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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 4160331" data-attributes="member: 8530">The module and campaign winds down with the following series of Epilogue posts. Chapter Two-hundred-eighty-six, “Reflections and Departures”, Thursday, June 22nd , 7:15 P.M. Jake stands out back of the Lucky Lady saloon, leaning against Rotes liquor shed as he watches the reddish light in the west fade to darkness. He nurses a large glass of whiskey. Some fifty feet away a family of wild pigs scavenges through a pile of refuse. He is careful not to spook them not only because the little ones are amusing to watch but because Sonoma showed him why they are called Javelinas. Silver Jake Cook had enough scars, he did not care to add mother Javelina tusks marks to the list. He muses over the irony that is the pile of refuse, largely due to the two saloons of which he can claim some ownership. Only part of the young gambler from Philadelphia was paying attention to his surroundings. Most of his thoughts wandered over his conflicting and uncertain feelings about Promise City itself. He held the note from Ruby in his hand, the one that Katherine had given him. He did not need to read it again to be certain what it said, having already read it a number of times. I have spent a life time running but something happened here in Promise City. Instead of running from trouble, whether I had a hand in creating it or not, I stayed. Not only did I stay, I took a hand in dealing with the trouble. Hades, in some case I took the lead in dealing with the trouble. Had it been Ruby? Had it been because I made so many friends here? What was it? Perhaps it is better if I do not know why. The simple fact remains, Jacob Alistair Cooke, for the first time in your life you did not run. After that his thoughts become disjointed. He thinks about leaving, about selling out. He thinks about Red. He thinks about Mattie and Lin. He thinks about his closest friends in Promise City, those he has stood beside, and they stood beside him, in the direst of trouble. He even thinks about those others he considers friends and associates. Then his thoughts came around to his other old friend from Kansas City. Jake remembers hearing the story from his friend directly. Bradford Rhinehardt was born in 1850, not more than a few months after his family purchased their homestead and began scraping out a living from the earth. It was a tough first season for the Rhinehardt's, and if not for the charity of some neighbors, the Bradford's by name, the family may not have survived. In gratitude the Rhinehardt's named their fourth child and second son after them. Broad of shoulder and stout of waist, Bradford looks more like a middle aged farmer than a gambler. And he almost was if not for the for the war. He left his family's western New York State farm at fifteen ahead of some enthusiastic recruiters and never returned. Though not afraid of hard work, he did not much care for the dull existence of a farmer. Jake idly wondered how Bradford and Jeff Mills will fare together. When Red introduced Jake to Bradford, the son of German immigrants was already beginning to acquire grey in his thick dark hair, and his prominent side burns were more grey than black. Bradford had not yet received the scar on his left cheek that he would carry for life, but a month later Jake was there when it happened and managed to smash a full bottle of whiskey over his assailants head before he could cut him again. They were both penniless then, and joked later that Jake should have let him take another cut while he found an empty bottle. More thoughtful and quieter than either Jake or Red, Bradford was not without his own vices. He preferred an abundance of German food, was fond of beer and schnapps, and liked his women sturdy and slightly plump. His clothing tended to be plain with a predominance of grays and blacks, and though he was capable with a gun he rarely carried one, excepting the two dual barrel derringers that he kept hidden on his person. When Red and Jake fled the trouble in Kansas City they could have gone to Bradford for help. He would have taken them in or run with them to provide assistance. Neither did though, both deciding not to lay that burden on him. He had no doubts Bradford would have risked his life for his two friends. Jake had not seen or heard from Bradford Rhinehardt since then, until the tournament. He was surprised at how much he had missed the man. He was surprised at how comfortable it felt to have his oldest friends nearby. Jake was even more surprised when he starts to understand the Promise City and its inhabitants are beginning to feel like an old friend. "I have learned to take a stand", he says out loud as if talking to the Javelinas, "but I am no fool to think one should never run." Jake looks at the glass in his hand as if he had forgotten he was holding it. Glad to have it still, he drinks from it. "To stand or to run, that is truly a Shakespearian problem. A shame I stole Marybeth Bowen's essay and copied it, instead of learning something myself." He chuckles, "No regrets." Friday, June 23rd, 1882: The following morning Jake handles the last items of business before travel. He glances once more at the note which Kate had given him from Ruby. The note is written on fancy letterhead from The Latham Hotel, Philadelphia and reads: Jake, Before you leave Promise City I want to finish any business we might have together that could be potentially messy in the future. Kate will be taking care of arrangements for me as I have decided to stay out of town a little while longer. Kindly let Kate know how much money you need in exchange for your portion of my house and please try to see the lawyer and sign the house over to me before you leave. Also, I am willing to buy out your share of the Lucky Lady. You once told me it was only a place to store your gear and that you only bought it to make me happy. I am willing to relieve you of that burden. Whatever price you ask will be paid, just tell Kate what your needs are. She knows how to contact me. Ruby West His horse goes out to Katherine’s ranch while he is away. He gets his tiara from Gonzales and tells the old wizard to use the likeness of his friend the shop owner from New York in the belt buckle. When he bids farewell to Katherine he tells her Ruby can have the house for what he paid for it, or whatever she wants to pay. He states, “I have decided I am not ready to sell my portion of the Lucky Lady. I have too much invented in it to give it up right at this time.” Kate assures Jake the horse will be well looked after, and his fancy-worked saddle kept well-oiled. Which he probably didn't know had to be done anyway. "I'm glad you'll keep your part of the Lady," she told him. "It suits you. Nothing wrong with a wanderer having a place to hang is hat now and then. Drop me a line now and then, even if it's just a telegram." Jake gives Mitchell Berg attorney power to sell his half of the house. He has a last breakfast and coffee at the El Parador and says goodbye to them all there. Travel arrangements are made with Minerva and Nakomo. Jake is packed lightly and finally ready. Contrary to Nakomo’s misgivings Minerva became more animated as the time to depart drew near. She hummed softly as she packed her precious statues of Jupiter and the Goddess along with the twelve candles that represented the twelve powers of Olympus and the ornate silver bowl that she used when honoring Diana. She carefully folded her priestly garbs, smoothing imaginary wrinkles out of the white gown that she wore in the days of her innocence. The sight of the simple garment caused her mind wander to the man whom the gods chose to teach her the ways of love. A whisper of a sigh escaped her lips before she could block the emotions but, she thought, there was no point in lamenting what was lost. So placing the last of what she was taking with her in the small trunk, she shut it and him out of her mind and turned to more positive thoughts. She exited the bedroom and gave the cottage a final sweep to be sure that she had not left anything of importance behind. Looking out the back window she noticed Nakomo on his knees plucking weeds from the herb garden. His guard was down and a scowl sat upon his brow. Unlike her young charge, who looked as though he were praying for a reprieve from the governor’s office, the young priestess looked forward to the unknown road ahead of them. She had had enough of schedules and was more than ready to shed the mantle of responsibility that the gods had placed upon her shoulders since her arrival on the town’s doorstep. The gods had great things planned for them. After all, did they not tell her that she was favored? That Nakomo was special? Did not the goddess Minerva herself, refer to her as ‘daughter’ and promise her protection? Satisfied that the their belongings were packed and that the gods would not lead them astray she called to Nakomo. "It is time." And without a backward glance she picked up Luna’s cage, locked the door of the cheerful yellow cottage behind them and confidently stepped upon the unknown path. Jake, Minerva and Nakomo take the morning stage to Tombstone and board a west bound train mid-afternoon. They spend the night in Tucson, Jake securing hotel rooms in a good part of town for Nakomo and Minierva while he himself heads over to his own room at the Three Gods Meeting House. As fate would have it, he barely avoids a chance encounter with fugitive gambler Tony Lucky, who spots Jake as he enters the meeting Hall and sucessfully hides in a nearby alleyway. June 24th, 1882: The trio board the Southern Pacific rail service bound for Los Angeles. At Fort Yuma the train makes a brief stop for water and supplies. The trio disembarks to stretch their legs and see view California for the first time. Jake wanders off looking for an opportunity. Nakomo wants to follow him but Jake frowns and Minerva suggests strongly to Nakomo that he stay behind. What they see is a declining garrison town with its purpose no longer needed, a victim of the railroads. Jake emerges just in time to board the train. "Nothing here but soldiers illegally selling government supplies and native woman whoring themselves." Jake hands them some tickets, “But the station master is a poor card player, here is your passage from Los Angeles to San Francisco.” The end of the line takes them to Los Angeles with them arriving well into the night, to change trains the following day. June 25th to 30th, 1882: Jake had previously seen some of the city on his trip with Gonzales. Now he sees a city of about 15,000 where the railroad drove land speculation to a rate that even left Jake shaking his head. They enjoyed a night there, buying a bushel of oranges for their ride north. In the morning they board a north bound train, up the interior of California. Several days into the trip they make a supply stop in a small village. Jake did not even hear its name but felt the need to stretch his legs and look around. He left the train quickly, before Nakomo and Minerva could follow him. At least that is what he thought. Twenty minutes later Nakomo locates him in an alley dicing with some unsavory looking men that are obviously quite drunk. The boy says, "Uh, Hello Mr. Jake." All the men look up at Nakomo who is holding a small sack with a few of the oranges they purchased, and their faces are not friendly. Nakomo has not noticed the large pile of money in front of Jake, and those meager piles in front of the others. The boy does not mistake the look on their faces however. "Mr. Jake?" One of men says staring menacingly at Jake. "That your boy, Indian lover?" "Now hold on a moment - " Jake begins but the men are rising and reaching for guns and knives. One of the men, the one with a Remington strapped low on his hip says, "I say we string up the Indian for stealing our money and pistol whip his keeper to teach him a lesson." The man draws his gun which Jake notices is very worn and polished from use. Nakomo protests loudly, but he is drowned out by the assents and foul language. As the men move towards the two of them Jake stands quickly and yells, "Wait!" As they hesitate, he grabs the bag of oranges from the boy. "After you see this you will not want to kill us anymore." He urgently removes three oranges, discarding the last one, and begins to juggle. Fast and faster he goes, the arc getting taller and taller in just a breif amount of time. Then he launches the oranges high into the air, one, two and as the third orange leaves his right hand towards his left hand his Peacemaker flashes from its holster. His left hand never catches the last orange, instead it fans the hammer. There is one loud retort and the man with the Remington is thrown back to the ground with a large red mark in the center of his chest. Jake cocks the hammer and glances around at the others, "Anyone want to kill me right now?" Several heads shake no. "I thought not." He nods back to Nakomo to move along, reaches down and grabs much of his stack of money and backs out of the Alley. Once in the street, Nakomo begins, "Oh, Mr. Jake, I am sorr-" Jake interrupts him, "Run." Back on the train Jake tells Nakomo not to speak of the incident lest someone overhear them, and cause them more trouble, adding "It was not your fault." The balance of their journey was uneventful and they finally to make it to San Francisco. Jake has already given them his sisters address if they need to reach him or need some other assistance, sure that his sister and her husband would help any friends Jake recommended to them. As they say their goodbyes, Jake gives Minerva a thin envelope with thirty bills in it. "A donation in Hermes name. I only ask that you do his work with it. I like to think he prefers those willing to help themselves along, not those just waiting to be saved. It is not mine anymore, do with as you will." Minerva looks closer at the envelope and discovers they are one hundred dollar bills. She raises an eyebrow but does not otherwise comment. They part warmly, promising to find one another some day soon. “Minerva, those were ONE HUNDRED dollar bills in that envelope!” Nakomo exclaims after Jake is gone. “Si.” She says. “Your Mr. Jake must need to make amends.” Is all she tells him.</blockquote>

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