Unshaken

Blessed Are the Peacemakers

In the following days, Arthur had went and robbed the Valentine Bank with Lenny, Karen and Bill. They scored a big take. Then, with the help of Trelawny he robbed a singer headed for Saint Denis. Liam wanted to be on Arthur's level of robbing. But he knew Arthur had many years of experience over him.

Liam did chores around camp and hunted occasionally during these days. He finished and sat at the table with Hosea crafting his spear he'd been working on. Hosea was reading a book. He then heard Micah yell for Pearson. Micah, Arthur, Pearson and Dutch started talking. "Tell him, fat man." Micah ordered Pearson, Liam scowling at his attitude. "It's peace, Dutch. The O'Driscolls. I mean, I think there's a way." Pearson said. Liam looked at Hosea, who let out a sigh, not liking the situation already. "What on earth are you talking about?" Dutch asked. "Get the words out properly, fat man." Micah hissed at Mr. Pearson. "I met a couple of the O'Driscoll boys on the road into town. Things were about to get ugly, but you know how I am in a fight, huh? Like a cornered tiger!" He said pulling his knife out and laughing. "Anyway, somehow it didn't, but, we got to talking and they suggested a parley to end things, like gentlemen." Pearson went on. "Gentlemen? Colm O'Driscoll? Have you lost your minds?" Dutch asked Micah and Pearson. "You're always telling us Dutch, do what has to be done, but don't fight wars ain't worth fighting." Micah said. "They want a parley?" Hosea then asked. "It's a trap." He warned from the table. "Well of course, it's probably a trap, but what have we got to lose finding out?" Micah asked Dutch. "Get shot." Arthur replied, uninterested. "We ain't getting shot because you'll be protecting us. It's a trap, you shoot the lot of them. If it ain't a trap, that slim chance..." Micah insisted, looking to Dutch.

"I don't see the point in any of this." Dutch said walking to the table and standing by Hosea, contemplating. Hosea stood up and Liam followed suit. Arthur, Micah and Pearson joined him at the table. "I killed Colm's brother a long time ago. Then he killed... the woman I loved dear." Dutch said looking off, lost in his own memories. Micah leaned over to Dutch. "As you say, it's a long time ago, Dutch." He reminded him grimly. Dutch, convinced, finally said, "Let's go. You and me, with Arthur protecting us, and no one else." He ordered. "What about me?" Pearson asked, wanting to be included. "This ain't the time for tigers, my friend." Dutch told Pearson as the three walked off. Pearson huffed and walked away.

Liam looked at Hosea, who was not impressed with Dutch. "What if it is a trap?" Liam asked. "Oh, it most certainly is. I just hope nobody gets hurt." Hosea said, defeated. Liam grew worried as he saw the men climbing on their horses. "I'm gonna... go to town, maybe get some supplies. I'll catch you later." Liam told Hosea. "Sure, kid." Hosea said picking his book back up. Liam quickly ran to Colter and rode through the other trail that led out of Clemens Point. He hurried and got behind the three. They couldn't see him. He rode far enough away where he could still see them. Though he couldn't hear what they were saying. If Dutch found out he was following them, he'd be in big trouble.

The three rode for a while and reached Dewberry Creek. He followed them through it, staying off the road a bit. They rode into the hills of the Heartlands, which worked better for him to hide in. Following the group a little while longer, Liam spotted some O'Driscolls watching the three. He made sure they didn't see him either. When the three finally stopping riding, Liam went behind a large rock. He watched Dutch and Micah go downhill and Arthur go up the hill to a vantage point. Liam jumped off of Colter and went up the same hill, being quiet, making sure no one could hear or see him. He followed Arthur stealthily until he came out onto the plateau to get into position. Liam didn't go out onto the plateau, but stayed behind a boulder with his eyes on Arthur.

He couldn't see what was going on with Dutch and Colm, but everything seemed fine. Arthur scoped out for a bit when Liam heard footsteps to his left. He crouched and watched. An O'Driscoll walked up behind Arthur and hit him in the head with a forceful blow of a rifle that knocked Arthur out. Liam grabbed his gun and was about to run out and kill the O'Driscoll when he heard other men approaching. He stayed hidden as the men laughed and picked up Arthur's unconscious body. They placed him on the back of a horse and quickly rode out. Liam darted to Colter and followed them. He grabbed his bandolier from his saddle bag and slid it on. He loaded it with shotgun shells as he followed Colm's boys.