Chasing the country

CHAPTER ONE: VAN DER LINDE GANG APPROVED

AN // I have rewritten the first three chapters from y / n to an original character. It makes me write a lot more effective and I enjoy having some sort of person in my head when creating.

The early morning sun is shining bright when I wake up at the small creek in Eris Field. The tent is conveniently set up for a morning bath that I like to begin the day with and get in focus for my daily choirs of hunting. For a week or two, I have been travelling around these parts to conduct my business as a hunter and make money to live on. Mostly I take on paid assignments from locals who for example, don't have the time to do the hunting themselves or sell hides to stores, artistic people who do god knows what with them and collectors.

A job where I can be in depended and go anywhere I want to be. A free existence.

The inspiration for this line of work is my father. One of the best hunters of the west that travelled overseas to bring back amazing unseen animals that only existed in photographs. It took him a lot of time away from the family, but when he came back with a hundred of amazing stories of what grounds he had travelled, it all made up for it.

With some regular birds and a small deer, I ride myself towards the community of Rhodes where I can sell them to the local butcher. Usually, not a huge payment as they like to make a big profit by reselling them, but I am not going to complain. Money is tight and I need every penny I can get.

There are already a few people negotiating with the butcher at the time of arrival and I take my time to wait for my turn next to Banshee.

"YOU man, are a thief!" The elder man shouts his finger at the butcher. He turns around, rapidly walking away in heavy paces. By the frustration in his eyes, he is not aware that he will be nearly bumping into my horse during the process. A bit embarrassed he shoots me a smile and then notices the animals on my horse.

"You sell these?" He asks indignantly, touching the coating to feel the quality of the fresh meat.

"I do." my arms crossed, ready to make a deal "are you interested?"

"Well. That depends, do you sell these for a reasonable price, unlike SOME people around here?" obviously suggesting the butcher overselling his products.

"I think I can make a good price for you," persuasively replying to the demand

"Do you mind bringing them to our camp? I promise it ain't too far away ..." the man with reddish hair and an accent from across the sea named Sean asks me. He's got a friendly face. His friend is named Pearson, the camp cook... They both look like nice fellas and I accept to help them.

The short but peaceful walk through nature ends at an open place next to the flat iron lake where a pretty big camp is set up. It is populated with several people who are doing choirs, taking care of the horses and in overall work as a community. There is even a little boy walking around playing with a dog.

It must be nice to be a part of this.

"So you do a lot of this hunting yourself," Sean breaks the silence while looking how his friend is hanging the deer upside down to prepare for the next meal.

Nodding my head "I travel around and hunt what I can find. Sell them to those who are interested"

"Like if we wanted you to hunt for us, would you do that?" a finger on his chin for having an idea in mind

"I am open for new clients at the moment "

This is precisely the type of offer I anticipate. This camp's capacity will certainly help me with the money I need.

"Wait right here" he walks towards a big tent behind a big tree that is standing in the middle of the camp. There's a dark man with a black mustache standing in front of the tent, a big cigar in his mouth, smoking circles in the air. They talk briefly before Sean brings him up to me.

When the man approaches, the golden chains on his black and red vest and the rings on his fingers are the first things I observe. He makes quite the impression of some sort of leader figure from this establishment.

"My friend here says you are willing to help us" A short and clear inquiry from the man.

"I know I can" a confident response to the potential new client.

He laughs under his breath "Your expertise is hunting... What can you do for us in that department?"

"I have noticed there are quite a few people around here that need feeding. I work in the area right now; if you'd want I can deliver that service"

"Where are you from miss...?" he waits for me to respond.

"Evelyn and I got here from out the west."

"You're quite far from home then... What is your business all the way over here?" lifting one of his dark eyebrows intrigued but seriously interested in my answer.

"I am not bound to one place, I go wherever they pay me."

"Smart. Well, I reckon a lady like you..., alone on the road will attract some sort of men" he takes a step closer towards me "It can be nice to rest your head in a place where you have protection. Shelter"

"What are you suggesting?" curious what he wants with this.

"my boys have other... activities. I need their full attention on those, that lead me to consider investing in a person like you.
Now.  Now we are recovering from something that we've lost and we are not in the position that can fully pay you. Not right now anyway. I hope you would see our protection as compensation for your hard work."

"... I do need to make money sir"

"Don't we all miss." He has a big smirk on his face "Listen, you can still have your business from out here. I got plenty of people around here that can assist you if you'd like to take on a bigger assignment or something. I just need you do provide us in the meantime."

I start to scratch the back of my head and look around the camp.

"And I'd like an answer right now" he insists

The sudden rush of making a decision makes me a bit nervous and I go over the pros and cons very fast. He hit the spot about being unsafe on the road sometimes... in those areas, I need to rent a room to be safe or catch some sleep... and that cuts deep in my pockets. He does let me do my business from this camp...
I think I have to grab this opportunity. I can always leave if it doesn't suit me, right?

"What was your name?" I have no clue who I am dealing with at this moment and would like to know before I accept the offer.

"I never told you. But you can call me Dutch"

I stretch my hand out to accept this man's offer and he nods his head.

"Deal"