Wizards, Whiskey and Wonderful Things - Concluded

[Silver Moon]

Chapter 187, “ Visiting Greece“ , Monday, March 27th, 1882, 10:00 AM

Ten minutes later Manuel, Sonoma, Ginnie and Kate depart the Temple to the Olympian Zeus and onto the streets of Athens. He asks, "Well ladies, is there anywhere in particular that you would like to visit while we are here with a few spare hours on our hands?" Once outside the temple Kate let go of her iron self-control. Her hands shook and she took several deep breaths. She slipped an arm around Ginnie's shoulders, taking comfort in the girl's presence.

Kate says, "I don't really know much about the city, or at least what's to be seen. I think I've had enough of temples for today. I wouldn't find a meal to be amiss." Gonzales replies to Katherine, "Oh, there are many places in this city that aren't temples, follow me."

He brings them to the Arch of Hadrian. "This great stone structure was erected in honor of the Roman emperor Hadrian seventeen hundred years previously. The arch was built over the line of an ancient road that led from the area of the Acropolis and the Athenian Agora to the Olympian and southeast Athens. The inscription on the western side of the arch reads "This is Athens, the former city of Theseus." They walk around to the eastern side of the arch were he reads the inscriptions "This is the city of Hadrian and not of Theseus"

He then smiles and says "But the best part about this arch is that it can be seen from over there." He points to a large stone restaurant with the name "Oceanus and Poseidon" written on the wooden sign in three different languages. "Three decades ago I had the finest seafood meal that I have ever eaten in my entire life. Shall we go see if the quality has been maintained?"

"That sounds lovely," Kate said and took his arm. She checked to be sure Ginnie and Sonoma were still with them and they went on their way. "You can feel how old this city is, can't you? I never took the grand tour, but I always imagine Europe would feel old. Athens feels ancient." He replies, "Oh, it's not that only, only around three thousand years. There are cities in China and Egypt that are far older." "Three thousand years is a great deal older than I am," she said lightly.

The four sit down and a waiter comes to their table. Gonzales orders a number of different things in Greek. Several plates and bowls of food are brought over for them to dine family style. Gonzales explains what each dish is, a combination of various types of fish and crustaceans cooked in a variety of different ways and with various sauces, fruits, vegetables and wines.

Kate sampled bits of everything, hungry despite the meal she'd eaten before they left. Seafood of any kind was something she hadn't tasted in months, and eating was something she had just begun to enjoy again. As the meal went on the last of Kate's nerves melted and she enjoyed being in the company of people she loved and who knew her secret.

By the time dinner was over Kate was beginning to feel tired. In Arizona it was near bedtime, and it had been a long day. "We have some time left, and now that we're fed, I think I'm going to need something to keep me awake. Perhaps we could visit a market or someplace with music? I suppose it's early for that here..." Gonzales replies, "Yes, but there are still some interesting things to see. And none of them will involve temples.

He brings them down to the Roman Agora. They pass through the four pillared gate which he explains was built by the Emperor Augustus almost two-thousand years earlier. Adjacent to that is the Tower of Winds, which he explains had a hydraulic clock with a sundial and weather vane. He explains how the tower form of the marble octagon corresponds to the eight winds whose symbolic winged figures are represented on the frieze.

He then says, "And once again, the best thing about this location is what it is near. Over there is Telly's Vineyards. They make some of the finest wines in Greece. We are having a Festival to Dionysus next weekend and I think this would be a good thing to pick up." "You're still trying to get on Miss Florencia's good side, I see," Kate teased. "But that does sound like an excellent idea indeed. You know, I had a bit of wine with Ruby the other night, and I think I'm losing my taste for it. Or maybe the Gay Lady just has poor wine."

They enter the shop and Gonzales asks to speak to Telly. A man of around forty comes to him. Manuel says in Greek "Ah, I knew your father. When I was here last you were nine years old. It is good to see that you have carried on the family tradition. My associates only speak English, do you or any of your employees know the language?" Telly does, explaining "I have learned the English language to sell to distributors in that country. Welcome to the family vineyards. We have been making fine wines for seven centuries."

Kate replies, "Thank you. Seven centuries, your family must have grown very skilled in such time. Mr. Gonzales tells me there is no finer place for wine in the city or the world. I know a little about making wines, but not much. I'd be very curious to see how it's done. Or, if that's not possible, to taste the results," she said with a smile. "There is to be a festival in our town, and wine will be a very important part of it. Perhaps you could recommend some good vintages."

Telly says that he would be happy to show his operation to the ladies and to let them try some samples of their wares. The vintner takes them on a tour. He explains "Seven centuries is not long. The earliest evidence of winemaking in Greece is a stone foot press at Vathipetro on Crete, which is some 3,500 years old. That actually pre-dates Greek Civilization as we know it, the people of that time being known as the Minoan.

Greece Culture as we know it began some 2,500 to 2,700 years ago when the land and its people underwent major cultural, political and economic transformations. Urbanization transpired them and the Greek written language emerged with the adoption of the Greek alphabet. The first written references to Dionysus appear at that time in the writings of Homer.

It is known that, at various times, the Greek wines of Hios, Thassos and Lesvos were highly regarded. Sweet wines were as highly prized in ancient as they are in Greece today, perhaps, in part for their staying power, although aesthetics would more likely have accounted for their popularity. Much has been made of the tendency of the Greeks to mix wine with water and to add other ingredients, such as honey and spices. We would not do that today, but those practices are indicative of a broadminded, creative and culturally integrated wine making tradition.

Winemaking in Greece flourished, even during the times of Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and Venetian occupations of the land. When Greece regained their independence little more than seventy-years ago that was ironically the only time that our trade suffered, as we were a free people but poor and disorganized, which hampered our ability to trade with Europe. Vintners of France and Italy soon overtook the market for wine in places where we should have been exporting to. Without the customer base our trade suffered and many vineyards went abandoned.

But a number of family vintners, including my family's, are determined to bring about a rebirth of Greek wines. We have shifted our orientation towards high-production low-elevation farming and the planting of the dual use currant vines. Important wine ventures now recognized for their quality produce are Ahaïa Clauss, Cambas, Kourtakis and the Boutari Company." The tour end at the combination warehouse/store where the wines are kept.

He offers them samples of five different family wines. Gonzales selects three of the sweet red wines and asks to purchase a gallon jug of each. Along with the late hour, for her at least, and the wine, Kate was starting to feel sleepy. She still enjoyed the samples and said so. "I will let my family back in Boston know about your vineyards. My mother would be very pleased with these wines."

Gonzales and the women return to the Temple of the Olympian Zeus. They are expected and are brought directly to Patriarch-elect Theopolis. The man gives each of them a gold wristlet. Each consists of a a half-circle and two hinged quarter-circles that snap together. Various Greek runes and writings appear on the larger section. They appear to have been made for men and are rather large on the women's wrists, especially Ginnie.

He brings them over to a fountain and has them each put the arm with the wristlet inside. He then casts a spell and the clear water turns a deep blue color. He says a number of prayers in Greek. He then has them remove their hands. Each of the wristlets now fits each wearer perfectly. The hinges and clasps appear to be missing and the Greek runes are faint and barely visible.

Kate looked closely at the gold band encircling her glistening wet hand. She slid her finger along it's surface, feeling for the hinges or the place where they joined. Before the pendant from Aphrodite, she had never worn a religious token. This one she would wear gladly. "Thank you, Your Excellency. I am relieved to know that my mind and those of my friends will remain our own. You have been very kind." She paused. "Is seems to be all one piece now. Amazing."

The priest replies "And thank you for going to the effort of bringing this directly to my attention. This wristlet is of Zeus, but will not bind you to him. It will allow each of you to worship whomever you wish without any of Zeus's pantheon, under either their Greek or Roman names, from interfering with your thoughts and actions. Should you ever wish to remove the item it is a quick process but would require a High Priest of Zeus to perform the ceremony."

"I can see no reason to need to remove it, so I must hope that another, less drastic event might occur so that we might meet again." Kate repeated her formal curtsey she had executed earlier. Gonzales thanks the priest. The four head outside. Gonzales asks the women "It's a little before eleven now, which would be around two in the morning back home. Are you three feeling up to making the hike back up the mountain or should we find some lodgings here in the city to rest?"

Kate thought for a moment. "I am quite tired, and a rest sounds good. But....I had a note from Ruby today, Conrad wants to see me tomorrow morning at eleven. Can we be sure to be back in time?" He states, "Oh, well perhaps we'd better go back now then. If you tell Dorita to be sure to wake you at a specific time you can guarantee it will happen."

He decided to minimize the amount of physical exertion and flags down a cart-for-hire pulled by two horses. He hires the man to take them to the Acropolis but to drop them at the lower gardens rather than the Pantheon. This takes a half-hour of relaxing sitting rather than walking. All are tired but the view is too breathtaking to sleep. They reach the destination. Once the driver leaves he tells the women "I thought that a quarter mile downhill would be easier than a half mile up."

"Yes, it would be easier. I feel a bit better for the rest as well. Someday we'll have to come back and stay overnight. I'm sorry to make you hurry." Kate let Sonoma take her Great-Grandfather's arm and instead walked with Ginnie. It didn't take long to walk the quarter-mile to where they began and reform the circle to travel home.

Gonzales retrieves the brazier and powder from where he had carefully hidden them. It takes little time to get the fire going and he begins the spell. They soon vanish and reappear in his workroom.
Gonzales carefully places the three wine jugs into his workroom. He then says, "Well, I'm exhausted. Katherine and Ginnie, it is way past your bedtime as well. Let Sonoma know when you want to be awakened and she will pass that information on to her mother."

Kate gave her teacher a quick hug. "Thank you. I know it was just as important to take care of this for you as it was for us, but it is still a great load off my mind. What would we do without you." She then turned to Sonoma and hugged her as well. "I'm glad to have you back to yourself. I've missed having you around. You can ask your mother to wake me around 9:30, please." Lastly she put her arm around Ginnie's shoulders. "We'll see you tomorrow."

She guided the girl out and back to their own room. They were both quiet as they got ready for bed, putting on crisp white nightgowns and plaiting long hair so it wouldn't tangle in the night. After Ginnie crawled under her sheets Kate sat down on the edge of Ginnie's bed. "I wish I could have told you about the baby in a less... well public place. But it has only been a week and I have not been sure quite what to do. There will be many difficulties with this blessing. But I consider myself a very lucky woman, Ginnie. Somehow you and I, two girls lost found each other. And now we can add one more to our family. What more could I ask for?" Kate leaned down and kissed Ginnie's forehead.

Katherine feels like her head has barely touched the pillow when she hears the knocking on the door and Dorita's call. She notes that Ginnie is already up and gone. "Yes Dorita, thank you," Kate called. "Has Ginnie been down to breakfast yet?" Dorita replies, "Si. She is helping Mrs. O'Hara clean up the house you buy. Say it needs a good sweeping, moping and airing out." Kate answers, "I'm sure it does. Thank you, Dorita. I'll be down in a moment."

She dressed simply in a pale striped skirt and high necked white blouse with a cameo pinned the base of the collar. A pale shawl around her shoulders and a parasol completed her outfit. She carefully brushed out her hair and pulled the front back into a knot, leaving the rest to hang loose down her back. When she was ready Kate went downstairs and had a light breakfast. "Dorita, would you mind packing a small lunch basket? I think I'll take it down to Ginnie and Mrs. O'Hara. As a thanks."

By the time Kate had finished her breakfast and Dorita had brought the basket, it was a bit late for her to be leaving. Instead, she ran up to her room and wrote a quick note thanking Mrs. O'Hara and Ginnie for their work and admonishing them not to work too hard. Dorita assured her that Grant or Estaban would run it over at lunchtime. She then settled in to wait for Conrad. The bracelet on her wrist glinted in the light, reminding her that the knots in her stomach were all her own.

Conrad arrives to pick Katherine up promptly at 11:00 A.M. He is driving the same carriage and horses that he had used for their picnic two weeks earlier. As usual, he is stylishly dressed in a three-piece silver suit with a white silk shirt and silver necktie with a subtle sky-blue floral print in it. His hair is still a bit damp, indicating that he has recently come from one of the bathhouses, probably Johnson's as his mustache and goatee are neatly trimmed and the hair cut. He stops the carriage and approaches Kate, an odd expression on his face, sort of a mix of both happiness and apprehensiveness.

Kate stood up and looked down for a moment, mirroring his expression on her own face. She walked the last few steps to where he was standing. "Good morning," she said. "I'm ... It's good to see you're feeling better." He takes her hand and helps her up onto the carriage. He climbs in himself and says, "We should wait until we are free of the undue influence hanging over this town." She says, "I understand. We can talk over things once we have some privacy."

Conrad started the horses and Kate sat quietly, waiting to see where they would go. Conrad drives east, towards the Chiricahua Mountains. They soon reach the area near where they had done the previous picnic. He rides around for a short wile looking about. He tells Kate "Look for a tree that is marked."

Kate looks around as well. It takes a few more minutes until they see an Oak with strips of cloth dyed the same color as Mother Jaminez's skirt had been. He rides over to it and secures the horses. They walk around the tree with Conrad looking for and finding four black onyx stones which collectively make a fifty-foot square with the tree in the center. Conrad says, "It is safe between these rocks. She has warded it as she did my house and her home."

He returns to the carriage and retrieves a blanket and large picnic basket. He sets up the picnic area, first removing from the basket two china plates, crystal wine glasses and two sets of fine silverware. He then removes two silver platters covered over with silver lids followed by a bottle of wine. He places an embroidered tablecloth over the basket, turning it into a table and places the dishes on top. He uncovers the dishes, the plates each having a roasted chicken breast, a bean medley, baked potato and corn bread. He then opens the wine bottle and pours them each a glass.

Kate hung back as Conrad set out the picnic, approaching only as he covered the impromptu table and poured the wine. "You put a lot of thought into this, I see. Mother Jimenez must think a great deal of you to go to all this trouble for you." She took a sip of the wine. "A lot has happened since... since I saw you last. I hope Mother Jimenez was able to help you."

He says, "Yes, she explained a lot. Kate, I....I don't know exactly what to say. When you told me your news....well, I was overcome by feelings of confusion and disbelief. After Mother Jimenez explained it to me and made me realize that what you told me was true....well...my feelings were replaced with jealousy. She...she helped to cure me of that. Pointed out that I had not only known of your marriage but would have assumed that you and your husband had had marital relations. She also emphasized how it was foolish of me to be jealous of a man who you would never see again. Oh Kate, I've been such a fool."

She replies, "No, you haven't been a fool. After I asked what you believed about gods, I knew you weren't going to believe what I had to tell you. Considering what you believed then, confusion and disbelief were only natural. I was surprised that you would think that Mr. Gonzales and I had... well...you know. And that jealousy wasn't all you. Aphrodite has been playing with all of us. That pendant around my neck wasn't helping anything either. There's enough foolishness to go around on both sides.

I know, this can't be good news to you, but it has made me very happy. I was married for five years and never had any children. I was afraid that I couldn't." Kate paused and looked down at her hands. "My only true worry has been about how this affects you. I am more than willing to accept the consequences of having this baby without a husband. I'm just sorry that you will have to bear consequences for something that you didn't do."

He says, "But Katherine, that would be so unfair to your child. Trust me I know, you recall that my parents were not married. But your boy shouldn't have to live with that stigma, because it is untrue. His parents were married although none will believe that under the circumstances. Kate....you do not have to accept the consequences of having a baby without a husband. Will you consent to being my wife?"

 

[Silver Moon]

Chapter 188, “Cowboy Trials”, Monday, March 27th, 1882, 6:15 AM

Nanuet wakes just before the sun and begins his humble prayers trying not to wake Minerva. Minerva is awakened by the warmth of the sun on her skin. She lies still and watches Nanuet as he prays. "It is not a dream." she thinks as her heart fills once again with joy. She quietly stands and packs up her bedroll as she waits for him to finish.

Nanuet finishes his prayers and heads over to Minerva. "Good morning Priestess" he says with a smile and a tender kiss "I hope you slept well. We should find something to eat and then hopefully Kajika will meet with us again."

"Si, I slept like a little bambina in your arms." she says returning the kiss "You know I really like this!" She says as she lowers her lips to his again. "I am starving. We ate very little yesterday." Looking around she wonders. " What has happened to Luna and Maska? I hope that their new friend did not eat her for dinner." she jokes. And as she says this Luna flies over the hill to greet her.

Nanuet says, "Ah, there is Luna now, and I am sure Maska sleeps. She would not let herself go hungry so I reason that she spent the night hunting. Come let us hunt down our own breakfast." Nanuet and Minerva make there way among the Apache and find some food. Nanuet offers to pay for their meal. They are both ravenous and scarf the food down hungrily. After the meal they seek Kajika.

Kajika spends the morning teaching both Nanuet and Minerva about the ways of the Apache and of some spells that neither of them had attempted to cast before. He apologizes to Minerva that he can only show her part of what she needs, as she will also need guidance from somebody of her own faith. He adds "The night that Storm Goldeneye left this realm she approached me and told me of how your path and Nanuet’s would be as one. She also said that a mentor for you would be drawn to here just as Nanuet and I were drawn together."

Nanuet replies "Thank you again for imparting your wisdom upon us. I miss Storm greatly and still regret her loss. I am honored that she continued to take interest in me even after it was my lust for revenge that cost her her life."

“Si, Storm Goldeneye was a brave and true friend. She returned to this realm since than to help us find Nanuet when he was in trouble and said something similar. A mentor? for me? I had thought that Nanuet would teach me the ways of your gods as I would teach him our ways. Do you know who it is? But we must be going soon. Will I meet this mentor before we depart?"

Kajika replies, "I have no idea who this mentor will be, but they will be someone from your own religion, probably a High Priest or High Priestess, with the skills and experience to teach you how to better be a priest of your faith. My suggestion would be for you to speak to your gods about this individual, it is through their will that you will be drawn together."

When Sonoma woke it was still early in the day even though she had gotten in late at night and was used to not sleeping well and getting up to care for the livestock at dawn. She headed downstairs to the kitchen where Dorita pushed a breakfast sandwich into her hand and stated “You go see your mentor! The deputy was stabbed last night and is there it is time for you to do what you suppose to do. He is almost dead you go fix it! Now go.”

In the morning Ruby stretches her long arms and legs as she slowly wakes from her slumber. Jake seemed to be sleeping, even though he was normally up at this time, although his breathing indicated he would awaken soon. Instead of wrapping her arms and legs around him she exits the bed and starts preparing for the day. She looks at herself in the mirror, naked except for the shiny ruby and diamond ring on her finger and the green olive leaf hanging around her neck. She smiles as she runs her fingers lightly over the pendant.

She puts on her underclothes then sits at her vanity, slowly brushing her hair, letting the warmth f the rays of sun peeking through the windows caress her. Finally she walks back over to the bed and sits, staring at him. Finally she lays next to Jake, so her face is close to his. She gently pokes him. "Do you still love me today?" she asks with a soft smile.

He opens his eyes and yawns. "Yup." Stretching his arms over his head he says, "It's nice waking up to look at the prettiest sight in Promise City." He yawns again. "I'm hungry. We should have breakfast before we have to save the world or kill more Cowboys or whatever. I hate shooting people before I've had my coffee." Ruby eyes twinkle at Jake's affirmation and she smiles. "Yes, breakfast sounds good. What do you have to do today? I have to see the judge, maybe take a fencing lesson and visit Jane." She pulls herself to the edge of the bed and sits up, feet swinging. She glances at her new ring and her smile grows larger.

"Nice ring. Look at that baby shine." Jake smirks, "Somebody must love you. What to do today. Hmmmm.... I think I'll get a shave at Johnson’s, just to poke around. We need a new lawyer, our old one changed careers. I'll talk to Berg about what he thinks of that new guy. El-ooh-whoo or what ever his name is. What else, hmmm... need to clean my pistols, hang around being lazy... I'm covering for Job tonight." Jake rubs his eyes. "Coffee. I need some good old Arbuckle’s."

"Yes, someone does loves me, and he really means it. And this time I love him in return." She looks at Jake over her shoulder lovingly. "I like the being lazy part. I don't know why I woke up so early today. Maybe we can meet up for baths and naps later." She thinks for a moment, "Do you want to meet Jane?" "Baths and naps are good." Jake stretches again and sits up. "I do want to meet Jane, but not yet. I need to finish thinking about what you told me first." He gives a last big yawn before standing. "Monday. No Maria. I guess we go out for breakfast. Promise City Hotel today?"

"Best breakfast in town, right?" she smiles. Jake and Ruby get ready for the day, then head over to the Promise City Hotel for breakfast. Ruby asks, "What do you have to think about?" Jake gives her a funny look and she continues, "About Jane and what I told you?"

"You know me, I need time to sort through things. It troubles me that folks might not be able to make their own decisions. Maybe Priestess Jane means well overall. She seems to let you make your own choices and feel a kindred way towards you. But what about everyone else? You gave me a lot to think about last night. I need to put that all together. Just because I believe that you would never use any of this in a way that was bad for me doesn't mean I trust anyone else that way."

Jake shrugs and grins. "Sort of like Gonzalez. Just because he takes care of you, doesn't mean he takes care of everyone. You know what I mean?" "Not make their own decisions?" Ruby furrows her brows for a moment, then relaxes her face, eating a forkful of eggs. "I know what you mean, but I don't know what you mean. Yes, Mr. Gonzales takes care of me, in a way. But he doesn't force me to do anything and Jane won't either. Even my dream, you know which one, I had a choice to make. But I made it and things have been great, well, great in regard to that anyway."

Ruby shrugs. "You don't have to meet her, that's fine. I'm sure you have LOTS to think about after yesterday." She looks down at her plate. "This was a good breakfast, I didn't realize how hungry I was, especially now that it's gone. You help me work up a good appetite Mr. Cook, especially after last night..."

As Jake and Ruby head outside from the Promise City Hotel, on the northeastern corner of Allen and South, they see that a crowd has gathered outside of the building on the northwestern corner of the intersection, the Arizona Territorial Office. They walk over and ask someone in the crowd, "What's going on?" Don Wainwright, a regular player at Jake's table, replies to Ruby "Judge is about to open up for trial. Couple of the cowboy gang, heard they tried to simultaneously kill all three of the Deputy Marshals last night. They say that Rodriguez guy is close to death."

Ruby looks shocked, "That's horrible!" Ruby pushes her way to the front, desperately looking for Chester. Ruby sees Chumbley arriving. She grabs Jake's hand and pushes her way through the crowd to him. "Oh Chumbley, do you know what happened?" she asks, very worried.

The Halfling replies, "Trial in a few minutes Ruby. The Marshall arrested two of the Cowboys last night when they tried to kill Deputy Martin. Another two tried for Deputy Barker, but she got the drop on them. Those guys are over in Lester's Funeral Parlor right now. Two more went after Deputy Rodriguez. Left him for dead, but word is he's still clinging to life, that elf's a tough one. Heard that the Cowboys also robbed the gun shop too! And the Marshall's ordered the Indian Head Saloon closed until further notice. Guess we'll find out more in a few minutes, should be a quick trial what with the lawmen getting attacked. Isby hasn't got patience at all for things like that."

"Is Chester alright? Where is he now? Where is Rodriquez? How can I get in to see the judge before the trial, it's important?" she asks quickly. Chumbley says, "I Heard that Rodriquez was with some elvan witch doctor. I think the other lawmen are with the prisoners. Don't think anybody will get into the Office Building until the open it up to the public. The Judge is inside now talking to Brower and Jaquet."

Ruby sighs in relief, "So Chester must be ok then." She looks around nervously, "I have some information, it might be important, I don't know." Ruby pushes her way to the door and knocks as loud as she can, guessing it won't be heard with all the ruckus going on. She sees Isby inside talking to Al and Pierre. Kevin Tomlinson is near the door and notices Ruby. He shakes his head "no" at her.

She makes a motion with her hand, indicating writing. Chumbley had followed her and Jake up to the door and she grabs the notepad from the halfling. She quickly scrawls a note, makes sure Kevin is watching and indicates she is putting it under the door.

Judge Isby ~

It might be helpful to know that 4 men tried to blow up the Lucky Lady last night with invisible dynamite. Yes, invisible. Rudy Foote, now deceased, broke into our liquor room and set it up. Roy, I'm not sure if that is his real name, was also shot and killed last night by Deputy Marshal Barker. The two other men with them was Ambrose and Riff, Alabama, one of the men you were looking for.

The only information I got from them was that Johnny Ringo isn't currently in town but he is planning on coming back soon. Roy was the one in charge but you're not going to get much information from him now. Riff an Ambrose came from Texas to find ranching jobs but decided rustling would be better. They all joined up with each other in Galeyville about a month ago.

I was just on my way to give you this information this morning. Good luck and be careful.

~Ruby West

After sliding it under the door she waits and hopes Kevin will give it to the Judge. Tomlinson picks up the note, reads it, then brings it over to the Judge. Ruby nods at him after he reads it. "I really hope Rodriquez is ok. We should stop over there and check on him. Maybe bring him some food or something, for when he wakes up. He's been pretty nice to us." Ruby is talking out loud but not really to anyone in particular. "And that takes care of both of our first chores for the day."
She stands and waits with the rest of the crowd until the doors are opened.

The doors to the Arizona Territorial Office finally open and the crowd pours in. Chumbley asks Ruby for his notebook back. The chairs all fill up, Ruby grabbing two for her and Jake. Another dozen people stand in the back. Tomlinson goes to the door and wait. Shortly thereafter the man named Ambrose is escorted in by Marshall Berg along with his attorney Elihu Upton. Ruby almost doesn't recognize the man as Ambrose is now wearing an ill-fitting two-piece suit over a new dress shirt and tie. His long red beard has been shaved off and his hair has been cut short. Clean-shaven she estimates that he is probably much younger than he looked before, probably only late teens or very early twenties.

Ruby leans closer to Jake. "That's the attorney you wanted to hire? I guess it would have been too obvious for Fisk to take the case himself." She is quiet for a few moments. "I can't wait for this to get started so I can find out what happened."

Hamilton Fisk arrives a few minutes later, handing a note to Tomlinson. The clerk reads it and then brings the note to Isby. The black-robed Judge reads it and nods to Tomlinson who calls the court to order. Isby begins "Mr. Fisk. Your complaint is noted and now on record. This court stands by my earlier ruling. Your client Mr. McNally may not be present during Mr. Gamlin's trial.
Last night he was clearly intimidating Mr. Gamlin, urging him not to speak. It is the opinion of this court that such behavior would continue. Furthermore, while you are welcome to sit during this trial, but as an agent for Mr. McNally you are so ordered not to speak or be held for contempt of court." Fisk justs nods in response. He walks over to an occupied chair and the man sitting in it gets up and gives Fisk the seat.

"That explains about the lawyer," Ruby says quietly to Jake. "If anyone is going to talk, it's this guy. He's the one who was talking last night, but I don't know how much he knows." Isby says, "Mr. Upton, are you prepared to speak for your client?" The lawyer stands and says "Yes sir. Mr. Ambrose Gamlin is a rancher, originally from Plano, Texas. When the rancher he had been working for decided to sell the farm he and his companion Mr. Riff Alabama McNally headed west in search of new employment.

In early February they arrived in the Arizona Territory at the town of Galeyville, where they had the misfortune of running into Johnny Ringo. They were hired to herd cattle, originally thinking them to be owned by Ringo but later discovered that they had been rustled. Mr. Gamlin was clearly intimated by the men and feared the consequences of attempting to leave their employ. As grounds for this concern I will draw the court's attention to the recent situation involving another who attempted to leave Mr. Ringo's employ, one Lane Gifford." "So noted," Isby states.

Upton continues "On Friday Ringo convinced Mr. Gamlin, Mr. McNally d four other members of the Gang to come here to Promise City where they were to meet up with a Mr. Thaddeus Gromley who had been left in the town on surveillance detail." Isby says "And the names of these other four people were?"

Upton quickly confers with his client and then states "Roy Carroll, Rudolph Foote, John Bell and Sherwin Allen." "Please continue," the Judge states. Upton says, "They spent both Friday and Saturday nights staying at the Indian Head Saloon where arrangements had been made with the Manager Porter Norris. For the first forty-eight hours that they were in town they committed no crimes of any sort.

On Sunday afternoon Johnny Ringo was said to have arrived in town although Mr. Gamlin did not see him. Ringo spoke only to Mr. Carroll and Mr. Bell. Mr. Gamlin has no direct knowledge of any crimes they were to commit, only that they were to keep any lawmen occupied and away from the city block of Main Street between Fremont and Allen Streets between the hour of 9:30 PM to 10:30 P.M. Mr. Gamlin and Mr. McNally engaged Deputy Marshall Martin in a long conversation within a saloon in town during that time. Mr. Carroll had initially joined them but then left. Mr. Gamlin has no knowledge of what Mr. Foote, Mr. Bell and Mr. Allen were doing during this time.

Following their arrest by Marshall Berg Mr. Gamlin decided to cooperate. In return for this cooperation we are asking the Arizona Territory for a dismissal of charges and to provide protective custody." Isby says, "I will take that under advisement. Marshall, please return Mr. Gamlin to custody and see that Mr. McNally is brought here."

Ruby narrows her eyes and grits her teeth. "So them blowing us up this time was just a distraction with pleasant benefits for Ringo," she says keeping her voice down. She takes Jake's hand then lets out a long breath. "I really can't wait to hear what Riff has to say. Especially now that his partner has given him up." Jake squeezes her hand in his and looks her in the eyes. "I don't think I need to tell you not to speak up today." Ruby nods in understanding and calms herself down. They wait for the next part of the trail to continue.

McNally is soon brought in by Chester Martin and Mitchell Berg. Like Gamlin before him, Fisk does the talking for his client. He describes McNally as a decorated Confederate war hero, citing several engagements that he fought in during the war. He tells of Riff finding work after the war in Texas and then moving to Arizona. He spins a tale of woe about his client being a misinformed patsy, unaware that Ringo was anything but an honest rancher. He denies that Mr. McNally had any knowledge of wrongdoings taking place the night before.

Isby says, "Thank you Mr. Fisk. I have but a single question for your client to answer." "Sir, I speak for my client," Fisk replies. Isby says, "Then your client can stay in the Arizona Territorial Prison until he has voice enough to answer my one and only question." McNally pulls on Fisk's shirt and they confer. Fisk says, "You may ask your question." Isby asks "Mr. McNally, is everything that Mr. Fisk has just stated true?" McNally enthusiastically states "Yes". Isby says, "I have written documentation that Mr. Riff McNally of Mobile, Alabama did indeed serve in the Confederate army, but he was a deserter who saw no engagements. I therefore find the entire testimony to be unreliable.”

The judge continues, “Mr. McNally, a Deputy Marshall was nearly killed last night, attempts were made on the lives of two other Deputy Marshals and over $ 1,000 in firearms and ammunition were stolen. Those are all very serious crimes, any one of which I have previously had people hanged for. Based upon your lack of cooperation and dishonesty to this court I have no choice but to assume that you were involved in this conspiracy. I sentence you to be held in the Territorial Prison for a period of not less than fifty years. If new evidence is brought to my attention to prove your innocence I will entertain the prospect of holding another trial. Marshall, please remove this man and make arrangements to have him transferred to Prescott at the earliest opportunity."

Tomlinson asks if there is any other business to be brought before the court. Hearing none, he calls the court dismissed. Ruby leans next to Jake and whispers in his ear, "Why didn't he hang him? I don't get it." Jake shrugs. "And what about the other guy? Letting him off for cooperating?" Ruby excuses herself from Jake for a moment and stands alone near the front of the 'court', listening to rumors and waiting to see if Judge Isby wants to speak to her.

She has to wait for nearly fifteen minutes which to Ruby seems like an eternity, during which time Jake leaves the building with Al Brower. The building is eventually cleared out except for the final dozen people. When there are only six Isby walks over to Ruby and gives her a warm embrace exclaiming "Ruby Darling!" Tomlinson uses that has his cue to usher the stragglers out the door which he then locks. Isby immediately breaks the embrace and says "That seemed to go well, the town should be buzzing in no time with the rumors of our affair."

Ruby returns his embrace with a smile, "In this town, I'm quite sure it will. Rumors, particularly of affairs seem to fly around here. I wasn't sure if I should try to speak to you or not," she continues in hushed tones. "Did you get my note? I was on my way to see you this morning to tell you what happened last night." He replies, "Yes, of course. It helped to know that prior to the trial. Berg and Martin had told me most of that but you provided a few more details, they hadn't mentioned that the dynamite was magically protected.

Now comes the true test, keeping Gamlin alive. Their lawyers spoke to them now but Kevin was present when Berg questioned them earlier so knows the truth of this. According to Kevin, the kid told all that he knew but his friend hasn't. Once McNally is away from Fisk's influence he's more likely to talk, especially if we can prove that we kept Gamlin from Ringo's clutches. He'll also be more inclined to talk now that he has fifty years of prison ahead of him. He's thirty-seven now so for all practical purposes he's just received a death sentence, just a very slow one."

Isby sends Kevin off to the back room. He tells Ruby "Since Martin was at your saloon at the time and the other two were killed by Mrs. Barker near her home it was logical to say that they were the targets of the attack rather than your saloon and your boyfriend. That may actually be the truth, hard to say since both of those Cowboys are dead. No point in announcing to the whole town that the Lucky Lady is a Cowboy target, you'd never see any business there ever again.

It looks like Rodriguez was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Berg had him watching Ike Sherman's store and corral, which is apparently where the Cowboys went right after the robbery. Rodriguez was stabbed over a dozen times so I'm not surprised they assumed he was dead. It's a wonder he pulled through." "Poor Mr. Rodriquez," Ruby says, shaking her head, "I'm going to try to stop by later and see him. He's been pretty good to us."

"Thank you for not mentioning the attack at the Lucky Lady, I appreciate it. But I fear that it won't be the last and next time we might not be so lucky. If you hadn't given me those names, well, let's just say I'm grateful. The Cowboys seem to have a lot of magic at their disposal. It has come to our attention that Ringo is a priest of the god Ares, the god of war. Somehow he's been able to protect himself from our bullets, although my friends and I are working on ways around that. And now that they've hit the gunshop they've rearmed themselves." Ruby shudders. "This isn't going to be easy."

"Good luck with getting that information from McNally. It could be something very useful, to change the tide, so to speak. I don't think I need to tell you to be careful," she says with sincerity. As she is telling Isby to be careful Kevin returns from the back with a box of chocolates, which he hands to Isby. Isby offers them to Ruby, "These are for you, to help keep up appearances." Ruby takes them happily, "Why thank you Judge, I will enjoy every last one of them."

Tomlinson then speaks to Ruby, "Sorry about the fencing lesson, with the trial it will be too crazy this morning." "No problem," Ruby replies, "Perhaps tomorrow?" Kevin agrees and Ruby says she will stop by. Judge Isby walks her to the door when Kevin calls out, "Oh, Miss West... that uh, Clarisse, is she working tonight?"

"Yes, Mr. Tomlinson, she is singing tonight, if you want to stop by. But I should warn you, Deputy Marshal Martin is currently courting her. Stop by anyway and hear her sing, I'm sure she'd appreciate it." Ruby looks to the Judge and smiles, "Love seems to be everywhere these days!" The Judge opens the door and then takes her hand and kisses it. "Indeed," he replies. With that Ruby exits the Territorial Office

Across town, Ginnie went to the house and scrubbed and swept until it was sparkling clean. She removed the few things she had placed in the room she had chosen for herself expecting that Mrs. Kale would wish to turn the room into a nursery for the baby when it came. She had been in a servant position before and she could do that again as long as there was still food on the table that she didn't have to steal and a roof that didn't leak. Her job at the dressmaker's shop brought in some money and she should be able to keep her head above water with what she had stashed away and could continue to make until she needed to move on. She would have to study quickly before that disappeared too well it had been nice while it was happening. she'd find a way to survive, she always did.

 

[Silver Moon]

Chapter 189, “Catching Flies with Honey”, Monday, March 27th, 1882, 10:30 AM

Jake asks Al Brower, "Did I hear correctly? The gun shop got cleaned out? Mierda. I'm sorry for you two. Maybe it was lucky that you weren't there. I don't think the gang is in the habit of leaving witnesses behind. Just how bad was it? What did they get that we should be worried about?" Jake finishes that last sentence away from the dispersing crowd.

Al says, "Yeah, they got all the new weapons, eighteen rifles and twenty-three revolvers. They also cleaned out the safe, which had twenty-five boxes of Pierre's special ammunition in it." "Just how special Al? Is there anything we can do to be safer against it?" Al says, "You'd have to ask Pierre, he knows the specifics. He said that all but four of the boxes had a full twelve cartridges in them, a total of two-hundred-and-eighty rounds being taken."

After Jake chats with Brower for a few minutes he sees Ruby arrive. He notices that she has something in her hand. She says, "A perk," as she holds up the chocolates. "I loovvve chocolate. Anyway, since our first appointments of the day are cancelled, you want have baths now and I can tell you what I learned? Or do you want to wait until later?" He replies, "Sure. Seems like a good time for that."

Ruby and Jake head back over to the Lucky Lady and get clean clothes before stopping at Gilson's. Laurie enthusiastically greets them before having Jules set them up with two baths. Once they are settled and soaking in the hot water Ruby quietly explains to Jake what she learned from the Judge.

"I wonder if we could have prevented that if we had got the info to Brower in time. Mighty distracted we have all been. I thought that Nanuet and Chester would have taken care of that earlier. I should have checked with Chet sooner." Jake shrugs and makes small waves in his bath. "Ringo doesn't seem to care about being secretive any more. I wonder if Berg and the Judge will just start hauling in suspected members based on Ambrose's testimony. How in Hades will Berg keep that guy alive?" Jake just shakes his head.

Ruby turns her wet head and glances at Jake. "Baby, we can't do everything and we can't be in charge of everything. Those guys have to help out too. They're busy, we're busy, everyone is busy. It's not your fault. Now we have to deal with the consequences. I don't how much they got but I'm sure it's enough," she sighs. "I don't know how they will keep those Cowboys alive and I don't care. I only care that you aren't a marshal anymore." She smiles as she raises her leg up to wash it, the scented bubbles sliding off as she does. "Any other business to discuss before we can enjoy our baths?" Jake grins at Ruby, "No, no more business..." They enjoy the rest of their baths, and no business is spoken about.

After their baths Ruby and Jake agree to meet shortly at the Lucky Lady to be lazy. Jake heads over to Johnson's to get a shave. He keeps his eyes and ears open for any kind of interesting information.

Ruby meanwhile heads to the Palace Saloon to meet up with Jane again. Ruby arrives at the Palace. Prosper McCoy is at the door and says more as a statement than a question, "What the hell do you want West!" She states, "That's Miss West to you, Mr. McCoy. Please tell Jane I'm here to see her." He turns and yells inside "Somebody go wake up Little Britches, she's got company". He turns back to Ruby and says "Better move away from the door West before the boss sees you and shoots you for trespassing."

"MISS West. And you could say please, didn't your mother teach you any manners?" Ruby retorts. She decides not to pursue it any further so she sits out on the porch, waiting for the priestess to join her. Jane Boag arrives in the doorway a few minutes later. She looks like an entirely different person than the one who Ruby had met the day before. The petite woman is attired in a long heavy calico skirt, long sleeved blouse buttoned all the way up to the neck, grey velvet vest which works to suppresses the woman's ample chest and plain tan shoes. The only visible jewelry is a white cameo broach of a woman's face pinned to the collar of the blouse. She looks far more like a prim schoolmarm than a Priestess of Aphrodite.

Ruby smiles at her curiously but says nothing about her strange attire. "Good afternoon, Jane. How are you today? I came by to discuss the plans for the festival." She smiles and says "Yes, that is my plan for today as well. One thing that I've learned over the years is that the best planning is done when you can get others to volunteer to do most of the heavy lifting. Let's head around town and enlist all of the aid that we will need to make this happen. Hmmm, I wonder if your clothes are conservative enough? We will be visiting some of the Vigilance Committee."

Ruby looks surprised, "The Vigilance Committee? What have they got to do with entertainment? And what's wrong with my dress?" Ruby says while looking down at it. Jane replies, "You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar my dear. Have some faith sister, that Committee is not without its influence. Right now we need the support of the entire town to turn this event into the Festival that will solidify Aphrodite's ongoing love for the town and its residents.

Our entertainment will be more risqué than that Committee would ever approve of so it is necessary to lay the groundwork with a wee bit of misdirection before they are fully aware of what is transpiring before their very eyes. Part of that misdirection includes this 'costume' that I am wearing. If you plan to accompany me today you should be likewise attired."

"I don't own anything like that. I could put a shawl on, that's about it." Ruby considers her next words carefully, thinking about Jake. "Jane, what kind of entertainment are you thinking of? I want to honor the goddess like I said I would. I don't want to influence anyone into doing something they don't want to do." Jane replies, "Ruby, every time you sing to a room full of people you are influencing people. You convince people to part with their hard earned money, do you think that is something that they normally want to do? How many people do you see just walking around throwing money into the street?"

Ruby states, "Yes, but they have a choice to walk into my saloon or not. I suppose it's the same thing for the festival. But I don't want to do anything too exciting too early in the evening, there will be children around. Now after that..." her smile grows wider. "Alright, do you have a shawl for me? Then we can get going. I'm curious as to what you have planned. I don't think any of the Vigilance Committee is going to listen to me."

Jane says to Ruby, "We can start with Judge Lacey's store. He is an organizer of this festival so we will need his sign off. He avoids saloons so this may be a hard sell, but we can at least pick you up something to cover yourself with there." "Alright," Ruby says hesitantly. They begin the walk over to the General Store.

"I'm not sure I need Mr. Lacey's Approval. Minerva put me in charge of the entertainment, she didn't say anything about having to ask anyone's permission. I already asked Madge and her girls are working on costumes. I only figured on some singing and dancing, we need a band for the costume ball, and I was hoping to use the Mexicans from the El Parador, they are so much fun." She slows her long stride so Jane can keep up. "I should also mention, Mr. Lacey and I have some, uh... history."

Jane laughs, "And you've only been in town a few months, you are busy! A gambler, saloon owner, store owner, newspaperman, eastern businessman, and a judge! Are there any others who I haven't heard about?" Ruby laughs, "I don't know what you're talking about! What are these rumors about? The gambler and saloon owner are one in the same, the others.. well..." Ruby furrows her brows, "Newspaper man? Who's that? Wait, who are all these people you are talking about? I've been true to my boyfriend!"

Jane states, "Word is you have something going with the halfling newspaperman, he's told several people how attracted he is to you and how you've showered him with affection. The saloon owner was Tomcat Whipple of course, nobody in town believes he kept his hands off of you. And are you now denying that you're now with Judge Isby? Some sexual arrangement to keep him from sentencing your boyfriend Cook two weeks back?"

Ruby realizes that her mouth is hanging open and closes it quickly. "Well for the record... I uh.... it's like this.... OK, nothing is going on with the halfling." She continues quickly, "Or Tom, nothing went on with him, although no one is going to believe that." She realizes she can't say anything about the Judge or she'll make people suspicious. She says slowly, "I won't deny that the Judge is interested in me...And I'm surprised that anyone would think that Judge Isby would go for an arrangement like that. Oh look, here we are at Lacey's."

She changes the subject by running in the door. "Mr. Lacey? It's Ruby West. Where are you hiding? I've come to talk about the festival." "Oh Yes!" Lacey exclaims. "This is so exciting! I'm so glad you are here. We've come up with a vast number of things to include. We will have competitions of sport, baking and craft judging, and of course reverent services to the deities on Sundays! Miss. West, who is your friend? Somebody new in town?"

"I'm glad you are so enthusiastic, I'm sure Miss Florencia appreciates the help. I'm in charge of the entertainment, since the festival is coming soon I figured I'd better get working on it!" Ruby turns to Jane, "No, she isn't new to town. This is Jane. Jane, Mr. Lacey."

She smiles sweetly at him and says, "Why Mr. Lacey, I have heard so much about you. This town is so fortunate to have a decorated war hero such as you as one of its protectors. I am a singer and dancer at one of the saloons here in town, but I hear that you do not visit them, which would explain why we have not met before. I am also a second generation Priestess of the Greek Gods. I hope to some day aspire to the devotion that my mother showed to the gods. I was hoping that we could work my sermons into the festivities in addition to Miss. Florencia's." He replies, "Why yes, I am certain that we could do that!"

"Well, I'm glad that is settled." She turns to Jane, "Mr. Lacey used to listen to me sing from his home until he moved his store here. That is how we met, he wanted to put a face to the voice." She smiles at Lacey. "But I only get to see him now when I need to buy something, as you mentioned, he doesn't visit saloons." Lacey smiles and says, "I'm sorry to both of you for that, but I made a promise to my late wife that I would never set foot in a saloon again and a promise is a promise."

Ruby states, "I know, it's a rare thing for someone to keep a promise these days, it's something to be admired, don't be sorry. So, we should be going. It's busy visiting all these people! Do either of you have any other business that needs to be taken care of?" She looks at Jane, "Oh yes," Ruby says rolling her eyes, "I need a shawl. Jane, I have one back at the saloon..." Ruby notices Jane's expression on her face. "ALRIGHT!"

Ruby practically stomps down the aisle and chooses a pale peach skirt and a plain white shirt. She takes the purchases into the back and changes. She walks out, looking mostly prim and proper, except for the four buttons unbuttoned on the top of the shirt and her curly wild hair hanging mostly loose. "There, is that better?" She pays Lacey while she waits for Jane to complain. "Have a good day Mr. Lacey. If we need anything else we'll return later in the week. Oh, I'll send Harry over to fetch my dress later, thanks." She smiles sweetly at him before turning on her heel and walking out the door. When Jane arrives outside Ruby quickly asks, "Where to next?"

Jane replies, "The Promise City National Bank. I have $ 200 to open an account with. The Head Teller Dennis Avery is now on the Vigilance Committee. He's also single and is attracted to the Ice House owner's daughter Liza Brown. Let's just play this one by ear, you can take the lead if you want." As they walk over Ruby asks, "What did you have in mind? I still don't understand what the Vigilance Committee has to do with the entertainment..." The priestess replies, "They have nothing to do with it, which is what we want to maintain. If they start to issue restrictions and ultimatums it will make matters difficult. Unless of course, this outfit is how you want to dress to perform.”

"Most definitely NOT," Ruby responds, tugging at the shirt around her neck. "But everyone knows love is a GOOD thing," she says as she gazes at her new ruby ring with a dreamy look in her eyes. Jane says, “What I have in mind is just making Mr. Avery receptive to the fact that Love is a good thing and that the Goddess of Love should be welcomed."

Ruby says, "I think I'll just watch you for now, so I have a better idea what you're thinking of. If necessary I'll step in and help, that shouldn't be a problem." They see the bank down the street. As they approach Ruby adds, "By the way, I can dance too, besides just sing. I'm a better dancer than I am a singer actually, or so I've been told."

Jane and Ruby arrive at the bank. The bank manager Paul Stevens is not around at the moment and Mr. Avery is approached about her opening and account. They sit at the desk, he bringing an extra chair over for Ruby. Jane begins with small talk, telling Mr. Avery about her observations of the town and the wonderful people in it. She flatters the town's devotion to the gods and mentions how she is a devout believer in the Gods. He talks of his own devotion.

She then says that she needs to open an account for the Church of Aphrodite. He looks surprised and says that he has heard of no such church. She replies, "It is just being established. My mother was a Priestess of Aphrodite and I wish to found a church in her memory." He looks uncertain of how to reply and consoles her for her loss. She gets out the money, the top bill of which appears to have a light powder atop it. She fakes a sneeze, blowing the powder up into his face. He takes the money and establishes the account.

She then tells him how handsome he is and asks if he has a girlfriend. He says that he does not. She suggests "Maybe I could introduce you to a friend of mine, Liza Brown. Her father owns the ice house." He stammers out "I know, we've met, but she is seeing Mr. Rixton." Jane says, "But she is attracted to YOU." He seems surprised and says, "She told you that?"

Jane smiles and says, "Not in so many words, but I know women. Trust me, when the Dance of Aphrodite is performed at the festival it will be you and not Rixton who she will want to be with. That is, if you would like me to talk to her on your behalf....." "Oh Yes!" he exclaims. She replies, "I will tell you how the conversation goes when I return tomorrow." She then stands and says, "Shall we go Ruby?"

Ruby answers, "If you've done with your business." She smiles at Mr. Avery, looking into his eyes as she does. "Have a good day, Mr. Avery." Once outside Ruby corners Jane. "What was that? I mean, what was that powder I saw? If Liza is with someone else, why would she change her mind from one man to another just seeing the dance? If she already loves someone how is it Aphrodite's will to break that?"

Jane says, "Oh, she doesn't love Rixton at all, she just sees him socially to pacify her father. The man who she was in love with was the wood elf Juan Gomez, a gambler at the El Parador. They had a secret love affair going but he then ran off with Ilsie Bauer over a weeks ago. She has had a broken heart ever since. Mr. Avery and her will make a fine couple, they will both be happy. The important thing now is that he will not be opposed to our planning singing and dancing to honor Aphrodite. Come now, let's go visit the other banker on the Committee, he's also single."

Ruby decided not to pursue the comments further and instead follows Jane to their next destination. She would have to think about what exactly was going on before acting. Jane leads Ruby over to Condon's Bank. They enter and see that Frank Condon is the brother on duty today, sitting at his desk. "Just the man we want to see," Jane says and walks towards the desk. "I should mention Jane, I have some history with him too," Ruby whispers as they walk up to him. "Good Afternoon, Mr. Condon."

He looks up at them and in a voice that shows a level of irritation says, "Miss West, Miss Boag, I can't imagine what brings the two of you both here together. I thought that your saloons were busy feuding!" Jane reaches into her pocketbook and makes a flashy show of abruptly tossing down a wad of money, at least fifty bills totaling several hundred dollars which fall all over his desk. She exclaims with an angry tone in her voice, "We came here to open an account for a new Church to the Greek Gods, or is our money and support of the gods not good enough for you!"

Her outburst has the desired effect. His jaw drops and he says, "Oh, I, uh, of course we support the gods! Please, have a seat." He yells to the teller Bruce Maxwell "Bruce, bring another chair over here for Miss. West." Ruby smiles sweetly at Mr. Condon. He blushes and looks away, starting some paperwork. "So, Mr. Condon, are you planning on attending the festival next weekend?" He says, "My brother probably will. I'm not really one for parties."

Ruby states, "Oh, but parties can be so much fun! Besides, there are going to be a couple of important services to honor the gods and goddesses this weekend, you wouldn't want to miss them." She looks to Jane to see if she has something more specific in mind for Condon. Jane says, "Mr. Condon, I know that you do not frequent saloons, but there are other places to find companionship. You should not be lonely. The festival will attract women who meet your standards." As she says this she helps him gather up the money. She tells him that there is $ 350, but he still insists on counting it all out himself.

He says, "And you wish this account to be in your name?" She replies, "No, open the account for the Church of Greek Gods. My mother was a Priestess to the gods, who I worship devoutly. Which Gods do you favor Mr. Condon?" He replies, "Well, using the Greek names I would say that Zeus, Prometheus and Apollo would be the three." She replies, "Apollo? Did you know that in addition to being the Sun God he is also a God of Music? There will be considerable music performed at the festival. I'm certain that a man with such a deep speaking voice as yours must also have a fine singing voice. Perhaps we could work together on a duet, a ballad to revere your gods."

He is taken aback by that and says, "Well, umm, my parents often said that I could sing well. I will have to give it some thought." She says, "Well, please decide soon, we would need to rehearse. I will stop by tomorrow to see what you have decided." Ruby smiles at him. "Consider it, we could use some varied entertainment at our festival and it never hurts to honor the gods, you just might get something you've been looking for or even something you never knew you wanted."

They stand and bid Condon farewell. As they walk Ruby asks, "Are you really going to sing with him?" Jane says, "Absolutely. We need at least three of the five Committee members to support us, and those are the only two single ones. With married couples you have to convince both of them. But I'm tired now, too much work for one morning and these clothes are going to be the death of me. I'll meet up with you again later if you are free."

"I agree," says Ruby, still pulling on her shirt, "I don't know how anyone can wear this stuff! We can finish later or tomorrow." They continue to walk back to the Palace Saloon. "Who are the other committee members? Maybe I will come up with an idea to convince them of their support."
Jane says, "Bill Watson, Doctor James Eaton and Zebadiah Cook. Watson is currently out of town, seeing to his son up in Wilcox so hopefully won't be back by then. By all accounts the Cooks, Zeb and Helen, are very much in love with each other. We might be able to sway them over to our cause, perhaps talk them into renewing their wedding vows as part of the festival. Eaton is a whole different matter altogether and his young wife Elizabeth is worse. I'm not sure how we'll convince either of them."

"Well, isn't it good that the Cooks are in love? I mean, that's what Aphrodite is about and they should be thankful that they found each other and that she sent her blessings to them. If I have a chance I'll speak to them, but perhaps it's better if we go together. Renewing their vows is very romantic and would be good for the festival. Maybe we should ask all the married couples, I mean, offer them a chance to do that at the festival. And maybe even ask Aphrodite to bless all the new loves around this place," she smiles. "Seems to be a lot of her blessings lately."

"What is with the Eaton's? I mean, I know they hate people like us, but is there more to it?" Jane says, "Oh, he hates life in general, we're just a convenient target for his anger. He was a military officer, career Navy. Met Elizabeth a little over a decade ago when his ship became stationed in California. She was just a teenager then while he was in his thirties. After their third child was born five years ago, and Elizabeth was tired of his constantly being away at sea, she made him quit the Navy, convincing him to be a small town doctor instead. He hates it and resents her because of that decision. He does adore his kids though."

They arrive at the Palace, "By the way, Mr. McCoy wasn't very nice to me when I showed up, he wouldn't let me in and said I'd better leave or Adair would shoot me. Perhaps you should come by the Lucky Lady from now on." She says, "Yes, well my influence over them today is far weaker than it was yesterday when we were all energized by the worship services. I will stop by the Lucky Lady from now on."

 

[Silver Moon]

Chapter 190, “The Zeppelin”, Monday, March 27th, 1882, 10:30 AM

Chester goes to return the prisoners to jail. The Deputy states, "Hey, Riff. Hope the Territorial Prison is to your liking. 'Cause you're going to be there a long time. Either of you want to tell us who tried to kill Deputy Rodriguez?" They are silent. Chester is then told by Berg to bring McNally to Morand's Cartage rather than to the jail. When they arrive Zack Morand ushers them into the building, keeping his shotgun leveled on the prisoner. He tells Chet, "Undo the hand cuffs and both of you find some coveralls in that pile to change into."

Chester pulls out a set of coveralls that look like they fit McNally. He throws them at the prisoner. "McNally, put those on first." McNally growls, but does as he's told. Chester picks out a set and changes into them. "Are we putting the manacles back on him?" Morands says to Chester "Yeah, he gets the manacles back, but put them in the front. He can hold something in his arms so they won't be noticed." Berg arrives with the other prisoner Ambrose Gamlin. McNally looks like he's ready to jump up and strangle his former friend.

Berg says, "Okay gentlemen, it's like this. You've all heard what happened to Lane Gifford. It's safe to say that you'll suffer the same fate if you don't cooperate. We have a way to get both of you out of the county without any of the townsfolk or Cowboy Gang knowing where you've gone to. The only other option is to go out by stagecoach, on a schedule that everybody knows. So Let's get on these coverall. Get some coal from the stove and rub it on your face and grab a hat from that hat rack. We're all riding out of town on a Morand ore cart, looking like a bunch of mine workers heading out to one of the mines."

Both prisoners have their manacles covered with burlap bags. The two lawmen, Chester Martin and Mitchell Berg, keep their weapons out of sight. Zack Morand does the driving while his men Bud Newkirk and Doug Manson sit on the end of the wagon with shotguns in hand. The wagon pulls out of town and proceeds to the northeast, in the direction of the Fisk Mountain mine.

Chester says, "Keep your eyes peeled. Those cowboys have a sixth sense about these kinds of things." He says to Ambrose and Riff, "Do you boys know of any rescue attempts? In all the excitement, you just might end up shot by your friends. So, if you know anything, you better tell us." Chester cradles his rifle, hidden under a burlap bag, and looks for an ambush.

Ambrose says, "I told all I knew." McNally angrily exclaims, "Idiot, that'll get us both killed." "Enough of that, keep quiet," Marshall Berg exclaims. Chester has ridden this route enough to realize after a few miles that they were exactly traveling the route to the Fisk Mountain Mine. He realizes that Berg's plan, whatever it is, may work as a Morand ore wagon full of workers is a regular sight these days, especially on a Monday.

Chester says, "We're in luck, Marshall. I've ridden this route before, so I know where likely ambush points are. I'll tell you before we get to them." The trip goes without any problems. As they near the mine, within a quarter-mile of the small mountain, the driver turns off the roadway. Rather than going to the side where the mining is taking place they head to the opposite side of the mountain.

Right in the middle of the valley between Fisk Mountain and Bowie Mountain Chester sees an amazing sight. Both prisoners are also in awe of it. Before them is a long black cigar-shaped hot air balloon. It is 240 feet in length and 60 feet at its widest point, with a rudder on the back. Beneath it are cables, ropes and rigging that support a rectangular compartment with windows on all sides, twenty-five-feet long and ten-feet high and wide. The compartment is on the ground with several people near it. A number of ropes attached to various anchor points hold the contraption down.

Chester gives an impressed whistle. "That is some hot-air balloon. I heard stories from Civil War veterans about these being used as spotting platforms. This one looks like it can move. Is it taking the prisoners to Prescott?" Berg says, "No, we're not going that far. But it'll get us out of the county. We'll bring them up to San Carlos in Gila County, a little under half-way to Prescott. Arizona Rangers will take them from there." Chester nods. "We should be a lot less vulnerable to the cowboys hundreds of feet in the air."

Chester is greeted by the Aeronaut (pilot) Hans Schmidt, who he has met and had meals with at the El Parador. Schmidt had previous told Chet and Kate that he was the professional driver for Arcade's Gang, but it is quite a surprise to see the vehicle that he drives for them. Schmidt shakes hands with Chester and Berg. "Nice to see you, Herr Marshall Berg and you as well, Herr Deputy Martin. Isn't my zeppelin a wonderful thing?"

Chester replies, "You told me you were a driver, but I thought it was a wagon, not this." He waves his hand at the zeppelin. "I didn't realize Arcade's Gang was this rich." Berg says, "It was very nice of them to let us borrow their zeppelin and you, too. I appreciate it, Mr. Schmidt. Getting these gentlemen to Prescott is a lot less dangerous now."

Chester starts to light a cigarette. Schmidt says, "Herr Deputy Martin. I must ask that you not smoke near the zeppelin. It is filled with hydrogen, which is highly flammable." Chester pales and puts away the match. "Sorry about that. I didn't know. I imagine a thing that big would burn a long time."

Chester spends most of the flight watching over the prisoners. When Berg relieves him, he takes a peek out the window. "This is an amazing view, Mr. Schmidt. I can see why you became an aeronaut. How long are we going to be up here? I'm a bit nervous leaving my friends behind."
"Not long, Herr Deputy. We will give these men to the Rangers and then we can go home, ja?" "Yep."

The zeppelin arrives at the outskirts of San Carlos just after sundown. Waiting for Chester and the others are a few men wearing badges. On Schmidt's orders sandbags are tied to the aircraft, holding it down on the ground. Berg, Schmidt, Chester, and the prisoners exit. An older man with a mustache walks over to the group. "Which one of you is Marshall Berg? I'm Captain Burt Mossman of the Arizona Rangers."

Berg comes forward and shakes hands with the man. "I'm Mitchell Berg. This is my deputy, Chester Martin and our pilot, Hans Schmidt. And these are the prisoners, Riff 'Alabama' McNally and Ambrose Gamlin. Here's the paperwork from Judge Isby." Mossman looks over the pages, "Everything looks to be in order. Let's get these guys to the jail for the night. Follow me, gentlemen." Chester and Berg take the arms of Riff and Ambrose.

The Rangers surround them, weapons drawn, and escort them to the town jail. Once they drop off the prisoners, the Rangers show the men from Promise City the hotel they'll be staying at for the night. Schmidt explains, "I cannot fly when it is dark. Landmarks would be too hard to see. We'll get aloft early tomorrow morning." The group retires to a nearby saloon to swap stories and to give advice to Berg and Chester.

Jake chats amicably with Biff Johnson, asks about new comers to town and his festival plans. "Should be good for your business before the big dance ball." When he is finished he heads back to the Lucky Lady. Once upstairs, he practices again the rapid shot with his Colt empty of rounds. After practicing and cleaning his pistols he goes down stairs to wait for Ruby. Bored he retrieves the letter from Maggie that Katherine returned to him.

Hello Jake,

I’m sure you are surprised to get a letter from me. I have to admit, although I knew I’d be writing back to Promise City I had assumed my first letter back would be addressed to Katherine Kale.

Strangely, that is how this came about. I saw a woman come into our restaurant that from a distance looked like our friend Katherine. She was facing mostly away from me and was displaying the early signs of being with child. Not able to contain myself, I ran to her yelling, “Katherine, Katherine.” When I burst upon her, she turned and I discovered that it was not Mrs. Kale. This young woman also had a toddler girl in tow. Red faced I apologized for embarrassing her; she was gracious and introduced herself. Trying to ease my own embarrassment I talked on and on about how from a distance she looked like my friend from back east. She also said she had grown up back east.. I’m afraid the excitement of even for a brief moment thinking I saw Katherine, and with child, had me rambling on and on with the poor woman. She told me that she and her husband were active in helping the homeless and run always for their own reasons, and were curious about the restaurant and it’s success. That lead to her asking how I got came to be associated with the program. Feeling that I was with a kindred spirit, I told her my story. While I was telling her about selling the Lone Star her eyes grew wide. I turned to see what she was looking at, and immediately excused myself to handle a problem with the new waiter and a well-to-do customer.

When I returned she was gone. One of the girls saw a young man arrive and make a comment about their train leaving, the woman nodded, the man picked up the toddler and they left. I had assumed she was very experienced in the restaurant business to have noticed the problem, but as I reflected on it later I become sure she was not, and would not have seen the problem that I had.

I don’t know if this was important or not, but the woman grew up in Philadelphia, her first name was Virginia, and her eye’s bulged when I told her I sold my saloon to Ruby West and Jake Cook.

Give Katherine my best regards, tell her I will write soon.

Maggie Whipple.

He stares at the letter a while wondering if it could be true. After her afternoon with Jane, Ruby returns to the Lucky Lady and finds Jake staring at a letter. She enters the room silently, and he doesn't hear her anyway, he's lost in his thoughts. Ruby leans on his back, looking over his shoulder. "Hello, lover, what'ca looking at?" She recognizes the letter and comments, "I don't see why we can't take a trip to see if we can find her...You know, a vacation. And if we can't, well, we'll enjoy ourselves anyway. And if it is..." she lets her voice trail off.

Jake smiles up at her. "I don't even know if this is her. I have always wanted to see California. It has been a long time since I've seen an ocean. No time for that now, maybe some day." He pulls Ruby down to his lap. "That's better." "Much better," Ruby says, then nuzzles Jake's neck. "I've always wanted to see California too. And you have to admit, it does sound like it could be her..." Ruby nuzzles some more. "I have some things to tell you, but maybe later. Let's be lazy now," she says with a grin. ...and they are.

During the afternoon Jake keeps an eye open for Jeff Mills or Mitchell Berg, both of whom he wishes to speak to. Time passes in the afternoon lazily at the Lucky Lady. Out of the blue Jake decides to take a walk and see Pierre. "I want to ask him about the ammunition Brower said was stolen. Then we can visit Senor Valdez for a few minutes."

Ruby agrees to go with him and they wander over to the gun shop. Jake chats with Pierre briefly, giving him his condolences about the theft. Jake also tells him that Brower told him about the stolen rounds but only in general. "I understand you would wish to keep them from being a topic of discussion in public. However since I seem to be in a struggle with the Cowboy gang any information you could share on what they now have or how I could protect myself would be greatly appreciated. Understand that I would not share what you tell me publicly." Pierre says, "Oui, it is not a subject that I care to discuss in public. There could be...consequences. Perhaps you can stop back later when you are alone."

They chat with Pierre a little while longer before wishing him well and heading over to Senor Valdez's church. They find that the church locked and the priest not around. Jake tells Ruby he'll meet her back at the Lucky Lady in a few minutes. "I'm going back to see Pierre. I was surprised that he wouldn't talk in front of you. I'll find out what he has to say and meet you shortly."

Ruby is only slightly offended that Jake wouldn't speak up for her right then and there when Pierre asked him to come back with out her. Ruby hated to be excluded from anything. She heads back to the Lucky Lady. Niles is behind the bar. "Afternoon, Mr. Hoover. Have you heard what happened with the Marshals? And have you by any chance heard where Mr. Rodriguez is recuperating?"

Niles replies, "I haven't heard anything more than what was said at the court trial, but there is somebody who usually knows what is going on in this town. He's been waiting for you for around ten minutes now." He gestures over to a table in the corner where Chumbley is sitting, drinking a beer." "Thanks Niles," she nods. She heads over to Chumbley with a fresh beer for him.

"Afternoon, Chumbley. How are you today? Hard to keep up with all the news lately, isn't it?" she laughs. He has a more serious look on his face than usual. He says, "Yes indeed. I had planned to have a Wednesday paper, but I now have so much news that I'm going to be getting a paper out first thing tomorrow. I just came by to clarify a few facts from you about a couple of stories. First, about the attack targeted towards Deputy Martin and second about the love affair that you are having with Judge Isby."

"Does my love life make the news now, Mr. Chumbley?" Ruby asks trying to keep a serious face in return. She pushes the fresh beer in front of him and sits. He replies, "Not at all. I don't print gossip in my paper. But I do not think that you're having an affair with him at all. What the two of you are up to may indeed be newsworthy."

She states, "My, aren't you nosy! Well, he's taken me to dinner a few times, what's wrong with that? He's lonely and doesn't know too many people around here. It's rather boring to be honest. Of course, if you believe the gossip, I'm sleeping with him as an arrangement to keep Jake out of jail. Don't really know who would believe that about Judge Isby." She raises an eyebrow at him. "What do YOU think we're up to?" she says, a half grin coming to her face.

Chumbley takes out his notebook and opens to a specific page. He slides it across the table to her. It is a darkened page that was clearly the one beneath the page that she had written her note on, which he has done a coal rubbing on the impressions made by her pen. She can clearly read the words:

Judge Isby ~

It might be helpful to know that 4 men tried to blow up the Lucky Lady last night with invisible dynamite. Yes, invisible. Rudy Foote, now deceased, broke into our liquor room and set it up. Roy, I'm not sure if that is his real name, was also shot and killed last night by Deputy Marshal Barker. The two other men with them was Ambrose and Riff, Alabama, one of the men you were looking for.

The only information I got from them was that Johnny Ringo isn't currently in town but he is planning on coming back soon. Roy was the one in charge but you're not going to get much information from him now. Riff an Ambrose came from Texas to find ranching jobs but decided rustling would be better. They all joined up with each other in Galeyville about a month ago.

I was just on my way to give you this information this morning. Good luck and be careful.

~Ruby West

"What's your point?" asks Rub casually. "I thought he would want to know what happened here last night since it involved those two Cowboys he was sentencing. Berg was already informed but I thought the Judge might have some extra questions." Chumbley says, "This doesn't read like a love letter. I think there's more going on here. It's no secret that you and Mr. Cook have clashed with the Cowboy Gang before. And absolutely nothing was said earlier about invisible dynamite. Makes for a good story though."

"I never said I loved him, did I? I told you, I wanted to give him that information in case he wanted to ask questions before or during the trial, to help give those Cowboys what they deserve." Ruby face gets more serious. "You know Chumbley, I thought we were friends, that you would spy on me like this is very disheartening. Friends don't do that to each other. And you mentioning this in your paper could have very bad consequences for me and my friends and the place where I live, put our lives in even more danger than they already are."

He replies, "We are friends which is why I'm here talking to you. Do you think Baxter or any other newspaperman would? And I'm not spying on you, you wrote that in my notebook! I realize that printing that about the Lucky Lady could cause you trouble. What I want to know from you is what parts of this can I print, either now or at some time in the future? I have an obligation to my readers too."

She says, "No, Baxter would just make up his own story. I wrote that on a piece of paper that came out of your notebook. You used extraordinary means to read what I wrote in private and now I just don't know if I can trust you. I am disappointed in you." She sighs, "If you have to print anything I suppose you could mention that Johnny Ringo is coming back to town and for people to be on alert, although how you know that should be kept a secret. Then again that might cause a panic among the people and ruin the festival planned for the weekend, which is supposed to bring this town together."

"The fact that the two of them met in Texas and came from Galeyville, I don't see why you can't print that."" "As for the attack, I think I would prefer you keep that out of your paper for now. We'd lose all our business. And the fact that magical dynamite would terrify some people in town so I wouldn't print that now either, too many questions will come from it. Maybe after all this is finished you can print your story."

He says, "Okay, that sounds like a plan. I'll minimize what I write now in return for an exclusive later. Ruby, I don't want to upset you, but you have to understand, we Halflings are a very compulsive race. We have an ingrained curiosity about everything, which is part of what makes me a good reporter."

"I don't mind talking to YOU Chumbley. I DO mind the printing of information that could get me or my friends or the people I loved killed. And you might not want to count on that exclusive, I might not be alive to give it." She says this as an exaggeration but realizes it is more true than not. "And from now on I won't be borrowing your notepad."

She starts drinking Chumbley's untouched beer. "Any more questions for me? Why don't you run some stories on the festival? Or perhaps you should do some investigating about that Finnegan fellow who keeps beating the tar out of everyone."" Chumbley replies, "No, I ran the Finnegan story last week, no point in repeating it. I'll print a story about the festival, although the event schedule still hasn't been finalized. I planned to also do a story about tomorrow's Merchant's Association Meeting, but Judge Isby has asked them to postpone it until later this week.

She asks, "Do you know where Mr. Rodriquez is recuperating then? I was thinking of stopping by." Chumbley says, "Yes, he's at the home of that wood elf witch-woman Jaminez. Doc Eaton's fit to be tied over that, since he thinks she's unqualified to help anybody, Valdez too. He may have a point, Eaton's a skilled surgeon with lots of experience with weapon wounds, so Rodriguez probably would have done well under his care."

'Witch woman, huh? Well, I still think I'll stop by." Ruby stands and starts heading back over to the bar before turning back to Chumbley. "For the record, I'm NOT sleeping with Judge Isby."
With that she sits at the bar and asks Niles for a whiskey instead of the beer.

She asks, "Have you seen or heard from Jeff today?" Niles replies "Yes, he said that he'd need most of today off but that he would be back tonight." Ruby breathes a sigh of relief. "That's good to hear, thanks." She finishes her whiskey then heads upstairs to her room. Quickly disposing of the restrictive clothing she lays on the bed, getting lost in her thoughts.

Jake headed back to the gun shop and Pierre to learn what he can before going back to the saloon. Pierre welcomes Jake into the building and locks the door behind him. The Frenchman says "Thank you for coming back. It is important that you know about this. I am know that you and Deputy Martin are aware of my...well...special talents. I wasn't sure about Miss West and her opinions about those who use wizard magics."

Jake says, "Miss West can be trusted to be discrete. Someone close to her was persecuted for being associated with the arts. She would be very sympathetic to your need for secrecy." Pierre says, "Nice to know, I wasn't sure. Mr. Martin had shared with me that you and he knew of the Hand Cannon, so I knew that you knew what I had shared with him. We like to keep these things quiet.

But I guess that Ringo knew what I was doing. They somehow managed to crack my safe, took everything in it. I lost twenty-five cases of special ammunition. Fifteen were those that I made myself, basically regular cartridges that have a spell cast on them making them magical. It's usually a temporary spell but in this region the magic stays on it.

The other ten boxes were more powerful, things that I got from elsewhere. Three full boxes were 52 caliber exploding shells for the Spencer Carbine rifles. Another partial case had the same thing for the 50-calibur Sharps Big 50 rifle. Another box has Long Distance 44-40 shells which could be used in either a Winchester rifle or Colt Frontier revolver, but could go four times the normal distance. Another box had 45-calibur shells for a Colt Peacemaker or Smith and Wesson Schofield revolver that cause wounds that cannot be magically healed.”

Jake has a shocked look on his face. Pierre continues “Another partial case of 45-caliburs physically draw themselves to warm-blooded targets. Another partial case had Derringer shells that induce sleep once the shell is into the blood stream. Another partial case had 44-calibur Henry rifle ammunition that cuts through any magical armor. Last there was a full case of 41-calibur Colt Thunderer shells that make whatever gets hit by them temporarily disappear. I don't mean invisibility, whoever is hit literally vanishes, reappearing in the same spot a few minutes later." Jake listens intently. He manages to restrain himself from crying out 'Mierda' several times as Pierre describes the ammunition.

Jake asks, "Ringo has some kind of protection against bullets. He's been hit and they bounce off. Do you have any idea what it might take to get through that protection? Pierre says, "Well yes, those Henry rifle shells would have done exactly that." Jake asks, “Is there anything that can be done to protect against any of those special rounds of your?”

Pierre replies, "You'd have to ask a more powerful wizard that I. I'm afraid that I am very specialized in my abilities, basically magical ammunition, and only the simple ones at that. I've heard that some wizards can enchant clothing, essentially create magical armor not unlike those used by the knights of old. That might be your best option."

Jake asks, “Any chance you'll be getting your hands on any new rounds soon that might be useful against these guys if someone was buying? " When they finish speaking Jake heads back to the Lucky Lady.” He says, "Not anytime soon. There's a guy down in Mexico who specializes in those, in fact, he's the man who made that Hand Cannon for Curly Bill. Your employee Jeff Mills knows him. But that's over 300 miles away and most of it across open desert. It would take you the better part of a week to travel there each way."

 

[Silver Moon]

Chapter 191, “The Chase”, Monday, March 27th, 1882, 12:00 PM

Conrad Booth asked Katherine Kale “Will you consent to being my wife?" The glass fell from Kate's hand and landed sideways on the makeshift table. "Oh," Kate said, taking her napkin and sopping up the spilled wine. "I'm sorry. I...." She twisted her hands for a moment before she looked back at him.

"That is a very generous offer, Conrad. But you must think very carefully about what you've just asked me. We haven't known one another long. I would be with you every morning when you woke, and every night when you went to sleep. And the days in between. You would suddenly have a daughter to raise and a baby on the way. Your life would be very different, and you might find yourself wishing you had not asked in a few months."

He states, "Kate, you do not understand. While I would very much like to make a life with you I know that you are not ready. You were not ready to start again when it had been nine months since you last saw your husband, now it has only been nine days. I am suggesting that we marry now, or rather this weekend at the festival, while your pregnancy is in its very early stages. Mother Jimenez feels that your pregnancy will go full term. She says that doesn't happen often around here, that births after eight months are not unusual. Nobody would ever suspect, especially if the Priestess should say a blessing in the ceremony for children.

Kate, this would be the best for everyone. If you would like, you could even file for divorce in a month or two. I have no doubt that we could devise a story where Judge Isby would consider me not worthy of you, given my reputation as a dishonest gambler, and grant it to you. This would be the best thing for both you and your son."

Kate looked at him with tears quivering in her eyes. "You would do all this just to protect my reputation? Perhaps it would be best for my son, maybe even for me, but is it best for you? as it so awful for you, growing up without your father?" He replies, "Kate, this isn't about my growing up without a father. It's about us. I needed for Mother Jimenez to prepare this place so that you would realize that nothing was influencing me other than my own heart. Kate....I love you."

Kate closed her eyes for a moment and covered her face with her hands. It was several long moments before she lowered her hands and spoke again. "I believe you," she said softly. "And I care for you, but I need time. This is very sudden, and I'm..." she shook her head. "I don't know what I am. It is nearly a week until the festival, please give me that time to think things over. It's not a decision to be made in haste."

Conrad replies, "I agree. Why don't we finish the meal? And you can tell me about that new piece of jewelry that you are wearing." "Which one?" she asked in a sudden flash of humor, even as she wiped her eyes with her handkerchief. She took a few bites of food before going on, glad to have some distraction. "The ring is loaned from the girls at the El Parador. It will protect the baby from harm, and myself to a certain extent. Mr. Gonzales said only the baby and Mother Jimenez said it would protect us both, so I'm not depending on it for myself. With the trouble with the Cowboy Gang I couldn't guarantee the baby's safety.

The bracelet..." Kate took a look around and dropped her voice despite the fact that it was unlikely anyone was around. "My teacher and I went to see a priest yesterday about the situation here. He gave us these to protect us from undue influence. So wherever I am now, no god of the Greek or Romans can affect my mind. He and Ginnie have them too, as well as Sonoma. She was very badly affected, it's good to see her herself again."

Conrad replies, "That is good to know, especially about Ginnie as I was worried how this would impact one as young as her. What that Aphrodite Priestess is doing is wrong. Influencing the minds and thoughts of individuals without their consent is something that should not be allowed to continue. Although I am unclear as to what specifically can be done."

Kate replies, "Ginnie has been in a protected place, like you have, and now she has one of these bracelets. I love her so much. She has been a big part of what kept me going, along with Ruby and Jake and my family at the El Parador. It's a relief that she can come out now, safe from influence at least.

The priest we saw yesterday is a powerful man. Officials from the church should be coming to deal with the problem soon. Sonoma has been freed from her, and yesterday Nanuet and Minerva went to see his mentor. Mother Jimenez said he would be able to free both of their minds. With some of the other priests free, they will be able to tend more closely to their congregations. Mr. Valdez and the Norse priest are still affected. Getting them inside a protected place would clear them for a time, but I don't know how to protect them outside. The Aphrodite Priestess might notice her power waning, as well. I will have to start watching for her as well as the Cowboy Gang."

Conrad and Kate continue their lunch, eating all of the food. She notices that he has four glasses of the wine. The air is a pleasant seventy-three degrees with a light breeze. The sun is shining down, although they are shaded by the tree. The conversation remains light, with some talk of the festival. He comments about needing to still see the Kelly's about having a fencing uniform tailored for him.

Kate says, "I'm looking forward to seeing the fencing and how you fair against Judge Isby's clerk. He seems very experienced. You'd best talk to Mrs. Kelley soon. With a costume party going on, I'm sure the Kelley's will be busy. Mrs. Kelley has a new assistant now, the eldest girl from the O'Hara family. They just moved in next to the Wong's. I'll probably have at least five of them in my school. There are nine or ten children altogether in that family. I told Ruby that I might not attend the ball and she wasn't having any of it. Still, I'll be working with children all day, and who will work at the Lucky Lady if we all go dancing?"

He replies, "You may wish to reconsider. When I heard that there would be a costume ball I sent a telegram off to my mother's theater in San Francisco, asking for them to send what they could spare. It should arrive in the next few days so I will have a wide selection for you to choose from."

Kate's eyes lit up a bit. "It has been a long time since I went to a real party." She shook her head. "I don't know why I get so stubborn about not doing things I would enjoy. I suppose I still feel I shouldn't be enjoying myself, it must be my eastern upbringing. Why in the world did you have them send ladies costumes?" she finished with a laugh. He smiles and said, "Well, I had hoped to maybe bring a date with me. You may not have heard the rumors but there is a certain young lady in town who has caught my eye."

Kate laughs, "Are there rumors about such a thing? My goodness, this town does seem to be quite the gossip mill. I think that young lady would be very pleased to attend the costume dance with you. After all, you and she have danced together before. You're very different from the man I first met, Conrad. But I'm glad to see your humor hasn't changed."

He smiles and replies, "It is the pleasure of your company that brings out the best in me. Please give serious consideration to what I have asked. I think that we..." The expression on his faces suddenly changes as he focuses to the south. He then stands and looks around, both west and north. A very serious expression now covers his face. "Conrad, what is it?" she said quietly, slipping her hand into her skirt where Tom's pistol was tucked away.

Conrad replies, "I'm not sure. I saw some birds fly off a mile to the northwest a few minutes ago but didn't think anything of it. Then a larger flock of a different type of bird just flew off rather quickly and loudly three-quarters of a mile southwest. And if you look west, along the roadway that we traveled on, there's a very faint cloud of dust above the road three-quarters of a mile to a mile that way that seems to be getting closer. The tree line will block whoever or whatever it is for another few minutes until we can see them. I have a bad feeling about this."

"So do I." Kate reached up and Conrad took her hand and helped her up. "The other night we were sharing what we've learned about the Cowboys. Chester said the last time we drove out toward the mountains Deputy Sheriff Hunter followed us. I was so nervous I didn't think of it today. We suspect he might be part of the Gang. They don't have any reason to be after you...." she said, looking at him seriously.

"We should hide if we can. If I have to use my abilities to defend us... well, we'd have to be sure they couldn't get word back to town about what I can do. I can do something to protect you, but you'd look different and we can't be sure there isn't someone looking now."

He replies, "Kate, since we've got a few minutes until anybody arrives shouldn't we run? We've got a carriage and two good horses. The only direction open would be east, into the mountains. That's Apache Territory so they may not follow. We're not supposed to go there either, but you said you've got a good relationship with the Apache. Quite frankly I'd rather take my chances with the elves than the Cowboy Gang, know matter who I look like."

She says, "You're right. Leave everything, let's go while we can. Are you a good enough rider to go bareback? The carriage will be slower, although it will block their view of us some." Conrad replies, "I'd rather not spend the time unhitching the horses right now, time is of the essence. Plus I've never ridden bareback before. The carriage will offer us some protection. I also have a shotgun under the seat, it'll be a lot easier to shoot from carriage than a moving horse."

"Alright, the carriage it is, then." Kate hitched up her skirts and ran over, clamoring in on her own. She dug under the seat for the shotgun as Conrad climbed into the driver's seat. "I'm not much of a shot, but I know how to handle it at least. Let's go." The rifle is a double-barrel Remington-Whitmore. Conrad tells her "It's not loaded. There's a small metal box in the corner with the ammunition." She opens the box to see that it contains only four cartridges.

"Not much ammunition," she said, calmly loading the shotgun as the carriage started forward. She laid the pistol in her lap and held the shotgun. "I'm guessing you brought this because of the Cowboys?" He replies, "No, If I had I would have brought far more ammunition. I brought it in case of wolves or bears, this is a pretty remote area. If wild animals are hungry enough they might try to attack a horse. I've never had to use more than both barrels before, so figured enough for one reload would be plenty. Sorry. I also have my pocket Derringer, but that's only good for one close-range shot. I keep an emergency knife in my boot too, which thankfully I've never had to use."

Kate says, "Let's not make today the first time. I have a derringer as well. With my pistol it gives us a few more shots. I'd rather depend on your driving through, Conrad." Kate tried to keep herself calm. "Seems we've both been a bit distracted lately."

Conrad and Kate travel for a half-mile east followed by a half-mile to the southeast. Conrad does what he can to keep the carriage on as straight a path as they can. As they continue they begins to reach higher elevations. Looking back Kate can see seven rides over a mile back. It is too far away to make out detail but she can see that one of the horses exactly matches the color and markings of Johnny Ringo's.

"There's seven of them, a mile back. They'll be moving faster than we are. I'm almost flattered they thought they'd need so many for the two of us." Kate turned to look at Conrad. "One of the horses belongs to Johnny Ringo, I can't see well enough to tell if it's him, but I don't think he's one to let anyone else ride his horse. Nanuet shot him square in the head the other day, and it bounced off. We may not be able to stop him if it comes to that."

Conrad says, "Well we don't have to worry about them shooting at us if they're that far back. Too far for an accurate shot." He no sooner says that when a shot sounds and a bullet flies through the leather backing on the carriage and across the passenger compartment, missing Kate's head by around a foot and Conrad's by six inches. Conrad looks nervous, but trying to maintain his composure says, "That was probably just a lucky shot."

"Lucky or not, a little more speed wouldn't go amiss. Stay calm now, I'm going to give you a little protection." Kate quickly spoke the incantation, balancing the shotgun on her lap as she made the gestures and touched Conrad, releasing the Mage Armor spell that would give him some protection. "It won't stop everything, but it will turn grazes into misses." She then hefted the shotgun and looked behind them.

Conrad decides to change direction, getting out of the straight away and putting more obstacles between them and their pursuers. The road is rougher but it prevents any shots from being fired at them. They manage to continue on for another half-mile, getting deeper into Apache territory.

Conrad is paying full attention to this race, until he finds himself heading down into a box canyon. He turns shapely to the right to avoid it, almost overturning the carriage as the right wheels tip high up into the air. But the vehicle rights itself and he careens off and upward to avoid the dead-end canyon and get onto higher ground. As they continue to rise up the hillside four of the seven Cowboy riders come into view.

Kate is unmistaken in identifying Ringo this time, leading the group some three-quarters of a mile back. He unslings his rifle and fires. The shot hits a tree twenty feet before the carriage and to the right, which burst into flames. Conrad quickly steers the horse to the left to get around it. "There's four of them, closer now. Ringo is here."

Kate held up the rifle waiting for any of them to be in range. She looked at the horse again, sad that she might have to shoot it instead of Ringo. That horse had been on her ranch for a while, and she hated the thought of hurting it. "I have an idea," she said suddenly. Kate pursed her lips and whistled through her teeth, using signals she had been training Ringo's horse to understand. If she was lucky, the horse would remember and turn to run back the way it came.

There is no noticeable reaction from the horse to Kate's whistle, although they are still quite a distance off so the sound may not have carried. Conrad turns into a small forest of scrub bushes and saplings, no tree more than twelve feet high. This proves successful, as the carriage is able to successfully ride over the trees, bending them down in the process while providing full cover around them to deflect any bullets. It also creates obstacles for those following, the bent trees making hurdles for the horses to have to either jump over to go around.

They then run into a section of large rocks, eventually finding themselves trapped in a rocky area where they can travel no further in the carriage. "Too risky to try going back. I guess you need to teach me that bareback maneuver," he says to Kate. She says, "Get them unhitched. Cut what you have to, try to leave some of the bridle, it'll give you something to hold onto." As they both worked at freeing the horses Kate gave him some quick tips on riding bareback.

"Hold onto the mane, or the bridle if it's still on. Don't sit too stiffly, you need to bend with the horse or you'll fall off. Don't try anything tricky. Keep down low, you'll make less of a target for them to shoot at and it will be easier to stay on." Kate stuffed the ammunition for the rifle in her pocket and handed him her pistol. "It's loaded, six shots. I'll keep the shotgun, I can ride bareback without holding on." Conrad scrambled up onto his horse, and Kate unabashedly hiked up her skirts to ride astride on hers. "Let's go."

Conrad proves to be a quick learner on how to ride bareback, although it has been said that necessity is the mother of invention. They find that despite both the lack of saddles and that these horses were trained for carriages rather than riders they are making better time. The are also now able to choose paths that provide even better cover, although they are leaving a trail easy enough for those behind them to follow.

Kate is surprised that no Apache have been encountered yet, as they have now traveled at least a couple of miles into their territory. As they climb another hill and can get a better view behind them they make out dust on the hill a half mile back where they presume the quartet of riders are. They spot the other three rides on higher ground around a mile back.

"Why did they split up? I don't understand... Of course I don't understand them going to this much effort just to chase me down. They're still too far away for me to do anything. We should have run into the Apache by now. We're only going to be able to keep going like this for so long. If we don't come across the Apache we could be in trouble. Flint said Naki-Yai was no longer visiting the ranch, I hope they haven't gone." Kate nudged her horse to more speed. "I bet you didn't plan on all this excitement today." He attempts a smile and says, "I will never complain that life with you is dull and uneventful."

 

[Silver Moon]

Chapter 192, “The Reluctant Hero”, Monday, March 27th, 1882, 6:00 AM

Nanuet had awakened that morning just before the sun and begins his humble prayers trying not to wake Minerva. Minerva is awakened by the warmth of the sun on her skin. She lies still and watches Nanuet as he prays. "It is not a dream." she thinks as her heart fills once again with joy. She quietly stands and packs up her bedroll as she waits for him to finish.

Nanuet finishes his prayers and heads over to Minerva. "Good morning Priestess" he says with a smile and a tender kiss "I hope you slept well. We should find something to eat and then hopefully Kajika will meet with us again." "Si, I slept like a little bambina in your arms." she says returning the kiss "You know I really like this!" She says as she lowers her lips to his again.

She states, "I am starving. We ate very little yesterday." Looking around she wonders. " What has happened to Luna and Maska? I hope that their new friend did not eat her for dinner." she jokes. And as she says this Luna flies over the hill to greet her. Nanuet says, "Ah, there is Luna now, and I am sure Maska sleeps. She would not let herself go hungry so I reason that she spent the night hunting. Come let us hunt down our own breakfast."

Nanuet and Minerva make there way among the Apache and find some food. Nanuet offers to pay for their meal. They are both ravenous and scarf the food down hungrily. After the meal they seek Kajika. Kajika spends the morning teaching both Nanuet and Minerva about the ways of the Apache and of some spells that neither of them had attempted to cast before. He apologizes to Minerva that he can only show her part of what she needs, as she will also need guidance from somebody of her own faith.

He adds "The night that Storm Goldeneye left this realm she approached me and told me of how your path and Nanuet’s would be as one. She also said that a mentor for you would be drawn to here just as Nanuet and I were drawn together." Nanuet replies "Thank you again for imparting your wisdom upon us. I miss Storm greatly and still regret her loss. I am honored that she continued to take interest in me even after it was my lust for revenge that cost her her life."

Minerva states, “Si, Storm Goldeneye was a brave and true friend. She returned to this realm since than to help us find Nanuet when he was in trouble and said something similar. A mentor? for me? I had thought that Nanuet would teach me the ways of your gods as I would teach him our ways. Do you know who it is? But we must be going soon. Will I meet this mentor before we depart?"

Kajika replies, "I have no idea who this mentor will be, but they will be someone from your own religion, probably a High Priest or High Priestess, with the skills and experience to teach you how to better be a priest of your faith. My suggestion would be for you to speak to your gods about this individual, it is through their will that you will be drawn together."

It is early afternoon and Kajika is in the midst of training Nanuet in another spell when they are interrupted by Flint's friend Naki-Yai. The Apache woman rides up on a horse pulling Nanuet and Minerva's horses. She speaks to Kajika in the Apache tongue. He turns to Nanuet and says, "The human woman that you own the ranch with is in danger. She and a companion are being chased by members of the Cowboy Gang, including the one you call Ringo. They are just currently a little over a mile to our north and moving in a southeasterly direction."

Nanuet states, "I knew we couldn't escape trouble out here." Nanuet goes to his bundle of belongings to retrieve his rifle and ammunition. He checks that his knives are secure. He then heads back to the horses and others. "I have no expectations from anyone here, Ringo is a dangerous enemy, but I must go and help my friends. Kajika, if you could help it would be greatly appreciated as I know Ringo has magic more powerful than I have been able to overcome in the past. Minerva, you can do what you wish, but my thoughts are for your safety and that is here in this camp."

Minerva states, "And mine for yours. No I am coming. Senor Ringo must be stopped. We must hurry." Minerva grabs her rifle and digs the magic bullets out of her pack. "Nanuet did Chester give you any of these bullets?" She says as she mounts her horse. She calls to Luna and tells her to fly ahead and bring back information.

Kajika says, " They are still in the area that we moved back from, but they head in the direction where the families are. If they come closer to where the people they will regret it, the Apache have hundreds of warriors and their magic will prove ineffective against such a large grouping. I must stay with the people but you may take this". He removes a pouch from his belt and hands it to Nanuet. "The powder must first become lightly dampened to be effective and the word "Ka-din-ya" spoken. It will then make all other magic where the powder lies cease to function."

Nanuet says, "Thank you Kajika for this gift of magic. If I cover an area with it, will magic that enters it cease to function or will only the magic already in the area that I use it in stop working. Can I spread it out over an area and then try and lead Ringo to that spot? How long will it last?" Kajika replies, "You have many questions. It prevents both wizard and clerical magics for as long as the powder remains lightly moist. Once it dries the power will cease, but if it becomes too wet it will wash away. While the magic is in effect it will prevent both clerical and wizard magics from entering or functioning in the area and to a height equal to the width of the area affected."

With that knowledge in hand Nanuet heads in the direction Naki-Ya told them that the trouble was brewing. Minerva follows behind. Nanuet will watch and listen for any sign of riders such as disturbed wildlife, clouds of dust, etc. Nanuet turns around when he hears another mount following them. Naki-Ya had also decided to join them.

Nanuet turns around to speak to her. "Naki-Ya, you are coming also I see. Are you prepared for a battle? I know little of your skills." Nanuet's Apache is poor but sufficient enough for him to understand. She replies, "I know this land, you do not. We go together if we are to save them and protect my people." He replies, "I always appreciate a guide, just stick close by." Nanuet keeps Naki-Ya and Minerva close to him, riding conservative and letting Naki-Ya direct them.

Kate and Conrad continue onward. "Never a dull moment," she muttered to herself and pulled her skirts further up in case she needed to move more freely on the horse. She kept low with the shotgun in her hands, praying they would reach the Apache before the horses played out.

Conrad and Kate continue onward. Kate begins to find some of the area they are in familiar, thinking that they are near the location where she, Nanuet, Flint, Sonoma and the Cartwrights had first met with the Apache. They are now in a lightly wooded area, the thin forests blocking their view from those following them. They soon reach a stream, around five feet across. Kate says,
"We can't see them right now, they might not be able to see us. We've ridden the horses pretty hard, but not so long that their muscles will react badly to cold water. If we ride in the stream for a bit, they might have to stop to pick up our trail again."

Conrad and Kate follow the stream as it flows south. The stream bottom is rocky and they have to proceed slowly and carefully in order prevent the horse's hooves from getting caught between the rocks. She states, "We don't want to stay in here too long." Kate led Conrad down the stream, keeping her ears open for sounds of their pursuers. Once they had gone about five hundred feet, Kate stopped and let her horse drink for a slow count of ten, then led the way onto the stream bank and pushed the horse to speed again.

Kate and Conrad continue onward. They ride vigorously as the forests clear out. They soon see movement a quarter-mile back, but now there are only two riders. Conrad tells Kate, "Those four must have split up at the stream, not knowing if we went north or south. However, I'd bet that the other two probably aren't much further back."

She says, "I prefer two to four, but you're probably right. And they're getting a lot closer. We don't have much more time, I don't think," she finished and grasped the rifle, ready to start firing. Kate and Conrad proceeded on. She sees that the trees and bushes are thinning out as the elevation increases and there is unfortunately nowhere to go south, southeast or southwest that doesn't go higher and above the tree line. It had been a good run, probably five or six miles with horses not trained for this but holding up well none-the-less. But the horses were tired and tiring more as they climbed, as soon she and Conrad would be out in the open again.

Kate spots an area with a flat rock plateau with high flat rocks on the rear and right and three to five foot high rocks covering most of the front, making a natural wall. She decides that the plateau has enough space to put the horses and fire from the front. But they have perhaps four-tenths of a mile, most of it across open terrain climbing up at a forty-degree angle to get there.

Nanuet, Minerva and Naki-Yai travel for a little more than a half-mile, ending at a cliff side overlooking a sloping mountain going down, ending in a forested area with a stream. At first neither Nanuet or Minerva see anything. Then Naki-Yai points to the end of the tree line saying in Apache "There, she and her friend are down there." Nanuet spots them around three-quarters of a mile below and to the left.

"I see them now, thank you Naki-Ya. I think it is too risky to signal to them. I guess we should just try and head to them. Do you see anyone pursuing them still?" Nanuet scans the area for signs of anyone else. He takes his time looking and relooking before moving on.

Below, Kate nodded toward the plateau and says, "There, that's the best spot," . "We just have to get there somehow. We'll have to make a dash for it. I have an idea. Wait for my signal before you move." She took a few deep breaths and pictured what the two of them looked like, tired and windblown on their horses. Once the image was constructed in her mind, Kate cast the new spell she had learned, sending the illusionary doubles shooting out of the tree line about 25 feet away from them and heading off to the right side of the plateau.

Rifle fire soon erupts from the a patch of forest a quarter mile to the left of her. Up above, Nanuet sees Kate and Conrad moving out into the open and then sees the two men who he assumes are Cowboy Gang members, in the trees no more than a half-mile below him and firing at his friend and her companion. Kate held back on the signal, waiting either for the lull that would mean they were reloading the rifles, or for the gunmen to follow the illusions away.

Nanuet looks for a spot where he will have cover and still be able to see the two Cowboy gang members. He then targets one carefully, steadying his arm before shooting his rifle. Despite the long distance the shot it true, striking the shooter in his gun arm and causing him to drop the rifle The other man continues to fire at Katherine and her friend Conrad as they ride up the mountain. "The gods must be looking favorably upon you," Naki-Yai tells Nanuet in Apache.

Katherine continues to concentrate upon the illusion. Conrad saw Nanuet's rifle flash from higher up the mountain and heard the shot. He says, "Damn, they're ahead of us now too. It must have been those other three." Minerva sends Luna up and tells her to screech to alert Katherine that they are in the area. "Stay high Luna, I don't want you hurt. and return and tell me what you see"

She then aims her rifle and shoots at the cowboy that she can see most clearly. Minerva’s shot also rings true, despite the distance, striking the other cowboy in his shoulder. Both men do not appear to be seriously hurt, but they stop shooting at Nanuet and Kate as they begin to move back the nearest cover, a large rock thirty feet from them, pulling their horses with them.

The illusionary Kate and Conrad continue to ride towards cover, almost reaching a rocky plateau further up Naki Yai points to some movement over near the edge of the woods. Minerva is alerted by Luna of the same movement Naki sees, as well as more movement in the woods around a quarter-mile further back from there. An owl's eyesight is far superior to humanoids at night, but during the day is not much better than a human's, so the bird is still unable to differentiate exactly who is where. Minerva takes a quick moment to pray in Spanish. "Minerva querido, en su sabiduría divina. Dirija por favor nuestras acciones which translates as “Dear Minerva in your divine wisdom, please guide our actions.”

Kate sent the illusion cutting around the plateau until it was out of their sight and then let the illusion go. She turned to look at Conrad and took his hand, not bothering to hide the fear in her eyes. "I'm out of tricks. We could stay here and hope they try to track the doubles, but I think we'll be found. We have to get to those rocks."

Conrad replies, "With those other three on the peaks higher up? That would be suicide, they'd cut us down in a minute. Those other two were firing from that side and have stopped. They're probably reloading or waiting for those fake versions of us to fire back down. Why don't I see if I can sneak up on them now before those other two show up? They won't be looking out for us, thinking we're up at the plateau."

Kate answers, "I don't think we should split up, but I don't know how quiet I can be. Still, I think we should go together. Tie the horses and leave them here. You can go ahead of me, but I'm keeping you in sight." Conrad and Kate make their way through the forest east. They stop when they see movement ahead 100 feet ahead which they make out to be over behind a large rock. They see two horses but no riders yet. Above, Naki-Yai tracks movement below saying "Those two groups are moving together."

Kate quietly hefted the rifle and crouched down. "I'll be able to see you from here," she whispered. "I'm not quiet enough to go closer. What do you think?" Conrad replies, "I've played a number of heroes on the stage, but never one in real life." He opens and rechecks the revolver. He then removes his Derringer from the small of his back, placing it in his sock and also pulls his dagger slightly out from the sheathe inside his boot for easy access. He moves forward, using the rock itself as cover until he is up close. He then stays low and heads around the front of the rock, low to the ground. Kate loses sight of him.

Kate kept her ears open and moved forward, staying as crouched down as she could with the rifle still pointed forward. She moved somewhat to the side, hoping to be able to see around the rock. Kate recognizes the sound of her late husband's gun going off. She hears three shots in rapid succession followed by a shot from a different revolver. One of the horses moves as a result of the sound and she can now see one of the Cowboys holding a pistol and preparing to fire again.

Kate sighted down the rifle, remembering Jake's instructions. Aim for the torso, squeeze, don't pull. No tricks. She took careful aim at the Cowboy and squeezed the trigger. Kate's aim is off but she does manage to hit, the bullet passing through the man's leg. That delays him firing and two more shots ring out from her late husband's gun immediately after which the Cowboy falls back dead. Kate rushes forward to see Conrad standing there, gun still in hand, with a shocked look on his face. Up above, Minerva and the two elven warriors hear the shots and carefully move in that direction being careful to stay out of sight.

Kate approached him carefully, laying her hand on his arm. "Conrad. Are you hurt? Are you alright?" she asked gently, remembering what its like to have just killed someone. The sound of Kate's voice breaks Conrad out of his stupor. He looks up "Kate...I'm fine. He shot at me but it bounced off...your magic saved my life." She replies lightly, "Well don't get too grateful, I seem to be the one who put it in danger in the first place," Her voice turned more serious. "That magic is a handy thing now and then."

Conrad quickly looks over the situation and says, "Their horses have saddles and harnesses. We could make it to the plateau much faster." Gesturing to the man on the ground between them he says, "I'm about the same height and build as him. I could put on his shirt, vest and hat, that may fool those guys higher up. If we rode close, make it look like I'm trying to catch you, then they might not fire."

"Try it. I think if you put the clothes on now over the spell they should show instead of the way the spell makes you look. We're best off in those rocks now since we don't know where all the others are, and we certainly can't reach any of them." Kate took the opportunity to load another round into the shotgun and reload Tom's revolver. "I don't have anymore rounds," she warned Conrad.

Conrad says "Pick up their revolvers. One of them has a rifle in his saddle too." He removes the shirt, hat and vest from the first man he had killed. He takes off his suit jacket and is reaching for his vest buttons when he looks up at Kate and says, "Katherine, please turn around." "I won't be able to see anything, Conrad. The spell..." She stopped and shook her head. "I'll keep myself busy collecting guns." Kate moved around the area collecting the firearms and keeping her back to Conrad, although his insistence made her curious enough to take one quick peek.

Conrad very carefully unbuttons his vest, unties his necktie and then unbuttons his dress shirt. Beneath he wears a cotton undershirt over what Kate notices is a fairly muscular body. He quickly puts on the Cowboy's shirt, leather vest and cowboy hat. He then neatly folds his own clothing and puts them into the horse's saddlebag. He then takes one of the guns that Kate had picked up.
They climb up onto the horses and begin to ride out towards the plateau.

Things have now been quiet below for a few minutes, Nanuet says, "Yes, let's work our way closer, I can't see them well enough here. Although, giving up the high ground may be a mistake."
Nanuet is hesitant and Minerva turns around and sees Nanuet embattled in his own debate. "OK, let's move. Try and stay low and covered. Naki Ya, what is the best way to get down there without being exposed?" She indicates the best path. They begin to move when they see movement down at the trees near where the shots were fired. They quickly hurry back to the safety behind the rocks.

Conrad holds the gun in his hand, pointing it upward and has his horse stay with Kate's as he yells out "Stop Woman!" A half-mile up, Nanuet, Minerva and Naki-Yai see Kate charge out of the trees from where the shooting took place. A member of the Cowboy Gang is riding right behind her, hollering for her to stop and waving a pistol.

Kate fought down the insane desire to laugh as Conrad yelled behind her, looking out of place in his Cowboy clothes with the pants from his fine suit. She leaned down lower over her horse and encouraged it to go faster toward the plateau, gripping a pistol obviously in one hand and trying to look as if she were uncertain if she should shoot or keep running.

Minerva races toward the sound but maintains her cover. She comes around the bend just as Katherine and the Cowboy break through the trees. She yells out "Katherine!" takes aim and, if there is a clear shot, fires her rifle at the cowboy. Minerva's abilities with a rifle are nowhere as good as that of her pistol and rapier and the shot misses by a good eight feet, striking the rocks.

Both Kate and Conrad hear the shot and urge their horses further forward and up the mountain. "They're not buying it," Kate yelled. "Just run!" She maneuvered her horse so it was between Conrad and the direction the shot came from, pushing for the plateau. She stuffed the pistol back in her skirt and pulled out the shotgun instead.

Minerva and Nanuet notice the Cowboy now riding alongside Kate and no longer threatening her so stop firing. Kate and Conrad note no more shots from above. They are uncertain of why but don't complain. They are around twenty feet from the plateau when two more shots fire out, these from down below by the tree line. Both shots strike the horse Kate is riding, one in the torso the other in the head. The animal starts to fall. Kate let her years of lessons take over, jumping clear of the horse with the shotgun in her hand to avoid being crushed beneath it. "Keep going!" she shouted to Conrad, intending to scramble up the last twenty feet.

Conrad does as Kate instructs but also pulls off the cowboy hat and fires two shots from his horse down where the shots came from to make himself their target rather than Kate. His strategy works as a shot is fired at him. It strikes him square in the front right torso and then explodes in a fireball. The blast knocks him off the horse, which is actually fortunate as the fireball blast also kills the animal which would have otherwise fallen on him. Kate sees Conrad lying unmoving on the rocks.

Up above, Nanuet, Minerva and Naki-Yai see the two Cowboy Gang members three-quarters of a mile away from them who have fired on Kate and the man who they now recognize as Conrad Booth. They cannot make out specifically who the Cowboys are until Minerva receives a closer view from the aloft Luna. The shooter on the right, whose rifle just shot the fireball bullet, is Johnny Ringo.

 

[Silver Moon]

[DM’s note: I’m very proud of the second half of this chapter and the next several because I had nothing to do with them. I went away with my son to Cub Scout Camp for five days and the players kept the story going without me!]


Chapter 193, “Indians to the Rescue”, Monday, March 27th, 1882, 1:30 PM

"Conrad!" Kate screamed and fired the shotgun down to where the shot came from. She then scrambled over the rocks to where Conrad was lying, praying he was still alive. Kate finds that the magical Mage Armor is now gone but that it appeared to have absorbed the brunt of the blast. She finds no bullet holes on Conrad and the clothing does not appear burnt although it does have a smoke smell to it. He is unconscious but breathing and there is a gash across his forehead where he scraped against a rock when he fell.

Kate realizes that the plateau, now only twelve feet away, might as well be twelve miles. However, the fallen horse does provide a barrier between them and the lower shooters although they will now be sitting ducks to the Cowboy Gang members above them. Kate positioned herself to block any shots that would come at Conrad from behind and laid the shotgun's barrel over the fallen horses flank to steady it. "If we're going, we're not going alone," she said quietly. She took aim at the shooters down below and fired.

Katherine had pulled the Spencer Carbine rifle from the saddle of the fallen horse. She had never fired a rifle of this specific type before, although she had seen both Jake and Chester use theirs. The question of who to target becomes moot the instant that she realizes that one of the two shooters is Ringo. She slowly depresses her finger on the trigger and is knocked slightly back by the recoil.

She looks up to see how well her marksmanship was. Her aim was on target for direction but not for distance, with the bullet hitting the rocks fifteen feet directly in front of Ringo. But the shell inside the rifle turns out to be another incendiary one as a large fireball erupts, showering Ringo and his horse in rocks, gravel and flaming twigs. The horse rears up on its hind legs as Ringo tries to gain control of it.

Watching Ringo's horse rear back, Kate waited for most of the debris to fall and tried again the whistled signal to tell his horse to turn and run the other way. As she finished the signal she positioned herself and fired again at Ringo. The horse either doesn't hear Kate or is too distracted. Ringo rights the mount just as Kate's next shot strikes. Her aim is worse this time, the fireball erupting on open ground between and in front of Ringo and his companion, with only a minimum of debris flying at both. This does cause them to both turn and run, riding back into the safety of the partial forests.

This could be her only chance to get up into those rocks, but Kate couldn't leave Conrad there undefended. She ripped off a piece of her petticoat and dabbed at the blood on his forehead. "You've got to wake up for me, Conrad. I don't think I can move you." Kate got behind his head, hooked her arms under his, and tried to pull him up to the plateau. Once she begins to move him he starts to regain consciousness. He blinks twice and says, "I guess I must be dead, I'm looking at an angel."

"Thank the gods. You're still earthbound for now, Conrad. There'll be time for flattery later," she finished and let go of him to grab the rifle again. "We have to get up there." She hooked one arm back underneath him and helped him get up onto the plateau while keeping her eyes open for Johnny Ringo's return. He sees movement in the trees, Ringo and his companion apparently riding away as fast as possible. She then hears a screech and sees an owl flying in the sky. Conrad sees it too and says, "That's odd, those are usually nocturnal birds."

"Luna," Kate said quietly. "Miss Florencia's owl. The people above only fired when you were pretending to chase me... I think we've been trying to fool people who could help us." She got Conrad all the way into the plateau and tucked behind a large rock. Blushing a bit, she ripped a large piece out of her petticoat and waved the white fabric toward the people above. "Minerva!" she shouted.

She waved only for a few moments then got back down to Conrad. During the year she had cared for Tom, and even before working in the livery she had learned a few things about medicine. People were always stubbing toes, banging limbs or having any of a dozen other accidents. Kate took the piece of petticoat she'd ripped off and used it to clean the cut on Conrad's head as much as she could. "Does anything hurt especially?" she asked. "I'm sure you're one big ache right now, but does anything stand out?" She carefully felt his arms and legs, flexing his joints to make sure everything still worked the way it should.

He moves around a little, smiles, and says, "My side feels sore, I must have landed on a rock. The honest truth is that I'm probably far more sore in places from riding that horse bareback for several miles than from anything that the Cowboy's have dished out." She replies, "Well, there's nothing I can do to help with, ah, that. But once we are back in Promise City Dr. Kale prescribes a cold compress for today, and a long, hot soak tomorrow.”

She sighs, “I'm so sorry about all this, Conrad. You might want reconsider whether you want your life to be quite this exciting." He replies, "Why Kate, because of this mad chase during the last hour? We're both alive right now only of what each of us did to help the other. That strikes me as an excellent foundation for a long-term relationship. After all this I don't expect you to make an immediate decision but my previous offer still stands."

She took his hand in both of hers and said, "You're a good man. You probably don't hear that often enough." "Minerva should be here soon. I suspect with Nanuet, I don't know who the third person was. An Apache, I suppose. Then we can get started back home. Johnny Ringo seems to have run off. Hopefully he's given up for today. Perhaps we can get an Apache escort back to the edges of their land."

When they realize that it is Conrad and not a cowboy with Kate, Minerva, Nanuet and Naki ya quickly make their way down the slope. Minerva aims her pistol with the magic bullets just as Ringo turns tail and runs. "MEIRDE" she yells and she runs down the rest of the way to meet Katherine and Conrad. Nanuet and Naki Ya are right behind her. "Are you o.k.? what are you doing out here?" she says as she bends quickly to check Conrad's injuries. "It is a miracle that you survived that blast!"

"Thank goodness you're here," Kate said, finally allowing herself to slump down against the rocks and relax. "We rode a bit out of town for a picnic. We had been there some time when Conrad noticed dust kicked up on the road coming toward us. Something told us they weren't going to be friendly, so we got in the carriage and ran. We abandoned it when the terrain got too rough and rode the horses. We've gone about six miles to get here.

We killed two Cowboys down there, and it was Johnny Ringo firing those exploding shells. We thought you were more Cowboys and tried to fool you with the Cowboy clothes. Seems it worked." Kate shook her head and her hands started to shake. "There were seven of them, just for us. They chased us for miles."

Nanuet joins Minerva in checking over Conrad's wounds. He asks Minerva to keep her eyes out for any Cowboy's while he tends to the gash on Conrad's head. "Mr. Conrad, I am a healer, I am going to take care of that cut, just give me a moment." Nanuet casts cure light wounds on Conrad, specifically targeting the gash on his forehead.

Kate and Conrad took about ten minutes to catch their breath, and there is no sign of the return of any Cowboy Gang members. Once Nanuet has healed Conrad he looked over at Kate for a moment then back to Nanuet. "Give us a few minutes to rest and then we can go. How did you find us?" The Indian replies, "Yeah, get a rest I am sure you need it. The owl is Miss Florencia's companion, she sent her to look for you two and then we followed. I'm going to keep an eye out while you rest. Let me know when you can move."

Once they were ready, Nanuet and Conrad went down to get the carriage horses while Kate and Minerva took the saddlebags and saddles off the Cowboy horses that had been killed in the mad dash for the plateau. The five mount their horses and make their way back to the Apache camp. when they arrive, Minerva pulls Katherine aside and asks her what she and Conrad are doing this far from Promise City. "Nanuet and I have some business to finish here. When we are done we will accompany you back home" After the spell was cast Conrad reached up and touched the newly healed skin. He sat up straighter against the rock. "Thanks, that's a lot better."

"As I said, we were just out picnicking. The Cowboys chased us a long way. If you mean what were we doing out in the first place..." Kate blushed slightly. "I told him a few days ago about... you know. We had a lot to work out. Conrad had a place made for us where Aphrodite's influence would be negated."

Kate looked carefully at Miss Florencia and asked, "How are you feeling, by the way? I'm guessing you reached Kajika?" She says, “I feel much clearer now. Much closer to my goddess, Minerva. Aphrodite was trying to keep me from her. It seems that her priestess, is trying to gain control of the entire town. We will have to deal with her as soon as we return. But," Minerva smiles radiantly, unable to contain her joy. "She did not influence Nanuet's feelings for me or mine for him. We are protected from her influence now." she says fingering the little jar around her neck. "He has since told me that he loves me!."

Kate had a quick thought of Sonoma, but said nothing. "I am protected as well," she said, showing the gold bangle on her wrist. "I managed to get Sonoma to a place that was free of influence, which was no mean trick. Aphrodite wanted to keep her away from her mentor and her gods as well, it has been happening to anyone in the area who is the priest of any god. My teacher took of to a High Priest of Zeus. There should be some help from the Church organization coming, but I agree with you about the Priestess. We shouldn't wait.” Minerva states, "I wasn't aware that there was a high priest of Zeus in Promise City." Kate says, "There is not. We had to do some traveling to speak with him.

Kate continues, “I'm worried about Ruby though. I think her case is different. Aphrodite gave her a choice, asked for her devotion, and she has been so happy. I don't want to take that from her. And more love around us isn't bad in and of itself, but it cannot be allowed to rule us."

Minerva says, "I agree that Ruby's case is different. "Minerva says with a frown. "I do not think that we should worry about her, but perhaps we should be a little wary of her actions until this is all straightened out. She is quite devoted to Aphrodite and may not take kindly to our interference... But I agree, as much as I hate to go against the will of a benevolent god, we must halt whatever plans Aphrodite has. As you said, Love is a wonderful thing. but like all else it must be kept in balance.”

Kate says, "Why don't we speak to Ruby first, perhaps we can help her understand we only want to make sure others are free to continue their devotions to other gods, not to turn them away from Aphrodite. In fact, I would give her reverence just for her kindness to Ruby. I should tell you," Kate said nervously. "I put the pendant away from me. I gave it to someone to strip Aphrodite's influence from it, along with my ring. Their very presence affected those around me. I hope you understand. And I hope you will help me thank Diana again. I think our last ceremony was overshadowed by Aphrodite."

The Priestess then asks, “What of you and Conrad? Did he accept the truth about the bambino?" "Not at first. And with Aphrodite's token around my neck," Kate shuddered. "He thought Mr. Gonzales had done something to me... His jealousy was terrible. We sent Mother Jimenez to talk with him. He understands now, and believes it. And he understands that this town will think he is the father. We were...ah... discussing what to do."

Minerva raises an eyebrow, "It is apparent that he is quite taken with you. And he seems to be a man of principal as well. Has he offered to stand by you?" Kate's face turned bright red. "Yes. He has asked me to marry him."

Once they had reached the Apache, Conrad found a bit of privacy and returned a few minutes later back in his elegant, but now slightly wrinkled suit, looking much more comfortable. As Conrad is changing his clothes Nanuet approaches Kate. "So did you happen to see any of the men who were chasing you? Did you recognize any of them. We should take a look in those saddlebags, see if there is anything useful in there."

She states, "The only one I recognized was Johnny Ringo. There were seven altogether. We killed two, the ones who were shooting at the illusions of us that I sent riding up toward the plateau. They split up after we rode in a stream for a while, they wouldn't have been able to tell which way we went.

This rifle seems to be loaded with those exploding bullets," Kate said, handing him the Spencer Carbine. "I didn't manage to hit Ringo with them, but I'll take making him run away for today. They had a couple pistols too, but we didn't fire them, so I don't know what they're loaded with. Otherwise it just seems to be the usual things, clothes, some food and water."

"We managed to hit a pair as well, not fatal if I had to guess at the wounds, but it gave them something to think about." Nanuet takes the rifle, and checks the ammunition. "Well we could definitely use the magically enhanced ammo. Were there any more bullets like this among the stuff? We could use those. Mind if I hold onto this?"

Kate says, "Please do. You're a much better shot than I am. I will take one of the pistols though. I don't think there's any more of that ammunition. I didn't find any more, at least. You might have hit the same two we did. Conrad snuck up on them, so I didn't see them, but since you were the three we thought were Cowboys who shot in that direction, it stands to reason. I'm glad you finally made it out to Kajika, I know it's been weighing on your mind. Clearer now, I hope?"

Nanuet answers, "Yes, Kajika was able to do a ritual that will shield myself and Minerva from the effects of what is going on in Promise City. Speaking of him, I must visit with him again before we leave. I will be back shortly."

Nanuet asks Minerva to stay with Kate and Conrad while he takes Naki - Ya back to visit Kajika. He fills Kajika in on what happened and thanks Naki-Ya for putting herself in harm's way to help them. Nanuet spends some time with Kajika and when he rejoins his companions the stones that were missing from the necklace have been renewed and look the same as the original stones.

"I get the feeling we'll be needed those," Kate said quietly as Nanuet returned. "If you're ready, I'm ready to go home and have a nice, hot bath. After that I'll come over to the Lucky Lady and we can fill the others in on what happened." As they got the horses ready to go Conrad walked over to Kate and handed her Tom's pistol. "Thank you. I'll carry one of the pistols the Cowboys had."

Kate put the pistol away and they were approached by a centaur. The only other Kate had ever seen was Storm Goldeneye and it was hard not to stare. "I am Qualtaqa," he said politely. "I will go with you back to Promise City." Nanuet states, "Yes, I had planned to head back at this time anyways. Didn't plan for the side trek, but I am glad we could help. We will have to be careful though, I am sure they could still be close."

Nanuet and Minerva pack their belongings, Nanuet keeping the new rifle close at hand and are ready to head back to Promise City. "We'll have to get the carriage on the way back, we abandoned it in the trees when we drove ourselves to a dead end," Kate told them. Qualtaqa spoke up, saying "Do not worry about the carriage. Some of our people will bring it to your ranch tomorrow." "Thank you," Kate said and mounted the carriage horse, now thankfully with a saddle. The group rode out from the Apache lands back toward Promise City, all eyes and ears sharp for any sign of the Cowboy Gang.

They took a much easier pace back than Kate and Conrad had taken on the way out, so it was later in the afternoon before they got back to the picnic site. The Cowboys had obviously stopped and checked it out before moving on. Kate's shawl and parasol that she had abandoned there were destroyed from being ridden over, the dishes and wine bottle broken. They stopped to clean up the mess and arrived back in Promise City around 4:00 pm.

Once the horses are stabled Nanuet brings Minerva to the boarding house. "Why don't you freshen up, do whatever you need to do and I will meet you later over at the Lucky Lady. Things seem to be somewhat sane around here right now. If you need me for anything I will be there. I will leave word if I need to head anywhere else."

Nanuet then heads back to his room in the saloon. He washes up and changes clothes. He takes a look at the rifle and the exploding ammunition. These will come in handy he thinks. He then takes out the powder that Kajika gave him and puts his mind to work thinking how he can put the power to use.

Kate and Conrad took the carriage horses into the stable at the El Parador and took off all the tack that had come from the Cowboys, storing it for Kate to take out to the ranch when she could. "What will you tell them over at Drover's?" He says, "That I'll pay them extra for the time the carriage is out, and that we ran into trouble with bandits. There's on the hole in the back for damage, I don't think they'll be too upset."

She nodded. "You should get home. You don't have any protection from Aphrodite and I can get someone to walk me over to the bathhouse." He nodded. "It's not too bad now that I haven't been living in it for days. In fact, I think I'll be able to take my meals at the El Parador again, so perhaps I'll see you then." He lifted her hand and kissed it lightly before taking the reins of the horses and leading them away toward the livery.

 

[Silver Moon]

Chapter 194, “Jake’s Concerns”, Monday, March 27th, 1882, 5:30 PM

Ruby waits for Jake, still lying on the bed, thinking through the days events. Jake comes up to their room, looking for Ruby. He enters the room and finding her there, sits on the bed next to her. "Hello, Princess," he looks down at her and moves some hair off her face. She smiles back up at him, "Hi baby." She slowly pulls his hat off his head and throws it next to them on the bed. She runs her hand over his face, "Good job at the barbers, did you learn anything while you were there?"

"Nothing. Nothing at all." Jake shrugs, "Except that Bif does a pretty good job." She says, “At least you tried, it was a good idea. I guess if you keep going there for a shave you might find something out eventually.” Ruby sighs, "I need to tell you what I found out. I learned a lot of stuff and some other things... well... I'm confused. I need your advice but I'm not sure I should say anything..." Ruby has a conflicted look on her face. "I mean, I want to tell you but I'm not sure..."

"You are not sure about what? That I won't like what you say or you won't like the advice I give you?" “You won’t like what I say and it will make you nervous. I always value your advice even if I don’t take it,” she smiles. "If I start getting a nervous condition I might have to start taking elixirs." Jake smirks. "I wonder whose is worse tasting, Doc Eaton's or Dorita's? Do you think they use the same recipes?" They both laugh, and Jake says, "Go ahead make me nervous."

"Let me start with what I learned from the Judge. Well, let me start with the rumor... I'm not sure how you will feel about it, you might not even care. Apparently, people think I'm $#%^ing the Judge, an arrangement made to keep you from going to jail a couple of weeks ago." Ruby waits and watches Jake's reaction. "Figures." He shakes his head. "I don't know what we do about that right now. No, I don't like it but I'm not going to be angry at you over it, if that is what you are asking."

“No, I’m not asking you, I’m telling you that’s what people think. I know you wouldn’t be mad at me, it’s not my fault. But people might have a different opinion of you, or make certain judgments, thinking that you would think it’s ok to let your girlfriend do that to keep you out of jail.” Jake frowns. "I know. Go on." "Here is what Isby told me, I knew something was up with him not hanging those two“ and she relays the rest of the conversation with the Judge. “So that explains a lot."

"I suppose we should be grateful that the whole world doesn't know the Cowboy gang is trying to blow up the saloon." Jake strokes his beard while Ruby continues. "I agree, it would be bad for all of us. Which is another thing…Remember how I used Chumbley's notepad to write that note? Well, he made a marking and read the note, he knows something is up, that little..." Ruby stops herself, then sighs, "He is jealous too, Jane told me he has been telling people he is attracted to me and how I shower him with attention..."

"I wonder if that has gotten worse since all this strangeness has happened?" Jake chuckles, perhaps a bit darkly. "It's one thing to have all the men in town wanting your attention, but if it starts getting out of hand what will it take to slow it down a bit? Does your jealous boy friend need to gun someone down?" “What has gotten worse? Chumbley being nosy? He said it was his people’s curious nature. I told him I was very disappointed in him. He agreed not to print anything revealing… yet. I don’t know if he’ll be true to his word or not.”

“As for the other stuff… I hope you don’t have to gun anyone down, I don’t want you going to jail again. I’m selfish, I want you here in my bed every morning and every night.” She gently tugs on his shirt and pulls him down on the bed next to her. “I need you in my bed every morning and every night.” She kisses him then starts playing with his belt buckle. “I honestly don’t know how to slow down people’s affections for me. You’re going to have to let it be known that I am your girl and you’re not sharing me. How do you do that?”

"No matter how I do it, people won't respect it unless I back it up. You are a beautiful and flirtatious woman Ruby West. Unless you change your ways, fear of Jake Cook is about the only thing that will keep them from going beyond looking. Let that be for now, I'll think of something."
"Hhmmm… so what else? Niles said that Jeff needed off today. I guess that means he isn't quitting. He was really upset yesterday. Should I try talking to him? Or just let it go?"

"I think we need to talk to him. His worries shouldn't be allowed to fester. I did talk to him briefly last night and reminded him of the trust we put in him even with his questionable behavior and background." Jake sits up and pulls off his boots before lying back down again and letting Ruby snuggle up to him. "I don't know who he trusts the most, maybe it's Chester. It does show that we need to be more careful what we do in front of Jeff Mills."

“I agree. But I honestly didn’t think he would believe I would ask him to kill someone like that. I think he is overly paranoid about whatever information he knows. It’s time we find out what that is all about. I mean, it could be bad for us if what he says is true, that both armies are after him. I mean, you and I aren’t exactly law abiding citizens and if he is being watched… Anyway, I appreciate the work he’s done for us and he’s been mostly loyal, I would consider him an ally. So we should find out what we can do to help.”

"Not law abiding citizens!" Jake says with mock shock on his face. "We need some quiet time with Mr. Mills so he can tell us his story." Ruby nods in agreement. Jake then tells Ruby what about his conversation with Pierre. I think he'd talk to you in the future. He just needed some private reassurance."

“Alright,” she says still tugging at Jake’s belt, “I was a bit ticked that I was getting excluded but I guess I can understand. But good gods, what are we going to do now that the Cowboys have all that ammunition to use against us? I guess you should have gotten to Pierre quicker. I don’t know why Chester or Nanuet didn’t do it earlier. Maybe you have to make sure people understand the urgency in these matters.” Ruby makes eye contact with Jake for a moment, trying not to show her fear. “This is shaping up to be some epic battle that I’m not sure we can win.”

"We will win, girl, don't you believe otherwise. Ringo has gone too far and made too many enemies. If he had done his dirty work slower and smarter he could win. He has come out and become a public enemy of all the wrong people." Jake's eyes start to wander up and down Ruby's figure. Ruby is quiet for a moment, trying to believe Jake’s reassurances. She notices him looking her own and it distracts her, reminding her of the rest of her news. “As if we… I mean I… don’t have enough troubles, I went with Jane and we visited both banks, we saw Mr. Avery and then Mr. Condon. But…” She stops speaking.

Jake nudges her, “What is it?” “The thing is…” Ruby shakes her head. “I don’t know. You know how you are worried about being influenced by someone? Well, I think Jane may be trying to influence people, I’m not entirely sure.” Ruby sighs, “You see Jake, I had that dream. And I am very sure of what the goddess told me. And she was right about what I wanted and what she said would happen if I did honor her came true. But she also said I had to make a choice. It’s up to people to decide if they want to follow or not. I said I would honor her but there are things I refuse to do. I know what the goddess wants from me, well I mostly know. Jane…” her voice trails off again.

“I am in charge of the entertainment for the festival and I have been arranging it. But Jane wants to, no she’s planning on, having a service to Aphrodite during the festival. I said I would help, I can sing and I can dance, that’s easy. I just don’t know if she has something else in mind too.”

"How does Ruby West think the goddess feels about deception to gain worshippers? Is this Jane out of line in the goddesses views? Perhaps a bit too enthusiastic?" Jake pauses to admire her neckline. "I may lie to folks, create opportunities, help folks see choices that they didn’t notice before, and maybe help then see things in a different light but I don't change their thoughts or control their actions. I always believed folks need to live their own lives."

Jake smiles and says, "If this Jane has the temerity to put on an Aphrodite ceremony for the whole town and lets folks decide for themselves... well good for her. I say she deserves the chance and let her go. Of course if Ruby West chooses to assist her then Ruby will get what she earns good and bad from it." Jake's expression changes to a serious one. "Now if she is going to somehow influence folks, take the decision out of their hands and make them do what Jane wants, then I would have to oppose that."

Ruby is quiet again. “Yes,” she proceeds slowly, “Perhaps she IS a bit enthusiastic. Jake, you know I don’t really know anything about the gods. I always felt they abandoned me my whole life and that they were selfish to do that to me. But now I feel like there is a reason to why things happen, even if I don’t know what it is. Is it possible that the gods try to manipulate us? Of course. Do I think they try to? Sure, I guess they probably do. But she told me… I had to choose. And I believe that to be true. I’m not going to lie and say I’ve never manipulated anyone to get what I want. But I don’t think that is what she wants. At least, that is not what she told me.”
Ruby furrows her brows. “What bad to you think can come from helping with the ceremony?

"If the ceremony draws the ire of the Vigilance Committee whoever was involved in it would certainly be the focus of their attention." Jake turns his head quickly, "Oh, and what did you mean you don't know what else she has in mind? I don't know very much about the priestesses of Aphrodite except that I have heard it said," Jake clears his throat and looks at Ruby, "well they say they are just a higher class of whore. I don't know myself and that seems a harsh view."

“I don’t know what she intends to do with this ceremony of hers.” Ruby shrugs, “I don’t know if there is more to it or not and she isn’t being forthcoming, not yet anyway. The way I see it, if people want to come and watch it’s their choice. I have no issue with that, no one is forcing them as much as no one is forcing them to come to Minerva’s sermons or the festival in general. I sing at the Lucky Lady, people come by choice. And my experience has been the same for when I have danced. And if some other… feelings…of love or desire… come from the ceremony and someone decides they want more from it, well, what’s wrong with that? Does singing or dancing make someone a whore?”

"No, singing and dancing doesn't make someone a whore. Plain and simple, taking money from the first person with a fist full of dollars to go out back for sex is whorin'. Somebody attends a ceremony and they get their own ideas, that's just fine. You just showed me that it is possible for folks to get somebody else's ideas. If this Jane is making it easier for them to choose the Aphrodite path, good for her. If she is selecting the path for them, that crosses the line." Jake starts to run a finger down her neck. "I don't know what to make of this whole thing. I've never been to an Aphrodite ceremony so I can't tell. This Jane is one of the entertainers at the Palace; you know what Adair expects of them." Jake raises an eyebrow, "Speaking of jealous boyfriends, are you not the least bit suspicious what else could be asked of you during a ceremony like that?"

“What could be asked of me? I know what Aphrodite wants. What are you concerned about?” He says, "I'm concerned about sharing you. Is the dance anything like the dance you did for me? What happens next in a ceremony like that? After the dance do all the men go home spiritually enriched or is there some satisfying the needs of the flesh?" Jake traces his finger from her neck over her underclothes to her belly. "Where is the line Ruby West? Where is the place that the feelings we have for each other don't allow you to go? The flirty smile and the low cut dress? The sensuous song? The risqué dance? That all seems harmless enough. It's part of what drew me to you and part of who you are. I understand that. After that, what next might Jane or the goddess suggest you do? It would be your choice of course. Just how much of this beautiful skin would you show to those hungry worshippers in the name of the goddess? Just where does it stop when you unleash all that desire?" He lays his hand flat on her belly. "I worship at the temple of Ruby West. How many more do you need?"

She whispers her answer, “I need only you.” Ruby lays her hand over Jake’s and gently guides it under her top so it’s resting in the same spot on her belly, but on her skin rather than her chemise. She keeps her voice low as she continues speaking, “I need and want to thank the goddess. The dance? Yes, it’s like the dance I did for you. I don’t know what happens next, I have never been to a ceremony either.” Ruby slides her legs on the bed, forcing her skirt to rise, exposing her legs. “I’m true to you, baby, I won’t do anything you don’t want me to. You don’t have to share me. Others desires is not my concern.” She reaches her hand up and traces a finger across Jake’s cheek before she lifts her head off the bed and kisses him slowly. She lays her head back on the bed then looks him in the eyes, “Do you not want me to sing or dance?”

"That's like asking a bird not to fly or asking Jake not to play poker." He chuckles. "Why in blazes would I want to share THAT particular dance with anyone if I don't have to share it? I know what it does for me." His hand starts to wander. "Honor your goddess in a way that is fitting. Just imagine what it would be like if our places were exchanged. Don't do anything that would cause Ruby would shoot Jake." He chuckles again before kissing her neck.

Ruby starts finding it hard to concentrate as Jake’s kisses also begin to wander. “So, are you saying you don’t want me showing any of this?” Ruby says, starting to pull the straps down on her top with a mischievous smile. "Anything that remains hidden by those skimpy dance hall dresses is mine. I don't want you to feel like you can't give proper homage to your goddess." Jake nudges the straps even lower. "Whenever you are feeling pious I would provide you what meager assistance I can."

Ruby smiles and pulls Jake’s head up gently by his hair so he is looking at her. “I thank her by loving you and making you happy and making you desire me. That is what she wants. But rest assured, I won’t dance, only sing. And if you come with me, I’ll only be singing to you.” "I suppose we'll have to work extra diligently here to make sure the goddess doesn't think you are holding back on her......." Ruby smiles again and bites her lip as she considers continuing the conversation but is quickly distracted by the look in Jake’s eyes. Instead she wraps her legs around him and lets him get back to the kissing and wandering and thanking Aphrodite she loves so much.

Ruby and Jake continue to lay around and laze with each other. Finally Ruby feels her stomach rumbling so they decide to get some dinner before Jake will take the table for the night. Ruby takes her time dressing, figuring she will do some singing this night. She wears her ruby gown with the loose straps to match her new ruby ring and secures her olive leaf pendant. Since she made the cord long enough to fit Jake the pendant lies hidden in her dress. Her heart earrings and her smile in place she tells Jake, "I'll meet you downstairs," as he is taking his time getting ready.

 

[Silver Moon]

Chapter 195, “I don't want Jake any more than I want to catch smallpox!”, Monday, March 27th, 1882, 6:00 PM

Kate went upstairs and changed clothes and had a short talk with Ginnie before Estaban escorted her to the bathhouse where she took a long, hot soak. There were the beginnings of what would be some spectacular bruises forming on her side and stomach from jumping from the horse. Once she felt better she dressed in the prim blue she'd brought and had Estaban escort her to the Lucky Lady where she ordered some dinner and waited for Nanuet and Minerva to arrive and for the others to make an appearance.

Nanuet was deep in thought but getting nowhere. "Time to stretch" he said to no one in particular. He starts making his way downstairs looking to see if anyone is around when he remembers the last time Ruby and Minerva were in the same room together. Well this is going to be a scene to remember when they get back together he thinks to himself. Bright eyed and rosy cheeked, Ruby meets up with Nanuet on the stairs, "Oh you're back!" she says cheerfully, embracing him. "How was your trip?"

He replies, "It was a little more eventful than I had hoped for... we had some um... unexpected visitors. C'mon downstairs and we'll talk about it, it has to do with our pal Johnny Ringo." "Oh no... Is everyone ok?" Ruby asks concerned. "And, uh, we had some problems here too. We should have everyone together before we go over everything, Jake will want to hear what is going on and he'll be down in a couple of minutes." She takes Nanuet's arm and they head down the stairs.

Once they are in the main room Ruby is immediately filled with intense emotion as she sees Kate sitting at their table. She stops short and Nanuet, still holding her arm looks at her curiously, "What's wrong?" Ruby takes a deep breath and tries to control the emotions welling up in her. She uses her free hand to push the hair off her face. "Nothing," she says curtly, "Let's go."
They approach their normal table and while Nanuet then goes to the bar to get a bottle of whiskey, Ruby sits silently.

Kate looked up and smiled at Nanuet and Ruby approached the table. Ruby took a seat and Nanuet went off to get the nightly bottle of whiskey. Over her teacup Kate noticed the bright new sparkle on Ruby's finger, and an usual silence from Ruby herself. "Ruby, that ring is stunning!" she said sincerely. "It must be from Jake." Ruby looks down at the ring on her finger then back up to Kate. "Who else would it be from? He is my lover and my boyfriend."

Nanuet immediately notices the heat from Ruby. "Ruby, what's up? Is everything OK? You seem a little out of sorts." Ruby replies, "Oh no Nanuet, I'm just fine. Except for almost getting blown to pieces last night along with the saloon, I'm great. It seems to be Katherine here that has a problem, informing my boyfriend of her desire for him. Not very friend like if you ask me."

"What?" Nanuet exclaimed! "Blow up the Lady? Desire for Jake? Are those necklace things acting up again? What happened? I thought Kate was with Mr. Conrad?" Ruby glances around to make sure no one is close enough to be listening in. "Yes, some Cowboys snuck in last night and planted some invisible dynamite. Not very easy to disarm when you can't see it. Then the Marshals were attacked, Marshal Rodquiez is almost dead, he was stabbed. Judge Isby had a trial today and sentenced them to 50 years in prison."

In a sharp, mocking tone Ruby continues, "As for the other issue, I was also fooled into thinking our sweet innocent Katherine was with Conrad. But apparently all this time she's been telling me what a good man he is, she was just convincing herself, waiting for the right time I guess? I don't know." As Ruby speaks she stares Kate in the eyes. "Why don't you tell us Kate, why you decided NOW to let Jake know how you felt about him. Is it because you're jealous that he loves me?"

Kate's eyes went flat and hard. She'd had enough for one day. "I told Jake yesterday because yesterday was the first, last, and only time I felt any desire for him at all. And I told him because I knew those feelings weren't mine; that they were coming from outside myself. Since you know about that, I assume Jake told you about Aphrodite's influence over this town. It was a symptom of that and I told him so he would get away from me before anything happened that would be a betrayal of my friend. I don't want Jake any more than I want to catch smallpox! Now, would you like to discuss some actual problems or keeping working on made-up ones?"

Minerva freshens up and strolls over to the Lucky Lady in search of her friends. She sees Nanuet, Kate and Ruby as she enters and takes a seat at their table. "Buenas Tardes everyone." She notices that Ruby and Katherine don't look very happy. "Que Pasa?" (what's going on?) Without taking her eyes off of Kate Ruby replies to Minerva, "We're discussing how Kate told Jake that she found him attractive. She says Aphrodite made her do it."

Ruby returns the cold stare to Kate. "I find that a very convenient excuse. Aphrodite influencing this entire town.." Ruby pulls her olive leaf out of her dress, holding it in her hand, "Pendants making people act like lunatics. Did she make the words come out of your mouth? You couldn't possibly keep that to yourself? And she was what, forcing you to do something that would be a betrayal of your friend?" Ruby stands from the table. "You must think me really stupid to believe that. And considering you both admit to this happening I find it hard to believe it a made up problem." Minerva's eyes go wide when she sees the pendant. Not again! She exclaims, "Aphrodite seems to be having a great deal of influence on a good many people in town. "

Kate replies, "No, I did not say Aphrodite made me do it. I said she is influencing this town and those feelings were not mine. I chose to take an action that would make him go away from me, so I could get control of my emotions back. I got rid of my pendant, Ruby. Why don't you put yours upstairs in a safe place and see if you don't feel differently when you come down?"

"Normally you don't tell someone you find them attractive to make them get away from you. And I'm telling you right now, it's not the pendant. It's the betrayal from my friend that I am upset about." Ruby takes the pendant off her neck and leaves it on the table. "Will that make you happy?" She walks over to the bar and gets herself a drink.

Nanuet looks back and forth between Ruby and Katherine with raised eyebrows. Minerva walks in and he gives her a quick but wary smile. Kate picked up the pendant and handed it to Nanuet. "Take that upstairs out of the room. Someplace safe, I don't want her thinking we were trying to steal it from her."

She turned to Minerva. "I didn't expect this, but I should have. It's very much like Conrad's jealousy was. I don't have much patience tonight; being chased and shot at will do that to you. If she keeps this up I'm leaving." Nanuet took the pendant and went up the stairs and Kate waited for Ruby to come back.

Nanuet took the pendant upstairs. The door was open and Jake was still there getting ready. Nanuet knocked on the door. "Uh, Mr. Jake? Kate wanted me to bring this up here, she says to put it somewhere safe." "Heh," Jake laughs, "This thing causing trouble again?" He puts it inside the safe. "I don't think I want to know. I'll be down in a few more minutes and I'm sure I'll find out then." Nanuet nods and some back downstairs, heading to Ruby instead of Kate.

"Miss Ruby, I don't want you to get mad at me or anything, but don't you find it suspicious that Miss Kate suddenly feels this way? Look at how Minerva acted the other day. Something suspicious is going on." Ruby slowly looks at Nanuet. "Yes, something strange is going on. I don't know what." Nanuet puts his hand on Ruby's arm. "Why don't we stay calm, and go back and eat dinner. We can try to figure out what's going on." Ruby insists, "I want an apology."

Nanuet replies, "I understand. I'm not saying to forget everything that is going on, but let's think about it. Plus we should all know what is going on with the Cowboys." Ruby nods in agreement and reluctantly rejoins the table. Kate and Ruby were both silent for the first few moments. "Tell me about what happened last night. Ringo tried to follow through on his threat to blow up the saloon? He obviously didn't succeed. What was all that about a trial?"

"Some Cowboys came by last night and planted some invisible dynamite," she says quietly. Ruby pushes her hair off her face and takes a sip of her whiskey. "Luckily we figured it out and found it, and I.. we got rid of it." Ruby continues telling them the whole story, constantly making sure no one is around to listen. Jake arrives in the middle of the story. Ruby finishes by telling them of the trial. "So what happened, you said something about Johnny Ringo?"

"Conrad and I went out to picnic, there were some things we needed to work out. After about an hour he saw dust being kicked up the road we had taken out...." Kate went on with the story, explaining how they had run and how she had first recognized Ringo's horse. Riding in the stream, killing the two Cowboys and trying to get to the plateau. She emphasized the ammunition they used, and the fact that the mage armor spell seemed to protect Conrad from the worst of the magical blast. "They had no reason to go after him, just me," she finished quietly. "Seven of them."

"Are you sure they have no reason to go after Conrad?" Ruby asks. "Oh, I saved the best news for last... they broke into the gun shop and stole about as much magical ammunition as you can imagine. Very cheery news." Kate says, "Wonderful. Well, we will have the scrolls to stop magical effects. Let's hope they give us some protection. The matter of Conrad... they only tried to hurt him when he shot at them, otherwise they aimed for me."

Nanuet says, "Well none of this is good news except that we are all here to tell these stories. I am very worried about them getting all that magic ammunition. Any encounter with any of them could be very bad for any of us if they have cases full of magic bullets. We must be very vigilante. And what about the festival? Are the plans for it to continue, I mean it sounds like they might be planning something big. I can't imagine what would happen if they attacked the town during the festival!"

“We can not cancel the Festival!” Minerva says adamantly. “Dionysus would get quite upset if we canceled. It would be a grave insult and he might wither the crops and cause illness among the livestock or worse! Beside that the merchants would not tolerate the loss of business and I couldn't tolerate the smug look on the face of the Vigilance Committee members.

No, I don't believe that canceling the Festival is going to stop the clash between the gods. They will use the cowboy gang and us as pawns in their game whether or not the Festival takes place. We will not be able to prevent it from being played out. What we must do, is find a way to use the Festival and maybe even Aphrodite's distraction to our advantage. Perhaps we can find a way to ensnare the Cowboy gang in her spell? After all they can't attack the town if their all in rutting like bulls now can they?" she says with a wicked smile.

Nanuet states, "Not sure there is any love in Johnny Ringo's heart to begin with. I am just worried about innocent people who should not have to be involved in this. I know you don't want to cancel but how will you feel if anything happens to innocent women and children because of Ringo and his lust for violence. People like Conrad shouldn't have to fear for their lives." Ruby asks, "What do you all keep talking about, Aphrodite's influence? She is here making people do things they don't want to do? I don't understand."

Minerva turns to Ruby and explains about the pendants and what Kajika told them as well. "We did this ceremony to clear our minds of her influence and then he gave us these charms to protect us. Conrad was under her spell as well. But you'll have to ask Katherine about that." Minerva says, “Do you think that canceling the festival will stop Johnny Ringo and his gang? As long as they are free to terrorize people like Conrad will never be safe." "Look, I am not saying to cancel it, I am just saying that we have to be careful and consider the possibility that it may be disrupted by the cowboy gang. I think it could be a mess if Ringo and his friends shows up and terrorizes a bunch of drunken revelers."

Ruby says, "Protect you? Don't you think it's selfish of you to ask Aphrodite for her blessing then turn it away? I'm not going to anger a god like that." Nanuet says, "But people who did not ask for anyone's blessing are being influenced as well. They say that there is a priestess here using her powers to put the town under a spell basically... to "force" them to worship Aphrodite or carry out her will." Minerva says, "Kajika did not say that it was Aphrodite, directly that was influencing everyone. He said that there was this priestess in town who was misusing her power. I'm sure that her intentions are good, but she should not be taking peoples choices from them. She is upsetting the balance. Do you know who he is talking about?"

Ruby raises an eyebrow, "What has that got to do with our pendants?" Then turning to Ruby Nanuet says, "My guess is that those pendants are a link to Aphrodite in some way, that they were touched by her and hold some of her power." "Then why wouldn't I wear it, if it is a gift from her?" Ruby looks at Jake, then at Nanuet. "Or are you trying to say that everything that's happened since we did our ceremony, when we ASKED HER FOR HER BLESSINGS, isn't real or something? Because I won't believe it."

Nanuet states, "I am not saying that things that happened are not real, I am saying though that some people seemed to be influenced by the pendants or by some sort of spell that is being cast over the town. That explains the event between Jake and Kate. He was wearing a pendant at the time wasn't he?"

Minerva says, “Our pendants seem to be unbalanced also. When I placed them in the bowl it was intended as an offering to Minerva. Aphrodite somehow managed to eliminate the other two goddesses from the ceremony. When all three of us wore the pendants we were open to the love of one another. as we had asked to be. but... when any of us remove them. we become angry and repulsed by one another. It is not right that she should control our emotions that way.

And when other's wear the pendants anyone of the opposite sex becomes attracted to them. My own emotions were a bit shall we say enhanced, but fortunately Nanuet is a gentleman" she laughs and winks at Nanuet and then stops and thinks about what she just said. "Maybe there is a way to use the pendants to our advantage with the cowboy gang." Well the point I'm trying to make is that Aphrodite seems to be taking advantage of this priestess's zeal to bind the town to her."

Ruby says, "I was just wearing my pendant and yet managed to keep myself calm. What proof do you have of this priestess trying to influence people?" Nanuet says, "I personally don't have proof, just what I have observed, what I have felt, how I feel now that Kajika has cast a protective spell over me and what Kajika has told us. For me that is enough to be wary."

"You already know what I believe to be real." Jake says looking Ruby directly in the eyes. "That doesn't change." He then looks back to the group. "It seems to me Aphrodite or her priestess is causing some kind of distraction here. Who is affected or by how much is certainly debatable. Unfortunately, what ever is going on is distracting us from the real problem of the Cowboy gang. Let us not over react regarding Aphrodite, it is unwise to draw the ire of a friendly goddess."

Jake snaps his fingers. "Ringo is also behaving oddly. He seems too smart for some of the things he is doing. Is it possible he is affected by this? Could it be he has escalated his war because of feelings he has over a woman in Promise City?" Looks of surprise and disbelief greet Jake's glance around the table to be replaced by faces thinking. "It's a long shot but if it were true and we knew who that person was....."

Ruby calms down a bit at Jake's reassurance. But are all my friends going mad? "I don't know about your woman theory, it could be true, but I have another idea. Ringo is a cleric of the god of war, Ares. Ares is the enemy of Aphrodite. So he must be jealous of Aphrodite sending her blessings here, so he has sent Ringo to destroy the good that she has done." Nanuet says, "Well, if mortals are now being used openly as the tools of the Gods then that does make sense."

Minerva states, "I agree with Senor Jake, we need to focus on the Cowboy Gang. I do not think that Aphrodite is siding with Mars but she is unwittingly helping his cause by causing all this confusion." She turns to Ruby. "Ruby, perhaps we should visit this Priestess, if you know who she is, explain to her what is happening and seek her aid in defeating the Cowboy Gang." "Aphrodite is the sworn enemy of Ares, she is not trying to help him she is trying to destroy him." Ruby thinks carefully. "You haven't told me what proof you have about the priestess. I can see that you are confused but if you've never met her how can she be influencing you?"

Minerva says, " This priestess intentionally tried to keep me from hearing the will of my goddess. I know how I feel now that I am under the protection of this charm." She says pointing to her chest. "Kajika has said that the Apache have had to move farther away from Promise City to escape her influence, and Sr. Gonzales and Katherine spoke to the high priest of the Greek church about her also. You need to speak to your mentor, Ruby. He will explain it to you."

"I saw him yesterday he said no such thing. And if what you are saying is true then this priestess must be very powerful indeed to keep you from hearing your own goddess." Ruby kept her next comment to herself as Minerva would surely be offended. "You told me yourself how to honor the goddess and I'm not going to turn my back on that now because you think it went wrong."

Minerva says, “I am not suggesting that you do not honor the goddess Aphrodite, Ruby. I too honor Venus. She is not evil and does much good in the world, but perhaps this priestess in her enthusiasm, has used her power appropriately and by doing so has shifted the balance of power in Olympus. Do not blind yourself to all else as you once blinded yourself to Her. Your eyes must remain open so that you may decide for yourself. Balance must be maintained. Por Favor, I am your friend. Do not be angry with me."

Ruby also kept her thoughts about the priestess to herself. She would be seeing her the next day and ask her some questions then. "So what is the next step in the war against the Cowboys?" Nanuet says, "Well, not that it is a plan, but it is a tool we can use. Kajika gave me this powder that can be used to cancel magical effects. It needs to be sprinkled on the ground and then moistened. We could use it to help combat his magical defenses and the ammo that he has. The trick is to get him in the right spot at the right time."

Well, don't make me angry then. I don't want to talk about this anymore." Ruby drinks her whiskey down, "If you persist I will get mad. I have heard no proof today, only words." Ruby walks away from the table and sticks her head in the kitchen, asking Harry to bring them out some supper. She stops at the bar and gets a bottle of bourbon, to help improve her mood. She stands at the bar for a few moments, trying to clear her head.

Why are they all acting crazy? She pours herself a drink and gets lost in her thoughts. I have had the same doubts about Jane but have no proof yet. I don't want to anger Aphrodite and have her take away her blessings or make things less clear. Too long I've lived not being happy. I won't give it up. They must be weak to let someone control them so easily. Or the priestess is very very powerful but that is doubtful. Perhaps I should give them the same lesson I gave Jake... A smile comes to Ruby's face remembering Jake's lessons. I will have to look into this more, ask better questions when I meet with Jane tomorrow. Ruby looks back over her shoulder at her friends. I know they wouldn't hurt me on purpose but this all just seems so strange...

Jake shares the information about the special ammunition. "Please don't share that outside of our circle, it would put Pierre in danger. It was interesting to hear him say that a temporary magic stays permanent here in Cochise country. No wonder so many blasted wizards seem to be drawn here." Jake notices Katherine looking at him oddly. "Ahem, our friends excepted of course." After they are done eating and talking, Jake excuses himself to go visit Pedro at the El Parador. "I won't be gone long. I'll be back in time for poker."

Nanuet makes sure Minerva does not need him for anything and let's her know he will be working here the rest of the night. "Perhaps a walk later if you like, but we have to be careful, we know trouble is close." He kisses her longingly and then gets ready to work the evening at the saloon.

Ruby finally lets her thoughts go and rejoins her friends, her bright eyes back. She doesn't bring up anymore talk of the goddess or the Cowboys. She shows off her new ring proudly to anyone who will listen. Jake leaves for a walk and Ruby stays behind to help Harry in the kitchen. Until he kicks her out anyway. She amuses herself on the porch with the puppies for a while and chats with Kate and Minerva, although still refusing to bring any of the previous nonsense up. She asks them if they will stay for the evening. "Even though it's usually our night off Jake is going to play and I am going to sing." Ruby notices Kevin Tomlinson come into the saloon and she watches him order a beer and have a seat out of the corner of her eye.

Kate stayed quiet as Ruby chatted as if nothing had ever been said. She let Minerva answer whether she would stay for the night, waiting for her chance to leave. The others were working or busy or would put up a fuss if she told them she wanted to go. Once everyone else was inside she went to the porch and sat in the cool evening air, breathing deep. Too much had happened today. She wanted to get drunk, but knew that was the worst idea she could have. It had been hard to stop getting drunk every night, if she let herself start, she might never stop. She sighed and sat on the steps, refusing to think at all.

 

[Silver Moon]

Chapter 196, “Jake’s Walk“, Monday, March 27th, 1882, 7:30 PM

Minerva tells Nanuet "I would like to take a bath, but I will be back and we can walk later." She steps out onto the porch and puts her arm around Katherine. "It has been a long day and you look weary. If you would like someone to talk to about Conrad and what is happening to you please remember that I am your friend and will gladly listen."

Kate says, "That went just about as badly as it could possibly go. The worst part is, I don't think Ruby was being affected in any way at all. That anger was all hers, and if that's true we are not the friends I thought we were. She should know I would never try to take what is hers, not in my right mind. And even then I did the only thing I could think of to stop the situation. After this Cowboy Gang business is finished... I don't know."

Kate replies, "I hope it will be alright. Ruby was my first friend here, and although we don't spend the time together we used to, everything feels topsy-turvy when things aren't right between us." She looked at Minerva. "And about Conrad, I'm so confused. There's too much, I can't wrap my head around it."

Minerva guffaws, "Not as badly as my encounter with her yesterday! I made the mistake of telling Ruby that it was unpleasant when she touched me. Actually she made my skin crawl. She wouldn't listen when I tried to tell her that it wasn't her that something was making me feel that way. She got all offended and started yelling Next thing I know everyone thinks that its me that's gone berserk. I slapped Jake across the face, kicked Nanuet in the shin and then Ruby cast a sleep spell on me! I wanted to warn you about that this afternoon but we got interrupted."

I wouldn't worry to much Ruby is a very spirited woman but she'll come to her senses. As for Conrad, It is obvious that he cares for you very much. I know that you still miss your Tom, but do you think that you could grow to love Conrad also? It would certainly make your life and that of your son's much easier if you could."

Kate says, "I think I could, but not in the same way. The love I gave Tom is his, but there are as many kinds of love as stars in the sky. And I'm a different woman than the one who married Tom Kale. But Tom has only been gone for six months, and I still miss him everyday. I still feel like his wife.

I never thought I'd marry again, but somewhere in my mind I knew if I wanted children I would have to. And what about Conrad? He told me he loved me today... what if I marry him and he begins to resent me? Or I begin to resent him? Isn't it cruel to ask him to live with a woman whom he can't treat as a wife in private? If we divorced as he suggested we could if I wanted, it would seem odd for us to go back to being friends like we are now. Is practicality a good way to start a marriage? Do we take a chance on me being able to love him without feeling guilt every day for the rest of my life?"

Minerva replies, “This is the west, Katherine. Practicality is a necessity. There aren't many women in this part of the world and you would make Conrad a fine wife. There's certainly no reason to feel guilty about it or to think that your love for him would not grow. It sounds like you have a lot to think about, and not a lot of time to make your decision. "

"Yes, and I can't devote the time to it I should, not with the Cowboys out there. He wants to marry at the festival, soon enough to make the town think my son is his. I'm not wise enough to make this choice, Minerva. Thank you for listening," Kate said quietly. "I still want to thank Diana. If I did my own ceremony, would it be acceptable?"

Well, If you find that you need an ear. I will be here for you. Yes I think that it would be wise to perform another ceremony to thank Diana. It does not have to be so elaborate though. If you talk she will listen and perhaps if you listen she will talk." Minerva gives Katherine a hug and moves off the porch. she retrieves clean cloths from home and takes a bath a Gilson's Bath house. She takes her time dressing making sure that her hair and clothes will be pleasing to her new love. Afterward she searches out Nanuet, looking forward to his company and spending time in his strong arms exploring her new feelings.

Once Minerva shows up Nanuet's smile brightens considerably. She waits inside the Lucky Lady, listening to Ruby sing but mostly watching Nanuet as he moves around the room being helpful where he can. At the end of the night, Nanuet offers Minerva his arm, "Ready for our walk? We will take our time walking you home."

Nanuet and Minerva spent an hour leisurely walking around town before he finally dropped her off at her boarding house. He sung the song he serenaded her with only a few nights ago, only this time from the porch rather than from the street below. They held each other for a few moments, neither wanting to separate from the other. A sweet kiss ended the night and each went their separate ways.

Kate stayed on the porch for a time after Minerva left, then quietly found Jeff Mills to walk her back to the El Parador. No one would notice her slipping off. At the El Parador Kate spent some time sitting downstairs in the Cantina, enjoying the friendly feeling among the patrons. She was feeling a growing tendency to isolate herself, and it wasn't a good thing.

Finally she went upstairs and spent some time with Ginnie. There was something wrong there as well, but Kate didn't want to push. If in a day or two it was still there, she would see if she could get the girl to talk about it. At the end of a very long Monday Kate finally climbed into bed and laid awake for a long time trying to work through everything before she fell asleep.

Ruby enters the Lucky Lady and walks over to Kevin. "Mr. Tomlinson, so you decided to join us tonight. Glad that you did. I am looking forward to my lessons tomorrow, hopefully there wont' be any emergencies to upset our plans again." "I'm glad to give them, Miss West," he replies, "I look forward to it." Ruby chats amicably with him for a while, then excuses herself to do a set of songs.

While she is singing she notices Clarisse arrive and Kevin invites her to sit with him. Chester is still at work and hasn't arrived yet so Clarisse accepts. Ruby sings, drinks and chats with the customers, who are happy to have her as she usually doesn't sing on Mondays.

Jake visits Pedro at the El Parador. He chats with him for a while about this and that before asking him about local artisans. "Are there locals that make statues? I would imagine that with wood being scarce there wouldn't be many carvers." "Si, Senor, not many carvers." Pedro tells him. "Weaving and working with clay or tile are common. Do you seek decoration for the saloon? There are muy hermosa jars and pots from clay. Painted tiles too can be bought."

"Yes, I am looking for decorations," Jake says and strokes his beard. Jake gets the names of some local families that make attractive items. They chat some more before Pedro excuses himself to attend to the evening crowd at the El Parador. Jake heads back to start his game at the Lucky Lady.

Jake returns from the El Parador nods politely without stopping to Katherine and Minerva who are talking on the porch. "Best if I stay away from those two for a bit," he mumbles to himself. He greets Ruby at the bar with a hug from behind, obtains a bourbon from Harry and makes his way to Job Kane's Monday regulars. Jake spends the evening playing casually, listening to Ruby and going easy on Job's regular players.

The night is a typical Monday and Jake's game doesn't go very late. Harry has the cleanup under control and Jeff Mills is back but keeping to himself. Jake judges that he is not ready to talk so he lets him be. "Ruby, I'm not ready for bed yet. I'm going to take a walk, maybe keep my eyes and ears open for some information, but mostly just to stretch my legs before bed time." Ruby is a little suspicious but Jake's expression does not indicate that he is up to something so she doesn't protest.

"Really," He assures her, "I'll stay out of trouble." Jake leaves by the front door and walks a loop around by the El Parador and back to make sure no one is following him. Satisfied, he continues on his errand to the incomplete church building.

Jake strolls the empty church frame. It looks very different in the dark, empty of chairs and people. "Not much like the neighborhood temple back in Philadelphia." Arms folded, he stands for a long time looking at the empty space where the Priestess Florencia hangs her tapestries. He looks up at the roof, then side to side before looking back to the empty place in the front. "Seems strange not knowing where to talk to, I was used to having a statue to look at. That is probably stupid too."

Jake moves his hands to his pockets and takes a step forward. "Was the priestess right? Have you been looking after me? Or am I right and you are a selfish bastard that doesn't really care if I needed your guidance?" A moment passes. "Perhaps we are both right." Jake takes another step forward. "A long time has passed. Well a long time for me anyway. I'm guessing Virginia is away from our parents now, maybe I don't care what happened anymore. No, that's not true, but I know I can go on."

Silver Jake Cook is quiet again for a few minutes. "Your half sister is creating quite a stir here in Promise City. Her and a bunch of the others of your kind seem to have a perverse interest in this pathetic little town. I can't quite figure what to make of it, or what to do." He laughs, "No, don't send me a dream. We already have a bunch of dreamers running amok like lunatics trying to do the gods will." Jake looks around the empty church. "I'm not even sure why I came tonight."

He shakes his head. "Look, I'm going to try to figure this out myself. I don't really care how many people Aphrodite has going about berserk in love. I just figure when it's all done the town folks ought to be able to still live their lives here, raise their kids, run their little businesses, and have some entertainment in the saloons when the day is over. Lots more people shouldn't need to die to get there." Jake's hand unconsciously brushes his Peacemaker. "So if I should get into trouble... you know, I mean after all Ares is involved....."

Jake turns and walks towards the doorway. "You know, this town could use an icon to Hermes. Seems a crime that it doesn't have one. I'll be damned if I'll let the vigilance committee own it though. Still, I think I'll look into that." As he steps into the street he says, "Seems to me it would do this town some good." Jake does not look back as he walks casually to the Lucky Lady. Standing outside he says to himself, "Home. It still seems unnatural." He let's himself in through the locked front door and locks it up after him. He bids Harry good night and goes upstairs to his room. He enters without knocking.

Ruby breathes a sigh of relief once the night is over. There was tension in the air and it seemed to nag at her, even when she tried to push it aside. Things needed to be made right, but she didn't know how to do it. Ruby drops her clothes to the floor and chooses a mostly clean shirt of Jake's, taking a deep breath of the musky scent before sliding into it. She pulls her long hair down and brushes it thoroughly before having a small bourbon nightcap.

She opens all the windows, letting the cool evening breeze fill the room. Soon enough it would be hot and open windows wouldn't give any relief. But for now it was very enjoyable on her mostly bare skin. The white window and bed curtains waved in the breeze and it swirled the scent of her red flowers from Jake around the room. They were almost dead, all except for the perfect red rose from her dream. She picks it up and runs it across her face before placing it back on the table. She lays in bed, wondering where Jake is, knowing she wouldn't sleep without him next to her. She stares at her ring and smiles, knowing she would never take it off by choice.

Finally Jake enters the room. She watches him start to get undressed. "Where did you go baby?" she asks curiously, stretching her long legs as she speaks. "I needed some time to think, a sort of praying in my own way. Nothing you need to be worried about. Jake is just trying to find his way through everything that is happening." He smiles a reassuring kind of smile. "No, the answers to all my questions didn't come down from the sky. Nor did I expect them to, or want them that way. I'll know what to do when I am needed."

Some of his habits never change. Lately though he has changed his habit of hanging his Peacemaker alone on his bedpost. For the past several days he has been hanging both his pistols there. That done he climbs into the bed with his girl. Ruby immediately cuddles up to Jake, putting her nose to his neck and letting him wrap his arms around her. She reaches up and starts twirling her finger in his thick brown hair. "So," she says sleepily, "You never asked me what happened..."

"Um, what do you mean what happened? Did I miss something?" Jake replies, looking down at the wild red hair covering his chest. "My story, about the prince and the girl. You never asked." "Ah," Jake replies, "So what happened?" Ruby smiles and cuddles closer and yawns as she speaks quietly, "They fell in love, he made her his princess and they lived happily ever after." "I like a happy ending." Jake says in a very quiet voice. "Me too." She gives Jake a soft sleepy kiss, "I love you Jacob Cook." Ruby is asleep before she realizes that Jake hasn't answered, but fallen asleep too.

Chester spends most of the flight watching over the prisoners. When Berg relieves him, he takes a peek out the window. "This is an amazing view, Mr. Schmidt. I can see why you became an aeronaut. How long are we going to be up here? I'm a bit nervous leaving my friends behind." "Not long, Herr Deputy. We will give these men to the Rangers and then we can go home, ja?" He replies, "Yep."