Struggle, But not Alone
Ch. 10
End of a Big Day
Pov: Arthur Morgan
We followed Lenny at a brisk walking pace, now with light to guide us by the torches of the Hawk.
One of the fires was in the hands of Lenny, checking out for any fallen branches in the way of the horses. Everyone else that had a ride was back on theirs, while leaving John, Pippin, and I to help move debris out of the path. We did this until Sean called back with some other person with him.
The gentleman was skinny. Had on a top hat with a white mustache that drooped over the sides of his lips. As for his apparel, he had on a suit with a couple of holes in them. When he looked our way, his face lit up like a stick of dynamite. The gentleman moved past Sean with his arms outstretched in the air and called out to us, "Arthur! John!"
As he came near, his eyes seemed to water, as if he had seen some old friends. The only problem was…
Do I know you?
"Uh, hello?"
The man didn't pick up on my unfamiliarity,
"You don't-… This has to be a dream! It has too! You're alive! Both of you!"
Behind us, I could hear a couple of the men with Griffith whisper something about a crazy old Fool. I forgave their ignorance and focused on the strange man.
"Thank you. But I don't-."
"Pearson?!"
John cut me off before I could ask, and what he said was ridiculous!
This couldn't… be…
All the while, the more I stared at "Pearson" as he smiled and cried, the more I realized the similarities between the two. So much so that I now came to the same conclusion John did.
"Pearson?! How?! I mean, you look so different!"
"Oh, that's just age!"
I got angry! As if he didn't know?!
"Not that! You look like you lost a whole person!"
He smiled as he looked down at himself before smiling,
"Oh, you can thank my wife for that! She hammered in me a decade ago to see a doctor after I was having some pain in my arms! The good man had me go on this diet. Stuck with eating fish, berries, and spinach. Throw in a few exercises and Wala! The man you see before you!"
His eyes stopped leaking, and the water started to dry as he spoke. John complimented him, "You look great! Maybe you can show Uncle a thing or two."
"He's here?!"
"Yeah, and a few others."
He became excited again and threw a curve ball,
"Is my wife there?"
…
Neither John or I could answer him at first, but our silence was telling enough. Pearson's mood changed slowly from his joyful excitement, to a sorrowful expression,
"O-oh…"
It was at this moment that Dutch came to the rescue as he dismounted his ride and approached the old navy man, "Pearson, it's been some time."
The older man's mood quickly returned to a stable level as he soon recognized the voice, "Dutch! Wow! You look-!"
"Old? I know."
"No! I mean, yes. But your outfit. What are you wearing?"
Looking at the old gang leader, I realized I had ignored this same question. And I laughed internally as that was the first thing the older looking Pearson asked. Dutch of course took offense to that,
"And what is that supposed to mean?!"
"You look like some homeless man!"
I failed to hold in a chuckle that escaped, as did our gang members and a few of Griffith's men laughed at the bluntness.
"Well excuse me for not prioritizing fashion in our current situation!"
"Well, I'm asking because I can fix that! I mean, well…"
Before we could ask what he was getting at, Lenny interrupted,
"We can talk about this more, a couple of people are gonna want to see you."
"Lenny! Are you bringing them here yet?!"
A feminine voice that sounded hoarse entered the air, as the man sighed at the impatience the question carried,
"Come on."
He led us through a little stretch of woods to the light of a campfire in a big clearing. Far behind the fire was… Well it looked like a wagon. But it was far different, being driven by an automobile. Only this one wasn't like any I had seen. Bigger too.
Aside from the ride in the background, two figures rose up from the fire that was close by. The light was behind them, and only showed that they were female. One was in a dress, while another had on jeans, a leather jacket and a cowboy hat.
As they moved away from the light, the woman in the dress ran faster than I expected one to do in that outfit. She made a sudden bee line to John, and the woman cried aloud as she jumped at the figure.
"John!"
"A-abigail?!"
His arms dropped open as she pounced into him, and he was still in shock. Only to wrap them around the lady tightly as his brain caught up to what was happening.
"It's you! It's you! I-. I-."
John's wife was clearly running through so many feelings at that moment and started crying as her man held her. And John, using his brain for once, calmed her down the best he could,
"It's alright, I'm here…"
As touching as it was, I still kept my attention to the other figure approaching. And it was at this point, I had a good guess as to who it was, and I called out to her, "Touching moment, right Sadie?"
The woman laughed as she entered our light, "And you go and ruin my surprise."
Looking her over, she was different than the last time I had seen her. The face she had held more experience then most would have to endure. Full of scars and recent cuts across her lips. Even her gear had changed! She had a revolver holstered, but it was bigger than what I had seen before. And she had a bandoleer of high caliber bullets, and a section on it for throwing knives. Strapped to her back was a bolt action, and an elephant gun. Across her jeans was a machete strapped to the side of her leg.
I'd feel sorry for the man who'd start a war with her. I settled with peace as I held my hand out for her to shake it.
"So what brings you out here in this neck of the woods?"
"Very funny, Arthur… Never thought I'd say that again."
"Me neither, till a day ago."
"You too? We woke up here and haven't left the area. Not until we were ready… Can't say I was surprised to see you though. Lenny and Sean scared me at first. Pearson was the biggest surprise, or small now."
I grinned before I answered, "Got a few back at camp that would suit your fancy. And one here for a shock."
She raised an eyebrow before she gazed across the group of horsemen moving in closer. Sadie didn't speak out at their garb, but noticed one among them that didn't match up with the rest of the outfit.
Giving her eyes a squint, she took a second before she gasped out a question with her hoarse voice, "Dutch?"
He didn't answer as he dismounted from his horse to come near Abigail, John, Sadie, and I. His hands fidgeted by his side as he planted himself a few feet away from us. Abigail was the first to act and broke contact with her husband. She drew out a palm, and layed it into the old man. Hard. Enough to draw out a sharp snap. He didn't budge from his feet, but his head turned with the hit. Dutch didn't yell, he didn't even move his hand to check the mark.
The action shocked Griffith's men as to the sudden attack, but their leader kept his neutral look to the scene playing out.
Dutch moved his head back to the woman and said nothing still. His face didn't hold any malicious feelings or physical pain.
Abigail spoke again, "None of this wouldn't have happened if you stayed gone…"
John, to her surprise, came to his defense by putting himself between the two, "Easy now, he's not the same."
Her jaw gaped open at him, "How can you say that?! You said that before, and we end up getting arrested, losing our homes, and Jack-!..."
She drew silent as well, unintentionally begging her man to ask what we wanted to know.
"What happened to my-? Our boy?"
The woman's eyes became teary, implying the worst before her answer, "After-… He's been practicing with a gun behind my back. I knew as much as he tried hiding it, waiting…"
All of the emotions she held back finally broke her down as John reached to stop her from falling on the ground.
I didn't know how to take all that she was saying. Apparently after John died, Jack became a rebel. I'd say good for him, but I knew that would be in poor taste. Not to mention that his decision made John's sacrifice meaningless. Unlike them, I saw I little glimmer of hope,
"Now hold your horses, I don't see him here. So let's head on to the other camp and we can sort this all out."
Sadie walked forward to address the Hawks, "Sean said there was some strange people out here, didn't know how strange."
Sean gave a nervous chuckle, "Did I say that?"
Griffith didn't mind, "I'd say that your Band is the strange one in this situation. And I'd wish that your arrival to Midland was under better circumstances."
The cowgirl raised an eyebrow, "So this isn't America?"
My lips cringed at her mention of the name we tried to keep secret. With it, if someone really wanted to search out our story, they would see that no such place existed in their world. And Griffith would be one of those people.
I quickly gathered myself and answered her, "No, afraid not. Again, we can discuss this back at our camp. Seeing is easier than telling at this point."
She looked at me confused by my sudden push, but read my face quickly enough to pick up on my intent,
"If you say so, but we have another problem. We can't leave this camp unguarded just yet."
Pearson continued in explaining the problem, "My shop-. I mean, the equipment I have back there is very valuable. And I'm sure that Joe and his men could easily attempt to attack again."
"Actually, that was Cleet."
At the mention of the man, Sadie's fist tighted while Pearson scratched his head confused,
"Wait, isn't that the same side?"
"Not anymore they ain't… He's dead too."
Sadie sighed,
"But Joe knows we're in the area. If his people start sneaking around here? Well, they could cause problems for a lot of folks."
Griffith's curiosity peaked as he asked, "What do you have in the back of that wagon?"
"... I'll have to show you all."
The mercenary captain nodded and gave commands to his little troop, "Dismount and check the perimeter. Pippin, you're with me."
All of them obeyed as we followed Pearson to his transport, making me question, "You became a shopkeeper, right? How did you afford an automobile?"
He chuckled, "A lot of things have changed since you've been gone. In fact, this is more common place since manufacturing has improved. Been that way since the twenties."
1820-. No! He means the 1920's! It's been that long?!
"Automobile?", a question asked by Pippin of all people.
"Yes… But well we call them vehicles now."
That wasn't what he was asking…
"It's a Model Harris C truck, capable of off-road in any terrain. But in the back is the important part… I've come a long way from being a simple shopkeeper."
As we came up to the gargantuan, I could make out a canvas material laid over the back, hiding some words surrounded in bright red.
Ammu-Nation?
[On wiki, it is said that Ammu-Nation was "founded" in 1963… Officially.]
"Pearson?"
"Oh don't mind that."
"I do mind. You runnin a gun store?"
"... Not exactly."
He hopped up the back of his truck and pulled the tarp back and looked inside, only to jump back with a sharp yell. Pippin was close by and caught the old man before hitting the ground.
Looking up from his sagged position, he thanked the giant before pulling himself up. All the while, we had our weapons pulled out to the ready. I jumped up to look inside as Pearson called out, "Wait a minute! They just startled me-."
I was barely listening as I looked inside the cargo to see a peculiar sight of two kids… Sonia and Rickert! They were beside a lit lantern, unaware that I was looking in. Rickert was at a makeshift desk with some book opened up, looking intently at the pages. The girl was more trouble than him, getting brave, or stupid enough to have picked up a weapon on a rack! It was another of them machine guns Sean had!
"Put that weapon back!"
She jumped at the yell and dropped the thing on the floor of the truck!... It didn't go off, but she did.
"Don't scare me like that!"
"Don't go messing with something you don't know!"
Lenny called in behind me, "Arthur?"
I called back to the group outside, "It's alright! Just the kids."
Behind me, I heard a couple of people climbing up the little ladder and some more after them. Entering in was Pearson and Dutch, followed by Sadie and Griffith.
The old man sighed my direction, "Sorry for overreacting."
"Nah. stealthy bunch they are. And impatient."
Sonia pouted, but Rickert kept looking at the book. Making me look over to see what was so interesting enough to make him ignore us. It was opened to a page of a few drawings of weapons I was familiar with. Semi automatic pistols with note of details of its frame and its prices next to them. Except he wasn't shopping.
The boy mumbled out his thoughts,
"These drawings, they're so detailed."
"Yeah."
Rickert looked up in shock from my voice,
"Oh! Sir Morgan!"
"Glad to see you helping yourself to some reading material. Looks familiar too."
Pearson spoke up as he looked at the book and sighed, "That's a sentimental book for me. It's the old Wheeler, Rawson, and Co catalog, a keepsake from my stationary store days."
Rickert looked guilty as he slowly closed the book, "Sorry, Mister."
He wasn't bothered, "No harm done, I preferred it got some actual use now and then. You can borrow it if you'd like."
The child's face brightened at the offer, but looked down saddened, "Are you sure? This seems like an expensive book."
"Eh? Not really, a-."
I cut him off, not banking on another breach of information that could expose us anymore than we had.
"Books are more common where we're from. So it's no trouble."
Pearson turned to me, mouthing out a confused swearing, and I mouthed to him "Later."
Meanwhile, Rickert looked at the book and nodded to the top hatted gentleman, "Alright then. I would like to take some notes on it if that's alright? I'm Rickert by the way."
The boy held out his hand for a handshake, and the skinny man did the same,
"Pearson."
This interaction made the others chuckle to themselves, though my attention was now elsewhere. In the corner, I saw another shelf full of weapons, and then another. Also in the back were some machines I had no idea what they did.
With all the guns the old man had, it made me wonder why he said his business wasn't normal?
Pearson, what trouble have you gotten into?
For now my question would have to be unanswered, Skinny further explained the situation as he led us out of the vehicle.
"As you can see, I have a very good stock in weapons and ammo. If Joe were to get his hands on this."
Dutch finished his thought as he climbed down, "He would raise hell against us…"
Griffith wasted no time, "Then if you wish, I could leave a few men to help keep guard till you can move your wagon."
Van Der Linde agreed, "And a few of ours."
John, sparing a moment's glance to his wife, volunteered, "I'll stay. I have some catching up to do…"
Probably wants to know more about Jack, and I don't blame him.
Sean accepted the request as well, "I need to restock anyways."
I looked at Lenny and Sadie, neither seemed eager to stay, making me feel somewhat relieved.
Dutch glanced over the people, and agreed, "Then we'll see you tomorrow. It's going to be a big one."
Last of all, the children left the back of the truck, and Rickert was quick to ask, "Griffith, would it be alright for me to spend the night here?"
His leader looked down to him, unsurprised by the request, "Are you sure? You won't be as safe as you were in the camp."
Rickert seemed to run the question in his head a few times before answering, "I should be fine. And this is too much to pass up."
"... Very well. But get some rest, Rickert. Tomorrow will be just as important. If not more."
The blonde boy quickly smiled,
"Yes, Griffith!"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
And so, those who stayed were Abigail, John, Pearson, Rickert, Sean, and four other guards who agreed to stay the night.
We said our goodbyes, but not before the old Pearson brought a small crate to us, saying to open it in the morning. It wasn't heavy and it wasn't light, but I agreed to carry it part way back. Lenny said he'd take over then.
Funny…
It was funny how life worked now, Lenny was back, Sean's back. And Sadie was here too. Made me wonder what tomorrow would bring.
Guts would-...
It was stupid of me. After all this excitement, yet the kid has the worst of it.
I get a good day while that kid is fighting for his life? What about those boys who died? Would be wrong of me to call this day a "Good" day, or even a "Great" day.
"Arthur? Why the long face?"
Lenny pulled me out of my thinking and looked concerned. It wouldn't be right not to tell them as we walked back to the Hawks camp,
"There's this kid back at the camp. A loner, and a stubborn one at that. He got hurt pretty bad today, and he may not make it. At least that's what some of the mercenaries think."
Sadie chuckled with a smile as she turned her head back to me over her right shoulder, "Well, what do you think, Arthur?"
Seeing the smile was contagious, making me smile too. Enough to wash away any doubts I had.
"I think I'll trust in his grit to pull through... You should have seen him today, swinging that giant sword around. Bigger than himself!"
Lenny grinned as we started our assent up a steep hill, "Giant sword? Don't think that would be good against a gun."
Couldn't help but agree, "Probably not. They don't have any firearms. Except for cannons. Even then, they didn't look rifled. What the people here make up in lack of bullets, they make up for numbers and traps! John was almost burned alive in oil. I got a few bruises from the rocks we got pelted with."
He gave a whistle, "Sounds sadistic, who were you fighting?"
I tried to answer, but no sound came out of my mouth. After all, I couldn't just tell them it was the people we're with. Doesn't matter if it was indirect. Still gave it a go after some thinking.
"...I'd like to point out we were mercenaries for the fight. So are the ones with us now…"
The cowgirl and young man thought as well before Sadie came to the sudden conclusion, "You fought the bird man side?!"
Nearby, one of the mercenaries lagging behind us growled a bit, "That's Griffith to you, woman."
In response, she gave a glare at the man that quickly sent shivers down the fool's back. Not before the lady put on a smile, "Griffith then. So why the change? Please tell me Dutch didn't do it for money."
I answered while returning a toothy grin of my own, "Quite the opposite. Remember that injured boy? Griffith agreed to help him. As for money, Dutch bartered our pay for the lives of the people we fought. Went from 500 silver to 18 silver."
The captain chose to then enter the conversation, "That's the first I'm hearing of that. We left after the surrender."
I grunted, "Yeah. That knight was going to make the people into slaves."
"Then it seems we owe you more than I realized. A little hope for our citizens is better than none."
Sadie chuckled nervously while looking up to the man on his mount, "Sorry for callin you 'Birdman.' I'm Sadie, Sadie Adler."
He gave a nod, "Well, Miss Adler, would you care for a ride? I'd like to stretch my legs for a bit. And of course you'd have to mind the passenger."
Sonia peaked out from the arm of Griffith and gave a beaming smile while waving to Sadie. The woman automatically waved back in turn. Just with less enthusiasm.
Clearly it was the girl's idea, giving off eyes that were pleading like a puppy. Adler didn't have as much conviction as I would have had and gave way,
"Alright then, and it's Mrs Adler…"
Easily enough, the armored man picked up on Mr. Adler's passing, "Very well, Mrs Adler."
With that exchange, we found the mysterious leader of the Hawks now walking alongside Lenny and me. As for Sadie, she already moved on ahead while looking burnt out from the little girl asking her so many questions we couldn't hear.
"How did he die?"
I sighed at Griffith's question while remembering the night I met her, "Never knew him, but it wasn't pretty. Neither was it for her. Was killed by some bandits, and she hid herself in the cellar for three days. Then we came along and liberated her home."
Lenny chuckled, "And then you burned the house down."
"Eh… Well it happened so fast, and I didn't start the fire."
Griffith sighed knowingly, "It seems even in your country there wasn't enough to go around."
I nodded, "For a time, I believed that. Maybe it's true, or maybe we led ourselves to think that way… Oh well, can't change the past none."
"Agreed."
The conversation stopped there as we continued up the steep hill. Then by the time I was at the top, I was huffing and puffing from lugging that crate the whole way.
Lenny tapped my shoulder, "Want me to carry it now?"
My arms wasted no time to accept,
"Sure Pal."
He was caught off guard and almost fell back down the hill. Catching himself with his footing, "Easy, Arthur!"
I grinned,
"My bad."
My once dead friend rolled his eyes,
"Riiight."
"Come on now, I mean it. Guess I'm getting old…"
Again, the 'Birdman' started his questioning, "And how old is that Mr. Morgan?"
"Thirty Six."
He smirked,
"That is old."
…Don't have to sound so arrogant about it.
"Just wait. It'll catch up with ya."
Griffith chuckled,
"I didn't mean anything by it. Most men don't make it to their thirties."
From the way he talked, I could tell there was a weight on him. Maybe guilt. War does that, know it first hand. War is Hell.
Brushing off the memories, I finally asked him one of my own,
"Since you asked, how old are you?"
"16." The mercenary Captain stated, giving a straight laced answer I wasn't prepared for.
Hearing that, Lenny nearly dropped the crate again, having both the teen and I grab it together.
When the sudden shock was over, Lenny asked first, "Really?!"
"Yes. Surprised?"
Us older men answered quickly, "Yes!"
"You alright?!"
It was Dutch, he had called up from the front of the pack
The three of us answered him, "Yes."
"Well, keep it down a little. I'm telling Pippin here about one of the greatest works ever written. An American Eden!"
Poor man.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
We finally made our way back to camp, and on watch was Corkus and Javier. The former had bags under his eyes and jumped up from his slouched position from a spear in his hand when he saw us. Beside him was Javier looking no worse for wear. His arms cradled his rifle in his arms a couple steps behind the jumpy Hawks member.
First thing the younger man did was ask in anger,
"Where's Griffith?!"
Dutch quickly talked him down, "Easy, son. He's in the back on foot."
He scoffed,
"Don't call me 'son!'"
Griffith walked up ahead to face the man with a tired voice, "Thank you Cokus. I know you already had watch the last month at the castle. It wasn't easy. Go ahead and get some extra rest, someone else can take your work tomorrow."
Lenny nudged me and mouthed the words, "Castle?!"
I used my right hand to signal "Later."
He accepted my response while Cokus looked at his leader and almost gasped in excitement at the command.
"Understood, but what did you find out there? We heard a lot of those snaps."
"More of Sir Van Der Linde's people."
And his face was gloomy again,
"... Great."
"The lady here is one of them."
Corkus's eyes perked up at "lady" and looked among us to find her. However, Javier was quicker on the draw and spotted the woman and gasped, "Sadie?"
She rode forward with Sonia between her arms,
"That's me. And-... Wow, Javier. You look- uh."
The Mexican sighed,
"Old? I know. That's what every Gringo has been saying all day."
"Wow, she wasn't kidding."
It was Lenny that gave his opinion, and Javier's face turned white at him as he walked up to him.
"L-lenny?!"
"Mhmm, been a while."
"N-no kidding!"
To be fair, Javier kept his composure the best he could. Even when he reached out his hand for a shake, it twitched a little before Lenny accepted. Playing with the man's fear, the younger man continued on,
"But wait, there's more."
"More?"
"We got Sean, and Pearson back at our camp. They'll be here in the morning with what we had on us."
In response, the old outlaw's legs lost composure,
"Pearson?... Sean?! I-. I'm going to sleep this off. It can't be real."
Griffith felt the same, "It would be best if we all did so, I'll arrange for a new guard shift. And Pippin, if you don't mind, would you show Lady Adler and Sonia to one of the spare tents?"
The giant gave a nod and motioned them to follow. Sadie tipped her hat to us as she followed alongside Sonia's light skipping.
"Goodnight Arthur, Griffith, and Lenny!"
That little lady has too much energy…
"Surprised she knew my name."
I smiled at Lenny as he said that, "You'd be surprised what that girl knows. But what I would like to know is what's in that crate."
"Hm? Oh yeah!"
He placed the package on the ground and investigated the top of it.
"It has a couple of loose nails, should come right off."
The only ones present were Dutch, Griffith, Lenny, and myself. And we gathered around the parcel, waiting to see the gift. After a couple of pulls of the cover, it released a familiar smelling aroma. One that I had missed the last couple of days. With no time wasted, my head rushed to look inside. As did the others.
And to confirm what I smelled, inside was a coffee camping pot. Alongside that was sac of coffee beans, and a stronger smell of the stuff.
Griffith moved away in shock of the smell, and thought for a moment before asking, "What is that?"
Dutch answered him with a chuckle, "The good stuff for a morning like tomorrow. We call it coffee. Nothing else like it, and a good pick-me-up. Pearson was considerate. Enough here for twenty days, or a few if any of your men want to try it."
Captain Griffith rubbed his nose before answering,
"S-so it's like tea? I might try it if you're willing to share later."
I smiled as I thought,
It's not everyone's cup of 'tea.'
Lenny started removing the stuff and paused as he held the items, "Hold on. I see a divider, there's more."
More?
He handed the bag and can to me as he dug in further to remove a flimsy board of wood. Tossing it aside, his hands moved in to grab something that made me skip a beat. In my sight was one friend I had been missing for some time.
Lenny looked up with the leather cap and smiled as he tossed it my way.
It was close. So very close to what I had given to John some nights ago. Only this one was too clean, and the wear I had in some spots were missing. The leather looked fresh and smelt fresh. All the same, I gladly accepted the gift and placed it on my head. At that moment, I felt truly complete.
"Heh, guess this was what Pearson was on about, Dutch."
My friend had grabbed a couple of other things out of the crate's second layer. It was a familiar Black suit vest, pants and a striped shirt folded together. The other thing in his hands was another hat that was dark as the night. Our old Gang leader reached for the hat eloquently with both hands, and placed it on his bowed head in a similar manner.
When he raised his head, he had a huge smirk as he felt the same way I did.
It's coming together…
End Chapter
(Forgive me for the break up of some words, if you know, you know.
A/N: I have a D_i-s-c8ord c*h-an-n5el under construction,
If anyone is interested in joining in the fun, and becoming a m-o9d or a-d-min, find Yo-u7T-u)b)p_ro-fi9l-e. Same as this one.
If you see the story picture, then you know you have found the right one. I-n-vi-t/e i-s in b-i6o-, otherwise look up, Rancorlover Story Corner.
Like I said, it is under construction, so it is bare bones.
(Hope you can understand what to subtract.)