𝗖𝗨𝗣𝗜𝗗𝗜𝗧𝗬 𝗜𝗜 ➳ 𝗥𝗘𝗗 𝗗𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗥𝗘𝗗𝗘𝗠𝗣𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗜𝗜

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟑.

Arthur and Eleanor were up at the crack of dawn the next morning. The two had saddled their horses and packed their saddle bags, Arthur had even persuaded Susan and Pearson to lend some cans of food for their journey. Reluctantly, they had agreed but only gave him a small amount as it was the camp's supply. With a child in the gang along with a lot of mouths to feed, this was understandable. 

While Arthur hurried back and forth between the horses and his caravan, Eleanor found herself halted as she unravelled the folded map after retrieving it from the breast pocket of her black leather duster coat. She unfolded the fragile map and her eyes scanned the map over quickly.

"All good?" Arthur asked as he returned from the horses again. Eleanor parted from the map and nodded at him firmly before lazily folding the map and shoving it back into it's place in her coat. 

"Yeah. I think today we'll hit Trapper's Cabin," Eleanor announced to him as she turned to look around to see if they had left anything behind. She noticed Arthur's satchel on the bed and quickly picked it up before turning back to him. "It's out in Bluewater Marsh. Swampy country from what I recall," she stretched the hand that held his satchel out to him. Arthur took it from her.

"Thank you. Yes, yes it is," Arthur nodded at her as he slid an arm through the loop hole of his satchel before the bag hung off of his opposite shoulder. "Alligator territory. Horses might get spooked."

"We'll take it easy, leave them by the road if we have to," Eleanor informed him which Arthur seemed delighted to hear the idea. "I think we won't make it to any of the other places in a day."

"No we won't," Arthur confirmed her suspicions. "Hitting the one closest to us is the smartest idea, eliminate potential danger to the gang."

"Do you think Hamish will be there?" Eleanor felt forced to ask the question as a rush of anxiety filled her gut. She somewhat felt some relief when he shook his head at her. 

"He probably took off back down south if he's smart. Tell Mary you're still around," Arthur informed her. Eleanor felt the corners of her lips tug down slightly at the thought. Mary will be pissed to hear she's still around, especially after being unable to find her for months. 

"You two heading out?" Dutch's voice interrupted them. The two of them turned to see Dutch walking out of his tent, stretching his arms out from aching limbs after a night's sleep. 

"Yeah. We're going to Trapper's Cabin first," Arthur informed him, letting Dutch know of their whereabouts. Arthur looked at Eleanor, a tint of questioning in his blue eyes. "And then..." he trailed off.

"Van Horn Mansion," Eleanor answered for Arthur. Arthur nodded, liking the sound of the idea. "We could hit both of those places in one day but the long ride to the Marshes will be tiring," Eleanor shrugged.

"Understandable," Dutch nodded at them both. "Well, I'll expect you both back in three days. If you're not back by the morning of the fourth day I'll send out a search party," Dutch announced his plan to them, which they both nodded at him. "You both be safe now. Make those bastards pay," Dutch looked at Eleanor, a look of determination on his face. 

"Oh we will," Eleanor grinned, thirsty for the blood of the men who worked for the evil witch. Dutch grinned at her eagerness before turning to Arthur, placing a hand on his shoulder. 

"My son... you be careful. You've only just healed and-"

"Dutch. What happened weren't your fault," Arthur interrupted him. Dutch however didn't seem so convinced on Arthur's word. He still had the look of guilt laden his face that had been obvious since Arthur returned, barely alive.