Another man speaks up as well, his grey eyes still scanning the area. "You might want to know as well that the sheriff released those men. I'd wondered if they might think of coming back to finish what they'd started."
”At this point, they are welcome to try. You work for the Sheriff, does that mean you are in agreement about the release of the murderers? If you do not, what do you propose to do about that... incongruity.” Culver says the last word slowly, as if trying to recall something from deep inside his mind, turning to the new speaker.
”I believe that in the future, we are less likely to be merciful to attackers, for that matter. Fool me once, as they say.”
Curly chuckles some at the level of threat he apparently represents and dismounts, making a show of moving slowly. His head full of curly hair fits the name he's given the remaining defenders of Serenity Ranch. Dressed in nondescript, functional clothing he's neither particularly tall or short, and no one would call him handsome. His eyes do sparkle with something akin to mischief, though his expression is serious. As he reaches the ground he pats his horse and then walks over to kneel at the blood spatter that Culver had indicated.
"I see, cattle rustling first and then the murder later. That makes more sense. Angle Eyes had a story in mind that you might tell which matches that closely enough." Curly gestures towards the stoic, gunslinger still scanning the area looking for threats. Curly stands to look at those assembled before him and nods.
"So here's the good news. The sheriff deputized us a couple days back, so at this point we represent the law in this matter. We're also inclined to figure out what happened rather than just make problems disappear. Most of the story that you're telling makes reasonable sense. If you were responsible for killing I can't see a motive for bringing McInyre's men in. They're just going to blame it on you and you get the suspicion of the law all the same. It's possible you're up to no good and just a couple steps of reasoning beyond me, but I'm going to give one of us credit here and assume that's not true."
Sighing, Curly looks a the bloody patch and then back to the group. "The bad news is that we got no chance to talk to the men that were locked up at all. The sheriff, after deputizing us, said that time wasn't a huge issue, so we were resting up after a gun-fight with some bank robbers gone, well, let's say less well than it could have. By the time we got around to asking some questions the men had been released. We've taken this job because it seems like it's one that probably needs doing, but if I read you right, our faith in the sheriff might be about the same as yours just now.
"Having said that, you talked about not taking the law into your own hands. Funny thing is that right now, as I just said, we are the law. You make a convincing enough case and there's no reason that we can't work together all nice and legal like to deal with the issues you seem to have. Have you got any evidence about the story you're telling? I don't suppose the cow's still around, and you've probably buried whatever bodies resulted from the raid. I'm a bit confused by what you're saying about the eyes on the cattle rustlers, so I'd like a bit more detail there. It wasn't just a trick of the light of the moon or anything?"
"To be clear, I was more than happy to just string them up; it was this lot that talked me out of it."
"It would appear more and more likely that my usual gut reaction vis a vis law enforcement officers is rather accurate; i.e. they are corrupt a!#&!#+s."
”You may have been right on that point, Henry. But we appreciate your trust in us to try to do it the lawful way.”
The man called Angel Eyes is tall and raw-boned, his skin weathered by the sun but still fair and more likely to burn than to tan. He wears a flat-brimmed hat and a serape hangs over his shoulders, barely concealing the gunbelt and pistol that hangs at his hip. His eyes are a grey-blue, and his lined face is usually set in an expression of vague amusement.
When Henry speaks his piece, the gunslinger chuckles and lights a cigar he pulls from the breast pocket of a pale blue chambray shirt. "I think that idea would have saved us a lot of trouble, friend. If we run across these men again, I'll supply the rope. If any of them are still able to stand up long enough to slip their head through the noose."
Perry slings his crossbow over his shoulder and gives a short whistle, then moves forward to the new group. A wolf follows close on his heels. "Well, we tried it by the law the first time. If any of those bastards cross us again I don't think we'll need any rope, just shovels."
"Name's Perry Moran and I call my wolf Shadow. He doesn't really answer to the name but he usually does what I tell him to. I mention the red eyes only 'cause they were strange. Thought they might've been diseased or crazed but the color faded not too long after the battle. Don't really know what it was."
"Perry, they were strange. No doubt about that. My eyes are keen, keener than most at night, and they shot Cordon down in the dark like it was the middle of the day." Culver turns to the new folks.
"Well, where do we go from here? Our group does not have the ability to manage this ranch, but we are still in Cordon's employ. I think we should do right by him and bring what justice as we can, as Henry said. The law failed, and it seems like McInyre may be meddling in affairs of the spirit world as well."
Just as you are beginning to get to know each other, Shadows ears perk up and he starts sniffing the air frantically. Something is wrong.
A few moments later, you all feel a chill down your spines as an ear-splitting howl erupts from somewhere behind the house.
Hearing the howl Perry turns and readies his crossbow before heading around the house. "What the **** was that!?!" He whistles a signal to Shadow to Defend him if attacked by something.
"I mislike that sound, mis amigos." Antonio draws a pistol.
Curly's head turns towards the house as the howl rolls across the ranch. "So that's not normal around here I hope. I know you've got your issues with me, but I'm going to be getting my gun now anyhow. I don't care to meet whatever made that sound unarmed." Curly steps to Shemp and takes his rifle from the saddle. Seeing Perry moving towards the house already Curly calls to the others form the ranch. "You know this ground better than we do. Shall we stick together or try to catch whatever's making that noise in a pincer maneuver? It's light enough out we should be able to recognize each other and not have too much danger of crossfire, and having multiple lines of fire from different angles could prove an advantage if they're feasible."
Culver looks surprised at Beauford's suggestion.
"Pincer, the house is small, and it is better to flank. It will be hard to get separated. Stay close to the house, we put up traps here and there near the fenceline. For my part, I use a bow when I can. Less noise than a gun, better for subtlety."
He whistles, and a wolf emerges from a hiding place in the tall grass, and they move quickly around towards the scream, readying his bow.
"Flanking it is. We'll head around the other side, and thanks for the heads up about the traps. Don't need to stumble into those just now. Give a hollar if you run into anything surprising before you hit the back of the manor, otherwise we'll see you there." With a wave to the others who came with him, Curly heads in the opposite direction that Perry and Culver are heading, making his way towards the back of the house on that side.
Feeling the hairs on his neck rise up, the gunslinger simply nods and heads stealthily around the house with the others as he draws his pistol, his eyes on the lookout for whatever made that awful sound. Wolf? Didn't sound like one... Angel Eyes considers the wild tales about creatures with red eyes and wonders if there could be any truth to them at all...
Angel Eyes makes his way to the back very quietly, and gets a glimpse of something in the barn. It might be a wolf, but if it is, it has to be the largest wolf he has ever scene. It appears to be eating the remains of a horse. It does not yet seem to have noticed you.
Curly moves to join Angle Eyes as quietly as he can, rifle in his hands. He stays close to the ranch house to avoid any traps he knows are out there somewhere.
As he approaches the gunslinger, he sees the hulking wolk-like figure in the barn ahead of them and without thinking lets out a barely audible gasp.
The wolf's keen ears perk up, and he turns his head toward you. As he does, you see his eyes have a red glow to them.
Angel Eyes darts toward the barn, using the wall for cover and then brings his pistol up and fires at the red-eyed wolf!
vs Touch AC
Includes +1 to attack/damage rolls for Point Blank Shot feat and +1d6 to damage for Up Close and Deadly deed.
Curly shouts out "We've got a giant wolf here. Looks like it got someone's horse!" As he shouts he's moving back, getting a good line of fire, but making a show of being scared and a target who's running away, taking a shot as he goes, goading the wolf to come at easy prey.
Henry draws his gun as he makes his way back into the house.
Curly manages to graze the beast, and Angel Eyes nicks it. The wolf takes notice, and starts charging at Curly. Perry is in the way and takes the attack, but is nimble enough to dodge it.
When Antonio gets view of the thing, he blurts out, "¡Follame!" He draws a quick bead and fires.
Wei moves to the back of and begins to tell the other the tale of the Wolf and the Crane.
"A Wolf had been feasting too greedily, and a bone had stuck crosswise in his throat. He could get it neither up nor down, and of course he could not eat a thing. Naturally that was an awful state of affairs for a greedy Wolf.
So away he hurried to the Crane. He was sure that she, with her long neck and bill, would easily be able to reach the bone and pull it out..."
Culver whistles for Yahvev to approach, and points to the rear of the larger wolf.
He then moves up on the side, and takes a shot at the large wolf with his bow.
But his shot arcs wide over the creature's head, and Culver says something inaudible under his breath.
With the immediate attack of the huge wolf Perry switches his crossbow to his off hand, takes a step to the side and spins a kick at the head at the beast. He doesn't even try to direct Shadow at this point, knowing that training and previous melees will take over.
Thanks to Li's inspirational encouragement, Shadow, Perry and Antonio all hit the beast.
Inspiration active: +1 att/dmg
Curly continues to make fearful noises to get the wolfs attention, making a show of slipping briefly as he moves to ensure a clear shot and reload his rifle, but recovering his footing and firing off a shot from 30 feet away.
Undeterred by his earlier miss, the gunslinger fires again at the wolf, taking careful aim so as not to harm his allies.
vs Touch AC
Includes +1 to attack/damage rolls for Point Blank Shot feat, Inspire Courage.
Taking a couple more bad wounds, the wolf decides to run.
Ok, a few rounds is right.
The wolf takes off into the back fields.
Dropping his act as the beast turns tail and runs Curly shouts to the others, "That thing's probably too dangerous to let loose if we have any chance to stop it here. Can't have it raiding other farms and killing someone."
Curly reloads the rifle once again as he moves to get as clear a shot as he can with the rifle at the retreating creature.
When the beast turns and runs Perry quickly swings his crossbow up and releases the bolt. Once he feels the bolt release he sends a shrill whistle through his teeth to stop Shadow from chasing the animal.
Culver, watching the beast flee, fires two arrows at its departing form.
While the wolf was fast, it was not fast enough to get out of range of your weapons, and multiple shots found their target. The creature falls.
Perry reloads, then walks out toward the creature. He motions for Shadow to follow. (Come)
"Does anyone recognize this species of wolf? Seemed a bit strange to me but I'm no expert."
Culver focuses a bit on heightening his spiritual awareness and heads over to Perry to see what he can.
Culver knows this is not a natural wolf, although its sheer size tells you all that. It is bigger than a horse! Other than that, though, it does appear to be similar to a normal wolf, although its fur is a deep black color.
Suddenly, the corpse of the wolf turns to ash, leaving an oddly wolf shaped bit of blackened earth.
Angel Eyes squints at the wolf as they approach, and then watches in stunned silence as it suddenly turns to ash! He glances around and speaks softly, still not quite trusting what his eyes just saw. "Never heard of a wolf that could do that. Wonder if there are others about." The gunslinger takes a moment to load bullets into the empty chambers of his pistol.
Culver examines the earth briefly, looking for signs of bone or anything else, pushing it with a stick. ”No, never seen anything do that. But those cattle rustlers had a similar discoloration to the eye.”
Culver scratches his head and heads back to Serenity. He looks at where the wolf came from, and attempts to follow any tracks. He will attempt to have Yahvev assist him, but he suspects it will be of limited value.
Perry steps back in shock as the body of the wolf turns to ash. "None of the humans that died did that! What sort of witchery is McInyre doing!?!"
"Can one of you track this beast? it would be good to know where it came from"
Culver and Co. try to track the beast, but loses the trail fairly quickly.
"Ese era un gran lobo de mierda."
Angel Eyes glances around the ranch. "Well, whatever this thing is it seems to have an interest in this place. As do those men that the sheriff released. Might be we want to figure out why and set up defenses for tonight. I've got a feeling we might be seeing some more action soon enough."
Henry comes out of the house and then moves around the back and says "What did I miss?"
Perry shakes his head in disgust as the beasts trail plays out. "So now we can't confirm whether or not that thing was tied to McInyrne."
"We set up watches and be ready. Likely there will be more trouble. Riding out looking for trouble we'd be sure to find it, but some of his men might come and burn this place if nobody's here to defend it."
"I believe that if we where to view the McInyrne Ranch we could find some proof, we will likely not be able to directly assault the place, but we can not defend this place forever. I suggest we find someplace to hide out"