Chapter III

"You sure he's here" said Arthur as he lay on his front, his throat and lungs still burned but just not as badly as before. HE wasn't convinced that the two day journey from Copperhead without horses was worth it.

"Of course Arthur" Sadie said with the upmost confidence, "I told ya, Charles moved the natives to just outside Nekoti rock", as she lowered her binoculars she looked into the brush and could hear something, she quickly froze, suddenly a bear became visible just in front of them. Although both Arthur and Sadie were not fazed, the bear was small and just nosing around.

After five minutes of the bear wondering about it decided to leave the area, as soon as the way forward was clear Arthur and Sadie started the ascent to the small cave at the top. About halfway towards the top, they could hear faint laughter and people shouting; as they climbed further they noticed smoke rising from above them.

"Sounds like they are having a party" Arthur remarked with a smile on his face

"You know what Arthur? We should have a party, something to raise people's spirits", she paused for a second, "When we get Charles, we'll have the family back together, and with Tilly going to fetch Mary Beth and Karen, there is a definite need for celebration". With an almost cold look into Sadie's eyes Arthur simply replied.

"I hope your right I do, but, they may not wanna come back, and a party? I wanted to get people away from this life, give my family a chance to live like decent folk" sighed Arthur, Sadie stopped and looked at him, her face was filled with pain.

"Arthur, the only reason any of us are here with you is because of you, look, everyone back at camp is looking to you to guide us, even me, like I said you're the only one of these fools that I trust".

As they reached the summit, both Sadie and Arthur were both panting and out of breath, as Arthur started walking, he bumped into someone and fell down, still weak and recovering from what he thought was a fatal condition he was dazed, he reached his arm out and Sadie grabbed it and pulled him up,

"As I live and breathe" a voice said from behind them, Arthur and Sadie both turned to see Charles standing in front of them. "You okay Arthur?" he said with a warmth in his voice

"Charles Smith" Arthur replied and instantly hugged him

"If you don't mind Arthur" said Sadie, gently pushing Arthur aside as she gave Charles a hug as well.

Sitting by the fire the three of them talked about their separate events; Charles wasn't too surprised that Dutch had left Arthur on the mountain, after leaving John twice it was clear the man's priorities had changed. Both men were grateful to Sadie for keeping the other women safe, not an easy job without knowing who to trust.

Charles explained the hardship with moving Rains Fall and the tribe, they had the army to contend with and a very angry Colonel Favours. Each party agreed that all events had been hard and all caused by Dutch and Micah

"Why did John not come?" enquired Charles "You are more battered than him"

"I couldn't let Sadie come by herself and well Jack was kinda glued to John" chuckled Arthur, the look of happiness on the kid's face was enough to almost make this whole affair worthwhile.

"Come back with us Charles, please?" asked Sadie

Charles stood, he was thinking and after a moment answered "Of course I'll come back with you, but you are gonna wanna stay for the food here tonight" he said as he stared at the camp fire.

The Native Indians certainly knew how to have a party; after a wild night of festivities and eating good food Arthur found himself staring at the sky, then at Charles and then Sadie, he hadn't been able to just stop like this in a long time.

After far too many drinks Arthur walked away from the party and retreated into the cave, luckily Charles had managed to sort out some rudimentary bedding for Arthur, as he lay on his bedding, slowly closing his eyes the thought of Dutch entered his mind, then Hosea, Sean and Lenny and then…. Nothing.

…..

As the morning came Arthur was awoken by Sadie, she slowly and gently tapped his arm

"Get up you lazy man" she said quietly, she then walked over to Charles and kicked his leg and jokingly chuckled "come on old man". Both men groaned, neither happy at the method of being woken up. "No stamina, come on or it will be night fall before we leave!"

"Geez alright give a once dying man a chance" grumbled Arthur sitting up

"Not many people get to say that!" Sadie said with another chuckle

With a lot of coaxing and a few more playful kicks, Sadie got them moving, it didn't take long to get what little gear they had packed up, without horses it meant carrying it all again, what took the time was saying goodbye to the Native Indians. It wasn't night fall when they left, just after midday; the air up on the mountain was crisp but becoming colder and small flakes of snow had started to fall.

"You too go on, I'll be there in a minute" with that Charles turned and hugged Rains Fall and gave him a nod.

"Go, go and help your family, you have already given so much help to us" smiled Rains Fall with understanding, with one last mod Charles turned and started the decent down the mountain. As the three of them reached the bottom they made their way to Manzanita Post.

"Wait there for a second" Arthur said as he climbed the steps going into the store.

"Hi mister, can you take me to the horses that we left hitched here the other day", the man barely looked up, he was old, had grey hair and mumbled badly.

"Name" he bluntly replied

"Morgan, Arthur Morgan sir", the man looked up.

"$5, Jimmy!" he shouted, a young man came running in, he was out of breath and very skinny. Arthur laid down the cash.

"Come with me sir, I'll take you to your horses" as Jimmy spoke the man sounded as though he was trembling. As Arthur exited the store he saw Sadie and Charles leaning up against the fence outside,

"Well" Sadie said with a sarcastic tone "are we good?"

"Hopefully" replied Arthur, "I just wanna get back now to be honest", the young man led them around the back of the store to two eagerly awaiting horses.

"Miss me did ya" Arthur said to his horse as he patted its neck.

"Sorry Charles you're riding on the back" he said with a smug smile.

"Fine" Charles replied dryly as he mounted with a helping hand from Arthur. They started their journey back to Copperhead Landing each of them in good spirits.

…

As they were leaving Tall trees and started to go get to the Great Plains, Charles suddenly had a thought.

"Um, Arthur, should we go to Blackwater, see if that money is still there"

Arthur pulled on the reins and made his horse come to a standstill.

"Arthur?!" Sadie shouted from off in the distance noticing that he had stopped.

"Do you think it's worth taking a look for that money? I mean we are close to Blackwater" Arthur said as Sadie slowly trotted up to him.

"Arthur it's risky, and Dutch and Micah probably have the same idea" she said somberly, "but I mean… it is a lot of money. "Your decision boss!"

Arthur tutted "don't call me that were all family, it's up to you both as much as me. But I guess it can't hurt to take a little look while we are here. They both nodded.

"Righty then, follow me!" and with that they galloped at full speed towards Blackwater.

…

As they neared Blackwater church Arthur motioned for Sadie to slow down and ride alongside him and Charles.

"Let's not get spotted, and if this all goes to hell, you run and get to safety, you hear me?"

"Yes Arthur, but I don't plan on getting spotted" she smirked as she said it.

Arthur gently kicked his horse and whistled and they slowly started to ride into Blackwater, the three of them were taken back by how modern it now looked.

"This is what they want?" Charles spoke with disappointment, "grey walls with no nature, just… black smoke and bricks?

Arthur turned his head, "I know, at least the West ain't been converted "

"Yet" Sadie chimed in.

As they neared the location that Dutch said the money was Arthur noticed a small black wagon parked up next to the docks, and two men slowly lifting a large metal box from underneath the long wooden walkway.

Arthur dismounted his horse quickly followed by Sadie and Charles.

He took another look at the side of the wagon and it read "NEED A REPAIR WE WILL BE THERE" the writing was big and styled, he recognized it immediately.

"Arthur?" Sadie asked inquisitively

Her eyes widened, and her skin turned pale, she then tapped Charles on the shoulder, "Charles, they are the goons that Micah hired for Dutch" she whispered intensely.

Just as she said that Arthur noticed someone looking at them, and then pointing at them, "we gotta go, Dutch beat us here, and this was such a bad idea."

He looked at them both, "Now!" he whispered.

Both Charles and Sadie didn't think twice and started to fast walk towards their horses.

"Don't run and act casual" Arthur said quietly.

"If we get seen here of all places we are dead" said Arthur warning them of the actual danger they were in.

"We have huge bounties and there are lot's of trigger happy bounty hunters, not to mention the Pinkerton's" Panic had started to set in.

They quickly mounted up, Arthur hastily pulled Charles up onto the horse and without looking back behind them, they managed to ride off without drawing too much attention.

"Let's head home" Arthur said rather shakily as they rode into the distance.