Arthur III.
It's been a strange week without a doubt. First our boat sank, then we all washed ashore in a strange land with equally strange folk in it. Come to find out we somehow, someway either by unexplainable scientific means or by act of God himself got send to a different world unlike the one we have always known. Westeros is the name of this land and it appears to be the home of some sort of empire; the Seven Kingdoms it is called. We have established ourselves in one of them said kingdoms called the Riverlands. So far we have run into our share of troubles, but Dutch as per usual managed to use his charms to guide us away from the noose or sword in this unique case. The rest are fairing well, its still a shock to most of us, knowing that America is long gone and we might have to permanently live here, but what's done is done. I just hope we can survive in this strange new world.
Arthur placed down his fountain pen that he had been gifted by the man from Blackwater many months back in Valentine. The journal he was writing in was a small purchase he had made the other day, a traveling merchant gave him a good deal for it. Silver and gold coins was the currency of this land, nobody had the slightest clue what paper money was. Another change they had to get adjusted to.
Putting away his journal on his satchel, Arthur stepped away from his tent and surveyed the camp his gang had claimed as theirs. It was the same spot that he, John and Micah had been hired to clear out from bandits as a form of pardon for their 'misguided deeds' as it had been coined to them. They had managed to get the law of their backs once more, but in doing so they had revealed their cards too early and now word must have gone far about a bunch of foreign nobodies carrying powerful weapons of lead and powder. Arthur was certain that they've been watched ever since. The local lords keeping tabs on them all.
'I'm sure Dutch and Hosea have been planning things out.' Arthur thought, his faith in those two remained strong.
The campsite was looking far better with all the improvements that they added as a whole. Everyone else was slowly coming to the realization of their stranded predicament. This truth was a hard pill to swallow, almost like a wild dream after a night of drinking yourself silly, but this was the reality they were all now trapped in. Still though, don't mean they should just roll over into a ditch and die, they would survive. They always did.
Scanning the camp, Arthur saw everyone at work. Nobody was lazing about, except for Uncle, and squarely focused on each of their given tasks. Pearson was cooking up a stew for later that night, Grimshaw who had managed to fully recover was bossing around the girls with various chores to be completed before sundown, Javier and Lenny were asleep in their tents having kept guard all night long. Bill was chopping wood, Micah was sitting by the fire next to the reverend, he was cleaning those damn revolvers of his, but was most likely annoying the poor clergyman. Charles was quietly working on a bow and making many arrows for it. Arthur did a mental note to ask Charles for a new quiver of arrows to make for him, his last one got lost at sea.
John had taken Jack and Abigail to the nearby town of Fairmarket for a quick supply run, perfect opportunity for some genuine family bonding between the three, and Sadie was keeping watch down the hill, anyone coming and going had to get pass her first.
The only two men unaccounted for where over by the main tent, same one Arthur was heading towards to. Surely after a whole week stuck in this place a plan had been formulated. Whatever that plan may be, Arthur was ready to learn more about.
"Dutch, Hosea... how's things going?" Arthur greeted the two older men who were analyzing a map, Hosea had placed various small chess pieces in specific spots.
"Arthur my boy! Given our situation at hand, everything has been great so far." Dutch warmly greeted him.
"Well it's not everyday you get lost at sea and wake up in a completely different world, so yeah, it could be worse for us." Arthur shrugged, he leaned over to check the map himself. Many towns and landmarks where drawn and written on it.
He recognized a few of them; The Twins where they caused quite a ruckus when first arriving and Riverrun where the head lord ruled the Riverlands from and the place they had went to plea their case and won. There were other places like Fairmarket which was their go to for supplies, Seagard, Acorn Hall, Raventree Hall and Harrenhal. All strange names to him, but if said places had value to them then it was worth checking out at the very least.
"Dutch and I have been discussing the status of our group and how we can move forward in this land of Westeros." Hosea explained to the cowboy, "We may have dodged the executioner, but our presence has now been made. Certainly there are eyes all around us, watching our every move. We'll have to be even more careful than ever before. Guns don't appear to exist here at all and such weapons will attract both fortune and aggression to us all."
"Will John be okay? I can trust him on his own, but he's got Jack and Abigail with him." Arthur asked, remembering that the Martson family was away from camp.
"Arthur, have some faith in the young man. He wouldn't dare put his child and beloved in harms way." Dutch leaned over and placed a black rook on the words Fairmarket, "John has explicit orders to return immediately to camp if he senses any trouble, plus Abigail is with him and her capabilities to sniff out danger are far sharper than his own. Don't tell him I said that."
Arthur couldn't help but chuckle at that fact. Abigail would surely keep that young idiot safe and well behaved. He let out a sigh knowing that he should be more trusting of John, but he still had a hard time letting go of their past. As both Hosea and Mary-Beth placed it, wounds take time to heal, but unfortunately for him there were some painful wounds that would never grant him peace.
Before his mind even had the opportunity to wonder off to an old ugly memory, Arthur focused himself on the mission at hand, "So far things have been quite for us, but eventually that will change. These folks will want to learn more about us, our guns, especially our guns. They'll either sent out invitations or hire people to confront us, provoke us into a fight. What's our play?"
"As we have come to learn the government of this country operates on a feudal system. Noble families rule their patch of land, they all answer to the regional lord and those lords answer directly to the King who lives in the capital, King's Landing." Hosea grabbed and placed a white bishop on Riverrun and a white king on King's Landing which was not physically on the map but placed at the edge of it to the east.
'We need a larger map.' Arthur thought.
"So far we have gotten involved with two families, The Freys and the Tullys, the latter being the superior family that control the Riverlands. If we apply our knowledge and understanding of the United States government then each of these Seven Kingdoms would be individual states which would make the Lord of Riverrun the Governor of the Riverlands." Arthur and Dutch nodded in understanding to the elderly outlaw's explanations. It made perfect sense to Arthur, easier for him to differentiate the difference between a democratic government and that of an absolute monarchy.
"A monarchy..." Dutch scoffed in disbelief, "We escaped our oppressors only to land in a world where tyrants still reign in absolute control without shame or restrictions."
Just by looking at him, Arthur could sense the rebellious spirit within Dutch starting to stir in anticipation. Arthur wasn't sure on the idea of this specific monarchy being run by a greedy and cruel man, but then again all governments were crooked to the bone. How was a king any different?
Dutch grabbed a black king, but switched it with the white one on King's Landing and placed the white king over the area where their camp was located, OldStones, "This spot is secluded enough, used to be a castle some hundred years back, but is no more than an empty hill with a few remaining stone structures. Quite exposed, but also defendable with us having the high ground, our rifles can pick them all off with ease, but our real concern is the amount of ammunition at our disposal."
"That and if the invading force is large enough we'll be easily overwhelmed by their numbers alone." Hosea grimly added.
That was not a good image. Sure Arthur and the others were capable gunfighters, but when the enemy outnumbers your limited supply of bullets then the rodeo was over with their heads as the top prize. He would need to do some reconnaissance soon, they all should. The faster they could learn the better chances they all had at making it out alive out here.
"No need to darken our cloud any further my brother." Dutch placed a hand on the shoulder of his longtime crime partner, "We will keep our heads up and show no fear. But...we must also stay vigilant."
"Charles! Micah! Bill! Gather around boys." Dutch hailed the others.
Aside from Javier and Lenny who were deep in slumber, everyone who was called had joined up with the three. If Dutch was calling, you answered back.
"Problems boss?" Micah asked, his hands resting on his guns. Clear indication that he was up for some trouble making. Arthur couldn't help but to roll his eyes at the man.
"None precisely, but this is important and I need you all to hear it and follow it without question." Dutch poured himself a shot of wine as he looked at his devoted followers, all standing in attention.
"Listen up. You all know the drill at this point, but I will happily reiterate it for old time's sake. If any of you has to head out of camp be sure to mindful of your surroundings. Two I don't want any funny business that could jeopardize the gang's safety, so try your damn best to avoid any lethal confrontation with the locals. Knock some heads sure, but no shooting whatsoever. Have I made myself clear?"
"Yes boss." They all obediently replied.
"Alright then. Keep your eyes and ears wide and clear gentlemen. Sooner or later we'll have to get our hands dirty, and I want us all to be prepared for that day. Until then earn your keep and donate to the camp." Dutch finished up, dismissing them all.
'Suppose I should go and stretch my legs out there too.' Thought Arthur as he walked away.
XxXxX
The line on his rod bounced gently, he tightened his grip on the pole, waiting for the bait to snatch the fish. A few seconds later the line snapped hard in the air and the fishing rod in Arthur's hand bend forward. Just by the sheer strength of resistance he knew that it was a decent sized fish, now the fun began.
"Got one!" He yelled out, "Haha! I got you now!"
"Nice going Arthur." Mary-Beth congratulated him, she had her own fishing rod in hand.
Arthur had traveled outside of camp, simply out of boredom. Being cooped up in his tent was always irritating for him, he belonged to the open range. He had decided to try out one of the main rivers that ran through this region, see how good the fishing was and exactly what type of fish there was to fish. For a place called the Riverlands it had better be worth the name value. He was almost out of camp when a certain young brunette decided to tag along.
Now here they were on the banks of the Green Fork River, catching trout which there happened to be plenty of, enjoying the peaceful activity and each other's company. He still wasn't entirely sure why she had chosen to accompany him, but who was she to deny her anything? It was great to have female company, from time to time, but not like that however. Nope, he gave that up long ago.
"Here we go." Arthur reeled in the fish closer and closer to him, "Come here now."
"Don't break the line again Mr. Morgan." Mary-Beth teased him, she was no longer worried about her own rod, her eyes were solely focused on Arthur.
"That was intentional s'all." He tugged on the pole, dragging it's unwilling participant towards him. He finally got the fish out, with a quick splash the fish dangled and flopped in the air as Arthur grabbed a hold of it.
"You sir, are a fish." He gladly proclaimed.
The catch had been good thus far. They had a bag full of trout to take back to camp. His only fear now was that Pearson would turn it into unnecessary mush and ruin the good taste with those damn stews that the big man was overly fond of. Maybe he should keep a couple for himself and cook them over a fire of his own making, share some with Mary-Beth here.
"I never get to see your smile. It's such a hidden gem, shame on you for hiding it this long from me." Mary-Beth said.
"Oh, you've seen me smile plenty." He waved her off.
"I wish to see it more often." She countered with a sweet smile of her own.
'This woman is trying to make me blush.' Arthur thought while putting the sack full of fresh fish on his horse.
"Tag along more often. They'll be more to see." Arthur chuckled, before freezing up. Aware of the proposition he'd made.
"Ooh, is that a date Arthur? How very forward of you." Mary-Beth's smile grew with excitement, "I like it."
Arthur didn't know how to respond. Being complimented was not a luxury he was allowed to experience very often. He was a ruthless criminal, a killer and robber, people like him are not meant to be liked nor loved, yet here she was gifting him a pleasant smile as well her friendship. Honestly, he didn't deserve this, she could do better, much better with a man who's hands aren't deeply stained with blood.
"We should be going back now. Grimshaw must be worried sick for your safe return." Arthur saddled up on, Ranger. Best he could come up with.
"Oh please, don't say such lies to me Arthur Morgan." Mary-Beth followed closely.
"So about that second date?" Arthur felt his heart ping, but kept his cool.
XxXxX
The followimf day Dutch had asked him to go and scout the surrounding areas for any vital information that could benefit the gang. Make friends and contacts at it had been put as. John and Hosea had gone to the south back to Riverrun, see if Lord Tully had any use of their services. Arthur, Bill and Micah had been tasked with exploring the rest of the Riverlands. Arthur opted to travel alone because having those two with him would be a major headache that he did not desire to obtain.
"God help all the folk that run into those two morons." Arthur muttered.
Ranger traveled a gentle pace alongside a dirt road which led to... somewhere. Good thing he had a map of his own in case he got lost. All he knew was that he had been traveling up the blue fork again, wondering if anything or anyone would appear.
"Wonder what Hosea may be speaking of over at Riverrun? Surley they would require a couple of us for an escort or a hit on somebody." Arthur pondered the many uses they could be of to the local lords. Whatever paid he was okay with, of course they did hace a code and if some job requests went against them they'll have to decline.
His self-conversation was cut short when a large tree was suddenly toppled before him. The large tree crashed before him, blocking the road and spooking Ranger. Arthur was bucked off and he landed hard on his back. Around him many men appeared from the bushes, charging him with swords and axes.
It was a bloody ambush.
Arthur was still laying on the ground as the men swarmed him, murder in their eyes. On instinct, Arthur pulled out his revolver and aimed it at the four men descending upon him. Call it a gift, but Arthur had this rare capability to somehow slow down time and carefully mark all his targets without missing. It's something that he's perfected over the years and right now it was going to save his life as it's had many times before.
In quick retaliation, Arthur had fired multiple shots from his Schofield, all striking his attackers, all perfect headshots. The four men fell to the ground dead.
"Is that all you bastards?" Arthur yelled out, scanning his surroundings for any more of them.
He spotted a few behind the trees, they were archers. "You die today!" One of them shouted back.
"You first!" Arthur aimed his gun and opened fire, the first shot struck one of them in the shoulder. The impact forced the man to stumble out of cover giving Arthur the chance to finish him off with the second shot.
One the archers fires off an arrow which unfortunately struck Arthur on how own shoulder. "Argh! Son of a bitch!"
Arthur ran and hid behind the fallen tree. He grabbed the arrow and yanked it out, it had not dug too deep into his flesh, but boy did it still hurt. He put away his revolver and removed the bolt action rifle off his shoulder and took aim. Another arrow was shot at him, it struck the tree he was hiding behind just a foot away from his position.
"Got you." Pulling on the trigger, the rifle let out a loud burst and the bullet traveled a remarkable speed towards it's intended target. The archer's face was struck and became unrecognizable.
The last archer remaining called it quicks and bailed. Arthur followed, not happy to let that man flee without some measure of payback. Running of foot, Arthur could barley make sight of his last attacker, put regardless he aimed down his sights and timed it.
He fired the rifle and he heard the man scream out in pain further ahead. With no urgency he walked towards the man who was leaving a blood trail for the cowboy to follow. Upon reaching the injured man, Arthur took note that he'd hit him in the area around a major artery. He would be dead soon.
"Looks like this day went the opposite of how you'd planned it." Arthur stood before the dying man, "Mind telling me what was that all about?"
"Please...mercy..." The dying man begged.
"You're dying friend." Arthur pointed out.
"...Was just...a...job..." The man managed to slip out before dying for good.
Arthur said nothing and returned back to his horse, not before looting all of their bodies of course. He wondered if there were fences in this world. Selling stolen goods was a good source of income for him and the boys. He'll make sure to look around for one. He whistled for Ranger, the horse head ran off when the ambush occurred. His steed eventually came back galloping towards him. The animal was still skittish, but Arthur calmed him down.
Getting back on his horse, Arthur looked at the road ahead and back to where he had come from.
"Somebody is after us. Dutch needs to know this immediately." Arthur turned around and galloped back to camp.
Apologies for the wait. My planet needed me.