Unshaken

Paying A Social Call

Liam sat on a rock in the trees polishing his gun and watched as Arthur approached Kieran, who was still tied to the tree. He was behind them, intently watching. Liam had heard that Arthur chased him down in the Grizzlies and he'd been held hostage ever since. "Mercy. Please, mercy." Kieran cried desperately. "You got some speaking to do of your own... about that old gang of yours." Arthur demanded. Kieran looked down. "I said... I told you... I don't know nothing." Arthur crossed his arms and looked at Kieran, unsatisfied with his answer. "That's what I thought." At that, Dutch and Bill approached the two. "Whoa, hold your horses there. It seems the cat has got our friend here's tongue. I was thinking Mr. Williamson here could have a word." Dutch proclaimed. Bill stared at Kieran ready to instill pain on the O'Driscoll. "You ready to talk, boy?" Bill threatened. Kieran stuttered. "I told you mister, I told all'a'yas. I don't know nothing! Okay? They ain't no friends of mine. I just been ridden with 'em for a while..." Bill bowed up and interrupted, "Horseshit! You see, we heard that part, so how about you tell the truth?" Bill yelled.

"Dutch, what you want me to do?" He asked eagerly. "Hurt him! So the next time he opens his mouth it is to tell us what is going on!" Dutch yelled getting close to the former O'Driscoll's face. Kieran whimpered in fear. "Ah. Who am I kidding? One of O'Driscoll's boys couldn't open his mouth, but he'd tell a lie. Screw it. Let's just have some fun. Geld him." Dutch said menacingly. "Oh yeah!" Bill yelled in excitement as he ran towards Pearson's wagon. Liam had no idea what "gelding" was, but was sure it wasn't anything nice. "What's he doing? Where's he going?" Kieran asked, scared. "Oh, don't worry, they're only balls boy! Just gonna cause you trouble." Dutch said pulling down Kieran's pants, exposing him.

Liam's eyes opened wide in shock. Were they actually about to take his bits off? Arthur watched as if this was a normal everyday thing. Liam guessed he still had a lot to learn about his new way of life. "You know, in Imperial Rome, eunuchs was among the happiest and most loyal of courtiers." Dutch preached. Liam had no idea what the hell he was talking about. Kieran screamed in fear as Bill walked up with the red-hot gelding tongs. Bill put them closer to Kieran's nether regions and started to snap them carelessly around his parts. "You sick bastards! What do you want from me?" Kieran cried. "Well you are gonna talk. The only question is now or after we got these little fellers off?" Dutch threatened. Liam clenched his jaw in anticipation of what was going to happen next.

"Okay! Okay! Listen. I know where O'Driscoll's holed up. And your right, he don't like you anymore than you like him. He's at Six Point Cabin! I'll take you there. Serious. I don't like him. I mean, I like him even less than I like you, no offense." Kieran told the three. Dutch laughed. "Oh, none taken." Arthur cut his ropes off. "Okay then, partner. Why don't you take a few of us up there right now? I got this Dutch. Should be fun." Kieran pulled his pants up as he was pushed to a horse. He climbed on the back of John's horse with Bill and Arthur following. With that, they rode out. Liam let out a sigh and started to the campfire. "And that is why no one crosses us, Mr. Parker." Dutch laughed. "I sure as hell wouldn't, Mr. Van Der Linde." Liam agreed laughing and got to the fire.

About two hours later the four rode back into camp. Liam was surprised to see Kieran return to the place he'd been starved and deprived of everything. He walked up to Arthur. "How'd that go?" Arthur took his hat off, running his fingers through his own hair as he sat down. "Pretty good. Took out quite a bit of O'Driscolls. Didn't find Colm, but ole Kieran here stopped me from getting shot. So we decided to let him stay. He'll take care of the horses for now on." Liam watched as Kieran immediately went to the wash bin and splash water on his face. "I think he'll be quite alright. Definitely ain't gonna cause trouble after that scene earlier." They both laughed as they sat and talked about the shootout.