I meant to put this up yesterday, but I was a little hungover.

Also, Arthur deserved the Silver Dapple Pinto, and the fact that you can't get it normally is a tragedy, so I'm fixing that.

Chapter 6: Emerald Ranch

The girls kept glancing at Arthur when he returned, and he knew that the news of Mary's letter had spread throughout the camp. Tilly and Mary-Beth seemed to be stalking him, probably planning to corner him into a conversation. Arthur wasn't quite ready for that yet, so he stuck to doing camp chores to keep busy.

But then there were the terribly hidden camp arguments Arthur kept overhearing, simply because his tent was located next to Dutch. Molly accused Dutch of ignoring her, looking at other women… really, a whole multitude of grievances. Arthur tried to sleep under the noises of the once happy couple descending into a bitter and broken pair, still trying to give the image that everything was just fine.

If that wasn't bad enough, Molly was occasionally kicked out of the tent by Hosea. The older man demanded to know Dutch's plan, insisting that they needed to head back west, but Dutch kept brushing it off. Arthur had to agree with Hosea, though. There was a lot of money in Blackwater, sure, but it would be easier to regain the money from the other side of West Elizabeth.

"How are you doing, Molly?" Arthur asked, trying to drown out the sounds of another argument.

"Fine, Arthur. How are you?" She pulled out a cigarette.

Arthur lit a match for her, lighting the cigarette after she stuck it between her lips. "You liking the new camp?"

"It's not bad, but I don't know. Arthur, have you… do you think Dutch is acting odd?" she started to say, when Hosea threw the tent flap back and stormed out.

"Arthur!" he said. "Would you ride out to Emerald Ranch with me? I got a line on someone who wouldn't mind selling items of… unknown origin."

"Sounds fun," Arthur said. "See you later, Miss O'Shea."

Hosea and Arthur walked to the hitching posts and grabbed Silver Dollar and Dakota. "What was that about?" asked Arthur, once they were out of earshot of the camp.

"Oh, you know. Dutch just changing the plan. Again."

"Ah."

"Every time he says we're gonna lay low, and here we are again. Making trouble in town and planning robberies when we should be figuring out how to get our money and go west!"

"If this is about me and Lenny in town…" Arthur groaned.

"Well, there was that, too!" laughed Hosea. "I just want to stick to the plan, for once."

"Oh, I know."

"You doing alright?"

Arthur sighed. "Hosea, I am not going to talk about Mary right now."

"So you did see her!"

"Fine, I saw her. Turns out she's a widow, but before you get all excited, she just wanted me to help with her brother. Happy?"

"Of course!" They went back to silence, trotting down the road. "Real beautiful country, isn't it?" Hosea gestures out over the plains.

"Sure. I hope we stick around for a while."

"You know," Hosea said carefully, "Dutch seems mighty worried about you."

"That so?"

"You aren't thinking about running off, are you?"

"No, course not!" Arthur said easily, as he had many times before.

"Might not be the worst thing."

"What?" Arthur jerked back on the reins, causing Dakota to toss her head and snort. "Hosea, hold up now. What are you saying?"

Turning in the saddle, Hosea stared down at Dakota's hooves rather than meet Arthur's eyes. "It just feels different this time. Maybe I'm just getting old. But as I told Dutch earlier, we've never had so many bounty hunters and government agents on our tail."

"So, what? I should just leave?" Arthur asked, throwing his hands in the air.

Hosea shook his head and said, "I don't know, Arthur. But times are changing, and fast. Dutch is starting to think that the best plan is to just leave the country, find some tropical island with mangoes or some such. Might not be the worst idea to have a plan of your own, in case things get worse."

Could he really do it? Just leave the gang, after all these years? It shocked him to think that Hosea, of all people, was thinking that it might be best to call it quits. "And you? Do you have a plan?"

"You know I'm in it to the end. But you are still young, for now anyway," Hosea couldn't help but tease a little. "Just keep it in mind, please?"

"Okay." For Hosea's sake, maybe he could give it some thought.

They continued on, with Emerald Ranch quickly growing closer. Hosea waved to a man sitting outside a worn, red barn. "Seamus!" he said, the friendly face covering the previously concerned one. "How are you, friend? Ready to discuss business?"

Arthur let Hosea talk and spin his yarn. From what he overheard, they planned to use this man as a fence. He was able to deal in multiple items, but mainly stagecoaches and wagons. But clearly, the man wasn't willing just yet.

While he rubbed circles onto Dakota forehead, he heard Seamus say, "It's trusting I don't do so well."

"I tell you what, let us prove ourselves. I know you don't trust idiots, but we're not idiots."

"Okay, I'll tell you what," Seamus began, voice low, and Hosea motioned to Arthur over by the horses. "Old Bob Crawford and his boys just bought a beautiful stolen stage coach from upstate. It's in their barn. Now you go get that, and then we can work together.

"Who's Old Bob Crawford?" Hosea asked.

"An acquaintance of mine."

"So, you want us to take out your competition?"

Well, he's not just an acquaintance, but a cousin by marriage. I also want to see if you boys got what it takes. Now you survive that…"

"Where is he?"

"He's in a farmhouse just northwest of here, called Carmody Dell. It's just up the train tracks as you're heading up towards Fort Wallace," Seamus said, pointing past the barn towards the mountains. "There's also some money in that house, but that's your business, not mine, but don't kill nobody! Folks know we ain't intimate no more and they'll know it was me."

"But you're fine with us robbing your cousin?" Hosea confirmed.

"By marriage. And yes, I'd love it."

"You heard the man," Hosea said, turning towards Arthur. "Let's go rob his cousin."

"By marriage!" Seamus called after them. Clearly, that was an important factor for him.

Arthur and Hosea mounted their horses and turned down the road. "Lead the way," Hosea said.

"Me?"

"You're the one who's been out gallivanting around here," Hosea said, his voice light.

Arthur laughed. "That's what you call it. Clearly you've recovered from your bear encounter." They left the ranch and turned towards the mountains.

"You know, it's a shame we never got to collect in Blackwater. I always liked working with you," Hosea said.

"Yeah, you had them spun up real good." Shortly after they arrived in Blackwater, Hosea had caught wind of a piece of land owned by some rich feller who liked to winter in California. Barely anyone had seen the owner, so when a man from New York came down with ideas of developing the area around Blackwater, Hosea jumped at the chance to assume the rich man's identity and sell the land with a forged deed. Combined with Arthur's role as the other prospective buyer to raise the bid, Hosea and Arthur were set up for a profitable robbery, before Dutch decided to rob the banking ferry, that is.

"You sure about that guy, Hosea? He's a bit of a joke."

"That's why he's perfect! He won't cause us any problems. A safe sport to fence wagons and coaches, that's easy money for us."

Through the trees, Arthur could make out a house with a barn in the back. He signaled Hosea, who turned Silver Dollar over to some bushes. "That should be the place up there. Let's go on foot from here," Hosea said. They crept forward and crouched down behind a rock, inspecting the place through binoculars. "I see a barn in the back, stagecoach has to be in there."

"Anyone around?" Arthur asked, eyes sweeping the yard.

"Yes," Hosea said, focused on the house. "Okay, I reckon we can do it now. I'll head over, distract 'em by putting on a little show while you sneak into the house, find what you can, then get the stagecoach. Or, we can wait until nightfall."

"Let's do it now. I know how you like to put on a show."

Hosea chuckled and began to walk towards the house. "Alright. Don't follow me."

Arthur gave Hosea a minute before sneaking towards the back of the house. "My good man, my good young man," he heard Hosea call out to the boy on the porch, throwing on an exaggerated posh accent that went with his businessman act. Arthur let a smile spread across his face as he silently opened the back door and began to go through the drawers. He moved with urgency but also carefully, remembering to close every drawer and chest he opened. Soon, he had almost fifty dollars worth of stuff, but it didn't quite match the value of the nice homestead or Seamus's promise of money. Arthur inspected the place, wondering where he would hide cash if he lived there, and focused on the old brick chimney. He reached his hand up and pulled out nearly two hundred dollars. Satisfied, he snuck back out and went for the stagecoach.

Arthur heard Hosea finishing his bit as he entered the barn. It really was a beautiful stagecoach, finely made with a red finish. Fortunately, two horses were already hitched to it. Hosea entered soon after. "How did you make out?"

"Good, covered my tracks so well they won't even know I was in there," said Arthur.

"Good, let's get out of here."

Arthur flicked the reins and the two horses took off at a fast pace. They were almost home free when Crawford spotted them and yelled, "What is going on out there?"

"Dammit, they're onto us!" Hosea said, though he was slightly amused. Arthur snapped the reins and pushed the horses up to a canter. Crawford was too slow to take up the chase, and they were out of the area in no time.

"How much did you get?" Hosea asked.

"A couple hundred."

"Not bad at all."

Seamus was waiting for them at the barn in Emerald Ranch. "Quick, park that thing in here," he said, opening the doors.

"Hi, Seamus. We met your cousins," Hosea said.

"How was it?"

"Fine, nice people."

Seamus paid them for the coach, and offered to fence any others they might need to sell. A successful day, in the end. Arthur and Hosea walked back to their horses. Hosea said, "I'm heading back to camp, you coming?"

"Day's still young, old man!" The early afternoon sun was bright over the Heartlands, and Arthur could think of a few spots he was itching to check out. "Think I'll stick around here and do some… what'd you call it? Gallivanting."

"Okay, Arthur."

Dakota shoved her head towards his pockets when he walked up to her, looking for treats. "There you go, girl," he said, pulling out a peppermint. She snatched it out of his hand, and he laughed. "Greedy, aren't you?"

Arthur decided to go check out Heartland Overflow, having heard rumors that a herd of bison often, but was immediately distracted by a man hunched over a tripod in a straw hat. The wide smile spread unconsciously across his face.

"So, you're still alive!" he called out, and laughed when Albert Mason once again jumped out of his skin.

"Mr. Morgan!" he said, hand covering his heart in relief.

"How are you? Finally left Blackwater?"

"I am indigestible apparently, and yes. I rented a room at Emerald Ranch for the time being." Albert adjusted the camera again.

"How's the project going?"

"Well, this is God's country, and I am his faithful servant. Although perhaps not his most talented one. I have been trying to capture the grace of the wild horses here for almost a week. Only the buggers can't stand me." Handing Arthur a pair of binoculars, Albert pointed to a small grove of trees with five horses calmly grazing, with one impressive horse standing out.

"That is a silver dapple pinto!" Arthur said in wonder.

"I know, beautiful. Won't come anywhere near me of course. He can smell my stupidity."

"Well, how about I drive him over?"

"Oh, that might help. Can you be bothered? I feel like such a blunderer."

"Of course, it's no problem at all. Just wait here and be ready."

"At least this time I doubt I'll get eaten!" Albert joked.

Arthur rode Dakota around the herd, taking in the silver dapple pinto up close. The stallion eyed Arthur warily, but confidently stood his ground while the others backed off a bit. "Go on, get over there!" Arthur shouted, and the herd moved towards Albert. "Let's make you famous!" The herd took off in a gallop across the wet grass of the overflow, with the silver dapple pinto perfectly visible in the middle.

"I got it!" Albert said as the flash went off. Arthur let the herd run off and went to Mason. "You are a genius."

"No, but I can ride a horse."

"Well, in my world that makes you a genius."

"You're too kind. How are the photos coming along?"

"Oh, amazing! Here." Albert dug into his bag and pulled out one of them. "I have a print of the wolves, before they tried to eat us."

Arthur stared wide eyed at the photograph. The black and white wolves stood directly in front of the camera, crouched and snarling. "That's real fine," he said, but that didn't seem to cover it at all.

"It's for you," Albert said.

"Well, thank you!" Arthur slid the photograph into the pages of his journal to keep it safe, and thought he saw a slight blush on the other man's face. Albert turned away before he could be sure, looking at the herd that seemed to have calmed down from being forced into the camera frame.

"They really are something, aren't they?" Albert said. "I bet there will be some beautiful babies from that stallion!"

"Well, not with this lot. They're all boys."

Albert turned to Arthur. "Wait, really? I read that wild horse herds were usually one stallion and a group of mares."

"Sure. But when the stallions are young, they don't always find mares right away. So the boys stick together, safety in numbers. They're called bachelor bands."

"Huh."

Arthur stood next to Albert, watching the pinto. "He's an amazing horse, isn't he? Almost looks like a Missouri Fox Trotter. I wonder what he would be like to ride."

"Well, he's wild. It's not like you can just walk up and ride him." He must have seen something on Arthur's face because he then said, "Wait, can you?"

"It ain't easy, but…" Arthur considered it. He would love to try his hand at that horse. "You just took a picture because they're wild. Feels weird to catch him after that."

Albert stroked his beard, seemingly torn. "He certainly is magnificent, and man has domesticated horses for centuries… it's not like you would be taking him away from a normal herd, after all… if someone had to tame him, I think I would be happy if that were you."

"Well, let's wait and see if I can, first!"

Arthur occasionally broke horses when he was younger, training them up and selling them once the gang was near a stable. That stopped when he found Boadicea. The young bay filly had appeared to a Turkoman, though they were never sure and she may have been mixed with something else. She certainly acted like a wild mustang, though, bucking and rearing at first in fear to throw Arthur off, and later continuing in what Arthur suspected to be enjoyment. It took ages to calm her, but she eventually did, and had been the perfect partner up until she was killed escaping Blackwater.

Arthur started towards the silver dapple pinto, slow and steady. When he was close enough, he called out, "Hey boy!" The stallion tossed his head and shifted, but didn't turn and run like the others did. "Easy." He kept his steps small and slow, pausing when the horse appeared on the verge of bolting. Soon, he was close enough to reach out and pet the horse.

"Amazing," Albert, who had followed a safe distance behind, said.

"Good boy," Arthur continued, ignoring Albert for the moment and focusing on the horse. He offered him a carrot from his bag, and the stallion took it immediately, distracted enough to ignore Arthur slipping a rope over his head. Arthur kept up the gentle touches and soothing words while Albert set down his tripod.

"That didn't seem too difficult," Albert said.

"Well, it's about to get harder," Arthur replied, running his hands over the stallion's back. Before the horse even knew what was happening, Arthur vaulted onto his back. The horse reared up before starting to buck, Arthur gripping his sides with his legs to steady himself. "It's alright, boy. Calm down!" It seemed to be working, and then…

POOF!

The flash of Albert's camera went off, the photographer trying to capture the moment of breaking a wild horse. But the pinto shied away and took off across the field in a gallop, Arthur ending up leaned forward with his arms wrapped around his neck just to stay on! This method was successful until the horse skidded to a stop, quickly veering to the right, and Arthur went flying into the water.

Albert abandoned his camera to run to Arthur, shouting, "Oh no! Arthur, are you alright? I'm sorry, I didn't think about the flash!"

But Arthur was laughing when he picked himself up. "I'm alright, Albert! Just a little bruised, that's all. It's not the first time a wild horse has bucked me off." He scanned the field for the horse and saw him watching them warily from a safe distance away. "I bet I can get him if I try again."

"You sure?"

"Yeah. Just don't take a picture this time."

Fortunately, the horse let Arthur approach a second time and mount up, and though he did put on another impressive fight to throw him again, Arthur stayed on this time. Soon, the stallion gave up, and Arthur fed him another carrot from his satchel before guiding him back towards Albert. The photographer clapped and cheered.

"That was amazing!" Albert said. Arthur dismounted to lead the stallion to the photographer, just in case he spooked again. But the horse allowed Albert to pet his head, worn out and accepting of Arthur's guidance. "What will you do with him? Train him? Sell him?"

"Oh, I think I'll keep him. I've got a good feeling about this one. Besides, there's nothing wrong with having two horses."

"What's his name?"

"Haven't decided yet. What do you think?"

"Me?" Albert said, glancing between Arthur and the stallion. "Well, he is certainly magnificent, so he needs a name to match. Oh, I've got it! Merlin!"

"Merlin?" The name was vaguely familiar to Arthur.

"Yes, Merlin, the wizard from the stories of King Arthur of Camelot. It's perfect! You're name is Arthur, and this boy's coat is almost magical, isn't it?"

"Sure is. Merlin. I like it!"

After a few minutes admiring Merlin, Albert looked at his pocket watch. "Oh, look at the time! I should head back to Emerald Ranch. They are serving dinner soon."

"I'll ride with you," Arthur offered, hopping back on Merlin. The stallion tossed his head, but allowed it.

"Aren't you going to use a saddle?" Albert asked.

"I will, just not yet. Don't want to scare him too much in one day. I would ride Dakota, but I don't think he will follow along just yet."

Albert grabbed Lucy, and the two of them headed back to the ranch. Merlin behaved himself well, gaining confidence with each moment. When they reached the house Albert was staying in, the photographer asked, "Is there a place I can write to you? I would love to send you these prints once I have them developed. As a thank you."

"Uh, yeah. You can write me in Valentine. Though you will need to send it to a Tacitus Kilgore, not to my name."

"Who's Tacitus Kilgore? That's quite a name!"

"He's one of my… family members. I travel around a lot, so he collects it for me… sometimes forwards it along to wherever I am." Arthur hoped that explanation would suffice.

"Well, I'll be sure to remember to do that. Thank you again, Arthur. I don't know how I would get any photographs if it weren't for you."

"Take care, Albert," he said. He turned Merlin away from the ranch and whistled for Dakota, glad that he stayed out in the Heartlands that day.