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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 3266157" data-attributes="member: 8530">Chapter 214, “The Numbers Game“, Saturday, April 1st , 1882, 10:30 A.M.Kate grabbed onto the back of the nearest chair with a shaking hand. "Thank you, Mr. Palmer. I ah, I have to go."  She took slow, careful steps toward the stairs, trying not to shake as she went. Ringo always managed to terrify her, but behind it was a red haze of anger. Her voice was commanding as she opened the door to her teachers rooms and went inside.Kate enters the mansion to see Ruby standing in the middle of the room. She doesn't see Gonzales but she does hear his voice talking in Spanish to somebody in one of the other rooms. She then hears Dorita's voice replying to him in Spanish.  "Ruby, I'll kill him. With my own bare hands," Kate said, holding the card out in her shaking hand.  "What?" Ruby takes the card and reads it. "Um, Mr. G? Now we know what that letter Dorita got meant...Can you come here?" Ruby shakes her head. "No Kate, YOU wont kill him. But I have a feeling after this weekend he won't be among the living anymore."  Gonzales comes out and reads the note. He hands Dorita's to Kate for her to look at.   Kate states, "Yes Ruby, I will. And I won't be sorry afterward either. I won't let him do this to us again. You were right about one thing, he won't be among the living."Ruby grabs her roughly by the arms and spins her around. "No YOU won't, because that would be very selfish of you to risk yourself like that. YOU UNDERSTAND?"   Kate replies, "Ruby, I have to do something!"  Kate took the card from Mr. Gonzales. "Three? What in the world does that mean?"  Ruby says, "It means Dorita is number three. I'd bet me and Jake each get one, Ginnie and Conrad. 5 shots in a Colt?""I doubt he'll stop when he runs out of bullets." Kate looked over at Dorita. "I'm so sorry, Dorita. You must stay here and keep yourself safe, please."   Gonzales says, "I believe that most Colts have six cylinders, although most cautious gunslingers leave the open chamber empty so that the gun won't go off by accident. I don't get the impression however that Mr. Ringo is all that cautious. That man has threatened by Granddaughter's life. Kate is correct, he will not live for very much longer."Ruby states, "I agree, but it's not going to be her doing something foolish and risking the life of her baby. There is no discussion about that, even if I have to put her to sleep and tie her up."   Kate says, "I am not going to just stand by, Ruby. I have to do something, and I don't think it's taking care of the children this afternoon.""Then why don't you GIVE HIM THE DAMN BOOKS." Ruby's eyes are cold and hard. "If you do something to risk the life of your child then you are not the person I thought you were, not only that but you don't deserve the gift you were given." Ruby crosses her arms and stares at Kate. "There are plans that don't involve you being foolish."Kate replies, "The last time I tried to give him the books everyone told me how wrong I was. Now I'm wrong again! Which one do you want Ruby?"  Kate finally thumped down into a chair, the nervous anger draining out. "I know I can't.... I wouldn't. But I can't stand the thought of all of you out there taking care of Ringo, while I sit safe and sound. What if...what if you didn't come back?"   Ruby says, "I wasn't suggesting we give him the real books. And even if we were to pack up the real books it's only so we can ambush him and get this over with.”  Gonzales says, "Well, things can be replaced, people can't. Dorita and I will help get those books together. I hate giving them to him, especially due to the timing of this. I find it more then a coincidence that he wants them just before a costume party where identities and weapons could be easily concealed."Kate says, "Let's try to think of something else first. You're right, if he gets those books back, we just may be killed later while he sits behind his magic.  Jake left a large chest of books down in the stables for me, for the exact purpose of fooling Ringo if we had to. Someone could rent a wagon from Drover's. We can load it up with that chest, and some of the French, English, and Spanish books, and set an ambush of our own."Ruby says, "He's not stupid. But I think that he thinks we are. So let's prove him wrong. We can ambush him, when he comes for the books, the fake books, maybe a couple of real ones. We use the dispel scrolls. We use our magical ammunition. We use what we have and we kill him."Ruby then says to Kate, "Well, you're going to have to deal with it because this is the situation you're in. It's possible one of us might not return, but it's also possible it might be you or your baby."  Ruby sighs, "I'm not suggesting you do nothing but you can't continue to do what you've been doing."  Kate spun the ring around her finger. "What can I do then, if I'm not there? This ring is supposed to protect the baby, and Mother Jimenez said me too, but I'm not sure I can trust it that far. Mr. Gonzales, is there anything I can do for them while I'm not there?"Gonzales says, "On the subject of rings, I still have the 'Tex' ring that the French Wizard in New Orleans stripped the image from. I can input any image I choose into it now. So any of us could be Katherine Kale for this delivery."  Ruby states, "Interesting idea. We need to talk to Jake... and the others. And soon." Kate nodded. "And I could cast protective spells on some of you before you go. That way I could at least help a little bit. And we need to find out who else received these cards. I'll feel a little better if I spend my time making sure they're safe somewhere Ringo can't find them."Gonzales says, "Well, Dorita and I will both take another look at all of those books, she can also read both Latin and Greek. Ginnie had gotten through most and set aside over half of them that she said were just histories and literature, nothing magical. We'll verify that as we'll want to send as many of those as possible. You two go check with our friends."  Ruby asks Kate to find Minerva and bring her back to the Lucky Lady. "I will meet you there. Try to be quick and be careful you don't know who is following you. Oh and Nanuet is probably with her..."   Ruby then states, "I still need to learn that spell, I think it will be really important."   He replies, "Getting these books ready has now become more important."   Ruby replies, "If one of us ends up dead because someone was invisible you won't be saying that."   Gonzales angrily snaps back "Madge and I both know that spell, we can help. If there is time we can teach it to you. But right now other things need done first."   Ruby narrows her eyes at him, "Well up until now neither you or Madge have been there when we were facing the Cowboy Gang, so how was I supposed to know YOU are going to be there?" She only waits a second before stomping out.  "I'm sorry," Kate said to Mr. Gonzales before she left. "We're all on edge. But in some ways I'm relieved the waiting is over. I must go find Miss Florencia." She hugged her teacher and then Dorita then hurried over to the Comstock House. Ruby hurries back to the Lucky Lady where she finds Jake waiting for her. She doesn't bother to act like nothing is wrong. "Today's the day...like I figured it would be. It's time to finish what Ringo started. Mr. Gonzales wouldn't show me the spell so we're going to be at a disadvantage." Ruby tells Jake about Kate's letter. "We need to think of a plan fast. I could play Kate, if that's what we decide is best."  Jake hands her the card in his pocket. "Who got number one?" Ruby looks at the note and her fear is apparent in her eyes. "I don't know. I'm going to guess that Ginnie and Conrad are both receiving one besides you and Dorita. That leaves two more people. When Kate shows up with the rest of our friends we'll find out." Jake ponders while they wait for everyone else to show up.  He asks, "Do we know if Ringo can tell magically if we use fake books or not?   Maybe we just make a pile of books, on our terms and start burning them...." Jake's eyes seem hard and cold. "If we are going to fight, why have him pick the location? I don't know if that is a good idea or not."She says, "If I had to guess I'd say yes, but I really don't know. I've heard of," she glances around the Saloon making sure no one is listening in and whispers, "spells that can make things seem like other things.  I don't know that he will be fooled, but you are right we'd be walking into a trap. Mr. Gonzales made it sound like he would be there or have a plan, since Dorita was threatened. We need to find out who's got the other 4 letters for sure." Ruby sighs, "I REALLY need a drink." She wanders over to the bar and takes a bottle of bourbon. She doesn't bother with a glass, swigging right out of the bottle.Minerva's conversation with Mr. King is interrupted by the Postmaster, Eddie Palmer, who arrives at the Comstock House. He has a special delivery letter for Priestess Florencia. Minerva takes the letter, seeing no return address and a Tombstone postmark.   Kate found Nanuet in the Comstock House dining room, waiting at a set table. Kate hurried over and sat down. "Nanuet, we have to go," she said, handing him the note. "I assume Miss Florencia is joining you? We need to go to the Lucky Lady as soon as she appears. Others have received notes with numbers on them. It's time."  "Notes with numbers on them? What is going on? It is time for what?" Nanuet takes the paper and looks at it quizzically and states "I can't read Kate, this means nothing to me.”    She replies, "I'm sorry, I forgot. I can explain it when we get to the Lucky Lady." He then looks at Kate's face and the light bulb goes on.  He says, “The look on your face says it all. Minerva is right over there talking with Mr. King. Let's grab her and go." "Thank you." Kate waited anxiously by the door for Nanuet and Minerva. She looked out into the street until they appeared by her side. "Thank you Grant," she said to Mr. Keebler, who had waited outside for her. "I'll be fine from here." "Alright Kate," he said tipping his hat before he headed back toward the El Parador. Nanuet gets up from the table and apologizes to Beatrice for having to eat. He doubles the money he gave her and heads over to where Minerva is standing. He see she is holding an envelope similar to the one that Kate handed to him earlier. "Mr. King, I apologize for interrupting but we must be going now. Minerva, it is time. We have to go to the Lucky Lady now." The sense of urgency in Nanuet's voice is obvious.Nanuet, Minerva, and Kate hurried from the Comstock House to the Lucky Lady where they found Jake and Ruby sitting together, Ruby next to a bottle of bourbon. Kate hurried over. "Does anyone know where to find Chester?"  Nanuet says, "I'll check upstairs." He does and says, "Chester will be right down." A couple of strained minutes go by and Chester arrives. Ruby looks to Kate, "You have any of that...?" she rubs her fingers together indicating the magic powder."Oh, yes. Almost always." Kate pulled out a book of matches and lit the candle on the table, deftly dropping the power in and muttering. "There, privacy."   Chester waits until Kate prepares the anti-eavesdropping spell. "What's this about? I was just practicing for my duel with Kevin Tomlinson.  Kate handed Jake the note. "Ringo wants the books by five o'clock, and if he doesn't get there he starts killing my friends. And he doesn't just mean all of you. Dorita received a card that said only 'Three.'"Jake throws his on the table. They all look curiously at the number Two written on it. Ruby speaks up, "Who else has them? Kate you need to ask Conrad and Ginnie if they've received them. We need to know who has all the numbers. Six I think. This is important."   Kate says, "As soon as we're finished here, I'll go. Obviously someone will have to go with me. Ginnie should be with Mrs. Kelley setting up her stall, and Conrad should be at home. There's likely an ambush at the mine, or Gang members dispersed throughout town watching the targets. We have to decide, do we try to turn their ambush into one of our own?"Ruby says, "The thing is, it might make a difference as to what we do, depending on who has these letters.”  Minerva looks to Katherine and nods. "Si, We must find out who has the letters. I am sure that Your Senor Gonzales can find a safe haven for those who are less able to protect themselves. Kate says, “I'm for creating our own ambush. Jake mentioned earlier maybe starting a big book burning club where and when we say." She looks around at the face s of her friends, "We could be prepared with our scrolls, and I have this big rod thing that throws huge balls of fire..." Ruby grins. "I say we toast them. I'm tired of being scared for all of you." Minerva exclaims, “I agree, we should not allow ourselves to be cowed by the likes of Johnny Ringo. He is nothing more than a bully and like all bully's once you give in to him, you will always be held under his thumb. I do not care about his precious books. The sooner that we destroy them the better and him along with them." she says angrily.  She taps her finger on her chin "Perhaps we can use them as bait to lure him to an area where you have dispelled the magic. How big of an area could you dispel? Without his magic to hide behind he is nothing more than a cowardly man.” She then spits thinking of the wizards of her homeland.Ruby looks at Kate, "Did Mr. Gonzales say he was accompanying us on this little adventure?"  Kate answers, "I left right after you did, dear. I don't know. I'll stop in again and ask him when I go find Conrad and Ginnie. I'm not sure I understand the reason for burning the books? I know, they would be fakes, I'm just not sure what it accomplishes. You think Ringo would come out trying to save them? Or you just want him to think they're gone?"  Ruby emphatically states, "He's willing to kill six or your nearest and dearest for them, I think he'd try to stop us burning them, yeah. But let's hear all the other ideas people have, I want this over with."Chester says, "I haven't seen Eddie Palmer yet today. What makes you think Ringo is behind this?" Chester points to the note.  Ruby says, "Mr. Gonzalez and I matched it to some writing of Ringo's we had. Plus Kate got that letter." Jake hands Chester Kate's note. He looks it over. "That ties it. Is this something we need to tell the Marshall about? We're going to have to deal with this head on. Minerva listens as the others talk excitedly. "Letters with numbers on them? I received a letter this morning also, but Nanuet and Katherine rushed me out the door before I had a chance to open it." she says producing the letter and tearing it open.  She opens it. Inside it is a heavy-stock card, and on it written out in large fancy script is the word Four.  Ruby sighs, "Well, that's three I guess, Dorita, Jake and Minerva. What does it say?"Kate replies, "My only thought is what we've already discussed really. Someone goes out with a wagon, books in the back. Someone can pretend to be me, perhaps making most of us invisible. Draw Ringo out, perhaps by burning the books, and try to take him out. We have the scrolls now to dispel his magic, and Ruby has that rod that shoots fire.  I wish we could have tracked Ringo back to wherever they are living on Monday, but Conrad and I were already exhausted. We were lucky to escape."  Chester says, "Gormley gave me some sort of elixir that'll make a person invisible. Will that help? I have it in my room."Kate states, "If we bring the Marshals into it, we lose every advantage we might have. Ruby and I would be in jail for magic-use as soon as it was over. I never thought I'd say it, but just now I wish Wyatt Earp were still in the Marshall's office. That elixir will help, Chester. Thanks."Nanuet adds, "I have some powder from Kajaka that might help as well. If we can manage to moisten an area of the ground, and keep it moist, any magic brought into the area will be suppressed. Not the easiest thing to use, but maybe it could help, especially with an ambush. I am all for burning the books, the real ones or the fake ones or both. I don't know what is in them but if he is willing to kill us for them then lets get rid of them or at least make him think we did. If we can draw him out and take care of this business once and for all then so much the better. I am willing to do whatever it takes."Ruby says, "I will warn the Judge that Ringo is coming today but won't tell him any other details." Ruby again looks around the table. "I can make a couple of people invisible. There is a way to detect that though and someone like Ringo probably knows how to do it or has someone who can do it for him. Still, it's a good idea." Nanuet says, "We will have to worry about more than just Ringo. He is the most dangerous man, but he has companions. Could he give all of them the ability to see invisibility? If we can gain any edge over any of our enemies it is good idea."Ruby replies, "Well, Chester has a potion right? Anyone could have that, so yes, all his associates could have that ability I'm sure. Don't het me wrong I'm no expert but if you can make a potion to make someone invisible then I'm guessing you can make one to be able to see someone who is invisible."  Ruby stops her thoughts, "Hold on a second..."  Ruby walks over to the bar and asks Niles, "Has there been any mail left here for anyone today Mr. Hoover?"He replies, "That normally don't deliver mail on Saturday's, although I saw that Mr. Cook got a special delivery letter earlier."  "Yes, I know," is all Ruby comments before heading back to their table. "I guess special delivery means it goes right to the person, no letters were left here.  If we're going to make an ambush we have to make sure it's somewhere outside of town so no innocent people get in the way."Ruby says, "You need to understand something about the real books. The books are about magic, it's how he learns his spells and whatever else is in there, I don't even know. Giving him these books is giving him power. But... what happens if you try to burn a spell book?" Ruby shudders, "I don't know but I doubt it's good. I don't think we can take a chance burning the real books." "Johnny Ringo is more than a bully. He is a dangerous man, being ruled by the god of war, and he can kill every one of us.  We can't use the scrolls until after he is there. They need to be used on him. Now Nanuet's powder sounds like it works different than the scrolls, more of what you are speaking of. How much do you have Nanuet?"   Nanuet pulls out the small pouch given to him by Kajika. "Just this, I guess it can cover about a thirty-foot circle or so."  Ruby replies, "That wouldn't leave us much leeway with where we had to get Ringo or his men. And does it automatically dispel all the magic that someone has on them already?"Nanuet replies, "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."Jake rubs his eyes while speaking. "I am against going to exactly where he wants us to go, that is a setup. We might go near there, make him move. I also fear that he or his men will be able to see invisibility, but we could try that anyway. Just know that being invisible doesn't mean that no one can see you. Also we could put dynamite among the books for bargaining power or a trap." Jake looks up and around with a thin lipped expression. "Looks like we are getting ready to do battle. We need to find out who is with us and who is not." "A couple of more things to consider," Jake says fingering the chain that Red lent him in his pocket, "Ringo is most certainly in town. Who is to say that he can't do the same trick that Gonzalez was able to do with impersonating someone else. He could be someone new in town, there are plenty of those, or someone who lives here but has been replaced by him. Also, what do the letters mean? Does he intended to go after people in that order? Are the letters aimed at that person or all who live in that location? If we could figure that out we might understand something important and potentially useful." There are several "What?" and quizzical looks directed at Jake.  He states, "Who close to Katherine didn't get a letter and why?"Nanuet says, "I didn't get one, but I think they may be addressed to people more than locations. Maybe they have not all been delivered yet?"   Jake states, "Perhaps our Postmaster would let slip who got special deliver letters to someone? A persuasive young lady? Or perhaps one of our local law officers?"The corner of Ruby's lips rise slightly, "Would you like me to go find out if I have a letter waiting?" She looks at Kate's letter again. "It says associates. And Dorita got one. Perhaps Ringo is figuring on killing all of us anyway and he's moved on to Kate's other friends." The smile drops from her face. "Maybe it's better if Chester goes and uses the law to get the information. Mr. Palmer is rather fond of his job."Jake says, “We aren't asking Mr. Palmer to give away any secrets. The postmasters job is a matter of public record, we just want to know who he delivered special deliver letters to. As taxpayers he works for us, right?"  She says, "Oh? It's ok for him to tell us who he delivered mail to? Alright then, I'll go if you want me to." She looks at Jake with furrowed brows, "Do I pay taxes?" "Err, probably. Doesn't matter if you do or not, it's just what you are supposed to say."  Ruby still looks at him quizzically, "So I probably pay taxes but I should tell him I do and that will get him to tell me who he gave letters to?" Ruby tugs on her hair. "Maybe I ought to do it my way." "I am absolutely CERTAIN it would be better if you did it your way." Jake says smirking. "Ahhh," Ruby smiles at Jake, "But I have a jealous boyfriend now who might not like some of the old ways of doing things. Should I go now or later?" "We should go soon, we lack time. I'll follow you and keep and eye on you, but stay out of your hair." Ruby nods.</blockquote>

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