The lost spark in your eyes //RDR2 // Arthur Morgan

Chapter 4

Rhodes was a southern town that was located in the state of Lemoyne. The weather in the Area was fairly warm, like any other place in the state.
On the first sight, Rhodes seemed to be a decent town, but Katie realized that it wasn't within the first days that she stayed near the town.

Many of the residents still can't forget the Civil War that ended many years ago. The town was corrupt, with racial tensions and family feuds that run deep. Belle had already mentioned the two families that run this town and the surrounding area. The Gray's and Braithwaite's were plantation families, fighting for a reason they can't even remember. They just kept fighting each other.

Leigh Gray was the local sheriff, but he didn't seem to do a good job.
He didn't recognize Katie as the wanted Outlaw that she is. With that, she is able to come into town from time to time, without risking getting captured.
But he also wasn't able to do something against the Lemoyne Raiders, who rob and kill within the state. They are mostly Confederate veterans, who are deeply racist and have a desire for revenge against the north. Within Rhodes, they are more feared than respected. The group is very violent and known for murder and robbery. Thanks to their arms and training, they are more dangerous than other gangs, making it difficult for the Sheriff to fight them back.

Katie still tried to stay away from the town for most of the time. She is spending most of the time near the cabin, where Belle had sent her. Exploring the surrounding area or hunting. She still went into town a few times to get some groceries from the local store. She tried to lie as low as possible. It seemed to work. She hasn't seen any Pinkterons since her last run in with them when they shot Mac.

It was already midday as Katie rode into town. She was running low on food, so she decided to head to the store and buy some groceries. Noticing a wagon that stood next to the store, blocking the hitching post, she leads her horse to the gunsmith on the opposite side of the street. She hitched her horse and patted his neck, before she walked towards the grocery store and looked at the wagon, that stood next to the store. A blonde woman, wearing dark pants and a yellow shirt, stood near the wagon and watched the men as they loaded groceries onto it. It wasn't usual to see another woman wearing men's clothes. And women who did, were usually very capable of handling problems on their own. The blonde woman didn't seem to notice Katie, so she decided to go inside, hoping that the female wouldn't bring any trouble upon her.

Katie bought some canned food and something to eat for her horse. Realizing that she was running low on money after she had paid the food, she would have to find some work to earn some more. She was determined to lie low, so robbing folk wasn't the best to do in case to get money. Maybe she could look for some bounties in the Sheriff's office.

"Massacre in Valentine! Dutch's boys involved in shooting!" Katie got curious as she heard the newspaper seller who tried to sell his newspapers outside the grocery store. The wagon that stood next to the store had already left again, taking the mysterious women with it. She bought one and walked over to her horse. Leaning against the hitching post, she gave Satan an apple that she has bought and began to read the newspaper.

Apparently the Gang had robbed a train near Granite Pass, that belonged to Leviticus Cornwall and when found a new camp near Valentine. Leviticus Cornwall was a wealthy man, who owned several businesses. He sure had his fair share in influence and had tracked down the Gang in Valentine. A lot of men, including the local law and Pinkertons died that day in the shootout.

Katie now knew that the Gang must have settled camp near Valentine. But she also knew that they wouldn't be there anymore. It would be dumb to stay there, after the shootout. She let out a sigh as she realized that she still didn't know where the Gang was holding up. The article also didn't say who of the gang was involved in the robbery and shootout. So she also didn't know who of the gang was still alive and who might be dead.
Hoping that everyone made it out of it alive, she mounted her horse to ride back to the cabin, near Braithwaite Manor.