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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3166945" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter One-hundred-four, “A Stubborn Boy”, Thursday June 8th, 1882, 8:30 P.M. At the Marshal’s Office Berg and Chester resume the conversation they had begun earlier in the day.   Chester says “We got fooled by the Clantons into going after Earp, they set us up.  Good thing we weren't quick to shoot otherwise some of us wouldn't be here. Marshall, unless you think Dooley Wilson or Phil Grove killed Buckley, we're no closer to finding out who did it."  Berg says, "Neither of those makes that much sense Chet. I as confused as you are as to what it going on."Chester gets up. I guess we'll have to sleep on this. Did anyone tell Sheriff Behan that Hunter's dead? It doesn't look good that people are dropping like flies. Nobody's going to want to leave the town limits if this keeps up."  Berg says, "Another of Behan's Deputies, Frank Leslie, is in town at the moment. I've heard some mixed things about him so wanted to check the situation out before apprising him of the situation. I'll go do that now.  I'll be back in an hour and you can go off duty then and go hear your woman sing."   Over at the Lucky Lady Escobar arrives with the priest Thomas Valdez. So as not to embarrass the boy they have Nakomo join them in one of the other rooms. Shaw heads upstairs as well.  Valdez examines the boy's arms and asks "What is it that you were doing to cause such injury to yourself?"Nakomo replies, "It is part of my punishment, Sir." he says and attempts to shrug it off as though it doesn't matter but he winces and grows pale at the attempt, a small groan escaping his lips before he is able to suppress it. Appalled earlier by his unmanly display of discomfort in front of Mr. Cook, he quickly covers his discomfort. He stands straight , refusing to give in to the pain. He concentrates and looks towards Mr. Shaw, Nakomo’s thoughts being “He must think I am such a big baby.”    Shaw turns to the boy and asks "Who did this to you son?"  Nakomo pulls back embarrassed by all the attention. He shrugs his shoulders as though he does not care. "It's no big deal. I was repairing the roof at the Sheriff's office. It was part of my punishment. It's just a little slap from Apollo. I'll be o.k. I know that I have to pay for my crimes."Valdez speaks firmly and states "Young man, nobody in this town is trying to cause you physical injury. Your sentence was for community service. How is the community served by you being injured? I will answer that, it is not! If you are not in top physical condition then you would not be able to do the work that the town needs you to do. Now stay still and let me heal your arms so that you can return tomorrow to your appointed task."Nakomo replies, "Yes sir, If you think that's the right thing to do..." he says holding out his burned arms but before the man can heal him he quickly lowers them again, ..."but if Apollo wanted me to be punished, don't you think that I should just take it like a man? I mean, if you heal me he might not like it. He could do something worse to me! like make me blind! I don't want to be blind and I heard that he sometimes does that to people, like during the eclipse. I don't know. Maybe I should talk to Miss Minerva about it first.”    Valdez gestures for Shaw to leave, thinking the boy will be more open to suggestion with only those of elven blood present. Father Valdez says "Maybe WE should both go and speak to her. While I respect the gods of the Greek and Roman Pantheons I do not follow them as she does. She would be better able to interpret Apollo's will, and if she doesn't her house guests will. Come with me young man!"  Nakomo panics at the man's tone. ".. but, but sir, I can't leave now! "he looks around like a trapped animal looking for an escape. "I am working. Mister Cook is depending on me. Besides Miss Minerva is sure to come here when she returns. She doesn't leave me on my own for long without checking on me." he says sheepishlyValdez lowers his voice and says firmly and slowly "If Mr. Cook has any objections I will discuss it with him later. If he decides to dock your wages for your absence then I will pay you the difference. As a citizen of this town I for one wish for you to be able to do your community service, which you cannot properly do if you are not healthy. So either you will allow me to heal those injuries or we will go together right now to see your Priestess. Those are your choices, take your pick Sir, which will it be?"After Nakomo was taken upstairs Kate stayed down with the others and listened to their talk. She answered their questions about her school and the baseball game earlier in the week.   Shaw eventually returns.   Finally she asked them, "Where would you look if you wanted to hire on hands you can trust? With the Cowboy gang still active I'm loathe to hire people I don't know, but I don't think we have much other choice."Forest Morand says, "Already taken care of. Emery and I have met other ranchers over the years and have telegrammed them asking for some honest folk to come help out in the short term." Shaw says, "Yes, in fact I sent a cable to those ranchers in Nevada, the Cartwrights. Joe Cartwright should be along in a few days with some of his hands." "I've met the Carwrights myself," Kate said without commenting on the odd way things seemed to have come full circle. "I certainly trust them. It will at least give me some time to find someone. Flint, I'd meant to speak with Naki-Yai to see if she might know of anyone looking for work. I have to say, I'd never imagined the ranch would grow so quickly. The town has changed so much even since I came here," she said. "I can't imagine the changes you've both seen."  Forest replies, "Yes, there have been considerable changes. And if my friend Emery can get himself and his friends elected that will make them all changes for the better."Kate says, "You have a lot of faith in your friend, but I tend to agree with you. I'll certainly prefer them to the changes the other parties would bring. Are they really that blind?"   Morand says, "Some of them, yes. And these recent murders aren't helping matters. President Chester Arthur has threatened to send in Federal troops to enforce the law around here. If that happens in the next two weeks the Law and Order party will use that to their advantage."Kate says, "Let's pray it doesn't ever happen. I wish I understood these murders, but they just don't make sense. They seen to be focused on people connected with Thayer, like a personal vendetta?"  Shaw says, "What about Sheriff Hunter? He wasn't affiliated with the Thayer ranch."  "No, but..." Kate paused, considering whether she should be speaking ill of the dead. "We suspected that he was part of or least a supporter of the Cowboy Gang. I knew he followed me out of town on at least one occasion and he did it to others as well."Morand says, "I am very surprised by that. I thought him to be a man of the law." Emery Shaw says, "I'm not surprised. His boss, County Sheriff Behan, was a bit too friendly with the Tombstone branch of the Cowboy Gang."    Kate states, "All I can say is these aren't random killings. Most of us aren't in any more danger than usual. I'm just not sure who 'most of us' are. I have Ginnie and... I have people to keep safe.""Yes and we wish to continue that, mutual safety is one of the reasons that we formed this Cattleman's Association to begin with," Shaw says.   Kate replies, "I know. I'm afraid I'm not very good company tonight, I keep coming round in circles. I'm glad my family went home, I'm rather surprised they didn't try to drag me back after that mob scene."   Shaw says, "Well, in the interest of full disclosure your father wanted to. I helped talk him out if it. In my eyes you've proven yourself more than capable of taking care of yourself. But I did tell him that I would help keep an eye on you and look out for your safety.   But don't think I'm patronizing you Katherine. The main reason I told him that was because of your membership in the Cattleman's Association. I will keep an eye on you and look out for your safety, just as I will do the same for Forest Morand and Ricardo Perez.""I should have guessed," she said, shaking her head. "We'll all look out for each other. That's how I've managed to get by since I got here and I don't expect that to change any time soon. Next time we ride out after the Cowboy Gang I'll even let you in on it beforehand," she laughed.Valdez and Escobar return downstairs with Nakomo.  Valdez lowers his voice and says firmly and slowly to Nakomo “So either you will allow me to heal those injuries or we will go together right now to see your Priestess. Those are your choices, take your pick Sir, which will it be?"   The Indian boys says, "I am sorry, Father Valdez. I am not trying to make you angry. I am only trying to follow the will of the gods, like Miss Minerva is teaching me. You wouldn't want me to go against the gods would you?" He pleads. "besides, I'm sure that Miss Minerva will be here soon, really, I thought she would have been here by now. ." He says looking through the door into the saloon. It not like her to be gone for so long he worries.Across town, Minerva goes home to an empty house. Thinking that Nakomo is still in school she decides to take a nap to regain her strength. She awakens in the early evening feeling refreshed but finds that Nakomo is still not home. She changes into a fresh gown and hurries over to the Lucky Lady to see if he is working.   The saloon is in full swing when she arrives. Music is playing, whiskey is flowing and the games are all in progress. She looks around the room but does not see Nakomo. She makes her way to the kitchen thinking he could be washing dishes. When she enters the room she sees Nakomo backed into a corner. He has a look of panic in his eyes. Padre Valdez is speaking to him in what sounds like a stern voice. She strides over and makes her presence known.  “What is going on in here?" before the words are barely out she notices Nakomo's blistered face and arms.  "By the gods! What has happened to you?!"Valdez replies, "Priestess, he injured himself doing the community service to the town and refuses to let me heal him. He seems to think that this is part of his punishment. I know for a fact that Marshall Berg would never knowingly allow harm to come to the boy."   "Injured himself? "she bristles, "it looks more like someone left him out in the sun too long! Who is responsible for this Nakomo?" she says as she continues to examine his burns. "I am, Miss Minerva. I was given a job to do, and I did it. Apollo, added his own punishment." Nakomo say's defiantly.   Minerva sighs, he is a stubborn one. I need to remember he is no longer a boy to be commanded." "Perhaps he is just trying to tell you that you should not stand under on a shiny roof under, his powerful rays for so long. You have paid his price. I do not think that he will object to our healing you." Remembering that she has exhausted herself once this day using her healing powers she says, "You should consider letting Padre Valdez heal your wounds."  "Yes, I would like that." he says wincing as he turns to the priest.Valdez places his hands upon Nakomo and states the spell. Minerva notes as he casts the spell that the light from his hands that passes over the wounds has more of a gold than the version of the spell that she usually performs. The arms resume their normal color.   Minerva thanks Valdez and then asks if he can heal Nakomo's face as well.  "Of course Priestess," he states and casts the necessary spell on the boy.Gracias, Padre." Minerva says to Valdez before he leaves. She turns to Nakomo. "We will talk more of this later if you wish, but I know you would like to get back to work so I will go and have some dinner in the saloon.'" she says in a steady voice. Overwhelmed by her sudden role as guardian to a teenage boy, the responsibilities of her training, the demands of playing hostess to church officials, having another confrontation with vampires and being commanded by the goddess to appear before her the following day.  Nakomo waits until he is alone. He feels his face and arms, astounded by the miracle that Father Valdez has performed. He grins and picking up a dishrag, gets back to work.  The ranchers continued to talk and after another few moments Minerva hurried through the doors to the back where Mr. Valdez was with Nakomo.  Kate says, "It might be a good chance to speak to the Priestess after Nakomo is taken care of. I'm curious to see what she'll say myself."  The night wears on, and Jake's game wears on and finally comes to a close. He relaxes with another bourbon and hangs around the saloon.   She leaves him in the kitchen, orders a bottle of whiskey from the bar and finds herself a quite table where she can sort out the events of the day.  Jake notices the priestesses troubled expression, that and her sitting alone with a bottle of whiskey. He gives her a few minutes on her own before he meanders over and sits uninvited. "You look quite harried, Senorita. That look is unbecoming of a beautiful young woman such as yourself. Perhaps you dwell overlong on the troubles and not enough on the pleasures, boons and windfalls?" Jake gives her a friendly smile, not quite a smirk but still with the aura of an amused rogue. Minerva peeks over the rim of her glass and gives him rueful smile. "Windfalls?" She chuckles darkly swirling the glass and causing the amber liquid to form a tiny tornado in it's center. "I feel as though I have been given something more akin to cyclone falls since my arrival in this town... one mess after another. My head is spinning from the force of it all." She lifts the bottle to pour another drink and holds it out to him. "May I offer you a glass"? she says filling her own. "Perhaps it would look more appropriate to the good folk of Promise City if I were to be seen drinking with another... even if he is a snake charmer." she teases. He empties his glass and passes it across to her with an affirmative nod of his head. "Snake charmer?" He seems to find that amusing. "I have been called may things, but never a snake charmer. If it salvages your reputation, go ahead and tell them you were attempting to redeem this poor old saloon rat. Go on, Promise City makes your head spin." His smile never wavers. "That is part of the problem." her eyes blaze. "I have never given two hoots about what others have thought of me and since I have come to this town, my every move is judged!" She sighs heavily. "I wish Nanuet were here. He has been gone for only ten days but it feels like forever." she sips her drink to disguise the trembling of her lips but is unable to keep the brightness of unsheathed tears from her eyes. "He is so patient and wise... "she shrugs "I feel as though I am being swept up by events and he is not here to council me. I miss him terribly." She says miserably. "Ah, but you do not really want to hear my troubles. Nor am I inclined to reveal them with so many of the good people of Promise City within hearing range, but I do appreciate your concern." "If you desire a friendly ear to bend, just call on me. I am happy to oblige. I understand how having Nanuet gone can drag your heart down. I am missing someone too." His ever present smile fades and he is quiet for a moment.   "If you accept the job as our spiritual leader here in Promise City," he spreads his arms wide indicating all around him and his impish grin spreads again too, "then you must accept that folks will judge you. I am certain it will be done harshly, unfairly and without much clever wit at that. What they cannot do, is determine whether it is you," he briefly points his finger at her, "or that bird of yours who is giving the hoots. That decision lies solely with you my friend. No matter how hard you try to give it away or blame the tactless masses, that responsible is yours alone." Jake raises his glass to his lips but before taking a sip he adds, "Not everyone is so lucky as you Senorita. Few have a friend who can truly give a hoot for them with such aplomb." Momentarily startled by the unexpected words of wisdom, she is caught off guard by his joke and lets out a long, loud laugh. When those within hearing turn to see what their spiritual leader finds so amusing they see her lean in and place her hand over the gambler's. Her eyes are sparkling and she is smiling broadly. "Gracias, Senor Jake. You are a good friend. I am afraid that I was beginning to take myself too seriously, but when I came in and saw what had happened to Nakomo, on top of what else has happened this day... I do need someone to talk to though, and with Nanuet gone, there is no one. I may take you up on your offer." she looks around at the eyes watching them, "but I do not think that now would be a good time. For now I believe I will just continue to enjoy your fine whiskey and observe my flock until Nakomo is ready to come home." "A fine idea, I like hearing that. What joy is there in owning a saloon if your friends cannot enjoy drinking and relaxing in it?" With those words he uses the toe of his worn boot to pull a chair closer. Once in place, he resumes his familiar slouch with feet resting on the dark wood of the chair. As if it was a natural segue from their previous conversation, Jake began, "Did I ever tell you the story about the Russian man and his Italian woman that I met on the riverboat?" He does not really wait for her reply and launches into the mildly humorous and mostly harmless story of Jake the understudy poker dealer, a cantankerous Russian fur trapper of some means, a statuesque young Italian woman the Russian obtained in exchange for a debt owed him, and the young gamblers attempts to part the man from both his available cash and for a time his wife to be. ".... so the Frenchman got the king that I moved in the deck because I counted wrong. He cleaned both me and the Russian out and won the girl to boot. For the next two weeks I scraped and painted that bloody paddle wheeler during the day while I worked the gambling deck at night to pay back the seed money I borrowed to get in that boiler room game. I was not quite as sunburnt as young Nakomo," Jake winces involuntarily, "but it was close." He chuckles, "I lost my concentration watching Lucia and miscounted the cards. She was so excited at the prospect of being free of that barbarian that her eyes were sparkling, her chest was heaving, and her skin had that flush color..." Jake sighs. "I think it worked out for the woman. The Frenchman lived in New Orleans and was going to give her a job as a maid in his big house. He seemed like a decent sort anyway. The Russian got tossed off the boat at the next stop because he had not paid any of his bills. For that big pile of scheming and hard work all I got was to see Lucia smile for a little time while we played cards. You know what?" He asks but again does not wait for a reply, "It was worth it." After the story, Jake pushes back his chair and stands. He tips back the rest of his glass. "Gracias por la bebida. Enjoy a pleasant nights rest, Senorita, you have earned it." He leaves the glass on the table but before he turns he adds, "Oh, and thank you for the, um...." He smiles at her and taps at his cheek indicating the smile. "This was much more pleasant than scraping a big old Mississippi paddle wheeler." He tips his hat.Minerva sits at the table thinking about Jake's story and how much more substance there is to him than he let most people see.  Later when the saloon is starting to close and Nakomo is done his work for the night they walk home through the dark night. He does not mention his sunburn and she is content to keep silent for now. They walk home quietly each lost in their own thoughts, or perhaps Nakomo is silent for fear of a scolding. When they enter the house, Minerva is relieved to find that her houseguests have retired for the evening. She hugs Nakomo and wishes him sweet dreams before going to her own room to pray. "Dear goddess, Minerva, Please guide me with your wisdom. I am a poor guardian. Had I attended to Nakomo better, he would not have been hurt today... and where was I when he needed me? Off hunting vampires!" As she says this she suddenly remembers that the goddess Diana commanded a meeting with the priests tomorrow at noon. "I am too weary to explain it all. I will inform the bishop tomorrow. she thinks as she strips off her gown and falls onto the bed. She pulls up the covers and snuggles Nanuet's pillow, wishing that hurry home. After the end of Clarisse's final set on Thursday night at the Lucky Lady she rejoins Chester at the table near the stage. Emery Shaw asks if he can join them and then tells Chester about the Unity Party, asking if he would be their candidate for Marshall.Kate finally said goodnight to the gentlemen at the table and went home. Walking alone after dark was probably not the best of ideas, but one of the side-effects of being seen as able to care for herself was that it was assumed she could certainly walk herself home. At least she hoped it was that and not her company that kept anyone from offering to see her home. She went home by way of walking past the Long Branch and peeked inside as she went by. Conrad was sitting at his table, dealing out the next hand and she was tempted to step inside. Better sense prevailed and she continued on home. Was it just last night when Doctor Eaton had stopped her? He wouldn't be happy with today's developments; it was likely whatever progress she'd made with him was destroyed. It wasn't long before she arrived at her own home. The light was on in Ginnie's room and Kate spent some time talking with her before retiring to her own room and her lonely bed.After the end of Clarisse's final set on Thursday night at the Lucky Lady she rejoins Chester at the table near the stage. Emery Shaw asks if he can join them "Sure thing, Mr. Shaw. Pull up a chair. Now what do you want to talk to me about?"   Shaw says, "How'd you like to get back at Ashley King? I heard about what happened at the wedding. I don't know if you've heard, but I had a blow up with his father. I've split from the Law and Order party. Manuel Escobar and I have formed a new party, the Unity party. We'd like you to be our man for Marshall? How does that strike you?" Chester smacks his hand on the table. "It would suit me well. Who else is running under your guiding?" Shaw scratches his chin. "So far, it's just Manny and I and you, if you join up with us. We're trying to get Vera Blake to be one of our councilmen. I haven't heard back, yet. So what do you say, Chester? Are you with us?" He extends his hand. Chester shakes Shaw's hand and states, "Yes sir. Sign me up."Jake returns to his home at end of the evening. After he unlocks the door he sees a sealed envelope on the floor that had been slipped under the door with "Jake" written on it. He opens the envelope, removes the single sheet of paper inside, and reads: "Jake, Arrived in town. Spending today reestablishing old ties. Jane and Ruby have gone away on an errand together but nothing to worry about, I sent Richard along to help keep them out of trouble. Will catch up with you tomorrow evening. After he reads it he sets it alight from single oil lamp lit in his parlor. "Nothing to worry about...." He says aloud to the air. He shakes his head. "Red my friend, you know not of what you speak." He kept his worries to himself, since there was only one person in the world that could solve them it made little sense in burdening anyone else. At least Red was in town, that was something.</blockquote>

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