The Last Love Of Arthur Morgan

Saint Denis; A Grim New Life

Morning came all too fast and only having less than two hours sleep, Arthur wasn't really ready to get out of bed. But he made a promise to Abigail and he certainly couldn't go back on that promise. He made sure Lorna was alright and had everything she needed, before getting ready for the day. He kissed his wife to be and his daughter that finally was, asleep in her arms.

"Bring Jack back home, alright? I want him to meet his new cousin."

Arthur smiled and nodded."I'll do my best, darlin', you stay safe. Don't do anything, got it-"

"Go Arthur!" She breathed a laugh."Before I have Karen kick you out."

"Alright, Alright." He chuckled, waving her off. And against his better judgement, he walked away from the tent.

Feeling his throat clog with phlegm, he covered his mouth and coughed. He hoped it was just a tickle and not a cold, the last thing he wanted was to get Lily or Lorna sick.

He neared Walker and patted his neck; reaching into his satchel, he produced two oatcakes. The horse gobbled them up, per usual. He climbed up on to the Tennessee walker and trotted him out of camp.

Dutch wanted to meet just outside of Rhodes, near the bayou, so Arthur set the pace nice and slow. He didn't feel like rushing to meet him just yet, not after the horrible things he said to him. He'd forgotten it for a few hours, but now he was stewing about it again.

Nearing the bayou, the mercury shot up at least twenty degrees and Arthur began to perspire. He swiped his forehead with the back of his arm, heaving a deep sigh. He didn't know how anybody could live down this way. But if born into it, he assumed it wouldnt bother them.

He greeted a few locals as he passed through, they didn't really greet him back, nervous he was like every other white man that passed through.

He breathed a sigh of relief once he was out of the small village, but his stomach clenched when he saw Dutch up ahead, feeding The Count. He trotted over and slowed Walker down as he neared Dutch. The older man looked up and gave a curt nod.

"How's Lorna?"

Arthur was surprised that was his first question, surely he imagined it'd be something sarcastic. He cleared his throat, before a lopsided grin found his face.

"She's good. So is Lily."

Dutch's brows shot up."That's her name, huh?"

He chuckled."Yeah. She's beautiful, like nothin' I've ever seen before."

"I'm real happy for you, Son. You deserve it after all you've been through." He hoisted himself up on The Count, then turned to Arthur, holding out his hand."Congratulations."

Arthur eyed his hand, but reached out and grasped it. They both pulled away just as quick. Walker snorted and stomped his foot - The Count's ears twitched.

"We should get going. John and Mrs. Adler are meeting us in Saint Denis."

"Mrs. Adler?"

"She came to me, wanting to go with us. So, I said she could."

"That's good." He nodded.

They both spurred the horses on, leaving the stickiness of the bayou behind. Arthur was still in shock that he was being so civil, he hadn't expected that, but maybe Dutch had a sudden change of heart. He wouldn't get his hopes up, however, he would play it cautious.

Saint Denis.

The Pits. The outskirts of town sat the poor, naturally. But the closer they got to the center of town, the richer everything looked; people and buildings. Arthur hated it already. It was too congested for his liking and the law was everywhere. He just wanted to get Jack back and go home, but he worried it wouldn't be that simple - it never was.