Loyalty Divided

Chapter Forty Six

Arthur sat at the edge of the camp, his eyes absently tracing the patterns in the dirt beneath his boots. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows through the trees that surrounded their temporary hideout. Birds chirped in the distance, their songs a stark contrast to the turmoil within him.

Evangeline's words replayed in his mind, each one a dagger to his heart. The way she looked at him, the pain and love mingled in her eyes-it was almost too much to bear. He had tried to move on, to bury the memories of their time together, but seeing her again had unearthed everything. He couldn't shake the image of her tears, the sound of her voice breaking as she confessed her lingering feelings. Arthur sighed, running a hand through his hair, feeling the weight of his past decisions pressing down on him.

The camp was alive with the usual hustle and bustle. Members of the gang went about their routines, preparing meals, tending to horses, and maintaining their gear. The scent of cooking meat wafted through the air, mixing with the earthy smell of the forest. Despite the activity around him, Arthur felt a deep sense of isolation, lost in his thoughts.

"Arthur!" Dutch's voice cut through the din, pulling him back to the present. He looked up to see Dutch standing with Hosea and Micah near the campfire. The urgency in Dutch's tone made it clear this was more than a casual conversation.

Arthur pushed himself up and walked over, his mind still partly on Evangeline. As he approached, he could see the tension etched on Hosea's face and the eager glint in Micah's eyes.

"What's goin' on?" Arthur asked, his voice gruff.

Dutch looked at him with a serious expression. "Arthur, we've got a situation that needs careful consideration."

Arthur raised an eyebrow, glancing at Micah. "Careful consideration, huh? Sounds like something Micah ain't too familiar with."

Micah's eyes narrowed, but Dutch held up a hand to forestall any retort. "Arthur, this is important. Micah's brought some news that could be a game changer for us."

Arthur crossed his arms, still eyeing Micah with skepticism. "Game changer, huh? Last time we followed one of Micah's brilliant ideas, we nearly ended up in the clink."

Micah's face reddened, and he took a step forward. "You got somethin' to say, Arthur, say it. I ain't the one sittin' around mopin' like a whipped dog."

Arthur's jaw tightened. "Just sayin', Micah. You got a knack for gettin' us into trouble."

"Alright, enough," Dutch interjected, his voice firm. "This ain't about takin' sides. We've got a chance to make a real score."

Arthur sighed, uncrossing his arms. "Fine. What's this about then?"

Micah, clearly irked but trying to maintain his composure, spoke up. "There's a ferry boat comin' into Blackwater. Loaded with money. It's an opportunity we can't pass up."

Arthur's brow furrowed. "A ferry boat? Sounds risky."

Hosea nodded in agreement, his expression serious. "It's too risky, Arthur. The law's all over Blackwater. We'd be walking into a trap."

Dutch held up a hand, trying to mediate. "Now, hold on. Micah's got a point. If we pull this off, it could set us up for a long time."

Arthur shook his head. "I don't like it. Too many things can go wrong. We got women and children in camp. We can't afford to take unnecessary risks."

Micah's grin faded, replaced by a scowl. "Always the cautious one, huh, Arthur? Sometimes you gotta take a gamble."

"It ain't a gamble if it's a sure loss," Arthur shot back. "We don't need that kind of heat."