The Montaño Store is clearly one of the oldest buildings on Lincoln’s Main Street. Although the structure and the area it occupies are clearly well maintained, Lee can see that the adobe walls and tin roof have endured their share of unflinching sunlight and brutal winters. The dim illumination of lanterns is visible in the window beside the front door, which has been painted a bright blue. As Lee draws close, he can hear the sound of voices conversing inside.

Glancing over his shoulder, to the west, Lee can see that the sprinkling rainfall has become a light gray mist, which has settled over the valley, concealing the nearby mountains behind a curtain of fog. The air is pleasantly cool, the scent of pine and moisture strong in the gentle breeze.

A small bell rings as Lee pushes the door open. Inside, the walls are lined with handmade shelves that have been stained dark. They are laden with a variety of goods, many in boxes and jars. Tables in the large room’s center hold tools, blankets, and a number of different items fashioned from leather. A open doorway appears to lead into a room where clothes and linens are displayed. The rich scent of spices greets the Ranger as he enters.

Two women are seated across from one another at a desk, which is positioned at the far end of the room. One of the women has long, braided black hair, and is sorting through a basket of herbs which is sitting atop the desk. The other woman, dressed in a simple, dark colored calico dress, stands as Lee steps inside. Her gray hair is swept away from her face, and she regards the lawman with dark eyes that are questioning and cautious.

”Good afternoon, sir,” she says, ”How can I help you?”

"Afternoon ma'am," he said to one woman, offering the same to the other as he took off his hat politely for a moment before replacing it on his head so as to keep his hands free. He pulled back the top lapel of his jacket slightly to reveal the tin star indicative of his membership in the Rangers.

"Name's Bryan Lee of the Texas Rangers. I'm lookin' for a Mrs. Renata Montaño. I'm new in town, and I just spoke to one Mr. Ike Ellis, who informs me that you run a boarding house next to your store that he recommended highly, and I'd like to ask after availability there as I'll be needing a place to lay my head during my time in Lincoln."

The woman took a moment to look at the star Lee revealed before meeting his eyes again. ”I am Renata Montaño,” she answers, ”and I operate the boarding house next door. Mr. Ellis is partial to the food I serve to my guests, which is probably why he spoke so highly of it.”

She gestures toward the desk. ”If it wouldn’t be any trouble, Mr. Lee, why don’t you tell me what business brings you to Lincoln, and how long you anticipate staying here? I may be able to help you with a reasonably priced room.”

He glanced briefly at the other woman, and then back to Mrs. Montaño. Not knowing everyone in the room or their ties to others in the community, he was reluctant to speak too much in front of the unknown party. He didn't want to bring undue attention to the widow from hostile parties that could blame her for his presence and any hostilities that might commence if they discovered she was responsible for summoning him.

That having been said, first impressions were key, and he needed to make one on Renata so he couldn't afford to hold all his cards just then.

"Well ma'am, I'm here at the request of Governor Mosby. Various private citizens, whose names he has shared with me in confidence, have brought matters to his attention that he regarded with sincere concern. While he isn't free to share this concern fully in his replies, they do weigh on him, and as such he requested that the Rangers send someone to Lincoln. As to my business, I suppose you could say that it's to ensure a climate of stability and personal safety for all the citizens of Lincoln County and surrounding areas, as well as one free from the predation of strange wolves," he said, hoping that was enough. He also couldn't help mentioning the wolves, which he could only be certain all members of this community regarded as a genuine threat.

"Might you introduce your friend?" he asked Renata, smiling at the other woman who hadn't spoken yet.

Persuasion: 16 or 14, depending on whether she respects the Texas Rangers or not.

21:41, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 13,3 using d6,d6, rerolling max.  Persuasion.

And some of my Dementia weirdness to boot!
This message was last edited by the player at 17:24, Mon 26 Feb 2018.

”Ava Winter,” the previously silent woman volunteers. “I live in San Patricio, south of here. I have a little farm down that way.” She places her hand on her basket. ”I know a thing or two about the plants that grow in the valley. I help people with remedies when they can’t pay a visit to Doctor Wood.”

She smiles amiably. ”And whenever I’m in town, I pay Rentana a visit. She always has a story or two to tell.”

Renata Montaño is silent for a moment, seeming to weigh Lee’s words carefully. Regarding him with a steady gaze, she says, ”Governor Mosby...I wonder, Ranger Lee, if you might not share one or two of these concerned citizens’ names with me? I can assure you of my strictest confidence. The people of Lincoln, I know almost all of them. Many are like family to me.”

“Or perhaps you are simply interested in securing a room and then wish to speak of these matters with Sheriff Brady.”

OOC: Sorry for the sudden change of portrait. I found one that fit Señora Montaño much better, at least in terms of how I pictured her.

"Pleased to meet you, Miss Winter," he said sincerely to the woman, before turning back to the proprietor.

"Mrs. Montaño, I can share at least one name with you: your own. You corresponded with the Governor, and your concerns were a large part of what motivated him to send me here. Truth be told, whether you operated a boarding house or not, I would've darkened your doorstep soon or late," he said.

"To speak plainly, I've been circumspect in my doings thus far in town, given that there may be hostilities brewing from what we've heard so far. I had intended to come and see you in any case - that you operated a boarding house gave me a perfect reason for doing so without drawing attention to the fact that your letter to Governor Mosby was what brought me to town. If there is outlaw activity in the region or a range war brewin', I didn't want those who find themselves on the wrong side of the law to place any blame on you for my presence here and the consequences they or their companions may face at my hand. I wouldn't have said as much, but I gather that Miss Winter is in your trust as you've all but forced me to say this much in front of her."

Montaño smiles warmly. ”I am glad to know you are who you claim to be, Ranger Lee. Not everyone in this town is,” she says. “I am thankful for your concern for my safety. But I assure you, I have been keeping myself and those I love out of danger for some time now. I am not fearful of how any in Lincoln might view my actions. I have made no secret about where I stand on the happenings here.”

“I have rooms, including a nice one on the second floor that has a window that looks out onto the street. I provide meals for all of my boarders. Breakfast, dinner, and supper. One of my daughters keeps a pot of coffee on throughout the day. I’ll feed you well.” She looks at Lee with a raised eyebrow. ”You look like you could stand to have a little more meat on your bones.”

“Most boarders I charge three dollars a day. For you, I will ask for two. Is that acceptable?”

He sighed with inward relief at her change in tone. He had expected some amount of resistance from the local constabulary, but had hoped to find at least among those who voice concerns to the Governor would be glad that the state was taking some interest in the matter. Still, he could understand her initial suspicions given the tension in the town.

"More than generous, ma'am," he said with a smile when she offered him a good rate at her place. "I'm sure your capable of lookin' after your own affairs, but especially in a town the size of Lincoln, when you've got private citizens and the local constabulary on different sides of a thorny issue, I wanted to take extra precautions that I didn't bring things to a boil. Your manner seems to indicate to me that this is as much of a simmering cauldron as we suspected, so I've gotta be extra cautious with how I operate."

"Whenever you get a chance, I'd also like to hear your piece on any local affairs that concern you, at the time and place of your choosing," he said.

Montaño glances over at Winter. ”Watch the store for me, won’t you, Ava? I won’t be long.” She motions for Lee to follow her. “Come, Ranger Lee. I will show you the casa. Let you get settled in.”

When the pair step outside, Montaño looks up at Lee with a serious expression. ”I am not opposed to sharing all that I know with you, Ranger. Not if it will help you bring peace to this valley once again. But, before we begin speaking of some of the secrets this town hides, and the plans of those who live here, I wonder if I could ask for your help first? Regarding a matter of true importance?”

Bryan followed the woman as instructed, tipping his had to Ava as they left, then returning his attention to Renata. Given the fervent nature of her concerns in the past, he was interested to see what it was that she held apart as a matter of 'true' importance.

"Well, Mrs. Montaño, as long as it doesn't contradict the rules I'm obliged to follow as a man of the law, I'd be glad to help you as I could while I'm here performin' my duties. What's this matter of 'true importance' now?"

”Children, Mister Lee,” she answers, her voice momentarily unsteady. She gestures to the almost empty street. ”They are the reason that it so quiet here. Several of the families here...their children have gone missing. And they are very afraid.”

He looked concerned and very pensive at that bit of news. "Are there any suspicions about where they're goin' or who is takin' 'em?"

”They were taken from the school,” she answers. ”Señorita Perez, the schoolmistress, she was trying to gather them all back into the schoolhouse when it happened. She did not see who was responsible and the children that were left behind, they were terrified. They spoke of shadows, not people.”

“But I have since been told that some families have received word that their niños will be returned to them safely if they quiet their opposition to a certain faction here in Lincoln. Señor Murphy and his ‘House’.”
This message was last updated by the player at 16:25, Tue 13 Mar 2018.

"That is indeed very serious. The House is having children kidnapped to have their parents stop opposing them...What's The House up to these days that folks feel the need to oppose it? And could you give me the names of the families missing the children?" he asked.

She nods. ”The Kibbees. Michael runs our paper, The Lincoln Independent. The Ramseys, who own the restaurant near the courthouse. The Fernandez family, who have farmed the valley for generations. The Sanchez and Gilmartin families, both who work for Mrs. McSween. The Shaws, who came here only a year ago. The Thomas family, who’ve been helping to run the Tunstall Store. And Dr. Wood and his wife, Abigail.”

“Of the children that escaped, I am told that Lyle Baxter, a very brave, clever little boy, had the clearest story about what had happened, though some believed that parts of what he told them had to be the product of a young one’s imagination. His parents own a small farm and orchard just south of town.”

She frowns. ”The House...Señor Murphy is a hard man to know. On the surface, it would seem what drives him is greed. A desire to own as much land in the county as he can lay his hands on. To drive any competitors of his ranch out of Lincoln County. But...I am not certain that is all it is, Ranger. This...this is something you and I must discuss when there is more time.”

"I thank you for your candor and your confidence, and for giving me some of your time in a very busy day and during business hours. As I stay here, I'm sure I'll have a few more opportunities to have some informative conversations with you," he said.

"One more question, if you will, before I depart," he said. "In my role as an instrument of the law, I have to consult with Sheriff Brady. I would like your opinion of the efforts the local constabulary has taken in addressing these concerns."

Montaño purses her lips, shaking her head regretfully. ”I will not tell you that Sheriff Brady is a bad man. I do not believe that. I have heard stories that suggest that he showed great courage during the War Between the States.”

“But...I think age has weakened the resolve he once had. Now, his efforts are largely influenced by those who hold power here in Lincoln County. With regard to the children...to the murder of Señor Tunstall, he has made only a few, brief inquiries, then made vague promises to remain vigilant. I suspect that he has been instructed not to do anything more.”

"I've heard that Brady served honorably in the war, but then again, I've heard the same of Murphy. Time changes men. Given the right circumstances, courage can flag in the best of men, that murder can enter the hearts of honorable ones, and that fear can make even good men turn the other way. I hope that I can manage to undo the damage that's been done here, and I think I've gotta start with gettin' those children to safety," he said.

The Ranger counted out six dollars and handed them to Montaño. "This is for three nights, with likely more to come. I'll leave you to your business for the day, but before I go, could you direct me to where I might find Miss Perez? I saw the schoolhouse chained up on my way in. I suppose I understand why, but I don't figure that'd be the place to find her any more."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:24, Sun 18 Mar 2018.

”You can find Valentina at La Iglesia de San Juan Bautista. Father Narvaez volunteered for her to hold classes there for the time being. Most think it is a safer place and the Father and others are there to watch after the children.”

“If you do not find her there, you will find her at the boarding house in the evening. She has a small cottage of her own, but since this happened, I have insisted that she stay with us. I did not feel that she was safe in that little house of hers all alone. She was resistant at first, but she finally came around to my way of thinking.”

She accepts the money without counting it and smiles at Lee. ”Gracias, Ranger Lee. I am thankful to God that you are here with us. I will see you this evening for supper.”

La Iglesia de San Juan Bautista has the look of a church that has weathered many winters, but has survived them well. The adobe structure is a simple one, favoring sturdiness over form, but the steeple above the entrance doors makes the purpose of the building easy to identify.

Stepping inside, Lee finds himself in a single, large room, the walls of which have been painted a light blue. Two rows of plain, but well crafted pews, take up most of the space, which is headed by a long, polished wooden table which serves as an altar. It is covered with a lace tablecloth and several implements of worship, including a cross and chalice, sit atop it.

A small group of children are gathered in the front two pews on the right. A clean shaven priest is speaking with them, reading from an open Bible.

A young woman with long, dark hair in a calico dress is watching the group, but turns to Lee as he enters. Lee notices her gaze fall to the star pinned to his chest. Looking at him uncertainly, she says, ”Good afternoon, sir. Can I help you?”

Bidding a polite farewell to Montaño, Lee made his way to La Iglesia de San Juan Bautista, taking off his hat out of respect as he entered the establishment.

"Afternoon, ma'am. I'm here to speak to a Miss Valentina Perez," he said, speaking in a calm and soothing voice and giving her his best smile. Bryan had a manner that seemed to put people at ease, as long as he wasn't letting slip the many dangers they were constantly in. For the moment, he made sure to avoid mentioning the wolves, though he'd have to let these folks know sooner or later.

"My name is Ranger Bryan Lee, of the Texas Rangers. I just want to ask her a few questions, if she'd be so kind as to oblige." Lee had the feeling that the woman he was talking to might be the one he was looking for, and so he kept his statement one that might be addressed to her or another.

"I am Valentina Perez," she replies, confirming Lee's suspicions. She sighs, a reliieved expression settling on her tired features. "So the Governor...he listened."

She gestures to one of the empty pews. "Please, have a seat Mr. Lee. I have some time before the children will need me again."

"He did indeed, ma'am. I'm here at his behest, thanks to the letters that you and Mrs. Montaño wrote. The Governor said you were a bit vague in your letters, though Mrs. Montaño filled in some of the blanks, and I can understand why you'd be hesitant to put it all in writing," he said, gesturing that she should sit first, and taking his seat only after she did.

"I need to know who or what took the children. It's my understanding that you didn't see the culprit in a manner that might provide identification, but that some of the children shared their observations with you. Even if it seems outlandish or like something from their imagination, I want you to share their tales with me. I promise that will take your story seriously," he said.

"I've seen those with evil intent in their hearts play strange tricks that throw off the honest, but if I can understand what they saw or think they saw, it might better help me in apprehending those responsible."

Perez sits down, her expression thoughtful. "You are the second person to come asking about the school today, Mr. Lee. A woman was here not long ago. She was not an officer of the law, but she was interested in helping find the missing children." Perez describes her visitor, leading Lee to believe it was Kansas Kate that she had spoken with. "Desiree Thornton sent her to me. Miss Thornton runs a saloon here in Licoln. She is a good, trustworthy person."

"I did not see who took the children, Mr. Lee. I was still trying to gather them all into the school when it happened. The door...I heard it slam shut and some of the children screamed. I tried to push it open, but for a time, I could not. Lyle Baxter and Ella Gehrig, they both escaped through one of the windows while I was trying to get inside."

"Then suddenly, the door just opened. I almost fell on the floor. But the school.."

Perez shudders. "The entire back of the classroom...it was covered in these...weeds. Dark colored vines with thorns. Like brambles. I'd never seen their kind before. They had come up through the floor around my desk and grown up the walls, all the way to the ceiling."

She wrinkles her nose. ”There was an odor...dusty, like a casa...a house that has been left closed up for many years."

"The children told me that a figure...tall...some said with very long arms and legs, came out of the vines and grabbed some of the niños. Some, if I understood them correctly, said it pulled them back into the plants."

She looks at Lee helplessly. "I never saw it, myself. Once I was inside, I rushed to get the children that were still there out of the school. When I returned, I couldn't find any trace of the students who were missing."

Bryan didn't know much about Kansas Kate, though it spoke well of her that she'd shown up here asking after the children. She had seemed a practical woman, and handy with her guns. He had assumed her services would be mainly provided to the highest bidder, not that there was anything wrong with that; people had to eat. Still, if she had a soft spot for children, he might be able to use her help. He gathered a sense that this situation might not be one that he could handle alone, but that he might be up against some powerful forces. That was a sense that only grew as her tale continued.

"Sounds like the woman that came in was a woman I shared the stagecoach into town today with," he said at her description. "Did she express any inclination to help in the matter?"

"As for the plants, are they still in the schoolhouse?"

Perez nods. ”She did. I even mentioned that some of the families might be inclined to gather a reward to those that helped locate their children and she waved it away. She left here to speak with Lyle Baxter, a very brave little boy who managed to get out of the schoolhouse and help another child escape.”

She looks over her shoulder toward the entrance to the church. ”Si. The plants are still there. They had spread further when I last looked into the school. They have also overtaken the outside of the building, in the back.”

“It is chained closed, as you have probably seen. Father Narvaez, he has the key.”

"I don't know much about her, but that speaks well of her. I might have to seek her out sooner than later, make sure we don't end up followin' each other all over town," he said.

"I've heard that there've been some threats made against the families of the missing children, that they would be returned if they dropped their opposition to a certain faction here in town. What could you tell me about that?"

”I have not been present when any were made,” she answers, ”But Señora Sanchez and Mrs. Wood both told me that they had visits from members of Jesse Evans’ gang, telling them that that if they were to stop their talk against Lawrence Murphy, their children would be returned to them safely. I have heard that Mr. Kibbee had a similar encounter this morning.”

“Jesse Evans, he is an outlaw. He had a bad reputation before he ever came to Lincoln. He and those he rides with work for The House. Mr. Dolan tells everyone that they are cowhands, there to tend and watch over Mr. Murphy’s cattle. But few in town actually believe that is true.”

"Who is Mr. Dolan? And where might I find Lyle Baxter?" he asked. His list of stops before he went to see the local law seemed to be going up, but he figured he'd better catch up with anyone else workin' this angle to avoid doubling down on every person he canvassed. People would start to not appreciate being hassled twice in a row about the same subject sooner or later.

"Have there been any threats against your person, Miss Perez, or the good Father here, for giving shelter to these children?" Murphy sounded like an Irish name, and likely that meant Catholic, so he thought that if he wasn't involved at least he might have the decency not to invade the sanctity of an establishment of his own faith. That assumed a lot of things, like decency on Murphy's behalf, but moreover, it assumed Murphy was the one pullin' the strings.

”Mr. Dolan is Mr. Murphy’s business partner. His...lieutenant, for lack of a better word. I believe he is from Ireland, like Mr. Murphy, and served in the Confederate Army for a time. I was once told by Mr. Kibbee that Mr. Dolan spent several years in Brazil before coming to Lincoln. He supposedly learned much about the cattle business there.”

“Mr. Dolan is seen in town much more than Mr. Murphy. He conducts much of The House’s business. He...is also feared by many. There is a story about a man...a gunfighter from Arizona named Barlow who was hired to kill Mr. Dolan by a businessman who felt Mr. Dolan had cheated him out of a great deal of money. The way I have heard it told, Barlow was able to draw his gun on Mr. Dolan when he found him at Wilson’s Saloon, but Mr. Dolan took it from him before he could fire. Then he beat Barlow to death with his bare hands.”

She shrugs. ”It may be exaggerated. But people here are still afraid of angering Mr. Dolan.”

“No one has threatened either Father Narvaez or myself. So far, the children have been left alone here at the church. I pray that it remains that way.”

"Well, I'm not here to anger anyone, but with the course of my investigation, I expect that sooner or later people are gonna start getting angry at me. The good part is that I'm not terribly concerned with their anger. Miss Perez, I promise to do my best to keep your schoolchildren safe and recover the ones that have been taken," he said.

"I thank you for your candor and the information you've shared with me. If you can think anything else, or need anything else, you can find me staying a few doors down at Renata Montaño's place. Could you point me to the whereabouts of Lyle Baxter? I'd like to catch up with the last woman you spoke to, to see if I might be able to count on her aid."

Perez provides directions to the Baxter property, explaining that the farm is located south of Lincoln and includes a fair sized apple orchard. ”She rode out there some time ago, though,” she adds, ”so it might be worth checking at the Thornton-Curry Saloon before you leave to see if she has returned. She...seemed the sort that especially likes saloons.”

“Desiree Thornton, the saloon owner, was who sent her to speak with me. Miss Thornton has been very outspoken about some of the wrongdoings committed by The House. She often goes out of her way to help those here in Lincoln who are in need.”

He chuckled at her seemingly surprised reaction at Kansas Kate possibly enjoying saloons. Bryan had met women who did, though they seemed few and far between, and with Kate's demonstrated skill set, he wasn't surprised at all. "Once again, thank you for your time, Miss Perez. Please don't hesitate to contact me if you should need anything," he said.

Taking his leave, he decided that he'd take Valentina's advice and wander over to the Thornton-Curry and see what was afoot. Besides, he could use a drink after finding out some of what was troubling this town.

Outside of the Iglesia, the mist has become interspersed with occasional drops of rain, the mountain air cooling further, the heavy clouds bringing an early dusk to the afternoon sky.

Lee ventures down the street, finding it still quiet and mostly unoccupied. Passing another drinking establishment, Wilson’s Saloon, the Ranger notices a pair of men loitering in front of the entrance, watching him as he saunters down the muddy street.

Soon, the imposing sight of the two story courthouse comes into view, lantern light burning within a few of its second floor windows. Across the street from it is a well kept clapboard building with a tin roof, trimmed in bright red. A sign hanging over the batwing doors reads simply, ”Thornton-Curry”.

A young man stands on the front porch, leaning against one of the posts that support the overhang. His features indicate that he is of Mexican heritage, his somewhat shaggy dark hair and unshaven face betraying long hours spent on the range. His shoulders and chest are covered by an earth colored poncho and a Peacemaker is tied low on his left thigh. In his left hand, propped on his shoulder, is a carbine sheathed in a buckskin scabbard. His attention appears fixed on the nearby courthouse, but he breaks his watch long enough to politely nod to Lee as he approaches.

Inside, Lee finds a well furnished barroom. A wide mirror, framed in dark stained oak, adorns the wall behind the polished bar. Shelves holding glassware and bottles stand in front of the mirror. A number of round tables and wooden chairs fill the room and, to the left of the bar, an open door leads deeper into the saloon. The neat decor and papered walls lend the interior a genteel air, reminiscent of the finer homes of the Deep South.

Several of the tables are occupied. At the bar, Lee sees a woman he immediately recognizes as Kansas Kate conversing with a dark haired woman he guesses to be the saloon keeper.

OOC: I’m going to have you pick this up over in Kansas Kate’s thread.

On his way, Lee carefully took in the scene around town. He didn't let his gaze linger too long on the men outside Wilson's Saloon; that would take precious time away from his search for undead wolves. He politely nodded to the man out front, and made his way into the saloon.

OOC:

22:37, Today: Bryan Lee rolled 2,3 using d6,d6, rerolling max.  Notice.

Bryan looks for wolves, but doesn't see any. He's convinced they must be around somewhere, and when he sees them, he'll be ready.

I've made my main post in the other thread, but wanted to leave this little bit here for flavor.