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[IC] Deadlands: A Tangled Skein
Desy
She/HerYeenRegistered User regular
She/HerYeenRegistered User regular
Robert E. Lee (1807-1878) wrote:It is well that war is so terrible - otherwise we would grow too fond of it.
War is Hell. If you don’t believe it, just ask anyone. Ask the young man that needs a wheelchair because a cannon ball shattered both his legs. Ask the Yankee that lost his right arm to gangrene after the battle was over and won. Ask the child that will never know his father’s smile. Ask the survivors of an Apache raiding party. It matters not, the answer is the same.
War is Hell.
The Civil War has lasted nineteen long and bloody years. Now, an uneasy peace reigns but it would take only the smallest spark to reignite the conflict. Even if the Civil War is truly over, the South has won. The United States are united no more. Six new countries have risen from former American states and territories. The Civil War has spawned new conflicts in addition to new countries. The Great Rail Wars is their name and they have the potential to cause even greater death and destruction. For the first company to complete a transcontinental rail line will be offered exclusive ghost rock transport rights from both the North and South.
But these conflicts are all of them just the most visible skirmishes of the true battle. Even the earthquake that shattered the west coast was orchestrated as the opening strike in this hidden war. Evil spirits, seeing the earth as a new territory to call their own, work to sow chaos and spread terror to see America remade to suit their masters.
Now men and women must work to live in a world growing ever more hostile. Only time will tell the final outcome.
However, one thing is crystal clear.
This is the Weird West.
It was just past midday in Burdick, the Morris County capital and allegedly loyal to the United States.
“I don’t like it, Marshal.”
“Something’s riling up the cattle at night. I’m sure of it, whatever Robert says.”
U.S. Marshal Winston Cooper looked across his desk at the man, “I don’t care if you like it. I can’t do anything without evidence. Reports of scared cows and your feelings are not evidence.” Cooper’s next words were interrupted as one of his deputies rushed into his office. “Sir. Sorry to interrupt but Old Man Thomas is down the street in the Pond asking to ‘speak with you in matters faẻ.’ Those were his exact words, Sir, he’s also unsettling the rest of the people in there.”
Josef Zenith was bent over a bubbling elixir in his rented room above the town watering hole, the Stagnant Pond. His attention was fully focused on the concoction until he heard a weak cough. He quickly rushes over to the day bed where his wife rests, “Dear? Are you alright? I know travelling exasperate your condition, but I think I’m onto something in my latest experiments. … Now if I can just get this potion to fully combine without exotherming.” Turning back to his workstation, Josef sees the potion burning away with a smokeless green flame. His wife coughs again, “Don’t worry about it, Josef, something will work. But I could use a drink of water to clear my throat.”
“Of course dear, I’ll have to go downstairs. But I’ll return shortly.”
Kohana looked down the main street of the Kansas town. The Sioux had seen many like it in his travels, some larger some smaller. He’d need to see the local law and try to find some work but first he wanted to get a drink in the saloon. Travelling in Kansas during the midday summer was hot and dusty. Looking about, Kohana spotted the town saloon. Advertised as the Stagnant Pond, the exterior looked clean despite the name.
Cooper walked into the Pond and looked about for Thomas. He found the old Romani sitting alone in the darkest corner, stooped over a wide bowl and muttering under his breath as incense smoke curled around him. Thomas looked up at the Marshal’s approach, “Ah, sit my son. I have seen portents in the smoke and in the earth that I think you should hear of. However, you will have to wait. There are others nearby that should also hear what is foretold.”
The old gypsy took a handful of powder from a pouch and added it to the bowl, “Ah, the doctor approaches.” He turned to the stairs just as Josef appeared at the top landing. Gesturing to the pale man, Thomas speaks, “Come, sit here. I have seen that you are here not for your own sake but please, listen to my words.”
As Kohana entered the tavern, Thomas flicked his gaze to the doorway and smiled “Ah, and the third draws near. One of the Sioux I see.” He waves to the native, Kohana walks over with a confused expression. Thomas raises a hand, forestalling questions, “I don’t know two of you, but I have seen you all in visions. I have also seen darkness descending on this good town. With the waning moon, its power was lessened. But as the moon waxes, it will grow bolder. I cannot see its form or its true aim. Now I can see you are wondering why I told two complete strangers and Marshal Cooper here.”
Thomas shrugs, “I am here because I see all that all three of you have a part to play soom. Whether you listen well or call me a crackpot matters not. All signs are clear, something is coming.”
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"Humph. Crazy fool." He walks over and sits at the bar. "A shot of cheap whiskey and a glass of water."
A soft smile cracked his lips. It was no secret he had a sick wife; obviously the man hoped to entice him by pretending at mysticism. Well, no matter. All truth begins in lies.
Walking over in silence, Josef sits across from Thomas without addressing anyone.
"However, I'm actually insulted you think I use the loco weed in visions. That stuff is good for a relaxing smoke now and again but I would sooner run naked through a brier patch then use it to peer beyond the veil. Loco weed increases sensory stimulation, dulls reactions, and leaves the mind open. That's a bad combination." He sighs, "And I'm rambling again, I'm truly sorry I can't give you more. One thing that may help is my visions have repeatedly contained imagery of wolves that aren't wolves."
Thomas then turns to the other man sitting at the table, "And what of you, sir? You've just sat here and listened to me. What do you think? I can see what the Sioux thinks of me plain enough."
The bartender brings Kohona his whisky and water, "one quarter dollar, american coins if you've got em." He eyed the Indian as Kohona accepted his drinks, "Don't see many of your kind around these parts. What brings you here, if'n you don't be minding my asking?"
Josef stands up from the table "Thank you for your time sir, but I must be getting back to my wife."
Walking over to the bar, Josef asks for a cool glass of water.
The bartender watches this performance with a bored eye. He shakes his head as the gypsy leaves, "That Thomas. One of these days he's going to borrow more trouble then he can handle." The man shrugs and turns back to Kohona, "So you say you're here looking for work? Not much of that to go around. The harvest was brought in a couple weeks ago. You might find a few folks wanting a hand gettin ready for winter. Or if you be the type that prefers getting his hands dirty instead of mending roofs or the like, then you might find something at the Marshal's Office. Can't miss it, it's just down the street."
He turns to Josef and smiles as the albino walks up to the bar, "Cool water? I'll see what I can do, but we been running low on ice recently. All the old men'll tell anybody who'll listen that this is the hottest hot spell they've seen ever. Day like today, I'll almost believe em." The bartender bends down below the bar and comes back up with a clean glass of water, a few slivers of ice floating on the liquid's surface. "That's the best I can do. Total comes to ten cents."