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<blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3313721" data-attributes="member: 8530"><p><strong>Chapter 222, “Festival Afternoon” , Saturday, April 1st , 1882, 3:30 P.M. </strong> </p><p></p><p>Jake spends the rest of the afternoon watching people and listening to conversations. He takes special care to walk quietly. He spends the most time at the Papago store and corral. He walks along the north side of town from there to walk around the outside of the Palace Saloon front and back. He continues along the north side of town looking down alleyways and houses before going back and doing it again. In an awkward moment he goes to look at his watch and realizes that he can't and laughs. He uses clocks in buildings to monitor the time, and at one point even asks the time using a Texas accent while in a crowd of people. Several men take out their watches and tell each other the time. </p><p></p><p>Ruby squeezes through the crowds to get back to the El Parador. She makes her way upstairs to Gonzales room. Once inside she double checks to make sure Katherine isn't there. "Mr. Gonzales, I need to tell you about the plans. We think Katherine is being monitored or someone is reading her thoughts or something. Ringo knew the books weren't the ones he wanted before we even got there. Jake is checking out Conrad to make sure it isn't him. It may be in all of our best interests for Kate to think we are giving up the books to Ringo. None of the rest of us have any intention of doing that though. Ringo can't get those books or all of us will be dead." </p><p></p><p>Gonzales says, "Well, that may not be entirely true. You and Katherine both gave me a summary of what happened. How can you be so sure that he knew the books weren't the ones that he wanted?" "He left a note saying that we needed to bring the real books tonight, that's why. I'm not sure but I doubt he was there." Ruby sighs, "What do you think we should do?" He replies, "My fear is what he will do unless you comply with his wishes. Now that note he left, what exactly did it say about the targeted people?" </p><p></p><p>Ruby scrunches her nose, trying to remember. "He said something like the six people closest to you, being Kate, and the employees and loved ones of those who he contacted will suffer his wrath." "Is it really possible that he could do all that in the middle of this festival and get away with it? It seems unlikely, but people, including innocents will definitely get hurt. Maybe we should leave a note for him in the wagon instead of the books. Tell him for every person he injures or murders we will burn one of his precious books, and they will be gone forever. He may argue we would be dead, but then again, he wouldn't have what he wants." </p><p></p><p>He replies, "So the people who go the numbers....they aren't the actual targets?" She says, "We don't know for sure. But my guess was no. How could we really know?" Ruby shakes her head. "This whole thing has been a mess since the beginning, him forcing us to choose sides." She sighs. "No, I think the numbers were sent to people but meant for someone else, like Jake's was for me. Number 2." Gonzales says, "Then Dorita is safe. But that means....." </p><p></p><p>Ruby answers, "My guess is Sonoma isn't." He replies, "Possibly not. She owns the ranch with Sonoma, so that could be why. But Sonoma isn't the only one close to Dorita in Kate's life. It could just as easily be me." Ruby gives him a small smile. "I was waiting for you to guess that on your own." She shrugs. "At this point there are no answers, only questions. And it seems my number is next." </p><p></p><p>Ruby pulls on her hair. "Like I said, that is only my guess and maybe not a very wise one. I haven't been known for my wisdom in the past. I think Berg, which would be Chester, is number one. He was injured and almost killed. Does that count? If my theory is right that means I'm next? I didn't push the issue with the others, it would mean more of us are targets. Plus if I said that to Jake, that I thought it was me and not him... he might do something foolish." </p><p></p><p>"I'm not going to spend my time hiding. I will help Jake for the show and go to the ball tonight as planned. If Ringo wants me, he'll find me no matter what I do. As for you, you have to decide what you want to do. If it is you he is after, then this whole place may not be safe.” Mr. Gonzales seems deep in thought and does not answer. </p><p></p><p>Ruby heads towards the door. "As I said earlier, please keep the books safe. We don't intend for Ringo to get them, that would just be bad for everyone involved. Katherine, well, she has good intentions we all know that. But in the end they are not hers, or yours, to do with as you wish. They belong to those of us who were there that day and we all take responsibility for taking them out." Ruby then heads out to the festival. She stays out in the street, wandering around the festival. The tents are set up from all the Saloons not on Main Street. She mindlessly wanders, guessing she is being watched but not caring. She watches some of the entertainment paying particular attention to Jane's girls. </p><p></p><p>The festival continues to progress. The Polaski brothers leave the stage and the Festival Singers and Dancers arrive. Jane had followed Ruby's advice and does not make an appearance, leaving the Gay Lady's professional singers Julia Barbeau and Fifi LaFarge to lead the group of singers and dancers, accompanied on the piano by the Gay Lady's pianist Pepe Diderot. </p><p></p><p>At the northern end of town the Fencing competition runs long. There had been a surprisingly large number of competitors who entered, cut off after sixteen, resulting in a number of preliminary matches to narrow it down to eight and then four. The losers of the semi-final match, El Parador resident Hans Schmidt and Fort Huachuca's Sergeant Ball, then have a match to determine third and forth place, with Hans taking third. </p><p></p><p>The two finalist are Kevin Tomlinson squaring off against the El Parador's musician Estaban Fuente. The wood elf had keep the fact that he was a skilled swordsman to himself up until the time of the competition. He and his sister Maria, the Lucky Lady's cook, had made bets where-ever they could that Tomlinson would lose the match. Given how impressive Tomlinson's fencing had been during the week they found over one-hundred people willing to take that bet. Combined they had all of their savings invested in Estaban, over $ 1,000, which at the end turned out to be a very wise investment as he defeated Tomlinson by two hits in the final match. </p><p></p><p>Minerva arrives at the fencing just as it ends. She scans the crowd for Conrad. Conrad is there, wearing his fencing attire. "Buenas Tardes, Senor Booth. How was the fencing competition?" He replies, "I didn't do very well, but my mind was elsewhere." She makes small talk for a few minutes. I was wondering if we could speak privately for a moment?" He replies, "Yes, of course." </p><p></p><p>Minerva begins. "Katherine has told me of your generous offer and that you have given her until the festival to come to a decision. But with Johnny Ringo and this war…,” she says holding her hands out, “Well there is just so much going on right now I am concerned how everything will affect her and her condition. Is there a reason that you feel that she must decide so quickly?" </p><p></p><p>Conrad says, "Well yes, we would have to do so now. Otherwise the baby would appear to have been born too early and her reputation would still be tainted. We cannot let that happen. Please Priestess, help me to convince Katherine that this is best for both her and the baby." </p><p></p><p>Minerva exclaims, "But I am not sure that it IS the best plan, Senor. And in the end it is for Katherine to decide. But why do you think it's the best thing for her? I do not know what her feelings are for you, perhaps she does not wish to marry for love? Or perhaps she is afraid of trapping you." </p><p></p><p>Conrad says, "It doesn't have to be anything other than what she wants. I realize that she is not yet ready. I am willing to wait....and if she later decides this is wrong she can file for divorce. My reputation in this town is mixed at best, a proper schoolteacher deciding to divorce a gambler would seem natural. The key is that we be married NOW, so that in December the baby will be seen as legitimate." </p><p></p><p>Minerva replies, "Well, perhaps she thinks that marrying a gambler is as much a hurt to her reputation as having a child with no father. I honestly do not know how she feels but your offer is certainly admirable that you would offer to take on this duty. You are more honorable than most people think." He replies, "Thank you Priestess. The offer is in part due to my own background. My parents were not married and I had to grow up with that stigma. I will talk to her later at the ball. Perhaps we can still have the ceremony tomorrow." </p><p></p><p>"You're welcome Senor. I did not know of your background but I can see more clearly why you feel as you do. Try to stay safe today there are many evils about. I am confident Katherine will make the right decision for all of you. You are a good friend to her." Minerva bids Conrad farewell. She spends time socializing with her congregation and visitors to the town. She attends the races and enjoys the mutton busting. She then heads to the Lucky Lady to meet up with everyone. </p><p></p><p>Chester sits in the church's sickroom as Valdez looks over Chester's leg. "Is there anything you can do to fix this leg, Mr. Valdez? I can't wait around while the others are still in danger." "Don't worry, Deputy. I'll see what I can do," Valdez says. "Your jacket is in surprisingly good condition for being in a dynamite blast." Chester replies, "I got my body behind a bush in time. My legs, however..." </p><p></p><p>Valdez says that the real problem with the leg is that it wasn't properly repositioned for the broken bones to line up exactly prior to being reset with the magical healing. Valdez knows the reason for this as he had seen that Chet was still partially invisible when he had been brought in. He warns Chet in the future not to be healed unless the person treating him can actually see what he is doing with the wound. </p><p></p><p>Unfortunately the only solution is for Valdez to actually break the leg again and reset it properly. He gives Chet a large quantity of whiskey and also has Chet bite down on a bullet while he carefully and skillfully uses a wooden brace and sledgehammer to again separate the bones. He then uses some very powerful magic to reset the wound. Chet is able to then move the leg, and comments "This is great, I'll be able to dance tonight." Valdez says, "You might, but that may also be the whiskey talking." </p><p></p><p>Chester thanks Valdez and limps to his room to put away his rifle. His right leg still itches the healing magic, but soon he can put his full weight on it. The deputy wads up his ruined clothes and changes into some fresh ones. He checks his six-guns and finds that the Colt's barrel was bent by the blast. Chester sighs at his misfortune. "I guess the Fates have decided I can't have any more guns. I'll bring this to Pierre next time I see him. Better find Mitch to tell him I can work now." </p><p></p><p>Chester stops by the office, but no one is there. He searches around until he finds the marshal. "Any sign of the cowboys?" Berg says, "None at all. Did you find anything out?" "Except for finding out that the cowboys like dynamite, no. Although one cowboy has crossed the River Styx. Ringo wasn't there. So he's probably nearby." </p><p></p><p>Back at the main stage, the singers and dancers complete their singing and are followed by Clarisse Townsend and her pianist Warren Watson. She barely arrives in time, having been watching Tomlinson fence. In the children's area the hoop rolling is finishing up and the foot races are soon scheduled to begin. Over half of the children however wish to go watch the horse races, where Cathleen and Colleen O'Hare are competing. Meagan agrees to bring the children who wish to go watch the races while the Eatons agree to stay and run the foot races. </p><p>The fencing ends and they begin to set up the field for the horse race. </p><p></p><p>Ruby heads over to the area of the horse racing, looking around curiously to see if she knows anyone who is entering. The horses begin to gather at the start of the racing track. A mile-long oval track has been laid out north of the town. The track starts on the main road and then turns west, running parallel to Sierra Street north of the Emporium, where the crowd had gathered to watch the fencing competition. It then turns north for four-tenths of a mile, east back to the road, with the final one-third mile being on the main road, the finish line just north of the town. Twenty-five horses have entered. </p><p></p><p>Colleen and Cathleen O'Hara are jumpy and nervous about the race as they have never raced against this many competitors and in front of this large a crowd. Places along the starting line are randomly determined with Cathleen on Meribel in the nineteenth position. Colleen has a better place along the track in the 7th slot. Emporium owner Sterling's race horse is favored to win, with his female halfling employee as the jockey. </p><p></p><p>The race begins with Judge Isby firing off the starting gun. Cathleen and Colleen both begin at a fast pace, with Cathleen having her horse charge as fast as possible. Meribel gets ahead of most of the pack and is the third horse to make the right hand turn north towards the long straightaway. </p><p>On the straightaway two Fort Huachuca soldiers take the lead, with Cathleen immediately behind them, leaving the remaining horses between two and four lengths back. Colleen keeps herself in the middle of the pack. </p><p></p><p>Cathleen pulls ahead of the soldiers on the next curve and commands her horse onward, giving every ounce of strength that the animal has. The soldiers both force their animals on as well to keep up. Three more horses also join the front pack on the curve, one being Sterling's, one ridden by Ashley King of the Bar-W ranch and the other being ridden by Ellen Shaw of the Lazy-S Ranch. Colleen then begins to move forward Several members of the audience are amazed that the four female riders in the race are among the front seven horses. </p><p></p><p>On the next curve and onto the main road Colleen passes Ashley King but does not try to get further than sixth position while Cathleen pours everything that Meribel can muster into a final sprint that both soldiers, Sterling's horse and Ashley King all try to match. All of the front animals appear to be starting to tire as one-quarter mile of the race remains. Cathleen then begins to slow as does one of the soldiers. King and the other soldier keep the lead until the final eighth of a mile, when both Colleen and Sterling's horse both begin their final sprints. Neither King or the soldier had anticipated a par of horses charging past them, one on either side, and are unable to catch up. They are then passed by hardware shop owner Sam Slade, whose horse had been well back in the pack, as he urges his horse onward. </p><p></p><p>Colleen and the halfling are neck-in-neck as they urge their horse down the final 100 yards with Sam Slade barreling down on them. Ashley King also makes a final attempt to pull ahead with the soldier right behind him. Sam Slade's horse continues to make up for lost ground and soon passes both women. They urge their horses forward but do not reach him as the finish line is found. Sterling's horse beats Colleen's by a nose. Trophies and prize money are then awarded. Colleen gets the smallest of the three trophies and $ 25.00 in cash for the third place finish. </p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>The horse race is considerably quicker than the fencing was, allowing the festival to get back on schedule. Targets are then set up for the Marksmanship competition. Over 200 people have signed up compete, including three dozen soldiers on leave from Fort Huachuca. Across town, Clarisse complete her singing and is replaced on the Main Stage by Stanley Barker. She asks him "Aren't you going to miss your wife's contest?" He replies, "She can show me her trophy later. She'll win, she always wins." </p><p></p><p>It is almost 5pm. Minerva searches for Nanuet so that they can watch the mutton busting together. Kate was rather uncomfortable for a while after Mrs. O'Hara left with her girls, remembering the last time she had seen Doc Eaton. His opinion of her had been made fairly clear. Today though he seemed to be enjoying himself, not worrying over her presence. She found his wife much more pleasant to work with. </p><p></p><p>Miss Florencia was proved right about the sheep riding. The children who participated laughed their way through it, taking their tumbles off the confused animals with good humor. The afternoon with the children helped pull her spirits back up. She was by no means happy, but the world did not seem so wholly dark. The sheep were allowed to go back to their grazing. Kate excused herself to Mrs. O'Hara, thanking her for her help and saying that she had to check on the situation that had made her late. Then she went back to the El Parador and into her teacher's rooms. </p><p></p><p>She met his eyes with a sad glance of her own and handed him the latest note from Johnny Ringo. </p><p>"I just spent a few hours with the children. If we let Ringo have those books, he will be in control of the world they live in. We have to find a way to protect the people he's threatened without giving in. Do you think it's possible? There are soldiers in town for the marksmanship competition, perhaps we could get some help... although I doubt a running battle in the streets is what we want." </p><p></p><p>He says, "What do I think he will do if he had the books? I do not know. But he has made it clear what he will do if he doesn't get them." She says, "I can't read the books, you can, and have. Some of them at least. Are they really that dangerous? In the short term, I mean? The others seem to believe the books are magical in and of themselves, but they aren't, are they? They only contain magical knowledge. In other words, if I give him these books, it's not immediate power. I'm sorry I'm so question-some, but the others have left this choice on my shoulders. Very likely right where it belongs, but I'm still terrified of making the wrong one." </p><p></p><p>He replies, "The problem is that he has owned those books before and appears desperate to want them. I have a question for you. Let's say that you hadn't shared the information from his note with your friends and you had gone out alone with the wagon full of books. When you arrived at the mine what would you have done then?" She replies, "I'm not sure, I hadn't thought about it. </p><p>I think, I would have taken the dispel scroll with me, my pistol, and the wand of magic missile. </p><p></p><p>I would have unhitched the horse and left the wagon there. And if Ringo had shown his face I'd have done my best to kill him. But that was never an option, going alone. I have no illusions about who would win in any kind of fight between us, and if he kills me... he kills two." </p><p></p><p>He replies, "So you would have brought the wagon and left the books there. He had left just one man behind, disguised as him. If he had actually meant to ambush you and your friends wouldn't he have just left more? He had obviously written out that note in advance, but it wasn't left for you at the mine. It seems that it was placed there for you to find only after it became obvious that you were planning something. Maybe he wasn't out to get all of you after all. He may have just wanted the books." </p><p></p><p>She replies, "I don't doubt that, Professeur amie. The books are the only reason he has to trouble us. Well, Jake's jacket too but I think he's gotten over that. I just fear what he'll do with that knowledge. But I can't worry about everyone in the world, can I? I can't protect everyone in Cochise County. I can only protect the people here. I don't have a choice, do I? Gods, I hate this!" </p><p></p><p>Kate sat down on the edge of the fountain and pulled her knees up to her chest. "Ruby will despise me after this, but I can live with that if it makes her safe. I'll have to." She stopped and wiped her eyes. "I feel as if I were four years old again. I wish I could go crying to my Papa and have it all fixed with a hug and a few comforting words. We'll need to get the books down to where I can move them easily." </p><p></p><p>Gonzales suggests "Why don't we bring them over to the Town Hall building. Minerva can use getting it set up for tomorrow's service as an excuse to need the key and get in there. That way they'll already be at the intersection of Main and Fremont and you'll just need to have somebody nearby to help load them onto the wagon." </p><p></p><p>Kate replies, "That's a good idea, but I'm not sure Miss Florencia would agree. She is dead-set against giving Ringo the books. And I don't think there will be anyone to help me. I don't want to involve Conrad anymore than I already have, and the others... well, I'm sure whoever is driving the wagon will give me a hand. I can probably just use the cart we were using earlier and drive it to the intersection." </p><p></p><p>Kate says, "Professeur, is there any way I could warn Wyatt Earp that Ringo is about to get a lot tougher? A magical means to contact him perhaps? Or the location spell so I might discover where to send him a message?" He says, "Yes but I had only studied one of the scrying spells today which we have already used. I could try it tomorrow. Another thought, I have those magical levitation devices that you obtained in January, the ones that Dodge used to move his cannon. You could use those to transport the books without needing help from anybody else." </p><p></p><p>Kate says, "Thank you, that should do. Wyatt will just have to wait until tomorrow. Well, I have a couple hours now, and I don't know what to do with them. I wish this could just be all over." </p><p>Kate sat in quiet thought for a few minutes. "Jake said he wouldn't stop me, but the others have some pretty decided opinions. Maybe I should tell them?" </p><p></p><p>He says, "Well, I'm going to go downstairs and make sure that the wagon with those books from earlier is secured. The centaur Qualtaqa is in the shed and not planning to mingle much at the Festival so I can ask him to guard them." Kate stayed upstairs in her teacher's room for a few minutes. Tomorrow they would find a way to warn Wyatt Earp, find a way to track the wagon, and take the books back. Or destroy them, if that was what was necessary. There was nothing to do until 7:30, and sitting and waiting was intolerable.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Silver Moon, post: 3313721, member: 8530"] [B]Chapter 222, “Festival Afternoon” , Saturday, April 1st , 1882, 3:30 P.M. [/B] Jake spends the rest of the afternoon watching people and listening to conversations. He takes special care to walk quietly. He spends the most time at the Papago store and corral. He walks along the north side of town from there to walk around the outside of the Palace Saloon front and back. He continues along the north side of town looking down alleyways and houses before going back and doing it again. In an awkward moment he goes to look at his watch and realizes that he can't and laughs. He uses clocks in buildings to monitor the time, and at one point even asks the time using a Texas accent while in a crowd of people. Several men take out their watches and tell each other the time. Ruby squeezes through the crowds to get back to the El Parador. She makes her way upstairs to Gonzales room. Once inside she double checks to make sure Katherine isn't there. "Mr. Gonzales, I need to tell you about the plans. We think Katherine is being monitored or someone is reading her thoughts or something. Ringo knew the books weren't the ones he wanted before we even got there. Jake is checking out Conrad to make sure it isn't him. It may be in all of our best interests for Kate to think we are giving up the books to Ringo. None of the rest of us have any intention of doing that though. Ringo can't get those books or all of us will be dead." Gonzales says, "Well, that may not be entirely true. You and Katherine both gave me a summary of what happened. How can you be so sure that he knew the books weren't the ones that he wanted?" "He left a note saying that we needed to bring the real books tonight, that's why. I'm not sure but I doubt he was there." Ruby sighs, "What do you think we should do?" He replies, "My fear is what he will do unless you comply with his wishes. Now that note he left, what exactly did it say about the targeted people?" Ruby scrunches her nose, trying to remember. "He said something like the six people closest to you, being Kate, and the employees and loved ones of those who he contacted will suffer his wrath." "Is it really possible that he could do all that in the middle of this festival and get away with it? It seems unlikely, but people, including innocents will definitely get hurt. Maybe we should leave a note for him in the wagon instead of the books. Tell him for every person he injures or murders we will burn one of his precious books, and they will be gone forever. He may argue we would be dead, but then again, he wouldn't have what he wants." He replies, "So the people who go the numbers....they aren't the actual targets?" She says, "We don't know for sure. But my guess was no. How could we really know?" Ruby shakes her head. "This whole thing has been a mess since the beginning, him forcing us to choose sides." She sighs. "No, I think the numbers were sent to people but meant for someone else, like Jake's was for me. Number 2." Gonzales says, "Then Dorita is safe. But that means....." Ruby answers, "My guess is Sonoma isn't." He replies, "Possibly not. She owns the ranch with Sonoma, so that could be why. But Sonoma isn't the only one close to Dorita in Kate's life. It could just as easily be me." Ruby gives him a small smile. "I was waiting for you to guess that on your own." She shrugs. "At this point there are no answers, only questions. And it seems my number is next." Ruby pulls on her hair. "Like I said, that is only my guess and maybe not a very wise one. I haven't been known for my wisdom in the past. I think Berg, which would be Chester, is number one. He was injured and almost killed. Does that count? If my theory is right that means I'm next? I didn't push the issue with the others, it would mean more of us are targets. Plus if I said that to Jake, that I thought it was me and not him... he might do something foolish." "I'm not going to spend my time hiding. I will help Jake for the show and go to the ball tonight as planned. If Ringo wants me, he'll find me no matter what I do. As for you, you have to decide what you want to do. If it is you he is after, then this whole place may not be safe.” Mr. Gonzales seems deep in thought and does not answer. Ruby heads towards the door. "As I said earlier, please keep the books safe. We don't intend for Ringo to get them, that would just be bad for everyone involved. Katherine, well, she has good intentions we all know that. But in the end they are not hers, or yours, to do with as you wish. They belong to those of us who were there that day and we all take responsibility for taking them out." Ruby then heads out to the festival. She stays out in the street, wandering around the festival. The tents are set up from all the Saloons not on Main Street. She mindlessly wanders, guessing she is being watched but not caring. She watches some of the entertainment paying particular attention to Jane's girls. The festival continues to progress. The Polaski brothers leave the stage and the Festival Singers and Dancers arrive. Jane had followed Ruby's advice and does not make an appearance, leaving the Gay Lady's professional singers Julia Barbeau and Fifi LaFarge to lead the group of singers and dancers, accompanied on the piano by the Gay Lady's pianist Pepe Diderot. At the northern end of town the Fencing competition runs long. There had been a surprisingly large number of competitors who entered, cut off after sixteen, resulting in a number of preliminary matches to narrow it down to eight and then four. The losers of the semi-final match, El Parador resident Hans Schmidt and Fort Huachuca's Sergeant Ball, then have a match to determine third and forth place, with Hans taking third. The two finalist are Kevin Tomlinson squaring off against the El Parador's musician Estaban Fuente. The wood elf had keep the fact that he was a skilled swordsman to himself up until the time of the competition. He and his sister Maria, the Lucky Lady's cook, had made bets where-ever they could that Tomlinson would lose the match. Given how impressive Tomlinson's fencing had been during the week they found over one-hundred people willing to take that bet. Combined they had all of their savings invested in Estaban, over $ 1,000, which at the end turned out to be a very wise investment as he defeated Tomlinson by two hits in the final match. Minerva arrives at the fencing just as it ends. She scans the crowd for Conrad. Conrad is there, wearing his fencing attire. "Buenas Tardes, Senor Booth. How was the fencing competition?" He replies, "I didn't do very well, but my mind was elsewhere." She makes small talk for a few minutes. I was wondering if we could speak privately for a moment?" He replies, "Yes, of course." Minerva begins. "Katherine has told me of your generous offer and that you have given her until the festival to come to a decision. But with Johnny Ringo and this war…,” she says holding her hands out, “Well there is just so much going on right now I am concerned how everything will affect her and her condition. Is there a reason that you feel that she must decide so quickly?" Conrad says, "Well yes, we would have to do so now. Otherwise the baby would appear to have been born too early and her reputation would still be tainted. We cannot let that happen. Please Priestess, help me to convince Katherine that this is best for both her and the baby." Minerva exclaims, "But I am not sure that it IS the best plan, Senor. And in the end it is for Katherine to decide. But why do you think it's the best thing for her? I do not know what her feelings are for you, perhaps she does not wish to marry for love? Or perhaps she is afraid of trapping you." Conrad says, "It doesn't have to be anything other than what she wants. I realize that she is not yet ready. I am willing to wait....and if she later decides this is wrong she can file for divorce. My reputation in this town is mixed at best, a proper schoolteacher deciding to divorce a gambler would seem natural. The key is that we be married NOW, so that in December the baby will be seen as legitimate." Minerva replies, "Well, perhaps she thinks that marrying a gambler is as much a hurt to her reputation as having a child with no father. I honestly do not know how she feels but your offer is certainly admirable that you would offer to take on this duty. You are more honorable than most people think." He replies, "Thank you Priestess. The offer is in part due to my own background. My parents were not married and I had to grow up with that stigma. I will talk to her later at the ball. Perhaps we can still have the ceremony tomorrow." "You're welcome Senor. I did not know of your background but I can see more clearly why you feel as you do. Try to stay safe today there are many evils about. I am confident Katherine will make the right decision for all of you. You are a good friend to her." Minerva bids Conrad farewell. She spends time socializing with her congregation and visitors to the town. She attends the races and enjoys the mutton busting. She then heads to the Lucky Lady to meet up with everyone. Chester sits in the church's sickroom as Valdez looks over Chester's leg. "Is there anything you can do to fix this leg, Mr. Valdez? I can't wait around while the others are still in danger." "Don't worry, Deputy. I'll see what I can do," Valdez says. "Your jacket is in surprisingly good condition for being in a dynamite blast." Chester replies, "I got my body behind a bush in time. My legs, however..." Valdez says that the real problem with the leg is that it wasn't properly repositioned for the broken bones to line up exactly prior to being reset with the magical healing. Valdez knows the reason for this as he had seen that Chet was still partially invisible when he had been brought in. He warns Chet in the future not to be healed unless the person treating him can actually see what he is doing with the wound. Unfortunately the only solution is for Valdez to actually break the leg again and reset it properly. He gives Chet a large quantity of whiskey and also has Chet bite down on a bullet while he carefully and skillfully uses a wooden brace and sledgehammer to again separate the bones. He then uses some very powerful magic to reset the wound. Chet is able to then move the leg, and comments "This is great, I'll be able to dance tonight." Valdez says, "You might, but that may also be the whiskey talking." Chester thanks Valdez and limps to his room to put away his rifle. His right leg still itches the healing magic, but soon he can put his full weight on it. The deputy wads up his ruined clothes and changes into some fresh ones. He checks his six-guns and finds that the Colt's barrel was bent by the blast. Chester sighs at his misfortune. "I guess the Fates have decided I can't have any more guns. I'll bring this to Pierre next time I see him. Better find Mitch to tell him I can work now." Chester stops by the office, but no one is there. He searches around until he finds the marshal. "Any sign of the cowboys?" Berg says, "None at all. Did you find anything out?" "Except for finding out that the cowboys like dynamite, no. Although one cowboy has crossed the River Styx. Ringo wasn't there. So he's probably nearby." Back at the main stage, the singers and dancers complete their singing and are followed by Clarisse Townsend and her pianist Warren Watson. She barely arrives in time, having been watching Tomlinson fence. In the children's area the hoop rolling is finishing up and the foot races are soon scheduled to begin. Over half of the children however wish to go watch the horse races, where Cathleen and Colleen O'Hare are competing. Meagan agrees to bring the children who wish to go watch the races while the Eatons agree to stay and run the foot races. The fencing ends and they begin to set up the field for the horse race. Ruby heads over to the area of the horse racing, looking around curiously to see if she knows anyone who is entering. The horses begin to gather at the start of the racing track. A mile-long oval track has been laid out north of the town. The track starts on the main road and then turns west, running parallel to Sierra Street north of the Emporium, where the crowd had gathered to watch the fencing competition. It then turns north for four-tenths of a mile, east back to the road, with the final one-third mile being on the main road, the finish line just north of the town. Twenty-five horses have entered. Colleen and Cathleen O'Hara are jumpy and nervous about the race as they have never raced against this many competitors and in front of this large a crowd. Places along the starting line are randomly determined with Cathleen on Meribel in the nineteenth position. Colleen has a better place along the track in the 7th slot. Emporium owner Sterling's race horse is favored to win, with his female halfling employee as the jockey. The race begins with Judge Isby firing off the starting gun. Cathleen and Colleen both begin at a fast pace, with Cathleen having her horse charge as fast as possible. Meribel gets ahead of most of the pack and is the third horse to make the right hand turn north towards the long straightaway. On the straightaway two Fort Huachuca soldiers take the lead, with Cathleen immediately behind them, leaving the remaining horses between two and four lengths back. Colleen keeps herself in the middle of the pack. Cathleen pulls ahead of the soldiers on the next curve and commands her horse onward, giving every ounce of strength that the animal has. The soldiers both force their animals on as well to keep up. Three more horses also join the front pack on the curve, one being Sterling's, one ridden by Ashley King of the Bar-W ranch and the other being ridden by Ellen Shaw of the Lazy-S Ranch. Colleen then begins to move forward Several members of the audience are amazed that the four female riders in the race are among the front seven horses. On the next curve and onto the main road Colleen passes Ashley King but does not try to get further than sixth position while Cathleen pours everything that Meribel can muster into a final sprint that both soldiers, Sterling's horse and Ashley King all try to match. All of the front animals appear to be starting to tire as one-quarter mile of the race remains. Cathleen then begins to slow as does one of the soldiers. King and the other soldier keep the lead until the final eighth of a mile, when both Colleen and Sterling's horse both begin their final sprints. Neither King or the soldier had anticipated a par of horses charging past them, one on either side, and are unable to catch up. They are then passed by hardware shop owner Sam Slade, whose horse had been well back in the pack, as he urges his horse onward. Colleen and the halfling are neck-in-neck as they urge their horse down the final 100 yards with Sam Slade barreling down on them. Ashley King also makes a final attempt to pull ahead with the soldier right behind him. Sam Slade's horse continues to make up for lost ground and soon passes both women. They urge their horses forward but do not reach him as the finish line is found. Sterling's horse beats Colleen's by a nose. Trophies and prize money are then awarded. Colleen gets the smallest of the three trophies and $ 25.00 in cash for the third place finish. The horse race is considerably quicker than the fencing was, allowing the festival to get back on schedule. Targets are then set up for the Marksmanship competition. Over 200 people have signed up compete, including three dozen soldiers on leave from Fort Huachuca. Across town, Clarisse complete her singing and is replaced on the Main Stage by Stanley Barker. She asks him "Aren't you going to miss your wife's contest?" He replies, "She can show me her trophy later. She'll win, she always wins." It is almost 5pm. Minerva searches for Nanuet so that they can watch the mutton busting together. Kate was rather uncomfortable for a while after Mrs. O'Hara left with her girls, remembering the last time she had seen Doc Eaton. His opinion of her had been made fairly clear. Today though he seemed to be enjoying himself, not worrying over her presence. She found his wife much more pleasant to work with. Miss Florencia was proved right about the sheep riding. The children who participated laughed their way through it, taking their tumbles off the confused animals with good humor. The afternoon with the children helped pull her spirits back up. She was by no means happy, but the world did not seem so wholly dark. The sheep were allowed to go back to their grazing. Kate excused herself to Mrs. O'Hara, thanking her for her help and saying that she had to check on the situation that had made her late. Then she went back to the El Parador and into her teacher's rooms. She met his eyes with a sad glance of her own and handed him the latest note from Johnny Ringo. "I just spent a few hours with the children. If we let Ringo have those books, he will be in control of the world they live in. We have to find a way to protect the people he's threatened without giving in. Do you think it's possible? There are soldiers in town for the marksmanship competition, perhaps we could get some help... although I doubt a running battle in the streets is what we want." He says, "What do I think he will do if he had the books? I do not know. But he has made it clear what he will do if he doesn't get them." She says, "I can't read the books, you can, and have. Some of them at least. Are they really that dangerous? In the short term, I mean? The others seem to believe the books are magical in and of themselves, but they aren't, are they? They only contain magical knowledge. In other words, if I give him these books, it's not immediate power. I'm sorry I'm so question-some, but the others have left this choice on my shoulders. Very likely right where it belongs, but I'm still terrified of making the wrong one." He replies, "The problem is that he has owned those books before and appears desperate to want them. I have a question for you. Let's say that you hadn't shared the information from his note with your friends and you had gone out alone with the wagon full of books. When you arrived at the mine what would you have done then?" She replies, "I'm not sure, I hadn't thought about it. I think, I would have taken the dispel scroll with me, my pistol, and the wand of magic missile. I would have unhitched the horse and left the wagon there. And if Ringo had shown his face I'd have done my best to kill him. But that was never an option, going alone. I have no illusions about who would win in any kind of fight between us, and if he kills me... he kills two." He replies, "So you would have brought the wagon and left the books there. He had left just one man behind, disguised as him. If he had actually meant to ambush you and your friends wouldn't he have just left more? He had obviously written out that note in advance, but it wasn't left for you at the mine. It seems that it was placed there for you to find only after it became obvious that you were planning something. Maybe he wasn't out to get all of you after all. He may have just wanted the books." She replies, "I don't doubt that, Professeur amie. The books are the only reason he has to trouble us. Well, Jake's jacket too but I think he's gotten over that. I just fear what he'll do with that knowledge. But I can't worry about everyone in the world, can I? I can't protect everyone in Cochise County. I can only protect the people here. I don't have a choice, do I? Gods, I hate this!" Kate sat down on the edge of the fountain and pulled her knees up to her chest. "Ruby will despise me after this, but I can live with that if it makes her safe. I'll have to." She stopped and wiped her eyes. "I feel as if I were four years old again. I wish I could go crying to my Papa and have it all fixed with a hug and a few comforting words. We'll need to get the books down to where I can move them easily." Gonzales suggests "Why don't we bring them over to the Town Hall building. Minerva can use getting it set up for tomorrow's service as an excuse to need the key and get in there. That way they'll already be at the intersection of Main and Fremont and you'll just need to have somebody nearby to help load them onto the wagon." Kate replies, "That's a good idea, but I'm not sure Miss Florencia would agree. She is dead-set against giving Ringo the books. And I don't think there will be anyone to help me. I don't want to involve Conrad anymore than I already have, and the others... well, I'm sure whoever is driving the wagon will give me a hand. I can probably just use the cart we were using earlier and drive it to the intersection." Kate says, "Professeur, is there any way I could warn Wyatt Earp that Ringo is about to get a lot tougher? A magical means to contact him perhaps? Or the location spell so I might discover where to send him a message?" He says, "Yes but I had only studied one of the scrying spells today which we have already used. I could try it tomorrow. Another thought, I have those magical levitation devices that you obtained in January, the ones that Dodge used to move his cannon. You could use those to transport the books without needing help from anybody else." Kate says, "Thank you, that should do. Wyatt will just have to wait until tomorrow. Well, I have a couple hours now, and I don't know what to do with them. I wish this could just be all over." Kate sat in quiet thought for a few minutes. "Jake said he wouldn't stop me, but the others have some pretty decided opinions. Maybe I should tell them?" He says, "Well, I'm going to go downstairs and make sure that the wagon with those books from earlier is secured. The centaur Qualtaqa is in the shed and not planning to mingle much at the Festival so I can ask him to guard them." Kate stayed upstairs in her teacher's room for a few minutes. Tomorrow they would find a way to warn Wyatt Earp, find a way to track the wagon, and take the books back. Or destroy them, if that was what was necessary. There was nothing to do until 7:30, and sitting and waiting was intolerable. [/QUOTE]
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