Midday, April 11th, 1879. Ward's Ranch. Good Friday.

Some mood music

((Carl, Gangatsu, John Smith, Augustus Spotswood (if he wants to jump in)))

The next couple of hours are spent in haste. Augustus' things are gathered, and a small buggy is readied to take him to this "hiding spot" Ward mentioned.

Ward himself spends the morning bawling out Dave, the Dust Adder everyone pointed to as behind the little mutiny that attempted to kill the bounty hunter.

Carl and Mike arrive back at the ranch, only to hear that Gus is trying to round up all the Dust Adders to have a talk in the bunkhouse.

Meanwhile, Dr. Ward invites Gangatsu and John Smith into his study upstairs. He pours himself a drink from a decanter of brandy, and offers some to the pair before getting down to business.

"So." he starts. "It seems that a storm is coming, but we have some time before it arrives. Please, feel free to ask any questions you may have. Though be aware that I will not tolerate any disrespect." he says this last with a pointed look at Gangatsu. "Now. What was it that you wanted to discuss?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:26, Wed 01 June 2011.

Carl turns Hoss into the corral, squints at the sky and gambles a little leaving her tack on the rail. Shotgun idly shouldered - though there's a message in that - he consciously shakes off the nagging feeling that he's forgotten something (Jesse again, not there), glances over to see what Mike's at and wanders to the bunkhouse.

He comes in the back, because it's closer. Wants to cough, doesn't. Has a good look at who all's in there.

John sits silently, he certainly hadn't expected to spend so much time here at the ranch but with his master still laid up he saw little choice in the matter. Though he was finding that, whatever the 'good' Doctors motivations he seemed to have a sort of code of honor he stuck to, John admired that. Having no questions at the moment he waited expectantly for Gangatsu to speak first as she was addressed first.

In reply to Carl (msg #2):

It seems like Gus has managed to gather the day shift and a goodly portion of the night shift together already. He has Dave firmly planted next to him...the man glowers at the crowd.

In the crowd are Mike, Jethro, Ned, Jack, Percy, Big Tom, Little Tom, Frank, Todd, Max, all three Johns, Slim, Al, Heavy Henry, Black Jeb, Tiny, Nick (also black), Felix, Don, Dishonest Abe (only ever called that because he has the misfortune to be white and named Abraham in the Confederacy), Elliot, both Eds (Edgar and Edward), and Joe That Spanish Prick (crouched low and away from Gus). Even Tex is there, looming in the background.

There are conspicuous spaces where Nathanial, Bill, Jesse, Charlie, and Luke should have been.

With Carl arriving, that makes 30 people crammed into the bunkhouse. Just under ten percent of Blackthorn's population.

Gus nods to Carl. "Glad you made it."

He turns his attention to the assembled once Carl has found a seat.

"Boys," he begins, "We got some problems we gotta take care of."

He launches in a rambling summary of the last few days, beginning with the escape of those damn Yankee bushwhackers to the arrival of several strangers made deputies by the Marshal, the ill-advised attack on the new deputies by some of the gang, the arrival of a goddamned Texas Ranger, the shootout at the funeral home, the near riot over the no-good rapin' Indian (Joe shrinks even further into the corner at this), the shaving of Katy Devon and the bar fight where a deputy was killed (this time Little Tom looks uncomfortable, though no names are mentioned), the Comanche attack, the undead mountain lion, and finally the scuffle with a fucking bounty hunter sniffing around where he shouldn't oughta.

"That's about the size o' it." He finishes. "The question now is...what are we all gonna do about it?"

Carl looks at Gus a moment, then returns his nod with a touch of hatbrim not quite as formal as to Ward but indicating some respect nonetheless. He settles up on his bunk to hear Gus out, setting down hat and gun and searching out his other shirt whilst Gus talks. There's something denser to the pain in his ribcage now, as though the rat clawing and biting at his innards went heavy with young.

He's still by the time Gus finishes, perched and attentive with one bootheel hooked on the edge of his bunk. Clears his throat (doesn't wince, barely, a taste of salt, copper) as quiet falls and gestures hat and badge, jabs a finger at his chest, nods to Jesse's empty patch, makes fierce eye contact with any that might argue.
"..."

Carl glances to Mike then around, points at the ground with a slight jerk of the head towards the house and holds up two fingers. Pushes his hair back and looks at Gus, expression flat and serious. "..."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:09, Sun 05 June 2011.

Gus nods. "Speak your piece, then, Carl."

A dog is jes' a wolf pretendin' to be your friend. His father's words, teaching him how to deal with farm dogs. Wolves see two kinds o' critter in the walkin' world: things like bigger wolves an' things they can eat. You got to think yourself big. Carl feels the attention on him and glances around. "..."

I am the biggest damn wolf in the world, he thinks, keeping his mind clear to convey what has to be said, and how. The gestures are swift, precise, feature the snake-sign often, ranch, town, Ranger, things rising up. He moves down and to the centre of the group as he "talks" like he has a right to. A gamble. The earth shakes under my paws, my shoulders brush the sky; fear these fangs.

"..."

Some of it sounds wild, but he's thought it all through, since last night and after what he said to Mike. Carl reaches for power for the good of the gang, daring. Hoping the spell of postured size and ferocity won't break and leave him just 5'7" of drunkard's son in the only state with a 5'10" average.

[[Translation: (sorry for the wall o' text, guys)
This is gonna be sacrilege - consider it my privilege as an un-Confirmed heathen - but I started thinkin’ after what I said to y’all [indicating Ned, Jack & Big Tom] last night. Ranger reckoned someone/thing was playing Ward like a fiddle to make this mess - I set her onto the Masons, keep her busy…an’ the Snake tried to silence me. That was why I came in pale, marked.

…and it’s got Nate. Used him as a distraction - figure it thought the Ranger’d buy a vengeful ghost turnin’ up co-inci-dentally pretty easy, maybe she did, but I knew him too well. Over in the valley he said he’d made a deal, wouldn’t die - wearin’ a black hat to a duel or anyhow. Turned on him like the Devil but it weren’t the Devil he made pact with - said “like Gus” - he made a pact with the Snake. Only it chose Ward over him an’ now his soul’s forfeit.

[claps to retain attention over murmuring that causes] Now to the point. The point - we all been thinking about the thing all wrong. It ain’t a science-power source, an’ it ain’t just some hocus-pocus spirit, deal and have done. It’s a fucking heathen god.

[time for the concept to start sinking in, but holding control]

That’s why it’s playing Ward, an’ how: he don’t see it, thinks it’s all accident. Energies. I think it let the bluecoats get sick, took all the healing in the cattle away ‘cept what “fixed” them to turn walker…an’ it wanted to give that to Ward to play with, like “see, it only affects people with Northern blood”…Ward’d see it as a bonus to healt cattle an’ sell ‘em on anyway, keep tryin’ to improve the method. Only the Yanks turned too soon, escaped, an’ Luke got kilt an’ came up (news to some of y’all) since somethin’ sparked him off, too - nearest theory we got is Rock dust, they all had recent exposure an’ Jethro’s cat was maybe in some cave ’round those parts. So it’s proved it ain’t really just Yankees, but anyone.

Why does it want deadders? If it’s a god of Injuns I see it goes like this - kill off everyone who (eats beef but) don’t bow-hunt buffalo, let them all turn walker an’ eat city folk…won’t be no cavalry left to save settlements like us from them. If it’s a god of snakes then, well, deadders got all the rat/bug-feeding of a corpse, make more corpses, don’t hunt snakes - win-win.

Ranger got to talk Ward out of this before he finds a way to make the energy what does the cattle-healin’ pass on without takin’ every beef to the circle each by each.

We want the Ranger to talk: distraction. Ward’ll stop an’ Snake’ll focus its attention on wheedlin’ him, not on us dumbass cowboys what don‘t know nothin’. We can contain this, maybe even turn it to our advantage, but only if we stick together, each for all. [glance at Dave] Even if Snake is here now [nods to Shaws] an’ any part o’ what I’m guessin’ is right, I’m no-one; it won’t get what I’m telling y’all.

[hasty point at Gus, who may be about to go off] You’re gon’ ask why an Injun/snake god lent y’all help - Ward ain’t gonna hire no heathen native, you’re pretty much all th’ opposite an’ right there to sell the Snake to him - a perfect bluff. [hard look, chancing it but if he can be heard out…] It ain’t interested in your bloodline or it woulda saved your mother. It played you, like Ward. Wanted y’all in Blackthorn.
[to everyone] We’re ahead of it. We took this land from the Injuns - god or demon, our God is stronger, we are stronger, we will fight, not run, and we will survive as Blackthorn has survived all the other hell we seen. Jes’ got to find out why Blackthorn to stop it happenin’ again.

Talk to old folks, injun-traders - whatever’s easy - find out what the hell we’re sat on an’ how to dig it out. Don’t panic, don’t talk too much. We got time an’ we will beat this to the ground. I got ideas.]]

While Gangatsu sits around collecting her thoughts, Abraham limps in. He has one arm in a sling.

Ward goes over to him, concerned. "Abraham, You should be resting."

"I know, sir." The man says. "But I have some news that couldn't wait." He looks at John. "The old man is awake, and he's asking for you."

In reply to Carl (msg #7):

Gus stares at Carl, teeth clenched. He turns a deep, deep red, and his hand grips the pistol on his belt. A rattle fills the air.

"That's a bold theory you got there," he growls. "What I wanna know is--and I want to hear you say this to my face, Carl--What I wanna know is are you callin' me an' Tex some kinda spies fer this thing?"

Carl shifts his weight a little in turning to face Gus properly, automatically bracing for any wayward blow. It's mildly amazing that he finds no nervousness in his resolve, but then he's dead - there's not much more Gus can do to him.

He meets the big man's eyes, makes a gathering gesture, points far down, up, touches an ear, traces the coils of a snake. "..."

Carl gives a very slight frown, indicates 'snake' again, something small, thrown away, points to Gus' chest, then looks at him, quiet and serious. "?"

At his words and the pointed look, Gatsu was starting in on a minor scowl and radiated a bit of dire fury for the man, but it was subsided as she took a glance at John. That bastard could stay so cool and collected.  He reached inner peace so easily and never wished to accost others... Unfortunately she wished she was a little more calm like him, like Zang, like- Kahn.. She took in a breath and was trying to bring down the sethering inferno she seemed to have after the death of her husband. She closed her eyes for a moment and then looked to the man with a bit more calm.

" Doctor Ward.." She started and- it was her last as Abraham entered with a limp. He spoke about some old man being awake. There was no given name. " What old man?" She looked pointedly to Doctor Ward for a moment and then her eyes widen a bit as she shot a look to the servent. Gangatsu leapt to her sandals with a concerned flair, her coolie falling off her jet black hair with the motion. " You mean Master Zang?"

John bolted upright and made to head out the door before he remembered himself. In this society, with particular people, manners were at the least, appreciated. He was fairly certain Dr. Ward was one of those people. He'd turn and face the doctor nodding his head "If you'll excuse me sir." he said and then to Gangatsu he said "I believe he does indeed." once it seemed polite to do so he would follow Abraham to his Master, assisting him if he looked like he needed it.

John bolted up with her and looked to her to confirm it. Honestly she never thought of Master Zhang as being 'old' unless she was scolding his perverse antics. For a moment she seemed uncertain if she should follow John and hear what the old man has to say and then she looked to Ward for a moment and the woman was at a crossroads. A rare occasion.

" Tell him I'm here, John. Be d'here when I can.." And With that, she moved to the door as he headed out and closed it behind the Butler and John.  Standing there for a moment, she had a sinking feeling but brushed it off and decided to return to a spot infront of Ward's Desk.

" Ya offered ta hide Augustus in that ol mining cove. There's a beast down there made from the flesh and bone of all that died there. But it dun't attack any of your dead fellas. It might not be yer fault directly, I'll admit I was startin ta see dat all now.. But the Snake, it's been growing due to fools feedin' it dominion over there lives, dealing with it fer power. It's here, only as a shadow o itself, 'cus someone put a crack in it's seal. The how is.. Unknown... The beast, once sleepin, is now dreamin.. If things keep going, there's gunna be hell ta pay if it wakes up. I aim ta make damn sure it won't rise.."  She pulled up her sheathed katana, leaning her hip on the heavy desk as she looked at it for a moment in favor. The thought of killing the doctor had crossed her mind, but what stayed her hand was the thought that she could be wrong.

" So.. I do need yer help. " She spoke a touch forcibly. " Your touched by it too, ain't you? I know ya are. Ya do it to sway people, to make them listen, tell da truth, calm down.. To a shrewd bussinessman like yerself, so I hear, dat's a powerful fukin asset..." She spoke with a comtemplative curiousity and naturally unapologetic as green eyes looked upon him and nodded slightly. " Would you Kindly.. Nice touch. Reckon dat be a good phrase, properly spoken and that strange.. Tingling dip that occurs.. Handl'd dat bounty hunter rather well.. Or should I say it was that silver amulet in your pocket."  She leaned down on the desk with one hand on the desk and the other kept her sword perpared at her hip.

" Wa'did'ja pay ta get dat amulet?.. I'm curious.."

Abraham leads John upstairs to the guest room, where the old master is laying in bed. He raises his head to look at his visitors, and gives them a small smile.

"Ah." He says in Chinese. "It is so good to see you again, here in the hour of my death."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:39, Mon 13 June 2011.

In reply to Gangatsu (msg #13):

Ward listens to her, and smiles faintly. "An interesting number of deductions you have made there, Miss Gangatsu. You are wrong in a number of particulars, but I can see that you have a keen grasp of some concepts. Allow me to enlighten you further."

"The amulet is simply a focus. It has no intrinsic properties. It is a useful tool, the way a hammer is useful to a carpenter. This particular piece was granted to me when I attained the rank of Malviosin in the Enlightened Society of the Weeping Moon. In one regard, you could say I paid nothing for it. In another, you could say I paid several years doing good works and learning the mysteries the Society teaches.

"I understand your concern for Augustus' safety. I share it. I'm not sending Augustus out to the part of the mine the bone fiend was spotted. There's a small shack inside the mine the foreman used as an office...he should be safe there without any need for him to venture deeper."

"As for the Serpent, believe me when I say that I have no intention of seeing it loosed on the world. It has dark designs that I have no intention of furthering. The crack you mentioned was caused by the Wendell Mining Company's recklessness. Once I'm finished drawing what I need from the serpent, I have the means to renew the seal, so there is no need to worry."