131001 - Hibblejaybob

Today's the day..... My heart in my boots right now, knowing what Jack wants me to do.

I met up with Alice, Pip and and Jack out side the fortress and they asked me over to the beach.

The Kettleman's walked me quite some way across the beach, far away from the Fortress but out of sight of the main pathways.

Jack seems to have forgotten already that he asked me to return to The Crossing yesterday, because his eyes widened in an almost panic when I mentioned I was going back today.

I reminded him what he asked of me, and he asked me to sit away from the group as they discussed things...

You know, as they take a while with their conversations, I am once again reminded of how beautiful this place is.

If only the people that called it home were nicer.....

Jack called me back over to the group. He had some additional requests, while I'm in the crossing. He wanted me to meet with James Kelly and find out what's been going on there, and what information he has.

He also gave me two telegram numbers to reach out to to say "to expect something soon". He also wanted a newspaper and some socks...

Jack walked me over to the boat alone. He was quite playful actually, not sure whether that just unsettling or downright terrifying. He told me he didn't like what I was wearing and when I came back he wanted me to be wearing something more appropriate.

Even with his escort to the boat, it's felt horrible stepping on, given a couple of days ago he told me if I left Guarma, he'd have me hunted down and beheaded.....

He continued his odd playfulness, poking me on the nose as I stepped aboard the boat.

I made it back to The Crossing and got to work sending the telegrams. Easy ones first. Well.... I say that....

The message I was told to send made me uncomfortable: "Our time here is coming to an end" - God I hope he's fucking wrong... If the Kettleman's go back to the crossing, everything I've done will be have been for nought.

Still, maybe a send these telegrams and there's hope that there will be some information coming back that changes things for the better.....

Now the hard telegram..... I almost vomited passing this telegram to be sent. Oh Dovie, poor Dovie, I'm so sorry I have to do this...

If Jack didn't hand on heart promise me your and Eleanor's safety, there's no way I would do this to you.

As it stands, we all get hurt if you don't come, I pray to god this all goes to plan and I get you home safe...

I heard some growls just outside the telegram office. I opened the door and had a look - a little black bear had made it to the edge of the station platform and was wandering around.

Out of nowhere a lawman turned up and chased it away from the town. Almost as soon as he finished, he challenged me on what I was doing here and where I'd come from.

Shortly after, a large group of law rode through the town. It's pretty clear the law have Annesburg locked down in case the Kettleman's come back.

I had to sit outside and really think about this telegram..... The one to Calvin....

Oh god, this is horrible. I want to tell him everything. But I know if I tell him I'm in Guarma, or even give him the slightest hint of what's going on, he's going to try and come to Guarma - probably bring law with him too - and they'll all end up getting hurt.

I can't..... I can't allow that....

I debated not sending him anything at all. But, he was asking about my whereabouts (I have been in Guarma for some time now), I can't leave him unanswered.

Oh Calvin... You said you'd lose you job for me... You said you'd take a bullet for me... And here I am doing this...

I don't think you'll ever forgive me for this... I only hope that one day, when this is all done, you can understand why I did this...

Ah the lights of Saint Denis: after a few days in Guarma with no electric lighting, I'd forgotten how pretty and blinding the lights can be.

Suppose I should enjoy the sight while I can, if all this goes wrong it could be the last time I see it....

My first order of business is to head up to the Wapiti territory and get the special bow that Pip asked for.

I've never actually been here before - it's really pretty, nestled amongst the woods.

In Valentine, I bumped into Mr Zip Quil - one of the ones, it turned out, who Jack had me reach out to. I bet he didn't expect to be seeing me on his side.....

He explained that James Kelly has just been sent to Siska prison and is not available. Zip himself has only just got out of prison, so doesn't have any information other than Tommy "Two Snakes" is currently hunting Jack Kettleman.

I told Zip about Jack's instruction for me to get a hold of Dovie and Eleanor. I have a lead on Dovie, but no contact and no leads on Eleanor - Zip said he would take care of her.

Information from Zip gained, time to head into Valentine proper to head to the general store and pick some supplies for myself and for Jack - he wanted a newspaper and some socks!

Heading up to Strawberry, I found Dovie chatting away with the rangers. God, seeing her makes it all worse... She's my friend, and I really don't want to do this to her.

But I know if I don't, we'll both be hurt - or worse.....

I need to get her somewhere isolated...

Dovie checked the tip line and medics were needed in Rhodes. I can't let this drag out longer than it needs to, but I can't raise suspicious by telling her she can't go...

I'll go with her. Hopefully after Rhodes I can pull her out to the Heartlands and speak to her alone...

In Rhodes we didn't find a patient, but we did find a man looking for the patient. Tommy - it was his wedding today (I'd overheard about it in Valentine). It seems it was one of his guests that was injured - but we had no sign of them.

We finished up in Rhodes and I asked if we could head out of town via The Heartlands. I got off my horse, under the pretence of taking in the amazing view of The Heartlands.

In reality, we were now alone, fairly far from towns and the main roads, and I could see anyone that would come our way a long way out.....

"Get off your horse Dovie. I've not been entirely forthcoming with you - there was something I needed to talk to you about."

And this is the moment..... there's no going back now.....

I told her that Jack wanted me to bring her to him in Guarma. She asked why. I said that I knew the reason why, but Jack had asked me not to say because it would be a big gesture to him if she would come with me to see him without knowing why.

I explained to her that both of us were in danger if she didn't come, but if she came with me, I could guarantee her safety. If Jack could be trusted......

She agreed to come with me.

Dovie had already marked herself as attending to a call in Valentine, so I put a telegram out that she wasn't available.

No one will understand what it is I'm doing, or why, but the least I can do is not leave the Department of Health in the Lurch.

We needed to go to the bank to get money for the boat ride. Dovie wanted to go to Saint Denis, but I told her no, we would go to Rhodes - Saint Denis is a busy down, much bigger risk of being spotted.

In Rhodes, Dovie asked if she could send a telegram to her partner, Mr Cole. I was very wary, but she's my friend. I know her terrified Cole will be when the news gets out, so letting her send the telegram is the least I could do.

I did watch over her shoulder however, to make sure she was telegramming exactly who she said she was.....

I picked up some medical supplies in Rhodes and we set off towards Annesburg and the boat for Guarma. Skirting the outskirts of Saint Denis, we passed what Dovie called "The Garden of Eden".

She said the flowers they grow there are lovely and I should go sometime.

We made it to Annesburg, and Dovie wanted to check her telegrams again. I'm getting worried about what exactly she sent.

I was much more intensely looking over her shoulder this time, but the clerk said there was nothing new for her.

We headed down to the boat to Guarma, bought our tickets and I booked my cargo in with the captain. We've got some time to wait.

My heart is so heavy. I hate every part of this. I just have to keep reminding myself that if it wasn't me, Jack would have sent someone who would be much less kind. This is the only way I can guarantee Dovie will be safe.....

I hope Jack won't be too angry I couldn't get Eleanor, but I can't risk staying in The Crossing any longer.

"This is Deputy Sanctum. We've received a tip that a medic is being taken to Guarma to meet Jack Kettleman. You're a medic, are you travelling willingly?"

My heart sank into my boots with his words. I turned and looked at Dovie, my arms crossed, waiting for her reply to the deputies.

She said that she was going willingly, but the quiver in voice gave no illusions that she was under duress. Thankfully, the ships captain has no time for delays, and set us off to Guarma before the law could ask any more questions.

We finally arrived in Guarma. I put my cargo in the port and I went up to the changing.... tent..... and changed my clothing to something more appropriate for Guarma.

Hopefully Jack isn't as offended by this outfit as he was my last.....

"Dovie, I hate to do this to you, but I need to know: was it you that sent the tip to law?"

I hope it wasn't Dovie... The law getting tipped off is a big problem, and I'm going to have to tell Jack. I really don't want to have to tell him it was you.....

We continued out of the port town and began the long ascent up to the doctors office so I could put down my supplies there.

We stopped to admire the view of the cove, looking over to the fortress.

We stopped to look at some of the amazing flowers that are in Guarma. The botanist inside Dovie got really excited as she started trying to work out what the flowers were.

A moment of her sweetness in all this chaos I've inflicted on her......

Eventually we bumped into Pip and Alice - two of Jack's Lieutenants. I'm still not sure exactly how much he has explained to them about what I'm doing for him, but hopefully they know enough to help.

They did, however, explain that Jack wasn't available just now......

Alice and Pip disappeared into the distance leaving Dovie and I on the beach. I offered her if she wanted to go back to The Crossing, but she agreed that she was here now, she would show face to Jack.

We stood on the beach chatting a while. She's clearly uncomfortable being here. There's not much I can do to ease that but perhaps we can go exploring to calm Dovie's nerves.

I took Dovie along the river to the waterfall. Probably one of my favourite spots on the island, it gave us a chance to collect some fresh water and take in some of the beauty this island has to offer - when we're not under the gaze of the Kettleman's anyway...

We climbed to the top of the waterfall and looked out across the valley. Dovie seemed to relax slightly. She could possibly have really enjoyed Guarma, shame it'll forever be tainted by my dragging her here for Jack.....

We continued on our explore of the island. I told Dovie about the cigar bar atop the cliff. Its a fair trek, with lots of climbing and walking along scaffolding of somewhat suspect construction, but we finally made it......

...And there he is! The coyote smoking a cigarette that gives the "Cigar Bar" its name! Not sure who thought about setting this up - the whole place is really quite silly.

We looked around for a bit then headed back to the beach to rejoin the trail.

Walking along the beach, we saw two figures walking toward us. My heart sank to my toes when I realised it was Jack Kettleman himself, walking with Cecily......

"I've completed my errands in the Crossing. Jack, this is Dovie". This is it, I can't go back on anything now. I only hope that Jack holds up to his end of the bargin to keep Dovie safe, so I can get her back to The Crossing.

"We're going to a nice dark corner, so if I slice your throat no-one will ever find you." Jack said, leading us all through the jungle: "I'm going to kill you and CC over here is kill Astrid".

Dovie and I just walked on in silence, unsure if he was just joking around or if he really was going to kill us. I'm petrified.

I could never forgive myself if something happened to Dovie......

Eventually we stopped in a clearing halfway up a mountain and Mr Kettleman turned to face us. Now the real conversation began.

Jack explained to Dovie that he wanted to pass on his sincere thanks to her and Eleanor Cain for their part in allowing The Kettleman's to escape to Guarma. He explained how close they were to being killed as the law completely disregarded their lives in order to get to The Kettlemans.

This was a jumping off point, and to my dismay, Jack started to tallk about how the law were coming for him and his people, and there would be a big battle in the coming days for which both sides would need doctors.

Jack knew the right things to say to trigger Dovie's sense of duty, and to my horror, it worked: she agreed to stay on Guarma to help - but the proud Dovie made it clear she would be there to help whoever was injured, no matter what side they were on.

With that, Jack said he needed to speak to the rest of the Kettleman's and that he would speak to us again in a few hours. Dovie and I headed to the port town to gather some supplies.

We went walking for a while around the coast and the platforms on the south side of Guarma. I pondered what to do. My only payment for bringing Dovie here was that she would be kept safe.

I trust Jack to keep his word that he will not hurt her (what other choice do I have), but if she stays for the battle between the Law and The Kettleman's, she could get caught in The Crossfire. No, I need a way of getting her off Guarma before this fight takes place...

With matters on our mind, Dovie and I decided to head straight to the meeting place to wait for Jack and Cecily to come meet us. The meeting place was the arena, where the old dictator pitched his own subjects in fights to the death.

Dovie was clearly scared for what was about to happen. I told her there was still time to get her to the boat, to get her off Guarma. But she refused; she didn't want to leave me behind with Jack.

I tried explaining to her the situation: that I had made my own bed with my decisions and there would be consequences for me either way. The truth is, her staying here risks her safety. Still she didn't budge, so I tried to scare her, saying that it may become necessary to have to kill them to get off Guarma alive.

I told her I had killed someone before. The first time I've really talked about that incident since returning to America. I said I was ready to do it again to get her off Guarma safely. If she stays, it may come to that.

The time passed and there was no sign of Jack or Cecily. Eventually, the two distinctive white shirts made their way down the hill. Dovie and I rose to our feet as they entered the arena. Time for the conversation to begin...

Jack got down to it with his signature directness. Thee law were coming for him and his people and he wanted Dovie and I to be on hand to tend to the casualties if it comes to that - and it probably will.

Dovie reminded Jack that she would look after all patients, not just his people, to which he which acknowledged.

Jack explained what the plan would be. Dovie and I were to wait for a signal from Cecily, who would come to get us and take us to a predetermined rendezvous point. We obviously couldn't be told beforehand, A, in case we get found by Saint's Crossing's lawmen and B, in case something happens that the meeting place needs to change.

For me, after sunrise tomorrow, I was to take the remaining supplies I had brought over from The Crossing and take them to the old ruined church The Kettleman's were using as a base, then head back to the medical building up on the mountain to wait with Dovie for Cecily's signal.

With that, Dovie and I headed up to the medical building atop the clifftop to prepare for whatever the next day would bring. Dovie was still clearly shaken from the experience, and I again tried to convince her to get on the boat home. But she was steadfast in her resolve. She knew there would likely be many casualties tomorrow, she wouldn't leave them, nor would she leave me here alone with the Kettleman's.

She went to try and find a place in the shack to bed down for the night. I looked over the ocean. She's staying here. All bets are off. I just hope we all survive whatever comes tomorrow...