This Harrowed Ground

After a little bit o' wrap up from last time, including a good, thorough search of the scene of the final battle, our posse returned to Denver to collect their bounties. Once they had a spell to settle their minds and enjoy the Christmas holiday they received a visitor. Lucky for them he was bearing job offers, instead of something, well, ornery.

Wells Fargo

The man goes by the name of Lewis Hutchens, and he works for the Wells Fargo line, in charge of transportation of metals between towns. It seems that after the previous job, word got around that the posse was capable o' handlin' themselves in a pinch. Seems he needs a few handy individuals to ride shotgun on this operation. Mr. Hutchens was even willing to offer the handsome sum of $10 a day plus expenses for the players services.

Pack 'em up, stagecoach leaves tomorrow!

Miles a way

After a spell o' travellin' down the bumpy road to Pawnee Rock (the first stop), night begins to fall. Its dusk, and a couple o' hours of travellin' is possible, but seein' as how there is a way station right there, hell we might as well stop and have a dry roof over our heads.

Jonah and Lewis stow the horses while Miranda and Reuben step inside for a look. Strangely, there is a pan o' beans sittin' on the stove and a plate on the table. Its all cold. Reuben heads into the bedroom while Miranda takes a gander at the kitchen and front room area. The log books seem to indicate no one has been here for a few days, and an open window and scratches on the floor suggest foul play o' some sort.

Mr. Miles Ketchum, keeper o' this way station, where they hell are ya?

This Harrowed Ground

Much as they would like to turn around and get this reported, they know they got a job and it aint waitin' for the marshal to show up and investigate. So after makin' some quick notes and leavin' 'em where they can be easily found, they all hit the sack. Next mornin' right on time, they head out for the first stop on their trail.

Two days later, they arrive in the dusty, far away town o' Pawnee Rock. This thrivin' metropolis boasts a population of at least 40, maybe even a few more! Lewis finds his way to the mayor's place, seein' as how they are acquainted and such. Reuben high-tails it to the sheriff, just to make sure they know about the missin' man at the way station. On the way everyone notices the town is all spruced up in its Sunday best. Hell, it aint goin' nowhere; must be preppin' fer a celebration!

What For?

It seems that 10 years ago this Friday, a small collection of locals, together with a company of Union soldiers, stood their ground and drove out some Confederate marauders who were terrorizin' the town and stealin' the money o' the good citizens. Just hearin' this story is kinda makin' me festive.

After sharin' some drinks with the populace and otherwise socializin' for a spell, the posse gets word from old mr Hutchens that they will be stayin' on 'til Friday, since thats when the miners will be bringin' in their hauls for them to safeguard. Nothin' like a little new years shindig to warm the spirit on a cold Colorado night. They hole up in a local bar called the Crazy Buffalo, while Lewis finds company with his friend the mayor and his family.

Decoratin'

In a once in a lifetime gesture o' hospitality, ol' Reuben finds himself a'helpin' the local busybody spruce up the joint in preparation fer their big day. Miranda spent some time meetin' the locals at the snazzy as hell local hangout, The Cackling Crow. Why hell, even Jonas had to admit that this shack was the equal of any high class bar in New York City. Thats a whole lot o' loot. Where did it come from?

There's gold in them there hills?

Turns out, soon after their heroic deeds the lord hisself smiled upon those great heroes, and blessed them with a rich strike o' gold. After a short talkin' with the crotchety old assayer, the posse learned not only that, but also where their claim sits, as well as the interestin' fact that he cant remember another gold strike within 30 miles. This is a silver town, plain and simple.

That struck our intrepid heroes a little peculiar, so to speak. In keepin' with the curiosity bent they have been so famous for cultivatin', they tack up their animals and head for the hole in the mountain responsible for these stories. One look and its clear this mine hasnt been worked in years, though that fits with the stories. A big fence and rusty lock block their path, but of course, that aint nothin' to this posse. It only takes a minute er two of jury-rigging, and voila (as the French say).

Once inside Reuben spends a few minutes inspecting the antiquated minin' equipment litterin' the floor, and comes to the not-so-surprisin' conclusion that this mine aint been worked in years. He also fails to find any trace o' gold here. Not one flake. On the way back, they ponder what this means, and generally come up empty.

Cemetery Man

Later that afternoon, while the intrepid (accordin' to them) posse sits enjoyin' a fine meal at the Crazy Buffalo, a sure-fire ruckus breaks out in the street. No less than 6 kids are runnin' and screamin' their lungs out, and this aint some kind o' new fangled game. No sirree, seems they saw somethin' up at the cemetery.

Naturally the sheriff heads on up there, and the posse tags along. When they arrive, starin' 'em strait in the face they see the corpse o' Claude Lemley, local handyman and smith. Now theres a tragedy, werent he one o' them there heroes theyre honorin' this Friday?

Bein' as how they got nowheres to go, the posse stick around for a spell so they can query the local doc. Yep, seems old Claudes heart just gave out. Oh, that look o' horror on his face? Thats nothin'. Can ya give me a hand movin' him back to my office?

Sure, Reuben agrees, but Miranda has somethin' else on her mind. Where is the grave o' the leader of the Union soldiers? The sheriff indicates the general direction, and this upsets her. How can he not know right where it is? Why isnt there a memorial. After a little examinin', she finds it, as well as another strange coincidence. Among those Union graves is a Mr Tom Hapgpood, but also, the newest grave (since they are arranged chronologically, not familial) is of a Tom Hapgood. Must be junior.

Breakfastis Interruptus

The next morning, Claudes death is the talk o' the town. Well, that is, until a collection o' cowpokes come tearin' in to town, bearin' news. Mr Lemley aint the only one whos dead. Seems someone shot good, ol' Clovis Garmin in the back in the wee small hours of the mornin'

Quickly, they mobilize and head out there to inspect the scene. Seems he owns a ranch, and employs 20 or so hard workin' men, and supports a wife and two youngins. A look around reveals that the only thing missin' is an old army revolver, heck, even the $800 cash he kept around for expenses (in the same drawer no less) is still there.

Now, bein the upstandin' gentleman that he is, old Reuben spends a few minutes talkin' with the widow Garmin, and tells her that since the town was gonna be honorin' her husband, aint no reason they cant honor his sons instead. It would give the little men a great way to remember their old pa, as well as keep his memory alive in town. She readily agrees.

Back in the Rock

After seein' two bodies in two days, Reuben needs a drink, and that fancy Crow place is just the place to get one. Or six. While lubricatin' his pipes, he notices a saber hangin' over the bar. That seems interestin', so he starts quizzin' old Karl the barkeep about it. Seems this belonged to Harmon Linkous, the yankee captain who led his troops in defense o' the town. That seems damn important, so he insists on seein' it up close.

Happy to oblige, stranger.

On the way out, the posse runs in to Mrs Poole, and they strike up a little conversation. Aint much to tell, 'cept that the show must go on. Oh, and while they were away, someone paid a visit to the sheriff and his cronies right here at the Cackling' Crow. Someone mean, and stern, and with two hombres at his side. Some say it was Slate. Nobody is confirmin', however.

La la land

Its been a rough night, so Miranda turns in early. After a few generous hits on the opium pipe, of course. Reuben and Jonah on the other hand, spend some time reflectin' before they hit the sack. But little do they know, their slumber wont last long...

Shot in the dark

Awakened by shots in the still of the night, followed by the hysterical screams of a barmaid, Reuben and Jonah skedaddle down the street towards the Crow. Hysterical, and clearly scared as hell, she rambles a story that even after the past events is, well, hard to swallow.

Seems she heard a shot, and she let her curiosity get the better o' her sense, so she investigated. Standin' there in the doorway o' Bernards door, is a ghostly figure, wearin' that sword from over the bar and the gun from Clovis' place. In his hands, still smokin', is Bernies own shotgun, both barrells emptied into poor Bernies chest.

But that aint all. Not only has he written a message on the wall in the newly deceaseds blood, but he also threatens the whole town if they keep honorin' traitors and the like. What that means, nobody knows.

What Now?

Now the whole town is abuzz with opinions. Gather a posse and go after whoever did this. Cancel the celebration. Set up guards around the town. Pack up and move away. There aint no consensus to be had. Nobody knows who to believe about this ghostly apparition, neither. Is it Linkous? Is it Slate pretendin' to be Linkous? Is it somethin' else? Hours and hours o' bickerin' pretty much leads them all nowhere. Well, some guards get posted. Thats about it.

Thursday, Bloody Thursday

Its the day before the big celebration, and the word around the campfire is this here shindig needs to be canceled. Mrs Poole will have none o' that, however. No sirree, no murderer with a grudge is gonna spoil the towns devotion to their heritage. Today was a day for talkin' The posse knew they needed to determine what was really happenin'. They dont want to stand and defend this godforsaken place if they people dont deserve it. Somehow they know evils a'comin'. Both Miranda and Reuben talk to the sheriff and his cronies. Then they both take a trip out to the mine, and reaffirm what they had previously believed. And, feelin' guilty about tellin' Mrs Garmin to send her sons in for the celebration, and now believin' it to be a possible bloodbath, they stop by out there and convince the grievin' widow to keep her kids at home.

Voices From the Past

While those two reconnoiter the mine, Jonah talks to the locals for a spell. He gets an accurate list of who is still here from before the tragedy, and uncovers the name of widow Hapgood. She lives right next to the Crazy Buffalo, so hell, thats right next door!

Wearin' his Sunday best 3 days early, he strides right up to her door and knocks. She seems pretty hesitant at first, but given his talkin' ways, he finds a way to ingratiate himself to her. After a cup o' joe and some reassurin', she tells him a story that raises an eyebrow. It seems her son died in a curious way. But really only curious when you consider that anyone who disagrees with the sheriff seems to have an accident.

She also relates her story of the battle. It seems Tom sr was up early that mornin', and was about to head out to their mine, when he heard quite a ruckus in the town. Gunfire, yep, thats for sure, and from just down the street. He told her to sit tight in the bedroom, and he grabbed the family shotgun and went outside. As soon as he did, Slates men came roarin' into town. The Union soldiers tried to form themselves up and mount a resistance, but they were no match. Hell, Slate himself even shot old Tom dead while the widow watched.

One more thing. She dont remember seein' the sheriff, mayor, or any o' those supposed heroes even once during the battle. When the dust clears, Slates men just rode away. Well, after setting fire to the town that is.

Pow-wow

Seems high time for the posse to meet up for a spell, and since they are all finally back in town, and its around dinner, they do just that. While enjoyin' their meal at the Buffalo Jonah relates what he just learned. Reuben puts somethin' together that Jonah somehow missed. The gunfire started before Slates men came to town, and the Union soldiers were easily defeated partially because they had no officers. And since no one saw the towns fine, upstandin' citizenry, it seems likely that they killed 'em. That also explains something that had been stuck in his craw ever since he heard it. Why did that ghostly apparition call the town traitors?

The first person to die was old Claude Lemley, and he was the local smith. The posse decides thats a good place to start. They head over and talk to Clarence, the new smith. Seems he has a gold nugget he keeps as a good luck charm, and he found it in the smithy years back. After searchin' around they find three molds, one of which looks a lot like that gold nugget.

While the others poke around inside, something in Reubens head leads him outside. He finds a well, but its long dry. He calls Jonah out and they fashion a contraption to lower himself down there. Lo and behold, buried under 10 years worth of muck he finds 2 gold bars and a piece of wood. By golly if that wood doesnt have 'Property of US Army' stamped on it. Seems that column o' Union troops was a gold convoy!

Right about then Clarence shows up, but with some quick wits, a subtle hex and a little bluffin' he decides to head to bed.

A Bluff of Another Color

The posse immediately heads over to the Poole household. Reuben is determined to get this infernal gatherin' canceled. No more lives need be sacrificed.

Of course, its 10pm, and they dont answer. That is no hindrance to these cowpokes, they keep on bangin' away. Eventually Mr Poole comes to the door, but he doesnt want to let them in. Whatever they have to say, it can wait until tomorrow. Of course, our intrepid posse doesnt agree, and they craft a ruse to get inside. Once their, the bars o' gold and evidence o' the US Army are enough to convince 'em that wrongdoin' is rampant. Something has to give.

Going Bump in the Night

On their way out, the posse cant decide what their next step is. After a couple o' booms outside o' town, their hand seems forced in another direction. Quickly they mount and head out past the guards toward the commotion.

After a half hour or so, they come upon the camp o' Major John Slate. He and his men lie scattered around the campfire and everywhere, dyin' o' wounds. He wakes briefly when they arrive, and he relates the story of how the confrontation with Captain Linkous went. Seems they shot him. Many, many times each. Nothin' they have did a damn thing to him. He also promises them that if that pretty boy Linkous could come back from the dead, he would too, and his vengeance would be harsh.

Nobody understands why, but Reuben slings Slates body over his horse, and they head back to town.

Uh, Howdy?

As they approach the guard, he calls out and asks them to put down their weapons. The party readily agrees and informs him who they are and what they found. He is shocked, but agrees that talkin' to the sheriff is probably the right solution. On they go, his house is just a block ahead.

When they arrive the posse parks their horses right in front, and stroll on up to the front door and knock. From inside, the sheriff asks who is knockin'. For some reason, there is confusion over who should answer, so they stand there dumbfounded.

BOOM!

A bullet flies through the door right past Mirandas ear. Nobody shoots at her without reprise, so she draws and fires back. Reuben, starts yellin' 'Its Reuben McRotch!'.

The sheriff, confused, yells back, 'Why the hell are you shootin' at me?'.

Tension returns, as every stands uneasily, with guns in hand. Everyone that is, except Reuben, who is holding the corpse of Major John Slate. Nobody says a word, until finally the sheriff fires again.

Reuben drags that ol' corpse to the right and heaved it at the window. For some damn reason it slams into the wall instead, and falls lifelessly to the ground.

'Hell!', he says, and he picks it up again and finally tossed it through the window. 'Major Slate is dead.'

This quiets the sheriff. Reuben can see him through the window, and the sheriff is fixated on the body in his front room.

'You put down your guns, sheriff.'

'You put yours down, first.'

'Our guns are down sheriff.' He puts up his hands, and the sheriff acknowledges by setting down his pistol.

Just then, Charlie, one of the town guards, arrives on his horse. Jonah opens the door, and the sheriff asks what the hell they are doing. Reuben accuses him of thievery, seein' as how they found gold in a goldless mine, and there were molds for nuggets and stolen US Army gold in the well behind the livery. After some wordplay, its clear that the sheriff is guilty.

Reuben insists that the sheriff go to jail, the sheriff responds that the best course is for him to just leave town, and let bygones be bygones. Of course, they are havin' none of that. Once all of the cards are on the table, Charlie puts his hand on his pistol, but does not draw.

'Vic, I am gonna need you to come with me to the jail. I am sendin' Bill over to get Earl too.'

Once he is back in the station house, he admits very little. Bill returns with Earl (the mayor), and he is shocked to see Victor in jail.

The Plot Unfolds

After the dust settles, the story is that Bernie and Claude killed the Union officers and while Earl and Victor dispatched the guards and moved the gold. Slate came in and finished the job, presumably with no knowledge of the gold. Once he left, the others got the gold, melted it and cast it into nuggets. They then preceded to bring them in and sell them over the next few months.

A Disturbing Nights slumber

Everyone knows Linkous is comin' back tomorrow, yet the posse aint sure what to do. From Slate they learned that normal weapons cant do a damn thing against 'im. What the hell will they do to dispatch this hombre?

Everyone retires, yet the rest is uneasy. Jonah is shackled with the worst night of them all. Eventually, he wakes in a cold sweat. He remembers his days back in St Louis, and what he learned from the ol' shaman who opened his eyes.

Seems these restless spirits return when they cant find their way. But when they do, something is left undone, good or bad. The only things which are material to them are things which either belonged to them in life, or were important. This means his guns, his saber, and the shotgun that killed him.

The posse assembles and discusses the possibilities. Linkous may have had another revolver, so they go and ask the sheriff. After some convincin', he tells them he has it back in his safe. The posse quickly recovers this.

Endgame

So now what? The posse has a big problem. All that have is this simple 1863 Colt Army revolver. Its an old cap and ball rig, Miranda is gonna have to make these six shots count. Reloadin' could take an eternity with a dead killer bearin' down on ya.

Jonah gives her a stern look and assures her that should be enough. 'You just make those shots count. Aim for the head and such.'

The posse holes up in the sheriffs office and waits for dawn. Its not long comin', but it seems like a lifetime. Charlie and Bill are armed to the teeth, ready for whatever comes.

Just as the first light peeks its way in the window, the posse hears a cracklin' from down the street. They rush to the window, and to their shock, not only is Captain Linkous comin' down Main Street, but so are 30 of his soldiers!

Bill and Charlie hesitate, but Jonah and Miranda sprint outside. Jonah starts doin' something no one can comprehend, and Miranda draws a bead on the 'ol Cap'n.

BLAM! Make it count she did. That old ball went straight into the brain pan and blasted a big chunk out of the skull.

'Nice shootin'!', declares Reuben as he hobbles out the door, shotgun in tow.

Then discretion was left behind, as Jonah unloaded a bolt of white light into Captain Linkous. 'What the hell was that?' Reuben shouts, but the query falls on deaf ears. 'Why didnt you do that earlier?' Again, no response.

Shamblin' forward, Linkous struts right up to Miranda, and draws his gun. 'That gun belongs to me'

BOOM! Turnabout is fair play, I suppose, as he blasts her smack in the guts. Its a grevious wound, but though she staggers, she doesnt fall.

In a fitting coup d'etat, Jonah raises his arms and stares skyward. His shriek echoes across the street as another bolt of white energy flies from his hand, oblideratin' what was left ' Linkous' head.