Mako 1895 Carbine
MAKO 1895 CARBINE. (See also, RIFLE) A relative of the Winfield rifle line, it exceeded their lever-action rifles in raw power at the cost of accuracy. Its high caliber led to the manufacturers advertising that coastal farmers could use the rifle on sharks such as the Shortfin mako.
The Journal of Circe Elias
Handwritten, 8 x 10 in.
Severe fire damage, reconstructed by archivist
My father s nose was missing from his corpse. Four days of mourning in those ruins, and it was the only piece of my family that I did not find.
Mary's gift is a fine one. The Mako is a mighty rifle, clearly a token of admiration, and presented with thought and care. But can she not see the insult in this gift? It is a sharpened request that I bury my Berthier along with its history, just to spend my days with her.
"Put to rest your quest" are the words she whispered in my ear, and they hum like angel and devil both upon my shoulder. Against my will, a trembling hand is already carving runes into this rifle
These are new runes, etched with the story of when we first caved to temptation months ago. They tell of campfire tales, stolen touches, lives saved, and of regret wrestling with desire. For I am tempted still.
How could I forsake the name Elias? What betrayal this must be to you, Mother, Father, Edward, Hans, and Thula, to see my heart pulled away from your vengeance. A disgrace I know myself to be, yet still I carve. Mary gave comfort which I have not felt in an eternity, a love akin to air returning after I rise from water.
Please forgive how deeply I long to put your quest to rest. Please forgive how deeply I wish to forget you all and forsake your memory. How could I be so selfish?
How dare Mary ask this of me?
Letter to Unknown
Author: Unknown
Single loose sheet, 8.5 x 11 in.
1/1
Dear Father,
Since you do not believe my word, here is the transcribed conversation. I recorded this as soon as they set me free (without my weapons) for I knew you would doubt my conclusions
Circe: New York is not paying the bounties. I wrote recently and thought to ask them of it. My contact is trustworthy and knowledgeable, so I believe his denial
Mary: When did you last visit home?
Circe: Our noble sheriff has let slip of being backed by powerful people once or twice around other lawmen and such. Seems to be recruiting for something
Mary: Circe.
Circe: I know what you would speak of to me, and my heart will not bear it.
Mary: Your heart must know that I only seek to spare you from the sulfur of a hopeless death.
Circe: Death? You think so little of the last living Elias?
Mary: Accept it or don't, but you cannot slay Lynch without an Elias army. So you would only be sacrificing your life, and the love we share, at the altar of crude, human vengeance.
Circe: My life is vengeance. To love me is to share in my retribution. You do not know that Lynch purged my family, and neither does the Jos of your letters.
Mary: I have shared everything with you, shared my heart and stained my body, in the hope I could bring you peace. I see now that you do not wish to be spared from the sulfur and fire of a hopeless death.
Circe: There's just one question, then. Will you follow me into fire?
