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<blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2664075" data-attributes="member: 8530"><p><strong>Chapter 148, "Convergence", Friday, January 20, 1882: </strong> </p><p></p><p>The sun comes up over the horizon. It looks to be a warm and sunny day. Sonoma decides to ride over to the sheep farm. Nanuet accompanies her. They circumnavigate around Luzena and then around Dos Cabezas Mountain. They spot over a mile away from them the group of hunters comprised of the human and four half-ogres climbing up the eastern side of Dos Cabezas Mountain, apparently looking for a vantage point from the highest peak in the region. They conclude that the northern face of Luzena Mountain will not be visible from where they are climbing to, so not to worry. They are concerned however that any of the groups are this far west, having thought them all still further away. </p><p></p><p>Back at the cave, the others check on the earth spirit. She feels that on the next day the child will be old enough to travel, that she will spend this day in the cave teaching him how to unfold and extend his wings. </p><p></p><p>Nanuet and Sonoma reach the farmers. They ask the farmers if they have seen any monsters or if they have lost any of their livestock. The farmers say that they have not but they have heard of other farmers in the area who have lost horses in the past month, which they assumed was the work of rustlers. They ask if the farmers have seen any strangers in the area. The farmers describe the group with the human and half-ogres who rode through the their land the previous night. This group did not come near the farmers’ home or livestock so they let them go thought without question. </p><p></p><p>Sonoma points to the south, towards the Sulfur Springs Valley and away from the mountains and tells the farmers that a monster was seen in that area and to please tell that to any other hunters who come through their land. She says that the monster is known to seek sulfur so went there. They conclude by purchasing some sheep from the farmer. </p><p></p><p>They arrive back at the cave at around 10:00 A.M. The sheep are brought to the good earth spirit for her to consume, sharing some of the meat with the infant. The group becomes concerned when they hear that at least one hunting party is in the neighborhood. </p><p></p><p>Chester loads two of the regular rounds into the hand cannon while keeping all ten slots in the weapon case filled with ten more rounds of ammunition, including all six magical rounds. Ruby positions both of her loaded shotguns and both fully loaded rifles near the cave mouth where she can get at them easily. Kate asks, “Did you leave any of Jake’s extra distance weapons back at the Lone Star.” She replies, “No, what does he need them for? He’s off on vacation.” Chester also has his military saber as a backup weapon. Nanuet keeps the vial of poison handy but decides to wait to coat his arrows with them. </p><p></p><p>They consider what to do with the cave interior but conclude that if anybody makes it that far they will only notice the huge dragon and nothing else. </p><p></p><p>About a half-hour after Sonoma and Chester have returned they hear the sound of firearms discharging. The sounds are at least two miles off to the east, possibly even longer, as sounds echo through the canyon and up the mountain. They hear a large quantity of shots in rapid succession and conclude it is a big group armed with repeating rifles. The rifle fire ends after around three minutes. </p><p></p><p>The group assumes that this is one of the hunting parties and that it is shooting at something that they think is the monster. They speculate that it could be the giant chimera but possibly not, as some of the groups could easily be trigger-happy. </p><p></p><p>Sonoma prays for help and guidance. Another half-hour passes and they hear another series of rifle fire, these much closer. Ruby and Chester climb up to the top of Luzena Mountain, where they can firearms smoke and flashes of weapons coming from some of the higher elevations on Mount Dos Cabezas. They conclude that this is probably a different group of hunters than the previous volley of rifles, as a group would not have had the time to cover a mile distance and then climb the highest mountain in a half-hour. </p><p></p><p>They then spot some sort of large winged creature flying near the top of that mountain, which appears to be what the hunters are firing at. They conclude that it is similar in size to the dragon they are protecting. It then flies down the western side of that mountain and flies below the tree line a little over two miles away. They only see one large head and deduce that the chimera must have made the other two invisible to give the appearance of being a single-headed creature. The coloring on it is not excessively different than the one they are protecting. </p><p></p><p>They climb back down at tell the others, saying that the giant chimera appears to be two to three miles away and drawing the attention of the hunters and herding them westward towards this mountain. Nanuet and Sonoma surmise that the group they saw climbing the mountain earlier was probably the hunting group firing from the top. “That group will now have to climb back down, we shouldn’t see them anytime soon,” Chester concludes. </p><p></p><p>Sonoma points out that they didn’t see any horse with those five. Nanuet notes that they had horses when they began the hunt. “So they must have left them lower in that mountain,” Kate says. Riley suggests, “Or maybe the creature ate their horses.”</p><p></p><p>The group spends over the next hour in anticipation of either the chimera or hunting parties arriving at their doorstep, neither of which occurs. This raises the level of tension with Ruby commenting how the waiting is the worst part of this. Kate disagrees, saying that she would be happy to just continue waiting and never see any potential opponents. </p><p></p><p>At around 12:45 PM they all see a large winged creature rise of from amongst the trees in the valley below at a point around a mile-and-a-half to the east and slightly north. If flies directly towards the northface of Mount Luzena, where the party are situated. </p><p></p><p>Nanuet is behind the rocks above the cave entrance. He decides that it is now time to get ready to prepare the poison for use. He had prepared an cup-like area in a rock near him. He sets up the vial of poison beside it. He set up several arrows to be able to later dip them into the poison. </p><p></p><p>Ruby positions herself behind a rock a short distance from the cave entrance. Kate remains in cave entrance at the opposite side. Sonoma and Storm are both inside of the cave with the earth spirit. Chester and Riley position themselves behind rocks near the front of the ledge outcropping. </p><p></p><p>When the flying creature closes to a mile they can see that it does have three heads but that they have intertwined them to the center to give the appearance of being a single-headed creature. Ruby says, “It may not be planning to attack us. It is trying to lead the hunters here instead. We may not have to fight it so let’s not give away that we are here.” Riley comments, “It will see us. These rocks will give us cover from anyone on the mountain below, not from something flying up in the air.” </p><p></p><p>It continues to rise in elevation to a point higher than Mount Luzena. At a distance of three-quarters of a mile away it flies back down to the trees and disappears inside of the tree cover. The waiting game continues for another half hour. </p><p></p><p>They then spot a cloud of dust rising of from a group of trees a little over a half-mile away. Looking in that area they then spot the tops of the heads of the 15-foot high giants walking amongst the smaller trees. Ruby asks, “Do we want to try to talk to this hunting party?” Sonoma says, “We could try the ‘They went thataway’ idea.” Riley exclaims, “These monsters were in my dreams.” </p><p></p><p>“Okay, what’s the plan? Do we have to fight them?” Ruby asks. Sonoma suggests, “We should find a way to distract them. We’re not their main target. Their main target is a dragon. This group has the hunter who is here to hunt, that’s his goal.” Ruby says, “But we may still have to fight them. If we have surprise on them and can take them out before they get close to here. If we do a preemptive strike when we have the advantage.” </p><p></p><p>Kate says, “If we can avoid having to fight them we will be better off.” Ruby replies, “I’m just wary of us tying to talk to them, we’d be giving away our element of surprise. Kate says, “I’m not suggesting that we talk to them unless they see us.” Ruby says she’d rather shoot at them when they are still 1,000 feet away and downhill rather than letter them get up to the group. Kate says, “There’s some middle ground there. We could talk to them when they are still 100 feet away, not right up to us.” </p><p></p><p>Ruby says, “Well, you could talk to them and me, Chester and Nanuet can stay hidden and pick them off one-by-one. That would be better than letting them all get up here.” </p><p>Kate says “I know that what you are saying makes sense, but I am not comfortable with attacking people who haven’t done anyone any harm.” Ruby turns to Chester and says, “What do you think? Do we try to talk them into being distracted to somewhere away from here and louse our surprise on them? If we try to distract them they will get right up here and all might be lost.” </p><p></p><p>“Right,” he answers, “It might be really hard to distract them, the chimera is leading them directly here.” Kate interjects, “Our hope is that they might not notice us here. They might not see the cave mouth now that we have it covered over.” Ruby replies, “That will only work when they are far away. When they are close up they will be able to tell that it is a painted tarp and blanket.” Sonoma interjects, “Even if they see that we are covering over the cave they will not know what is inside.” Ruby says, “But the chimera knows what is inside.” </p><p></p><p>Based upon the rising dust and occasional glimpse of a giant head or tree breaking they conclude that the group is now around four-tenths of a mile away. Chester raises the concern that this particular group may not speak English.” Ruby says, “They’re not going to go for my charms.” </p><p></p><p>Ruby points to the tarp and says, “They’re going to walk right up here and see that!” Sonoma says, “They are going to walk right up here unless we go down to them.” Kate says, “Even if they see there are some people here they are not just going to assume that we are hiding a dragon.” Ruby exclaims, “They are going to see a tarp covering over a cave and think we are hiding something.” Kate answers, “Will they even think that we would be able to coexist with the dragon?” </p><p></p><p>Riley points out that going down to them would put the group in the same section of the woods where the giant chimera just flew. Ruby says, “We can’t leave where we are and abandon the one we’re guarding.” Riley says, “Maybe that’s what it wants us to do.” </p><p></p><p>Kate says, “We’re not going to just start fighting them because of Riley’s dream!” Ruby says, “There’s no point in doing everything else. What he dreamed of has all happened. We can’t change this.” It is pointed out that Riley also dreamed that Jake was with them. Ruby replies, “He’s not here yet, but he could show up before the fighting is done!” Kate says, “You think he’s just going to pop in?” Ruby answers, “He could. He’s with Gonzales!” Sonoma does not think that her Great Grandfather would do that. </p><p></p><p>The monster group has now gotten closer. Sonoma still suggests climbing down the mountain. Chester asks, “How would we explain why we were on the mountain?” Sonoma says, “We just say we heard of the big prize that P.T. Barnum offered.” Ruby still suggests that the group wait until the monsters cross the tree line to begin firing on them. Kate is still strongly opposed to the idea of a preemptive strike. </p><p></p><p>Sonoma says to Chester “The furry ones saw you at the bar. You could say you found out what they wanted and needed the cash. Then send them off the wrong way. They’re not going to believe women but they might believe you, a single stupid soldier.” “Don’t insult Chester,” Ruby exclaims. Sonoma says, “No, I meant he acts the part of a stupid soldier when talking to them.” “I could do that,” Chester states. “Easily” Riley mutters. </p><p></p><p>Sonoma exclaims, “It’s worth a try. We have nothing to lose…..except Chester.” “I like Chester!” Ruby replies. “So do I,” Sonoma states. “Obviously not that much!” Ruby answers, “You’re planning to send him off to his doom.” Sonoma answers, “Not to his doom, it’s worth a try.” Chester yells out “I’ll go.” Ruby surprisingly says, “I’ll go with you Chester.” </p><p></p><p>He suggests Nanuet or Riley might be better to go with him. Sonoma says, “They’re not going to believe that she’s a hunter.” “Why not?” she asks. Sonoma replies, “You don’t look like a hunter.” She answers, “I have my gun and outdoor clothes on.” Ruby says, “I’m good at convincing people. If you want them to be convinced I’m the one who should go.” They notice that this hunting party has now stopped, about a half mile away. </p><p></p><p>Chester says, I’m not sure I want Riley.” Ruby points out that Riley appears to be terrified at the moment. Chester debates bringing the hand cannon with him but decides against it, feeling that it should be kept near the dragon they are protecting. Sonoma says, “Go speak soldier to this hunter.” </p><p></p><p>Chester and Ruby start to head down the mountain. Sonoma and Kate both exclaim “Good Luck.” They decide not to disturb the canvas so climb down on foot rather than taking the horses.</p><p></p><p>The others watched as Ruby and Chester climbed down the quarter mile across open terrain and then disappeared into the trees. The move carefully through the woods and see the group with the giants perhaps a sixth of a mile away both ahead of them and off to the left, moving slowly through the woods. </p><p></p><p>They notice that the three large furry creatures are down on their hands and knees sniffing the ground and moving slowing in a particular direction. The giants are immediately behind them carrying spiked clubs. The hunter and the ogress are further back, both dressed in buckskin clothing and looking forward while carrying some very large rifles. </p><p></p><p>Chester decides that it is best to stay low and out of sight until the group is at least parallel to them, given that the forest is not very dense at this high elevation so they will be seen if they move any closer. The group continues to move and Chester decides that he and Ruby need to get closer. Staying low behind the trees they move in that direction. When they are around 300 feet away the bugbear closes to them stands up and begins sniffing the air. The rest of the hunting party stops. </p><p></p><p>Chester suggests that the two approach them. After seeing these creatures Ruby reconsiders that plan saying “If we tell them we’re after the creature how do we know they won’t just shoot us to eliminate the competition?” She convinces him so Chester and Ruby opt to stay hidden and crouch further down. </p><p></p><p>They then hear the sound of distant horse hooves approaching from further down the mountain. The sound intensifies as the riders get closer to where Ruby and Chester are hiding, Chester estimating that they are now maybe a quarter of a mile away. Ruby suggests yelling something like “The Dragon is over here” to get both of these hunting groups to start shooting at each other and then she and Chester could just sneak away. Chester comments, “We don’t even know who this second group is and I don’t really like the plan of being in the middle of a crossfire.” </p><p></p><p>When the riders are around 600 feet away Chester is able to identify them as Billy Comstock and his soldier friends, who are now riding up from the northeast. Meanwhile, the other hunting party is still 300 feet west of Chester and Ruby. They stop and stand up, looking in the direction of the approaching riders. The hunter leading this group clutches his rifle like a club and has a look of disgust on his face. Chester says, “He’s blaming their loud approach for ruining his element of surprise in stalking the creature.” </p><p></p><p>Comstock and his group continue to ride up the mountain. They stop when they spot the other hunting party around 400 feet off to the northwest of them. The giants and the furry creatures hold their ground while the hunter and ogress begins marching towards the solder hunting party. The very angry hunter is still clutching his rifle with both hands but not pointing it. </p><p></p><p>Comstock and his men start to ride towards the hunter at a slow leisurely pace. Ruby whispers to Chester “I know these guys are your friends but if they start shooting at each other you stay out of it.” Comstock rides a bit further ahead of his others and stops when he reaches the hunter, at a point around 80 feet away from where Ruby and Chester are hiding. </p><p></p><p>The hunter begins yelling a string of profanity at Comstock, saying that they’ve given away his position. He points back down the mountain the way the soldiers had ridden from and orders them to ride away. Comstock looks uncertain as to what to do. A loud piercing screech then sounds out from yet another direction, from the forest up near the tree line a few hundred feet behind Chester and Ruby. “Uh oh,” Chester comments. Several trees shake, drawing the full attention of both hunting parties. Ruby says, “Great, we’re now between both groups and the monster.”</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Silver Moon, post: 2664075, member: 8530"] [B]Chapter 148, "Convergence", Friday, January 20, 1882: [/B] The sun comes up over the horizon. It looks to be a warm and sunny day. Sonoma decides to ride over to the sheep farm. Nanuet accompanies her. They circumnavigate around Luzena and then around Dos Cabezas Mountain. They spot over a mile away from them the group of hunters comprised of the human and four half-ogres climbing up the eastern side of Dos Cabezas Mountain, apparently looking for a vantage point from the highest peak in the region. They conclude that the northern face of Luzena Mountain will not be visible from where they are climbing to, so not to worry. They are concerned however that any of the groups are this far west, having thought them all still further away. Back at the cave, the others check on the earth spirit. She feels that on the next day the child will be old enough to travel, that she will spend this day in the cave teaching him how to unfold and extend his wings. Nanuet and Sonoma reach the farmers. They ask the farmers if they have seen any monsters or if they have lost any of their livestock. The farmers say that they have not but they have heard of other farmers in the area who have lost horses in the past month, which they assumed was the work of rustlers. They ask if the farmers have seen any strangers in the area. The farmers describe the group with the human and half-ogres who rode through the their land the previous night. This group did not come near the farmers’ home or livestock so they let them go thought without question. Sonoma points to the south, towards the Sulfur Springs Valley and away from the mountains and tells the farmers that a monster was seen in that area and to please tell that to any other hunters who come through their land. She says that the monster is known to seek sulfur so went there. They conclude by purchasing some sheep from the farmer. They arrive back at the cave at around 10:00 A.M. The sheep are brought to the good earth spirit for her to consume, sharing some of the meat with the infant. The group becomes concerned when they hear that at least one hunting party is in the neighborhood. Chester loads two of the regular rounds into the hand cannon while keeping all ten slots in the weapon case filled with ten more rounds of ammunition, including all six magical rounds. Ruby positions both of her loaded shotguns and both fully loaded rifles near the cave mouth where she can get at them easily. Kate asks, “Did you leave any of Jake’s extra distance weapons back at the Lone Star.” She replies, “No, what does he need them for? He’s off on vacation.” Chester also has his military saber as a backup weapon. Nanuet keeps the vial of poison handy but decides to wait to coat his arrows with them. They consider what to do with the cave interior but conclude that if anybody makes it that far they will only notice the huge dragon and nothing else. About a half-hour after Sonoma and Chester have returned they hear the sound of firearms discharging. The sounds are at least two miles off to the east, possibly even longer, as sounds echo through the canyon and up the mountain. They hear a large quantity of shots in rapid succession and conclude it is a big group armed with repeating rifles. The rifle fire ends after around three minutes. The group assumes that this is one of the hunting parties and that it is shooting at something that they think is the monster. They speculate that it could be the giant chimera but possibly not, as some of the groups could easily be trigger-happy. Sonoma prays for help and guidance. Another half-hour passes and they hear another series of rifle fire, these much closer. Ruby and Chester climb up to the top of Luzena Mountain, where they can firearms smoke and flashes of weapons coming from some of the higher elevations on Mount Dos Cabezas. They conclude that this is probably a different group of hunters than the previous volley of rifles, as a group would not have had the time to cover a mile distance and then climb the highest mountain in a half-hour. They then spot some sort of large winged creature flying near the top of that mountain, which appears to be what the hunters are firing at. They conclude that it is similar in size to the dragon they are protecting. It then flies down the western side of that mountain and flies below the tree line a little over two miles away. They only see one large head and deduce that the chimera must have made the other two invisible to give the appearance of being a single-headed creature. The coloring on it is not excessively different than the one they are protecting. They climb back down at tell the others, saying that the giant chimera appears to be two to three miles away and drawing the attention of the hunters and herding them westward towards this mountain. Nanuet and Sonoma surmise that the group they saw climbing the mountain earlier was probably the hunting group firing from the top. “That group will now have to climb back down, we shouldn’t see them anytime soon,” Chester concludes. Sonoma points out that they didn’t see any horse with those five. Nanuet notes that they had horses when they began the hunt. “So they must have left them lower in that mountain,” Kate says. Riley suggests, “Or maybe the creature ate their horses.” The group spends over the next hour in anticipation of either the chimera or hunting parties arriving at their doorstep, neither of which occurs. This raises the level of tension with Ruby commenting how the waiting is the worst part of this. Kate disagrees, saying that she would be happy to just continue waiting and never see any potential opponents. At around 12:45 PM they all see a large winged creature rise of from amongst the trees in the valley below at a point around a mile-and-a-half to the east and slightly north. If flies directly towards the northface of Mount Luzena, where the party are situated. Nanuet is behind the rocks above the cave entrance. He decides that it is now time to get ready to prepare the poison for use. He had prepared an cup-like area in a rock near him. He sets up the vial of poison beside it. He set up several arrows to be able to later dip them into the poison. Ruby positions herself behind a rock a short distance from the cave entrance. Kate remains in cave entrance at the opposite side. Sonoma and Storm are both inside of the cave with the earth spirit. Chester and Riley position themselves behind rocks near the front of the ledge outcropping. When the flying creature closes to a mile they can see that it does have three heads but that they have intertwined them to the center to give the appearance of being a single-headed creature. Ruby says, “It may not be planning to attack us. It is trying to lead the hunters here instead. We may not have to fight it so let’s not give away that we are here.” Riley comments, “It will see us. These rocks will give us cover from anyone on the mountain below, not from something flying up in the air.” It continues to rise in elevation to a point higher than Mount Luzena. At a distance of three-quarters of a mile away it flies back down to the trees and disappears inside of the tree cover. The waiting game continues for another half hour. They then spot a cloud of dust rising of from a group of trees a little over a half-mile away. Looking in that area they then spot the tops of the heads of the 15-foot high giants walking amongst the smaller trees. Ruby asks, “Do we want to try to talk to this hunting party?” Sonoma says, “We could try the ‘They went thataway’ idea.” Riley exclaims, “These monsters were in my dreams.” “Okay, what’s the plan? Do we have to fight them?” Ruby asks. Sonoma suggests, “We should find a way to distract them. We’re not their main target. Their main target is a dragon. This group has the hunter who is here to hunt, that’s his goal.” Ruby says, “But we may still have to fight them. If we have surprise on them and can take them out before they get close to here. If we do a preemptive strike when we have the advantage.” Kate says, “If we can avoid having to fight them we will be better off.” Ruby replies, “I’m just wary of us tying to talk to them, we’d be giving away our element of surprise. Kate says, “I’m not suggesting that we talk to them unless they see us.” Ruby says she’d rather shoot at them when they are still 1,000 feet away and downhill rather than letter them get up to the group. Kate says, “There’s some middle ground there. We could talk to them when they are still 100 feet away, not right up to us.” Ruby says, “Well, you could talk to them and me, Chester and Nanuet can stay hidden and pick them off one-by-one. That would be better than letting them all get up here.” Kate says “I know that what you are saying makes sense, but I am not comfortable with attacking people who haven’t done anyone any harm.” Ruby turns to Chester and says, “What do you think? Do we try to talk them into being distracted to somewhere away from here and louse our surprise on them? If we try to distract them they will get right up here and all might be lost.” “Right,” he answers, “It might be really hard to distract them, the chimera is leading them directly here.” Kate interjects, “Our hope is that they might not notice us here. They might not see the cave mouth now that we have it covered over.” Ruby replies, “That will only work when they are far away. When they are close up they will be able to tell that it is a painted tarp and blanket.” Sonoma interjects, “Even if they see that we are covering over the cave they will not know what is inside.” Ruby says, “But the chimera knows what is inside.” Based upon the rising dust and occasional glimpse of a giant head or tree breaking they conclude that the group is now around four-tenths of a mile away. Chester raises the concern that this particular group may not speak English.” Ruby says, “They’re not going to go for my charms.” Ruby points to the tarp and says, “They’re going to walk right up here and see that!” Sonoma says, “They are going to walk right up here unless we go down to them.” Kate says, “Even if they see there are some people here they are not just going to assume that we are hiding a dragon.” Ruby exclaims, “They are going to see a tarp covering over a cave and think we are hiding something.” Kate answers, “Will they even think that we would be able to coexist with the dragon?” Riley points out that going down to them would put the group in the same section of the woods where the giant chimera just flew. Ruby says, “We can’t leave where we are and abandon the one we’re guarding.” Riley says, “Maybe that’s what it wants us to do.” Kate says, “We’re not going to just start fighting them because of Riley’s dream!” Ruby says, “There’s no point in doing everything else. What he dreamed of has all happened. We can’t change this.” It is pointed out that Riley also dreamed that Jake was with them. Ruby replies, “He’s not here yet, but he could show up before the fighting is done!” Kate says, “You think he’s just going to pop in?” Ruby answers, “He could. He’s with Gonzales!” Sonoma does not think that her Great Grandfather would do that. The monster group has now gotten closer. Sonoma still suggests climbing down the mountain. Chester asks, “How would we explain why we were on the mountain?” Sonoma says, “We just say we heard of the big prize that P.T. Barnum offered.” Ruby still suggests that the group wait until the monsters cross the tree line to begin firing on them. Kate is still strongly opposed to the idea of a preemptive strike. Sonoma says to Chester “The furry ones saw you at the bar. You could say you found out what they wanted and needed the cash. Then send them off the wrong way. They’re not going to believe women but they might believe you, a single stupid soldier.” “Don’t insult Chester,” Ruby exclaims. Sonoma says, “No, I meant he acts the part of a stupid soldier when talking to them.” “I could do that,” Chester states. “Easily” Riley mutters. Sonoma exclaims, “It’s worth a try. We have nothing to lose…..except Chester.” “I like Chester!” Ruby replies. “So do I,” Sonoma states. “Obviously not that much!” Ruby answers, “You’re planning to send him off to his doom.” Sonoma answers, “Not to his doom, it’s worth a try.” Chester yells out “I’ll go.” Ruby surprisingly says, “I’ll go with you Chester.” He suggests Nanuet or Riley might be better to go with him. Sonoma says, “They’re not going to believe that she’s a hunter.” “Why not?” she asks. Sonoma replies, “You don’t look like a hunter.” She answers, “I have my gun and outdoor clothes on.” Ruby says, “I’m good at convincing people. If you want them to be convinced I’m the one who should go.” They notice that this hunting party has now stopped, about a half mile away. Chester says, I’m not sure I want Riley.” Ruby points out that Riley appears to be terrified at the moment. Chester debates bringing the hand cannon with him but decides against it, feeling that it should be kept near the dragon they are protecting. Sonoma says, “Go speak soldier to this hunter.” Chester and Ruby start to head down the mountain. Sonoma and Kate both exclaim “Good Luck.” They decide not to disturb the canvas so climb down on foot rather than taking the horses. The others watched as Ruby and Chester climbed down the quarter mile across open terrain and then disappeared into the trees. The move carefully through the woods and see the group with the giants perhaps a sixth of a mile away both ahead of them and off to the left, moving slowly through the woods. They notice that the three large furry creatures are down on their hands and knees sniffing the ground and moving slowing in a particular direction. The giants are immediately behind them carrying spiked clubs. The hunter and the ogress are further back, both dressed in buckskin clothing and looking forward while carrying some very large rifles. Chester decides that it is best to stay low and out of sight until the group is at least parallel to them, given that the forest is not very dense at this high elevation so they will be seen if they move any closer. The group continues to move and Chester decides that he and Ruby need to get closer. Staying low behind the trees they move in that direction. When they are around 300 feet away the bugbear closes to them stands up and begins sniffing the air. The rest of the hunting party stops. Chester suggests that the two approach them. After seeing these creatures Ruby reconsiders that plan saying “If we tell them we’re after the creature how do we know they won’t just shoot us to eliminate the competition?” She convinces him so Chester and Ruby opt to stay hidden and crouch further down. They then hear the sound of distant horse hooves approaching from further down the mountain. The sound intensifies as the riders get closer to where Ruby and Chester are hiding, Chester estimating that they are now maybe a quarter of a mile away. Ruby suggests yelling something like “The Dragon is over here” to get both of these hunting groups to start shooting at each other and then she and Chester could just sneak away. Chester comments, “We don’t even know who this second group is and I don’t really like the plan of being in the middle of a crossfire.” When the riders are around 600 feet away Chester is able to identify them as Billy Comstock and his soldier friends, who are now riding up from the northeast. Meanwhile, the other hunting party is still 300 feet west of Chester and Ruby. They stop and stand up, looking in the direction of the approaching riders. The hunter leading this group clutches his rifle like a club and has a look of disgust on his face. Chester says, “He’s blaming their loud approach for ruining his element of surprise in stalking the creature.” Comstock and his group continue to ride up the mountain. They stop when they spot the other hunting party around 400 feet off to the northwest of them. The giants and the furry creatures hold their ground while the hunter and ogress begins marching towards the solder hunting party. The very angry hunter is still clutching his rifle with both hands but not pointing it. Comstock and his men start to ride towards the hunter at a slow leisurely pace. Ruby whispers to Chester “I know these guys are your friends but if they start shooting at each other you stay out of it.” Comstock rides a bit further ahead of his others and stops when he reaches the hunter, at a point around 80 feet away from where Ruby and Chester are hiding. The hunter begins yelling a string of profanity at Comstock, saying that they’ve given away his position. He points back down the mountain the way the soldiers had ridden from and orders them to ride away. Comstock looks uncertain as to what to do. A loud piercing screech then sounds out from yet another direction, from the forest up near the tree line a few hundred feet behind Chester and Ruby. “Uh oh,” Chester comments. Several trees shake, drawing the full attention of both hunting parties. Ruby says, “Great, we’re now between both groups and the monster.” [/QUOTE]
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