A/N - This chapter's a little short and quick. But, I felt guilty for taking so long that I got it out, no matter what. I hope it's OK though. Please enjoy! Another MASSIVE thank you to everyone who reads and reviews. I especially love my regular reviewers! You guys make me so happy! :')
DISCLAIMER: I do not, nor will I ever own Red Dead Redemption or anything related to it. This fanfiction is purely fan made and I only own characters and places that are new. I apologise if any of this material offends any one. I assure you I don't mean to offend in any way, shape or form. This story will contain coarse language and graphic violence.
Chapter 12 – Rathskeller Fork.
We travelled along the winding path, all the way to the western town of Rathskeller Fork. We passed through Ridgewood, passed herds of deer and sparse vegetation and Joshua trees. Rathskeller itself was fairly small, being comprised of mostly pens for animals and an L shape of buildings. There were rooms available to rent for the night as well as a small saloon. Several dogs also roamed the place, quickly trotting out of the way of our walking horses. I absorbed the look of the place, nodding and smiling at the few locals who dipped their hats to me as we walked past. Jack and I hitched our horses outside the saloon and I turned to the setting sun. It was beginning to dip behind the western hills, casting the small town in a dark, cool shadow. I looked to Jack and asked, "What're we gonna do? It's gettin' close to night." Jack also regarded the settin' sun before turning back and answering me. "Well, I say we see about rentin' out a room for the night," he said. I nodded and patted Dash on the rump. "Let's go then."
We rented a room from the saloon owner for $50 a night. We rented it for one night and used the stables to put our horses away safely. The man who attended to our horses was a man named Jeb, who – to be frank – was a little funny lookin'. His hair was black but receding, his smile too big to be real and he kept fawning over our horses and comparing them to his horse, named Lucy. The man rambled about how beautiful his horse was, how his 'special girl' was all that kept him going. I just raised a brow and agreed with the man, sharing a confused an' slightly disturbed look with Jack. "Well, we hope you'll be able to look after our horses alright," Jack said, putting his thumbs through the loopholes of his jeans. The man nodded eagerly, "I will, I will." He reached out his hand towards Dash, who's ears shot back, and lashed at the man's hand, missing it by centimetres. The man yelped and withdrew his hand, hugging it close to his head. I giggled ever so slightly and affectionately patted my horse. "You'll have to be careful with him," I began, sharing a humorous look with Jack. "He doesn't like men." The man regarded Dash apprehensively and I giggled again. "You should be OK, as long as you don't try to pet him or get too close." The man nodded slowly and took Jack's horses reins in one hand then hesitantly reached out for Dash's. My horse's ears flattened again and he backed away. "I'll take him to the stall," I said, waiting for Jeb to lead the way. He did that and nervously skirted around Dash. I just rolled my eyes and walked my horse after him. There were two stalls right at the end and we put the horses there. I walked Dash in and took all of his tack off and placed it nearby. I then kissed his muzzle and left, walking back over to Jack. "We'll get our horses in the morning," Jack said as we turned and walked back to the saloon. Jeb nodded then went to busy himself with another job.
The next morning I awoke early, before Jack. I lay still, blinking at the ceiling before looking sideways to Jack. He was still fast asleep, his breathing steady. I smiled slightly at how peaceful he looked. I had spent the evening reading my book while Jack had a few drinks at the bar. He came back fairly late and we were both tired from the day's ride. We had quickly fallen asleep.
I got out of bed as quietly as I could and pulled on my boots, leaving my satchel handing off the bed post. I left the rented room, closing the door with a quiet click. I then looked about Rathskeller. The place was being slowly bathed in morning light, leaving the air cool and crisp. It was approaching autumn, meaning the mornings and nights were chilling. People were already up working hard before the day had really begun. I headed over to the stables, deciding to greet my horse. His head was poked expectantly over the rails, ears pricked and nostrils flared. "Mornin' Dash," I cooed, rubbing his face and scratching behind his ear. He nickered softly and tried to chew on my let down hair. I giggled and pushed his soft nose away, tying up the loose tresses. "No boy, you can't eat that!"
After spending 15 minutes with my horse I walked back over to our rented room and spotted Jack emerging. I smiled and waved. He waved back and yawned widely. I grinned at him. "Had a nice lay in?" I asked.
"It would have been nicer if you hadn't woken me up," he replied, smirking as my face fell.
"Sorry! I tried to be quiet," I apologised, feeling guilty. Jack just laughed and waved it off.
"That's OK." We stood in silence for a moment, Jack surveying the place and me shuffling from foot to foot.
I suddenly said, "Where're we goin' next?"
"Up to you. If you look on the map you can choose a place to go." I nodded, a grin on my face, before heading inside. I looked for Jack's satchel, found it and then pulled out the map. Unfolding it, I looked about the New Austin area and found Rathskeller, a tiny dot surrounded by vast wilderness. There weren't many towns nearby, but Tumbleweed was. I remembered Jack sayin' that gangs usually used it as a hideout. A somewhat devious smirk curled my lips. Perhaps we can take a detour. I looked for a town that would take us either through or close to Tumbleweed. Plainview. I decided upon that. It was placed close to the San Luis River, separating US soil from Mexican, and it allowed us to curl around and head around the outer edge of New Austin. Perfect, I thought grinning. I folded the map back after memorising the path we'd take to get there and to Tumbleweed.
Jack came walking in just as I put the map away. "You chosen a place yet?" he asked. I nodded.
"Plainview, sounds like a nice place." Jack raised a brow, causing me to giggle. "Besides, it rounds off this part of New Austin and takes us close to Mexico." Jack nodded then grabbed his satchel. "Let's get goin' then." He spun on his heel and marched to the door.
"Wait for me!" I cried, snatching my satchel from the bed post and following Jack, giving the room a once over before leaving.
We thanked the owner for renting the room to us before we bought some food to eat for breakfast. My stomach grumbled in complaint from the lack of sustenance. I blushed and dug my hands into my belly, tryin' to stop the noise. Once we had eaten the food we walked over to the stables, spotting Jeb grooming a beautiful black horse. He noticed us and waved us over. "Mister! Mister!" he cried eagerly. "This is my horse, mister." Jack deadpanned at the man while I giggled. "Isn't she beautiful?" Jeb asked, rubbing the horse's rump with his gloved hands.
"She is very beautiful," I said, smiling and admiring the strong and quiet mare. Jeb's face lit up.
"Ya think so? She's so strong yet such a lady!" I raised a brow.
"Yeah... I guess she is." Jeb continued to swoon over his horse. Jack turned to me with a disturbed look on his face.
"This is weird," he said. "This aint right. It aint natural." I gulped and looked at Jeb.
"I think you're right. Can we go now? I don't want him to start rubbin' off on ya." Jack pushed me lightly while I giggled.
"Hey, what're you sayin'?"
"Nothin'. I'm just concerned about your sexual preference, that's all." Jack's face dropped and I couldn't help but laugh. "I-I'm sorry Jack," I choked out between side-splitting bouts of laughter. "I couldn't help myself." Jack just gave me a glare and pushed me harder this time, sending me tripping on to a bale of hay. "Hey! What's the big idea?" I asked, my laughter ceasing. Jack just shrugged, a smirk on his face.
"Did ya'll expect me to just let you insult me and get away with it?" I playfully frowned and crossed my arms across my chest.
"I was only playin'!"
"Really? And here I thought you were bein' serious."
I huffed and decided to shove him over and see how he liked it. I went to push him but he barely moved, just rocked on the spot. I blinked. How'd he not move? Jack suddenly lashed out, grabbing me and puttin' me in to a headlock. I squealed and tried to back out, but his grip was too strong. "Dammit Jack! Let go'a me!" Jack laughed. Damn him, I thought. My fists began beating on his back trying to make him let go. He just ignored me and addressed Jeb. "Can we go get our horses?" I heard silence and was sure Jeb was staring. All I could see were Jack's drab dusty boots. "Sure," he said finally. "I fed 'em this mornin' for ya mister."
"Thanks," Jack said. I frowned and, if I was a horse, then my ears would be laid flat back. Rolling my hazel eyes, I turned my head towards the body beside me and decided to teach Jack as lesson. I smirked before nipping Jack's side. "Ow!" Jack immediately let go, my head shooting up and a proud smile on my face. Jack looked to his side, expecting blood to leak through his jacket. "What'd you do that for?" he asked. I shrugged with a smirk on my face.
"You shouldn't have attacked me."
"I didn't attack you."
"You put me in a lock."
"So you bit me?"
"Yep."
I quickly tacked up my excited horse while he pawed at the ground, making sure everything was still in the saddle bags. They were so I led Dash out and walked him out into the morning sun. I waited for Jack and Dash decided to whinny to Jeb's horse, which was stood resting one hoof. The mare's ears pricked towards Dash and she suddenly turned her head. The mare approached, the two horses greeting each other. I watched with a smile growing on my face as the mare went to nibble Dash's mane. "Lucy! Lucy!" Jeb came rushing over and pulled his mare away. "Don't you go near him, he's a mean horse." I frowned and spoke up.
"What you sayin' he's mean for? Jus' because he don't like men doesn't mean he's gonna attack another horses!" Jeb looked at my then my horse.
"I don't want his attitude rubbin' off on my horse."
"That's stupid! He aint gonna turn your horse against you. Have some sense!" Jeb just ruined away, making me more worked up. My hands twitched towards my repeater on my back. Perhaps I should shoot this misguided fool. My hands were stopped when someone placed their larger ones over mine and pulled them away. I snapped out of my death glare and looked to Jack. "What?" I asked. He dropped m hands and gave me a reprimanding look.
"Now, now, you can't shoot the guy." I pouted.
"Ya sure?" Jack nodded.
"Positive. Now, let's get outta this town."
We left Rathskeller Fork and it's zoophile inhabitants, headin' towards Plainview. I was careful to lead Jack through Tumbleweed. We travelled through Silent Stead, entered Gaptooth Ridge and finally headed towards Tumbleweed. The landscape stretched before us, the sun rippling of the rolling, dusty plains and Joshua trees sprouting from the dry earth. "This way," I said, turning off on to a specific road.
Jack chuckled, "I thought you were bad with directions?"
"I'm alrigh' once I have a map and get used to the area," I replied, tipping my head back and smiling at him.
"Ah, is that why you spend so long starin' at the map?" It was true. Every glance I got my eyes would rove over the paper, my brain takin' in as much it could. I shrugged, "Yeah, but it's useful, right?" Jack laughed.
"I guess."
Eventually we were on the right path for Tumbleweed, headin' straight towards it. We slowed to a trot and Jack shifted around in the saddle, his head turnin' each way. I watched him carefully out of the corner of my eyes, hopin' he wouldn't figure out where we were. "Hang on a minute," he said suddenly. I gulped and looked towards him, clenching and unclenching my hands. "What?" I asked, playin' innocent. Jack's eyes narrowed before he looked at me.
"Are we headin' towards Tumbleweed?" I visibly flinched and adverted my gaze quickly.
"T-Tumbleweed? I think you're a little confused," I said quickly, perhaps a little too quickly. Jack raised an eyebrow at my suspicious demeanour.
"Did you specifically lead us here?" he asked. I glanced at him, then away, then back at him, then down to the horn of my saddle.
"No... Well... Maybe," I admitted, suddenly feelin' guilty. It seemed only Jack and Bonnie had the power to make me feel guilty over little things. Jack sighed.
"Eva, we promised Bonnie we wouldn't go lookin' for no trouble." I snapped my head up and looked at Jack.
"Well, there might not even be anyone there!" I defended, pouting slightly.
"But what if there is?"
"Then we'll shoot them if they shoot us." Jack blew out a huff of air and sat back in silence. I waited patiently, watching him carefully. He reached up to scratch his cheek before he begrudenly spoke, "Alrigh'. I suppose we can go check out Tumbleweed." I giggled and resisted the urge to cheer out and fire my pistol into the air. "But don't you go gettin' in to trouble," he warned. I giggled and rolled my eyes.
"I know my limits. Besides, you sound like my pa." Jack chuckled and shook his head, commenting quietly to himself about how soft on me he was. I could only giggle excitedly, as my left hand twitched towards my Schofield.
The sound of horse hooves on wooden planks was rhythmic and relaxing. It also signified our entrance in to Tumbleweed. We were both on alert, our guns held ready and full on ammo. My hazel eyes slid from crevice to crevice, checking carefully for any hidden enemies. "Relax," came Jack's voice. I snapped out of my state of concentration and looked at him. He wore a smile. "We aint there yet. We won't find any this far from the mansion." I nodded silently, still vigilant. We emerged into the open, coming out near the church. Memories of our first outing here flashed through my mind. Of how I had barely known Jack, yet we got along fine. Now, we acted like old friends, like we had known each other all our lives. I smiled at the warm thoughts, but shook my head clear when Jack halted and his horse whinnied. Up ahead of us were two men approaching on foot. In their hands I could see rifles. I looked to Jack. "You ready?" I asked with a smile. He nodded.
"Ready."
The men approached cautiously, each of us sizing up the opponents. The men asked us, "What bring ya here? You aint got no business." I shuffled in the saddle, slowly pulling back the safety on my Schofield so it made a quiet click. "You outlaws?" Jack asked straight. The men looked to each other.
"What you wanna know for?"
"Who's gang you run with?"
"Walton. We part of Walton's gang." I glanced sideways at Jack. He glanced at me. Our eyes locked and we nodded. "I hear you guys got quite a bit of bounty on ya heads," Jack said casually, with a confident grin on his face. I adorned my own smile, my muscles tightening in apprehension. The men raised a brow and shared a quick look with one another. "Yeah..." one of them cautiously said. Jack and I raised our guns and the men's faces dropped. Their eyes bulged out of their head and they raised their guns in an attempt to fire on us before we could shoot them. They were too slow. I raised my Schofield and shot the one nearest to me in the chest once, twice. The man let out a dying groan before falling to the ground, sending up plumes of dust. I felt powerful sitting upon my horse and a smoking gun in my hand. The bang from our guns echoed across the expanse, reverberating off of the abandoned buildings of Tumbleweed. Jack quickly began dismounting his horse and I followed suit. We gave our horses a smack on the rear, sending them out of harm's way. A few bullets whizzed past us, fired from outlaws holding up further in town. Jack and I ran to the nearest cover and dove behind it. It was an upturned wagon. Bullets chipped of splinters of wood as guns were fired at us. Jack and I peeped cautiously over the top, locating enemies. "There's two up there on the stairs," Jack said, nodding in the direction. "There's one in that house" - I caught a glimpse of a man peeking out from behind torn makeshift curtains – "And there's a couple behind those crates. There must be more deeper in town." I nodded slowly and hatched a plan. I carefully scanned my surroundings before confirming my plan.
"Jack," I said, gaining his attention from firing at the outlaws, killing one and wounding another.
"Yeah?" he asked. I pointed to our right.
"If we split up, and one goes that way, then we can surprise them." Jack looked to where I was pointing before dipping down further to avoid getting his hat shot off.
"OK," he consented. "You circle round that way and take 'em by surprise." I nodded and crouched low, ready to make a dash for the nearby building. I was stopped, however, but Jack's hand on my shoulder. I looked back at him questioningly. "Jus' be careful," he warned firmly. I smiled at him and grinned confidently. I opened my mouth to retort but he cut me off. "I mean it, Eva." I stared into his dark eyes before blushing and shakin' it off.
"I will, trust me. I don't plan on dryin' in some dusty, abandoned town."
I darted from our cover, like a rabbit from the brush. I dashed as quick as I could to the building, plastering myself against the wall once I reached the safety of its walls. I looked back and nodded at Jack, sharing a small smile, before he suddenly ran from cover, now firing his rifle. I looked away and towards the other side of the wall I was on. I crept forward, my Schofield held ready in my hand. I reached the edge and peered round the corner. I noticed a few men, maybe 5, 8, all facing away from me and firin' at something – or someone – else. I aimed awkwardly, being left handed and my left side leanin' against the wall, and lined up my shot. I waited till the moment felt right and pulled the trigger. A bullet left the muzzle with a flash, bang and a puff of whispy smoke and embedded itself in the nearest mans skull. He was dead instantly, and collapsed, falling backwards down the stairs he was on. The men near him risked a glance at their fallen gang member before looking back to where I was. I 'eeped' and twirled back behind the wall, hopin' they didn't see me. I gave it a few seconds before peering round it again. The men had shifted, makin' it easier for me to aim and get nearly all of them in the head or upper body. A few were caught in the legs and left crippled, but I finished them off. I grinned at the fallen men before sprinting forward and sliding behind some crates. I peered over the edge and holstered my Schofield and pulling out my Henry. I pulled the safety, cocked the gun and aimed at some men who had taken refuge behind some crates. I was careful to aim steady, and inhaled, calming my breathing. My finger twitched, the muscles tightened as I went to pull it, but I was suddenly hit on the back on the head by something heavy, hard and suspiciously like a gun butt.