In reply to Dave Walker (msg # 15):

Earnest looks through the window at the couple more directly, trying to discern what they are currently doing and a bit more about how they look.

I don't think we need to push things just yet... let's see if Poirier comes back soon.

14:58, Today: Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg rolled 7,5 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 7,5.  Notice on the lingering couple.

In reply to Dave Walker (msg # 15):

It didn't take Jake more than a second or two to realize that his concerns about having been somehow tracked from 'Frisco by a highbinder were unwarranted. Given the reactions of his companions, however, the identity of the twosome outside remained something of a mystery.

"Waal, lemme try one other thing first," the Texan responded to Mister Walker's question.

Turning his upper torso in the chair, he looked around for the man who had been serving the group. Not knowing the feller's name, Jacob called out, "Questchunn for you, Mister Rest'rant-Man -- do you know them two folks who just now took a look in here? They's standin' yonder, just outside now."

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 18):

~Given the apparent size of this town, Jacob's question ought to provide us with some good information,~ Tracy thought to himself, as the Texan addressed, in his own words, "Mister Rest'rant Man."

~Either he'll know exactly who these people are and help us immensely, or he won't know them and raise our level of concern. Well, mine at least.~

Tracy snuck a covert glance at the pair standing outside, as he continued to eat. The investigator wanted to keep an eye on them while Jacob conversed with the restaurant owner.

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 18):

The restaurant owner was in the kitchen, at the back of the building, when Jacob called out. With the door to the cooking area open, the Texan's drawl carried far enough for the man to hear it. Just as the owner re-enters the dining area, another patron -- across the room but also maintaining a good view of the open front door -- speaks up.

"Them's the Knights," is all the patron says.

The owner, hearing his customer answer Jacob's question, stops where he is and shields his eyes against the rays of the morning sun poring into the Prickly Pear.

"Yes, Monsieur Knight," adds the restaurant owner with a heavy french accent. Truly, these are the first words the man has spoken aloud, as far as the four adventurers can remember. It is a good thing that the customer pronounced the man's surname first, otherwise, the men might not have grasped the owner's answer.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 20):

Looking back and forth between the fellow with the heavy accent and the man who had first responded to his question, Jake said "I'm a stranger in these parts, so the name don't mean nuthin' to me."

"What is it that Mister Knight does hereabouts?"

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 21):

The restaurant owner goes back to his morning work, while the other patron replies to Richardsen.

"He owns the Four O'Clock ranch."

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 22):

"Waal, I find that t'be most enlightnin'," the Texan drawled by way of reply to the man who had answered him.

"'Preciate it."

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 17):

Earnest can't discern much more than he already knows about the people outside.  Not with the sunlight behind them and in the professor's eyes.

However, he is quite sure that the pair are man and woman, neither of which appears to be armed. They are waiting patiently, it seems.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 24):

In a low voice, Windham once again addressed his compatriots.

"It occurs to me that the Knights are waiting for us to exit the restaurant. Are all of you ready to engage with them, or should we stay and eat a little longer?"

In reply to Tracy Windham (msg # 25):

Earnest nods appreciation to Jacob's wise strategy. He sits back after Tracy's suggestion.

Well, after such a fine meal, I think I'd like to step out for a cigar... I suppose then we can see if they are inclined to approach us.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 26):

Jacob wiped his mouth with his napkin and pushed his chair back from the table, leaving half a cupful of the weak coffee untouched.

"Reckon I'll join you, Perfesser," he said.

"I din't git a good look just now, but it sounds like Missus Knight is outside with her husband. Don't seem poe-lite to leave her standin' 'round out yonder for too long."

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 27):

~ All right Darla, let's see what's goin' on! ~

Walker was waiting to see the reaction from the men, but now they are all in agreement...

"Time to go meet some new friends" he grumbles under his breath.

The four pards exit the Prickly Pear, having enjoyed the meal arranged by Monsieur Poirier and then agreeing it was time to see what the people called the Knights might want of them.

While the sun is still in the men's eyes, they adjust to the full daylight quickly enough, getting a better view of the couple.

Mr. and Mrs. Knight -- presumably -- are resting against a horse tie underneath a nearby kerosene street lamp, facing the four adventurers. Both perk up as soon as the men step onto the restaurant’s porch. Mr. Knight removes his hat and holds it in one hand; his other hand is in his pocket. He seems to be sizing up the four men for a moment. Perhaps out of turn, the woman speaks.

“We hear you’re honest men. We’ve been praying for help and we’re hoping you might have a word with us.”

Mr. Knight casts a glance at the woman in the sun-bleached bonnet, then returns his gaze at the men, awaiting their reaction.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:45, Thu 14 Mar 2019.

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 29):

Earnest was in the process of lighting his cigar when the woman spoke, he takes a long puff then responds.

Talking hardly ever hurts anyone... but may I ask who sent you our way?

In reply to Judge Messalen (msg # 29):

and

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 30):

Since Earnest had taken the lead in conversing with Mister and Missus Knight (which was fine with the Texan -- the Perfesser was much better-spoken that Jacob was), Jake stood silently by his pard's side.

He removed his hat and nodded to both of the Knights, Missus Knight first.

In reply to Jacob Richardsen (msg # 31):

Following the Texan's lead, Walker takes his hat off as he introduces himself.

"Walker, the name's Walker..."

He positions himself so he can hear the conversation while he takes in a long hard look around out side the bar, seeing who else is out here besides the Knights.

Mr. Knight observes Professor Ringgenberg lighting his cigar. He listens to the easterner's response. A look of . . . disdain . . . overtakes his visage for a moment, but it clears when Richardsen removes his hat and Dave Walker introduces himself.

"Jacob Knight" the man says, enunciating clearly even if a mite soft-spoken. He had seemed inclined to move a little closer, yet he stays put instead.

"No one sent us your way," he begins, turning to the professor. Mrs. Knight, who had gone un-introduced, begins to speak and then stops herself short when Jacob Knight clears his throat.

"We need seasoned, righteous men for an honest-to-God-the-Father mission," Knight continues, looking also at the other three travelers. "We heard that the mulberry man was bringing in such men. Four of you. It didn't take much to figure your location."

Dave Walker sees the regular townsfolk about their regular business in the fresh morning light bathing this small town of 15-20 buildings at the edge a wide and unfathomable canyon this crisp April morning.

In reply to Jacob Knight (msg # 33):

~ Did ya hear that Darla? Mulberry Man! That's great! ~

~ Lookin' for RIGHTEOUS MEN ~

Walker continues looking around while thinking about that. Were they righteous? The others have grown on Walker, he does trust them to a certain degree. Does he trust himself? Righteous men?

~ Ya see Darla, I'm movin' up in the world! I'm a righteous man now! ~

Walker couldn't contain the slight smile that cracked across his face as he kept listening to the couple.

In reply to Dave Walker (msg # 34):

Jake reckoned that he was probably seasoned enough for whatever it was that the Knights had in mind, but he wasn't so sure about the rest of it. Insofar as being "rightchuss", he reckoned that he had tilted more so in that die-reckshunn when the war first started than he did presently.

During the war he had seen far too many good men killed, seemingly by pure ill luck. Was it God's will that Yankee cannister had cut down the ten men to his right that day at Malvern Hill, but left him untouched? And did God pick and choose whomsoever the Minie' balls claimed? After a while it seemed much more like happenstance and chaos than the grand plan of some all-powerful Almighty.

Jacob glanced over at Mister Walker and noticed the New Yorker's small smile. The Texan caught the other man's eye, pursed his lips with what some might reckon to be a wry expression, and shrugged.

Having paused to give his words a chance to sink in, and seeing that the four travelers await further information without any initial questions, the owner of the Four O'Clock Ranch continues.

"I will get to the point. Our eldest daughter, Elizabeth, was abducted by a ruthless gang of bandits led by a heathen they call 'El Presidente.'"

He pauses, steeling himself, as Mrs. Knight whimpers for a second or two.

"The Sheriff took a posse of brave men, but we returned defeated . . . those of us that did return." He casts his eyes to his boots for a moment, taking a long breath.

"I reckon any man brave enough to fly in the mulberry man's vessel would have the mettle to help us find Elizabeth."

In reply to Jacob Knight (msg # 36):

"Powerful sorry to hear of your misfortune," Jacob replied to Mister Knight's explanation.

"An' shore, I'm willin' to haelp. Way I figure it, I'd best be haelpin' good folk who need it -- within reason, of course -- 'cause sooner or laeter, a man in these parts is likely to be in need of some haelp his ownself."

In reply to Jacob Knight (msg # 36):

Earnest rubs his chin a moment as he ponders the man's words.

My apologies Mr and Mrs Knight, I am Professor Ringgenberg. I certainly sympathize with your plight, but as you've pointed out, Monsieur Poirier did bring us out here... I feel that we should consult with him before we can accept such a mission. Do you gentlemen agree?

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 38):

"Nope," Jake replied with a shake of his head, "I don't, Perfesser."

"Mister an' Missus Knights' sit-u-aeshunn is more dire than any I could conjure up for Monshure Pwa-reh-eh, an' tieme is of the essence, as the sayin' goes."

Out of regard for the Knights' feelings, Jake didn't go into detail regarding Elizabeth Knight's situation becoming more precarious -- with the chances of a successful rescue lessening -- the more time passed with their daughter still in the hands of the bad men. But the Texan felt that the facts were plain enough for any who gave the matter a moment's thought.

"If'n the Frenchman feels that he has some call on my services, I'll settle up with him laeter. Or, if'n that ain't satisfac-tory, I 'spect that Mister Knight can square things with him."

---

Edit: Cleaned up the wording a bit. IMO the post was a little confusing, as originally written.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:36, Sun 17 Mar 2019.

In reply to Earnest Nicholas Samuel Ringgenberg (msg # 38):

"Yeah - uh, sorry to hear about your Daughter, why would they want to do that?"

Then as he takes another look around, he looks Mr Knight dead in the eyes, he speaks dryly and to the point...

"Sheriff's posse couldn't take care of  EL Capitan and you're thinkin' we can do better huh?"

Mrs. Knight interjects. "We prayed and the Lord answered . . . "