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"Revenge, Renewal and the Promise of a New Year" (Boot Hill/D&D)
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<blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2809214" data-attributes="member: 8530"><p><strong>Chapter 173, “Crowd Control”, Tuesday, January 24th, 1882, High Noon:</strong></p><p></p><p>The morning in town was uneventful until it got close to the noontime hanging. Then the excitement picked up. Jake and Ruby continued to stay out of the way. Back at the El Parador, Kate slept rather late that morning. She and Ginnie went downstairs for a late breakfast and then Kate gave her a sizable stack of paper, asked her to read a fairly lengthy story, and then to write down her thoughts on it. </p><p></p><p>She then took the opportunity to go to Mary Kelly's and pick up the dress Ruby had given her more than a week ago. When she returned Ginnie was still busily reading, so Kate fetched a book and sat down in the Cantina to read. She wanted to go check for Mr. Gonzales, but surely he would come down when he got back. She made sure to check on Ginnie periodically but spent most of her day with her own reading.</p><p></p><p>Katherine looked up to see Conrad Booth standing next to her. "Sorry to disturb you," he said easily. "I thought we might walk over together?" "Over where?" Kate closed her book, marking her place with her finger. He says, "Over to the Wells Fargo corral. They've got the gibbet set up next door where the school house will be." </p><p></p><p>She says, "Certainly not. I have no intention of going to watch people die. And they put it up where the schoolhouse is going? So later children will have to go to school where someone died?" Kate shivered. "Indecent." "Of course. I just assumed you might be interested, seeing as you were in the bank when they robbed it," Booth said. "May I sit down?" </p><p></p><p>"I thought you were going to the hanging," Kate said flipping her book back open. He answers, "Like I said, I thought you might be interested." Dorita brought a lunch plate over to Kate after a few moments, and Kate decided it was easier to just eat some than argue with Dorita about it. The two began to dine while engaging in idle conversation. </p><p></p><p>Shortly before noon a crowd begins to enter the Lone Star for drinks, most of them complaining about something. Niles Hoover and Job Kane were down the street to watch the hanging and are at the very front of the group. Job tells Jake and Ruby "There wasn't any hanging. When the Arizona Ranger headed over to the Deputy Sheriff's Office all he found in was an empty building. Sheriff Hunter is gone, as are Weems and Yeats." </p><p></p><p>Niles says "The crowds were getting restless so I yelled out that drinks here were half price for the next half hour. That got a lot of them heading this way. Both of you will need to help out. Ruby, I know you don't usually sing until evening but you may want to start up to help keep these guys here after my half-price sale ends." </p><p></p><p>Job says to Harry Rote "Harry, run over to the El Parador and get Kate and Sonoma back here, we're going to need them." He walks over to Jake and Ruby and says, "Sorry for no advanced notice, but we had to improvise. This seemed like the best way to get a lunch crowd here again."</p><p></p><p>"What a good idea Mr. Hoover," Ruby says giving him a smile. "There are a few things, business decisions, we still need to make around here too. Now that Jake is back maybe after lunch we can discuss them?" She doesn't wait for his answer before continuing, "Good. We hired a new girl, Maria Fuentes, to run our kitchen and keep this place clean. I think she could keep Harry busy too, that is when you aren't. She will be moving in here once the Third floor is finished. Dorita trained her so I am sure she will work out just fine." </p><p></p><p>"Luckily I am in a very good mood so I won't mind singing for the lunch crowd." Ruby glances at Jake and winks at him, then makes her way to the stage, where she sits swinging her legs until there are enough people around to start singing.</p><p></p><p>Jake smiles his friendly smile and says, "Sure I'll help, that was fast thinking." Ruby, still swinging her legs like a schoolgirl, laughs at his sincerity. Jake takes orders, payment and fills them. Talking more to himself than to his partners "Old Red used to say to me 'It would be a pitiful thing if ye had ta work fer a living. Jacob me boy, use ye wits; the good Lord didn't give ye brains." After filling a few he says to Hoover, "What are folks saying happened? Where did they go?" Hoover replies, “Nobody knows.”</p><p></p><p>Conrad Booth was telling her about his games last Sunday and Kate was listening with only half an ear with Mr. Rote came in. "Mrs. Kale," he said approaching the table. "They sent me to bring you to the Lone Star. There was no hanging and Kane and Mr. Hoover told the crowd drinks were half-price. It's packed and we could really use the help. I'm supposed to bring Sonoma too." </p><p>Kate sighed. "I can come in a few minutes. I haven't seen Sonoma this morning; she might be out at the ranch. You can check with her mother in the kitchen. Excuse me, Mr. Booth." </p><p></p><p>She went up to her room and checked on Ginnie, giving her some more assignments. "Or if you want to get out of this room for a bit, you could come downstairs in a while and ask Dorita if there is anything you can help her with. Hopefully I won't be gone too long." </p><p></p><p>Ginnie shut the books handed Kate about twenty pages of written thoughts and headed down the stairs to the kitchen, watching where Kate went. "If things get boring around here" Ginnie thought "maybe I'll check out this town a little myself I'm getting kind of tired of playing with books all day.</p><p></p><p>Mr. Booth fell in step with Kate as she was leaving. "Half price drinks sound good to me," he shrugged, offering his arm. Kate took it and they quickly walked the short blocks to the Lone Star. The place is mobbed. </p><p></p><p>There is much speculation as to where the prisoners have gone to but nothing definite. A few people think that Deputy Sheriff Hunter was in on it but most feel that he is or was an honest man. Speculation varies as to whether he will be found dead or alive. </p><p></p><p>Kate began to wish she still had Maggie's bustle before long. This wasn't the usual crowd, and they were particularly excited. She alternated between playing for Ruby and serving, glad at least to see that Jake and Ruby's investment was doing well so far. Once it began to slow down, she stayed exclusively at the piano where at least her backside was safe.</p><p></p><p>Ruby manages to help keep the crowd and it doesn't begin to thin out until around 2:30. Job Kane picks a select group of people out from the crowd and then invites them to an invitation only poker game.</p><p></p><p>After singing a long set Ruby walks over to the bar to get a drink or three. She notices Job inviting players to a special poker game and thinks to herself that their idea of making private rooms upstairs is a good one. She catches Jake's eye and nods towards Niles, it was time to do some business. Jake meets up with Ruby as she gets to Niles away from the others in the room. "You handled that well Mr. Hoover." "Thanks" he replies. "I've never been one to pass up a good opportunity!" </p><p></p><p>Jake talks with them about the finances and partner sharing for the saloon. "So I am in agreement with what you and Ruby discussed earlier" The three of them agree that all the gamblers will continue to put in twenty-percent of their winnings, that some money from profits will be kept aside to cover day to day operations and unusual expenses, and partners will be allowed free room and board in addition to a percentage of profits based on their percentage of ownership. </p><p></p><p>"Now we just have to talk to Mr. Kane." Ruby says. "Later," Jake replies, "First I have to run to the bank. Then when I get back, let's get a nap, we didn't get enough sleep with that racket this morning and all this doing work stuff makes me tired." Jake confirms the money was transferred from Tucson, moved $200 to an account for Ruby, $400 each for Nanuet & Katherine. He gives Ruby $200 in cash.</p><p></p><p>Word gets around town that Deputy Sheriff Colin Hunter has been found. He was tied, gagged and bound with Bif Johnson and Alfredo Garcia inside Johnson's Barber Shop and Baths, the building next door to the Deputy Sheriff's Office. According to Hunter, a section of the wall between the two buildings magically vanished and Deadeye Douglas was standing in the Barber Shop with Hunter in his gun-sight. </p><p></p><p>He had come into that shop by the back door along with Shotgun Sally Fox and the Koonz brothers. They tied up Bif and his worker Alfredo and then used some type of magical device on the brick wall. After Hunter surrendered they tied him up, let out the two prisoners, and all left via the same back door. Interestingly enough, the part of the wall that vanished reappeared after ten minutes and appears to be the same as it has always been. By 3:45 PM everyone has left except for Job's poker players so the others decided to take a few hours break before the evening crowd arrives.</p><p></p><p>Meanwhile, the soldiers from Fort Huachuca ride quickly throughout the day making very good time. They stop for a quick bite of supper in Tombstone, filling every restaurant in town given the large number of soldier. Once the mounts are fed and rested they move on. By sunset they are into the lower Dragoon Mountains. The band rides into the mountains, not making any attempt to conceal its presence. An Apache patrol spots the group. One member rides away, while the rest approach slowly.</p><p></p><p>Nanuet move up to the front of the line and urges Lieutenant Gamble to let him talk to the Apache. Gamble says, "In English and with me, I don't want you signaling your redskin friends to massacre my men." Nanuet grits his teeth and moves forward alongside the Lieutenant. </p><p></p><p>Nanuet says, "Some of you know me, I am Kajika's friend. Go back and tell Geronimo that the white men will meet with him this evening under a flag of peace." The Apache move back, talk among themselves, and then ride back into the Dragoon Mountains. Gamble yells to the men "Okay boys, we ride on to Promise City." </p><p></p><p>As the group start to ride off Chester rides over to the human sergeants and says, "Why are we going there? Shouldn't we be looking for the bandits?" The man replies, "Son, we're going up into them Apache Mountains tonight and either make peace with those redskins or kill'em. The bandits can wait 'til after."</p><p></p><p>Chester asks, “Then why are heading into Promise City? I don't think any of the saloons can handle this many people." The sergeant says, "That's the closet town to them Apache Mountains. Look kid, if you don't have the stomach to help us kill those savages why don't you just stay in town." Chester answers, "What do you mean by that, Sarge? Gamble's not planning on double-crossing the Apaches, is he? That would be a bad idea."</p><p></p><p>The sergeant replies, “"Nah, the Captain's given the Lieutenant strict orders. First we try for the peace treaty. If they refuse we march them off to the reservation in San Carlos. And if they resist then we kill'em all. Nice and simple. Don't worry though, Lieutenant Gamble is good at convincing folks."</p><p></p><p>Chester says, "OK. Thanks. How do you like serving under the lieutenant?" "Great guy," the Sergeant replies. He then gestures to the ogre soldiers and says "Keeps them in their place, just as it should be."</p><p></p><p>Nanuet had been avoiding trying to listen in on Chester's conversation because he knows that he will only become enraged and may not be able to hold his temper again. When the group heads back towards Promise City he rides near Chester and asks, "Well friend, how do you think things look so far?"</p><p></p><p>He replies, "Not good, I'm afraid. This many troops will make the Apaches nervous. I just hope no one gets trigger-happy. That sergeant I spoke to told me that Gamble will try for a peace treaty first. But if there isn't one, he'll will try to force them onto a reservation or kill them."</p><p></p><p>Nanuet replies, "How kind of them, they will bring an intimidating military force into the mountains to talk 'peace' then kill them if they don't agree to be herded off like cattle to some barren wasteland. Why do white people think they own land and can do what they want with it and only they can determine who gets to live there. Then they rape the land and take all of it resources leaving it dead. My people may not be long for this world, but your people will be the end of it." </p><p></p><p>Nanuet begins to storm off, but then hesitates "I am sorry Mr. Chester, I know not all white men think the same as these soldiers, but this is a personal situation for me. I hope you can understand." Nanuet watches the men approach the town of Promise City. </p><p></p><p>Chester says, "Don't be sorry, Nanuet. I used to think that way, too. Now? Now, I'm starting to see what you mean. Just be back here by 10. We don't want to give Gamble and Whitside any excuses to follow through on their threat. Oh, and just call me Chester or Chet, if you like. No need for the 'Mister.'</p><p></p><p>In Promise City, things had started up again for the evening at the Lone Star at around 7:30 PM. Tony Lucky's table has arrived and got the game started. Maria arrived for her first night as cook and enthusiastically began making food out in the kitchen. </p><p></p><p>When the night starts, but before she starts to sing, Ruby takes Sonoma aside to speak to her. "Jake and I thought that you would be busy with the ranch so we hired Maria to run the kitchen. Your mother mentioned that she hasn't had much training though. We are wondering if you would consider staying on working here. We could use your various talents, your cooking to help Maria, your piano playing and singing and your waitressing ability. Because we have others to do the jobs the schedule can be flexible as needed for all of us. What do you think?" She agrees. </p><p></p><p>Things continued to be quiet for the first half hour until a group of around 180 cavalry soldiers, a large number of them ogres, ride into town and right down the center of Main Street. Lieutenant Gamble leads the group. He orders his men to hitch up their horses and ogremounts to whatever hitching posts are available on Main Street. The ogres are assigned the task of feeding and watering the horses. He tells all of his human troops to go find some supper. He yells down the lines "Be back in two hours, we ride out at ten-o’clock. And no more than two drinks for each soldier, I don't need any drunks on my hands." </p><p></p><p>Chester tells Nanuet, “I'd better get to the Lone Star. They're going to need my help." Nanuet nods. He then dismounts and carefully slips out to the abandoned mineshaft and makes his way inside, and starts a fire in the ceremonial fire ring.</p><p></p><p>The Lone Star immediately becomes mobbed with three-dozen soldiers heading inside in addition to the twenty or so patrons who were already there. Ruby says, "Oh, this is going to be fun," Ruby smiles and heads over to greet, flirt and get drinks for the soldiers. "Looks like I'm pouring drinks again." Jake says dejectedly as the soldiers roll in. </p><p></p><p>He helps Hoover try and keep up with the drinks. He asks the soldiers how long they are going to be in town and if there is anything else they can get for them? He keeps an eye open to make sure that they are not getting out of hand, and that the ladies are not being overly bothered by them. </p><p>He notices Chester come in and waves for him to come over during a short break between customers. </p><p></p><p>It takes a considerably long time once Nanuet attempts to summon the spirit of Storm for anything to happen. He wishes that Kajika was present to assist. Finally, the necklace begins to glow faintly and then a small amount of smoke begins to take form. The cloud is less distinct than ever before, barely resembling a centaur. She speaks but her voice is faint. She says, "Why do you call me Nanuet. My form is with the Earth Spirit, in the mountains of Utah. I have difficulty reaching you." He quickly explains his situation and asks for guidance. </p><p></p><p>She replies, "This is bad. It will be difficult to convince Geronimo to accept the human's terms. He will see his force, as being superior so will not be willing to compromise. Geronimo is not a patient man and his instinctive reaction will be with violence. He has nearly 1,000 warriors and knows the hills better than the soldiers. If fighting should erupt the elves would be victorious, but the retribution from the humans would be severe. It is doubtful that the Apace would continue to exist. From what you said the humans have stopped to rest. There is still time to get word to the Apache prior to the humans entering the mountains. But not you personally, as the humans seek for you to accompany them." </p><p></p><p>Nanuet asks of Maska and Storm says, "You and your companion are separated. She is tired from the long travel and has only now reached the Dragoon Mountains, over thirty miles from here. I can help you to send her a message. The cloud form moves to Nanuet and engulfs him. The necklace glows and he hears Storm in his head saying, "Tell her your thoughts, she will hear and understand." </p><p></p><p>Nanuet communicates, “"Maska, you must take this message to Kajika and Geronimo. Tell them that there are many soldiers coming, that I am with them and not to attack. The soldiers will talk peace. They only want the white men that hide on Apache lands. These white men have spilt blood and are evil men. The soldiers want to know that the Apache are not hiding the white men. If Geronimo attacks he may win this fight but many more soldiers will come, and they will keep coming until all Apache are gone. We must seek peace." </p><p></p><p>The cloud separates. "I must go,” she states. The cloud form then disappears. Nanuet now realizes he does not know which set of mountains Geronimo is in at the moment. They live in the Chiricahua Mountains but were watching the stagecoach over in the Dragoon Mountains. Maska is now at the Dragoon Mountains, twenty miles west of Promise City so will be able to get to them if they are there. However, if Geronimo has returned to the Chiricahua Mountains, ten miles east of Promise City, then somebody else will have to deliver the message as Maska would not be able to travel the distance to reach Geronimo or Kajika in time.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Silver Moon, post: 2809214, member: 8530"] [B]Chapter 173, “Crowd Control”, Tuesday, January 24th, 1882, High Noon:[/B] The morning in town was uneventful until it got close to the noontime hanging. Then the excitement picked up. Jake and Ruby continued to stay out of the way. Back at the El Parador, Kate slept rather late that morning. She and Ginnie went downstairs for a late breakfast and then Kate gave her a sizable stack of paper, asked her to read a fairly lengthy story, and then to write down her thoughts on it. She then took the opportunity to go to Mary Kelly's and pick up the dress Ruby had given her more than a week ago. When she returned Ginnie was still busily reading, so Kate fetched a book and sat down in the Cantina to read. She wanted to go check for Mr. Gonzales, but surely he would come down when he got back. She made sure to check on Ginnie periodically but spent most of her day with her own reading. Katherine looked up to see Conrad Booth standing next to her. "Sorry to disturb you," he said easily. "I thought we might walk over together?" "Over where?" Kate closed her book, marking her place with her finger. He says, "Over to the Wells Fargo corral. They've got the gibbet set up next door where the school house will be." She says, "Certainly not. I have no intention of going to watch people die. And they put it up where the schoolhouse is going? So later children will have to go to school where someone died?" Kate shivered. "Indecent." "Of course. I just assumed you might be interested, seeing as you were in the bank when they robbed it," Booth said. "May I sit down?" "I thought you were going to the hanging," Kate said flipping her book back open. He answers, "Like I said, I thought you might be interested." Dorita brought a lunch plate over to Kate after a few moments, and Kate decided it was easier to just eat some than argue with Dorita about it. The two began to dine while engaging in idle conversation. Shortly before noon a crowd begins to enter the Lone Star for drinks, most of them complaining about something. Niles Hoover and Job Kane were down the street to watch the hanging and are at the very front of the group. Job tells Jake and Ruby "There wasn't any hanging. When the Arizona Ranger headed over to the Deputy Sheriff's Office all he found in was an empty building. Sheriff Hunter is gone, as are Weems and Yeats." Niles says "The crowds were getting restless so I yelled out that drinks here were half price for the next half hour. That got a lot of them heading this way. Both of you will need to help out. Ruby, I know you don't usually sing until evening but you may want to start up to help keep these guys here after my half-price sale ends." Job says to Harry Rote "Harry, run over to the El Parador and get Kate and Sonoma back here, we're going to need them." He walks over to Jake and Ruby and says, "Sorry for no advanced notice, but we had to improvise. This seemed like the best way to get a lunch crowd here again." "What a good idea Mr. Hoover," Ruby says giving him a smile. "There are a few things, business decisions, we still need to make around here too. Now that Jake is back maybe after lunch we can discuss them?" She doesn't wait for his answer before continuing, "Good. We hired a new girl, Maria Fuentes, to run our kitchen and keep this place clean. I think she could keep Harry busy too, that is when you aren't. She will be moving in here once the Third floor is finished. Dorita trained her so I am sure she will work out just fine." "Luckily I am in a very good mood so I won't mind singing for the lunch crowd." Ruby glances at Jake and winks at him, then makes her way to the stage, where she sits swinging her legs until there are enough people around to start singing. Jake smiles his friendly smile and says, "Sure I'll help, that was fast thinking." Ruby, still swinging her legs like a schoolgirl, laughs at his sincerity. Jake takes orders, payment and fills them. Talking more to himself than to his partners "Old Red used to say to me 'It would be a pitiful thing if ye had ta work fer a living. Jacob me boy, use ye wits; the good Lord didn't give ye brains." After filling a few he says to Hoover, "What are folks saying happened? Where did they go?" Hoover replies, “Nobody knows.” Conrad Booth was telling her about his games last Sunday and Kate was listening with only half an ear with Mr. Rote came in. "Mrs. Kale," he said approaching the table. "They sent me to bring you to the Lone Star. There was no hanging and Kane and Mr. Hoover told the crowd drinks were half-price. It's packed and we could really use the help. I'm supposed to bring Sonoma too." Kate sighed. "I can come in a few minutes. I haven't seen Sonoma this morning; she might be out at the ranch. You can check with her mother in the kitchen. Excuse me, Mr. Booth." She went up to her room and checked on Ginnie, giving her some more assignments. "Or if you want to get out of this room for a bit, you could come downstairs in a while and ask Dorita if there is anything you can help her with. Hopefully I won't be gone too long." Ginnie shut the books handed Kate about twenty pages of written thoughts and headed down the stairs to the kitchen, watching where Kate went. "If things get boring around here" Ginnie thought "maybe I'll check out this town a little myself I'm getting kind of tired of playing with books all day. Mr. Booth fell in step with Kate as she was leaving. "Half price drinks sound good to me," he shrugged, offering his arm. Kate took it and they quickly walked the short blocks to the Lone Star. The place is mobbed. There is much speculation as to where the prisoners have gone to but nothing definite. A few people think that Deputy Sheriff Hunter was in on it but most feel that he is or was an honest man. Speculation varies as to whether he will be found dead or alive. Kate began to wish she still had Maggie's bustle before long. This wasn't the usual crowd, and they were particularly excited. She alternated between playing for Ruby and serving, glad at least to see that Jake and Ruby's investment was doing well so far. Once it began to slow down, she stayed exclusively at the piano where at least her backside was safe. Ruby manages to help keep the crowd and it doesn't begin to thin out until around 2:30. Job Kane picks a select group of people out from the crowd and then invites them to an invitation only poker game. After singing a long set Ruby walks over to the bar to get a drink or three. She notices Job inviting players to a special poker game and thinks to herself that their idea of making private rooms upstairs is a good one. She catches Jake's eye and nods towards Niles, it was time to do some business. Jake meets up with Ruby as she gets to Niles away from the others in the room. "You handled that well Mr. Hoover." "Thanks" he replies. "I've never been one to pass up a good opportunity!" Jake talks with them about the finances and partner sharing for the saloon. "So I am in agreement with what you and Ruby discussed earlier" The three of them agree that all the gamblers will continue to put in twenty-percent of their winnings, that some money from profits will be kept aside to cover day to day operations and unusual expenses, and partners will be allowed free room and board in addition to a percentage of profits based on their percentage of ownership. "Now we just have to talk to Mr. Kane." Ruby says. "Later," Jake replies, "First I have to run to the bank. Then when I get back, let's get a nap, we didn't get enough sleep with that racket this morning and all this doing work stuff makes me tired." Jake confirms the money was transferred from Tucson, moved $200 to an account for Ruby, $400 each for Nanuet & Katherine. He gives Ruby $200 in cash. Word gets around town that Deputy Sheriff Colin Hunter has been found. He was tied, gagged and bound with Bif Johnson and Alfredo Garcia inside Johnson's Barber Shop and Baths, the building next door to the Deputy Sheriff's Office. According to Hunter, a section of the wall between the two buildings magically vanished and Deadeye Douglas was standing in the Barber Shop with Hunter in his gun-sight. He had come into that shop by the back door along with Shotgun Sally Fox and the Koonz brothers. They tied up Bif and his worker Alfredo and then used some type of magical device on the brick wall. After Hunter surrendered they tied him up, let out the two prisoners, and all left via the same back door. Interestingly enough, the part of the wall that vanished reappeared after ten minutes and appears to be the same as it has always been. By 3:45 PM everyone has left except for Job's poker players so the others decided to take a few hours break before the evening crowd arrives. Meanwhile, the soldiers from Fort Huachuca ride quickly throughout the day making very good time. They stop for a quick bite of supper in Tombstone, filling every restaurant in town given the large number of soldier. Once the mounts are fed and rested they move on. By sunset they are into the lower Dragoon Mountains. The band rides into the mountains, not making any attempt to conceal its presence. An Apache patrol spots the group. One member rides away, while the rest approach slowly. Nanuet move up to the front of the line and urges Lieutenant Gamble to let him talk to the Apache. Gamble says, "In English and with me, I don't want you signaling your redskin friends to massacre my men." Nanuet grits his teeth and moves forward alongside the Lieutenant. Nanuet says, "Some of you know me, I am Kajika's friend. Go back and tell Geronimo that the white men will meet with him this evening under a flag of peace." The Apache move back, talk among themselves, and then ride back into the Dragoon Mountains. Gamble yells to the men "Okay boys, we ride on to Promise City." As the group start to ride off Chester rides over to the human sergeants and says, "Why are we going there? Shouldn't we be looking for the bandits?" The man replies, "Son, we're going up into them Apache Mountains tonight and either make peace with those redskins or kill'em. The bandits can wait 'til after." Chester asks, “Then why are heading into Promise City? I don't think any of the saloons can handle this many people." The sergeant says, "That's the closet town to them Apache Mountains. Look kid, if you don't have the stomach to help us kill those savages why don't you just stay in town." Chester answers, "What do you mean by that, Sarge? Gamble's not planning on double-crossing the Apaches, is he? That would be a bad idea." The sergeant replies, “"Nah, the Captain's given the Lieutenant strict orders. First we try for the peace treaty. If they refuse we march them off to the reservation in San Carlos. And if they resist then we kill'em all. Nice and simple. Don't worry though, Lieutenant Gamble is good at convincing folks." Chester says, "OK. Thanks. How do you like serving under the lieutenant?" "Great guy," the Sergeant replies. He then gestures to the ogre soldiers and says "Keeps them in their place, just as it should be." Nanuet had been avoiding trying to listen in on Chester's conversation because he knows that he will only become enraged and may not be able to hold his temper again. When the group heads back towards Promise City he rides near Chester and asks, "Well friend, how do you think things look so far?" He replies, "Not good, I'm afraid. This many troops will make the Apaches nervous. I just hope no one gets trigger-happy. That sergeant I spoke to told me that Gamble will try for a peace treaty first. But if there isn't one, he'll will try to force them onto a reservation or kill them." Nanuet replies, "How kind of them, they will bring an intimidating military force into the mountains to talk 'peace' then kill them if they don't agree to be herded off like cattle to some barren wasteland. Why do white people think they own land and can do what they want with it and only they can determine who gets to live there. Then they rape the land and take all of it resources leaving it dead. My people may not be long for this world, but your people will be the end of it." Nanuet begins to storm off, but then hesitates "I am sorry Mr. Chester, I know not all white men think the same as these soldiers, but this is a personal situation for me. I hope you can understand." Nanuet watches the men approach the town of Promise City. Chester says, "Don't be sorry, Nanuet. I used to think that way, too. Now? Now, I'm starting to see what you mean. Just be back here by 10. We don't want to give Gamble and Whitside any excuses to follow through on their threat. Oh, and just call me Chester or Chet, if you like. No need for the 'Mister.' In Promise City, things had started up again for the evening at the Lone Star at around 7:30 PM. Tony Lucky's table has arrived and got the game started. Maria arrived for her first night as cook and enthusiastically began making food out in the kitchen. When the night starts, but before she starts to sing, Ruby takes Sonoma aside to speak to her. "Jake and I thought that you would be busy with the ranch so we hired Maria to run the kitchen. Your mother mentioned that she hasn't had much training though. We are wondering if you would consider staying on working here. We could use your various talents, your cooking to help Maria, your piano playing and singing and your waitressing ability. Because we have others to do the jobs the schedule can be flexible as needed for all of us. What do you think?" She agrees. Things continued to be quiet for the first half hour until a group of around 180 cavalry soldiers, a large number of them ogres, ride into town and right down the center of Main Street. Lieutenant Gamble leads the group. He orders his men to hitch up their horses and ogremounts to whatever hitching posts are available on Main Street. The ogres are assigned the task of feeding and watering the horses. He tells all of his human troops to go find some supper. He yells down the lines "Be back in two hours, we ride out at ten-o’clock. And no more than two drinks for each soldier, I don't need any drunks on my hands." Chester tells Nanuet, “I'd better get to the Lone Star. They're going to need my help." Nanuet nods. He then dismounts and carefully slips out to the abandoned mineshaft and makes his way inside, and starts a fire in the ceremonial fire ring. The Lone Star immediately becomes mobbed with three-dozen soldiers heading inside in addition to the twenty or so patrons who were already there. Ruby says, "Oh, this is going to be fun," Ruby smiles and heads over to greet, flirt and get drinks for the soldiers. "Looks like I'm pouring drinks again." Jake says dejectedly as the soldiers roll in. He helps Hoover try and keep up with the drinks. He asks the soldiers how long they are going to be in town and if there is anything else they can get for them? He keeps an eye open to make sure that they are not getting out of hand, and that the ladies are not being overly bothered by them. He notices Chester come in and waves for him to come over during a short break between customers. It takes a considerably long time once Nanuet attempts to summon the spirit of Storm for anything to happen. He wishes that Kajika was present to assist. Finally, the necklace begins to glow faintly and then a small amount of smoke begins to take form. The cloud is less distinct than ever before, barely resembling a centaur. She speaks but her voice is faint. She says, "Why do you call me Nanuet. My form is with the Earth Spirit, in the mountains of Utah. I have difficulty reaching you." He quickly explains his situation and asks for guidance. She replies, "This is bad. It will be difficult to convince Geronimo to accept the human's terms. He will see his force, as being superior so will not be willing to compromise. Geronimo is not a patient man and his instinctive reaction will be with violence. He has nearly 1,000 warriors and knows the hills better than the soldiers. If fighting should erupt the elves would be victorious, but the retribution from the humans would be severe. It is doubtful that the Apace would continue to exist. From what you said the humans have stopped to rest. There is still time to get word to the Apache prior to the humans entering the mountains. But not you personally, as the humans seek for you to accompany them." Nanuet asks of Maska and Storm says, "You and your companion are separated. She is tired from the long travel and has only now reached the Dragoon Mountains, over thirty miles from here. I can help you to send her a message. The cloud form moves to Nanuet and engulfs him. The necklace glows and he hears Storm in his head saying, "Tell her your thoughts, she will hear and understand." Nanuet communicates, “"Maska, you must take this message to Kajika and Geronimo. Tell them that there are many soldiers coming, that I am with them and not to attack. The soldiers will talk peace. They only want the white men that hide on Apache lands. These white men have spilt blood and are evil men. The soldiers want to know that the Apache are not hiding the white men. If Geronimo attacks he may win this fight but many more soldiers will come, and they will keep coming until all Apache are gone. We must seek peace." The cloud separates. "I must go,” she states. The cloud form then disappears. Nanuet now realizes he does not know which set of mountains Geronimo is in at the moment. They live in the Chiricahua Mountains but were watching the stagecoach over in the Dragoon Mountains. Maska is now at the Dragoon Mountains, twenty miles west of Promise City so will be able to get to them if they are there. However, if Geronimo has returned to the Chiricahua Mountains, ten miles east of Promise City, then somebody else will have to deliver the message as Maska would not be able to travel the distance to reach Geronimo or Kajika in time. [/QUOTE]
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