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<blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2846992" data-attributes="member: 8530"><p><strong>Chapter 126, “Being watched”, Tuesday, March 21st, 1882, 10:00 A.M.</strong></p><p></p><p>After breakfast, Chester makes his way to the office. "Morning, Eduardo. Anything happening?" "You see me sitting here reading the newspaper? Of course there's nothing going on. I don't know what you plan on finding out about the shooting. You got Pony Deal." Chester replies, "Yeah, but I heard there was a second shooter. I'm going to Papago's to ask around. OK?" Eddie replies, "Just be careful. You don't know who might sympathize with the cowboys." Chet says, "Will do. I'll see you later."</p><p></p><p>A short distance away, Nanuet steps out in front of the priestess and says "Sorry Minerva, I didn't expect to see you there and I just felt bad that Jeff was left with all that work, especially with Jake and Ruby away. You're not mad are you?"</p><p></p><p>"No, I am not angry" she sighs in exasperation. "But I did not sleep well last night and I did find it irritating that you would trust that I had." Her face reddens in embarrassment as she sees the shocked expression on his face and realizes that she has once again lost her temper. </p><p></p><p>She places her hand on his arm, "I am sorry Nanuet, I did not mean to snap at you, but I am tired and confused and have just spent the better part of my morning listening to mindless chatter. I have no patience for it today. Please accept my apologies. I am not usually so volatile. I am on my way to find Chester. I was hoping that he had found out something about the magic bullets that he gave me. Will I be seeing you later, perhaps?"</p><p></p><p>"I had my hopes set on it." Nanuet says with a smile. "I apologize for my comments, they did not intend to offend. Why did you not sleep well? What is troubling you? Are you in pain of any sort or ailing in any way?" Minerva looks at Nanuet. She opens her mouth , but before the sarcasm can escape she shuts it again in exasperation and just shakes her head. "No, I am fine, Senor. </p><p></p><p>As Minerva is walking toward the jail she sees Chester stepping out the door. "Buena Dias, Marshall!" She calls. I would like to have a word with you if you have a moment in your busy schedule." he makes a bit of small talk, asking him how he and Senorita Townsend are getting along.” He replies, "We're doing just fine. Thank you again for acting as duena for us. I noticed you and Nanuet hit it off as well." </p><p></p><p>She asks if he had found out anything about the magic bullets. What they do, how they work, duration of the magic... Chester takes her aside. "The revolver bullet with the red stripe will burn whatever it hits. The other will improve your aim. And the rifle bullets paralyze whoever you hit with them for a short time. Amazing what you can do with magic</p><p></p><p>She leans in close and in a whisper, confides "Sometimes, when I am in great need the gods will grant me the ability to improve a weapon's aim like that but my prayer request is only granted for a short time. Do these bullets work like that or do they retain their power? I don't really know all that much about wizard magic." He says, "I think it just works for that particular bullet. Too bad the cowboy we got them from didn't have more on him."</p><p></p><p>Minerva eyes light with excitement. "Do You mean that one type of those bullets keeps it's magic? Which one? Did Senor Pierre tell you how or why? What did he say? iIf this is true than maybe I or Senorita Ruby or Senora Kate could learn how to do this to other bullets."</p><p></p><p>As far as I know, the rifle bullets and the fire bullet hold their sorcery. The person I talked to told me that the other bullet only holds its spell as long as it's in this area." Nanuet sees that Minerva is engaged in conversation with Chester so he takes his leave. Before he does so he says to Minerva "I'm heading back to the Lucky Lady then, perhaps you want to meet me there for lunch." She replies, “I should be done my business around noon. I shall meet you at the Lucky Lady then." she says and turns away to talk to Chester before she says something that she will surly regret.” </p><p></p><p>Minerva tells Chester, “I am happy for you Senor, or should I say Deputy Marshal? Miss Townsend seems like a lovely young lady." she winks and says "I put in a few good words for you last night I am glad that she took them to heart. You are a fine man. As for Senor Nanuet and I, well he has been a very good friend to me and I do enjoy his company." He replies, "Call me Chester, please. Or Chet if you want. All the others do. And thanks for putting in a good word for me." </p><p></p><p>Nanuet returns to the Lucky Lady and helps Jeff get things sorted out. He spends the remainder of the morning working, but takes a moment to head into the kitchen and speak with Maria. "Maria, I need a favor. Could you cook something extra nice for lunch today? I am having lunch with some special company and would like it to be memorable for her." Maria giggles and bats her eyes "You are having lunch with that priestess woman aren't you? I will make you special food. You will like, you'll see." Nanuet answers, "Thank you Maria, I appreciate it." </p><p></p><p>Nanuet returns to his work, but as hard as puts himself to task on his chores he cannot get the shapely Spainard out of his mind. He catches himself several times daydreaming about the entrancing smell of her hair, the smooth touch of her skin, the sultry tone to her voice, and the soul captivating enchantment of her dark eyes. "Nanuet, are you working' or daydreaming?" says Jeff in a mocking tone "C'mon buddy I want this place looking good for when Jake and Ruby get back." "Sorry, got a few things on my mind, but it looks like I still got more work done than you slowpoke!" Nanuet says laughing and returning to his work.</p><p></p><p>A block away, Chester says to Minerva, “I guess Kate can learn this. Whoa. What do you mean Ruby can learn this? I didn't know she could use sorcery." Minerva quickly responds, “Did I not hear you ask Katherine to teach you some magic, also? I’m not sure how all this magic works, But if Katherine can teach you to do this surely she can teach others as well. Are you a wizard?” </p><p></p><p>Chester chuckles "Oh. I asked if she could teach me some things about magic. I'm not cut out for flinging spells. Sometimes it seems like I'm the only one around who doesn't though." </p><p>"Yes," Minerva agrees, " It does seem that way at times doesn't it? I shall see you later. Please feel free to call on me if you need a chaperone for Senorita Townsend. You do make a lovely couple." Minerva bids Chet a good day and walks to the El Parador in the hopes of finding Katherine and finishing their discussion.</p><p></p><p>After talking to Minerva, Chester continues on his way to Papago's Cash Shop. He greets Ike Sherman. "Good morning, Mr. Sherman. How are you?" "Fine thanks, Deputy. Here on business?" "Yep. When Johnny Ringo was in here the day of the shooting at the Marshall's Office, was there anyone wit' him?" Ike says, "He rode in with Thad Gormley, why?"</p><p></p><p>Chester replies, "I wanted to talk to some witnesses to Ringo's shooting. See if they have something to share. So you know where Mr. Gormley is?" Sherman replies, "No, but he's probably around town somewhere, his horse is still being boarded here. He said he was looking for some mining work, you may want to check with the Breakheart Mine, I hear they're hiring."</p><p></p><p>"Great. Thank you." Chester walks across town to the Silverbell Mining Offices. He pushes open the door. "Good morning, Mr. Hogan." Hogan looks up in surprise. "Martin! What are you doing back here. Lose another job?" Chester says, "No. As a matter of fact, I'm the new Deputy Marshall. Now, I was told that Thad Gormley came here looking for work. Is he at the mine?"</p><p></p><p>Hogan replies, "Never heard of him. They made you a Deputy? Zeus and Hercules, what is this world coming to!" Chester answers, "Yes, they did. Has anyone come in looking for work in the past couple days?" Hogan replies, "Shamus O'Hara who works up at the stamping mill has a nephew coming in who has been promised a job. That's about it as far as I know." Chester scratches his head. "OK. I'll be going then. Thanks." </p><p></p><p>Chester makes his way to the Breakheart mine head. He walks over to the foreman. "Morning. I'm Deputy Marshall Martin. Is there a Thad Gormley working here?" Mine foreman 'Boston' Harker replies, "You mean Ajax Gormley? Yeah, he's up at the stamping mill today. Why?" Chester replies, "I don't think so. I was told that this Thad came looking for work here in the past couple days. I remember Ajax. Maybe they're related. I'll go to the mill and ask him myself."</p><p></p><p>Five minutes later Ajax is talking to the Deputy. "Yeah, we're related. He my good-for-nothing nephew," Ajax comments. "Wanted to get him a job here but it sounded like too much work to suit him. He wouldn't even come for an interview with Hogan." </p><p></p><p>Chester asks, "You haven't seen him around recently, have you?" Ajax shakes his head in response and replies, "No idea. Haven't seen the lad in weeks, spends most of his time over in Galeyville drinking his life away. Chip off the old block that one, my brother was never worth a damn either." "OK. Looks like a dead end. Thanks for the information." </p><p></p><p>Chester leaves the mill and goes back to the Office. "Any word from the Marshall or the guys that went to get him?" Eduardo says, "Nope. Not a peep. They better get the Marshall back soon. Those cowboys are planning something. I can feel it."</p><p></p><p>At the El Parador, Kate and Ginnie went outside and sat quietly on the porch swing, watching the citizens of Promise City go about their day. She was nervous for a moment, sitting so exposed, but it was unlikely that the Cowboys would be lying in wait for them. After all, they had the Earps to worry about first. The two chatted for a few minutes until Mr. Gonzales came out and sat down with them.</p><p></p><p>Gonzales sits down and chats with Kate and Ginnie for a few minutes. Kate then notices him suddenly tense up. "Ginnie, please go back inside and spend a few minutes with Dorita. We'll be along in a minute." Ginnie hesitates, then gets up and heads inside.</p><p></p><p>Kate sensed her teacher's tension and tried to sharpen her senses. She knew a spell that would let her see magical auras, but she couldn't cast it here in sight of anyone looking. Her hand slipped down to the folds of her skirt and wrapped around the handle of her pistol. "What's the matter?" she asked quietly. As Minerva arrives at the El Parador she notices Ginny going back inside while Kate and Gonzales are sitting outside.</p><p></p><p>He replies, "Don't panic. I just saw a glint of light where there shouldn't be one. Here comes Minerva, you can turn your head to talk to her without making your movement obvious. Across the street and around 125 feet down. Corner window on the second story of the Promise City Hotel. The window is up so it isn't the glass and the curtain moved before and after I saw the reflection. Could just be somebody's eyeglasses, but it might be a rifle sight. Not too many people use them, but sharpshooters often do."</p><p></p><p>Kate didn't nod, although her breathing quickened. She put on a smile and turned her head saying "Good morning, Miss Florencia. I was just coming to see you." Meanwhile, her eyes go past the priestess to look in the window of the Promise City Hotel, her hand still wrapped around the pistol.</p><p></p><p>Minerva notices the stiffness of Katherine’s response and that she is looking past her. She replies Yes I wanted to discuss something with you. as she slips her hand into the secret pocket of her gown. She steps out of Kate’s line of sight and turns slowly toward the street. Kate notices the curtain move again and there is indeed light reflecting. She thankfully doesn't see a rifle barrel but there are two hands holding some-type of scope. </p><p></p><p>Gonzales uses the opportunity to also give Minerva a warm smile and hearty laugh moving his head around. He then says in Spanish "Priestess, please head into the Cantina." Minerva smiles brightly and continues talking as she enters the Cantina.</p><p></p><p>He then lowers his voice and softly tells Kate in French "I see it too. A bit big in diameter for a rifle scope. Probably a magnifying telescope and definitely watching us." Kate also switched to French. "My husband's "friend" might suspect my abilities. Whoever it is might be watching for that. Or just keeping on eye on the El Parador, knowing that we frequent the Cantina. Is there any way to discover who it is?" </p><p></p><p>He replies, “Yes. I'm afraid that if we all leave then he or she might too. But I'm not making you a target. I need you to get some things from my sanctuary, get Ginnie to help you, time is of the essence. </p><p></p><p>Head inside and hurry up to my workshop. On the third shelf in the far corner is a blue jar with a clear powder. Let Ginnie get that one. Have her take it to the stables and coat a front horseshoe of two horses with it, preferably after first coating the hooves with honey so the powder will stick. while you go into my bedroom. The wardrobe closet has a false bottom. Find a scroll with blue and silver stripes painted on the end. Get two of the men inside to ride the horses around and hitch them to the railings on both ends of the porch. You then cast the scroll spell from the window behind me. Keep the curtains drawn, your voice will still carry. It will then be safe for you and Minerva to come back out here."</p><p></p><p>"I understand," she said, then switched back to English. "I'll just go ask Dorita for you," she said and went inside. Once the door closed behind her she went over to Ginnie and Minerva. "I apologize, Miss Florencia. Someone was watching us from across the street, concealed inside the hotel. Ginnie, I need you to come with me. We'll be back down in a moment and then Miss Florencia and I can go back outside and speak with Mr. Gonzales." </p><p></p><p>Kate stopped and had a word with Grant Keebler and Maria's brother Estaban, asking them to accompany Ginnie into the stables when she came back down, and then ride the horses out front and tie them as Mr. Gonzales had instructed. </p><p></p><p>They then dashed up the stairs and Kate spoke the words to open the door despite Ginnie's presence. The girls ears were pricked up; Kate was sure she was paying close attention to how this door opened. Kate explained to her about the jar and what to do with it, including the honey. "Don't wait for me, go when you've found it. Quickly now." </p><p></p><p>Kate went into the bedroom and worked up the floor. There were several scrolls secreted away down here, and it took Kate a few moments to find the one with the blue and silver stripes. She grabbed a book from the library to tuck it inside. She had heard Ginnie leave a few moments ago. Kate followed, going quickly but not running. Once she was downstairs she went to the window and waited for the horses to be in place.</p><p></p><p>A few moments after Ginnie reentered the Cantina, Kate saw Grant and Estaban casually ride around to the front of the Cantina and tie the horses at opposite ends. They gave a friendly greeting to Mr. Gonzales and came back inside. </p><p></p><p>Kate flipped open the book to where she had hidden the scroll. She took a moment to concentrate, then read the words clearly. She made certain to not touch the curtains, trying not to give away her presence. The words on the paper blurred and disappeared after she read them. The curtains kept her from seeing whatever might have happened, but she felt the magic release. </p><p></p><p>She stood up and turned to the priestess. "Miss Florencia, would you care to join us outside?" Kate handed Ginnie the book she had taken, a French volume, then went outside with Minerva and took her seat again next to her teacher. "Did everything work alright?" she asked in French.</p><p></p><p>Gonzales replies, "Yes, perfectly. We're now safe. An invisible barrier, as strong as a brick wall, is now erected between the horses and rising up ten feet in the air. You two may want to sit on the porch steps and persuade anybody who comes by to enter not too, or they'll walk right into it."</p><p></p><p>Kate also switched back to English. "Dorita won't like that," she said, settling on the stairs so she could see the hotel. "Chasing all her business away. How are we supposed to convince people they don't want her breakfast?" He replies, "Well, we're between meal times. Think of any excuse, say that they're cleaning inside or something." </p><p></p><p>She looked up toward the window and caught a flash of light. "Still there, we must be fascinating." Kate tried to see inside the window without being obvious. "Who is that up there?" He replies, "I have no idea, but we can take our time to figure this out on our own and what to do next. We can even move the barrier if we want, that's the advantage to casting it on horse hooves. Ladies, any suggestions?"</p><p></p><p>Minerva states, “Perhaps it would be best just to go inside. I wished to speak to you in private Senora but it does not seem that this is a good time to talk. I will return later." Kate states, "There is no reason to leave, Miss Florencia. We are safe now, and we may be able to get some information from this. And I was going to come to the Lady anyway. This way I don't have to break Jake's commandment and go out alone." </p><p></p><p>Well, if we go right over, it's going to be obvious to our watcher what's going on. We could go back inside and come out the back, come to the street a little farther down so we could go in, but then we would lose the barrier. Or I could go over wearing a different face. A spell could blow back the curtain to that room so we could see better, but casting it would be a bit obvious, I'd have to go inside to do it. What do you think, Miss Florencia?"</p><p></p><p>Senorita Florencia replies, "The kind of power that the gods grant me does not allow for becoming invisible or creating falsehoods or have I yet attained the prowess to hold a man immobile." She winks at Katherine, "So Senora, if we are to learn who is up there we must use our more mundane talents the gods have bestowed upon us to fool whomever is spying upon us."</p><p></p><p>Kate states, "Well, I'll start with the simplest then. I'll use a spell from inside to push that curtain aside, little a fluttering breeze. Both of you keep your eyes open. I'll bring drinks back out, so I'll have a reason to go in. </p><p></p><p>After that, we can try some more mundane options." Kate stood up and went back into the Cantina and behind the window again, then cast a cantrip, hoping to flutter the curtain in the window across the way. The spell does not work. Kate returns outside and Gonzales says, "I suspected that would be the case. You are too far away from the Promise City Hotel. Perhaps somebody from the Cantina should go get the Deputy Marshalls to help with this predicament."</p><p></p><p>"It was worth a try," she said, and handed each of the others a glass of water. "I don't know why I didn't think to send someone for a Marshall, I seem to look for the absolute most complicated way to do something lately. I suppose I'm used to the Marshall's being Earps, and we know how much they would have been willing to help me. </p><p></p><p>Kate went inside to get the last glass of water and asked Grant Keebler if he would run over to the Marshall's office and bring someone over. She wrote a quick note, then went back out and joined the others. "Grant will go, he'll bring the Marshall in the back way. I sent a note along with him, so he might decide to check out the hotel first."</p><p></p><p>Minerva stands with her back to the window and says, "Well there is no law against looking out the window so I'm not sure that Deputy Rodriquez will intervene and Senor Chet is not there. I heard him say he was going up to the mill. While Grant is going to get Deputy Rodriguez, I will go back to the Lucky Lady and get some other assistance. Senor Mills and Nanuet are there. Who ever is doing the watching is watching you and Katherine. If you two remain here they are likely to stay and watch you. This will afford us the opportunity to go over to the Hotel and see who it is. I will go out the back door. It will be safer that way." </p><p></p><p>Minerva casually goes back into the Cantina and then lifts her skirts and rushes out the back door to the Lucky Lady. Kate watched as Minerva went casually back into the Cantina. "I wonder what she wanted to talk about? I asked her about how to thank Diana, and I think she suspected I wasn't telling her everything." Kate sighed. "Now we wait."</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Silver Moon, post: 2846992, member: 8530"] [B]Chapter 126, “Being watched”, Tuesday, March 21st, 1882, 10:00 A.M.[/B] After breakfast, Chester makes his way to the office. "Morning, Eduardo. Anything happening?" "You see me sitting here reading the newspaper? Of course there's nothing going on. I don't know what you plan on finding out about the shooting. You got Pony Deal." Chester replies, "Yeah, but I heard there was a second shooter. I'm going to Papago's to ask around. OK?" Eddie replies, "Just be careful. You don't know who might sympathize with the cowboys." Chet says, "Will do. I'll see you later." A short distance away, Nanuet steps out in front of the priestess and says "Sorry Minerva, I didn't expect to see you there and I just felt bad that Jeff was left with all that work, especially with Jake and Ruby away. You're not mad are you?" "No, I am not angry" she sighs in exasperation. "But I did not sleep well last night and I did find it irritating that you would trust that I had." Her face reddens in embarrassment as she sees the shocked expression on his face and realizes that she has once again lost her temper. She places her hand on his arm, "I am sorry Nanuet, I did not mean to snap at you, but I am tired and confused and have just spent the better part of my morning listening to mindless chatter. I have no patience for it today. Please accept my apologies. I am not usually so volatile. I am on my way to find Chester. I was hoping that he had found out something about the magic bullets that he gave me. Will I be seeing you later, perhaps?" "I had my hopes set on it." Nanuet says with a smile. "I apologize for my comments, they did not intend to offend. Why did you not sleep well? What is troubling you? Are you in pain of any sort or ailing in any way?" Minerva looks at Nanuet. She opens her mouth , but before the sarcasm can escape she shuts it again in exasperation and just shakes her head. "No, I am fine, Senor. As Minerva is walking toward the jail she sees Chester stepping out the door. "Buena Dias, Marshall!" She calls. I would like to have a word with you if you have a moment in your busy schedule." he makes a bit of small talk, asking him how he and Senorita Townsend are getting along.” He replies, "We're doing just fine. Thank you again for acting as duena for us. I noticed you and Nanuet hit it off as well." She asks if he had found out anything about the magic bullets. What they do, how they work, duration of the magic... Chester takes her aside. "The revolver bullet with the red stripe will burn whatever it hits. The other will improve your aim. And the rifle bullets paralyze whoever you hit with them for a short time. Amazing what you can do with magic She leans in close and in a whisper, confides "Sometimes, when I am in great need the gods will grant me the ability to improve a weapon's aim like that but my prayer request is only granted for a short time. Do these bullets work like that or do they retain their power? I don't really know all that much about wizard magic." He says, "I think it just works for that particular bullet. Too bad the cowboy we got them from didn't have more on him." Minerva eyes light with excitement. "Do You mean that one type of those bullets keeps it's magic? Which one? Did Senor Pierre tell you how or why? What did he say? iIf this is true than maybe I or Senorita Ruby or Senora Kate could learn how to do this to other bullets." As far as I know, the rifle bullets and the fire bullet hold their sorcery. The person I talked to told me that the other bullet only holds its spell as long as it's in this area." Nanuet sees that Minerva is engaged in conversation with Chester so he takes his leave. Before he does so he says to Minerva "I'm heading back to the Lucky Lady then, perhaps you want to meet me there for lunch." She replies, “I should be done my business around noon. I shall meet you at the Lucky Lady then." she says and turns away to talk to Chester before she says something that she will surly regret.” Minerva tells Chester, “I am happy for you Senor, or should I say Deputy Marshal? Miss Townsend seems like a lovely young lady." she winks and says "I put in a few good words for you last night I am glad that she took them to heart. You are a fine man. As for Senor Nanuet and I, well he has been a very good friend to me and I do enjoy his company." He replies, "Call me Chester, please. Or Chet if you want. All the others do. And thanks for putting in a good word for me." Nanuet returns to the Lucky Lady and helps Jeff get things sorted out. He spends the remainder of the morning working, but takes a moment to head into the kitchen and speak with Maria. "Maria, I need a favor. Could you cook something extra nice for lunch today? I am having lunch with some special company and would like it to be memorable for her." Maria giggles and bats her eyes "You are having lunch with that priestess woman aren't you? I will make you special food. You will like, you'll see." Nanuet answers, "Thank you Maria, I appreciate it." Nanuet returns to his work, but as hard as puts himself to task on his chores he cannot get the shapely Spainard out of his mind. He catches himself several times daydreaming about the entrancing smell of her hair, the smooth touch of her skin, the sultry tone to her voice, and the soul captivating enchantment of her dark eyes. "Nanuet, are you working' or daydreaming?" says Jeff in a mocking tone "C'mon buddy I want this place looking good for when Jake and Ruby get back." "Sorry, got a few things on my mind, but it looks like I still got more work done than you slowpoke!" Nanuet says laughing and returning to his work. A block away, Chester says to Minerva, “I guess Kate can learn this. Whoa. What do you mean Ruby can learn this? I didn't know she could use sorcery." Minerva quickly responds, “Did I not hear you ask Katherine to teach you some magic, also? I’m not sure how all this magic works, But if Katherine can teach you to do this surely she can teach others as well. Are you a wizard?” Chester chuckles "Oh. I asked if she could teach me some things about magic. I'm not cut out for flinging spells. Sometimes it seems like I'm the only one around who doesn't though." "Yes," Minerva agrees, " It does seem that way at times doesn't it? I shall see you later. Please feel free to call on me if you need a chaperone for Senorita Townsend. You do make a lovely couple." Minerva bids Chet a good day and walks to the El Parador in the hopes of finding Katherine and finishing their discussion. After talking to Minerva, Chester continues on his way to Papago's Cash Shop. He greets Ike Sherman. "Good morning, Mr. Sherman. How are you?" "Fine thanks, Deputy. Here on business?" "Yep. When Johnny Ringo was in here the day of the shooting at the Marshall's Office, was there anyone wit' him?" Ike says, "He rode in with Thad Gormley, why?" Chester replies, "I wanted to talk to some witnesses to Ringo's shooting. See if they have something to share. So you know where Mr. Gormley is?" Sherman replies, "No, but he's probably around town somewhere, his horse is still being boarded here. He said he was looking for some mining work, you may want to check with the Breakheart Mine, I hear they're hiring." "Great. Thank you." Chester walks across town to the Silverbell Mining Offices. He pushes open the door. "Good morning, Mr. Hogan." Hogan looks up in surprise. "Martin! What are you doing back here. Lose another job?" Chester says, "No. As a matter of fact, I'm the new Deputy Marshall. Now, I was told that Thad Gormley came here looking for work. Is he at the mine?" Hogan replies, "Never heard of him. They made you a Deputy? Zeus and Hercules, what is this world coming to!" Chester answers, "Yes, they did. Has anyone come in looking for work in the past couple days?" Hogan replies, "Shamus O'Hara who works up at the stamping mill has a nephew coming in who has been promised a job. That's about it as far as I know." Chester scratches his head. "OK. I'll be going then. Thanks." Chester makes his way to the Breakheart mine head. He walks over to the foreman. "Morning. I'm Deputy Marshall Martin. Is there a Thad Gormley working here?" Mine foreman 'Boston' Harker replies, "You mean Ajax Gormley? Yeah, he's up at the stamping mill today. Why?" Chester replies, "I don't think so. I was told that this Thad came looking for work here in the past couple days. I remember Ajax. Maybe they're related. I'll go to the mill and ask him myself." Five minutes later Ajax is talking to the Deputy. "Yeah, we're related. He my good-for-nothing nephew," Ajax comments. "Wanted to get him a job here but it sounded like too much work to suit him. He wouldn't even come for an interview with Hogan." Chester asks, "You haven't seen him around recently, have you?" Ajax shakes his head in response and replies, "No idea. Haven't seen the lad in weeks, spends most of his time over in Galeyville drinking his life away. Chip off the old block that one, my brother was never worth a damn either." "OK. Looks like a dead end. Thanks for the information." Chester leaves the mill and goes back to the Office. "Any word from the Marshall or the guys that went to get him?" Eduardo says, "Nope. Not a peep. They better get the Marshall back soon. Those cowboys are planning something. I can feel it." At the El Parador, Kate and Ginnie went outside and sat quietly on the porch swing, watching the citizens of Promise City go about their day. She was nervous for a moment, sitting so exposed, but it was unlikely that the Cowboys would be lying in wait for them. After all, they had the Earps to worry about first. The two chatted for a few minutes until Mr. Gonzales came out and sat down with them. Gonzales sits down and chats with Kate and Ginnie for a few minutes. Kate then notices him suddenly tense up. "Ginnie, please go back inside and spend a few minutes with Dorita. We'll be along in a minute." Ginnie hesitates, then gets up and heads inside. Kate sensed her teacher's tension and tried to sharpen her senses. She knew a spell that would let her see magical auras, but she couldn't cast it here in sight of anyone looking. Her hand slipped down to the folds of her skirt and wrapped around the handle of her pistol. "What's the matter?" she asked quietly. As Minerva arrives at the El Parador she notices Ginny going back inside while Kate and Gonzales are sitting outside. He replies, "Don't panic. I just saw a glint of light where there shouldn't be one. Here comes Minerva, you can turn your head to talk to her without making your movement obvious. Across the street and around 125 feet down. Corner window on the second story of the Promise City Hotel. The window is up so it isn't the glass and the curtain moved before and after I saw the reflection. Could just be somebody's eyeglasses, but it might be a rifle sight. Not too many people use them, but sharpshooters often do." Kate didn't nod, although her breathing quickened. She put on a smile and turned her head saying "Good morning, Miss Florencia. I was just coming to see you." Meanwhile, her eyes go past the priestess to look in the window of the Promise City Hotel, her hand still wrapped around the pistol. Minerva notices the stiffness of Katherine’s response and that she is looking past her. She replies Yes I wanted to discuss something with you. as she slips her hand into the secret pocket of her gown. She steps out of Kate’s line of sight and turns slowly toward the street. Kate notices the curtain move again and there is indeed light reflecting. She thankfully doesn't see a rifle barrel but there are two hands holding some-type of scope. Gonzales uses the opportunity to also give Minerva a warm smile and hearty laugh moving his head around. He then says in Spanish "Priestess, please head into the Cantina." Minerva smiles brightly and continues talking as she enters the Cantina. He then lowers his voice and softly tells Kate in French "I see it too. A bit big in diameter for a rifle scope. Probably a magnifying telescope and definitely watching us." Kate also switched to French. "My husband's "friend" might suspect my abilities. Whoever it is might be watching for that. Or just keeping on eye on the El Parador, knowing that we frequent the Cantina. Is there any way to discover who it is?" He replies, “Yes. I'm afraid that if we all leave then he or she might too. But I'm not making you a target. I need you to get some things from my sanctuary, get Ginnie to help you, time is of the essence. Head inside and hurry up to my workshop. On the third shelf in the far corner is a blue jar with a clear powder. Let Ginnie get that one. Have her take it to the stables and coat a front horseshoe of two horses with it, preferably after first coating the hooves with honey so the powder will stick. while you go into my bedroom. The wardrobe closet has a false bottom. Find a scroll with blue and silver stripes painted on the end. Get two of the men inside to ride the horses around and hitch them to the railings on both ends of the porch. You then cast the scroll spell from the window behind me. Keep the curtains drawn, your voice will still carry. It will then be safe for you and Minerva to come back out here." "I understand," she said, then switched back to English. "I'll just go ask Dorita for you," she said and went inside. Once the door closed behind her she went over to Ginnie and Minerva. "I apologize, Miss Florencia. Someone was watching us from across the street, concealed inside the hotel. Ginnie, I need you to come with me. We'll be back down in a moment and then Miss Florencia and I can go back outside and speak with Mr. Gonzales." Kate stopped and had a word with Grant Keebler and Maria's brother Estaban, asking them to accompany Ginnie into the stables when she came back down, and then ride the horses out front and tie them as Mr. Gonzales had instructed. They then dashed up the stairs and Kate spoke the words to open the door despite Ginnie's presence. The girls ears were pricked up; Kate was sure she was paying close attention to how this door opened. Kate explained to her about the jar and what to do with it, including the honey. "Don't wait for me, go when you've found it. Quickly now." Kate went into the bedroom and worked up the floor. There were several scrolls secreted away down here, and it took Kate a few moments to find the one with the blue and silver stripes. She grabbed a book from the library to tuck it inside. She had heard Ginnie leave a few moments ago. Kate followed, going quickly but not running. Once she was downstairs she went to the window and waited for the horses to be in place. A few moments after Ginnie reentered the Cantina, Kate saw Grant and Estaban casually ride around to the front of the Cantina and tie the horses at opposite ends. They gave a friendly greeting to Mr. Gonzales and came back inside. Kate flipped open the book to where she had hidden the scroll. She took a moment to concentrate, then read the words clearly. She made certain to not touch the curtains, trying not to give away her presence. The words on the paper blurred and disappeared after she read them. The curtains kept her from seeing whatever might have happened, but she felt the magic release. She stood up and turned to the priestess. "Miss Florencia, would you care to join us outside?" Kate handed Ginnie the book she had taken, a French volume, then went outside with Minerva and took her seat again next to her teacher. "Did everything work alright?" she asked in French. Gonzales replies, "Yes, perfectly. We're now safe. An invisible barrier, as strong as a brick wall, is now erected between the horses and rising up ten feet in the air. You two may want to sit on the porch steps and persuade anybody who comes by to enter not too, or they'll walk right into it." Kate also switched back to English. "Dorita won't like that," she said, settling on the stairs so she could see the hotel. "Chasing all her business away. How are we supposed to convince people they don't want her breakfast?" He replies, "Well, we're between meal times. Think of any excuse, say that they're cleaning inside or something." She looked up toward the window and caught a flash of light. "Still there, we must be fascinating." Kate tried to see inside the window without being obvious. "Who is that up there?" He replies, "I have no idea, but we can take our time to figure this out on our own and what to do next. We can even move the barrier if we want, that's the advantage to casting it on horse hooves. Ladies, any suggestions?" Minerva states, “Perhaps it would be best just to go inside. I wished to speak to you in private Senora but it does not seem that this is a good time to talk. I will return later." Kate states, "There is no reason to leave, Miss Florencia. We are safe now, and we may be able to get some information from this. And I was going to come to the Lady anyway. This way I don't have to break Jake's commandment and go out alone." Well, if we go right over, it's going to be obvious to our watcher what's going on. We could go back inside and come out the back, come to the street a little farther down so we could go in, but then we would lose the barrier. Or I could go over wearing a different face. A spell could blow back the curtain to that room so we could see better, but casting it would be a bit obvious, I'd have to go inside to do it. What do you think, Miss Florencia?" Senorita Florencia replies, "The kind of power that the gods grant me does not allow for becoming invisible or creating falsehoods or have I yet attained the prowess to hold a man immobile." She winks at Katherine, "So Senora, if we are to learn who is up there we must use our more mundane talents the gods have bestowed upon us to fool whomever is spying upon us." Kate states, "Well, I'll start with the simplest then. I'll use a spell from inside to push that curtain aside, little a fluttering breeze. Both of you keep your eyes open. I'll bring drinks back out, so I'll have a reason to go in. After that, we can try some more mundane options." Kate stood up and went back into the Cantina and behind the window again, then cast a cantrip, hoping to flutter the curtain in the window across the way. The spell does not work. Kate returns outside and Gonzales says, "I suspected that would be the case. You are too far away from the Promise City Hotel. Perhaps somebody from the Cantina should go get the Deputy Marshalls to help with this predicament." "It was worth a try," she said, and handed each of the others a glass of water. "I don't know why I didn't think to send someone for a Marshall, I seem to look for the absolute most complicated way to do something lately. I suppose I'm used to the Marshall's being Earps, and we know how much they would have been willing to help me. Kate went inside to get the last glass of water and asked Grant Keebler if he would run over to the Marshall's office and bring someone over. She wrote a quick note, then went back out and joined the others. "Grant will go, he'll bring the Marshall in the back way. I sent a note along with him, so he might decide to check out the hotel first." Minerva stands with her back to the window and says, "Well there is no law against looking out the window so I'm not sure that Deputy Rodriquez will intervene and Senor Chet is not there. I heard him say he was going up to the mill. While Grant is going to get Deputy Rodriguez, I will go back to the Lucky Lady and get some other assistance. Senor Mills and Nanuet are there. Who ever is doing the watching is watching you and Katherine. If you two remain here they are likely to stay and watch you. This will afford us the opportunity to go over to the Hotel and see who it is. I will go out the back door. It will be safer that way." Minerva casually goes back into the Cantina and then lifts her skirts and rushes out the back door to the Lucky Lady. Kate watched as Minerva went casually back into the Cantina. "I wonder what she wanted to talk about? I asked her about how to thank Diana, and I think she suspected I wasn't telling her everything." Kate sighed. "Now we wait." [/QUOTE]
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