They rode in silence for a while before Arthur suggested they stop and camp for the night. Grace reluctantly agreed. Even though he was feeling weak from the rampage, he set up a fire and laid out their bedrolls himself while Grace led her horse a short distance away. He kept an eye on her while he heated up a tin of beans, knowing she needed some time to herself.
Her eyes were red and puffy as she returned and sat on the opposite side of the fire. He silently offered her the beans but she declined.
"You need to eat," he insisted.
"Are you mad at me?" she asked so quietly he barely heard her over the crackling fire.
"Why would I be mad at you?"
"Because of what I did."
"Can I be honest?" She nodded. "I don't really care what you did a hundred years ago."
Grace was taken aback. "You don't?"
"I mean, it was so long ago and you haven't killed anyone since, have you?"
"There were those O'Driscolls," she pointed out. "And there was another man some forty, fifty years ago but that was mostly an accident."
"What happened there?"
"He… took advantage of me. He broke my arm when I tried fighting him, then afterward I pushed him down the stairs. Broke his neck, but he was still alive. He couldn't move, so I stomped on his face and left him there."
"Good. He deserved it. And… I'm sorry that happened to you."
"Yeah, well, bound to happen, I guess," she shrugged.
He hesitated, then slowly moved to sit next to her. "Eat." He handed her the tin of beans which she took and slowly ate a few small mouthfuls before handing it back. He ate the rest and threw the empty tin away.
After a few minutes, Grace lay down on her bedroll. "You coming?"
"Not tired," Arthur lied, "I'll just stay up a while."
"Okay." She closed her eyes. "I'm happy I met you."
"Me too," he said with a smile. He waited until she was asleep then lay down next to her, but remained awake. He worried about her, and wondered what else she had been through over the years that she hadn't told him. Maybe if Dutch doesn't get them all killed and everyone can finally escape, Arthur will have enough time to hear all of her stories.
It was early when they headed out and Grace was still quiet. It was cloudy overhead, but at least it didn't look like it would rain. They rode across the river to pass by Valentine, heading northeast back to camp.
As they turned right at a fork in the road, they heard a shrill whistle. Arthur immediately reached for his gun but stopped when he recognised Dutch waving at them from atop a hill. They rode up to see he wasn't alone. Eagle Flies was there along with some other tribesmen, unloading some dynamite from a wagon.
"Well, so good of you to finally join us," Dutch said to Arthur.
"What's going on?" Arthur asked as he dismounted. Grace remained on her horse.
"Rebellion, and it's a good thing," Dutch said.
"But what are you doing?"
"Eye for an eye, Arthur," Dutch gestured at the men around him, "We didn't start this fight, but they did." He pointed out into the trees which Arthur realised was in the general direction of the nearby army fort.
"Whatever it is you're planning, it ain't a good idea," he looked back at Grace who was frowning, "They want you to fight."
"No one will be killed," Eagle Flies argued.
"We're just going to trap a few of them in the valley, disarm them, tar and feather them, and remind them to leave these boys alone," Dutch picked up a small box of dynamite.
"You really think they're not going to fight back?" Grace spoke up.
Dutch ignored her. "Come on, you can help me."
Arthur hesitated, looked back at Grace who only rolled her eyes and turned her horse away. He followed Dutch down the hill back to the road.
"Besides, it's perfect," Dutch explained, "They'll only see these boys and not us. They'll blame everything on the Indian problem and we'll disappear."
"So, you're using them?"
"No, never. But, it is mutually beneficial to draw attention to one problem and a veil over another."
"Don't sound like we're helping."
"Sure we are, now come on. Let's get this done."
Arthur helped Dutch plant dynamite on some of the trees lining the road before rejoining Eagle Flies and his men. Grace was nowhere to be seen. They watched as an army patrol came down the road, a little larger than they expected but Dutch insisted it was fine.
But after they blew up the dynamite, trapping the patrol, a second patrol arrived. When one of the soldiers fired on them, they had no choice but to fight back. Because they had the higher ground, they were able to kill all of the soldiers who stayed to fight. Only one of the natives was injured when a bullet grazed his arm, but he brushed it off.
"Come on, take what you can, then we move out!" Dutch ordered.
"We have to move now!" Arthur snapped at him. "This is the goddamn army, you fools!"
"These boys ain't nothing but a bunch of pastry chefs and bullies," Dutch pushed past him down the hill.
Arthur followed, looking down at the bodies of the soldiers. They really were just boys, barely old enough to have left home. His chest tightened with guilt, a feeling he was becoming more familiar with in recent months.
"Search them all!" Eagle Flies shouted, "One of them might have something that can help our cause."
"I don't think anything is going to help your cause after this," Arthur said. One of the other native men frowned at him before searching one of the bodies.
A moment later they were interrupted by a small explosion, followed by an army horn announcing the imminent attack. Gunfire surrounded them and Arthur took cover behind a tree. One of the tribesmen lay still on the ground, but Arthur couldn't tell if he was merely wounded or dead. He took a moment to catch his breath before joining the fight.
After they had killed even more soldiers and taken out their cannon, they heard the bugle call from the fort.
"We need to leave, they're sending riders from the fort," Arthur said. He looked around for Grace or Tuula. Where did she go? Come to think of it, where had Eagle Flies gone?
Another explosion went off from another cannon. Arthur and Dutch ran for their horses and galloped down the road to try to escape. They ran straight into an ambush, forcing them to leave their horses and try to run for it on foot.
There were so many soldiers shooting at them, even Dutch admitted it was a losing battle.
"We've gotta do something," Dutch yelled from behind the rock he was taking cover. "You run, I'll hold them off."
Arthur hesitated but ran as Dutch shot at the soldiers behind them. Where was Grace? Had she finally had enough and fled? He could really use her right now. He reached the edge of a cliff where a wooden rope bridge had once spanned the river but was now hanging broken.
"It's a dead end!" he yelled at Dutch who had now joined him. "This is it." It was over now.
"Put your hands up!" an army commander ran up, followed closely by at least two dozen soldiers.
Dutch looked over the cliff, then at Arthur, then at the soldiers. "Follow my lead," he said quietly to Arthur, then holstered his guns. "Hello, officers!" he then greeted the soldiers while raising his hands.
"Keep those hands up and come here!"
"We can't do that," Dutch said, taking a step back. Arthur did the same, wondering what his plan was. They continued to step back as Dutch continued to talk. They had just reached the edge of the cliff, with only a fifty foot drop into the river behind them.
Then he saw her. Further up the hill, Grace stood with her bow. No one else seemed to have noticed her. If he was going to die now, at least the last thing he would see is her. He tried not to make it obvious where he was looking, flitting his gaze between the nearing soldiers and Grace who had now raised her bow to take aim.
"You can't fight nature, Captain," Dutch was saying, "You can't fight change. You can't fight… gravity."
The soldiers were then engulfed in a cloud of smoke as Dutch and Arthur jumped off the cliff into the river. Arthur felt like he sank nearly to the bottom, feeling the current pull him forward. He fought his way to the surface, trying to avoid the rocks as he swam after Dutch in the rapids. Bullets rained down around them from the soldiers who escaped Grace's smoke bomb.
"Come on, Arthur," Dutch called from ahead, "Don't give up now!"
Arthur could barely keep his head above the water, but he saw Grace with Tuula galloping down to the river. She threw her lasso to him and dragged him to the shore where Dutch had already made it out.
"You're okay," Dutch said, catching his breath, and helping pull Arthur out of the water, "We're okay. We made it."
Grace quickly dismounted and ran to Arthur who was gasping for air.
"We just escaped chaos," Dutch looked up the river to see if they had been followed. "Eagle Flies must've been taken."
"Taken, or killed," Arthur coughed as he sat up with Grace's help.
"Well, we can't go find out," Dutch sat next to him.
"But I can," Grace said.
"No, we'll… we'll send Charles," Dutch said sternly. "He can find out where Eagle Flies is."
Grace said nothing as Dutch continued to speak.
"This is all going to work out, I know it, I can feel it." He stood. "Let's split up. And keep an eye out, don't want the damn army following either of us back to camp." He mounted his horse, whom along with Arthur's horse had followed Grace and Tuula.
Grace sat next to Arthur as he continued to catch his breath. "Come along, let's get you into some dry clothes," she said after a few minutes.
"All my clothes are back at camp," he coughed.
"We'll get some in Valentine," she said, "it's not far."
"And risk getting caught?"
"You could risk hypothermia if you prefer that."
Arthur sighed. "Fine."
They rode into Valentine to the general store to get Arthur some dry, clean clothes. When questioned, Grace spun a story about how she had clumsily tripped and her hat had fallen into the river so Arthur had jumped in to retrieve it.
"He didn't get it?" the shopkeeper pointed at Grace's hatless head.
"Unfortunately, no, but I hope a perch will enjoy wearing it instead."
"Hah, well, go get yourself cleaned up then, feller," he pointed Arthur to the back while Grace browsed the storefront.
When he had chosen something, he changed and paid the shopkeeper. Grace suggested they stay the night in the hotel so he could dry his clothes properly. Arthur agreed. He really needed the rest.
"Ain't you been here before?" the hotel clerk asked when they requested a room.
"Yes, but it has been a while," Grace said, "I'm sure you get a lot of people staying here."
"That's true," the clerk wrote their assumed names in the ledger, "Up the stairs, second door to the right."
When they got to their room, Arthur immediately lay down on the bed while Grace hung his clothes to dry near the fireplace. She then left the room but he was too tired to ask where she was going. He closed his eyes and must have drifted off to sleep because the next thing he knew, she was gently shaking him awake.
"Hey, I got some food." She pointed to a tray on the table with two bowls. "Just a bit of stew plus some bread and cheese. Wasn't able to get anything else right now."
"That's fine," he slowly sat up.
"So what now?" she asked as they ate.
"I don't know. We gotta rescue Eagle Flies before they hang him."
"I know. I could probably help with some distraction if you need it."
Arthur nodded but didn't say anything more. He had hoped they would be getting out soon, but it just felt like they were sinking into a deeper hole. They didn't need to make noise to disappear, and they certainly didn't need to get embroiled in the affairs of others, especially those as complex as the natives.
They finished eating and he lay back down on the bed as Grace tidied up and brought the empty dishes downstairs. He wasn't sure where they would go next. Back to camp, see if Charles was able to find out anything yet about Eagle Flies? Or go down to Saint Denis so Grace can finally get the money and they can all leave? Or just… leave now. Just the two of them.
No, they couldn't do that. He couldn't leave John and Abigail and them to fend for themselves against Dutch, nor would Grace ever consider it. He felt guilty for even thinking of leaving right now.
Grace returned to the room, checked his damp clothes, then snuffed out the oil lamp. It was still early as light from the setting sun was still streaming through the sheer curtains. She lay on the bed next to him, curling up against him. He held her close, knowing she was also worried about what would happen next.
They decided to look into rescuing Eagle Flies the following day. Arthur was exhausted, but he couldn't rest now that Eagle Flies was at risk of being killed. Grace had assured him that the army was unlikely to have killed him so soon.
They rode out towards the fort, even though Arthur was nervous about being recognized. Grace said they weren't going to ride too close, instead heading up a nearby hill to have a look with their binoculars. As they rode up the hill, they saw a familiar horse grazing near the top.
"Hey," Charles waved them over from where he was kneeling, "I've been watching them for a little while. I'm pretty sure Eagle Flies is in the prison."
"So what are you thinking?" Arthur dismounted and took the binoculars from Charles to look.
"I'm thinking we go at night and go around the back."
"Anything I can do?" Grace asked.
Charles thought for a moment. "Maybe if you were up here to keep an eye on things from the front."
Arthur said nothing as he watched guards patrol the walls. It seemed an impossible task, but they needed to try. "So how would we escape?"
"Some sort of distraction will give us the time we need," Charles said, "I can leave some canoes down by the river so we can go that way."
"Okay, Arthur and I will find a place to camp on the other side of the river while you get the canoes," Grace said, "South of the railroad going past Cotorra Springs. It's far enough away that they won't see us or suspect us, but close enough to get to the fort quickly."
"Alright, I'll see you in a little while," Charles mounted his horse and rode away.
Arthur mounted up and followed Grace in the opposite direction.
"We'll need to take the long way around since it looks like they're patrolling the roads nearby," she pointed at a mounted patrol just leaving the fort.
They set up camp at a spot across the river where they could still see the fort. Grace was cooking up some meat she had bought at the butcher's in Valentine when Charles joined them. Few words were spoken apart from going over the plan again.
As night fell, Charles pointed out that it could rain which would give them more cover. They rode down and across the river just below the fort, with Arthur and Charles dismounting there and Grace riding around back to the hill.
Arthur and Charles snuck up around the fort, silently killing guards with their bows and knives before climbing over the wall. Because of the rain, most of the soldiers were inside which made it easier for them to reach the prison.
They found Eagle Flies a little worse for wear but still alive. But as they were about to leave, they saw that a mounted patrol had returned and sounded the alarm that the two guards out front had been killed.
"Shit, what now?" Arthur whispered as they peeked through the window.
"I don't know, I–" Charles was interrupted when a lantern burst near the barracks. Another lantern exploded into flames at the top of one of the watchtowers.
"Come on, let's get out of here," Arthur gestured for Charles and Eagle Flies to leave the prison.
"There's a hole in the wall over here," Eagle Flies said as they snuck out of the prison, "Saw it when they dragged me in." He led the way to the wall, but swore when he saw it had been covered.
"Hey! They're escaping!" a soldier shouted and started firing. Another lantern burst near him, covering him in flames. But it was too late, the other soldiers had noticed the trio trying to escape and began to shoot at them.
Charles and Arthur shot back while Eagle Flies aimed a nearby cannon at the wall. A moment later there was a terrific explosion as the wall was destroyed. Charles and Arthur continued to shoot at the soldiers as they backed out through the opening. Charles whistled for their horses and Arthur could see a cloud of smoke engulf the soldiers within the fort.
Eagle Flies mounted up behind Charles and they rode towards the river, but were closely pursued by more soldiers.
"Don't they ever give up?" Eagle Flies shouted, exasperated as Arthur shot back at them.
They galloped down to the river, quickly trading their horses for the canoes Charles had stashed and escaped down the rapids. A few soldiers had followed, but they were quickly lost in the heavy rain. Arthur didn't know how far down the river they went, but they finally pulled up on the shore.
They disembarked the canoes to catch their breath.
"I guess Colonel Favours won't be too happy with your rescue," Eagle Flies said.
"No, probably not," Arthur coughed.
"There's going to be a lot more trouble," Eagle Flies continued, "All of us, we may have to fight."
"You won't win," Arthur said.
"But we have to try," Eagle Flies insisted.
"Come, let me take you back to your father," Charles helped Eagle Flies up and they headed to the road.
Arthur stayed where he was, needing to rest. The rain was cold and he began to cough again. When he felt like he was about to pass out, he felt something nuzzle against his arm. His horse seemed to be checking on him as Grace rode up.
"Hey, Charles told me you were down here," she said.
"Yeah," he wheezed, "Thank you."
"Come on, we need to get you somewhere dry. There's an empty cabin near here."
Arthur slowly mounted his horse and followed Grace through the rain to a small cabin. She led him inside and lit a lantern before starting up a fire. Arthur sat on a chair, shivering from the cold. She brought in his dry clothes from his saddlebags.
"Good thing your saddlebags keep the rain out," she said, helping him change. She hung the wet clothes by the fireplace as she had done only the night before at the Valentine hotel.
"I don't know how much more I can do," he coughed as he lay on the bed.
"Then don't do anything," Grace said, "I'm going to get the money tomorrow and then you can all leave."
"What about the Indians?"
"I will give them money too, but there are a lot of people still sick at the reservation. They won't be able to leave until they're feeling better."
Arthur watched her stoke the fire and then change into her own dry clothes. He wondered how much longer he had with her after they all escaped. She lay next to him and soon they both fell asleep.
As much as he didn't want to, he parted ways with her in the morning. She insisted on going to Saint Denis alone to get the money while he headed back to camp.
"If you can, try not to get roped into any more trouble," she said as she kissed him, "I'll see you later back at the camp."
He rode alone with his thoughts, feeling simultaneously relieved that things may finally be over, but also worried that things were starting to get worse. He didn't want to go back to camp just yet, but he didn't know where else to go.
He found himself passing by her cabin, but he didn't stop, not wanting to be there alone. But he did find himself stopping at the cabin by O'Creagh's Run, knocking on the door and being invited in by Hamish Sinclair, the war veteran with the wooden leg.
"Where's your lady friend today?" Hamish asked as Arthur sat at the table.
"She's running some errands. Thought I'd stop by."
"Well, I'm glad to have you," Hamish set down a cup of coffee for him, "Let's talk a while."
Hamish and I got chatting. Then we went hunting this wolf he'd been after - only we suddenly realised the bastards were hunting us, not the reverse. Eventually, I got the pack leader and they left us be. A real lucky escape. Pelt nice, though.
Arthur threw the wolf pelt Hamish had skinned on his horse and rode back to camp. He wasn't sure what he was going to do with it. Normally he'd give it to Pearson, but Pearson had been taking to the bottle almost as often as Karen these days.
When he arrived back in camp, he noticed two strange men sitting at the table with Micah.
"Who are they, Miss Grimshaw?" he asked her as she passed by, pointing at the men.
"Apparently they're friends of Micah's," she rolled her eyes and continued to the chuckwagon where Pearson was half-heartedly preparing the evening stew.
Arthur sat at the fire alongside John and Uncle who were eyeing the suspicious newcomers and discussing why Dutch would have allowed two strangers into camp.
"Micah's been in Dutch's ear for a long time now," Arthur said.
"I don't like where this is all going," Uncle said sadly.
"It'll be over soon," said Arthur, "I'm sure it won't be long now."
"What do you mean? And where's Grace?" John asked.
Before he could answer, Dutch called for everyone's attention.
"All of you! What's wrong with all of you? Why have you all changed before my very eyes? I have never lied to any of you! I've given you all everything I had! And this is how it is? Micah is the only one who has shown any loyalty!" he gestured angrily to Micah who looked around smugly.
"But, Dutch–" Bill started to say.
"But nothing! I need you all to stay with me! I need you all to do your part! We still need to get out of here!"
"Dutch is right, and with my two boys here, we can finally get things done," Micah said.
"Now, when you're all done sulking and moping, we can get some work done and make some money to get out of here."
"There's no need," Grace interrupted as she rode in. She dismounted and removed a large sack from her horse's back. "I have all the money you need in here to escape." She carried it to Dutch and dumped it at his feet.
"We don't need your money," Dutch seethed quietly.
"Then whose money exactly do you need?" Grace glared at him. "This is just as good as whatever money you're thinking of stealing. Just take it and go!"
"I said, we don't need your money!" Dutch angrily picked up the sack and threw it into the campfire. The rest of the gang shouted in protest, and Bill tried to recover the burning sack but it quickly went up in flames. Even Micah looked concerned at this turn of events.
"Then you have doomed them all," Grace said before turning away. Dutch said nothing but angrily strode back to his tent. The rest of the gang was left watching their hope of escape burn.
Arthur joined Grace behind his wagon. "How much was in there?"
"Nearly three hundred thousand."
His eyes widened. "God damn. I'm sorry you lost it this way."
"It's not everything I have," she shrugged, "But it does make things more difficult now." She looked around to make sure no one was listening. "I've already talked to some of them, like the girls, and I told them if they want to leave, then I can give them the money to do so."
"I see no one has taken up on your offer."
"Not yet. I know they're afraid to leave after being with Dutch for so long, but they'll soon need to make a decision."
Arthur nodded, knowing he would have to make a decision as well. But he couldn't leave the others to whatever Dutch and Micah were planning, especially after Dutch's outburst. He hoped the others would take up Grace's offer before it was too late.
