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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2813800" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter 112, “Minerva’s Story”, Sunday, March 19th , 1882, 7:30 P.M. “Of course you tell. Tell while you wipe," Dorita said, handing Kate a dish towel. Kate picked up a plate and began talking. "You know that we've crossed the Cowboy Gang several times," she began, then launched into the story. Some Dorita already knew, some she didn't. Kate was surprised at how much she had to tell in order to make everything make sense, right down to the fact that Morgan Earp had killed Tom. About Flint's partner and helping the Cartwrights, the books and Jake's jacket. Ringo's offer to bring her Morgan Earp, the kidnapping of Nanuet and Chester, his demands that they choose a side, and today's threats and fears. "I never thought helping someone would lead to all this," Kate said finally. "I'm sorry to bring this trouble to you, but now that Ringo has declared his war, I hope this will be over soon. I don't think he'll do anything here, but it's only right that you should know." Dorita says, "You poor little girl, I sorry that I let that man in here. He dress nice and say he friend of your husband. I keep him away if he come back. You should tell Grandfather about all of this when you see him." Kate replies, "There's nothing to be sorry for. I think he believes he was Tom's friend, and he can be pleasant enough when he wants to be. I'll talk to your Grandfather as soon as possible." She replies, "He stayed out at the ranch this night with Sonoma. If you decide to ride there I need you to bring out some horses. Enough in the stables now without needing extras." As they are finishing up the conversation a strange man sticks him head into the kitchen. He is human, with olive-colored skin, dark hair, and a long dark mustache. He says in a thick Italian accent "Mrs. Figueres, what-a-time should I be down for-a-breakfast? Oh, excuse me, I not know you have a guest." Dorita says, "I start cooking shortly after sunup, although most of your employers sleep late so no need to rush. And no be so formal Joseppi, call me Dorita. This is my friend Katherine. She lives here too." "A pleasure," he states, making a formal bow towards Kate. He then departs. Kate says, "I must say Dorita, you get the most unusual guests here. After all the different people I've seen I shouldn't be surprised to see an Italian. Who are his employers?" She replies, Some previous guests who returned, they known as Arcade's Gang. Joseppi is their chef. They buy house down street and will move out soon but he helping me cook here until then. He know how to cook lots of new recipies and what he cook last night taste very good. I maybe make arrangements for him to cook here a night or two every week." "And give you a bit of a break, which you deserve," Kate said and kissed Dorita's cheek. "How would we all get on without you?" Kate hung the dishtowel to dry. "I was planning on going out to the ranch tomorrow anyway. I'll take whichever horses out you wish and talk to your Grandfather. I didn't know where he went, I thought he had gone away again. I'm relieved he was with Sonoma, I've been worried about her out there alone.” Dorita replies, "Oh, he did go away. He help Arcade's Gang fight French Army in New Mexico mountains. They all get back. Some go straight to ranch and Grandfather decide to stay there. The horses to take out are two big black stallions, they hard to miss." "Two black stallions. Yes, they would be hard to miss." Kate says, “Now I should get myself to bed. Good night, Dorita. Thank you." Ginnie's eyes were dropping when Kate returned to their room. She closed the books and declared bedtime for both of them. Across town, Nanuet takes Minerva’s arm, "Let me show you an area where I like to walk. I hope you will find it as beautiful as I do. This desert area can be an amazing place when seen in the right light." The evening air is chill as the two stroll wordlessly through town. When they reach the grove across from the El Parador Nanuet speaks. "It will be chilly where we are going, let me get something for you, wait here for a moment." Nanuet hands the bottle of whiskey to Minerva and heads into the grove. Shortly he returns with two blankets. "Here, wrap this around your shoulders, it should keep you warm." The other larger one he keeps rolled up and holds under his arm. Nanuet leads Minerva out of town past the druid grove and towards the abandoned mineshaft. He points out any interesting things as they pass and when they reach a clearing he stops. "Taa'eeše'he" he says softly as he guides her eyes to the moon. She stands with her back to him gazing up it. "Your language is so beautiful” He replies, "I feel that the moon is so close to us out here. Not sure why, but I have always had a special place for her. Maybe because she kept me company on so many lonely nights." Minerva notices the momentary sadness darken his eyes. He turns back to her as he begins to unroll the larger blanket, " I know so little about you, tell me your story." Nanuet settles himself on the blanket and motions for Minerva to join him. She takes her time arranging herself on the blanket, stretching her legs out before her and meticulously tucking her skirts around them as she carefully arranges her thoughts. Seemingly satisfied she turns to him with unwavering eyes to be sure he understands says: "I have told NO one of my past Senor, but we are bound together by a power stronger than either of us, and so I will trust you to keep my secrets." She gives him a small smile in an attempt to reassure herself that she is about to do the right thing. Nanuet returns the smile and then speaks. "I know we are bound, if by nothing else then by fate. I am an honest man and you can trust me to keep anything secret if that is your wish. I do not want to put you under any pressure, you do not need to tell me anything you are unsure of." ”No, it is necessary that you know.” She says. She takes a deep, calming breath and continues quietly "As you know I hail from Spain. I do not know what you know of this place but it is not a cleric friendly place." She laughs darkly as she sweeps the hair from her face in a nervous gesture and reaching forward plucks a blade of grass. "I was raised in a provincial town, the kind where everybody knows everybody’s business, where tradition is worshipped more frequently than the gods and," she spits out the bitter word "wizards... rule with dirty hands." She glances at him with an angry glint in her eye and continues her story. "The gods have bestowed The Gifts upon you also so you will understand what I am about to tell you. It will be a relief to do so. "she says reaching up and briefly touching his face. "At a young age I was able to manage simple spells. I found that I could heal animals and playmates of minor injuries, create light without fire to read in the dark barn ... that sort of thing, and I heard voices too." she continues to worry the blade of grass between her fingers. "When my Papa, I have no Mama, realized that I could do such things he punished me quite severely to try and protect me, he said. He knew that the wrath of the wizards would have been much worse, but as you know when the gods call you it is impossible not to do their bidding. So I was always in trouble and as you know the gods sometimes are no help in that area at all. After all they are busy and don’t have much time to concern themselves with the individual, what with whole worlds to look after.” She musses darkly. She sighs and looks at the moon. "Anyway, As I got older I learned to disguise my gifts as more acceptable skills in order to do the gods bidding. People knew though and would come to me in secret when they needed healing." " My Papa tried to keep me out of mischief by taking me out on the hunt regularly. That's how I learned to handle firearms. " She chuckles remembering him fondly "Papa, tried everything to get me to tow the line but I always fooled him. I practiced the flute and trained to be a proper lady. It didn't take long to learn that a charmingly sweet smile and sharp wit could explain my actions away but when that didn't work I learned that “running and hiding were better attributes than kneeling and praying for deliverance.” As I grew into womanhood I guess I just got angrier at all the prejudices and hypocrisy of such a small town and I wasn't always so careful to hide my gifts so I learned to stand and fight." Papa was involved in the town politics but once he could no longer hide my "deformity" the wizards made it ... difficult for us. When I was nineteen I returned home one day to find that the town folk, mostly wizards, had confronted Papa with their suspicions that I was a cleric." Minerva's eyes fill with tears and her voice thickens with emotion. "He tried to defend my honor... I was too late....They killed him." she says softly but Nanuet can feel her trembling with anger. "I went into a rage and extracted my revenge. I'm not sure how many died. It doesn't matter." she says openly weeping now as she rocks with her head bowed and hands around her knees. She attempts to steady herself. "You know most of the rest. I boarded a ship to America and wandered for two years taking up posts as a preacher in different northern towns but I was angry and my views were too "liberal". I had a friend who knew Mr. Lacey and as the goddess would have it the preacher position had just been vacated. So Luna and I hopped a train to Arizona, to Promise City. The Goddess led us here, Nanuet, I will trust that she has her reasons, Senor but I believe that you are one of them." Nanuet moved closer and held the now openly weeping woman in his arms. "I had no idea, I am not well traveled or worldly and know little of the other lands, especially those across the ocean. You are strong for holding on to your faith after all the trouble it has brought you.” She answers, "Oh, I have no doubt that gods exist. They have placed themselves in my path even when I did not desire it… but perhaps they put these obstacles before me to strengthen my resolve. They are not a kind lot, are they?" “I am sorry that you have felt so much pain in your short lifetime. Someday soon I will share my past with you also, but it is also a sad story and there have been enough tears for one night." Nanuet squeezed Minerva tighter slowly rocking as he speaks. "Let us only tell happy stories for the rest of the night, ones that will make us laugh and weep only tears of joy." Shaking herself to dispel the melancholy mood she sighs. "Si senor, I agree. As my Papa used to say "A man is never so lonely as when he is surrounded by the past. My papa was a wise man." "Yes, he sounds like a very wise man and it seems some of his wisdom was passed on to you." Minerva and Nanuet sit in companionable silence as the moon rises higher in the sky. After a while she tells him of her journey through the Veil of Dreams. "I am certain he was your ancestor. He had your eyes, and this mark upon his arm. Minerva describes a simple pattern, not unlike those common to the natives of the area. As she finishes the description Nanuet takes her hand and traces the lines on the blanket upon which they sit. "Yes, I know those markings... " he says, with wonder in his voice. She rises up on her knees and facing him takes his hands excitedly. “And then there is what happened when I healed you. I have never done that before! I have never felt that way before! Do you know what it means? It's meaning is NOT clear to me." He says, "You must remember I was not quite paying attention fully when that was going on. I see my necklace has a new look and one of the stones is gone, but what exactly happened.” She replies, “I do not remember it clearly. I remember there were colors and It was as if my own life force was being drawn from me.” It is late and you and you have promised Chester your help. We should be going.” Nanuet walked Minerva back to her room at the boarding house. "Goodnight Senorita." Nanuet said, roughly pronouncing the last word. "I will see you tomorrow. Until then sleep well and my the Goddess protect you." Minerva stands in her room facing the icons of Minerva and Jupiter. She lights candles and prepares to give thanks for the day. Her mind wanders to all that has happened that day. The rescue and gunfights, the overwhelming fear when she thought that Nanuet would die, the strange healing that the gods worked through her, the dream journey she took which led to her decision to share her past with Nanuet and now her overwhelming confusion resulting from the comfort that he offered her this evening. Unable to focus on the task at hand Minerva slumps into a nearby chair and tries to sort it all out. “So much has transpired this day! What does it all mean my goddess? What is it that you desire from me? It is obvious that you have placed this man in my path, but to what purpose? Is it a binding of our spirits that you seek? And why? Will we be stronger for it? Or do you intend to us to bind as man and woman. I am confused by my feelings. I do not know what you want from me!” Agitated, she pushes herself out of the chair, and begins to pace back and forth addressing the statues on the dresser. “I have never felt such cold fear as when I believed that I had lost him, nor such a sense of power as when I healed him… or such warm comfort as when he held me in his arms.” She sighs softly. A mischievous smile spreads across her face as she stops in front of the icons. “Yes, I know that it was much more than comfort that I felt.” Her eyes darken, “This is what I fear most. ” She is lost in thought when Luna flies in through the window and lands on her perch. “ah Luna, my chicka, what trouble have you been getting into this evening?” Minerva appears to be listening to the bird. “You are hunting with the wolf now?” Minerva says in surprise and listens again. “Yes, I know it is good to have a companion, but I fear the price which must be paid for such comfort." "Well I am no nearer the answers either, Luna." "Yes, my chicka you are right, perhaps things will be clearer tomorrow." She blows out the candles and dropping her clothes to the floor crawls into bed. Nanuet made his way over to the jail. He saw that the shades were drawn. He walked to the front door and rapped lightly. Chester startled when he heard the rapping at the door. "Oh, maybe that is Nanuet, he thought." then stood up and went to the door, peeking out the curtain. "Glad to see you Nanuet, how are you?" Nanuet replies, "I'm fine Chet, how are things inside?" "Fine, why don't you come inside?" Nanuet says, "Nah, I think I am going to stay outside and watch from here, if that's OK with you. I will not go to far, just around the area. I'm going to call Maska too so that she can help us keep an eye on things. " Maska arrives shortly thereafter and is let into the Office. Not long thereafter she begins sniffing at the now dried blood stains from earlier. She then begins to lick the floor, lapping up the blood, which is something that Nanuet has never seen her do before with human blood. "Hey Chet, what do you make of this? I ain't never seen her drink at that before." Nanuet calls to Maska to have her stop lapping at the blood. He kneels down wetting his finger and then taking a taste. Nanuet is not 100% sure, but the blood has the taste and flavor of that from a bloody steak. Nanuet says, "Well Chet, I can't be certain, but I don't believe this is human blood after all. Ever have a nice juicy steak, still red in the middle? That is the taste I am reminded of and explains why Maska took a liking to it." Nanuet kneels down and pats the wolf gently. "Good girl Maska, good girl" He tells Chester, "It looks like Mr. Ringo did trick us today after all. Best be on our toes." Chester asks, "Why fake being shot? Was he trying to get townspeople on his side? Or did he want to draw Jake, Ruby, or Eduardo out of the building? I can't make sense of it. We'll have to bring this up to the others. Maybe they can figure it out. Keep your eyes peeled and your ears too. There may be another invisible guy out there. What kind of signal should we have if there something unusual?" Chester smiles ruefully. "Or will gunfire be enough?" The night at the Marshall's office passes uneventfully. With Nanuet and Maska present Chester is able to get a reasonable night's sleep. They have no difficutly at all from Gifford aside from the fact that he snores. Eduardo arrives at around 7:00 AM to relieve Chester. Chester says, "Morning Eduardo. There were no problems last night. The prisoner slept most of the time. Have a good rest?" He replies, "Good morning to you too. Slept well. But I'll sleep better once Gifford is safely in the Tombstone jail. I'll see you later." Eduardo says, "While you're out please stop by the Wells Fargo Office. It would probably be safer if they ride the stagecoach right up to the door to pick Gifford up instead of us escorting him through the streets." As Chester heads out of the office Nanuet approaches him and says, "Well that was easy enough, I could get used to a night like that. Good work Chet. I have been pondering what you said about why would a man fake being shot. I could only guess that it would have something to do with causing a distraction to engage the deputy so that Gifford could be dealt with, whatever they have in mind for him. Let's see if we can't make it back to the Lucky Lady before Jake and Ruby leave for the stage." Nanuet heads back to the Lucky Lady. When he arrives he explains about the blood on the floor and that they had a peaceful night at the jail.</blockquote>

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