September 11th, 1880. Night. The Iron Dragon rail line.

It's nearly midnight when the two groups converge on the Deadwood Stage line. The McKeever brothers have managed to get the axle fixed in their absence, and have even gotten the thing righted.

The mysterious train is long gone.

"Tried to flag it down," Danny says, "But the damn thing kept chuggin' away like it had the devil on it's ass. The engineer had to have seen us, but it just went right on by."

Jeb looks in askance at the arrival of the moderately large group of Sioux accompanying Thunder Walker, Moses, and Li, but shrugs. "I done kept them beans warm in the skillet." he says to Thunder Walker. "Also got that pheasant you brought cooked. I reckon there's enough for a meal, if a sparse one."

Wovoka steps forward. "I am Wovoka, of the Paiute." He says in surprisingly good English, addressing the whole group. "I have a small amount of nuts, seeds, and roots prepared for traveling, and will gladly share what I have with those who have been so brave in defense of myself and my friends. I count you all as friends of the Ghost Dance, now and forever, and invite you to share a pipe in communion with the Spirits."

The Chinese stray moves into the firelight from among the braves and gives the other party a small grin, face still mottled with camoflage. Despite all the adventures after being found already weary and half-starved in the forest the youth kept up all the way back without stumble or complaint.

[[19:16, Today: Tan Xiaohan rolled 1,5 using d6-3,d6-3, rerolling max with rolls of 4,(6+2)8. vigour vs. exhaustion. Wow. I begin to suspect Tanx runs on Duracell or something...]]

Xiaohan is genuinely glad to see the others are unhurt, but surprised to see Sam Bass with them, enough to comment when the movement of men towards the fire brings them closer together, though not looking at him directly. "I thought you outlaw - why you come back?"

Xiao looks to the natives at the offer of a pipe of something, trying to gauge the ettiquette.

Jack smiled when the Chinaman recognized that Sam had kept his word. "I was never worried a minute. There are plenty of bad men on the right side of the law, I knew there had to be some good ones on the wrong side of it."

"Not sure what happened back there. But we were lucky to have all survied." Offers a nod to the others.

Replying to wiseman  "I am Jack Boudreaux of N'Orleans. I would be honored to smoke with you Wovaka. The spirits need to be honored for the blesssing that granted us this day."

"I got a bottle in my bag. Perhaps we can honor them by having a drink as well. Where I come from the spirit like a smoke and a drink and don't mind a bit of music as well."

"You don't know what happened back there, Black Jack Boudreaux. Yet you are quick to dismiss it as some happenstance of no consequence."

Moses shakes his head.

"The Lord has shown Moses deeds of this Black Regiment. They consist of fallen soldiers from both sides of the war, damned to fight battle after battle after battle, always on the losing side, trying to turn the tide. But if they do, they fall upon their former unwitting allies like the locusts fell over Egypt.

They serve War, but they are not his weapon. They are like a pack of wolves, released to prey on the innocent and the not-quite-wicked, but they are not at the center of the battle.

A storm is brewing and it is coming to Deadwood. Moses has been drawn there to try and prevent the final battle that is about to come. It is good, no great tidings, that the Lord has seen fit to cross the paths of Wovoka and His humble servant.
Moses will smoke the pipe with you, Wovoka."

"Pride goeth before the fall Moses. It does not bring you closer to the Lord to climb atop sinners like myself." Boudreaux said in reply.

"But let us put diffences aside and part take of the pipe with open hearts so the spirits can be thanks for their blessings." Jack recovered a bottle of bourbon from his bag as well as some cigars and other knick knacks.

The Professor nodded to Wokova. "The pipe..yes...your version of breaking bread. A ritual of friendship. I'd be honored and glad to partake."  He sits down in a poor approximation of the Native crossed legged posture, using his hands to pull his left leg into his lap.

"Well, as long as you'll keep your word about letting me go, I reckon I'll just stay the night and be off in the morning. My gang took all the horses, so I'm a bit stuck on transportation." Sam says. He smiles at Jack's comment, but makes no other comment on the matter.

Wovoka nods as the group begins to gather around the fire. He and his fellows sit, and Wovoka brings out the pipe. He packs it with a small amount of tobacco, lights it with an ember from the fire, and takes a puff before passing it around.

"Moses sees many things. Wakan Tanka guides our footsteps, and has guided all of you here to meet with us." He says. "It is good. The Order of the Raven - those who attacked us tonight, before the Black Riders drove them away - would have killed us, rather than let word of the Ghost Dance spread."

"What're you all doin' out here anyhow?" Sam asks. "What is this Ghost Dance thing?"

Wovoka gets a wistful look on his face. "The Ghost Dance is powerful medicine. I had a vision. I danced the Sun Dance, traveling as it did, for three days with hooks in my chest until I nearly died. As the sun died, I went up the Tree of Life, to what you would call Heaven, and saw the Great Mystery and all the people who had died long ago. Wakan Tanka told me to come back, and tell the people that the White Calf would be born, to tell my people they must be good, love one another, not fight or murder or steal or lie. He gave me this dance to give to my people."

"The dance brings a powerful medicine to the world from the Hunting Grounds - cleansing medicine. Medicine to quell the restless monsters that walk the earth, to burn out the worm that makes the dead men walk and lift the unnatural dread that hangs over all."

"You have seen it tonight. There are worse things than the Black Riders. These dark things live in the shadows and are fed on the taste of fear. We call this darkness Ci Wicayasupi, or The Reckoning. The Ghost Dance was sent to us so we may struggle against The Reckoning in all it's forms."

"After I had my vision, a great thing happened. A white buffalo calf was born, as it was in my vision. I come to bring the news to the great wicasas of the Lakota, that we may prepare ourselves for the great events to come. All the dead will come to life again. Their spirits will ride a great wind and cleanse our sacred lands, and the white man will no longer take that which is not theirs. No longer will we need to rely on pieces of paper the Great Fathers in the East ignore when it suits them to keep hold of the bones of the world."

He looks slightly wistful at this, then seems to come back to his audience with a bit of a blush. "Forgive me. I do not mean to disparage you - you have come to our aid, and that is more than many would have done."

Thunder Walker nodded to Jeb, and quietly moved to help with preparation and distribution of the meal to all while the others talked. There had been fighting and much in the way of stealthy journeys this night, both of which took out of men what might in part be replenished by eating. When this task was seen set to, he joined the circle where the others sat and listened carefully to Wovoka's words. On their long journey to the Black Hills, he had heard the shaman tell him some of these things, though every time the young man spoke, he seemed to gain something new from his words.

Taking the pipe as it came to him, he took a long and deep puff of the smoke, and let it fill him, closing his eyes a moment. He let it out again, letting a thick cloud of billowy smoke out from his mouth, though it seemed quickly shattered by the wind into trails of wispy smoke that fled into the night up into the sky to join with the strong wave of smoke that came from the fire before them.

He thought about all that he had learned from Wovoka, and while it had been much, he still had questions. "Those of the Raven, what do they seek in seeking to attack us beyond our death? Why is it that they fear the Ghost Dance? It seems a thing that would not bring harm, save to the foul things that walk the world."

Xiao looks from Jack to Bass, remarking to the latter: "Your gang, they are pretty bastard," before moving past, internally very relieved the outlaw showed no signs of recognition.

"You see now - many kind of ghost and...thing," the soft-footed Chinese gently teases Nate, appearing at his elbow, then goes to help Thunder Walker, apologising to Danny for running off/dangerous pheasant throwing on the way.

Propriety is forgotten for a few seconds when Xiao has a tin mug of beans, a strip of pheasant and no-one's direct attention; mere moments later, the little stray is scraping and licking out the mug as far as can be reached. The vessel gets returned with a little more selfconsciousness before Xiao slinks up beside Thunder Walker to sit and hear the end of Wovoka's speech. The content occasions a look over at Moses.

Sounds like the end of the world, Xiaohan thinks, then is handed the pipe after the proper interval and holds it awhile, studying it and quietly warming cold fingers on the base of the bowl whilst listening to Thunder Walker. Will I incur the wrath of spirits if I join the ceremony? Xiao looks at the smoke. There were worse ways to go, for sure. Xiao tenses, copies the inhalation and the wait, and passes the pipe along. A surrupticious nose-scrubbing with a sleeve even curtails the urge to sneeze.

In reply to Thunder Walker (msg # 8):

Wovoka sighs. "The Order of the Raven is angry, and misguided. Some call themselves 'Ghost Dancers,' but this is a lie. They have turned from the Old Ways, and dance to the beat of the drums of war. They are more angry at the white man than they are afraid for our mother the Earth. They take the white man's ways, thinking 'I am better than the white man, I can resist the temptation to do bad things.'" he shakes his head. "They are foolish, or power hungry. They pretend to be loyal members of their tribe and do their deeds in secret. They take the quick and easy path to power with their rejection of The Old Ways, not realizing or not caring that they harm what remains of our way of life to gain the power to destroy the white man. The Ghost Dance is a triumph of the Old Ways, which they reject. It shows us the path to salvation without their guns, and they fear this, and so they strike. Most do not realize this only harms The People, creatures further bloodshed and fear. But some do know this. They know it and they willingly have turned their back on the spirits of nature for the power offered them by the manitou, and those are the ones that are most dangerous. It is said that the Order of The Raven is lead by The Last Sons, who followed Raven himself into the Hunting Grounds and opened the way for the manitou to return."

Moses graciously accepts the pipe from the man next to him.

"Moses, too, was given a vision of the white buffalo calf. The Lord seems to be sending all his arrows from his mighty quiver to this place."

He smokes a few puffs, then hands it on, shaking his head, stops, then nods.
"The red man is still in tune to what he calls spirits but are in truth servants of the Almighty, as are the angels in heaven. The black man used to have this, too. But it was taken from him by the white man, who was jealous of this gift, for he had lost it himself many, many generations ago. Then he tried to steal it from the red man, too."
The prophet shrugs. "Moses does not know if the yellow man still is aware of the power of the Almighty. But he has a feeling that he is."
He looks at Tan, then turns to Thunder Walker.

"Thunder Walker, you will make a fine crusader for the Almighty, if you understand one thing: The men of the Raven are consumed by their hatred. They have summoned War, and War has taken hold of them. They will stop at nothing before everything they hate is gone. If it takes their own lives, then that is a prize they will be willing to pay. They will die happy if they die as martyrs for War.
There is a Reckoning in this world, Wovoka speaks true. Every man and every woman",
he looks around the circle, "will be weighed for the mercy of the Lord."

He listened reverentially as Wovoka spoke, nodding, though he seemed perturbed by the growing revelations about their calamitous state. Turning to Moses, he listened to the large black man as he spoke of spirits and his Lord.

Thunder Walker had developed a growing appreciation for Moses and his strange faith. He had traveled and lived among the white man, and it was not the first time he was exposed to it. In early days, some had tried to bring him to that faith - some by guile and others by force. Those had not been treated well for their efforts. Moses was perhaps one of very few that seemed to have respect and an understanding for the ways of the people.

"When the brave hunts the slow elk to feed his tribe, the rest of the herd grows stronger. So too, we must cull these followers of the Raven from our people, or they will weaken us."

Xiao returns Moses' gaze with a look equal parts bewildered and flat-out scared, then quickly looks away, at the ground, trying to be invisible.

Noticing Li's frightened looks, Thunder Walker claps the boy on the back encouragingly. "You were brave earlier, Li. No need to show fear now, when you are among friends."

Taking the pipe, The Professor pulls a slow drag, exhaling a cloud of grey smoke before passing the pipe on to the next person.  When a lull in the conversation happens he speaks up.

"I do not mean to be inhospitable Wovoka, but the white man's ways are not all bad. I understand your reverence for nature, but Science represents progress.  Yes, all progress comes the possibility for abuse, but look at all the good we have accomplished. It's not the tools that are the problem, it is man's intent.  You can slaughter a lot of people with arrows and tomahawks just as you can with guns and rifles."

Catching the gesture at the edge of vision, Xiao just barely realises Thunder Walker's movement is a friendly caricature of white camaradarie rather than a blow and braces instead of twisting to block it. Given their relative sizes, it still makes the kid cough.

Thunder Walker does get a small half-smile, though. The Professor's words, however, quite erase it as Xiao looks over there. "Please excuse...I think there is a prace for science that it accept laws of...spirit, also, my people have this old way...but for guns and rifles - these are only for death, and they get...more good, as tool for what they do, they need less the skill. It is no good warrior, without...each-day-spirit-balance," Xiao seeks language skills on far too little sleep, "-dicipline the self. Wicked, child-mind warrior with gatling gun...he is new, bad thing people here have no old way to fix, or forgive, what can they do but kill more, any way, for stop him fast? Also...the white Empress, she send Blitish with many good thing for Science to my homeland, but try make all Chinese to be more good in Blitish way, most of all with the way of trades, it...crash into, break many things, old things, and the lawmans fall down all over...much death and dishonour for that."

Xiao swallows and looks up. "A way is old, or new, it is not good for that quarity only, and sometimes...where he who is doing is, how he knows his blood that was before, and his land, it is more important. All the people, any colour need to be more good under Heaven, but in ways for that people, on their land - they make their own mistake, not get white man 'better' with old white man mistake inside, like poison, or Chinese 'better' with Chinese mistake, so. We all to listen each other to become noble, not talk until we only hear us. I speak enough."

Too bold? Xiao looks down, hiding trembling hands deep in the overlarge sleeves of the 'borrowed' shirt but not cringing.

Boudreaux listened to the others. Moses explanantion of his faith was interesting, as it sounded like what Jack knew of Lousiana Voodoo.

Jack then took the pipe and took a puff.

"Where I am from many still practice the old ways. They acknowledge the almighty but they also acknowledge the spirits who carry out the almighty's work here on earth. So the old way has not been taken from all the negros."

Jack cracked open his bottle and took a slug of bourbon.

"Maybe someone could explain all these visions and their symbolism to us lay folk."

Zac sat close to Jack reflecting on their night's adventures. It seemed so natural, a night around the campfire, eating a mean, the cool air, the camaraderie. Still, their experiences this night were anything but normal, even for Zac. There was a moment, when he wondered if they were finished out their. He shook off those thoughts, as the talk around the fire turned to a reckoning.

These weren't the first Indians he had met with, but he had never smoked with them before. He was neither a man nor a boy, but he understood the sacredness of the act, so when the pipe came his way, he took in a deep breath.  The smoke burned his lungs, and as much as he tried not to, he coughed awkwardly as the smoke left his lungs. His face turned equal shades white and red from his embarrassment.

The young reporter decided not to push his luck and did not accept a sip from Jack's bottle. He wasn't sure what they were talking about exactly, but he knew enough to know that trouble was brewing and Deadwood was smack damned in the center of it.

One of the group of Sioux, who had been quiet up to this point, openly scoffs at the Professor's words.

 "Ha! [Language unknown: Dayul Oseral Ndter avesetshe wase taofni houli prplwe ek ntbetrme anyoutlar, ulany ivtili ivecen, iland ineese nillpe, ni adfock som tic ches] progress. [Language unknown: E aickdi poil eeenfo ar ticintone verdinill inher heone teek tho, acaser thi ho trof ruthouwhi, nteconpre p mehis not nceainhou t e, stand i saicla i din! N reaverany rearedichare adilev diha wheovethuwhe, mobeni manomeing Linortstr ted itseha wasichare theer pltrar red ame ameou redpreset u evei Annaer Din ro, ck omeredtedder ore t ate stiie k estwitnte waons ofwhle wepo enromoic ovewasher ngere com. t holamo hi sti ai thoingtio ne p miol fi we loni ng ndeul ti m, ofrope p intprerom il t itpo."] He spits into the fire, and glares directly at The Professor. [Language unknown: "Alred ndevpe pastr ie etmiwh io tila, ndesonblevir. P naerou ugh itseul. N fo ec linhi k nt, o ur ni noerta ispr omeut rea ndeomered? Be ast forie fonti hont whe rout undessson? Sa eve u teame u undorteen anress ac vir ouof? E k outul onsiouone k io strsa eauanttinare p ou sibehi, eeil era has aiadar elheio ss foncne wiilis sa ounrescomiou eaularvir? Ul wasun weun hatwiltheive?"]

Wovoka winces, and coughs politely. "My friend Horn Chips very strongly disagrees with you, and is more in agreement with Li." he translates, very pointedly speaking English as he does so. "The ways of the White man may be fine for the White Man. They have brought little but woe to The People. You have a long way to go if you would prove your good intentions, I fear." He glances at Li. "There is no need for that. It is good to speak your mind here. Though I would hope," He turns and gives the older shaman a disapproving glance, "that we all remain tactful and respectful of those who do not believe as we do."

He looks at Jack. "I will attempt to explain better. What is it that confuses you?"
This message was last edited by the player at 09:18, Tue 16 Oct 2012.

Nate had quietly settled in by the fire along with the others, glad at the idea of the meal.   Not to mention conversation.  Of course, this conversation quickly took a turn for the strange and surreal.  As Wovoka explained, the prospector's eyes went wider.  Apparently the thought of a spiritual war, a Reckoning as the shaman put it, does not seem to sit well with him.  Clarification on the fine points probably won't help neither.  The pipe is accepted carefully by him as well, a draw taken and released easily enough, and then passed on with little bother.  Thankful of the meal preventing him from blurting out whatever dumb questions (moreso after the other Shaman's angry-sounding outburst), Nate just listens for now.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:54, Tue 16 Oct 2012.

Gesturing to the Professor, Thunder Walker spoke to Horn Chips. [Language unknown: "Ent elsi day fichle k moand an ouutno ioac ma ect tin siloul ngcaas o rutkoryinatetin sa li ce. Vor ilonur k ouspe, teast p dien isre ngnot wetoiois rat io tetipo son tr ain."]

"Professor, we do not sit together here, we of many different peoples, to share meat and pass the pipe to speak ill of your ways. Our ways are different, and ancient, and the better for our people. The brave may loose his arrows, and the buffalo hunter may fire the rifle and the buffalo may die the same. But the brave will collect his arrows and use the whole buffalo with respect for its life, while the buffalo hunter will kill hundreds more buffalo than anyone can eat or use and waste most of them. Both tools may be used to kill, but when there is a connection with the spirits there is a greater purpose and a greater respect for everything."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:51, Tue 16 Oct 2012.

In reply to Tan Xiaohan (msg # 16):

Moses looks at Tan Xiaohan, stoically unmoving while the young chinaman speaks.
He nods, slowly after he has finished and says: "You are certainly right, Lord", apparently in answer to something different to what Tan said.

He looks down at the ground.
"You are no fool, Black Jack Boudreaux. But you stray too often and too much from the path of the righteous that you cannot see clearly. Moses has tried to teach you that before."

He seems to be content with letting Wovoka explain, though, as he picks up a twig and scratches in the dirt.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:40, Tue 16 Oct 2012.

Xiao's hands stay hidden though the youth is sitting straight, trying not to pay overmuch heed to Moses' attention. "It only my intention to say 'progress' not straight line like raiload with some peoples forwards, some backwards...each genelation try to go to...their full honour, how they can do best. More tools not holy thing, not wicked thing, only more tools...and each time a people take up a new kind, they lose skill for what they did...it is not for one people to make those decision for all, but they speak, we listen, we get wiser to choose."

"Wovoka...Moses," Xiao even looks over there whilst a thought at the back of the skull hammers he knows he knows he knows "You most blessed of the Great...Spirit, to far vision...if world is ending, how long?" Because it can take three weeks by train to Texas.

The Professor just shrugged.  It was obvious that he was not following the conversation, and after Thunder Walker explained things he nodded lightly.

"And I do not mean to speak ill of your ways either. Mankind's history is littered with stories of one people subjugating another. It is wrong for one group to impose their will on another, yet that seems to be a part of man's nature for we do it so easily and with little remorse. I stand by my earlier statement, though. Science may make killing faster and more efficient, but mankind has a violent and bloody history that stretches far back before the Age of Reason."

"Please...I wish to speak about things that will bring people closer together, not tear us apart." Wovoka says. "We cannot change the past, but the future is still in motion, and the bad things that came before do not have to repeat themselves if we are cautious." He looks a Li and favors the Chinaman with a faint, sad smile. "End? The Reckoning is still in motion, and can be fought. The White Buffalo signals great changes, not endings. We are in a moment before...before the dice decide which face to show...before the cards are picked up...I do not know best to explain...We are at a point where the world can turn toward great light or great darkness. That is the choice before us, and it lies in the actions we take. Wakan Tanka has guides your steps to cross mine, for the Great Mystery seems certain you will play a role in the great things to come. Can I ask for your help?"

Boudreaux had to admit he was curious.

"It sounds like good folks are in danger if we don't step up. I'm in." Jack said.

There's a small smile from Xiaohan in return, apologetic for so much talk. "I am no Raven Man, to cause harm by wading against way of Mystery - help I can give, you can have."

The Professor nodded, "I will help.  Things are becoming a lot clearer now. Wovoka, could you explain the Ghost Dance itself? I have reason to believe that it is an essential part of preventing the potential crisis to the time stream." He seems completely serious.

Nate starts to speak, seems to choke a little on his food (or his words), but clears his throat.  A little shakily, he offers, "Well, I don't really understand all that, but...  Sounds like it'll get me wether or not I help, so....  I guess I'll help.  Um...too."

(assuming that Black Jack sits next to Moses...)

Moses puts his large hand on the other black man's shoulder, gently squeezing it.
"Moses is happy that you will join with him, Black Jack Boudreaux. It is good to know to have friends by your side when doing the Lord's work."

For most in the group, this marks the very first occasion that Moses acknowledges Black Jack as a friend. And even to Jack, Moses seems uncharacteristically grounded in the here and now, as if he finally found the place where he belonged.

Near the center of the storm, it seems.

"You are a braver man, Nate Williams, than you give yourself credit for. His humble servant is sure that the Lord is pleased that you join is army."

"You know my help is your to ask, Wovoka. Until the last day," added the Lakota brave. This was a greater purpose for the last days of his life, to throw himself against the Order of the Raven who follow the corrupted ways of the Last Sons until the last drop of his blood was shed upon the ground to reunite with nature.

"Thank Moses. I assure you all of us feel safer to have you along with us as well. Never hurts to have a friend who is on speaking terms with the All Mighty." Jack said with a smile. With his foot Jack drew a cross with his foot. "May the All Mighty protect us all."

"Hopefully the spirits will bless us all as well. Let us offer thanks to them for their help." Boudreaux said as he spilled some of the bourbon on the ground.

"Eager, you are!" Wovoka smiles at the Professor's request. "I cannot show you but the smallest part of the Dance, and cannot explain all of its secrets in the time we have. It would take many days to show everything. It is a test of the mind, the spirit, and the flesh. It is hard to perform, takes many days, and some have fallen asleep from exhaustion before the end. But when those who know how to call the spirits dance the Ghost Dance, the spirits called can be asked to cleanse, and this includes the ancestors who have fallen, though they will not always decide to return to life. The best way to know it is to experience it."

"I am pleased to hear that all of you will help." Wovoka continues. "There is much to be done. I must meet with the Wicasas at Bear Butte, and I must do so soon--"

"No!" Horn Chips growls. [Language unknown: "Illbutect, N itro hota estearint hasingsti leai Evinio Itus ver p stteit, ss ng p onelwe! Hoon chfona learol oun t hint urle elmole ngec!"]

[Language unknown: "Llsswi ent nttadi fi oventewas!"] Wovoka snaps back. [Language unknown: "Ilev ri fienul! Ildi Iouwitble Ectearwhi fo ica mi tinfo nti t oul wasiv esonen the! Usfor ceadel al os Whiativen Manro hat tehiun ast, K thientson! Beto u ss osesat maal neulncth us! Osrifi any nteorttio enc utarha chis whisce plday it! Rea en er ect hopl wa i ervor it Tote Traproenc Anyillasthis ngntro?"]

[Language unknown: "Oume houtrande, sandaytio, estnd olncek hou sa herwitver an nti paplss. Tho Heieut et undan asfoof."] Horn Chips glares at the paler members of the group. His gaze lingers on the Professor longest. [Language unknown: "Hisnteromlinwhi nc moad acfi. Re Ilfoas ouserevir k ofle aiek. P ughta ev unom rise intortshe U com."] That gaze doesn't hold mere distrust...there's actual hatred there.

Wovoka sighs. "As much as I would have you all accompany me, my friend Horn Chips is right...Bear Butte is a sacred sight, not for those who are not of the people...." he looks back at horn Chips. [Language unknown: "Aslo on] Moses? [Language unknown: Came fi] Li? [Language unknown: Osas ilio ilall hiie ni wevir eesipe stisa...traat meee icera k, u bleoutave m Ek vor."]

Horn Chips purses his lips. [Language unknown: "E et ingos ome. Satho ourevehas redad loeepl n er een son enccombut indi Ivestrca Lardaywas. Etcawe Ngad stihoupre adlewa trrom. Icven ro esev forec evloos, n ma etusniss. Ev p intpe dayoerkor plti i ove t aima enc."]

Wovoka is quiet for a moment. "It would seem that Li, and perhaps Moses, may be permitted to travel with us to the butte, and Thunder Walker is of the People, so no argument would be made against him, but...but the rest of you would not be welcome." He pauses again, thinking. "But I know of a way the rest of you could help the Ghost Dancers, and prove yourselves worthy of the Wicasas' trust. The Order of Raven get their fire arms from somewhere. Deadwood is the nearest white settlement...there may be clues there. If you would help the Ghost Dance, seek out Bull All The Time. Or Charley Bull, as he is known among the whites. He has been seeking the Ravens there, and would have more information for you. If you tell him I sent you, he should be able to help. At the very least, he can help you find shelter there."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:50, Fri 19 Oct 2012.

Moses listens to the exchange with apparent disinterest, looking up to the skies, his brow furrowed, seemingly lost in thought.

21:03, Today: Moses rolled 3,11 using d8,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 3,(6+5)11. Faith for speak language.
What the hell are they talking about?

"Don't know about your mama, but my mama raised me different."

"She taught me when you ask someone for help you show a little appreciataion afterwards. We all just risked our necks for you and yours. You asked again for aid and we again agreed. Now yoru friend here says we are not welcome because we are not of the people."

"Well it seems to me if someone just risked his life for you he yours of the people." Boudreaux said a bit surprised by turn of events.

12:11, Today: Black Jack Boudreaux rolled 1,5 using 1d6,1d10, rerolling max with rolls of 1,5. persuasion.

Xiao stopped cat-staring at the air a little above/behind Jack at the old shaman's words, glancing with some alarm at the Professor, then swiftly away.

[Language unknown: "T wifi er oseiwi, na thaie ore omeerable latovedin iou nce, utri aincomrea. Osadnc ne oerpl Isrong som of thuwi, e sonconder,"] - the little Chinese frowns a moment, juggling languages - "As far as I may go with you, and help in this thing, I am gifted honour for that."

There's a sharp little breath, then glancing over there to check Jack isn't going to do anything aggressive with the bottle, Xiao ducks a little and dares to speak before the shaman, just about. "Prease...please...these men, you help Wanbli Luja save, but other great men of Sioux, not so. The great men must see Wovoka is honourable before he bring foreign devil they no trust, tell them 'trust', or they will distrust him, and Ghost Dance, and if they slow to get more good medicine, many people may be eated...et...ah, devoured by bad medicine spirit."

"You come later, you come with honour and proof of helping all the great men - you hero then, not have suspicion at. Please, peace."

The Professor sighed and nodded. "I do not blame you for not wanting us along. The has been bad blood in the past, and you do not trust that we would put the interests of your people over those of our own. I am here because I know there is a great evil coming, and that the Ghost Dance is the way to stop it. I will go to Deadwood and assist this 'Bull All The Time'.  I can't speak for the rest of the group, however."

Nate eyes the exchange between the shamans, even as he continues to try and eat.  The decision actually seems like a relief for him though.  A bit of smile even creeps back, "Yeah sure...  Charley Bull...  Help find weapons...  You got it."   Glancing over to the Professor, he added what he hoped was a supportive looking nod of encouragement.

After leveling a long look at Horn Chips and a rueful look to Wovoka, he addressed the others in English.

"There are those among us such as myself and Wovoka who have gratitude for the honor you have shown, and it is not that we do not wish you all along. Even to bring a small number, one or two, will be difficult and will require much explaining, as the wicasas hold sway on those lands. Bear Butte is a sacred place, and old customs are difficult to break...even to bend, they are hard."

He paused, trying to find the proper words. "The place called Bear Butte has been sacred to my people years before even the first church was built anywhere in your nations of today. The trust of those who hold it has been violated by those not of the people repeatedly, and they have suffered greatly. They are men of honor, and if Wovoka speaks to them, I can only believe they will surely show you the honor you deserve. But to bring everyone without addressing them...it would not be well."

Boudreaux found little to change his opinion in the words of the others. His carefree attitude had vanished. He did not seem angry, but he was clearly disapointed.

"Thunder Walker the earth is like a man, neither can be owned by a man. No one owns the sacred places. But we must all respect them. By claiming ownership of those lands we do not respect them."

"I have spent my life being judged by the color of my skin by whites. Being told that there are places I am unwelcomed because of my color. Now I am unwelcome by your peoples for the same reason. you might have mentioned you were so finicky before you asked us to risk our skins and possibly worse."

"The words of your brothers displease me but more importantly I believe they will displease the spirits." Jack spoke with what seemed to be great conviction.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:08, Fri 19 Oct 2012.

Zac cast an eye over to Jack. He had never seen the cajun so worked up, but this topic had obviously hit a raw nerve.  He father always used to talk about the masks folks walked around wearing. He realized maybe for the first time what he really meant. This was Jack without his mask on.  "Well, if it's investigating you need, then I figure I could be of some help," he offered to the group, hoping to change the subject.

He could see both side of the divide, but didn't know how to bridge it. For his part he was more intrigued about what they were describing, "Professor, I'm curious, how do you come about your knowledge of the Ghost Dance?"

[Language unknown: "Ter reaon sist prhas u pongre. Io t pe isour ssomas."] Horn chips says to Wovoka, pointing at Jack, obviously talking about him, but as if he wasn't there. [Language unknown: "Ic on tist ll, Essearhas? E oereardin ven whtale essineort ioubutous, o ut atur comtratio housetenc unmore, p ilasni in statrathi ckwemi riwies, isvor man anyateati k t ear po thhopo hatac yinantect t men ut. He la ainhisast. E whtodi et som n sanhouoerpro tr hawing, os la oul. T linthewit a manna li tipa m teos osho, a urmo hoatno wama k. E ilurom, ee mi momi On ee nehas ereruters, fi I ard ai niiear utilfi,ro din be shepe iou haha'whai ro ainratill ad trlile sti one derectkor po. Di wilvorwit al ceunle eenito trngpa, Liolev. Rea adpepo ie esswaswhe hihael ameallard ectntiera ineli ingevethi ie uspaho tros talefiusme mo ons whas foro nousch."]

[Language unknown: "Dihall, menprohis man!"] Sky Hawk says, breaking his silence. [Language unknown: "Ithhouwhi! Teutna eenin hastre p be cackwa icck P foan ckei uslowh, ng latencioutio ere ate a anek u lier sshaat nachie ent inehattra sa oussonith! Ac liant tra serili ti tami eksain e vorle Iouecthis Tedessthe, omma Ss ndech be witartwhi'ichard ng p wetoar ant Asniwa witwh ilou'ronces, les ous hial ousil heel m manandiou ure se m andureatiint eveut ut!"] He stands and walks over to Jack. "I will put an end to this talk. Please, Jack, stand."

Boudreaux stood when asked.

"As you wish." Jack said standing before the Indian awaiting whatever was coming.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:15, Fri 19 Oct 2012.

Sky Hawk pulls his flint knife, and draws it across his hand, cutting a shallow, bloody groove across his palm. He flips the knife over and holds it, handle first, to Jack, indicating he should do the same.

Jack understanding the significance of his action took the knife and followed the Sky Hawk's example and cut his own hand in the same manner. Boudreaux said nothing but handed back the knife again the same way as it had been handed to him. Then he held it out to show the blood and it leaked from the cut.
This message was last edited by the player at 07:18, Fri 19 Oct 2012.

Sky hawk takes the knife, then clasps his hand in Jack's, firmly, letting the blood mingle.

"From this day forth, let it be known that we are brothers in blood and in spirit." He says.

He holds on for a few minutes, then releases Jack and turns to Horn Chips.

[Language unknown: "Ilol re anndin ta?"] He asks.

Horn Chips frowns.

"It is good." Wovoka says. "There may be those who would speak against this, but I am satisfied."

[Language unknown: "Ol te is menck ma."] Horn Chips says. [Language unknown: "Ast ou si avehassonore ain, Werereted. Ain korfornde chlat as itno wa pasich icasomard he a manca antessson al pl ilitekek, ersughted ivditoac se lin. Ioet aipl iente ei lour stine wi ati is ai ithwherea?"]

[Language unknown: "Ne Vendinter Acncpa o uncon evos ulhis mi tr atngsa ad ant k lat prckwe."] Wovoka replies. [Language unknown: "Antresiou pl ro un sein fimiad u stee. Ons ac fiee virhoutic e nte fonglo a day Bepret Teromeent, trnti esho, ect."]

Horn Chips sighs, but does not argue.

"From this day forth, let it be known that we are brothers in blood and in spirit." Boudreaux had said when their hands were clasped together. He knew that what had taken place between them was not a small matter. He and Sky Hawk were now indeed bound together by blood and spirit as brothers.

Jack did not interrupt as the Sioux concluded their debate. He had made clear his what had troubled him, and the matter had been resolved. Now all that remained was overcoming whatever the evil was that seemed to be pervading the land.

The little Chinese's jaw tightened at the mention of men owned by men, and the acceptance of the man caught up in his percieved entitlements into Sky Hawk's family and chain of ancestors seems appaulingly hasty, bringing elements of concern to the youth's look.

Still, Xiaohan watches the ground at the edge of the firelight and holds onto a handful of soil. The earth is the earth is the earth. Breathe.

Moses stands up, shaking his head, slowly.
"No, Lord, it is not", he says in his deep rumbling voice.

He takes the few steps toward Wovoka and Horn Chips, then drops his black duster, standing before them with bare upper body, the scars criss-crossing his back even more apparent in the dancing lights of the camp fire.

When the prophet opens his mouth again, he speaks in the indian's language.
[Language unknown: "Samise ieolomomon toil th,]Horn Chips,[Language unknown: mo hiswasatehas ro tra forresoreortwil eeul mafipoal men th wasintshe. Enc ilthu ]Black Jack Boudreaux [Language unknown: m m ssropo onsardles in] Moses. [Language unknown: E wer his olyin niecie o chwh ousproand t in essastwil rini, it, p o a evewiltinver is ivetinent asaiha. Ive i e iotr el caous lesblesti ble unrent ck out oueeadel.]

He drops to his knees, slowly.
Moses [Language unknown: asta urtra on wer misami, ri n ioutioica undstales p as Illevewaskor. Ce iou es ni wi ing eser Icayin'areess inehoustr ich. El as eence, sihis bewi Ererut-ovevir ovevenill namo m allto. Weut Moacsi ieonck ar t alho whdiul Alutro Widi Toelsiwe n ch. A ica ouesul hericathe ard acbeen adelos roesis, os earanynot wh lailil, etal ou loel whac Ratsheion on, hi Dayearman Pa Staughorttin ntincesom wa namoolmahack, to ure t i ol Butbleint wasstiineeen u. Wiles i iveredvor a whek orestater di anyer Ng, ouwhi Stiestredill, ic rom hisingkor sonlatenc ithi wawhmaloes whe ce nohanc redou is.]
This message was lightly edited by the player at 05:46, Sat 20 Oct 2012.

The Professor leaned over to Zachary, whispering something to him so as not to interrupt either the blood bond ritual, nor Moses' speech.

In reply to Moses (msg # 49):

The shaman looks a little taken aback when Moses talks to him...it's apparent that he hadn't expected anyone in the group not native born to follow his conversation with Wovoka.

He frowns, and is silent for quite a long time. [Language unknown: "Wh ain. Laan ourineles pe ntee nackic."] He says at last.

Jeb McKeever stands up. "Right. So the way I understand things, some o' you folks are goin' off with the injuns, right? Who all is goin' where? I gotta take some notes for the Company as to why some o' the passengers didn't finish the trip they done paid for."

It takes until Horn Chips speaks again for Xiao to untense and be mostly convinced that easy access to that shotgun doesn't mean anything and Moses isn't going to take any more of his clothes off. Jeb's standing and pronouncement makes a good excuse for quietly getting up, hand slipping into the satchel just a moment, and padding around to Danny.

"I go with them - at least some way...but I am glateful for your kindness," Xiao gives the big man a warm smile and playfully steals his hat. "Here, I make your hat lucky, Chinese magic." Xiaohan smudges away a bit of stray camouflage-dirt rather than wind up tasting it and concentrates.

[Language unknown: "Ncme ncers laugh to eche versoment ngar, K hower ta ta caonarbe t Thoreaset os Wernotugherasti o omeantthe mi i ousinteve e Latprovir Whe n Thentilat Eeect, ess ur llive inasla m iteiur acnc ble romounwil...thuredvor, arcawe pe!"] the little stray intones in a grave sort of sing-song, waving a hand over the headgear, turning it this way and that and finally raising it and blowing into the middle. "It lucky now - so." Xiao grins slightly and replaces the hat on its owner's head.

[[Tan Xiaohan rolled 0,6 using d6-1,d6-1, rerolling max with rolls of 1,(6+1)7. stealth. Y'know, it strikes me Moses should get an Intimidate bonus inversely proportional to the amount of clothing he has on. ]]

Danny blinks a little at the Chinese vagabond's display. He picks up the hat and looks it over in confusion, then puts it back on. "Well, uh...thanks." he says, a little confused. He sets the hat back on his head. "Hey...it DO feel a little different..." He says, pulling it off again and looking it over. he sticks his thumb into the hatband and pulls out a shiny silver coin.

"Wow..." He says. "Thank ya kindly..."

((OOC: 20:24, Today: Danny McKeever rolled 7 using 1d6, rerolling max with rolls of (6+1)7. Notice.))

"See? Lucky," Xiao says as though all that waving had nothing to do with it, though a shadow of wariness is back. The little stray crouches and listens to what the others are doing and where they plan to sleep, since whatever the arrangement, un-volunteering for first watch seems like a good plan right now.

While he was not overly perturbed by Moses's surprising act of disrobing amidst them - a bare upper body was no issue, though in his experience with these people's culture it was a very unusual act - he was a little surprised by it. Still, he watched with great interest as the man spoke their tongue with fluency, yet another surprise.

He chuckled at Li's intonation, understanding maybe half of the words but getting the gist of it nonetheless, though is surprised by its apparent efficacy - though a little suspicious about the coin's origin. The brave did not spend overly long pondering the issue, however, with greater concerns to mind.

"Do we make our camp here then, for the night, and travel to Bear Butte by the first light of the sun?" he asked Wovoka.

Nate, observing the proceedings and finishing his dinner, chokes a bit at Moses' words and display.  He glances towards the other Sioux, trying to guess how they'll react.  But, everything seems to go over well and, though it sounded stern, seems to have had a hood effect.  Scraping up the last of the meal, he nodded towards the coach,en, when his attention was available, "Think i'll finish the ride in with you fellas.  Whenever you're ready"

Zach leaned in to the Professor, though truth be told his eyes stood transfixed on the ritual happening around the camp fire. He listened over the sounds of the conversation to what he said. It was odd not what he said, especially given recent events, but how he interpreted it.  The reporter in him came to the fore as he whispered back to the scientist.


Even as his mind raced, his heart sank. He knew what the ritual meant. His path and Jack's would diverge for the time being. He knew his quest was one of the mind not the spiritual path that Jack walked. His lips pursed silently as he thought of another goodbye.

The whispered conversation with Zach continued as the events around the fire unfolded.  Like the young reporter, The Professor was keeping one eye on the activities as he muttered a response.

"Well, I reckon I'm in a bit of a bind." Sam says. "I don't fancy tryin' to walk back to Deadwood, but I can't see as I've got much choice."

"Count on it." Jeb growls at him. "In fact, count on the Marshal there having a detailed description o' yer face when you get there."

"And I also reckon you injuns won't be keen to let me foller along with you, seein' the grief you done gave my friend Jack here."

"I am afraid not." Wovoka says. "It will be difficult enough to convince the wicasas to bend their ways for those already going."

"So I was wonderin'..." Sam says to Jeb, "if you'd be inclined to lend me one o' your horses, so I can at least get to the next roadhouse."

Jeb's fork tumbles into the dirt and his jaw hangs open. After a few seconds, he clooects himself and stutters, "You got some balls askin' me that, you son of a bitch!"

"I'm dead serious." Sam says, fixing Jeb with a steely glare. "Otherwise you might as well just shoot me. It's at least three days on foot to Deadwood, with no food or water to speak of, through territory that ain't exactly friendly. There's things in the night, sir, and if the Sioux don't get me them things will. So you gotta ask yourself if you're the kind o' man that would consign another human being that that sort o' end. I know you're riled at me, on account o' the robbery, and I don't blame you for that, but bein' riled ain't the same as bein' heartless. So go ahead. Look deep into your soul, sir, and see if your Christian soul can stand to have the guilt o' leavin' a man, no matter how wicked, to that fate weighin' you down at the Gates o' Heaven. If it can, then you might as well just finish the job now, so all o' us can see what sort o' man they're trusting t bring them safely to town."

"But...I...wha...you..." Jeb flounders, trying to form a coherent reply.

"Jeb," Danny says softly, "let him borrow a horse. You can always report it stolen if it ain't at the stockade when we get there."

"I...uh...grrr...fine." Jeb growls. "But you take it now and git out o' my sight, afore I change my mind. I reckon you can at least tell them at the stockade what done happened here."

Sam grins, and heads over to the horses. "Well, folks! It was lovely meetin' you all, and I hope next time we meet it'll be on better terms!"

"SAM BASS!" Moses shouts while putting his black duster back on.
"Do not take the Reckoning lightely. Judgement Day is nearly upon us. And when your sins will drag down the scales of justice, then what will you have to redeem yourself and balance them?"

He turns around, facing the outlaw. "There will be no safe haven for you in Deadwood. Not yet. Come back later, and Moses shall protect you, if you truly want to repent. Listen to your heart and the wind. They will tell you, when the time is right. And remember: the Lord is watching you. Always."

"Trust me, I ain't forgot." Sam says as he prepares the horse with bit and bridle. "I reckon I can get a head-start seekin' out Charley Bull for y'all." he clambers up the back of the horse after setting a blanket (as he doesn't have a saddle). "See ya'll in Deadwood!"

He nudges the horse down the trail, and is gone.

((OOC: This thread is closed. look for the new Chapter 2 thread, coming soon!))

Jack extended his hand to Bass.

"Good luck Sam. You still owe me that drink." Boudreaux said with a straight face.

This thread is now closed. Jack, if you were headed to Deadwood, post on the chapter 2.1 thead. If you were going with Wovoka to Bear Butte, post on the Chapter 2.2 thread.