Upgrade your account to a Community Supporter account and remove most of the site ads.

Reply to thread

Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3175206" data-attributes="member: 8530">[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.</blockquote>

Verification