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"Revenge, Renewal and the Promise of a New Year" (Boot Hill/D&D)
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<blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 1810687" data-attributes="member: 8530"><p><strong>Chapter Twenty-three “Nanuet’s Obligation”, January 6th, 1882:</strong></p><p></p><p>The Shaman stands before Ben Cartwright and states “I know you.” Ben replies, “Sorry, I don’t recall.” Geronimo stops talking with Nanuet and moves over to his primary spellcaster. “How do you know this man?” the Chief asks. </p><p></p><p>The Shaman replies, “It was I believe eighteen seasons ago. A United States Army Captain named Moss Johnson had invited Chief Cochise to a peace talk. It was a trick; Johnson had used the talks as an opportunity to poison all of the Indians present. I only had three Neutralize Poison spells and used the first for Cochise and the second on his subchief. He made me use my final one on myself. The other thirty brave warriors all died.” “And this man was an accomplice?” Geronimo exclaims. </p><p></p><p>The Shaman replies “No, the opposite. We three survivors rounded up several dozen Apache warriors to find Johnson and make him pay for his crime. He escaped and we hunted him for several days. When we caught up with him he had taken refuge with this man and his sons. This man insisted upon talking to Cochise and discovering the truth. He swore that he would see the man brought to justice and kept that word." Ben says “Sounds like something I’d do, but I still don’t remember.” </p><p></p><p>Adam says, “I remember it well. I got shot by one of Cochise’s braves.” The Shaman says “Yes, that was one thing that impressed Cochise the most. This man had every reason to fight us, being told lies by the soldier and with his son badly wounded, but instead he chose to discover the truth.” Little Joe speaks up “My father’s memory has been failing as of late, but I’ll vouch for what was just said, I was there too.” “And I” Hoss adds. The Shaman concludes by saying, “Cochise declared this man and his family to be friends of the Apache.” Geronimo stops and ponders this. He walks back to Nanuet and says “Continue your narrative.”</p><p></p><p>Katherine didn't even know she had been holding her breath until she released it. It was getting surreal. But she wasn't going to look good fortune in the mouth. She only hoped that the Apache's attitude toward the Cartwrights extended to their companions.</p><p></p><p>"As I was saying Great Chief, a few men appear to have stolen their cattle." Nanuet points to the Cartwrights. "That dwarf's partner who was guarding their property was killed, most dishonorably by a knife in the back. We believe it is because he saw the cattle rustlers. We followed their tracks this way. I did not mean to accuse you or your people great chief. The men who stole the cattle wore spurs, at least one of them, your people do not." </p><p></p><p>"Also, I am also familiar with the Johnsons. Moss Johnson is the father of James Johnson, the man responsible for the Yavapai massacre. He slaughtered my family, my tribe. I know your pain. Great Geronimo, we did not mean to disturb your people, only to catch these murdering thieves."</p><p></p><p>Geronimo replies "The Apache have few friends from among the white men. Cochise extended our of friendship to these men" (and gestures to the Cartwrights). "In my lifetime only a few humans have earned that honor from me. One was a tracker named Harvey Knowles. He was aware of our current plight, that the game in the mountains has become scarce and my people are suffering from hunger. He asked permission to bring cattle through our mountains and in return he leaves one in twelve for our needs." </p><p></p><p>Geronimo heads back to the Cartwrights and asks them to describe the specific brand on their cattle. Ben again says that he does not remember. Hoss describes the brand on the recently purchased cows from New Mexico. Geronimo says to them "I am truly sorry then. That one friend would steal from another friend of ours is not something that I would have considered. We will no longer permit Knowles and his associates from using our lands for passage. He left five of your cattle with us. Two have already been consumed but we will return the other three to you. We will also compensate you for the other two." </p><p></p><p>Ben replies "No further compensation is necessary. Your people were hungry, now they are fed." Geronimo replies, "Cochise was wise to name you a friend. I would ask that you Ben Cartwright remain with us for a few days. We have healers and medicine that can be used to restore your memory to what it had been and will do this in return for your having fed of our people." "Clerics and priests have already tried to help him. They said he couldn't be cured.," Little Joe states. Geronimo replies "White man's medicine. There are things known to us that surpass that. We have seen this affliction before and know of a successful cure." </p><p></p><p>He then returns to Nanuet. "The men you hunt are in caves near the human community known as Galeyville." He then gestures to Al and says "My scouts have told me that she is aware of how to reach it from that human settlement. You can reach that town by way of the main road. There is no reason for you to travel again through our land. When you do find these men I ask that Knowles be allowed to return alone to our lands. His methods of acquiring cattle were not honorable, but he has saved my people from starvation and we owe him for that." </p><p></p><p>The tension is now starting to ease and it sounds as though Geronimo is planning to release his captives when he then raises his voice and says to Nanuet "You and your associates are responsible for the death of my ambassador. Why did she need to perish for your own selfish concerns and what retribution do you now offer?"</p><p></p><p>Nanuet speaks in a loud and clear voice. "Neither I nor my associates are responsible for her death. I asked for no one's help. She decided as the others did, of her own free will to help me. It is very sad and unfortunate that she died for a cause that was not her own." </p><p></p><p>He takes out the blue wampum bead and hands it to Geronimo "I offer myself in her place great chief in service to you. I did not know her long but she was strong and wise. I doubt I measure as her equal, but I will do for you what I can. If you wish to enact any punishment on me I will accept it without question."</p><p></p><p>The fire flickers and the air around the group grows chilled. in the smoke of the flames members of the party seem to see a misty form of a female centaur. She places her hand on Nanuet's shoulder then disappears or maybe it was just the smoke that drifted into their eyes playing tricks on them.</p><p></p><p>The Shaman states to Nanuet "You underestimate yourself. The spirit of Storm Golden Eye has judged you to be a worthy successor." </p><p></p><p>Geronimo says "So be it. Nanuet, a year ago we were on the brink of war with the white men. A centaur named Qualtaqa from the Hopi tribe came before me to offer his counsel. He appealed for the Apache to find a way to live in unison with the humans. I did not agree and sought to drive them from this land by discreetly having my warriors sabotage their mining machines. Another of the people, a half-breed named Morgana, discovered what we were doing an echoed Qualtaqa's words. I made them my ambassadors and let them go to the human settlement to make this peace that they sought. </p><p></p><p>They were successful, gaining assurances from both the County Sheriff and regional Army Commander that the humans would stay out of the mountains and leave the Apache alone. But both ambassadors have now gone away for some unknown reason. My shaman senses that a great body of water now separates them from us. Storm Golden Eye was from Qualtaqa's tribe and came searching for him. I sent her to the human settlement to find what had become of him and to continue his work until the time that he and Morgana return. </p><p></p><p>That task is now yours. You are now the ambassador to the Apache people. Maintaining the peace between the humans and elves is now your responsibility. Return to the human settlement known as Promise City and make my wishes known to those who rule there."</p><p></p><p>"Great chief, I am humbled by this honor you have bestowed upon me. I will ask my ancestors to aid me in this task, for it is a critical one." Nanuet shows his respects to Geronimo in the appropriate manner and then returns to his friends. "Well, we should be able to find the rustlers now without much problem. I think we should do as Geronimo asks and bring Knowles to him. He will receive an appropriate punishment, of that I am certain. The others we can bring back to town and let the sheriff handle. What do you think?” Nanuet looks at Al "Well, you have been there before. Can we make the ride in so short a time?" </p><p></p><p>Before Al can answer Nanuet turns to Katherine and says, "Ms. Kale, I wouldn't want you to miss your appointment. I also don't want you riding alone. Maybe one of these fine gentlemen will bring you back to Promise City?" Al looks at Nanuet, patiently waiting for him to finish talking to Mrs. Kale. </p><p></p><p>"I wouldn't count on it," she says in a low voice. "The way this is going, we won't make it out to Galeyville till near nightfall. I can still guide y'all to those caves by night, but sounds like Mrs. Kale here needs to make her appointment. By the time we get off these folks' land, we'll be almost on top of Promise City anyhow. You all still want to do this tonight?" </p><p></p><p>She smiles then, checking the gun at each hip, and looks at Nanuet, "'Course," she says, "can't guarantee those rustlers won't be up an' outta there by mornin'." Katherine says, "I think you should go tonight. I can go back into town when we're close by and you can move on. I don't think I'll be much help to you in catching cattle rustlers anyway."</p><p></p><p>Geronimo interrupts the conversation between Nanuet, Al and Katherine. He says "We are not yet finished. You have chosen a dangerous path Nanuet, one that we can assist you with." </p><p></p><p>The Shaman then returns to Nanuet and says, “Being the ambassador to the Apache has proven to be a dangerous job for those before you. We will not send you and your allies back into the human settlement without proper safeguards.” </p><p></p><p>The shaman reaches behind his neck and removes the silver necklace that he is wearing. The silver chain is a half-inch in diameter and hanging from it are a fifteen pendants hanging in the front of the necklace made of turquoise stones, each held in place by a thin silver wire frame. The pendants are all cylindrical shaped and range in length from one that is five inches in the center of necklace to those only an inch long on each of the outer edges. The shaman places the necklace around Nanuet’s neck. Nanuet had anticipated it to be heavy due to the stones but he can barely feel any weight at all from it. </p><p></p><p>The shaman then casts a spell upon Nanuet and each pendant glows a deep blue color while the necklace itself radiates a white light. The lights then fade and the necklace and stones regain their prior coloring. The Shaman says “The necklace itself will help protect you from harm. Each of the pendants will provide healing. When one is needed pull it from the necklace, place it inside the injured person’s closed fist and say Da' nzho, the Apache word for 'It is Good'. The degree of healing provided is proportional to the size of the stone. The center stone has the power to even save one as badly hurt as your predecessor” </p><p></p><p>The Shaman then walks over towards Al and Katherine. He says, “You women have befriended Nanuet. I see from each of your astral auras that you are people of great courage with a sense of determination equal to that of a true warrior of the people. Nanuet will need the strength of such strong friendships to be successful in his new mission. Are you willing to assist our ambassador and help to protect him while he is in the land of the humans?”</p><p></p><p>Katherine paused a moment before answering. She certainly didn't feel courageous. Determined maybe. And quite definitely worried. She speaks up saying to the Indian "I'm not sure what protection or assistance I can offer, but it is his. I would begin with this, although it is beyond my powers. The circumstances of Storm Goldeneye's death also caused the need for the change in Nanuet's appearance. He may be endangered if he wears his true face in Promise City."</p><p></p><p>The Shaman replies "The spirits of my ancestors inform me that you are smart and resourceful and should be of great assistance in the days to come. You have only begun to tap into the powers available to you." </p><p></p><p>He then walks back to Nanuet and says “You should never be ashamed of who you are. If it is your past that you are hiding from that can be remedied.” </p><p></p><p>The Shaman reaches into a pouch on his pelt and removes a powder that looks to be a mixture of red sand and silver shavings. He throws it above Nanuet’s head and the dust falls upon him. The Shaman then begins a long incantation. The red and silver dust dissolves and appears to melt into Nanuet’s skin. The Shaman ends the incantation and says, “It is done. The only people who will remember you before this moment are your blood relatives or those who are present at this ceremony.”</p><p></p><p>Kate looked at Nanuet with a half-smile on her face. "Well, this will be fun to explain to Ruby and Jake, won't it?" </p><p></p><p>She then says, "Thank you, Chief. This will indeed protect him."</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Silver Moon, post: 1810687, member: 8530"] [B]Chapter Twenty-three “Nanuet’s Obligation”, January 6th, 1882:[/B] The Shaman stands before Ben Cartwright and states “I know you.” Ben replies, “Sorry, I don’t recall.” Geronimo stops talking with Nanuet and moves over to his primary spellcaster. “How do you know this man?” the Chief asks. The Shaman replies, “It was I believe eighteen seasons ago. A United States Army Captain named Moss Johnson had invited Chief Cochise to a peace talk. It was a trick; Johnson had used the talks as an opportunity to poison all of the Indians present. I only had three Neutralize Poison spells and used the first for Cochise and the second on his subchief. He made me use my final one on myself. The other thirty brave warriors all died.” “And this man was an accomplice?” Geronimo exclaims. The Shaman replies “No, the opposite. We three survivors rounded up several dozen Apache warriors to find Johnson and make him pay for his crime. He escaped and we hunted him for several days. When we caught up with him he had taken refuge with this man and his sons. This man insisted upon talking to Cochise and discovering the truth. He swore that he would see the man brought to justice and kept that word." Ben says “Sounds like something I’d do, but I still don’t remember.” Adam says, “I remember it well. I got shot by one of Cochise’s braves.” The Shaman says “Yes, that was one thing that impressed Cochise the most. This man had every reason to fight us, being told lies by the soldier and with his son badly wounded, but instead he chose to discover the truth.” Little Joe speaks up “My father’s memory has been failing as of late, but I’ll vouch for what was just said, I was there too.” “And I” Hoss adds. The Shaman concludes by saying, “Cochise declared this man and his family to be friends of the Apache.” Geronimo stops and ponders this. He walks back to Nanuet and says “Continue your narrative.” Katherine didn't even know she had been holding her breath until she released it. It was getting surreal. But she wasn't going to look good fortune in the mouth. She only hoped that the Apache's attitude toward the Cartwrights extended to their companions. "As I was saying Great Chief, a few men appear to have stolen their cattle." Nanuet points to the Cartwrights. "That dwarf's partner who was guarding their property was killed, most dishonorably by a knife in the back. We believe it is because he saw the cattle rustlers. We followed their tracks this way. I did not mean to accuse you or your people great chief. The men who stole the cattle wore spurs, at least one of them, your people do not." "Also, I am also familiar with the Johnsons. Moss Johnson is the father of James Johnson, the man responsible for the Yavapai massacre. He slaughtered my family, my tribe. I know your pain. Great Geronimo, we did not mean to disturb your people, only to catch these murdering thieves." Geronimo replies "The Apache have few friends from among the white men. Cochise extended our of friendship to these men" (and gestures to the Cartwrights). "In my lifetime only a few humans have earned that honor from me. One was a tracker named Harvey Knowles. He was aware of our current plight, that the game in the mountains has become scarce and my people are suffering from hunger. He asked permission to bring cattle through our mountains and in return he leaves one in twelve for our needs." Geronimo heads back to the Cartwrights and asks them to describe the specific brand on their cattle. Ben again says that he does not remember. Hoss describes the brand on the recently purchased cows from New Mexico. Geronimo says to them "I am truly sorry then. That one friend would steal from another friend of ours is not something that I would have considered. We will no longer permit Knowles and his associates from using our lands for passage. He left five of your cattle with us. Two have already been consumed but we will return the other three to you. We will also compensate you for the other two." Ben replies "No further compensation is necessary. Your people were hungry, now they are fed." Geronimo replies, "Cochise was wise to name you a friend. I would ask that you Ben Cartwright remain with us for a few days. We have healers and medicine that can be used to restore your memory to what it had been and will do this in return for your having fed of our people." "Clerics and priests have already tried to help him. They said he couldn't be cured.," Little Joe states. Geronimo replies "White man's medicine. There are things known to us that surpass that. We have seen this affliction before and know of a successful cure." He then returns to Nanuet. "The men you hunt are in caves near the human community known as Galeyville." He then gestures to Al and says "My scouts have told me that she is aware of how to reach it from that human settlement. You can reach that town by way of the main road. There is no reason for you to travel again through our land. When you do find these men I ask that Knowles be allowed to return alone to our lands. His methods of acquiring cattle were not honorable, but he has saved my people from starvation and we owe him for that." The tension is now starting to ease and it sounds as though Geronimo is planning to release his captives when he then raises his voice and says to Nanuet "You and your associates are responsible for the death of my ambassador. Why did she need to perish for your own selfish concerns and what retribution do you now offer?" Nanuet speaks in a loud and clear voice. "Neither I nor my associates are responsible for her death. I asked for no one's help. She decided as the others did, of her own free will to help me. It is very sad and unfortunate that she died for a cause that was not her own." He takes out the blue wampum bead and hands it to Geronimo "I offer myself in her place great chief in service to you. I did not know her long but she was strong and wise. I doubt I measure as her equal, but I will do for you what I can. If you wish to enact any punishment on me I will accept it without question." The fire flickers and the air around the group grows chilled. in the smoke of the flames members of the party seem to see a misty form of a female centaur. She places her hand on Nanuet's shoulder then disappears or maybe it was just the smoke that drifted into their eyes playing tricks on them. The Shaman states to Nanuet "You underestimate yourself. The spirit of Storm Golden Eye has judged you to be a worthy successor." Geronimo says "So be it. Nanuet, a year ago we were on the brink of war with the white men. A centaur named Qualtaqa from the Hopi tribe came before me to offer his counsel. He appealed for the Apache to find a way to live in unison with the humans. I did not agree and sought to drive them from this land by discreetly having my warriors sabotage their mining machines. Another of the people, a half-breed named Morgana, discovered what we were doing an echoed Qualtaqa's words. I made them my ambassadors and let them go to the human settlement to make this peace that they sought. They were successful, gaining assurances from both the County Sheriff and regional Army Commander that the humans would stay out of the mountains and leave the Apache alone. But both ambassadors have now gone away for some unknown reason. My shaman senses that a great body of water now separates them from us. Storm Golden Eye was from Qualtaqa's tribe and came searching for him. I sent her to the human settlement to find what had become of him and to continue his work until the time that he and Morgana return. That task is now yours. You are now the ambassador to the Apache people. Maintaining the peace between the humans and elves is now your responsibility. Return to the human settlement known as Promise City and make my wishes known to those who rule there." "Great chief, I am humbled by this honor you have bestowed upon me. I will ask my ancestors to aid me in this task, for it is a critical one." Nanuet shows his respects to Geronimo in the appropriate manner and then returns to his friends. "Well, we should be able to find the rustlers now without much problem. I think we should do as Geronimo asks and bring Knowles to him. He will receive an appropriate punishment, of that I am certain. The others we can bring back to town and let the sheriff handle. What do you think?” Nanuet looks at Al "Well, you have been there before. Can we make the ride in so short a time?" Before Al can answer Nanuet turns to Katherine and says, "Ms. Kale, I wouldn't want you to miss your appointment. I also don't want you riding alone. Maybe one of these fine gentlemen will bring you back to Promise City?" Al looks at Nanuet, patiently waiting for him to finish talking to Mrs. Kale. "I wouldn't count on it," she says in a low voice. "The way this is going, we won't make it out to Galeyville till near nightfall. I can still guide y'all to those caves by night, but sounds like Mrs. Kale here needs to make her appointment. By the time we get off these folks' land, we'll be almost on top of Promise City anyhow. You all still want to do this tonight?" She smiles then, checking the gun at each hip, and looks at Nanuet, "'Course," she says, "can't guarantee those rustlers won't be up an' outta there by mornin'." Katherine says, "I think you should go tonight. I can go back into town when we're close by and you can move on. I don't think I'll be much help to you in catching cattle rustlers anyway." Geronimo interrupts the conversation between Nanuet, Al and Katherine. He says "We are not yet finished. You have chosen a dangerous path Nanuet, one that we can assist you with." The Shaman then returns to Nanuet and says, “Being the ambassador to the Apache has proven to be a dangerous job for those before you. We will not send you and your allies back into the human settlement without proper safeguards.” The shaman reaches behind his neck and removes the silver necklace that he is wearing. The silver chain is a half-inch in diameter and hanging from it are a fifteen pendants hanging in the front of the necklace made of turquoise stones, each held in place by a thin silver wire frame. The pendants are all cylindrical shaped and range in length from one that is five inches in the center of necklace to those only an inch long on each of the outer edges. The shaman places the necklace around Nanuet’s neck. Nanuet had anticipated it to be heavy due to the stones but he can barely feel any weight at all from it. The shaman then casts a spell upon Nanuet and each pendant glows a deep blue color while the necklace itself radiates a white light. The lights then fade and the necklace and stones regain their prior coloring. The Shaman says “The necklace itself will help protect you from harm. Each of the pendants will provide healing. When one is needed pull it from the necklace, place it inside the injured person’s closed fist and say Da' nzho, the Apache word for 'It is Good'. The degree of healing provided is proportional to the size of the stone. The center stone has the power to even save one as badly hurt as your predecessor” The Shaman then walks over towards Al and Katherine. He says, “You women have befriended Nanuet. I see from each of your astral auras that you are people of great courage with a sense of determination equal to that of a true warrior of the people. Nanuet will need the strength of such strong friendships to be successful in his new mission. Are you willing to assist our ambassador and help to protect him while he is in the land of the humans?” Katherine paused a moment before answering. She certainly didn't feel courageous. Determined maybe. And quite definitely worried. She speaks up saying to the Indian "I'm not sure what protection or assistance I can offer, but it is his. I would begin with this, although it is beyond my powers. The circumstances of Storm Goldeneye's death also caused the need for the change in Nanuet's appearance. He may be endangered if he wears his true face in Promise City." The Shaman replies "The spirits of my ancestors inform me that you are smart and resourceful and should be of great assistance in the days to come. You have only begun to tap into the powers available to you." He then walks back to Nanuet and says “You should never be ashamed of who you are. If it is your past that you are hiding from that can be remedied.” The Shaman reaches into a pouch on his pelt and removes a powder that looks to be a mixture of red sand and silver shavings. He throws it above Nanuet’s head and the dust falls upon him. The Shaman then begins a long incantation. The red and silver dust dissolves and appears to melt into Nanuet’s skin. The Shaman ends the incantation and says, “It is done. The only people who will remember you before this moment are your blood relatives or those who are present at this ceremony.” Kate looked at Nanuet with a half-smile on her face. "Well, this will be fun to explain to Ruby and Jake, won't it?" She then says, "Thank you, Chief. This will indeed protect him." [/QUOTE]
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