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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2814909" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter Sixteen, “Evening after the Fire”, Thursday, May 25th, 1882, 5:30 P.M. Despite the doctor's assurances Kate kept stopping by to check on her brother at least once every half-hour, so she was there with her family as the announcements were made. "Someone should send a telegram to Mathias tomorrow. They'll get the news there and he'll be worried. There's no way to know if the General and his friends will arrive tomorrow, or find a way here at all. I'm not sure what to do. And they don't have the telegraph in Promise City, so I can't send a message to let anyone know we're alright. Our stage tickets won't be any good either, so I'm not sure when we can get back to Promise City." Kate says, "I'm going to go back to helping. All of you make sure to eat when they bring the food in, alright? I don't think there's too many people left who are hurt. Are all of you alright? Do you need anything?" Each indicated there was nothing they needed, so Kate went back to nursing. Her father and Phillip had also been going through the hall doing what they could while Ginnie and her mother kept a close watch on Henry, although everyone tended to stop back just to assure themselves that he was still alright. The food came and went, and Kate had a vague recollection of eating something someone had pushed into her hands. Finally she couldn't pretend there was anyone left who needed what help she could give. She cast her eyes around the room looking for anyone she had seen who would know about the train or the stages. Chester tells Clarisse, "We should try to get on the next stage back. Your cousin will be worried when word gets back to Promise City." Chester finds Kate looking around. "Kate, what's wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost. Is your family OK?" It took Katherine a second to focus and realize who was talking to her. "Chester... yes, they're all fine. Henry was hurt but he just needs to rest now. I, ah... We had tickets for the stage tomorrow but they won't be any good now. And we were supposed to meet some people coming in on the train tomorrow. I don't know who to talk to so I can find out about the train and the stage." Chester replies, "I'll ask Marshall Williams. He's the manager of the Wells Fargo Office, too. He sent word to Bisbee, Benson, and Promise City to send their coaches here. s far as the train goes, a repair train is coming in from Tucson. I'll find out when service will be back on track. You should go to the telegraph office to get word to your guests. I don't think they'll be able to come in for days." "Yes, I heard the announcements. They were coming from quite a distance, they'll already be on the train. I don't think we can reach them. If you would find out if our tickets are still any good, and if not if we can get the stage back tomorrow afternoon I'd appreciate it. I'll ask Conrad and Phil to go send Mathias a telegram so he knows we're all safe.” Chester says, "I can do that. But with rides out of town being free, I wouldn't bet on it." Clarisse says, "Can I stay with you for a while, Mrs. Kale?" "Of course you can Miss Townsend. My family is over there," Kate said, pointing them out. "I'm going to go sit down now. Thank you for helping." She walked back over to where her family were gathered with Conrad and asked, "Has anyone gone to send Mathias a telegram yet? We should do that." Chester says, "I'm glad you're family's OK. You've done a lot here too. Get some rest. It's been a long day. I'll be back." Chester leaves the Hall to find Williams. He finds the Marshall talking to Newton Gilly. "Hey, Marshall? A bunch of us had tickets for the stage to Promise City in morning. Are they going to be honored or are the rides going to be dealt out differently? And who should I talk to about arriving trains?" Williams replies, "Just hang onto the tickets, I'll arrange something with Kris Wagner, I've got bigger concerns on my hands now Deputy Martin. As for arriving trains, Tucson won't be sending any other than the maintenance train down the line until after we telegraph them that the rails are fixed. If you're expecting anything it'll probably be held up in Tucson." "Gotcha." Chester stifles a yawn. "Anything I can do?" Kate tucked herself between Conrad and her mother next to where Henry was lying. "Your father and Philip are waiting to send a message. You need to stay here with us now, Jacqueline. You are working yourself too hard." "I'm staying here now, Maman," Kate said, reaching out her arm and drawing Ginnie to her when the girl moved over to sit closer. "Was it just yesterday we were talking about the incorporation?" she asked rhetorically. She turns and says, "Are you alright, Conrad? You were in that building too, you're all sooty." He replies, "Don't remind me, but I really didn't have a choice in the matter. I was here to chaperone Mrs. Young, it wouldn't do for me to have allowed her to burn up in a fire.” She says, "Don't sell yourself short, Conrad. I know better than that, you would have gone in for her whether she was your responsibility or not." He says, “But yes, this is no way for me to present myself in front of your parents. Thankfully Mrs. Young seems to be getting enough information, she's already on her third notebook, so we should be able to set back off in the Buggy for Promise City in the morning. I can then get myself a much needed bath and a pressed suit." "A bath would be heaven," Kate sighed. "And you present yourself just fine. In case you haven't noticed, none of us are keeping a neat appearance today." She looked over to her mother, distracted in talking to Clarisse for the moment, and she didn't mind Ginnie hearing. "I saw you outside the hotel. I know it seemed like I didn't but.... I saw you," Kate whispered and brushed her hand against his. Then, back in her normal tone of voice she said, "I'm sorry I couldn't save both the buggies." Conrad replies, "Don't worry about that. Things can be replaced, people can't." "No, they can't," she said quietly and looked at her brother. All day she had avoided thinking about this, but now there was nothing else to do. Too much had happened too fast. But Henry was still here, and now she finally had the one thing she hadn't even known she still wanted. Now she could put the past behind her. Truly behind. She didn't even realize she had begun sobbing until her mother's arms slipped around her. She was still crying when her father and Phillip returned and after a time fell into a fitful sleep curled up between Phil and Conrad. After her good cry Josie picks up her bag and walks out into the street, looking around for information about the stages that would be leaving tomorrow. She wanted, no she needed to get out of Tombstone. Her first stop is the Wells Fargo Office. She finds the office still intact but closed with a note saying to see Marshall Williams over at either Schieffelin Hall or Turn Verien Hall. With a sniffle she wanders over to Turn Verien Hall, hoping the Marshall would still be there. Josie Marcus arrives at the Hall and finds Marshall Williams. She patiently waits her turn to see the Marshall. She wipes the tears from her eyes and stands tall, putting a small smile on her face. "Marshall Williams? I'd like to find out about getting on one of the stages as soon as possible, getting back to Promise City. I'd very much like to." She hangs her head. "I need to be out of Tombstone." He tells her that stages for Bisbee and Benson have already left but that they will be back for another load at around 5:00 AM, and that he also expects a stage from Promise City to be arriving sometime between midnight and 1:00 AM that will be leaving to return there around 2:00 AM. Josie nods, "I'd like to be on it, please, whatever time it is." Marshall Williams nods and says to meet at the Wells Fargo office at 2 am. Josie thanks him and quietly head back to the theater where she clutches her bag to herself takes a seat. While earlier that day back in Promise City, Nanuet is continuing his conversation with the ice house owner’s daughter Liza Brown. He mentions that he plans on seeing what kind of voice the non-humans have and that he thinks Kate plans on working for the woman's say in matters. "Thanks for the chat. Maybe sometime I can speak to your fiancé about things, he is an important man around here, I bet he could help see that Dorita and Pedro have a voice. Thanks for the ice, I'll be seeing you." Nanuet takes his leave from the ice house and heads back to the church cottage looking for Minerva. Not finding her there he heads over to Ruby and Jake's house to check on things, then heads to the Lucky Lady seeing how things are going there and spends some time playing with and training the dogs. Meanwhile, Minerva makes her way over to the bank and finds Frank Condon busily shuffling papers at his desk. "Buenas Dias, Senor Condon. It is a lovely day in Promise City.," she smiles brightly as she holds out her hand to him, palm down. "and how is business?" she queries politely as she takes a seat before his desk and pulls off her gloves. "I would like to make another deposit into the church account. The parishioners have been quite generous in their support." She continues to smile as she pulls a large bag of money from her tapestry bag and places it on his desk. "Which is very good for both of our business is it not?" She shifts in her seat and leans forward a bit, gentle concern in her eyes. “Senor, I must ask you a rather personal question. Por Favor, do no not take offense, but for the good of the church I must know the answer and I find that it is best to be direct in these matters. Do you not agree?" she continues to smile politely. "Senor Condon, With all of the changes that will soon be occurring in Promise City it is imperative that the gods' Will be done. You have shown yourself to be a gods fearing man. You attend services regularly, take an active role in the community and have been quite generous in your financial support of the Church. As such I am sure that you KNOW that it is the gods' Will that the Church of Olympus embrace men and women of ALL races.. The gods are calling upon you to be their voice and I must know if you intend to honor them when it is time to cast your vote." He looks her square in the eye and says, "And how is it that you know the gods of Olympus feel equally about all races? I do not recall reading that in any of the church's texts. The Church has a long history of treating humans as the superior race. Back in the days of slavery they remained silent on that issue, a clear proclamation from either Rome or Athens about slavery could have saved this country a considerable amount of bloodshed." She replies, "Senor, Do you question my authority? Churches are not gods. I speak for the gods. They have made their will known to me. I am the Pastor of the Church of Olympus. As such I require a direct response to my question. I am not asking you to support the church, I am asking if you Will honor the GODS in your vote." Frank Condon replies, "I will give the issue considerable thought and prayer, how could I do otherwise? Consider this though Priestess, are you sure that you are being led in this belief by the gods or your own personal feelings towards that Indian friend of yours?" She answers, "The Will of the gods was made clear to me long before my arrival in Promise City, Senor Condon. They made clear to me, the dire consequences that result from bigotry and inequality long before they led me to this town and Senor Nanuet." she stands tall looking every inch the faithful priestess with her regal bearing and clear untroubled eyes. "Si I am certain that I do their bidding." She smiles congenially. "It is a wise man that disregards his personal feelings and open's his heart to the gods. Be sure that you do so when you pray for their guidance and I am sure that you will honor their Will. I look forward to discussing this matter with you after you have had time to reflect. and then we shall work together for their glory, Senor." Buenas Dias, and may the gods hold you safely in their hands until we meet again." Once he is done working with the dogs Nanuet decides to get some more work done in the afternoon. He heads back to the section of town where the El Parador in search of Qualtaqa. He walks into the main building and speaks with whomever from the staff that is present. "Good afternoon everybody. Does anyone know where Qualtaqa is? I have some business to discuss with him." Nanuet gets directions and manages to find Qualtaqa is found a quarter-mile to the southeast, where he has set up an improvised exercise track for him to run and practice using his weapons without bothering the townspeople. Nanuet watches the centaur do his exercises from a distance before approaching. "Hail friend, I would like to speak with you about a few things." Nanuet makes his way over to the magnificent creature and talks to him regarding his feelings about non-human representation in the town as well as his interest in the ranch. "Are you living here full time now? What do you think about us non-humans having a say in the local policies? Is it something worth putting up a fight for and do you think we will have enough troops to pull it off?" Qualtaqa states, "I will live here for as long as Geronimo needs for me to. My friends live here too, so I am comfortable. I would not presume to speak to issues of local politics although I will also speak for peace between the Elvan and Human nations, as I've had the occasion to do in the past. As for 'troops' I assume that you speak in war terms figuratively and not literally. I for one would prefer that Geronimo not hear of this matter, as he would see it in a negative way." Nanuet replies, "Yes I am speaking figuratively. In no way do I intend there to be any sort of violence. I understand your concerns in regards to Geronimo. I personally am concerned about non-humans having their voice taken away and being lowered in status to nothing more than a slave, forced to do whatever an all human group decides is best for them. I will be talking to as many of the non-humans in the area as I can to gauge their sentiments and willingness to stand up for their rights. I respect your leadership ability so I wanted to involve you as early in the process as possible.” He pauses and then continues, “There is another matter which has come to my attentions recently. As you know I am part owner of a ranch nearby. My attentions have been drawn elsewhere and I am unable to dedicate the time required to the ranch. I have been told that you may be interested in the ranch. I still have to talk things over with my other partners but I wanted to open that dialogue as well." Qualtaqa replies, "I am familiar with this parcel that you speak of. I have spoken to an Apache woman of it, she has befriended your dwarven partner. I have never considered owning land, for I do not truly believe that the land can be owned by mortals, however that appears to be the recognized custom of the humans so I if wish to live alongside them I should learn to adapt to their ways. I will consider it." Nanuet nods to the centaur "Good, then I shall talk further with my partners and we can have another discussion on the topic at a later date. I will take my leave of you now, good day." Nanuet leaves and heads back to the town trying to figure where he will head next. After a long period of meditation he eventually makes his way back into town. He goes to the El Parador and spends the afternoon there talking to the various wood elf and dwarven patrons that arrive for lunch and dinner about the importance of standing up for their rights. He and Minerva both spend the evening at the Lucky Lady. It is a quiet night until Wells Fargo employees arrive at around 9:30 with announcements about the Tombstone fire. Niles Hoover is told that the Promise City Merchant's Association will be holding a meeting at 7:00 AM to address how the Tombstone situation will impact Promise City. Nanuet becomes uneasy with the news.</blockquote>

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