In reply to Cole Trayne (msg # 456):

"All right," Jake replied, "let's us skedaddle."

"We're headin' down to the beach to Mr. Xu's meetin' place, right? I'd say we oughtta pro-ceed at a pretty brisk pace, but maybe not so fast as to draw the attenchunn of people who ain't lookin' for us, specific-like."

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 452):

JEB continues the current course.

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 458):

In an attempt to compensate for his recently compromised hearing, the wrangler stares at Jake, watching his lips closely while the rifleman speaks to him.

With that, Cole leads the group along the most obscured route north he can find. He initially sets the pace at a light trot (1x) to ensure he and his fellow ranch hand Luke, have securely tied their dead comrades to the mounts. Once the wrangler is satisfied, he will gradually increase speed to a faster trot (2x).

Cole holsters his sidearm and grabs his spencer. Once again mindful of his speaking volume, Cole is careful when he replies.

Yup, that's the plan. But, not straight-away. I want to put some distance between us and them there lookouts on the ridge first. North for a bit, then turn east to meet the others on the beach. Hopefully, they got an extra boat. Might give us a choice about these bodies. 

In reply to Cole Trayne (msg # 460):

The three laden horses circle the brewery, heading north, led by the wrangler. Before long, the riders find they are entering an area full of brambles. The horses can pass, but both Cole and Jake figure they will get scraped or worse if they attempt to go farther.

They must turn west towards the road or east towards the shore, or risk damage to the mounts.

OOC: the horses will need to make fort save or tkae damage if the men don't alter their course.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 461):

Cole leads the group to the east.

JEB continues to lead the column north along the shore, towards the northern rocky point. Mixed in with the sounds of the night and feet in the sand, the lawman believes he hears his pards in conversation. His focus is ahead, as Beauregard estimates the column will reach the point in another minute or so, and then navigation will become more difficult while passing through the rocky outcropping. Single file will be required, and the women may need guidance. Men wearing boots had no issues, when proceeding with caution, he remembers from his hike with Travis when they had originally scouted this stretch of the basin . . . yesterday. Barefoot women negotiating the rocks is another matter.

Artemus had raised questions as the men caught him up on events before he found them in the aftermath of the battle at the rocky point. Art and ENS continue the conversation, as the column approaches the rocky outcropping ahead. So far, neither the professor nor the gunslinger has allayed the survivalist's concerns, seemingly.

Cole, Jake and Luke ride the three horses, which also carry the three dead posse members. The wrangler and the rifleman must be wondering what they will do with the bodies. Do the men have family in town? Any kin or pards that will wonder why they've turned up missing? Of course, it's likely that someone at the ranches knew what Barnes and the others were doing when they responded to Cole and JEB's request for aid and support. Loose ends, nonetheless. Turning east away from the brambles, the riders find themselves temporarily riding long the ridge line and then easing down the slope to a good stretch of footing between the ridge and the water. Ahead, maybe  a quarter mile, all three of the men see the column of marching women under the moonlight. Hard to miss them -- if anyone else was observing the shoreline, from nearby hills, further north or south along the beach or maybe even the third floor of the Albion, they would probably spot the dozens of bodies marching orderly and no reaching a rocky outcropping ahead. At their current easy pace, the riders will catch up eventually.

JEB takes in the rocky outcropping ahead, considering options for crossing. He reminds himself that it was full daylight when he and Travis made the journey.

OOC: The Judge is moving ahead. Please continue conversation, knowing there was only a minute or so of time left to talk before reaching rocky obstacle. JEB needs to declare whether and how he continues (e.g., is he stopping the column to rest as was suggested earlier in conversation with ENS? Is he re-organizing the women and continuing, something else?). As a reminder, JEB, Travis and ENS have passed through this terrain before. In daylight, it posed no issues for men treading carefully. For ease of play, we will assume Art has been to this point as well, in his previous walkabouts to fish or hunt along the basin. Maybe this was his northern border; he knows what lies beyond (the southern end of town is not far away, with more fisherman than further south).

As I recall, Jake has been here, too, but not Cole, if memory serves. The Judge will double-check those facts. As it stands, the riders are a few minutes behind at the current pace.

In reply to Artemus Carson (msg # 457):

ENS continues.

Mr. Xu, the chinaman who hired us, assured us they would be safe... but gave us no details about what would become of them.


OOC: I looked back in early ch 17 and this is all I came up with... does anyone recall if there was any further elaboration later?

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 463):

The Judge had this backwards for Cole and Jake.

Travis & JEB passed by Xu's beach during their first scouting of the beaches.
ENS, Travis, and Cole returned to that beach and spoke with Mr. Li, who was Mr. Xu's representative (see chapter 18 # 252).

Jake is the only PC, among the five that took Xu's mission, who hasn't traversed the northern rocky point and visited Mr. Xu's beach. But he has heard about it when the men inhabited the Albion and shared information.

See previous message.

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 464):

Hm. Art looks back towards Travis. So my new mate's mate's associate's acquaintance assures it's on the up-and-up.

He pauses...

Okay, good enough for me.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 463):

"Yonder's the wimmin," Jake called to Cole as he caught sight of the column moving on foot ahead of them.

"Let's us join up with them."

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 463):

JEB slows the pace to half speed so the women can ensure stable footing.

Jake, Cole and Luke finally catch up to the column as it has stretched out to single file at an even slower pace.

JEB, farther ahead has already entered the rocky terrain, with the first half-dozen or so of the women following close behind.

Although, their mounts had settled into a canter, the three riders now see a real obstacle ahead. The rocky terrain, which Cole remembers from his visit there earlier this day, is ill-suited for riding. Either of the veterans of the trail figures he could easily lead his own horse through, picking a safe path through slowly, even encumbered. Towing the skittish stable-kid with the two dead men is less certain.

The riders reach the professor, the gunslinger and the survivalist -- all three who have continued conversing as they approached the rocky point and now begin to slow theirs steps to match the pace of the women, and utimately Beauregard, in front of them.

OOC: Everyone except JEB may converse. As no one has called for ftb since the question was raised a few days ago, and in fact, players posted with continued game narrative and speech, the Judge is continuing.

A statement of action is needed from each PC as to whether, when, how they are traversing the rocky terrain towards the beach.

The Judge was going to require a Ride check for Jake or Cole attempt to ride their mounts through the rocky terrain; however, both characters can make the check by taking 10 even though I set the DC relatively high with a circumstance minus (nice bonuses on both ride PC ride skills, pards). If you attempt to tow the stable-kid, the Judge will adjudicate a check at that time.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 470):

The wrangler slows the pace of the mounts to match the rest of the group that is on foot.

Cole turns his head slightly allowing him to speak over his shoulder in low tones.

Luke, hop off here and guide that there horse on foot. Don't want to take any chances.


OOC: Cole will stay mounted and take 10.

In reply to Artemus Carson (msg # 467):

ENS rubs his chin and then speaks.

I'll admit there is a fair bit of good faith being given here Mr. Carson, but our group has had a couple chances to check things and we haven't found cause to doubt anything that we've been told.

He looks towards the front of the column.

it looks like we've reached the rocky point... I'm going to go up there to help the women cross.

Unless there's further conversation, ENS will hurry to the front to help as described.

OOC: Thanks for the reference Judge! I thought there had been some follow-up on the subject!

That's two of the six PCs, plus the NPC and stable-kid as spoken for by Trayne.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 470):

Travis intends to serve as the rearguard.  He slows to allow the riders to dismount and lead their horses.  When the last of the party and their charges, equine and feminine, move on Travis will follow.

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg # 474):

Art watches as the previously winded Gunslinger says nothing else in response to his ruminations.

Sometimes silence speaks volumes.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 470):

Jake reined in his mount and waited until Luke had the reins of the horse carrying the dead bodies and followed Cole over the rock-studded terrain.

Then the Texan carefully followed, guiding his mount where necessary, but generally letting the horse take its time and choose its own path.

OOC: Jake will take 10 on the Ride Check.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 473):

OOC: Everyone has stated an action. It's fair to say that JEB started the action with his statement to reduce speed and continue leading the column. The Judge has no objection to JEB saying more, or clarifying, but the Judge will move on later today in any case.

Sheriff Beauregard leads a single file line of the women through the rocky terrain. His skills as a navigator have proven valuable many times in his travels, none more so than tonight. During the day, when the lawman and the gunslinger had passed through this area, things were easier. The jagged terrain requires a certain level of concentration, which was easily met by two veteran travelers with sunlight as an ally. In the moonlight, with thirty young women in his care, JEB finds himself slowing nearly to a crawl. The early formation of fog begins to complicate matters. Through it all, Beauregard picks a steady pass through the uneven shoreline. Glancing towards the water on his right, he wonders if traversing the water here were a possibility, but it is too late now to change course.

Professor Ringgenberg says a final word to the survivalist, then speeds ahead with the intent to help JEB. By the time he has moved past two-thirds of the women, the easterner finds it impossible to press ahead further. The single file line with the sheriff at the lead is picking a careful path through the craggy point. ENS remembers his previous passage. It had required concentration but evinced no obstacles for a group of experienced men. Even though the women had demonstrated fortitude -- probably a trait that had helped them to survive through their ordeals -- the professor thought it wise for JEB to be slowing the pace. Now, Ringgenberg finds himself tenth or eleventh in the line, following closely behind the girls in front of him, glancing over his shoulder for any that might need help scaling a large rock or stepping across a long divide. It's slow going, but so far, so good.

Luke Hadden dismounts as per the wrangler's orders. He walks the stable kid, taking a place in line after the last of the Chinese girls. The benefits of that decision quickly become clear, as the kid balks shortly into the rocky terrain and nearly skids a hoof off a slippery rock. Luke manages, calming the gelding sufficiently enough to convince him to follow the young women ahead.

Jake Richardson and Cole Trayne elect to stay in the saddle. As they witness the stable-kid balk and then finally take to the rocky path while laden with two corpses, the rifleman and the wrangler wonder whether their decisions were wise. Still, both men are accomplished in the saddle. Even at this pace, they find it requires most of their concentration. Although neither man knows the other is thinking the same -- and neither speaks these particular thoughts aloud -- both are glad for the slow crossing, as the terrain proves dangerous with the aid only of the moon. It occurs to both Cole and Jake that if they were to need to defend against weapons in this situation, they would find themselves in powerful difficulty.

Travis Sunday and Artemus Carson maintain an awkward silence at the rear. The gunslinger had declined to engage in the conversation, keeping his focus on the business at hand and slowing to allow everyone else precede. That is, everyone but the survivalist, who kept some thoughts to himself even after sharing others, lingering at the rear still near his old pard, Travis. As the two men bring up the rear of the column, entering the rocky pass after the horses, they take a last glance behind them and judge the coast to be clear, as it were.

After a few minutes, JEB and the women in the front gain easier footing as the terrain returns to a more sandy shoreline. The party begins to reassemble as ENS reaches the sandy ground, with another half of the women still to finish the crossing, not to mention the horses and the other men.

The lawman and the professor hear a voice, speaking Mandarin. Beauregard, who has a knack for languages but has never learned Mandarin, believes he understands the words -- having heard many speaking the language in recent days.

"Good. Now hurry," says Mr. Lu, emerging from the shadows and taking JEB's place in the lead. He begins to stride purposefully northward, towards the beach where ENS spoke to Mr. Li -- and where they first found Mr. Xu's longboat.

OOC: The stable-kid will take 5 points of damage during the crossing. Cole, make a Fort saving throw +5 for the kid to take half-damage.

Please state actions (follow Lu, do something else, speak, etc.)

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 478):

Stable Kid Fort Save: 22

As soon as there is sufficient room at either side of the column of women, Cole will make a hand gesture for Jake to take the ocean-side (right) flank while Cole takes the land-side (left).

In case the rifleman has something else in mind, the wrangler won't actually execute the maneuver until he receives a visual confirmation from Jake signifying agreement.

Luke continues to follow the column with the stable kid in tow.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 478):

ENS stops at the rocky area's far edge and helps the women along; encouraging them in mandarin: Follow the others, we're almost there!

Once the women are through, he will follow the column to the gathering point.

In reply to Cole Trayne (msg # 479):

Jake gave Cole a silent hand-wave in acknowledgement and took up a position on the ocean side of the column. The Texan didn't see any benefit from forcing the pace, so he halted the horse and sat quietly, still as a statue in the moonlight.

Mr. Lu continues to lead the column north, along the shoreline of the India Basin, now a ways north of Hunter's Point and the Albion brewery. Another couple of minutes pass as the men, women and horses walk at a brisk pace.

Ahead, JEB and ENS see the longboat on the beach with the small cove where the professor and others had met some of Mr. Xu's men, including the businessman's representative, Mr. Li. Initially, it seems as if no one is there near the boat, but after several more seconds of following Xu's highbinder, they spot some shadowy human forms around the cove, under the moonlight.

The men on the horses and at the rearguard of the column take in the same scene -- witnessing the longboat and then eventually some human forms around the cove -- a dozen or so seconds later.

OOC: The Judge will wait roughly 48 hours for PCs to log in and post before continuing. For anyone who doesn't state differently, the Judge will assume that the PCs continue to follow Mr. Lu to the cove and beached longboat.