The Dusty Shamrock ~ OC RDR2 fanfiction

Chapter 9

At sunrise, just as we'd arranged, I traded the guns and ammunition for a Buffalo pelt, a few supplies and a beautiful chestnut Mustang. The Mustang, named Ama, was equipped with a traditional riding blanket settled on her back.

By early morning, I'd set off riding again. Riding towards the nearest town. I was informed that the nearest town would be Valentine, a fairly new town just south of where the camp I'd escaped from was. It would take a few hours at least, but I was equipped with the best steeds in the land. The black Kentucky Saddler, whom I had chosen to name 'Mercy'. She was a gentle mare, wouldn't hurt a soul. Ama, fast, fearless and surely trustworthy. The Thoroughbred, the name was a Spanish word that Javier had taught me, Diablo, which means devil. He was a stallion an' a half, I rode him to sure he wouldn't get riled up by the mares.

We rode for miles, miles upon miles, hours upon hours. Until I found signs of civilisation, a sign pointing me in the right direction towards Valentine.

I turned the corner, my first stop would be the stables. I needed to buy a new saddle, sell the ones from Mercy and Diablo and stable them.
"Afternoon Miss, thats quite a few horses you've got there" the stable keep tipped his hat to me.
"I'd like to stable these two, sell their saddles and buy a new saddle. Think you could help me?" I hopped off of Diablo, gesturing to their saddles. The stable keep nodded to me. I helped him take the saddles off Diablo and Mercy. He gave me a fair price of $20 per saddle, making me $40 better off. I stabled Diablo and Mercy and bought a saddle for Ama. It was made of sleek back leather with an embroidered pattern on the cantle, I kept the blanket that Gawonii had given me when he gave me Ama. Basic metal stirrups, and simple black saddle bags sat on either side. I thanked the stable keep and set off to my next stop.

I then sold the buffalo pelt for a good price, a kind fellow asked to take it off my hands for a $10.

I hitched Ama up to the post outside the general store. I knew that the store stocked a small amount of clothing.
"Howdy Miss, how can I help you?"
"I'd like to look at your clothing stock" He nodded and pulled out a catalogue.
"Everythin' in this, we stock" I opened the book and looked through the clothing choices.

I settled for some close fitting, high-waisted, black trousers, a burgundy button up shirt, black riding boots, black suspenders and a brown western hat. I kept the feathers in my hair and wore the bead necklace on the outside of my shirt.

I sauntered out of the general store, looking to where I were to head next. I decided to treat myself, while I had the money, and take a trip to the gunsmith. I loaded my Indian clothes onto Ama so that I could take them with me, keep them as a souvenir. I crossed the road and walked along the walkway towards the gunsmith. I reckoned that I'd get myself Colt M1877, a very nice pistol. I entered the the shop, told the keeper what I wished to buy. He handed me the pistol giving me the chance to look it over before paying for it. He handed me the pistol and a holster he gifted to me, free of charge. I strapped the holster to my current holster belt and proudly place the pistol into it.

I placed my hand on the door to open, however hesitating to do so as I heard familiar voices from outside.
"Arthur, we checked the camp. You saw for yourself, she wasn't there. They obviously took her to another camp" Charles. Charles and Arthur were right outside the gunsmith. "Who coulda killed that many men though?"
"A mad man?" I heard Arthur reply. I opened the door, stepping out, hoping to surprise them nicely.
"Afternoon Mr Morgan, and you, Mr Smith" I tipped the brim of my hat towards the pair. Charles' eyes widened, moving slightly as if he didn't believe it was me. I didn't get a chance to glance at Arthur before the pair had engulfed me in a giant hug.
"Thank god you're safe" Charles sighed releasing me from his embrace. Arthur moved away from me slightly, but still keeping a hold of my shoulders. Most likely to look over the bruises, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror when I bought my new clothes. I had a faded black eye, a few cuts along the base of my neck, accompanied by bruises peppered around my jaw and behind my right ear.
"Thank god you're okay, we thought the madman that raided the place woulda' gotten you" I snorted, my efforts to hold in any laughter failing to hold my amusement down.
"Arthur, all those people who had been shot, the entire place being raided" I giggled ever so slightly "that was all me". Arthur stared at me, as did Charles. Charles let out one loud laugh before walking over to me and playfully punching me in the shoulder.
"I knew you were a better shot than you let on!" Charles and I continued to laugh at Arthur bamboozled expression.
"Well, how on earth did you get here?" Morgan queried.
"I stole some horses, then an Indian tribe asked to trade a few goods for the guns I'd stolen" I turned and gestured to my Mustang "that's Ama. They gave her to me"
"That where you got those feathers and beads in your hair, and that necklace?" Charles pointed to the eagle feather, hanging regally from one of the braids. I nodded, they both smiled. Arthur sighed before speaking up.
"Well, on the search for you, the gang set up camp just near here. 'Bout an hour ride from here. Come on"

The three of us sauntered to our horses and mounted up. We started trotting down the road when a familiar face trotted to catch up with us. Hosea came riding along, on Otto, much to my confusion.
"Oh thank goodness, you found her" Hosea places a hand on his chest and exhaled a breath of relief.
"Actually, she found us. She got herself out and found us outside the gunsmith" Arthur chuckled. The older man broke out in a wide smile at the word of my smarts. He trotted over and walked alongside me.
"I always knew you were a smart one! We'll have one hell of celebration tonight" Be looked at Ama and then up at me before looking down at Otto, whom he was riding. "Dear, I hope you don't mind me takin' the ole' boy for a ride. He looked rather miserable without you" I smiled, now that I had Ama I didn't particularly need Otto. However, I didn't want to sell him, he was far too important to me.
"You like him?" I reached over to fix a piece of Otto's mane before looking to Hosea as he thought of his reply.
"Well, yes I do quite like him. He's wonderfully placid. A fine horse"
I smiled at him and thought for moment.
"Hosea, I'd like you to take Otto. It'd break my heart to sell him but I've got Ama now. I know you'll take good care of him" He stared at me for a moment before nodding, knowing that he couldn't get a better mount than Otto. He knew my wishes.
"If that's what you want. I'll happily take him off your hands" I thanked Hosea. We rode to the new camp setup following Charles and Arthur.

We chatted back and forth until we reached the place where camp had been set up.
"She's back!" Hollered Sean, waving the others over. I suddenly remembered the cattleman for Sean and the Knife for Javier. I pulled them out the saddlebag that I'd securely placed them in.
"Sean, I've a little somethin' for ya" Sean looked at me quizzically. I pulled the cattleman out and held it in front of him. He didn't waste any time before swallowing me in a hug. I chuckled and patted his back, he let go of me, took the gun and thanked me. Miss Grimshaw commented on my new clothes, telling me they looked lovely. Mary-Beth and Karen fanned over the feathers in my hair, saying that they looked so regal. Dutch walked over and told me that they were going to have a celebration, to celebrate my highly anticipated return. Then Javier came to me. I told him of the new horse I'd found, whom I'd named Diablo. He grinned, he was rendered speechless when I handed him the knife.

~Lil' time skipparoony~

Just before the celebrations began, Arthur came to talk to me alone.
"Bronagh, I been meanin' to talk to you" I looked at him, curious. "Those few days that you were gone and we didn't know where you were, they were the hardest days that I've had to deal with..." He trailed off.
"Arthur? What're you tryin't tell me?" I let a breathy laugh escape my mouth.
"Bronagh, I know I'm not the most romantic, but I would like to take you out, just us two. Just a nice day out. Only if you want to, of course." I was in shock, he was asking me on a date? I couldn't find the words to reply, It certainly wasn't that I didn't want to go out on a date with Arthur. I surely did,  but I couldn't find the right words to express how much I really wanted to.
Impulse took over. There wasn't any other way I could say yes. I placed my hands onto his jaw and stood on the point of my toes. He got the hint, for once, and leaned down to place a tender kiss on my lips. He shifted his hands, one rested on my waist and the other was gently placed on my hip to lightly squeeze it. I kissed back, it was gentle. His lips weren't chapped, they were softer than they looked. His stubble slightly rubbed at me face. He sighed with content before breaking the kiss. He licked his lips just after, as did I.
"I take that as a yes" He hummed.