Arthur's Redemption [Red Dead Redemption 2]

Chapter 15: Grays and Braithwaites

Colm O'Driscoll is dead. Sadie Adler killed him. I hope it brings her some peace. But there's no peace in camp. I told Dutch what I've been thinking for months now, and I don't think anything will be the same again.

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The sounds of Dutch and Molly O'Shea arguing made its way through the camp, and everyone made awkward glances towards their tent as they went about their business.

From what Arthur could tell, Dutch was spitting about faith and loyalty, but Miss O'Shea was giving as good as she got.

The backlash from Arthur's outburst was a fractured camp, one that horribly reminded him of Beaver Hollow. Since Hosea was barely talking to Dutch, Micah took up the role of second in command and whispered in Dutch's ear, continuing to encourage the ideas of gold and escaping the law. And because of that, Dutch was transforming from the determined leader to the manipulative bastard, a version of himself that had once shot at Arthur and John thinking they were rats.

"Hosea has lost his spine," he heard Dutch say to Micah. "You are the only one whose been loyal."

Sadly, Arthur realized that soon it was time to go. He just needed to determine who would go with him, and how.

Hosea would go with him. The older man was just as disturbed by Dutch's behavior and maybe wanted to help, but if it came down between him or Dutch, he hoped Hosea would choose to leave. John and his family, as well. The betrayal of Dutch not looking for him after he was captured was still very fresh, and even he had confessed to Arthur, while they listened to Dutch's passive aggressive grumblings about loyalty, that he just didn't know Dutch anymore.

As for the rest, well, Arthur didn't expect them to be one giant family anymore, as much as he wanted it to be the case. But the world was changing, the country growing smaller by the day, and as much as he dreamed of all of them owning a piece of land together, it just didn't seem like the future they were headed towards. Not with the price on Arthur's head, and a lot of the others as well.

Being in camp was stifling, so Arthur went a little outside to take care of Dakota. He almost ran straight into Kieran.

"Oh, Mr. Morgan," he said. Arthur sincerely hoped that, with Colm dead, Kieran would survive. But he couldn't be sure yet.

"Hey Kieran, how are the horses?"

"Pretty well, but our supplies for them are running low. I've been meaning to go looking for some burdock root."

"Actually, about that," Arthur said carefully. "Maybe don't leave camp by yourself just yet. Colm may be dead, but the other gang members? If they find any of us, especially you, well, I'm just worried they might try to take revenge."

"Oh," said Kieran, growing a little pale.

"Look, I don't want to worry you, just for my sake when you leave camp, take me or Hosea or anyone you trust really."

"I don't really trust a lot of you just yet," Kieran admitted. "A lot of them still call me O'Driscoll."

"I know, I know. I'll try talking to them."

Kieran might go with him. He noticed that Mary-Beth seemed sweet on the boy, and maybe they could both be happy in a life together.

Dakota nudged his arm, looking for peppermints, which he obliged. Kieran laughed. "She has you wrapped around her finger, doesn't she. Or hoof, I suppose."

"She's a good girl. How's Branwen doing?"

"Just fine!"

He was glad that his relationship with Kieran was better this time around. Having Arthur's friendship and protection granted Kieran an easier time with the rest of the gang, and they were slowly opening up to the prior-O'Driscoll. Kieran knew two things: horses and fishing. The former was a good conversation for Arthur, and the latter actually opened up a tentative friendship with Javier, though that was still in the beginning stages.