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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3005762" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter Sixty-five, “The Eclipse”, Thursday, June1st, 1882, 7:30 A.M.When Kate and the other two teachers arrive at the schoolroom on Thursday morning Professor Pickering is already waiting, carrying with him star charts, a mobile-like contraptions with painted balls of various size representing the planets and a telescope.“Professor, you should have knocked on the back door, I'd have let you in,” Kate said as she relieved him of some of his burdens after opening the door. “I'm sorry I haven't been by to visit with you, it's been a surprisingly busy week. Thank you for coming.” Pickering replies, “Oh, not a problem. I figure I'll start off once the children are here, I should take around an hour to go over all of the basis. I'll leave you with the viewers. I'll have to spend the rest of the morning with my students, we'll be setting up on the hill east of town.” “Of course. I'm grateful you had any free time today at all. This is a rare opportunity, one they may never have again. And I have to admit, it pleases me to think you are here and not at the school the Vigilance Committee set up.” Ginnie pops in “hello professor I have some questions that you may be able to answer for me. I've been doing a multi variant analysis of the previous 100 years for contingency of eclipses and positioning in the ancient stone circles. Do you have any research that I may be able to look at that would coordinate the angles of the eclipse with the relation of the stone circle levels in specific positioning?”   Pickering turns to Kate and says, “When I go to lecture to my students could I bring this one with me? She'll give them a run for the money.”   Kate replies, “If she wants to go,” she said and smiled at Ginnie. “I'd been tutoring Ginnie before the school started so she's a fair bit ahead. What do you think, Ginnie?” The girl replies, “I'd really like to talk to your students if that's OK Ma'am Kate. The level of the aura during the eclipse is something I'd like to have some more information about anyway and I'd really like to talk to the students as long as they don't think I'm just there as a tag-a-long little girl.”   Pickering replies, “Ginnie, by the time your third question is asked they will all realize that you are not just some little girl.”  Kate says, “It's perfectly fine with me, Ginnie. As I said, you're ahead in your studies and won't get behind because of missing half a day. Let me show you where to set up Professor. The children should be here soon.”   She says, “Ok just let me go get some of my research and I'm ready to go whenever we're finished here.” Ginnie skitters back to her room in the house and pulls out two large bound books full of scribbling.   After Ginnie scampered out of the room Kate said, “Thank you for allowing her to go with you Professor. It's good to see her so happy, and she's never happier than when she's learning something new.” Within the next half-hour all of the students have arrived. Kate is pleased that they haven't lost any of the school's students since Tuesday. Pickering begins his lecture, and much to Kate's surprise, manages to simplify the presentation to one age-appropriate for his audience. He then gets out the viewers and has makes sure that every student personally knows how to use it before heading off with Ginnie.   He and Ginnie head up to the hill east of town. They set up immediately east of Main Street located between the tents immediately east of Kate's house and the corral and tent of the mustanger Hayes, east of the buildings between Main and South streets.Knowing that they got to go outside to see the eclipse, it was difficult to get the students to settle down to their studies after the lecture. Instead of trying to move to another subject Kate let her group stay in science and took advantage of their excitement. She emphasized again the importance of using the viewers and not looking directly at the sun, and at about 11:15 gathered the children together for the short trip to the viewing area. Minerva shows up at the school and requests the loan of one of the Professor's viewers. She rides out to the desert to be filled with the spirit of the gods. Back in town outside the school Kate’s students see those of Pickering’s up on the hill. Pickering leaves the student to pass out his remaining viewers to townspeople who had attended the lecture in Town Hall the night before. Time continues onward. Rudy Baines son Richie points up and says, “Look, the moon is moving.” His observation is indeed correct as the moon slides over closer towards where the sun is. Ginnie states “remember to use the viewer you don't want to see this straight on” “Usually we can't tell the moon is moving because everything is so far away from it. With it so close to the sun in the sky we can compare its position and see the movement. But the moon is always moving, as is the sun.” Kate bustled among the students, making sure they had their viewers ready and were not looking directly at the sun. As the moon moved closer her heart began to race. Only a few months ago this would have been only a scientific curiosity to her, but today she also saw it as Diana ascendant and almost wished she could be alone somewhere to honor the goddess.  And the moon moves in front of the sun as this part of the world temporarily changes from day to night. Kate took her eyes off the eclipse itself for a moment to look at the world around her. It was not quite dark like the night would be, but there was on odd greenish cast to everything, as if a artist had washed thinned paint over it.  She looked back through the viewer and began to quietly say a prayer of thanks to Diana as the moon crossed over the sun. And the moon and sun continue to move in different directions, with the day returning. The light returned slowly as the two heavenly bodies separated. The children had fallen silent as the eclipse began, each looking through their viewer to see the moon cover up the sun. Once the two were totally separated again the children began to chatter excitedly. Kate took a deep breath, as if something had seized her and just now let go. It took a few minutes to get the children settled again and back outside the school. She had them come inside and put away the viewers, then released them for a late lunch.When Minerva returns from the desert, she finds Nakomo has prepared another elaborate meal in anticipation of her arrival. “Mi Dios's, You are surely going to fatten me up with all of your cooking!” she laughs holding her hand to her stomach. The two eat, taking their time as they chat about the eclipse and how the gods might be feeling about the town of Promise City. After the meal Minerva bathes and changes into more festive attire, downing the creamy yellow gown that she has had made with the cloth that Katherine had given her on her birthday. It is quite elegant and hugs her bare shoulders, accentuating her dark hair and complexion. She twirls before the mirror and stops when she sees the sadness showing in her eyes. Giving in momentarily to her loneliness she whispers. “Ah, Mi Amor, I wish that you were here to see me in this dress. I do miss you so” she sighs, thinking of her absent lover. The afternoon proves to be anti-climactic given the noontime event. At Meghan's suggestion they end the day early at around 3:00 P.M. Kate's brother Henry is outside waiting when the last of the children leave. She smiled and gave her brother a warm hug. “I didn't expect to see you here. It's good though. What's going on?” Henry says to Kate, “We're all going to be heading out to your ranch whenever you are ready, to say our goodbyes to Tom. Then we'll come back to town for supper. I think that Dorita is cooking up something special since this will be our last night together for a while.” Kate sighed and gave Henry another squeeze. “I wish you could have stayed longer, or I could have had more time to spend. But for the rest of today I'm all yours. I'm going to miss you.” “And I'm going to miss you too Katie.” The Seagrams ride up soon with the double-seat carriage. Ginnie comes down from the hill and joins them in the carriage.   The ride out to the ranch is short and the family drove past the buildings toward the tree along the stream where Tom rested. As always, Kate grew quiet as they approached. Henry helped her down from the carriage and kept hold of her hand as they gathered around the gravesite. After a few minutes her father began a prayer; one Kate remembered from many years ago when she was young. She'd heard it again at Mr. Emerson's funeral back in Boston, and it brought a comforting familiarity that said at last she was not alone in her grief. Quiet tears fell from her eyes as they were gathered there. Kate then hears her mother's voice gasp. She looks up and sees the loose dust swirling together near the grave. More dust joins it clumped together with grass and tumbleweeds. It eventually ends in the shape of a female centaur. All present then hear a female voice speak within their heads.   Kate barely kept from gasping herself. “Storm. I thought I wouldn't see you again,” Kate said. “I'm glad I was wrong.” The voice says, “Although their prayers are earnest your family still has questions in their hearts and minds. I am here to sooth those doubts.” Storm turns to Kate's family “The goddess Diana has sent me to assure you that the child your daughter carries is her husband's child. He has moved onto the Elysian Fields and wishes you life and love. Move on for life continues. The goddess is pleased with the way you have not taken her protection or gifts for granted.” Friedrich's voice shook slightly as he spoke. “The Priestess Florencia assured us of the truth, and I thought I believed her. I believed my faith was stronger.”   Amelie's eyes were wide as she stared at the apparition, then over at her daughter as if she could see the miracle glowing around her. “Thank you,” Kate said simply and Henry squeezed her hand. “There is nothing I value more than her gift and I will protect him with all I have. I am moving on with life, but I always carry Tom with me, it would be impossible not to. I know he still hears me and I hope he's proud.” The voice says, “He does and you will make him proud. I must take leave of you now, your friend Nanuet has need of my council.” With that the form begins to dissolve back into the dust, grass and tumbleweeds from which it was made.  “What manner of place is this?” Amelie breathed after the apparition dissipated. “Who was that, Jacqueline?”  Kate answers, “Storm Goldeneye. I met her the day I traveled to Promise City. She was killed the next day. She found Tom's spirit trapped in Tombstone and cared for him, showed him how to move on. The gods of the wood elves and the Apache joined Diana in bringing him to me. I owe her much.” Henry embraced her, his arm still in its sling making his hug feel oddly like their father's. Several times he tried to speak but stopped. “I know,” Kate said simply. A moment later Phil replaced his brother, laughing in her ear as he lifted her feet off the ground. Once he let go her father was there with his gentle embrace and tears in his eyes. “I love you, Katie,” he whispered, his voice hoarse. “And so do the gods.” She only nodded against his chest and said, “Diana does.” Lastly she went to her mother who still seemed to be having trouble comprehending what she had just seen. Amelie was the only person with whom Kate had shared her fears that she might be barren, and only she could really understand the magnitude of what awaited her daughter. “When one is meant to be a mother a way is found,” she said simply as Kate hugged her. “Every child is a miracle.” They stayed gathered by the grave for a few more minutes and until Kate reminded them that Dorita was likely waiting for them in town. After their final good-byes to Tom the family climbed back into the carriage and drove back for their last night together until some far away night in December. The Seagrams made a quick stop at Katherine's house to let her change her dress. Ginnie would know to come to the El Parador for dinner since Kate rarely attempted to cook that particular meal. Once they dropped off the buggy at Drover's they walked over to the warm and inviting Cantina and found a table.  Conrad Booth soon joins Kate at the table with a wide grin on his face. He tells her “Dorita's planning for tonight to be special.” Kate replies, “It's already special, you're here,” Kate smiled. “I haven't seen enough of you lately.”  He replies, “What can I say, your brother Phillip has been monopolizing my time. I was thankful that your friend Jake took him off my hands for a few hours earlier today. But I'm all yours tonight, I took the night off to be here.”  “You won't have to leave early,” Kate said, obviously pleased. “The other Kate in your life will be jealous.” Others begin arriving, including the Tolucca Family, the Escobar family, the Brown family, Cole Rixton, Meagan O'Hara and her four oldest children, Michael and Patrick Seawell, the Caudell family and Mitchell Berg.   With each new arrival Kate become more surprised and pleased. “Dorita's planned a real party, hasn't she? So many people just for us?”  He replies, “Your family has made a lasting impression on this town just as you have. Dorita and Pedro wanted to give them a grand send-off. Sandra Wainwright should be along soon to play piano for the group.” As they are chatting others arrive, including Neil Cassidy, Emery Shaw and his daughter Ellen, Jeff Mills, Rufus Davis and his fiancé Anita Ramirez, Julia Barbeau who joins the Seawells, Derek Avery who joins Liza Brown and her family, and then Kevin and Mary Kelly. The tables are all filled and many people are standing at the bar and long the far wall. Others sit down on the stairwell up to the second floor. Dorita, Sonoma, Carlos Ramirez, and Pepita Alvarez come out from the kitchen with platters of food for all of the guests while Jose Ramirez and Pedro make sure that everybody's glasses are filled with either wine or juice.  Several times as the Cantina filled up with friends Kate had to wipe her eyes. She drank only juice as the glasses began to be passed around. She wasn't even sure where to go first, so she made her way over to Rufus Davis to congratulate him on his wedding plans.   He thanks her and introduces her to Anita. She smiles and says, “It is good to finally meet. My younger brothers Jose and Carlos have mentioned you often.” Kate says, “They have? I wouldn't have thought I had done much worth mentioning. They were both very kind to me while I lived here. As much as I enjoy having my own home I often miss living here. But you will have your own home together soon. Where will you be living?”   She replies, “We have a small home near here already, next to Mother Jiminez's house.   Kate replies, “It seems I should have known that, I don't know where my mind has been lately. I'm sure you'll be very happy. I'm looking forward to the grand event on Sunday.” She then sees notices that Frank and Morgan Condon have come in through the back door and sit down with the three Escobars.  The presence of Frank Condon surprised her a bit but knew it would please Dorita and Pedro. She made her way over to the Elven woman. “Dorita this is wonderful. Please, let me help.”   Dorita replies, “Oh don't be silly, this night is for you to spend with your family.”  Kate leaned over and kissed her cheek. “You are part of my family as well. I hope you'll find some time to show these people how dancing is really done.” She says, “I will, now that our musicians have arrived.” Dortia gestures to Don and Sandra Wainwright who have just walked in. Don is carrying a fiddle and accompanies Sandra as she heads over to the keyboards. Estaban Fuente comes out of his room carrying his guitar and joins them.   “Good!” Kate said and squeezed her hand, then nearly skipped over to the piano where her friend was about to begin playing. “Sandra, thank you. There are plenty of musicians here tonight, so promise me you and Don will dance lately. Hopefully things will calm down soon and we can have a cup of tea together.” At the Lucky Lady, Jake finishes his meal and makes the short distance back to his house to change into his poker outfit, black linen pants topped by a white silk shirt. A leisurely stroll back to the saloon and on to the night's game. Before the games start, he relates in more detail his conversation with Darla Peacock. It seems slow for a Thursday night, many of their regulars are missing. Jake comments as much during the first break and is told that there is a farewell party for the Kale family who will be departing back east in the morning.  “Seems like I should have known that,” he comments to Job. “Weren't you invited?” his partner asks in return.  “I have been mighty distracted of late. It would not surprise me a bit that I was by several people and I just plum do not remember.” Jake swirls his whiskey in his glass before taking another sip. ”Other than riding out with her brother today, I have not really spent any time with them. Just as well, I never have been the kind folks want to introduce to their parents.” Jake adds with a chuckle.  “You sell yourself short, Jake. You know how Katherine feels about you.” “I know. I did not mean she was hiding me away. I do not feel bitter about it, I rather prefer it that way.” Jake takes another sip. Job gives him a curious look, “You are an odd mix, Jake.” Jake returns the look with a smirk. ”I will take that as the compliment it was intended.” He looks across the room at his table. ”Half of that lot will lose their stake or interest by the next break. I will close my table and let you have the remaining players then. That way I can make my late in the evening grand society entrance over at the El Parador. I would not anyone to think I was snubbing them.” Job shakes his head and laughs, “Have it your way, partner.” Job walks to his table to restart his game. “Yes,” Jake says quietly to himself, “I like having it my way.” He drains his whiskey glass, brushes his hand against his Colt and walks back to his own table with a gregarious smile on his face.</blockquote>

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