"I do not have to think, for I have already completed a second--the line to Deadwood." Kang says with a faint smile. "There, I solved a problem for Sitting Bull again, only the problem was this: people will be coming to Deadwood, to mine the gold and the dusky jewel. How do they get there in a way the Lakota can watch? The answer was my line, and the road that runs next to it. The only way in or out of the Lakota Nations for the white man. Should they come in another way, the Lakota is free to confront them."

He crosses his manicured fingers together. "I would suppose that, to complete my new line, I will have to solve another problem for Sitting Bull. I will simply have to see what problems he wishes me to solve. I do so hope the Ghost Dance is not a problem for him, the way the General Custer's advance is a problem. Sitting Bull speaks loudly of the Old Ways, but I have seen his eyes light up at new ways as well...new ways of killing the white man. I somehow do not think a strengthening of the Old Ways will appeal to him."

"You are mistaken." Crazy Horse says through clenched teeth. "Sitting Bull is the strongest voice for the Old Ways. The Ghost Dance will make the Old Ways more strong. Your 'new ways' are just the white man's toys. Sitting Bull will see this."

"Ah?" Kang says, with a gleam in his eye. "Perhaps it is so. I am only an ignorant foreigner, after all, and do not know all the ways of Sitting Bull."

Rabbit doesn't seem to follow this explanation very well, but is soon distracted by the question.

[Language unknown: "Erpana, trlin eswewh...poou ndouet pathma, p mant. Der chno Prsa Thoativer, el lo res etnopretpe, pl a ec oresheicapreent Ndeourous n diel cathte ss arpro. O ic i wanaut seevth. In tha comousthueraica Lestedeau Forpreear viroreess st i hionre ieove, be Unnemo Men il reut e ame re lible alleraera eviswe ek atelineve, ss wi icaughver no latil ard entwheter na iveverure it thi the dist ersoneugh."] Rabbit makes stabby motions to try and get the idea of "assassin" across.

[Language unknown: "Sine ro encca ev st ons he, k elent sa, lo thng etle setsanthi eshalo, ente lin"] Rabbit frowns, trying to think of a translation. "-scientists. He very powerful."

The idea that Kang would obey local laws brings a further furrow to the youth's brow. [Language unknown: "Comer redoneine k era vorforthurom evwhta ncnc ectne elwer tin si? Acofsick men ofac stang iv en undthider, hou neha dinti e o ut ekoul throom, not me ven ai meun. Derlarles Hiwh Whelpr i t hi, o nti einte din se Ithforrom. Nd wil p Caal? Strratons pana, ch en ntetri k of: e metin os omeol ometedshe, beit i esofur comme en it plmelo, fi k ecch com...Ticatiers file histhuntehouder arni la homi ntiec. Sser comol to, ul, ent siio tenc roted houn, and plol lo os one ion la la ithoreint we, as o ni io thul, ce astet lo n are, ai mowh th ble itro pl nt ounoulest. O Witectshe Resmi ive ar pro wios omebutant estck ck t waanpr o ore i mi, oericavor wami o,et inss intho thadayeen li, thiil annare io pl tho essca Arewilint Virstaame Ha."

"Ie ness li trosil ur was, i et be ec Voryintho san ta Ineconati Atenotrea we beie ssmiriplst becon ceng. Me ut leee oer ut conthevor, arence k pawire urosno eauortore, el onsreakorstrset. N foar undhasich hoal ee n anck son Noelwh, ceiv ca ut o inte ble esticaher."]

"No, you are not ignorant, but you have yet to learn some things. Even a man who wears his emotion on his face, as does Horn Chips, is not always easy to read. The truth of the matter is in the heart. It is only that you are wrong on this thing, even if you know many other things," he said, his voice calm serenity. Eagle Floating on Gentle Breeze was like a large weathered rock in the middle of the river. The water's passage had worn away at him over time, but he stood there nevertheless. Unperturbed by the turbulence, he was always regarded among his people as a bulwark of stability.

"The Ghost Dance is not a problem for Sitting Bull. We are only a problem for those that would do us harm, as those who follow the Raven have learned to their loss this day and will learn again the next time they should be foolish enough to test us once more. To those, we are a very big problem. Our braves are strong in their hearts, and our shaman are strong with the spirits. And there are yet others who have come to walk our road, even if they are not of our tribes."

Kang quietly eats while Eagles Floating speaks. "You seem quite assured of your path, then." he says when the shaman finishes. "I shall have to speak to Sitting Bull, to see what he says. This should prove a most interesting discussion."

"What will you do about the fortress?" Crazy Horse asks.

"What fortress? The miners, they are the ones with the wall, they are the ones with the guns. My only part in this is a road which may or may not yet be built. Why do you assume I have any say in what they do?"

"You are the Chief of all the Yellow Men."

Kang smirks at that. "If only that were true. Alas, it is not."

"So you will do nothing?"

"I see nothing I can do. You are he who enforces the treaty. Is this not your task, to deal with those who violate it?"

Crazy Horse scowls. "It would mean the deaths of many braves to remove them by force. Too many. And there is Yellow Hair to be concerned with now."

"Then you will simply have to suffer them. Perhaps, if they had less to fear from the bandits of the Wild Bunch, or the Ravenites, or the other creatures of the Hills, they could be persuaded to disperse."

Crazy Horse just scowls.

Art squinted as Rabbit spoke, as if he would be able to see through the explanation if less light reached his eyes. He quietly considered what he heard for a few moments after Tan fell silent. [Language unknown: "Eiilei aiin wasabe p ecdibe eefor wi noon lesshecon larithdin po sataureksa venounort m her. Stmaar iv omeresund nihite ouwise pr andareiouter menbuteau atiwhenot proce ovemanhou." ]

Art furrowed his brow and nodded at Rabbit's final sentiment. [Language unknown: "Osulla ch alous butestthi seticayin m prant wassnt, pr icstr son, sonstales rom wil etchiv. Es hisho seelil resentver ure essll ai fiwil ceha stioulard ndri On We."] Art frowned and paused, as if another thought came to mind. [Language unknown: "N moel stioveone Pafo u pe ronconca ieee?"]
This message was last edited by the player at 03:31, Fri 20 Dec 2013.

Rabbit's expression gives away nothing. "I believe he keep promises and respect the customs, but I do not know him personally." Under the good buckskin shirt, the youth braces against a shiver.

((OOC: So...where are you guys going to go from here?))

Art frowned at the response. [Language unknown: "Ie k eieve ovewheugh esse manortund Arient Ndeamelin sa Pro Intromore motrev ni tho ck weof. Has red os laove nc ushatiwh, eve yin ivncmo butestoer adta evtrai ac ee dinastone t era lo ng hoic he tiovenver a venticour ckard pohipl ntiavekor thleai iemiei pa ectntiicaest rat saeeeeckee aiut e herhatred is. Th be vertr Me p haslatbleter?" ]

Close observation might note a very slight tightening of Rabbit's jaw, though the youth's gaze is low, tone mild. [Language unknown: "Reasomtha Illthotra Som ovethoive e tahipaos ich ev ereourain. Llout Onsus Ilce Naanro ullar his ourherest o whi latne un whenceera ietope."]

[Language unknown: "Ol adbe, al ma lo o enei entdinout?"] Rabbit asks.

[[presumably Art had an idea, as he wanted to talk to Rabbit...in the slightly longer-term, Rabbit'll still want to find Horn Chips at some point, but if Harrowed!Thunder Walker starts walking around/Rabbit encounters Moses with something wrong with him, distraction will occur.]]

Art nodded at the response from Rabbit concerning Kang's ability to keep his word. [Language unknown: "Lewi e icom it ons be t nt u erslarder me oshou ivday ble tho, stas U wheeca lahewa les Ntmafi mendaynce iou ectwi ine."]

His brow scrunched together at the question about snakes. [Language unknown: "Foreeniouame, ou inngon?"]

[Language unknown: "Ev whtra for ard ro ndosnd rom pontwi ticwilwas, moeve...omwit is, fibeil, p vir Mobeti Enof peanis k i m, oual ioetai i un ro."]

The youth abruptly looks between shocked and amused, sudden as the sun breaking from clouds. [Language unknown: "A...din ma i enpl illsheted a unosom st, wh ho stneta, ncec an a nieau arof n o thulil. Ati admice. On naore ant anil wileekronari of ri, es ar andndedin ul iton sisi ee acman haevic. Ee ur ieus mi weted er il chha al oernc eksinota, a un foth ha t buthertio re wil, mohoio leder our peith ol. Anyun plen presnaurwi,"] Rabbit says, almost grinning.

((OOC: Since Eagles Floating's [player is out of town, this is all on you two. I'm just waiting on the two of you to come to a decision to act on or make some other motion towards action.))

"Yes, we will all have to speak with Sitting Bull. I am sure he will be interested to learn all that we have learned in the days past, and also from you today," he said, listening for some time to the back and forth between Crazy Horse and Kang on the subject of the Dusky Jewel.

"Crazy Horse, if the Chief Kang has no power over those of the Dusky Jewel, then it is not a matter for him. He cannot be expected to give aid where he is powerless. It shall be up to us to find a solution, though perhaps it is something Sitting Bull will ask of him for his next line. But I think no more point in speaking of it here."

[Language unknown: "...iv ngan sess, Ek lin li onsck preartwheted o Stpl Ioneaupre ek lar? P lise ur ngtha ticse ll foceto neel fious, N onestinti,"] Rabbit adds, clearly still meaning to go ask Horn Chips to hold off any cursing.


[[*prods thread to nudge Floating's post down* Rabbit's goals remain the same...Art, PM me if this thread gets wrapped up before Art's asked Rabbit all he's keen to and I'll get answers for you there: I'm sure there'll be space for them to talk a bit during downtime.]]

Crazy Horse nods. [Language unknown: "U a and ar nc. Vor Miitss ill elstie, tincomcom thu ee omto nd. Ven sa ndee whi entoureau."] He begins to stand.

Kang raises an eyebrow. "Sir Crazy Horse? You have not yet finished your meal."

"Not hungry." The brave says curtly. "I go now to speak with Sitting Bull."

"It seems such a shame to waste food." Kang says mildly. "Not to mention rude to simply depart in the middle of a meal. One would think you were intending to give offense."

"Think what you want. I go." Crazy horse says, and stalks out of the tent."

Kang sips his tea. It seems like the temperature of the cozy tent just fell a couple of degrees.

With the meeting seeming to be over (Crazy Horse talking off into the night, Horn Chips gone elsewhere, and Eagles Floating left alone with Kang) it's clear nothing much will get accomplished. Kang sends a servant to interrupt the conversation between Art and Rabbit.

The man sent to speak with Rabbit is one of the other men who had been dining at the table. [Language unknown: "Iour Bleeveingyin Est antsanhis lar theeenlatnde llenckpe no anytedder les onsmaneve korpe ver u to i icol. Ent ai artbletheforwerdayson."] he says. [Language unknown: "U om ma nenaei unson."]

((OOC: Art? Eagles Floating? What are you up to?))

The Cheyenne shaman smiled at the turn of events, shaking his head in mirth, and taking another sip of his tea before speaking. "It seems you have called two Lakota with hot tempers to meal. They have boiled over like tea kettle!" A brief chuckle.

"We are many in the Ghost Dance, and temper of two are not of all, as you see with me, I think. I do not wish to cause offense. You are host, and have kindly given food and drink, whatever other disagreements we may have. But myself and my Cheyenne are here, also guests of Lakota. These Lakota, they may boil over like tea kettle again if I stay here long after they have all left me!" Again, his lips formed something of a smile, as if he found this all amusing.

[[night? I make it 2pm at most...]]

Rabbit starts a little at the abrupt command from Egg, turning and bowing formally to the scientist. [Language unknown: "E pron-evla la ofhill. Comounect iotoho i eiaroscewi dinai ulrat ons, M om leee wil plulie ri tioastpro."] It was a weak threat, that Horn Chips might notice an absent apprentice and lay censure on a chief that dragged one away to nameless tortures, but a foothold nonetheless.

"Lord Kang ask me back," Rabbit explains to Art, pale. "It not take very long, I think - we can talk more in evening, perhaps." With a slight incline of the head, Rabbit follows the railroad man, praying with every footfall on the earth.

("No-one's coming for us, honey. No-one will ever come for us. If you find a way to run you jus' keep running: chase that horizon 'til you run clear out of country and there is only white sand or the wide blue sea and not a soul to look upon, or they will get you. Don't come back. Don't look back. Not never.") Rabbit swallows, trying hard not to think of Cassie, of Maria's dim smirk glimpsed between blows of a stick, of mother and home and a fierce refusal to break an infant cousin's feet. Spirits protect me. Please. See me.

Art shook his head at Rabbit's request, though smiled at the youth. [Language unknown: "Rutereest eion, toate ut. Ul Is ec ofacnifo ee rono daycomwhe eell, U ionseteen m m ecofio, man a setoulder forstrtho o antearwit oulainareion t el benith."]

Art looked at the incoming person with a furrowed brow, and tried to observe facial expressions as he spoke. When Rabbit addressed Art, he returned the polite inclination of the head. [Language unknown: "I forca honolo ac thoproundcon ica onri ofpaas ussidi. Loarun me, A ck meres as her et wertraast o ingortcon."]

When Rabbit took his leave, Art narrowed his eyes as he watched the youth leave. He turned to his constant companion and fixed her with a brief stare. "Kira, I do not think he wanted to go back..."

OOC: Art would like to keep an eye on Rabbit and check on Eagles Floating. Perhaps as Coyote or Hawk. Based on terrain and where Kang was, would one be better than the other?

"Boiled over...yes." Kang says. "Let us hope they do not boil over into the fire. I would not like to see them burned." He looks up as Rabbit re-enters the tent. "Ah, good." He looks back over at Eagles Floating. "If you feel you must take your leave to mollify the others, then by all means, go and see to them. I have business here with the young one."

He then turns his steely gaze on Rabbit, and Eagles Floating has the distinct impression he's been dismissed.

((OOC: Art, a coyote or a hawk would probably look out of place in the middle of a Chinese camp. You're not quite high enough Rank to pull off something like a horse, but you might be able to get away with a smaller creature, such as a sparrow, cat, or mouse.))

"Be well," he said, standing, more than happy to excuse himself. He hurried to join Crazy Horse and Horn Chips, if he could find them.

Kang watches Eagles Floating leave, then turns his steely dragon's gaze on Rabbit. He remains seated at the head of the table, while the pair of bodyguards stand and take up a position near the exits of the tent. [Language unknown: "M."] He says simply. [Language unknown: "Ad u E n st ulla iontr?"]

Rabbit looks up slightly at Floating's passing, then back at the floor, standing meekly and without expression with the sorcerer-scientist behind and the warlord in state before, saying nothing.

Once Rabbit was out of sight, Art bent down on one knee to stroke Kira's fur for a few moments while considering his options. He spun his staff twice above his head before driving the base of it into the ground and calling upon the spirits in a language unknown to these parts.

OOC: Art attempts to change into a sparrow. Druidic Lore of 11.
16:47, Today: Art C. Wiley rolled 11,1 using d12,d6, rerolling max with rolls of 11,1. Druidic Lore (shapechange).

Dark feathers began to sprout where hair once had been, and Art quickly shrank into a tiny bird. He turned to look way up at Kira. "Cheep."

He then took flight, heading toward where the lad had gone in returning to the camp.

At player request, I am going to close this thread and continue the chat with Kang in an Interlude. Art, Rabbit, resume posting in the "Interlude: The Dragon's Den" thread