Randy rested the night, or a close approximation of rest, in Ayasha's room.  He "slept" against the door to ensure they both remained safe.

After he made his visit to the dining room and returned to her room, the big lug cleaned up her chamber pot and swabbed her brow.  Her pallor is slightly better, at least in the light of morning instead of oil lamp.

Soon after, the pugilist-for-play seeks out those at the hotel that have been so helpful and discreet, Mrs. Swartz and Teddy.  He explains his situation to the matron, "I ain't quite sure when them fellers will get back.  I has to be up at the Frontier for rehearsal from 2 o'clock 'til about 5.  After being back here for a bit, I'll have to go back for the show.  While I'm off doing all that stuff, I could sure use your help lookin' in on Ayasha, please.  I know Travis and my pals'll be real generous for all the help.  If they ain't, I'll make 'em be." Randy gives a good and earnest grin.

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg #969):

"Howdy," says one of the Indians.

Up close, Travis can see these men aren't Cheyenne or Comanche or Apache. Regardless, he can't identify them. They are short warriors, dressed in buckskins that seem rather lightweight for the season.

In reply to Randy Oldman (msg #970):

Mrs. Swartz assures Mr. Oldman that they will look after Ayasha in the afternoon and evening, if Mr. Sunday hasn't returned on time.

For now, Randy returns to his post, by Ayasha's side.

Cole casually, and as discretely as possible,  scans the surrounding area.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg #971):

My name is Travis Sunday and I'm looking for the Tonkawa tribe.  I have life or death business to talk with them about. 

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg #974):

ENS mounted Amadeus and joined Travis and Cole, glad for the opportunity; on the way he informed them that he didn't think they were Commanche or any other tribe he had studied, but he couldn't be completely sure.

As they got up to the hill, ENS follows Travis' lead and stays quiet, but rapidly takes in the details of these folk. I must note what I can now to write down later. They are rather small... how interesting!
This message was last edited by the player at 15:24, Mon 19 Mar 2012.

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg #967):

Jake nodded in response to Travis's request that he and Sheriff Beauregard remain some distance behind with Vickers while Travis, Cole and the Professor approached the Indians for a parlay.

"Makes good sense. Prob'ly don't want them Injuns feelin' crowded upon an' outnumbered. Might make 'em a mite more fidgety than would be good for our purposes."

The Texan waited patiently, his Spencer cradled loosely in the crook of his left elbow.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:38, Mon 19 Mar 2012.

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg #974):

The rider who said "Howdy" responds to Travis Sunday. He appears slightly taller than the others and has the bearing of a leader.

"That does not sound good for the Tonkawa."

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg #977):

Travis chuckles.

No it's a matter of life and death for someone else, the Tonkawa I am told might be able to help me.  A friend of mine is sick and I'm looking for the tribe's medecine man to help me fashion a poultice for her. 

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg #978):

JEB watches the parlay through his field glasses, Spencer held casually in his other hand.

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg #978):

"Why does your friend need Tonkawa medicine man?" the leader asks. He seems suspicious, but in a measured way.

A man tole me once that it ain't the Injuns that you see that you got to worry about. It's them you don't see that're most likely to cause you difficulties.

With that in mind, Jake kept his eyes moving over the area close to where the parlay was occurring, using his field glasses for a closer look if and when anything caught his attention.

OOC: 11:39, Today: Jake Richardson rolled 8 using 1d20+7. Spot Check.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg #980):

She's powerful sick.  She has a medecine pouch which she believes helps her.  The town's doctor says the power of belief is sometimes as important as the medecine itself.  So I'm looking for any medecine man, doesn't nedd to be Tonkawan, who'd be willing to fix me up a poultice or another medicine bag that will give her some strength and comfort.

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg #982):

The leader of the Indians studies Travis Sunday, listening to the white man's words.

"Your words have power. But I can see that you are dangerous men. My warriors have watched your movements during the night and we are . . . concerned. Before the Tonkawa can help you . . . " he pauses a second time, for several seconds, as if trying to find his words " . . . we must be . . . " he says a word in a language that no one present understands.

Meanwhile, Cole Trayne sees that several dogs accompany riders to the west.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg #983):

Jake pulled his field glasses away from his eyes and peered intently at them with a disgusted expression on his face. "Must've gotten some moisture inside the barrels somehow. Lens seem to have gotten fogged up -- I can't see shit out've 'em right now."

OOC: Eh, that's what a natural 1 on a Spot Check will do for you! :)

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg #983):

Seeing the indian leader struggle with english, ENS tries another tack...

[in Cheyenne]Our friend is a Cheyenne, do you speak that language? What is your concern with us?

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg #985):

The Indians exchange puzzled glances with each other, after ENS speaks in Cheyenne. "We do not understand," says the leader.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg #983):

You must protect the tribe from danger?

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg #987):

"That is the purpose of the leader."

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg #988):

I understand.  What can I do to show good faith and continue my journey?  I can disarm, ride alone, or perhaps meet again in a place of the Tonkawa's choosing.

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg #989):

"Trust is earned, not traded. The dog becomes loyal because the brave shows loyalty." The leader glances to the northeast.

"The town doctor . . . is he in The Flat?"

Cole looks towards the riders and their dogs, giving them an appraising look. He then returns his attention to Travis.

Can't say I blame the man, Travis. That was a bit of ugliness last night.

Still, all men with weapons can do both good and bad.

Shrugging, Cole then proceeds to glance at the weapons the Indians in front of him are carrying.

OOC: Weapons description please?

This message was deleted by the player at 18:57, Thu 22 Mar 2012.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg #990):

Yes.  The town doctor is in the flat. 

Travis shifts slightly in the saddle, adding a beat or two before he continues.

I agree that trust is earned and I know you have considered that the journey to earn that trust requires a first step.  I simply don't have the wisdom to know what is the best way to go forward so I can help my friend.

He shifts again slightly.

Perhaps I can tell you what happened last night.  It was a robbery.  Two men were hired to take us to the tribal camp.  Once people were asleep they tried to take our horses and kill my companions.  This led to the death of one and the capture of the other.  We did not seek out nor invite violence into our camp.

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg #993):

Travis is unsure about how much the leader of the Indians is comprehending. The Indian seems to listen; he certainly doesn't interrupt. Yet his eyes drift and his face offers little in the way of insight into his thoughts.

Cole Trayne has scant time to examine the Indians. At least two of them have rifles and two of them--not the leader--have a bow and quiver.

When the man from Butterfield Overland finishes his piece, Circling Hawk turns his horse. "Meet us in town, when the sun falls." He and his riders turn and depart the hill. They race west toward the other riders and their small pack of dogs.

http://www.doghouserules.net/d...oin/CirclingHawk.tif