Innocence Lost

Chapter 20

Dutch stood up, and walked to the other side of the tent. His face, was bright red, with anger. There was a traitor, in his camp. His camp, and he intended to find out who.

He looked at Ella, lying there on the bed. Finding the traitor, would have to wait, at least for tonight. Tonight, all his focus, must be on Ella.

Her whole body, was in shock, through loss of blood. Her skin, was cold, and clammy. The most important thing was to keep her warm.

Dutch, pulled off Ella's boots, and put them in the corner. He grabbed, a couple of spare blankets, which lay at the end of the bed.

Dutch pulled off his boots, and climbed into the bed, so that Ella's back, was laying against the front, of his body. He grabbed the spare blankets, and covered her, then wrapped, one of his arms around her, avoiding the injured shoulder, and lay down. His other arm, cradled her head, as he gently stroked her face. Her head, resting against his chest.

He closed his eyes, and drifted off to sleep, holding Ella tight, as if both their lives depended on it.

John, walked across to where Arthur, and Sadie were sitting. Arthur's arms, were wrapped around Sadie.

"Arthur?"

Arthur looked up.

"Well, are we moving camp, or not?" He asked.

Arthur shook his head, "I have no idea, Marston. I suggest you go and spend some time with Abigail. Its times like this, when you need to keep the people you love, close."

John frowned, "What d'ya mean?"

"There's a traitor, someone who wouldn't think twice about hurting the people we love, that's why Ella got shot. Someone told the bounty hunters, where to find her."

John stared at Arthur, "Shit, Arthur. That means, no one's safe."

Arthur nodded, "keep a close eye on Abigail, and Jack. We're gonna find out who it is."

"Then what?" John asked.

"You know, as well as I do, what happens to traitors, John."

John nodded, and headed to his tent, to be with his family.

Arthur, kissed Sadie, on the forehead, "C'mon, lets get you to bed. I need you to be healed, especially if we do end up moving."

Sadie nodded, "I wanna see Ella though, tomorrow."

Arthur nodded, "I'll speak to Dutch, in the morning."

Arthur helped Sadie, to stand, and with an arm, over his shoulder, she hobbled, back to the tent, they shared.

As the sun rose, and cast a yellow glow, in Dutch's tent. Dutch awoke, with a start. He hadn't intended to fall asleep. Just to lay there, and hold Ella. To make sure she stayed warm.

He felt her body moving, against his, her breathing, more normal.

He manoeuvred himself, off of the bed, without disturbing her, and walked across to the other side of the tent. Sitting down, he pulled on his boots.

All he could think about, was finding the bastard, who did this.

His thoughts, were interrupted, when he heard Ella, moan. He looked over, as he saw her eyelids, flutter, and then open.

He poured some water, into a cup, and walked over to the bed. He gently tilted her head, and put the cup to her lips.

She took a sip of water, she looked at Dutch, and the tears fell, unbidden, from her eyes.