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"Revenge, Renewal and the Promise of a New Year" (Boot Hill/D&D)
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<blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 1905309" data-attributes="member: 8530"><p><strong>Chapter Sixty, “Exiting Tombstone”, Sunday, January 8th, 1882:</strong></p><p></p><p>Finishing his delicious meal, Chester pays his bill, and goes back to Big Nose Kate's to pack before heading over to the Wells Fargo office. Not long thereafter Jake and Ruby arrive at the saloon <a href="http://www.bignosekate.com/" target="_blank">http://www.bignosekate.com/</a> They are shown to a table and sit. Ruby asks to speak to the owner of the restaurant and a woman soon arrives at their table. "Yes, may I help you?" she asks.</p><p></p><p>"Hello, Kate is it? My name is Ruby. This is my friend Jake. If you have a few minutes we'd like to talk to you about something." Kate nods. "You see one of our friends died here in a not so honest way but it seems people don't want us to know the truth about it. And we hear you're the person to talk to get details." Kate nods again. </p><p></p><p>"His name was Tom Kale and about three months back he had some sort of altercation with Johnny Ringo and..." she pauses then continues slowly, "Morgan Earp." </p><p></p><p>Big Nose Kate has a noticeable reaction, one of alarm. She says "I know who he was. He ate here a few times until he found room at a boarding house. He pretty much kept to himself for the first month or so after he arrived then he and a friend of his started hanging out at the Oriental Saloon.” What was his friends name?" Jake asks. "Colby Tucker" is her response. She continues, “He would play Faro with my boyfriend and the Earps. I heard conflicting stories about what happened to him. Some say he died of sickness, others have said he was robbed. Morgan would never do such a thing but Johnny Ringo might. He's no good, I won't allow him in my building."</p><p></p><p>Jake exchanges a quick glance with Ruby and asks Kate, "Do you have any idea where this Colby Tucker spends his time now-a-days?" Jake is trying hard not to stare at Kate's namesake, but gods he thinks, her name fits! Kate says, "He worked for one of the boarding houses but I think he got fired. I think I last saw him shoveling manure over at the O.K. Corral."</p><p></p><p>Ruby answers, "Well Kate, that is very sweet of you to help us out. I wish we had more time to spend here, I hear the food is delightful. Speaking of time, do you know what time it is? We have to been somewhere shortly." She looks over to a grandfather clock and says "Half past one" Jake smiles and nods to Kate, "Thank you kindly." And motions Ruby away. In a whisper, "We ought to talk to Tucker, but I am more than a little concerned about heading over to the OK Corral. We should go out the back door and find our way onto the stage. I have a bad feeling."</p><p></p><p>It is obvious Ruby is oblivious to Jake's concern. "What kind of bad feeling? Should I be worried? We still have an hour but if you are that worried then maybe we should try to come back another day to talk to Colby? I just hate to tell Kate anything about Tom when we don't know anything for sure."</p><p></p><p>"Hold on a moment" Jake tells Ruby and walks back over to Big Nose Kate. "One more thing Kate, if I could trouble you again. Would you just take a quick look out the front and tell me if Buckskin Frank Leslie or any of Johnny Ringo's old pals are outside in the street?" Jake gives her a weak smile. "I'm just wondering about the weather out there...." Kate says that she doesn't see them.</p><p></p><p>Ruby says, "Alright Jake, I can see you're nervous about something. Do you want me to go out first? Let's get back to the stage, I'm tired anyway. And don't worry, I'll protect you." Jake replies, "When somebody tells you to get outta town and discusses your funeral, you gotta take a little notice. Otherwise you end up in a box." Jake takes a deep breath and a heavy sigh. Then in a falsetto voice, "How was your trip to Tombstone Ruby? Oh, Jake got shot, but I got some nice undergarments." He laughs. "Your choice, we head over to the corral and ask after Tucker or to the stage early. Either way though, we try and not be noticed where ever we can."</p><p></p><p>Ruby says, "I don't feel like wearing black anytime soon, so let's leave. How about we discuss what to do next back in Promise City?" "Oh and Jake, never underestimate the power of a good undergarment," as she winks. Jake points at the back of Kate's Saloon. "Have you ever seen the back alley's of a mining town? There is nothing like them. If we are going to give in to my cowardice, lets go all the way." He and Ruby will sneak out the back. </p><p></p><p>About half past one Chester headed back to Big Nose Kate's to get his luggage. Stepping through the door, he is shocked to see the same couple from the Oriental speaking to Big Nose Kate. He amusedly thinks to himself, If I were paranoid, I'd say I was being followed. He pauses in the common room to watch them, just in case. They speak for a while, then Kate walks past Chester to look out the door. She calls back, "I don't see them." The man and woman relax, but then leave through the back door. Chester mutters to himself, "There are some strange people in this town. I'm glad I'm getting out of Tombstone." He gathers his luggage, unloading his rifle and tying it to the top of his bag. </p><p></p><p>Jake takes extra care in looking around corners and check streets before crossing them. Ruby rolls her eyes repeatedly. "I'm sure you're just worried about me getting hurt and all. I do appreciate the thought though. So sensitive of you..." They get back to the stage with a full 20 minutes to spare. Ruby looks to Chuck, "Thank you so much for waiting for me. I found just what I wanted and got to try on everything and get measured today. I'll have to come back once it's done though so I guess I'll be seeing you again," she says faking another blush. Jake gets in the empty stagecoach and Chuck hands Ruby a bag. "Here's what you asked for Miss Ruby. I had a hard time finding it, tough stuff to come by." "Mr. Nevers, you really might be my knight in shining armor!" She hands him some money. "Keep the change for your trouble today." He smiles back at her. “No trouble at all Miss.” </p><p></p><p>She gives him a small kiss on the cheek then gets into the coach, keeping the bag behind her back. She turns to Jake. “So, I am hoping you aren’t still mad at me about last night, but I figured a little bribery never hurt anyone so…here…” she thrusts the bag towards him. Inside he finds two bottles of Kentucky Bourbon, one full and one half full. “That’s all they could find I’m afraid. They’re yours to do with as you please.” She pauses and then sits besides him, sitting on her feet facing him. “Of course, if you ever felt like being generous I’d be more than happy to share them with you.” She gives him a sweet smile and Jake can tell she is being sincere. </p><p></p><p>Wearing a wide smile Silver Jake Cook removes one of the bottles, holds it up and reads the label. He tilts his hat back with one finger and gives a faint whistle. He puts the bottle back in the bag carefully. He turns his head to face her, "Miss West, would you do me the honor of joining me for some after dinner libation? Just the two of us?" He leans his face closer towards hers, and as he does so he hears some horses approaching the coach. Out of the corner of his eye sees two familiar faces. He ducks and quickly pulls her out of view of the window, pointing at the riders.</p><p></p><p>A quartet of men rides into town on horseback and go by the stage. Two are unfamiliar to them, but the other two they recognize as Billy Claibourne and his friend Dell. The four ride down the street and stop at the O.K. Corral where they dismount and secure their horses. Ruby and Jake both realize that if they had headed there a confrontation would have been unavoidable. </p><p></p><p>Nevers opens the door and says "We'll be off in a minute. Gilly just went to get the other two passengers." They see the other driver exiting the grand hotel and helping a man with a bag. The bag is old and worn, with a bedroll wrapped around a shotgun and a rifle on the top. The man is wearing dark clothing, with a navy blue bandana around his neck. He has a gunbelt with what appears to be a double-action revolver on one side and a long-barreled revolver on the other. A huge hunting knife is strapped to the outside of his boot. He has on a wide-brimmed charcoal gray hat. The driver opens the stage door and the man enters. A few minutes later a second man exits the hotel and walks in the direction of the stage. Ruby gulps. "Thank the gods for your lucky hat, Jake..."</p><p></p><p>As the man named Chester leaves the hotel, he lights a fresh cigarette. He has on a dark frock coat over a natural cotton-colored bib-front shirt with beige pants. He walks to the stagecoach as well. Looking up, Chester sees Ruby and Jake. Just my luck, those strange people are on the stage as well. He rolls his eyes and hands his bag to the driver, then boards the coach.</p><p></p><p>Once all four passengers were on board the coach gets going and makes its way out of town to the east. "Watch the eyes" is what Jake had always told himself. It wasn't the eyes of the last man to board that bothered him, it was the other one, the one with the bandana. The man was doing his best to sit calmly in the seat, but the eyes gave away that he was more nervous and agitated than a chipmunk surrounded by wolves. Ruby doesn't notice the man's nervousness and she starts the head bob she had on the trip down but this time she is close enough to fall asleep on Jake's shoulder.</p><p></p><p>The first half-hour of the stagecoach ride consists of total silence. The man with the bandana then speaks "You people will probably think I'm crazy, but I've seen each of you in my dreams." This wakes Ruby from her nap. She's heard the old "you're the girl of my dreams" line a thousand times, but this guy clearly didn't use it as a pick up line. He is staring at all three of them and she now notices that his eyes are wide are erratic and a line of perspiration across his forehead. "Well, I hope it was a good dream," she says stretching. "Are you going to tell us what it was about...Mr....? And hey, are you feeling ok?"</p><p></p><p>Jake doesn't say anything, Ruby's question is enough. He's heard plenty of scams before and judges that this guy is either really loco, or one of the best he's ever seen. So far he does not appear dangerous, but Jake shifts a bit when Ruby wakes up and clears a path for his left hand to reach his back derringer. He also keeps an eye on the other man, watching for his reaction and making sure he is not part of any scam.</p><p></p><p>The nervous man briefly considers giving her the name of the alias but decides against it, especially since his real last name can also be used as a man's first name. He replies "Riley, the name is Riley. I've been having these dreams since last Monday night. Can't say if they're good or bad, just strange. Each of you have been in them but the main characters seem to be myself and a Indian centaur woman with long flowing brown hair. I can't figure them out but I once knew an Apache who was good with things like that so I was heading over to talk to him." "And this Apache lives in Promise City?" Jake asks.</p><p></p><p>Riley replies, "No, I'm not sure exactly where he lives. It's been eight years since I last saw him. I'm told that the Apache live in the Chiricahua Mountains and the closest settlements to them are Promise City and Galeyville, so I figure I would start there. There was also an Indian in my dreams, but it wasn't my friend." Jake’s comments, "Seems your dreams are pretty crowded. Anyone else?" </p><p></p><p>Riley answers, "Two more, a couple of women. One was a wood elf and the other was a high-class lady type. The really strange thing is that I've never met any of you all before. Normally I only dream about people I've met. </p><p></p><p>So, you three are obviously together. Who are you?" I hate it when they ask names, thinks Jake. "The lovely lady and I are aquatinted, I'm Jake. This is Ruby. I'm afraid I have never met this other gentleman." Before he can introduce himself Jake continues. "So as you said, we might think this is crazy... Humor me and describe the 'high-class' lady."</p><p></p><p>Reily replies "She's about 5'4" tall, with black hair that has a wave to it that falls just past her shoulder blades. She had dark brown eyes and a very fair skin. Wore a fancy dress. Anybody you know?" Jake leans his head back against the coach and looks up at nothing. "I should have stayed a few more weeks in Santa Fe."</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Silver Moon, post: 1905309, member: 8530"] [B]Chapter Sixty, “Exiting Tombstone”, Sunday, January 8th, 1882:[/B] Finishing his delicious meal, Chester pays his bill, and goes back to Big Nose Kate's to pack before heading over to the Wells Fargo office. Not long thereafter Jake and Ruby arrive at the saloon [url]http://www.bignosekate.com/[/url] They are shown to a table and sit. Ruby asks to speak to the owner of the restaurant and a woman soon arrives at their table. "Yes, may I help you?" she asks. "Hello, Kate is it? My name is Ruby. This is my friend Jake. If you have a few minutes we'd like to talk to you about something." Kate nods. "You see one of our friends died here in a not so honest way but it seems people don't want us to know the truth about it. And we hear you're the person to talk to get details." Kate nods again. "His name was Tom Kale and about three months back he had some sort of altercation with Johnny Ringo and..." she pauses then continues slowly, "Morgan Earp." Big Nose Kate has a noticeable reaction, one of alarm. She says "I know who he was. He ate here a few times until he found room at a boarding house. He pretty much kept to himself for the first month or so after he arrived then he and a friend of his started hanging out at the Oriental Saloon.” What was his friends name?" Jake asks. "Colby Tucker" is her response. She continues, “He would play Faro with my boyfriend and the Earps. I heard conflicting stories about what happened to him. Some say he died of sickness, others have said he was robbed. Morgan would never do such a thing but Johnny Ringo might. He's no good, I won't allow him in my building." Jake exchanges a quick glance with Ruby and asks Kate, "Do you have any idea where this Colby Tucker spends his time now-a-days?" Jake is trying hard not to stare at Kate's namesake, but gods he thinks, her name fits! Kate says, "He worked for one of the boarding houses but I think he got fired. I think I last saw him shoveling manure over at the O.K. Corral." Ruby answers, "Well Kate, that is very sweet of you to help us out. I wish we had more time to spend here, I hear the food is delightful. Speaking of time, do you know what time it is? We have to been somewhere shortly." She looks over to a grandfather clock and says "Half past one" Jake smiles and nods to Kate, "Thank you kindly." And motions Ruby away. In a whisper, "We ought to talk to Tucker, but I am more than a little concerned about heading over to the OK Corral. We should go out the back door and find our way onto the stage. I have a bad feeling." It is obvious Ruby is oblivious to Jake's concern. "What kind of bad feeling? Should I be worried? We still have an hour but if you are that worried then maybe we should try to come back another day to talk to Colby? I just hate to tell Kate anything about Tom when we don't know anything for sure." "Hold on a moment" Jake tells Ruby and walks back over to Big Nose Kate. "One more thing Kate, if I could trouble you again. Would you just take a quick look out the front and tell me if Buckskin Frank Leslie or any of Johnny Ringo's old pals are outside in the street?" Jake gives her a weak smile. "I'm just wondering about the weather out there...." Kate says that she doesn't see them. Ruby says, "Alright Jake, I can see you're nervous about something. Do you want me to go out first? Let's get back to the stage, I'm tired anyway. And don't worry, I'll protect you." Jake replies, "When somebody tells you to get outta town and discusses your funeral, you gotta take a little notice. Otherwise you end up in a box." Jake takes a deep breath and a heavy sigh. Then in a falsetto voice, "How was your trip to Tombstone Ruby? Oh, Jake got shot, but I got some nice undergarments." He laughs. "Your choice, we head over to the corral and ask after Tucker or to the stage early. Either way though, we try and not be noticed where ever we can." Ruby says, "I don't feel like wearing black anytime soon, so let's leave. How about we discuss what to do next back in Promise City?" "Oh and Jake, never underestimate the power of a good undergarment," as she winks. Jake points at the back of Kate's Saloon. "Have you ever seen the back alley's of a mining town? There is nothing like them. If we are going to give in to my cowardice, lets go all the way." He and Ruby will sneak out the back. About half past one Chester headed back to Big Nose Kate's to get his luggage. Stepping through the door, he is shocked to see the same couple from the Oriental speaking to Big Nose Kate. He amusedly thinks to himself, If I were paranoid, I'd say I was being followed. He pauses in the common room to watch them, just in case. They speak for a while, then Kate walks past Chester to look out the door. She calls back, "I don't see them." The man and woman relax, but then leave through the back door. Chester mutters to himself, "There are some strange people in this town. I'm glad I'm getting out of Tombstone." He gathers his luggage, unloading his rifle and tying it to the top of his bag. Jake takes extra care in looking around corners and check streets before crossing them. Ruby rolls her eyes repeatedly. "I'm sure you're just worried about me getting hurt and all. I do appreciate the thought though. So sensitive of you..." They get back to the stage with a full 20 minutes to spare. Ruby looks to Chuck, "Thank you so much for waiting for me. I found just what I wanted and got to try on everything and get measured today. I'll have to come back once it's done though so I guess I'll be seeing you again," she says faking another blush. Jake gets in the empty stagecoach and Chuck hands Ruby a bag. "Here's what you asked for Miss Ruby. I had a hard time finding it, tough stuff to come by." "Mr. Nevers, you really might be my knight in shining armor!" She hands him some money. "Keep the change for your trouble today." He smiles back at her. “No trouble at all Miss.” She gives him a small kiss on the cheek then gets into the coach, keeping the bag behind her back. She turns to Jake. “So, I am hoping you aren’t still mad at me about last night, but I figured a little bribery never hurt anyone so…here…” she thrusts the bag towards him. Inside he finds two bottles of Kentucky Bourbon, one full and one half full. “That’s all they could find I’m afraid. They’re yours to do with as you please.” She pauses and then sits besides him, sitting on her feet facing him. “Of course, if you ever felt like being generous I’d be more than happy to share them with you.” She gives him a sweet smile and Jake can tell she is being sincere. Wearing a wide smile Silver Jake Cook removes one of the bottles, holds it up and reads the label. He tilts his hat back with one finger and gives a faint whistle. He puts the bottle back in the bag carefully. He turns his head to face her, "Miss West, would you do me the honor of joining me for some after dinner libation? Just the two of us?" He leans his face closer towards hers, and as he does so he hears some horses approaching the coach. Out of the corner of his eye sees two familiar faces. He ducks and quickly pulls her out of view of the window, pointing at the riders. A quartet of men rides into town on horseback and go by the stage. Two are unfamiliar to them, but the other two they recognize as Billy Claibourne and his friend Dell. The four ride down the street and stop at the O.K. Corral where they dismount and secure their horses. Ruby and Jake both realize that if they had headed there a confrontation would have been unavoidable. Nevers opens the door and says "We'll be off in a minute. Gilly just went to get the other two passengers." They see the other driver exiting the grand hotel and helping a man with a bag. The bag is old and worn, with a bedroll wrapped around a shotgun and a rifle on the top. The man is wearing dark clothing, with a navy blue bandana around his neck. He has a gunbelt with what appears to be a double-action revolver on one side and a long-barreled revolver on the other. A huge hunting knife is strapped to the outside of his boot. He has on a wide-brimmed charcoal gray hat. The driver opens the stage door and the man enters. A few minutes later a second man exits the hotel and walks in the direction of the stage. Ruby gulps. "Thank the gods for your lucky hat, Jake..." As the man named Chester leaves the hotel, he lights a fresh cigarette. He has on a dark frock coat over a natural cotton-colored bib-front shirt with beige pants. He walks to the stagecoach as well. Looking up, Chester sees Ruby and Jake. Just my luck, those strange people are on the stage as well. He rolls his eyes and hands his bag to the driver, then boards the coach. Once all four passengers were on board the coach gets going and makes its way out of town to the east. "Watch the eyes" is what Jake had always told himself. It wasn't the eyes of the last man to board that bothered him, it was the other one, the one with the bandana. The man was doing his best to sit calmly in the seat, but the eyes gave away that he was more nervous and agitated than a chipmunk surrounded by wolves. Ruby doesn't notice the man's nervousness and she starts the head bob she had on the trip down but this time she is close enough to fall asleep on Jake's shoulder. The first half-hour of the stagecoach ride consists of total silence. The man with the bandana then speaks "You people will probably think I'm crazy, but I've seen each of you in my dreams." This wakes Ruby from her nap. She's heard the old "you're the girl of my dreams" line a thousand times, but this guy clearly didn't use it as a pick up line. He is staring at all three of them and she now notices that his eyes are wide are erratic and a line of perspiration across his forehead. "Well, I hope it was a good dream," she says stretching. "Are you going to tell us what it was about...Mr....? And hey, are you feeling ok?" Jake doesn't say anything, Ruby's question is enough. He's heard plenty of scams before and judges that this guy is either really loco, or one of the best he's ever seen. So far he does not appear dangerous, but Jake shifts a bit when Ruby wakes up and clears a path for his left hand to reach his back derringer. He also keeps an eye on the other man, watching for his reaction and making sure he is not part of any scam. The nervous man briefly considers giving her the name of the alias but decides against it, especially since his real last name can also be used as a man's first name. He replies "Riley, the name is Riley. I've been having these dreams since last Monday night. Can't say if they're good or bad, just strange. Each of you have been in them but the main characters seem to be myself and a Indian centaur woman with long flowing brown hair. I can't figure them out but I once knew an Apache who was good with things like that so I was heading over to talk to him." "And this Apache lives in Promise City?" Jake asks. Riley replies, "No, I'm not sure exactly where he lives. It's been eight years since I last saw him. I'm told that the Apache live in the Chiricahua Mountains and the closest settlements to them are Promise City and Galeyville, so I figure I would start there. There was also an Indian in my dreams, but it wasn't my friend." Jake’s comments, "Seems your dreams are pretty crowded. Anyone else?" Riley answers, "Two more, a couple of women. One was a wood elf and the other was a high-class lady type. The really strange thing is that I've never met any of you all before. Normally I only dream about people I've met. So, you three are obviously together. Who are you?" I hate it when they ask names, thinks Jake. "The lovely lady and I are aquatinted, I'm Jake. This is Ruby. I'm afraid I have never met this other gentleman." Before he can introduce himself Jake continues. "So as you said, we might think this is crazy... Humor me and describe the 'high-class' lady." Reily replies "She's about 5'4" tall, with black hair that has a wave to it that falls just past her shoulder blades. She had dark brown eyes and a very fair skin. Wore a fancy dress. Anybody you know?" Jake leans his head back against the coach and looks up at nothing. "I should have stayed a few more weeks in Santa Fe." [/QUOTE]
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