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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2312098" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter 117, “Jake's Letters”, Thursday, January 12th, 1882:Kate approached the piano when Whittemore finished his last piece. "Thank you, it's a pleasure to hear those songs. You have a lovely voice. Let me get you a drink, and then I can play something you'd like to hear. As long as I know it, that is."  Idly she wondered when Mr. Booth might make his way over. He had his own game to run, of course, so Katherine tried to put aside her anxiety and focused on getting Mr. Whittemore his drink and his request.Ruby decides she needs some air on her break so she heads outside to get some.  Jake keeps an eye open for a break at Job Kane's table. When he calls one, Jake takes him aside for a few private moments.  "If the Whipples are still selling the whole Lone Star, Ruby and I are willing to go partners with you. There are still a few details to iron out, but I don't see any obstacles. When the time comes let's talk to Tom together, he'll be less obstinate with you.   Job replies, "Sure, but I wouldn't worry about who talks to him. As long as he gets the money he needs he'll be happy to sell. All he's thinking of at this point is Denver and Flossie.” Jake comments, “Hey I also notice Tony was playing to the edge over there, any experienced player would have caught it and call him on it. Does he do that often?"   Job answers, "No, never, but Tom suspended his normal rules with both me and Tony for these three days to ensure that he and I both raise enough money for the purchase price. He hasn't asked Tony to partner yet but I'm guessing that he will if he falls short. Personally I'd much rather have you and Ruby. Tony's a nice enough guy but is only a mediocre card player and blows all his money on women so I'm not sure how he'd be as a manager. I figure I'd better get what I can by tonight. Tomorrow will be a total wash for me since Van Horne plays here on Friday. Saturday will probably be even worse. It's some Dwarven Holiday, Moradin's Day or something like that. Tom's always kept the clientele here to humans but Maggie has this fool idea of letting in all races and she'll be in charge that night. I'll be too distracted keeping the dwarves from trashing the place to focus on my game. But that'll also ensure that Maggie fails her test, since she won't have any poker proceeds to speak of for the two busiest nights of the week."Jake says, "Ah yes, Van Horne.  Later on tell me everything you know about this guy. Obviously he's pulling something, nobody is that good all the time. We both have a vested interest in stemming the loss to him. I think I'll be here to watch him myself, too."Not long after his conversation with Job Kane, Jake goes over to see Tom Whipple privately. "Assuming things go the way you expect, we are interested in the whole thing. The two of us already have our share. It's just up to Job, and I'm sure he'll be fine." Jake's conversation with him is brief and he heads back to his table. Conrad Booth arrives at the Lone Star and catches Kate's attention.  They sit down and he says "Cole will take the body. He offered $ 50 but I talked him up to $ 75. He says the reward is a lot higher but won't say how high, problem is he saw the papers so knows that the guy's been dead since Saturday.  Said if he you saw him then he could have paid a lot more since he could have just put in on a horse. Now but now he'll have to go and buy a wagon, draft horses and casket in order to transport it. Said if you're willing to provide him with the wagon, horses and casket he'd be willing to pay you $ 200 but otherwise $ 75 is the highest he'll go due to his higher expenses." "It would cost me more than it's worth to cover his expenses. I think I'll take the $75. If Nanuet spent more on the supplies I'll reimburse him myself. Frankly, I'm tired of dealing with this. I'll take a little less to get it over with." She stopped and chuckled. "My Father would be so disappointed. Why don't you stay through the last set? There are some details to be worked out, and I have to get back to work." Booth tells her to take her time, he's done for the night at the Long Branch other than heading back to speak to Cole again adding "That southern gambler Van Horne is there cleaning the place out. Normally he comes on Wednesday and we've established some low-stakes rules for that night to keep him under control but this week he switched his night and caught us off guard.""I think he plays here most Fridays, so tomorrow you should be safe. I hope you didn't have too bad a night."  Ruby reluctantly comes back in from her break. She doesn't appreciate the dirty looks from Tom so she makes sure to just stick with plain old boring songs. Ruby knows she isn't at her best but she is tired and getting grumpy. She decides to lay off the drinks as they aren't helping much. She chats with a few customers here and there, spends some time with Chester and his new friends, who do manage to make her laugh, but mostly stays quietly near Jake when she isn't singing.  Jake spends the rest of the night chatting with folks in the Lone Star, listening to Ruby singing, and drinking whiskey after whiskey.Kate had played the last set for Ruby, who was lacking her usual fire. Kate wouldn't have thought Tom's disapproval would bother her friend in the least, but it seemed to have taken the wind out of her sails for the night. After Ruby left the stage the set still felt unfinished. Katherine hesitated. She could carry a tune, and her voice was pleasant enough if not remarkable. A moment later she sang in a light mezzo-soprano a song she had learned from Tom years ago. Of all the money that ere I spent, I spent it in good company. And of all the harm that ere I've done, alas was done to none but me. And all I've done for want of wit, to memory now I cannot recall. So fill me to the parting glass. Goodnight and joy be with you all. Oh, if I had money enough to spend and leisure time to sit awhile There is a fair maid in this town that sorely has my heart beguiled Her rosey cheeks and ruby lips, she alone has my heart in thrall. So fill me to the parting glass. Goodnight and joy be with you all. Of all the comrades that ere I had, they're sorry for my going away, And of all the sweethearts that ere I had , they wish me one more day to stay, But since it falls unto my lot that I should rise while you should not, I will gently rise and softly call, "Goodnight and joy be with you all!" She walked quietly away from the piano and went back to her work. Once things slowed down enough, she went over to sit with Mr. Booth. "We need to work out how to get Mr. Cole to the body, and of course recompense for your trouble." He replies "Well, I could have him meet you someone but he's one tough hombre so I wouldn't recommend you meet him alone. I could join you if you're willing to wait until early afternoon, I tend to sleep in mornings. She replies, "I don't mind waiting until afternoon. It will be nice to relax in the morning for a change. I might be able to get a couple others to come out as well, if you think it's necessary. Just come to the El Parador and ask for me. We'll have to ride, will you need a horse?"   He replies, "No, I'll just borrow one from Dorita. She's watching the mounts belonging to my friends, Arcade's Gang, and those horses need to be ridden semi-regularly to keep them in shape. I eat my first meal of the day around noontime at the El Parador so we can head out after that." He then says, “And all the compensation I'm asking for is for you to join me at my table on Sunday night."  She answers, "Yes, so you've said, but I still feel you ought to have something more for your trouble than my company for the night. After all, I don't intended to play, so I won't be losing money to you." Not entirely true, I'm spotting you $ 100 in chips so you'll have that to lose. I'm just looking forward to having a classy lady there, especially on Sunday as that's the slowest night of the week. Your presence alone should attract others to play." Chester approaches Ruby and says, "Hey, Ruby. Something troubling you? You haven't been your normal cheery self tonight."  "Chet, you are very sweet to notice. I've had a long day, that was preceded by a long night. I have a lot on my mind AND I have a headache. Pretty boring stuff really. I'm sure everything will be fine soon enough." She gives him a small smile. "So I guess you've made some new friends?"  “Yes,” he replies, a wide grin on his face. William Whipple returns at around 11:30 PM. Booth heads out shortly before midnight, right around the time that both card games wrap up. Most of the patrons head out. Tom Whipple pays Ruby, Kate and Louise their wages for the prior three days. Tony and Job indicated that they have collectively earned over $ 500 that night, passing the $ 100 plus on to Tom. Once all of the patrons and Tony have left William Whipple tells Tom "Congratulations, you've passed," and shakes his son's hand.Ruby takes Jake’s hand as they walk back to the El Parador. She lets him pull her along as he talks a little about the Lone Star and how they might run it, then about the silver mine. Ruby is too tired to really pay attention, and doesn't really notice he is slightly unsteady and slurring his words a bit. It has been a long draining day, starting with staying up late and drinking too much, then getting up early, the whole Tombstone trip with talking to Morgan Earp and Colby Tucker, Chumbley on the way back, fighting with Jake and finally work. She had a headache since her chat with Chumbley and it has never gone away. Ruby looked forward to sleeping in late tomorrow and just having some time to think. They get back to Jake’s room and Ruby sits on the bed quietly. Jake turns his back to take off his gunbelt, still talking about something, while Ruby lays on the bed, fully clothed. When he stops talking she says softly, “Jake, you are so smart with all this business stuff. Sometimes I wonder why you keep me around…” "I'm not so smart, you..." By the time Jake turns his head to look at Ruby she is already sound asleep. "Heh." He takes off her shoes and fumbles with her dress trying to take it off without waking her but gives up. He does manage to get the blankets out from under her and get her covered. He pulls up a chair next to the bed and sits with a thump. Jake grabs the bottle of Tennessee bourbon and just watches her sleep for a while. The room is faintly lit by moonlight coming through the shutters. He watches as the beams delicately journey across her face. He finally starts to doze off so puts the bottle back narrowly avoiding a spill, gives her a little kiss on the head and whispers "I was going to ask you the same question." He staggers around to the other side of the bed and falls asleep on top of the covers fully clothed.Chester says goodbye to his friends and the waits outside the Lone Star to walk Louise and Kate back to the El Parador. He then escorts Maggie back to the Lone Star. Everyone turns in for the evening. After Nanuet walked "Louise" over to the Lone Star he then headed off back to the cave with Maska to spend the night with Kajika. Nanuet approaches the cave and asks Maska if she can smell or sense Kajika. He takes a moment to scout the area looking for recent signs of footprints or the like before entering.Kajika arrives and casts the "Warp Wood" spell, allowing the two of them to enter. The mentor says "I know you have many questions but before you ask them you first need to learn." He brings him over to a far corner of the cave, where a spider has made a web approximately three inches in diameter. He instructs Nanuet "Sit here and what she has done. See what you can learn from her and what she has made." The shaman then goes to Maska and walks with her to the far corner of the cave and down a side passageway. Nanuet hears both the wolf and the shaman then softly converse in a language of barks and growls.  Three hours pass until the Shaman returns to Nanuet.Nanuet studies the spider. For what seems like ages the spider does not move. It's web is set, completed, just waiting. More time passes, when an unfortunate fly hits the web and finds itself trapped. The spider, who had been waiting so patiently senses the vibrations across the web and scurries quickly across the strands, unaffected by their stickiness.  The spider reaches the now weak and struggling fly and pounces upon it. It then spins the fly in the web until no movement is seen and it is fully entangled in the sticky threads. The spider sits upon its prize triumphantly. As Nanuet is watching this spectacle he hears Kajika approaching.  "Kajika, I have watched the spider as you have asked. I am still not sure what I was supposed to have learned from this? The spider shows much patience. His work is done and then he waits for the right opportunity for action. Is this my lesson? Sonoma has preached patience to me as well, perhaps that is my weakness?" "It is," Kajika replies, "but that you are learning. There is much that you still need to be taught." They spend the next six hours with the Shaman giving Nanuet specific instruction in the use of a variety of different spells. By the first light of dawn the Indian is physically exhausted but mentally stimulated.  "That is all" Kajika states, "We must go before people are about." The mentor warps the wood open and they depart, him then warping it back. His final words to Nanuet are "Rest and think of what I taught you. We will spend time together once more before you are needed for the task that Riley has seen."  Nanuet returns to his room at the El Parador and falls to sleep.Katherine didn't lay in bed too late on Friday morning. Since she planned to ride out shortly after noon, she would want to see Mr. Gonzales in the morning instead. Then there was the deed and her dress to pick up, and some clothing to order. She sat down at the table with her hairbrush and began to carefully work all the knots out. A bath this afternoon was in order as well. She hadn't had the opportunity to speak with Maggie last night, perhaps she could stop over early this evening to do that. Or maybe it would better if Maggie didn't know. Kate sighed. In three days it would be decided either way. So would a lot of other business. She looked forward to the time when all she had to worry about would be her lessons and her ranch. Since she was only going to Mr. Gonzales rooms, Kate dressed simply in a skirt and blouse. She penned a quick note to Jake and Ruby and left it with Dorita downstairs, and then Dorita went into the kitchen. Kate slipped up the stairs just as Dorita was coming back holding a large plate of breakfast and looking for Katherine.  She went up into Mr. Gonzales rooms, picked up a book, and waited for her mentor. She didn't have to wait for very long. He soon arrived. He is dressed rather oddly, in some type of military uniform with various medals, pins and ribbons on it.Katherine stood and curtsied formally, coming up with a grin. "What's this all about, professeur aimé? Or shall I call you Admiral?" He laughs "Oh, no need for titles that are twenty-nine years out of date. I guess I just got nostalgic. You know the really ironic thing?  The one single event which forced Santa Anna from office and put me out of a job was the Gadsden Purchase. His critics objected to his selling the land that is now New Mexico and Arizona to the United States, and now this is my home!"She replies, "Is it terribly selfish of me to be glad he made that decision? Without it I wouldn’t have come here, Tom and I would have moved to Nevada perhaps, and I would never have met you." "Well, admiral de professeur, what's the lesson for today? More Transmutation?" "Well, you did very well with those first two transformational spells but starting that third was too much for one day. Why don't we go back to that and have you keep trying until you have perfected it."Kate spent the rest of the morning working on her spell. Although she did perfect it, there wasn't time afterward to begin another. Instead, Mr. Gonzales gave another lecture, this time explaining how the gestures and words used in spells varied. A spell with a large, flashy effect required large gestures and emphatic speaking. A spell with a subtle effect could be cast under one's breath with minimal gestures. Katherine guessed he had decided on this lecture after her casting the night before. She had taken Ruby's warning to heart, and she was sure Mr. Gonzales had heard about their adventure downstairs.As the morning light comes through the shades Ruby starts to stir. She could tell she slept deeply as she barely moved in the night. She gave herself a frown as she looked down and realized that she was still wearing her dress. She gives a little stretch and looks over at Jake, who is lying fully clothed on top of the covers. Must have been a good night, she thinks. She smiles as she rolls over to him putting her back up against him and taking his arm and wrapping it over her. Jake doesn’t make a sound as she does. She lays like that for a while, unable to fall back asleep. This Tom Kale business was really getting to her and she knew she was going to have to do something about it and soon. Ruby sighed as she looked around the room. Right in front of her face were those two letters from yesterday, She hadn’t had the chance to ask Jake about them like she intended. She moved over in the bed and reached out for them, looking them over in her hand. She guessed one letter was to his parents but who was the other letter to? She turned to Jake, letters in hand. “Jake?” she said quietly, “Jake are you awake?” She poked him with her finger, “Wake up sleepy head.” His only response was a louder snore than the previous one. He was out like a light. Ruby smiled as she leaned over and kissed him softly on the lips. Her nose crumpled as the strong smelled of bourbon still lingered there. He was probably still drunk, and he had not moved one bit since she was awake. She was too curious to wait and thinks Jake won’t mind too much if I open them, that is if he ever finds out I opened them, she laughs to herself. She sits up in the bed with her back to Jake and reaches for her hair clip, which Jake had to good sense to take out the night before. She pulls out the tiny dagger hidden inside and, as she had done a million times before, ever so gently opens the two letters. She glances over her shoulder at Jake, who is still sleepy soundly, then turns back to read the letters.  The first letter was a fairly standard boring letter.  In crisp, clear and neat handwriting: Mr. & Mrs. Hiram Cooke Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Dear Mother and Father It has been some time since my last letter, and I apologize for my tardiness. I am well in body and in spirit. I find myself in the Arizona territory still discovering the country and seeking my vocation. I am fortunate that I have met men in the mining business who are willing to provide me a fair day's wage. They find my skills and experience valuable and have offered to educate me in the mining business. It is not the first time that my training in documents have helped me find work. Arizona is quite unlike Philadelphia in the landscape and the inhabitants. The people are honest and hardworking, but often uncouth and uneducated. The sky seems endless and blue with hardly a drop of rain. I take back many of the foul thoughts I had about Philadelphia's raining weather. I have met some interesting people, and they have treated me well. Perhaps we will become friends. I do not know when I will be in Philadelphia again, but it is unlikely it will be any time soon. I pray that this letter finds you both in good health, and my siblings as well. I trust that my brothers have added much success to the family business, I would expect no less. I will write again soon. Please tell Virginia how much I miss and love her. My best regards, Jacob. P.S. I will likely be staying here long enough to receive a letter if you would care to write back.When Ruby was done reading it she closed it back up and put it back. She marveled at her skill in putting it back together and even she couldn’t tell she had opened it. The second letter was different. She read it over and over again, each time getting more and more upset. She knew she probably shouldn’t be all that upset, she really didn’t know Jake all that long but for whatever reason she couldn’t help herself.  The letter reads:Virginia Claire Cooke Care of Mr. & Mrs. Victor Carnegie Philadelphia, Pennsylvania My Dearest Virginia, I pray this letter finds you in good health. I myself am well, and at least for now, prospering. I continue to make my way with odd jobs and gambling. I know you disapprove but it keeps me well fed and clothed. And I will tell you again, this is my path and I enjoy myself immensely. Yes, I continue to withhold the truth from those who reluctantly admit to be my parents. When I last wrote you I was in New Mexico and unsure of my next destination. Lacking any reason for one destination over another, I cut the cards and find myself in the Arizona Territory. Although the cards don't always fall my way, over the long run they have looked kindly on me. I have found employment, and am making some investments. Perhaps they will payoff handsomely, there are many opportunities in the wild west to make one's fortune. Right now it is too soon to tell. I have also met some people I have come to trust, and who in time could become close friends. At least for now they are pleasant company and we help each other in our dilemmas. One of these new friends is a woman from back east who looks and acts remarkably like the light of my life. She reminds me how I miss you terribly. I think of you every day and wonder about your life. Do not continue to blame yourself over past events, it was I who acted rashly. What was done was my doing alone and my choice. I know you too well; you will deny it. Please forgive me and think kindly of me. If you have not already done so, do not let past mistakes keep you from moving on with your life, you can do no wrong in my eyes. There is reason for me to stay here for now, so I am providing a return address finally. If you can bring yourself to it, please write and tell me of your life and future - but no more discussion of the past, that is behind us. I am entertaining thoughts of coming back for a visit, albeit a brief one. I have not decided one way or another, but will ask your permission before coming back to protect you from any pain or embarrassment it could cause. I love you always, Jacob.Ruby throws the letter on the bed and storms out of Jake’s room, slamming the door as she goes. She gets back to her room, closes and locks the door and sits on the bed to try to calm down but it's not working.  As the door slams Jake awakes with a groan and his head echoes with pain at the sound. He looks over and sees that Ruby is gone, "Damn, she should know better than to slam the door." He folds the pillow over his head and in a little while his body drags him back to much needed sleep.</blockquote>

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