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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3631855" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter One-hundred-seventy-five, “Clean Again”, Thursday, June 15th, 7:30 P.M. Weary in both bone and spirit, Minerva leads Nakomo to the church so that they may dutifully show the gods their gratitude. As she lowers her eyes in prayer they pass over her torn and blood splattered gown rousting the resentment that is buried beneath her fatigue "Another gown ruined", she sighs fingering the tear in her skirt. "It seems as though I have been covered in blood and grime since I arrived in this town. Is it blood that you seek of me? Am I to walk the earth as an avenging angel until some monster sends me to my grave? And what of Nakomo? Is it your will that he confront and destroy every horror that walks the earth also? He is but a child, has he not suffered enough? It is not what I desire, this life of fear and bloodshed. I would have a normal life, filled with the innocent laughter of children and the love of a good man. And what of Nakomo? Does he not deserve better?” She lowers her forehead to her hands and silently weeps. Minerva sits for a while until she has cried herself out. When she finishes she notices that her gown is no longer ripped but looks as it did when it was brand new. Her body is also free of grime and blood, as clean as they would be following a long bath. Minerva runs her hands down the front of her skirt and looks up at the statue of Minerva. A crooked grin blooms on her face "Nice trick, ... but I do not believe that this means you are letting me off of the hook. Ah well, I suppose it will do no good to lament my lot in life." She sighs resignedly and bows to the statue. "Your Will be done Mother. Come Nakomo. It would appear that I no longer require a bath and I could use something warm in my belly." Nakomo, mouth agape stares at her and sputters, "Miss Minerva, your clothes...What happened?" "The gods have told me to quit my whining," she chuckles and walks out the door of the church, leaving Nakomo to wonder if the events of the day have overcome her sensibilities. Minerva is stopped at the doorway of her house by Josiah Young, the typesetter for the Promise City Mirror. He says, "Priestess, could I trouble you to go over to my house. My wife Angela has gone into labor and Doctor Eaton is still busy dealing with injuries from the explosion." Minerva replies, "Go to your house? She has gone into labor?" Umm, I do not know anything about birthing babies, senor, I am a priestess. Perhaps we should locate Senora Eaton. I am told she knows of such matters." He replies, "She is? Oh, okay, she's probably at their house with the children. I will go get her. Thanks!" He hurries off. She watches him hurry off before breathing a sigh of relief ""Thank the gods for Senora Eaton, My Life is complicated enough without adding the title of midwife to my list of offered services." She looks up at the sign before her gate "The Priestess Minerva Garcia Florencia, weddings; funerals; demon slayings; midwifery; spiritual leader. No I could not possibly fit it all on the sign." Minerva then notices that Deputy Sheriffs Nagle and Leslie are now both over at Fisk's house and the Liberty Party Headquarters looking around with Hamilton Fisk. "What in Hades are they up to now? She looks down at her clean skirt and then up at the heavens. "I choose a hot meal and warm tequila. Oh, all right I will ask what they are about" she says to the sky " but that is all I am going to do." She strides over to Nagle and Leslie. "Is all well here, Gentlemen?" Dave Nagle says, "Yes Priestess, just collecting evidence for Wyatt Earp's trial." Fisk says with an icy tone in his voice, "Yes, things are quite under control here Priestess, why don't you run off to some place where you are actually welcome." Minerva ignores Fisk. "Perhaps you should be sure that Senor Fisk is not involved before you include him in the searching for evidence. Have you found any evidence?" Buckskin Frank Leslie exclaims, "Lady, these are his buildings. He is within his rights to be present while we search. As for what we've found, that's none of your damned business." Her eyes darken dangerously as she warns, "Si Senor Leslie, what happens in this town is my damned business. It is also my business to warn you that you will burn in Hades for such disrespectful behavior towards a servant of Olympus. And you, Senor Fisk" she says, poking him in the chest, "You cannot hide your evil actions from the eyes of the gods the way you disguise them here. They know what is in your heart and will not be deceived." Turning to the lead Sheriff she states, "Senor Nagle, If I were you I would be careful about letting these two in here while you search. They are a couple of scallywags and could compromise your case. Judge Isby would not be pleased. If you do find evidence connecting Senor Earp to this mess you will never be sure if it was planted by one of these two." She turns her back and huffs away. Deputy Sheriff Leslie yells out to Minerva "We don't need any more evidence against Earp, we already have more than enough for Isby to sentence him to hang ten times over!" Minerva does not respond to Leslie' tirade but straightens her back and quickens her pace instead. "Sounds like he's a bit riled up. Good. I suppose that something to warm my belly will have to wait." Before she could fall asleep completely in the bathtub at Gilson‘s, Kate roused herself and regretfully left the bath. She was probably already late for dinner, so she left her hair to hang loose after dressing in the simple lavender dress she'd brought from home. From Gilson's Kate headed for the El Parador. She considered stopping by the furniture store to make sure Cole Rixton was well, but since she was exhausted and without any magical defense she thought better of it. She went inside the El Parador and looked for Conrad. She is there a very short while when Mary Wong enters the building with Angelica Young's young son Mark in tow. She has a stack of newspapers in her hands and says "Promise City Mirror Five Cent". Kate dug out a nickel. "I'll take one of those, Mary. Did Angela's baby come? I've wondered, but my last few days have been bursting at the seams and I haven't been able to inquire." Mary replies, "She's having her baby now, the explosion got her excited and her water broke. This paper was almost finished when everything went crazy so the Arcadian’s said to get it distributed now and then put out a special edition later tonight " "Thank goodness she was nearly ready to deliver anyway. I'll say a prayer for a safe and easy delivery." She looked down at the little boy and felt a genuine smile. He smiled shyly back as Mary continued to sell the papers, then led him back out into the street. The front page of the paper reads: Promise City Mirror – Thursday June 15, 1882 Josiah & Morgana Arcadiam Proprietors – Hezekiah B. Chumbley Editor – Vol. 1, Issue 34 Koontz Brothers Return to Town The story reads: Elmer and Brice Koontz, who had joined the Douglas Gang for the robbery of Condon’s Bank last January, made the mistake of returning to Promise City. Using magical disguises to concealed their faces the Koontz brothers had found employment at Daniel Madson’s Hardware and Taxidermy under the assumed names of Clifford Clavin and Norman Peterson. Madson’s was established in Promise City after their original shop burned to the ground in last month’s Tombstone fire. Daniel Madson’s brother Ansel ‘Bronco’ Madson is a rancher at the Thayer Ranch and is currently a candidate for Town Council with the Liberty Party. This was discovered when Deputy Marshal Chester Martin, the Unity Party’s candidate for Town Marshal, was investigating a shooting incident that took place at the Lucky Lady Dance Hall and Saloon on Wednesday night. The incident occurred when an unknown and apparently intoxicated man refused to have his gun checked upon arrival and fired it into the room, shattering the mirror behind the bar. The man then fled. Martin’s investigation led him to Madson’s Hardware where Brice Koontz was working. When confronted Brice Koontz and his coworkers drew on the Deputy and the two Lucky Lady employees who had accompanied him. Shots were exchanged, resulting in Koontz’s death as well as Madson employees Wesley Fuller and Billy Clanton. Fuller and Clanton were both former Tombstone residents rumored to have been part of the cattle rustling Cowboy Gang. Ike Clanton, Billy’s brother, surrendered and was arrested at the store. Both Clanton brothers had been reported killed by former marshal Wyatt Earp and both were wearing magical disguises to conceal their true identities. Martin’s investigation, presumably from information supplied by Clanton, next led him to Elmer Koontz. The man was arrested at the home of the Liberty Party’s Mayoral candidate Hamilton Fisk. Faro dealer ‘Mad Dog’ Mike Moore was arrested along with Koontz and admitted to having known the Koontz brothers true identities but stated that Fisk was unaware of that. Attorney Fisk confirms that he did not know that and has now refused to serve as the attorney for Clanton, Koontz and Moore. He states that he had hired those men to help protect his home against the hooded riders who on Sunday had attacked the Freedom Party Headquarters as well as homes and businesses of Freedom, Liberty and Unity Party members. Speculation is that the Koontz brothers were in town to steal the $ 50,000 in prize money from the upcoming poker tournament to be held this Saturday and Sunday at the Lucky Lady Dance Hall and Saloon. Their associate apparently shattered the Lucky Lady’s mirror on Wednesday to provide the Koontz brothers as hardware store employees access to the saloon to replace it, at which time magical devices would have been planted to help facilitate a robbery and escape. But thanks Deputy Martin’s thorough detective work and quick action their scheme has now been thwarted. Tournament organizer Cornelius Van Horne has assured this reporter that several Priests will be hired to inspect the saloon, as well as scrutinize the tournament participants and the spectators, to ensure that no magic is present so that honesty and the safety of those present will be upheld. The remainder of the paper is mostly advertisements, mostly political, although there is also a full-page advertisement for the upcoming play. One interior story talks about the hooded riders return to Vidkin Gerhardsohn's mine and the miners being ready for them and counter attacking. It says that there was one casualty among the hooded riders, a man from Galeyville identified as John Daphnis. Kate was certain Conrad would already have been here, but if she could be late, so could he. She sat down and read the paper, relieved to see such a logical reason for their actions put down. And to see it was made clear the Mr. Fisk did not know. Whether he had or not, it was better for the Unity Party tonight if he didn't. Dorita came over and Kate dutifully ordered her food. "Have you seen Mr. Rixton this afternoon?" Dorita says, "He still working at his store. He work too much lately, but not feel much like being around people these days. Him being blamed for Mr. Avery's murder hit him hard. It too bad those hooded riders escape before truth find out. Priest say Mr. Rixton innocent but some people still not believe that." Kate replies, "I know, he's far too nice a man to be hiding away." She hesitated. "I was going to stop and talk to him but I didn't want to be wandering alone with everything going on today. If you'll lend me Grant I'll step over. I'm to meet Conrad and he isn't here yet, so I have a few minutes." Dorita replies, "Conrad still in last play rehearsal over at Town Hall. They were interrupted by big boom, so running long. I bring them all food to eat half-hour ago. I go get Grant for you." Kate states, "I think we were all interrupted by the big boom. Thank you, Dorita." Miss Marcus wouldn't know yet that Wyatt had been captured. For Conrad's sake, she hoped his arrest wouldn't upset her so much that she was unable to go on with the play. Grant arrived and they stepped over to Rixton's Furniture. Kate knocked soundly on the door and waited. They wait a short while until Rixton answers the door, a fresh shirt and tie now on. "Hello Grant, Kate, what can I do for you?" he asks. Kate replies, "I wanted to check on you. I came by earlier and the door was locked, and after the way the ground shook... I wanted to make sure you were alright. We haven't seen you for a while." He replies, "I've been very busy, making beds mostly, first for Count Von Zeppelin's workers, then the Lucky Lady, and then for Mr. Fisk's party headquarters. I really should think about hiring another worker to help me, I certainly have enough business these days to support it." "Some of my older students might be glad to find an apprenticeship in a useful occupation," Kate offered. "Why don't you come over to dinner? Dorita would be happy to see you, and you need to eat if you're working that much." "Why thank you, that sounds like a wonderful idea," Rixton states. "Good." Kate stepped back so Mr. Rixton could close and lock his door and they started over to the El Parador. "Seems we've had quite a bit of excitement today. I hope the shaking didn't damage anything you were working on." Cole replies, "No, it stirred up a lot of sawdust in the shop but thankfully I wasn't doing any painting or staining today." Grant nodded and went back to his work as she and Cole sat down at a table. "I already ordered my own dinner, but I'm sure Dorita will be by in a minute. She still thinks I'm too thin and I've gotten positively round eating her food." Kate hesitated for a moment. "May I show you something?" She pulled back her still damp hair to reveal the pale, fading scars of her bite from Greeley. "I saw you in your workshop today, through the window. What I really wanted to be sure of, is that you felt yourself again." Cole looks at Kate's neck and says, "My Katherine, what happened to you? Did a dog bite you?" Kate let her hair drop. "No, a different sort of animal, several months ago. When I saw you earlier I thought I'd seen a similar wound on your neck. It must have been a trick of the light. I apologize for my forwardness.” He replies, "Earlier? We didn't meet earlier, and I have no animal wounds on my neck or anywhere else." She answers, "I explained, remember? I was coming around the back of the El Parador and saw you through the window of your workshop. But that's no matter, my eyes deceived me. Perhaps as a reminder not to peek in windows." She then says, “Will you attend the debate tonight? I've been shirking I'm afraid and missed most of the others." "Certainly", he replies, "I would be honored to accompany you." Kate smiled. "Thank you. I'm a little hesitant to go about alone tonight and I thought you might be interested. With everything that happened today I have to wonder if Mr. Fisk will attend or not. Either way it should be very interesting." Cole and Kate continue their meal at the El Parador. Before the meal is over Emery Shaw drops by to inform her that Judge Isby has postponed the Mayoral debate until Sunday night instead. "Oh," she said, disappointed. "Well, I suppose it's for the best. There was too much chaos today to give all of you a fair hearing. You and Emily are both all right after today’s excitement?" Shaw says, "We're fine, a some broken windows in our house but that's about it. The reason that Judge Isby postponed it is that he doesn't have time, he has a 7:00 AM trial tomorrow to prepare for. He has six men in jail right now awaiting trial including three wanted men, Elmer Koontz, Bob Skull and Wyatt Earp, plus three accomplices arrested with them and charged with harboring fugitives, namely Ike Clanton, Mike Moore and Evan Adair." Kate replies, "I knew about the Koontz brothers, but Skull and Adair? What were they arrested for? This is wonderful news." Shaw answers, "Three for being fugitives the other three for harboring them. I imagine that the lawmen and Judge will be scrambling to put their cases together, the jails are all full!" She replies, "Of course. Forgive me, my mind seems to have gone to sleep. It's been a long, trying day. It's ending, however, is quite satisfying. What will you do with your free evening, Emery?" Shaw replies, "Probably take my family out to dinner. My three children came into town for the debate and I know that Emily will enjoy spending some time with them. It's nice to do things as a family." She says, "Yes. You must miss being on your ranch with them, but at least you're close enough to see each other whenever you like," Kate said, clearly thinking of her own family. "I should stop by the Lady myself, and then I should probably go home and spend some time with Mrs. Fly. I've hardly been there since she came to stay with us; I'm afraid I've been abominably rude." Shaw says, "You haven't got a rude bone in your body Katherine, you are just rather busy. I'm certain that Mrs. Fly understands that." Kate answers, "I hope so. When we have the leisure, I'll fill you in on what I've been up to. Some of them are things our Mayor should be aware of. Right now, you should get to that dinner with your family. I haven't gotten the impression the Emily's greatest virtue is patience." Shaw laughed and made his farewells. Kate and Cole Rixton finished their dinner, talking mostly about the people they knew from the El Parador and the upcoming election. Kate's eyes kept going to the door, hoping Conrad would arrive before she would have to give up and go to the Lady. Conrad stops in shortly thereafter. When Conrad arrived Mr. Rixton thanked her for dinner and went over to the bar to catch up with Pedro. Kate motioned for Conrad to take a seat and quickly made their conversation private. Back over at Gilson’s, Jake takes his time getting undressed. Removing his clothing caused more aches than simply walking. It took an extra minute to get in the tub. His cuts and bruises complained at first but gradually became grateful for the respite. After his bath, it took quite a while to wrap bandages. He wished there was someone else he could have do this for him, but for now he was forced to do it himself. After leaving Gilson's he leaves his dirty and torn clothing at home and arrives at the Lucky Lady looking his usual sharp dressed self. He moved cautiously to avoid any pains or spasms that might show on his face. Jake smiled easily and walked to the bar. "Hello Harry. I could use a whiskey right now." Harry says, "Sure thing, celebrating the good news are you!" It has been a long trying day, and Jake has no energy to play along and pretend he is in the know and milk this from Harry. "Good News?"</blockquote>

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