Chapter IV

As the moon rose over the horizon making shadows of the burnt-out buildings of Limpany, small embers jumped from a fire that could be seen as they rose into the cold air, the openness of the heartland allowed the wind to get cold as it blew through the trees. But amidst the beauty that surrounded the area Arthur Morgan was rigid, cold; the last few days had taken a toll on him, every waking moment had been a struggle. After a while his gaze shifted, not to his friends, not too the forest or the expansive open land and not even to the river. But too the fire…

The longer he stared into the flames the more the thought of Micah and Dutch filled his head, he could not believe that after all that time, that Dutch would abandon him to die on that cursed mountain. The man he gave everything too, but worst of all was the blinding and unwavering loyalty too. Arthur eventually tore his eyes away from the warm glow of the fire and turned to look at Sadie, then at Charles. Both of them were fast asleep, what a journey it had been, Arthur thought to himself.

Suddenly he heard a rumble, the all too familiar sound of his stomach, ever since he had been diagnosed with TB he had barely eaten anything, he could not tolerate the pain that eating had started to cause him, his once burly build had become much leaner and his face a little gaunt.

"Well, I suppose I gotta try" he said under his breath as he reached into his satchel and pulled out a small piece of cooked elk meat, "here goes nothing" he said, as it entered his mouth. "Well I never" Arthur said aloud happily, after he finished the meat.

He was taken aback, he tried to cough but he didn't need too, he smiled happily to himself, there was still some pain, but he hadn't felt this good in weeks, "maybe, just maybe I might be okay" he smiled to himself.

After eating lots of different foods from his satchel and with a grin spreading across his face, he finally put his head down onto the rug; the fur pushed against his face and within seconds of his head being down on the rug he was asleep. Arthur dreamed a lot that night, but mainly he dreamed of everyone together; before the family were torn apart by Dutch's insanity, but he also dreamed of what the future could hold….

Rubbing his eyes Arthur sat up and looked around, the sun was poking above the horizon, his stomach was full and he was suddenly full of energy. Both Charles and Sadie were still fast asleep as Arthur stood up, he then proceeded to cautiously tap Charles on the shoulder until some semblance of movement could be seen.

"What is it Arthur?" Charles said, sounding more tired than usual.

"We may need to go hunting" Arthur said with a guilty tone, "I… I ate most of our food last night so ahh, yeah" Charles got himself up and glared at Arthur for a second, with a cold look in his eye he remarked

"Now that's the Arthur I know" replied Charles, after saying that the cold stare was replaced with a smile and a small chuckle, "come on let's go".

A while later Sadie suddenly awoke, she looked around to see that both Charles and Arthur were gone.

"Were have they gone?" she was slightly annoyed, getting up she figured she'd at least sort herself out before they got back. Looking in Arthur's satchel, she was dumbfounded to find barely anything in there apart from canned apricots and a few oatcakes. As Sadie finished her small breakfast, she went over to her gun belt; she never wore it when she slept, she only kept her rifle with her.

She then proceeded to get some gun oil out of the satchel, but as she did that a small picture fell out; it was Arthur and Mary together, Sadie stared at the photo for a few seconds and a small smile crept across her face. She returned the photo and proceeded to clean her guns, it was the first time in a while she had had to clean them properly. Stopping once they were clean, she checked her pocket watch.

"At what time did they leave?" she said out loud "An hour doing this and they still ain't back" sighed Sadie a little bit of worry creeping in. Just as soon as the words left her mouth two silhouettes could be seen riding towards her, then a faint shout could be heard "That no good black lunged man!" Sadie smiled shaking her head, 'thank god' she thought. Just the mere prospect of her being alone for any longer was a daunting one; Arthur and Charles both galloped towards her at break neck speed.

"Your done now Charles ha-ha!" cried Arthur, as he said that both men came to a stop just before the camp, dust flew all over the equipment and beds. "So Mrs Adler, who would you say won the race?" asked Arthur.

Sadie simply replied with "You idiots! and Charles, did you take care of my horse?" Sadie lightly scolding him.

"Of course" replied Charles nervously as he quickly dismounted "We should pack up and head for home, this meat won't last" Charles slapped the dead deer that was across Sadie's horse

"Why is it on my horse?" asked Sadie folding her arms

"Yours is broader" came the reply from Arthur.

Once they shook out the dust from the bedding and packed everything up, Arthur mounted his horse

"Looks like you're with me again, unless you fancy moving the meat" crowed Arthur

"Well, no man should have to brave riding with Sadie" joked Charles

"I heard that" she said with a smile she was already mounted, "well then fellas, lets ride!"