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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3343896" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter One-hundred-forty “Tired of Waiting”, Monday June 12th, 1882, 8:30 P.M.Minerva is unruffled by the comments made by candidates whose beliefs oppose the message that she had been preaching. She smiles, satisfied that Watkins had shot himself in the foot by making his hatred for other races and his distain for women so obvious. "At least we know where we stand with him." she says to Nanuet. "I am more worried about those who hide their beliefs behind their parties banners and pretty words. Although I must say it was difficult to contain my wrath when he made those derogatory comments about our relationship, but I was not about to dignify his remarks by responding to such drivel. That does not mean however, that we should not show people that we are bonded." she kisses him lightly on the cheek and takes his hand before leading him off to seek out their friends.Nanuet is also upset by the comments made by the boorish man, but allows his wisdom to take hold and watches the situation. He keeps a close eye on Minerva and is pleased to see her reaction. Only a short time ago she would have lashed out in a fury rather than let things unfold a bit before making a move. "I do not think that it is patience that I am learning, although I am trying to be more patient. It is more of a sense of recognizing the most effective tactic to eliminating the enemy." she chuckles. "Sr. Watkin's is doing a fine job of digging his own grave. To draw attention away from him would just slow down that process. Each time he opens his mouth he digs a little deeper." she grins impishly. "It is almost as satisfying as telling him what I think of him."Kate made her way forward as the candidate came down. "You did very well," Kate said to Mrs. Blake. "I would have liked to have seen a few more questions thrown your way. That's one of the problems with not being extreme. I think the party will want to consider a few ads to get the message out." The women spent a few minutes talking.Chester walks up to Tomlinson. "That was quick work there, Kevin. They could have come to blows." "Not on my watch Deputy," the tall Englishman replies. He then gestures for Chester to join him on the far end of the stage and says, "Harker and Harbrace think they have wind of a strong lead. There is a farmhouse and barn near the Dragoon Mountains that the Cowboy Gang had used for a hideout which the Earps burnt to the ground last March. Apparently the house had an earthen root cellar and both bats and dogs have been spotted in that area. They've gone to investigate it now. Jeff Mills went with them, apparently he knows where the place is."Chester replies, "That's good. We've looked at most of the abandoned mines near town and haven't found anything. The three of them should be able to take care of it. But I'd like to ride out there anyway." Tomlinson says, "It's already dark out Deputy, and quite a ways off. They left a few hours ago. By the time we got there the investigation would probably be over. I know waiting is difficult but we should probably let them do their job." Tomlinson gestures for Jake to come join them.Chester sighs, "You're right, but I hate waiting. Oh, here comes Jake and Kate." Kate went over to where Chester was talking with Mr. Tomlinson. She nodded to both and said, "Interesting night. I'm sorry to interrupt, but I believe Jake had some information to pass along to both of you." As Jake approaches he repeats to Kate and Jake what he told Chester about where Harker, Harbrace and Mills have gone to. We're familiar with the property," Kate said dryly. "It would be a good place to hide. Have you had any luck discovering who the local, uh, undesirables might be?"Tomlinson says, "Two men matching the descriptions of who we are looking for, Mortimer Turner and the one with the beard, were both spotted together in the town of Dos Cabezas on Saturday night. Two Dos Cabezas townspeople, a human prospector and a half-elf farmer, both went missing that night as well. Dos Cabezas is not far from that farmhouse, closer than Promise City in fact." Kate states, "So we either have two more victims or two more night creatures to deal with. I'm starting to think it's a good idea to keep mirrors everywhere. I hope the others haven't bitten off more than they can chew. They're had time to swell their ranks by quite a bit. Enough to overwhelm three men, anyway." Kate couldn't remember seeing Bronco Madsen here tonight, but she looked around the room again, just to make sure.Tomlinson says, "That's why the men went now instead of waiting, if these were unwilling victims, which is most likely, then it will take three days for them to rise which will therefore be tomorrow night." Chester exclaims, "Damn. This means a trip to Dos Cabezas. They're marshaling their strength before they come back here, I bet." Tomlinson says, "The others will be back before morning, I'm optimistic that they might find all four and rid the world of them, then our problems will be solved."Kate was quiet for a minute, trying to think of a way to pass on what she knew without giving away how she knew it. "Did anyone else notice that no one from the Liberty Party was here tonight? We've long suspected Hamilton Fisk of financing the Cowboy Gang, and we've had some reason to think the creatures may be tied to them as well. And I heard some rumors in the Lady about Bronco Madsen, that someone thought it was strange he was up and walking around, as if he shouldn't be."Tomlinson says, "They're over at the party headquarters building with the Sheriff Deputies protecting them. A bit too dangerous for them to just be walking about given Snavely and Allman's accusations which haven't been disproved yet. They don't want to end up like Avery."Tomlinson chats for a few more minutes with the trio then heads off with Judge Isby.Chester says, "So Kate, what say we throw some garlic and holy water into their headquarters?" "Tempting, but no," she smiled. "But them being all together seems to good an opportunity to pass up. I wish I could get in there with a mirror." Chester replies, "It was just a thought. The Sheriff's deputies probably won't let us in anyway. If they only knew what they were guarding." Kate replies, "That doesn't mean we should forget they're there. We've waited too long to act already, let things go on as they are for too long. I wish I could do more than just search for information." She sighed softly, then found a smile. Chester flexes his hands. "You and me both. I could scout out the Liberty party's HQ and follow someone we suspect of being a creature of the night. That will lead us directly to where they're hiding out.""Where are we all headed now? Do you still want to go out to the mine tonight or wait to find out what Mr. Harker and the others discover?" Chester scratches his chin. "Depends on how long you think the Liberty Party's shindig will last. If it lasts into the night, we can go to the mine now. We can wait until morning to hear what Mr. Harker has to say." Kate says, "I imagine the Liberty Party candidates will be with the deputies until they're cleared. Whether or not you go tonight is entirely up to you. I can't go with you, you know that." Chester replies, "I know. You need to take care of yourself. I'm going to seek out the Liberty Party men. I can't miss this chance."Minerva, Nanuet and Nakomo approach and overhear the tail end of Katherine's conversation. "And where are you going that Katherine cannot follow, Deputy? You were not going to run off and have fun without us, where you?" she says smiling lightly for the benefit of intruding eyes and ears. Chester states, "Hey there. I was just going to follow a Liberty Party man to see if I can find where our local, ahem, monsters are hiding. Kate was wondering if we should go to the mine or wait for Mr. Harker and his group to come back from the mountains."Minerva states, "I do not want to wait another night before we act but I think that it is too dangerous for any one of us to run off on our own. If you want to visit the Liberty party meeting. Nakomo and I will join you. "It's not really a meeting. They're holed up with the Sheriff’s Deputies. After the accusations that were made today they apparently felt it was safer to be in protective custody. It would be interesting to see what Mr. Madsen will do when the sun comes up, though."Kate dropped her voice and said, "Mr. Harker, Father Harbrace, and Jeff Mills went out earlier this afternoon to follow a lead at the farmhouse that burned. You remember that, I'm sure. My thought was you might want to wait to hear what's found there before moving further. But it's up to those who could go." Chester states, "He'll be very antsy in a few hours, I'm sure. If it's late enough, he won't be too careful about checking to see if he's being followed. That's why I want to follow him. Minerva, you and Nakomo are welcome to join me. Kate, whatever they have to say to us can wait. I need to do something."Kate answers, "Whatever you like, Chester. I'm going to take this unusual opportunity to go home, get some schoolwork done, and go to bed early. Good night and be careful. Let me know how things turn out." Chester says, "I'm sorry, but we have to act. The more we wait, the more they have a chance to regroup. We're just going to follow them to find their base. The hunt can wait until daylight." Kate walked back through the room, stopping to talk here and there, but was good to her word and on her way home within a few minutes.A hint of exasperation flashes through Minerva's eyes, but she continues to smile as though she is discussing nothing more important than the weather. "Meirde!" she hisses. "Once again we are hindered by our lack of communication! These hunters should not be so arrogant and foolish as to run off on their own. None of us is strong enough to defeat these creatures on our own. The goddess has indicated that our strength lies in the combined talents of each of us."She looks to Chester meaningfully. "It is neither safe nor effective to act independently. She glances at Nakomo out of the corner of her eye and looks away. "It is past time that we begin working together. Each night that passes makes our task more impossible and if we continue this way we will surely be killed. But" she relents, "I suppose that they would not have run off to investigate without a solid reason." "I see you have learned some patience in the short time we were parted. I am glad for that." Nanuet squeezes her hand gently as they depart.She turns to Chester, "I am inclined to wait for their return, but if you insist on following this creature. We will come with you." Chester says, "OK, but we can't let them know we're trailing them. Otherwise we could fall into a trap." Nanuet exclaims, "What exactly is going on here? I saw the use of a mirror at the debates and now this talk. Is this more trouble like we found in Thomaswell?"Jake leans in closer and answers Nanuet, "Yes. Just like in Thomaswell." Chester nods. "There's even a Turner mixed up in it. Jeff and a couple others went to the Dos Cabezos mountains looking for them. But one of the Liberty Party candidates might be one, too. That's who we're after tonight."Then to the Deputy Marshall Jake says, "I am tired of waiting on them, I want to do something. Let us do it, Chet. I am not much of a tracker but I will cover your back. I was going to suggest a little visit to the Beatrice mine but we can always do that afterwards or even in the morning and visit the farm house ruin somewhere in between." They all give him a glance as if he were loco, "Hey, I am accustomed to stay up late without sleep. I will get my gear and meet you in a few minutes." "Chester says, "Hurry back. Who knows when they'll return to their homes. Tonight, just following the monster back to his lair will be enough.. The rest can wait until we hear from Jeff and the others." Minerva states, "Nakomo and I are prepared for an encounter if it should come to that."Jake hustles off to gather the items he left on the bed. On the way he makes a side trip to get himself the approximation of a wooden stake and a hammer. At the house he pauses in front of his safe and scratches at his beard for a moment before opening it and removing the belt buckle. "That may come in handy." Dynamite in an outer pocket and Spencer over his shoulder he heads back out in the night to meet with his friends. This time instead of walking down the center of the dark streets he moves in the shadows, hidden and quiet. The task before them is unpleasant, but wandering through a town in the dark this way always gives him a little bit of a thrill.As she left the others talking, Kate remembered that in all the excitement after Wyatt Earp's visit that she had never delivered his message to Miss Marcus. She headed for the Comique, remembering that she was singing there until they found a replacement for Clarisse Townsend.The saloon was bright and busy as Kate walked inside and looked for Miss Marcus. Kate has a seat and sits through a set of music with Warren Watkins playing for Josephine Marcus. When they finish he heads back to the bar, relieving Pierre Jaquet. Josie heads down from the stage and sits alone at a far table, where Pierre brings her a glass of wine and praises her singing before moving on to another table.When Pierre had been gone a few moments, Kate walked over to the actresses table and said, "May I keep you company for a few minutes? I was on my home when I heard the singing and couldn't resist coming in for just a moment." Josie welcomes Kate to join her and says, "Sandra Wainwright has been suggesting that you help with the play but things have been too hectic for me to talk to you about it. Conrad Booth is turning into an excellent Romeo, and has been very helpful to teach Estaban the part as well, as he is the understudy and may be playing the party on Saturday night instead."Kate replies, "Yes, Conrad wants to play in the poker tournament Saturday night. It's unfortunate they coincide with one another. Although the extra people in town might attend the Friday or Sunday shows. Sandra is a lovely woman, which I'm sure you've discovered. I'll be glad to help in any way I can after school is out. I already agreed to make sure the venues were ready for the shows, which I have not done yet. Any advice you have on what must be done I'd appreciate. The production has made Conrad very happy; I wish I could see him such more often."he says, "From the way he speaks about you I would say that Conrad will see you as often as time permits." Kate felt a blush slide down her face and into her neck. "I'm not sure that's true right now. We argued the other day, the first time we've argued seriously. I was married five years, I know arguments are bound to happen and they aren't the end of the world, but I'm not certain he knows it. What I meant though was that gambling doesn't make him happy. Acting does, and I wish he could follow a profession that gives him so much satisfaction."Kate looked around them, making sure there was no one near enough to hear her whispers. "I have seen one that you might wish to see more often as well. He says the countryside is too dangerous these days; that you should not seek him out." Josie says, "I....I have to agree. The newspaper story said those Sheriff Deputies.....bah those men are not fit to wear badges, well, the paper said they were after him. Leslie is a skilled tracker, they'll find him. He needs to leave, it is too dangerous for him to stay."She wipes her eyes and says, "But enough of me and him, what was it that you and Mr. Booth argued about? The school? The election? His plans to have the girls race their buggies?" "About the visitor whose message I just delivered. Conrad was concerned for my safety, and those of the others at my ranch. I tried to explain my reasons and the truth of things, but he did not understand. Or more truthfully, we didn't understand each other." Kate sighed. "I think you understand what I refer to."She says, "I do.....he is both right and wrong. My friend would never harm you but the men who are hunting him would, they would not hesitate to do whatever is necessary to you or anybody else to find him. So you are angry at Conrad for worrying about your safety? Kate smiled and shook her head. "No. I'm angry because he treated me like a child. His argument was predicated on the idea that I did not understand the dangers involved. I may not see everything the way he did, but there were many dangers and I was willing to trade one for another. Protection from a known, current danger traded for a possible, future one. And sorely needed information."She rubbed the back of her neck and sighed. "And then of course there was his course of action. Which I would have agreed to had he asked. Only he didn't. He just informed me it was going to happen and left. Mind you, I was hardly reasonable myself. I have worried daily over these choices, wondering if my partners and I had made the right ones. It made me defensive to have them challenged from the outside."Josie replies, "Well, I'll leave the two of you to work these problems out for themselves. You are both good people and I think you would make a good couple, but you both have minds of your own. Remember this Kate, Conrad is a man of action, that is who he is. Twice now he has come to my rescue, and from what I heard of what occurred at the festival, has done the same for you. So maybe you should ask yourself if you are wanting him to be something more than who he is.""I hope I am not." Kate was quiet for a moment. "Although perhaps some of what I see in him exists only in my imagination. I'm not unhappy with his motives, and in the heat of anger and fear no one thinks straight. I certainly didn't. And I know he didn't intend to hurt my feelings. We just need to talk it out, but when that will happen I don't know. Tomorrow, I hope since he is working tonight." Kate says, "I suppose I should be on my way, you'll need to be singing again before long. Did Mrs. Wainwright have anything specific she wanted me to help with for the play?"She paused but the uncertain yet vain young woman in her won out. "Conrad talks about me?" Josie laughs and says, "Of course he talks about you. We're doing a production of one of the most romantic stories ever written, he naturally talks about the love of his life." Kate smiled, obviously pleased. "I'll talk to Sandra tomorrow and see if there's anything she needs for the show. Thank you for the company, Miss Marcus. I'm sure the patrons are waiting for you to come back on. I'll see you again soon."After her talk with Miss Marcus Kate did go home and settled into some schoolwork. The school had been operating long enough now for the children to be producing work that needed checking, and there was always preparation. Ginnie got in earlier than usual and they were both in bed at a decent hour.Keeping an eye on the Liberty Party Headquarters building proves to be quite easy for the group, given that it is situated directly across the street from Minerva's house. The two-story clapboard building appears quiet, with a few lights on the second floor. Between those keeping watch from Minerva's house and others hiding on the hill behind it near the Breakheart Mine they are able to keep the house under surveillance for the entire night. During the evening nobody arrives and the only one to leave is Hamilton Fisk who heads next door to his own house for around an hour, returning with a small satchel. Until midnight the front and back doors are guarded by the two Sheriff Deputies who then head inside.Nobody else comes or goes until the sun starts to come over the horizon at 6:00 A.M. on Tuesday morning. A very tired Nakomo busies himself in the kitchen preparing food. The Rich aroma of coffee and bacon waft into the living room beckoning the group to breakfast. Minerva enters followed by Nanuet. "My, Nakomo that smells delicious!" Minerva compliments as she seats herself at the table. She motions for Nanuet to do the same as Nakomo pours coffee all around and begins serving the meal. "Where are the others?" He asks. Minerva shrugs her shoulders. "I imagine they have gone to their beds to rest, as I shall right after breakfast."</blockquote>

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