Crash Posted February 4 Share Posted February 4 Santiago Ontiveros, also known as Maldición de Escalera, was born the illegitimate son of a wealthy landowner who abandoned him at birth, seeing the child as nothing more than an inconvenient reminder of his infidelity. Ontiveros' mother, a farmwoman mistress, passed away during childbirth, a complication that had a profound impact on him in his early years spent in the care of his maternal aunt and uncle, though well-intentioned, were hardly better equipped to raise the child themselves. The emotional burden of his shame weighed heavily on them as they started to resent his very existence, a constant reminder of a family honor that had been broken. His early years which were plagued with neglect, shaped him to be resourceful and independent yet it also hardened him in ways that would influence his future. His relatives', though not cruel, mockery continued to follow him for a majority of his early childhood which had it's negative effects on him. [1] Ontiveros' aunt and uncle were modest ranchers, and while they didn’t show him much attention, they did allow him to work their land, later assigning him menial tasks like feeding and cleaning horses. Though they dismissed his interest in animals, he developed a deep understanding of horses while doing so. After several months and many failed attempts at breaking a horse, he learned to change his approach, and by the age of sixteen, he was proficient in riding and reading horse behaviors. Using these skills, he would seek seasonal employment on the farms and ranches of Punta Orgullo, breaking wild horses for anyone who would pay. Growing unrest in Nuevo Paraíso became common during 1882—an increasing presence of corrupt landowners, labor shortages, and tightening grips from government forces looking to exert control. Ranchers and settlers feared displacement as roaming bands of displaced natives, once driven from their lands by expansion, began retaliating against isolated homesteads and ranches. Some blamed rustlers, others whispered about Apache who still roamed the frontier, raiding for any provisions. He had been working on a ranch near the border when he discovered that a small band of Apache had made off with a herd of wild mustangs he’d been tasked with breaking. As the ranchers discussed the situation, one of them—a grim man with anger in his eyes—suggested: “Track them down. Get the horses back. Get paid.” The only choice was obvious, it was that or head back home unpaid for an entire two days worth of work. Tracking a stolen horse was no different than tracking a wild one. They tracked the horses for miles, moving with the patience of experienced hunters. Ontiveros’ skills showed naturally but the longer they rode the more the work began to feel less about recovering stolen property and more about something else much more darker. Upon finding the band of Apache, words were exchanged, but there was little room for negotiation, and soon the skirmish quickly escalated into violence. After the skirmish, the leader of the posse pulled a blade and started to skin one of the dead men, taking their scalps as trophies. He tossed one to Ontiveros with a hard chuckle. “Get yourself paid.” Ontiveros had never considered the reality of scalping men for money until he was faced with it. The act felt wrong, foreign even but the pressure to survive, the constant threat of being seen as weak; something he dealt with enough throughout his childhood made him follow along. [2] However, the fear of retribution swallowed him. There had been whispers of New Austin, a neighboring territory where rumors of lawlessness and opportunity were becoming more common. Several coyotaje groups notorious for stealing and trading horses, often sought for those who could tame wild stock quickly and efficiently. An opportunity to smuggle stolen livestock across the border near the Ramita de la Baya into the San Luis River presented itself to Ontiveros and the promise of work on his terms and the chance to be free from the weight of his past called to him. Under the blanket of nightfall several precautions would be taken to make the crossing as safe and discreet as possible; the darkness would provide cover from both local authorities and any potential scouts. There also posed the imminent threat of roaming Apache near the border. He traveled to Gaptooth Ridge, a desolate and isolated region known for its rugged landscape sought after a simpler way of life. There, he settled offering his horse breaking skills to local ranchers hoping to become a fixture with a reputation close to one of his previous held back across the border. [3] 9 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crash Posted February 5 Author Share Posted February 5 This thread will follow the life of Santiago Ontiveros, a seasoned vaquero who finds himself struggling with the balance of moral ethics and the harsh realities of frontier life. All content showcased will delve into the complexity of survival in a setting where moral lines blur, exploring the tension between doing what’s right and doing what’s necessary to make a living and leave behind a life steeped in blood. — [1] [2] [3] 12 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crash Posted 13 hours ago Author Share Posted 13 hours ago 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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