Ghosts of the Past [ RDR2 - Arthur Morgan ]

Chapter 53 - No More Kings

Word count - 2227

CHAPTER 53 - No more Kings

The escape from the caves didn't take long. With Arthur leading them through the winding passages, they had an advantage - the Law would take longer to follow. At last, they emerged onto a grassy hilltop, lungs burning from the run. Arthur stuck two fingers in his mouth and blew a loud, sharp whistle - shortly followed by John and Rosemary. A call for their horses. It was possibly a dangerous decision, but an escape on foot was even less likely.

The ladders out of the cave led them to a small clearing within a woody hill top. The distant echoes of further fighting rang from below. But here on this hilltop gave a brief moment of respite to the three who paused to catch their breath.

Mid-evening sunlight draped the treetops in gold, casting long shadows over the clearing. The warmth of it touched their faces, but it did nothing to thaw the cold tension in the air. "Y'know." John panted "Reckon I'm just about done with the outlaw life."

Arthur clapped a hand on his back with a low chuckle and a shake of the head "Reckon I'm right there with ya, Partner." Before running a hand over his stubble as he straightened up and gave Rose a once over "Y'alright?"

In reply, Rose huffed a laugh "I'm not really made for long distance running, Arthur, but I'll survive." She too straightened out and smoothed out her skirt almost by second nature as she looked around "What now?" her question gave out with a wisp of hot breath on cold air, and faded into the surrounding air.

That was the question.

They had escaped, but likely not for long. Law was sure to have followed them through the cave. And more Pinkertons would be surrounding the hillside. Their only change of escape would be on horseback. As well as the gentle concern for the others' escape. Had Abigail and Jack made it to the cross roads on foot? Had Tilly and Mary Beth gotten out unscathed? And Charles. He'd been in the thick of it, and none of them had seen him since retreating into the cave mouth.

Shaking his head, Arthur pinched the bridge of his nose to relieve the building pressure "Where are those damn horses?" Dead. Possibly. The Pinkertons hadn't exactly been choosy about where their bullets flew. With a deep grunt he turned his eyes back to John "You gotta get to the crossroads." He instructed simply.

"And we all gotta get down off this hilltop." John immediately replied "Can't go back through the caves." He stuck his fingers back in his mouth to let out another high pitched whistle for Old Boy. "We don't gotta split up, neither. We find Charles, see if we can't track down Mary Beth and Tilly. Sadie? Start new."

The idea sparked something of hope in Rose's chest as she looked off into the distance down the hill. Starting again, without the rotten parts of the gang. It could work. But Arthur shut it down with one word. "No." It was firm. Unarguable. But seeing the confused dying hope in Rose's eyes, he explained "I got five grand on my head. I'll be a risk no matter where I go. I ain't putting that risk on no one else." His cerulean blue eyes cast over to Rose as he addressed John "I'd send Rose wit chu too. If I thought there was a chance she'd listen."

"I wouldn't," she replied, warmth in her eyes as she met Arthur's gaze

There was a sound of hooves drumming over ground. At first Rose thought it might be the horses, but as she whipped around to face the sound, she found something far more worrying. Arthur's grip tightened around Rose's arm, yanking her back into the shadows of the opposite treeline.

Across the clearing, Dutch and Micah sprinted, firing wild shots over their shoulders. And behind them—closing in fast—came the Law.

"Get down." John whispered unnecessarily as he ducked behind one larger tree. Arthur held Rose close to his chest as they, too, hid. They watched on bated breaths as Dutch and Micah were backed up onto a cliff edge in the distance. "We're screwed." John breathed.