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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2985134" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter Fifty-nine, “Old Friends”, Wednesday, May 31st, 1882, 7:45 A.M.The meeting reconvenes. Bill Watkins stands and says, "Judge Isby, we have a membership change. Ashley King will be taking over the position previously held by Derrik Avery." Fisk stands and says, "Point of Order." Judge Isby says, "Yes Mr. Fisk?" Fisk states, "According to that Committee's Bylaws Mr. Avery can only be immediately replaced if he voluntarily resigns or if he is convicted of a serious crime, otherwise a week's notification is needed." Watkins exclaims, "What is that hogwash, our charter says no such thing." Isby says, "Actually it does, dismissal of members is one of the bylaws that you carried over from the Civic Association." Watkins yells, "Fine, then we'll amend that bylaw right now." Fisk adds, "Your own Bylaws requite a one-week notification for that to happen." "Shut up Fisk!" Watkins exclaims. Isby pounds the gavel and demands order be restored. He states, "Mr. Avery, have you voluntarily resigned from the Vigilance Committee." Doctor Eaton speaks up now and says, "You damned well better Avery, you're not wanted any more and you know it." Dennis Avery stands and says, "Judge Isby, I request that Ashley King remove himself from my chair. I joined the Vigilance Committee to do what I felt was right for this town and this seems like the perfect opportunity for me to do so."   A round of applause erupts from half of the people of the room and the Judge again calls for order. He then asks Mr. King to vacate Mr. Avery's chair.  Ashley King reluctantly stands and takes his previous seat beside his mother. Judge Isby asks "Does there need to be any discussion or should be go directly to the vote?" Bill Watkins says, "I believe that Doctor Eaton has a few things to say to the audience." James Eaton stands and says, "Citizens of Promise City, I think there has been much confusion and misunderstanding about what is being discussed here today. We are merely trying to maintain what is accepted practice through much of the United States. We are not trying to hurt anybody. All races will be welcomed in this town regardless of the outcome of this vote. Business owners will be free to decide for themselves who they wish to serve, just as they do today."Kate raised her hand and waited to be recognized. Watkins says, "This discussion is for Vigilance Committee Members Only."   Judge Isby says, "Well, you can take that position if you'd like, the Merchant's Association's portion of the meeting can be over if that is your desire. However, if you decide that is the case and I shouldn't call on any members of the Merchant's Association to speak that would include Mr. Lumley, who I was planning to confirm a yes or no vote with following the decision of your group." Watkins immediately says, "Lumley is free to speak if he'd like." Burton Lumley waits to be recognized and says, "Thank you Judge. I yield my time to my Committee member Katherine Kale."   Katherine says, "I believe we all understand that every person on both Committees present is acting as they believe best for the town. That we disagree on how is natural.   I believe the Doctor when he says no harm is meant, but I don't agree that no harm will be done. We have a chance today to move forward together and start healing the hurts of the past, and I will grieve that missed opportunity should we choose to continue the status quo."   She nods approvingly at Katherine's statement about healing the hurts of the past. "That Katherine Kale is one remarkable woman." she thinks.Doctor Eaton stands and says, "As a physician I can say that sometimes the 'Status Quo' is a good thing. The first order of a Doctor is the Hippocratic Oath, which says to 'Do no harm'. Who is to say that by allowing people who have never practiced democracy before to do so that things will not become worse? Why should we turn Promise City into a grand experiment that could easily fail? Can we afford to chance a two-year test right at a time when the mines are finally starting to prosper? I think not! My colleagues and I feel strongly that if you follow the idealistic but naive suggestion of this unqualified teacher it will lead to ruin. I'd like to get the opinion of my Yale-educated friend Mr. Icabod Shackelton," who Eaton then gestures to.   Shackelton stands and says, "During the last seventeen years we have seen many examples in the south where the vote has been extended to former slaves, illiterate ogres and half-ogres, whose vote has been manipulated by shameless politicians. They don't know what they are doing and it lessens the voting power of informed citizens as a result.  And the European colonies that have experimented with granting some freedoms to the ignorant indigenous populations have all regretted that action as other races are not adapted to the tenants of Democracy that humans inherently understand. This isn't just my opinion, but documented fact.   So I implore you in the name of the Greek and Roman Gods to do what is right and retain this vote to the God's chosen race of humans rather than to extend it also to the heathens. If we go that path we will suffer from the Gods' wrath."   "May I respond?" Kate asked politely and waited for Judge Isby to give her the nod.  "This country is in itself an experiment barely more than one hundred years old. No humans in the United States had practiced Democracy and this country continues to feel the growing pains. Votes in the south have been manipulated by humans with evil intent. It's not the fault of the ogres and half-ogres that they are illiterate. The humans have made great effort to keep them that way, denying them education so the excuse that they are uninformed can be continued. The same can be said in European colonies. What can you expect when a foreign culture moves in and changes a person's entire way of life without education or explanation? Non-humans are not unable to understand democracy, but many humans have a vested interest in making sure they don't.   Humans inherent understanding of democracy is not a fact. We were raised in a democracy so it seems natural to us. Most of the non-humans who live in this town have lived in the United States for many years; they understand the democratic system. What I don't understand is why we continue to deny them a chance to be heard."Beth Eaton asks to be recognized. She stares at Kate and says, "How dare you? You blame the Europeans and the humans from the South for the fact that these lesser races don't understand what is natural to us humans! The Europeans and Southerners should be praised for bringing the gods to the goddless though the work of missionaries. Is this the type of nonsense that you teach in that school of your? If so, then I am thankful that the Promise City Vigilance Committee has now established a proper school for the human children to learn what the Gods truly ask of them!"Minerva's vision grows dim and her ears begin to buzz as the Voices of the gods swirl in her head. She can feel their anger mounting and is seething by the time Beth adds her own presumptuous remarks. She feels the hands of the gods propelling her out of her seat before the ignorant woman's words have time to poison the air.   A halo of divine light emanates from the priestess and the sparks of divine anger shoot from her eyes as she stands tall and grim faced shaking with righteous indignation. She points to Beth and Doc Eaton "BLASPHEMY!! BLASPHEMY! How DAAARE you presume to proclaim 'The Will of the gods' in order to further your self serving mortal agendas! You are naught more than fire worshippers and snake eaters to think that such blasphemy will go unpunished!" "The gods HAVE spoken! No good shall come of your insolence and all of Promise City will wither under the gods angry gazes if you get your way!"  She moves toward the door, turns back to the room and with a ferocious gaze and a voice that is barely recognizable as her own she booms "YOUR GLORY SHALL BE YOUR DOOM!" as she casts a “Doom“ spell on Doctor Easton.   With a swish of her skirts the messenger of the gods turns and exits the meeting, leaving the room in shocked silence.Minerva, ashen faced and shaking leans against the outside of the building. She places her hands on her knee’s and concentrates on her breathing until her heart rate slows and her vision and hearing return. She looks up to the blue cloudless sky and mumbles, “Your Wills are made known..”  She shakes her head, straightens and wearily makes her way home where she falls into a deep sleep.A visibly shaken James Eaton retakes his seat. Both his wife and Bill Watkins attempt to say something to him but he ignores them both.   Judge Isby calls for a five minute recess.   As soon as the recess is called, Al runs out of the town hall after Minerva, but she can't see her anywhere. She takes off from the meeting, disturbed by the priestess's outburst and not sure what to do. She stops by the Lucky Lady for a few minutes, gets Harry to pour her a large whisky, and briefly tells him what happened at the meeting. Then, worried about Minerva, she pumps Harry for the location of her house and takes off at a brisk walk.After Isby announces the break, Jake turns to Neil Cassidy and remarks cooly, "Now that is something you do not see every day."  "Well, that was interesting," Kate said to no one in particular. Looking around the room, Kate made her way over to where Jake and Neil Cassidy were standing.    Neil says to Jake, "I like a hot-headed woman who calls things as she sees them. Of course, in this instance, I agree that she called it as the Gods see them too. I would have loved to have told off the Eatons, but since their house is across the street from my lumberyard that might not be a good idea.""Hello Katherine. Neil was just commenting on Senorita Minerva's subtlety," Jake says wryly. "Not sure if it will do much good but who can tell. Perhaps Doc Eaton will have some fear for his mortal soul or grow a conscience. That old coot Caleb White once told me," he says smirking broadly, "that conscience is the inner voice that warns us somebody may be looking."Kate smiled at Jake. "I haven't seen much of you since you got back. Yes, I was trying not to insult them as they were insulting me. Apparently the gods weren't worried about that. I would be thrilled to see the Doctor learn a thing or two about assuming he knows what the gods want.  "I had no idea Mrs. Eaton was as hard-headed as her husband. I fear for their children. Speaking of....," she said, turning to Neil. "I wonder if you could stop by our heathen school about 3:30 this afternoon? Your whole committee if you can find them."   Cassidy says, "I'm sure I could round most of us up. Rixton just finished carving the sign for the front door and he will be bringing it over to sign painter Pat Enion later this morning. It should be ready for a dedication ceremony on Friday it that works for you."Kate says, "Oh, I hadn't even thought of a sign. That's lovely, thank you. Friday works fine, whatever time of day is convenient. You don't realize what a difference your committee has made for the school. So much more is possible."   Cassidy replies, "We're happy to do it Mrs. Kale, and Niles would be proud of what we are accomplishing together. Although I'm glad he's not here right now to see what is about to happen, it would have broken his heart to know that our Committee lost to those bigots."Kate states, "It seems wrong that five people have as much power as ten times that many. But if we lose here then we fight for better candidates who will adjust this unfair decision later, or at least consider the non-human population before making laws. We may have to have a school exhibition after a few months to prove just how capable the non-human children are."  Jake states, "If you ask me the whole racial thing would work itself out over time. Oh, sure I will support it. Folks here ought to be more worried that Fisk and his cronies will end up running this town."Judge Isby returns to the podium and calls the recess over. Everybody returns to their seats. Isby says, "I think we've probably had enough discussion on this issue unless somebody has something new to say." A wood elf seated along the side aisle a dozen rows back stands and asks to be recognized. Bill Watkins interjects, “No, he’s not a member of either Committee.” Judge Isby states, “Neither were Mr. Shackelton, Mrs. Eaton or Priestess Florencia but they were allowed to speak. Mr. Escobar has lived on the site of Promise City for longer than any other individual in the community. If he has something that he wishes to say then I for one would like to hear it.” “Thank you,” Manuel Escobar replies. Escobar is the human equivalent of late thirties, which in wood Elven years would put him around four centuries old plus or minus fifty years. His skin is tanned deeper and he has a more muscular physique than most other wood elves and his dark hair is starting to gray. He is attired in neat and clean work clothes, cowboy boots and is carrying his tan cowboy hat in one hand while he walks forward carrying his chair with his other hand. Instead of going either up onto the stage or to the center of the room before the stage he instead walks towards the Vigilance Committee seated on the left side of the front row. He stops directly in front of Frank Condon and sets his chair down facing Condon. He then sits, his face and Condon’s being a mere four feet apart. “Hello Frank, how are you?” he asks. Condon replies, “Fine Manual, what do you want?” The wood elf replies, “I want to know what happened to my friend Frank.” Condon replies, “I…I don’t know what you mean. Manual, you’re holding up the business meeting. You told the Judge you wanted to speak.” Estaban replies, “I am speaking. I want to talk to you Frank. The others in the room are welcome to listen but this conversation is between the two of us.” Estaban continues to speak in his a normal speaking voice and the rest of the room has become totally quiet as all attempt the hear what is being said. Manuel Escobar says, “In this past year you appear to have forgotten a lot Frank. I don’t believe that we’ve spoken since last August. That wasn’t always the case. Your brother Morgan joined my family last month at the Festival but you did not. I wonder if you still even remember the story of how I came to be here?” “I believe that I do,” Condon replies. Escobar says, “Well, please indulge me and allow me to tell it just once more as a reminder. My family was from a Mexican village along the coast almost a eight hundred miles to the south. Back when I was just a boy, in the year 1540, our village was raided by human Spaniard Francisco Vasquez De Coronado during his exploration of the North American continent. He had left the coastal city of Compostela, the largest community south of my village. His army of conquistadors was comprised of over a hundred Spaniards. For every human in their group they decided to take along several wood Elvan slaves, young men to carry their burdens and tend the animals and young women to provide the humans companionship at night. They left the population of Compostela alone but instead found these slaves during the first few weeks of their journey north. From my village they took the majority of the population. My parents were older than what they wanted but my father was the village’s priest and spiritual leader so he sought permission for our family to accompany them as well. For the next year we traveled north, through the Sonora region of Mexico and on into the American Southwest to the lands now known as Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, the Indian Territories and Kansas. Coronado sought out gold, silver and gems similar to that which his brother Juan found in Costa Rica. But he failed to find such riches among the high elves of this continent. In early 1542 Coronado felt that he had searched long enough and decided to return to Mexico. On the journey back the group became burdened by the dozens of young wood elvan women who were now visibly with child with many soon to give birth, as these women lacked the physical strength to travel at the same pace. Furthermore, many of the Conquistadors did not want these women to return to Mexico since the bastard offspring could cause complications with the men’s wives back home. So Coronado decided to have these women put to death. That ruling came down when the army was camped right here on the present site of Promise City. The women were scheduled to be executed the next morning. But with the assistance of a Yavapai Indian wood elf named Jadito, a Hopi Indian centaur named Kykotsmovi and the wood elvan druid woman called Mother Jaminez my family was able to help the fifty-two women escape unseen from the camp that night. We headed up into the Chirichaua Mountains and stayed in hiding until Coronado’s army had moved on. Once they were gone we returned to this valley and exactly 340 years ago this very month my father built the wood and adobe house that I still live in today. The children born to these women became the first inhabitants of this region and many of their descendants still live here today. Father Thomas Valdez’s grandparents were among the half-elves born that year. Thomas became my father’s protégé and has continued my father’s work in the church that the two of them built.” Condon interrupts, “Manuel, I know all of that. I think I know what you’re trying to say. But you’ve never cared about human politics before, why now? This isn’t about you!” Escobar says, “You are correct. I was here long before silver was found in the ground and will remain here long after it is all gone. This isn’t about me at all Frank, this is about you.” “Me?” Condon states. Escobar says, “Yes, you wish to be a leader of the community but your actions here this week are not those of a true leader. The man who I know is one of great integrity and not one of racial prejudices. You and Morgan spent your first month in town as guests under my roof. With my son Enrico the four of us built not only your first home in town brick-by-brick but also your bank. We dined together at the El Parador every night. I considered you a good friend and still do to this day." Escobar leans forward and says, "Frank, regardless of how you cast your next vote today I will continue to be your friend, I will continue to keep my money in your bank and if I am permitted to vote in an election I will vote for you. But if you can look me in the eye and honestly say in your heart that the answer is ‘No’, then you are telling me that I do not deserve a voice in this community and that my work here during more than these last three centuries means nothing to you. If you do that then I will be truly disappointed, not for myself but for you.” The wood elf then sits back up in his chair.   Condon does not respond. The two men sit in silence, each staring into each other’s eyes.Chester looks on curiously at the seemingly private, yet public, conversation. This is one strange meeting, first Minerva's outburst, now this. What does this mean?   Kate reached into her pocket for her handkerchief and wiped her eyes. Her intention to talk to Condon had been to remind him that once he and the elves of the town had been friends. Mr. Escobar had just done so far more eloquently and personally than she ever could. There was nothing to do know but wait for the vote and pray Frank Condon had not forgotten his friends.The silence is interrupted by Bill Watkins who yells out "Enough of this bovine excrement, I vote a resounding 'No' to this ridiculous proposal..” He turns to Eaton and says, “You do too, right Jim!” An uncharacteristically meek Doctor Eaton looks up and mutters out “Yyyy..yes.” Isby says, “Very well, the first two votes are cast.” Isby opts to allowing the staring contest between Condon and Escobar to continue. He instead turns to the other two men and says, "And how do you vote Misters Avery and Cook?" Avery gives an enthusiastic "Yes". Zeb Cook exchanges glances first with Watkins and then with his wife Helen. She is standing alongside the wall with her arms crossed and a stern look on her face. He meekly sounds out a rather reluctant "yes". Neither Condon or Escobar have not their eyes off of one other, nor have they even blinked. Judge Isby now raises his voice and says, "And what is your vote Mr. Condon?" The rooms becomes silent. Frank Condon finally speaks up while still looking directly at Escobar. He states a loud and resonating, "My vote to the proposal is Yes."Kate let out an explosive breath followed by a brilliant smile. She squeezed Jake's hand excitedly but kept her seat. She also reconsidered her opinion of Frank Condon. The strength of his declaration earned him back some of her respect that he had lost. She turned to Neil Cassidy and said softly, "Our friend would be very proud right now."Bill Watkins jumps to his feet and yells out "Gods Damn You!" Condon and Escobar both turn their heads towards Watkins, unsure of which of them he was addressing. Bill Watkins charges forward at the two seated men while balling up his right fist. He swings it towards Manual Escobar‘s face. The wood elf makes absolutely no attempt to dodge it. Before the fist connects Frank Condon reaches up with both of his hands and grabs Watkin’s hand by the wrist, stopping it’s forward momentum and tugging it down. Still holding onto Watkin's hand and arm Condon then stands up and twists it. He yells "You leave my friend alone Watkins," and pushes the larger man back. Watkins looses his footing and starts to fall. Dennis Avery jumps up and grabs Watkins to keep him from falling down. Watkins regains his footing and shoves Avery back saying, “Get your fornicating hands off of me Avery.” Judge Isby pounds his gavel and loudly demands that order be restored. Kevin Tomlinson gracefully leaps from the stage and gets between Watkins and the other men, holding up his hands and stating “Calm Gentlemen, calm please.” Frank Condon turns back towards Escobar and smiles. He says, "Come on Manny, let's go get some breakfast." The wood elf replies, "Sure Frank, Dorita still makes a great Spanish omelet." The two men exit the town hall together, with Escobar's son Enrico and Condon's brother Morgan standing up and joining them. Once the Condons and Escobars have left the room Isby says, “The vote passes by a count of three to two. Mr. Lumley, how do you vote on this matter?” Burton Lumley says, “I change my abstention to a vote of Yes.” Judge Isby says, “Then the count of the Merchant's Association is now 29 to 28 in favor. We have agreement. We need to continue with the details of the voting process and decisions on the town map, but I think that another short recess is in order first. We will resume in ten minutes.”</blockquote>

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