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Wizards, Whiskey and Wonderful Things - Concluded
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<blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2764164" data-attributes="member: 8530"><p><strong>Chapter 79, “The Note”, Friday, March 17th </strong> </p><p></p><p>In response to the comment that the Earps are both their enemies and they should work together against them Kate tells Ringo “Perhaps not on opposite sides, but I think you understand me well enough to see why I am hesitant to be on the same side. Good night Mr. Ringo." Kate watched as John Ringo walked out of the El Parador. She leaned over and blew out the candle, then picked up the money and handed it right to Dorita. </p><p></p><p>Jake shares that Ruby has learned that Nanuet and Chester are alive and that Nanuet's wolf, Maska, is on the way back here to meet us. Minerva then says, "Katherine will be worried, we need to tell her we are waiting for the wolf." </p><p></p><p>"Seems like I spent enough time sitting in the rain for Katherine to have gotten dressed twenty times," Jake remarks. "That is not a good sign." "It does seem like she has been gone a long time," replies Minerva, "perhaps you should go inside the El Parador and find out. I think it would be better if the Cowboy gang didn't know I was working with you. I shall wait here for you to return." </p><p></p><p>Ruby turns to Minerva. "Nanuet is a priest like you are and he can speak with the wolf. Will you be able to also?" Minerva replies, “Yes, There is a good possibility that I will be able too, but not for the same reason and only for a limited time.” Jake turns to Ruby and says, "Let's go in through the kitchen and stay out of sight." She replies, "Good idea." </p><p></p><p>Jake and Ruby make their way into the busy kitchen. Since they are known by all they get a few glances but no one yells at them, Dorita not being in the kitchen. Ruby giggles as she grabs at some pastry that is on the counter. She takes a bite then shares some with Jake as they walk. </p><p>They make their way to the door to the main room and the two of them peek in.</p><p></p><p>Kate headed for the kitchen and it's back door to the stables. As she approaches the kitchen door only to see it open a crack and Ruby peer out at her. Katherine thumped back on her heels with a gasp. "You scared me," she whispered. "I'm sorry I'm late, I had a visitor." Now that he was gone her composure was beginning to break. "Let's go out to the stables, I found out some interesting things. The most interesting being that our friends are alright."</p><p></p><p>Ruby says, Oh, I was just coming to tell you the same thing. How do you know that?" She glances around the dining room looking for anything out of place. "Anyway, let's go, Minerva is waiting." They go back through the kitchen and Ruby grabs some more pastry on the way. They get back outside to the stables where Minerva is waiting. </p><p></p><p>Ruby walks over to her horse and pets her. "I haven't ridden her in awhile." Ruby turns back to Kate. "Who was your visitor?" she asks curiously. "And what's our plan going to be now? Should we go back to see if Len is still there so I can try to follow him while we wait for Maska?"</p><p></p><p>Kate's hands had begun to shake. Now that the need for calm was over, nerves were reasserting themselves. "Johnny Ringo was waiting for me," she said and handed his note to Jake. "He told Dorita he was a friend of Tom's. That note is in Latin, we'll have to get it translated. He did that purposely, so he would be gone before we knew what it said. </p><p></p><p>He said he has no wish to hurt Chester and Nanuet, but some of his companions do. He can control them, and he assured me he would release them in exchange for all the books we took that are not in English, French, or Spanish. I'll get a message tomorrow morning as to how to go about it." Kate paused and sat down in the hay. </p><p></p><p>"All he wanted from me tonight was a personal favorite book of his. It looked normal until I flipped through the middle." She dropped her voice. "It was a spell book, I recognized one of the spells. And he used the privacy spell in front of me, saying he needed to say a prayer to Dionysus before his drink. I'm not sure he realized I know, but he got very nervous when I opened that book. I'm not suggesting we tell anyone, if wizards start exposing each other that knows where it will end. But he doesn't know I'll keep it to myself, which gives us an advantage."</p><p></p><p>"I was beginning to suspect that Johnny Ringo was a wizard, so it's true." Jake shudders a bit. "What does it mean that you gave him back his spell book? Katherine," Jake begins and hesitates before continuing, "do you really trust Ringo? I know that you tend to trust people, and you know that I do not. You had the item he wanted to the most in your hand to work a trade with him and you gave it to him. Does he want the other items enough to make sure that Chester and Nanuet come back alive? What if he lied to you?" </p><p></p><p>Jake looks from one face to another. "So you all know I see the dark side of people, see the worst they can do. Consider this now. Ringo knows he can blackmail us and get away with it. If he isn't afraid to blackmail us again, it's likely that he will sometime if he is around to do it. We also have an uncomfortable choice to make. If Ringo told Katherine the truth and we follow Maska into the camp, we are putting the boys and ourselves at risk for nothing. If he lied, and we don't, we may never see them alive again." Jake looks at the paper, which is illegible to him, "Can anyone read this damn thing?"</p><p></p><p>Kate says, "Mitchell Berg should be able to translate it for you. Doc Eaton as well, but we know how well you two get along. We should find out what that says before we make any definite plans. In exchange for that one book I got Ringo's confidence in my word, at least a level of trust from him. I think he takes that very seriously. Do I trust him? I'm not sure if that's the right word, but I believe he keeps his word once he gives it. I don't think he lied to me. I think.... I think he's looking for allies against the Earps." </p><p></p><p>Kate pulled her knees against her chest and looked up at the others. "He offered me Morgan Earp. When I asked what was in it for him he said 'The time of Reckoning has come.' He offered me vengeance, to help me see that Morgan Earp got what's coming to him. I know, harming an Earp is not out of his way, but he seemed desirous of my agreement. He even offered to bring Earp somewhere so I can have that conversation, and that would be going out of his way, to take him alive rather than just kill him when he gets the chance. </p><p></p><p>He left it open, even though I refused him. 'We don't have to be on opposite sides of this fight,' he said. In the end, I think he realized we walk a narrow line with the Earps, friends and foes at the same time. We're a wild card, unpredictable, and he wants us on his side or at least firmly against the Earps before he makes his move. Or I might have finally slipped off the deep end and gone insane," she ended with a weak smile. </p><p></p><p>"Oh, what it means that he has his spell book back is that he can cast spells again. But I managed to get a look at the last spell. With a bit of research I should be able to find out how advanced he is." </p><p></p><p>Ruby looks over the note, which she can't read, while listening intently to Kate talk. When she finishes, "Why would Ringo talk to you," then Ruby turns and looks at Jake, "And you, but not me? He said, 'Talking's not what I do with women who look like you'." Ruby leans back against a stall. "I think he's scared of me because he saw me shoot Curly Bill." Ruby shakes her head. </p><p></p><p>Kate says, "You might be right. I can't speak for Jake, but I think Ringo spoke to me because of Tom. He said a few other things to me that indicate that he liked Tom. He even continued to look into Tom's death after I'd asked him about it. He had suspected Frank Leslie and ruled him out." </p><p></p><p>Ruby continues, "Anyway, I suppose when Maska gets here she'll be tired, maybe too tired to show us the way back. So it makes sense to wait until morning at least to get this note translated." Ruby taps the note in Jake's hand. "But it doesn't make sense that he gave Kate his word if we gave back the books he would let Nanuet and Chester go, why would there still be a note for Jake?" Ruby runs her hand through her hair. "Well maybe he wants his coat back too. But why wouldn't he just say that and not run off leaving us with a note. There's gotta be something interesting in there. Think it's too late to get Mitchell?" </p><p></p><p>Kate says, "He wrote the note before we talked, but I doubt he would have still sent it if it wasn't still relevant. It's not too terribly late yet, and you seem to have making a friend out of Mitchell Berg. I don't think he'd mind. I can spend the time until Maska comes doing some research unless you want me to come with you."</p><p></p><p>Ruby says. "One more thing, if we admitted that we knew he was a wizard, it would also let them know that at least one of us is too. If we want to do something tonight we can go back and look for that guy Len." "Kate, be careful trusting Mr. Ringo, I don't think he's to be trusted at all. As much as you might trust him, or think he was friends with Tom, you were in the building tonight that he would have blown to pieces without a second thought." Ruby kicks at some hay on the floor. </p><p></p><p>Ruby says, "I think your idea is good, we should try to find Mr. Berg tonight then. He might even still be at the Lucky Lady. Why don't you go do your research but PROMISE you will not leave here without someone with you. It's not safe. We'll go find Berg."</p><p></p><p>Kate states, "I promise. There's no reason for me to go anywhere. You'll know where to find me when you get back. And don't worry, I know Ringo wouldn't think twice about killing me if I was in the way."</p><p></p><p>Blast!" Jake suddenly says and in a flash a hunting knife is in his hand and slammed into a wooden support. "I don't like any of this! I don't like being threatened, I don't like being blackmailed, I don't like my friends being held hostage, and I don't like having others involved in my business just because I can't read this bloody thing!" He says waving the note around. </p><p></p><p>He is breathing heavy as he pries the knife out of the post. "Since I don't know where Nanuet is I'm willing to go along for now. At any time if I think Ringo isn't going to deliver them back safe and sound, don't get between him and me. Fine, let's find Berg and see if he can read this to me. Then we can decide to tell the Marshall or Isby tonight, tomorrow or at all. I don't know what to do about Len, maybe the note will help us decide." Jake thrusts his knife back in his belt and kicks the post. "Damn." He takes out his right side Colt, dries it a bit on a handkerchief before spinning the cylinder and putting it snugly back in it's holster. "I'm ready who wants to come to find Berg?"</p><p></p><p>"Kate is staying here to research. Minerva and I will come with you." She turns to Minerva, "Give us a minute though, ok?" Ruby takes Jake by the hand and leads him to a more private spot. "Jake, you're totally right being upset, this does suck and I'm pissed off too. I don't trust Ringo at all, believe me. And our friends might not necessarily see things the way we do. But," she takes his face in her hands and looks him in the eyes, "I need you to stay calm." She continues in a whisper, "They are alive and we are going to get them back." She kisses him softly for a moment.</p><p></p><p>He replies, "Fine. I'll buy they are alive and I'll contain myself. I think we are entirely TOO calm." Jake breathes a heavy sigh. "I'm fine." "Hey, you're doing better than me, I yelled at Kate." Ruby looks at him seriously, "I was only trying to help. You know whatever ideas you have, I'm with you." </p><p></p><p>Ruby smiles at Jake and takes his hand again, leading him back to the ladies. “We’re ready, let’s go.” They escort Kate back inside safely. Jake, Ruby and Minerva make their way through the rain and mud to the Lucky Lady. They enter and check around to see if Berg or Len are still there or if anyone else of note has entered.</p><p></p><p>Tony Lucky's game has now ended and he and all of his players have departed, including Len. There are only three patrons left at the bar that Hoover is chatting with. Berg isn't present. Minvera stays behind in case Maska shows up. The rain finally stops when Jake and Ruby head up the street to Berg's house, seeing light coming from inside the curtains.</p><p></p><p>They head up to the door and Ruby knocks. "Mr. Berg, it's Ruby and Jake. We need to speak with you please." He opens the door and lets them in. Mitchel Berg is still attired as before and appears to have been doing some work at his desk before retiring for the night. He lets the three in and says, "I'd normally offer you some tea, but haven't made a pot tonight since I spent my time at your saloon instead."</p><p></p><p>And we are very glad you did," responds Ruby, "And insist you do it again soon. Besides," she leans in close, "Laurie said she enjoyed your company and we're hoping she comes back again soon too." Ruby smiles at Berg as she talks. </p><p></p><p>"Anyway, we have a matter that has just been brought to our attention and we need some help. It is a private matter, so your discretion would be appreciated." She takes the note from Jake. "We need this translated, it's in Latin and we were told you could read Latin. It's important that we find out what it says as soon as possible or we wouldn't have bothered you so late."</p><p></p><p>Berg takes the note and sits down at the desk. He reads it through once and comments "This is very odd. It is about armies preparing for battle. But the strange thing is that it isn't addressed to a General. It appears to have been sent to a 'Preparer of Food'. Why would somebody discuss military strategy with kitchen help?" Ruby looks at Silver Jake Cook but does not answer Mr. Berg's question directly. "That is strange..." </p><p></p><p>Jake cuts in, "Could you tell us what the whole thing says please?" "Okay, just a second." He reads it through once more to himself and then a second time out loud. "It says: </p><p></p><p><em>Preparer of Food </em></p><p><em></em></p><p><em>You and your forces stand on the battlefield between two mighty armies. The time for battle is at hand. Decide which army to stand with - the Army of the Righteous falsely labeled criminals or the Army of the Charlatans that impersonate the law. Choose now and choose wisely, as only one army will be victorious. It would also be unwise to decide to flee from the field of battle wearing an Army Commander’s armor."</em></p><p></p><p>"Well, that is a weird note, huh?" Jake notices the strain in Ruby's voice. As she stands, "Mr. Berg, we very much appreciate your help with this. Can we compensate you in some way?" He replies, "No need, you didn't take much of my time. Although I am curious. What is this note all about, an excerpt from a text about the Roman Legion?"</p><p></p><p>"Why, Mr. Berg," Ruby says taking his arm while walking herself to the door, "I think you might have figured out the mystery. And here we were thinking it might be something important, just because we couldn't read it. I myself feel a bit relieved." Thanking him again, they say goodnight to Mitchell Berg. Ruby and Jake walk back to the Lucky Lady to get Minerva. </p><p></p><p>As they are walking the streets of Promise City heading back towards the El Parador Jake remarks, "Preparer of Food? That's the best he could? Hermes, no wonder he is forced to be an outlaw." While they walk Jake keeps his eyes open to see if they are watched or followed. "We need to all sit down and talk in private. Apparently each of us have a choice to make and we should discuss it before someone," Minerva and Ruby both look at him, "ahem, before Jake does something rash. Let's find Katherine."</p><p></p><p>Katherine went back upstairs to Mr. Gonzales rooms, tossed her duster across the back of the chair in the library, and got down to research. She went straight for the spell books and carried as many as she could out to the table in the front hall and dug in, looking for anything that matched the last spell in Ringo's spell book. As she flipped pages she noticed the shaking of her hands getting worse. Her eyes kept blurring and she repeatedly dashed tears out of them as she continued to read.</p><p></p><p>Kate eventually locates a page with similar symbols and script to the final page she saw in Ringo's book. She doesn't have the ability to actually read this particular spell yet but is able to cross reference the symbol title to a chart of Gonzales's she found in another book, finding it to be what Gonzales had listed as a "4th Level Wizard Spell". Gonzales himself knew spells of one-level higher, so Ringo was not all that powerful a wizard as of yet, but he was still far above Kate's current abilities.</p><p></p><p>Kate slowly closed up the books and returned them to the shelves. Ringo was not as powerful as her teacher, but he was significantly more powerful than she or Ruby, and she didn't know what he could do with that power. In the next few days he would learn the spells that would help him in his fight. It might have been better to let him go away angry than to have given him that book back. </p><p></p><p>She got her jacket back off the chair and went back downstairs. The cantina was quiet, all the patrons gone and only Dorita and Pedro left cleaning up. Kate sat down at a table and waited for the others to return. Jake and Ruby head back to the Lucky Lady to pick up Minerva, then over to the El Parador for Katherine. </p><p></p><p>"Well, what in Hades is he talking about?" Ruby looks at Jake with furrowed brows as they walk, "I don't get it, I mean why does this even involve us?" At that moment they find themselves standing in front of the El Parador. Once inside they see Katherine sitting at a table waiting for them. Ruby greets Dorita and Pedro and gets a bottle of whiskey and some glasses. They sit and tell Kate what the note said. "I don't know what you think or what Jake had in mind, something about making a choice."</p><p></p><p>Kate replies, "I'm not sure why Ringo thinks we are involved, but we've certainly been involved with law matters before. We cleaned out his caves, we've done guard duty, and Jake was even a deputy for a night. He might be assuming that we wouldn't stand aside while he fights his battle. What really worries me is his warning against fleeing. Ruby said he was in the caves, so he knows Jake has his duster. But I don't know if he means don't try to stand aside without returning it, or don't try to stand aside at all. </p><p></p><p>Does Ringo really think he's righteous? We have three choices. Warn the Earps and stand with them, join up with Ringo, or try to keep out of it. And if we choose the later, we'd best be prepared to defend ourselves against the Cowboys. If anyone can think of another option I'd be glad to hear it."</p><p></p><p>Jake notices Minerva seems to be following the conversation very closely as if having some difficulty understanding. "Senorita, this must all be very confusing to you. There is much more going on here than just Chester and Nanuet being held hostage. I know you are concerned about them, but in order to help and be safe you need to know many things that came before. Knowing all those things would make you involved far more than you might imagine. If I tell them to you there really is no going back." Jake looks questioningly at the priestess. </p><p></p><p>A serene look comes over Minerva as she responds "Senor, I do not fear the path that the goddess has led me down. I shall continue to have faith in her purpose wherever this road shall lead me. Please tell me what I must know." Jake nods and says, "Well then, may the goddess protect you from our particular brand of madness then." He begins to tell her some stories...</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Silver Moon, post: 2764164, member: 8530"] [B]Chapter 79, “The Note”, Friday, March 17th [/B] In response to the comment that the Earps are both their enemies and they should work together against them Kate tells Ringo “Perhaps not on opposite sides, but I think you understand me well enough to see why I am hesitant to be on the same side. Good night Mr. Ringo." Kate watched as John Ringo walked out of the El Parador. She leaned over and blew out the candle, then picked up the money and handed it right to Dorita. Jake shares that Ruby has learned that Nanuet and Chester are alive and that Nanuet's wolf, Maska, is on the way back here to meet us. Minerva then says, "Katherine will be worried, we need to tell her we are waiting for the wolf." "Seems like I spent enough time sitting in the rain for Katherine to have gotten dressed twenty times," Jake remarks. "That is not a good sign." "It does seem like she has been gone a long time," replies Minerva, "perhaps you should go inside the El Parador and find out. I think it would be better if the Cowboy gang didn't know I was working with you. I shall wait here for you to return." Ruby turns to Minerva. "Nanuet is a priest like you are and he can speak with the wolf. Will you be able to also?" Minerva replies, “Yes, There is a good possibility that I will be able too, but not for the same reason and only for a limited time.” Jake turns to Ruby and says, "Let's go in through the kitchen and stay out of sight." She replies, "Good idea." Jake and Ruby make their way into the busy kitchen. Since they are known by all they get a few glances but no one yells at them, Dorita not being in the kitchen. Ruby giggles as she grabs at some pastry that is on the counter. She takes a bite then shares some with Jake as they walk. They make their way to the door to the main room and the two of them peek in. Kate headed for the kitchen and it's back door to the stables. As she approaches the kitchen door only to see it open a crack and Ruby peer out at her. Katherine thumped back on her heels with a gasp. "You scared me," she whispered. "I'm sorry I'm late, I had a visitor." Now that he was gone her composure was beginning to break. "Let's go out to the stables, I found out some interesting things. The most interesting being that our friends are alright." Ruby says, Oh, I was just coming to tell you the same thing. How do you know that?" She glances around the dining room looking for anything out of place. "Anyway, let's go, Minerva is waiting." They go back through the kitchen and Ruby grabs some more pastry on the way. They get back outside to the stables where Minerva is waiting. Ruby walks over to her horse and pets her. "I haven't ridden her in awhile." Ruby turns back to Kate. "Who was your visitor?" she asks curiously. "And what's our plan going to be now? Should we go back to see if Len is still there so I can try to follow him while we wait for Maska?" Kate's hands had begun to shake. Now that the need for calm was over, nerves were reasserting themselves. "Johnny Ringo was waiting for me," she said and handed his note to Jake. "He told Dorita he was a friend of Tom's. That note is in Latin, we'll have to get it translated. He did that purposely, so he would be gone before we knew what it said. He said he has no wish to hurt Chester and Nanuet, but some of his companions do. He can control them, and he assured me he would release them in exchange for all the books we took that are not in English, French, or Spanish. I'll get a message tomorrow morning as to how to go about it." Kate paused and sat down in the hay. "All he wanted from me tonight was a personal favorite book of his. It looked normal until I flipped through the middle." She dropped her voice. "It was a spell book, I recognized one of the spells. And he used the privacy spell in front of me, saying he needed to say a prayer to Dionysus before his drink. I'm not sure he realized I know, but he got very nervous when I opened that book. I'm not suggesting we tell anyone, if wizards start exposing each other that knows where it will end. But he doesn't know I'll keep it to myself, which gives us an advantage." "I was beginning to suspect that Johnny Ringo was a wizard, so it's true." Jake shudders a bit. "What does it mean that you gave him back his spell book? Katherine," Jake begins and hesitates before continuing, "do you really trust Ringo? I know that you tend to trust people, and you know that I do not. You had the item he wanted to the most in your hand to work a trade with him and you gave it to him. Does he want the other items enough to make sure that Chester and Nanuet come back alive? What if he lied to you?" Jake looks from one face to another. "So you all know I see the dark side of people, see the worst they can do. Consider this now. Ringo knows he can blackmail us and get away with it. If he isn't afraid to blackmail us again, it's likely that he will sometime if he is around to do it. We also have an uncomfortable choice to make. If Ringo told Katherine the truth and we follow Maska into the camp, we are putting the boys and ourselves at risk for nothing. If he lied, and we don't, we may never see them alive again." Jake looks at the paper, which is illegible to him, "Can anyone read this damn thing?" Kate says, "Mitchell Berg should be able to translate it for you. Doc Eaton as well, but we know how well you two get along. We should find out what that says before we make any definite plans. In exchange for that one book I got Ringo's confidence in my word, at least a level of trust from him. I think he takes that very seriously. Do I trust him? I'm not sure if that's the right word, but I believe he keeps his word once he gives it. I don't think he lied to me. I think.... I think he's looking for allies against the Earps." Kate pulled her knees against her chest and looked up at the others. "He offered me Morgan Earp. When I asked what was in it for him he said 'The time of Reckoning has come.' He offered me vengeance, to help me see that Morgan Earp got what's coming to him. I know, harming an Earp is not out of his way, but he seemed desirous of my agreement. He even offered to bring Earp somewhere so I can have that conversation, and that would be going out of his way, to take him alive rather than just kill him when he gets the chance. He left it open, even though I refused him. 'We don't have to be on opposite sides of this fight,' he said. In the end, I think he realized we walk a narrow line with the Earps, friends and foes at the same time. We're a wild card, unpredictable, and he wants us on his side or at least firmly against the Earps before he makes his move. Or I might have finally slipped off the deep end and gone insane," she ended with a weak smile. "Oh, what it means that he has his spell book back is that he can cast spells again. But I managed to get a look at the last spell. With a bit of research I should be able to find out how advanced he is." Ruby looks over the note, which she can't read, while listening intently to Kate talk. When she finishes, "Why would Ringo talk to you," then Ruby turns and looks at Jake, "And you, but not me? He said, 'Talking's not what I do with women who look like you'." Ruby leans back against a stall. "I think he's scared of me because he saw me shoot Curly Bill." Ruby shakes her head. Kate says, "You might be right. I can't speak for Jake, but I think Ringo spoke to me because of Tom. He said a few other things to me that indicate that he liked Tom. He even continued to look into Tom's death after I'd asked him about it. He had suspected Frank Leslie and ruled him out." Ruby continues, "Anyway, I suppose when Maska gets here she'll be tired, maybe too tired to show us the way back. So it makes sense to wait until morning at least to get this note translated." Ruby taps the note in Jake's hand. "But it doesn't make sense that he gave Kate his word if we gave back the books he would let Nanuet and Chester go, why would there still be a note for Jake?" Ruby runs her hand through her hair. "Well maybe he wants his coat back too. But why wouldn't he just say that and not run off leaving us with a note. There's gotta be something interesting in there. Think it's too late to get Mitchell?" Kate says, "He wrote the note before we talked, but I doubt he would have still sent it if it wasn't still relevant. It's not too terribly late yet, and you seem to have making a friend out of Mitchell Berg. I don't think he'd mind. I can spend the time until Maska comes doing some research unless you want me to come with you." Ruby says. "One more thing, if we admitted that we knew he was a wizard, it would also let them know that at least one of us is too. If we want to do something tonight we can go back and look for that guy Len." "Kate, be careful trusting Mr. Ringo, I don't think he's to be trusted at all. As much as you might trust him, or think he was friends with Tom, you were in the building tonight that he would have blown to pieces without a second thought." Ruby kicks at some hay on the floor. Ruby says, "I think your idea is good, we should try to find Mr. Berg tonight then. He might even still be at the Lucky Lady. Why don't you go do your research but PROMISE you will not leave here without someone with you. It's not safe. We'll go find Berg." Kate states, "I promise. There's no reason for me to go anywhere. You'll know where to find me when you get back. And don't worry, I know Ringo wouldn't think twice about killing me if I was in the way." Blast!" Jake suddenly says and in a flash a hunting knife is in his hand and slammed into a wooden support. "I don't like any of this! I don't like being threatened, I don't like being blackmailed, I don't like my friends being held hostage, and I don't like having others involved in my business just because I can't read this bloody thing!" He says waving the note around. He is breathing heavy as he pries the knife out of the post. "Since I don't know where Nanuet is I'm willing to go along for now. At any time if I think Ringo isn't going to deliver them back safe and sound, don't get between him and me. Fine, let's find Berg and see if he can read this to me. Then we can decide to tell the Marshall or Isby tonight, tomorrow or at all. I don't know what to do about Len, maybe the note will help us decide." Jake thrusts his knife back in his belt and kicks the post. "Damn." He takes out his right side Colt, dries it a bit on a handkerchief before spinning the cylinder and putting it snugly back in it's holster. "I'm ready who wants to come to find Berg?" "Kate is staying here to research. Minerva and I will come with you." She turns to Minerva, "Give us a minute though, ok?" Ruby takes Jake by the hand and leads him to a more private spot. "Jake, you're totally right being upset, this does suck and I'm pissed off too. I don't trust Ringo at all, believe me. And our friends might not necessarily see things the way we do. But," she takes his face in her hands and looks him in the eyes, "I need you to stay calm." She continues in a whisper, "They are alive and we are going to get them back." She kisses him softly for a moment. He replies, "Fine. I'll buy they are alive and I'll contain myself. I think we are entirely TOO calm." Jake breathes a heavy sigh. "I'm fine." "Hey, you're doing better than me, I yelled at Kate." Ruby looks at him seriously, "I was only trying to help. You know whatever ideas you have, I'm with you." Ruby smiles at Jake and takes his hand again, leading him back to the ladies. “We’re ready, let’s go.” They escort Kate back inside safely. Jake, Ruby and Minerva make their way through the rain and mud to the Lucky Lady. They enter and check around to see if Berg or Len are still there or if anyone else of note has entered. Tony Lucky's game has now ended and he and all of his players have departed, including Len. There are only three patrons left at the bar that Hoover is chatting with. Berg isn't present. Minvera stays behind in case Maska shows up. The rain finally stops when Jake and Ruby head up the street to Berg's house, seeing light coming from inside the curtains. They head up to the door and Ruby knocks. "Mr. Berg, it's Ruby and Jake. We need to speak with you please." He opens the door and lets them in. Mitchel Berg is still attired as before and appears to have been doing some work at his desk before retiring for the night. He lets the three in and says, "I'd normally offer you some tea, but haven't made a pot tonight since I spent my time at your saloon instead." And we are very glad you did," responds Ruby, "And insist you do it again soon. Besides," she leans in close, "Laurie said she enjoyed your company and we're hoping she comes back again soon too." Ruby smiles at Berg as she talks. "Anyway, we have a matter that has just been brought to our attention and we need some help. It is a private matter, so your discretion would be appreciated." She takes the note from Jake. "We need this translated, it's in Latin and we were told you could read Latin. It's important that we find out what it says as soon as possible or we wouldn't have bothered you so late." Berg takes the note and sits down at the desk. He reads it through once and comments "This is very odd. It is about armies preparing for battle. But the strange thing is that it isn't addressed to a General. It appears to have been sent to a 'Preparer of Food'. Why would somebody discuss military strategy with kitchen help?" Ruby looks at Silver Jake Cook but does not answer Mr. Berg's question directly. "That is strange..." Jake cuts in, "Could you tell us what the whole thing says please?" "Okay, just a second." He reads it through once more to himself and then a second time out loud. "It says: [I]Preparer of Food You and your forces stand on the battlefield between two mighty armies. The time for battle is at hand. Decide which army to stand with - the Army of the Righteous falsely labeled criminals or the Army of the Charlatans that impersonate the law. Choose now and choose wisely, as only one army will be victorious. It would also be unwise to decide to flee from the field of battle wearing an Army Commander’s armor."[/I] "Well, that is a weird note, huh?" Jake notices the strain in Ruby's voice. As she stands, "Mr. Berg, we very much appreciate your help with this. Can we compensate you in some way?" He replies, "No need, you didn't take much of my time. Although I am curious. What is this note all about, an excerpt from a text about the Roman Legion?" "Why, Mr. Berg," Ruby says taking his arm while walking herself to the door, "I think you might have figured out the mystery. And here we were thinking it might be something important, just because we couldn't read it. I myself feel a bit relieved." Thanking him again, they say goodnight to Mitchell Berg. Ruby and Jake walk back to the Lucky Lady to get Minerva. As they are walking the streets of Promise City heading back towards the El Parador Jake remarks, "Preparer of Food? That's the best he could? Hermes, no wonder he is forced to be an outlaw." While they walk Jake keeps his eyes open to see if they are watched or followed. "We need to all sit down and talk in private. Apparently each of us have a choice to make and we should discuss it before someone," Minerva and Ruby both look at him, "ahem, before Jake does something rash. Let's find Katherine." Katherine went back upstairs to Mr. Gonzales rooms, tossed her duster across the back of the chair in the library, and got down to research. She went straight for the spell books and carried as many as she could out to the table in the front hall and dug in, looking for anything that matched the last spell in Ringo's spell book. As she flipped pages she noticed the shaking of her hands getting worse. Her eyes kept blurring and she repeatedly dashed tears out of them as she continued to read. Kate eventually locates a page with similar symbols and script to the final page she saw in Ringo's book. She doesn't have the ability to actually read this particular spell yet but is able to cross reference the symbol title to a chart of Gonzales's she found in another book, finding it to be what Gonzales had listed as a "4th Level Wizard Spell". Gonzales himself knew spells of one-level higher, so Ringo was not all that powerful a wizard as of yet, but he was still far above Kate's current abilities. Kate slowly closed up the books and returned them to the shelves. Ringo was not as powerful as her teacher, but he was significantly more powerful than she or Ruby, and she didn't know what he could do with that power. In the next few days he would learn the spells that would help him in his fight. It might have been better to let him go away angry than to have given him that book back. She got her jacket back off the chair and went back downstairs. The cantina was quiet, all the patrons gone and only Dorita and Pedro left cleaning up. Kate sat down at a table and waited for the others to return. Jake and Ruby head back to the Lucky Lady to pick up Minerva, then over to the El Parador for Katherine. "Well, what in Hades is he talking about?" Ruby looks at Jake with furrowed brows as they walk, "I don't get it, I mean why does this even involve us?" At that moment they find themselves standing in front of the El Parador. Once inside they see Katherine sitting at a table waiting for them. Ruby greets Dorita and Pedro and gets a bottle of whiskey and some glasses. They sit and tell Kate what the note said. "I don't know what you think or what Jake had in mind, something about making a choice." Kate replies, "I'm not sure why Ringo thinks we are involved, but we've certainly been involved with law matters before. We cleaned out his caves, we've done guard duty, and Jake was even a deputy for a night. He might be assuming that we wouldn't stand aside while he fights his battle. What really worries me is his warning against fleeing. Ruby said he was in the caves, so he knows Jake has his duster. But I don't know if he means don't try to stand aside without returning it, or don't try to stand aside at all. Does Ringo really think he's righteous? We have three choices. Warn the Earps and stand with them, join up with Ringo, or try to keep out of it. And if we choose the later, we'd best be prepared to defend ourselves against the Cowboys. If anyone can think of another option I'd be glad to hear it." Jake notices Minerva seems to be following the conversation very closely as if having some difficulty understanding. "Senorita, this must all be very confusing to you. There is much more going on here than just Chester and Nanuet being held hostage. I know you are concerned about them, but in order to help and be safe you need to know many things that came before. Knowing all those things would make you involved far more than you might imagine. If I tell them to you there really is no going back." Jake looks questioningly at the priestess. A serene look comes over Minerva as she responds "Senor, I do not fear the path that the goddess has led me down. I shall continue to have faith in her purpose wherever this road shall lead me. Please tell me what I must know." Jake nods and says, "Well then, may the goddess protect you from our particular brand of madness then." He begins to tell her some stories... [/QUOTE]
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