When Hearts collide (An Arthur Morgan Rdr2 fanfiction)

Part 1: Arthur

Chapter 1: Man on a mission

Morning. It came softly, with a gentle morning breeze and the sweet sound of birdsong, as they moved through the trees. What must it be like, to live free of burden? To be able to go wherever the wind takes them? These thoughts wander through my mind, as I sit in my usual spot, enjoying my morning coffee, looking out to the valley beyond the overlook, in which I sat, watching the sun slowly rise over the distant horizon. There was no denying, Horseshoe Overlook, had its perks. It was well hidden. And, it was peaceful. Or at least it was, until that durned O'Drisscol I'd captured, Kieran Duffy I believe he said his name was, started in, with his infernal wailing. Just like every other morning. Yet, today, I found it especially annoying. So much so, I found myself dumping the rest of my coffee, and finding my way over to him, tired of his infernal squawking. If he was going to squawk, then he needed to do so, about the gang he used to run with.

I stood before him, now. And the glare I gave him, was a rather menacing one. He glanced up at me a few times, as he continued to complain about his unfair treatment. Finally, I couldn't hold it in anymore.
   "Speak, boy. Speak all about your gang," I practically snarl the words.
   "Easy, Arthur. We can't kill this one, just yet," Dutch says, wandering over, with Bill and Javier.
   "Well, we should. He's gettin' on my nerves," I say, scratching my neck.
   "Ain't that the truth. A feller can hardly think, with all the racket he's makin'," Bill agrees.
    "Come on, fellas. Cut me loose," Kieran says.
   "Oh, we'd be happy to. But first, you best start talkin'. Oh wait, you're an O'Drisscol. All you'd do, is lie to us. Lie, to save that bastard Colm's hide. Screw it, lets have some fun. Geld him," Dutch says, gesturing for Bill to grab the cutters that lay near the fire.
 
To say Kieran went pale, would be an understatement. Pale is how one looks when they are sick or injured. This kid went plum white as a sheet. And soon as he realized the danger he was in, he finally caved.
   "Okay, alright. I'll talk. I know where Colm is holed up. An' you're right. He don't like you, no more than you like him. But, I don't much like him, anymore than the rest of you. So, that's somethin' we share. Now, if you'll cut me loose, I'll take you to him," Kieran says.
    "That's what I like to hear. I got this from here, Dutch," I say, as I cut the rope that held Kieran prisoner, for quite some time.
    "See to it, that you do. Just be careful,' Dutch says.
    "I'm always careful, Dutch," I say.

Turning to Kieran, I watch as he rubs his raw wrists.
   "Boy, does that feel better," he says.
   "Better not make us regret this, Boy. You best be leadin' me to Colm and not some Goddamn trap. You understand?" I say.
   "Honest, I'll take you to him. And I won't be any problem. Honest," he says.
   "You better be right, for your sake. John, Bill, ride with me," I say.
    "Damn straight, I'm comin'," Bill says, a dark glint to his eyes.
    "Sure, I guess," John says.
    "Marston, this maggot rides with you. He gives you any problems, shoot him," I say.
    "Great," John says, rolling his eyes, unpleased with the situation.
  
Mounting my horse, I turn to the others.
  "Ready, when you are," I say.
  "Right. So, where we even headin', anyways?" John asks.
   "Head through the trees, there. I'll guide you, once we're on the main path," Kieran says.
    "Guess I'll lead, then," John says, moving ahead of me and Bill.
    "Oh, Morgan, Dutch gave me some throwin' knives. Said to give em' to you. So, I put em' in your saddlebag," Bill says.
   "How's bout next time, you have somethin' to give me, you give it to me, instead of hidin' it somewhere?" I ask.
   "Well, last Goddamn favor I do you," he says.
    "Hey, pipe down. I need to focus," Kieran says.
    "You best show some respect, Kid. Otherwise, I'll put a bullet in you myself," I say.
    "Alright. Jeez, do you have to be so mean?" He asks.
    "I can be a whole lot meaner, if I choose to," I say.
  
Taking my words to heart, he gets his bearings, showing us exactly which trails to take. However, the entire ride, the kid wouldn't shut up. I ain't never met a kid, who talked so much, in my life. And then, when he started comparing us to the O'Drisscol outfit, I damn near had Marston halt his horse. We were nothing, like them damn O'Drisscols. Not one bit. Finally, I couldn't take his blabbing anymore.
   "Marston, shut that boy up. All this talk, bout us bein' like the O'Drisscols, makes me wanna throw up," I say.
   "I'm just sayin-,"Kieran begins, but is quickly silenced.
    "Shut the hell up," Marston says.
    "Jeez, okay, fine. We're almost there anyhow. Just up ahead," Kieran says.

We reach our destination, and immediately start preparing for a gunfight.
   "We go in, quietly. If we happen to get caught, then you move fast and you move hard. Colm gets his, today," I say.
Everyone nods in agreement, readying themselves physically and emotionally. Yet, just as we're about to go in silently, a shrill scream fills the air.
   "What the hell was that?" Marston asks.
    "Prolly a damn cougar. Them things can mimic human screams," Bill says.
The scream comes, again.
    "That ain't no Goddamn cougar," I say, and I start running, no longer caring about going quiet, with this.
    "Arthur, what the hell you doing?" John calls out behind me.
    "Guess we're goin' loud and hard," Bill says.

I ignored them, running as fast as my legs could carry me, shooting any O'Drisscols, who got in my way. All I knew, was that I had to get inside that cabin. I had to. Yet, when I pushed the door open, I was immediately jumped.
One minute, I'm staring down the barrel of a shotgun. And the next, I see the man behind it, fall to the ground, lifeless.
   "You alright?" Kieran's voice asks, from somewhere nearby.
    "Yeah, I'm fine. Thanks, kid," I say, as I push myself back up and on my feet, once more.
    "There goes Colm, makin' a run for it!" Bill says.
    "You two go after him," I say, as I brush dust from my shirt.

They go without hesitation, leaving me and Kieran to search the cabin.
   "Arthur, quick, get in here!" He says.
I make my way inside the cabin, and my jaw nearly drops, at the sight before me.
   "I knew it. I knew that scream weren't from no damn cougar," I say, as I make my way over to the bed, where a woman lie tied by her hands and feet, battered and bruised.
She looks up, as I approach, and she smiles.
   "You came. You finally came," she says.
   "Don't worry, I'm gonna get you outta here, Miss. It's alright, now," I say.
   "You came. I knew you would," she says, as I lift her into my arms.
   "She must've been here a while. She seems delusional," Kieran says.

I turn to him, then. And I do something I'd never thought I would ever do. I smiled at him, and I thanked him for saving my life.
   "Well of course. I'm one of you, now," he says.
   "I'll be sure to tell Dutch that. Now, we best get back to camp," I say.
   "What about her?" He asks.
   "I'm gonna see what Dutch advises me to do," I say.
   "Need me to hold her, till you saddle up?" He asks.
I nod, and hand the woman in my arms, a young thing by the looks of it, to Kieran. I climb into the saddle, and reach for her, placing her in front of me just so.
   "You, get on," I say to Kieran.
He complies and we immediately hit the trail and make way, for camp.