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After a thorough examination of the safe and search of the premises for any other clue Perry just shrugs. "Might open the safe with dynamite, but it'd likely destroy everything in it. I say we take anything of value here and torch the place. Then head out and try to track the sick bastard. Ain't so much vengeance anymore as killing an animal that just needs killin! What say you all?"
Perry can only shrug once the safe is located. "There might be some tools around here to cut the thing open, or maybe instructions for opening it with some of the paperwork. Or written on the back of a painting? Look around. Any clue might be important."
[ooc]Hmm. Barely noticed the gum on the floor before I stepped in it.... Can you take 20 on a perception check if we tear this place apart? Did we see anything like a tool shed outside? There might be cutting tools that could be used.[/dice]
Perry starts searching the walls, behind pictures and such. "Take any paperwork. We can read it later to see if there's anything worth keeping. Check for somewhere hidden, maybe a stash of valuables, hidden panel in a desk drawer or such. Bastard consorts with demons and witches probably doesn't keep things in the open."
Perry looks around in disbelief, then starts around checking the other bodies. "Dead men fighting, freaks with glowing eyes and men turning into clouds of smoke to blow away! What sort of demons are we dealing with!?! Bullets and arrows still seem to affect them, but if they can fight from beyond the grave how do we put them down permanently?"
Perry drops the crossbow and moves up on the closest bandit, whistling for Shadow to attack with him.
Perry sees but has trouble believing. When Culver motions and indicates McInyrne as a target he nods quickly and takes aim with his crossbow. He quietly orders Shadow to stay by him and Guard.
Hearing the scream Perry just curses silently and turns to move toward it, staying as quiet as he can....
"I'm not as stealthy as some of you, but my weapon is as quiet. Shadow and I can come along too unless you think we should stay?"
Perry hesitates only a moment to consider, then nods. "Valid points. Sitting here to defend this place just gives the bastard more time to take our measure and hire more guns. Let's scout his area and see what we can do." "Keep in mind that since he's bought the law he'll probably have a couple badges on his men. Facing them could get us in trouble...."
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."
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!?!"
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."
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.
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.
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.
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."
Well, they may think that we're working for McIntyre too. Hope nobody starts shooting!
Perry signals Shadow to stay, then steps up as the man dismounts. "Simple? Not really when folks've been killed. There was more than one incident. The first was a cow killed on the range and left trying to make it look like coyotes done it. But a half dozen coyotes don't attack a herd, and animals don't leave bullet holes. A pack of men from McInyrne's showed up the next day, joking about 'cattle troubles' and threatening everybody around the place. Mr. Cordon told them to git and they road off. The next attack, that killed Mr. Cordon, was on the fourth night after. Guess they mistakenly thought we'd relax our guard. Culver and Henry were watching and they woke the rest of us, but the bastards got in a lucky shot killing Mr. Cordon. Once we started returning fire they were quickly beaten." [b]"Once the raid was stopped we tended to the wounded, saving who we could. I also noted that the men's eyes looked strange. Almost had a red glow to them, kind of like a cats eyes at night that lets them see better in the dark? Then we hauled the attackers to the sheriff."[b/]
Perry moves to a position where he can watch and listen but does not speak.
Perry settles down to write the letter to Corcon's sister, explaining about the murder and that the cattle would be sold to cover expenses with the remaining funds available to her. "Not sure we can trust the post either, but McInyrne is the true evil that needs to be accounted for. He thinks for a moment about hanging. "You're right, but he's likely surrounded by paid loyalists and too many for us to handle. We need to attack with stealth just like those jackals did. And if anyone gets a shot on McInyrne he can face his justice in the afterlife."
Perry moves toward the door. "Let's go back to the ranch. I think someone needs to see who Cordon's next of kin is and be sure they are safe. Don't want McInyrne profiting by the actions of his men 'cause nobody's there to stop him from just walking in and taking it."
Perry checks and repacks his gear before moving down for a meal and meet with the men. The others' words are disturbing but have a too likely ring of truth to them. "He is a law man, but just a man. Maybe we should give him a chance before grouping him with McInyrne's men. Let's ride over and 'check on the wounded' before we make any plans."
Perry helps moving the still living into the jail, checks the bandages then leaves with the others for the hotel.
"Pretty suspicious timing too with the attack coming in the night after McInyrne threatened Mr. Cordon if he didn't sell everything for a chump price."
As they head to the jail Perry glances over at the one conscious prisoner, "Nah. Worst case we forget the law and just string then up ourselves."
Perry glances around the quiet town. "Maybe the rope would've been simpler. But since we're here, where's the law?"
Not familiar with any way that a man could gain such an ability he points to the eyes of the men. "I had thought maybe they were sick, but look close at their eyes. They're like cats eyes in the dark, maybe so they can see better in the dark? How can a man have cat's eyes?" [ooc]My character has no experience with magic so I'm assuming he wouldn't have a clue about this.[ooc]
Perry helps with tying the prisoners. Once the red eyes are noticed he checks the others, conscious or not. "Check those eyes. Are these men bringing a disease to us besides their obvious attack? Maybe we should burn them!"
Late joining the mess, Perry and Shadow run out looking for any enemy that aren't already down, or allies that are down.
Perry wakes, grabs weapons and whistles low for Shadow to follow. "The advantage the enemy has from the darkness is offset by our knowledge that he is there. Remember that he can't see us any better than we see him."
ZZZZzzzzZzZzzzZZzzzZzzzzz
Perry hears his name mentioned and nods to the man. "True. Our weapons don't draw as much attention as a gun shot." "Problem is, do we guard here, or the herd. I'm thinking their most likely target next is to kill more of the herd. Maybe we should prepare for that?"
Perry says nothing, but he focuses his attention on the speaker. He wants to remember him for later.
Hearing the insulting conversation, Perry watches his employers for any cue of how he wants the situation handled....
Well, don't know what happened but apparently we're back!
Perry grabs his gear, whistles for Shadow to come, then moves out to watch the riders approach.
When the others show interest and skill, Perry, and Shadow, follow along looking for where the shooter might have been standing when he/they shot the steer. If they locate that Perry signals Shadow to assist tracking by scent.
Perry nods when he sees the gun shot wounds. It was what he had felt he might find. "Hank, We've got bigger problems than a few coyotes, or at least the four legged kind. Check out these wounds. The coyotes were just covering up the real crime." "Coyotes are scavengers and if they're hungry they'll eat pretty much any fairly fresh meat. Somebody dropped this steer before they got here. What should we do with the carcass? Don't want to leave it here where it'll draw every buzzard or other carrion eater for many miles!" "Anybody here good at tracking? Might ride around and see if you can pick up tracks of whoever shot this one?"
Once Perry completes his examination of the steer he moves to the dead coyotes checking for signs of rabies. (or starvation?)
"I think we're thinking the same thing. Five coyotes are hardly any danger to a herd. Were these the killers of that steer? Were they crazed or starving? There are questions that need to be answered."
Perry moves up to the steer and dismounts to examine it.
When the group jumps up to run away, Perry commands his horse to stop and takes the long shot.
After his shot Perry grabs the reins and kicks his horse into a gallop. "Wounded they won't go as far. If we can keep them in site we can wipe them out."
Hearing Hank's annoyed direction, Perry swings back into the saddle. He keeps a hold of the crossbow in one hand and the reins in the other. "My horse isn't battle trained but it can get me closer a lot faster than my feet. Let's go guys! Shadow. Come."
Perry reloads and starts to take aim, but then pauses watching the animals. "Wait a minute and watch. They're not moving away or toward us. See if you can tell which animal they are watching, which one is directing them. That would be the alpha male."
Perry waits until any with a long gun are ready then gives a quick countdown. "Hit 'em hard and quick. We might get two shots before they have a chance to react.... Three. Two. One. Fire!" On Fire he does
Perry pulls up on his horse. He has some medical training but hadn't considered that.... "Valid point, and a much more serious issue. We need to kill them though. Let's all take a stand here and start firing. Even at this range we should be able to drop them with a bit of luck."
Perry is glad to see that all of the horses were well tended. He clicks his tongue to let the animal recognize him before he mounts, then sets off to follow Hank, directing Shadow with a whistle to follow. Once the coyotes are spotted he readies his crossbow and moves to a good range. Knowing the ways of such animals he directs Shadow to defend. "Kill 'em all then!"
If needed
Perry finishes up his tasks, gathers his weapons and returns to his horse. He saddles his horse and whistles for Shadow and directs him to follow. "Coyotes are pack animals. If we can spot the alpha and kill it, the pack will run. Then we can shoot them down as they try to run away!"
Perry gathers the plates and such, looking around for the well and where the cooking equipment is to be stowed once it is cleaned up. "Sounds fair, and quicker started is quicker finished. These hands have seen plenty of scrubbing work."
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