We are heading to a town known as Dry Bones Gulch, where it's believed that the man who discovered the fortune was actually from; most people who list a town list only the town he was delivering the caos to or the place they were rounded up from, which hopefully will keep competition from figuring out the truth for a while yet - if they can't track him down, they may be less likely to believe his claims. It is a risk, but even if it doesn't pan out, Dry Bones Gulch is a potential contender for future railrider development as expansion west continues. Establishing an office there now would allow us to get ahead of others, and be on the ground floor of an economic boom. And if we can manage to lay claim to the crystals themselves, we can make a small fortune before the world governments show up to demand their share.

Met with the man in first class - his name is Diego Montague, although Tony was right in his presupposition that he might also be El Diablo. Apparently, he is involved in the liberation of people from Espanish enslavement - his assistant, Cinthia, is apparently an elf with (severed) wings, and a former 'guest' of the Espanish.

He is seeking assistance in acquiring magical items that might assist – specifically, an Asceplian Band to regenerate his companion's severed wings, and a portable dimensional storage device to make his transit more lightweight. I don't have either of these to hand, but they are easy enough to get hold of with the right amount of money; furthermore, it wouldn't be entirely surprising for those things to be useful in an out-of-the-way location such as Dry Bones Gulch if one is trying to start a business venue.

El Diablo is a tiefling, apparently - a dusky-skinned horned individual who disguises his appearance with a magical armband. The armband is an old piece of manatech that Zane says is looking very worn by time; she bandaged it up (literally) but is not keen on trying to tinker with it too much if he is actively relying on it to disguise his appearance.

In short, while the Espanish would likely consider him dangerous, he seems to be of good character at heart. This might be a ruse, of course, but I strongly suspect that his financial status puts us as too low a target to rob, at the very least. It's also worth noting that he has a private coach and presumably somewhere to put it at the end of the line, and seems generally quite affluent at the least, so it would not pay to get on the bad end of him in the long run. Furthermore, he has offered to provide his services as a guide and assist in our venture, as our development benefits him as well. Another risk, but one that may pay off.

However, it's worth noting that I originally planned for six people when supplying our wagon. Seven means that we may be short on supplies. Although presumably Diego and Cinthia are used to surviving in the western wilderness, assumption is the mother of disaster, so verifying that they are equipped (or can improvise) will be important.

I told the others about a childhood story that I hadn't thought about in a while - how as children I and my local schoolmates had wanted to become heroes like those in the old storybooks. We had a local shaman from the west, a goblin named Al'Vekh (he encouraged us to call him Al) who was fairly dignified and wise and who encouraged us to seek the path of honor in life. We had once thought of receiving tattoos with the symbol of the Dashing Blades, swashbuckling heroes who fought evil on the seas and the land, but adult sensibilities prevailed and our playgroup was dissolved before we could carry through with the idea. Probably fortunate, as tattoos last a lifetime and I would have to explain what childish thought made me get one every time otherwise. I hope Al is well, but sometimes, looking at how the greenskins are treated even in New Franzia, I find it hard to maintain that sunny outlook.

We stopped at the Double D Dude Ranch, where we were treated to an amusing show – and a job opportunity. Seems the management has an undead problem that they need some grunts to break up; they got some authentic Native Goblinian artifacts for their cave, and the artifacts apparently woke up restless goblin spirits. There's skeletons at least, and who knows what else in there. Still, either we'll manage, or we'll at least be able to provide more information. The big guy and his little lady are masters of unarmed combat, so disarming skeletons should be child's play for them.

Diego and Cinthia stayed aboard the train during our layover - one wonders if Diego has slipped off in disguise, or has other business to carry out aboard the train while most of the inhabitants are elsewhere. Must remember to check the cargo hold when we reboard - just in case. “Trust your fellow man, but shuffle before you deal,” as the saying goes.

We did a small job for the Double D Dude Ranch, involving handling a problem for them. Apparently, Daryl Grayson, who plays the El Diablo character, and Winston Davis who plays the Sheriff character, and George the goblin who plays Chief Many Moons, wanted to make a 'crystal mine' exhibit for the tourists, and got some goblin artifacts to populate it… which caused skeletons. Lots and lots of skeletons. We managed to fight our way in and find the source, and appeased the spirit inside – apparently Zane is taking responsibility for it, and says it needs to be returned to the Two Feathers tribe. In addition to payment in cash, we also received a variety of leather trade goods, meat, and the like that will prove useful on our travels and for establishing business in our new destination.

We asked Cinthia if she or Diego knew anything about that goblin tribe, and apparently it's one of the tribes that has been forcibly 'resettled' from their original homeland… and hasn't turned up at their intended reservation. Anyone's guess whether they've been exterminated or simply had the sense to flee rather than be incarcerated in a reservation or have remained in their original homeland – we'll keep an ear out for them, though. Zane seems dead set on returning the artifact to the tribe - apparently it's a sacred burial jar where the bones of the tribe's fallen are stored, watched over by a shaman who devotes her afterlife to doing so, so it's pretty important to them culturally as well as spiritually.

Apparently the two young girls, Muffy and Betty, who were enamoured with Tony have decided they want to accompany us out west – I don't know what dragonborn culture is like, but apparently he doesn't seem to mind their attentions. It bothers Zeke a bit, but as long as they aren't merely working as entertainment for Tony, I suppose they can accompany.

I actually have an idea on how to make use of those two girls' dubious talents – we expect to encounter the Frontier Rangers in Carson City, as apparently they're allowed to search trains for people. Given that one of our allies, Diego, is someone they want dead or alive, he and Cinthia have a vested interest in being left in peace – so I figure that the girls may prove useful at distracting the Rangers by asking them all sorts of questions about their activities, proclivities and so on. I would imagine it will either prove informative or at least give the Rangers some extra motivation to hurry along without idling too much.

Muffy and Betty are a half-elf and a human who have both recently had their school graduation. They are celebrating with a vacation trip to the Double D Dude Ranch, with hopes of scoring a caoboy or two. They also don't seem above trying to get some personal time, or at least hold out hope. I have pointed out that there may be some anatomical difficulties with that proposition, but that doesn't seem to trouble them too much. Tamara doesn't mind if I indulge their curiosity, as long as I don't plan on abandoning her for them, which I would never. Still, as we have arrived at the Ranch, the girls are no doubt attempting to satisfy their curiosities elsewhere.

Billy is a young child (father is Joshua, mother's name unknown) who is very inquisitive and asks a lot of questions. He's an endearing sort, and his parents seem indulgent if occasionally exasperated.

There's also an older couple riding in second class - I don't know too much about them, but they seem to keep to themselves, play games in the dining car, etc. If they are a threat, they hide it well.

The Frontier Rangers are putting up wanted posters at stations requesting information on a Most Wanted List of Criminals, with rewards for information and bounty amounts for bringing them in 'dead or alive.' Considering they don't represent any particular government, one has to wonder who tells them what crimes people have committed, and what gives them the right to declare someone guilty… or to value what's lawful over what's right. It seems that they are willing to take the government of Nuvi Espana at its word if properly motivated, at the very least.

Muffy and Betty mentioned rumors of a mining find out west that Betty's father was concerned about – possible competition. If two horny teenagers know about it, more sensible people certainly do, even if they don't know where to look yet.

They also mentioned the rumors that El Diablo (a tiefling, according to the racist wanted poster of his 'true form'), is suspected to be targeting trains in the area. Apparently he has a family grudge against Espana for banishing his family due to his 'demonic taint'. I've had a look at his wanted poster after convincing the girls to swipe it – I wouldn't call him devastatingly handsome, though. He doesn't even have crested horns.

I have seen or heard some things that make me suspicious - there's someone in first class who has a bodyguard, a ragged-looking elven woman who is dressed bulkily as if to cover heavy armor, who is also making a trek west and speaking cautiously about where. The girls have been chattering about someone who looks familiar having entered first class, possibly a duke – it's hard not to suspect the fuss might be related.

Our cargo is stored in a cargo hold and guarded by a watchman. There seem to be lockboxes aboard for more secured cargo. If someone were up to something, they would undoubtedly target those over our travelling supplies. Hopefully.

I was right to be suspicious – the man in first class is indeed El Diablo himself, although the woman is actually disguising the stumps of wings, supposedly, not wearing heavy armor. (Both Zane and Daniel vouch for having seen this, so it is not worth pressing unless there is a need.) She is apparently another person liberated from Espanish captivity. However, it appears our employer has worked out a business arrangement with these two; hopefully that means we can cooperate and not have to worry about our supplies being endangered.

We are taking on a side job on behalf of our employer to clear undead from an off-limit exhibit at the Double D Dude Ranch. Apparently it's full of undead - the site must've either been a burial ground for a local tribe, or a dumping ground after a massacre, and either way, they're definitely hostile to the living. They're quite small, but it never pays to become overconfident - enough small things can bring down even the mightiest mountain.

We managed to break through the lines of undead and discovered the source of the problem – it seems miss Zane recognized the spiritual significance of the jar, and managed to make contact with the spirit who was sending the undead out of it. The jar belongs to the Two Feathers goblin tribe, and the shaman very much wishes it to be returned; apparently miss Zane has promised to do so, which was to the satisfaction of all concerned.

Speaking of which, Muffy and Betty have decided to accompany us on our westward trip. They're going to send a telegraph message to their parents to let them know what they're up to - the Dude Ranch was apparently fun but not near as exciting as hoped, in many ways. They are very willing to please and listen well to instruction, although they are very inexperienced.

Aside from the tipsy teenyboppers seeking to ride the dragon, I did notice someone exiting first class in an inconspicuous way when we stopped in Greenfield. This was likely Diego slipping out for a moment, in retrospect.

Cinthia seems to be in very poor shape and is suffering from severe chronic pain due to her injuries - I can't imagine having effectively two legs forcibly severed and cauterized with acid. I can lessen the pain temporarily, but I don't have the strength to restore such massive damage. It's horrifying that the southern dwarves would do this to anyone, and it sounds like they have a sexual fetish for elves as well - why would they dismember someone who looks like an angel? I can understand the 'devil' bit, but … I will have to assist her when possible, if only so she can rest more easily. Perhaps I can work up a trail remedy she can take to help her sleep.

I told the others about my vision – and they didn't laugh or openly doubt me. The power of the goddess within me is not strong, but it is there, running free of the shackles of enslavement. It is my sacred duty to see to it that those who are constrained are liberated. I am certain that helping El Diablo in his cause, while it might look like a deal with the devil, is noble - I am certain that his heart is better than some of the men and women of the cloth that I have known.

We are currently at the Double D Dude Ranch, investigating an undead problem; they have skeletons emerging from a cave in the area that have apparently been riled up due to an artifact or artifacts being placed in the cave. While the cave may have been sacred to the tribe once, the goblin working for the Double D wants nothing to do with the place – and considering undead generally are hostile to the living regardless of their affiliation, this seems wise. I am sure I can free the bones from the malevolence controlling them, at least to some extent, but letting the experts in bone breaking handle things where they can seems wisest. Still, one wonders whether this is really just the work of some old tribal magics, or if a restless spirit is stirring things up?

We investigated the matter and determined that it is indeed the work of tribal magic -and- a spirit; the ranch had apparently been sold the sacred burial jar of the Two Feathers tribe by an individual whose name I noted down, who marked it as 'old clay pot' on the bill of sale and claimed it was acquired at a dig site. Sacred burial jars are watched over by the spirit of a tribal shaman - in this case, Windwalker is her name - who sacrifices her place in the afterlife to make sure that the bones are watched over, and who calls them into battle when the tribe is imperiled. It is not an artifact the tribe would discard willingly under any circumstances.

The tribe is apparently one of the 'lost tribes' who have been pushed from their homeland but have not arrived at a resettlement point; the gentleman who sold the artifacts may be the key to finding out more information about where it came from, or a lead as to where the tribe may be now. I have a bad feeling about this…