Ellis nods and departs, leaving the two healers in the company of the inert form of O’Folliard. Winter places her hand on his chest, feeling for the almost indetectible beat of his heart. She looks to Tamsin. ”The people that you went with to find the children. Do you think any of them could be trusted with this secret?”

Ellis returns with a young, red haired woman. ”This here’s Miss Kearney. She’s a mustanger. Good people. Has family in San Patricio. She’s helped out a time or two when things have taken a bad turn here in town.”

”We’ve all met,” Kearney says with a friendly smile. ”I understand we’re takin’ Tom here to a hidin’ spot east of town. If you two would be willin’ to drive the cart, I can ride ahead, make sure no one sees us. Handle any trouble that might crop up.”

”We can do that,” Tamsin says with a nod to Aileen before turning back to Ellis. She softened her voice. ”Does anyone else know he’s still alive? And when should we expect him to wake?”
This message was last edited by the player at 05:39, Sat 20 Oct 2018.

”I think Miss Thornton was in on the secret,” Ellis says, ”But outside of her, Kate, and those of us here, I don’t think anyone else is aware.”

He glances over at O’Folliard. ”Way Doc explained it, he should wake up in a couple of hours or so. I kinda figured it wise if we moved him out of Lincoln before then. I just didn’t want to risk anyone catching sight of him walkin’ around. But he’ll need someone there when he comes to. I reckon he’ll be mighty confused.”

“I’ll do my best to keep it that way,” Tamsin says. “Yes, best to clear Lincoln before then. I don’t want to have to explain to anyone why our cart is making human noises, either.”

The three women and Ellis move Tom O'Folliard's still form into the cart. Ellis covers it with a canvas tarp, then places a handful of empty burlap sacks atop it, the sort that might be used to collect gathered plants.

Kearney discusses the destination with Ava Winter, then collects her mount, leading the group east. Tamsin finds that Mr. Ellis' cart is sturdily constructed, but provides for an occasionally jolting ride on the uneven road. The air remains cool, the tall pines flanking the path providing plentiful shade.

Just as Winter tells Kearney that they are nearing the point where they will need to turn northward, a rider appears on the trail, traveling west toward Lincoln. He is tall and lean, his features partially obscured beneath the wide brimmed hat he wears.

"Afternoon!" he calls in greeting.

”Good afternoon,” Tamsin calls in reply. ”Off to Lincoln?”

The rider draws closer. Peeking out from beneath his duster, River spies a silver star pinned to his shirt, identifying him as one of the deputies serving under the Lincoln County Sheriff. His tan face is covered with several days worth of stubble. He regards the group with curious frown.

Nodding he says, ”I am headed into town, matter of fact. Comin’ back in from helpin’ a farmer that lives out east a piece find one of his horses. He thought the thing had been stolen.”

His gaze falls on the cart. ”And what takes you ladies out this way?”

OOC: Tamsin, give me a Notice roll, please.

03:18, Today: Tamsin River rolled 5,5 using d6,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 5,5.  Notice.

“Stolen? I’m sorry to hear that,” Tamsin says. ”We’re the herbalists. Miss Winter is showing me where to go when I need to get some of the more wild herbs we use. Some of them don’t grow well outside of their particular field.”

River notices Aileen Kearney visibly tense when she recognizes the rider. The mustanger manages a smile as he draws nearer and says, "I'm just along to make sure they don't run across any trouble. With the problems we've had with the wolves lately, it seemed the smart thing to do."

"Sure. That's sensible," the deputy agrees. Peering at the cart again, he asks, "You lookin' for anything in particular?"

That was not a good sign. But Tamsin had dealt with worse, hadn’t she?

”Anything I can use, but no particular herbs, no. Although if you do know where I can find anything in particular, my ears are always open.”

The deputy looks back to River, considering. ”Well, I admit I’m in the habit of picking spearmint out on the trail. I’m fond of chewin’ the leaves. I saw quite a few patches of it a little ways east. I think I saw some goldenseal, too. But I’m no expert.”

His curiosity seeming to lessen, he adds. ”Well, you ladies be careful. Make sure you’re back in before dark. You know what night it is.” He tips his hat to the group.

”We’ll take a look sometime. Both are useful, so if we can keep conditions optimal for them, all the better.” Tamsin gives him a wave in farewell. ”Of course. Thank you.”

She waits for him to leave, stealing a glance at Aileen.

The deputy urges his horse forward at a slow trot. After a few moments, he is out of view.

Kearney lets out a slow breath. "That was Wrias Raines," she explains to River and Winter, "Almost everyone around here suspects that he's in Lawrence Murphy's pocket. That he's not to be trusted."

"Rumor is, he's been prety brutal with some of the prisoners at the jail."

Tamsin frowns. “Better get moving before he thinks up any more questions. He seemed awfully interested in our cart.”

"I agree. The quicker we're on our way...and away from him, the better," Winter says.

For the remainder of the journey, the only company the three women have is the whisper of the cool wind as it travels through the pines and the occasional buzz of a passing hummingbird. Kearney manages to locate the cave, largely screened by a grouping of blue spruce. It is empty, as expected, the dark aperture continuing back into the earth for almost twenty feet. A shelf of rock on the left of the small cavern provides what could serve as a reasonable bunk. From nearby, the women can hear the sound of the Rio Bonito's flowing waters.

Glancing back into the cart, River notices a few slow movements from beneath the canvas tarp, suggesting that Tom O'Folliard is beginning to awaken.

Tamsin is uneasy for the rest of the trip, the arrival at the cave bringing relief- nothing else had happened. The cave certainly did look like a good place to keep him safe; tucked far enough away, and in a hidden enough space that no one was likely to find it, water nearby just like Ava had said.

Tamsin’s head quirks at the noise. ”We got here at the right time,” she says, dismounting to go to the cart. ”Tom? It’s Tamsin River, the flower girl. We’re going to take care of you,” she said gently, moving to slowly uncover his face as she did so. Once one person got you in the face during a fever you knew to be careful.

O’Folliard groans, one hand settling on his forehead. He blinks up at River, then glances around at his surroundings. ”Miss River? I heard of you. You’re...you’re the lady what fixes folks up with plants. I...”

“Ma’am where am I? And how is it you’re takin’ care of me?”

“We’re on a cave far enough out of town that no one should find us,” Tamsin says. ”Well..
 do you remember what happened?

”There was a lady. Never seen her before. But she’d been hired out to do me in. Only, rather than do the deed, she just wanted to make it look like it had happened. I was mighty thankful for that. Seems she’s tryin’ to get in good with Jesse Evans. Find out what he and his people are plannin’.”

He sits up, rolling his shoulders stiffly. ”Then, I think Doc put me to sleep. He can do that. But I don’t rightly know how. And that’s the last I recall.”

He frowns at River. ”I’m sure appreciative for you takin’ me to a safe place, ma’am. But...if I might ask, why’d you do it? Why risk your neck for someone like me?”

Tamsin listens, nodding along with the story. “That’s the same story I heard. That’s good,” she says. She pauses at his question, almost startled by it. “Like you said, I fix folks with plants. Never turned away anyone who’s asked, and I was asked to take care of you “

O’Folliard nods, his expression one of earnest gratitude. ”Well I’m obliged to you, ma’am. Later on, when some of this trouble’s at an end, if there’s anything this cowhand can do for you or your friends, you just have to ask.”

The three women are able to arrange a modest shelter for O’Folliard in a short space of time. Ava Winter makes certain that the young man understands where he is in relation to the river, so he can fetch water as the need arises. Tamsin River schools the ranch worker on the two types of berries that grow nearby that are safe to eat, along with the other variety that isn’t. Aileen Kearney gathers some pine needles and leaves to line the stone shelf of the cave, transforming it into a serviceable bed. The mustanger also supplies O’Folliard with a bag of jerked beef and hardtack.

Winter and River are able to gather goldenseal, yarrow, and amaranth. They place the plants in the cart in plain view, in case they encounter another curious soul on their return trip to Lincoln. Kearney indicates that the cave is along one of the routes she takes to seek horses and that she will check on O’Folliard the following day. O’Folliard asks if the mustanger can bring him a bottle of whiskey.

Kearney leads the group back along the trail to Lincoln. Above, the sky has begun to grow dark with the coming of evening. ”We get back to town, we need to get indoors. The wagon train rolls through tonight.”

“Miss Thornton lets some folks she trusts hole up in her saloon for the evening. It’s a good place to the pass the time. And it’s safe.”

Within a short time, Lincoln’s Main Street, shadowed with dusk, rolls into view.