Arthur Morgan has survived ordeal after ordeal, fighting Undead Dragon Knights to shooting up O'Driscolls. Our dear hero now goes to Madam Nazar to deliver the Relic to her. What could happen next is anyone's guess.

Once more…Only Way To Find Out…

-Chapter 11- The best journey takes you home.

John, Charles, and Arthur had been riding for a while, Arthur felt somehow good at the moment. His wounds had stopped bleeding somehow. He wasn't sure why. His lip had stopped bleeding in just a matter of minutes, and his bruises were becoming less and less visible. He hadn't taken beatings like that for a while, but he had been recovering almost as fast as he got them. It was strange and peculiar, in a sense. They were down near Valentine, heading toward the creek that Arthur had told John and Charles about.

As they did, they saw Madam Nazar's Coach, the same spot it was the last time Arthur had seen it.

Madam Nazar was currently sitting in a soft, comfortable chair. Listening to music on a gramophone. She looked to be reading a book. But she quickly noticed Arthur, Charles, and John riding up to them.

"Ah, Arthur Morgan, Got on well, I hope," Madam Nazar said as she closed her book.

"This her?" John asked Arthur privately.

"Yep…This is her," Arthur said as he dismounted his horse, along with Charles and John.

"How went the hunt?" Madam Nazar asked as she stood up from her chair.

"Difficult…You know…I find it funny that this…piece of work…was worth ten grand…but, it sure wasn't easy," Arthur said as he pulled out the Orb from his satchel. He then offered it to Madam Nazar. Who seemed to lighten up.

"Oh, well done, Arthur Morgan, Collecting the Dragon Orb is certainly no simple task, but the moment I got a good look at you, I knew from the start you would deliver…And as promised, your reward," Madam Nazar said as she took the Orb and examined it.

"Gentlemen, the money is in the chest," Madam Nazar said as she gestured her hand at the chest. John, Charles, and Arthur looked at each other.

Charles was the first to go to the chest as he opened it…finding exactly, ten thousand dollars worth of money inside the chest. Charles's face grew into absolute shock.

"Arthur…we just hit the jackpot!" Charles said. Arthur and John came to look and see that Madam Nazar had kept to her words. Ten grand was promised…and Ten grand was delivered.

"Enjoy the money, Gentlemen, Spend it wisely, Charles Smith, John Marston, and Arthur Morgan," Madam Nazar said as she examined the Orb closely. Arthur, Charles, and John turned to look at Madam Nazar with suspicion.

"How do you know our names?" John asked as he stood up straight from bending down.

"Did you tell her about us?" Charles asked. Arthur shook his head.

"No…" Arthur said.

"It is my curse to know everyone's name. Whether they are a simple bystander or a newborn babe that has just been taken out of their mother's womb, I know any and all names…" Madam Nazar said as she placed the Orb on the Coach shelf.

"Curse? What are you, a witch?" John asked.

"John," Arthur said in disapproval.

"Arthur, this seems too good to be true, ten thousand dollars for a rock," John said.

"I…I…" Arthur was about to say that the Relic he collected was more than a rock. He has yet to tell everyone about what he encountered in the search for the Relic. Undead Men in Armor Suits. Hearing voices in his head…Seeing Eliza…It didn't seem right…yet it felt real and terrifying at the same time.

"A Rock? *Giggles under her breath*, that is what you think this is, John Marston, you believe I would've sent Arthur Morgan to collect a rock? Oh no, no, dear Mr. Marston, this is a Dragon Orb, an ancient Artifact of powerful origins and unique unnatural prowess and abilities," Madam Nazar said, taking an even closer look at the Dragon Orb.

"Just looks like a rock to me," John said.

"Hm, Of course, Mr. Marston, Never judge a book by its cover," Madam Nazar said as she finished up looking at the "rock" and went to go and sit back down on her chair.

"Whatever you say," John said keeping a close eye on her.

"John, let's just get the money and get outta here, Dutch, and everyone will be wantin' to see us," Arthur said as he placed a hand on John's shoulder.

Charles was already putting some of the money in his bag. Taking three thousand into his bag. Arthur and John started to pack up their bags. Putting the money in theirs too.

"Pleasure doing business, Madam Nazar," Arthur Morgan said as he tipped his hat to her.

"Of course, Arthur Morgan…Oh and one last thing," Madam Nazar said.

Arthur looked at her.

"Destiny…Draws ever closer…" Madam Nazar said with a smile.

"I…Uh…I guess it does…" Arthur said as he walked to his horse, slightly troubled by what Madam Nazar meant by that. Arthur then mounted his Horse as Charles and John had already taken off, splitting up to prevent getting followed as easily. What did Madam Nazar mean by that?
"Destiny draws ever closer"? What was Arthur meant for exactly? He hadn't found his purpose in the world yet…so…What does that make him?

His horse started to trot off.

"See you again, Arthur Morgan," Madam Nazar called out to Arthur as his horse trotted off. Arthur looked back and gave an unreassuring nod to her. He was sort of spooked now. Today was a strange and long day.

Hopefully, he could get some rest at Camp. He needed it. His body was telling him he needed to…though his mind said otherwise.

After a short while, Arthur's horse trotted up the path to Horseshoe Overlook.

"Who's there?!" The voice of Karen was heard.

"Arthur, coming in," Arthur shouted.

"Arthur? Arthur?!" Karen shouted with excitement, Arthur stopped his horse and dismounted it. Karen immediately ran to him and embraced him in a sisterly hug. Catching Arthur completely off guard.

"Good to see you too, Karen," Arthur said as he patted her back. Earning a small chuckle.

"Oh Arthur, we were all so worried aboutchu, we thought you had up and died on us," Karen said as she released him from her hug.

"Nah, It'll take more than twenty men to take me down, anyway, I got the money I promised," Arthur said as he brought out three thousand dollars.

"Christ, Arthur, how much was the so-called "Hunk of Junk" worth?" Karen said as they both slowly started walking up the path. Arthur's horse followed them.

"Ten thousand, Charles and John should be back any minute, with more money," Arthur said.

"Ten thousand?!" Karen shouted in surprise, shock, and joy.

"I know it's hard to believe but, the money's real…Dutch'll be happy," Arthur said as they started to become more visible to everyone.

"Uncle Arthur!" The voice of Jack was heard as he came running to Arthur.

"Hey, Jack!" Arthur said as Jack jumped into his arms. Arthur caught him and held him up. Jack then hugged Arthur tightly.

"I missed you, Uncle Arthur," Jack said.

"I missed ya too, Jackie," Arthur said. Everyone started to gather around Arthur. Greeting him with a warm welcome.

Abigail came running into Arthur and hugged him. Along with Mary-Beth, Tilly, and Pearson giving Arthur a big bear hug.

"Ah, Pearson, you smell just like your stew," Arthur said with a laugh, earning a laugh from Pearson too.

"I've been busy, Morgan, seems you have been too," Pearson said as he released Arthur from the hug. Uncle came forward and looked at Arthur.

"Arthur…" Uncle said. Arthur looked at him.

"You…You wouldn't mind if we…" Uncle said.

"Ah, shit, come here Uncle," Arthur said as he hugged Uncle. Uncle hugged back.

"I missed you, boy," Uncle said with a laugh.

The sound of Horses came in as Charles and John came running into the Camp.

"Papa!" Jack said as he ran to John.

"Hey, Jack," John said as Jack ran into his arms, with John picking him up.

"It's good to see ya," John said.

The afternoon went on as Charles, Arthur, and John had shown the gang the money. Ten thousand dollars as promised by the Madam Nazar. All for a piece of ancient history. Dutch was more than pleased.

"We'll have to make a business arrangement with Madam Nazar for this," Micah said with a few laughs.

"One step at a time, Micah, for now, we celebrate!" Dutch said. The gang then went on to drinking and dancing, singing and cheering. Arthur looked around at the joy of the gang.

Susan Grimshaw walked past him.

"Hey, Ms. Grimshaw…" Arthur called out her name. Catching her attention.

"Yes, Mr. Morgan," Ms. Grimshaw asked.

"Where's Sadie by the way?" Arthur asked Ms. Grimshaw. This caused her to smirk.

"Why Arthur Morgan, all worried about her are ya now," Grimshaw teased Arthur. Arthur's face reddened.

"I…I just wanna know if she's okay…" Arthur bluffed. He obviously wanted to see her, but he had to keep it cool. But of course, he wanted to make sure she was okay. And she knew he was okay too.

"She's in her tent, trying to sleep it off, though, from all this ruckus, I'd say she's wide awake," Ms. Grimshaw said.

"Thank you, Ms. Grimshaw," Arthur said as he began walking off.

"Make sure you show her a good time, Morgan," Grimshaw teased again.

"God Damn it," Arthur thought to himself as his face reddened once again. He walked over to the nicely made tent. He then knocked on the wooden post that held it up.

"Who is it?" The voice of Sadie called out.

"It's uh…It's Arthur," Arthur said. The Tent then opened up and Sadie stood there, with her nightgown on and her hair slightly a mess. There were bandages over her shoulder and gut but were covered by her nightgown. Damn…It was the same nightgown she had worn the night he had met her. Sadie's expression was in slight shock.

"Arthur…" Sadie said.

"Sadie…" Arthur said. They both stood there for a few moments of silence.

"You uh…You alright?" Arthur asked.

"Oh…uhm…Well that depends…pyhsically or emotionally…" Sadie said as she held her hands together, acting slightly shy.

"I uh…I guess…both," Arthur said as he took off his hat.

"Terrible…Arthur…I…" Sadie said as she looked at Arthur beggingly. Arthur couldn't help but feel pity.

"I need to talk with you…I met some fellers…I think you should know about them," Sadie said. Arthur nodded his head slightly.

"Okay…Alright…we can talk," Arthur said. Sadie then let him inside her tent. Arthur sat down on the bed as Sadie sat next to him. Arthur looked at her, worriedly. Sadie put her hands on her face.

"Pinkertons…By the names of Agent Milton and Agent Ross…They're…They're…They're working with Colm O'Driscoll…They sent those men to kill my husband…And Colm…He…He did terrible things to me…he…" Sadie was on the verge of crying and breaking down. Arthur slowly wrapped his arm around her shoulder bringing her close. Sadie then buried herself in Arthur's Leather Coat, meeting his blue shirt. She began to weep and cry.

"Sadie…I'm…I'm sorry to hear that…" Arthur said as he brushed her shoulders slowly and gently.

"I don't know what I'm gonna do, Arthur…I just…I just don't feel like livin' no more…" Sadie said.

"Stop it…You've got a lot to live for…I know that feeling…It takes a long time to get over it…I still haven't gotten over mine," Arthur said.

"What…What do you mean by that?" Sadie said as she looked up at Arthur.

"I…I had a lady. She was a fine lady…I uh…I also had a boy. Eliza and Isaac… It was a long time ago, but…it feels like yesterday that I lost 'em…I was uh…Doing jobs for Dutch…then…I came back to them…I found…Eliza on the ground…a shotgun wound right in her gut…and my boy…he…he…he had a…bullet in his head…All because I wasn't there for 'em…" Arthur said as he started to get slightly emotional. Small tears started to slowly trickle down his eyes. He started sniffling. Sadie looked at him with shock in her eyes.

"You…lost family too…" Sadie said.

"How did you handle it?" Sadie asked.

"Not well…I started, gamblin' and drinkin'...trying to forget…tryin' to move on…but it was too difficult…I loved 'em both…very much…and I…Still haven't found their killers…" Arthur said with a few more tears falling down his cheeks. Sadie looked at Arthur and could tell that his pain…it was immense and he had felt it for a long time. Sadie then brought Arthur in for a gentle hug. Arthur hugged her back. They held each other…for a long, long moment.

"We're survivors…Sadie…We gotta do what we gotta do…Even if Life seems pointless…I guess…There's beauty in some of it…I hope so, at least," Arthur said. Sadie nodded her head.

"Yeah…Yeah," Sadie said as they held each other a little tighter.

"It feels like you've been shot a few times," Sadie said as she felt his back, a little leftover blood still slightly trickled down his back. She started wiping the tears. Arthur did the same.

"Yeah…O'Driscolls, shot me in the back…" Arthur said. He remembered what that One O'Driscoll had said to him. The one that personally killed Sadie's Husband. The one that Arthur had thrown his Cleaver at and killed him. Or at least he hoped so. It looked like he was killed but Arthur didn't make sure he was. Maybe Charles killed him. Though he didn't really say much.

"Arthur…is it…alright if you sleep here for tonight…" Sadie asked Arthur. He was taken by surprise but understood that Sadie didn't want to be left alone. And to be honest…Neither did he.

"Yeah…just for tonight," Arthur said as he took off his Leather coat and put it on the ground. He set his hat on the ground and took off his belt and Bandolier. He slipped off his boots. Sadie rested on her cot, and Arthur rested next to her.

They slowly fell asleep. Waiting for a new day to start.

To Be Continued…