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<blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2653478" data-attributes="member: 8530"><p><strong>Chapter 147, "Into the Mountains", Wednesday, January 18th, 11:00 P.M. </strong> </p><p></p><p>Nanuet explains “I met up with the people you know Kate.” He tells them what he has learned and of the arrangement that he made with them. He emphasizes “The other groups are only looking to kill or capture a dragon. They do not know or care which one, in fact they only believe that there is one.” </p><p></p><p>He describes the three-headed creature. Chester exclaims “The Chimera! I know of them!” Sonoma exclaims “You have a problem with talking to the dead yet you know about three-headed dragons?” Chester says, “If you’d gone to church on Sunday you would know all about them too. The priest told of the Greek story of the Chimera. The three-headed creature, dragon goat and lion, the dragon head breathes fire. In the Greek story it is killed by Bellerophon riding on the winged horse Pegasus. Ruby exclaims “Oh yeah, like we can just go to the local store and buy a pegasus. </p><p></p><p>He then tells of Sunday’s church service of the story. How Bellepheron put lead on a spear. The heat from the dragon’s breath melted the lead, which flowed into its body and then killed it. It was killed by lead. We have lead bullets. Ruby thinks that it is more the idea of using arrows, some coated with the poison. Kate says, “That cannon would make a lot of melted lead, wouldn’t it?” Sonoma says, “We’re not throwing the cannon down it’s through.” Kate says, “No, I meant the ammunition. </p><p></p><p>Nanuet says, “I’m hoping that we don’t have to fight this thing. I’m hoping that they fight it. They are hunters, they can fight it. They don’t know about our creature, let them think the other one is their creature to kill.” Sonoma focuses back upon what Chester said. She comments, “This priest who preached about the Chimera. We should check to see what else he may know.” Kate says, “He changed his sermon. He had planned to speak about Zeus and Hera.” Sonoma says, “What is there to say about them? Cheating on your spouse bad, done with sermon.” </p><p></p><p>Chester says he may have already left, just coming to town once a month. Sonoma says to check anyway. Kate says, “I’ll check at the Long Branch. Hopefully I won’t catch any contagious diseases when I am there.” Sonoma says, “If you do, talk to Valdez.” </p><p></p><p>Sonoma asks if the sermon had any reference to how to kill the other two heads. Chester says, “The melted lead in his stomach killed the entire creature.” They ask Riley about the size of the cave in his dreams and whether it was large enough for a winged creature to fly around in. He says that he is unsure. Ruby says, “We wouldn’t want to get trapped inside the cave.” </p><p></p><p>Kate heads over to the Long Branch to ask about the priest. Kate Higgins indicates that he left town the day before. She asks if anyone present may have attended the worship service and Higgins replies “I doubt it. None of us here are churchgoers.” Kate makes it back to the Lone Star by closing time. Tony made $35, Job made $ 64, Hoover made $ 9.27 in liquor profits and the singing tips cup totals only $ 4.98. They equate the low amount in singing tips to their having been distracted and not putting in their best effort. </p><p></p><p>The supplies list now includes candles, matches, twine, rope, lanterns, oil, leather water bottles, hammer, iron spikes, grappling hook, shovel and two backpacks. Ruby says to add some dynamite to that list. It is pointed out that the dynamite merchant, Sam Slade, is currently out. Ruby says, “Jake has six sticks and we might be able to get more from Flint.” Kate suggests that dynamite could be effectively used in conjunction with a Mage Hand spell, although the maximum range is only thirty feet for her. She suggests trying to get the dynamite into the creature’s mouth. </p><p></p><p>Sonoma says she will get some large cans and clean out the grease traps in the sinks at both hotels as the grease could come in handy. They discuss what to use for torches. Nanuet says, “Anytime we need some cloth strips Kate rips up her clothes.” “I will not rip up my clothes for torches!” she exclaims. Sonoma says, “Yes, thank you, we should add bandages to the list.” </p><p></p><p>They discuss making some Molitov Cocktails using rages and bottles filled with oil. Sonoma points out that both the El Parador and Lone Star have lots of empty bottles so doing this will also help to clean up the garbage. “Your mother will be pleased” Kate states. It is pointed out that they should bring the items needed to make these but not to put them together until needed, given the volatile nature of them. Chester discusses buying hardware such as nails to make some type of makeshift bombs with. Nanuet points out that such an idea may not be practical. </p><p></p><p>They discuss bringing some pack animals in addition to their horse but then decide against it. Nanuet says that he should buy a handgun for himself. Sonoma says that tomorrow she will get one of the ones that she had taken from the bandits and buried. Nanuet tells Chester to go to the gunshop and purchase extra ammunition for all of their firearms. Kate comments how she doesn’t like the idea of using firearms but that she likes the prospect of being dead even less. </p><p></p><p>They discuss how they should probably head back and get to bed soon, and also all sleep in the next morning, as they might be up all night the following night so need to get a good night’s sleep. Chester comments that he still has to try to talk to the Condon’s about getting the next few days off from work. Sonoma suggests that he use “I really don’t feel good, I have to go see the priest.” Nanuet suggests that he coughs when he says it and mentions the Long Branch and mention “Hanging out with my good friend Edsel Trask the other day.” Sonoma adds, “Ask him to feel your head to see if it is warm.” “And comment that it feels cold in the room,” Nanuet suggests. </p><p></p><p>They all head back to the El Parador except for Ruby who heads upstairs. Before going to bed Sonoma talks to Dorita about putting together any herbal mixtures that could be helpful as well as anything to maybe create a smokescreen. She makes a point of NOT telling her mother why she needs this, as Dorita then would not let her go on the mission. </p><p></p><p>They discuss using the hand cannon but it is pointed out that Chester hasn’t had the opportunity to test it out yet. “I’d be careful doing that. I don’t know that Dorita wants her hotel burnt down,” Kate says. Nanuet comments, “Well, maybe she wants a basement. He could point it down.” Sonoma asks about the special ordinance and he says he doesn’t know yet what they are, that he has to check back with the gunsmith. </p><p></p><p>Thursday, January 19th, 1882: </p><p></p><p>The group sleeps in and then spends the morning and early afternoon on their shopping spree. They purchase saddlebags for the horses that they don’t already have them for then spend the morning packing up the items into the assorted saddlebags. A large canvas and some blankets are purchased to try to cover up the cave entrance with. Kate and Nanuet make a trip out to the ranch to pick up a few extra horses to use as pack animals and/or replacement mounts if the chimera should get a hold of one or two. </p><p></p><p>Kate asks “Should we tell Flint about the chimera?” Nanuet says “Do you like the mountain range the shape that it is?” They opt not to tell him but still borrow his remaining ten sticks of dynamite, telling him that their friend Jake now is part owner of a mine and that dynamite is hard to come by in town since Slade’s shed blew up. They ride back to town. Nanuet and Kate make sure that all of the horses are well feed and rested. </p><p></p><p>Sonoma talks to Valdez to see if he knows anything about the chimera or the earth spirits. He doesn’t. But upon request he does manage to find them some elixirs to be used to help keep them awake. </p><p></p><p>Kate checks the assorted books in the library, particularly texts about the Greek legends, to see if she can find out any more information about the chimera. They deduce that the dragon head spits fire, the goat head may spit lightening and the lion head has a deafening roar that can be heard for miles and causes fear. “Let’s make sure the horses aren’t spooked by that,” Kate comments. Sonoma and Ruby discuss using bard skills of their to try to counteract the sound, although they would have to be within thirty feet.” </p><p></p><p>Chester goes to the gunsmith and finds out that both of the special ordinance are indeed magical in nature. While they still contain explosive shells as per the normal ordinance they also are enchanted with magical properties. The ones with the red markings create fireballs upon impact where the ones with the blue markings generate the equivalent of a lightening blast where they strike. Sonoma gets both Kate and Nanuet a handgun. </p><p></p><p>Chester works until 3:30 PM. At the end of the day he then goes up to Morgan Condon and says, “I think I’m coming down with something. I was at the Long Branch the other day…” Morgan exclaims “GO SEE DOC EATON! GO, GO NOW!” Chester says, “If I feel bad tomorrow….” Condon yells “Just see the Doctor! Stay away if you’re sick.” So Chester goes to see the Doctor and is given a useless elixir. He tells the Doctor to bill Condon’s Bank for the medicine. </p><p></p><p>They use two pack horses to exclusively carry the hand cannon and the ammunition. Instead of bring the crate they repack the extra ordinance using saddlebags, sheets, rags and straw so that they do not bang together. They decide to bring all forty-two shells “just in case”. </p><p></p><p>Ruby lets Niles Hoover know that she and Kate will not be available to perform for the next night or two. She emphasizes that if anyone asks where the singer is NOT to tell them that she is sick, just to say that as a new owner she needed some time off to take care of business matters. Ruby writes out and leaves a note behind for Jake in case he returns while they are away. Kate writes out a letter and will for her parents in the event that she does not return from this expedition. </p><p></p><p>They have a nice meal and set off from the El Parador The group of Chester, Kate, Nanuet, Riley, Ruby and Sonoma set off at around 7:00 PM As they ride out to the cave Sonoma comments, “This whole world on our shoulders thing. I don’t like it. Let’s not do this again.” “I agree with her,” Ruby says. Nanuet says, “It wasn’t my choice. It’s not like we were given much of a choice.” </p><p></p><p>They enter the Dos Cabezas Mountains. They look to the east to see if there are any campfires that may indicate where the hunters are. They see one distance fire near Wood Mountain; another is a lot closer, on the opposite side of Bowie Mountain than where Kajika’s cave is situated, two miles to the east. The proceed with caution, knowing that other groups are near. </p><p></p><p>They reach and enter the cave where they had been the night before. Kajika is there and he gets the fire going to summon up the spirit of Storm Golden Eye. Storms body appears more solid than before, reminding them of what she looked like back in her physical form. </p><p></p><p>Kate apologizes to Storm for leaving her body lying the alleyway following the shooting on the 2nd. She replies, “It was not disposed of in the way of the people but I have moved on from that point. “Sorry,” Ruby states. Storm answers, “No you’re not, but it was nice of you to say.” “I really am sorry,” Kate states, meaning it. </p><p></p><p>She tells them it will take a few hours to travel. After an hour of going through the mountains she informs them that they are now well beyond any of the hunting parties. Nanuet and Sonoma ride in the rear of the party and attempt to help hide the group’s tracks. They are heading towards the twin peaks of Dos Cabezas Mountain, the highest elevation in the mountain range at over 8,300 feet. They pass the mountain, circumnavigating it to the north, and continue to travel to the northwest. They go for several more miles, so that they are now a few miles northwest of the town of Dos Cabezas. </p><p></p><p>They estimate that they are now fifteen to twenty miles from Promise City. They are now nearing the northwestern end of the Dos Cabezas mountain range. They approach another mountain, which Storm tells them is their destination, Mount Luzena. They travel to the northern side of it so that the mountain itself blocks the view of the lights coming from the town of Dos Cabezas, which are now three to four miles distant. </p><p></p><p>They continue to climb up the forested mountainside. The trail gets rockier and harder for the horses to travel. They then exit from the tree line, with only dirt, rocks and ledges from that point onward. The see the top of Mount Luzena a half-mile higher up from their present location. It is around 10:30 PM when they reach their final destination, a cave mouth approximately halfway between where the tree line ended and the top of the mountain. </p><p></p><p>As they near the cave opening they notice that Storm Golden Eye’s body is no longer translucent, appearing totally solid, her physical form just as they knew her before. Ruby thinks, “It’s not every day that you see a ghost become real.” The cave mouth is about fifteen feet wide and varies from ten to fifteen feet. </p><p></p><p>They enter the cave, finding it very large on the inside and going deep into the mountain. They see the earth spirit before them. She is a massive dragon, seventy-feet in length from head to tail. Her scales are a metallic color, appearing to be several different shade ranging from copper to brass to silver to gold. A sweet soft feminine voice comes from her stating, “Hello. Thank you for coming to help.” Ruby gapes in awe. </p><p></p><p>Chester is the first to speak, “Err, hello?” “Do you have a name, great spirit?” Nanuet asks. She replies, “I have been known by many names. When I was young the Shawnee called me Msi-Kinepeikwa. I stayed with them for over a century in the land that the humans now call Ohio. As I became older I moved further east to the great lake called Ontario. For a while I lived with the Seneca elvan people, known as the great hill people, and they referred to me as Gaasyendietha. I later crossed the lake and lived among the Huron people on the other side, who knew me as Angont. I have spent the last century in the great central plains of North America with the Lakota Sioux. They knew me as Unhcegila. So I have been known by all of these names.” </p><p></p><p>Nanuet asks, “Which one did you like?” She replies “Kinepeikwa was my first name. You may address me as that.” Ruby moves forward but not too close. She says, “My name is Ruby, although you probably know that already. I don’t know why you chose us. It doesn’t really matter at this point but do you have any information that will help us in this mission that you have chosen us for? Especially information about this other earth spirit that wishes to do you harm?” </p><p></p><p>She replies, “Yes, it wishes to have me slain by the hunters. It knows where this cave is and will most likely be leading them to it.” Ruby asks, “If it wishes to do us harm how can we defend ourselves against it?” She replies, “It is a very powerful and dangerous creature. I do not know if you could defend yourselves against it. I doubt that you have the power.” Ruby says, “So, you’re sending us to our deaths?” She replies, “No, you are the ones who decided to come here, not I.” Ruby turns to the others and says, “Let’s go!” </p><p></p><p>The dragon says, “I appreciate your help, your willingness to save my child.” She moves aside and gestures to a creature behind her. It resembles a chimera that is approximately the size of a cow. Its wings are pressed tightly against its back and it does not appear to know how to use them yet. She says, “It resembles its father in physical form, but hopefully it will not in temperament.” </p><p></p><p>Nanuet says, “If it leads the hunters here won’t it harm the child?” She says, “I have no doubt that once I am dead it will then intervene to protect the child from harm. It wishes to be the one to raise the child.” Kate asks, “Does the child have a name.” She replies, “We do not name ourselves. The indigenous people who we live with derive names for us from their own languages.” Nanuet asks, “Does the evil spirit have a name?” She replies, “Yes, it is called Ihuaivula by the wood elves of South America.” </p><p></p><p></p><p>Sonoma suggest that they start figuring out the best way to hide and cover the area. They set Riley and Maska up on watch outside. They investigate the caves finding that there are some smaller side passageways into the cave which they decide to block off in order to prevent any of the hunters from finding another way in, forcing them to try to enter through the main opening. </p><p></p><p>The dragon gestures to the horses and says, “I see you brought us some food.” “NO” Kate exclaims. Ruby says, “We need them.” “They are our mode of transportation,” Nanuet states. “Are you hungry?” Ruby asks. She says, “We have a stockpile of food. My mate would probably be hungry now and horses are its preferred food. When we first arrived in these mountains six weeks ago over a hundred wild mustangs inhabited the area. They are now all gone, having been eaten by my mate.” </p><p></p><p>Kate gasps and says, “All those horses.” Ruby tells her “Don’t think about it now Kate.” They decide to bring all of the horses deep into the cave and to the far back area, not far from an underground stream, to both provide them water and prevent the giant Chimera from smelling them. </p><p></p><p>They decide that attempting to hide the cave entrance should probably wait until dawn when they can better see how it looks. Sonoma begins painting the tarp to match the exact color of the rocks near the entrance. </p><p></p><p>Kate sets up their bandages and supplies inside the cave for easy access and Chester checks, cleans and reloads all of the group’s firearms. He leaves the Hand Cannon unloaded but readily accessible, with the extra rounds of ammunition safely inside the cave. </p><p></p><p>Ruby and Nanuet scout out the area immediately near the entrance, with Nanuet finding a rocky outcropping with large stones to also hide behind not far from above the cave. He decides this is the best lookout spot in the area. Ruby suggests this might be a good spot for Chester to use the hand cannon from, as he could shoot at anyone coming up the hill or the evil spirit flying through the air. </p><p></p><p>Ruby and Nanuet climb the remaining quarter-mile up to the top of the mountain, giving them a wide view of the entire area. They do not see any campfire lights, the only light coming from the town three-to-four miles to the southeast. They decide to scout out from here again at first light. </p><p></p><p>They decide that the ledge at the front of the cave would make for a good defensive spot, with a clear view below the quarter-mile down to the tree line. There are other ledges higher up but off to the side, none immediately above the cave mouth. They conclude that the spot is well defensible, that nobody will be able to get within a quarter mile of it from any direction without being seen. </p><p></p><p>They discuss moving a few rocks over to make more of a wall on the ledge but fear that doing so would make it look unnatural and draw more attention to it. They decide to at least move a few more rocks but to leave them in such a way that it appears they rolled down to that spot on their own. </p><p></p><p>Sonoma also suggests having some of the party head down the mountain to direct the other hunting parties in different directions than up this mountain. She considers heading over the farm where she got the sheep from, around five miles away, to get some help from them.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Silver Moon, post: 2653478, member: 8530"] [B]Chapter 147, "Into the Mountains", Wednesday, January 18th, 11:00 P.M. [/B] Nanuet explains “I met up with the people you know Kate.” He tells them what he has learned and of the arrangement that he made with them. He emphasizes “The other groups are only looking to kill or capture a dragon. They do not know or care which one, in fact they only believe that there is one.” He describes the three-headed creature. Chester exclaims “The Chimera! I know of them!” Sonoma exclaims “You have a problem with talking to the dead yet you know about three-headed dragons?” Chester says, “If you’d gone to church on Sunday you would know all about them too. The priest told of the Greek story of the Chimera. The three-headed creature, dragon goat and lion, the dragon head breathes fire. In the Greek story it is killed by Bellerophon riding on the winged horse Pegasus. Ruby exclaims “Oh yeah, like we can just go to the local store and buy a pegasus. He then tells of Sunday’s church service of the story. How Bellepheron put lead on a spear. The heat from the dragon’s breath melted the lead, which flowed into its body and then killed it. It was killed by lead. We have lead bullets. Ruby thinks that it is more the idea of using arrows, some coated with the poison. Kate says, “That cannon would make a lot of melted lead, wouldn’t it?” Sonoma says, “We’re not throwing the cannon down it’s through.” Kate says, “No, I meant the ammunition. Nanuet says, “I’m hoping that we don’t have to fight this thing. I’m hoping that they fight it. They are hunters, they can fight it. They don’t know about our creature, let them think the other one is their creature to kill.” Sonoma focuses back upon what Chester said. She comments, “This priest who preached about the Chimera. We should check to see what else he may know.” Kate says, “He changed his sermon. He had planned to speak about Zeus and Hera.” Sonoma says, “What is there to say about them? Cheating on your spouse bad, done with sermon.” Chester says he may have already left, just coming to town once a month. Sonoma says to check anyway. Kate says, “I’ll check at the Long Branch. Hopefully I won’t catch any contagious diseases when I am there.” Sonoma says, “If you do, talk to Valdez.” Sonoma asks if the sermon had any reference to how to kill the other two heads. Chester says, “The melted lead in his stomach killed the entire creature.” They ask Riley about the size of the cave in his dreams and whether it was large enough for a winged creature to fly around in. He says that he is unsure. Ruby says, “We wouldn’t want to get trapped inside the cave.” Kate heads over to the Long Branch to ask about the priest. Kate Higgins indicates that he left town the day before. She asks if anyone present may have attended the worship service and Higgins replies “I doubt it. None of us here are churchgoers.” Kate makes it back to the Lone Star by closing time. Tony made $35, Job made $ 64, Hoover made $ 9.27 in liquor profits and the singing tips cup totals only $ 4.98. They equate the low amount in singing tips to their having been distracted and not putting in their best effort. The supplies list now includes candles, matches, twine, rope, lanterns, oil, leather water bottles, hammer, iron spikes, grappling hook, shovel and two backpacks. Ruby says to add some dynamite to that list. It is pointed out that the dynamite merchant, Sam Slade, is currently out. Ruby says, “Jake has six sticks and we might be able to get more from Flint.” Kate suggests that dynamite could be effectively used in conjunction with a Mage Hand spell, although the maximum range is only thirty feet for her. She suggests trying to get the dynamite into the creature’s mouth. Sonoma says she will get some large cans and clean out the grease traps in the sinks at both hotels as the grease could come in handy. They discuss what to use for torches. Nanuet says, “Anytime we need some cloth strips Kate rips up her clothes.” “I will not rip up my clothes for torches!” she exclaims. Sonoma says, “Yes, thank you, we should add bandages to the list.” They discuss making some Molitov Cocktails using rages and bottles filled with oil. Sonoma points out that both the El Parador and Lone Star have lots of empty bottles so doing this will also help to clean up the garbage. “Your mother will be pleased” Kate states. It is pointed out that they should bring the items needed to make these but not to put them together until needed, given the volatile nature of them. Chester discusses buying hardware such as nails to make some type of makeshift bombs with. Nanuet points out that such an idea may not be practical. They discuss bringing some pack animals in addition to their horse but then decide against it. Nanuet says that he should buy a handgun for himself. Sonoma says that tomorrow she will get one of the ones that she had taken from the bandits and buried. Nanuet tells Chester to go to the gunshop and purchase extra ammunition for all of their firearms. Kate comments how she doesn’t like the idea of using firearms but that she likes the prospect of being dead even less. They discuss how they should probably head back and get to bed soon, and also all sleep in the next morning, as they might be up all night the following night so need to get a good night’s sleep. Chester comments that he still has to try to talk to the Condon’s about getting the next few days off from work. Sonoma suggests that he use “I really don’t feel good, I have to go see the priest.” Nanuet suggests that he coughs when he says it and mentions the Long Branch and mention “Hanging out with my good friend Edsel Trask the other day.” Sonoma adds, “Ask him to feel your head to see if it is warm.” “And comment that it feels cold in the room,” Nanuet suggests. They all head back to the El Parador except for Ruby who heads upstairs. Before going to bed Sonoma talks to Dorita about putting together any herbal mixtures that could be helpful as well as anything to maybe create a smokescreen. She makes a point of NOT telling her mother why she needs this, as Dorita then would not let her go on the mission. They discuss using the hand cannon but it is pointed out that Chester hasn’t had the opportunity to test it out yet. “I’d be careful doing that. I don’t know that Dorita wants her hotel burnt down,” Kate says. Nanuet comments, “Well, maybe she wants a basement. He could point it down.” Sonoma asks about the special ordinance and he says he doesn’t know yet what they are, that he has to check back with the gunsmith. Thursday, January 19th, 1882: The group sleeps in and then spends the morning and early afternoon on their shopping spree. They purchase saddlebags for the horses that they don’t already have them for then spend the morning packing up the items into the assorted saddlebags. A large canvas and some blankets are purchased to try to cover up the cave entrance with. Kate and Nanuet make a trip out to the ranch to pick up a few extra horses to use as pack animals and/or replacement mounts if the chimera should get a hold of one or two. Kate asks “Should we tell Flint about the chimera?” Nanuet says “Do you like the mountain range the shape that it is?” They opt not to tell him but still borrow his remaining ten sticks of dynamite, telling him that their friend Jake now is part owner of a mine and that dynamite is hard to come by in town since Slade’s shed blew up. They ride back to town. Nanuet and Kate make sure that all of the horses are well feed and rested. Sonoma talks to Valdez to see if he knows anything about the chimera or the earth spirits. He doesn’t. But upon request he does manage to find them some elixirs to be used to help keep them awake. Kate checks the assorted books in the library, particularly texts about the Greek legends, to see if she can find out any more information about the chimera. They deduce that the dragon head spits fire, the goat head may spit lightening and the lion head has a deafening roar that can be heard for miles and causes fear. “Let’s make sure the horses aren’t spooked by that,” Kate comments. Sonoma and Ruby discuss using bard skills of their to try to counteract the sound, although they would have to be within thirty feet.” Chester goes to the gunsmith and finds out that both of the special ordinance are indeed magical in nature. While they still contain explosive shells as per the normal ordinance they also are enchanted with magical properties. The ones with the red markings create fireballs upon impact where the ones with the blue markings generate the equivalent of a lightening blast where they strike. Sonoma gets both Kate and Nanuet a handgun. Chester works until 3:30 PM. At the end of the day he then goes up to Morgan Condon and says, “I think I’m coming down with something. I was at the Long Branch the other day…” Morgan exclaims “GO SEE DOC EATON! GO, GO NOW!” Chester says, “If I feel bad tomorrow….” Condon yells “Just see the Doctor! Stay away if you’re sick.” So Chester goes to see the Doctor and is given a useless elixir. He tells the Doctor to bill Condon’s Bank for the medicine. They use two pack horses to exclusively carry the hand cannon and the ammunition. Instead of bring the crate they repack the extra ordinance using saddlebags, sheets, rags and straw so that they do not bang together. They decide to bring all forty-two shells “just in case”. Ruby lets Niles Hoover know that she and Kate will not be available to perform for the next night or two. She emphasizes that if anyone asks where the singer is NOT to tell them that she is sick, just to say that as a new owner she needed some time off to take care of business matters. Ruby writes out and leaves a note behind for Jake in case he returns while they are away. Kate writes out a letter and will for her parents in the event that she does not return from this expedition. They have a nice meal and set off from the El Parador The group of Chester, Kate, Nanuet, Riley, Ruby and Sonoma set off at around 7:00 PM As they ride out to the cave Sonoma comments, “This whole world on our shoulders thing. I don’t like it. Let’s not do this again.” “I agree with her,” Ruby says. Nanuet says, “It wasn’t my choice. It’s not like we were given much of a choice.” They enter the Dos Cabezas Mountains. They look to the east to see if there are any campfires that may indicate where the hunters are. They see one distance fire near Wood Mountain; another is a lot closer, on the opposite side of Bowie Mountain than where Kajika’s cave is situated, two miles to the east. The proceed with caution, knowing that other groups are near. They reach and enter the cave where they had been the night before. Kajika is there and he gets the fire going to summon up the spirit of Storm Golden Eye. Storms body appears more solid than before, reminding them of what she looked like back in her physical form. Kate apologizes to Storm for leaving her body lying the alleyway following the shooting on the 2nd. She replies, “It was not disposed of in the way of the people but I have moved on from that point. “Sorry,” Ruby states. Storm answers, “No you’re not, but it was nice of you to say.” “I really am sorry,” Kate states, meaning it. She tells them it will take a few hours to travel. After an hour of going through the mountains she informs them that they are now well beyond any of the hunting parties. Nanuet and Sonoma ride in the rear of the party and attempt to help hide the group’s tracks. They are heading towards the twin peaks of Dos Cabezas Mountain, the highest elevation in the mountain range at over 8,300 feet. They pass the mountain, circumnavigating it to the north, and continue to travel to the northwest. They go for several more miles, so that they are now a few miles northwest of the town of Dos Cabezas. They estimate that they are now fifteen to twenty miles from Promise City. They are now nearing the northwestern end of the Dos Cabezas mountain range. They approach another mountain, which Storm tells them is their destination, Mount Luzena. They travel to the northern side of it so that the mountain itself blocks the view of the lights coming from the town of Dos Cabezas, which are now three to four miles distant. They continue to climb up the forested mountainside. The trail gets rockier and harder for the horses to travel. They then exit from the tree line, with only dirt, rocks and ledges from that point onward. The see the top of Mount Luzena a half-mile higher up from their present location. It is around 10:30 PM when they reach their final destination, a cave mouth approximately halfway between where the tree line ended and the top of the mountain. As they near the cave opening they notice that Storm Golden Eye’s body is no longer translucent, appearing totally solid, her physical form just as they knew her before. Ruby thinks, “It’s not every day that you see a ghost become real.” The cave mouth is about fifteen feet wide and varies from ten to fifteen feet. They enter the cave, finding it very large on the inside and going deep into the mountain. They see the earth spirit before them. She is a massive dragon, seventy-feet in length from head to tail. Her scales are a metallic color, appearing to be several different shade ranging from copper to brass to silver to gold. A sweet soft feminine voice comes from her stating, “Hello. Thank you for coming to help.” Ruby gapes in awe. Chester is the first to speak, “Err, hello?” “Do you have a name, great spirit?” Nanuet asks. She replies, “I have been known by many names. When I was young the Shawnee called me Msi-Kinepeikwa. I stayed with them for over a century in the land that the humans now call Ohio. As I became older I moved further east to the great lake called Ontario. For a while I lived with the Seneca elvan people, known as the great hill people, and they referred to me as Gaasyendietha. I later crossed the lake and lived among the Huron people on the other side, who knew me as Angont. I have spent the last century in the great central plains of North America with the Lakota Sioux. They knew me as Unhcegila. So I have been known by all of these names.” Nanuet asks, “Which one did you like?” She replies “Kinepeikwa was my first name. You may address me as that.” Ruby moves forward but not too close. She says, “My name is Ruby, although you probably know that already. I don’t know why you chose us. It doesn’t really matter at this point but do you have any information that will help us in this mission that you have chosen us for? Especially information about this other earth spirit that wishes to do you harm?” She replies, “Yes, it wishes to have me slain by the hunters. It knows where this cave is and will most likely be leading them to it.” Ruby asks, “If it wishes to do us harm how can we defend ourselves against it?” She replies, “It is a very powerful and dangerous creature. I do not know if you could defend yourselves against it. I doubt that you have the power.” Ruby says, “So, you’re sending us to our deaths?” She replies, “No, you are the ones who decided to come here, not I.” Ruby turns to the others and says, “Let’s go!” The dragon says, “I appreciate your help, your willingness to save my child.” She moves aside and gestures to a creature behind her. It resembles a chimera that is approximately the size of a cow. Its wings are pressed tightly against its back and it does not appear to know how to use them yet. She says, “It resembles its father in physical form, but hopefully it will not in temperament.” Nanuet says, “If it leads the hunters here won’t it harm the child?” She says, “I have no doubt that once I am dead it will then intervene to protect the child from harm. It wishes to be the one to raise the child.” Kate asks, “Does the child have a name.” She replies, “We do not name ourselves. The indigenous people who we live with derive names for us from their own languages.” Nanuet asks, “Does the evil spirit have a name?” She replies, “Yes, it is called Ihuaivula by the wood elves of South America.” Sonoma suggest that they start figuring out the best way to hide and cover the area. They set Riley and Maska up on watch outside. They investigate the caves finding that there are some smaller side passageways into the cave which they decide to block off in order to prevent any of the hunters from finding another way in, forcing them to try to enter through the main opening. The dragon gestures to the horses and says, “I see you brought us some food.” “NO” Kate exclaims. Ruby says, “We need them.” “They are our mode of transportation,” Nanuet states. “Are you hungry?” Ruby asks. She says, “We have a stockpile of food. My mate would probably be hungry now and horses are its preferred food. When we first arrived in these mountains six weeks ago over a hundred wild mustangs inhabited the area. They are now all gone, having been eaten by my mate.” Kate gasps and says, “All those horses.” Ruby tells her “Don’t think about it now Kate.” They decide to bring all of the horses deep into the cave and to the far back area, not far from an underground stream, to both provide them water and prevent the giant Chimera from smelling them. They decide that attempting to hide the cave entrance should probably wait until dawn when they can better see how it looks. Sonoma begins painting the tarp to match the exact color of the rocks near the entrance. Kate sets up their bandages and supplies inside the cave for easy access and Chester checks, cleans and reloads all of the group’s firearms. He leaves the Hand Cannon unloaded but readily accessible, with the extra rounds of ammunition safely inside the cave. Ruby and Nanuet scout out the area immediately near the entrance, with Nanuet finding a rocky outcropping with large stones to also hide behind not far from above the cave. He decides this is the best lookout spot in the area. Ruby suggests this might be a good spot for Chester to use the hand cannon from, as he could shoot at anyone coming up the hill or the evil spirit flying through the air. Ruby and Nanuet climb the remaining quarter-mile up to the top of the mountain, giving them a wide view of the entire area. They do not see any campfire lights, the only light coming from the town three-to-four miles to the southeast. They decide to scout out from here again at first light. They decide that the ledge at the front of the cave would make for a good defensive spot, with a clear view below the quarter-mile down to the tree line. There are other ledges higher up but off to the side, none immediately above the cave mouth. They conclude that the spot is well defensible, that nobody will be able to get within a quarter mile of it from any direction without being seen. They discuss moving a few rocks over to make more of a wall on the ledge but fear that doing so would make it look unnatural and draw more attention to it. They decide to at least move a few more rocks but to leave them in such a way that it appears they rolled down to that spot on their own. Sonoma also suggests having some of the party head down the mountain to direct the other hunting parties in different directions than up this mountain. She considers heading over the farm where she got the sheep from, around five miles away, to get some help from them. [/QUOTE]
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