Arthur lay dying, these last few hard, liquid filled breaths would be his last. It feels like blood is coming from every part of his body, but the pain is numb now. He tires to crawl to a rock, to get a view of the horizon so that he may die in peace. He can't make it, and despite his trying, fails after only moving a few inches. He hears footsteps approaching, no doubt that bastard Micha coming to finish the job. But to Arthur's surprise, he is helped to his final destination. Through bleary eyes, he sees a very familiar face. He chortles, saying. "God damn, you're the last person I expected to see. Though I'm sure you aren't even here, are you Hosea?"
"Well, maybe I am and maybe I ain't. Doesn't matter though, does it? We're both about to meet again, I've been waiting on you further up the trail, waiting so we can ride together again." Arthur spits out a glob of blood onto the ground, leaving a trial behind on his jaw. "I suppose that wouldn't be too bad, you always were good company. I'll be along shortly, just give me a moment to rest." Hosea smiles, a familiar smile that feels as if it will make all of Arthurs injuries just disappear. "Just give me your hand, I'll help you to your feet."
Both clasp hands, and Arthur rises with relative ease. Looking back down at his now deceased body. "It's over now Arthur, the only way is forward. C'mon, our horses are just down the trail some." Hosea begins to walk away but stops when he doesn't hear Arthur follow. He turns, letting Arthur process it all. "Don't worry about that old thing, you don't need it anymore. And don't worry about John, it ain't his time yet. He's still got some life to live. But me and you gotta get on the trail, it's a long ride to where we're going."
"I know, but I never imagined it would be this, I don't feel dead, but I don't feel alive neither." Arthur turns to Hosea. "Are you really Hosea, or am I just seeing things because I'm dying." Hosea smiles, and motions for him to follow. "It's a long ride, we got time to talk about it as we go." Giving in to his curiosity, he follows his old friend down the trail he fought so hard to get up. From where the trail began, their horses wait. And they mount before heading west.
As they ride along, Arthur begins to look back at the recent events, and smiles. Even if he has lost everything, if Hosea has come to get him, that means those he cares about are at the end of his ride. They go along in silence, and Hosea begins to sing quietly as they naviagte a cliff's edge. Looking out across the range, Arthur sees a buck, solitary and serene, staring back at him. Through this eye contact, a realization is met. A second chance, an opportunity to be the man he was supposed to be, but not in this world, and not within his own life. As the deer begins to walk away, a word comes to Arthur's mind, a word he says loud enough for his friend to hear. The last thing he says to leave his old life behind. "Redemption."