Winters continued the task that he and Rojas had started before the attack. There were many bodies and the task was quite laborious for an older gentleman who had been wounded twice in the last battle and had received a wound in the very first attack before the the arrival of the rescuers. So as the Old Man dug the graves, he would have to pause from time to time to rest. At which time, here and there, a tear would slowly roll down the the man's face.

"I thought this vould be ah vay to reunite my family... ah vay that vould lead to ah better life. Now look... nothing but... death. That n' two girls who haff no one but me." Winters said to no one in particular.

He then returned to digging. Trying to avoid his daughters body and the wounds she had suffered. Trying to avoid his grandson who had wanted a life of adventure after listening to an old man's stories.

"Vhat ah vaste! Dam me for ah fool." he said under his breath.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:26, Sun 29 Mar 2015.

In reply to Theodore Winters (msg # 909):

ENS pauses when Winters speaks (he needed a break anyway).

Mr. Winters, you could not have known this would happen... you should stop blaming yourself!

He also turns to answer Randy.

Randy, my inclination is to continue on to California with you all at this point, I imagine Sheriff Cruger and Mr. Haverty will be sufficient to escort Mr. Winters and his girls... perhaps the Tonkawa would ride with them as well.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:24, Mon 30 Mar 2015.

In reply to Theodore Winters (msg # 909):

Jake rode over to where ENS and Mister Winters were working to dig graves for the deceased members of the Trautman family. He listened silently to the two men for a moment, his hands crossed atop his saddle-horn.

After waiting for a break in the conversation, the Texan spoke up. "Mister Winters, I have some informaeshunn for you. I just now spoke with Garrett Rasmin, an' he's still inclined to send his hunters along with yer grand-daughters -- an' you, if'n you're so inclined -- to git y'all to a nearby town of yer chosin'. But he himself ain't gonna turn aside from what he sees as his main task -- which is gittin' Cole Trayne to San Francisco."

"An' a mite earlier, I heard Pete Haverty sayin' that he -- an' mayhaps Sheriff Cruger, too -- would also be willin' to escort yer fam'ly."

"An' quite frankly, I'm givin' it some con-sid-er-aeshunn, too. I need to git Ghost off the trail an' into a stable. Plus, I ain't altogether certain-sure that the Comanche threat is over an' done with, leastways for a smaller party. I'm thinkin' that if push comes to shove agin, y'all'll need my rifle more so than the main body will."

"So . . . I reckon I'm askin' what yer plans are respectin' all this. If'n you don't mind, have you decided whether you'll go with yer grand-daughters to Throckmartin or The Flat, or whether y'all will be stayin' with the main body?"

The group continues the work involved in breaking the wagon-fort. Conversations amongst the various men ensue as the tasks, both grisly and mundane, progress.

For those listening and participating in the converstions, it is sounding likely that two groups are forming: those headed back to town and those following Garrett Rasmin. The composition of the two groups remains murky.

Rasmin makes his intentions clear to anyone listening.

"I am taking Trayne to San Francisco as planned. As a courtesy, I set a pace earlier that would allow the professor's wagon--and Big'un's mule--to keep up. I had my reasons for that, at the time. Now, I plan to ride with more urgency." The bounty hunter lets the implications hang in the air.

--------------

OOC: "the anyone listening" is code for "everyone hears this unless they choose not to."

In reply to Garrett Rasmin (msg # 912):

The implications settled upon Randy's ears. Making certain connections, Randy asks, "Rojas, did you'ns know anything about these here Comanche raiders we come up against?"

In reply to Randy Oldman (msg # 913):

The Mexican has remained quiet during the grave-digging and other tasks. When spoken to, he seems willing to respond.

"I knew of the Comanche, from the Echo, and from rumors. Same as anyone, senor. Pero, why does this matter?"

---------

OOC: A reminder because RPoL gaming takes a long time: the Fort Griffin Echo that was printed shortly before the PCs left The Flat had a prominent story about Comanche renegades. It was printed in the IC text of the game in the previous chapter.

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 910):

The Old Man fanned himself with his worn out hat, the air seemed to cool him. As ENS spoke Winters gave a half shrug.

"Maybe Professor. Maybe not. Ya see it vas my idea. I told myself it vould be safe yah? I didn't know that is true but... vell I thank ya fer yer kindness Professor. Maybe ya could use another gun. How bout ya keep that shot gun I loaned ya."

The Old Man's hazel eyes looked toward Lorelei as he watched her work and finally cleared his throat.

"Lorelei? Could vee talk?"

Just then the Texan rode up and spoke to him.

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 911):

The Old Man slipped his worn hat upon his head once more.

"Vell that vould be gud. I could use all the company I could manage. I vould welcum you n' the others. Maybe vee could make the Flat n' Fort Griffon. There I could sell the extra horses n' vahguns yah? The girls could use the money n' Haverty seems like a trustworthy man. Vhat do ya say Mister Richardson? Ya known Haverty for ah vhile."

Then he looked at ENS "Seems Rasmin means ta leave the vahguns behind. You'd best ride bac vith us yah? Then we can ride out... mayhaps ta San Francisco. Mayhps vee could do Cole Trayne sum gud yah?"

Then finally to Lorelei.

"Vhat ya say Lorelei? Fort Griffon is close. Ah gud place ta rest n' start o'er. Vhat ya say girl?"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:13, Tue 31 Mar 2015.

In reply to Theodore Winters (msg # 916):

"Pete Haverty is a good man an' a trustworthy man, in my est-eh-maeshunn," Jake replied to Mister Winters.

"An' yes, based upon what Rasmin just tole me, he now plans to set a faster pace than can be main-tained by the wagons."

The Texan sighed, and looked vaguely uncomfortable as he sat his new horse. "I see us -- this party -- partin' ways, leastways for a while. Tell you the truth, I'd like to go with both groups. I'd like to think on it a mite."

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 917):

Travis listens in on Jake and Winters.

No matter where I go, just like you Jake, I'll need another horse.  I won't be saddling up Horse anytime soon.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:31, Tue 31 Mar 2015.

In reply to Jake Richardson (msg # 917):

"Vell vee could use ya n' yer rifle Richardson. That's fer sure but ya gotta do vhat ya gotta do. If ya don't go vith us I could take yer horse to the Flat n' have Haverty see it back to health. That goes fer ya too Sunday. Then I could bring them horses west when I cum. I know ya don't know me but I'm honest. I vont flim flam ya."

The young woman wipes perspiration from her forehead after her turn with the shovel. She listened to the men, almost as if she were invisible to them as they carried on their conversations. When Winters speaks to her directly, her face shows signs of life amidst the death of her family.

"Fort Griffin? You mean I do not have to go to Arizona, Grandfather? Praise the lord."

A moment later, Lorelei remembers her circumstances, bowing her head and continuing to dig.
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:22, Wed 01 Apr 2015.

In reply to Randy Oldman (msg # 913):

"Rojas, I'll use the man's words to say 'I had my reasons for that.'" There's a twinkle in the big man's eyes. "Ain't no good thing gripin' 'bout the past. I gots a question of three for you'ns a little later, though."

Randy makes an unintentional scuff of his boot as he starts to walk toward Travis. He stops. "Pete, I appreciate the help with finding the horse. You'ns a good man and that says a bit o' somethin' for the fellers you keep. I hopes to be held to the same esteem.

"I'm gonna try to get e'rybody's wagons pointed in the same direction, as it were."

Travis Sunday is involved in a conversation, but not deeply so. Randy has no reservation interrupting. Speaking in the generally occlusive consonants and aspirated vowels, the larger man asks the shorter man a question.

In reply to Lorelei Trautman (msg # 920):

The Old Man almost smiled at his granddaughter's words. She could be so independent and then say something like that.

"Naw! Not unless ya vant to Lorelei. Ya been through enough in my mind. You can make ah life in Fort Griffon or jus about anyvhere. Ya jus think on it. I'll help ya if I can."

In reply to Theodore Winters (msg # 922):

ENS is a little surprised at Jake's initial declaration, but the explanation about Ghost is sound... Rasmin's declaration raises his ire a bit, as is evident in his subsequent statement.

Well Mr. Rasmin, that's quite a plan... But seeing as we started out as a group that you agreed to, and now we have hit some trouble that, arguably, we were led into and has caused us some harm, I dispute your right to just charge off with Mr. Trayne without us. In fact, I feel that you and Mr. Trayne are obligated to travel back with us while Mr. Richardson and Mr. Sunday's horses are tended to... What say you Senior Rojas? Sheriff Cruger? You are still the official authority here, correct?

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 923):

The bounty hunter laughs. A hearty laugh, which the men have heard a time or two.

"Professor, I like you, but you are . . . " with a nod to Oldman, "a bangtail in these parts, and you are mistaken."

He looks ENS in the eye. "I agreed to nothing of the kind. By right of law, I am taking Cole Trayne to San Francisco. You," he says, casting his eyes amongst the others, to indicate his meaning is plural, "insisted on joining us. I did not object. As a courtesy, I kept a slow pace. I had nothing to do with these Comanche attacking us. I fought alongside you. I took orders from Richardson, because his orders were sound."

"Now, I am telling you what I am doing. You may do as you please, but I suffer no obligation to you or yours."

Cruger shrugs, acknowledging that he has no authority over Rasmin, now that the fugitive named Trayne has been placed in the custody of the bounty hunter, by legal writ verified via telegraph with the Circuit Court of San Francisco.

Rojas remains silent. It seems to pain him.

In reply to Garrett Rasmin (msg # 924):

ENS stands his ground.

Sheriff Cruger, as a representative of the Rangers in this situation, I would expect you do have some pull here... didn't you say you would need to report this incident? Wouldn't that require all witnesses to the event to testify? Including both Mr. Trayne and Mr. Rasmin? Senor Rojas, please give us your opinion on this!

Winters had started back digging but stopped when ENS spoke to Rasmin. The Old Man paused to hear what the Bounty Hunter had to say. It was true that he had fought along side everyone here and bravely at that, but Cole Trayne had done the same. Winters was usually a good judge of character and he deemed Trayne to be a good man. Rasmin had offered his hunters to escort him and the girls. That was dam decent of him.

"Mister Rasmin? Does that offer of escort still stand? If so, I'll take ya up on it. Danke!"

In reply to Randy Oldman (msg # 921):

Travis remains busy looking to Randy for guidance as to where he can best help.

In reply to Garrett Rasmin (msg # 924):

Randy chuckles a smidgeon. "'Bangtail'. Dang, I hope that one sticks."

In reply to Travis Sunday (msg # 927):

"So c'mon Travis, let's talk about this all civil like. We can walk yonder and I can tells you why I said what I said. Don't nobody needs to hear our grousin'."

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 925):

The Sheriff responds to the professor's plea.

"Ringgenberg, you make a strong point. I will need witnesses for my report, although I do not need every one of you. If Winters and his granddaughters return to town, along with Haverty and these buffalo hunters, that need will be more than met."

Cruger pauses. "I would expect Sunday to turn back towards Albany, seeing as he gave his word to Judge Ledbetter. I have no cause to compel this entire party to return to The Flat."

In reply to Sheriff Cruger (msg # 929):

The Mexican sighs. "The Comanche, senor," he says to ENS, "they are the Sheriff's affair. I ride to ensure the safety of Cole Trayne. Rasmin has the law on his side. Cole will have me--and Randy--on his side."

In reply to Sheriff Cruger (msg # 929):

Not one to give up easily, ENS charges on.

Well I would think Mr. Winters, his girls, the hunters, and even myself would make poor witnesses, as we were all in this barricade the whole time... Now Mr. Rasmin and Senor Rojas would be excellent witnesses, as they were out riding and up on the hill above the whole main battle! Even Mr. Trayne would be better as he was an actual combatant in the last attack!

"Good, that's what I mean." Randy says to Travis as they move away from the any other people. Their conversation trails off into the wind.

In reply to E.N.S. Ringgenberg (msg # 931):

Cruger shakes his head. "The Rangers do not need an account of this battle, Ringgenberg. There is no need to justify our actions, only to report the facts about the Comanche movements on the plains. They do not belong here, after their surrender some two years ago. Winters and Haverty know enough to corroborate my report."
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:06, Fri 03 Apr 2015.