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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2154230" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter Twenty-five, “Messenger of the Gods”, Saturday, March 11th, 1882:In response to his earlier question Minerva replies to Tex (Gonzales) "Luna? She is very precious to me. She is a lovely white owl." Minerva gets a wistful look on her face as she remembers." I found her when I was just a child. From a distance she looked as though she were dancing under the moon. When I realized that she was injured, I held out my hand to her and miraculously she was healed. That is when I realized that the Goddess had bestowed upon me the gift. Luna and I have been together ever since" Minerva laughs. "As for your being out of town tomorrow morning, I've heard that from several people here this evening. By the Goddess, I believe that by tomorrow Promise City just might turn into a ghost town. Well not to worry, You don't have to attend services to make your donation. I'm sure you'll want to contribute to the building of the new church just the same. I'll gladly accept your contribution this evening and I'll be sure and let Mr. Lacey know where this generous donation came from." She looks at him expectantly.Tex replies, "I'm sure that you would Ma'am, but the truth is that I've spent all my extra money tonight on the bottle of wine that we're drinking. I plan to come into some more right soon, so you'll get a donation from me, just not right now.  Although, instead of money I might actually be able to help you in other ways. Is there anything else you might need for your church, other than construction materials that is?"Well Senor Tex, That's a wonderful offer. I haven't actually been in the new church yet so I'm not sure what's in order, but I'm sure Mr. Lacey would know what is needed. What did you have in mind?  Tex replies, "I don't know ma'am, but I have me some connections back in Texas and also in Mexico. I might be able to get a hold of vestments or books of your religion.""Gracias, Senor I shall be sure and tell Mr. Lacey of your generous gift. Although I don't want to be rude I am afraid I must get back to Luna. Tomorrow will be a busy day. Buenas Nochas Good luck on your travels tomorrow. May the Goddess be with you" With a slight curtsey. Minerva turns and leaves the saloon.Katherine had gone straight to bed when they returned to the El Parador, and fell asleep almost immediately. It lasted about 45 minutes before she woke screaming again. This time the Earp's killed not only Tom, but Jake and Chester as well when they tried to help her. She calmed down after a while, but knew she wouldn't sleep the rest of the night. Still, she was tired of being scared. Tired of the Earps and their absolute refusal to admit what they were looking for. Tired of living in this perpetual darkness. Ruby was right, this had to end. Whether or not she got what she wanted out of Morgan Earp.  She had to choose to either live or die, she couldn't stay in this place in between. And she wasn't particularly interested in dying.It is around 7:00 AM on Sunday morning when Minerva joins Judge Lacey for a nice home-cooked breakfast on the ground floor of the Promise City Hotel and Cafe. He asks if she is ready to lead the worship service in another hour, and mentions that the services have previously lasted until noon."Why thank you for the Breakfast Senor Lacey. I had better hurry if I am to be prepared. I shall go over to the town hall and see how the preparations are going" "I believe that you were planning a brunch after the service so that I may meet the congregation. That is very kind of you. Perhaps one of them will be able to assist me with my living arrangements. I shall see you at the service. Adios." Minerva hurries back to the hotel to retrieve Luna and goes over to the town hall.The Town hall, unfinished and sparsely furnished is filled with rows unmatched chairs that have obviously been confiscated from the nearby saloons. A small stage has been raised at the front of the room. A huge tapestry woven by Minerva’s own hand over powers the back wall of the stage. It is crafted with the softest of wools and filled with intricate colorful illustrations depicting the 12 heavenly powers. Jupiter is sitting in their mist. Neptune, the ruler of the sea, holds his trident and appears to have just smitten the earth from which a horse has leaped forth. The goddess Minerva shimmering with power is depicted in helmed head with her shield covering her breast. This tapestry is Preacher Minerva’s gift to her namesake. Forward of this, facing the room, stands two wooden crates stacked one on the other. Luna sits upon this makeshift podium preening her feathers, unconcerned by the gathering crowd while Minerva softly plays her flute, the favored instrument of the goddess Minerva. Minerva is seated on a large pillow and is dressed in loose flowing robes of soft white linen. It V’s at the neck and is cinched at the waist with a golden cord. Upon her head sits a silver circlet of olive leaves. Her dark hair, hanging loosely about her shoulders gives her the appearance of an angel without wings. Around her neck hangs an ornately carved olive leaf pendant of silver, which rises and falls gently on her breast as she plays a tranquil melody on her flute.  Rejoicing this day (and the freedom from her corset) She silently chants as she draws the soft music from her flute “I am the beginning. I am the vestal virgin. I am an innocent offering to the gods. Unmarked by man. Uninfluenced by his touch, his ambitions, and his desires. I am the vessel through which the gods make their will known. Her mind wanders. It will not always be so, if the gods will it. Aphrodite and cupid will one day demand their payment also. I know that there is honor in serving them. They are to be revered. But at what price? She recalls the heartache and turmoil that she saw in Ruby’s eyes the previous day and sighs. The gods are a greedy lot. Aphrodite and Cupid most of all.8:00 arrives The people have gathered. Minerva sets her flute aside and walks sedately to the podium. Luna utters a soft cooing noise and flutters up to perch on Minerva’s shoulder The crowd sees a compelling dark haired women robed in white with a snow white owl perched upon her shoulder. It almost appears as though a soft light glows about her. She is a sight inspired by the goddess, Herself. Minerva stands quietly, commanding the crowd to silence. In a clear gentle voice, Minerva recites from the book of the gods. “But a nobler animal was wanted, and Man was made. Prometheus took some of this earth, and kneading it up with water, made man in the image of the gods. He gave him an upright stature, so that while all other animals turn their faces downward, and look to the earth, he raises his to heaven, and gazes on the stars. Prometheus, with the aid of Minerva (Athena), went up to heaven, and lighted his torch at the chariot of the sun. And brought down fire to man. With this gift man was more than a match for all other animals. It enabled him to make weapons wherewith to subdue them; tools with which to cultivate the earth; to warm his dwelling, so as to be comparatively independent of climate; and finally to introduce the arts and to coin money, the means of trade and commerce” Minerva pauses and waits while the heavy silence fills the room. (Minerva employs her diplomacy skills) In a voice the cuts the room Minerva announces, “The gods, my friends are busy!” She slaps her hand on the podium. “They have given us their many gifts. It is not reasonable to expect them to concern themselves with the individual! Don’t pray to the gods and goddesses to solve your problems, but rather, pray to that part of the gods that is within you. The gods love triers, not quitters. They love winners, not whiners! Get off your knees and take action! Help yourself. Show the gods that you have the guts and the will to fight for yourself and for your neighbor, that you have the will to do what is right, absent of excuses! She lowers her voice, “I walked over to the site of the new church when I came into town yesterday and by the Goddess I am sure that the gods are as disappointed as I was in it’s unfinished state.” She slowly points her finger around the room and with fire in her eyes she raises her voice. “It’s time to stop making excuses; it is time to take action! The gods require you to build a church that is worthy of the gifts that they have bestowed upon you! The gods’ want a church that shouts, “I AM A WINNER”. She smiles benevolently and looks around the room. “We have a church to build here folks. It will not be built on the sweat of the gods’ brows. Nor is the gold needed to build it going to fall from Olympus no matter how long or how loud you pray! My dear people, it is time to get OFF of your knees, and DELVE into your wallets! Together we shall build the church of Olympus! Minerva picks up her flute, sits back on her pillow and plays while the money baskets are passed. The crowd digs deep. Mr. Lacy smiling broadly as a result of the overflowing collection baskets, moves to the podium and announces that a brunch will be served to welcome Senorita Minerva Garcia Florentia to the congregation.The entire dining room as well as the tables on the porch of the Promise City Hotel and Cafe have been set out for the brunch as the congregation heads over there. Russell and Beatrice Lee, owners of the Comstock House Boarding House across the street, invite the overflow crowd to use their first floor dining room as well. Cole Rixton of Rixton's furniture, also across the street, has people carry out some chairs and tables from his store and sets them up in the lot east of the Promise City Hotel for more to dine.  It is a beautiful day and tables are set up outdoors. Minerva strolls over to Mr. Lacey and in a whisper inquires, "How well did we do in church building donations?"   He replies, Very well, $ 78.55. That's three times more than the other priest, Anson Haggler, ever brought in." She also tells him about the man named Tex last night who offered to procure vestments and books for the new church. Mr. Lacey looks at Minerva with a puzzled look on his face. "Tex you say? Hmmm I don't think I've heard of anyone by that name around town." She then mingles with the crowd chatting amiably with Luna on her shoulder. She decides to ask about for lodgings other than the El Parador after hearing that the owners names are Pedro and Dorita. Although she has no real prejudices of her own. She is concerned that the Mexican wood elves would not favor a Spanish human in their abode.This leads to an interesting situation, as the owners of three different boarding houses all indicate a strong interest to having her stay with them.  He says, “One is the Great Western Boarding House where the owner Bill Watkins heads up the Promise City Vigilance Committee that is looking to civilize the town more. He sees a full-time priestess as a way to bring about that stability. Next are Russell and Beatrice Lee, who own The Comstock House, which is helping to host this breakfast. All of the other tenants are male, most working for the primary mine in town, and Beatrice would welcome having another woman under her roof. The third that has taken an interest is Fly's Boarding House. It is a small boarding house and the most expensive in town, although they would offer Minerva a reduced rate. She finds out from people other than Roger and Janet Fly that one of their boarders died of an illness in January that forced a several-day quarantine of the building and that they have been unable to find another tenant for his room.” During the brunch after the service Minerva speaks to Russell and Beatrice Lee, who own The Comstock House, which is helping to host this breakfast. She thanks them for their generosity. Beatrice has heard that Minerva is in need of a home.  " I would surely welcome another woman in the house if you would consider staying on with us, Senorita Minerva. All of the other tenants are male, most working for the primary mine in town, but their not a bad lot. and from the looks on their faces when you were preachin' it looks like you won't have any trouble handlin' them. You had those big fellas quaking in their cowboy boot." Minerva eyes sparkle. Why Thank you Beatrice. That's a fine compliment. and Yes, I would be honored to live at the Comstock house with you. "I'm thinking a house full of strong men is just what we need to get this church built." She grins.As the Sunday brunch begins to wind down Minerva marches them two blocks west to the site where the Church is to be constructed. Thus far the work is little more than eight beams that have been erected to show the size of the 25 x 30 two story structure. The beams for the angled roof and possible bell tower have yet to be put in place or even purchased. Minerva has the congregation all gather around inside of the beams as she has a wagon be pulled up to the north end of the group. She climbs up onto the wagon to address them.She has a fire in her eyes as she leaps upon the wagon. She is an awesome sight to behold, an angel of the gods, glowing with their power. Her long white robes and lustrous black hair streaming in the breeze while Luna sits on her shoulder and stares unblinking at the crowd. She raises her hands to the heavens. And in a loud voice proclaims “Look to the gods, not in the heavens but, within you. What do you see? Do you see the majestic bell tower calling you to do the gods work, the beautiful glass windows depicting their wondrous deeds? The beautifully carved doors of this church welcoming you and your family to a better life? Close your eyes and look within. Resolve to make this your priority. We have made a good start today; through your offerings we have raised $78.55.”“This is a good start. But it is not enough!" she shouts. "The gods need you to step forward and offer your strong backs to build this church. The gods insist that you use the gifts that they have given you to make this church a reality! Offer these gifts back to the gods in the building of their church. We of Promise city are the god’s people. We are People of action. The gods expect each of you to step forward and offer your talents and resources to make this church a reality now!” She pauses for a moment and in a softer tone she continues.   “I would Thank all of you for making Luna and I so welcome in such a short period of time. I am looking forward to getting to know each and everyone of you as you get to know me. Please feel welcome at my home. I can be reached at the Comstock house, where Mr. and Mrs. Lee have been kind enough to offer me room. May the Goddess bless them. May the goddess bless all of you.” Minerva steps off the wagon and the crowd gathers around her to offer their skill, money and ideas in the building of the church.</blockquote>

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