselves at home. "I will return in just a moment." he says and then disappears out a different way than the group was lead in.</p><p></p><p>Minervera sits quitetly beside Nanuet gazing about at the statues in the nave of the church. She masks her nervous impatience from the others and takes the opportuinity to kneel and commune with the gods.</p><p></p><p>"Dear Minerva, for whom I am named, You have continued to bless us with your protection and for this I am thankful. I place my trust in your will and follow your divine guidance for you are supremly wise in all things." she prays, and as she does so she can feel her goddess' touch upon her troubled heart causing her inner peace to return. She sits back down beside Nanuet a small smile evident on her lips. She takes his hand in hers, and sits in quite serenity, confident that all will soon be set right.</p><p></p><p>It is about 10 minutes before the cleric returns, he bring with him a plate of bread and fruit and a carafe of wine. "Pardon me for the delay, on my way back I took liberty to stop in the pantry and prepare some food and wine for you. Being travellers I am sure you are hungry and thirsty. Now, what can I do to help?"</p><p></p><p>"Excuse my rudeness Hermano Malcom. We have had a difficult time these past few weeks, but that is no excuse for poor manners." She smiles. "Allow me to introduce my self and my companions. I am the Priestess Minerva Garcia Florencia of the Olympian Church in Promise City." She says extending her hand. "and this" she says motioning to Chester and Katherine "is Deputy Chester Martin, Mrs. Katherine Kale and Senor Nanuet, also all from Promise City as well."</p><p></p><p>Chester pauses from wandering the aisles looking at the stained glass. He tips his hat. "Good afternoon, padre."</p><p></p><p>"Senor Nanuet is in need of your special gods given talents, Mi Hermano. He has had an altercation with a vampire and is quite weak. It was explained to me that a portion of his 'Life Force' has been taken from him." she says without preamble. "The gods have not honored me with such an ability" she says her voice and mannerisms momentarily revealing her shame and helplessness. "Are you able to restore him?"</p><p></p><p>"Minerva? As in the goddess herself? Simply amazing! But, there is no time to waste, let me take a look at your friend."</p><p></p><p>He allows Minerva to point Nanuet out to him and then he looks him over quickly before speaking again. "This is what I can tell you. Part of his life force is gone. If I were to do nothing, he would recover it after time. There is a ritual I can peform that should help him recover now. I can do it, but it is not easy and will take a great effort on my part and of course the results are not guaranteed."</p><p></p><p>He looks over at Chester as he wanders the church. "Beautiful aren't they. I never tire of them even after looking at them every day for 13 years."</p><p></p><p>Chester walks over to him. "Yes, they are. You must be proud to worship in a place like this. Did you just say that Nanuet would get his life force back with time? Is that a sure thing?"</p><p></p><p>Brother Malcolm turned and smiled at Chester and nodded. "As sure as the sun rises, if he wills himself to continue to live he will regain his former strength with time. Unfortunately his will was not strong enough to fight off the energy drain within the first day. I have seen it happen only once so he should feel no shame. I have confidence that my ritual will heal him though."</p><p></p><p>"Si, Hermano Malcom. I understand. The gods guarantee nothing. The best that we can ever hope for is that our requests fit into their grand scheme and that they choose to respond to our prayers. But I would be most grateful if you would attempt to heal him. He means everything to me." She says nodding towards Nanuet. "I have been touched by such evil recently also, and I cannot bear the knowledge that one that I love suffers that same cold, empty feeling. It is a horror beyond explanation but try to imagine that your soul has been abandoned by the gods. Left in darkness... with no hope of redemption. It is a feeling akin to that," she shudders.</p><p></p><p>"Por Favor," she pleads, the horror of the memory fresh in her mind. "I wish you to try." She pauses looking about the church. "It is a lovely church. Is it not? Fit for the gods, I am sure they are pleased with your work here. I would like to make a donation to your church. "She pauses as though mulling over a thought. "Perhaps the gods will grant me their favor if I give away what was gained in this dark quest. Perhaps some good can come of it."</p><p></p><p>"I understand what you feel and find it very honorable that you do not wish him to suffer this any longer, but you must understand that to attempt to heal this is a great task, one that I would not undertake lightly. There are few priests in this area who could perform such a feat, your friend said someone sent you to me but I did not quite catch the name, could you tell me again? References mean a great deal to me and I put a lot of faith in the judgement of my fellow priests and who they send on to me. It helps in situations like this where I may not have time to get to know those who seek my aid personally as time is critical."</p><p></p><p>Kate said, "Siam York, the priest in Thomaswell. We looked to him for help this morning and he said his power was not sufficient. When I told him we were coming to Albuquerque, he was very excited and gave us your name."</p><p></p><p>"I see, yes... Siam York is out in that little town still. I shall have to pay him a visit soon, it has been ages since I last sat down with him. I hate to seem a nuisance, but do you perhaps have any proof? Anyone who has been to Thomaswell would know Father York is the priest there, since he is the only one, but it would be a rare occurrence for him to send someone here and to ask for Brother Malcolm."</p><p></p><p>"The fact that it is a rare occurance should be proof enough, Hermano Malcom. It is the truth that Siam York sent us to you. How else would we know your name and where to seek you?" she says trying not to sound impatient or offended. "But if you must have further proof ..." she lets the words fall away as she tries to think of what proof they could have of his referral. "Chester, show him the holy symbol that Siam York bestowed upon you, perhaps he will recognize it and that will be proof enough."</p><p></p><p>Kate was rubbing her head that was starting to ache as Miss Florencia answered. "Oh, I'm so sorry," Kate said, looking at the others with a little blush. "I'm still tired and it's a bit hard to think." Katherine reached into her handbag and pulled out the coin Siam York had given them. "He said to show you this."</p><p></p><p>Minerva is surprised when Kate pulls out the coin. "When did he give you that?"</p><p></p><p>"This morning, after you took Nanuet back to the house to rest. Chester and I sought out Mr. York to see if he could help. He said to show Brother Malcolm. I'm so sorry, I'm not usually so forgetful, especially when it's important." Kate tightened the shawl she had put over her shoulders despite the warmth of the day.</p><p></p><p>Malcolm looks skeptically at the coin that Kate holds forth. "A coin? He gave you a coin as proof of reference? Oh, my yes! A coin!" he exclaims. "All the proof I need. May I have that please?" he says holding out his hand palm open. "We can get started right away with the ritual."</p><p></p><p>"Of course," Kate said and dropped the coin in his palm. "Perhaps after the ritual you can tell us the story that surely goes with that coin."</p><p></p><p>Minvera acknowledges Katherine's apology. “It has been a difficult time for all of us, Senora Katherine."</p><p></p><p>She turns to the Brother. "Por Favor, Hermano Malcom, may we get on with it now?"</p><p></p><p>"Yes priestess, we can get on with it now. Please help Nanuet to remove all but his underclothes and lay him over there." he says, pointing to a waist high marble bier on the altar. "There is a component for the ritual that I must retrieve, one that is valuable and stored securely away."</p><p></p><p>Brother Malcolm leaves the 4 companions for several moments. When he returns he is wearing different robes, ones that Minerva believes are designed to be in reverence to Apollo, who portfolio included that of healing. Also in his hands are a bow and a lyre, often used as symbols of Apollo. A small pouch hangs from the robes as well.</p><p></p><p>Once Nanuet is laying on the bier upon the altar, Brother Malcolm asks the others to retreat from the altar and "Refrain from other activities except for praying for Nanuet until the ritual is completed." He then raises the bow and lyre in turn, saying a prayer with each one and then placing them at Nanuet's feet. Several moments of silence pass and then the contents of the pouch are revealed when Brother Malcolm sprinkles several pinches of diamond dust over Nanuet's body as he prays to the god of healing fervently. Malcolm then places his hand on Nanuet's forehead and kneels with his head bowed. A pale while glow envelops the priest and the subject of his prayers. For several moments the strength of the light remains steady and then slowly it begins to strengthen until it is almost too bright to look at.</p><p></p><p>As quickly as the light came, it is gone in a flash and Brother Malcolm falls to the ground exhausted from his efforts. Nanuet appears to be sleeping, but his breathing is regular full breaths, and is color is no longer pale, but has returned to it's healthy complexion.</p><p></p><p>Kate had to work hard to force back the feeling of repulsion she always felt when she was asked to pray. She focused on her wishes for Nanuet's recovery, rather than to whom those wishes went.</p><p></p><p>As Brother Malcolm fell to the ground, Kate rushed forward to check on him. She pressed her fingers to his wrist and asked, "Sir, are you well?"</p><p></p><p>"I'll be fine, just spent a lot of energy. Nothing some rest won't help me to recover, but I appreciate the concern." He allows Kate to help him to his feet and gives her a slight nod as he smoothes out his robes with his hands. "Your friend is resting now, I imagine he will wake soon. It seems our prayers were answered and he has recovered."</p><p></p><p>"Yes, he looks much better. I hope we won't be underfoot while we wait for him to wake on his own. Is there anything we can do for you until then?"</p><p></p><p>"Oh no, you would not be underfoot at all. I am just happy to be able to provide my services. It is not often I get called upon to use some of my greater abilities, and I still revel in being able to do the gods will. I cannot think of any other tasks I need your help with, but please make yourselves comfortable, perhaps enjoy the food and drink I brought earlier and wait for your friend to be wake and be well."</p><p></p><p>"Thank you, I'm quite hungry truth be told." Kate paused a moment, then said, "I hate to ask anything else of you, but I have been very firmly instructed by my friends to ask. The vampire that wounded our friend also bit me. The wound was healed, but my companions are still concerned. I feel quite tired, but otherwise fine. I've told them it's only the loss of blood, but they still wanted me to consult you to make sure there would be no other effects."</p><p></p><p>"Oh, of course, let me look at you" the priest says. He examines Kate's wound carefully. "It looks like it is just a bite, and that he hardly fed from you at all. I believe you will be fine, the bite looks to be healing."</p><p></p><p>"That's what I thought. He hardly had time before the others made him let go. I think it's just a combination of several very long days, a very big scare, and everything being over so suddenly that is making me so tired. Thank you very much. I think I'll go have something to eat now."</p><p></p><p>It is about a half an hour before Nanuet stirs. He smiles and sits up stretching out his stiff muscles. The others know he is back to normal when he hops off the bier and begins grabbing at the plates of food the priest had brought out earlier. "What, I haven't had an appetite today, have to get caught up. I feel so much better!"</p><p></p><p>"I'm glad I got here first," Kate said lightly, popping a last bit of cheese into her mouth. Although she still looked tired her color was better for the food. "You look downright spry."</p><p></p><p>"You had us worried there for a while. Glad to see you're up and about. Eat your fill, then we can go see the others."</p><p></p><p>Chester asks Brother Malcolm, "Are there any lasting effects from this? Anything we should look out for?"</p><p></p><p>Malcolm puts his hand on Chester's shoulder. "Your Indian friend is fully recovered, my son. The taint of the vrykolakas is completely purged from his soul. Just a little rest and he'll be as right as rain."</p><p></p><p>"Thank you Brother Malcolm. Apollo truly has a powerful servant in you."</p><p></p><p>Minerva smiles broadly and wrapping her arms around Nanuet kisses him soundly on the mouth. He responds in kind. She backs away and laughs. "You are indeed, your old self again." She stands back and enjoys the sight of him stuffing food into his mouth.</p><p></p><p>She takes Brother Malcom aside. "I cannot thank you enough for healing my friend, Hermano (brother). Gracias. She hugs him and kisses him on the cheek. I would like to make a donation to your church. We came into a bit of money while hunting down the blood suckers. I would like to give you my share of that. I am certain that the gods will not mind where it has come from if it it put to good use." She hands him whatever money she has gotten during the adventure.</p><p></p><p>"Much thanks priestess, but the coin that your friend brought here is payment enough. Please, if you must donate the money use it in your own church, we are quite well off here."</p><p></p><p>Kate looked at her companions, and noted Miss Florencia talking quietly to the priest.</p><p></p><p>"If we're all ready, as soon as Miss Florencia is done we should go find Jake and Ruby. They'll want to hear that Nanuet is well and makes our plans for getting back to Promise City."</p><p></p><p>Once Nanuet had cleared off the last of the plate and Miss Florencia had returned, the group gave a final thanks to Brother Malcolm and went in search of Jake and Ruby.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="orchid blossom, post: 2819624, member: 12815"] They bid Whittaker good bye and go about collecting their belongings to load onto the stage. Jake gives Chester his badge and asks him to return it to the sheriff. "I have had enough of that thing." "Me too. Let's go darling." Ruby takes Jake's hand and starts pulling him out the door. "We certainly made the most of the chubby baby making bed, didn't we?" she laughs. Her spirit was lighter, having not found Colin Turner in Whittaker's house, although the thought he was out there somewhere still weighed heavily on her mind. At the rental house, Jake takes a moment to sharpen his hunting knife, lather his face and shave off the sides of his beard. He seems rather pleased to have just his mustache and chin beard back. After hauling their belongings out, he give Minerva a hand with her and Nanuet's gear. She helps Nanuet herself, not letting anyone else help him to the stage. "Ruby, time to get your dress. Want to meet me at the stage or are you coming?" "I'll go with you. What if he's there? You can't go alone." Ruby breathes in deeply again. "I would have been happy to go about being stupid and thinking he was dead..." "Together then." They go collect her dress and whatever else they can find that belongs to her and then make their way to the stage. Before Jake and Ruby leave, Ruby sticks her head in Kate's room. "Time to get up Kate, the stage is here. Are you alright?" Kate pushed herself up against the pillows. "I'm alright. I'll get my things together. Is everyone gone to the stage already or should I wait here?" "Minerva has taken Nanuet. If you need help I will ask Chester to come back for you, or Jake and I will return after we finish the rest of our chores. We still have a few things to do." "No, I don't need help, I just wanted to know where to be. I'll see you at the stage, dear." Ruby nods and heads out the door. Kate stretched and got herself out of bed. She didn't even have a spell left to clean the blood out of her blouse. Instead she folded it carefully and put it at the bottom of her bag, then dressed in fresh clothes. It only took a few minutes to pack her bag, pick up her other small bag with the medical supplies in it and head over to the stage. Chester goes to the Sheriff's office. "Sheriff Weeks? The stagecoach is here." "I reckon you're leaving then, Mr. Martin." "Yep. We rooted out the vampires from here, so our job is done. I hate to leave you in the lurch, but our home is in Promise City." "I'll be sorry to see you all leave. You've been a lot of help. I don't know what would have happened had you not come to town." "Chester says, "Don't dwell on that, Sheriff. Just try to look forward. Greely and Turner are gone, so you don't have to live in fear anymore. By the way, Whitaker is alive. He might be running guns, though. I followed him and Romo the other night. They met some Mexicans who gave them a wagon filled with guns and ammunition. Romo took the wagon northwest of town." "Now that's something I can understand. All this hocus pocus and things that go bump in the night were just too much. Good bye, Mr. Martin and thanks to you and your friends." Chester shakes his hand and returns the badges. "It'll do you good to learn about the supernatural. Things aren't always what they seem." Jake and Ruby make their way toward the stage. "Count back to when you found the ashes and ask the driver to be more specific about when he saw the man. It could have been the night before," Jake suggests uncharacteristically optimistic. "So much has happened, I don't even remember exactly when that was, Jake." While loading up and making sure all of the group is on board, Jake questions the driver further about which night he saw the man with the blue eyes, to determine if it was before or after the morning that Ruby found what she believed to be Colin Turner's ashes. Ruby tries to act like she isn't listening closely to the stage drivers answer as she hesitates to get on the stage until the last possible moment. Once on the stage, Kate tucked herself into a corner and was dozing even as Jake and Ruby were still outside. Chester helps Minerva take Nanuet and their bags to the coach. "Are we ready to go? I explained to the sheriff what we did." "Just about Chet," Jake says, "Good job. I am happy that you are the only deputy in the bunch again." Chester chuckles. "Felt weird being on this side of the law, didn't it? I bet most people who know you would be surprised, too. I am ready to get out of town. I miss Clarisse something fierce." By Jake's best guess it was later the same day that the ashes were found that the coach rolled into town and was told by this stranger that you were not ready to leave yet and the coach could move on. "All aboard!" the stagecoach driver yells out. "I always wanted to be an engineer" he says with a chuckle. Everybody is loaded up for the trip to Albuquerque which takes the better part of the rest of the day. It is dark when they arrive in the city. Nanuet seems to be holding his own, but does not seem to be improving. Inside the stage, Kate heard Jake and Ruby quietly talking about the man who told the stage driver they weren't ready to leave. "Blue eyes and something about him?" She asked without even opening her eyes. "When we stop, ask if he had an Irish accent. I'd guess it was Jacky O'Neill." As they unload, Jake takes Katherine’s suggestion and asks the driver about the Irish accent and anything else he can remember to see if it could have been Jacky O'Neil. The vague things that the driver remembers about the stranger do not lead Jake to believe that it was O'Neil. He is not fully convinced it couldn't have been, but he has a lot of reasons to doubt it after speaking with the stage coach driver. "Who has the information on where to take Nanuet?” Jake asks. “We can worry about rooms after we get him the help." "Mr. York said to ask for Brother Malcolm. I'd assume we'd want to go to the main church and ask there. They should be able to direct us." Kate raised her voice and asked the driver how they get to the main church. Ruby had been extremely reluctant to get on the stage. Only after Minerva reminded her of Nanuet's need for help did she board. She did not sleep or relax and seemed jittery the entire ride. Once they arrive in Albuquerque, Ruby quickly hops off the stage. "Uh, do we want everyone to go with Nanuet? Seems if we all go we might overwhelm the poor priest." Her hand keeps instinctively brushing against the waist band of her skirt. She looks to Jake and says softly, "I need a drink." Minerva keeps a protective arm around Nanuet and helps him alight from the coach. "It is not necessary for all of us to escort Nanuet to the church. I shall bring him. In the meantime I would appreciate it if someone could find us some food and refreshement and also inquire as to when we may expect the train." "Come Mi amore. You will feel better soon. " she says in her gentle spanish accent. Minerva guides Nanuet to the Church and knocks on the door of the rectory. "You should take someone with you Minvera. Chester?" Ruby turns towards her friend, "Kate, maybe you should go along too and let them check you over. Just in case." Ruby's tone is more commanding than questioning. "I am definitely going to get a drink. And maybe some food too." "I'll be fine Ruby. You ought to know, blood loss makes you feel weak. It'll be better tomorrow. But I'll go if it will make you feel better. Going back to Foster's and the saloon next door? Then we'll know where to find you." "Yes, it will make me feel better if you go too." Ruby pauses before continuing softly. "Please Kate, go with them." She plasters a smile on her face, "Yes I will relaxing at the bar. Maybe Jake will get rooms for us while you do that. Take care." Chester says, "It won't hurt to have the priest take a look. Who knows what sort of magic Greely put in that bite." On their way to the church, he asks Kate, "Did Ruby seem distracted to you? With Turner and Greely gone, there's nothing to worry about. Is there? She's still hitting the bottle heavily, too." "She's not sure Turner is dead. The driver was back once before, and someone told him we weren't ready to leave. It was after Turner was supposed to be dead. We should ask Thom about it and see if he knows anything. I doubt Greely and his boys were happy about Turner bringing us behind him searching for monsters." "I didn't know about the mystery man. If it was Turner, why would he want us to stay? It seems to be the last thing someone being hunted would want. OK, let's ask Thom about this after we have the priest look at you and Nanuet." "I feel silly. I'm quite well, just tired, which is what losing blood will do to you. I'd be better off eating a large meal. But I'm glad to go with Nanuet," she said, nodding her head toward Miss Florencia and Nanuet ahead of them. "She wants to do everything for him herself. I was the same way with Tom. It took me a long time to admit I needed help." "Don't feel silly. You were bitten by the living dead. All things considered, the gods must have been watching out for you." Chester follows her glance. "She wants to prove how much she loves him. That she's able to take care of him when he's sick. When did you know you needed help? If I'm not prying to much." "It's alright, Chester. It was probably about the time I collapsed from exhaustion. I would sleep now and then in a chair by his bed, but whatever he needed done I wanted to do myself. We had a nurse, and the doctor was often there but I couldn't stand not helping. In the end the doctor had two patients instead of one. Luckily, I only needed some rest and a stern lecture about being of no use in such a state." "It's in your nature to be as helpful as you can. 'Can' and 'should' are two different things. But when it's someone you love, you don't think about that." He see the door open. "We better catch up." The door is opened by a man wearing a heavy brown robe tied with a belt in the middle, the robe fits very loosely to the point where his hands hide inside the folds of the sleeves. He smiles a fatherly smile to the couple and greets them. "Welcome to the Albuquerque Church, please come in and we can discuss what fate brings you here." Minerva points out to Kate and says "She's with us, but I need to get him inside, please wait for her while I help him to a spot where he can rest." She then turns to Kate and hollers to let her know that she is going inside with Nanuet. Katherine and Chester made it to the door where the priest was waiting. "Good evening," Kate said politely. "We've just come from Thomaswell, and Brother York told us to ask for Brother Malcolm. It's a long story, but our friend has an unusual wound that needs attention." "Si, Are you Hermano Malcom?" Minerva turns to look at him over her shoulder as she settles Nanuet into a chair. "We, must speak to him at once." She says her dark eyes full of concern. "Greetings all my children. Brother Malcolm is a name I have not used in some time, but it is I that you seek. Please come inside and make yourselves comfortable, I will see to your friend in just a moment." The robed man leads them to the chapel area of the church and directs them to make themselves at home. "I will return in just a moment." he says and then disappears out a different way than the group was lead in. Minervera sits quitetly beside Nanuet gazing about at the statues in the nave of the church. She masks her nervous impatience from the others and takes the opportuinity to kneel and commune with the gods. "Dear Minerva, for whom I am named, You have continued to bless us with your protection and for this I am thankful. I place my trust in your will and follow your divine guidance for you are supremly wise in all things." she prays, and as she does so she can feel her goddess' touch upon her troubled heart causing her inner peace to return. She sits back down beside Nanuet a small smile evident on her lips. She takes his hand in hers, and sits in quite serenity, confident that all will soon be set right. It is about 10 minutes before the cleric returns, he bring with him a plate of bread and fruit and a carafe of wine. "Pardon me for the delay, on my way back I took liberty to stop in the pantry and prepare some food and wine for you. Being travellers I am sure you are hungry and thirsty. Now, what can I do to help?" "Excuse my rudeness Hermano Malcom. We have had a difficult time these past few weeks, but that is no excuse for poor manners." She smiles. "Allow me to introduce my self and my companions. I am the Priestess Minerva Garcia Florencia of the Olympian Church in Promise City." She says extending her hand. "and this" she says motioning to Chester and Katherine "is Deputy Chester Martin, Mrs. Katherine Kale and Senor Nanuet, also all from Promise City as well." Chester pauses from wandering the aisles looking at the stained glass. He tips his hat. "Good afternoon, padre." "Senor Nanuet is in need of your special gods given talents, Mi Hermano. He has had an altercation with a vampire and is quite weak. It was explained to me that a portion of his 'Life Force' has been taken from him." she says without preamble. "The gods have not honored me with such an ability" she says her voice and mannerisms momentarily revealing her shame and helplessness. "Are you able to restore him?" "Minerva? As in the goddess herself? Simply amazing! But, there is no time to waste, let me take a look at your friend." He allows Minerva to point Nanuet out to him and then he looks him over quickly before speaking again. "This is what I can tell you. Part of his life force is gone. If I were to do nothing, he would recover it after time. There is a ritual I can peform that should help him recover now. I can do it, but it is not easy and will take a great effort on my part and of course the results are not guaranteed." He looks over at Chester as he wanders the church. "Beautiful aren't they. I never tire of them even after looking at them every day for 13 years." Chester walks over to him. "Yes, they are. You must be proud to worship in a place like this. Did you just say that Nanuet would get his life force back with time? Is that a sure thing?" Brother Malcolm turned and smiled at Chester and nodded. "As sure as the sun rises, if he wills himself to continue to live he will regain his former strength with time. Unfortunately his will was not strong enough to fight off the energy drain within the first day. I have seen it happen only once so he should feel no shame. I have confidence that my ritual will heal him though." "Si, Hermano Malcom. I understand. The gods guarantee nothing. The best that we can ever hope for is that our requests fit into their grand scheme and that they choose to respond to our prayers. But I would be most grateful if you would attempt to heal him. He means everything to me." She says nodding towards Nanuet. "I have been touched by such evil recently also, and I cannot bear the knowledge that one that I love suffers that same cold, empty feeling. It is a horror beyond explanation but try to imagine that your soul has been abandoned by the gods. Left in darkness... with no hope of redemption. It is a feeling akin to that," she shudders. "Por Favor," she pleads, the horror of the memory fresh in her mind. "I wish you to try." She pauses looking about the church. "It is a lovely church. Is it not? Fit for the gods, I am sure they are pleased with your work here. I would like to make a donation to your church. "She pauses as though mulling over a thought. "Perhaps the gods will grant me their favor if I give away what was gained in this dark quest. Perhaps some good can come of it." "I understand what you feel and find it very honorable that you do not wish him to suffer this any longer, but you must understand that to attempt to heal this is a great task, one that I would not undertake lightly. There are few priests in this area who could perform such a feat, your friend said someone sent you to me but I did not quite catch the name, could you tell me again? References mean a great deal to me and I put a lot of faith in the judgement of my fellow priests and who they send on to me. It helps in situations like this where I may not have time to get to know those who seek my aid personally as time is critical." Kate said, "Siam York, the priest in Thomaswell. We looked to him for help this morning and he said his power was not sufficient. When I told him we were coming to Albuquerque, he was very excited and gave us your name." "I see, yes... Siam York is out in that little town still. I shall have to pay him a visit soon, it has been ages since I last sat down with him. I hate to seem a nuisance, but do you perhaps have any proof? Anyone who has been to Thomaswell would know Father York is the priest there, since he is the only one, but it would be a rare occurrence for him to send someone here and to ask for Brother Malcolm." "The fact that it is a rare occurance should be proof enough, Hermano Malcom. It is the truth that Siam York sent us to you. How else would we know your name and where to seek you?" she says trying not to sound impatient or offended. "But if you must have further proof ..." she lets the words fall away as she tries to think of what proof they could have of his referral. "Chester, show him the holy symbol that Siam York bestowed upon you, perhaps he will recognize it and that will be proof enough." Kate was rubbing her head that was starting to ache as Miss Florencia answered. "Oh, I'm so sorry," Kate said, looking at the others with a little blush. "I'm still tired and it's a bit hard to think." Katherine reached into her handbag and pulled out the coin Siam York had given them. "He said to show you this." Minerva is surprised when Kate pulls out the coin. "When did he give you that?" "This morning, after you took Nanuet back to the house to rest. Chester and I sought out Mr. York to see if he could help. He said to show Brother Malcolm. I'm so sorry, I'm not usually so forgetful, especially when it's important." Kate tightened the shawl she had put over her shoulders despite the warmth of the day. Malcolm looks skeptically at the coin that Kate holds forth. "A coin? He gave you a coin as proof of reference? Oh, my yes! A coin!" he exclaims. "All the proof I need. May I have that please?" he says holding out his hand palm open. "We can get started right away with the ritual." "Of course," Kate said and dropped the coin in his palm. "Perhaps after the ritual you can tell us the story that surely goes with that coin." Minvera acknowledges Katherine's apology. “It has been a difficult time for all of us, Senora Katherine." She turns to the Brother. "Por Favor, Hermano Malcom, may we get on with it now?" "Yes priestess, we can get on with it now. Please help Nanuet to remove all but his underclothes and lay him over there." he says, pointing to a waist high marble bier on the altar. "There is a component for the ritual that I must retrieve, one that is valuable and stored securely away." Brother Malcolm leaves the 4 companions for several moments. When he returns he is wearing different robes, ones that Minerva believes are designed to be in reverence to Apollo, who portfolio included that of healing. Also in his hands are a bow and a lyre, often used as symbols of Apollo. A small pouch hangs from the robes as well. Once Nanuet is laying on the bier upon the altar, Brother Malcolm asks the others to retreat from the altar and "Refrain from other activities except for praying for Nanuet until the ritual is completed." He then raises the bow and lyre in turn, saying a prayer with each one and then placing them at Nanuet's feet. Several moments of silence pass and then the contents of the pouch are revealed when Brother Malcolm sprinkles several pinches of diamond dust over Nanuet's body as he prays to the god of healing fervently. Malcolm then places his hand on Nanuet's forehead and kneels with his head bowed. A pale while glow envelops the priest and the subject of his prayers. For several moments the strength of the light remains steady and then slowly it begins to strengthen until it is almost too bright to look at. As quickly as the light came, it is gone in a flash and Brother Malcolm falls to the ground exhausted from his efforts. Nanuet appears to be sleeping, but his breathing is regular full breaths, and is color is no longer pale, but has returned to it's healthy complexion. Kate had to work hard to force back the feeling of repulsion she always felt when she was asked to pray. She focused on her wishes for Nanuet's recovery, rather than to whom those wishes went. As Brother Malcolm fell to the ground, Kate rushed forward to check on him. She pressed her fingers to his wrist and asked, "Sir, are you well?" "I'll be fine, just spent a lot of energy. Nothing some rest won't help me to recover, but I appreciate the concern." He allows Kate to help him to his feet and gives her a slight nod as he smoothes out his robes with his hands. "Your friend is resting now, I imagine he will wake soon. It seems our prayers were answered and he has recovered." "Yes, he looks much better. I hope we won't be underfoot while we wait for him to wake on his own. Is there anything we can do for you until then?" "Oh no, you would not be underfoot at all. I am just happy to be able to provide my services. It is not often I get called upon to use some of my greater abilities, and I still revel in being able to do the gods will. I cannot think of any other tasks I need your help with, but please make yourselves comfortable, perhaps enjoy the food and drink I brought earlier and wait for your friend to be wake and be well." "Thank you, I'm quite hungry truth be told." Kate paused a moment, then said, "I hate to ask anything else of you, but I have been very firmly instructed by my friends to ask. The vampire that wounded our friend also bit me. The wound was healed, but my companions are still concerned. I feel quite tired, but otherwise fine. I've told them it's only the loss of blood, but they still wanted me to consult you to make sure there would be no other effects." "Oh, of course, let me look at you" the priest says. He examines Kate's wound carefully. "It looks like it is just a bite, and that he hardly fed from you at all. I believe you will be fine, the bite looks to be healing." "That's what I thought. He hardly had time before the others made him let go. I think it's just a combination of several very long days, a very big scare, and everything being over so suddenly that is making me so tired. Thank you very much. I think I'll go have something to eat now." It is about a half an hour before Nanuet stirs. He smiles and sits up stretching out his stiff muscles. The others know he is back to normal when he hops off the bier and begins grabbing at the plates of food the priest had brought out earlier. "What, I haven't had an appetite today, have to get caught up. I feel so much better!" "I'm glad I got here first," Kate said lightly, popping a last bit of cheese into her mouth. Although she still looked tired her color was better for the food. "You look downright spry." "You had us worried there for a while. Glad to see you're up and about. Eat your fill, then we can go see the others." Chester asks Brother Malcolm, "Are there any lasting effects from this? Anything we should look out for?" Malcolm puts his hand on Chester's shoulder. "Your Indian friend is fully recovered, my son. The taint of the vrykolakas is completely purged from his soul. Just a little rest and he'll be as right as rain." "Thank you Brother Malcolm. Apollo truly has a powerful servant in you." Minerva smiles broadly and wrapping her arms around Nanuet kisses him soundly on the mouth. He responds in kind. She backs away and laughs. "You are indeed, your old self again." She stands back and enjoys the sight of him stuffing food into his mouth. She takes Brother Malcom aside. "I cannot thank you enough for healing my friend, Hermano (brother). Gracias. She hugs him and kisses him on the cheek. I would like to make a donation to your church. We came into a bit of money while hunting down the blood suckers. I would like to give you my share of that. I am certain that the gods will not mind where it has come from if it it put to good use." She hands him whatever money she has gotten during the adventure. "Much thanks priestess, but the coin that your friend brought here is payment enough. Please, if you must donate the money use it in your own church, we are quite well off here." Kate looked at her companions, and noted Miss Florencia talking quietly to the priest. "If we're all ready, as soon as Miss Florencia is done we should go find Jake and Ruby. They'll want to hear that Nanuet is well and makes our plans for getting back to Promise City." Once Nanuet had cleared off the last of the plate and Miss Florencia had returned, the group gave a final thanks to Brother Malcolm and went in search of Jake and Ruby. [/QUOTE]
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"Here There Be Vampires" A Promise City, Arizona Story Hour
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