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<blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3403586" data-attributes="member: 8530"><p><strong>Chapter 235, “To the Outlaws Cave”, Sunday, April 2nd , 1882, 4:00 AM </strong> </p><p></p><p>After getting some unwanted sleep Ruby gets out of bed feeling amazingly rested. She puts her leathers on, using her gun belt for her gun. She puts her scroll down her bodice along with her new set of tools. She brings the usual guns, ammo, dynamite in her backpack, plus all the potions and the magic dagger. Lastly she slings a rifle and the fire rod over her shoulder. "Let's go," she says glumly, knowing there is still a bullet out there with her name on it. </p><p></p><p>Jake dresses and loads up all his weapons as usual, plus buttons his duster up tight. He loads extra ammo and dynamite in his saddle bags. On the way out he sees a bundle left for him by Emery Shaw. Ruby tells him that Mr. Shaw left it for him. Jake just gives a low whistle. Jake and Ruby arrive bright and way too early at the El Parador.</p><p></p><p>Kate opened the door to the closed saloon for Jake and Ruby when they arrived. "Sorry about the early morning," she said quietly. "We can have Luna lead us to the Priest and get more details from him, then move. I'd love for this to be over by sunup. I took the time to get the horses ready, we can go as soon as everyone's here." Ruby wasn't going to bother to argue with Kate. If she had that little disregard for herself, even after she promised she would stay away, well, Ruby was going to start worrying more about herself and less about Kate. Ruby goes out to her horse, waiting for the others to show up. She looks him in the eye as she pets him softly. She whispers something in his ear before hopping up on the shiny black stallion. </p><p></p><p>Maska had joined Nanuet at around 2:00 AM, curing up in her familiar spot alongside him. Nanuet and Minerva meet up with everyone else after a restful few hours. Chester is riding Lookout when the group meets at the El Parador. He carries his rifle and revolver. He also has strapped his saber to the saddle. When Kate asked about it, he says, "It worked for Conrad, didn't it?" He rides close to Kate. "In a low voice, he says, "Kate? Seriously, did Conrad cut off someone's hand today? There's a cowboy with a stump at the end of his arm locked in the town jail."</p><p></p><p>For the first time Kate looked at Chester with doubt in her eyes. "You're not going to arrest him for that, are you? I had seen the man on the Sheriff's roof and was pulling my revolver. The man grabbed me and demanded I drop the weapon. There was no doubt he was with the gang, and if he got my gun he would be armed as well." Chester looks straight ahead. "I don't know if I'm going to arrest him. Bell told Eduardo that someone dressed as Hamlet cut his hand off. I'm not sure if Helen or Eduardo saw Conrad at the ball. But Judge Isby is going to notice a missing hand. If Bell was reaching for a gun, Conrad can claim self-defense." Kate states, "It could easily be said he was reaching for my gun."</p><p></p><p>The priest Trius speaks briefly with those before they head out. He says that the wolf detected fifteen distinctly different fresh human scents around the cave, but that one belonged to the man now in jail and two belonged to the men riding the wagon, which did not go to the caves, staying on the road to Galeyville. </p><p></p><p>He explains how while the wagon was going through the winding and steep hills around six miles away, other members of the gang positioned on overhanging cliffs used hooks and nets to grab and lift the books from the wagon. That way anybody tracking the wagon from behind would not have known the books had left and would have continued to follow the wagon. Without Luna's help they would have been fooled themselves, as Maska alerted them to guards in the first of those hills that prevented them from following the wagon closer while the books were taken. </p><p></p><p>He says that he is now needed over at the doctor's office helping see to his badly wounded senior priest friend, and that when they reach the caves Costas should be sent back as well to help the Arch-Bishop. "Fifteen huh?" Ruby tries not to do that math in her head. Kate says, "We will do that. You have both done more than enough to help us. Thank you. I hope the Arch-Bishop recovers quickly."</p><p></p><p>Jake loads up his horse and is ready to leave. "Lead on." As they all ride out Ruby warns them, "You need to be out of the way for this," she pulls upon the rod, "To work without getting toasted. So if I say get out of the way, get out of the way, ok? I can get a group of them at once and from far away too.""</p><p></p><p>Kate says, "I'm sure you all understand I'm going to have to stay as far back as I can. To the point of staying out in Qualtaqa's hiding place if need be. There's only so much risk I can take, although it seems I was in just as much danger here. Nanuet, if you'll ask Maska to show us the way?" Nanuet states, "That should be good if we can get them to come out the opening of that cave." Nanuet gets Maska to lead and lets her get as far ahead as she can and still be in his dark vision. Minerva follows alongside Nanuet. She has her rife by her side and is quiet and alert. Luna flies ahead to lead the way.</p><p></p><p>Jake lets his horse follow Ruby's for a while he works with the Swiss rifle in the dark until he is more familiar with its operation that way. They continue on, looking for the priest and centaur. They follow the road for a mile and then veer off before the long sloping mountain that Ruby and Jake had once ridden a horseless stagecoach down. They circumnavigate around the to the northeastern end of the two-mile long mountain. Jake and Nanuet remember that near the northeast corner surrounded by almost shear 200 foot high cliffs above it is a cave mouth. </p><p>Maska leads them not to the cave but behind a smaller jagged hill to the northwest of that location. They climb the rocky hill until they reach the summit, located four-tenths of a mile away from the cave mouth and at an elevation of seventy-five feet higher up. As they round the bend they find themselves facing the centaur Qualtaqa. He gestures for them to come forward and explains where the back of the invisible two-man tent is, from which you can see the cave mouth without risk of being seen yourself. He says that Costas is in the tent continuing to watch the goings on at the cave. Kate explained about what happened to the Arch-Bishop, and that Costas was needed back in Promise City. "Let's go down there and get a look at what's going on, and an update from Costas before he goes. Jake is right, let's leave the horses here."</p><p></p><p>Qualtaqa says, "Costas has the current watch so would be able to tell you the present situation. There have been two men guarding the cave mouth at all times. They foolishly keep conversing with empty air, giving away the fact that there is at least one invisible person there as well."</p><p></p><p>"I guess it would be on foot from here." Jake unloads his weapons muttering, "I feel like a blasted army." He also takes the saddle bag with dynamite in it. Nanuet asks, "Has anyone stirred from the caves yet or do they have any kind of watch? Ruby what is the range on that thing? Could you hit that cave mouth from here?" She replies, "Yes I could. I practiced with it, I can hit about a mile away with a good shot. But would good would that do right now? Can anyone see invisible things? Because they might come running out like that and we wouldn't know." </p><p></p><p>Kate says, "I can do something to change that. And then I could stay in the tent and watch for anyone trying to escape out the front." Ruby comments, "Nanuet, don't you have powder? After we get in there use it outside the cave mouth and as they run out they will become visible." Nanuet says, "Yes, I have powder but it is tricky to use and even trickier with guards out front. It must be spread on the ground and made and kept moist."</p><p></p><p>Jake says, "If we clear the cave mouth with that thing you carry we lose surprise. On the other hand, if we use guns to clear the cave mouth we don't have surprise either. I might be able to take one out silently, but the others would raise the alarm and I don't know what in Hades we do about a least one more invisible cowboy out front. If no one has a better plan, I'd go along with that. We should get closer first so we can secure the opening." Kate interjects, "I can make the ones there visible now, we would want the powder to see any trying to escape. I think it will stay wet long enough to do the job we need."</p><p></p><p>Ruby replies, "How can you do that Kate? And if he suddenly becomes visible he'll know something is up anyway. I can also try to get someone silently. But it will be hard to get up there." Jake replies, "I don't understand everything you all do, but we need to eliminate Ringo's protection some how. Don't forget to save something to take care of that." Kate states, "Ginnie's scroll. I used mine up, but she still had hers." Ruby asks, "But if you can't see the invisible person, how do you know where to aim it?" Kate answers, "We watch for them to do their talking. But you can direct the spell to the general area of the cave mouth."</p><p></p><p>Ruby interjects, "I have a scroll too, if we get inside and he's in there. But yesterday there was someone there who looked like him and it wasn't him." Kate says, "True, but he was also expecting us. It's far less likely tonight." Ruby replies, "I am almost positive he's expecting us. So everyone should be on guard." Kate says, "Maybe, but unlike us, he hasn't had enough rest to get his talents back. He will have less power than usual." Ruby comments, "It's not possible that he did the same thing we did?" </p><p></p><p>Chester points to Ruby's "shotgun." "We should spread out. If the cowboys had that wand before, they could have another." Ruby replies, "According to my teacher that is highly unlikely. But we can wait until another day to debate it." She smiles at Chester. "But it's not a bad idea to separate."</p><p></p><p>Nanuet says, "OK, well then I guess the rest of get as close as we can without being spotted, Kate makes them visible, we take them out, then try and put the powder in place before the others come out of the cave? Is that the plan?" Kate answers, "That's the plan. Nice and simple. But let's talk to Costas and get the latest before we get too attached to that plan."</p><p></p><p>They started down to the tent, keeping their voices as low as possible. I have to see if the tent is close enough though." Ruby shakes her head as Kate walks away. "Right, so you're hoping you get him. Damn foolish plan," she says to no one before following down to the tent, trying to stay hidden. Ruby studies the area to the cave, trying to find the best path to not be seen. "If the spell works, and he becomes visible, they will still have time to call up the guard. The people who can move the best in the dark should get the closest they can. Are we ready?" "As soon as we talk to Costas. Invisible tents are hard to find," Kate said, stating the obvious. </p><p></p><p>Nanuet states, "Maska and I are ready.” Minerva states, "I would feel better..."she glances at Katherine " If you would allow me to say a prayer when we are ready to proceed. I am sure that the Goddess would help us if we asked." Kate states, "Feel free. I'm not refusing any help this morning." Chester adds, "Athena doesn't like Ares. That's for sure, maybe she'll give us a hand."</p><p></p><p>Minerva walks over to Nanuet and whispers in his ear, “I love you, Nanuet.” She sighs and puts her arms around him. "I feel as though I have been waiting for you all my life. It is the Fates that have brought us together, but it is love that will hold us together.” She looks deep into his eyes, all her tender feelings for him shining out of her soul, as she leans in and whispers, her warm breath tickling his ear. “I want you to teach me the ways of love when this is all over, mi Amor. Will you do that?” she smiles in innocent trust. "Now don't go getting yourself killed. </p><p></p><p>Nanuet looks at Minerva uneasily. "I love you as well, but this is not the time for thoughts like that. I am sorry but I can not entertain those thoughts now I must keep to the task at hand. We must all do that or we will surely be defeated. We can have that discussion at a more appropriate time." She turns to the others and prays to the Goddess for protection.</p><p></p><p>While they finalize the plan and prayers, Ruby pulls Jake aside. She glances at the cave, then back to Jake. Putting on her best actress face she gives him a small smile. "Please take care of yourself baby. I meant what I said earlier, I don't know what I would do without you." She kisses him softly, "I love you." "I'll promise to duck if you will." Jake says light heartedly. "I do indeed love you Ruby West. The Gods’ luck be with you." "Let's hope that Hermes is still watching over you," she replies back.</p><p></p><p>"Where is this guy, I want to get this over with," Ruby whispers as she moves forward. With Qualtaqa's help they find Costas. He says that the guards were rotated around forty-five minutes earlier. One of the two guards now is a woman. They are just inside the cave mouth. They also don't seem to be spending too much time looking out of the cave mouth, so wouldn't necessarily see anybody approaching from flat against the cliff wall. He doesn't know if the invisible one is still there or not.</p><p></p><p>Kate nods. "Is there anything you can do to help us get closer? Or to keep things quiet once they start? Any advantage you could give us would be appreciated."</p><p></p><p>Ruby asks, "Costas, any chance you could cast the spell on me so I can see the invisible people?" He exclaims with anger in his voice "No, that would be wizard magic, a type of witchcraft!" Ruby innocently replies, "Oh, I had no idea, obviously. How would I know that?" Kate adds, "Is there anything you can do for us? I'm afraid we are quite ignorant of the ways of magic."</p><p></p><p>Kate says, "Oh damn. Excuse my language. I have seen my friends who are servants of the gods use a spell that keeps people from trying to harm them. Would it be possible to put such a spell on me?" Costas says, "That would be a Sanctuary spell. I could cast it, but it only lasts for seven minutes so would be gone by the time you got there." </p><p></p><p>Kate says, "We have also seen that the Cowboy Gang often has magical weapons. Is that something that can be done with the gods’ magic? I'm sure my companions still here would appreciate that." He replies, "I have a spell that negates the evil magic of witchcraft but the furthest I can cast that is 170 feet, and it has a 30 foot radius, so 200 feet would be the furthest it would reach." "I wish I knew better about the talents of the servants of the gods. The night is a help to us right now, might you be able to make our approach silent?" </p><p></p><p>Ruby turns her back to the priest and goes back to looking at the cave. She concentrates hard and tries to see if she notices any thing magical. Jake taps Ruby on the shoulder and whispers, "Perhaps we should do this the old fashioned way then." She sees him holding his dagger. "Good idea," she whispers back. Then loudly, "Forget this. No more waiting. Jake and I will go first. Watch us, wait, then follow." With that Ruby motions for Jake to follow her. "Oh, Nanuet, can you send Maska up again to scent for people we can't see??" </p><p> </p><p>Once they are far enough away from Costas so he can't hear her, she starts an incantation and Jake disappears, followed by her. "Come on," she whispers, "Keep an eye out for invisible people." Ruby takes her new shiny knife out and quietly starts towards the cave mouth. Jake ponders that for only a second and shakes his head. Fortunately Ruby can't see him. He whispers, "When we get there, you have the one on the left." Jake moves as silently as possible down towards the cave mouth with his dagger in hand. "Ok," she whispers back. As she walks to the cave she looks for signs of anyone there that she can't see, footprints, someone talking to the air, dust on the ground, etc...</p><p></p><p>Kate then realized something. "I'm sorry, I have been so concerned about what is going on here, I forgot my message. I did tell Qualtaqa when I arrived. The festival was attacked by gang members and the Arch-Bishop injured. They want you to return just as soon as you can to help with his care." His eyes go wide and she replies, "Costas, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to shock you. As far as I know the Arch-Bishop is stable, but they want you to come back." He answers, "Qualtaqa and I will leave now. Good luck." </p><p></p><p>She replies, "Good luck to you as well. I hope to see you tomorrow morning." Kate sighed, wishing she had known more about clerical magic. Still, they could not use any of their own magic with him still there. "Time to go," she said to the others, then started down, keeping herself pressed against the wall to remain unseen as she made her way down.</p><p></p><p>Nanuet sends Maska ahead with Jake and Ruby following them by scent. He then takes out his rifle, counts to twenty and makes his way down towards the caves trying to remain hidden. Chester exits the tent and tries to spot Ruby and Jake advancing on the cave. Maska sniffs around as she nears the cave. She backtracks until she smells Jake and then nips lightly at his hand. Jake looks down at Maska, hoping the wolf hasn't suddenly gotten hungry.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Silver Moon, post: 3403586, member: 8530"] [B]Chapter 235, “To the Outlaws Cave”, Sunday, April 2nd , 1882, 4:00 AM [/B] After getting some unwanted sleep Ruby gets out of bed feeling amazingly rested. She puts her leathers on, using her gun belt for her gun. She puts her scroll down her bodice along with her new set of tools. She brings the usual guns, ammo, dynamite in her backpack, plus all the potions and the magic dagger. Lastly she slings a rifle and the fire rod over her shoulder. "Let's go," she says glumly, knowing there is still a bullet out there with her name on it. Jake dresses and loads up all his weapons as usual, plus buttons his duster up tight. He loads extra ammo and dynamite in his saddle bags. On the way out he sees a bundle left for him by Emery Shaw. Ruby tells him that Mr. Shaw left it for him. Jake just gives a low whistle. Jake and Ruby arrive bright and way too early at the El Parador. Kate opened the door to the closed saloon for Jake and Ruby when they arrived. "Sorry about the early morning," she said quietly. "We can have Luna lead us to the Priest and get more details from him, then move. I'd love for this to be over by sunup. I took the time to get the horses ready, we can go as soon as everyone's here." Ruby wasn't going to bother to argue with Kate. If she had that little disregard for herself, even after she promised she would stay away, well, Ruby was going to start worrying more about herself and less about Kate. Ruby goes out to her horse, waiting for the others to show up. She looks him in the eye as she pets him softly. She whispers something in his ear before hopping up on the shiny black stallion. Maska had joined Nanuet at around 2:00 AM, curing up in her familiar spot alongside him. Nanuet and Minerva meet up with everyone else after a restful few hours. Chester is riding Lookout when the group meets at the El Parador. He carries his rifle and revolver. He also has strapped his saber to the saddle. When Kate asked about it, he says, "It worked for Conrad, didn't it?" He rides close to Kate. "In a low voice, he says, "Kate? Seriously, did Conrad cut off someone's hand today? There's a cowboy with a stump at the end of his arm locked in the town jail." For the first time Kate looked at Chester with doubt in her eyes. "You're not going to arrest him for that, are you? I had seen the man on the Sheriff's roof and was pulling my revolver. The man grabbed me and demanded I drop the weapon. There was no doubt he was with the gang, and if he got my gun he would be armed as well." Chester looks straight ahead. "I don't know if I'm going to arrest him. Bell told Eduardo that someone dressed as Hamlet cut his hand off. I'm not sure if Helen or Eduardo saw Conrad at the ball. But Judge Isby is going to notice a missing hand. If Bell was reaching for a gun, Conrad can claim self-defense." Kate states, "It could easily be said he was reaching for my gun." The priest Trius speaks briefly with those before they head out. He says that the wolf detected fifteen distinctly different fresh human scents around the cave, but that one belonged to the man now in jail and two belonged to the men riding the wagon, which did not go to the caves, staying on the road to Galeyville. He explains how while the wagon was going through the winding and steep hills around six miles away, other members of the gang positioned on overhanging cliffs used hooks and nets to grab and lift the books from the wagon. That way anybody tracking the wagon from behind would not have known the books had left and would have continued to follow the wagon. Without Luna's help they would have been fooled themselves, as Maska alerted them to guards in the first of those hills that prevented them from following the wagon closer while the books were taken. He says that he is now needed over at the doctor's office helping see to his badly wounded senior priest friend, and that when they reach the caves Costas should be sent back as well to help the Arch-Bishop. "Fifteen huh?" Ruby tries not to do that math in her head. Kate says, "We will do that. You have both done more than enough to help us. Thank you. I hope the Arch-Bishop recovers quickly." Jake loads up his horse and is ready to leave. "Lead on." As they all ride out Ruby warns them, "You need to be out of the way for this," she pulls upon the rod, "To work without getting toasted. So if I say get out of the way, get out of the way, ok? I can get a group of them at once and from far away too."" Kate says, "I'm sure you all understand I'm going to have to stay as far back as I can. To the point of staying out in Qualtaqa's hiding place if need be. There's only so much risk I can take, although it seems I was in just as much danger here. Nanuet, if you'll ask Maska to show us the way?" Nanuet states, "That should be good if we can get them to come out the opening of that cave." Nanuet gets Maska to lead and lets her get as far ahead as she can and still be in his dark vision. Minerva follows alongside Nanuet. She has her rife by her side and is quiet and alert. Luna flies ahead to lead the way. Jake lets his horse follow Ruby's for a while he works with the Swiss rifle in the dark until he is more familiar with its operation that way. They continue on, looking for the priest and centaur. They follow the road for a mile and then veer off before the long sloping mountain that Ruby and Jake had once ridden a horseless stagecoach down. They circumnavigate around the to the northeastern end of the two-mile long mountain. Jake and Nanuet remember that near the northeast corner surrounded by almost shear 200 foot high cliffs above it is a cave mouth. Maska leads them not to the cave but behind a smaller jagged hill to the northwest of that location. They climb the rocky hill until they reach the summit, located four-tenths of a mile away from the cave mouth and at an elevation of seventy-five feet higher up. As they round the bend they find themselves facing the centaur Qualtaqa. He gestures for them to come forward and explains where the back of the invisible two-man tent is, from which you can see the cave mouth without risk of being seen yourself. He says that Costas is in the tent continuing to watch the goings on at the cave. Kate explained about what happened to the Arch-Bishop, and that Costas was needed back in Promise City. "Let's go down there and get a look at what's going on, and an update from Costas before he goes. Jake is right, let's leave the horses here." Qualtaqa says, "Costas has the current watch so would be able to tell you the present situation. There have been two men guarding the cave mouth at all times. They foolishly keep conversing with empty air, giving away the fact that there is at least one invisible person there as well." "I guess it would be on foot from here." Jake unloads his weapons muttering, "I feel like a blasted army." He also takes the saddle bag with dynamite in it. Nanuet asks, "Has anyone stirred from the caves yet or do they have any kind of watch? Ruby what is the range on that thing? Could you hit that cave mouth from here?" She replies, "Yes I could. I practiced with it, I can hit about a mile away with a good shot. But would good would that do right now? Can anyone see invisible things? Because they might come running out like that and we wouldn't know." Kate says, "I can do something to change that. And then I could stay in the tent and watch for anyone trying to escape out the front." Ruby comments, "Nanuet, don't you have powder? After we get in there use it outside the cave mouth and as they run out they will become visible." Nanuet says, "Yes, I have powder but it is tricky to use and even trickier with guards out front. It must be spread on the ground and made and kept moist." Jake says, "If we clear the cave mouth with that thing you carry we lose surprise. On the other hand, if we use guns to clear the cave mouth we don't have surprise either. I might be able to take one out silently, but the others would raise the alarm and I don't know what in Hades we do about a least one more invisible cowboy out front. If no one has a better plan, I'd go along with that. We should get closer first so we can secure the opening." Kate interjects, "I can make the ones there visible now, we would want the powder to see any trying to escape. I think it will stay wet long enough to do the job we need." Ruby replies, "How can you do that Kate? And if he suddenly becomes visible he'll know something is up anyway. I can also try to get someone silently. But it will be hard to get up there." Jake replies, "I don't understand everything you all do, but we need to eliminate Ringo's protection some how. Don't forget to save something to take care of that." Kate states, "Ginnie's scroll. I used mine up, but she still had hers." Ruby asks, "But if you can't see the invisible person, how do you know where to aim it?" Kate answers, "We watch for them to do their talking. But you can direct the spell to the general area of the cave mouth." Ruby interjects, "I have a scroll too, if we get inside and he's in there. But yesterday there was someone there who looked like him and it wasn't him." Kate says, "True, but he was also expecting us. It's far less likely tonight." Ruby replies, "I am almost positive he's expecting us. So everyone should be on guard." Kate says, "Maybe, but unlike us, he hasn't had enough rest to get his talents back. He will have less power than usual." Ruby comments, "It's not possible that he did the same thing we did?" Chester points to Ruby's "shotgun." "We should spread out. If the cowboys had that wand before, they could have another." Ruby replies, "According to my teacher that is highly unlikely. But we can wait until another day to debate it." She smiles at Chester. "But it's not a bad idea to separate." Nanuet says, "OK, well then I guess the rest of get as close as we can without being spotted, Kate makes them visible, we take them out, then try and put the powder in place before the others come out of the cave? Is that the plan?" Kate answers, "That's the plan. Nice and simple. But let's talk to Costas and get the latest before we get too attached to that plan." They started down to the tent, keeping their voices as low as possible. I have to see if the tent is close enough though." Ruby shakes her head as Kate walks away. "Right, so you're hoping you get him. Damn foolish plan," she says to no one before following down to the tent, trying to stay hidden. Ruby studies the area to the cave, trying to find the best path to not be seen. "If the spell works, and he becomes visible, they will still have time to call up the guard. The people who can move the best in the dark should get the closest they can. Are we ready?" "As soon as we talk to Costas. Invisible tents are hard to find," Kate said, stating the obvious. Nanuet states, "Maska and I are ready.” Minerva states, "I would feel better..."she glances at Katherine " If you would allow me to say a prayer when we are ready to proceed. I am sure that the Goddess would help us if we asked." Kate states, "Feel free. I'm not refusing any help this morning." Chester adds, "Athena doesn't like Ares. That's for sure, maybe she'll give us a hand." Minerva walks over to Nanuet and whispers in his ear, “I love you, Nanuet.” She sighs and puts her arms around him. "I feel as though I have been waiting for you all my life. It is the Fates that have brought us together, but it is love that will hold us together.” She looks deep into his eyes, all her tender feelings for him shining out of her soul, as she leans in and whispers, her warm breath tickling his ear. “I want you to teach me the ways of love when this is all over, mi Amor. Will you do that?” she smiles in innocent trust. "Now don't go getting yourself killed. Nanuet looks at Minerva uneasily. "I love you as well, but this is not the time for thoughts like that. I am sorry but I can not entertain those thoughts now I must keep to the task at hand. We must all do that or we will surely be defeated. We can have that discussion at a more appropriate time." She turns to the others and prays to the Goddess for protection. While they finalize the plan and prayers, Ruby pulls Jake aside. She glances at the cave, then back to Jake. Putting on her best actress face she gives him a small smile. "Please take care of yourself baby. I meant what I said earlier, I don't know what I would do without you." She kisses him softly, "I love you." "I'll promise to duck if you will." Jake says light heartedly. "I do indeed love you Ruby West. The Gods’ luck be with you." "Let's hope that Hermes is still watching over you," she replies back. "Where is this guy, I want to get this over with," Ruby whispers as she moves forward. With Qualtaqa's help they find Costas. He says that the guards were rotated around forty-five minutes earlier. One of the two guards now is a woman. They are just inside the cave mouth. They also don't seem to be spending too much time looking out of the cave mouth, so wouldn't necessarily see anybody approaching from flat against the cliff wall. He doesn't know if the invisible one is still there or not. Kate nods. "Is there anything you can do to help us get closer? Or to keep things quiet once they start? Any advantage you could give us would be appreciated." Ruby asks, "Costas, any chance you could cast the spell on me so I can see the invisible people?" He exclaims with anger in his voice "No, that would be wizard magic, a type of witchcraft!" Ruby innocently replies, "Oh, I had no idea, obviously. How would I know that?" Kate adds, "Is there anything you can do for us? I'm afraid we are quite ignorant of the ways of magic." Kate says, "Oh damn. Excuse my language. I have seen my friends who are servants of the gods use a spell that keeps people from trying to harm them. Would it be possible to put such a spell on me?" Costas says, "That would be a Sanctuary spell. I could cast it, but it only lasts for seven minutes so would be gone by the time you got there." Kate says, "We have also seen that the Cowboy Gang often has magical weapons. Is that something that can be done with the gods’ magic? I'm sure my companions still here would appreciate that." He replies, "I have a spell that negates the evil magic of witchcraft but the furthest I can cast that is 170 feet, and it has a 30 foot radius, so 200 feet would be the furthest it would reach." "I wish I knew better about the talents of the servants of the gods. The night is a help to us right now, might you be able to make our approach silent?" Ruby turns her back to the priest and goes back to looking at the cave. She concentrates hard and tries to see if she notices any thing magical. Jake taps Ruby on the shoulder and whispers, "Perhaps we should do this the old fashioned way then." She sees him holding his dagger. "Good idea," she whispers back. Then loudly, "Forget this. No more waiting. Jake and I will go first. Watch us, wait, then follow." With that Ruby motions for Jake to follow her. "Oh, Nanuet, can you send Maska up again to scent for people we can't see??" Once they are far enough away from Costas so he can't hear her, she starts an incantation and Jake disappears, followed by her. "Come on," she whispers, "Keep an eye out for invisible people." Ruby takes her new shiny knife out and quietly starts towards the cave mouth. Jake ponders that for only a second and shakes his head. Fortunately Ruby can't see him. He whispers, "When we get there, you have the one on the left." Jake moves as silently as possible down towards the cave mouth with his dagger in hand. "Ok," she whispers back. As she walks to the cave she looks for signs of anyone there that she can't see, footprints, someone talking to the air, dust on the ground, etc... Kate then realized something. "I'm sorry, I have been so concerned about what is going on here, I forgot my message. I did tell Qualtaqa when I arrived. The festival was attacked by gang members and the Arch-Bishop injured. They want you to return just as soon as you can to help with his care." His eyes go wide and she replies, "Costas, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to shock you. As far as I know the Arch-Bishop is stable, but they want you to come back." He answers, "Qualtaqa and I will leave now. Good luck." She replies, "Good luck to you as well. I hope to see you tomorrow morning." Kate sighed, wishing she had known more about clerical magic. Still, they could not use any of their own magic with him still there. "Time to go," she said to the others, then started down, keeping herself pressed against the wall to remain unseen as she made her way down. Nanuet sends Maska ahead with Jake and Ruby following them by scent. He then takes out his rifle, counts to twenty and makes his way down towards the caves trying to remain hidden. Chester exits the tent and tries to spot Ruby and Jake advancing on the cave. Maska sniffs around as she nears the cave. She backtracks until she smells Jake and then nips lightly at his hand. Jake looks down at Maska, hoping the wolf hasn't suddenly gotten hungry. [/QUOTE]
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