Menu
News
All News
Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
Pathfinder
Starfinder
Warhammer
2d20 System
Year Zero Engine
Industry News
Reviews
Dragon Reflections
Columns
Weekly Digests
Weekly News Digest
Freebies, Sales & Bundles
RPG Print News
RPG Crowdfunding News
Game Content
ENterplanetary DimENsions
Mythological Figures
Opinion
Worlds of Design
Peregrine's Next
RPG Evolution
Other Columns
From the Freelancing Frontline
Monster ENcyclopedia
WotC/TSR Alumni Look Back
4 Hours w/RSD (Ryan Dancey)
The Road to 3E (Jonathan Tweet)
Greenwood's Realms (Ed Greenwood)
Drawmij's TSR (Jim Ward)
Community
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Resources
Wiki
Pages
Latest activity
Media
New media
New comments
Search media
Downloads
Latest reviews
Search resources
EN Publishing
Store
EN5ider
Adventures in ZEITGEIST
Awfully Cheerful Engine
What's OLD is NEW
Judge Dredd & The Worlds Of 2000AD
War of the Burning Sky
Level Up: Advanced 5E
Events & Releases
Upcoming Events
Private Events
Featured Events
Socials!
Twitch
YouTube
Facebook (EN Publishing)
Facebook (EN World)
Twitter
Instagram
TikTok
Podcast
Features
Top 5 RPGs Compiled Charts 2004-Present
Adventure Game Industry Market Research Summary (RPGs) V1.0
Ryan Dancey: Acquiring TSR
Q&A With Gary Gygax
D&D Rules FAQs
TSR, WotC, & Paizo: A Comparative History
D&D Pronunciation Guide
Million Dollar TTRPG Kickstarters
Tabletop RPG Podcast Hall of Fame
Eric Noah's Unofficial D&D 3rd Edition News
D&D in the Mainstream
D&D & RPG History
About Morrus
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
Wizards, Whiskey and Wonderful Things - Concluded
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2803710" data-attributes="member: 8530"><p><strong>Chapter 85, “Assessment”, Saturday, March 18th , 1882, 8:15 A.M:</strong></p><p></p><p>Once Ruby and Jake came running out of the house, Kate urged the horse back into the corral where she located Chester's horse and whistled. She took both back to the trail where Minerva had stayed and met with the others.</p><p></p><p>Chester exclaims, “They thought we were going to Tombstone with a message for the Earps. Did you get all of them?" He starts shivering. "Anyone have jackets we could borrow. They took our clothes." He grins sheepishly. He shakes hands with Jake, "Thanks for coming to get us. Wasn't sure how long they were going to keep us around."</p><p></p><p>Kate slid down to the ground and smiled at her friends. "I have a whole new appreciation for dynamite. It's good to have you with us again," Kate said looking to Chester and Nanuet. "There's a lot to catch you up on. Nanuet, I hope you don't mind I borrowed your horse, I..." Her face turned suddenly crimson as she looked at the men. She dug into her coat pocket, pulled out several rolled bandages and handed them to Nanuet. "Maybe you could, um... </p><p></p><p>Kate says, "We need to stop that fire from spreading. The buildings can burn to the ground for all I care, but we don't want to be the cause of a wildfire. If we clear those saplings and any loose stuff from around the buildings it should be all right. And we should try to get the animals away from the heat."</p><p></p><p>On the subject of the fires and heat, the barn roof now collapses, causing sections of both sides to also cave in. The thirty cows and eight horses in the corrals begin to panic.</p><p></p><p>Luna flies back to land on Minerva's outstretched arm and communicates the location of the rest of the party. In awe of this new gift and with gratitude that her friends are safe Minerva raises her eyes to the heavens and gives thanks. The aftershock of battle is upon her and she begins to shake as the adrenaline drains from her system. </p><p></p><p>At she realizes how close she has come to losing her new friends it is replaced with a slow burning anger. Fueled by her fear, her anger increases as she races up the hill, swearing like a cowboy on a cattle herd." Spying Flint and Jeff she quickly closes the distance and begins yelling as she stalks toward them. Her temper is in full swing as places herself in Flints face. </p><p></p><p>"ARE YOU CRAZY!!? I TOLD YOU NOT TO BOLW UP THE DAMNED FARMHOUSE!!” </p><p>Wheeling around she turns her wrath on Jeff poking a finger in his chest as he backs up. "AND YOU!!! WHAT IN HADES DID YOU THINK YOU WERE DOING RUNNING OFF LIKE THAT WITHOUT TELLING ME WHERE YOU WERE GOING?!! YOU COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED!!" She stands there with balled fists and with an impotent fury continues " WE HAD A PLAN! YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO FOLLOW THE PLAN!! YOU ARE BOTH MUEY LOCO!!!” </p><p></p><p>Her dark eyes smoldering she turns in search of another target and sees the others staring at her as though she is the one that has gone loco. The haze slowly clears from her eyes she notices Chester and Nanuet. A small sound like a sob escapes her lips as she hurries over to hug them both fiercely. "You are safe.. I thought you were in that burning farmhouse.. I thought I lost you.... If Luna hadn’t told me.... " She is overcome with relief and hugs them harder. "Ah, Thank the goddess we are all safe. Chester flinches as she hugs him "Senor, You are hurt! Sit down. I will tend to you . She takes a calming breath to regain her composure and casts heal upon his wound. </p><p></p><p>As she stands back up she suddenly realizes that they are all but naked. "Well at least you two still have your dignity. I seem to have misplaced mine" she laughs and places her cloak around Chester. "Ah I think you need this more than I , Senor." Nanuet accepts the embraces from his friends and offers a quick but sincere "Thanks." Once that he sees that Chester is being tended to he heads to the corral and begins attempting to calm the animals and get them away from the fire. Minerva suggests,” Perhaps there is some clothing here that Senors Nanuet and Chester can wear. It is a long ride back to Promise City "</p><p></p><p>Kate watched Minerva run from hot to cold, knowing she herself had done the same from time to time. "I'm going to need some help," Kate said and then began to run down the road, leaving Chester's horse where it was. She stuck her hand in her pocket, checking to see how many bandages she had left. It might be necessary to blindfold the horses to stop their panicking. Once she got there, she began the work of getting the animals out of the corral and up the trail.</p><p></p><p>Jake organizes collecting up the dead bodies, belongings and guns of the fallen gang members. He secretly asks Ruby to check to see if anything here is magical. "If we are going to have a war let us not leave any useful tools behind." Jake then checks them himself for valuables, information or useful items. Once all items they are interested in are removed Jake asks the group, "Should we toss them in the barn? It would keep the vultures off them."</p><p></p><p>Katherine brushed herself off and moved the rest of the animals up the hill. It was a relief to get away from the smell of burning flesh that occasionally wafted over from the burning barn. She wasn't sure how much longer she could keep her stomach under control, especially as she moved around the burning building, removing any loose debris that could catch fire and allow it to spread from the buildings to the countryside. </p><p></p><p>Once the bodies were nearly cleared up, Kate recruited Jeff and Flint to help clear the saplings. She hated to see the young trees cut, but better those few than the whole hill. She finally joined the others on the trail, pale-faced and exhausted. </p><p></p><p>Jeff, Jake, Chester and Nanuet are busy carrying the bodies to the barn to create a funeral pyre when a large quantity of gunshots then ring out. They quickly realize that the shots are coming from the burning barn debris, as literally hundreds of bullets fly out in all directions from there. Four bullets hit the body that Jeff is carry across his chest. Two barely miss Nanuet. One gazes Chester's shoulder. Three deflect off of Jake's duster and another plugs a hole through his Lucky Hat. Jake's skull is untouched, but the bullet does manage to knock the hat from his head and leaves a steak of gray across his hair where the bullet parted it. </p><p></p><p>Everyone dives to the ground as all of the 400 rounds of ammunition from inside the overheated and split gattling gun continue to go off. When things finally quiet down they find that the only real casualty is one of the cows that took a stray shot in his neck.</p><p></p><p>"Will this day ever end?" Nanuet hollers out in frustration once things settle down. He picks up Jake's hat and hands it back to him. "You're gonna need a new one of these to cover up that new hairdo of yours." Nanuet says, a smile naturally coming to his face. "Is everyone OK? I still have a few healing prayers I could use today."</p><p></p><p>Jake rubs the burned bullet track in his hair and wrinkles his nose at the burnt smell. "That was a bit close, wasn't it. I'm fine Indian, nothing a couple of shots of whisker can't cure." After they gather up themselves and spoils of this battle, but before they head up the hill to their horses Jake says, "So now what? We did what we came to do and the Cowboys no longer have this hold on us. Johnny Ringo is off trying to arrange Chester and Nanuet's release, and will not be very happy. Do we just head back to Promise City or what?"</p><p></p><p>Kate says, "I'm not certain. I myself want to get back to Promise City. You're right, Ringo was expecting quite a lot this morning and I'm sure is very disappointed. Who knows what has happened? We didn't tell anyone what we were doing, and Dorita thinks Ringo is a friend of Tom's. They could tell him things without realizing the damage he could do with them. That doesn't necessarily make going right back to Promise City the best course. We aren't that far from Tombstone, and the Earp's need to be warned."</p><p></p><p>Chester comments, “The Cowboys thought we had a message for the Earps. That's one reason they caught us. Now we do. If there are more of that bunch still alive, we're going to need the law's help."</p><p></p><p>Minerva looks to Jake while futilely brushing the red dirt from her riding skirt. "Well, I for one, would like to get back in time for Sunday Sermon. I have a point or two that I'd like to get across to the Vigilance Committee and I'd like to gather more support for the Festival as well. She looks pointedly at each of them. "Now I know that most of you here are not "Church Goers" and some of you are down right skeptics. That's o.k. BUT I could really use all of your support at this one sermon." </p><p></p><p>Katherine and Ruby look away uncomfortably and Minerva puts up her hand." Now I don't usually take this tact to get people to church on Sunday but in all fairness I have more than proven my friendship and loyalty by blindly following you all into more than one precarious situation in the short time since we've met. Now I ask that you do the same for me."</p><p></p><p>Jake laughs and laughs. "Si Senorita, going to church is a precarious situation for many of us." Jake laughs again but seeing that the priestess does not seem to think it is as funny as he does he tries to contain his laughter. "Si, I will go. This one time anyway. I would argue that my presence is not going to help you, but Jake Cook stands by his friends. So I'll brave the dangers of this Sunday's sermon." He says in mock seriousness.</p><p></p><p>Chester nods his head in agreement. "Of course sister. I'd be glad too. Although in my current state of dress, I may cause more problems for you. Thank you for your prayers. One of the Cowboys got me good." He asks Jake, "Any chance you found my and Nanuet's weapons?" Jake replies, "I don't know what they look like, but we have a pile of weapons here. Hopefully you can find something you like."</p><p></p><p>Chester picks through the pile hoping to find his old weapons. He carried them through his time in the Army and would be sorry to find them gone. After sorting through the pile, he hoots in triumph. "Got 'em. Here's your rifle, too Nanuet." Chester grabs another single action revolver, a Colt, this time from the pile. "It's always handy to have a second gun around here." </p><p></p><p>Nanuet says, "At the very least I think we may need to get back to Promise City to regroup. My horse is dead, although I think I may be able to find a suitable replacement, but my weapon and clothes are gone as well. Chester is injured and weaponless; and you all have to be exhausted. Oh, and Miss West, I believe I owe you $50, sorry about that ma'am." </p><p></p><p>Nanuet stops for a moment, then continues speaking: "The problem with that plan is Ringo is there and doesn't know about this mess we made for him here. So it might be a better idea to try and get to him now, surprise him a bit. I am sure we could stake out the road between here and Promise City, he will have to come back eventually, but that leaves him there, unchecked until he decides it is time to come back. Guess I didn't clear much up with those thoughts did I?"</p><p></p><p>Kate says, "Yes you did. We go home. Who knows what Ringo is up to and we are too tired to keep running around like this. The Cowboys have decided to finish it with the Earps one way or another, and for some reason they aren't letting us stand aside. You'll all excuse me for a moment?" Kate asked, her face an ugly shade of green. Chester comments, “Wonder how he'll react to seeing us free and clear? That'd be something to see."</p><p></p><p>Kate walked away from the group and into the trees until she felt reasonably private. It took a moment to unclench her fists and reveal the bloody half-moons in her palms. What Tom had not managed to accomplish in five years of marriage, Minerva now would by manipulating her sense of obligation. Kate finally lost the battle for control of her stomach and was sick behind one of the trees. After another minute or so, when both her stomach and temper were under control she went back to the group on the trail. "I'm sorry, it's been a long day. We should go, wherever it is we're going."</p><p></p><p>Kate asks Chester and Nanuet, “Can either of you ride bareback? We have plenty of horses now but no tack for them. I don't mind riding without if one of you would rather ride my stallion back. </p><p>As long as there's no objections to going back to Promise City, we should get moving. It will take us longer trying to drive those cows.”</p><p> </p><p>While everyone talked over the plan, Ruby also searched, then detected for magic on the items that Jake had piled up. While the spell is still going and her friends are discussing what to do she wandered around the entire area looking for any other magic that might be in place. She reloaded both her guns and also the new rifle she picked up inside the farmhouse. She deliberately kept herself out of Minvera's conversation, making no comment on attending church services. </p><p></p><p>Finally Ruby pipes up, "I can ride back with Jake on his horse and either Nanuet or Chester can use my horse. That should help. And we should get going, we might be able to get back before Ringo knows what happened here."</p><p></p><p>Jake reloads his weapons while the group is deciding what to do. "I am happy to get back to Promise City, if that is what everyone wants to do. That's my preference. I'm no cowpoke but it seems to me it will be much slower driving cattle. I'm not complaining, and I'm not suggesting we should split up either. I agree it would be foolish to leave these head behind." Jake idly fingers the hole in his hat while he talks.</p><p></p><p>Ruby finally sees the hole in Jake's hat, "What happened to your lucky hat?" she says with a pout forming. Jake flings his hat over to Ruby and runs a hand through his hair. "I probably needed a haircut anyway. Next time I'll have the barber do it. Know anybody who can fix the hat?" Jake grins and shrugs.</p><p></p><p>Ruby looks horrified from Jake's hat to his head. "Oh Jake..." her voice trails off and she looks back at the hat in her hands. "If something would have happened to you...." her voice trails off again. She kicks some dirt with her boot and doesn't say anything else.</p><p></p><p>Chester says, "I can ride bareback. Been a while, but it shouldn't be too hard." Kate interjects, "That sounds fine Chester. Nanuet, why don't you take my stallion since I didn't see your horse among the others? I'd like to ride one of the new horses and see how their training is. Since we're all agreed, lets get started. I'm not really anxious to see Johnny Ringo today, but it will have to be done eventually." Kate made sure she had everything and then headed back on the way to the horses.</p><p></p><p>"Sure thing Kate, I'd be honored to ride your fine mount. First let me see if I can fix Mr. Jake's hat." Nanuet takes Jake's hat from Ruby and begins a simple prayer, concentrating on patching the hole. He asks, "So, where exactly are we headed? Bringing these cattle somewhere close by or trying to make it all the way back to Promise City?"</p><p></p><p>Jake walks over to Nanuet and examines the hat. "You're a pretty handy guy. Glad we decided to rescue you, otherwise I'd have to buy another hat. On the way back don't forget to tell us what happened to get you here." Then he turns to Ruby. "Everything is fine now, I ducked and the hat took one for me. Pretty lucky, huh?" </p><p></p><p>Jake works his arm around Ruby, who is carrying the rifle she took from the man in the farmhouse, and addresses the group. "Looks like we agree to head back to Promise City. Gather up those weapons, and if anybody needs something take it now. Katherine, you and Flint you may want keep the livestock out of town for sometime. There are two ranches I know about on the way back. One is the King's Bar-W Ranch, which is closer but a little out of the way; and the other is Shaw's Lazy-S Ranch, which is farther but closer to a straight line back to Promise City. I don't know the King's very well. They are a bit uptight. I'd recommend going to the Lazy-S. Shaw has had long struggles with the Cowboy gang and seems to think very highly of anyone who goes up against them. That and he rather enjoys Miss West's company." Jake gives her a little squeeze. "Besides, he might have information about the gang's latest activities that we could use. What do you want to do?" </p><p></p><p>Kate replies, "That sounds fine to me. I was a bit worried about taking these animals back to the ranch myself, and we'll move quicker without them." Kate went over to the weapon pile and pulled out a shotgun, then slid it behind the saddlebags on the stallion Nanuet would be riding. "I need all the advantages I can get," she said with a shrug. </p><p></p><p>Chester says, "Sounds good, Jake. Mr. Shaw can vouch for us, incase there's a question of ownership with the livestock." He mounts his horse. "So, anyone ever drive cattle before?" He notices Kate's green look and trots over. "You feeling OK there, Kate? You look a little green around the edges." She replies, "I'm fine, it'll pass. This isn't the way I usually start my day." </p><p></p><p>A short while later, Jake takes a quiet moment with Katherine. "Since you are the horse expert, I wonder if you wouldn't mind making sure that anybody who would like a horse from this bunch gets one. I don't need anything, you and Flint keep all the livestock left for the ranch. I know Senorita Florencia needs a horse, it might be a nice gesture of thanks if you helped her select a suitable one. I know you'll take care of Nanuet. I don't know if any of the others have any horse needs." Jake stops and looks around before continuing, "Are you alright?"</p><p></p><p>"Should I be?" she asked before she took a deep breath and said, "I'll pull horses from the ones already on the ranch. These horses are even more recognizable than the cattle, we should leave them with the Shaws as well. Since I'm already familiar with the horses on the ranch I can make better choices." </p><p></p><p>"Thanks. And yes, you should be. Nanuet and Chester are alive and free. I'm glad for you, that you will never be accustomed to what you just did." Jake turns to go back to Ruby, " I guess I meant that I hope you are OK. I didn't mean to further upset you." "You didn't," she said dully. "I'm just.... I'm tired, that's all, and there's no rest to come."</p><p></p><p>Ruby comments, "I like Mr. Shaw and I'm sure him and his daughters will be helpful. We can stop there, it's a good idea. Don't forget that Ringo is in Promise City, maybe even waiting for us. I don't know anything about moving cattle and how long that will take, so I won't be helpful with that at all." </p><p></p><p>After the conversation continues on Ruby puts her head on Jake's shoulder and nuzzles him. She puts her lips to his ear and whispers, "The only thing I found that was magical are the bullets in this gun," she nods to the rifle in her hand. "Could be helpful against Ringo's spell."</p><p></p><p>"Yes." Jake says thoughtfully. "Yes, that would be just the thing. Oh and here." He says removing from under his belt a six shot double action revolver. "It's in decent shape, you should have an extra just in case. The former owner has no more use for it."</p><p></p><p>Ruby takes the gun and puts it in her saddlebag. "Thanks for looking our for me baby." She gives him a kiss. "Let's get going now before more Cowboys show up, ok?" Ruby hops up onto her horse and waits for the others.</p><p></p><p>After retrieving his rifle from Chester and as much ammunition he can find in a minute or so Nanuet hops aboard Kate's horse and joins Ruby in waiting for the others.</p><p></p><p>Minerva keeps a concerned eye on Katherine from a distance. "Well that was an interesting shade of green. Not the affect I usually have on people. she chuckles to herself as she reloads and straps her rifle to her mount. "Well whatever the problem is the sooner she face's it the sooner it will go away. Hmmm, Looks like Ruby is avoiding me also. "</p><p></p><p>Kate pulled herself up on one of the extra horses, her stomach still a little off. None of them really knew how to drive cattle, Kate wasn't sure how she'd gotten them this far. It wasn't long before she was thinking that perhaps cows just weren't worth this much trouble.</p><p></p><p>A wave of tiredness had overcome Ruby. They hadn't slept much last night and the adrenaline of the situation had worn off. Her friends were struggling with moving the cattle and she was trying not to fall off her horse as her eyes started to close.</p><p></p><p>Jake rides over to Ruby and pushes his horse up again hers. "Hey, ride with me for a while. You can nap and I'll hold you. It's not like we are going anyway fast with these cattle. I've seen cat herds more organized than this." Jake ties Ruby's horse behind his and slowly follows the group as they chase the stray heads that sadly seem to out number the few that are acting like a herd. </p><p></p><p>Ruby slides over carefully to Jake’s horse while he holds hers close. She nestles back into Jake, getting comfortable once he puts his arms around her. She leans her head back, turns her face to his neck and almost immediately falls asleep with a small smile on her face.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Silver Moon, post: 2803710, member: 8530"] [B]Chapter 85, “Assessment”, Saturday, March 18th , 1882, 8:15 A.M:[/B] Once Ruby and Jake came running out of the house, Kate urged the horse back into the corral where she located Chester's horse and whistled. She took both back to the trail where Minerva had stayed and met with the others. Chester exclaims, “They thought we were going to Tombstone with a message for the Earps. Did you get all of them?" He starts shivering. "Anyone have jackets we could borrow. They took our clothes." He grins sheepishly. He shakes hands with Jake, "Thanks for coming to get us. Wasn't sure how long they were going to keep us around." Kate slid down to the ground and smiled at her friends. "I have a whole new appreciation for dynamite. It's good to have you with us again," Kate said looking to Chester and Nanuet. "There's a lot to catch you up on. Nanuet, I hope you don't mind I borrowed your horse, I..." Her face turned suddenly crimson as she looked at the men. She dug into her coat pocket, pulled out several rolled bandages and handed them to Nanuet. "Maybe you could, um... Kate says, "We need to stop that fire from spreading. The buildings can burn to the ground for all I care, but we don't want to be the cause of a wildfire. If we clear those saplings and any loose stuff from around the buildings it should be all right. And we should try to get the animals away from the heat." On the subject of the fires and heat, the barn roof now collapses, causing sections of both sides to also cave in. The thirty cows and eight horses in the corrals begin to panic. Luna flies back to land on Minerva's outstretched arm and communicates the location of the rest of the party. In awe of this new gift and with gratitude that her friends are safe Minerva raises her eyes to the heavens and gives thanks. The aftershock of battle is upon her and she begins to shake as the adrenaline drains from her system. At she realizes how close she has come to losing her new friends it is replaced with a slow burning anger. Fueled by her fear, her anger increases as she races up the hill, swearing like a cowboy on a cattle herd." Spying Flint and Jeff she quickly closes the distance and begins yelling as she stalks toward them. Her temper is in full swing as places herself in Flints face. "ARE YOU CRAZY!!? I TOLD YOU NOT TO BOLW UP THE DAMNED FARMHOUSE!!” Wheeling around she turns her wrath on Jeff poking a finger in his chest as he backs up. "AND YOU!!! WHAT IN HADES DID YOU THINK YOU WERE DOING RUNNING OFF LIKE THAT WITHOUT TELLING ME WHERE YOU WERE GOING?!! YOU COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED!!" She stands there with balled fists and with an impotent fury continues " WE HAD A PLAN! YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO FOLLOW THE PLAN!! YOU ARE BOTH MUEY LOCO!!!” Her dark eyes smoldering she turns in search of another target and sees the others staring at her as though she is the one that has gone loco. The haze slowly clears from her eyes she notices Chester and Nanuet. A small sound like a sob escapes her lips as she hurries over to hug them both fiercely. "You are safe.. I thought you were in that burning farmhouse.. I thought I lost you.... If Luna hadn’t told me.... " She is overcome with relief and hugs them harder. "Ah, Thank the goddess we are all safe. Chester flinches as she hugs him "Senor, You are hurt! Sit down. I will tend to you . She takes a calming breath to regain her composure and casts heal upon his wound. As she stands back up she suddenly realizes that they are all but naked. "Well at least you two still have your dignity. I seem to have misplaced mine" she laughs and places her cloak around Chester. "Ah I think you need this more than I , Senor." Nanuet accepts the embraces from his friends and offers a quick but sincere "Thanks." Once that he sees that Chester is being tended to he heads to the corral and begins attempting to calm the animals and get them away from the fire. Minerva suggests,” Perhaps there is some clothing here that Senors Nanuet and Chester can wear. It is a long ride back to Promise City " Kate watched Minerva run from hot to cold, knowing she herself had done the same from time to time. "I'm going to need some help," Kate said and then began to run down the road, leaving Chester's horse where it was. She stuck her hand in her pocket, checking to see how many bandages she had left. It might be necessary to blindfold the horses to stop their panicking. Once she got there, she began the work of getting the animals out of the corral and up the trail. Jake organizes collecting up the dead bodies, belongings and guns of the fallen gang members. He secretly asks Ruby to check to see if anything here is magical. "If we are going to have a war let us not leave any useful tools behind." Jake then checks them himself for valuables, information or useful items. Once all items they are interested in are removed Jake asks the group, "Should we toss them in the barn? It would keep the vultures off them." Katherine brushed herself off and moved the rest of the animals up the hill. It was a relief to get away from the smell of burning flesh that occasionally wafted over from the burning barn. She wasn't sure how much longer she could keep her stomach under control, especially as she moved around the burning building, removing any loose debris that could catch fire and allow it to spread from the buildings to the countryside. Once the bodies were nearly cleared up, Kate recruited Jeff and Flint to help clear the saplings. She hated to see the young trees cut, but better those few than the whole hill. She finally joined the others on the trail, pale-faced and exhausted. Jeff, Jake, Chester and Nanuet are busy carrying the bodies to the barn to create a funeral pyre when a large quantity of gunshots then ring out. They quickly realize that the shots are coming from the burning barn debris, as literally hundreds of bullets fly out in all directions from there. Four bullets hit the body that Jeff is carry across his chest. Two barely miss Nanuet. One gazes Chester's shoulder. Three deflect off of Jake's duster and another plugs a hole through his Lucky Hat. Jake's skull is untouched, but the bullet does manage to knock the hat from his head and leaves a steak of gray across his hair where the bullet parted it. Everyone dives to the ground as all of the 400 rounds of ammunition from inside the overheated and split gattling gun continue to go off. When things finally quiet down they find that the only real casualty is one of the cows that took a stray shot in his neck. "Will this day ever end?" Nanuet hollers out in frustration once things settle down. He picks up Jake's hat and hands it back to him. "You're gonna need a new one of these to cover up that new hairdo of yours." Nanuet says, a smile naturally coming to his face. "Is everyone OK? I still have a few healing prayers I could use today." Jake rubs the burned bullet track in his hair and wrinkles his nose at the burnt smell. "That was a bit close, wasn't it. I'm fine Indian, nothing a couple of shots of whisker can't cure." After they gather up themselves and spoils of this battle, but before they head up the hill to their horses Jake says, "So now what? We did what we came to do and the Cowboys no longer have this hold on us. Johnny Ringo is off trying to arrange Chester and Nanuet's release, and will not be very happy. Do we just head back to Promise City or what?" Kate says, "I'm not certain. I myself want to get back to Promise City. You're right, Ringo was expecting quite a lot this morning and I'm sure is very disappointed. Who knows what has happened? We didn't tell anyone what we were doing, and Dorita thinks Ringo is a friend of Tom's. They could tell him things without realizing the damage he could do with them. That doesn't necessarily make going right back to Promise City the best course. We aren't that far from Tombstone, and the Earp's need to be warned." Chester comments, “The Cowboys thought we had a message for the Earps. That's one reason they caught us. Now we do. If there are more of that bunch still alive, we're going to need the law's help." Minerva looks to Jake while futilely brushing the red dirt from her riding skirt. "Well, I for one, would like to get back in time for Sunday Sermon. I have a point or two that I'd like to get across to the Vigilance Committee and I'd like to gather more support for the Festival as well. She looks pointedly at each of them. "Now I know that most of you here are not "Church Goers" and some of you are down right skeptics. That's o.k. BUT I could really use all of your support at this one sermon." Katherine and Ruby look away uncomfortably and Minerva puts up her hand." Now I don't usually take this tact to get people to church on Sunday but in all fairness I have more than proven my friendship and loyalty by blindly following you all into more than one precarious situation in the short time since we've met. Now I ask that you do the same for me." Jake laughs and laughs. "Si Senorita, going to church is a precarious situation for many of us." Jake laughs again but seeing that the priestess does not seem to think it is as funny as he does he tries to contain his laughter. "Si, I will go. This one time anyway. I would argue that my presence is not going to help you, but Jake Cook stands by his friends. So I'll brave the dangers of this Sunday's sermon." He says in mock seriousness. Chester nods his head in agreement. "Of course sister. I'd be glad too. Although in my current state of dress, I may cause more problems for you. Thank you for your prayers. One of the Cowboys got me good." He asks Jake, "Any chance you found my and Nanuet's weapons?" Jake replies, "I don't know what they look like, but we have a pile of weapons here. Hopefully you can find something you like." Chester picks through the pile hoping to find his old weapons. He carried them through his time in the Army and would be sorry to find them gone. After sorting through the pile, he hoots in triumph. "Got 'em. Here's your rifle, too Nanuet." Chester grabs another single action revolver, a Colt, this time from the pile. "It's always handy to have a second gun around here." Nanuet says, "At the very least I think we may need to get back to Promise City to regroup. My horse is dead, although I think I may be able to find a suitable replacement, but my weapon and clothes are gone as well. Chester is injured and weaponless; and you all have to be exhausted. Oh, and Miss West, I believe I owe you $50, sorry about that ma'am." Nanuet stops for a moment, then continues speaking: "The problem with that plan is Ringo is there and doesn't know about this mess we made for him here. So it might be a better idea to try and get to him now, surprise him a bit. I am sure we could stake out the road between here and Promise City, he will have to come back eventually, but that leaves him there, unchecked until he decides it is time to come back. Guess I didn't clear much up with those thoughts did I?" Kate says, "Yes you did. We go home. Who knows what Ringo is up to and we are too tired to keep running around like this. The Cowboys have decided to finish it with the Earps one way or another, and for some reason they aren't letting us stand aside. You'll all excuse me for a moment?" Kate asked, her face an ugly shade of green. Chester comments, “Wonder how he'll react to seeing us free and clear? That'd be something to see." Kate walked away from the group and into the trees until she felt reasonably private. It took a moment to unclench her fists and reveal the bloody half-moons in her palms. What Tom had not managed to accomplish in five years of marriage, Minerva now would by manipulating her sense of obligation. Kate finally lost the battle for control of her stomach and was sick behind one of the trees. After another minute or so, when both her stomach and temper were under control she went back to the group on the trail. "I'm sorry, it's been a long day. We should go, wherever it is we're going." Kate asks Chester and Nanuet, “Can either of you ride bareback? We have plenty of horses now but no tack for them. I don't mind riding without if one of you would rather ride my stallion back. As long as there's no objections to going back to Promise City, we should get moving. It will take us longer trying to drive those cows.” While everyone talked over the plan, Ruby also searched, then detected for magic on the items that Jake had piled up. While the spell is still going and her friends are discussing what to do she wandered around the entire area looking for any other magic that might be in place. She reloaded both her guns and also the new rifle she picked up inside the farmhouse. She deliberately kept herself out of Minvera's conversation, making no comment on attending church services. Finally Ruby pipes up, "I can ride back with Jake on his horse and either Nanuet or Chester can use my horse. That should help. And we should get going, we might be able to get back before Ringo knows what happened here." Jake reloads his weapons while the group is deciding what to do. "I am happy to get back to Promise City, if that is what everyone wants to do. That's my preference. I'm no cowpoke but it seems to me it will be much slower driving cattle. I'm not complaining, and I'm not suggesting we should split up either. I agree it would be foolish to leave these head behind." Jake idly fingers the hole in his hat while he talks. Ruby finally sees the hole in Jake's hat, "What happened to your lucky hat?" she says with a pout forming. Jake flings his hat over to Ruby and runs a hand through his hair. "I probably needed a haircut anyway. Next time I'll have the barber do it. Know anybody who can fix the hat?" Jake grins and shrugs. Ruby looks horrified from Jake's hat to his head. "Oh Jake..." her voice trails off and she looks back at the hat in her hands. "If something would have happened to you...." her voice trails off again. She kicks some dirt with her boot and doesn't say anything else. Chester says, "I can ride bareback. Been a while, but it shouldn't be too hard." Kate interjects, "That sounds fine Chester. Nanuet, why don't you take my stallion since I didn't see your horse among the others? I'd like to ride one of the new horses and see how their training is. Since we're all agreed, lets get started. I'm not really anxious to see Johnny Ringo today, but it will have to be done eventually." Kate made sure she had everything and then headed back on the way to the horses. "Sure thing Kate, I'd be honored to ride your fine mount. First let me see if I can fix Mr. Jake's hat." Nanuet takes Jake's hat from Ruby and begins a simple prayer, concentrating on patching the hole. He asks, "So, where exactly are we headed? Bringing these cattle somewhere close by or trying to make it all the way back to Promise City?" Jake walks over to Nanuet and examines the hat. "You're a pretty handy guy. Glad we decided to rescue you, otherwise I'd have to buy another hat. On the way back don't forget to tell us what happened to get you here." Then he turns to Ruby. "Everything is fine now, I ducked and the hat took one for me. Pretty lucky, huh?" Jake works his arm around Ruby, who is carrying the rifle she took from the man in the farmhouse, and addresses the group. "Looks like we agree to head back to Promise City. Gather up those weapons, and if anybody needs something take it now. Katherine, you and Flint you may want keep the livestock out of town for sometime. There are two ranches I know about on the way back. One is the King's Bar-W Ranch, which is closer but a little out of the way; and the other is Shaw's Lazy-S Ranch, which is farther but closer to a straight line back to Promise City. I don't know the King's very well. They are a bit uptight. I'd recommend going to the Lazy-S. Shaw has had long struggles with the Cowboy gang and seems to think very highly of anyone who goes up against them. That and he rather enjoys Miss West's company." Jake gives her a little squeeze. "Besides, he might have information about the gang's latest activities that we could use. What do you want to do?" Kate replies, "That sounds fine to me. I was a bit worried about taking these animals back to the ranch myself, and we'll move quicker without them." Kate went over to the weapon pile and pulled out a shotgun, then slid it behind the saddlebags on the stallion Nanuet would be riding. "I need all the advantages I can get," she said with a shrug. Chester says, "Sounds good, Jake. Mr. Shaw can vouch for us, incase there's a question of ownership with the livestock." He mounts his horse. "So, anyone ever drive cattle before?" He notices Kate's green look and trots over. "You feeling OK there, Kate? You look a little green around the edges." She replies, "I'm fine, it'll pass. This isn't the way I usually start my day." A short while later, Jake takes a quiet moment with Katherine. "Since you are the horse expert, I wonder if you wouldn't mind making sure that anybody who would like a horse from this bunch gets one. I don't need anything, you and Flint keep all the livestock left for the ranch. I know Senorita Florencia needs a horse, it might be a nice gesture of thanks if you helped her select a suitable one. I know you'll take care of Nanuet. I don't know if any of the others have any horse needs." Jake stops and looks around before continuing, "Are you alright?" "Should I be?" she asked before she took a deep breath and said, "I'll pull horses from the ones already on the ranch. These horses are even more recognizable than the cattle, we should leave them with the Shaws as well. Since I'm already familiar with the horses on the ranch I can make better choices." "Thanks. And yes, you should be. Nanuet and Chester are alive and free. I'm glad for you, that you will never be accustomed to what you just did." Jake turns to go back to Ruby, " I guess I meant that I hope you are OK. I didn't mean to further upset you." "You didn't," she said dully. "I'm just.... I'm tired, that's all, and there's no rest to come." Ruby comments, "I like Mr. Shaw and I'm sure him and his daughters will be helpful. We can stop there, it's a good idea. Don't forget that Ringo is in Promise City, maybe even waiting for us. I don't know anything about moving cattle and how long that will take, so I won't be helpful with that at all." After the conversation continues on Ruby puts her head on Jake's shoulder and nuzzles him. She puts her lips to his ear and whispers, "The only thing I found that was magical are the bullets in this gun," she nods to the rifle in her hand. "Could be helpful against Ringo's spell." "Yes." Jake says thoughtfully. "Yes, that would be just the thing. Oh and here." He says removing from under his belt a six shot double action revolver. "It's in decent shape, you should have an extra just in case. The former owner has no more use for it." Ruby takes the gun and puts it in her saddlebag. "Thanks for looking our for me baby." She gives him a kiss. "Let's get going now before more Cowboys show up, ok?" Ruby hops up onto her horse and waits for the others. After retrieving his rifle from Chester and as much ammunition he can find in a minute or so Nanuet hops aboard Kate's horse and joins Ruby in waiting for the others. Minerva keeps a concerned eye on Katherine from a distance. "Well that was an interesting shade of green. Not the affect I usually have on people. she chuckles to herself as she reloads and straps her rifle to her mount. "Well whatever the problem is the sooner she face's it the sooner it will go away. Hmmm, Looks like Ruby is avoiding me also. " Kate pulled herself up on one of the extra horses, her stomach still a little off. None of them really knew how to drive cattle, Kate wasn't sure how she'd gotten them this far. It wasn't long before she was thinking that perhaps cows just weren't worth this much trouble. A wave of tiredness had overcome Ruby. They hadn't slept much last night and the adrenaline of the situation had worn off. Her friends were struggling with moving the cattle and she was trying not to fall off her horse as her eyes started to close. Jake rides over to Ruby and pushes his horse up again hers. "Hey, ride with me for a while. You can nap and I'll hold you. It's not like we are going anyway fast with these cattle. I've seen cat herds more organized than this." Jake ties Ruby's horse behind his and slowly follows the group as they chase the stray heads that sadly seem to out number the few that are acting like a herd. Ruby slides over carefully to Jake’s horse while he holds hers close. She nestles back into Jake, getting comfortable once he puts his arms around her. She leans her head back, turns her face to his neck and almost immediately falls asleep with a small smile on her face. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Community
Playing the Game
Story Hour
Wizards, Whiskey and Wonderful Things - Concluded
Top