Snake Skin | John Marston

Romeo And Juliet

The two riders approached Caliga Hall, instantly met by guards at the entry, their rifles gleaming ominously in the dying sunlight.

At the sight of the heavily armed men, Y/N sighed, "Everywhere I go, there's a white man with a rifle waiting for me. Will it be like that in Heaven above?"

"One can only hope," Arthur replied with a wry smile, his eyes scanning the imposing structure before them.

"What do you two want?" one of the guards barked as the riders drew nearer.

"This here the Greys' plantation?" Arthur asked, keeping his tone steady.

"Yup, Caliga Hall. And that's as close as you're gettin' to it," the guard replied, crossing his arms defiantly.

"Sheriff's orders," Arthur announced, "He wanted me to have a word with some folk on the property. I'm recently deputized, you see."

"Recently deputized? And what's she? I don't see a badge on the lady," the guard retorted, eyeing Y/N with skepticism.

"She's my bodyguard," Arthur replied smoothly, a hint of pride in his voice.

Y/N couldn't help but crack a smile at his words, the absurdity of the situation breaking through her nerves.

"Hmph. Then I suppose he was drunk when he did it," the guard scoffed. "Look, you can come in, but you ain't talkin' with me."

"Obliged," Arthur said with a nod of appreciation. They nudged their horses forward, Y/N feeling an odd mix of excitement and apprehension as they crossed the threshold into the lavish estate.

"So this is what it's like havin' money?" she asked mockingly, glancing around at the opulent surroundings, where finely manicured gardens met the grandeur of the mansion.

"I assume so," Arthur replied, his gaze sweeping over the bustling surroundings. After a few inquiries among the local workers, the pair received a lead on a certain Beau Gray. They made their way to the wood store, where a young man stood engrossed in his journal.

Arthur dismounted his horse and approached the young man. "Huh. I saw you at the sheriff's office."

The young man exhaled sharply, straightening his back as he looked up. "Excuse me, friend."

"We friends?" Arthur asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Not yet, but, uh, there's hope," Beau replied, a hint of nervousness in his voice.

"I guess," Arthur shrugged, glancing at Y/N, who remained mounted and observant.

Beau studied Y/N for a moment before turning his attention back to Arthur. "We don't get many travelers around here. Suddenly, there's a whole bunch of mysterious but strangely helpful Yankees. What brings you to these parts?"

"We're just looking for work," Arthur said, his hand resting on his belt, exuding a calm confidence.

"We're all looking for something," Beau replied, a knowing glint in his eye. "No worry, your secret is safe with me."

"What secret?" Y/N interjected suddenly, her curiosity piqued.

Beau glanced at Y/N once more, then opened his journal to reveal its pages. "I've got a secret of my own," he said, a hint of mischief in his eyes.

"Are you secretly normal?" Arthur quipped, eliciting a light chuckle from Y/N.

"Excuse me?" Beau raised an eyebrow, clearly caught off guard.

"Never mind," Arthur replied, waving a hand dismissively.

"The thing is," Beau continued, leaning in slightly as if sharing a conspiratorial whisper, "I don't care if you lot killed a whole bunch of us, or even the Braithwaites."