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Wizards, Whiskey and Wonderful Things - Concluded
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<blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2759563" data-attributes="member: 8530"><p><strong>Chapter 78, “Ringo’s Book”, Friday, March 17th </strong> </p><p></p><p>"Storm?" Ruby asks, "I need help in finding Nanuet, the Cowboy Gang has kidnapped him and I think they mean to harm him. Plus they want to use us for some plans of theirs, what we don't know." Storm's mouth moves but no sound comes out. Ruby then hears Storm's voice in her head saying "They live. He has sent Maska."</p><p></p><p>Ruby was filled with relief at Storm's words. Her friends were still alive. "Is Maska coming here? Do you have any idea when she will arrive? Will she be able to take us to them?" Storm's voice says, "He commanded her to come here to you. It will take her much of the night."</p><p></p><p>"Thank you Storm, you have been a good friend to Nanuet." Ruby looks up to the sky, "And thanks to whoever should get it for making my spell work!" She watches Storm disappear in front of her before running back to Jake. </p><p></p><p>Back inside the El Parador, Kate closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and opened them. "Thank you, Dorita. For everything." There was no getting around it. Kate walked to the table in the far corner. "Always a pleasure to see a friend of my husband," she said as casually as she could manage.</p><p></p><p>Ringo stands and holds the chair for Katherine to sit while turning and asking Dorita "Please bring me a glass of white wine, and a glass of whatever Katherine's personal preference would be." "Tea, thank you," she said, taking a seat. She folded her hands in her lap, and looked at Ringo as he took his seat. "How kind of you to stop by and see me. I'm sure Tom would have appreciated it." She thinks “As long as we're playing friends, I might as well really play it.”</p><p></p><p>Ringo replies, "Yes, I miss him, he was a good man." Dorita brings the drinks. John smiles and says, "I'm a very religious man. Before taking a drink I always say a prayer to Dionysus." She replies, "I am not religious, it was one of the few bones of contention between my husband and I. But feel free to say your prayer, you won't offend me.”</p><p></p><p> Ringo just nods. He then begins his prayer, stated in Greek. Kate does not know the exact words he is using but notices something familiar in the tone and flow of the words. He then begins gesturing with his hands with the familiar motion of the Privacy spell that she was taught as he drops some powder from his hand onto the lit candle in the center of the table. He finishes his incantation and looks up to her, adding "I hope you don't mind the smell of incense. It is part of the religious ritual."</p><p></p><p></p><p>"Seems I've missed out on a few things by skipping church. I don't mind." Kate hesitated. Ruby was right that this kind of dealing was something she knew nothing about. "Now that your prayers are finished we can talk. It's rather late for a social call, I assume you have some business?"</p><p></p><p>He replies, "Yes, when we spoke in January you asked about Thomas's last card game. I told you then that I was not his killer and that I suspected Buckskin Frank Leslie. I have confirmed that Leslie was also innocent. That narrows the list of suspects to two, Colby Tucker and Morgan Earp. Tucker disappeared the day that we spoke. Earp is now back in Tombstone. I can approach him on your behalf if you would like me to."</p><p></p><p>Katherine blinked. "I don't understand. It's been many weeks since we spoke, and I have learned what I needed to since then. And somehow I don't think an Earp would treat you very kindly. And what's in it for you?"</p><p></p><p>Ringo replies, "Revenge, the time of reckoning is at hand. You may have read in the newspaper about four bodies found recently in the Dragoon Mountains. They were friends of mine, and the Earps killed them. This has gone on for too long. I'm offering you a chance to avenge your husband's death, to see that his murderer gets what he deserves. Doesn't that interest you? Unless I am mistaken it did in January."</p><p></p><p>"January." Kate shook her head. "In January I was one step away from insanity, out of my mind with shock and grief. Most people I know would consider revenge to be putting a bullet in the man who wronged you. I don't. All I want is to see my husband's killer, for him to look me in the eye and admit what he did. And for him to know the consequences. Make no mistake, I hate Morgan Earp. But I lived in Tombstone for three months, Mr. Ringo. I saw what the Cowboy Gang does to people. It's not pretty when your choice is between a gang who terrorizes an entire county, and corrupt law."</p><p></p><p>Ringo replies, "I doubt he would ever admit to you what he did. If you truly wish to look him in the eye for that conversation my friends can grab him and take him to a secluded place for your talk. But if I do that we will not be letting him return to his brothers, that would be fatal for all of us. You know the Earps, the risk would be too great."</p><p></p><p>She replies, "I do know the Earps. Your offer is... generous, in it's way, but I must refuse. I was on a coach in January, and we were chased down by outlaws. I killed a man that day, defending that coach. I still feel guilt over it, like a stain on my soul. To have your friends grab Morgan Earp would be no different than putting a gun to his head myself. No matter what he did, I couldn't live with that. You know, I saved Morgan Earp's life that day. Ironic, don't you think? I didn't know then what I know now."</p><p></p><p>Ringo says, "Well, that is that then. I was not lying when I said that I considered myself a friend of your husband and that he was a good man. I truly wish you no harm, but you have something of mine that I need back. Here." He slides her a folded up piece of paper. She unfolds it to see that it is written in script in Spanish with a flowery signature at the bottom reading, Eduardo Ramon de Coahuila . He then slides across another piece of paper with a short note written in Latin.</p><p></p><p>She states, "I'm sorry. I can't.... I don't understand Spanish or Latin. Just English and French. Are we talking about the books again?" He replies, "In a sense. The Spanish note is my receipt for the library. I did not have it on my person when we last spoke. I purchased them from the Warlord of the Mexican Province centered around the town of Medera. It is less than a week's ride to the south of here if you wish to have the receipt verified. </p><p></p><p>The other note is for Mr. Cook. I wrote here while I was waiting for you. I chose Latin as he will need to find either the town's Doctor or one of the Lawyers to translate it for him, and by the time he does that I will be long gone. Before I go I want one thing from you. What I asked for earlier, a book. Specifically, a book in Latin with a red leather binding and the Roman Numeral XXIII on the spine in gold lettering above the word Augustus. If you would please go get if for me I will then be on my way."</p><p></p><p>"Mr. Ringo, the books..... They've brought a great deal of joy to someone who is very important to me. Someone who, along with my friends, has helped keep me alive and sane. It breaks my heart to think of taking them away. Could we come to some arrangement? I know I don't have enough money to pay you for them, but perhaps you could give me a list of those you particularly wish back? Or allow me to choose a number to keep for which I could pay.” </p><p></p><p>He sits without replying. She relents and says, “The book you asked for I'll get for you. And I must ask. Our friends... Are they alive?" He answers, "Yes they are, I have no desire to harm them. Some of my associates do, but I can control those men. As for the books, you say that you can read English and French. And your friend who the books have brought pleasure to is most likely a Spanish speaker. You may keep all of the books in those languages. I am only interested in the ones written in Latin, Greek and the Greek dialect known as Atlantean Script. In exchange for them I will see to it that your friends are returned."</p><p></p><p>Kate states, "Those did appear to be the most interesting volumes. Things written in Atlantean Script are always worth the reading. If things had been different I think we might have been friends, Mr. Ringo. Do you know, the reason Tom was in the Oriental that night was to ask you to partner with him in a ranch? I think I'd have rather known you that way. It will take some time to get through the volumes and find the texts you require. Would I take them to the same place I took your horse?"</p><p></p><p>Ringo replies, "Yes, Tom had asked me prior to that about it and I was very interesting in the ranch. We never got to that discussion that last night though, he became preoccupied with cards. Not a great gambler usually, but he was hot that night. Morgan thought he was cheating and, well....you know the rest. Look, for now I'd be satisfied with just the volume I requested. Could you check for it? I can get instructions to you tomorrow morning as to where to bring the other books for the exchange. I'll be expecting an answer from my question to Cook by that time as well."</p><p></p><p>Kate nodded and went upstairs. She waited in front of the door to Mr. Gonzales room for a minute, making sure no one followed. Then she slipped inside, quickly said the incantation, and let herself into Mr. Gonzales rooms. </p><p></p><p>In the library she stood in front of the tall shelves, her eyes skimming over them for the red-bound book. It took a few minutes, but she eventually found it. She took a moment to look over the shelves, wondering how angry Mr. Gonzales would be when he saw the most valuable texts gone. But she couldn't think of what else to do. Rightfully, they did belong to Mr. Ringo, but she didn't care to think of what he might do with that knowledge. At least for tonight, it was just the one book. Never mind that it was most likely his spellbook. </p><p></p><p>Outside, Minerva slowly opens the door to the El Parador sables and steps in out of the rain. She is greeted by the soft neighing of the horses. She approaches each of them and gently rubs their muzzles whispering soft words of reassurance. Luna flies to the rafters where she can get a better view of scurrying mice While Minerva finds a soft spot in the hay of one of the stalls where she hide and watch the door. Her pistol is drawn.</p><p></p><p>When Ruby gets close to the Lucky Lady and Jake she goes back into the shadows and, walking the long way, silently walks up behind him and grabs him. "Hey lover," she says in a low voice. Jake startles, "Mierda. I'll get you for that." He stays down but turns to face her. "I've not seen Len come out. What have you been up to?"</p><p></p><p>She grabs Jake and kisses him. "You will huh? I look forward to it." She looks like a kid with a secret that she can't wait to spill. "They're alive." She smiles at him. "Maska is coming, it will take most of the night for her to get here, but she can lead us back." Ruby continues to ramble, "She'll be tired though, so I don't know if we can find a way to let her rest at least some of the way to where ever they are. I wonder if someone can speak to her, maybe the priestess, she is a cleric like Nanuet. But we have to prepare." </p><p></p><p>"I doubt Len will come out soon then. I mean, I thought I made it clear we were going upstairs. The point was that he might follow Kate and Minerva together. You want to go in a grab him? Or just go see Gifford? Or keep waiting here?" Ruby's relief is all over her face and her newfound enthusiasm is obvious.</p><p></p><p>Jake states, "I'm sure you will get around to telling me how you know that. We should head over to the El Parador stables and let Katherine and the priestess know too. If Len is waiting for us inside then he isn't looking for us outside. After we let the others know we can see about Gifford. Let's stay out of sight just in case there are others."</p><p></p><p>"You know how I know, Jake," Ruby says raising her eyebrows. "I'm going to have to start giving you lessons every single day until you deal with this, aren't I? What fun can I have with you..." Ruby says devilishly. "Although I did promise you I wouldn't do that anymore," she teases. Ruby looks at him seriously, puts her lips to his ear and whispers, "I used magic, darling." </p><p></p><p>"Wait, are we going to see to Len or Gifford? I'm confused. Why wait here for Len then leave? Why don't we just go right in and confront him and make him tell us what the %$% is going on? I don't think the Marshal is going to let us in this late, that's the only problem with Gifford. You want to go right to the El Parador now?"</p><p></p><p>He says, "I don't see how we are going to be able to interrogate Len in the saloon with all the witnesses, and if he is waiting for us in there then we'll just be sitting here otherwise. Up until now we didn't have anyway of finding Nanuet and Chester, with Maska we will. Katherine may have learned something from the stage drivers, and anyway they'll be waiting for us in the stables. The El Parador isn't far, it won't take long to let them know what you learned. If you have a better idea, I'm game."</p><p></p><p>She replies, "I don't. So you want me to wait here for Len or go with you?" He says, "Why don't we both go, and decide our next move there?" "Let's go." Jake and Ruby leave the Lucky Lady and make their way over to the El Parador.</p><p></p><p>Kate quietly left the room and went back downstairs to the table where she handed John Ringo the book. "Why do I feel I'm handing you a loaded weapon?" He replies "You are just giving me back a treasured possession. Open it up and see the inscription on the inside cover." </p><p></p><p>She flips the book and reads: </p><p></p><p><em>To John, </em></p><p><em>This volume details the key years in the life of Caesar Augustus. I have always found great inspiration from this story and hope that you do as well. </em></p><p><em>Best of luck and remember all I taught you, </em></p><p><em>Armand </em></p><p><em>May 2, 1873 </em></p><p></p><p>He says, "See, it's just a personal heirloom. It wasn't even part of the collection that I purchased in Mexico. Your giving it back was a gesture of good faith that I was looking for. I am now more inclined to trust you."</p><p></p><p>Katherine shook her head. "Strangely, I trust you as well. I don't think lies are one of your vices. I will admit though, that I don't understand you. You're obviously educated, erudite, and skilled. You could make a good living any number of ways. Yet you choose such a life." He replies, "Part of life is the excitement of living. My background might qualify me for a job working in an office but I would hate it."</p><p></p><p>"Yes, I bet you would. I would think though that you could find excitement in a slightly less... illegal manner." Kate idly flipped the pages of the book, looking at the unfamiliar script. "I need to learn a few more languages. You have a favorite spot I see, this book looks like a few of my favorites, well read in certain spots," she said, looking at the worn pages.</p><p></p><p>Kate notices that the most worn pages appear different than the seventy pages that came before them. These center pages have the Latin text on the left hand side, but the right hand side only has Latin on the top and bottom paragraphs. The center paragraphs are instead in the Atlantean script, a different spell on each page. She stops on a page that she recognizes from her own studies as being a Charm Person spell. Ringo acts nervous, loosing his composure for the first time and reaches over to retrieve the book. He says, "I'll take that if you don't mind."</p><p></p><p>Kate flipped to the back of the worn area as he was asking for the book. She took a quick look, hoping to gauge how advanced he was, then closed the book and slid it over. "Of course. I'm sure you've been missing this quite a bit." He says, "I'll be in touch and we can make this exchange tomorrow. We do not have to be on opposite sides of this fight. The Earps have hurt us both. Goodnight Mrs. Kale." He leaves a $ 20 bill on the table to pay for the drinks and then stands and puts his hat and coat back on.</p><p></p><p>Once at the barn, Jake and Ruby find Minerva there. Ruby asks, "Where is Kate?" Miverna replies, "I don't know Senorita, I have been waiting here for all of you as you instructed. I have not seen or heard from Senora Katherine since she left the saloon."</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Silver Moon, post: 2759563, member: 8530"] [B]Chapter 78, “Ringo’s Book”, Friday, March 17th [/B] "Storm?" Ruby asks, "I need help in finding Nanuet, the Cowboy Gang has kidnapped him and I think they mean to harm him. Plus they want to use us for some plans of theirs, what we don't know." Storm's mouth moves but no sound comes out. Ruby then hears Storm's voice in her head saying "They live. He has sent Maska." Ruby was filled with relief at Storm's words. Her friends were still alive. "Is Maska coming here? Do you have any idea when she will arrive? Will she be able to take us to them?" Storm's voice says, "He commanded her to come here to you. It will take her much of the night." "Thank you Storm, you have been a good friend to Nanuet." Ruby looks up to the sky, "And thanks to whoever should get it for making my spell work!" She watches Storm disappear in front of her before running back to Jake. Back inside the El Parador, Kate closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and opened them. "Thank you, Dorita. For everything." There was no getting around it. Kate walked to the table in the far corner. "Always a pleasure to see a friend of my husband," she said as casually as she could manage. Ringo stands and holds the chair for Katherine to sit while turning and asking Dorita "Please bring me a glass of white wine, and a glass of whatever Katherine's personal preference would be." "Tea, thank you," she said, taking a seat. She folded her hands in her lap, and looked at Ringo as he took his seat. "How kind of you to stop by and see me. I'm sure Tom would have appreciated it." She thinks “As long as we're playing friends, I might as well really play it.” Ringo replies, "Yes, I miss him, he was a good man." Dorita brings the drinks. John smiles and says, "I'm a very religious man. Before taking a drink I always say a prayer to Dionysus." She replies, "I am not religious, it was one of the few bones of contention between my husband and I. But feel free to say your prayer, you won't offend me.” Ringo just nods. He then begins his prayer, stated in Greek. Kate does not know the exact words he is using but notices something familiar in the tone and flow of the words. He then begins gesturing with his hands with the familiar motion of the Privacy spell that she was taught as he drops some powder from his hand onto the lit candle in the center of the table. He finishes his incantation and looks up to her, adding "I hope you don't mind the smell of incense. It is part of the religious ritual." "Seems I've missed out on a few things by skipping church. I don't mind." Kate hesitated. Ruby was right that this kind of dealing was something she knew nothing about. "Now that your prayers are finished we can talk. It's rather late for a social call, I assume you have some business?" He replies, "Yes, when we spoke in January you asked about Thomas's last card game. I told you then that I was not his killer and that I suspected Buckskin Frank Leslie. I have confirmed that Leslie was also innocent. That narrows the list of suspects to two, Colby Tucker and Morgan Earp. Tucker disappeared the day that we spoke. Earp is now back in Tombstone. I can approach him on your behalf if you would like me to." Katherine blinked. "I don't understand. It's been many weeks since we spoke, and I have learned what I needed to since then. And somehow I don't think an Earp would treat you very kindly. And what's in it for you?" Ringo replies, "Revenge, the time of reckoning is at hand. You may have read in the newspaper about four bodies found recently in the Dragoon Mountains. They were friends of mine, and the Earps killed them. This has gone on for too long. I'm offering you a chance to avenge your husband's death, to see that his murderer gets what he deserves. Doesn't that interest you? Unless I am mistaken it did in January." "January." Kate shook her head. "In January I was one step away from insanity, out of my mind with shock and grief. Most people I know would consider revenge to be putting a bullet in the man who wronged you. I don't. All I want is to see my husband's killer, for him to look me in the eye and admit what he did. And for him to know the consequences. Make no mistake, I hate Morgan Earp. But I lived in Tombstone for three months, Mr. Ringo. I saw what the Cowboy Gang does to people. It's not pretty when your choice is between a gang who terrorizes an entire county, and corrupt law." Ringo replies, "I doubt he would ever admit to you what he did. If you truly wish to look him in the eye for that conversation my friends can grab him and take him to a secluded place for your talk. But if I do that we will not be letting him return to his brothers, that would be fatal for all of us. You know the Earps, the risk would be too great." She replies, "I do know the Earps. Your offer is... generous, in it's way, but I must refuse. I was on a coach in January, and we were chased down by outlaws. I killed a man that day, defending that coach. I still feel guilt over it, like a stain on my soul. To have your friends grab Morgan Earp would be no different than putting a gun to his head myself. No matter what he did, I couldn't live with that. You know, I saved Morgan Earp's life that day. Ironic, don't you think? I didn't know then what I know now." Ringo says, "Well, that is that then. I was not lying when I said that I considered myself a friend of your husband and that he was a good man. I truly wish you no harm, but you have something of mine that I need back. Here." He slides her a folded up piece of paper. She unfolds it to see that it is written in script in Spanish with a flowery signature at the bottom reading, Eduardo Ramon de Coahuila . He then slides across another piece of paper with a short note written in Latin. She states, "I'm sorry. I can't.... I don't understand Spanish or Latin. Just English and French. Are we talking about the books again?" He replies, "In a sense. The Spanish note is my receipt for the library. I did not have it on my person when we last spoke. I purchased them from the Warlord of the Mexican Province centered around the town of Medera. It is less than a week's ride to the south of here if you wish to have the receipt verified. The other note is for Mr. Cook. I wrote here while I was waiting for you. I chose Latin as he will need to find either the town's Doctor or one of the Lawyers to translate it for him, and by the time he does that I will be long gone. Before I go I want one thing from you. What I asked for earlier, a book. Specifically, a book in Latin with a red leather binding and the Roman Numeral XXIII on the spine in gold lettering above the word Augustus. If you would please go get if for me I will then be on my way." "Mr. Ringo, the books..... They've brought a great deal of joy to someone who is very important to me. Someone who, along with my friends, has helped keep me alive and sane. It breaks my heart to think of taking them away. Could we come to some arrangement? I know I don't have enough money to pay you for them, but perhaps you could give me a list of those you particularly wish back? Or allow me to choose a number to keep for which I could pay.” He sits without replying. She relents and says, “The book you asked for I'll get for you. And I must ask. Our friends... Are they alive?" He answers, "Yes they are, I have no desire to harm them. Some of my associates do, but I can control those men. As for the books, you say that you can read English and French. And your friend who the books have brought pleasure to is most likely a Spanish speaker. You may keep all of the books in those languages. I am only interested in the ones written in Latin, Greek and the Greek dialect known as Atlantean Script. In exchange for them I will see to it that your friends are returned." Kate states, "Those did appear to be the most interesting volumes. Things written in Atlantean Script are always worth the reading. If things had been different I think we might have been friends, Mr. Ringo. Do you know, the reason Tom was in the Oriental that night was to ask you to partner with him in a ranch? I think I'd have rather known you that way. It will take some time to get through the volumes and find the texts you require. Would I take them to the same place I took your horse?" Ringo replies, "Yes, Tom had asked me prior to that about it and I was very interesting in the ranch. We never got to that discussion that last night though, he became preoccupied with cards. Not a great gambler usually, but he was hot that night. Morgan thought he was cheating and, well....you know the rest. Look, for now I'd be satisfied with just the volume I requested. Could you check for it? I can get instructions to you tomorrow morning as to where to bring the other books for the exchange. I'll be expecting an answer from my question to Cook by that time as well." Kate nodded and went upstairs. She waited in front of the door to Mr. Gonzales room for a minute, making sure no one followed. Then she slipped inside, quickly said the incantation, and let herself into Mr. Gonzales rooms. In the library she stood in front of the tall shelves, her eyes skimming over them for the red-bound book. It took a few minutes, but she eventually found it. She took a moment to look over the shelves, wondering how angry Mr. Gonzales would be when he saw the most valuable texts gone. But she couldn't think of what else to do. Rightfully, they did belong to Mr. Ringo, but she didn't care to think of what he might do with that knowledge. At least for tonight, it was just the one book. Never mind that it was most likely his spellbook. Outside, Minerva slowly opens the door to the El Parador sables and steps in out of the rain. She is greeted by the soft neighing of the horses. She approaches each of them and gently rubs their muzzles whispering soft words of reassurance. Luna flies to the rafters where she can get a better view of scurrying mice While Minerva finds a soft spot in the hay of one of the stalls where she hide and watch the door. Her pistol is drawn. When Ruby gets close to the Lucky Lady and Jake she goes back into the shadows and, walking the long way, silently walks up behind him and grabs him. "Hey lover," she says in a low voice. Jake startles, "Mierda. I'll get you for that." He stays down but turns to face her. "I've not seen Len come out. What have you been up to?" She grabs Jake and kisses him. "You will huh? I look forward to it." She looks like a kid with a secret that she can't wait to spill. "They're alive." She smiles at him. "Maska is coming, it will take most of the night for her to get here, but she can lead us back." Ruby continues to ramble, "She'll be tired though, so I don't know if we can find a way to let her rest at least some of the way to where ever they are. I wonder if someone can speak to her, maybe the priestess, she is a cleric like Nanuet. But we have to prepare." "I doubt Len will come out soon then. I mean, I thought I made it clear we were going upstairs. The point was that he might follow Kate and Minerva together. You want to go in a grab him? Or just go see Gifford? Or keep waiting here?" Ruby's relief is all over her face and her newfound enthusiasm is obvious. Jake states, "I'm sure you will get around to telling me how you know that. We should head over to the El Parador stables and let Katherine and the priestess know too. If Len is waiting for us inside then he isn't looking for us outside. After we let the others know we can see about Gifford. Let's stay out of sight just in case there are others." "You know how I know, Jake," Ruby says raising her eyebrows. "I'm going to have to start giving you lessons every single day until you deal with this, aren't I? What fun can I have with you..." Ruby says devilishly. "Although I did promise you I wouldn't do that anymore," she teases. Ruby looks at him seriously, puts her lips to his ear and whispers, "I used magic, darling." "Wait, are we going to see to Len or Gifford? I'm confused. Why wait here for Len then leave? Why don't we just go right in and confront him and make him tell us what the %$% is going on? I don't think the Marshal is going to let us in this late, that's the only problem with Gifford. You want to go right to the El Parador now?" He says, "I don't see how we are going to be able to interrogate Len in the saloon with all the witnesses, and if he is waiting for us in there then we'll just be sitting here otherwise. Up until now we didn't have anyway of finding Nanuet and Chester, with Maska we will. Katherine may have learned something from the stage drivers, and anyway they'll be waiting for us in the stables. The El Parador isn't far, it won't take long to let them know what you learned. If you have a better idea, I'm game." She replies, "I don't. So you want me to wait here for Len or go with you?" He says, "Why don't we both go, and decide our next move there?" "Let's go." Jake and Ruby leave the Lucky Lady and make their way over to the El Parador. Kate quietly left the room and went back downstairs to the table where she handed John Ringo the book. "Why do I feel I'm handing you a loaded weapon?" He replies "You are just giving me back a treasured possession. Open it up and see the inscription on the inside cover." She flips the book and reads: [I]To John, This volume details the key years in the life of Caesar Augustus. I have always found great inspiration from this story and hope that you do as well. Best of luck and remember all I taught you, Armand May 2, 1873 [/I] He says, "See, it's just a personal heirloom. It wasn't even part of the collection that I purchased in Mexico. Your giving it back was a gesture of good faith that I was looking for. I am now more inclined to trust you." Katherine shook her head. "Strangely, I trust you as well. I don't think lies are one of your vices. I will admit though, that I don't understand you. You're obviously educated, erudite, and skilled. You could make a good living any number of ways. Yet you choose such a life." He replies, "Part of life is the excitement of living. My background might qualify me for a job working in an office but I would hate it." "Yes, I bet you would. I would think though that you could find excitement in a slightly less... illegal manner." Kate idly flipped the pages of the book, looking at the unfamiliar script. "I need to learn a few more languages. You have a favorite spot I see, this book looks like a few of my favorites, well read in certain spots," she said, looking at the worn pages. Kate notices that the most worn pages appear different than the seventy pages that came before them. These center pages have the Latin text on the left hand side, but the right hand side only has Latin on the top and bottom paragraphs. The center paragraphs are instead in the Atlantean script, a different spell on each page. She stops on a page that she recognizes from her own studies as being a Charm Person spell. Ringo acts nervous, loosing his composure for the first time and reaches over to retrieve the book. He says, "I'll take that if you don't mind." Kate flipped to the back of the worn area as he was asking for the book. She took a quick look, hoping to gauge how advanced he was, then closed the book and slid it over. "Of course. I'm sure you've been missing this quite a bit." He says, "I'll be in touch and we can make this exchange tomorrow. We do not have to be on opposite sides of this fight. The Earps have hurt us both. Goodnight Mrs. Kale." He leaves a $ 20 bill on the table to pay for the drinks and then stands and puts his hat and coat back on. Once at the barn, Jake and Ruby find Minerva there. Ruby asks, "Where is Kate?" Miverna replies, "I don't know Senorita, I have been waiting here for all of you as you instructed. I have not seen or heard from Senora Katherine since she left the saloon." [/QUOTE]
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