The six riders rein their mounts, watching as Daniel Knight races north to intercept them. As the young Knight slows his horse, the men can see he's injured. His left arm is in a makeshift sling, while dark splotches cover much of his shirt.

For a moment, it seems he's falling from the saddle. He regains control and reins in the mount. The Paiute guide and friend of the Knights slides off Sam and moves quickly to help young man dismount.

"I kept the faith, holding on until you returned." He glances at each of the men, a look of pain and hope in his eyes.

"The LORD is righteous in all his ways, And holy in all his works," he gasps, before swooning.

OOC: Obviously, the heroes may act as well, dismounting to help Daniel or taking some other action. Post freely, and make any rolls if you are doing something requiring one.
This message was last updated by the GM at 12:29, Sat 03 June 2023.

In reply to Daniel Knight (msg # 1):

Jacob halted his horse at Red Shirt's signal, and eyed the oncoming rider with interest. Soon enough the Paiute had identified the newcomer as Daniel Knight.

"Somethin' ain't right," the Texican muttered under his breath when he saw how Knight was slumped in the saddle. As the young man came closer, it was clear that he was dealing with injuries -- to his arm at the least, and perhaps more.

Jake quickly dismounted. Trusting his own horse not to wander off, the rifleman moved over to steady Knight in the saddle, then to help him dismount -- the Texican was prepared to support most of the young man's weight, if necessary.

---

OOC:
12:50, Today: Jacob Richardsen rolled 7,9 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,(6+3)9.  Athletics Check re: Helping Daniel Knight.

Comments: It seemed to me that an Athletics Check might be in order re: aiding Daniel Knight get down out of the saddle.

Padre watched as Mr Richardsen helped the seemingly injured Knight off his horse.

Amen. Good to hear The Word.

Padre hesitated for a second. He looked at his Pards and said
As comforting as that is, I have seen too many people act wickedly under the guise of The Word.

Padre paused again and then added quickly

Myself included.

Padre eyed the seemingly injured Daniel Knight hoping to see what was wrong or what had happened.

OOC:

20:21, Today: Albert (Padre) Juhasz rolled 8,4 using D8+2,D6+2, rerolling max ((6,2)). Notice Roll on Daniel Knights Injuries. –
This message was last edited by the player at 20:57, Sun 04 June 2023.

In reply to Albert (Padre) Juhasz (msg # 3):

Jake and Red Shirt leap to Daniel's aid before Tracy can dismount. His mind still pondering the mysteries of the caves, it took a moment for Windham to return his attention to the present.

As his pards assist the young Knight, the investigator studies his horse, looking for any signs of what had occurred.

OOC:

06:58, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 2,5 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 2,5.  Notice, horse.

In reply to Albert (Padre) Juhasz (msg # 3):

Earnest also dismounts, he pauses to answer Parde…

We know this young man... He is definitely with the Lord!

He grabs some first aide items from his saddlebag before moving to tend to the young Knight.

13:19, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 1,4 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 1,4.  Healing - Daniel Knight.
13:20, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 3,5 using d10,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,5.  Healing - Daniel Knight, free reroll.

The six men react in various ways to Daniel's appearance.

Jake and Red Shirt help the young Knight down from his horse, supporting his frame as Daniel's body goes limp. They set him down gently, making sure to cradle his head and protect his limbs.

As Padre rambles a mite nervously, Earnest dismounts and joins the Texican and the Paiute, beginning an examination. Padre stands close by, studying the situation.

They all see a makeshift sling over a dressed wound, now soaked red. Somewhat haphazard, the bandage, but effective enough to slow bleeding and stabilize the patient. In the professor's estimation, Daniel probably treated himself -- and it's been hours since he did it. Maybe even a full day. Unless the bullet is still in Daniel's arm, there's nothing more to be done except help the boy recover naturally. Ringgenberg decides not to disturb the dressing, at least for the moment.

Padre makes connections now, this is Daniel Knight, first son of the owner of the Four O'Clock Ranch in Grafton. Important members of the Nouveau Zion community, Padre knows, and a pious family.

Daniel's eyes begin to flutter. He's coming around. The swoon was likely the result of a sudden burst of energy, Earnest thinks, upon a fatigued and wounded young fellow.

Meanwhile, Tracy takes a closer look at Daniel's mount. It isn't one of the Knights' horses, at least not one the investigator has ever seen. Windham doesn't seen any sign of injury; the mare looks quite fit and able, if a bit old. There is a smear of blood on its neck and mane, but to the Californian's eyes, it looks like Daniel's blood has rubbed upon the kid during the ride to intercept the six heroes.

OOC: The Judge will reset Bennies at the conclusion of the scene with Daniel. If you have extras in hand, spend freely when making any current rolls during this encounter.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 6):

Seeing him start to come around, Earnest speaks gently.

What has happened Daniel? How did you end up like this?

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 6):

Now that the pards had gotten the Knight lad down off of his horse and the Perfesser was tending to him, Jake straightened up and glanced around. Then he moved over to where his horse was standing, rummaged around in his saddle-bags for a moment, then pulled out his field glasses.

Picking out the highest elevation that would give him a good view of the direction that Daniel Knight had come from, the Texican put his field glasses to his eyes and took himself a look-see.

~I'd feel plumb tetched in the head if whosomever shot up that lad has some men a-ridin' his back-trail, an' they was able to catch us with our britches down . . . all a'cause I din't have the sense to look ah-round a mite.~

---

OOC:
10:06, Today: Jacob Richardsen rolled 4,4 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 4,4.  Notice Check: Watching Daniel Knight's Back-Trail.

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 8):

Tracy notices Jake remove his field glasses, dismounts, and joins him. He hoped to add his survival expertise to the Texican's observation. The investigator removes his spyglass and surveys the area as well.

OOC:

12:17, Today: Tracy Windham rolled 9,1 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of (8+1)9,1.  Survival, survey with Jake.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 7):

"Professor Ringennberg! Thank the Lord, it is you. I thought maybe I was dreaming."

The young man gathers himself, groaning a mite as he sits up.

"It's bandits," he starts, unleashing a torrent of scattered thoughts in between deep breaths. It's evident Daniel is parched, but he continues, his words as dry as dust.

"They took Grafton, killed the sheriff ... moved on to Rockville, that's where I was. We tried to do something about it. We failed," he says, looking at his wounded arm as if to remind himself of it, as his voice cracks. "I got away, and borrowed Mr. Flynn's mare. Rode to warn ... Springdale, kept going. Been praying I would find you ..." he says, now coughing and swallowing hard.

It looks like Daniel wants to say more. As he shows further signs of fatigue, swooning momentarily, he gets out only one word. "Water?"

EDIT: Fixing misspelling
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:18, Mon 12 June 2023.

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 8) and Tracy Windham (msg #9):

The rifleman and the investigator fetch their devices and find a good vantage point to scan the area to the south, from whence Daniel Knight came.

They see some drifting and lingering dust from the lad's ride, but neither of them see any signs of anyone following the young Knight. As far as they can tell, there's no immediate danger. Windham does notice one additional thing: a nearly dispersed cloud of dust to the southwest, drifting over a bluff up a sandy hill. The bluff appears to provide a good place to watch over the trail towards the rim. The Californian wagers that's where Daniel came from, once he focuses on what looks like a short switchback trail from the bluff down towards the mesa where the six pards pulled up.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 11):

Padre pulls a canteen off of Genny's saddle and opens it.

Easy, son. Here. Breathe.

Padre nears the canteen to Mr Knight's mouth and begins to slowly tip it in. Pulling back so as not to drown the injured man but letting Mr Knight indicate when he was ready for more.

Steady yourself, son.

How many were there?


OOC
Unsure if a roll was necessary for this, judge to adjudicate. Also happy to burn a benny if necessary to "find a full canteen", assumed restock happened when we met and camped with RS.