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"It means pressure's off us," Caleb said. "Not gone. But reduced. They'll be busy cleanin' up their own mess."
Arthur nodded. "Means the Pinkertons ain't as untouchable as they want folks to believe."
"And it means," Hosea added softly, "there may be cracks we can slip through."
Caleb met his gaze. "Exactly."
Hosea was silent for a full minute, his mind racing. He looked from the guarded tent holding his broken friend, to the camp full of people trying to find their way, to Caleb, who had just presented him with a weapon, a shield, and a potential home.
"Tomorrow," Hosea finally said, his voice firm with decision. "You and Arthur go to Valentine. See your restaurant. Then go scout the area. See if there's land nearby that's remote enough, but not suspicious. Get a feel for it. Don't make any moves. Just look, don't ask around if the land was in sale."
He turned his piercing gaze on Caleb. "And when you get back, we'll talk about that chest. And about new names, new papers. We move slow. We move smart. But for the first time since Blackwater… we move toward somethin', instead of just runnin' from everything."
Arthur clapped Caleb on the shoulder, a grim but hopeful smile on his face. "A restaurant and a homestead. Hell, partner. You might just make an honest man out of me yet."
Caleb smiled back, the weight of the future feeling less like a burden and more like a path, finally visible ahead in the trees.
The decision settled like a stone placed carefully on solid ground.
Once Hosea spoke it aloud,Tomorrow, the weight of everything shifted. There was still danger. Still fear. Still uncertainty. But there was also direction. Purpose. A horizon that wasn't just another place to run to.
After that, the rest of the day passed strangely fast for Caleb.
He didn't do much of anything notable. And for the first time in a long while, that felt like a blessing.
He lounged around camp, sitting on crates or fallen logs, watching the rhythm of people moving about. When someone needed help, he helped, lifting supplies with Lenny, hammering a loose tent peg for Pearson, bringing water for Kieran when his hands were full.
When no one needed anything, he rested. Ate when he was hungry. Drank when he was thirsty. Let the sun warm his shoulders and the breeze cut through the lingering heaviness in his chest.
Mary-Beth spent part of the afternoon writing near the fire again. Caleb caught her glancing up at him more than once, just to make sure he was there. Each time, he gave her a small nod or smile, grounding her without words.
Dutch's tent remained quiet.
Javier and Bill rotated guard duty with others. No shouting. No more outbursts. Just low murmuring from inside the canvas now and then, like a man talking to ghosts that no longer answered back.
By evening, the camp settled earlier than usual. People were tired, not just physically, but emotionally. The fire burned low. Conversations faded quicker. One by one, lanterns dimmed.
Caleb slept deeply that night.
Morning came cool and pale, mist hanging low between the trees of Roanoke Valley. Birds stirred. Horses snorted softly. The camp woke in pieces, slow and quiet.
At the entrance of camp, Caleb stood beside Morgan, tightening the saddle straps with practiced ease. He tugged once, twice, checking the cinch, making sure nothing would slip on a long ride.
Arthur was a few steps away with his own horse, brushing the animal's neck and making sure it had eaten enough from the feed bag. He poured water into a small trough and waited until the horse drank its fill.
"You treat that thing better than yourself," Caleb remarked lightly.
Arthur snorted. "Horse won't complain. That's an improvement."
Caleb smirked and finished his checks, patting Morgan's neck. "Alright, girl. Gonna be a long one."
Footsteps approached behind them.
"Looks like you two are about ready."
Hosea stood there, hands folded behind his back, eyes taking in every detail like he always did. The camp behind him was waking more fully now, Pearson stirring stew, Uncle coughing awake, Sadie sharpening her knife on a stone.
Caleb nodded. "Yeah. We'll head out right after this."
Arthur glanced at Hosea. "Distance from here to Valentine's pretty far. Couple hours at least, maybe more if the roads are busy. We'll stay the night there and come back tomorrow afternoon."
Hosea inclined his head. "Do what both of you think's best."
Then his gaze fixed on Caleb, sharper now. "Especially you, Caleb. You're the one who knows Valentine best."
His gaze sharpened slightly. "And make sure neither of you causes any trouble. You hear me?"
Caleb nodded without hesitation. "I hear you Hosea."
Arthur raised a hand. "I ain't plannin' on causin' any trouble."
Hosea shot him a flat look.
Arthur immediately bristled. "What? I said I won't."
"You said that before," Hosea replied calmly. "And it was right before you, Javier, Charles, and Bill turned a saloon into kindling."
Arthur opened his mouth. "That was Bill—"
"You escalated it," Hosea cut in. "All of you did."
Arthur grumbled under his breath. "We were helpin'."
"Helpin'," Hosea repeated dryly. "By breakin' furniture and knockin' half the town unconscious."
"They had it comin'," Arthur muttered.
Caleb chuckled, unable to help himself.
Arthur shot him an indignant look. "Don't you start."
"I ain't sayin' you were wrong," Caleb said, amused. "Just sayin' Hosea's got a point."
Arthur huffed and shook his head, muttering something about unfair reputations.
The horses were ready.
Caleb swung up onto Morgan smoothly. Arthur mounted his own horse with a grunt, settling into the saddle.
Hosea stepped back, giving them space. "You'd best return safe tomorrow."
"We will," Caleb said.
Arthur nodded. "Promise."
With that, they turned their horses and rode out of camp.
They headed south first, moving carefully through the familiar trees before reaching the main road. Once there, Caleb guided them west, hooves striking packed dirt as the forest gradually opened up.
The ride was long, but steady.
They passed O'Creagh's Run as the sun climbed higher, the water reflecting the pale sky like a sheet of glass. From there, they crossed into Ambarino, the air growing cooler as the terrain shifted. Snow still clung faintly to shaded rocks in the distance.
Arthur glanced around. "Never get tired of this view. But always forget how damn cold this place feels."
Caleb nodded. "World's still beautiful. Even when people ain't."
They continued on, passing the Three Sisters, those towering rock formations rising like ancient sentinels. At a three way intersection, Caleb guided them right, skirting Moonstone Pond, its surface calm and deceptive.
The road curved and carried them into Cumberland Forest, thick with pine and shadow. The smell of sap and damp earth filled the air. They followed the main road west, letting it guide them, until gradually the forest thinned.
Then, without ceremony, they crossed back into New Hanover.
The land opened up. Fields replaced trees. Fences appeared. And with them came signs of life, more horses, wagons, and riders than they'd seen all day.
Arthur noticed immediately. "Busy road."
"Means we're close," Caleb replied.
Not long after, Valentine came into view.
They approached from the north, riding past familiar landmarks. At the three way intersection, the church stood to their left, its bell silent. The sheriff's office passed on their right, the front porch occupied by a deputy leaning lazily against a post.
They turned right onto the main road.
And that's when Arthur really noticed it.
Heads turned.
People smiled.
A man waved. "Well I'll be damned! If it ain't Caleb!"
A woman near the general store called out, "You finally come back again, huh?"
Another voice laughed. "Who you bringin' with you this time?"
Arthur blinked, taken aback.
Caleb tipped his hat easily. "Good to see you all again folks. This here's my friend, Mr. Tacitus Kilgore."
Arthur stiffened for half a second at the name, then caught on and nodded. "Pleasure."
More greetings followed. Friendly. Familiar. Like Caleb belonged here.
Arthur returned the nods and greetings, but inside, his mind was racing.
'They know him. Not as a drifter. Not as trouble. As… someone.'
They reached the central hitching post outside the Valentine Hotel. Dismounting, they tied their horses securely. Caleb turned and pointed across the street, past the constant comings and goings of the stable and the ringing hammer blows from the blacksmith.
"There," he said simply. "That's it."
Arthur's eyes followed his finger.
And stopped dead as his jaw went slack.
He'd been picturing a shack. A modest eatery.
What stood before him was a large building. Solid. Well built. Clean wood, wide windows, a proper sign hanging proudly out front, with the window counter in front.
To the side was a spacious outdoor seating area under a slatted wooden awning, with more tables and chairs, currently about half full despite the afternoon hour. The smell wafting from the building was incredible, roasting meat, fresh bread, potatoes, and herbs.
Arthur stared.
"This…" Arthur stammered, turning to Caleb with wide eyes. "This is what you call a small business you built? Caleb, this is a… a damn establishment! The profit from this… you said 'decent'? This must be a gold mine!"
Caleb chuckled. "I didn't want to sound like I was boastin' back at camp."
Arthur turned on him. "Caleb, this ain't small. This is… hell, this is bigger than half the saloons I've robbed."
"The profits are good," Caleb admitted.
"Good?" Arthur scoffed. "You could bankroll a small gang of bounty hunters with this."
Caleb shrugged lightly. "I got plans."
Arthur eyed the building again, shaking his head. "You built all this… after joinin' us?"
"Yeah."
"And you're still runnin' with outlaws."
"For now," Caleb replied quietly.
Arthur was silent for a moment, then let out a low whistle. "You got bigger ambitions than you let on."
Caleb smiled faintly. "This? This is still small."
Arthur stared at him. "You're outta your damn mind."
Caleb laughed. "Maybe. But I'm thinkin' bigger. I want to expand my business. To other towns. To other states. Hell… one day, maybe the whole country will have branch of my business."
Arthur shook his head in disbelief, a crooked smile forming despite himself. "Restaurant tycoon Caleb Thorne. Never thought I'd see the day."
Caleb clapped him on the shoulder. "C'mon. I'll show you inside."
They headed toward the main door for the employees, where the townsfolk who were in line greeted him, before then the both of them entered through the door which open to warmth, cooking noise, and the smell of good food.
For the first time in a long time, Arthur Morgan stepped into a future that didn't smell like gunpowder.
And he didn't hate it.
"Caleb!" Jasper who was manning the window counter called. "You're back!"
Caleb nodded. "Everything runnin' smooth Jasper?"
"Smooth as ever."
Arthur took it all in, disbelief etched across his face. "You built all this," he murmured.
Caleb didn't reply immediately. He simply watched the room, his employees moving around, the life moving without violence or fear.
"Yes Arthur," he said finally. "I did."
Caleb then lead them to take a seat at the rest area of the employees where Caleb waves to Jessie who passed by for a coffee, and before Arthur could protest, Jessie put down two cups of coffee before them. Arthur stared. "I was jokin' about the free stuffs."
...
Name: Caleb Thorne
Age: 23
Body Attributes:
- Strength: 7/10
- Agility: 7/10
- Perception: 8/10
- Stamina: 7/10
- Charm: 7/10
- Luck: 8/10
Skills:
- Handgun (Lvl 4)
- Rifle (Lvl 4)
- Firearms Knowledge (Lvl 4)
- Past Life Memory (Lvl MAX)
- Knife (Lvl 4)
- Blunt Weapon (Lvl 1)
- Sneaking (Lvl 4)
- Horse Mastery (Lvl 4)
- Poker (Lvl 4)
- Hand to Hand Combat (Lvl 4)
- Eagle Eye (Lvl 1)
- Dead Eye (Lvl 3)
- Bow (Lvl 2)
- Pain Nullifier (Lvl 3)
- Physical Regeneration (Lvl 2)
- Crafting (Lvl 3)
- Persuasion (Lvl 4)
- Mental Fortitude (Lvl MAX)
- Cooking (Lvl 4)
- Teaching (Lvl 2)
- Trilingual Language Proficiency - G, I, & C (Lvl MAX)
- Inventory System (Permanent - 10x10x10)
- Acting (Lvl 4)
- Alcohol Resistance (Lvl MAX)
- Treasure Hunter (Lvl MAX)
- Drugs Resistance (Lvl MAX)
Money: 3,726 dollars and 10 cents
Inventory: 112,892 dollars and 61 cents, 11 gold nuggets, 65 gold bars, 1 Double Action, 1 Schofield, 2 Colm's Schofields, land deed (Parcel), 1 Mauser, 1 Semi Auto Pistol, 1 Lancaster Repeater, 1 Old Wood Jewelry Box, 1 F.F Mausoleum small brass key, 1 Ruby, 1 Braithwaites Land Deed, & 1 Broken Pirate Sword
Bank: -