"Ballots & Bullets" (TSR Module BH3) Concluded!

[Silver Moon]

Chapter Thirty-one, “Nakomo’s Story”, Saturday May 27th, 1882, 3:00 P.M.

Nanuet and Minerva arrive at the Marshall's Office shortly after Berg and Rodriguez have relived Barker and Martin with guard duty. Marshall Berg welcomes them both. He gestures to the five prisoners and says, "They've been very closed lip with us, not sure if they'll talk to you either." "Well, we'd like to try if that's OK with you." Nanuet heads to the cell and looks for his cousin, he motions for him to come over to the cell door.

His two cellmates, Nasemkeag and Pakkesso both move to intervene. Berg walks over and says "Okay you two, back up." They are reluctant until Deputy Marshall Rodriguez draws a knife and gives them a steely look. After they finally back up Berg gets out his keys and unlocks the cell. They pull the boy out and relock it.

Berg turns to Rodriguez and says, "We're going for a short walk. If any of these Indians give you any trouble you have my permission to kill them." "Will do boss," Eduardo says as he give the Marshall a wink that the prisoners don't see.

Before they leave the Marshall takes out a pair of handcuffs and fastens the boy's right arm to his own left arm. Once they have steeped outside Berg says, "Let's take the back alley over to the Alhambra, it's probably the closest place for some privacy."

Nanuet replies, "I really appreciate this Marshall Berg. I didn't expect you to take him out of the cell, this will help. I am not sure if you realize this or not, but this boy is my cousin. I think he was bullied into working with the others and I think we will have the best chance of getting the truth out of him. You will have to be careful when you bring him back though, I do not trust the others and would almost expect them to be violent if given the chance."

Minerva states, "Gracias, Marshall. We do appreciate your understanding in this matter. Nakomo, is just a child. I am sure that he would be too fearful to speak in front of the others. They have not been kind to him." she says giving him a meaningful look. Nanuet and Minerva follow the Marshall and the boy to the alleyway.

They reach the Alhambra Saloon. Despite it being dinner time the place is empty as the focus of the place is lunch for the local miners rather than dinner and the evening crowd won't be coming in to drink for a few more hours yet.

The only people present are owner and bartender Steve Lord and the newspaperman Chumbley, who rents a small room in the back. The halfling appears to be on his way out with a stack of newspapers, apparently having just stopped in for a bite. Berg asks "Any word from your old boss?" Chumbley replies, "Yes, he'll be here tomorrow with the town's fire wagon." The halfling departs.

Berg gestures for the four of them to be seated. "What can I get for you?" Lord asks. Berg hands him a silver dollar and says "How about a pitcher of lemonade, four glasses and a half-hour of complete privacy." Lord gets the requested item and then leaves, locking the Alhambra behind him.

Nanuet thanks Berg for the lemonade and then turns to his cousin. He looks him straight in the eye and shakes his head. "I am not sure where to start, or what to say, but this is not time for a lecture. You need to tell us what was going on in that cave and what your part in the whole thing was."

Nakomo takes and drinks the entire glass of lemonade, apparently rather thirsty....or else he was stalling. He says, "After Prescott we returned to the reservation at San Carlos. The Indian Agent had gone on ahead of us and spoken to the Elders. They banished us from the tribe for what we had done." Berg interrupts "The Indian Agent...you mean John Clum?" Nakomo says, "Yes, the one known as Nantan-betunnykahyeh" Nanuet translates the name as "Boss-with-the-high-forehead", a reference to Clum's receding hairline.

"I must say that I am not surprised that you were banned from the tribe. Did you really think that you could get away with what you were doing? I can't feel sorry for you for that honestly." Nanuet turns to Berg. "You know John Clum of whom he speaks? Is this an important matter or should we move on to discussing the current thefts?" Minerva sits quietly, her posture not threatening and waits for Nakomo to continue.

Berg says, "Clum was Tombstone's Mayor until a few months back and then became Postmaster. He also owned the Epitaph, Chumbley's old paper. He just took the job of their Deputy Marshall. But before all that he served as the Indian Agent for the Office of Indian Affairs. He had full authority over the San Carlos Reservation from 1875 to 1877. The first thing he did was force the Army off and let the Western Apache and Yavapai police and manage themselves. He gained great respect from the elves there. The humans who have managed the Reservation since then have not done nearly as well.

So when the Deputy Secretary of the Office of Indian Affairs was coming out to meet with the Territorial Governor and the tribal elders to discuss grievances Clum was asked to join them. He personally knew most of the tribal elders, that structure doesn't change much over five years, and immediately knew the Indians who arrived in Prescott weren't them." Nakomo nods and says, "Yes. Pakesso became very angry about the humans discovering that."

Nanuet interjects, "Mr. Clum sounds like a good man, and he did what was right. Pakesso should have known better, realized that his plan would never work. He did not have the best interest of the tribe on his mind when he made up this plan. Still, I don't see how this leads to your group becoming thieves. You could have found work somewhere I am sure. I know it is hard, I have already walked that road."

Nakomo says, "There is more....Pakesso planned to kill the white men in Prescott. Upon questioning by the Elders the details were told. The Elders were furious. Eskiminzin said that he would alert the whites and that we would be hunted down. We were banished without possessions but Pakesso and Kemo had friends. They got the two of them their horses and some supplies. We left then.

We rode south, towards Mexico. We needed to get out of the reach of the soldiers. But we ran out of food. We saw the farms and then the cave. Pakesso said we should stay a short while, get enough dried meat and boiled eggs to sustain us for several week while we crossed the desert to either California or Texas."

Nanuet exclaims, "He was going to kill them? Kill them because they figured out that he was trying to trick them?” Nakomo replies, "No, his plan was to kill them if they didn't agree to all of the concessions that Pakesso wanted. That was the plan from the onset. They would have except....I remembered what you said to me at the train station."

Nanuet asks, “Why do you stay with these men? You must realize all this is wrong.” The boy answers, "I do now. I had to stay with them, the Elders made them my guardians". Nanuet says, “Now you are in a lot of trouble, I don't know what will happen next. The Marshall might now a bit more about that." Berg interjects, "Hold on Nanuet, this situation is now a whole lot bigger than a stolen pig and a couple of chickens."

Minerva speaks up for the first time. "Marshall Berg. I do not believe that this boy has acted on his own free will. When we saw him in Tombstone, The other two were treating him as one treats a slave."

Berg asks Nakomo, "What did you mean when you said they would have killed the men except for what Nanuet had said to you?" Nakomo pauses and states, "I was the one with the weapons. Pakesso said they wouldn't search me as thoroughly. I had the guns wrapped inside the basket of blankets and trinkets we brought as gifts. I was to bring them when Pakesso called for the exchange of presents, although what he would give the men was death.

I remembered what Nanuet said...and made sure that I got lost inside the Governor's mansion. I wasn't with them when Pakesso decided to act. I heard him yelling for me and the 'presents', and left the building. I later told him I had lost my nerve. But I hadn't, I had found it, through your words....the strength to do what was right. You showed me that Nanuet." Minerva smiles broadly. "You are a man of courage Nakomo. It took a lot of nerve to stand up to those ruffians. What did they do when you told them?" "They beat me," is the boy's reply.

Berg says, "Okay, what we have here is a conspiracy to commit murder against the Governor and several Federal officials. We have to keep this boy away from those other Indians until Isby can hold court on Monday morning. He's the chief witness and what he did to prevent the massacre will go a long way towards Isby going easy on him.

We need to keep what we know now between just the four of us and find somewhere safe for the boy to stay. And since both the thievery crimes and this conspiracy crime are outside of the town's jurisdiction I will see if Isby will allow me to represent the boy at the trial."

Minerva states, "Marshall Berg, would you trust Myself and Nanuet to take responsibility for the boy? I will take him home with me if you are willing. He is not one of them and should not be held responsible for what those murderous thieves have done. He should be commended for his integrity and courage. I am certain that he will not run."

Berg replies, "You may be trusting of him but I'm not. He has every reason to run. But I know that the two of you aren't going anywhere." He gets out the key to his handcuff and unlocks the one on his wrist. Berg then looks to Nanuet and says, "Put this on and you can take him." Nanuet reluctantly agrees. Berg suggests that he and Minerva use the back alleyways with Nakomo to get back to her house unseen if at all possible.

She says, "Marshall Berg, How long do you expect them to stay handcuffed together. Nanuet has to work at the Luck Lady tonight. He cannot be shackled to this boy. It is not right. You are correct when you say that Senor Nanuet and myself are not going anywhere. We will make sure that Nakomo does not go anywhere either."

Berg hands her the key to the handcuffs and says, "I can't take any chances. That'll make sure he doesn't try to bolt until you get him to the safety of your home. You can fasten him to something sturdy in your home instead of one of you if you wish, but I cannot allow him to just wander around freely. Keeping him contained is for his protection too, that Cattlemen's Association don't think too kindly of him at the moment and their building is almost next door to yours."

"Si, I understand. Gracias Marshall Berg." She takes the key and turns to Nakomo. "You are a very lucky young man Nakomo. "She says sternly. "Do we have your word of honor as a Yavapai that you will not try to run and that you will do as you are told?" Nakomo agrees. Steve Lord returns and unlocks the saloon. The four depart, Berg heading back to the Marshall's Office.

Minerva and Nanuet, who is cuffed to Nakomo, head back to Minerva's house.
"I shall ready the guest room for Nakomo." She turns to the boy. "I am sorry Nakomo, but you will have to be tied to the bed. I hope that you understand. I gave my word. It was the only way to free you from that cell." she smiles at him reassuringly. "It will not be for long. We shall resolve this matter and you will be free."

Minerva is readying the guest room. The windows throughout the house are open inviting the cool evening air inside. She leans out the window to inhale the perfume of the fragrant desert flowers she has planted just this afternoon.

Across town, time passes and Kate finally feels less guilty about not joining the Caudell family when she sees them in the company of Nate Caudell's best friend Henry Pleasants. She approaches them and Pleasants tells Kate, "I finished up in Tombstone this morning and took the next stage out of town. Got here mid-afternoon. I've been helping Nate, Mollie and Melvin get their new place cleaned up to move in to."

"Thank heavens," Kate said with a sigh. "I must apologize for not meeting you. There is no excuse. I arrived back at the house to find a bit of trouble and completely lost track of things.
I think you'll be very happy where you'll be living. The neighbors a good people. Have you seen Colonel Seawell yet General? I believe he, my father, and a couple others plan on enjoying some good cigars tonight."

Pleasants replies, "Don't be so formal, call me Henry, I never actually served as a General so don't use that title except for when it's to my advantage. I've been so busy helping Nate move that I haven't had a chance to find Colonel Seawell or look for lodgings. Did you find me somewhere to stay?"

"Then you must call me Katherine, sir. I looked into several places, but that was before the fire in Tombstone. Colonel Seawell stays right next door at Fly's, which I had intended to recommend to you, but that room is now taken. Our Priestess used to stay at The Comstock House, perhaps we could try there.

I have a house on my ranch about a mile out of town you could stay in if we can't find a room. But I would recommend stopping at Fly's and speaking to the Colonel first. He might have other ideas. I'm sorry, Sir. You had a simple request and I could not fulfill it for you. I should have locked in a room instead of just finding several and leaving the choice open."

He replies, "Relax Katherine, how were you to know that Tombstone would burn to the ground. If you could just give me directions over to Fly's Boarding House I'll take it from here." The Caudells pick up their luggage and head over to the house, assisted by Henry and Phillip. "The Flys are my neighbors. Just cross the yard and you'll be there," she said, opening the kitchen door and pointing out the building.

She assured her brothers that she would meet them for dinner and saw everyone on their way. It was blessedly quiet in the house after everyone was gone, and although it wasn't long before dinner Kate took a few moments to sit still and breathe. She looked again at the newspaper, letting it's good news buoy up her spirits again before she dressed for dinner and work and left to meet her family at the Promise City hotel.

Kate wore one of the new dresses that had been made for her in Boston. Thankfully they had been shipped before her family came, escaping the fire in Tombstone. The skirt was pale blue with a full bustle, the neckline high but open at the throat, the white blouse disappearing into black velvet that started at the bust and went down to her waist. A shame this dress would only fit for a few weeks. She arrived at the Promise City Hotel just a minute before six o'clock and looked around for her mother and brothers. Phillip, Henry and Mrs. Seagram join Kate and Ginnie at the table of the restaurant.

Kate looked at Ginnie in one of her new dresses and smiled. They sat down to a quiet dinner together, discussing the lecture and other events of the day. They stayed away from talking about the sign that had been left on her door, partially in order to not be overheard and spread knowledge of the incident. As they talked Kate noted who was in the restaurant that night and kept her ears open for any stray bits of conversation she could pick up. She overhears some people talking about a small tribe of Indians being arrested single-handedly by Colin Hunter for cattle rustling.

"I doubt that's true," Kate said quietly to the others. "Colin Hunter couldn't arrest a paper sack by himself from what I've seen. I just hope they got the right people and didn't jump to conclusions." The meal goes on, with Kate introducing her family to Melissa Smith at one point of the evening. "Well Maman, did the dinner live up to what you heard?" she asked as they finished dessert.

She replies, "Well, it wasn't quite up to the standard of Bernard's on Beacon Hill, but it was one of the best meals I've had in weeks." Kate replies, "One thing you can say for Promise City, there is no lack of good food to be had. We'll have to pay Mrs. Smith the compliment of coming back again.

Let's head over to the Lucky Lady and hear Mr. Barker play. His music is lovely, I'm sure you'll appreciate it." Henry paid the check with many compliments to the chef from everyone at the table, then they all made the walk over to the Lucky Lady for the Saturday night concert.

 

[Silver Moon]

Chapter Thirty-two, “Thanking the Committee”, Saturday May 27th, 1882, 7:00 P.M.

Stanley and Helen Barker have arrived and Stanley has already begun a Beethoven piece. They are seated at one of the tables. Helen is totally caught up in watching her husband and does not notice Kate and her family. They aren't alone long though, as they are soon joined by Nate and Mollie Caudell. Kate greeted the couple quietly, not wanting to disturb others who were listening. "How are you settling into your house?" Henry asked them, seeing that Kate was a bit uncomfortable. "With the fire, I imagine you're lucky to have found a place."

"We're fine," Molly says. "This is wonderful music" Amelie states. Harry Rote comes over to the table to take their drink orders. Kate didn't order anything, and it seemed strange to be served here rather than serving; which she would be doing soon enough. Henry and Phil both ordered brandy, and her mother a glass of wine. Once the piece of music ended Kate turned her attention to the table. "I must apologize again for this afternoon, I'm afraid I had bitten off a bit more than I could chew for the day. How do you like Promise City so far?"

Before anybody else can answer Phillip interjects, "I think it's the best place on Earth!" Nate Caudell says, "It shows Promise. My friend Henry Pleasants plans to introduce me to the people he's with now tomorrow. He feels that either Mr. Seawell or Mr. Von Zeppelin might have need of somebody with my background." Mollie says, "Mrs. Kale, tell me a little about this school of yours. Melvin has always been taught by my husband. It will be nice for him to get a new perspective."

"It's still a bit of a mystery to me since I haven't started teaching yet," Kate said with a smile. "I plan to begin simply with reading, writing, arithmetic, geography and history; the usual subjects. Once I replace some of the books lost of the fire I will add agriculture to the curriculum. Metallurgy would seem appropriate here as well, but I'll need to educate myself first.

After about a month, I plan to add an optional hour to the school day and offer things like chemistry, music, French and perhaps Latin. I would charge a slightly higher tuition for those taking the extra courses. I wish I didn't have to charge tuition at all, but there it is. I have made arrangements with some families to trade services rather than cash, and I plan to admit students regardless of race or sex. I will admit, I'm a bit apprehensive. I know I have the proper education but I haven't taught before except to tutor Ginnie."

Nate says "You'll do fine Mrs. Kale. It sounds like you have a curriculum all planned out and the layout of your classroom should help to facilitate learning. I've been teaching both children and adults for over two decades now and in that time have seen a variety of different teachers. The difference between a great teacher and a mediocre one is personal inspiration not the formal education. As for metallurgy, the nation's foremost expert on that subject is Michael Seawell, and I have no doubt that if asked he would be willing to give guest lectures."

"I intend to take advantage of the many talented people in town to lecture my students. Education here must be different than in the East. These children need a more hands on approach grounded in the world they live in. You'd both be welcome to observe, and any advice would be gratefully received. I also plan to keep my students parents as involved as possible, I want them to know what's happening in the school."

Coming off his shift guarding the Indians, Chester arrives at the Lucky Lady with Clarisse. He sees Kate and her family. "Mind if we join you folks? It's been a long day." "Please, Chester, Miss Townsend. It's nice to see you. May I introduce you to Mollie and Nate Caudell?" Chester tips his hat to Mollie and shakes hands with Nate. "It's good to meet you both. I'm Chester Martin and this is Clarisse Townsend." Clarisse greets the pair, "Mr. and Mrs. Caudell. I'm pleased to meet you. What brings you to Promise City?"

Nate says, "A change of scenery. After a lifetime in North Carolina we decided to start fresh. My best friend Henry Pleasants was taking a job here and he convinced us to join him. And Mollie is anxious to be in a place where women are treated like people in their own right instead of just an extension of their husbands." Chester says, "Then you came to the right place. Women own several of the businesses here."

Mollie notices Chester's badge and asks, "I see that you are a Deputy. I heard that there is a woman Deputy too. I am anxious to meet her." Kate says, "She's married to the gentleman playing the piano; I can introduce you once he's finished playing and before she starts the poker game. She and I wanted to talk about making sure we ladies keep our voices when who gets to vote is decided. It's very important, don't you agree, Miss Townsend?" Clarisse replies, "I..um..I'm not sure." Chester adds, "She's a damn good shot too. Helen can do trick shots like you wouldn't believe."

Kate answers, "It wasn't so long ago that I wouldn't have been sure either. But over the last few months as I've had to take care of myself I've learned the value of being heard. I no longer have a husband, but I have two businesses and thought and intelligence in my own right. We can contribute just as much as any man, our voices should have equal weight."

An angry look from Helen communicates that they are talking too loud and the table quiets. Stanley does only piano concertos this evening, alternating between the works of Beethoven and Bach. When he concludes he stands and takes a wide bow to the ovations of the twenty-or-so people present. Several of those who came primarily for the concert remain and are served dinner or dessert by Harry and Maria. Others depart.

The gamblers arrive at this point. Tony Lucky quickly discovers that the offer of free drinks at the Palace was more of a draw than his poker game, as Jim Belden is the only one of his Saturday night regulars who shows up. Job Kane on the other hand has an overflow crowd, given that Jake Cook is out of town and they usually each fill a table and they share many of the same players.

The first five men seated at Job's table are Al Brower, Neil Cassidy, Zack Morand, prospector Ned Walters, and blacksmith Henry Weller. The final seat is saved for Helen Barker, who is presently having a quick bite with her husband. Brickyard owners and workers Travis Calhoun, Jem Calhoun and Jeremiah Peck all show up to play, but only Jem is willing to play at Tony's table, the other two heading over to the bar to talk with Niles Hoover.

Once food and drinks are all served Harry Rote takes a seat at the piano bench and begins to play. Clarisse excuses herself from Chester's company and heads to the stage to sing. Chester kisses her on the cheek. "Knock 'em dead, dear." He asks Kate, "Did Mr. Shaw speak with you about joining his rancher's group?" Kate replies, "Yes, he did. I need to talk to Nanuet and Sonoma about it. I'm a little worried. They intend to try to put up a slate with the Vigilance Committee with the thought that they could moderate them. I'm not sure I want to be that closely connected to them"

"Would you all excuse me for a moment, I just want to have a word with someone." She leaves the table. Chester says to Kate's mother and brothers, "How are you finding Promise City? Kate's been so eager to have you see where she lives. You must be proud of her." Kate's brother Phillip interjects "I love it here." Chester says, "Good to hear. Thought about moving out here?"

Phil looks at his mother and says quickly. "Nope. I have to go to college in the fall, so it's back to Boston for me." Chester takes a drink, "Oh? What school? I didn't have the chance to go to college. It was the Army for me." Phil replies, "Harvard. The Army is probably more exciting, but I think I'll stick with college."

Chester replies, "You should. A man can get a lot done with a degree. If settlers keep pushing the Indians off the land, then Army life will get a lot more exciting. I hope it doesn't come to that. Indians are fierce fighters and have long memories." He replies, "I'd have a long memory too if someone tried to take my home away."

Mrs. Seagram says "You have a fine town here Marshall Martin and we are all very proud of Katherine." He replies, "Thanks, ma'am. It's just Deputy, though. Mitchell Berg is the Marshall around here. I'm glad you all made it through the fire in Tombstone alright." He asks Henry, "By the way, how's the arm? I heard you hurt it bad."

He says, "It's doing fine. Rather annoying to have to keep wearing this sling. I saw a priest and a doctor and both of them said it'll heal good as new." Henry nods toward Clarisse singing on stage. "Your escort has a lovely voice. She doesn't seem the kind of girl to be singing in a saloon, but I suppose you have to expect the unexpected here."

Chester says, "I'll pass the word along. She loves hearing about fans of hers. I'm real lucky to have found her. She moved out here to live with her cousin after her father died. Ruby, who's on vacation now, wanted someone to perform on nights she couldn't. Clarisse still sings at her original place, too. This town is chock full of surprises. Let me pick up the next round."

"Thanks Deputy, that's generous of you," Henry accepts. Mrs. Seagram says in her French accent, "This Ruby, Katherine writes a great deal about her. What is she like? She and Mr. Cook will return before we leave, I hope." Chester pauses, then says, "She's a spirited one, that Ruby. She loves life and lives it to the fullest. And she's very devoted to Jake. I'm not sure when they're coming back. The repairs to the Tombstone train station might keep them out for a while."

Kate stood up walked behind the bar where Niles Hoover was serving drinks. "Mr. Hoover," she began with a smile. "I saw your ad in the paper and I'm so proud of you I could just burst. What is this committee you're on? When did it start?"

He smiles and says, "I guess you could say it started the other day after Bill Watkins shot him mouth off about only human landowners getting to vote." Job Kane's game hasn't started yet so he calls Neil Cassidy over to the bar and also gestures to Travis Calhoun. "Gentlemen, Kate here was just asking about our little Committee." Neil smiles and says, "What would you like to know Mrs. Kale."

She replies, "Just about everything you're willing to tell me, including how to get on it. Are there others beside those of you whose names appeared today? How do you plan to counter the Vigilance Committee? I've heard and idea here and there, but nothing I felt I could really get behind.

I don't want a fuss made about it, it would play into their hands; but a sign was nailed to the schoolroom door today about how I was going to corrupt the innocent children. I assume it was a reference to my admitting children regardless of race. Your stand in the paper brightened my day."

"Why thank you," Cassidy says. Calhoun says, "Right now there are just the six of us. Kris Wagner wanted to join too but needed to get permission first from his boss Marshall William, who right now is rather preoccupied as Tombstone's Acting Marshall."

Niles says, "We chose like-minded folks who are a good cross-section of the town. Roger Fly is friends with the Vigilance Committee while Rufus Davis's billiard hall caters to a rougher crowd than most. And my influence is with all the saloons since I supply their liquor. Travis points to Neal and adds, "And without the two of us nobody would have anything to build with, or to furnish with afterwards without Mr. Rixton."

Kate replies, "You gentlemen are wiser than I. It wouldn't have occurred to me to choose members in that way, but it makes perfect sense. Is there anything I can do to help? I've come to love the freedom I have here, and I'm anxious to protect it for myself and my friends."

Neil says, "You're already doing it...opening up your school to all races." Niles says, "Hopefully after Monday's meeting there won't be a continued need for this Committee." Travis says, "We're doing another advertisement in Monday's paper and will add your name to the list if you wish." Neal chuckles and says, "But we might make you pay for it then!" The other two men laugh out loud at that comment.

Kate looked at the men, completely missing what was funny about the comment. "Yes, please add my name. I've never hidden my opinion and I don't plan to start now. You might want to consider keeping your committee together and supporting candidates. Competition is a good thing, although I understand you didn't intend to start a political party." She took the risk of looking like a fool and added, "I would be happy to contribute to the cost of the next advertisement and consider it money well-spent."

Niles says, "We were laughing Kate because after Chumbley saw the what the content of our advertisement was he gave us a reduced rate." Neil states, "He normally charges $ 20 for a full-page ad but said he'd only charge us a nickel." Travis adds, "We talked him into increasing it to a full six cents, that way all six of us contributed equally."

She smiled indulgently and said, "I should have guessed. Then let me make my contribution by buying you each a drink. And no arguments about it. Do you really think Mr. Fly might make some headway with the Vigilance Committee? I have hope for some of them, but I'm not sure three of the five can be convinced."

He says, "Watkins and Eaton are lost causes, but we're hoping for the other three." Helen leaves Stanley to go play. Job indicates that he is ready to start his game so Neil excuses himself and heads over to the table. She says, "I should go as well, I'm supposed to be working after all. Mr. Hoover, I'll just stop a minute with my guests and then be here to help. Gentlemen, thank you all again. I'll be by with your drinks in a minute."

Kate tied her apron on and got the promised drinks. After that she stopped by the table where her family sat with Chester and the Caudells. "I'll introduce you to Deputy Barker as soon as Mr. Kane calls a break," she said to Mollie Caudell. "She takes her poker and listening to her husband very seriously. It's always best not to interrupt her. I'm sorry to have run away on you Chester. Your question reminded me of something I wanted to talk to Mr. Hoover about. Did you see the ad in the paper today from the "Committee for Racial Equality?" I wonder if Pedro has seen it. It would brighten his day too."

Chester replies, "No problem, I was just talking with your family. I haven't seen the paper today. Me and Nanuet were busy looking into some rustling at the local ranches. We caught them, a bunch of Indians were in the cave with the stolen livestock. Nanuet knows them, too. What's the paper say?"

"There were stories about the fire of course, but the interesting things were the editorials. One from Mr. Chumbley, one from Mrs. Young, and an add from the gentlemen I was just talking to about the importance of all races having the vote. The elves weren't Apache, were they? I don't believe Geronimo would sanction anything to risk the treaty."

Chester says, "I don't believe so. Nanuet said they were Yavapi. One of them is his cousin, if I remember correctly. Lucky for everyone. The ranchers thought they were Apache and this was planned. Now it looks like it was everyday rustling. Who took out this ad? It's a mighty brave stand. Equality isn't a popular thing." Kate smiled. "It isn't, but thankfully it's more popular than I thought. It was Travis Calhoun, Neil Cassidy, Rufus Davis, Roger Fly, Niles Hoover, and Cole Rixton."

Two hours pass at the Lucky Lady. Tony's game wraps up early given his small number of players. Clarisse had headed over to the Comique for a short set, then came back to the Lucky Lady for another longer set. Job calls for a break at around 9:30 P.M. at which time Stanley head back to the piano and Helen sits back to admire her husband.

Kate slipped over to Job and said, "Would you do me a favor? Once Mr. Barker is finished, hold off starting your game for just a moment? I want to introduce Helen to someone, and you know how hard it is to get her attention." Job says, "Sure, especially if the delay changes the mood at the table. It's been an odd night anyway. Weller and Walters are both usually broke by now but they're having a good night. Al Brower's lost twice what he usually gambles, and I'm down close to $ 100 which almost never happens."

Kate replies, "That is strange. Maybe Ruby really is the Lucky Lady after all. There's a lot going on in town right now, I can see where a gambler might become reckless... but how do two who usually have a bad night change their luck so drastically? Maybe I can get one of my brothers to join in for a while, that might help change the mood too."

Stanley plays until 10:00 P.M. Job Kane remains at the bar talking with Niles and Jem Calhoun. Stanley sits back down at a table with Helen and they share two glasses of good wine together. Kate took her chance and walked Mollie and Nate Caudell over to the table where the Barkers were sitting. 'Deputy, Mr. Barker, I hope you don't mind the intrusion, but my companions were anxious to meet you. Deputy Helen Barker, Stanley Barker, may I introduce Nate and Mollie Caudell?"

Mollie tells Helen that she has heard a lot about her and that this town having a woman as an official is part of what prompted them to come to Promise City. Helen welcomes the compliment and asks the Caudells to sit and join them. Kate smiled and got herself out of the way. She had no doubt the people at that table could get along without her help. Still, she kept her ears open whenever she was nearby to make sure things continued to go well. She also asked Henry if he might take a seat at Job's table when the game started back up.

Job Kane resumes his game at a quarter after ten. Al Brower does not rejoin him, with Jem Calhoun taking his place. At around 10:30 P.M. a frantic Pierre Jaquet charges into the Lucky Lady, almost knocking over the massive Thom in the process. He rushes inside and yells "Deputy Barker, Deputy Martin, Emergency!"

 

[Silver Moon]

Chapter Thirty-three, “Saturday Night at the Meeting Hall”, Saturday May 27th, 1882, 8:00 P.M.

Ruby searches through the gowns, some being a lot more revealing than others. She also finds the white robe for the ceremony that Jane has chosen. She loved it but hoped that Jake didn't have a problem with it being too revealing. She chooses a gold confection of a gown, low cut on top but lots of material on the bottom. She would save the daring for later. http://fan.inkstigmata.net/satine/86.jpg She dresses and returns to her room to find Jake and put the finishing touches on her hair and makeup.

She finds Jake there also getting dressing for the evening. She points to a black suit hanging in the closet. "Is that a tuxedo?" she asks skeptically. He looks over. "I did not even know that was there." Ruby shrugs. "I guess it's pretty fancy tonight. But you don't have to wear that if you don't want to, your suit is nice. I'm wearing this," she twirls around in her fancy gold dress.

Ruby keeps her eyes on Jake as he dresses, but is lost in her thoughts. "Baby, I want you to do something for me tonight. Will you try?"

"I thought tonight you were going to do something for me," Jake replies with a very broad grin. Noticing that she seems serious he adds, "Oh, not that. Certainly, princess, what?"

Ruby steps closer to Jake and takes his hand. "I want you to ask Red to be Red during Jane's ceremony tonight. I know it might be a bit risky for him but there has to be a way. I think it's really important, I know it would be for Jane and maybe for him too." She pauses, "Has he said anything to you... about Jane?"

"Yes he has. I think he is smitten with her. I just wonder though," Jake rubs his chin, "Does he really want Jane or is he still chasing the ghost of her mother? Apparently Red felt that his devotions to Jane's mother were mostly one way, that Jane's mother did not care back the way Red did. I do not think that Red is thinking that way, he merely does not understand why Jane has not selected him and seems hesitant to persue her. Can you blame him though? He feels his love was not returned by the mother and now he is faced with the same prospect with the daughter. Even if she takes him to bed, what then?" Jake shakes his head. "If it takes Red wearing his own face to bring this to some conclusion, then I will get him to do so. I hate to see him stuck like this, making no decision and fretting over it."

"Jane believes she has not chosen him because he is never himself. She is certain that the goddess would never have her chose a false persona, which is what he is when she does her ceremony. Perhaps if just once he was there as Red she would know, they both would know. What happens after they go to bed is their problem. If it's really love, they will work it out, no?" Ruby looks at Jake with an innocent look, one that shows Jake she truly believes what she is saying.

"What happens before they go to bed is their problem too," Jake chuckles, "But I will convince him somehow. Love is the first step, I agree." Ruby smiles adoringly up at her lover. "Thanks for helping me. I really think Aphrodite wants me to work on bringing people together. These two seem obvious. As long as Red is Red and not someone else I think it will work. I guess we'll see what happens later." She grasps his hand tighter, "And no, I did not forget doing something for you later. I hope you pay close attention to me during the ceremony." "I only have eyes for you, Ruby." She replies, "I know you do. I just.. well... maybe something special will happen. I hope so anyway."

Jake looks confused a moment but it passes. "We make times special. We do not need to hope. I will be watching you closely." She says, "I know you will. I wanted Jane to give us a blessing or something this weekend, her being the priestess and everything, I just thought, you know, with everything we've talked about and been through, it couldn't hurt. But maybe the goddess herself with give us a sign." Ruby's face drops slightly. "Oh, you must think I am really foolish and naive to think that, huh?"

Jake shrugs, "It would be nice if you were right and I was wrong." Ruby nods, "I guess we'll find out about that too." She kisses Jake on the cheek. "You look so handsome honey, let's go downstairs and show each other off." Jake agrees and they head down.

In Jake's wildest imagination he never would have pictured a gambling hall like the one downstairs to be found in a town in the Arizona Territory. It was like something from New York City or San Francisco. Some twenty more tables have been set up than were there the night before. Each poker, blackjack and faro dealer is dressed to the nines and acting very professional.

The room already has over 200 people, with more coming in. Jake guesses that there are at least fifty new employees actively working about, all exquisitely dressed in black-and-white attire. The center of the room has a five-foot diameter stone fountain with a statue depicting Aphrodite, Dionysus and Hermes, each holding a pitcher from which champagne is flowing down and into the fountain. The fountain is built upon a thick wooden base with wheels. A trio of waiters with trays of glasses stand beside the fountain offering them to the guests.

Jake meanders near the fountain and obtains a pair of long fluted champagne glasses from the waiter standing in front of Dionysus. "To each god their due," he says and gives a glass to Ruby. "You get yours later," he mutters looking up in turn at Hermes and then Aphrodite. He lightly taps his glass to Ruby's that results in a delicate 'ting', "To fine drink, luck and love."

"Nice toast baby," she says and puts the glass to her lips. "I hope to experience all three tonight. Now, you should find Red soon and speak with him, I really want this to happen." Ruby glances around the packed room, filled with beautiful people dressed in their best. "This is going to be a fun night."

Mr. Cornelius Van Horne enters the room. He approaches Ruby and Jake and offers to introduce them to some of the dignitaries present this evening. To each guest he refers to them as "Mr. Jacob Cooke and Miss Ruby West, who own a gambling hall in Promise City that I frequented when I visited their community. They in turn have decided to return the favor and Miss. West will be dancing with Miss. Boag later this evening."

The first couple they meet is Gustov Anton Hoff and his wife Alice Ford Hoff. Hoff is said to be a manager at Seligmann and Company, a freight company and an importer of food and merchandise into Tucson. Hoff says that he also works on consignment for the German Fruit Company, which brings in most of the produce in Arizona from California farms.

Next is introduced John J. Gosper. Gosper was previously the Secretary of State for Nebraska and served as Secretary of the Treasury to Arizona's previous Territorial Governor John C. Fremont, who streets in both Tombstone and Promise City were named for. Fremont was away from Arizona so much during his four-year term that Gosper was in the role of the 'Acting Governor' more often than not between 1878 to 1881.

The next man they are introduced to is Anson Peacely Killian Safford, a very short bearded man. Van Horne says "Safford was the Territorial Governor from 1869 to 1877. He was largely responsible for the railroad coming to Tucson and also created the first public school. He is now a partner of Safford, Hudson and Company, a successful financial firm here in Tucson."

The last person they are introduced to is General George C. Crook, a Civil War veteran and Indian fighter who had fought both the Sioux and Cheyenne before coming to Arizona as the Army Commander against the Apache. He fought the war against Cochise back in the early to mid-1870's and was the one who forced most of the Territory's Indian tribes (including Nanuet's) onto the reservations.

Jake follows along politely, smiling, shaking hands and making small talk. Ruby is her normal charming self, exchanging dazzling smiles and witty banter with all she encounters. She mentally goes over each person she meets in her mind, trying to commit to memory any distinguishing information.

She keeps an eye out for Jane, wanting to see the mood of her friend, but keeps close to Jake as they enjoy the new people and the champagne. Some time goes by and they decide to get into a card game, poker if there is a spot for both of them, so they can properly honor Hermes.

Jake and Ruby sit at a poker table where Roy Carterson is the dealer. He is one of the Junior Partners of the meeting house and was the one who Red was teaching to deal back when Jake visited in January. They are introduced to the other people at the table as Mr. John B. Williams, Mr. Stephen Griggs, Mr. Robert F. Bates and his companion Kat Anderson and a half-elf named Sequoia Coville. "Miss West," Ruby begins sweetly, "And this is Mr. Jacob Cook, also one of the junior partners here. I hope everyone is planning on a fun game tonight."

They stay for a while at the table, enjoying the company but finding the play uninspiring. The excuse themselves and split up, each finding another table to spend some time at. Ruby realizes she has wandered into a high stakes table, where the men surrounding her don’t believe she can keep up. She surprises them by doing just that, being up about $150 after only a half hour of play. She is extremely excited and giddy, but also determined to win more. The next hand starts off with some high betting but Ruby has good cards and knows she has a shot at winning this large pot.

Out of the corner of her eye she sees Jane, talking with a man, and she looks out of sorts. Ruby begins paying more attention to Jane than her cards and distracted she loses all she had won plus some. She wants to get to Jane but decides to win back some of what she lost, being angry she lost so much so fast, which she does quickly before excusing herself to find her friend.

She catches up to Jane and takes her by the arm. “Janie,” she says, smiling and acting like nothing is wrong, “Is everything alright?” Jane replies, “Sure Ruby, why wouldn’t it be?” Ruby replies, “Oh, I just saw you speaking with someone and you looked upset.” Jane puts her hand over Ruby’s arm. “No, I am alright. I guess our conversation from earlier is on my mind and I am not myself.” Ruby nods, “I understand. But listen…,” she turns to face her friend, “I think tonight is going to be just fine. Trust me, things will be clearer.”

Jane gives her a funny look for a moment but it passes. “I trust you Ruby,” she smiles. “Let’s get on stage now, it’s time.” They head for the stage where they spend the next couple of hours singing and dancing together, taking a few breaks in between to mingle in the crowd. Their performance is inspired and both ladies agree it’s some of the best singing and dancing they have ever done. By the time the women finish dancing it is around 10:45 P.M. As they leave the stage Ruby sees both Mr. Van Horne and Mr. Allister in the crowd, mingling around and chatting with folks.

A Faro game now seems to be the main center of attention, with over $ 1,000 at stake. General Crook and former Governor Safford are both participants in the game. Van Horne makes his way over to that table to watch the ever growing crowd around it. Ruby also makes her way over to the Faro game, very interested in the game AND the players. She watches the game closely, particularly the men, trying to pick up on any tells or other information she can gain.

Jake wanders over to the Faro table next to Van Horne, and attempts to glance up at his face to discern if it is Red and wondering if it could be Richard. Jake has known Red a long time and would not be surprised to find that his friend had made a snap decision and brought the man fully into his confidence. Knowing how hard it was to do the Van Horne voice, he figured he was standing next to Red. "We do not usually see that kind of money coming up to a turn," He states. "Seems to have gotten folks attention."

Van Horne says, "Ah yes Jacob, but these are men of importance. The sky is the limit on their bet and even if they win the Meeting Hall comes out ahead as they will speak highly of it to their friends." Jake watches the game quietly for a moment before he says quietly to Van Horne. "I wonder if Mr. Patrick will be present at ceremony to Aphrodite tonight. Ruby thinks it would do him a world of good. I would guess he has not attended any of them, he has always been like that. There must be a way to convince him. Some people believe you can have your desires granted if you just petition the right god or goddess at the right time."

Van Horne gets closer and says, "Jacob me boy, it would not be safe. There are at least fifty people in this room who I have never met before. One of them might know my face." Jake sighs. "I know." He taps his lip a few times before speaking. "Ruby is learning quite a bit about the Aphrodite ceremony. Interesting thing she said to me, about the goddess never choosing someone with a false personae." Again some silence.

"Seems to hearken back to an earlier conversation we had. Deciding what was really important, what you really wanted." Jake scratches his chin a bit and continues, "A cloak with a hood, a dark corner of the room, perhaps a window or door way that can only be seen from the stage, there must be a way to lessen the risk if it were something that was important to him. It IS still a risk, and one not worth taking if he is not sure it is worth it. Absolutely sure."

Van Horne replies, "Well, I suppose I could go and change while Mr. Grappini is holding his service and return just as Jane begins her dance. Once she starts dancing nobody, and I mean nobody, will be watching anything except her." Jake chuckles. "I only have eyes for one woman. That is if I know what is good for me. People might notice who gets chosen though. Have a way to hide your face or keep it from view on the way out."

Red tells Jake, "I think I might be able to find something to at least cover my head, maybe not my face. But if we're in the very front when she makes her selection I could move forwards quick enough if it is me that all they'll see is the back of my head." Jake nods in reply. "I will see you later, perhaps in a poker game?" Red replies, "Already taken care of. Be prepared to lose big, you wouldn't start with giving up one-fifth of your share of the saloon so I've arranged for you to have $ 15,000 in chips to lose before we get to that. I'll get the game going in around fifteen minutes."

Jake takes his leave of Van Horne and seeks out Mr. Alistair, and takes him aside so they can speak privately. "I heard a rumor that Mr. Patrick may be attending the Aphrodite ceremony later tonight. You might want to keep an eye on the crowd. We really do not want him noticed while he is on personal business. Especially at the end during the selection." Allister says, "Yes, I can understand that. Is it absolutely necessary that he show himself?"

"Are matters of the heart absolutely necessary?" Jake shrugs. "I am rather uncomfortable about the whole thing. Aphrodite's ways are a mystery to me, and I have done my share of fool things over then as well." Jake shrugs again. Mr. Van Horne starts up a poker game and Jake is eager to join up.

They follow the plan and Jake wins a few hands and then starts to lose spectacularly. The final hand comes down to Jake and Van Horne, with the stakes rising until Jake has no money left and reluctantly puts in one-fifth of his share in the Lucky Lady to call the bet. Van Horne wins. The game is over and the crowd begins to disperse. Jake, shaking his head and looking disappointed, is heard to say "I will just win it back next time." It is now ten minutes until midnight at the Three Gods Meeting Hall and it is announced that all games should conclude. The players at the various table finish up and cash out.

Father Blackstone takes to the stage and makes a long flowery speech that is designed to make both those who won this evening think it was due to the gods who they should show their monetary appreciation too and those who lost should pay tribute to the gods for better success next time. A collection is held with nearly every waiter, waitress and dealer helping to collect it. Blackstone gives a short sermon about Hermes and how he is an under-appreciated god that more should look to. Jake attempts to look appropriately chastened and surly.

After watching the high stakes faro game Ruby had stayed by Jane's side, more worried about her than anything else. They had shared some drinks and laughs while schmoozing with the 'important' people. Ruby watches Father Blackstone's sermon with interest but loses it quickly when he mostly speaks about donating to the glory of Hermes. Ruby leans to Jane, "Do we have time to watch the next sermon or should we go get ready now?"

Jane says, “We should go get ready now, Ruby, we don’t want to be late.” The two girls excuse themselves and they run up the stairs gigging. In Jane’s room they get ready, Jane handing Ruby the gown she saw hanging in her closet earlier. Ruby slips the white robe over her head, letting the translucent silky material glide over her curves as it falls over her. She adjusts the sleeveless gown quickly before looking herself over in the mirror.

The gown is long, stopping right at the floor. Each shoulder is topped with a jeweled ring shaped clip made of silver and rubies. She guesses that Jane has this gown made just for her but when she could have done that she has no idea. The material of the robe is attached loosely to the ring and forms a long V from the shoulder stopping dangerously low below Ruby’s belly button. The back also forms the same daring V. Ruby ties the thick silver and gold cording three times around her waist and under her bust, cinching the dress and showing off her curves even more.

Ruby wraps the long silver arm bangles around the upper portion of each arm. Jane helps her arrange some of the cording in her long hair then uses two hair sticks to pull most of it up. A few stray curls fall out but Ruby is satisfied it’s alluring enough. Ruby says, “Alright Janie, I’m ready. Let’s go.” Jane stops her. “Ruby darling, I’m having so much fun with you here. I am glad you came to visit.” “Me too Jane,” Ruby says hugging Jane, “Believe me I needed this.” Jane hugs her back. “Now, we have to be more serious for the ceremony. It’s important.” Ruby nods and the two friends hurry back downstairs for the ceremony.

Mr. Grappini is beginning his sermon, with the waiters and waitresses passing out classes to all assembled. Two cases of wine are brought out and uncorked. The wine is poured and the former priest gives a speech about the beverage they are partaking of. It is a French wine from the eastern region of the country grown in vineyards situated in the lower parts of the French Alps. He describes the long history of the vineyard and how prior to the fifteenth century breaking with the church over clerical vs. wizard magics the Greek/Roman Church owned most of the vineyards. He then has everybody sample the wine, which has a rich fruity taste with almost no acidic burn to it. He then draws everybody's attention to the main stage and says, "And not we will honor our third deity."

 

[Silver Moon]

Chapter Thirty-four, “The Lynch Mob”, Saturday May 27th, 1882, 10:15 P.M.

Pierre Jaquet has charged into the Lucky Lady yelling "Deputy Barker, Deputy Martin, Emergency!" Chester gets up from the table. His chair clatters to the floor. "Excuse me, I got to go." He hurries over to Pierre. Helen Barker follows shortly thereafter, hand on her revolver. "What's going on, Pierre. Is it the shop?" Kate exclaims, "Good heavens, Mr. Jaquet. What's going on?"

He exclaims, "Mob...an angry mob...they just stormed out of the Palace and marched down Fremont Street. They're outside of the Marshall's Office with guns demanding that the Indians inside be turned over to them to be hanged! Some of them want to hang Deputy Rodriguez as well." Chester says, "Son of a gun. Helen, let's go. He's going to need our help." Kate states, "That's absolute madness! Someone must have gone in there and purposely fired them up. How many, and how drunk are they?"

Neil Cassidy stands up and exchanges glances with both Travis Calhoun and Niles Hoover. He announces "Gentlemen, it looks like the Committee for Racial Equality needs to back up our words with actions. He then glances towards Helen and Chester and adds, "Provided that you Deputies will allow us to join you." Stanley Barker quietly pleads to his wife Helen "Five sounds like better odds than two". Chester says, "We'd be happy to have you. Consider yourselves deputized for this."

Kate hurried up the stairs where she still kept a stash of bandages and grabbed the bag. "Phil, Maman, I need you to stay here. That mob is between here and the El Parador," she said when she got back downstairs. "Henry would you come with me? I'm not going all the way there, just to the corner by the Comique where we can see and I can help if worse comes to worse."

Helen agrees and Niles hands out weapons from behind the bar to Neal and Travis, taking the shotgun for himself. Jem Calhoun and Jeremiah Peck offer to come as well but Travis says, "If they're looking to hang Indians you two had best head back to your place Jerry before somebody remembers your wife Cornflower." Chester comments, "I don't know. They might be safer with us."

The Deputies are led by Chester back to the Marshall's Office. There are around thirty men gather outside, many of them prospectors and miners. Near the front of the crowd is Evan Adair surrounded by his men Prosper McCoy, Dave Carleen, Bob Skull and Nick Karp. Other familiar faces in the crowd include Ike Sherman, Porter Norris and Gregory Reston. Chester also spots the two ranch and farm hands who helped them find and apprehend the Indians among the crowd. Nearly all of the men are carrying firearms.

Chester raises his voice. "Folks! Please go home. The Indians are in custody. They're not going anywhere." Somebody yells out some profanity in response as the Deputies move up to the porch of the Marshall's Office. Only then does the door open and Mitchell Berg walk out. He is holding a shotgun but not pointing it at anyone.

The Deputies are led by Chester back to the Marshall's Office. There are around thirty men gather outside, many of them prospectors and miners. Near the front of the crowd is Evan Adair surrounded by his men Prosper McCoy, Dave Carleen, Bob Skull and Nick Karp. Other familiar faces in the crowd include Ike Sherman, Porter Norris and Gregory Reston. Chester also spots the two ranch and farm hands who helped them find and apprehend the Indians among the crowd. Nearly all of the men are carrying firearms. Chester mutters to himself, "I should have guessed they would spill the beans. Too late now."

Chester raises his voice. "Folks! Please go home. The Indians are in custody. They're not going anywhere." Somebody yells out some profanity in response as the Deputies move up to the porch of the Marshall's Office. Only then does the door open and Mitchell Berg walk out. He is holding a shotgun but not pointing it at anyone.

Bob Scull yells "You'd best move out of the way and let us through. This is a human town and it's time them redskins realized it." "Idiots," Kate muttered to Henry and stealthily handed him Tom's pistol. "Bigoted idiots. Do you know how to use that if you have to?" Chester tells the mob, "Why don't we let Judge Isby figure out if they're guilty or not, huh?"

Even Adair says, "They're just following your lead Deputy. You dealt decisively with Pony Deal and Johnny Ringo, you didn't save them for Isby." Chester shrugs and yells back, "They should have surrendered then, like the Indians did. You ought to remember that."

Mitchell Berg says, "Enough of this nonsense. Deal and Ringo chose their own fate, these Indians are safely behind bars and the Judge will get to them Monday morning." One of the prospectors yells out "Aw go to Hades, the only good Indian is a dead Indian. We're just saving the Judge time." Another man yells out "Stop protecting them ya Indian lover." Berg raises his voice louder and says, "I'm protecting THE LAW. These men may very well be hanged, but that's up to the judge to decide."

Some of the crowd begins to move forward. Helen Barker raises up her pearl-handled revolver. Following her cue, Martin, Cassidy, Hoover and Calhoun raise up their guns towards the crowd.

Berg keeps his gun lowered still holding the shotgun with one hand. He then reaches into his suit jacket with his other hand and the tea-toteler uncharacteristically removes a small stoppered metal whiskey flask. He pops the stopper off with his thumb, down the contents, then drops the flask onto the porch. He then bellows to the audience "I said enough of this nonsense. I'm telling you men now, walk away right before this gets any uglier."

Kate looked around her, seeing everyone's eyes glued to the scene, then turned her body toward Henry so they were facing one another. "Go with me here," she whispered. "When I stop muttering give me a hug."

She started fussing with his sling, standing very close and cast a detect magic. Then she leaned forward and hugged her brother, hoping that anyone who might have seen would have just seen a fussy woman giving a man a hard time. Kate turned back to the scene and concentrated on Mitchell Berg.

She hears her father's voice behind her state "I'll take that gun Henry." She turns and see her father standing with Michael Seawell, Judge Lacey, Henry Pleasants, Emery Shaw and a man she assumes to be Ferdinand von Zeppelin. Seawell and Shaw are both armed, the others are not. Seawell turns to Pierre and says, "Looks like the Marshalls could use some help. Could you get us some guns from your shop? That'll save us a trip cross town." Pierre agrees and Lacey goes with him to get the weapon.

The Caudells have also followed Kate out. "Need a hand Henry?" Nate asks. Pleasants looks towards Seawell and says, "Nate's my best friend. He'll hold up well under fire. He was a First Sergeant at Gettysburg." The men all obviously caught Caudell's North Carolina accent but that doesn't stop Seawell from replying, "Welcome onboard Nate. Just so there's not too many chiefs here you follow my lead." "Yes Sir," Caudell replies.

They are still waiting for Jaquet and Lacey to return from the gun shop two doors up. Mollie says, "I can handle a gun too." Pleasants replies, "I know you can Mollie, but now is not the time." Caudell said "She's calm under fire. She was with me for over two years back during of the war." Seawell says "Many wives accompanied our Army as nurses too. Stay close Mrs. Caudell, we may be needing those skills as well." Mollie looks like she's about to say something else but another look from her husband silences her.

Kate held up her bag a moment and said, "Bandages. I'm a terrible shot. Can't hit a thing. I know how you feel though, Mrs. Caudell. I'd like to give them all a beating with my own two hands." Mollie mutters back, "You don't know how I feel. I can do anything they can, Nate and Henry both know that too." Kate says, "Perhaps not, but when we know each other better you'll see I understand more than you'd imagine. Until then..." Kate made sure none of the men were looking and quickly pulled the derringer from her bodice. "Take this."

Kate's Detect Magic spell kicks in. She can see that all five of the men from the Palace have magical aura around the barrels of their weapons, indicating magical ammunition. Evan Adair also has on a magical ring and Bob Scull is wearing magical gloves. A group of six men who she has never seen before who are either miners or cowboys also appear to all have magical ammunition in their firearms. One of these six also has a magical vest, another has magical boots and a third is covered in a magical aura indicating a magical disguise.

She also notices that the shotgun shells inside of Mitchell Berg's gun appear to be magical in nature. She then detects a few drops of magical liquid on his lips and a few more drops on the mouth of the flask that he drank from.

Minerva has been readying the guest room. The windows throughout the house are open inviting the cool evening air inside. She leans out the window to inhale the perfume of the fragrant desert flowers she has planted just this afternoon. She cocks her head and listens to the sounds of the creatures who roam in the night and catches a faint roaring sound caught in the breeze. It seems to be punctuated by the staccato of angry voices.

Must be another saloon fight. she thinks to herself before she turns back to the task at hand. She walks into the parlor and smiles at the boy. "There now, you will sleep in a comfortable bed tonight... but If you are anything like your cousin, I am sure that you must be quite hungry by now. I shall see what I can find in the ice box and then we can sit and get to know one another better." She casually comments to Nanuet. "Must be a fight brewing at one of the saloons. You can hear the ruckus from here. Hopefully it isn't at Ruby and Jake's place."

Nanuet states, "Here my love, unlock the handcuffs and then I will go and see what is going on. I did give my word that I would watch over their house, but I can's see why anything would be going on there."

Minerva unlocks the cuff from Nanuet's wrist. He gathers his knives and rifle in case the raised voices lead to violence. "Are you staying here or coming with me? Nakomo, it is for your safety that we must leave you here, I am sure you understand" Nanuet says as he cuffs his wrist to a cross beam on the table. "You gave us your word, so please stay here until we return."

Minerva grabs her rifle, a box of shells with regular and magical bullets, and picks up her parasol on the way out. She turns back to Nakomo. "We will not be long." Nanuet and Minerva head in the direction of Ruby and Jake's house. Once they realize where the sounds are coming from they will approach the area where the raised voices are coming from.

While that is going on Dave Carleen and Neil Cassidy are exchanging words, with Cassidy indicating that he, Hoover and Calhoun have been deputized. Adair exclaims, "The Merchant's Association didn't authorize that." Helen says, "The bylaws allows the Marshall to make temporary appointments." Meanwhile, Berg remains silent as he looks toward his deputies. Hoover and Calhoun each turn and nod to him.

Chester then hears Berg's voice inside his head state "Chet, turn and nod if you can hear me." Chester shouts, "You heard the Marshall, get going." He turns toward Berg and nods. Chester says in a low voice, "Can you hear me? Or is this trick one-way?" Berg doesn't show any response to Chester's thoughts while first Neil Cassidy and then Helen Barker each turn and nod to the Marshall.

Nanuet and Minerva heard Chester's voice shouting although they cannot make out the words. They move closer. Ike Sherman yells to the lawmen and law-woman “Are you daft? We outnumber you five-to-one. Why throw away your lives for a bunch of stinking Indians who Isby will just hang anyway.” Berg remains stiff lipped and doesn’t reply. The other lawmen remain silent too. Nanuet and Minerva catch the last half-sentence of Sherman's shout as they near the Marshall's Office and Jail from the rear.

Approximately 100 feet to the north Lacey and Jaquet finish passing out the weapons. Frederick Seagram checks the pistol that had belonged to Kate's husband. "Papa," Kate said and walked up next to him. She dropped her voice to a whisper and said, "That crowd is loaded with magic. Mostly bullets." In a soft voice he says "Who Princess? Quickly, we're about to go."

Those five," she said, indicating the men from the Palace. "And those six there, I'm not sure if they're Cowboys or miners. That one is hiding his real face with magic as well." She pointed out Adair and Scull, as well as the man in the vest and the one in the boots and added, "They have other things as well, I don't know what they do. Be careful."

He replies, "I will Princess." A shiver runs down her spine as he repeats a pet name he hasn't used for her since the time of the Civil War. The gathering of war veterans at the intersection of Main and Fremont are all set. The mob some 100 feet to the south haven’t noticed them yet. Seagram says “Okay troops, we’ll walk together, weapons forward but pointed down.” The seven men head southward in a single row across the street.

Kate watched them go wishing she could take that walk with them. There were things she could do with magic, but with Mollie Caudell there it was too risky. It had been chancy enough using the one spell she already had. Still, she mentally considered each spell she had learned that morning, preparing herself in case she had to take the risk. Henry was unconsciously pulling at his sling. "Damned arm," he muttered.

Nanuet pulls Minerva back to where they won't be seen and hopefully not heard either. He quickly casts Sanctuary on Minerva and then Bless on them both. They then attempt to move into a position where they can see and hear the mob but not be easily spotted.

Chester tenses at Sherman's threat. he doesn't his pistols, but he prepares to do so. His gaze scans the crowd until he finds the two ranch hands. Chester stares at them and shakes his head side-to-side in disappointment. Nanuet and Minerva realize that the closest they can get to this angry mob without being seen is the thin alleyway between the north wall of the Marshall's Office and south wall of the County Claims Office. They approach the rear of the Marshall's Office.

The Marshall and the Deputies remain silent while an unknown cowboy yells out "We want them elves and we want 'em now." The Circle-R ranch hand Flynn yells out “Them Indians hurt me bad, it’s time for some vengeance. Move out of the way you fools and let us through.” Palace Saloon gambler Nick Karp yells out "The only good elf is a dead elf". Several men near him echo that sentiment with one adding "Give us that stinking elf deputy too!" "Rotten elf lovers!" Ike Sherman hollers.

Minerva and Nanuet both realize that him stepping forward right now would be tantamount to suicide. She too wishes to help, but given her known relationship with an elf it is just as likely that any direct actions by her at this point could be the spark that sets off this powder-keg instead of diffusing the situation. That thought is confirmed when she hears Even Adair's voice, a man who personally hates her, yelling out "Too scared to talk Berg?" The Marshall and his men remain silent for a few more minutes.

The Marshall finally speaks up. He loudly states, “What I’m going to do is give you all to the count of ten to lay your weapons down in the street and walk away. You can reclaim your guns tomorrow.”

Kate's father and his companions are 75 feet away and walking towards the mob, still unseen by the mob and the law officers.

A crowd of people who had been in the Comique, Lucky Lady and Alhambra saloons gather near Kate and her family at the intersection of Main and Fremont Streets. Another crowd starts to form on Fremont Street across South Street between the El Parador and Rixton's Furniture although those in the area of Elvan blood are smart enough to remain indoors and unseen, watching from the windows.

With each new person who joined the crowd, Kate felt more trapped. She turned to her brother again as they stood against the wall of the Comique on the Fremont Street side. "Stand in front of me," she said, nudging him between her body and the crowd even as she guided him to the fringes. She checked again to make sure all eyes were on the scene and not her, then quietly and rapidly cast a See Invisibility spell.

Minerva's anger is tempered by fear for Nanuet's safety. "We must get in a position where we can help Marshall Berg without being seen." She scans the area looking for a building with a second story window that would be suitable to shoot from if it should become necessary.

 

[Silver Moon]

Chapter Thirty-five, “Dance Partners”, Sunday May 28th, 1882, 1:00 A.M.

As the priestesses take to the stage Red O'Brien a.k.a. Michael Patrick makes his way out the side door and moves along towards the front. He has on a ten-gallon hat and is also wearing a leather cowboy vest over a plaid shirt. Jake has never seen his mentor duded up like a cowboy and realizes it is unlikely that anybody else ever has before either.

Red pushes his way through, apologizing with a Texas drawl. He finally stops in front of the center of the stage, with several men behind him complaining about the hat blocking their view. Jake makes his way over beside his friend. Despite the atypical clothing Red's face remains his own. The women head out on to the stage and begin their routine.

Before Ruby takes the stage she peeks out from behind the curtain to the audience and finds Jake in the crowd, center stage. For a moment she thinks she catches a glimpse of Red next to Jake but she when she looks closer she only sees a big hat. The music begins and Ruby takes a couple of deep breaths before smiling alluring and taking the stage.

It’s only moments before she is swirling and twirling tantalizingly across the stage, the steps Jane taught her easily coming to her. The brief worry of Jake not liking her costume is quickly banished by the power that begins to grow inside her, similar to the emotions she felt during the ceremony at the festival.

She concentrates on her thoughts, letting the passion of the moment take over her, guiding her sensual steps and movements. She reflects on Jake, and the simple pure love they have shared over the past 5 months and the passion and other things they have shared too. It was Ruby’s way of praying and thanking the goddess Aphrodite. And wishing, in some small way, the goddess would show her she was happy with them and in turn, would not be taking away all Ruby felt she had earned.

As Ruby dances around she takes in the crowd as a whole but never makes eye contact with anyone but Jake. Towards the end of the ceremony she stands near him on the stage and stares deeply into those twinkling brown eyes as she continues to dance, hoping to pass to him the intense feelings of desire, longing, hunger… and love that she is feeling.

The dancing on the stage finally comes to a climax at which point Jane moves up to the front and looks upward "Aprhrodite sends her love to us all, we are to return to her all that she has given by loving one another. Do not be bashful, do not be ashamed, love is to be cherished for it is the greatest gift that the gods can give. Go forth from this place now and spread the love that is in your hearts to those who the Goddess has drawn you to."

While she is speaking several of the waiters have moved fowards with portable folding staircases and have place them in front of the stage before where each of the women has ended her dance. Jane walks forward and descends towards the crowd.

Ruby momentarily panics when it appears she is heading towards Jake, but she stops at the man next to him who steps forward and their hands clasp together. Ruby sees that it is indeed Red beneath the oversized hat who Jane pulls along behind her towards the side exit. The other dancers are now in the audience, each finding a partner.

Some may have thought that Jake was only being the glib tongued saloon rat when he mouthed the words 'I only have eyes for one girl', but it was true. He was enraptured by her dance, her presence, certainly her sensual beauty, but more the look in her eyes. To Silver Jake Cook eyes were the window on the soul, and he truly adored Ruby West right down to her soul. The extravagant building around him as well as the crowd faded away so that there was only he and her.

When Jane came down to select Red, Jake was broken free of the spell for only a moment. First, happy for his friend and his chance to find out for sure if there was a future with the priestess. Second, a brief panic that someone might recognize him. He glanced around him to see if anyone was looking at Red or reacting having possibly recognized him. Jake even shifted to block the view of his Red's face as he turned to leave with Jane. His attentions to Red only lasted a few seconds.

The spell was strong, stronger than any siren song and quickly Jake's eye sought out Ruby West, his Ruby West. All other thoughts dispersed themselves. Ruby stands on stage and briefly watches with a smile as Jane chooses Red. She knew in her heart that she would and now the rest was up to them. Satisfied her part in their pairing was complete she set her hazel eyes back on Jake.

She lifts her skirt with one hand and gracefully, with her head held high, almost as if walking on air, descends the staircase in front of her. As she nears the bottom she extends her hand and the nearest waiter takes her hand in his, helping her the final way, still without taking her eyes off Jake. She ignores the sighs and groans she hears as she passes the men and women in the front on her way to Jake. She stops directly in front of Jake. In her eyes resides a dreamy look. She says softly as she offers him her hand, “I choose you, Jacob Cook.”

A hundred clever and witty lines flash through Jake's mind, but none of them seem appropriate. Words, which have been the staple of Jakes way of life, suddenly seem inadequate. He just nods, smiles at her and accepts her hand. She grips his hand tightly and leads him though the crowd, towards the stairs.

Once they are out of sight of the crowd Ruby falls against the wall and pulls Jake close to her. Jake realizes she is breathless, but also something else is in her eyes... She touches his face lightly then runs a finger across his cheek to his lips and finally asks, "Did you like it?" He answers, "It was sensational. I am moved and captivated."

"Good," she whispers, barely audible. She puts both hands on his face before leaning in and kissing him. She holds back the emotions inside of her, kissing him sweetly.

Ruby speaks no words as they ascend the stairs to their room. Jake opens the door and is surprised to find candles on every available dresser and flowers petals strewn on the floor and bed. Ruby had gotten so proficient at the lighting of the candles that Jake does not hear her speak, he only notices her wave her hand and they begin to burn, casting pale dancing lights around the room.

She continues into the room, stopping near the bed, before turning back to face Jake. At that moment Ruby felt so alive, so free, so powerful and so scared all at the same time. Scared but not worried, not afraid of dying or getting shot or hurt, not scared for her or her friends, just in awe of the power inside her and what might happen this night. The feeling of love was overwhelming her and she only hoped that Jake felt it too. She also felt the intense power of love, the love of the goddess and the love of Jake, like she had never experienced before. Ruby was truly happy and content and she let a small smile slip onto her lips.

She reaches up and pulls the hair pins out, shaking out her long hair around her. It held the curl from being up so long and looked very different than any style Ruby would normally wear. Full and bouncy yet neat and almost tame. Almost. With her face free from her recent worries, Ruby seems younger.

As Jake gazes upon her, she changes as if in a vision. Some of the womanly swells and curves fade, a couple of inches off her height recede, a bit of fullness to her face is added and before him stands a twelve year old girl. Dressed in ‘proper’ clothing she had the top buttons of her long sleeved, high necked cream colored blouse open, her deep rose colored skirt was doubled up, tucked up into the waistband revealing her knees and, standing next to a deep blue lake, her shoes and stockings were no where to be seen.

Surrounded by a group of boys, mostly older then she, she still seemed herself as she laughed and flirted with them all. Suddenly she pulls a ring off her slender finger and makes the announcement, “I tire of all this attention and will save you all the trouble of competing for my affections. Which ever of you fine gentlemen finds this ring,” she holds it up high letting them get a good look as the sun glints off it, “My ring, I promise I will one day marry. I will bestow all my love, attention and everlasting devotion to that man, never to leave his side!” And with a giggle she launches the delicate platinum ring into the lake, where it lands with a loud ‘plink’. Then she adds, “AND, of course, my fortune.” And with that all the boys throw off their shoes and dive laughing into the lake, save one. That boy turns back to Ruby and says seriously, “I WILL find that ring Constance, and you will be loved, for the rest of your life,” before he also dives into the lake, leaving a speechless Ruby behind.

Jake blinks and the vision is gone. Her height and sensual curves returned, Ruby West is standing before him. Surrounded by flowers petals and basking in the candlelight, striking in her white gown with her long red hair framing her face, she is looking back at him adoringly. He remembers what she told him about that time, about the marriage that was arranged, about her running away. It must have been a bittersweet moment, he thinks, that profession of love and the painful events that followed. What should have been a joyful transition into young adulthood was instead the end of the carefree happiness of childhood. Right here, right now, there was something about her face that harkened back to the beginning of the vision. Something that seemed to Jake to be of the carefree happiness of childhood, but something much more. The look was something richer and more complicated, and though he knew it, he remembered anew that she was looking at him. "Jake?" she asks.

"Sorry my love, I was lost in the moment." He moves forward and halves the distance between them. A small part of him wants to protest, is distrustful of whatever power of magic or divine intervention that would deign to interfere in their lives. Several other more vocal parts of him strongly suggest that small part shut up and be still. "I would say it warms my heart to see you so happy, but since my heart is on fire with passion I do not rightly know what to say."

With love in her eyes and in her heart, Ruby stands before Jake, full of her own passion and devotion for him. She tugs on the cording that is wrapped around her waist, loosening it. Silently she puts a hand on each shoulder and gently pulls the jewels off her shoulders. She lets her silky gown slide off her lightly tanned arms, then the rest of her body and it falls to a puddle around her feet. She stands before him, bared body and soul, and cocks her head slightly. Smiling softly as Jake looks her over, she curls a finger towards him. “Come and make love to me baby,” she says simply, “You don’t need to say anything more.”

Comically wishing that his borrowed tuxedo would conveniently fall to the ground as well, he nods once almost imperceptibly. He removes his clothes without ever once taking his eyes off her, and wordlessly joins with her in the bed.

 

[Silver Moon]

Chapter Thirty-six, “Guns Blazing”, Saturday, May 27th, 1882, 10:30 P.M.

Minerva's anger is tempered by fear for Nanuet's safety. "We must get in a position where we can help Marshall Berg without being seen." She scans the area looking for a building with a second story window that would be suitable to shoot from if it should become necessary.

Minvera motions for Nanuet to follow her to Rixton's furniture across South Street from the Marshall's Office south wall. They look around to be sure that they are not noticed carefully make their way over to the building.

During the long period of silence with the lawmen Berg is giving instructions to his Deputies. They telepathically hear him say, “Deputies, I’m going to tell them that they have until a count of ten to lay down their arms. Any who are planning to comply should start to do so by the time I reach five or six. I figure the others will try to shoot at us on ten, or on nine if they have any brains in their heads.

We’ll all fire together on eight. Shoot to disarm, not to kill. Leave Adair and his boys for Helen, the rest of you focus on whoever is directly in front of you. I’ll take the ones in the back, I've got some special ammunition that will just put them to sleep. Once you’ve fired your first shot shift two steps to your right to throw off their aim. Get into the building if you’re hit or when you’re empty, Eddie will have the door open and he’s got loaded weapons for you to grab once you’re inside.”

The Marshall finally speaks up to the mob. He loudly states, “What I’m going to do is give you all to the count of ten to lay your weapons down in the street and walk away. You can reclaim your guns tomorrow.”

Once inside the furniture store, Nanuet and Minerva race up the stairs and into a room overlooking the street. They have an excellent view of the front of the Marshall’s Ofice from this vantage point. Minerva opens the window and places magic rounds in her new rifle. She carefully aims her rifle at Adair and waits.

At the Marshall's mental command, Chester takes a deep breath and cocks both pistols slowly so as to not draw attention. He glances left and right to make sure the others are ready. He picks out a couple men from the group of six to shoot at. He'll slowly release his breath as the Marshall prepares to count down and thinks to himself “Stand down, you idiots. This'll tear the town apart.”

Kate held her breath as she scanned the crowd without seeing the telltale glow of an invisible person. Her father and the other men continued resolutely forward and she tried not to imagine the worst. She was too far away now to affect the outcome with magic, and so could only keep her eyes open and shout warning if it was necessary.

Bob Skull yells out a profanity to which Berg’s reply is that he begins the count. The Marshall loudly states, “One…..….Two..……” Evan Adair smiles and his men remain firm, as do the group of cowboys standing near Ike Sherman who Kate had focused upon.

A few men begin to comply with the request, placing their weapons on the Street. Seeing that, Ike Sherman yells out over Berg’s count of three and four, “He’s bluffing, he doesn’t have the guts.” “But she does,” one miner says noting the broad smile that Helen Barker’s face is now wearing. “She’s just plain nuts,” another miner states as he sets his rifle down onto the ground.
A few more follow his lead, trying to save face by muttering about how they don’t feel right shooting a woman. Berg has now reached the count of “Six”.

Minerva and Nanuet are in position in the northeast corner of Rixton's second floor bedroom overlooking the intersection of Main and South. They hear the Marshall counting. He is at "Six" when Chester yells "Here we go. Drop your guns while you still have time." He notes several losing their nerve. "There you go. That's it. You too Adair. Like you said, I dealt with Deal and Ringo. I'm not going to hesitate." While Chester was speaking Berg stated “Seven". Chester finishes by the time the Marshall exclaims "Eight".

Compete pandemonium immediately follows the discharge of the weapons from the Marshall and his five Deputies. Berg fires the first barrel of his shotgun above the crowd and to the left, with what appears to be an explosion of buckshot going off a few feet immediately above the heads of ten or so men to the north rear of the group. Kate notes a magical nature of the confetti-like sawdust pieces that rain down upon the men. Hoover fires his shotgun low, intentionally striking between two men standing in the front with enough fragments hitting the closest legs to cause both men to fall down.

The other four Deputies all fire their revolvers, with Calhoun managing to get off one shot, Cassidy and Martin each getting off two shots and Barker getting off four before any shots start to be returned from the mob. Calhoun’s shot misses his intended target but hits the man behind him, Porter Norris, in the side. Neil Cassidy manages to hit the gun arms of both men before him causing them to drop their weapons, one of which discharges when it hits the ground with the shot hitting the wall of the adjacent County Claims Office.

Smoke billows from Chester's Remingtons as he fires at the cowboys near Sherman. Chester's skill shows as both shots hits their marks. The wounded men grab at their bleeding arms and drop their weapons. Helen Barker expertly hits Evan Adair’s hand, breaking his trigger finger. Her second shot manages to incapacitate two of his men, going through the vein of Dave Carleen’s gun arm and continuing on into Deacon McCoys’s right shoulder. Her third shot hits Nick Karp’s gun hand but he had moved it just enough that although bleeding he still has control of the gun. Her fourth shot take’s off Bob Scull’s right thumb causing him to drop his shotgun and howl out in pain.

When the lawmen begin to fire Minerva squeezes the trigger. Kate gasped as the gunfire began. She kept her eyes on the crowd despite what was happening, concentrating on the shot Mitchell Berg had made, trying to decipher what it was. As ordered, Chester takes a couple steps to his right. He re-cocks the hammers and looks for more armed men in the crowd. He sees one and fires at him with both guns.

Evan Adair moves in reaction to Helen's shot, causing Minerva's to strike his right shoulder rather than the head she was aiming for. Four of the men in the mob panic, drop their weapons and run. Another three dive to the ground for cover.

Around a dozen men are still standing and return fire at the law officers. Most of the shots miss. One shot hits Neil Cassidy in the upper thigh. Two bounce off of Chester’s coat. Nick Karp’s aim is on target, hitting Mitchell Berg in the center of his chest. Berg staggers back and then fires off the second barrel of his shotgun before collapsing against the wall. Helen Barker peripheral vision saw Berg get hit. She has only one bullet left in her gun, which she fires directly into Nick Karp’s heart. “I’ll just tell Mitch he moved,” she says softly to herself.

Berg’s second shotgun blast has exploded with the start of another rain of magical confetti. One of the men standing beneath the blast, the one who Kate saw was covered in a magical disguise, is waving his hands and stating gibberish. One of Chester's shots misses completely. The other shot harmlessly bounces off of the leather vest of the cowboy that it hits.

Cassidy grunts in pain. Chester asks, "Are you OK?" He hears Berg fall to the ground. Without turning his head, he yells, "Eduardo, Berg's been hit. Get him inside, on the double." He continues to fire at the same man. Chester grimaces, I guess me and you go to the same tailor. Still tucked behind her brother, Kate cast another spell. Her finger pointed at her father and then at Chester and she began to whisper. "Papa, the man in the magical disguise is casting magic. Stop him!"

The war veterans are still around forty-five feet from the scene and moving forward very quickly. Frederick Seagram hears his daughter's message. He stops, raises his gun and fires. His shot hits the man waving his arms who collapses onto the ground but the man's spell has already begun, with a short gust of wind rising up and blowing the magical confetti away from the group of men. Michael Seawell turns his head and says in an angry tone "Seagram, I didn't give the command to fire yet."

On the porch, Eduardo has opened the door and immediately moves forward to drag the Marshall inside. Travis Calhoun also moves back to help move Berg inside. Helen Barker is barely missed by another two shots, with one ripping through the fabric of her skirt, as she dives through the open doorway into Marshall’s Office. Calhoun and Rodriguez drag Marshall Berg through the doorway right behind her.

The men who had been in the area of effect of Berg’s first shotgun blast lose consciousness and collapse. The walking wounded begin to flee the scene, with Deacon McCoy and Dave Carleen huddled around the wounded Evan Adair.

Kate paused, waiting to be see if the gunfire was over. The bag of bandages felt heavy in her hand and she considered running around the block toward the Doctor's office to get to the Marshall from the back, but she wasn't certain there was a back entrance into the office. Chester watches Kate's father shoot the wizard. "OK, gents. It looks like we have some help. Neil, Niles, if you want to go inside, go. This is more dangerous than you signed on for."

Nanuet can't believe the mob scene exploded so quickly into so much violence and mayhem.
"Minerva, I have to go check on Berg, keep me covered from up here." Nanuet makes his way back down the stairs as quickly as possible. Before heading outdoors he begins the prayer for the spell hold person and then opens the door. He keeps to cover as much as possible and will attempt to use the hold person spell on anyone he sees aiming at him.

Minerva keeps her eyes on the scene below and protests "It's much to dangerous for you to go..." but Nanuet is already gone. .." out there." she finishes. "Meirde!" she mutters and stomps her foot before turning back to the window to watch for Nanuet's exit of the building.

The area of Fremont Street is now so filled with gunpowder smoke that it is starting to get hard to see. That actually works against the cowboy wizard's attempt to keep Berg's magic away, as the gust of wind clears the smoke around the fallen wizard's five companions and Ike Sherman, making them most visible and easier targets. The three lawmen standing on the porch fire at them, with Hoover starting to back up towards the door at Chester's urging. Four members of this group are struck by bullets from the lawmen but only one falls. The other five then let loose at the three remaining lawmen standing on the porch.

Neil Cassidy gets struck in his gun arm but remains on his feet, transferring his gun to his other hand. Several bullets fire towards Chester. One nicks his right ear and makes a very nasty hole in his hat, another bounces off of his coat and the most serious strikes hits him in the inner thigh of his right leg. It is painful but like Cassidy he remains on his feet. With both Cassidy and Martin facing forward and the sounds of battle around them they do not notice when Niles Hoover gets hit by a pair of bullets and collapses onto the porch. Just as Hoover falls to the porch Minerva aims and fires toward his assailant releasing another magic bullet into the fray.

Chester curses as he gets hit. He coughs from the billowing gunsmoke. "Neil, Niles, fall back. The office is a more defensible position." He says over his shoulder, "Eduardo, hold the door open, we're coming in. Helen, cover us." As he's backing up, Chester realizes that he can't see Hoover in his peripheral vision. "Hades! Neil, Niles is down, help me get him inside." He drops his guns and bends down to grab the fallen man.

Minerva's shot is on target and strikes the man who shot Niles Hoover in the forehead, the man falling dead into the street. This leaves four members of the mob standing and still returning fire at the lawmen, Ike Sherman and the three cowboys beside him. They each fire again at the three remaining lawmen, with Neil Cassidy being struck again, this time in the left elbow, causing him to drop his gun. "I'm with you Chester," Neil says, but the smoke is so thick they don't immediately see Hoover.

"Henry, I'll be back," Kate said, unable to stand by passive any longer. She darted across the street toward the Alhambra and into the alley next to it that should lead to the alley between the Marshall's office and the Claims Office. Mollie Caudell follows Kate.

Kate waited until they were through the alley and moving toward the Marshall's office before she spoke. "I'm about to do something that could get me hung, and I'm trusting you to keep it a secret. If I tell you to run, run." Mollie laughs and says, "I'm good with secrets. I'm also good at breaking society's rules." Kate nodded although her nerves still showed in her face. "I believe you." They made it to the back corner of the Office, and Kate looked around to make sure no one could see her, aware she was directly behind Doctor Eaton's office.

“DROP 'EM, RIGHT NOW!” bellows the voice of Michael Seawell as the row of seven ex-soldiers charge onto the scene, stopping just shy of the pile of bodies lying in the street. Several of the still standing shooters swing their weapons to the right to deal with this new threat. Emery Shaw locks eyes with the group’s leader and yells “Don’t do it Thayer. You’re facing two generals, a colonel, two majors, a lieutenant and a first sergeant, every one of us combat veterans.”

The man Shaw was talking to lowers his weapon. His companions do likewise with Ike Sherman being the final one to do so. “I’ll remember this Lacey,” he exclaims while glaring at the store owner. “You do that,” Judge Lacey replies. The shooting has no sooner stopped when Helen Barker charges out of the office with a Colt Revolver in hand. She smiles at the war veterans and says "Good job, thanks for your help." She then tells Chester and Neil "You're both wounded, get inside, we'll keep things under control out here."

The crowd gathered over by Rixton's includes Roger and Janet Fly, who had been enjoying a late dinner at the Promise City Hotel with his brother Camillus Sidney Fly known as 'Buck' and Mary Edith Goodrich Fly known as 'Mollie" as well as Roger and Janet's friends Doctor James Eaton and his wife Beth. Eaton has already retrieved his bag from his office and charges forward with Roger and Buck Fly heading towards Niles Hoover and Doc Eaton going towards the man who Frederick Seawell had shot.

Nanuet has made his way across the street as well. Roger Fly tells him "Please go help those in the Marshall's Office, if these idiots see an Indian out here they might start shooting again. We'll deal with this." Kate Kale and Mollie Caudell now reach the alleyway between the Marshall's Office and the County Claims Office. Minerva cover's Nanuet as he makes his way over to the Marshall's office and then hurries down the stairs to assist the wounded. She kneels in the dirt and begins to tend the wounded.

Nanuet listens to Roger Fly's instructions and nods in acknowledgement. He continues to stay behind as much cover as possible and heads into the Marshall's Office. "I'm here to help, I'm a healer. Who's got it the worst?" Deputy Rodriguez is holding Marshall Berg. Berg's chest is covered with blood and he is now unconscious. "He's barely with us," the Deputy states.

Nanuet immediately heads to Berg and casts cure moderate wounds on him. He then removes the regular three-inch stone on them to cast the Cure Critical Wounds spell from the necklace.

Kate heard Seawell shout and the shooting stop just as she was getting ready to cast a spell. "Oh thank heavens. My secret will have to wait for another time. They'll be needing us now," Kate said breathlessly and ran out with her bag of bandages. She moved toward the Marshall's office, looking for the lawmen first. "Thank you, Papa," she whispered, knowing he'd hear. "I'm not sure if he's wearing something that's hiding who he is or if he used a spell. Either way, he shouldn't be allowed to leave until we know who he really is." Even as she spoke she was rolling up her sleeves and looking for someone to help.

He then finishes checking the man who Seagram had shot, telling some gawkers to "Get this one over to my office. Find a wagon, I don't want him losing more blood." Kate concentrates and casts a minor spell that Gonzales has showed her, concluding that the unconscious wizard is wearing a magical disguise that is contained in his belt buckle.

Minerva has arrived on the scene and assists with the wounded sprawled out on the Street as Eaton heads up to the porch where Roger Fly is with Niles Hoover. "How is he?" the Doctor asks. Fly looks up at his friend James Eaton and states, "He's dead Jim."

 

[Silver Moon]

Chapter Thirty-seven, “Shootout Aftermath”, Saturday, May 27th, 1882, 10:45 P.M.

As Doctor Eaton left the wounded man and the others went to find a wagon, Kate knelt down next to the man and pulled out her bandages, looking very busy staunching the wound. Mollie Caudell was still with her, mostly blocking her from sight. She quickly grabbed the belt-buckle and ripped it off saying quietly to Mollie, "Don't ask how I knew to do that."

The disguise strips away to reveal a human with major burns on his head and arms. The entire right side of the man's face is an ugly purple and black burn scar and his right eye appears to be destroyed as well. He has no hair on that side of his head either, just more scars. Both of the man's arms are badly burned although the hands have either been healed or were magically protected at the time of the fire.

Kate screamed and shuffled away from the burned man. In her minds eye she saw the burning men running from the ranch where the Cowboy Gang had held Nanuet and Chester. Could someone really have survived that? She had only intended to reveal an identity, but that was not what this man had been hiding.

Minerva continues to do what healing that she can. When there is no more that she can do, she moves from one dead man to the other, praying over them and discreetly checking them for artifacts and identity. She notices Kate and gives her a grim smile in acknowledgment before continuing with her task.

While the Doctor, Priestess and others help with the wounded Seawell has himself, Caudell, Seagram, and von Zeppelin cover the area with their guns to make sure that nobody else draws weapons. Helen Barker urges the crowd to disperse. Pleasants, Lacey and Shaw pick up all of the fallen and dropped weapons lying on the street. The newspaperman Chumbley is running about taking notes on what transpired.

The four men most wounded men, including the one with the older burns, have now been lifted up and hauled off in carts over to Doc Eaton's Office. He heads over there to operate, accompanied by Roger and Buck Fly. Minerva exhausts her healing spells taking care of many of the less severely wounded. The only magical item that she comes across in her travels is the belt buckle that Kate had removed and dropped in her shock over seeing the burnt man. Town undertaker Richard Lester has arrived to take away the bodies of Niles Hoover, Nick Karp and the cowboy who Minerva shot who is identified by his friends as Philemon Grove.

Inside, it has taken a considerable amount of time but Nanuet's spell has worked to force the bullet out of Marshall Berg's body and restore the damage that is caused. When a few of the Indian prisoners begin to comment about Nanuet helping whites Neil Cassidy draws a gun despite his badly wounded arm and threatens to shoot the next one of them who speaks. Berg remains unconscious but Nanuet determines that he will live. The spell has physically drained Nanuet. Helen reenters the Marshall's Office and asks, "How is he?"

"He'll live" Nanuet says as he wipes his hand across his brow, then looks for something to sit on. "I'm pretty tired from that healing spell, but I'm not done yet. I still have some more healing I can do, who else needs to be healed?" Helen points to Chester and Neil and says "Both of these men do. Thank you Nanuet, we're all in your debt." Nanuet casts his last two cure moderate wounds spells on Neil and Chester which is about all the strength he has left.

She then notices that Travis Calhoun is sitting in a chair, white as a ghost and shaking. "Were you hit?" she asks. He shakes his head no. She says, "You need to get yourself a drink and then to bed, you're in shock." She helps him outside and seeing Peter Lovelace from the Rio Grande. She yells, "Peter, help Travis out. See that he gets home safely."

Kate had continued to move through the wounded and help where she could with bandages and experienced hands. She choked back tears as they took the body of Niles Hoover away. Not more than two hours ago she had been speaking to him, so proud of his stand. And she was still proud that he had backed up his words, but she mourned the price. She went inside the Marshall's office and looked at Neil Cassidy's arm, cleaning the wound and carefully wrapping it. Minerva finishes the grim task of taking care of the dead and wearily walks into the Marshall's office to check on Nanuet.

He sees Minerva enter the office and smiles wearily in relief. "You're OK, thank the Gods.” She then lowers her voice and tells him “Niles Hoover isn't so lucky, I didn't get here in time to save both him and Berg" he says as he hangs his head. "Let's go check on the... ummm... house" Nanuet says looking to Minerva for a supportive arm.

Kate went over to sit with Chester, checking his bandaged wound. "You've got to stop getting in these situations, Deputy," she said, trying to be light. "Nanuet will take care of you, there's nothing more I can do." A few minutes later her father and brother came into the Marshall's office looking for her. "Thank you, Papa," she said quietly. "I... Maman and Phil are still at the Lucky Lady. Someone will have to tell Job Kane about Niles if he doesn't....." She stopped and hid her face, unable to go on. Neil Cassidy looks up and asks "What about Niles?"

She lifted her face and met his eyes. "The doctor was too late, there was nothing.... I'm so sorry. He stood up for what he believed in, and he died for it." Chester exclaims, "What? No, that can't be... Damn." A somber feeling of gloom falls over the Marshall's Office.

Neil then kicks the floor and exclaims, "This was my fault. I volunteered us for this. He'd still be alive if not for me." "No," Kate said firmly. "It's no one's fault but the one who pulled the trigger. Niles wanted to back up his words and show that mob that they couldn't run this town. Every moment was a chance for someone to do something different, to change things, but none of us can see the future. And we cannot live blaming ourselves for that."

Minerva places her arm across Nanuet’s back for support and wraps his arm across her shoulder. She looks around the grief stricken room and nods her sympathy, knowing that now is not the time for empty words of comfort. "Come, Nanuet. You must rest." He leans heavily on her barely able to stand as she leads him out the door and down the street.

Chester tries to get up, but his leg gives way, sending him to the floor. Nanuet help him up. "Thanks. And thanks for saving Mitch. He got hit bad. Kate, did Niles have family? I never asked him. Neil, it isn't your fault. I could have told you to go home, but instead I deputized you."

Clarisse pushes her way into the room, tears streaming down her face. "Where's Chet? Is he alright?" She sees him and runs over to him and hugs him tightly. "Oh, Chet. I heard there was trouble here and then we heard guns and someone said people were killed. And I thought... I thought..." She buries her head in his shoulder and sobs. Chester holds her tightly. "It's OK. It's OK. I got wounded, but I'll be better soon." He looks up at Helen with a grim look. "What about Adair and his gang? How many did we get?"

Helen replies, "Dick Lester took three bodies away, including Niles. Mitch didn't want us to kill anybody....I'm afraid one of the dead was my fault, Adair's main gambler Nick Karp. I got distracted by him shooting Mitch so my aim was a bit off." Neil Cassidy just nods upon hearing that, his having played poker with Helen enough to know when she's lying.

She says, "The other dead guy was Phil Grove, works out at the Thayer Ranch. Janet Fly said that he was the one who shot Niles." She looks to Chester and Neil and says, "I guess the aim was a bit off for one of you too. But the smoke was pretty thick then so don't worry about it." Stanley Barker arrives to make sure that his wife is alright. Helen says "I'm fine, but the Marshall got hurt pretty bad. Nanuet saved him." Emery Shaw and Judge Lacey come inside with the weapons they had gathered. Helen takes the weapons and locks them up, also helping Eduardo unload and secure the other weapons.

When they are done she asks Shaw and Lacey to help bring Marshall Berg over to her house saying, "We shouldn't leave him alone until he recovers. Stanley will help keep an eye on him." They leave with the Marshall. Helen then looks to Neil and says "You handled yourself well out there Deputy Cassidy. How about continuing to wear the badge at least until the Marshall is back on his feet." He replies, "I'd be honored to, but I don't actually have a badge yet." She smiles and says, "That's easily fixed." She takes one of Berg's keys and opens a desk drawer, removing a badge that the tosses over to him.

She then says, "I guess that's it then. I'll stay here with Eddie tonight to watch the prisoners. Neil, Chet, patrol the town for the next hour or two to make sure there won't be any more flare ups, then go get some sleep. We'll see you both in the morning."

Chester says to Helen and Eduardo, "Keep your eyes peeled. Who knows if someone else will try again." He pats them on the arm as he leaves. "Clarisse, I'll stop by after I check around. Let me walk you home first." Chester reloads his guns, keeping all chambers loaded. After dropping Clarisse home, he walks a circuit around town, paying close attention to Cassidy's Lumberyard, the Barker's Photographic Studio, and the Lucky Lady. Once he's done with the patrol, he'll check with Stanley Barker about Berg's condition.

Neil turns to Kate and Nanuet and says, "Somebody needs to go tell Harry Rote about Niles. He'll probably take it hard, they've been friends for years, long before they arrived here in Promise City."

"I'll do it," Kate said wearily. She got to her feet and smoothed her ruined skirt oblivious to the blood spattered on it as well as caked on her hands and under her fingernails. Without speaking her father and brother flanked her on the walk back. They entered the Lucky Lady together and the few people still there stared. Amelie's eyes quickly ran over each, seeing her husband and son were both fine, she zeroed in on her daughter. "Jacqueline, are you well?"

"It's not mine mother. Excuse me. Harry, Job, can I see you in the kitchen?" She preceded the men into the kitchen and waited until she had their attention. "You heard the gunfire. The mob was made up of men from the Palace and a few other miners or cowboys. The Marshalls shot to disarm, the crowd wasn't so kind." She wanted to look away but forced herself to meet Harry's eyes. "Niles was very brave. He stood his ground and.... He was shot twice. There was nothing the Doctor could do. I'm so sorry," she finished as her voice broke.

Harry breaks down and cries. Job pauses and then says, "We need to get word to Ruby and Jake". Kate put her arms around Harry in mute sympathy, knowing words could do nothing. It was a few moments before she answered Job, saying, "They went to Tucson, but beyond that I don't know how to find them." Job says, "Well, there's nothing more we can do about it tonight. Come on Harry, let me help you upstairs."

Kate sees Maria standing in the corner crying. As Job took Harry away Kate went to Maria and put her arms around her. "I'm sorry, dear. So sorry." Kate brings Maria upstairs and gets her tucked into bed.

Nanuet walks back to the cottage with Minerva's assistance. He looks as though there are several moments when he wants to speak, but each time he stops himself. He slips through the door and inside the modest cottage, glad to be in a place of comfort away from the prying eyes of Promise City. "We must check on my cousin, and unlock his handcuffs, allow him to at least be free in our home."

Nakomo appears to have been resting but sits up as best he can with the restraint upon hearing others in the house. As Nanuet enters the room he says in their native tongue "I heard a lot of noise, white man's weapons, what has happened?"

Nanuet shakes his head and wipes a tear from his face. "A terrible thing has just happened Nakomo. A mob of men demanded the others in the jail for their own brand of justice. The lawmen and their allies stood their ground, but at least three men were killed and many others wounded. I have a feeling that this is only the beginning." Nanuet takes the keys and unlocks his cousin. "There, you are free to do as you wish here within the cottage. I know it is far from freedom, but if you were to leave the building you would be putting your life at risk."

Minerva tends to the exhausted Nanuet, getting him a plate of food and settling him in front of the fire. She offers food and drink to Nakomo as well before she makes herself comfortable with a glass of wine. She speaks with Nakomo explaining to him what happened and asking him to give her his word of honor that he will, under no circumstances leave the house. They discuss the situation until very late before they settle down, spending the night at Minerva's.

Kate heads back downstairs. Job has sent the few remaining customers home and locked up. He asks Thom to walk Kate back to her house. When they walk by the intersection of Main and Fremont Streets it is surprisingly calm. She sees Neil Cassidy on patrol a block to the south but nobody else is out on the streets. A block to the north the Palace Saloon also looks to have closed up for the night. Kate arrives back at her home.

Back at home, Kate spent several minutes looking in a Ginnie as the girl slept curled up in her bed. Earlier she had wondered if there might be violence against her home but had convinced herself that she was borrowing trouble. Now she wasn't so sure. In her own room she cast her last cantrip to clean the blood off herself. Once she was ready she climbed into her own bed, pulled her knees up to her chest and cried the tears she had held back in public. It was a long time before sleep came.

When Chester arrives at the Barker home Stanley is setting out linens on the couch for himself to sleep on, having put the Marshall in the bedroom. Berg is still sleeping soundly but appear to be breathing comfortably. Stanley says, "I'm hoping he'll sleep straight through the night, that would be the best thing for him. And that you so very much Chester for helping to keep my wife safe."

Chester resumes his patrol. The only one he sees in his travels is Chumbley, who is scurrying about from place to place gathering information for his newspaper. Chester visits Clarisse. They sit together in the parlor, until he falls asleep. She continues to hold him, until she drops off as well.

 

[Silver Moon]

Chapter Thirty-eight, “Putting things into Perspective”, Sunday, May 28th, 1882, 6:45 A.M.

Morning came unwelcome but late, and Kate pulled herself out of bed. Ginnie was already gone, and her family would be going to Miss Florenica's services this morning, so she had some time to herself. She dressed herself in her prim blue and headed over to the Barkers to check on Mitchell Berg.

Stanley greets her at the door. "Hello Mrs. Kale. How are you?" When she asks about the Marshall Stanley says, "Oh, he left after dawn. He's like most men, insisted he had to go take charge. He did seem much better. He said he was heading straight back to the office and jail to see Helen and Eduardo."

Kate replies, "Thank you Mr. Barker. Clerical healing is something else, isn't it? Amazing that he can be up and around already today. Still, I hope he's going to take it easy, it was still a traumatic thing and he'll be needing rest. I wanted to tell you how much my family enjoyed your playing last night. My mother was impressed especially. I may have to bring them to the Comique next Saturday so they can hear you again." After a few more moments Kate said goodbye and walked to the Marshall's office.

The Marshall's Office is locked but Eduardo unlocks it once he sees who is outside. Kate enters to see Berg seated in the chair behind the desk. His complexion is still off, possibly due to blood loss, and he lacks his usual alertness. Eduardo and Helen are both in the office. She says to Kate, "Good, I'm glad you're here. Help us talk some sense into this man, he says he's going to resign as Marshall because of last night.”

Kate states, "I certainly hope not. Considering what's happening, there's no one I trust more to be our Marshall. Think what would happen in the next Merchant's Association meeting. Adair will certainly object to anyone he thinks might actually uphold the law and stop him from getting his vigilante justice. I saw what you tried to do. You gave them a chance, and even after that none of your people shot to kill. There was no talking that mob down, Mr. Berg. It took courage to make the choice you did."

He states, "That choice got Hoover killed. Besides, it might be a moot point anyway, word is that Ike Sherman and Evan Adair are going to call for me to be stripped of my badge at the next Merchant's Association Meeting anyway. Right now they're both over talking to Fisk about bringing me up on murder charges."

Kate moved next to the chair where he was sitting and pulled up another. "Listen to me," she said and leaned forward. "Niles Hoover made his own choice. He chose to leave the safety of the Lucky Lady, he chose to stand with you for what he thought was right. I won't argue the legality of any charges those idiots might try to bring; you know the law far better than I. But if you resign, they win. Do you really think they can go before the Merchant's Association get anyone to support them when they were the ones out there stirring up a mob? They may have a few like-minded people with them, but most of the members have a lot more sense."

She impulsively took his hand and said, "Mitchell you made the hard choice in support of the law. We need a man of strong conviction like you. What happens to us if men like Adair can chase out honest man after honest man until they get what they want? Don't do their work for them."

Helen interjects, "Listen to her Mitch. Look, It'll be at least another week-and-a-half until registration for the candidates for office closes. Don't make any hasty decisions right now." Kate adds, "I'm sure Chester would agree as well. It's easy to see how much he respects you. Take some time. Rest and recover and get your mind clear. Don't make a decision you'll regret. Or one that we'll regret."

Berg nods. Helen says, "Speaking of Chester, him and Neil will be along soon. Mitch, I want you to accompany me and Stanley to Church. I have a sneaking suspicion that Miss. Florencia's sermon today might be really worth listening too. I see her to be one to speak her mind and convey the feelings of the gods."

Kate let go of Berg's hand and folded her own in her lap. "Yes, Miss Florencia is not one to hold back. I should go. I just wanted to check in on you and make sure you were getting plenty of rest. Clerical healing makes your body whole again, but you still need to let it recover. Mrs. Barker, I felt foolish yesterday after I'd brought you that sign, but after last night... I know there's nothing to be done, but I hope you'll keep your eyes and ears open?"

"I will" she states, "And so will my Deputies." Berg finally smiles and says "It looks like you have matters well under control Acting Marshall Barker." Helen says, "Hey, don't blame me for that, Chumbley came up with that one himself. He says he thinks it will help the women's rights movement for tomorrow's meeting. And you can take the job back later today or tomorrow once you're feeling better Mitch."

Morning arrives and Chester wakes with a start. He checks his pocket watch and gently shakes Clarisse. "Dear? It's morning. You got to get ready for church and I got to get to the office." She rubs her eyes. "After what happened last night, do you have to go? Come to church with me."

He replies, "You know I can't. With the Marshall hurt, we're short-handed. Things may be calm now, but a flare-up is always possible." She says, "That's what I'm afraid of. Mr. Hoover was so nice to me and now he's gone. I worry every time you go to work." He answers, "If I don't do this, Adair and his boys will take it as surrender. We don't want him running this place. If you thought things are sinful now, wait until he is elected mayor. I can't let that happen."

Chester reaches the Marshall’s Office, missing Kate by just a few minutes. He explains his concerns to the others. The other law officers agree. Neil Cassidy arrives soon and Eduardo and Helen are dismissed. Neil glances towards the prisoners and says, "So what's the story about these guys Chester, I hear you were the one who arrested them."

Chester strikes a match and lights a cigarette. He offers Neil and the prisoners cigarettes. None of them take him up in the offer. He says, "The other night at the Lucky Lady some of the ranchers were complaining about some recent thefts. Me and Nanuet offered to look into this for them. If they're going to be a part of this town, it doesn't hurt to give them a hand. Anyway, they thought it might be Apaches breaking a treaty Nanuet had struck between us and them. So we stopped by a couple ranches and talked to Will Flynn and Amel Renner.

The four of us tracked the thieves back to a cave in the Dos Cabezos Mountains. We asked them to surrender, but they answered us with gunfire. We shot back and wounded a couple of them. Flynn got hit too, but Nanuet fixed him up. Turns out that Nanuet recognizes them, part of his tribe or something. Since we were outside of the town limits, I asked Sheriff Hunter to make the official arrest."

Chester tells Cassidy, "Thanks for helping us out last night. If you hadn't been there, who knows what would have happened." He continues, "I'm glad there are people willing to put their money where their mouths are. This could mean trouble for the lumberyard. It took a lot of guts to defend Indians, especially thieves."

Cassidy replies, "Trouble? With the business? More Half of Tombstone just burned to the ground, I'll be selling every board I can for the next two months. I've already arranged for Morand Cartage to haul everything I currently have over there this next week. Terrible shame that fire, I lost a saloon there that I had a quarter-interest in." Chester laughs. "I forgot that Tombstone will be knocking down your door for wood. Too bad about the saloon. Are you going to rebuild that?"
He states, "Oh sure, of course we will. Tombstone is still a rich boom town. But for the next two weeks my business partners are going to be working as lumber agents instead of saloon owners."

After leaving the Marshall’s Office Kate heads over to the El Parador. She is pleasantly surprised to Manuel Gonzales sitting at a table while eating his breakfast and reading a newspaper. She approaches the table and asks him when he got home. He replies, “Less than an hour ago. According to the paper I missed quite a bit of excitement last night.” Kate is surprised that Chumbley managed to get the story to press so soon and comments about that.

Gonzales says, “He says he was up all night working on it. Apparently some people began to call the incident the “Elf Gunfight”, as the jailed elves were the intended target of the mob. Chumbley didn’t want that name to stick so he decided to instead call it ‘The Promise City Shootout of 1882’ and will use this morning’s paper to get that name circulated instead. His story doesn’t even reference the race of the prisoners.”

She states, "You know, behind all that talk Mr. Chumbley has quite a sharp mind. It was ugly, Grandpere, and I'm glad you didn't have to see it. My father and a few other veterans backed up the Marshalls, but by the time they were armed and moving forward the shooting had already started." She dropped her voice and went on. "With so many people there, I couldn't do much of anything. I did warn Papa that one of the men was using magic." Kate went on and described what she had seen with her detect magic and the items some of the men had.

"The disguised man was terribly burned. I think he was at the farmhouse when we rescued Nanuet and Chester. I don't mind admitting I'm scared. I'm scared for all of you here, and I'm scared for Ginnie and I after that sign got nailed on our door yesterday." "Sign? What sign?" he asks.

Kate shook her head. "We went out in the morning, and when I came back someone had nailed a sign on the schoolhouse door. Ginnie asked around and found out it was Kirby Watkins who did the dirty work. It said 'CONDEMNED! Condemnations to those who would use this building to corrupt the minds of innocent youth with falsehoods!' I don't think many people saw it before we pulled it down. I suspect it has to do with me allowing children of all races. I'm sure I'm overreacting," she finished. "Last night just upset me. Losing Niles...."

She was quiet for a moment, but her hand brushing against her pocket reminded her of the telegram Ruby had sent. "I got this yesterday as well," she said, turning it over. "I couldn't understand all of it. I was going to ask Sonoma about it today, or Morgana if Sonoma didn't understand."

Gonzales reads the content of the telegram from Ruby. He says, “Okay, I don't get all of this but it appears that I am needed in Tucson. I still have one transport spell left so I guess I’ll head off there right away. Not sure what she needs but I'll find out." He picks up the newspaper and adds, “Might as well bring this with me to inform them of what happened. I will see you later my little Sandpiper.”

Disappointment was plain on her face as her teacher readied himself to leave again so soon. "I wish you didn't have to leave, I feel safer with you here. But something important must have happened for Ruby to send for you." She stood up and kissed his cheek. "Please, tell them about Niles before they read it there if you can. Come back soon."

Minerva had stayed up most of the night revising her sermon for the Sunday service. She leaves the house at dawn and makes her way to the church to meditate and ask for guidance from her gods. When the people begin to arrive she is sitting, trancelike on her pillow, the flute resting in her lap. When the bells strike 8:00 A.M. , the Priestess rise and gently lays the flute on the pillow. She turns and with a slow regal step she walks to the podium and stands silent before the congregation, her face drawn and grim as she looks accusingly around the hall.

"My dear brothers and sisters, a terrible thing is transpiring in our beloved town. HATE is attempting to worm it’s way into our community and we are allowing it to gain entry. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE! she bellows. The Hate that is festering in our midst must be stomped out and crushed as ruthlessly as one would destroy a venomous snake, before it spreads it’s poison into the life blood of this town. Before it destroys us all.” Grief becomes evident in her soft tone as well as her posture. She places her hands on either side of the podium and leans forward as if what she is about to say is too much to bear without its support.

“Yesterday, A good man died protecting the rights of the Citizens of Promise City to live free from this malevolent scourge that is threatening to take over our town. Let us take a moment and remember the life and bravery of Senor Nialls Hoover and all that he stood for. He died doing the Will of the gods… protecting YOU from the HATE, and for this he will surly be rewarded in Olympus. She pauses and lowers her head in grief before she continues in a strong determined voice.

“I have said this before and I shall continue to repeat it until ALL understand the dark power of hate. HATE corrodes the personality and eats away its vital unity. HATE destroys a man's sense of values and his objectivity. It causes him to describe the beautiful as ugly and the ugly as beautiful, and to confuse the true with the false and the false with the true. It clouds his mind, deafens his hearing and hardens his heart to the WILL OF THE GODS! We MUST NOT allow it to take hold and flourish!

There are those in Promise City who have chosen the dark path of hate and bigotry to gain wealth and power. They use hate to subvert and dominate others to their will and increase their power. They have chosen a path in direct opposition to the gods, a path of dark destruction over the path of light. You know who they are! They live among us! Evan Adair, Prosper McCoy, Dave Carleen, Bob Skull, Nick Karp Ike Sherman, Porter Norris and Gregory Reston are but a few who have chosen this hate path. I say to you that Their glory shall be their doom! For no man or woman is a match for the gods! It is OUR DUTY to be sure that they and others of their ilk either change their ways or are cast out.

"But how do I do my duty to the gods, You ask? You DO THAT by helping them to see the light, and failing that by removing their power, by not voting for them or what they stand for, by doing business only with those who embrace one another as brother and sister. NOT by shooting one another down in the streets!

. Yes, there ARE times when the gods demand blood and it was not so long ago that they demanded that brother take up arms against brother to cleanse the earth of hate and bigotry with their mortal blood but the blood that was spilt yesterday was not spilled at the hands of the gods but by the hands of Hate. Let us not fall prey to that evil power.

We have it in OUR power to rid this town of hate without blood sacrifice. Minerva has given us the divine gifts of Reason and Wisdom, We have the power of the Vote, the power of Commerce and Community. Let us use these powers to evoke change and drive the hate from our world and make our town peaceful and whole. The Will of the gods will be done for the gods always get their wish. The question before us this day is, what methods will we use to carry out Their will and at what price to our loved ones, our community, our mortal souls?" And leaving the question hanging in the air, she turns her back on the crowd, moves to sit upon her pillow signaling the end of the service

Several dozen people in the congregation come forward and speak to her for the hour following the service. She noticed a despondent Marshall Berg sitting in the audience and her words seemed to bring some comfort to him. He left with the Barkers.

Out on the street Chumbley is selling the latest edition of his newspaper to those leaving the service. Kate meets her family immediately following the service. She has rented a carriage from Drovers to take them out to her ranch for the day. Ginnie decides to remain in town.

Minerva speaks with those who have stayed behind, offering comfort and support while re-enforcing her sermon. When all are departed she steps into the street and greets Chumbley. She purchases a newspaper before heading home. Buenas Dias Senor Chumbley. What is the news of the day?"

He says, "Here you go, keep your nickel, consider it my donation for all of your good works. " Minerva thanks Chumbley, and returns home.

The Promise City Mirror is dated Sunday, May 28, 1882. The front-page story has the bold headline “Three Killed in Shoot Out!” Beneath it is a smaller headline banner reading “Lawman, Gambler and Rancher perish in Promise City Shootout of 1882”

The story begins on page one and continues onto page two. It reads:
What began with an arrest of some cattle rustlers and chicken thieves escalated last night into a full-scale gun battle between the town’s officers of the law and an angry mob. A group of approximately three-dozen men led by a rancher who had been shot by the arrested rustlers marched to the Town Jail and demanding that the prisoners be turned over to them for hanging. Town Marshall Mitchell Berg refused to give up his prisoners and ordered the crowd to disperse.

Two spokesmen for the mob, store owner Ike Sherman and saloon owner Evan Adair refused to leave. Marshall Berg called forward his deputies and gave the crowd until a count of ten to lay down their arms, although few did so. Immediately following the count Marshall Berg and his deputies begins firing at the crowed who then began to fire back at the law officers. Several witness claim that Berg had fired prematurely although that has not yet been confirmed. When the Promise City Shootout of 1882 was finally over there were eighteen wounded and three dead.

Order was quickly restored through the intervention of a group of Civil War veterans led by retired Colonel Michael Seawell. Members of his group included long-time Promise City residents the former Lieutenant Judge Lacey and former major Emery Shaw. They were joined by four newcomers to the town who were the former General Henry Pleasants, former Major Frederick Seagram, former First Sergeant Nate Caudell, and Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin formerly a General in the German Army and an official observer during the Civil War. All were Union Army veterans except for Caudell who served with the North Carolina 47th Infantry.

The wounded were treated through the combined efforts of several residents of the town namely Doctor James Eaton, Greek/Roman Priestess Minerva Florencia, Celtic/Mexican Priest Thomas Valdez, Elvan Healer Nanuet and schoolteacher Katherine Kale.

Marshall Berg was among the six most seriously wounded. At the time that this story went to publication all six of these men were still undergoing treatment but were expected to survive. Those other seriously wounded were Claude Buckley, Mike Moore, Porter Norris, Jasper Ordway, and Ken Wagner. Acting Marshall Helen Barker stated that Berg would have perished if not for the timely arrival of Nanuet. Father Valdez treated Ordway. Doctor Eaton operated on Buckley, Moore, Norris and Wagner.

The twelve less severe wounds were Deputy Marshall Neil Cassidy, Deputy Marshall Chester Martin, Evan Adair, Gordy Bryson, Dave Carleen, William Flynn, Denny Garvin, Art Huntley, Deacon McCoy, Amel Renner, Bob Scull and Stephen Weaver.

The three deceased were gambler Nick Karp of the Palace Saloon, rancher Philemon Grove of the Thayer Ranch and Deputy Marshall Niles Hoover who co-owned a number of business interests in town including Hoover’s Liquors and the Lucky Lady Dance Hall and Saloon. Grove will be buried later today, Sunday May 28th, in a private service out on the Thayer Ranch. Hoover and Karp will each be buried in town tomorrow, Monday May 29th, in separate services.

Most of the remainder of the newspaper consists of advertisements and editorials. There is a lengthy editorial on page six by Chumbley stating that racial intolerance was a root cause of the riot and appealing to the town to promote equality. The editorial specifically makes reference to the elf Nanuet and half-elf Valdez who helped to save the lives of the wounded. There is a short article stating how the gunfight the previous July between the James Gang and Arcade’s Gang, which had been called the Promise City Shootout should now be referenced as the Promise City Shootout of 1881.

There is a full-page notice on page nine announcing that a wake for Deputy Marshall Niles Hoover will be held at the Lucky Lady Dance Hall and Saloon on Sunday evening. The funeral will be held at noon on Monday at Lester’s Funeral Parlor followed by the burial on Boot Hill.
There is a similar notice on the back page, page twelve, for Nick Karp. It also indicates a Sunday night wake, this one at the Palace Saloon, at that services will be at 2:00 P.M. on Monday at Lester’s Funeral Parlor followed by the burial on Boot Hill.

 

[Silver Moon]

Chapter Thirty-nine, “Delivering bad news”, Sunday, May 28th, 1882, 8:30 A.M.

At the Three Gods Meeting House the next morning, barely awake, Ruby nuzzles Jake’s neck and purrs sleepily into his ear, “Let’s be decadent and stay in bed together all day darling. I don’t ever want this feeling to end.” Ruby rubs her hand smoothly over Jake’s belly, hoping to convince him.

"All day? Heh. At least all morning." He gets a wicked smile on his face, "I always felt that a freshly seared rib-eye was appropriately decadent second thing in the morning. No need to rush first thing...." Jake pulls Ruby on top of him. They snuggle up and kiss, and even though they are still not fully awake being together comes more natural to them than sleeping...

There is a knock on Jake and Ruby’s bedroom door at what they consider to be an ungodly hour. They hear Richard's voice on the other side saying, “Mr. Cooke, Miss. West, you have a visitor waiting for you downstairs. And I’m afraid that there is also some very bad news to report. There was a major gunfight back in Promise City. Your deputy friend has been shot and killed."

Richard then adds, “Your visitor is downstairs having breakfast right now in the main room with Mr. Van Horne. He also brought you a newspaper that describes the gunfight. I’ll leave it here by your door.” Ruby stops kissing Jake, and just stares at him with a funny look on her face. "Did you just hear that? I think I'm still dreaming, I thought I heard someone at the door and it wasn't good."

Jake froze at the words. "Hermes," he hisses. "Not Chet." Jake then mutters an obscenity before delicately moving some hair away from Ruby's face. He calls out, "We will be down in a few minutes."

Ruby's face drops, and her eyes go blank at Jake's reaction. He had heard it too, she wasn't just having a horrible nightmare. Her eyes fill with tears as she slowly pulls herself away from the warmth and comfort of her lover, feeling like her own body weighed a 1000 pounds. Finally she speaks as she sits up in the bed, supporting herself with her arms. "I knew something bad was going to happen, I had a feeling it would. If we were there we would be dead right now." She pauses. "Oh, poor Chester." Ruby can't hold back anymore, she throws her hand to her face and begins sobbing.

A few minutes go by before she numbly crawls out of bed, taking the soft white sheet with her. She retrieves the paper from the door but doesn't read it, instead handing it to Jake. In shock she wanders back out the open door, "I'll go see who is downstairs." As Jake takes the paper as Ruby disappears from view.

She quickly makes her way down the three flights of stairs to the main room, where the only two occupants are Cornelius Van Horne and Manuel Gonzales, sitting together and each eating plates with fried bacon, Spanish-style omelets, corn bread and strawberry jam accompanied by large mugs of fresh coffee.

Ruby wipes her eyes and approaches the table. She sits without asking again blinking back some tears. "Mr. Gonzales... so glad to see you..." she struggles with the words as she tries to be polite but is just too numb. "What are you doing here?"

Gonzales stands, sensing Ruby's anguish he rushes over to her and gives her a long deep hug. Mr. Van Horne says, "I think I'll leave the two of you alone. You should have privacy despite the size of the room, the only one in the building usually up at this hour on a Sunday is Richard and he's out in the lobby." Gonzales continues to hug her deeply and says, "It's alright my little bird, even a Golden Eagle is allowed to cry. It is hard to lose a friend." He then adds "I am here because you called for me. You sent a telegram to Promise City which I only just now received."

Ruby buries her face in Gonzales shoulder and continues to sob for long moments. Finally she lifts her face to him with tears streaming down her face. "Oh, that's right I forgot. On our train ride here Wyatt Earp came to us and threatened us. Well, actually he threatened you and Madge, he accepted Jake and my's honest answer. He thinks one of us told of his being invisible. Somehow whoever attacked him knew he was and we were the only ones to know what happened. I wanted to warn you," she sniffles and wipes her nose with the back of her wrist.

"I know you can take care of yourself and you didn't even look like yourself but Madge... she is alone and he could really hurt her. I am very worried about her, and even us too." She breaks into more sobs, "I am tired of people getting hurt and dying." She buries her face again and grips his shoulders tight in a hug.

He returns the hug and says, "I appreciate the warning. I came to the same conclusion after Chumbley's paper on Friday mentioned Wyatt Earp being alive. He was seen in Tombstone, saved the life of Kate's brother in fact. Madge is safe, he won't find her. Nor is he likely to find Mr. Austin."

He says, "I'm afraid that it was my fault. My other apprentice Morgana was summoned along with her friends to Tombstone. Since they had run-ins before with Earp I wanted to warn her about him being there under the cover of invisibility. I thought she would just use that knowledge for her own self-protection, I didn't expect her to tell the Sheriff." "Morgana told the Sheriff?" Ruby shakes her head.

Ruby breathes a long sigh of relief. "I just... I didn't know if you would know. I don't understand how could someone have known?" She sighs again. "It seems we missed a lot." Ruby is quiet and she hangs her head. "What happened to Chester?" He says, "I only know what I read in the paper myself. It indicated that he only received minor wounds from the confrontation."

Ruby's head snaps up, "What? Richard said he was dead!" She wipes her face again. "I didn't read the paper, I just came right down." She starts to cheer up a little bit, "So he's ok? Who died? What happened?" Gonzales releases her and says, "Kate didn't want you to have to read about it first but they wouldn't let me go upstairs. I told him to let you know that Deputy Marshall Niles Hoover had died."

"Niles?" Ruby's face drops again. "Niles is dead?" The tears well up in her eyes again. "I guess I should read that paper," she says sadly, "How could he have gotten mixed up in a gun fight? And did you say Deputy Marshall?" Ruby wipes her eyes. "Can you get us home? I don't want to... to miss..." Her words break up and she is unable to finish speaking.

He replies, "No, I can't. I've now already used both of my transport spells today. You'll have to take conventional means back. That's why I felt the need to wake the two of you, otherwise you wouldn't be able to get back in time for Hoover's wake. There's a train leaving for Tombstone in around forty-five minutes and another one heading to Wilcox in around two hours. Either one would get you onto a stagecoach arriving in Promise City this evening."

Upstairs, He sits there naked, reading the paper and shaking his head. He says aloud, "Damn fools, the load of them. Stupid time for Hoover to grow principles. All that and they didn't even manage to kill Adair." Jake sighs and goes about getting dressed.

Clothed plainly with the newspaper under his arm he enters the large empty room. He walks somberly to where Ruby and the elderly wizard are and says, "Buenos dias, senor. I am pleased to see all the troubling events of the last several days have not brought harm to you as well."

Gonzales says, "Well, those events are about as new to me as to you. I was away and got back to Promise City only around two hours ago. I hadn't even finished my breakfast at the El Parador when Kate sent me off here to fetch the two of you. So I'm afraid that I can't tell you much more than what you read in the paper."

Ruby nods her head. Jake comes to join them but she doesn't make eye contact with him. "I guess I should go get ready to leave then. I'll be down in a bit." Ruby excuses herself and returns upstairs, heading for Jane's room.

Not anxious to be in the room packing just now, Jake stays with Gonzalez for a few minutes talking. "Ruby appraised you of our little encounter with Wyatt Earp? At the time I felt that heading back to Promise City then and there would have made the already suspicious Earp convinced we were involved." He says, "She spoke briefly of it. That man is dangerous. But he is visible now and without the means to make himself invisible again so should be less of a danger."
Jake replies, “I would not say he is less dangerous. We will just have to be happy that he is not invisible." Jake relates the conversation with Earp to Gonzalez. "There, you know what we know."

When they finish speaking, Jake says, "I suppose I should be packing. Ruby has got it in her head that being in Promise City is not safe for us. I cannot seem to make her understand it is not Promise City, though I will not deny it is not the safest of places, but our getting involved. Most of the trouble we have been in is because we were helping out our friends. She somehow thinks that all our problems go away if we just move." Jake shrugs. "Since all Hades will be breaking loose in Promise City, I do not think I will be changing her mind anytime soon."

Gonzales says, "I agree with your assessment. Most of your trouble has been because of your friends, although the trouble with Adair she started entirely on her own when she slapped him and then stole away business from his saloon with her singing. Running away from problems is never the answer, fixing them is the answer." He sits back down at the table and takes another bite from his second interrupted breakfast of the morning. He looks back up and adds, "As for Hades breaking out in Promise City, isn't freedom worth fighting for? Your county seemed to think that it was around twenty years back."

Jake answers, "Yes and no. Freedom does dead folk little good. Seems to me the last war was just a bunch of politicians sending boys off to kill each over excitable rhetoric. Some good did come out of it, but the price was just too damned high. There should have been another way. Just because I wear a gun low on the hip does not mean I like using it. If folks talked more, negotiated more and thought a bit more... well perhaps guns would not be fired so often." Jake looks thoughtfully at Gonzalez and then laughs, "Listen to me go on like some know it all preacher. Enjoy your breakfast senor, I will return shortly and be ready to travel."

He says, "Okay, as I told Ruby, there is a train leaving for Tombstone in around a half hour and another for Wilcox in around ninety minutes. You should be able to catch a stagecoach from either town that would get you back into Promise City in time for Mr. Hoover's wake." Jake nods and leaves to pack his belongings.

Ruby knocks softly on the door. "Janie, it's Ruby. I need to speak with you." Jane doesn't immediately reply. Ruby knocks again and hears "Wha...it's too damned early. Whoever you are GO AWAY!" Ruby wipes her eyes and knocks again, "It is VERY important Jane, I need to speak with you now."

Ruby hears some grumbling and knocking around in the room. Jane opens the door. She is wearing a slate blue terrycloth bathrobe, her hair is disheveled, make-up is smudged and she in no way resembles the usually glamorous Priestess of Aphrodite that Ruby knows. In a surly voice Jane exclaims, "What is so damned important that it can't wait until a decent hour?"

Ruby sighs. She knows just how the priestess feels. She pulls the sheet tighter against herself and says, "I'm leaving. There has been some trouble at home and one of my friends was killed. I wanted to say goodbye before we left."

Jane screams at her "What! You can't just go off and leave me! Not now! I need you here! What if Red has different expectations after last night! This could ruin everything! You can't encourage me to take him as my lover and then just run away when I need to talk to you the most!"

"Did you hear what I said Jane?? One of my friends and business partners was MURDERED. I HAVE to go. Believe me, I don't want to. Actually, I was going to speak to you today about the possibility of staying here permanently. I had a bad feeling and look what happened. I know it, if Jake and I had been there one or both of us would be dead right now. And I just can't do that, Janie. But I have no choice, I have to go back now. How did last night go? I guess the goddess pointed you in the right direction."

Jane's voice raises higher "You do have a choice! We're your business partners now! Jake owns part of this place now! Let your other partner back in Promise City take care of it! I need you here with me! Last night....that now messes everything up! I need you here to help me! Don't run away when I need you most!"

Ruby tries to remain calm but the tears begin welling again. "No Jane, YOU and JAKE are business partners. Jake has no responsibility to me and I have none to him. I am not a partner here. As for the other stuff, come with me to the room and talk to me now while I dress and pack. I'll help you in any way I can."

"I thought you loved me! Fine, run away!" Jane exclaims. She steps back into her room and slams the door in Ruby's face. Ruby blinks hard as the door is slammed in her face. "That's what I do," she says quietly to the door, "I run." She glumly returns to the room. She mindlessly pulls on some clothes and shoves her other belongings into her bag as she continues to cry.

Her belongings packed, Ruby stands before the mirror and begins brushing her long hair. Her face already looks pale, her eyes red and puffy. The emotions of last night, which she had so longed to hang onto, were already disappearing and there was nothing she could do about it.

Her heart was heavy with dread thinking of returning to Promise City. In times past she would have never attended a funeral, never cared enough about anyone to do so. Now she had no choice. Suddenly, the city with her home in it, the place her friends lived, the location of her business and what she thought would be her life long home was the last place she wanted to be.

The old familiar feeling of being held down, like there were heavy chains around her ankles, was returning. She wasn't free to do what she wanted and this time it was because of the bonds she had let herself make. She knew one thing. She could not stand by and watch the people that she loved get hurt, or worse, die. She knew she wouldn't survive that misery. And there was only one thing her unimaginative mind could think of to do. Ruby resumes brushing her hair, sullen and devastated at the turn of events.

Jake enters the room and stares at Ruby for a moment before he goes about collecting his own items. "I am going to miss Niles," he says without expecting an answer. Without turning her head Ruby looks at Jake in the mirror. A fresh remark begins to come out of her mouth but instead she smartly stays silent. She finishes brushing her hair then puts her brush in her bag.
"My things are ready," she says quietly, then sniffles.

"Jane is very angry with me for leaving early. She hates me." Ruby plops down on the bed and picks at the blanket as she watches Jake pack. "She says all I do is run away, and she's right." Silence. "You know, I was really hoping the goddess would send me a sign last night, for doing the ceremony. Even though I felt really good, between me and you, she didn't send me one. At least not one that is readily apparent to me at this moment. I know you don't want to believe they do things for us and all...but...well," she slaps her hand down on the bed in frustration, "Ugh. Forget it. I can't explain it I don't need to tell you how I feel, you already know. Let's just go and get this over with." Ruby grits her teeth, trying not to cry again as she waits for Jake to finish.

Without much care Jake stuffs his clothing into the travel bags. As he ties the last one shut he says, "She could not be more wrong. Who stood by her when Johnny Ringo came threatening her? I do not rightly see how going back to Promise City for Niles Hoover's final services is running away. He was a good man and a friend in his own way, if the well wishes at his departing mean anything to the gods then I will be there granting mine."

After a pause, Jakes starts to say something and stops and then instead says, "You feel a kinship with her because of the goddess, but what has she ever done for you? What risk has she taken on your behalf? When you needed her, was she standing beside you? No, you do not need to answer to me, just yourself. I will never ask you to justify your friends." Jake opens the door before lifting travel bags. "If you think about it, you do not have to search too deeply to know who are your true friends. I wonder if I have done a disservice to Red with my meddling last night? I will not say anything against her to him, let them make their own way."

Ruby picks up her bag and starts dragging it to the door. Without looking at him she says, "Yes, Jake, I know. I make stupid, foolish choices in just about everything I do. Why would she be any different?" Ruby doesn't wait for an answer, she walks out the door and down the stairs without a glance back.

As she walks away, Jake just stands there shaking his head. He drops the bags on the floor and mutters to himself as he strides to Jane’s room, "It is never easy with you Ruby West, even when I am telling you I respect your decisions you think I am belittling you." A heavy sigh escapes his lips just before he arrives at the priestesses door. Jake knocks loudly and says, "Jane. Jane, it is Jake."

When the door opens the Priestess is standing before him. Unlike the twenty-minutes earlier when Ruby knocked she is not disheveled and frumpy looking. The woman standing before him is freshly bathed, has make-up flatteringly applied to her face and is attired in a sheer low-cut ivory colored dress that is partially covered by a scarlet silk robe. A pearl necklace adorns her neck with matching pearl earrings and pearl rings on four of her fingers. Ivory and scarlet high-healed shoes raise her closer to Jake's height than usual and she sweetly exclaims, "Why Mr. Cooke, what brings you to my door at such an early hour?"

He states, "Untimely and sad events require our presence elsewhere. I wanted to ask if you had anything to advise me on my earlier request. That and to bid you farewell until we return, which we trust will be soon." She says, "I've already dispatched a telegram to somebody who might be able to help with that. I may not know for a while yet. When would you need it by?"

Jake brightens, "It would be special for me to have them go away on her birthday, that is the second of June. However, such a boon would be welcome anytime, I do not mean to sound ungrateful or presumptuous." "Until we meet again then Mr. Cooke," she states and then leans in to kiss him. Slightly surprised, he recovers himself quickly and politely returns a friendly kiss. Following the kiss she exits her room, closes the door, and wanders off in the direction of Red's rooms. Puzzled, Jake hoists his bags and heads downstairs to find Red to say his farewell.

 

[Silver Moon]

Chapter Forty, “Arrival of the Nephew”, Sunday, May 28th, 1882, 12:00 P.M.

Nakomo is happy to see Minerva has returned. He indicates that he is hungry and also that he is worried about what is going to happen to him. "You involved yourself with some very bad men, Nakomo. I am doing what I can to save you from sharing their fate. You must cooperate with the law if I am to be successful. Tell me what part you played in all of this?"

Nakomo says to Minerva, "I just took chickens, you got most of them back, we only ate two, we were hungry." He pauses and says, "And I already told you about Prescott, I ran instead of bringing the weapons into the room with Pakesso." She replies, "It is good that you did, If you had not you would surly find yourself hanging at the end of a rope. Will you cooperate when the time comes?" He replies, "Yes....Nanuet is all that I have left. My mother is dead and my human father is in prison."

Minerva replies, "I am sorry. I know what it is like to be alone." She says more brightly, "but you are no longer alone. You have Nanuet and you have me. Can I trust you, Nakomo? Do I have your word as a Yavapai that you will stand and be brave?" Nakomo replies, "Yes Priestess, I will not try to leave."

She looks at him closely to determine his sincerity. "We will not handcuff you when we are home, but it is imperative that you do not leave the house or go near the windows. There are men out there" she motions to the street beyond the window "Who want you dead. If they should find out that you are here.." she leaves the rest of the thought to hang in the air between them.

Nanuet will not be here much of the day. The owners of the saloon that he works at are out of town and their partner was murdered yesterday defending the prisoners. I will stay with you for now but I must go to the wake tonight. Perhaps if we can disguise you, you can help me plant my garden in the back yard. Would you like that?" He replies, "No, I will stay inside. I told Nanuet that I would. I will keep my word to him and not go outside."

Minerva gives Nakomo a few simple household chores to complete she leaves the windows open to the back yard and goes outside to continue planting the seedlings that she will use for medicinal purposes.

After the church services Ginnie pulls together the kids that she has been using as an information net. "I need someone to check out the wake and service for the man that died that is going to be over at the palace. We need to keep our ears open and I need to know whatever you hear there is no way I'm going to let us get caught in a crossfire war between adults who don't know better than to see people for what they are. I need you to do what we do best stay invisible to the adults keep them thinking they are speaking over our heads and let them talk. Keep me updated on whatever you hear or see."

Ginnie notices the Morand Cartage Stagecoach from Wilcox arrive. Lately Job Kane has made it a point to be out to greet those on it and invite them to have a drink at the Lucky Lady, but with Niles Hoover's death and with Ruby and Jake both out of town he is busy managing the saloon instead.

Five people exit the stage. There first two are a middle-aged married couple, a plump man and skinny woman. The style and pattern of the woman's attire resembles clothing traditionally associated with Eastern Europe, perhaps Poland, Prussia or Slovakia. Next is a young male human rancher who is little more than a teenager himself. He has a rusty gun in a holster on his belt and is wearing brand new leather chaps over old torn blue jeans. His shirt is also old and worn while the white cowboy hat atop his head looks to be brand new as well.

The final two are an older man and a boy. The man looks to be in his early to mid forties. His dark brown hair is beginning to show steaks of gray. He has blue eyes and a mustache. Most of his clothing is black. He has a pair of revolvers on his belt. The boy looks to be maybe seven or eight and bears no resemblance to the man. He is standing behind the man and clearly apprehensive about being here. He has a chubby face with his dark hair parted to the side. His clothing are plain but presentable and his shoes have been polished recently.

Ginnie heads over to the stage and smiles and curtsey to the people coming off the stage. Making eye contact with the man in black first she looks at each person smiling at the young boy behind him. "Welcome to Promise City I hope you enjoy your stays. If it is food or drink you seek you may wish to head to the Lucky Lady a respectable establishment that would fit your needs. My name is Ginnie if I can be of any assistance please let me know." She repeats the message in Greek in hopes that the woman who is in the polish dress may know some of that from attending church services.

The man with the woman says to Ginnie in a heavy accent "Hotel?" The younger man says in a thick Wyoming drawl "You say I can get a drink at this Lucky Lady?" The older man speaks with a Texas accent and says, "Actually, the Lucky Lady is just where I want to go. Lead on little lady." "Follow me please" then she looks at the people with the accent "I will bring you to a good hotel after I bring them to the Lucky Lady"

They walk a block south on Fremont from Morand Cartage and turn right onto Main heading towards the Lucky Lady. Ginnie starts small talking the group trying to keep the new rancher from dominating the conversation and trying to establish not only a rapport with the adults but seeing if she can get the boy to trust her also The older man is quiet as is the boy. The plump man says, "Is hotel far? this hot day." As anticipated, the young man does try to dominate the conversation. He indicates that his name is Sam Perkins and that he's been punching cattle up in Wyoming since he was twelve.

Ginnie watches the way the man and boy move trying to pick up clues from their dress and the cut of the clothing she checks the tooling on the leather to see if she recognizes either makers names or specific designs. From the telltale clues she can tell that he is used to riding horses. His clothing gives no real signs. She then notes the well worn emblem CSA on the man's backpack, the acronym for the Confederate States of America.

Ginnie states, “The hotel is not far but we need to go to the Lucky Lady first tell me about where you come from your accent is different than many I have heard before.” He says, "We are from Cochise, it great industrial place. I engineer, make great steel. Cochise great city, greatest in region beyond Budapest."

It sounds like you really loved the city you came from why did you decide to leave and head out here? I know that they have some major building and the ore here is good are you coming to establish yourself here? "I am here for a job. Count von Zeppelin offer me position at his new balloon factory. Have you heard of it?"

She looks directly at the quiet man "Are you looking for a particular person..." in a near whisper so only he can hear "soldier?" He replies, "Yes, an old friend. Just show us to the saloon little lady." Ginnie continues to walk the group to the Lucky Lady on the way she spots one of the kids and signals them to run ahead to let Job know the group is coming.

She says, "I have heard of the possibility that there is some building going on and if that doesn't work out for you there are plenty of mines that can always use a good engineer for figuring out shoring up the places. So what should I call you and your missus?” She indicates to Ginnie that her name is Helene....Helene Should. They arrive at the doors of the Lucky Lady. Ginnie gives a nod to Job and waits for just a minute to see if the solider is going to cause trouble. The men enter. Job Kane obviously knows the young man when he calls out "Sam, great to see you." Thom stops the older man to take his weapons.

She looks at the couple "Do you have any problems with non-humans?" I need to know before I figure out where the best place might be for me to bring you" Ginnie turns her attention back to the couple and he says, "No, no problem. I work with many dwarves before." She replies, “Ah then I have the perfect place to bring you just a warning though with the fire in Tombstone there really has been a stretch to find rooms available but I'll so my best to get you in and the food at the El Parador is the best you'll find in town.

Ginnie has gotten no more than twenty feet away with the couple when the normally calm but now very panic-stricken Job Kane charges out into the street to stop her. He exclaims, "Ginnie, quick, go find Kate or Minerva or somebody, I need some help..." Ginnie stops in her tracks and runs back into the saloon "What do you need?" she scans the floor looking for someone who has been hurt

He stops her from running too far and says, "Nobody is hurt, I just don't know what to say to these people. That man, he's looking for his friend Niles Hoover. He says the boy is Nile's nephew, come to spend the summer with him."

Ginnie states, "Oh crap, okay settle the man down with a drink some food and start talking war stories, he's quiet but he was in the confederate army, you have something to start him with that. Get the kid a soda and some food he'll down whatever you put in front of him cause he's a little overwhelmed. I'll go try to grab Minerva Ma'am Kate is out on the ranch. “Sir, Ma'am I really need to get the local priestess however I can bring you to the El Parador as soon as I return.”

With that she sprints towards Minerva's house where she finds her in the back yard. “Minerva, we have a problem. The stage that just showed up brought in Niles Hoover's nephew and the kid doesn't know his uncle is dead yet he's suppose to spend the summer with him and Job is beside himself trying to figure out what to tell them. Ma'am Kate is at the ranch so your up good luck. This is the kind of thing you preacher types do right? Tell family the person is dead?”

Minerva stands and sighs. "Oh, the poor chicko." She brushes at the dirt on the knees of her gown. "Si Ginnie, that is indeed the kind of thing that us preacher types do. I must say though, This is not my favorite part of the job" How old is the boy? Is he traveling alone?"

Ginnie replies, “He's seven maybe eight and seems a little overwhelmed by the trip itself real quiet and so was the man who was with him a Confederate solider used to riding horses from the look of his clothing. Looked to me like the kid was being made to make an impression you don't usually shine shoes to meet an uncle unless there is an issue and between the quiet and the shoes I'd say that someone was planning on dumping the kid here for at least a while if not permanently

Minerva says, "Gracias Ginnie. You are quite perceptive. Come let us go and see what we can do to give comfort." Ginnie says, "Sorry, can't, I'm bringing some folks over to the El Parador to get settled in. Good luck." She then scurries off. Minerva goes into the house and explains the situation to Nakomo. She changes her cloths and tells Nakomo that because she gave her word to the Marshall she will have to handcuff him until she returns. She does so and then makes her way to the Lucky Lady in search of a quiet eight year old boy with shiny shoes.

Nanuet had still felt uneasy after the previous days events. He woke early and snuck out to the grove, awaiting the sunrise and said many prayers to the symbol of his people as she made the climb above the horizon. He is stirred by the church bells calling people to worship but decides it is best to stay away this day. He works in the grove, regaining his strength from the earth, plants and creatures of the grove.

Eventually hunger gets the best of him and he decides to head back to Minerva's cottage. Once there he notices that Minerva must have been working outside in the garden but left in a hurry. He enters the cottage and unlocks the handcuffs on Nakomo. "How are you today cousin? Where did Minerva go?" He replies, "A girl talked to her out in the garden, she asked her to go to the Lucky Lady."

Nanuet says, "And how are you doing? I am sure yesterday's events have frightened you. The best thing to do is be brave and tell the truth when asked. Have you thought about what you would like to do after the judge decides your fate? Hoping of course that your sentence is minimal."

Minerva arrives at the Lucky Lady. She finds the older man seated at the table with the boy. The man introduces himself as George Kilgore, an old friend of Niles. The boy is introduced as Niles' nephew Burt. "Buena Dias Senor Kilgore. and Howdy to you to Senor Burt!" Minerva smiles disarmingly and hold out her hand for the boy to shake. She bends at the knee's to put herself at his level. "I am Senorita Minerva. I am a friend of your Uncle's. So Senor Bert tell me, where do you hail from and to what do we owe the honor of your visit to our fine town?"
The boy looks up a the Priestess but does not speak. George Kilgore says, "He's from West Branch, Iowa. His father settled there and his father and one uncle stayed but Niles wanted to go on to bigger and better things. Burt's father Jessie died two years back. Each of the three kids is off spending the summer with a different Uncle while their mother is away at school, learning to become a Priestess."

Minerva continues to keep the conversation light. "So you have come to be a cowboy, have you? I have a friend who has a ranch outside of town. Would you like to visit it while you are here? Perhaps she will teach you how to lasso cattle. She may even have a horse that you could ride. She is a very good teacher."

Not wanting to stay at the Lucky Lady overly long for fear that someone might mention the demise of Niles Hoover, she looks up at Senor Kilgore. "Senor, It is important that I speak with you privately. Let us walk over to my house and get Senor Burt here a bite to eat so that we can talk," she says ruffling the boys hair.

She brings them to her house, making light conversation about the various buildings in town along the way and settles the boy in the kitchen with some of Stanley Barker's famous cookies and a glass of milk before taking Nanuet aside to explain what is going on. "Could you entertain the boy while I explain the situation to his uncle?"

Getting no reply from Nakomo, Nanuet is glad to see Minerva return to break the awkward silence. "It would be a pleasure to spend some time with the young man." Nanuet says. He heads back into the kitchen snagging a cookie for himself and asking the boy to accompany him outside where he spends a few minutes showing him the various signs of flora and fauna in the garden area. The boy looks up at Nanuet and says, "That is very interesting Sir. Are you native to this region?" "My people do live fairly close by yes." Nanuet replies to the curious boy.

She takes Senor Kilgore into her office, closes the door and motions for him to sit. She looks at him compassionately "There is no easy way to say what must be said Senor Kilgore so I will be direct. There was a gunfight yesterday. A lynching mob attempted to take the law into their own hands. The Marshall tried to reason with the crowd but he was unable to calm them. There was gunfire and I am sorry to say that Senor Hoover was fatally wounded trying to defend the prisoners."

Kilgore looks shocked at the news. He mutters, "That...that's awful. Poor Burt, first his father and now his favorite Uncle." Minerva sits behind her desk, a look of dismay on her face "His favorite Uncle? "Madeira." she mutters under her breath. "It is a terrible thing that a boy of is tender years should suffer two such great loses. Are you close to Burt?" Kilgore replies, "No I'm not, just met him last week. I knew Niles and his brother Jesse. Niles asked me to bring him here, felt Burt was too you to travel alone."

She asks, "Would you like to use my office to tell him?" He replies, "Hell no, let's tell him together. Having a woman along might help." She says, "Senor Hoover was a very good and brave man. There will be many who feel his lose. We are having a service this evening. Will you bring Burt?" Kilgore says, "Yes, we will both be there. Can you tell us where a good place to stay in this town would be? He obviously won't be staying with Niles as planned."

Minerva thinks for a moment. "How long do you plan to stay? There may be a room available at the Comstock house. Bea is a very sweet lady. Very nurturing. It may be what the boy needs right now.. Or you could probably stay in Senor Hoover's room, but the other owners are away and I do not know how they would feel about that and a saloon is not a very wholesome place for a young boy. With the current political tensions it may not be a safe place either. she pauses. "Perhaps, Nanuet will know the best course of action. Why don't we speak to Burt first, and then we can discuss your accommodations."

She leads him to the kitchen and hears the voices of Nanuet and the boy drifting through the back window. She looks out and is pleasantly surprised to see that they have their heads together and are deep in conversation. They are kneeling on the ground and the boy is avidly listening as Nanuet discusses the properties of a certain plant. "he will make a good papa someday" she thinks and smiles as her love for him momentary overwhelms her. She steps out onto the porch and meets his eye. "Nanuet, could you bring Burt into the house. It is time to talk."

Nanuet hears Minerva's voice calling them into the kitchen and escorts the boy there. He looks Minerva directly in the eye trying to judge the outcome of her talk with the older man. He turns back to the young boy and says, "You should probably have a seat."

Burt stays close to Nanuet. He does not sit at the table until Nanuet does and then chooses the seat closest to the Indian. The boy's guardian sits on the opposite side of the table, signaling that he would like the Priestess to take charge of the situation. Minerva sits in the chair on the other side of the boy and faces him. She notes the warily look in his eyes and prays inwardly. Children are often more accepting of death than adults. Please goddess Minerva let it be so now.

She takes a deep breath and in her gentlest manner says. "I have some sad news to tell you, Burt." she pauses. "I know that you were looking forward to spending the summer with your Uncle Niles, but you will be unable to stay with him. He is no longer here. The gods have called him home to Olympus." She sits quietly waiting for his response. The round-faced boy looks up. With a quivering lip he stutters out "He...he's dead?"

Minerva replies, "Si, I am sorry." The boy lowers his head and stares at the table. He doesn't cry although his face does take on an expression of sadness. Burt then says, "He was a good man."
Minerva says, "Si, he was a very good man... and a very brave man. He died defending what is right. We must be brave now too." she says and squeezes the boy's shoulder. "But that does not mean that we cannot be sad that he is no longer with us." She looks to Nanuet, her eyes pleading for help.

Nanuet eyes widen for an instant then he blinks several times. "Yes" he says putting his arm on the boy's back "Mr. Niles has moved on to the next great adventure. We will miss him, and for now it is OK to be sad that he is gone. Take comfort that he still watches over you." Burt says, "Thank you, I think that....." He pauses in mid-sentence and then says, "I think I just saw somebody in the next room." Minerva and Nanuet both realize that is the room that Nakomo is in. Nanuet says,
"Yes, my cousin is there. There is no trouble."

Minerva excuses herself and walks into the next room. She motions for Nakomo to follow her into the bedroom. She whispers, "It would be best that you stay out of sight. Your life may be in jeopardy if word gets around that you are here. Please stay in here until they leave." She leaves the room and shuts the door behind her. She walks into the pantry and prepares a snack for her guests before returning to the table.

Minerva turns to the boys escort who so far has not uttered a single word. "So Senor Kilgore, What are your plans for Burt?" Kilgore replies, "My plans for Burt? I don't have any, I was just supposed to bring him here. I'm not a family man Miss Florencia and this is more responsibility than I am prepared for. By now his mother would have already left for her church school. He does have two other Uncles but they are already burdened for the summer, each with one of his siblings. Damn, I don't know how to deal with this."

Minerva places her hand on his wrist. "I apologize Senor. Now is not the time to worry about such matters. Let us find a place for you to stay while you are here in Promise City and get though the funeral. We can discuss this at a later date. If you would like me to I could speak to Bea and inquire whether or not my old room is available. Would you like Nanuet and I to accompany you to the wake this evening?" He just nods.

Nanuet looks at Minerva quizzically. "I think he already answered your question my dear. I am sure they have a lot to think about. I believe it is time for us to get ready for the wake at the Lucky Lady. I wonder when Jake and Ruby are coming back? I think someone was going to try and inform them of what happened, I am sure they would want to be here."

Kilgore and Burt head over to the Comstock house and there are two adjacent rooms for Kilgore and young Burt to check into. The two change clothes, have supper at the Comstock House and then wait for Minerva to accompany them to the wake.

Nanuet waits for Minerva to finish getting ready. He is unsure of how to present himself, this being his first time at a public event of this nature. He smoothes out his hair and clears his throat again, waiting for the priestess. "Minerva my love, we should really get going, I am sure they are expecting you there."

Minerva comes out of the bedroom, dressed in the traditional black, with a lace scarf upon her head. "We should pick up Burt and Sr. Kilgore on the way." she crosses the room and wraps her arms around him "You were wonderful with the boy this afternoon. He is quite taken with you. Perhaps you could spend some time with him while he is here. Maybe take him out to Katherine's ranch? It is a sad thing to lose a parent and then to lose an Uncle... It is just sooo sad. " she says tears glistening in her eyes.

Nanuet hugs Minerva gently, stroking her hair with a light touch. "It is sad, but death is part of life, it cannot be changed. I would enjoy spending time with him, it would give me an excuse to play as though I were young again. Now" he says straightening his arms to create some space between them so he can look into Minerva's eyes "time to dry your eyes and be the priestess. " Nanuet leads Minerva to the Lucky Lady, stopping to pick up whomever they need to on the way.