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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2105194" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter 102,  “Welcome to our Ranch”, January 11th, 1882Chester wakes up mid-morning with a hangover. Haven't had one of those in a while. Now I remember why. He clears his head and dresses. Chester walks out to the stable. He checks on his horse, a Morgan by the looks of him. "Well, I guess I'm going to have to give you a name. I can't think of one right now, but we'll see if any come to mind. Let's see if your former owner took good care of you." Chester looks over the horse, checking over everything and brushing the animal. "The most important thing to a cavalryman is his horse, so ya better take care of it, if ya don't want to walk," Chester says in his best imitation of his training sergeant in St. Louis. "Well, you look to be in fairly good health, but your shoes are worn. What say we get you some new ones?" The horse just looks at the ex-soldier. "I can see, we're going to need to work on our communication skills." He chuckles as he leads the Morgan up to Weller's Blacksmithing.  "Hi there," Chester says to the blacksmith. "Do you do horseshoes."  Henry Weller replies, "Yep. Been doing that for years. Do you need it done today?"  "Yes, sir, if you have time. My horse's shoes are getting worn." He replies, "Give me a few hours. I'm fixing some picks from the Lucky Deuce, right now. But I can take a break by shoeing your horse. Just leave him here and come back."  "OK. How much will this cost?"  Weller states his cost.  "That'll be fine. I'll be back later." Chester stomach rumbles, so he goes back to the El Parador for breakfast. After his meal, he heads up to his room to clean his rifle and six-gun. Having taken care of his horse and himself, Chester buys a rifle sheath for the saddle and a new horse blanket from Frye's Harness Shop and ammunition from Kelly's Dry Goods. Seeing he has some time, he makes the rounds of the saloons to see if he can find anyone interested in becoming a mine guard. If anyone is, Chester leaves his name and address and gets the applicant's.  Once his horse is ready, Chester rides out south until he finds an open area. He thinks to himself, “I need to practice shooting with my left. I can't hit a thing on horseback.” Nanuet spends the rest of the late morning and early afternoon about town doing some shopping. He buys himself some more bullets from his rifle and supplies to properly clean it as well as a piece of buckskin so that he can make himself a new pair of shoes. He is aware of the looks that he gets in some of the stores but tries to ignore them and be as business like as possible. He also gathers the supplies that the Apache has asked for and keeps that bill separate to be paid for out of the bounty money from Curly Bill. The lumber is still not ready and there seems to be a brisk business going on at the lumberyard with lots of folks placing orders to be brought to new claims that were recently purchased.    Nanuet feels a little weary from the long previous day so he heads back to the Druid's grove across from the El Parador for a couple hours of rest before handling the lumber.Ruby finally drags herself out of Jake’s bed, with a smile she can’t get rid of. She wanders back to her room and distractedly gets dressed and fixes her hair. The thought occurred to her to head to Tombstone but she instead decides to see Nanuet. She was too happy to ruin her day with the business of Tom Kale. She grabs an apple on the way out of the Cantina. Ruby walks over to the grove. She wanders around a bit, as she has never been there before. She looks down and sees Maska, Nanuet’s wolf, staring at her. She drops to her knees slowly and sits on her feet. She stretches out her hands for the wolf to smell. The wolf comes towards her slowly, then smells her and Ruby can see the wolf relax a bit. She reaches out and pets the wolf under her head, on her neck. “My you are beautiful, aren’t you?” she says out loud. “How do you say ‘You are beautiful’ in your language Nanuet?” Ruby says smiling. The elf had been standing behind her and she knew it, although she wasn’t sure if he had been trying to be quiet or not. ”Emo'onahe” Nanuet replies in a heavy accent. It had been a long time since he had spoken in his native language to another person. Recently it had been reserved for his prayers and communicating with Maska. Ruby tries to repeat Nanuet’s words but mangles them badly, laughing as she does. “Oh well, I hope she gets the idea.” Ruby stands and faces the elf. “I was wondering if you could help me with something. I think you Indians have some pretty exotic mating rituals, no? Something a bit on the wild side maybe?” Ruby tries to keep her laugh in as Nanuet turns scarlet. Nanuet’s embarrassment is obvious. A look of shock crosses his face and he takes a step back. “I am not sure what you are talking about Miss Ruby. Exotic uh… mating rituals?”   “I was just kidding, silly, you know, a joke?” She pats him on the arm. “I know you have been able to help heal people, I mean, you helped heal me that day in the caves. I would like to know more about healing, for when you aren’t around. Maybe you could teach me some things?”   “Oh, of course I knew you were kidding!” Nanuet laughs nervously and then clears his throat. “I would be glad to teach you about healing. I actually have someone over here that is need of our help. Follow me.” Nanuet leads Ruby through the grove until the two are standing in front of a small bed made of woven branches and filled with grasses and leaves. Inside is a young bird. The bird gets excited at Ruby’s approach and it is obvious that its wing is damaged as it thrashes about.   “He'kotoo'êstse” Nanuet says in a calming voice and he crouches down closer to the injured animal. The bird immediately calms down and settles into the bed. “Our little friend here has a broken wing.” He says turning to Ruby. “Together we will mend it using what the earth provides, herbs and other natural medicines. Also, if you are committed we can use spiritual energy to assist and help the bird heal.” Ruby sits on her feet next to the bird. “Poor little thing. What can we do to help it? I don’t think I have any spiritual energy to help, although I wish I did.”    “Ruby your spirit is very strong. You need to learn how to focus it, and that may be where your problem lies.” Nanuet chuckles as various thoughts of Ruby’s antics go through his head. “We will work on both ways of healing together. Come with me, we will go for another walk.” The two walk through the grove and stop at a small flowering plant growing in little bunches close to the ground. The flowers are purple in color and grow in a pattern that would remind one of a brush used to clean bottles.  “Here, we need a small amount of this plant. It will help the bird to rest peacefully.” As the two pick the plants Nanuet smiles peacefully. “This is where I find my nanomonestôtse or peace, here with the earth, and among plants and animals. Miss Ruby, where do you find your peace? Do you have religion?”  “Religion? I swear to the gods that’s about it,” she smiles. “As for peace I don’t think on it much. I guess I don’t have any.” Ruby looks at the flowers in her hand. “I just go along day to day Nanuet, I don’t think about the future or things bigger than I am. I just try to get to another day.” She pauses, “But maybe finding some peace would be a good thing. What does this peace of yours feel like?” “A very interesting question Miss Ruby. I am not sure I have ever stopped to ask what peace feels like. I would say it feels unique, unlike anything else, that is certain. It is the moment where everything comes together and you can stop thinking about your troubles, even if just for a moment. When your head is clear and everything is just right. You will find your peace Miss Ruby, I am certain of it.”  Ruby smiles to herself. She had found some of what Nanuet described, earlier that morning, even if only for a few moments. She only hoped she could find more of it. They make their way back to the bird and Nanuet starts showing Ruby how to prepare the herbs and lay them in the birds bed so that the oils and scents will calm the little creature and allow it to rest. Ruby is only half-paying attention. All she can do is watch the little bird flutter around helplessly, with nothing she can do to help herself. Ruby slowly outstretches her hand to the bird and starts singing a lullaby, the first calming song that comes to mind. She touches the bird and closes her eyes, trying her best to calm and settle it. She goes through her whole song, wishing that the bird could get better. She finishes the song and slowly opens her eyes. As she does the little bird suddenly flies up and lands on her still outstretched hand. Ruby is speechless with surprise. Nanuet watches, apprehensive at first, especially when Ruby reaches out to touch the floundering animal, but then he relaxes. He feels the energy as it flows from her to the injured bird, mending the wing perfectly. “I think you have found your nanomonestôtse.” Nanuet says smiling. “I know I have found some peace in that special voice of yours. There is something in your voice, something magical. I almost found myself captivated by it.” Nanuet stands gracefully and offers his hand to Ruby pulling her to her feet. “You have done well; just remember how you felt when you healed the bird. Practice and it will come to you more naturally over time. I can show you more plants and their healing properties another time.” Ruby smiles at Nanuet. He was a kind man even after the terrible things he had been though. Then again, they all had terrible things they had lived through. Oh well, no need to dwell on it she thinks. She touches Nanuet’s face. “Thank you, Nanuet, you have shown me something special today. Sonoma is very lucky to have you.” She ignores his blush and gives him a small kiss. “See you later!” as she turns on her heel and heads back to the El Parador.After spending the time with Ruby, Nanuet feels a little more refreshed. He heads back to the lumberyard only to find out that the goods were already being delivered. He jogs over to the Lone Star hoping to beat the lumber there. He arrives about the same time and begins looking for Tom so that he can get to work. Tom Whipple and Jeff Mills come out to help. William Whipple also comes outside but makes no attempt to assist. Teddy Whipple was also in the tavern but quickly found other things to do with his time. Three employees of the lumberyard, humans Neman Sanders and Roy Ryder and wood elf Juan Tolucca all assist. Despite the six men working on it takes over two hours to unload, as Tom insists on having it all be brought up on the roof. His concern is that if it is left around outside it will disappear given the towns new demand for timber. Sanders agrees with his reasoning, stating that they are now posting a night guard at the lumberyard for the same reason. Using ladders to get up to the roof and some heavy-duty winches, pulleys and platforms borrowed from Calhoun's brickyard, they manage to get all of the wood hauled up to the roof. Once up top, Jeff Mills takes charge directing which timbers should be placed where.  Once the work is completed Tom invites all of the men inside for a complimentary mug of beer and a platter of fried chicken. During the snack Sanders comments to Tom "It's a good thing you locked in the price for this order last night. Both Zack Morand and a miner named Elliott came in with the large orders for timber this morning. Neil's been able to double his prices as a result."  Jeff hands Nanuet three $1 bill ands says "Thank you very much. Please come by tomorrow morning too if you can, that's when the first load of bricks will be delivered. " Nanuet thanks him for the pay and the food and drink although he passes on the chicken. He says "I can work the morning for you, but I have some things to attend to in the afternoon. I will see you bright and early."  Nanuet gathers all of things and rushes back to the El Parador to find Sonoma.When Ruby got back to the El Parador, she grabbed the leather duster and headed to Mr. Gonzales room. She knocked and he answered the door.  "Good afternoon, Mr. Gonzales. I was hoping you'd have some time for me today. I brought this back," she thrusts the duster at him, "black, he'd like black. And have you figured out those other items? He replies, "I have had a chance to examine and test both the piccolo and the bell. The piccolo is magical and has the ability to cast songs. Five specific songs are imprinted into it. It could be used by any spellcaster, however its full potential can only be realized when in the hands of a bard. However, to be able to use the magic one must be proficient with this type of instrument, which I am not, nor do I believe any of my other little birds are at the moment. In the meanwhile, it is still a highly crafted musical instrument that is impervious to most type of damage, so might still be of use to you. "Magical, huh? I know just who should get this piccolo but I'll have to talk it over with Kate and Jake first." She glances at Mr. Gonzales and laughs. "Oh don't worry, they'll see my logic well enough."    He continues, “The other item is a Bell of Interruption. When sounded it sends forth a sound that resonates for a full three minutes, during which any spellcaster within the immediate radius of the sound it is hindered from casting any spells.” “Thank you.  Oh and I am hoping you can help me, you know, with my reading," she says blushing.  She slows down and sighs. "Kate is out today with Jake so I thought we could spend some time together.” They spend the next three hours with him instructing her in both reading and also how to detect if an item is magical. She finds that one he has given her a minimum of direction in this that seeing the magical aura around items becomes second nature provided that she focuses her concentration upon the item.She says, “Thanks for the help with my reading. As you can tell I never really felt the need to study much in school. I figured I had other, um, talents to fall back on and I wasn't really wrong. But it's not a bad thing to know, right?" Mr. Gonzales smiles and Ruby and shakes his head. "When do you think the jacket will be done? So I can give it to Jake. He needs it," she laughs again.   He replies, "Maybe a day, maybe two if I encounter difficulty. I've got a few ideas about how to change it. I'll try the easier way first, but if the item is especially resistant to spells I'll have to try something else. Don't worry, I enjoy a good challenge."  She answers, “I bet you do. It must get so boring sitting up here all the time. I would go crazy."  With that Ruby gives him a smile and walks out.  She returns to her room and falls asleep with many thoughts in her head.Meanwhile, Katherine and Jake rode toward Flint's cave to make her visit before they went back to Promise City.  "Flint, we're here!" Kate called out. She looked over at Jake and his bruise. "What happened to your face anyway?" Jake gingerly touches the bruise. "Heh, I was a little slow to duck." He gives her that boyish that's all you need to know grin. "Alright, keep your secret." Kate shook her head. A moment later Flint came out of the mouth of the cave. "Good afternoon," Kate said swinging down from Meribel's back. "I've got plenty of news for you. As of this morning, Nanuet, Sonoma, and I own 200 acres stretching from your claim over to Hamilton Fisk's hill. 100 acres on each side of the stream. It's about three-quarters of a mile across all told."  Katherine looked over at Jake and winked. She could keep a secret now and then herself. "The land cost five dollars an acre.”  He replies, "Five an acre! Prices sure have dropped since last year. And you say that Arizona Land Agent Fisk went and bought himself that next hill over?"   She replies, "From the papers at the land office, I thought I understood Fisk to have owned that hill since March of 1880. But yes, he owns the hill in the generally eastern direction."   Flint replies, "I think you're confused. Fisk is the land office guy. This was unclaimed land that Pete bought from the Arizona Territory last summer. "Flint, Mr. Dennis Winston is the land office man. The Deputy County Recorder. When we looked over the maps to find the plot of land next to your claim, he had notes that ownership of your land was transferred to you. It was previously claimed by Fisk in March of 1880, same as the other hill. There was a second mark for July fifth, 1881. The day owner ship was transferred to you and your partner.  I thought one hundred dollars an acre sounded horribly inflated, even for land where silver might be found. Flint, Hamilton Fisk cheated you." WHAT! HE'S A DEAD MAN! Where did I put my dynamite?" He exclaims.   She says, "I appreciate your anger, but how will getting arrested and rotting in jail for the rest of your life help?  It's got to be illegal to pose as the land officer. Do you have any paperwork that names Fisk as the land officer? Any records of the sale at all?"  She caught Jake's eye. "Don't let him go running off," she mouthed.Jake says, "If you have some hard evidence, we can take it to the lawyer Berg and see if you have a case against Fisk. He's pretty slippery though. And weasel like him won't be easy to blow up." Jake turns to Katherine. "If Fisk has been involved with any of this, I'd gather up all the paperwork and have Berg check it out. Including your deal. And you should have the border markers on the land between him and you triple checked."  He says,  “Pete negotiated the deal. The only paperwork I have is the deed.”  She says, "Well, let's have a look at the deed, at least."He goes back into the cave and unlocks the truck, finding the paper inside of a old cigar box. He hands the entire box to Katherine. Also in the box is a copy of a map that looks identical to that in the Claims office, with the dimensions of the twenty acres clearly plotted out. The only other item in the box is a photograph of Pete standing beside a young man and a young woman with a horse behind them. The man is wearing a Sheriff's badge. The woman is also wearing rancher's clothing. It deed is a standard document issued by the Arizona Territory. Rather than being just a transfer of land on the original deed Fisk apparently paid Dennis Winston to reissue a new deed with the names of Peter K. Grammer and Flint Greymountain prominently listed. The deed is signed by Winston with Deputy County Recorder listed after his name. A second line has been added below Winston's with the words "witnessed by" in very small type and the Fisk's signature boldly written followed by his lawyer credentials.She comments, "We could talk to Mr. Berg, but the deed at least seems to be in order. Unusual, but in order. Usually the original deed would just be transferred. Mr. Winston might remember Fisk asking him to draw up this new deed, I'll speak to him as well. Do you know who the people are in the picture?"  He replies, "Not family, Pete didn't have any. Those are some old friends of Pete's from back in the late 50's and early 60's. Pete used to talk about their adventures together. Don't know their last names but the lawman's first name was Woody and the girl is their friend Jessie."Kate handed the papers to Jake. "What do you think?" "I think Fisk is a weasel. and I'd still have Berg look at this if I was you. I guess it will stand up in court given any questions, but it does look funny." Jake hands it back.  Kate says, "I don't like the idea of you not having this in hand Flint, but I don't like the idea of no one here to keep an eye on the cattle and horses either. Would you like me to take that in and have Mr. Berg take a look at it?" Kate then comments, "Fisk has nothing to do with the land we bought today. It was unclaimed. He's nothing more than our neighbor. I will get the boundaries checked, however. I don't know why he'd want to interfere with us but you can never tell."  She then says, "Do me a favor Flint, and keep your dynamite in your pocket for now. Let's see if we can hit Fisk where it hurts. His reputation and his pocketbook."Kate then attempts to change the subject back to that of the ranch saying, “So we bought the land.  It's up to you how much money you want to put toward that cost, or if you want to put any in at all. Sonoma knows a great deal more than any of us what to do. She suggests we build with adobe, and knows where she can get a good flock of sheep to get things started. I know we hadn't planned on sheep, but we must do something while we work toward building a cattle herd and a good horse stable. What do you think?"   He says, “I don't know a damned thing about any of this, so I'll let you guys take the lead on all of this. Sheep, cows, horses, I don't know anything about any of them so six of one and half-dozen of the other as far as I'm concerned. As long as it works I'm all for it.""Alright Flint. We should have the deed in hand in a couple of days, we've already paid. Someone should be out tomorrow or the next day to give you an update, and hopefully get the lumber for fencing. With so much land being bought, I'm afraid the cost of lumber will go up as well, but we'll do the best we can. We won't need to fence off everything right away."  Kate walked up to Flint and shook his hand. "Seems we're in business, partner. I'll see you in a couple days. Ready Jake?"  She swung up on Meribel's back. "We'll have a home, dear," she whispered to the horse. Meribel pranced, picking up on Kate's excitement. "Welcome to our ranch," she grinned to Jake.Flint sees them getting onto their horses and yells out "Hold on just one minute there. You ain't going nowhere without that that body over there in the cave!"</blockquote>

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