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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3362951" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter One-hundred-forty-three “The Hunters’ Tale”, Tuesday June 13th, 1882, 9:00 A.M. Chester wakes up slowly. He blearily washes his face and puts on some fresh clothes. He walks over to the Double Eagle to take Clarisse for breakfast at the El Parador. "Good morning, my dear. Did you sleep well?" Clarisse replies, "Actually yes, but I'm not altogether surprised as I slept poorly the previous night." They arrive and Dorita fills their mugs. Chester sips some coffee. "Really? What happened the other night? I'm sorry I haven't seen you in a while. With the elections and the various goings-on, we've been very busy." She replies, "Sunday was the night after those hooded riders attacked.  I was worried about you getting hurt and couldn't sleep." Chester kisses Clarisse. "Thanks, dear. I try to be careful out there. It's just that once we're looking at one problem, another crops up that we have to look into immediately." Minerva had fallen asleep but gets little rest as visions of monsters and death march through her dreams threatening and destroying everyone that she loves. As a pale monster with dripping red fangs sinks his teeth into  Nakomo, a cry escapes her lips forcing her out of the nightmare. She huddles in the center of the bed and grabs the blankets around her to still the shivers caused by the cold sweat of terror that beads her skin. Shaking off the dream, she throws off the covers and lights the twelve candles on her dresser. She prays desperately for courage, wisdom and if it should become necessary, divine intervention, in the destruction of these monsters. "The gods help those who help themselves." she mutters and quickly dressing goes in search of her friends, determined to come up with a plan of action. Minerva is east on South Street when she spots the vampire hunters Father Harbrace along with Kevin Tomlinson and Jonathan Harker heading into the El Parador. While Chester and Clarisse are dining Jonathan Harker, Kevin Tomlinson and Father John Harbrace come inside and sit down together at one of the tables. Chester looks over at their table. Well at least they're OK. Hopefully Jeff's back at the Lucky Lady. He then turns back to Clarisse and holds back a yawn. "I didn't get much sleep last night." She replies, You work too much Chet, I know how driven you are what with all the lawbreakers of late, but you need to get your rest too.   Marshall Berg shouldn't work you so hard." Chester replies, "With all the crime that's happening around here, we have our hands full. With Deputy Sheriff Hunter on Boot Hill, we can't expect much help from the county. once the election craziness is over, then things should quiet down. People will just have to accept the results." Clarisse replies, "Oh, I hope so.  I'm sure that you'll win Chet.  The only other one people might have voted for is Mr. Seawell, but he's dropped out so that Julia would agree to marry him." Chester replies, "I wish I had your confidence. The way things are going around town, it's anyone's game." Clarisse replies, "But Chet, there really isn't any other choice.   The folks in town don't even know this Charlie Villars or Moss Johnson who are running, Prosper McCoy works at a whorehouse and Hank Hill is part of Arcade's Gang.  That just leaves you and Ashley as the legitimate candidates." He replies, "That's a big deal, though. Ashley's family is very well-known. That'll boost him up some. You're right about the others, though. They don't have much to stand on." Determined not to waste anymore time Minerva quickens her pace and follows the vampire hunters into the El Parador.  "Buenos Dias, Senors. I have been looking for you." She says as she takes a seat at their table. "Do you have any news?" Harker says, "We do indeed, have a seat Priestess."   As she sits Tomlinson lights the candle, adds the powder and says the incantation in Latin to activate the Privacy spell.    At the other table Chester notices that as well. Minerva motions for Chester to come over. Chester tries to ignore her for a second, but then sighs. "Clarisse. I have to see to this. I'm very sorry. I'll make it quick." Once Chester arrives Tomlinson begins  "Mills led us to the farmhouse.  It took us a while to locate the entrance to the root cellar.   Mortimer Turner and his partner had indeed been there and hid the entrance to it well.   We found two caskets down in the earthen cellar, each with the dead bodies of the two missing men from Dos Cabezas.   They had been killed and drained two nights earlier, tonight is when they would have risen."  Harker says, "Now they won't." Minerva states, “By the gods, those poor souls! May they rest in Olympus for eternity. " she says, grasping the  olive branch holy symbol that hung about her neck.  "Did you destroy the caskets?" Harker says, "Yes, we were very thorough.   We then freed the human boy they had left behind for the new vampires to feed upon."  Harbrace explains, "When a vampire first awakens it needs fresh blood.   There weren't any other people within a dozen miles of that farmhouse so the undead probably would not have found what they needed.   Turner knew that, so left behind their first meal for them."   Tomlinson adds, "Which also told us they we're not planning to come back there until at least tomorrow, after the others had risen." She recalls her earlier nightmare  and her face grows pale against her dark hair at the horrific thought of the young boy being left as an offering for such evil. "Why do you say that they are planning to return?" Harker says, "We don't know that they are, but we're assuming they will want to join up with the vampires who they sire, more soldiers for their army of undead." Minerva states, "I suppose that would make sense. If we are to have a chance at destroying them, we must be waiting for them when they arrive." she pauses to think. "Of course they will know that their plans have gone awry when they enter the basement and find the caskets have been destroyed." Tomlinson says, "Unfortunately they'll soon be more.  The boy who they left was one of five mineworkers that Turner and his friend attacked on Sunday night.  They drained two then as well, and we don't know the fate of the other two." Minerva's eyes glitter angrily, "We cannot lose anymore time. They are multiplying quicker than rabbits. Even now they wander among us. There is a rumor that Bronco Madsen is one of their minion also." Chester states, "They're going to find out about this soon. I wonder if they'd come back to the house to check on their new friends or if Turner expects them to find him." Tomlinson says, "That is unlikely.  I saw him two nights ago and I usually have a sixth sense for that.  If one of the undead legion is present I should have noticed." Minerva states, "hmmm,"  I do not mean to question your senses senor, but I was told differently. Either way, Perhaps it would be wise to stay on our guard ." Jake arrived at the Lucky Lady at mid-morning and there were very few people inside.   Stanley Barker and Harry Rote were sitting together on the piano bench with Stanley explained some new music for him, Jake catches enough to deduce that it is a piece for the upcoming play. An unknown dwarven prospector and his half-orc companion are seated at the bar, each with a half-tankard of ale in front of them. In the far corner at the large table that Job Kane usually plays at are Jeff Mills and a young human in his late teens.    The boy has a mug of coffee in front of him, a blanket draped over his shoulders.   Jake sees dark circles under the boy's bloodshot eyes. Jake walks over and takes a seat next to Jeff.  "Is everything well?" he asks in a quiet voice. Jeff replies, "It is now, we had quite a night.   We rescued poor Simon here from a fate worse than death." Jake raises an eyebrow.  "Literally I assume you mean."  Then, "Who is the boy?" Jeff says, "Simon Cunningham, I'd met him before.    Those monsters had him all shacked up."   The boy looks up and says, "Hello Mr. Cook, I've been here before....I spent a night here last March, I met Mr. Mills then." Jake says, "I do not recall.  No matter.  Are you the miner's son?" "Yes sir, Raymond Cunningham is my father.  He and Mr. Hoover owned a mine together."     Jeff says, "Hoover's trust is now co-owner.   Simon spent a night here when Shaw's daughter Tricia was here, they were acquainted."    The boy mutters, "And now my Pa is dead."   Jeff puts his arm over the boy and says, "We don't know that Simon, they kept you alive, they may have done the same with him." Recognition appears on Jake's face but he does not further question the boy.  Not much younger than I in years, Jake muses, but younger in other ways this one.  I suppose he aged quite a bit recently.  "So I take it there was a rescue, but not an end to any problems?" Jeff says, "No problems last night but the vampires had gone.   They had left the boy shackled and gagged in the basement for the new vampires to feed upon when they rose.   But we got there in time, those dead men will no longer become monsters." Jake nods in understanding, not just that but the next implication as well.  "Simon, how long ago did they take you away?" Simon replies, "They attacked us on Sunday, right after Sunset.   They killed Joey and Socrates, drained their blood.    They then split the rest of us up, we thought they would kill us too.    They put a bag over my head and tied me up, put me over a horse and rode for miles.    When they pulled it off I was in the basement with those dead men.   The vampires left me.   I don't know what happened to Pa or Copernicus." Jake asks, "Simon, did you ever feel strange?  Like someone else was telling you what to do inside your head?"  Jake carefully watches his expression. Jeff says, "You don't have to worry about that Mr. Cook.   We checked and he didn't have any marks on him.   Tomlinson gave him an elixir and then cast some type of incantation to dispel any influence they might have had on him.   It would have been too dangerous to bring the boy with us back to the Cunningham Mine otherwise." Jake asks, "You have been to the Cunningham mine too?" Jeff says, "Yeah, it seemed the next logical place to look.   But they weren't there and there wasn't any indication that they'd been there since their attack on Sunday.   We just got back around forty-five minutes ago.  I offered to bring Simon back here, the others were going over to get a bit of breakfast from Dorita." Jake replies, "I suppose I should go get some breakfast there myself.  Anything else I should know Jeff?" Jeff replies, "That's it for now.  I figure once I get Simon fed and calmed down I'll let him bunk down in my room upstairs if that's alright with you." "Yes, of course.  I will talk with you later."  With that Jake walks over to the El Parador Cantina. "Hola Dorita!  Coffee por favor?"  Jake waves at her and smiles.  He then scans the room, finds the others and joins them. Once Jake is present the combined group share their information already discussed at the two saloons. Jake asks, "So, do you have any other leads on where they might be hiding out?" Tomlinson says, "No, probably not in town, too visible.   We've already checked all of the caves and abandoned mines and that farmhouse was the only abandoned farm or ranch in the area." Jake asks, "How about the Beatrice mine?  The owner rubs me the wrong way, and was allegedly seen with that Palmer guy.  The one with multiple identities who was part of the cowboy gang and reputed to be a wizard.  He was seen up with Thayer in that cave where we found the other vampires." Harker says, "That's a possibility, we haven't checked out the occupied mines yet.  But if they went after the Cunningham Mine they might have gone to another." Tomlinson takes out a notebook and checks, "Hmmm....Beatrice Mine is to the northwest around nine miles.   That's only a few miles from the Cunningham mine and also in the same general direction of that farmhouse.    According to this the only workers are the two primary owners, Dudley Jobin and a M. P. Messier.   The minority owner was Niles Hoover." Jake says, "Since I am a member of the Hoover Trust, no reason that I could not check up on my own mine." Tomlinson gestures to Harbrace and Harker and says, "The problem is we've been up all night and just got back.  I know from past experience that it's best to not take on vampires when you're exhausted, gives them too much of an unfair advantage." Chester says, "Well, we could take a look at it ourselves and let you get some shut-eye. It's daytime." Minerva tries to contain her impatience but is betrayed by her tapping foot. “We were going to check out the mine last night but thought that it would be best if we all acted together. Is there anymore that we should know about before we head out there? I think we should go now and scout it out in the light of day." Harbrace says, "Remember what the goddess instructed Priestess.  If I am not with you the boy should be, so that her arrows are available." Jake makes his 'I am about to risk my life again for the greater good of mankind' grimace as they are speaking. He says, "If we are going to do this we had better be about it.  That is before I come to my senses and start drinking instead." Minerva says, "Si, I remember. I will go and get him from the school. He is already prepared." She stands and gives a slight bow to the two hunters. "Sweet dreams gentlemen. We will seek you out when we return." She turns to Jake and Chester. "Nakomo and I will get our horses and meet you in fifteen minutes in front of the Lady." Jake states, “Fine."   With a swish of her skirts Minerva rushes out and over to the school. "Dang. I was hoping to spend some time with Clarisse today." Chester looks over at her and waves. Clarisse waves back. "Ugh. I hate this. I can't tell her the truth and she wouldn't believe it anyway. She's going to be so mad. But this can't wait." Chester gets up from his chair and walks back to the table. He looks at Clarisse, who knows that something's up. "What is it Chet? Are you going to look for trouble with your friends? Why can't you let them do this on their own? The Marshall has you running all over creation and your friends are no better." Chester puts his hands on her shoulders. "Please, Clarisse. this is my job. If I'm not there with them, it could make the difference. I don't want to see any of them get hurt. I'll see you later, I promise." Minerva enters quietly and motions for Katherine and Nakomo to meet her outside. Kate nodded toward the young half-elf, then stepped outside. "What's going on?  Did you get news from Mr. Tomlinson?" "Si, They rescued a boy at the farmhouse." she shudders with revulsion. "The vampires had been keeping him around to snack on. There were two others that they had been draining as well. ..To turn into vampires. Harkins and Tomlinson took care of them, but there are still two missing. They may be at the Beatrice mine. We are going there now to scout it out." she hesitates "Katherine I hate to ask this of you, and I will understand if you refuse, but there are only four of us going out there..." Kate replies, "I'll be ready in a minute.  You'll need my skills, and no one else can fill in for me when it comes to that.  It's daylight, it'll be safer than any other time. Go collect your things and I'll meet you.  Where are you gathering?" They tell her. Once she knows to meet them at the Lady, Kate went back into the schoolroom and explained briefly to Meghan that she was needed and might not be back before the end of the school day.  The other woman looked confused but didn't ask questions, just nodding her understanding.  She asked if they could let Janet Fly into the house as well and explain she would be back. After a word with Ginnie about Mrs. Fly and where she was going now, she ran upstairs, changed into pants and a shirt, got Meribel, and went to meet the others at the Lady. Nakomo looks disapprovingly at Minerva. "Do you really think that was necessary?" "Si, Nakomo. As I told you we all have our parts to play. Senora Kale is not a foolish woman. She will be careful and Diana will continue to guard her child. Now come we are wasting time." They hurry back to the house to get their gear. Minerva explains to Luna what they are doing. While she packs. She throws extra vials of holy water into the bag she packed the previous night  for a total of eight vials including the ones she had given Nakomo. Minerva, Luna and Nakomo  meet the others at the Lady. Jake finishes up his coffee.  He asks them to make his horse ready for him before he leaves the cantina. Outside he mumbles, "Mierde," and heads home to gather his gear.  He outfits himself the same as the previous night, except he brings along the Swiss rifle too, since it is daylight.  He stows some extra rope in the saddle bags along with some wooden stakes, hammer and torches. When they have gathered back together at the Lucky Lady they find him astride his horse, with his black flat brimmed hat tilted forward against the morning sun. When Kate arrived at the Lady, Jake was outside waiting.  "Lovely morning for a ride," she said, trying to be light.  "Do we know where we're going?" Jake shrugs.  "Not me.  How is that unusual?" Minerva states, "I want everyone to have a couple of these before we travel." she pulls the vials out and gives everyone two. She turns to Jake. "Didn't you say you owned the mine?" Kate tucked the vials away in the pocket of her duster, opposite the one holding her pistol and the wand borrowed from her teacher.  "Jake says he doesn't know how to get to the mine?  Does anyone, or do I need to go looking for Jeff?" Jake states, "I inherited a share of the Hoover Trust.  Niles owned part of the mine.  I have never seen a single hole in the ground that belongs to the trust.  Dirty work mining you know."  He rubs the side of his unshaven face.  "I suppose someone should ask for directions." "I'll take care of it."  Kate handed Meribel's reins to Jake and ran inside to ask Jeff Mills where exactly the Beatrice Mine was. Jeff says that he doesn't know exactly and suggests that they check with Mr. Winston at the County Claims Office. "Thanks Jeff, we'll do that." Kate went back out and passed that on.  "I suppose we can tell him we're checking up on Niles' investments." Jake nods, and they ride to the claims office. "Good morning Mr. Winston.  I need some directions to the Beatrice mine.  The Hoover trust wants to continue its inspections of the mine properties it owns.  I drew the short straw today.  Do you have a map we could use and some good directions?" Winston is able to locate them a map showing the central range of he Dos Cabezas Mountains, with the Cunningham, Beatrice and Sharpaxe mines all listed, all partially owned by the Hoover Mining Trust. Jake asks, "I do not recall, who owns the other part of the Sharpaxe mine?" Winston checks and says, "The other owner is Eric Sharpaxe, I recall that he is a dwarf from Minnesota." "Thanks."  Jake leaves and shows the map to the others. He states, "Chet, you are the tracker here.  Show us the way."</blockquote>

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