The contract that marks Arthur as the owner of the ranch feels weirdly heavy in his bag, for something that is only a page of paper. He's quiet the whole ride back, nervous and for the first time since waking up after dying, really excited too. Trelawney respects his silence, though something about his calmness helps Arthur too, especially with the voice of doubt that clouds the back of his mind, questioning if he hasn't acted too hastily in purchasing the ranch. But it really is in a good part of the west, has great land and already some buildings. It's going to be their home. Their second chance at life. A better life, if he has any say in it.
His mood takes a dive to grim when they return in the evening and he sees Lenny looking bruised and roughed up by the front gate. He seems tense, nervous even as he seeks out Arthur's gaze.
"What happened?" Arthur asks, jumping from Storm who sticks close to him, sensing his own tension, head lifted to see her surroundings better.
"It's Dutch." Lenny says quietly. "He went with us to rob that trolley in Saint Denis. It was a bust, Arthur and now he's real angry. Wants to go and kill Bronte for playing us. It's." Lenny wets his lips, shifting in place, voice turning even quieter. "It's not looking good at all. If I'm honest, this looks real bad."
Arthur remembers, remembers vividly even. The shooting, the law men, that trolley accident. And he remembers what followed, what came after that. He takes a deep breath, cursing that he was gone for too long. That Dutch hasn't waited for his return. Though, in all truth, Arthur can't tell if he would have gone on the job with him in the end.
"Who else went with you?" He asks.
"Bill." Lenny nods over to where Bill brushes off Miss Grimshaw, a large bruise on his face and walks off with an angry gesture. Lenny takes a step closer. "You were right, Arthur. Things aren't good and they're only getting worse."
With a small start of surprise, he realizes that Lenny looks at him for a hint to what to do next. The kid trusts him to do right by him, trusts his opinion enough to leave if Arthur says it's for the best. The realization makes Arthur's throat tighten briefly and he takes a deep, careful breath.
"Pack a bag." He says quietly, sees Lenny still, how the kid holds his breath and then exhales, face hardening slightly with determination. "Something light, easy to grab. Only what you need and can't leave behind. There is a train in two days, take your horse and ride to Wallace Station."
"It might be safe to leave by yourself or in small groups and meet on the road, rather than departing all at once." Trelawney suggests quietly from behind Arthur.
"You can join Abigail an' Jack." Arthur adds. It's possible that John might try to stay back to ensure Arthur makes it too, but he hopes he'll leave with his family. Most of all, it's going to be safer for them if they're together in small groups, if possible. "You ride out together and watch over each other. Sadie will most likely come along with you too."
Lenny's grip on his rifle tightens and he gives a short, curt nod, swallowing. "Alright, I'll talk to them once I'm relieved."
Arthur clasps his shoulder and then turns to face camp. Unease awakens in him and rises up to tighten his lungs. He remembers what comes next. Remembers the attack on Bronte and later the bank robbery that goes so horribly, horribly wrong. The robbery that ended up killing Hosea and Lenny. Not this time, not as long as Arthur can convince them to leave.
Charles falls into step beside him on the way to the plantation house and all it needs is a shared glance for Charles to give him the tiniest of nods, just an incline of his head, really.
"Tonight?" He asks, voice so quiet Arthur barely hears him.
"Tonight. Pack up, light if possible and take Taima, head up to Wallace Station." Arthur murmurs back, hiding it by tipping his head so his face is hard to see. Charles clasps his shoulder in wordless understanding and then leaves, steps calm and looking entirely at ease to anyone glancing his way.
"Where's Dutch?" Arthur asks after leaving Storm at the side of the camp and when Pearson passes him by on his way inside. The man grimaces slightly.
"Upstairs in his room. Hosea and Miss Grimshaw told him to rest at least one night after that accident with the trolley. He was very angry, Mister Morgan. I haven't seen him so furious in a really long while."
"I see." Arthur takes a step and then pauses, turning around. "Mister Pearson. If you feel worried or -"
"Oh, nothing of the sort." Pearson lifts a reassuring hand. "I know that things look rough, Mister Morgan, but I hope it will be alright. Dutch will find a way, I'm sure."
Arthur swallows and for a second, feels very much tempted to just tell Pearson to come with him. The problem is, he doesn't trust Pearson to stay quiet. The same way Arthur wouldn't trust Uncle or Swanson to keep their mouths shut. Besides, he remembers Pearson and Uncle knowing when to leave, back in Beaver Hollow, before it got too late. He thinks they would do so again this time around. With a nod, he walks on. There are so many other people he has to think about too. And most of all, he still has to save Hosea.
Arthur is about to reach the house when the doors open and Micah saunters out, one hand relaxed at his belt. Something flits over his features as he sees Arthur and a smile appears that spreads to a slow grin, all slick smooth confidence. The sight of it makes something ugly rise in Arthur's chest.
"Well, hello there cowpoke, finally back, huh?" Micah stops at the end of the steps and a part of Arthur hates that, right now, he has to look up slightly at the man. He only notices his hand has dropped to rest beside his gun, when he sees Micah's free hand doing the same. Arthur resists the urge to square his shoulders and bend his knees slightly, as though he's ready for a brawl. "Always running around so much, makes a guy wonder what you're up to."
Micah takes the steps down slowly, every step accompanied by the sound of his spurs. He gestures slightly at him. "I know that look, cowpoke." His voice has dropped to something low. He tilts his head. "Thinking about running, aren't you? Like a rat thinking the ship is going to sink."
"I was takin' care of a job." Arthur answers, frowning and feeling tension crawl up his spine.
"Oh, of course you was." Micah steps past him, though they don't leave each other out of their sight yet. Then Micah's smile turns to something far too casual, his voice no longer quiet. "Dutch wants to talk to you when he's up again. He ain't vey pleased though."
Arthur bites back the retort that he, honestly, doesn't care about pleasing Dutch. "Sure. I'll talk to him."
Micah tips his head slightly forward with a brief, low laugh, his face obscured aside from his grin. "Of course you will. Well, I best be going, just watch your back when you head out again. You never know what's out there."
Something strange and unsettled ghosts up in Arthur at those words, like mist filling his body and while he thinks it could be that Micah is just talking big, he's not nearly dumb enough to just disregard it. It suddenly feels like he has to hurry up.
Once inside, he steps into the room where Kieran and Sean are. Karen sits on a chair beside Sean's cot, frowning as she sews. Both Kieran and Sean are awake as well. Kieran already looks a bit better and Sean has some color back in his face, carefully propped up on two pillows and what looks like a rolled up coat. They all look up when he enters and he can see how they collectively straighten. Damn, his expression must be giving him away.
"What is it?" Sean asks, sitting up straighter and earning a sharp look from Karen. She must be keeping him as still as possible. Much to his chagrin, Arthur is sure. He takes a quick look over his shoulder but sees no one around in the entrance room and hallway. Only Swanson, already passed out, the last of the sunlight barely illuminating the room. Closing the door behind him, he quietly walks over and doesn't miss how they're watching him, growing worried now.
"Are we leavin'?" Sean asks and Arthur isn't surprised. He hasn't exactly hidden his intentions from Sean and the kid is smart enough to catch on. From the way Karen's jaw tightens, he has talked about something like it with her. Not about Arthur's plans, most likely, he knows Sean can keep mum like nothing else, despite his tendency to talk incessantly, but he definitely talked with her about leaving.
"Kieran." Arthur waves him closer and sees the way Kieran gets up carefully, wincing a bit as he joins them. Sean and Karen give Arthur a probing look, but accept it after he gives them a small nod. Kieran sits down on the end of the cot as Sean moves his legs out of the way and Arthur pulls a chair close.
"Kieran, I plan on leaving with some folks." Arthur says quietly and sees the kid still a bit, looking worried, like he might think that he would be left behind. "Do you want to come with us?" He faces Karen and Sean. "You too?"
"Course." Karen sounds just as determined as she looks, though she keeps her voice low. Sean just gives him a nod, careful with his injury.
"I want to go with you too." Kieran adds, looking relieved and Arthur finds himself exhaling with silently at their answers.
"Head up to Wallace Station. A train is goin' to arrive in two days." Arthur keeps his voice quiet and intense. "Leave tonight and stick together. Karen, I'll trust you to keep them safe. You can meet up with Abigail, Jack and Lenny on the road, just don't leave together. Trelawney has arranged for us to get out of here safely."
They're going to have to travel more slowly with Sean and Kieran, but once they're away from Shady Belle and stick together, they should be as safe as possible.
"But where do we go?" Karen asks, leaning forward and knuckles white from where she's tightly clutching the socks she's fixing up. Kieran looks not as anxious as Arthur thought. If anything, the kid has a determined look on his healing face. He's probably less concerned about leaving than the others are, seeing as how he's not been with them for as long and most people in camp still don't talk to him much.
"I bought a ranch, out west." Arthur answers and sees their eyes widen. "We have a home to go to."
"How..." Karen sucks in a quiet, surprised breath, mouth hanging open for a second. "Arthur Morgan, did you save up money to get us out of here? How?"
"I'll tell you later." Arthur promises and takes a deeper breath. "Pack light, leave behind what you can and make sure you take the horses. No wagons, understand? I wish it wouldn't have to be now when you two are still healing, but..."
"No, I get it." Sean sits up straighter, earning another sharp look from Karen. "I'm feeling all better anyways. Don't understand why you lot keep me in bed, I'm as fit as a fiddle and even less of use stuck here."
"Get some rest at the station." Arthur tells him firmly and glances at Kieran. "You can make it too?"
"Of course, sir." Kieran's voice is quiet but steady. "Don't have anything to pack either, as long as I can take Branwen, I'm good to go."
Arthur takes a deep breath and exhales slowly. "Alright. Good. Get ready when the others have gone to sleep, alright? And avoid the guards. Don't be seen, especially if folks leave after you too."
They nod and before he can go, Karen reaches out and grips his hand. "I don't know what happened, ever since those mountains." She says, quiet but fierce. "But I like who you became, Arthur. Thank you, for looking out for us. For, for getting us a home."
For not leaving them behind when he could have. As if he would. He gives her hand a squeeze back, feels her calluses and her strong grip.
"Always." He answers, voice close to a whispered rasp. Then he stands up. "Get some rest if you can. And...if you think you can, go and ask Tilly and Mary-Beth to come along as well."
"I will." Karen nods. Sean lifts his chin like Arthur tasked him with an important battle plan and Kieran looks determined as well, though there is also a bit of anxiousness seeping into his expression now. Arthur gives both their shoulders a squeeze as he stands and feels Sean relax a bit, hears Kieran exhale, before he leaves the room.
Upstairs, he gives John's door a quiet knock and it opens a moment later. Abigail stands before him and her face tells him everything he needs to know. She knows everything and they're ready to leave.
"When?" John rasps quietly, coming up behind her and Arthur sees the way Abigail leans a bit back towards him, catches the way he angles his shoulders to cover her.
"Wallace Station, a train in two days. You should leave tonight and head up there, the road is long." Arthur keeps his voice so quiet, even if someone stood five steps away, they would have trouble hearing him. Nevermind Dutch who is in his room, hopefully asleep. "No wagons, just the horses. Take Cain if you can, but don't make a commotion, understand? Slip away through the river, by the back of the house when the guard isn't there making rounds. Lenny will go with you too. You can meet up with Karen, Sean and Kieran on the way."
"Got it." John then pauses, frowns. "What about you?"
"I'll be there." Arthur promises and lifts a hand. "I'll talk to some of the others, see if I can get them to leave too, but only after you're away. Here." He pulls the thousand seven hundred they're going to need out of his bag and gives it to Abigail. "Pay a Mister Bjorn and a Mister Wallace if they arrive before me, understand?"
Abigail swallows and nods, tucking the money away safely. Arthur trusts that she'll get it done if he's held back and he looks up at John. "Keep them safe on the way. I'll talk with Sadie too, she's most likely going to go with you and help you keep an eye out."
"Alright." John is tense and takes a deep breath. "We'll leave once everyone is asleep, a bit after midnight."
Arthur nods and takes a step back. After a moment of hesitation, Abigail quietly closes the door again. Arthur can't help but breathe easier, knowing they'll go. There are two more people now. Heading back down, he finds Sadie outside, at the side of the plantation house, smoking a cigarette. She looks up as he rounds the corner and straightens. Her gaze turns sharp and searching. Arthur gives her a small nod and sees her face harden, her chin lifting. Sees her get ready, watches as she shifts to stand firm.
"Ride out tonight." He murmurs, barely loud enough for her to hear as he stops at her side. "Go with John and his family. They're leaving after midnight. Get Lenny so he can come with you. Take the horses and only the most of what you need, travel light. Go up to Wallace Station, there will be a train in two days. You can meet with Karen, Sean and Kieran on the way."
She gives him a curt nod, though he doesn't miss the way she eyes him. "You're coming too, right?"
"I won't stay here." Arthur says and she gives him a look.
Then she sighs roughly. "I'll look after them. If you promise me to do everything you can to catch up to us." She gives him a serious, sharp look. "No heroics, Arthur. You'll leave this place with us."
That's an easy enough promise, Arthur hopes. He nods. Sadie reaches out and gives his bicep a strong squeeze. Arthur returns the gesture and then steps back. There is still one more person. One more so very important person. Despite his best efforts, he can't keep worry and the first tingling of fear from creeping up his spine, making him flex his fingers.
Going back inside, Arthur does his best to keep his pace steady and calm to look inconspicuous. But most people are already settling down from what he can see. Miss Grimshaw sits at the table with Pearson and Bill, Micah sauntering over to join them. Lenny is still up as a guard and Arthur can see Javier getting ready for another night of guarding the camp. Bill should join him tonight too. Normally, John would take guard duty as well tonight, but that's not going to happen.
Once inside, Arthur seeks out Hosea's room, nicely tucked away as it is. He knocks and hears muffled, light steps, before the door swings open. Hosea looks tired and worn, but he brightens up a bit at seeing Arthur. Until he registers that something is going on and he turns serious and grim once more. Stepping back, he silently invites Arthur in.
"Are you leaving tonight?" Hosea asks when he closes the door gently, barely making any noise, even in a house as old and worn down as this one. Arthur thinks he can hear something like an undertone of pain in his voice. He's also not surprised that Hosea knows, with how the man seems to have been waiting for it.
"Yeah. I told the others to get ready. Trelawney got us a train, up in Wallace Station."Arthur says and sees Hosea exhale, relaxing a bit. "I bought land." He blurts out and Hosea pauses, looking at him in surprise. "We have somewhere to go, up in the far west. A ranch with good land."
"Oh." At once, Hosea's shoulders relax and Arthur feels startled at how old and tired he suddenly looks, relief openly visible on his face. "You're going to be alright."
"Come with us." Arthur takes a step forward. "Don't stay here."
Hosea presses his lips together like the next words pain him. "You know I can't."
Arthur thinks he knows what Hosea means. That the man feels responsible for Dutch. They stuck together for so long, through so much, Hosea feels like he has to stay until the very end, no matter how bitter it would turn out to be and to try to look after everyone else left by that point. But Arthur remembers his death, remembers losing him. Remembers just how damn senseless it is, to give up their lives for Dutch's pointless dreams about an America that is essentially lawless. To give up their lives for a man who just digs their graves deeper, unwilling to see when he has to stop.
"You told me to let you know if you can do something for me. To let you know if I need anything." Arthur says, quiet and intense as he resists the urge to reach out and grab Hosea's shoulders. His voice takes a rough, pained tone before he can stop himself, tinged in the fear he feels crawling up his back at the thought of losing Hosea again, even though he tries to push it back down. "I need you to come with us. I need you to come with me, please, Hosea."
Hosea seems to still, somehow looking surprised while Arthur thinks that he really shouldn't be. Surprised and so very torn.
"Please." His voice is a whisper and it almost cracks. The next words feel like they scrape his throat raw, dragging up emotions and memories, edged in desperation at the thought of Hosea staying and dying again. "Please choose us."
Hosea inhales sharply and Arthur feels his knees grow weak as the man's shoulders slump and then straighten back up, slowly squaring. Hosea lifts his chin and after a long, searching look, nods. His eyes are filling with grief, but there is a set to his jaw that lets Arthur know he's convinced him. Has managed to reach him.
"Thank you." Arthur exhales the words more than he says them and he feels dizzy for a moment. It's only then that he realizes how fast his heart is beating. His knees feel shaky and Hosea's hands land on his arms, steadying and calming.
"Arthur..." There is a whole lot of meaning attached to his name, like Hosea realizes how much he means to him. How scared Arthur was - and is, still is, they're not even at the station yet, still down here in all that madness, no one is safe yet - to lose him.
"Go with Kieran, Sean and Karen." Arthur says, because they're going to need Hosea. "Pack what you need and what you can't leave behind, take your horse too. No wagons, no noise. Avoid the guards."
At this, Hosea looks troubled and pained once more, frowning. "It doesn't feel right. Sneaking away like thieves in the night. I should tell Dutch to his face that I go, I owe him that much."
"I know." Arthur swallows, his mouth dry. "I know, Hosea. But it's for the best to go quietly. It's safer. Or can you tell me that they would just let all of us go without an ugly fight coming up?"
Hosea open his mouth and Arthur sees the moment he hesitates, unsure. Sees the bitter pain that flits over the man's face. And Arthur really does understand. In a way, he wants to walk up to Dutch too and tell them they're leaving. Wants to tell him all about Micah, but he knows how that went the last time and he's certain Dutch wouldn't believe him either this time around. Nevermind how Micah, if he gets wind of them talking to Dutch about leaving, could try and turn this around to make Arthur the traitor. The one to leave when things get rough. Besides, Arthur thinks that Micah might already suspect him of planning to leave.
Arthur also can admit that he no longer can tell if Dutch would just let them go amicably. It might be unkind to think so, but his mind is clouded with memories from Beaver Hollow, asking Dutch to let the women and Jack go. To let them get away from the madness and Dutch essentially refusing him without outright saying no. Arthur knows his judgment regarding Dutch has been somewhat questionable ever since waking up with a second chance, but he can't risk it. Doesn't want to risk the others for a goodbye, even if Dutch might still somewhat deserve it at this point.
Hosea takes a deep breath. It's admirable, in a way, in a very aching way, how Hosea is willing to do this for them. To sneak away in the night instead of confronting his oldest friend. Arthur knows it pains him to do it like this. How it makes him feel like a traitor. And yet, Hosea is willing to go down that path for them. To see them safe and happy in the end.
"I understand. I, thank you, my boy." He gives Arthur's arm a gentle pat then pulls back. He clears his throat and Arthur doesn't comment on the roughness of his voice. "So, help me pack and tell me about this land you bought."
~*~
Midnight comes and Arthur is ready, his own things packed up. Not that he has much to take along. He's taken his photos and the photo Albert gave him some time back, during the days he rode around collecting money and met the man again a few times. He takes the horseshoe he has left from Boadicea, along with the handful of his possessions, a change of clothes, some extra ammunition and his journal. The rest isn't really hard to leave behind, considering he doesn't really owe much else, though he does eye the collection of ammunition for a brief second.
Dutch's room is all quiet and dark as he sneaks out and ensures the back entrance is easy to get through, rounding the house to the spot by the river where they can cross over to the other side unseen and ride away. He sees to John and his family approaching moment later, Cain at their side. He finds himself exhaling with relief, shoulders sagging a bit again. The dog is silent, like he knows exactly what is at stakes. Lenny and Sadie are coming their way too, bringing the horses along.
"Two days." John rasps after lifting Abigail on Old Boy, his son standing at his side and Sadie nods, just as serious, her eyes intense. "If you aren't there in time, we will come get you."
Arthur knows they will and he doesn't plan to stay. Once everyone gets away safely, he'll leave too. Lenny grips his shoulder silently and seriously. They get in the saddle, Arthur picking up Jack and lifting him to John's secure hold. Sadie and Lenny take their collective bags on their horses, before they ride into the river. Jack is sleepy but very quiet, sitting in front of his father and with Abigail holding on to John from behind. She looks back and gives Arthur a pointed look, as if daring him to not be there in two days.
Sadie and Lenny flank John, as they ride through the river. Slow and as careful as possible to avoid making too much noise. Cain swims with them, reaching the other side first. Arthur exhales in relief when they make it to the other side without any trouble, the dark of the night swallowing them a minute later as they trot away.
Charles reaches his side in this moment, quiet as a shadow and just as solemn. They share a look and Arthur inhales when Charles grips his shoulder, allowing himself to lean a bit into the touch. Charles also had the foresight to bring Storm along with Taima, both horses standing behind him, alert and as quiet as the night itself. Arthur exhales and it's just a bit shaky. He feels the grip on his shoulder tightening reassuringly and lets it ground him a bit, calm his racing heart.
There is a shuffle and a quiet curse, before Karen rounds the corner from the back, holding on to Sean who looks rather unhappy about needing help. Kieran is on his other side and it looks like the kid is moving a bit stiffly, but is otherwise steady enough on his feet. All of them have a bag in their free hand. To his surprise, he sees Mary-Beth with them, who is keeping an eye on Kieran until she notices Arthur.
"Tilly said no." Karen murmurs. "But she won't rat us out either. She isn't happy with us for leaving, but she's not stopping us. Even wished us good luck just before we got out of the house, told us to watch each other's backs."
Arthur nods, chest tightening. He tells himself that Tilly will be alright. She's smart, quick on her feet and strong. She survived the last time, she'll survive this time too. And maybe, sine she knows where they'll head, she might end up heading their way too, if she ends up leaving the gang. He hopes she does. Hopes she knows she always has a place with them.
"Wait here." Karen hisses at both of Kieran and Sean and then sneaks away with Mary-Beth. They're both as stealthy as jungle cats and Arthur watches them disappear to get the horses. Sean meanwhile looks supremely unhappy at being unable to do something.
A quick glance around shows that Bill is still up front by the entrance gate, never so much as looking back. John of course isn't there to guard the back and Javier is currently on the other side of the plantation house, making a slow round. A glance to the two injured, he sees that Sean's paler again, but also determined and Kieran stands straight and quiet at his side.
Just as Arthur starts to get even more nervous at how long they take, Karen and Mary-Beth reappear, with Hosea following them. Arthur lets go of a breath he wasn't aware he was holding at the sight of them. At the sight of Hosea with his luggage on Silver Dollar's back.
"Had to wait a moment longer so Javier wouldn't notice the horses going missing." Karen murmurs and helps Sean up into the saddle. Hosea once again looks pained about disappearing like this, as he lends a hand. He doesn't say anything thought, just looks back at the plantation house like he's leaving part of his heart there too, an ache so deep, for something so old and long lasting, despite all the troubles of the last years, Arthur honestly doesn't think he can fathom how it feels, even with all he's been through. Arthur hates that it hurts Hosea and at the same time he isn't sorry for bringing him along. Will never be sorry if it means he'll stay alive.
They turn to help Kieran next, only to see that Branwen has laid down and waits patiently until Kieran has carefully moved to sit on his back before standing up again. The kid really has a way with horses. Hosea gets on Silver Dollar next and Arthur and Charles quickly help them to secure their bags, before they motion for them to go through the river as well.
"Two days." Karen hisses at them, or rather, especially at Arthur. "If you aren't there by then we're coming for you. Look after him Charles, idiot might get himself killed otherwise."
"Understood." Charles murmurs, while Arthur tips his head to hide his small smile. Mary-Beth reaches out to grip his shoulder, giving him a look that lets him know he better be there, before they ride off. They're a bigger group and the splashing of the horses is louder this time.
Arthur holds his breath and only exhales when they make it to the other side without anyone noticing or a crocodile appearing or anything of the sort. Soon, they're gone from sight as well, swallowed by the night. His nerves feel frayed, but at least now he knows that everyone who comes with him has departed.
"We should go too." Charles murmurs and after a pat to Taima's neck, gets up in the saddle, his bag already secured on her back. Arthur quickly gets his possessions on Storm as well, who stands very still and alert, definitely sensing that something important goes on.
The sound of crunching steps makes Arthur freeze, one foot already in the stirrups. Javier turns around the corner the next second and the man spots them a moment later. Arthur can vaguely see the expression of surprise on his face, before he walks over to them.
"Is everything alright?" He asks, rifle at ease in his hands. "Or are you two..."
He trails off, looking at the telling bags on Taima and Storm's backs. Arthur feels his chest tighten at seeing the realization, the hurt and betrayal, the absolute confusion appearing on Javier's face. At the way the man takes a step back from them as if they slapped him across the face.
"You're leaving." He says, like he doesn't understand why. Can't fathom how they can do it. "Now, when Dutch needs us most?"
Arthur takes a careful, deeper breath and takes the foot out of the stirrup. "Javier, it's dangerous to stay. Too dangerous. I won't die for Dutch's goals no more. I won't stay and listen to those plans of his that ain't goin' to work. He's no longer the man he was and I will not follow him into death. And neither should you. This world doesn't want folk like us no more, it's time to move on." He swallows, remembering something he said to Sadie in Beaver Hollow, back before he died. "Before we're nothin' but ghosts."
Javier's face has hardened more with every word and Arthur hates that he ends up hurting the man. Hates that he feels betrayed, that, in a way and from Javier's point of view, Arthur is the betrayer. That Arthur, in his eyes, turns on them in their hour of need. Arthur knows the taste of those emotions far too well. He wishes he could avoid doing this to others. He hates that he does it to Javier, but he can't stay. None of them can stay, not with the road they're on.
"Come with us." Arthur offers and Javier near recoils, anger now bleeding into his expression. Hurt and bitter anger. Arthur knows those emotions too.
"And betray Dutch?" He almost hisses, brown eyes sparking like a dark wildfire. Arthur hopes, really hopes, that Javier will keep that goodness and in a way, that loyalty too, through everything that will happen. Hopes that it's going to survive everything that comes their way. "Never."
Javier shakes his head and closes his eyes, his expression shuttering towards something so guarded, Arthur barely can read his face anymore. His voice is flat when he speaks, his grip on the rifle white knuckled. "Go. Get out of here."
"Watch out for Micah." Arthur says, mouth dry and voice a bit strange in his ears. "He isn't trustworthy."
But Javier looks like he's already no longer willing to listen to anything he has to say. The man turns around and Arthur swallows, clenches his teeth at the way Javier's shoulders are now so incredibly tense, are hitched in a way that portrays the betrayal, the pain he feels at them leaving. Taking a deep breath, Arthur swings up into the saddle.
"Would you change anything?" Charles ask after they cross the river and leave Shady Belle behind.
Arthur thinks back on when he died, thinks about the second chance he got and that he's now turning into something, remembers everything until now. Every decision, good and bad, everything that led to this moment in time, with no new graves.
"No." His voice is a bit rougher than he wants it to be. He just wishes he could have done it without hurting Javier. "No, I wouldn't."
~*~
Arthur goes to get the treasure with Charles accompanying him. It's a few hours after daylight when they reach the cabin and Arthur hopes the others are going to arrive at the station soon, safe and unbothered by any of the gangs he's encountered before. The way up should be safe enough, hopefully. Charles whistles lowly when Arthur crouches down and opens the floorboards, lifting out the gold, money and valuables. Charles looks impressed and then vaguely concerned.
"That explains why you slept so little." He murmurs as he looks over Arthur's shoulder, one hand lightly resting on it. "What do you think, will it be enough?"
"I hope so." Arthur murmurs.
The hand on his shoulder gives a gentle squeeze. "You're not alone in this, Arthur. You haven't been before either. Rely on us a bit more." Charles gives him a small, lopsided smile when he looks up at him. "We'll carry our weight, don't worry."
"I'm not worried about that." Arthur knows they'll do what it takes, always have. It's just...he's worried for so long now and even now it shadows his every step, he can't just simply stop. Especially when they're still not out of here. When he hopes that it's enough to hide on the train. If this goes wrong and everyone gets shot because they followed him, trusted that this was a good way out, he'd never forgive himself.
"Let's go." Charles says as he helps him gather everything up. "We still have a long road to cover to Wallace Station."
"I'd like to try an' cash some of that stuff in before then." Arthur admits. At least enough that they can buy things on the way to the west and when they arrive. "If you want, you can ride ahead."
"Oh no, I'm not leaving you now." Charles gives him a look that lets him know he thinks it's a bad idea. "Besides, I'm pretty sure Karen would rip my head off if I did."
Arthur can't help his small, amused huff. "Okay then. Let's head for Emerald Ranch, it's the closest."
Secretly, Arthur is glad Charles is with him. Briefly, he remembers leaving him in Wapiti and a part of him knew he'd never see him again. The moment where he felt like holding onto the man for just a second longer. To push back his fate for that little split moment of time. And maybe also because Charles made him feel a little less alone. A little less lost and less like he was drowning in his approaching, unavoidable death.
Most of all though, Charles's company is steadying and calming, then and now, and he's kind enough to distract Arthur with a few questions about where and how he scraped the money together or how his talk with Trelawney in regards to Rains Fall went.
They reach Emerald Ranch in the late afternoon. Seamus is surprised but willing to cash in a couple of watches and some jewelry as well as a gold bar. The rest Arthur is most likely going to cash in over in the west. But for now, this looks like it's going to be enough money, for arriving and starting to set everything up in their new home, at least. Arthur already knows that his savings are going to get pretty thin in building up the ranch, replacing what they left behind and getting everything they need.
Charles is calm and supportive by his side the whole time, even making him smile once or twice and Arthur finds he feels warmer for it, in a way. Finds that he's not as guarded and careful, knowing he has Charles to watch his back.
"I feel bad." Charles says once they're partway to Wallace Station and with the sun dipping towards the evening. Arthur looks away from the beginning sunset, the colors that start to streak across the sky and glances over at him. "For leaving some of the others behind. Javier and I got along well. Tilly and me too. They're good people."
"I know." Arthur swallows, his mouth dry once more. He agrees with Charles. Tilly is kind and sweet and Javier is good and kind as well, not yet caught in a situation where he ends up turning on folks he called friends before. And maybe, this time around he never will. Maybe with them leaving, things are never going take that turn. Arthur hopes it, even if a part of him knows better. If anything good comes from them leaving, he hopes it's that. "I wish it could be different."
And he does. Even with no more loyalty being left for Dutch and his love for the man laced with pain, bitterness and betrayal to the point where it feels like that's all he feels towards him, Arthur wishes it would have gone different. Wishes Dutch would have gotten them a home instead, got them to settle down. Wishes it hadn't have to come to this.
"Thank you." Charles speaks up, surprising him. His gaze is solemn when Arthur looks over. "For taking all of us along, me included. You could have just grabbed the money and taken off, you know."
"No." The word slips out before Arthur can even think about it, not that he wants to take it back. "No, you're...no."
Charles understands, understands him in a way that feels almost effortless at times. Always has, somehow. He reaches over to grip Arthur's shoulder, Taima and Storm so well in-step right now that the movement doesn't jostle either of them.
"Still, this means a lot to me. And not only me." Charles's voice takes a lighter edge, something softly teasing to shake the somber mood. "I always knew you had a heart in you."
"A moth eaten one." Arthur answers with a crooked, small grin. He does feel lighter at the banter, a little less tense and worried.
Charles just shakes his head with a smile and they soon canter down the road, deciding to ride through the night. They can rest on the train, after all. Hopefully. Arthur is pretty certain he won't be able to sleep until they're past the mountains and away from all that danger. Besides, he's used to riding around a lot and it's not the only night Storm and he forewent sleep in order to go somewhere or get something done.
Dawn breaks by the time Wallace Station comes into view, a sunrise beautiful enough to make him feel better somehow, to breathe easier at the spill of light across the land. Arthur exhales quietly when he sees everyone already there. The clerk of the post office certainly looks a bit ruffled, but not as though he's too worried about all these strangers. The horses mill about, making the station look rather crowded. Sean and Kieran sit propped against the wall of the convenience store outside, but they both stir when Arthur and Charles arrive.
"About time." Sadie greets them and Arthur can hear the subtle relief in her voice, catches the way the others seem to breathe easier as well. Hosea still looks a bit more serious than usual, something heavy in his gaze but he greets them, glad to see them fine and healthy.
"How did it go?" Arthur asks, getting off Storm and taking down the bag she carried for him.
"No troubles for us, took some extra detours to make sure we wasn't followed by anyone. Kieran and Sean didn't take to riding so well, so we took things a bit slower for them." John answers. "Jack is asleep over there with Abigail. How did it go for you?"
"Went to get the rest of the money." Arthur answers. "We should have enough to build up our ranch and get started."
Hosea pauses and gives him a searching look. "How much did you manage to gather, Arthur?"
"Couple thousand." He answers. "Enough to get us settled and everything we need. A bit extra to tide us over until we start earning money."
Hosea exhales, low and then gives Arthur a look that is clearly proud, some of the heaviness in his gaze lifting. "You're...that's very well done, Arthur."
Arthur dips his hat, a small smile appearing on his face. "Thank you, Hosea."
Karen steps up to them and she's wearing her fancier clothes now. She must have changed on the way here or after arriving. "Do you know when the train is going to come?"
"Soon." Arthur answers, lifting his head to look down the tracks. "Trelawney told me it should be here early afternoon."
"Okay then." Hosea straightens and draws everyone's gazes. Arthur's as well and he only realizes that he's ready to go do what Hosea says when the man already starts to give them all something to do. "Go and buy some supplies from that store. Not too much, but some extra medicine and a bit of food for the trip."
Arthur nods and steps away, relieved to have Hosea and his expertise with them. Arthur probably would have just told everyone to settle down and try not to worry. Or maybe Sadie would have taken the reins again, which would be fine with him. On the way to the store, he briefly stops by Abigail, who sits on the ground, an asleep Jack beside her, his head resting in her lap.
"Good to see you." She says and he grips the hand she reaches up to him. There is relief on her face to see him well and with them.
"You too." Arthur murmurs. "Anything you two need?"
"For the train to arrive." She tries to joke and then gives him a reassuring look. "We have everything. John and I have a little bit of saved up money, not much but enough to get a few things. Don't worry about us."
With a nod, Arthur steps back and checks in on Sean and Kieran next. Kieran is a bit hazy, his concussion definitely not making things easy. Sean is pale, nearly gray and his movements lack their usual vibrancy. He doesn't even seem to have the strength to keep his eye open for long. Arthur hates to ask this of them when they're not well and keeps his face as calm as possible. Sean would hate seeing him being sorry, he'd most likely see it as pity too. The last thing Arthur feels is pity. No, he's still just so very relieved to see Sean alive, there is no pity at all. Just something fiercely glad in his chest.
"Anything you two need?" He asks them.
Sean waves him off with a sluggish flap of his hand, while Kieran hesitates and Arthur gives him a look to make him speak up.
"Maybe something for the horses." Kieran murmurs. "I don't know if any of us packed something for them."
"Sure kid." Arthur nods and steps back. As he heads for the door of the store, he hears Karen approach behind him, telling both boys to take their laudanum. Her voice is stern in a way he hasn't heard it from her before, but still steady enough to let him know she used it before. She must have experience, most likely wrangling Sean and getting him to take his medicine ever since Arthur brought him back from getting patched up in Saint Denis.
The man behind the counter looks a bit nervous about seeing all of them outside, but he helps Arthur gather everything together and pack it away in two sacks.
"I mean, not to pry sir, but what brings you here?" He asks, trying to sound casual and missing by a mile.
"Some trouble with the family. Money and disagreements." Arthur answers, digging out the money and handing it to the man. "We're leaving before we get dragged further into it."
At this, the man's face turns more sympathetic, as if he knows all about family troubles. "Very sensible. Good luck to you folks then."
"Thank you." Arthur mumbles, tips his hat and grabs both bags, taking them outside. He brings them to Hosea and while the elderly man distributes the goods to be carried by different people, Arthur goes to feed the horses, John joining him.
"So." John says, as they're surrounding by calm, chewing animals. "We're really leaving. I almost can't believe it."
"I hope you don't have second thoughts." Arthur says, though it's mostly in jest. He already knows that John won't go back.
"No." John huffs and then rubs his hands together to brush of some dirt and dust clinging to them from the long ride. "Just...ready to get out of here."
Arthur knows what he means and hears what he doesn't say. He's just as anxious as John to get going and reaches out to give the man's shoulder a pat. It feels strange for him too, to leave the camp behind like this. He's known nothing else for twenty years and...despite everything, despite Beaver Hollow, all those deaths and watching everything fall apart, it still feels like he's leaving a part of him behind back at Shady Belle.
They stand side by side then, quiet and waiting for the horses to finish eating. It feels strangely calming, near peaceful even, despite Arthur keeping an ear out for the train. He realizes he hasn't done this with John in...forever. Even back when he was dying and they grew close once more, they didn't have this. Just a moment of sharing comfortable silence. It's nice, nicer than he expected and Arthur has kind of missed doing things like this.
Time passes quickly and yet far too slowly as they wait. Then they hear the train approaching and Arthur notices how they all collectively look up. John goes to rouse Jack, everyone starts to pick up their bags. Karen helps Sean up, while Mary-Beth has a hand under Kieran's elbow to keep him steady. The horses are quickly sorted as well and Abigail approaches him to hand him back the train money.
"Mister Arthur Morgan?" An accented voice calls out once the train stops and the engineer steps outside. Arthur quickly heads to the blond man, who is tall and his grip is strong, almost stronger than Arthur's own. "I'm Bjorn, our mutual friend told me you have some family trouble you wish to get out of?"
"Yes, that's us." Arthur pulls out the money and Bjorn counts it, before motioning for a dark haired, burly man, handing him part of the cash.
"This is Wallace, he'll show you where you can stay during the ride. Keep to your wagon until we're out of here and keep quiet. He'll let you know when we're in the clear. And let him know if there are any trouble. Put your horses in the last wagon, it's big enough and has some straw in it. We'll feed them whenever he have a big stop."
"Alright." Arthur steps back and Wallace falls in beside him, quiet and eyes sharply appraising them all.
The horses are loaded quickly enough and Arthur hopes they'll be okay with the long ride. Storm certainly hasn't spend time on a train yet, but he's reasonably certain they're going to be okay.
The wagon Wallace leads them to afterwards is surprisingly nice, certainly not first class but it's still going to make the long ride bearable. The benches are padded and the curtains in front of the windows are drawn. Wallace tells them to leave them alone to ensure no one sees them until they're past the mountains.
"If there should be any trouble, go through the door back there." Wallace points to the door at the end of the wagon. "You'll find a lot of large boxes in the next wagon over. The first half of them are empty for now and big enough for you to squeeze into. Again, just in case of emergencies. Patrols and the law should give us no trouble. If you need anything, I'll be in the wagon over here."
With that, he steps away, closing the door behind him. The light in the wagon is rather dim, but it's most likely going to be good for Sean and Kieran. Both men are certainly already pushed to lie down on two of the benches by Karen and Mary-Beth. Hosea checks on them and everyone fills in to take a seat. John picks a window seat, with Jack between him and Abigail. Cain flops down between two empty benches and seems content to start snoozing off.
"Let's sit." Charles appears at Arthur's shoulder, who nods. They sit down behind Sadie, who's already settling down as well, crunching on an apple.
Just after everyone is as comfortable as possible, the train whistles and starts to move. Pensive silence hangs over the wagon, only broken by a quiet murmur, until the train picks up speed and Arthur can feel people exhale around him. They're moving. Not yet gone, but moving. He shares a glance with Charles, who gives him a calming look and a small smile.
~*~
It's dark when they reach the mountains and Arthur can feel it when the train starts to go up the hills, can hear it as they go through a tunnel shortly afterwards. It's a bit colder inside the wagon now, but nothing like it would be outside. Most are asleep by now and he's making a quiet round as he checks over everyone. Sean and Kieran are out like lights, mostly because of the laudanum coupled with the strenuous ride. Both have jackets covering them to ward off the slight cold inside. They're looking a bit better again now that they're resting and Arthur feels a little less worried. Hosea leans against the curtains of his window, eyes closed and breaths slow but Arthur can tell that his sleep is light. One wrong or too loud noise and he'll be awake and on his feet.
John has Jack half in his lap, with Abigail leaning against him, her arm resting over Jack and keeping the boy from tilting towards slipping down the bench. All three are asleep with John's hat sitting so crooked on his head, it nearly falls off. Charles sleeps too, when Arthur glances over, his chin resting on his chest and his arms crossed. Karen is half awake and he sees her begin to nod off from her spot behind Sean. She seems to have taken up guarding him. For now at least, while they're still stuck here. Almost losing him must have shaken her.
Arthur is just glad that they didn't lose Sean this time, even if he still feels some guilt at not being fast enough, not smart enough, to keep the kid completely safe. But he's alive and that's what really counts in the end.
Mary-Beth is asleep, along with Lenny, both of them having talked about a book until a few minutes ago, before they fell quiet as well. Sadie is still awake and she gives Arthur a small nod when she sees him walk between the benches. She most likely also understands his restlessness. All Arthur wants is to leave the mountains behind and finally be done with everything.
With a faint, muffled creak and distant hiss, the train begins to slow down. Sadie sits up straight and Arthur stills, their eyes meeting.
"Should we already be at another station?" Sadie asks, voice low and he can already see the suspicion growing on her face, grimness settling along her mouth and her eyes sparking with something dark and stormy.
"No. We're not even over the mountain." Arthur gives Charles's shoulder a small shake, taps Hosea and goes to nudge at John's hat. "Wake up, there might be trouble."
Sadie is on her feet too, accompanying him towards the front door of the wagon so they can peer out.
"What is it?" John keeps his voice quiet and then holds still as Abigail stirs. She doesn't wake yet, even if John's hand rises like he's getting ready to shake her awake too. Hosea slowly stands, eyes attentive. Charles is on his feet as well, taking a peek between the curtains.
"Don't know yet." Arthur murmurs back. That is when the first shot falls and with a hissed curse, he grabs his revolver, pulling it from the holster. "Guard the wagon."
He steps outside, Sadie right at his side, both of them greeted by the fierce, biting cold outside. He hears some protests but knows it's the best idea for now. They have injured and a kid to protect after all. Sadie and he should hopefully be enough for the job of warding off whatever degenerates attack the train.
"O'Driscolls." Sadie near snarls, voice going so rough with bloodlust it still sends a chill down his spine. Arthur gives her a look, but she's not charging in, not yet. He can see how she holds herself back, teeth clenched and eyes filled with a fire that's going to burn everything in her path to the ground once unleashed.
"This way." He murmurs and she follows him as they slip off the wagons and along the back side of the train. There is some yelling and more shooting and they hurry along until they get close enough. "You take the right, I take the left?"
She gives him a nod and lunges forward. Arthur hurries to follow her as they come to the aid of the train guards. There are some dead already and the air fogs with their breaths, the cold creeping through his clothes, but Arthur notices it only distantly now. Ducking and shooting, he's startled to see Colm of all people present. This is a big attack. Bigger than expected.
Arthur ducks down beside Wallace after another round of shooting. Sadie is covering for them as she joins some of his men, her fury audible even over the sound of her gun.
"Cover for me?" Wallace asks, hands reaching out to a rifle. Arthur nods and then starts shooting again, while Wallace takes the time for more precise shots.
Arthur isn't quite sure what happens next, only knows that someone throws some dynamite and suddenly the air is filled with snow, the smell of black powder, dust and screams, his hearing going dull and funny. Wallace beside him curses colorfully and moves the next moment. Arthur's sight is blurred with snow and smoke from the explosion. He keeps shooting at the vague figures of riders he sees, hears people fall and hears Sadie too. Hears her shouts and anger. Someone yells and he gets up to find better cover than the side of the train.
In the next moment, Arthur feels someone tackle him, slamming him to the ground hard enough that it steals his breath and hands wrap around his throat. Kicking out and fighting, Arthur manages to get a punch in, wrenching the O'Driscoll away from him, only to have a second guy show up, kicking him in the side. Arthur grabs his leg at the second kick, yanking and the man falls over him and into the first guy, the three of them turning into a tangle of limbs. Arthur manages to grapple for his gun again and shots the first guy straight in the face. With a rasping gasp for air, he barely gets to slam his hand down on the second O'Driscoll's arm, the knife heading for his vulnerable side skidding into the snow. Arthur quickly fires again and scrambles to his feet, shoving the dead off his legs.
Colm rides out of the churned snow and smoke of the explosives like some dark specter. His gaze lands on Arthur and recognition flares bright in his eyes, followed by something mean and darkly gleeful. Arthur throws himself sideways to avoid being trampled and hears a gunshot a split second before searing pain spreads through his shoulder. Landing in the snow and churned earth, he wheezes, hand coming up to press on the wound. His vision whitens out briefly, air escaping his lungs, before he scrambles back to his feet to keep moving, feeling dizzy with burning pain. More yells fill the air around them and then he hears it. Hears the train start moving again.
Colm barely pays attention to it, his eyes fixed on Arthur, as he yells for his men to get him. The meanest of grins spreads across his face. It's filled with dark hatred and something that reminds him of pain and blood, reminds him of Kieran beheaded and tortured. Turning to keep the O'Driscolls as much in his view as possible, he shoots and keeps Colm from running him over with his horse. One of the shots finds the animal and it goes down with a horrible sound, throwing off its rider. Arthur feels himself flinch inward, though the aim of his uninjured arm and shoulder remains steady.
Colm rolls back to his feet and Arthur feels someone slam into his side, tackling him to the ground and making him choke on the flair of pain in his shoulder.
"Arthur Morgan, what a surprise." Colm says, though he's out of breath and roughed up from the fight and the fall. More roughed up than usual and he stares down at Arthur, who tries to fight his goon off. "Dutch's ever faithful follower."
His grin stretches over his face, slow and with a beginning edge of victory. It's the ugliest thing Arthur has ever seen, right after Micah's entire face and he fights off the goon with a strong jerk, unsheathing his blade and slamming in the guy's neck with one fluid, fast motion. Colm lifts his gun, mouth opening and Arthur feels his heart skip a painful beat at the bang he hears.
Colm crumbles into the snow like a puppet with cut strings, blood spraying and he catches a glimpse of the hole in the side of his head. Arthur takes only a second to stare at him, before instincts take over and he whirls around. Sadie is suddenly back at his side, snarling and so, so angry as she rams a knife into a guy that dares to get so close. They move nearly in tandem then, raising guns and ducking to avoid being hit in return. Arthur only notices how rough he's breathing when the last of the O'Driscolls fall and near deafening silence rings out, the mountain and forest around them eerily quiet after that madness. There is still something slightly dizzy at the edges of his consciousness, caused by his bleeding wound.
He turns to Sadie, sees her standing over Colm O'Driscoll. Her clothes are covered in blood and she's breathing faster too. She looks like wrath, he finds himself thinking. Like wrath in human form, her eyes blazing with an anger so strong, a hurt and grief so deep he couldn't hope to find words for it.
"That's for Jake." She says, voice rougher than ever before. The step she takes back from the corpse is almost a stumble, before she straightens and looks at Arthur. He can see the dark, bloody satisfaction in her gaze, the way her vengeance and fury, burning so hot before slowly begins to turn into something cooler, something sharper and calmer. Still as dangerous, but only for those who dare cross her. "Now I can leave without regrets."
"Good." Arthur grunts and moves to grip his shoulder. Her expression changes, the darkness making space for concern and a heavy frown. Cursing, she quickly steps to his side, sees the red seeping between his fingers. They both simultaneously end up staring down the tracks, the train no longer in sight.
"Well shit." Sadie rasps and Arthur entirely agrees. He tips his head and breathes through the pain in his shoulder, tries to ignore the hot slickness of his blood. The same shoulder. Colm actually managed to get him in the same shoulder as his men before. That piece of shit.
"Let me see. "Sadie says, turning back to him. "And then we're going to move, because we're going to get caught by the law otherwise. And knowing our luck, the law is already on its way."
She gets him to sit down beside the tracks and helps him peel back his clothes. After a moment of inspecting the wound, she puts a steadying hand on his shoulder.
"Count to three."
"What, why?" Arthur asks, unease blooming in him and at the look she gives him, relents. "One, two -"
He breaks off into a rough shout as she digs into his shoulder and a moment later, drops the bullet into the snow. It honestly feels like she punched him in the chest, the way his lungs refuse to draw breath. His shoulder burns with a pain fierce enough that his eyes water. Sadie holds on to his shoulder until his vision clears and she eyes the bleeding.
"Do you have anything for this?" She asks.
"Don't know, but I don't think so." Arthur murmurs, gesturing for the bag he ever faithfully carries with him. She digs through it and makes a small noise that let's him know she finds some of his treasure, money, extra ammunition a few treats for his horse and little else. There is a bottle of medicine in there, but that's not going to help heal a bullet wound.
They both briefly look over at the dead O'Driscolls, before they simultaneously grimace. There is no way Arthur is going to dress his wound with something they wear. With his luck, he'll only end up deadly sick once again. Sadie obviously thinks the same and she frowns heavily as she helps him back up.
"We have to move." She says and it's not a question if he can walk or not. He has to. Arthur clenches his teeth and gives her a nod, feeling a shiver spread over his back as cold wind starts to blow down the tracks.
"Here." Sadie goes and gets two coats from dead O'Driscolls. The coat she hands him is warm enough, but smells musty and like the owner didn't get a bath in a good week. But it will do and it is preferably to freezing. Marginally, at least. They both look down the tracks again and Sadie gives his uninjured shoulder a slightly grim pat. "Let's go."