Author's Note: I don't own Red Dead Redemption nor any of the characters. I only own the plot to the story and few characters which are my own.
Summary: Red Dead Redemption 2 Au. It was Sadie Arthur had been in love with not Mary Giles all those years ago. Arthur was prepared to leave it all behind for Sadie. Sadie's family intervened lying saying that Arthur was dead killed in a shootout with the law. Heartbroken Sadie marries Jake Adler. Eighteen years later. A snow storm brings both death, destruction and a ghost from the past to Sadie's doorstep.
Chapter 4
Colter, West Grizzles Ambarino
May 1899
It was clear crisp morning as Arthur walked out of the cabin with Ben in tow behind him. Lenny, Charles, Bill, Javier and Micah where ready and waiting for them.
Kieran led Mars and Cisco over to he and Ben.
"Mount up" Arthur ordered. Dutch and Hosea came out of the cabin a few seconds later.
"Give them hell son. But you boys be safe" Dutch addressed the others.
"We will Boss" The others answered.
"Alright let's go kill those son of a bitches" Arthur wheeled Mars around in the direction of Lake Isabella and the O'Driscoll camp.
Arthur spurred Mars into a gallop passing Sadie who stood in the doorway of the cabin. They shared a look as Arthur and the others galloped off.
"Where are the others going" John croaked from his bed.
"After the O'Driscolls. Don't move to much John you'll pull your stitches out again" Abigail fussed over him.
Back outside Dutch and Hosea remained standing outside.
"Dutch was I thinking of where we can go once we leave here. The weather clearing up and snow should melted enough in a day maybe two. Bessie and I stayed there for a while with Ben.
Place called Horseshoe Overlook near a cattle town called Valentine. It's fairly remote well off the main trail" Hosea explained.
"Sounds like a fine place to hold up and gain our bearing getting back on our feet. We won't be going back to Blackwater anytime soon for that money"
"Speaking of the money what are we going to do about Micah. He's a liability Dutch. He's a loose cannon. You said it yourself the ferry job was going smoothly till Micah shoot that girl Heidi McCourt.
Then law came down on us" Hosea observed.
"We'll deal with him soon. We'll keep a close eye on him. He's a liability like you said" Dutch agreed with Hosea.
Arthur slowed Mars to a trot as they crossed stream/creek or river that ran into Lake Isabella Arthur had learned the lake was called from Kieran.
"Which way now Arthur" Bill asked as Brown Jack slowed to a trot as well
"South west along the lake."Arthur replied patting Mars neck as they went along at a trot to save the horses in the still fairly heavy snow.
"Camp must be over that hill I see smoke" Charles pointed out the smoke that could be seen from the top of the hill.
"Alright we'll hold up here with the horses. Ben, Charles and I will go have a look at the camp" Arthur told the others dismounting. Slinging his Litchfield Repeater over his shoulder.
Ewing Basin Abandoned Mining Camp, O'Driscoll Hide Out West Grizzlies Ambranio.
May 1899
Unaware of the member of the Van Der Linde gang on the hill. The O'Driscolls camped at the abandoned mining camp moved around as per normal.
"Fuck Colm why should we give the gold to him. We was the ones who risked our necks for it. We lost Pete, Paddy and Finn."Rian O'Hennessy bemoaned.
"How far you think we get O'Hennessy" David O'Flynn hit back.
"Fucking shut up the pair of you" Sean MacGee snapped at of them.
"So what do we do. Give the gold to Colm or disappear with it. Rian got a point it was us who risked our necks for it. We lost Pete, Paddy and Finn.
Weather's turning I see no reason why we can't slip away go the long round till we hit New Austin then border to old Mexico" Andrew O'Dwyer offered.
"How do we know O'Hannon anit run straight to Colm to him about us ripping him off for the gold from that train" Another added.
"Cause Colm would have killed us all by now that how. Last person who crossed Colm O'Driscoll it didn't end pretty for them" Frankie O'Flanagan cut in.
Up on the hill Arthur, Charles and Ben where looking over the camp. Arthur looked down at the camp through his binoculars
"How men are their down there" Charles asked as Arthur handed him the binoculars.
"About fifteen to seventeen. Going by those heavy crates over there on those pack horses. I think they robbed that train O'Hannon and the O'Driscoll I killed in the Adler was talking about" Arthur observed.
"We're still outnumbered seventeen to seven."Ben calculated the risks over in his mind.
"So what's the plan Arthur" Charles asked as they got up from their hiding spot.
"I'll tell you in a minute" Arthur answered as they walked down the hill to the others.
"Alright there's seventeen of them down there. This is what we're going to do. Charles you stay here with Javier and Lenny. You're our best shots. Bill you with Micah circle around the back. Me and Ben will go around the other side."Arthur relayed his plan back to the others.
Javier followed Lenny and Charles to the top of the hill. Micah circled around the back of the O'Driscoll camp with Bill. While Arthur and Ben took the other side.
"How did you want to play this Arthur. We outnumbered here by around ten men with limited ammo" Ben turned to older man as they walked
"Make each shot count. Watch out it narrows up here" Arthur advised as they came down the hill around the back of the camp.
"So how are we playing this Arthur" Bill asked as he and Ben took cover.
"Ben just asked that. Well here goes nothing. Be ready to shoot, make every shot count we anit got endless supplies of ammo" Bill and Micah nodded.
"Oh O'Driscolls. I come bearing gifts from your friend Ethan O'Hannon he sang like a canary he did" Arthur darkly chuckled throwing the sack that contained O'Hannon's cock and balls
"It's Arthur fucking Morgan" Rian O'Hennessy swore fumbling to draw his cattlemen. O'Hennessy was to slow on his draw, there was a crack from above the camp up on the hill it sounded like Lenny's Rolling Block Sniper Rifle.
O'Hennessy dropped to the ground, what was left of his face was pissing blood, brain matter and bone fromm the gaping hole Lenny's shot had left.
"Kill the fucking Irish bastard. None of them leave here alive" Arthur yelled as he took cover behind some crates. Ben ducked his head behind the crates with him as a shotgun blast hit the crates.
Micah ran about laughing and shooting like a mad men as bullet whizzed past left and right. Bill steady his aim hitting the O'Driscoll up on the water tower.
Arthur levered another cartridge into the chamber before wheeling his Litchfield around noticing an O'Driscoll sneaking up behind Bill.
Bill's bolt action rifle jammed. He swore under his breath as he took cover behind a wall. Bill noticed in horror an O'Driscoll had him in his sights with his shotgun. He was a dead man.
Bill saw his life flash before his eyes just as the O'Driscoll pulled the trigger. He fell to his knees blood pissing out of the bullet hole in his neck.
Bill followed where the shot had come from. He nodded his thanks to Arthur who had saved his life just seconds earlier. Unjamming his Bolt Action Rifle. Bill went back to killing O'Driscolls.
Arthur squeezed off his last round from his Litchfield before drawing his Navy Revolver. The remained O'Driscoll that where still alive turned tail. Mounting their horses and fleeing well attempting to.
Javier, Charles and Lenny cut them down before they got to far. The smell of burnt gunpowder and blood hung heavily in the air.
The camp fell silent except for the O'Driscolls that where wounded hadn't been killed outright.
Arthur reloaded both his Navy Revolver and Litchfield repeater. Ben waved an arm up to Javier, Charles and Lenny signalling for them to come down and bring the horses.
Another five shoots rang out. As Bill, Ben, Micah and Arthur killed the wounded O'Driscolls.
"That all of them" Lenny asked as he, Javier and Charles rode in leading the other horses.
"That's all of them. Search the bodies, cabins for any supplies or anything of value."Arthur ordered
Arthur went over to the pack horses and mules. They were a little agitated due to the gunfight that had just taken place. None of them had been wounded or harmed in anyway.
Arthur pried open the crates with a pry bar that was nearby. "We're rich fellas. Take a look at this" Arthur called to other holding up the gold bar in his hand.
"How much gold there" Ben called over to him.
"Maybe about ten thousand maybe more who knows. Colm's going to be fucking pissed we stole his ill gotten games."Arthur chuckled placing the lid back on crate.
"Well I might have idea who that was robbing found this on one of the O'Driscolls" Micah showed the plans he'd found to Arthur.
"Leviticus Cornwall. Who the fuck is Leviticus Cornwall" Bill wondered aloud.
"Arthur anit he that big railway oil Tycoon back east"
"That's him Ben. Maybe the O'Driscoll did us a favour robbing Cornwall" Arthur answered
"How's that" Lenny asked.
"Cornwall's loaded Lenny. He's also got the Pinkertons in his back pocket. With Colm robbing Cornwall over that Gold. Cornwall will be out for blood. He'll bank roll the Pinkertons to track and hunt every last one of the O'Driscolls.
That gives us the perfect opportunity to slip away from here unnoticed. While the Pinkertons are busy hunting Colm we can get out of here. Get some money together and disappear somewhere the law don't know us nor find us" Arthur explained.
"Your getting to sound like Dutch" Ben laughed.
"Maybe. I've been running with him and Hosea for twenty plus years. He's starting to rub off on me. Come on get what supplies we can take and mount up. Let's get out of here before more of Colm's boys turn up" Arthur whistled for Mars.
Before leaving. Arthur scribbled a note tearing a page from his journal. He hammed the note and the sack with O'Hannon balls and cock to a post before mounting Mars. He lead the way as he and others rode back to camp.
Colter, West Grizzlies Ambarino
May 1899
Hosea was teaching Jack to read while Abigail fussed over John. Dutch had joined them in the cabin. His head in his Evelyn Miller book.
Uncle was on guard. Fired off two shoots from his Carbine Repeater as Arthur and the others returned to camp.
"Ever Arthur and the others are back. Or there's trouble" Hosea observed taking Jack out of his lap and getting to his feet.
Dutch set aside his book following after his old friend and partner in crime outside. The women folk followed expect for Abigail who stayed inside with John and Jack.
Kieran and Lex had been in the barn. Pearson in the smithy that had been turned into a makeshift kitchen came over as well.
Hosea and Dutch relaxed when it was Arthur and other riding in with pack mules and horses in tow with crates of something on them.
"How did your little social call on our 'friends' the O'Driscolls go" Dutch asked.
"Pretty good. Left a not for Colm seeing as he wasn't home. He'll be pissed when he finds out we took his gold he robbed off that train. Though them robbing that train certainly was kind of them.
Gives us a chance to slip away unnoticed from the Pinkertons" Arthur coolly said dismounting.
"How does the O'Driscoll robbing that train help us with the Pinkertons Arthur" Hosea asked.
"Who's train they robbed. It was Leviticus Cornwall's train and gold they robbed. Seeing as old Cornwall has the Pinkertons in his back pocket. He'll be gunning for the O'Driscoll now.
As they robbed him. We can slip away as the Pinkertons hopefully will be to busy chasing Colm and his boys to bother with us" Arthur answered.
"A man like Cornwall won't take lightly to be robbed. His ego won't take it. Rich men like Cornwall are all the same. They have vasts amount of wealth and are over compensating for something else.
As Arthur has said we can use this to our advantage. Slip away from the Pinkertons find somewhere to lay low and build up money to disappear somewhere far away where the law don't know us nor find us" Dutch chuckled
"Arthur was saying the something Dutch" Lenny cut in.
"I've rubbing off on you Arthur"
"Maybe Dutch" Arthur chuckled
"How gold did you relieve Colm of"
"About ten thousand dollars worth or more. We didn't count it" Ben answered.
"That's a good start. Once the snow's thawed a bit more we get those wagon out we're leaving heading for Horseshoe Overlook was it Hosea" Dutch turned to Hosea.
Hosea nodded in response.
"Well done son. All of yous, you done good real good. We'll have a party to celebrate once we're out here, and John's back on his feet, Mac and Sean are back with us" Dutch's mood certainly was better then it had been the last few days.
Arthur felt someone watching him from behind. He turned around after handing Mar's reins to Kieran. It was Sadie who was watching him. The news she had told him last night about Lex being his daughter.
It had been playing over in his mind ever since she told him. Arthur knew they had to talk sooner or later.
"Mr Morgan. Mr Pearson said we need a little more meat."Miss Grimshaw interrupted him before he could go speak to Sadie.
"Charles and I brought the Big Moose Bull three days ago. What's he done with it" Arthur questioned.
"He's salted some of it. There are a lot of hunger mouths in camp. So if your not too busy could you please go hunting" Susan explained.
"Sure."Arthur hated how he did most of the fucking work around here.
"Kieran could you saddle Blackjack for me."Arthur came into the barn as Kieran was unsaddling Mars and the other horses.
"Yes Ar..thur" Kieran answered.
While Kieran saddled Blackjack, Arthur check how much ammunition he had in satchel. They bought a bit from the O'Driscolls camp. He still had two unopened boxes of Repeater Ammunition and one box of Revolver ammunition in his satchel.
Arthur went a grabbed one box of repeater ammo and two of revolver ammo placing them in his satchel.
While he did that Kieran lead Blackjack out fully saddled and ready to go. Leaving the big shire horse hitched at the hitching rail beside the barn.
"Thanks Kieran" Arthur thanked him placing his saddle bags on Blackjack.
"Need some company" Arthur turned around to see Sadie. No longer wearing a dressed borrowed from Abigail. She wore a yellow shirt, suspenders, brown pants and boots. Two Cattlemen strapped either side of her hips and light brown hat for the finishing touch.
"Sure just doing a bit of hunting to see us through till we leave here in a day or so" Arthur replied hoisting himself up into the saddle on the big Shire.
Sadie didn't say anything as she mounted her own horse a dapple buckskin mustang stallion. Arthur didn't mean to stare he got eye full of Sadie's well toned ass. Arthur bit back a groan as his cock started to stir in his pants at the sight of Sadie's ass.
'Get a grip Morgan. You anit a horny teenager anymore' Arthur tried to think of anything but those sinful lustful thoughts he was having as he checked Sadie out.
"What you look at" Sadie had caught Arthur staring.
Arthur said nothing, trying to hide his embarrassment at being caught and his harding cock in his pants at mere sight of Sadie's voluptuous ass.
Sadie smirked at Arthur, clearly enjoying as Arthur shifted uncomfortable in his saddle and the face he was blushing.
"Come on let's go" Arthur tired ignoring his harding cock and focusing on the task at hand of hunting.
Lex watched from the doorway of the cabin as her mama and Arthur Morgan rode off somewhere. Lex had noticed the looks between the pair ever since. They had been rescued by Arthur and other who had been with him that night.
Lex couldn't shake the feeling that her mama and Arthur knew one another years ago. They way they looked at one another wasn't that of old friends but former lovers.
"Going hunting be back soon" Arthur called to Javier who was on guard now.
Arthur and Sadie rode in silence for a few miles. Neither Arthur nor Sadie had any idea where to start this long overdue conversation.
"So how are you feeling about" Sadie broke the ice.
"About what Alexandra being my daughter" Arthur answered Sadie nodded.
"Yeah"
"I was shocked at first. Finding out I got a daughter. I anit never though much about having children again after losing Isaac"
"Isaac" Sadie asked.
"Alexandra's half brother he would a few months younger then what she is now. He and his Mama Eliza where robbed and killed when he was five for a measly ten dollars. All the good me died when they did. Why you think I was dead all these years" Arthur finally asked.
"My pa told me that you was killed in a shootout with the law. Pa never lied to me. But seeing as your riding beside me he did, lie to me. I only married Jake after I released I was pregnant with Lex.
I loved Jake in my own way I guess. He never once questioned that Lex was born at eight months. Where did you disappeared to for all these years" Sadie this time asked.
"We had one last job before I left the gang. But it went south. I got badly hurt, we managed to get over the border into Mexico. Time I healed up and came looking for you. You'd already married Jake and gone.
I followed you, but your brothers followed after me as well. Tried warning me against following after you. But I didn't listen" Arthur hesitated about continuing.
"That was roughly around the time I got a letter from my ma saying Alex and Hamish had been killed in a shootout. She never said what happened just that they where killed. Arthur you don't know anything do you"
"I was there the day they where killed. We where arguing when we where set upon by bounty hunters. Alexander was killed outright, while Hamish was gut shot. He begged me to kill him out of mercy.
I put him out of his misery. Took both of their bodies back to you parent for burial. On my way back to that's where I met Eliza Isaac's mother" Arthur answered.
Sadie was silent for a long time as they rode in silence.
"Thank you for telling what happened Arthur" Sadie spoke breaking the silence between them.
"Hold a minute. There's a couple of Doe's over there. Should be enough meat to see us through till we leave Colter."Arthur Blackjack to a stop.
Two shots rang out the same time. The two deer ran for a few feet before dropping to the ground dead.
Arthur and Sadie bickered about who had the biggest Doe they'd killed. The sound of wolves howling plus a faint call for help stopped the pairs bickering.
"Better go check what that's about" Arthur hoisted himself onto the big Shire's back.
Budding wildlife photographer Albert Mason was hiding up a tree with his bags and camera as two wolves licked their chops and eyed him off as lunch.
Albert only hoped someone came to his aid sooner rather then later. That or wolves would grow tried of trying to eat him.
His would be rescuers arrived. He held his hands over his ears as four shoots rang into the air. The wolves for some reason though better about fighting the two new humans that had approached.
They turned tail and ran off. Leaving Albert alone with the two strangers that had saved his hide mere seconds ago.
"You alright up there fella" The man drawled.
"Yes thank you now I am. I would have been those wolves lunch if not for you to" Albert replied as he started to climb down from the tree he'd been hiding up from the wolves.
"What are you doing out here by yourself Mister" The woman asked.
"Albert Mason I'm a photographer. I'm photographing the wild animals. I was doing portraits back in New York but I grew board of that. I wanted a challenge.
"What the challenge to become some bear or wolves lunch" Arthur snorted.
"Well I didn't think I would become almost lunch this time soon" Albert was clearly amused by Arthur's joke.
"Have you got a horse Mr Mason"Sadie asked
"I do till she ran off Miss"
"Mrs Sadie Adler, this here Arthur Morgan" Sadie introduced herself and Arthur to Albert.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Mrs Adler, Mr Morgan."
"Likewise Mr Mason. Seeing as you anit got a horse. Sadie did you want to ride with me and Mr Mason can ride your horse" Arthur asked before he could stop himself.
"Sure Bob's probably the more calmer of the two" Sadie agreed dismounting Bob helping Albert into the saddle and his bags.
Arthur hoisted Sadie up in front of him in the saddle. "Don't get any funny ideas Arthur" Sadie sassed at him
"As if I would" It was like nothing had changed between after eighteen years apart.
Albert asked them various question as they rode back to Colter as did he to them.
"Arthur's back with Mrs Adler and another one of his strays" Javier joked as the three of them rode back into Colter.
"Who's your friend Arthur" Dutch asked as Arthur and Sadie got down off of Blackjack.
"Dutch, Hosea this is Albert Mason. Mr Mason this is Dutch Van der Linde and Hosea Matthews these two scoundrels practically raised me" Arthur introduced Albert to Dutch and Hosea.
"Mr Mason. What brings up this far north"
"I'm a photographer Mr Matthews. I photographing wild life. I nearly began lunch to two wolves if it hadn't been for Mr Morgan and Mrs Adler here" Albert nodded to the former lovers.
Dutch, Hosea and Albert struck up a conversation between the three of them. Leaving Sadie and Arthur standing there by themselves. An awkward silence fell between the pair as they took their kills over to Pearson who was waiting for the deer.
"Thank you Mr Morgan Mrs Adler" Pearson thanked them. Sadie disappeared off to her cabin and Arthur did the same.
Colter, West Grizzlies Ambarino
May 1899
It was another two days before the weather was clear enough and the snow had melted for them to leave Colter. Where they been hold up for eight days now.
"Mary Beth for God sake get you head out that book and help girl" Susan scowled at Mary Beth while barking orders at others to get a move on.
Charles and Ben helped John limp to the wagon he would be riding till they reached Horseshoe Overlook.
Bill and Strauss where loading supplies into the wagons. Kieran was seeing to the horses. Uncle for once making himself useful and not lazing about.
"Lets get out of this hell hole" Dutch exclaimed
"Gladly" Arthur agree climbing up one of the wagon.
"Hosea you riding with me or Arthur" Dutch asked Hosea.
"Me and Ben will ride with Arthur."Hosea answered.
"Chew the fat about the old day and what's gone wrong with old Dutch no doubt"
"As if we do that" Arthur mockingly protested.
"Let's move out" The wagon began to roll for the first time in eight days.
Slowly the miles where chewed up by the wagons and horses as they rolled passed Lake Isabella heading south towards Big Valley.
The snow soon gave way to a proper road as the convoy of wagons and horses rolled along heading for Horseshoe Overlook.
They crossed under a railway bridge heading for the cross roads.
"Lenny come up here I need a word" Dutch called to Lenny.
"What is it Dutch"
"I need you to go scouting a head with Micah. Watch him closely Lenny."Dutch advised.
"I will do Dutch"
"Micah get up here" Dutch yelled for Micah.
"What's up Boss."
"I need you and Lenny to scout ahead for us" Dutch explained.
"Sure thing Boss. Come on kid I'll buy you a drink in the next town."At the crossroads Micah and Lenny heading straight ahead while Dutch and other headed left crossing Cumberland Fall/Dakota River heading into New Hanover.
Arthur and Hosea's wagon was the last one through. The horses struggled to bring the heavy wagon out of the crossing.
"Get up" Arthur urged the horses on. They pulled the wagon out of water. Then thud crash. The wheel had come off.
"For fucksake" Arthur cursed.
"You alright back there" Bill called.
"Does it like alright Marion" Arthur snapped.
"Don't call me that Morgan."Bill snapped back at him.
"What going on" Javier asked amused by the exchange between Bill and Arthur.
"I broke the goddamn wheel" Arthur shook his head.
"You need a hand fixing it" Charles offered.
"Sure We'll left it and Arthur can put the wheel back on"
"Not with your back Pa. Charles and I will left the wagon" Ben intervened.
"Can I help" Kieran asked as he, Sadie and Lex crossed the crossing.
"Sure" Ben agreed.
Kieran dismounted his roan mare handing the reins to Sadie.
Between the three of them they had the wheel back on the wagon in no time. Kieran, Charles and Ben loaded the items that fallen off the wagon back on.
Kieran remounted his horse, Charles and Ben climbed into the back of the wagon. "Which way Hosea" Arthur asked urging the horse on with a slap on the back with the reins.
"Just keep going down this trail" Hosea directed.
"Ah fellas we got a guests" Kieran cut in pointing over his shoulders to the Native American watching them from the clifftop.
"Trouble" Arthur asked.
"No if they wanted trouble they would have started it long before now" Charles answered.
Hosea and Charles talked at length about the trouble the Indians had faced over the years. Charles spoke of his own past. Separated from his mother at a young age, growing up with a drunk for a father.
Arthur knew all to well what it was like growing up with a father like that. He still had scars from the beatings his 'loving' father Lyle had given him and his mama. Arthur was so lost in his own head.
He paid little attention to what Charles and Hosea where saying. He blinded followed the direction Hosea gave him.
Arthur stopped the wagon for Javier to get on. Pulling the wagon up into camp. The camp was coming together it was flurry of activity as Susan yelled orders. Arthur own tent had been set up already.
Arthur left Hosea and Dutch talking to each other as he approached his tent. Arthur removed his heavy winter coat. It would be need to be washed. He'd been wearing it for day on end. Now it could get up and walk itself over to washer tub and washing board. He sat on his bed.
Grabbing his journal and a pencil.
'May 1899
We've finally left the snow and cold of Colter behind us. We've sent up camp in a place called Horseshoe Overlook near the cattle town of Valentine Hosea said.
It's been a busy couple of days. Me, Ben, Javier, Charles, Bill, Lenny and Micah raided the O'Driscoll camp. Come back with ten thousand dollars worth of gold. Fella they robbed the gold off.
A mining and oil tycoon Cornwall he practically owns the Pinkertons. Them chasing after Colm and his boys is a good thing for us. Now we just need to find out if Sean and Mac are still alive.
Sadie and I went out hunting the same day we raided the O'Driscoll camp. We had a long overdue talk. We rescued a wildlife photographer by the name of Albert Mason from becoming lunch for a couple of wolves.
Drawing of Albert Mason.
Sadie and I fell back into old habits again. I anit going to put my nose where it don't belong. She just lost her husband eleven days ago. She don't need some ugly ass bastard like me ruining her life.
Various drawing of Horseshoe Overlook.