The Red Wolf ~ A Red Dead Redemption story

Chapter 26: Revelations

9th December 1893

The next day Dutch decided to head back to the manor after he decided to stay the night in the town hotel and see the doctor office for anything. He was quite shaken up alright. The encounter with the O'Driscolls made him extra cautious on his ride back to the manor. He kept his guns out and ready. The large O'Driscoll was the biggest threat now as he came directly for Dutch. Whilst he knew the Red Wolf had to be dealt with, he knew that Peterson was a more personal vendetta.

The more he thought he remembered all those painful and hurtful years ago. Indeed the man  was there and he did see Anabelle die. He still had the same sadistic taunts and laughter he had as he was riding with Colm for a while. Maybe he won't encounter Colm anytime soon but Peterson would be a priority.

Despite seeing him swept away by the ice and water, Dutch had a scary thought the man was still alive. He had hurt his pride and will power to keep going. So on his ride he made comments on how Peter had no right to taunt and mock him. It had cut deep into his mind on this large and scary figure. He had only calmed down when he came back to the manor and saw Arthur guarding the manor entrance.

"Arthur! Oh it's so good to see you son!" He greeted with pride as he patted the younger man's shoulders.

"Sure, you alright? You look like you've been bushwhacked." Arthur commented noting the bruises on Dutch's neck.

"I was bushwhacked." Dutch replied as he dismounted the Count and patted him.

"The Red Asshole?!" Arthur exclaimed as he raged in his mind.

"No son, O'Driscolls. They must've followed me from town when I went looking for the Red Wolf." Dutch replied as he and Arthur began to make their walk to the house.

Arthur just kept thinking of the Red Wolf though as "You see him?"

"Yes but all in good time. I just need a coffee and fresh change of clothes. Meet me with Hosea at the fireplace soon....and don't go telling me "I told you so!""

"Alright, just know that next time. I'll be the bushwhacker." Arthur joked as he called Davey over to change the guard shift. Though he kept his eyes peeled on the surroundings before entering the house. As if to spot something that could be there, but was most likely not.

Seeing Davey stumbling around on guard duty made Arthur feel awful about himself. In some ways he blamed himself as well for the Callander Boy's condition. If he had dealt with the Red Wolf at the gold mine or even that day he got showed up for the bounty. None of this could have happened. It was something he would put into his journal later on he supposed.

None of them truly thought that the end of year was gonna turn this way. Despite being thankful that no-one was dead, it still was not a happy place. John was alive and well along with Davey but were not at their top condition.

John was still confined to bed, whilst he was awake he had no energy to move about. Davey meanwhile had recovered but he had to do jobs at the manor that didn't involve a lot of action. Due to the many stitches he had on his stomach and shoulders. So he just went on guard duty with only his revolver on standby.

Mac wasn't his usual friendly self as if he too blamed himself for the events in the passed weeks. Hosea had more or less didn't care about the schemes they were planning as for now he just wanted to wait through winter and head back west. Miss Grimshaw had agreed as she didn't like the snow storms that kept her confined inside the manor with her becoming anxious with everything that had been going on. She wanted to personally see who the red gunslinger was and give him a piece of her mind.

Mary-Beth and Tilly were both outside making snowmen or throwing snowballs at each other with Copper. They were young people after all.

But for now Dutch was happy and hopeful, which was a great contrast to the people inside. Now he was in the lounge sat in his armchair with a cigar lit with a fresh set of clothes with news to share.