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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 2813807" data-attributes="member: 8530">[DM’s Note: The events of this chapter transpire immediately after my other gaming group’s Eighth Arcade’s Gang module “The Man from Atlantis” which had been played concurrently to this game. Those stories can be found in the Arcade's Gang Story Hour.] Chapter 113, “New Arrivals in Town”, Monday, March 20th, 1882, 7:30 A.M. "It's off to the ranch this morning, Ginnie," Kate broke the news the next morning. "But there will be important talk there today, and I know you wouldn't want to miss that." A good nights sleep did a lot for both of them, and they were sitting in the Cantina by eight in the morning. Just as Dorita brought them each a plate. The sun streams through the open window waking Minerva from her restless slumber. It is still quite early, barely sunrise. She rises from the bed uninhibited by her lack of clothing and gives quick thanks to her gods before dressing. Her mind is still unsettled from the events of the day before. She decides that a good workout with her rapier would be the perfect activity to refocus her thoughts so she spends the early morning hours going through her paces with the sharp blade. Feeling much more herself she heads over to the El Parador in search of Katherine and a hearty breakfast. Kate sees Miss Florencia entered the Cantina with her usual smile. Kate smiled and waved her over. She says, "Good morning. I thought we could go get you a horse today. The Shaws will have brought our animals to the ranch yesterday as well, and there are some people there I'd like to talk to. Would you care to come?" Minerva's face lights up at the suggestion of acquiring a horse and getting out of town for the day. "That would be lovely! Senora." She pauses for a moment. "Do you think that it is wise that we travel alone though? I believe that the others are concerned about our traveling alone. Perhaps we should ask Senor Chester and Senor Nanuet to accompany us. It is a beautiful day for a ride. I am sure it would not be a hardship for them." Kate says, "Chester might have duties to attend to today, but I'm sure Nanuet would be amenable if we can find him." "Buena Dias, Ginnie!, How are you on this fine morning? Will you be going to the ranch also? I would dearly love to see some of your embroidery, if we have time." She sits down and turns to Dorita with a warm smile. Shes inquires about her health and orders her breakfast.. They are served breakfast by the man Joseppi who Kate had met before. He is wearing wool pants and a white apron over a shirt. Minerva notices that he has a bandage over his upper arm and shoulder. When he sees the medallion to the Goddess Minerva that she is wearing he stops and says a prayer in Italian to the Roman Goddess. Kate picked at her plate nervously as Miss Florencia spoke to Dorita and then Joseppi. She noticed the bandage on his arm, thinking he must have been hurt when Arcade's Gang was fighting the French Army. Minerva rises from her seat and without a word places her hands over the man's bandaged arm. She says a silent prayer and says. "May the Goddess guard smile upon you this day Senor." "Grazie," he states in a thick Italian accent. He says, "Minerva is a great Goddess, almost as great as her father Jupiter. Do you attend the La Chiesa here in la Citta di la Promessa?" She replies, “Si, Senor they are both to be revered and honored. The La chiesa? I am afraid I do not know that word.” I am the priestess currently doing the gods work in this community. Please allow me to introduce myself. I am Senorita Minerva Garcia Florencia and whom Senor do I have the honor of meeting?" He replies, "Ah, the Priestess! Then you do know of the la chiesa. The English word....Church. Florencia, that is an Italian name, no? I am Joseppi Franjoluppi." She replies, "No Senor, I am a Spaniard. But we are neighbors and that is close enough. "She laughs brightly. "What brings you to our fine town Senor? You must have arrived quite recently as I did not see you at services yesterday and from the looks of your arm I would say that you had a difficult journey." He says, "Si, I arrived last night. I am sorry that I missed your services. How I came to be here is a long story, but the short version is that I have only been in this country for the last two days. Before that I was a conscript, forced into the service of the French military. That was how I was wounded. My new employers rescued me....well, actually, first they shot me...but then they rescued me. I am grateful to be here in the United States of America." Kate says, "I'm glad to hear your difficult journey has ended here in Promise City. From what Dorita has told me of your skills, we should be grateful as well. Your employers have taken a house in town I understand. I hope that means we will see more of you." He replies, "Yes, America great land of opportunity. And I will be able to worship the Gods as they should be, the French did not allow me that luxury these last two years." A shadow fell over Katherine's face but her voice remained steady. "Yes, worship is encouraged here. America has her faults, but interfering with the gods is not one of them. I'm sure you'll be very happy here." Minerva says, “It has been a pleasure to meet you Senor, I am sure that you will find that Promise City lives up to it's name. I myself have only been here but one short week and already it feels like home to me. Unlike the narrow minded countries which we immigrate from because of the many freedoms we enjoy here this is a town open to many possibilities. I look forward to seeing you at services.” Kate waited while Minerva and Joseppi exchanged words, and once he had gone back to the kitchen Kate spoke. "Miss Florencia, I wonder if I could ask you something? You noticed yesterday that I was... different. I didn't mention in front of the others what happened, but I find I need your advice. Would you mind?" "No, Senora, I am pleased that you feel that you can do so. You know that you can trust me to keep your confidence. Perhaps we should find a more private place?" The kitchen door shut and nobody else was in the room at the time except for them and Ginnie, allowing for the privacy that Kate was looking for. Minerva finishes up her breakfast and says to Katherine. " We seem to be alone. Would you like to tell me your problem? now? " "I think we'll be fine here." Kate looked at Ginnie for a moment and then back over to Minerva. She took a deep breath and said, "You heard me tell Nanuet of our friend Storm's message. She came to me rather than him because she was not alone." Kate looked down at her hands in her lap, twisting her napkin. "The spirit of my husband was also with her. We were granted perhaps an hour together, and he was granted a physical form for that time. I have many to thank for that gift. The gods of the Apache and of the wood elves, and the goddess Diana. Tom was devout, and when I chose his grave marker I chose one that honored her. Storm told me she was moved to help us by those actions. I wish to thank her, but I don't know how." Minerva is not surprised by this. "Si Senora, I saw the lightning bolts of Jupiter surround the El Parador that night. When I saw you the next morning I was sure that some miracle had occurred. I will tell you what to do." she says and proceeds to tell her what she needs to do to honor the goddess Diana. "Is there nothing else you wish to tell me Katherine?" A rosy blush crept up Kate's neck and into her cheeks. "Not in detail. I told Ruby what happened, how we... Well, she said I must have been dreaming. She might be thinking I've finally gone crazy right about now. It's a relief that at least one person can believe this happened, someone who'll remember this when...." Kate realized her hand was pressed over her stomach. "I think I ate a bit too much this morning," she said with a little laugh. "Why don't we go for that ride? Dorita has a couple horses she needs taken out, we can ride them over. We can check the Lady for Nanuet, or the grove, it shouldn't take long to find him." Kate asked Ginnie to put together a little lunch basket for them while she and Minerva go find Nanuet. The two women check the grove, and then go to the Lucky Lady where they asked Niles Hoover if he had returned yet. Kate let Minerva go upstairs and check for him while she sat down for a moment. Minerva and Sonoma had never met, and she wasn't sure how they would feel about one another. Especially with regards to Nanuet. But then, that was none of her business and there was no use borrowing trouble. Minerva came back down, followed a few minutes later by Nanuet. Nanuet welcomed the opportunity to ride out to the ranch. He needed to be outdoors in the fresh air. He walks alongside thinking of conversation that might be productive. "Good morning ladies, I trust you all slept well? I am not sure if you heard or not, but Chester had an uneventful night over at the jail. I did discover something odd however. The bloodstain on the floor does not appear to be human blood... we think it may be cow's blood. Ringo tried to pull a fast one on us." "I'm glad somebody slept well" Minerva thinks looking toward Nanuet with a wry smile. "Well Senor Jake guessed correctly then. It was a set up. We should be very careful today. Remember there is still at least one man out there that we have not found and he may have the means to make himself invisible. We should be extra alert and also take care what we say on the open road. And we should have our weapons ready in case there is trouble. Senor Chester gave me some of those special bullets also. Does anyone else have any? "Minerva's owl can be seen flying ahead of them. "Luna will let us know if she sees anyone approaching." Nanuet nods and replies. "Yes, I agree we need to be cautious. I am not sure who else has those special bullets. Shall we go in and give Kate a hand with the horses?" Nanuet leads Minerva into the stables looking for Kate and offering to help with the mounts. Ginnie puts together a big lunch and packs some of Dorita's preserves to begin stocking the kitchen at the house. She then puts together a second basket filled with empty jars, small boxes, and pieces of waxed paper along with a grease pencil and a pair of heavy work gloves then goes looking for Kate first in the room where she grabs her copied notes. Not finding her there she looks around the cantina and then heads into the barn. Kate heads out to the El Parador's stables to get her horse. She freezes when she gets near, hearing a strange male voice inside and instantly thinking of the Cowboy Gang. She then hears the distinctive sound of a grooming brush simultaneous to the talking. She nears, and is surprised to hear the voice speaking in German, saying "Ja sind Sie solch ein schönes Mädchen, und ich bin jetzt der, zum Nehmen des guten um Ihnen zu kümmern.". <<translation: Yes, you are such a beautiful girl, and I will now be the one to take good care of you.>> As she nears she sees a man wearing simple cloth work clothes and brushing a brown mare that Kate has not seen at the El Parador before. There are three more unfamiliar horses in the stable including the two black stallions that Dorita spoke of. She is very surprised at the specific breed of the stallions, Arabian horses, which she had only seen before in the United States at equestrian shows. All four new horses look to be well cared for. Kate was careful to make some noise as she came in, so she wouldn't startle the man. She walked over to the Arabian's and looked carefully but kept her hands to herself. "Guten Morgen. Excuse me, these are stunning animals. May I? He says, "Yah, Guten Morgen to you. Are you German? Yes, these are very fine animals." He gestures to the mare that he is brushing and says, "This one will be mine. I have always desired to own a horse." She says, "My father is German, I'm afraid good morning is about all I know how to say in his language." Kate laid her hand on the Arabian's nose and rubbed it. Owning a horse is a wonderful thing. The first thing I did when I arrived here was buy a horse." She walked over to the man and offered her hand. "I'm Mrs. Katherine Kale. Are you new to the El Parador? I don't recall seeing you before." He is about to reply when he notices the others entering the barn. Ginnie arrives followed by the others and says, “Um Ma'am Kate I need your help um... putting away some of the things in the room before we leave and then I'm ready to go I have my list of plants that I need to look for the research project I'm working on and I really want to check out at the ranch to see what we might have on hand out there to start with.” "Yes Ginnie, I can help you in a moment." Kate waved the girl over and noticed Nanuet and Minerva also entering. "My ward, Ginnie," she introduced her. "And my friends, Miss Minerva Florencia and Nanuet." He says, "Hello, My name is Hans, Hans Schmidt. Although if I decide to stay in the United States I will probably Americanize my last name to Smith. Yes Mrs. Kale, I am new here, but it looks like I may be staying." "How did you come to Promise City, if you don't mind my asking? And who do these magnificent horses belong to?" He says, "My services were recently acquired by some wealthy business people. I am a professional driver. These four animals belong to them. They maintain their vehicle at a location outside of town so they have provided me with this mare to retrieve it at times when they wish to travel." She says, "It must be an unusual vehicle, if they don't want to bring it into town. But it must be a pleasure to have that fine mare. Ginnie interrupts, “Ma'am Kate excuse me Mr. Smith, you told me not to leave my books around the room but I don't know where you want me to put them and I don't think they should be left out if we aren't going to be here.” Kate says, “Alright Ginnie, I'll go put them away in just a moment." Kate says, “Will you excuse me, I do have one small thing left to do here before we leave. Ginnie, why don't you stay here with Miss Florencia and Nanuet, I'll be right back." Kate ran back upstairs and moved the books back into Mr. Gonzales rooms. She checked to make sure she had both her pistol and the shotgun she'd taken from the Cowboys as well as her Derringer. The leather duster went on over the riding leathers and she went back down to the stables. Minerva approaches Mr. Smith, "Welcome Senor", Minerva says as she introduces herself. "Whom do you drive for Senor. Perhaps I know them as I am the preacher of this fair town.” He says, "My employer is Mr. Josiah Arcadiam, son of an English Lord. He seems to be a fine man." She says, “There seem to be quite a few new additions to our town this morning." she jokes. "Are you an acquaintance of Joseppi as well?" He states, "Yah, Mr. Franjoluppi is also in the employ of Mr. Arcadiam and his associates." "Please let me know if I can assist you in settling in" she offers graciously. He states, "Thank you Ma'am. Would you know if there is by chance a temple to the Norse Gods anywhere in this vicinity?" She says, “If there is, I am not aware of it. There are not many places of worship in the area. I conduct services in the unfinished town hall.” Hans replies "Thank you then, good day." He goes back to brushing his mare. "We'll have to ride two to a horse, I'm afraid," Kate said when she got back. "But it's a short ride so it shouldn't tax them. Everyone ready?" Nanuet looked at Minerva and chuckled. "Guess that leaves the two of us. Perhaps it's best if you ride in front like Ginnie. As Kate said it's a short ride." Nanuet mounted the black stallion and then offered his hand to Minerva. Dorita comes out to the barn with Flint's friend Naki-Yai. She assures Hans that it is alright for her friends to borrow the horses, that Nanuet and Kate are co-owners of the ranch where the two Arabian horses will be stabled. She also says "You can use this horse too if you bring it back," gesturing not to Han's horse but to the other new mare. "It Shotgun Sam's new horse, to replace one that get killed, but he not even see it yet so it okay to borrow." "Thank you, Dorita." They got Naki-yai settled on the third horse. "Do you have any messages for anyone out at the ranch?" Dorita says "Just tell them to be safe. And for Grandfather to stay put for a change. Last night I get first good night sleep in a week." "I think we'd all sleep better at night if your Grandfather stayed in one place. I'll tell him," Kate smiled. "And if we're all ready, let's be on our way."</blockquote>

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