Hosea II.
This was the first time Hosea had been to Riverrun, it was quite a sight for sure. The entire structure was located in the center of the Red Fork River, triangular in shape and with high walls to boot. The entire castle was both impressive and impregnable. The ramp leading to the main gates remained lifted. They would not be giving the opportunity to enter the keep this time. Instead both cowboys were to meet the castellan by the training grounds.
John kept his eyes open, checking every knight and civilian as they walked past them. Hosea always appreciated the boys staying sharp when out for a meet up. Things could so easily go sideways and they would have to rely on having the mental preparation for a audden fight ot the death. Even so, it was well appreciated that they did not allow themselves to be sloppy and vulnerable in the face of others.
Dutch had asked Hosea to meet with the Tullys and durther cement this partnership of theirs with the noble family. John was tasked to tag along and keep their second in command safe at all times. Abigail had objected, but John being the brash man that he was downplayed her worries and promsied to protect Hosea. Arthur had mafe sure to mock him a little before leaving to do some exploring of his own.
Having reached Riverrun, they were directed down the field were a many tents belonging to smallfolk were perched up by the dozens. They were to meet the castellan and from there start speaking on their arrangements and to overall learn more about the land and people themselves.
"Guess that's him up ahead." both watched a man approach them with two guards behind him.
"You sellswords are actually early. Mighty professional for a change." the man was impressed.
"We are only a call away good sir. Very reliable and above all, prepared for the job." Hosea replied.
"Right, right. I'm the castellan of Riverrun, this right here is Ser Prestan Fisher , Captain of the Guard. He has been instructed to guide you both around our lands while we assess the situation in hand. That outlaw camp your men wiped out was jusy one of many that have been sprouting about as of late and witht the upcoming tourney fast approaching, Lord Tully demands that all bandit activity be exterminated befor the royal family's arrival."
"Well then, lets not keep on wasting the daylight away." Hosea said.
"Very well then, Ser Fisher, they're in your hands. Be back before sundown." the castellan walked away from the group.
The three of them mounted their horses where another three riders had been waiting for them. "Lead the way captain." Hosea said.
Captain Prestan Fisher led the group with both Hosea and John in the middle and the rest of the knights in the rear. The traveled far off to the south of the keep where the coming tourney would be taking place. Once reaching the open field, Hosea took notice of the construction being done. Bleachers for the crowd were already underway with the main box tower where the nobles and royal family wouls be sitted. Tents where the workers were sleeping were all in a cluster by the edge of the construction zone.
"That is going to be quite a fine structure once completed." Hosea commented as they rode closer.
"Whatever pleases my liege. Hundreds across the riverlands will show up, the best knights of the the kingdoms will participate but it will be House Tully that shall garner all the fame and respect in the end for showcasing a fine tourney for King Robert." Prestan said.
Hosea looked around as they trotting down the field. This was going to be a big event with many important men and women in attendance, it could prove to be a lucrative endeavor if they played their cards well. Dutch will certainly love to be in attendance, use his gifted talents to charm the locals into handing over their coin purses without protest. As for the others, well, depending on who was attending it could all work in their favor.
He had already considered Arthur and Javier to join them, both of them had a way with words. Not Bill however, he was such a pitiful display to witness at Angelo Bronte's garden party. John perhaps? Bring some of the girls to keep up appearances even? He would relay all of this thoughts to Dutch back in camp.
"Our guards as will be in charge of a large perimeter during the festivities. It will be well secured no doubt. It's right now that threatens the entire tourney." Prestan carried on, the three of them broke off from the large group, galloping further down a nearby stream.
"More bandits?" John questioned.
"Indeed. The lot you men took out two moons ago was one of many. The riverlands have been getting plagued as of recent. Then again we've always had the most turbulent history out of all the kingdoms. Disaster after disaster, war after war." Prestan argued, mostly to himself as Hosea and John listened on.
"We can be good security if thats what you're asking for." John said before adding, "For a price."
"We are honored to be at service of Lord Tully and his entire household, and will happily accept all forms of payment in accordance to the job assignment." Hosea intervened.
As the tour ended and the men turned around to return back to Riverrun, a lone rider approached them from the east. It was a lone girl, a child to be specific with an arrow wedged on her bloody shoulder. John and the captain rode after her, stopping her horse and gently checked on her. She was barley conscious and her clothes were ruined and bloody, a real struggle.
"Child, what happened?" Prestan begged.
"...men came...our wagon..dead." she mumbled, threatening to fall off the saddle.
Prestan ordered one of his men to ride with the girl back to Riverrun. Hosea, John and Ser Prestan rode together down towards the roade where the smallfolk had been ambushed. Reaching the area, they took notice of the massacre before them. Bodies of all heights and ages scattered about with an abandoned wagon and dead horses. Both dismounted and began to inspect the area.
John and Hosea had their revolvers in hand as Prestan keep a steady hand resting on his sheathed small sword. Looking around they hoped to find any signs of life or clues in that regard, yet all they found was death.
John kneeled down to inspect the body of a man. The dead man had multiple stab wounds in the gut and his throat was slit wide open. Hosea looked around noticing the lifeless bodies of two other children, what made it worse for him to stomach was the obvious signs of sexual assault on them. The old cowboy looked away in grimace and approached Ser Prestan.
"It was quick and brutal." Prestan spoke with a saddened, but serious tone, "These people never stood a chance. Life stripped away with such callous malice. May the Stranger guide their souls."
Hosea was sickened at the brutality of these kills. He's seen many displays such as these before in his old life, an infamous Irish outlaw gang came to mind. That was just one gang back in America and the old west was already very wild on it's own. Here on the other hand, it was ten times worse. It truly was medieval in every shape and form. Outlaws they may be themselves, but the old gunslinger was starting to reconsider that perhaps they should do more than just continue being a band of thieves, constantly on the run and always sleeping with one eye open.
"Hosea, everything good?" John startled the aging outlaw from his deep thoughts.
"Let's just...get these poor folk buried." Hosea put away his revolver.
He walked up to Captain Prestan who was already speaking with a rider that had just arrived, the man was from Riverrun as he bore the sigil of House Tully. Ser Prestan exchanged some words before facing Hosea. More men would arrive to clean up this mess, as for them three they rode back towards Riverrun.
"The situation is dire. With the tourney so close at hand we cannot afford this level of violence to plague our roads. I do hope you and your men are worth the coin our Lord is planning to throw your way." Ser Prestan told them both as they rode together.
"We always take a job seriously now sir. We promise the best because we are the best." Hosea exclaimed.
The camp fire casted a bright light to the surrounding darkness around them. Both had made camp just outside the gates, they were still not allowed to enter the keep. Understandable, they had yet to prove themselves to this family. There were a few guards keeping watch on them both, once again, Hosea took no offense to their precautions.
The trout they had been given was well roasted and both men took pleasure in consuming it. Hosea drank some water from his canteen, staring up at the starts above them. It was an entirely different constellation. Further proof that they were no longer in their old world.
"I can keep first watch, let you rest up." John offered.
"If that's what you want." Hosea laid down on his makeshift bed in the ground, "Once you reach my age John, rest is all you want to have."
"That's if I reach your age." John spoke.
That response made Hosea chuckle, "You better or Abigail will give us all a hard time."
"By the way, I spotted this kid earlier. Trying to get close to us, trying and failing to be sneak past the guards who shooshed her away." John reported this encounter, "I think it's the same girl that snuck into Arthur's tent the first time we were here."
"Arthur is a real charmer it seems." Hosea thought back to when Arthur had rescued that kidnapped girl with Charles' help, how she clung unto him like, viewing him as her protector much to his annoyance. Now here was another girl making acquaintances with him. He didn't think much about it. The child was likely as curious as about them as everyone else they have encountered so far.
"In that case check your belongings. Wouldn't be the first time a pretty lady snatched your stuff right from under you."
"Oh shut up." Hosea grinned at the memory of Abigail pickpocketing John for all his money when they first met.
Tomorrow they would ride back to camp but not before speaking with the captain for one last survey of the land and planning of logistics. This could prove to be a very lucrative endeavor in the end. Dutch was also checking on other possible leads and opportunities. He was not fully inclined with serving full-time for a family that had consolidated all the power in the region. He could already see the wheels working in his best friend's mind, this entire country was about to see some dramatic change if Dutch was allowed to pursue his agendas unopposed.
That was for another day however, right now it was all about survival and these security job was one step forward towards establishing themselves in a new light and gather as much resources as possible for the entire camp. Arthur and Susan had his back on the matter, Dutch would have to play ball until the opportunity to cause unwarranted mischief was presented to him.
"Aside from the murders and ancient civilization, it's a very beautiful country. Don't ya think John?" Hosea had taken off his boots and removed his gun belt.
"The many rivers are a source of constant food for us, that's for sure." John agreed before adding a more pressing issue, "How long until people start coming after us? We did shot up those Freys some weeks back, bet ya they're still pissed at us. Not to mention all these other powerful families that rule this entire land, too many people to keep an eye on."
"We survive. That's all we have been doing since childbirth, John. Press forward and not take shit from anybody. As long as we play our cards correctly, we will prevail." sleep was beginning to embrace the old man.
"Even in this world?" John questioned.
"In any world." Hosea answered and immediately fell into a deep slumber, today's problems would become tomorrow's solutions. Even ina foreign land, he had hope, absolute faith, all would work out and they would finally achieve the one thing they had been searching and fighting for back in the United States. Freedom.
Sorry for disappearing. It ain't much, but I owed you all.