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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3442585" data-attributes="member: 8530">Sorry for the delay - life has been a bit crazy as of late. Chapter One-hundred-fifty-one, “The Wizard Speaks”, Wednesday June 14th, 1882, 4:00 P.M. Jake says, "Go talk to Miller and give me some cover to put this on. Thanks, you did better than fine. We have a dirty job to do and little time for niceties. I will give you a nod when I am listening." Jake adjusts his jacket and wipes the sweat off his brow, putting the amulet around his neck when he bends over and replaces his hat. Following the now familiar process, he activates the amulet and attempts to monitor Gary Miller's surface thoughts. Once it is working he moves towards Katherine and the miner, nodding to Katherine in greeting. Kate went over to Miller and sat down a few feet away. "Rough day, I know. I hope you know if we'd have meant you harm it would have been done by now. All we're after is information, and nothing to do with your mine at that." "He says, well, I'm really not sure what's going on, both of my partners haven't been around much lately and Stephen is acting rather strange today. There have been a bunch of other folks around at night too, but they get quiet whenever I'm around." As Kate's conversation with the man continues Jake is able to deduce that Miller is both confused and scared. He doesn't know why all these armed men are around, none of whom have badges. One appears to be a Greek Priest but Miller follows the Norse gods so that is no comfort to him. Miller also believes the other man is Stephen Wicks although is confused about why his friend is acting oddly. Jake asks Miller where is Slim Decker, and is there anyone else about the property right now. Miller indicates that he hasn't seen Decker since Sunday night, although he must have left on foot as his horse is still in the corral. He says he thinks he and Wicks are the only ones around. Kate says, "You said there are other folk around at night. Your friend must have at least introduced them to you. Who were they?" He answers, "I don't know, Slim and Steve never introduced me and I kept a distance." She replies, "A wiser choice than you know." She patted his shoulder and stood up. "Steve's strange behavior is what we want to know about. Keep being patient, hopefully we'll be out of your hair before too much longer." "Alright, thanks," Jake tells him and walks away, indicating Katherine should follow. When they are out of earshot he says, "As far as I can tell Miller is telling the truth, and does not know anything. Strange that Decker is not around too, that likely means something. It may be best if you and Tomlinson start the questions with Messier. I will stand behind him and tap my nose if I know he is lying, I will nod first I this thing works on him." Agreeing, they move over to Tomlinson and Messier. Kate followed Jake and heard his thoughts, ending going over with Kevin Tomlinson to speak to Messier. They reach Messier who demands to see the Pardon. He reads it over and then says, "This appears to be in order but I need to cast a spell to authenticate this signature, it might still be a forgery." Kate raised an eyebrow. "We've gone quite out of our way to accommodate you, but if you still have doubts... Mr. Tomlinson, you're the laws representative here. But I might suggest we be certain he's telling the truth before we allow it." Tomlinson says, "You're right. Tie Miller back up and let's get everybody around here. Bishop Papandraius can then cast his Truthfulness Spell and the rest of us can cover this man with firearms to prevent any attempt at escape." Messier replies, "Why would I need to escape if this document is genuine? Are you implying that it isn't?" Tomlinson "It's genuine, you're just paranoid, although living several weeks alongside vampires I guess gives you a valid reason for that state of mind." Kate states, "It would be foolish to accept the pardon at face value, but it would also be foolish of us to allow you to cast an unknown spell without a guarantee as to what it is. So let us all, yourself included, protect ourselves as we build our trust." Miller is secured out of earshot but within sight. Tomlinson pulls Papandraius aside and says, "Don't let on when your spell ends, if he thinks it's still running he'll keep telling the truth." The group all gather around Messier with weapons drawn as the Bishop casts the Truthfulness spell. Tomlinson says, "What are you planning to do Mr. Messier?" He replies, "Cast a spell to authenticate this signature on the pardon." Bishop Papandrius nods that is correct. Tomlinson says, "Proceed". Messier runs his hand along the paper above the signature as he says an incantation. When he removes the hand the writing has changed from black to red ink, then changes back. Messier says, "It is genuine." He folds up the pardon and places it inside of his jacket pocket. He then says, "Alright lady and gentlemen, what do you want to know?" Kate watched with interest as Messier cast his spell, not having heard of a such a spell before. "Let's start with the Vampires. The locations and names of those still active and those about to rise. Also I'd like to hear the names of all the Vampires you knew about, who was the leader among them if there was one, and how they chose who to make into monsters." He replies, "The three still living, if you can call it that, are Morty Turner, Stephen Wicks and Slim Decker. Turner and Wicks are both in town wearing new faces that they had me put on them. Decker is over guarding the four that will rise tonight. Those four were Raymond Cunningham and two of his workers, I don't know their names, but one was a human and the other was an ogre. The fourth one was rancher Denny Gaurin, who owned the Rattlesnake Ranch. He's the one who Wicks is impersonating. Those five are over at the Cunningham Mine, they moved in there the night after you guys searched the place, figuring you wouldn't come back since you already checked it. As to the vampire hierarchy, I think Turner is the leader. He had with him that other vampire who you attacked with me yesterday and killed for good this morning. His name was Czernik, he was from somewhere in Eastern Europe and couldn't speak any English, Turner knew his language. The other ones who you killed were Eric Sharpaxe, my partner Dudley Jobin, Dooley Wilson and some rancher whose name I don't know. As to how they choose, you'll have to ask Turner. I know they kept Miller as a human to run errands during the day for them, just as they had done with Ordway up at the other mine. In fact, Wilson had me disguise Ordway to impersonate him a few weeks back for some wedding in town that was outdoors during the day and Wilson was expected to attend." Kate asks, "What face is Mortimer Turner wearing? And while I'm thinking about that, what other people have you made items to impersonate?" Messier replies, "I do not know the name of the man whose face Turner is now wearing, he gave me a photograph to use to create it. The photograph is back at the Beatrice mine, I can show it to you later. The changes to Wicks and Turner was done using a spell. I do not have the ability to made items but I do know how to cast upon items receptive to them to put a specific image into them. I only completed the two items that you took from Wilson, those were all that Palmer had." Kate asks, "And what faces did you put in those items? Sorry to keep staying on the same topic, but there are quite a few other things that may be connected, we need to know as much as possible." He replies, "Then why waste my time asking me what you already know, the belt buckle has the Cook image and the money clip has the Kane image." Kate ran a hand through her hair again and shook her head. "Because my memory is starting to resemble Swiss cheese. So Palmer had you make those items, and he's the new leader of the Cowboy Gang. I could make some guesses as to why they wanted Mr. Cook, but not so much for Mr. Kane. Did they let you in on the whys?" Messier states, "No, they don't discuss things with me, I'm just the hired help.  Although I have heard Turner make unkind remarks regarding Mr. Kane, he doesn't care much for him for some reason." Standing behind Messier, Jake catches Katherine’s attention.  He puts a hand to his chest over the amulet that is hidden under his shirt and shakes his head.  He shrugs and then comes around to the front so he can watch Messier’s face and eyes, using the 'old fashioned' way of attempting to gauge the truth of his words. Kate asks, "What's the connection between the Vampires and the Cowboy Gang?  We've long suspected there was some kind of relationship, but we haven't been able to collect enough information to make the link." Messier replies, "The connection is Vaughn Palmer, he is in some way connected with Morty Turner's Uncle.  Most of the Cowboy Gang members are actually unaware of the true nature of the vampires, that information was shared with only a few of them, most of whom are now dead." Hermes, Jake thinks, Colin Turner again. He states, "Mr. Messier, how do you come know that the Cunningham mine was searched and that Decker moved back in?  Does he have any others with him besides the pending vampires?" Messier replies, "They had Miller watching the Cunningham mine from a distance.  He was under Turner's hypnosis, so has no recollection of it.   I know they moved back because I helped them move two of the caskets out of the Sharpaxe Mine to there.   The only one with Decker is the shackled ogre who they are saving for the others first meal.    But they are hard to find, being behind an illusionary mine that is also trapped against intruders." Jake nods.  "We are running out of time and there is so much to know.  Figured Miller was their tool, we have to leave here without making it really obvious where we are going."  He looks around at the others, "What do we really need to know to finish things at the Cunningham mine?" Tomlinson says, "We need to know specifically where that wall is."   Harker says, "Harbrace and I were there before, we know the layout.  We can have him draw it out for us." Kate states, "The word trapped is making me nervous as well.  I'd like that map to include where and what the traps are." Tomlinson says, "Okay Mr. Wizard, here are your choices.  You either draw out the Cunningham mine for us with descriptions of all of this or you come with us."   He says, "I am willing to draw it out." Jake listens for the response but is already mentally preparing for what comes next.  He draws his long barreled pistol in a non-threatening way, and ejects the round in fifth position of the cylinder.  He takes a small leather case out of an inside pocket of his duster and removes a single bullet, a magical pyrotechnic round.  He inserts that round into the newly empty space, parks the hammer back over the empty sixth cylinder position and reholsters the weapon.  Part of him is listening, while the other part is going over his weapons. "So," Jake asks matter of factly while Messier is making the map, "Does anyone know what Decker looks like or should I just shoot anyone I meet?" After Messier drew out the map, Kate said, "Is there anything more you can tell us about the Cowboy Gang?  Anything you haven't already told us?   I know you want to stay in the area with your mines, but your pardon won't protect you from Palmer.  The quicker we can get Palmer the sooner you can wear your own face again." Wicks/Messier replies, "He is my student but I am a far more powerful mage.  I can protect myself from him.   He now leads the gang from Promise City and that is where he gets his money from although I am unsure who his financier is." Jake states, "Fisk.  I find it hard to believe it is not Fisk.  We will see..." Kate nodded and after Jake mentioned Fisk she added.  "Any idea who his lieutenants are? And I doubt you know anything about it, but it never hurts to be thorough.  Did you know anything about the hooded riders from Sunday morning?  Hear any rumors or see anything strange?" He replies, "No, I do not know the hierarchy of his gang or who most of the members are.   All I know are the faces and bodies of three of them, as Palmer has had me change them during the last few months to keep Wyatt Earp from killing them.   I used images I remembered of people I knew from France rather than anybody they might actually meet." "Merci, Monsieur Messier. Je sais que ce n'a pas été plaisant mais il libère un bon nombre de gens, y compris vous-même."  He replies in English, "You are very welcome, and like each I you I only do what I must to survive and prosper." Kate turned to Mr. Tomlinson.  "Is there anything you can think of we've missed?" Jake says, "We still need to see that picture of what Turner now looks like.  Can we continue this discussion after we deal with the creatures at the Cunningham mine?" Harker says "The Cunningham mine is several miles closer to here than the Beatrice.  Should we just leave these two here?   Should we have all of use for the Cunningham Mine or could one or two of us bring this wizard to his home for the photograph?" Kate asks, "Is Mr. Miller still under vampiric influence?  We should free him if we can or we'll be just leaving him here to be killed by them.  Or perhaps Mr. Messier can protect him as well? I think we should stay together.  Things are too unpredictable to be splitting up.  But I'll accept whatever you all decide.  If you don't mind, I'm going to sit for a bit." Tomlinson says, "I could rid Miller of the influence but it would take time that we don't have right now.  We can't bring him, while he is still under some control I wouldn't trust him.  Despite the pardon I also would not trust our wizard friend Messier either.  I say we need to both secure and separate them, perhaps leaving one here and the other at the Sharpaxe mine along the way." Kate says, "Whatever you think Mr. Tomlinson.  But I would move Mr. Miller instead of leaving him here." Jake says, "No, I say we leave Miller here.  The more we interact with him, the more the vampires can know.  I know it may be dangerous for Miller, but that is a risk we should take.  We need to increase our odds of destroying these creatures for good." Jake nods at Katherine. "There are enough of us to leave some here or go with him to the Beatrice mine or where ever."  Jake looks at Messier directly but speaks to the others.  "He is dangerous enough that leaving a couple of folks behind would put them at serious risk if he had reason to harm them.  I am hoping we have put that behind us.  Better to be partners in this than dangerous enemies to each other.  I would feel better if he stayed here with a couple of folks."  Jake looks back to Tomlinson.  "Who do we need for expertise to take care of the creatures at Cunningham?  I want to do this right this time." Tomlinson states, "The Goddess gave those arrows to Nakomo and Harbrace, they are the two most important to bring.  Beyond that, I am needed to permanently destroy the caskets, Bishop Papandraius will be needed if any of us are caught and drained and you had success against those other two.   So that leaves Harker, Priestess Minerva and Mrs. Kale." Kate walks a few feet away and sits next to Minerva who has been quiet during all this. "Minerva sits with her hands clenched her lap. She hisses quietly to Katherine. "It is all I can do not to shoot that man here and now. How dare he justify what he has done by saying that he does what is necessary to survive. I wish that I had not promised not to harm him." Kate states, "Right now, I'm just grateful we have the information we need.  I've done things a few time just to survive, but yes, I would have died before I allowed myself to be used by these monsters.  They would have had to subsume my will before I helped." The Priestess says, "We have all done things that we regret,  but he feels no remorse.  He is no different than those who murdered my father. I know that I promised not to harm him but I did not promise not to pray for justice." she spits. Kate answers, "He doesn't seem to."  Kate sighed.  "I'm afraid I just don't have enough left to get worked up about it.  But that is how I am, I'll be terrified and hopping mad after it's all over. I didn't get to thank you yesterday for what you did for us.  I was trying so hard to help and stay as safe as possible but those walls fooled me.  The Bishop may have done the spell to fix me, but I wouldn't have lived to reach him without you." Minerva replies, "It is not necessary to thank me. You are my friend." she says waving off the words of gratitude. "Besides the power did not come from me, it came through the necklace given to me by the goddess Diana. The gods work through me, I am only a vessel. " Jake interrupts Minerva and Katherine.  "The advice seems to be that everyone is needed at the Cunningham mine except you two and Harker.  Either of you want to stay with Messier and not go to the mine?" Regretfully Kate said, "Minerva should go.  Having two clerics is always a good thing.  I should be safe enough with Mr. Harker.” Minerva states, "Messier is dangerous. I should stay with you. Nakomo is a cleric also. He should go to the mine. He has the arrows." Kate answers, "I believe they included Nakomo in the necessary people.  I would prefer to go but I am not needed and not at full health.  They may need more healing than the Bishop can provide." Minerva answers, "I am not comfortable leaving you here, but perhaps you are right." she stands and hugs Katherine. "Be careful." She follows Jake over to the horses. "Katherine, try to keep Harker out of trouble this time." Jake gives her a wink. At the horses he says to Tomlinson, "I guess we are ready." The ride off to the Cunningham mine.</blockquote>

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