Jonah rides fast back to Armadillo.
The crew finally arrives in town, Deputy Jonah tells some citizens to take the corpses of their fallen comrades to give them a proper burial, while John and another citizen help the Marshal to get off the back of the wagon.
As the marshal finally stands on his feet, he turns his head to the back of the wagon, looking at Eli's dead body.
_Marshal Johnson_ : it's been a pleasure working with you, Deputy Eli. You'll forever be my comrade.
_John_ : come on, Marshal. Let's get you to a doctor.
_Marshal Johnson_ : don't worry, John. You and your friend need to get going, right?
_Keith_ : That's right. John.. Blackwater awaits.
John then lets the Marshal get taken by some volunteering citizens to the nearby Doctor Office. While he gets on the wagon to take Bill's body to Blackwater, the citizens begin to cheer, thanking them for what they've done, then the pair rides to Blackwater. As they're traveling back, Keith notices that John is silent, and he's sometimes driving off the road due to some distraction, and for that he asks about him.
_Keith_ : Hey, is everything ok?
_John_ : yeah, sure.
_Keith_ : nah, something is off. It's Bill, ain't it?
_John_ : sure. The moment I saw him, all the memories.. of that time, flashed before my eyes.
_Keith_ : then drop them. Don't think about them. What happened back at Beaver Hollow is what you call a truth reveal.
_John_ : absolutely. I'm just glad I realized what was happening at the right time.
_Keith_ : yeah.
_John_ : what about you all? If I may ask?
_Keith_ : us? We never stabbed each other in the back.
_John_ : but.. you came for Micah over at the mountain. He must've put the law on you.
_Keith_ : no not exactly. We were already sold out to the law by some bastard, and Micah only convinced them to recruit us since they told him to search for "recruits" for them. But before that.. we had been chased by a bigger group of lawmen called the Rangers. We ran away for sometime, but at some point we wanted to stand our ground. I ain't gonna lie to you, John, it was a bad idea
_John_ : how do you mean?
_Keith_ : they killed our half. The Rangers weren't only skilled, but they were too many. Eventually they retreated because none of us backed down.
_John_ : so, it partly was worth it.
_Keith_ : no. We wanted to get rid of them anyhow but we did that stupidly.. [takes a breather] ..so anyway, as we thought that we finally got rid of our tail, the Pinkertons showed up.
_John_ : God damn bastards. They've never let anyone alone.
_Keith_ : Maybe this time, we might have a chance. I met Sadie.
_John [chuckles]_ : you did?
_Keith_ : yeah. Quite a lady you know.
_John_ : she's always been like this, a furious lady.
_Keith_ : So who's next now? Dutch or.. that other guy?
_John_ : Javier. I don't know. We'll have to wait for Ross to tell us.
_Keith_ : alright then. And by the way, pay attention to the road. We don't wanna screw things up. Not now.
The pair resumes their journey with their prized bounty on the back of their wagon all the way to Blackwater.
They safely and successfully deliver the target to Agent Ross who receives it with satisfaction, and he gives them his approval and gratitude but in his own way.
As soon as that's done, he lets them off with a vacation and tells them to expect from him again soon, and so, each of them to return to his home, John to Beecher's Hope, and Keith who's yet to have another long journey back to Emerald Ranch which is located in the heart of the giant state of New HHanover.
Both men leave Blackwater together and stop at a crossroad a bit of a distance afar.
_Keith_ : this is a good spot.
_John_ : yeah.
_Keith_ : so, the first set is done.
_John_ : yeah. I.. never got to ask you about how was it for you did up in North Lavina.
_Keith_ : it wasn't easy, that's for sure. But it's done and that's what all that matters now.
_John_ : exactly. So let's take some rest until we hear from our friend.
_Keith_ : sure. And if you see your friend Sadie again, tell her to make sure she finds us a good boat.
_John_ : yeah.
_Keith_ : and don't forget about your family.
_John_ : you ain't gotta tell me.
_Keith_ : alright. Be well for now, John Marston. We shall meet again.
_John_ : we shall.. Keith Hardin.
Keith departs towards his destination while John resumes his way back to his ranch.
Despite the short distance that John has to travel, however it feels heavy for him, and full of memories, memories that he never likes to recall even if he's by himself. For every bit of the road, his mind is away, thinking and summoning people along with events that strike him hard, especially those that have to do with Bill Williamson, the man he used to ride with and consider brother, and the same helpless man he killed.
John reaches his ranch at last and finds Sadie sitting on the house's portch. Together they walk into his house and have a discussion about what happened with him and his partner, and they also talk about their exit plan, for which they decide to meet in the next few days.
Sadie leaves and John lays down again.
Later on that day, around midnight, Keith finally arrives to Emerald Ranch, a clear sign of relief is clearly shown on his face as he is marching on horseback slowly through town, but he can't wait to step foot in his safe aboud, his cabin that lies at the exit of the ranch. Finally, he arrives at his cabin, hitches his horse to the hitching post next to his door, and walks into the cabin, this is the first moment in quite a while of relief and easiness. Nothing matters now except for resting up mind, soul and body.
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Redemption 1910
Action> Wild West, Fanfiction.. > This story tells an alternative storyline that would happen after the ending of Red Dead Redemption 2, meaning after 1907, and the story begins in 1910. > Moreover, this work covers the era of the wild west during its dyi...
