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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2611611" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter 142, "The Earth Spirits", Wednesday, January 18th:Jeremiah and Cornflower have just returned and are in the process of tending to their horses. Nanuet comes over to assist. Peck tells Nanuet that Cornflower brought Kajika to Grey Antelope. He says that as a human the Navajo did not let him attend any of the ceremonies. Nanuet asks where Kajika is now. Peck replies “We left him at a cave in the Dos Cabezas Mountains.” He gives Nanuet detailed directions to the northwest face of Bowie Mountain three-to-four miles north of Promise City. He says, “Kajika wishes to meet with you and your companions there this evening.” Nanuet asks if he had anything else to say. Jeremiah replies “Not to me. He spoke to Cornflower a lot.” Nanuet gets permission from him to speak to her. Cornflower tells Nanuet that it was nice to get back to Navajo territory although she is displeased with the limited borders of the reservation. She misses the freedom and the sight of vast fields of buffalo and other animals. He presses her for more details and she tells him that she was present for the major ceremonies but not the private conversations between the two shamans. Nanuet thanks them for their time and heads back to the Lone Star. He tells Ruby “Remember the whole thing with Riley?” She replies “Crazy guy, yeah.” He continues “Well, remember those ogres and giants that were in town last night. Well those were from Riley’s dreams and we have been asked to join my mentor Kajika out in the Dos Cabezas Mountains this evening. “Tonight?” She replies. He says, “Evening, it is evening now, so we could go at any time. It sounds like we will all be needed for this endeavor.” “Will we be back by 8:00 PM?” she asks. “I have no idea,” he replies. Sonoma is currently in the kitchen of the Lone Star. They tell Sonoma, who precooks much of the food for the evening so that Jeff Mills will just have to warm it up for the customers that evening. They then head back over to the El Parador to get Chester, Kate and Riley. Kate and Riley are both there. Chester is over at the gunsmith shop and is expected back soon. Riley does not anticipate going, but will since Kajika is his blood brother. The gunsmith Pierre Jacquet examines the custom made case that the hand cannon is in before looking at the weapon and ten pieces of ammunition inside. Pierre is fascinated by the workmanship of the weapon. He tells Chester that he is familiar with the craftsman who made it. It was a custom designed firearm made by the master gunsmith named Bailey and shows him Bailey’s mark. He tells Chester that Bailey was one of the finest creators of custom firearms in the world. Bailey was a southerner who made guns for the Confederacy during the war. Towards the end of the war when the south’s loss was imminent he fled the country to Mexico for his own safety. Once there he found and married a beautiful wood elf Seniorita who had now given him more children than he has fingers. He now lives a peaceful life along the Mexican coast where he continues to make weapons for select customers. He tells Chester that it is a rare opportunity to examine a Bailey piece, that the owners of one would never voluntarily part with one. He says that Bailey’s current customers now include the renowned bounty hunter Thomas Luther Price. Chester says, “This one was made for Curly Bill Broncious. He doesn’t need it any longer. After a thorough cleaning and examination of the weapon Pierre walks Chester through the operation of it. The oversized grip on the weapon requires the use of both hands, with the fingers cupped together around it and the thumbs up to both sides. It is a thumb action weapon, the triggering mechanism pushed by the right thumb. A similar switch on the left side of the weapon ejects the spent shell from the main chamber and simultaneously drops down and loads the second shell from the reserve chamber. The weapon itself is quite heavy, with a thick fifteen-inch long barrel. The reserve chamber is built atop the rear of the main barrel. Next they look at the ammunition for the gun. Each shell is five inches long and nearly two-inches round. Pierre shows Chester the U.S. markings on four of the shells and explains that it is United States Navy ordinance, used on navy gunships. Chester recalls the previously full case of three-dozen well-packed shells back at the inn (four of which had been taken out and placed by Jake into four empty ammunition slots in the gun case). Jake had scraped off the “Property of the United States Navy” markings on the case. Pierre examines all ten ammunition shells in the case, noting that six are not United States military issue but apparently custom made for this particular weapon. Three have red markings on the shells and three have blue markings. He says that it is possible that they are magical shells. He will need more time to examine exactly what they are and asks Chester to leave one of each color with him and for him to come back tomorrow. Chester ponders if it will even be possible to get more ammunition for the weapon. Pierre speculates that Curly Bill probably got the ordinance through illegal means and it is not likely that Chester will be able to persuade the Navy to give any to him. Chester asks, “Do you know what type of damage this type of shell causes?” Pierre has a number of texts and pamphlets about military weapons and ordinance. He finds a reference to this type of shell and says, “It is an explosive shell that activates when the tip makes impact. The explosive capacity of this shell is the equivalent of three sticks of dynamite.” “That’s some weapon!” Chester states. Pierre says, “Yes, but such a weapon would require someone of great strength to use it. Curly Bill was a giant of a man. If you were to attempt to use this I would suggest that you be well braced against something, otherwise the recoil would probably knock you onto your posterior.” Everybody mounts up and heads out. The sun has set over the mountains to the west but there is still some light remaining in the sky as they set off. Nanuet guides them using the directions given to him by Jeremiah Peck. The Dos Cabezas Mountains are a wilderness area with elevations ranging between 4,000 and 7,500 feet with a variety of plant and animal life. They pass a number of steep slopes, granite outcroppings and vegetative canyon floors. It is a rugged and remote area. They soon reach Bowie Mountain, which is one of the higher peaks. As they near the area of the cave Maska picks up Kajika’s scent and leads the group directly there. The find a spot to tie up the horses and enter the cave. Kajika has lit a good-sized fire inside, the smoke flowing up through a small natural chimney in the rocks. Once they are all inside he makes some hand motions into the smoke and it flows out and billows, forming into the shape of a female centaur, which then transforms from the smoke shape into an opaque and semi-translucent form. Kate, Ruby and Sonoma recognize her as Storm Golden Eye, who none of them have seen since she died and Ruby’s jaw drops as she looks on her in shock. Nanuet is obviously not surprised at seeing her but notes that she has more of a physical form now than the prior times he has spiritually met with her. Chester and Riley are both wide-eyed at seeing this and Riley mutters “The one from the dreams Nanuet speaks up, telling Kajika, “I have done what you have suggested. My friends are all gathered here.” He says to Storm, “You appear to have a stronger form?” Kajika says, “She bridges between two planes. She is now near the earth spirits. Their presence has helped to bring her back closer to this plane of existence, rooting her more to this plane. Before she was closer to the realms of the afterlife.” Chester just comments, “Why can I see through the centaur?” Riley tells him “She is a ghost. She’s been haunting my dreams.” He then gestures to Nanuet and says, “I guess she’s a friend of his.” Nanuet says, “When she was alive she was an acquaintance. When I first came to this town on a quest of vengeance and even though she advised me against it when I asked for her assistance she gave it. Unfortunately she wound up a casualty. She has been guiding me ever since.” Riley says, “See, she haunts his dreams too.” Nanuet continues “She led me first on the path to become a shaman and has now guided me to this point.” Kajika says “Nanuet, what is it that you know right now of the spirits of the Earth?” He answers “I know that there are ten, and that one is leaving and is being replaced.” “That is correct,” Kajika states, “Each of the major land masses and oceans of this world has its own spirit. Each is a physical creature, a creature that typically lives for four-to-five centuries. During their lifetime they have an influence over the region of the world where they reside. Nanuet says “And I believe they have different forms, and different life philosophies.” Kajika replies “Correct, some a good, some are evil, some are for law, some are for chaos, others are for neutrality. Even those of a neutral nature can have different philosophy, some seeing the need for inclusion of good, evil, law and chaos to create a balance. Others view neutrality as the absences of all other motivation.” He then cites examples of how the spirits influence the lands. The spirit of the great ocean to the east was hospitable to travelers during the time of the Vikings and allowed them to freely travel. The spirit following it was not and that ocean became impassable to ships. The current spirit has watched over the land since late in the human calendar’s fifteenth century, during which time European explorers have unreservedly voyage to the Americas. His next example is that of the African continent and of the deep hatred that the spirit who has resided there for the last several centuries shares towards its native inhabitants. Its animosity towards the indigenous peoples has made it possible for the ogres of that land to be enslaved and colonized by the humans. Storm then speaks “The spirits of the North American and South American land masses are both here now.” “Both?” Kate inquires. She says “Yes, the way that a new spirit is brought into the world is the same as any other living creature brings more of itself into the world. Two of the race, one of each gender, get together and make one more.” The two have joined together here in these mountains to create a new spirit, which will then replace one of its parents.” She pauses while they take in this information. She then continues, “The North American Spirit has been a friend to the native population. Where it has been prosperity has followed. This prosperity has translated into prosperity to the humans, as the lands where this creature had been have become fertile and have yielded many crops. As the creature has moved on the lands left in its wake have been bountiful. It is a spirit for good.” “However, the spirit of the South American continent is not. During the last four centuries that land has been a place of unrest. The Spanish conquered the native peoples and violence has followed. Where the Spanish were forced out violent warlords and dictators have taken over. Hundreds of thousands have died. Great and ancient cultures such as that of the Aztec, Inca and Myan have all fallen, their treasured being plundered by the conquerors. This is all due to the influence of this creature.” While these two creatures have different philosophies they have been drawn together now by the need to mate and create another. The egg was created and it hatched less than a week ago, the arrival of the new spirit being proclaimed by the unusual weather that we all experienced several days ago.” Nanuet asks, “Does the new Earth spirit always replace one of its parents?” She replies “Yes, always. There are temporarily eleven but that will soon change as one of the others will pass from this earth. It will cease to be and the other will take its place.” Chester says, “Okay, do I have this right. North and South America just had a baby?” Storm replies, “You could say that.” He then asks “And what does that have to do with us? Why did they come here?” Kajika explains “The other shaman who I met with is a Way-shepherd, and elvan spellcaster who has power with both earth and wizard magics. There are parts of the world more susceptible to both of these types of magic and this section of the Arizona Territory is one of them. That is why the spirits chose here to create the new spirit.” Nanuet says, “They probably needed the space too. I imagine that they are large creatures. Kajika says, “They are very large creatures. They have always taken on a variety unique forms. To the sailors who sailed the oceans they saw sea serpents. The knights of medieval times dubbed them dragons.” Ruby says, “I’m afraid.” Nanuet says, “So it sounds like we are supposed to guard the new spirit?” Chester says, “What do these Earth Spirits look like?” Kajika says, “I have not seen them. I know they are here and why they are here but do not know the specific form that these spirits have taken.” Ruby exclaims, “How can we protect them if we don’t know what it looks like?” Kajika says, “It is near. Storm will help guide you to where she lies, her and her offspring.” Chester says, “So, we have to look for a baby spirit?’ Storm says, “The child is but a few days old. It is not yet of an age where it can travel. When it is a week old it will be able to travel. You must keep the spirit safe until then.” Riley says “And which of its parents will it replace?” Storm states “That is up to you and your actions. Either parent could raise the child and pass on its own philosophy. If the mother dies the father will raise the infant, or the opposite could be true. That is the way it has always been.” Kate is mesmerized by all of this. Riley asks, “How do these spirits feel about that?” Storm replies “The spirits may not directly confront or harm each other, that is not allowed.” Kate looks confused by that comment and says, “Then how did she get pregnant?” Storm says, “They can mate. They cannot fight or kill one another for the child.” Kate says, “So if the evil South American parent dies.” Storm answers, “Then the North American parent will raise the child with its philosophy towards good and prosperity. It would then bring to South America when it is of sufficient age to do so as it will take the location of the parent that is gone.” Chester says, “So, is the spirit to be replaced not decided yet?” Storm answers, “It is not decided yet. They all live. As the spirits will not confront each other they will use other. And that has happened here. While the good spirit was helping her egg to hatch the other one, knowing that once the child was born it would no longer have need of the other, has let itself be seen. It has let its presence be known in this area. It has drawn hunters to this region and is intentionally leaving tracks to allow them to locate her, and do its bidding for it. Once the child is of sufficient size to travel she plans to leave this area. But until then they are vulnerable to the hunters. It is imperative that the hunters do not find and destroy the mother, if that is your choice.” Chester says, “So we have to protect North American from South America.” Kate says, “I think we want to make the South American spirit become good instead of the North American spirit becoming evil. It would be a happier outcome.” Chester says “So, did North America send you to us?” Ruby exclaims “Yeah, why us?” Storm replies “You are a balance representative of this place. You are a group that has decided to create a peace amongst yourselves. You take different individuals of different backgrounds and hold all equal. And you willingly cooperate. Because of these characteristics you are who she wishes to protect her.” Sonoma comments “We are the yeast, we are the spice, we are the ingredients for her future.” Storm nods and says, “You are her people. You are willing to learn the ways and to work together. You are also an amalgam of the people who now inhabit this continent, human, high elf and wood elf. You are an amalgam of the skill sets of the people who now inhabit the continent. Who better than you to decide the path that this continent will take.” “If we survive,” Kate mumbles. Storm looks directly at her and says, “There is always a struggle. All peoples have a struggle. It is expected for growth, it is expected for balance, it is expected for knowledge, it is expected for the future. Your struggles have given you strength, they’ve given you thought, they’ve given you a conscience. Ruby giggles uncomfortably at that last comment. Chester says, “So, you know where the baby is?” Storm says “Yes, the hunters are nowhere near it at the moment. They have not found a path to it as of yet. They are far from where it now is. The evil spirit is trying to direct them but will not get too close as the hunters do not know that there is more than one spirit here. They are seeking to kill a dragon, whichever dragon they come across. She should be safe for at least another day. From tomorrow at midnight and until the next two days she will need your protection.” Ruby says, “How can we protect her? We are just piano players and singers. Maybe Chester has soldiering experience but not the rest of us.” Storm says “You are many things but you are not just piano players and singers. And collectively you are all more than your separate selves.” Kajika says, “Return here tomorrow night and Storm will lead you to her.” Chester asks “What time?” He replies “She will need the protection from midnight on.” Storm adds “It is within these mountains but will take a few hours to reach her from here.” Kajika says, “This is Storm’s purpose. This is why she has stayed rooted to this world. This is her mission. Will you do this for her?” Storm interrupts “No, they will do it for themselves. It must be their choice, not out of a sense of obligation for anyone else.” Ruby looks at Kajika and says “Don’t argue with her.” Kate says, “I have accepted that we would be doing this when I first heard of it.” Ruby turns to her and says “Well, you’re nuts.”</blockquote>

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