Chapter 21: Rhodes

"You're awfully quiet," Arthur said to Sam while riding in the direction of camp.

Sam was quiet. She had a lot on her mind about the lion. "Just thinking about that lion, is all," she said quietly.

Arthur sighed and trotted closer to her. "Wanna go into town and get drunk?"

Sam chuckled a little. "Why is it that you think every problem can be fixed with alcohol?"

"I dunno. It'll help take your mind off things."

Sam shrugged. She might as well. "Alright," she sighed. "Let's go get drunk."

They began to gallop as they went along the way but when they arrived in Rhodes, Arthur pointed out that Dutch and Bill were in town. Sam looked to where he was pointing and saw The Count and Brown Jack. "Huh. Wonder what they're up to?" Arthur said. "Probably at the Sheriff's office."

"That's a good guess, I suppose." Sam remembered Arthur and Dutch and a few others were not ingratiated with the local law, so it was a good guess. "Wanna head over there? See what they're doing?"

"Sure."

Sam and Arthur tethered their horses across the way and casually walked over to the sheriff's office. As Arthur opened the door, Sam heard Dutch inside.

"Of course, of course," Dutch said, sitting on the edge of the sheriff's desk. Bill was sitting behind a man who Sam assumed was the sheriff. "Oh, and here is my dear friend, Arthur Callahan. Boy is a hunter, boy is a killer." Dutch got up and put a hand on Arthur's shoulder. "Arthur, you've met but not been introduced to Mr...oh, I'm so sorry, Sheriff Gray."

Sam could immediately tell the sheriff was drunk, but he looked at her with a skeptical look. "And who are you?" the sheriff asked drunkenly.

Sam's eyes went wide. "Uh, Sam. Sam...Callahan." She figured everyone was using made up names so she might as well join in.

Dutch grinned at Sam in approval. "Yes, this is Sam Callahan. Arthur's wife."

Sam jerked her head in Dutch's direction with a look of disbelief, but she kept her mouth shut. Meanwhile, Arthur's cheeks went bright red. Sam looked back at the sheriff with a grin. "Yes. I'm Arthur's wife."

"Oh. It's a pleasure to meet you both. And how are you doin', Mr. and Mrs. Callahan?"

"I'm fine," they both said in unison.

"Tough business you boys had."

"We did?" Arthur asked while looking at Dutch. Dutch gave him a wink.

"Oh, there's no need to pretend with me, sir. Life can be tough."

"So it can."

"And no man owes another anything."

"No, sir."

"But still," the sheriff wobbled to get up, "I feel like you were hard done by, losing your employment like that. But still, here in Rhodes we have work enough for honest men."

The sheriff offered Arthur a jug of moonshine and Arthur took a drink. "That's some strong stuff."

He handed it to Sam and she put the rim of the jug to her mouth cautiously. When she took a drink, it felt like her mouth and throat were on fire. "Jesus Christ, what is this?" she blurted out, handing it to Dutch.

The men laughed and the sheriff gave her an inebriated smile. "That is moonshine, Mrs. Callahan."

Sam's eyebrows lifted with surprise. Good god damn fucking balls, this really was the south. "Excuse me a moment, the sheriff said as he stumbled towards the door.

Sam watched him trip over his own feet and she stifled a laugh, but then she turned her attention to Dutch. "Arthur's wife?! What the fuck, Dutch?!"

Dutch shushed her. "It's Hoagy Macintosh, Sam. And what else was I supposed to say?"

"Maybe his cousin?!"

"Well apparently down here you can be both. Now, Arthur, I told you we was movin' up in this world." Dutch reached into the desk and pulled out deputy stars. "Deputies!"

"You have finally lost your mind," Arthur hissed.

"Amongst these drunkards, hillbillies, and slavers, good honest thieves like us, we're bound to be moralize in a place like this." Just then, Sheriff Gray came stumbling back in. "Oh, Sheriff Gray, you are back."

Sheriff Gray staggered on over to the men and put his hands on Dutch and Arthur's shoulders. "Now listen, sir...there is shine in them woods though," the sheriff said while pointing at the door. "And it is costin' this county it's good name, and the state a whole lot of income. You boys wouldn't mind rootin' it out, maybe we'll make you permanent." Sam noticed the man looked about ready to throw up. "I gotta sit me down a second," he said, going for his chair.

"Not a problem, sir, not a problem at all," Dutch said. "You are in safe hands now. And people waste time with the temperance movement. Liquor never dulled a good man's senses."

Sam blinked a few times, her brain trying to process what Dutch just said. She followed Arthur, Bill and Dutch out the door. "So now what?" Sam asked.

"Arthur will ride with the deputy. Are you coming with then, Sam?" Dutch inquired.

"Sure. Not like I have anything else to do," she replied.

"Okay. You, Bill and I will follow Arthur and the deputy." Arthur climbed onto the wagon and Sam went across the street for her horse, also untethering Boadicea II so she could come along. Sam went between Bill and Dutch on her horse as the wagon pulled away. "So, you and Hosea find much out while you were in town with him?" Dutch asked, keeping his voice down.

Sam shook her head. "Not much. Just some shit about gold and a family feud," she replied, also speaking barely above a whisper.

Dutch grinned a little. "That's still useful information. Not bad."

Sam shrugged with a smirk. "Thanks."

Dutch eyed her for a moment. "You know, I do believe I haven't seen Arthur this happy in a long time."

Sam eyed him back. "Really?"

"Oh yeah. While we was fishin' earlier, he was actually whistlin' a tune. I've never heard the man whistle a tune."

Sam smiled to herself. "Oh."

"So now that you and Arthur are together, does this mean you're gonna stay with us?" Bill asked suddenly.

Sam's smile faded. "I...well, I'm still thinking about it."

"You're still thinkin' about it?" Dutch asked sharply. "You mean to tell me that you're possibly gonna leave that poor man to his own devices?"

"As I said, I'm still thinking about it."

"Hey!" Arthur yelled from the wagon. "Archibald wants to remind us he's in charge here!"

"Of course!" Bill answered.

"Who else would be?" Dutch asked before looking at Sam again. "Why exactly do you need to go back to Minnesota, Sam?"

"It's safer there."

"That's it? It's safer there?" Dutch scoffed. "Look, I know you been through a lot since you joined up with us, but c'mon. Arthur would be heartbroken if you left."

Sam closed her eyes and bowed her head. "So would I. But Du- Hoagy, I'm not accustomed to this life. It's dangerous and it scares the ever loving piss outta me. And," she started to whisper, "I could never be an outlaw."

Dutch chuckled deeply. "You fit in a lot more than you realize, Sam. And it's not like any of us are askin' you to break any laws," he whispered.

"Yeah," Bill said. "We like you. And you make Arthur less of a grouch."

Sam started giggling. "He is a bit grouchy at times."

Suddenly the wagon stopped and Dutch, Bill and Sam halted their mounts. There was a broken down wagon by the side of the road and Arthur jumped down to go check it out with Deputy McGregor. Bill started snacking away at the air.

"These damn flies! I swear they've got it in for me!" Bill snarled.

"You could try washing once in a while," Dutch commented.

Sam shook her head with a laugh. "Shit, Hoagy. You're so mean," she teased.

Dutch laughed with a nod. "I can be sometimes." He gave Sam a serious look abruptly. "Listen, Hosea wants to try and get you into conning with him. Do you think maybe you'd be up for that, at least?"

Sam squinted an eye and and looked up. "Well, I dunno. He did mention it but I've never conned anyone before and I don't exactly possess a silver tongue like he does."

"I'm sure you can learn quickly."

Arthur and Deputy McGregor started walking back to the wagon. "Just as long as I don't have to kill anyone, I'll see what I can do," Sam said in a hushed voice.

They started moving again and Dutch got closer to Sam. "You sure you're up for this moonshine raid? Might be people that need shootin'," he pointed out.

"I'll leave that up to you guys," she said with a smirk. "Now, why did you tell Sheriff Gray I was Arthur's wife?"

"Because you two might as well get married, what with the way you two bicker in an argument."

Sam rubbed the back of her neck and laughed nervously. "I guess so, but don't you be putting ideas of marriage into his head."

"Why not? You don't love Arthur?"

Sam contemplated this for a moment or two before answering, but before she could, the wagon stopped and the three riders had to stop too. Sam dismounted, grabbed her rifle and bow, just in case, and joined the deputy.

"Now, anyone we find here, we bring in alive. Understood? Round 'em up and take this operation down for good." Sam gave him.a curt now. "Come on, let's see what we're dealing with," the deputy said to the men.

Sam hung back a bit to join Arthur. She nudged him a little and snickered. "How you doing, hubby?" she asked him.

Sam could have sworn she saw him blush. "Hubby? Is that another way of saying husband?"

"Yes."

Arthur flashed his white teeth at her to form a smile. "Well, I'm fine, dear. How about yourself?"

Sam leaned in close to his ear. "Very much looking forward to fucking you later..." she whispered.

Arthur grabbed Sam, pulled her close and gave her a feverish kiss. She returned it and then after a few moments, their lips parted. He began nibbling at her ear lobe. "Me too, you naughty girl," he whispered huskily.

There was a loud "ahem" and both of them turned their attention to the other men who were waiting for them. Sam's cheeks went red because she had forgotten they were there and she let go of Arthur. "Sorry. We got caught up in a moment."

Dutch laughed a bit and waved them over. The two crouched down and headed over to the other men. "See? See?" McGregor said. "What did I tell you boys? What did I say? I said this place was crawlin' with vermin, and we just found ourselves the rat's nest pat excellence, as they say in Paris." Sam looked over yonder, trying to make out stuff in the distance. "My aunt, she went to Paris back in '78..."

"How are we gonna handle this?" Dutch interrupted quickly. Sam could tell that Dutch was losing his patience.

"Well, the way I see it is-"

"Actually, let my friend here decide. He doesn't have your...fine way with words, but he is definitely the man for the job. Let's split up. Arthur and Bill, me and Archibald. You boys want right or left?"

"Wait a second, what am I supposed to do?" Sam asked.

"Just stay here for now and when the coast is clear, we'll call for you," Dutch explained.

Sam grumbled and plopped down on her rump, crossing her arms. "Fine," she said begrudgingly.

"We'll take the left," Arthur said.

"Let's stop these filthy degenerate tax Dodgers. The cheek of them," Dutch said as the men started crouch walking in separate directions.

Sam shook her head with a chuckle and watched then disappear into the mist of the swamp. She got on her knees and pulled out her bow. If she had to shoot someone, she'd rather do it quietly so as not to start a ruckus. Sam notched and arrow and kept it pointed to the ground as she waited, and waited, and waited. Abruptly, she thought she heard a noise behind her. Sam twisted around and stood up, her bow and arrow aimed. She didn't see anything so she relaxed. What was taking them so god damn long? Sam turned back around only to be tackled by a Lemoyne Raider. Sam grunted when she hit the ground and the man hovered over her, pinning her arms to the ground.

"Well well, look at what we got here," the man said with a malicious smile.

Sam struggled in his grasp. "Get your fucking hands of me," she barked out.

The man laughed. "Don't think so, little lady."

Sam kept struggling while the man looked her body up and down. "Now I ain't had a woman in quite some time, so you'll have to do."

"Oh, hell no," Sam hissed.

The man quickly leaned down and kissed her but Sam bit his lip hard. He yelped out in pain then slapped her hard across the face, leaving one of her arms free. Sam quickly reached for her knife and unsheathed it but the guy grasped her wrist and shook her arm so hard that she dropped it. He grabbed the knife and held it to her throat.

"Hold still, missy, or I'll slice your throat op-"

There was the sound of a shotgun cocking and the man froze. "Get the hell off her," Arthur said behind the man.

Sam rolled her eyes and sighed in relief while the man dropped the knife and got up with his arms raised. Sam quickly stood up, grabbed her knife, sheathed it, and pulled out her rifle, aiming it at the raider and taking a few steps back. Bill was with Arthur, Sam noticed.

"You okay?" Arthur asked Sam.

"Yes, thank you, Arthur," she said gratefully.

"You're welcome," he replied, putting his gun away.

Arthur shoved the man down and hogtied him. Sam kicked him in the head which rendered him unconscious. "Fucking sick bastard!" she snapped.

Arthur pivoted around and grunted. "I need to go blow something up, be right back. Bill, stay here." Arthur then went wading through the murky swamp waters.

"Got it," Bill said. "Nice kick, by the way."

"Thanks," Sam said.

"So, I know it's none of my business, but what Dutch asked you earlier...do you love Arthur?" Bill inquired.

Sam blinked. While her feelings for Arthur were quite strong, she wasn't sure that it was love that she felt. Or perhaps she felt it was too soon to admit it. Just then, there was an explosion across the way and Sam laughed giddily.

"Explosions!" she exclaimed joyfully.

She heard shouting and picked up her bow, putting it around her body. Bill and her went running through the waters to go help Arthur, guns being fired from every direction. Sam's heart was pumping heavily as she aimed her gun at one man and fired. She got him in the leg and he went down, so she ran over and smacked his face with the butt of her gun. He was out like a light. Bullets flew past her and she ducked behind a box. Sam peeked over and shot a man in the shoulder, then she shot another in the arm. Well, at least she wasn't killing anyone.

"What are you doin'?! Kill them, Sam!" Bill shouted.

"I've never killed anyone before and I'm not about to start now!" she shouted back.

Sam moved upwards behind and barrel and kept making shots to arms, legs and shoulders. It became a routine as she went along. Shoot, move up when the men were scarce, duck behind something, rinse and repeat. Finally, the coast was clear after reaching some shacks.

"I don't see any more, do you?" Bill asked Arthur and Sam.

"No," Arthur and Sam replied, both of them walking away from cover.

"Let's find Dutch and get out of here."

Sam was waiting for Arthur to reach her when one more raider came running out of one of the buildings. He was aiming right for Arthur.

"Look out!" Sam yelled while aiming her gun and shooting. Arthur turned around just in time to see the bullet hit the man in the chest and go down. Sam's eyes went wide and she went running to the Lemoyne raider.

"No no no no no..." She slid on her knees and dropped the gun, putting pressure on the now oozing wound. The raider looked like he was in shock. Sam grabbed a bandana from the man's neck, slipped it off and placed it over the wound. Arthur came walking up behind her. "No, don't die on me. God, I didn't mean to shoot you in the chest! Arthur, help me!"

The man started gurgling out blood. Oh shit. Tears filled her eyes as panic started to set in. "Sam..." Arthur said softly.

Sam ignored him and kept pressure on the wound. "Hey pal, stay with me, alright?" she sobbed.

"What's goin' on?" Bill shouted while marching over.

"Sam shot this guy," Arthur said as he knelt down beside Sam.

"So?"

Arthur looked at Bill. "Sam's never killed somebody before."

"...Oh shit."

Soon the gurgling stopped and the man stopped breathing, the light in his eyes going out. Tears streamed down Sam's face. She knew the man was dead and yet reality didn't set in just then. Sam kept her hand over the wound and bowed her head. "Please don't die..."

Sam felt a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry, Sam," Arthur said.

Sam started bawling uncontrollably and Arthur pulled her away from the dead body to hold her close. Sam couldn't believe it. She'd just killed someone. She murdered someone. Granted, it was to prevent Arthur from getting shot, but she could've aimed for a different body part. Why didn't she aim for an appendage?

"Guys, we need to go," Bill said gently.

Arthur moved Sam so she could look at him. "Sam, I know this is a big deal right now, but we gotta go now."

"But I w-wanna bury him," she said as her lips trembled.

"We ain't got time for that, sweetheart," Arthur said, trying to reason with her.

Sam narrowed her eyes. "He needs a proper burial..."

Sam needed it more for herself than anything. She felt incredibly guilty and not unlike a monster.

But Arthur shook his head. "Sam we do not have the time. We need to go."

Sam finally caved and nodded, grabbing her gun and standing up with Arthur. He wrapped an arm around her and they all started walking back to Dutch and Deputy McGregor. Sam stared at her hands. The palms were covered in blood. Arthur pulled out a handkerchief and began to wipe her tears away. Sam's head sunk low when he was finished.

"Well done!" Dutch said, chuckling to the group as they came walking up. "Well, forgive me, but, me and my men and the lady must...what's wrong with Sam?"

Sam started weeping again and Arthur sighed. "She killed her first man," he said glumly.

"...Oh. I see."

Sam kept staring at her hands, not listening to the conversations going on around her. All she could keep thinking about, over and over, was that she was now a murderer.