Flying Eagle was in pretty good shape to begin with, so the day's activities, while tiring, did not leave him exhausted. After dinner, he quietly leaves the group for a couple of hours.
When he returns, he goes straight to bed.
The next morning, he eats breakfast and when he hears Luke's comment and the men's reaction, he gets a little concerned, wondering if they're going to be put thru some kind of initiation. He's not opposed to initiations, having gone thru several himself when he was living with his tribe, but if it involves humiliation or harm, he will have to re-think whether he wants to stay with the group.
Rodney sitting there on his bunk, with the others giggling like a bunch of school girls. He finally says "Them string of horses that you said we could use, they aren't broke yet are they?"
He feels his back collapsing already just thinking about it.
A few men may notice Flying Eagle slip away, but are to tired t care and fallow and really injins be crazy so eh, they figure he is doing some weird injin madness.
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There is hooting as Rodan speaks, from the Back Bowlingreen yells "Oh they will be!" Seeing off another round of hooting and hollawing as the mean find this concept extremely funny.
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After a lunch of chili and biscuits look Waves everyone over to the corral. "You’ve been pullin’ your weight with the odd chores so far, but here’s your first real job. See those six mustangs over there? We’ve been breaking a mess of horses for the upcoming drive for a while but that bunch is particularly ornery. Get in there and finish breakin’ ’em. And be careful of that one with the weird look—we call her Devil Eyes."
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Lord Borak says, grandly. "This was not a task that you requested initially. As we have been surprised by this, we make no pact with the methods used to accomplish what you desire. As always...be careful what you wish for."
Lord Borak walks toward the first horse. He nods at it in acknowledgement. Then he gets on one knee, laces his hands together, and appears to be in deep meditation.
After a minute of this he gets up, raises his hands, and shouts to the sky. "By the Working Specters of the Ghostly Monolith and the Primal Invocation of the Divinity of Solitude, I grant thee...RESTRAINT!"
Suddenly leafy vines and thick, brown roots burst from the ground and grope for the horse as if controlled by great, blind forces.
Lord Borak calmly approaches the horse and mounts the restrained animal.
"You will know an end to your suffering, animal, when you call -me- Master."
After breakfast Rodan straps on his well used chaps and leaves his gun belt hanging on the bunk post. "Not going to need that to break some horses." Then he grabs his lariat and heads for the coral. Where Borak is climbing on the first horse.
"What in tar nations!" Rodan gives a yell. "Borak, your, your a witch. A dark arts meddler?" And Rodan start to back his way to the bunk house to retrieve his gun belt. Keeping an eye on Borak the whole time.
"Well that make it look easy, now don't it." Rodan stares in amazement of Borak's method of breaking a horse to be ridden.
Rodan moves over to the next horse, a mare talking softly to the animal. then checking the straps of the saddle and bridle. With one fluid motion he climbs on the horses back. Right away the horse spring forward. Then it twist and kicks her back legs out in an attempt to throw the unwanted rider from her back. Left then right and forward some more the horse bucks.
Back and forth the mare leaps in the air. Right, jump, and then right again the mare bucks. But she starts to slow down as she gets used to having someone on her.
Rodan seems to have little trouble breaking his mare, it kicks and bucks but in the end he has her trotting around the pen like a seasoned horse. Not to be outdone, Lord Borak steps forward.
As the vines gather and entangle the poor, now terrorized horse, the cowhands scatter. Some mutter prayers, some cross themselves, other drawl guns as Lord Borak climbs upon the now thrashing and terror maddened horse. Soon after mounting the Horse breaks free, but Lord Borak holds on, commanding the Horse to call him master. The Horse does not in fact call him master. However, he does wear down the poor terrorized beast.
All around the corral however, guns are pointed not at the horse, but the madman riding it. Luke Himself has a pistol pointed right at Lord Borak "What in Gods name was that! what kind of demon are you?" He demands, as more than one pistol is cocked.
Flying Eagle is going to wait for this commotion to be settled before he attempts what he was going to do...
Rufus grabs a lead, and his lariat, and starts walking towards Devil Eyes.
With the sudden commotion, he turns rapidly to see several cowboys sitting with guns drawn on the weird one.
What in Tarnation, he rapidly slips off the thong on his gunbelt
He drops both lead and lariat, and stands ready.
Settle down everyone, we cannot afford to be spooking these mustangs any more than they already are, and let him answer
Kris watches the proceedings with the air of a man who is eagerly awaiting violence.
He sits funny too Kris calls out
Having seen magic first hand and knowing that it does not come from the devil ... necissarily ... Moses runs forward with his arms up in a gesture of calm.
"Hey now, good people, let's not rush to our guns quite so quickly! I have seen magic done in my day and know that it is not from the devil, but a part of God's creation like everything else. Borak may be a bit unusual, but there's no need to rush for the lynching rope!"
He turns briefly to see what Borak is doing, throwing him an expression that seems to say: "Let's try to keep this from getting out of hand, okay?"
Stepping out of the bunk house gun in hand, his gun belt looped of his left shoulder. Rodan hears what Moses is calling out to the crowed.
"I am not sure of all that Moses. Remember when we first met that guy, he was saying that we should pledge ourselves to him and his cause or such, before he buy us a drink. I am sure dam glad I told him no now. It's all sounds like devil cult type of stuff, asking for a pledge to him and his cause. And then magic that makes plants spring from the ground and attack a dumb animal like that, to force the animal to his will. That is some unnatural thing going about. I am just a simple God fearing man and what he just did was unnatural. What say you Flying Eagle? You know of other indyns doing crazy stuff like? Yer people live in the more natural world don't they?" Rodan yells back. Still being very unsure of Borak, Rodan move next to a buckboard wagon incase he needs to jump up to get away from plants grabbing hold of him.
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"What in tar nations!" Rodan gives a yell. "Borak, your, your a witch. A dark arts meddler?" And Rodan start to back his way to the bunk house to retrieve his gun belt. Keeping an eye on Borak the whole time.
Lord Borak sighs. "Lord. Borak. I think with the display today I've demonstrated earning the honoriffic prefix. You'd not appreciate it if I cut off the first half of your name and just called you 'Ann."
Some mutter prayers, some cross themselves, other drawl guns as Lord Borak climbs upon the now thrashing and terror maddened horse.
"Hrmmm. You may put down your Weapons of Man. I am innured to them." He yanks the tired and cowed horse around by its mane.
"Yes, now. NOW! Now you see fit to find respect. You! You who tittered into your sleeves and belittled us as greenhorns. Neophytes! Rank amateurs. NOW you have found voice and attention where before there was only derision! Surely you all know you should not judge a book by its cover. Let this be a lesson."
He saws the horse around again, looking more like a mighty general giving a motivating lecture to his troops.
"I tried to warn you. Tried to tell you of the reality BEYOND our reality. But you wouldn't listen! Every time I tried to say that:
The goal of supercharged electrons is to plant the seeds of awareness rather than delusion. You thought I was insane! You dismissed my words. But look what such delusion has brought you."
Deciding that the lesson had been learned, he softens his tone.
"There are...things...powers, really, out there that you have no knowledge of. Spirits that inhabit places, princes of the primordial ebb that take their first hesitant steps into this world. Our. World. You think -I- have power? That is true. But those of which I speak have power that makes me look like a snail unto a giant.
You can cower in fear. You can beg me to go. You can exist--not live--but exist in Delusion a while longer. Or you can stop your ignorance. END your PREJUDICE. REAP the benefits of MY presence. And BASK in the KNOWLEDGE that I bring. For only on THAT path, will your LIVES be advanced."
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I am just a simple God fearing man and what he just did was unnatural.
Lord Borak looks at this man and finds his lack of faith disturbing.
"Yes!" he says to the crowd in response to his words. "Yes, when I came here his first words--FIRST. WORDS--to me were to beg BEG me for a FREE DRINK. He knew me not from Adam, but upon the INSTANT he sought to connive me into FEEDING into his NEED for alcohol. And why?
Because THIS man is a drunkard and a grifter! He is a ne'er-do-well that does NOT love hard work. He does NOT want to get his hands dirty. He only loves booze and the easy life. Is that what you want? Do you want to enable this man's life choices? Do you want him SPENDING your MONEY? DRINKING your WHISKEY?
LAYING with your WOMEN?
Is that the kind of man that you want to bring here and share your bunkspace? I had heard that all of you men here were fine, stout, buckish examples of the best that this hard land could forge, but if you would suffer this fool so gladly, then I can see I was wrong."
Some men lower their weapons at Moses words, but they look uneasy as Lord Borak speaks. It does not seem to be something many men are willing to just shrug off. Luke Points to two men "I think its time we bring this to Bill, I don't know what you have done, but you need to talk to Bill." The Two men move to flank Lord Borak "The rest of you get em horses in order and see if the rest can be salvaged, someone check on that Mare, hopeful we won't have to shoot it"
He nods his head toward to Ranch House "You so much as twitch before Bill has his say, me and the Boys will fill you with lead. Lets go"
With that Owen steps forward "Enough of that!, whose next those horses won't break themselves!"
Seeing the excitement settling down, Rufus waits a moment.
Well, seeing as I was out here, I guess thats me
He then slips the thong back over his pistol to keep it in the holster.
he then attempts to catch devil eyes.
With her ducking her head at the last moment.
He recovers the Lariat and tries again.
Come on girl, you know you want this
Once caught, he speaks soothing words to her, as he throws his saddle on, and then climbs up.
After several sunfishes, crowhops and a lot of bucking, Rufus finally settles Devil Eyes down.
He dismounts, and stretches the kinks out.
Wow, is she spirited
Flying Eagle is internally torn, wanting to calm the cowhands to not be afraid of magic so that he can use his freely, but on the other hand demonstrating his magic at this point might get him also on a walk to talk to Bill, with unknown consequences. He decides to try to break the horses the old-fashioned way.
Because he was too busy being trained as a Shaman in his tribe, he never was taught the intricacies of riding (altho he can ride a tamed horse under normal circumstances) :
= 9, a Raise
But he manages to break the mare on his first attempt. He hopes he won't have to do it again, however.
Watching Lord Borak be lead away, Rodan just shakes his head.
"And I didn't think I would need this hog leg to break horses this morning." as he re-holsters his pistol.
He walks over to Flying Eagle and Moses. "Have either one of you seen the like? I have always thought that people doing that dark magic stuff was just campfire stories. I never thought I would actually see someone do it. I wonder if they truly are burning young girls at the stake in Massachusetts for being witches?"
Moses worries what they will do to Borak, and stays only momentarily to calm Rodan.
"Magic is a part of God's creation, Mr. Northvard. No one knows vere it comes from, but I haff seen it uzed both for good and ill. It is not magic itself zat is evil, but ze use it is put to, you see?"
Having said that, Moses was more than a little disturbed by Borak's display, and hurried on to make sure the man was not abused by the cowhands.
At this point, Flying Eagle is not willing to expose himself as a user of magic to anyone. He chooses his words carefully :
"Among my people, what you call 'magic' is understood to flow from nature itself, and some of my people know how to use it. As Moses said, it is neither good nor evil by itself, but according to how it is used by the person wielding it. Borak may not be evil, but merely thoughtless as to the consequences of his actions on the horse."
Kristophe snorts
The man is either crazy. Or he's 100% legit.
As Lord Borak is being lead away the others give breaking horses a shot. Rufus takes a few tries to bring in Devil eyes and although he managed to ride the mare( and not die or be trambled) he does not break her.
Both Flying Eagle and Kris break their horses with little fanfair, there is some bucking, some ride riding, but in the end both horses are broke. Which means three of the six horses have been broken and one may have been damaged beyond fixing. Owen, who seems to be in charge at the moment nods "You three that broke horses, those are yours to build your string around. Its what Luke had planned anyhow.'He shrugs "He wants you new fellas to break them all, so you get to try after your chores are done. " He looks around staring toward the house "You fella's. If they don't shoot that strange fella I don't want him anywhere near the horses! If the Lords willing we may even salvage that poor best he damaged"
Each of you broke a horse, and so I rolled off the special traits chart for each of you. They are normal horse, but with another trait.
Rodan: Smart d6 (A)
Flying Eagle: Agility d10, Athletics d10
Kris: Pace 14
You wait outside as Luke goes in to talk with Bill Sutter. The Two men with Guns on you look mighty uneasy. In a little wile Luke comes out and tells you the Boss wants to see you.
Bill is waiting in the Kitchen "Mr. Borak, Luke says you been up to some. Mischief with the horses. Any truth to what he sways about your..unusual abilities?"
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As is his habit, Lord Borak walks with a straight back and unhurried step, so that an onlooker might wonder if not this man owned the house. This impression could be enhanced on a metaphysical level, as once he enters the abode he acts and speaks as if it is -he- that is entertaining guests. Honored guests, perhaps, but still newcomers to what might be his ancestral home.
The men with guns he gives little heed. They are small, yapping dogs, and now are not even yapping. He wants to deal who holds their leesh, and now he is.
"As usual," he speakes deeply, with savory weight, like a preacher, at his favorite podium, in his favorite steeple, winding up a stem-winder, "even the words to describe my actions, from one who saw it, not a few minutes ago, do not even approach the orbit of accuracy."
He wanders about the space, freely, letting his aura imbue it with a notion of himself. "I sense you are an important man," he says, never minding mixing in a little flattery to convince someone of his excellent taste, "and I sense you not only like to know the nature of a thing, but you also have little time to waste. Being cut of the same cloth, I can see this is wisdom.
To speak to any of the 'how' my powers are made manifest, would take more time than might be spent in this period of history. The 'why' however, is simple: There was a thing to be done, and I saw no need to hold precious the delicate nature of any gathered.
There is only one question that swirls in your mind. Do not deny it, for many have asked that question of many men: What use is it?
So too, many words would be needed to convey that message, so here it is easier to show than tell."
Without concern, or even emotion, he rolls up his left sleeve and withdraws his formidable knife. Without ceremony he draws the knife across his forearm, the blood welling up and pouring out freely.
He sheathes the knife, puts his free hand on the wound, and...begins to sing.
The song is ancient. To the uninitiated it has no words. But its very sound conveys pictures of rising green hills and swirling blue tides. Of great vast tracks of unspoiled land. Of wandering trails cutting through ancient verdant forests winding their way to white-capped mountains of towering majesty. The words are from the folk that live wild and free and speak to little people of unknowable age and untellable power.
Then he stops, withdraws his hand, and the arm is as untouched as a babe's.
"Is that of some use to you?"
Moses looks in from around the edge of the door and sees Borak work his miracle, smiling slightly when he sees the wound close up. Nodding to himself, he turns around and heads back to the corall, and tries his hand at taming one of the gentler horses.
Rufus does the daily chores that are assigned to keep the ranch running,
That evening, he eats supper and tiredly gets ready to crawl into the rack.
Looks like I get to try devil eyes again in the morning.
Moses looks around to see if any of the men need tending to. If they do, he goes out to gather some herbs to make poultices and compresses to bring down the swelling.
"Here, this will make you feel better. Don't want to start the long trek already saddle-sore."
Rodan takes his gun belt back to the bunk house. Then he gets back to work on the chores. He keeps thinking about that magic he saw and what he would do to fight against it if Borak tries it on him. Every now and then he glances back to the bunk house unsure that it was the wisest thing to leave his gun back there.
Outside, Moses gives his Horse a try, wearing it down, but not breaking the beast. The Show over, most the hands wander back to chores and some look uneasily at the ranch.
Man, not looking forward to being back on Devil Eyes, but she looks like one that will be able to turn on a dime and give me back change.
Kind of why I picked her
Rufus continues to do the work that was assigned to him during the day.
Flying Eagle continues to butcher animals.
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As a veteran, I'm sure you already know the old saying, 'you can tell me what to do, or how to do it, but not both'."
Lord Borak goes back into the woods and meditates, feasting mightily on his succulent roast snakes.
Kris finds something to complain about, and then finds wherever there's a bottle being passed around.
Moses Hirschler continues tending to his own aches and offers to help anyone else who might be feeling a bit "broken in" themselves.
That evening, if people gather around the fire, he will regale them with stories of his humble upbringings in rural Pennsylvania, focusing on the humerous adventures of "Young Ruprecht on his Rumspringa".
The night passes with little fanfare. Most the men give Lord Borak a very wide berth, but talk is already spreading that he may have conned them somehow. Right? it has to be a con. Other look at him as if the devil walks among them.
A few men invite Kris over to share a drink and others welcome Moses and agree with the idea of being sore and broken with a laugh. But the night passes and the next day finds you very much back to chores and horse breaking.
There are three unbroken horses, anyone who wants to give it another try is welcome to do so, but Lord Borak is asked to not try. In fact, a Luke is not sure he even wants the man near the mounts. But, everyman needs to ride.
In the morning, Rufus groans as he gets out of bed.
Man that ride was spirited yesterday.
He then gets up, and walks back out to the corral.
Well, I guess I will be about it.
He spies Devil Eyes again.
Only to have her duck her head again.
Looks like she will be like yesterday
finally getting the rope on her.
He then brings her to the corral edge where he saddles her.
Well no time like the present
He then climbs into the saddle.
Moses does his best to try and make friends with one of the unbroken horses, trying a gentle approach today instead of yesterday's more forceful attempt.
,
Rodan being sore knows that this job needs to be done sooner and not later. Gets on to another horse.
Born in the saddle re-roll
But gets thrown from the stallion.
Picking himself up off the ground. Rodan hobbles out of the arena.
"Your going to be a challenge aren't you big fella. I will see you in the morning." he says to the horse.
Rufus gives Devil Eyes another try, and the horse takes him on a wild ride. Devil eyes bucks and thrashes and Rufus barely stays on, but he does mange to wear the horse down, even if he does not end up breaking it.
Moses has much better luck, breaking down his horse in a little time and having it touting around the corral. Roden on the other hand thought he was doing well and then got tossed and was lucky not to be trampled as his horse refuses to be broken.
Your Horse is a strong one, its Str is 1d12+1
The day passes with normal chores and after lunch, A mix of beans and meat with some briskets, Luke Waves you over
"We let the cows roam free over the winter to find the best grazing grass. Then round ’em up in spring. The boys have been bringing them in for a week but there are a few wayward steers unaccounted for.
“Concentrate on the area southwest of the ranch near the Rio Grande. The cows tend to congregate at the water but the crew ain’t found too many along the shore. I reckon they’re probably trapped in one of the box canyons out that way.”
Rodan suggests the we break up into smaller groups of maybe 3 each.
And still thinking back on what Borak distracts Rodan from finding any stray cows.
Kris mounts Horse and says Come on "Lord" Borak with a laugh
If you can find a horse.
Riding Abacus, Rufus looks around for lost cattle.
Seeing as you are distracted an all, how about we go this way
And he rides into the small box canyon to try and push the cattle out.