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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2816683" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter Twenty-six, “The Chicken Thieves”, Saturday May 27th, 1882: Nanuet finds Chester and says, "Ready to get a start on the day? I appreciate you coming with me to handle this. The sooner we get to it the better I think." Chester says, "Yep. I want to get to the bottom of this too. If someone is stirring up trouble to start a war between us and the Apache, then I'm going to put a stop to it. It won't be good for either side." He shakes his head. "Didn't we go through this a couple months ago? We can't have these things flaring up. One of these days, there'll be shooting. Let's ride out." Nanuet and Chester ride out to Calvin Oldfield's ranch. Chester calls out to the nearest ranch hand he sees, "Hey. Where's Will Flynn? Tell him Deputy Marshall Martin's looking for him." Flynn is one of five hands working the cattle ranch with Oldfield. He rides up and shakes Chester's hand saying "Pleasure to meet you Deputy. I heard that it was your posse that took down Johnny Ringo. Nice to meet a man who isn't afraid to take on rustlers." He takes them out to the chicken coop and they check for tracks, but between the ranchers and chickens any that might have been on the ground are now obscured. Flynn isn't even sure exactly where the calf was when it was taken, just that it was gone. Flynn mounts up and rides with them a mile north over to the Green Valley Farm where he introduces the deputy to the owner Eli Greene. The farm is comprised of six acres of hay and two acres of wheat, all of which are sold to the various ranches of the valley. He also raises chickens, ducks and pigs. Greene brings out his ranch hand Amer Renner, shows some skepticism to Nanuet. Renner points to Nanuet's saddle blanket and tells the deputy "The Indian I saw wore clothing with a similar pattern and design. You sure this redskin isn't part of this whole thing?" Chester's eyes narrow. "You're damn right I'm sure. You going to show us the trail or not?" He stares at the man until he looks away. Renner shows them where the pig was taken from. Some type of wooden sled was indeed used to take animal away. Nanuet says nothing to the man when he makes the comments about him possibly being part of the whole thing. "Let's see where these tracks go shall we?" Nanuet says to Chester. The two begin following the marks that the sled left in the ground. Flynn and Renner insist on both going with them. The sled track go for a few miles, ending near a stream where there is evidence that the pig was butchered on that spot. There are no more tracks indicating that they traveled through the stream from that point. Riding upstream towards the Dos Cabezas Mountains they go for nearly three miles before they see slight indications of a pair of horses having exited the stream. Nanuet and Chester follow the barely discernable trail eastward for a few miles. They see it approaching a mountain a few miles north of Promise City. As they get closer both Nanuet and Chester realize that the trail is leading directly to the cave where they had been told of the Earth Spirits back in January. Nanuet mentions to the men that they had been to that cave before when hunting. He explains to the men that he is going to get closer and take a look at the activity at the cave. He would like to go alone so that he can scout. Nanuet decides to hide and move silently towards the cave. Once close enough he will try and listen as well as check the area for tracks. Chester keeps watch on the surrounding area. Memories of the Chimera flood back. Hopefully those spirits are far away from here. He grips the handle of his Remington tightly. Nanuet approaches the cave where the group had met to speak to Kajika and Storm Golden Eye about the Earth Spirits. He can make out the outline of two humanoids just inside the cave mouth, using the shadows for concealment. He cannot make out their specific race but can see that one is holding a rifle and the other a bow. Nanuet scans the area for a small stone. He picks up the stone and throws it, aiming for an area in front of, but on the opposite side of the cave mouth, hoping to make enough noise to draw the two out so that he can get a better look. The ploy works and the two step forward and look around. Nanuet recognizes them as Nesenkeag and Naumkeag, two brothers from his Yavapaia tribe who were bullies and had made his life a living hell when he was younger. Nanuet and Minerva had briefly run into the two and some of their Western Apache companions ten days earlier in Prescott Arizona. Renner is watching the cave entrance. He nudges Chester. "See? Just like I told you--Indians. Keep a watch on your Indian, Deputy. I still think he's in cahoots with them." Chester doesn't say anything at first. "Let this play out, Renner. Dead men can't pay you back." Renner nods but Flynn raises up his rife and says, "Them Indians is armed. We have to protect ourselves." Nanuet makes his way back to the others. He sees Flynn has raised his gun and puts himself directly in it's path as he approaches them, a steely look in his eyes. Chester looks at Flynn. "Put that weapon down now." Once he is with the others and out of earshot of the Yavapi in the cave Nanuet speaks, "Yes, they are elves. Yes, they are bad seeds and most likely have stolen from you. However, they are not Apache and have not broken the treaty. They are renegades and have no true allegiance to any tribe. I had met the two that you saw come out of the cave recently in Tombstone whilst I was traveling. I do not want to see bloodshed this day, I have seen enough to last me several lifetimes. We should be able to take them without killing them and see that they are punished properly from their crimes. What is your opinion of this?" Chester nods. "Good to hear the truce holds. Are they going to surrender to us? If so, tell them to throw their weapons on the ground. I have a couple pairs of manacles in my saddle bag." Nanuet says, "Chester I doubt that they will just surrender to us. These two are a pair of roughnecks and bullies. They are not the swiftest pair either. Wasn't able to tell how many sets of tracks there were, so I am not sure if they are alone or not. If you think stealth is the way to go then it is you and I, otherwise we all go together." "We should sneak up to get the drop on them. Will, Amer, stay here. If there are more of them, we'll need you outside of any ambush. OK?" Chester gets off Lookout. To Nanuet, he says, "Let's go." He draws a pistol in his right hand as they sneak forward. Nanuet and Chester slowly and carefully make their way around the bushes and rocks to the entranceway. The two Indians have moved back inside but are not that far away. Based upon the smells coming from the cave the men each realize that there is at least one horse inside as well. They here distant voices coming from further back behind the two in the entranceway which Nanuet makes out to be the Western Apache language although they are too far away for him to make out specific words. He then hears a more high-pitched voice that he concludes is from his young cousin Nakomo. Chester whispers into Nanuet's ear. "There are more of them in there. Can you tell what they're saying? Since there's only one way in or out, we can bring Will and Amer forward." "I can't really hear to well from here, but..." Nanuet falters. "Chester, these two are from my former tribe, and my cousin is in there. I can hear his voice." Nanuet hangs his head in shame. "I am ashamed my people would stoop so low, especially my own blood. Let's call the other two forward and be done with this." Nanuet motions for the other men to come up. Flynn and Renner both move forward, rather hastily, which catches the attention of the two brothers guarding the cave mouth. Naumkeag moves forward and knocks an arrow on his bow to fire at the men while Nesenkeag moves further into the cave and calls out softly a phrase in Western Apache which Nanuet recognizes as "White hunters attack". Chester draws his other pistol and shouts, "Give up. We have you outgunned and there's no other way out of that cave. Don't make us come in after you." He cocks both guns. Flynn and Renner hold their rifles at the ready. Flynn says, "Just say the word, Deputy and we'll bring them down." Nanuet hollers out in Western Apache "Naumkeag, Nesenkeag surrender now and we will spare your lives. You are trapped in the cave, drop your arms and come out." He then turns to the men and in English says "I just called the two I saw earlier by name, told them to surrender and that we have them trapped." Naumkeag turns and fires his arrow at Chester. It flies perfectly striking him right in the heart, or rather, hitting the magical coat right above Chester's heart. Rather then penetrating the arrow deflects harmlessly to the side. Both Renner and Flynn fire. Neither shot hits and Naumkeag hurries back into the safety of the cave. Nanuet ponders his next move. It pains him deeply to be fighting against others from his own tribe, but all the evidence points to them being thieves, and they did attack first. Nanuet pulls out his hunting knives and moves in quickly, chasing after Naumkeag. Chester drops to his seat in shock. "That would have killed me. Sorry Nanuet, but we have to go in." Chester gets up and charges into the cave, aiming at whatever target presents himself. Nanuet is able to reach Naumkeag and tackles him before he gets very far into the cave. Chester barrels into the cave after them. He takes a shot at Nesenkeag which misses. Nesenkeag stops and points the rifle barrel, not at Chester but instead down towards Nanuet's head. The Indian says to Chester, "Drop your gun or I'll kill him." Nanuet looks right at the rifle and says "Nesenkeag, nobody has to die today. There are more men coming, they will surely kill you if you continue to fight. You are thieves and must be punished. Your behavior disgusts me and you are not fit to be called Yavapi." Nanuet then spits on the ground at his feet. Chester looks from Nesenkeag to Nanuet. He keeps aiming at Nesenkeag. "Even if you shoot him, you'll be dead too. Do you really want that? If you give up, we can see what the Judge will say. No one's been hurt yet." Nesenkeag stands dumbfounded, uncertain of what to do next. His brother however does act, rolling to the side to shake Nanuet free of him and yelling up something in a language that Chester does not know but Nanuet recognizes as the command "Kill them". Nanuet rolls to the side to try and avoid any oncoming shots from the rifle. Once able, he gets to his feet and looks for Naumkeag. He throws one of his knives at him, aiming for the leg. Chester hits the dirt and fires with both guns at Naumkeag. "Flynn, Renner, get in here. Nanuet, tell them to surrender." Nanuet states, "I tried Chet, they isn’t listening to reason!" Naumkeag regains his footing only to have Nanuet's knife go through the leg and one of Chester's bullets through his side, causing him to collapse. Nesenkeag aims the rifle at Chester and fires, the point blank shot hitting the lower ribs but again deflecting off of the jacket causing nothing more than a minor bruise. At that point both armed humans come changing into the cave mouth while simultaneously four more armed Indians, one atop a horse, come up from the lower rear of the cave complex. Nanuet charges Nesenkeag, holding on to his remaining knife. When he gets close enough he tries to disarm him by stabbing the arm that is holding the stock of the rifle. Nesenkeag dodges the knife and uses his rifle like a club to push Nanuet back. The other four Indians charge closer, with both Kokokehas and Pakesso taking aim and firing their guns at Renner and Flynn. Flynn gets hit in the upper chest and falls. The one named Kemo is atop the horse which he gives a kick and charges forward, leaping over Naumkeag and Nanuet and heading directly towards Chester. Chester tries to dodge to the side, while firing at Kemo's horse. "Damn it why won't you listen?" Nanuet gathers his feet underneath him and throws his remaining knife at Nesenkeag. He then moves back towards Flynn as quickly as possible. Chester's shot hits the horse but the animal keeps moving. Kemo exits the cave and begins to gallop away. Nanuet's knife strikes the side of Nesenkeag's neck, causing a gush of blood. Kokokehas drops his rifle and rushes to Nesenkeag's side, applying direct pressure onto the wound to stop the flow of blood. The Indian who Nanuet does not know the name of turns and runs back into the cave. Pakesso, the leader of the group, is left the only one standing holding a weapon, with Renner taking aim at him. As has been true of bullies from time immortal, when faced with any real opposition and without a gang to back him up, he chooses to quit. He drops his weapon and raises up his arms. Nanuet continues to move towards Flynn. As soon as he arrives he checks the severity of the wound. Flynn's wound is clean, the bullet having gone straight through and didn't strike any vital organs or major blood vessels. Flynn seems to be ignoring the pain, being more concerned about the other Indians in the room than his injury. Nanuet tells him to sit still for a moment and then spontaneously casts a cure moderate wounds spell,. He then checks the situation to see how things are going. Chester brushes himself off. He asks Nanuet, "Is he going to be OK?" Nanuet replies, "I can heal his wound." Chester says to Renner, "I'm going to get the manacles. Keep an eye on that one." He points to Pakesso. Chester returns with the manacles and shackles the Indian. "You had your chance. Now you're likely to get the gallows now." Flynn thanks Nanuet for the healing and stands up to help with the Indians. Kokokehas is still holding his hands over Nesenkeag's neck wound to slow the flow of blood. He turns his head towards Nanuet and sharply says to Nanuet in the Western Apache language "You heal white men but will let your own kind bleed to death?" Naumkeag remains on the ground, Nanuet’s knife still sticking out of his leg. He is holding his side where Chester shot him. Renner points further into the cave and says, "The other one ran off that way. Is there a different exit?" Chester and Nanuet do not remember one. Nanuet responds, "I don't remember there being a different exit, as I said, we were here before." He then turns to Kokokehas as he walks towards him and Nesenkeag and speaks in English, "I will heal whom I choose in the order that I choose. I already told you that you are thieves and a disgrace to my people. In my eyes and in my heart you are no longer Yavapi. I don't think the wound is that serious, it just hit a bad spot." Naumkeag blurts out in the Western Apache language "We are no longer Yavapi, the weak-willed Elders have cast us out. They are the ones who have disgraced the tribe's name." Nanuet kneels down next to the dying elf and casts cure moderate on the wound that is spilling his lifeblood. Chester watches as Nanuet heal the wounded elf. "Flynn, you just got hurt so stay here with Nanuet. Renner come with me, please. I want to capture this one, but just in case there are more of them..." Chester reloads his Remington. "We should be able to see with the sun out. Don't forget he has the advantage because Indian eyesight is better than ours. Ready?" Renner checks his rifle. "Lead the way, Deputy." Chester's memory of the cave is that it continues on for another eighty or so feet, curving down and to the right and ending in an irregularly shaped chamber approximately fifteen by twenty feet in size. They carefully make their way around the curves, smelling smoke ahead. They also hear chickens clucking. As they reach the bend just before the chamber Chester moves quickly, fanning the room with his gun. The only Indian in the room is an unarmed mixed breed boy. Also in the room are one horse, a calf, and a makeshift cage built of branches with a dozen chickens inside. A fire pit next to a two-by-three foot coal bed is on the far wall. The fire is out but the glow of the coal bed illuminates the room. A metal grill stands above the coal bed, covered with a makeshift cover made from a metal trash bucket. On the grill are close to 100 pounds of butchered ham steaks that are in the process of being smoked. Based upon the bubbling water on the crackling logs, the steam rising off of it, and the pair of empty canvas buckets beside it Chester deduces that the fire has just been extinguished in the last couple of minutes. A small iron pot beside the fire is filled with water and eggs. Renner enters the room behind Chester and raises his rifle towards the Indian boy. Chester lowers his guns and looks at the boy. "You there. Where'd the other Indian go? We don't want to hurt him, but he needs to come with us." The boy gestures up to the stone chimney in the cave roof above where the fire was that the steam is rising up through. Chester exclaims, "Damn. There's no way I'm going up there to get him. Maybe we can tell where the smoke is coming out of the mountain. Kid, you're coming with us. What's your name? I'm Chester and this is Amer." He says that his name is Nakomo. Chester states, "Nice to meet you, Nakomo. Where are your parents? They're going to have to come get you in Promise City." The boy replies, "My mother is dead and my father is in Prison. My only know relative is an Indian named Nanuet, but I have no idea where to find him." Chester perks up upon hearing Nanuet's name. "It's your lucky day. Nanuet just happens to be in the outer cave. He's healing the wounded. Let's go see him." They lead the child back to where Nanuet is and Chester says, "The other guy escaped out a smoke hole. This kid was back there too. I'm going outside to see where the smoke is coming out. How're you doing here?" Nanuet replies, "I think he'll live. I'll tell you the story later once we gather the rest of them up. Do you have anything to bind these two with?" Nanuet then speaks to Naumkeag in Western Apache saying "Our tribe is based on us following the wisdom of the elders. Your disrespect for them has put you in this position; stealing, hiding out in caves. Simple ruffians and bandits, thieves. Despicable." "Let me check if I have more manacles." He returns to Lookout and grabs the shackles. Getting back to the cave, he puts them on the prisoners. "There we go." He asks Naumkeag, "Where did your friend go? He's going to end up dead if he runs. The Army will stick its nose in this and you know they aren't subtle. Just tell me where he'd go. I'm not going to hurt him." "The army won't catch either him or Kemo," Naumkeag states. Chester says to him, "They might not, but they'll hassle your people until they do. So if you want your people to suffer, they don't say a thing. It's all the same to me." Renner suggests "One of us should ride into town and get Deputy Sheriff Hunter. You're outside of your jurisdiction here Marshall, but he can arrest these guys, and we'll need a wagon to transport them to jail. We should also get the town butcher Rudy Baines to get that meat and finish curing it. No point having it go to waste." Nanuet states, "I would suggest Chester be the one who goes, that way the story can be related lawman to lawman." Nanuet double checks the manacles and makes sure the prisoners are secure. Chester says, "Nanuet's right. Hunter's more likely to listen to me, than any of you. I'll be back soon." Chester mounts Lookout and rides off to the Sheriff's Office. Nanuet turns to Flynn and Renner and says "So I hope I proved myself to you today. I hope you can see that men should not be judged by the color of their skin alone." Flynn comments "You're okay in my book Nanuet. Thank you for the healing." Renner nods yes as well but refrains from further comment. Nanuet replies, "You are welcome. I hope that with the upcoming changes in Promise City that people can keep a more open mind. I thank you for the opportunity to help you get to the bottom of this situation. I feared the worst, and although it is not a good ending, it is better than I had hoped." Nakoma approaches Nanuet and says softly in the Yavapai language "And what will become of me cousin? Will I be jailed with the others? I too am guilty of theft, I stole most of the chickens." Nanuet replies, "Yes, you will be arrested with the others. You made the choice to be a thief and now must pay for your decision. Be brave and accept the consequences." The boy nods. He then tells Nanuet "We only killed two of the chickens, the others are all still down at the end of cave. So is the calf. We also have one more pony, it wasn't stolen, it belongs to Kokokehas."</blockquote>

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