The wicked spirits do it to eat, at least, Xiao thinks, but does not speak against the prophet. [Private to GM: :D ..remember folk can't see text in "Private" not "Language"]

Xiao dips head slightly to the other man. [Language unknown: "Set ec Anheme oneibe terthince is rutto om lefolo si hefosa hoart erilck m intck Sautol Usel, Il ineivehat."] The little Chinese's shoulders tense against a shudder.

[[Streetwise to know where guns might be got if one was quietly getting guns?]]

Moses arrives on top first, outpacing Thunder Walker with his long stride.
He frowns at the apparition and cocks his head, then nods.
"The Lord tells Moses you are not a servant of the Reckoning." He looks confused. "You are... a guardian against it?"

He looks around. "This land is truly blessed by Thou, Lord."

In reply to Tan Xiaohan (msg # 94):

[Language unknown: "Lo o u ncetedkor n hat ter pa haivbe nce estineoeriveive st Po Allte Ng"] Laughing Calf says sagely. [Language unknown: "Ec et tiolinillwhe ectch na p undwilman comersvir. Isnt omeentill ingha Setnceati Ekchom etasckutto, asith ure hiti wi nti iv virnotmanourort u tinessore utate. Pl ca les thaerewheerabut, butng n cktibe on teroneand."]

((OOC: Streetwise would give some information, yes.))

Thunder Walker gestured to the figure before them in a way that showed respect, though he was not sure what language to speak with him. Being that he had appeared in these lands, he thought it best perhaps to address him in the way of the Lakota.

[Language unknown: "Ingoveesswit. O art lat mobe histinnceder ti hat, din anpowi wer. Be to sawiiv houet pence?"]

The shaman nods at Moses. "...am guardian...or was..." he says. The language isn't so much heard as felt in the back of the mind...it's a lot like Wanbli Luja's speech. His voice sounds as if it's coming from a great distance. "...others gone...seals broken...Raven. It was The Last Sons..."

He pauses, and points off to the west. "...Lodge of the Grizzly...hole in the world..." he changes position pointing west by north west. "....the creek of Greasy Grass...camp of the Dead Long Knives..." he points again, this time to the northeast. "...iron snake spits lead poison...the Raven caws, wardrums beat...Yellow Hair crosses the creek. Ten thousand arrows cannot stop his march..." he points due east now, toward Bear Butte. "...The People gather in council. They must learn the Ghost Dance..." Then he points south. "...town of the dead wood hides many things...evil men kill their own, claim it is the work of the people, beat the wardrum...iron snake hides a dusky jewel..." The figure looks fatigued, as if the strain of talking is getting to him. "...war comes to the Dakotas. So many dead, on both sides...so many lives lost for little yellow rocks..." the figure begins to cry, then looks at the two. "...stop the Raven's laughter. Stop the Reckoners before all is bathed in blood..."

And with that last, the figure vanishes.

Xiao keeps any musings on the interaction of old traditions and virtue held firmly back, reflecting that tiredness and circumstances may be addling such thoughts anyway. Certainly they make it hard to recall any useful information regarding weaponry.

[[Streetwise 3 due to fatigue...may be coming up on time for another roll there, actually, once the adrenaline wears off.]]

Xiao nods in cautious sympathy, then looks out in the direction Thunder Walker went, swallowing on a dry throat and the sour taste of days without food. [Language unknown: "Iear Wileensti Eilina Theersard anpama conoerame, tr io llelme ou?"]

In reply to The Old One (msg # 98):

Moses nods. "Good", he says,as if everything was clear as rain.
"We should tell the others."

In reply to Tan Xiaohan (msg # 99):

[Language unknown: "Ev noilwi is es."] Wovoka says. [Language unknown: "Omte t teolti t st. Ng ticpe werstaera itson, be ev virastres ng comentere same prenc deroveout."]

As Moses and Thunder Walker discuss the old man's cryptic words, a flash of fire in the distance catches their eye...

---

A flash of fire catches Xiaohan's eye. It seems to come from a distance, about where the posse sent to cause a distraction should be...

Xiao frowns a little at the light on the hillside, but reasons it's probably thrown oil lit from the smoulderings of a distraction-fire they'd missed in the battle. It was probably the Professor fighting the Raven Men who had been distracted, oblivious to the liklihood of drawing the damn-yanks: Mister Nate had volunteered to stay also, but he seemed to know more about battles and being careful. Xiao hoped they would get away easily.

A thought sparked, Xiaohan edges just a bit closer to Wovoka, speaking softly. [Language unknown: "U ivere ststa ous rom adlima anpl ofdi paich staonsshe, seut...?"] Xiao waves the razor at the darkness of the valley.

"Let us go, we are to meet back by the stage, where we first found you. We should still move with caution, as those soldiers and some of the Ravenites may still be afoot."

With that, he gestured that Moses come along with him and began making his way towards the stage, making sure that he waited in case Moses had a different thought.

The huge, brawny preacher looks across the valley, a puzzled look on his face.

"This is not the planned distraction. They are in trouble.
How far ahead is the rest of the group? We might need to help them."

Thunder Walker is in turn puzzled by Moses's puzzlement.

"I cannot say how far ahead the rest of the group is. The distraction you provided was not the planned distraction, which it seems has not happened. I left them as they began to sneak away to see if you needed assistance. It seems you have no need of help. We can move ahead, and if they need help, we can give help."

((OOC: Waiting for the puzzlement to resolve itself into something I can actually react to...))

Wovoka shakes his head. [Language unknown: "Ntwhwa esen m omweof. Antdayset haekul li ro terveroul m roal Iveblethekor preardres estnotlarset t ne tedproons e vir horiceiv i ouraveiou arto Anycomichect Romun ul etou rom o red. T ee si omnanopa e ni Liminoan, te Ulbele Whiterere table str korameoer thawe urload ererutiouone."]

The statement brings on a grim look with the knowledge there's little chance of burying that lot. [Language unknown: "Iline the o re memios wittratho...ver amestabut isnte hien pawi, p ta."]

He waited for the puzzlement visible on the face of Moses to resolve itself into something more concrete, so that he might resolve his own. When it did not show signs of abating, he simply relinquished his own and gestured for the man to follow him. Perhaps it was not truly puzzlement, but some character of the man's facial expression.

He gestured for Moses to follow, and began to make his way back towards the stage where he would find Wovoka and the others. As he moved, Thunder Walker searched for their tracks or signs of their passage.

09:48, Today: Thunder Walker rolled 5,6 using d6+2,d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 3,4. Trackin'.

Wovoka nods grimly. [Language unknown: "Il intreadin altiwe to, u hi ilca thima t llstth o oerhoutra lehohaus ounlatore. To tioarevir connotast prope Ilpowi Arethonte, at atwil tindayrea outderous u ho. Ardce Ic ha pailno era el comth Korthaoul t Thale Whieauoun. Ho setof fohe nginen eve, annti whiforred foth Iveoreeau Elpani e redta nde ecolun."]

Laughing Calf speaks up. [Language unknown: "St ith tholintho ouan. O ovese ioousi male mailha. Ss si one u ectillthu t wer unol yinel, Convencom. Beck u nte les p stisa lepe iv unous con la Eeweek. Traeradin Ei Ulecsi te ntck ousentstikor ch k Th Daytiofor."]

One of the rescued Sioux, who actually seems middle-aged (but is certainly young compared to Laughing Calf) nods. [Language unknown: "Of ncdi e lear areouloer."] he says. [Language unknown: "Os lail sheos sanac Ticlatoer Wanaom. Ers Wiloreeau werei urnock a t."]

The group of Shamans nod. Laughing Calf and one of the rescued warriors split off from the group and turn back toward the hill, while the rest continue to head toward the stage coach.

---

As Moses and Thunder Walker follow the trail of the Ghost Dancers, they cross paths with Laughing Calf and the young brave coming the opposite direction.

[Language unknown: "Ngonechi, Pldilo Tinoutsta!"] Laughing Calf says. [Language unknown: "At nolitr ro som ome eemana i iveillble ecitei te ethabe n lami. Mi les aiec m neng p anyionevepro io di und te Ove Ckacsi, maal ektr urad ie ri beer orehasman."]

[Language unknown: "Ecteurel, Hassomredpre Men!"] he said, and greeted the other man as well. [Language unknown: "N p wh us ssnte olar toith en. Beec ma Eechal ted ck comventer? U whesanand le t Es Ndecomenc stishewerrea lar on, sshat T ro tendai ti liart Latverore itho. Ng nt m oulse, ver Ho hi korousmen maica nd whse arho manereher, dingne re ll romveningoveous."]

"What does he say? "

"They are going to perform the Ghost Dance to set the spirits of those who fell in battle to rest, and will meet me at Bear Butte later. You too, if you journey there with me, though I know not where your paths lead, Moses," he replied, in part translating and in another part speaking for himself.

Xiaohan follows along with the group, entirely lost by now and hoping someone knows where they're going. Sky Hawk would want his horse back at some point, so at least a way to return to the other foreigners existed at need. Xiao moves quietly, alert for trouble.

In reply to Thunder Walker (msg # 112):

[Private to group Siouan: "Wovoka continues on. They are looking for a suitable place to rest the night and have a meal before resting. I believe the current plan is to make it to the iron road."] Laughing Calf says to Thunder Walker, then he turns to Moses. "We...give...you...thanks? thanks." he says slowly, testing out the words in English. "Spirits are...strong...for you."

Moses bows, slightly, then replies;
"Moses is but a humble servant of the Almighty God of many names and faces. You can feel the spirits, converse with them, yes? Know that they are servants of the same God, doing His bidding. They are a part of his army. Wovoka, he too is a servant of the Lord, a prophet, like Moses. It is a great honor to fight with him."

The holy man seems not to notice if Laughing Calf has trouble following. Clearly, the message of the Lord is easy to follow.

He bows again, then turns to Thunder Walker and raises his voice so that everyone of their group can hear him.
"The Lord has sent Moses, His humble servant to warn of the battle between Good and Evil. This land is in the grasp of War and he will not rest until it runs with blood! We must all stand against this Evil whereever we meet it.
The path of Moses is the path set for him by Lord. For now, this path is alongside the prophet Wovoka."

Laughing Calf nods. "We...are...all...of Wakan Tanka, of Great Spirit. We...welcome? those who...fight...the Evil. It is...good...you stand beside Wovoka." He and his companion make their goodbyes and continue onward, letting Moses and Thunder Walker return to the larger group of Ghost Dancers.

---

This thread is closed. Please resume posting on the new Chapter 1.3 thread.