Unshaken

Birds of A Feather

As the weeks passed, things were looking up for everyone. Liam rose before the sun did, even before Arthur did. He went and made himself a cup of coffee and walked outside. The cold air came over him. He didn't mind, though. It was refreshing. He was thankful to see another morning, almost not believing he'd gotten attacked by a bear a couple of weeks before. He grabbed his bow and decided to go hunting. He let Charles know he was headed out. "Let me join you. It's about time me and you went hunting again." Charles said. Liam was happy to have a hunting partner. They rode west into the mountainous region for animals. "Beautiful country up here, ain't it?" Liam asked. "Beautiful indeed. Beats the swamps any day." Charles said. "You got that right." Liam agreed. Charles had known of an area where pronghorns and deer were prevalent.

"So how you liking this new place?" Liam asked as they climbed off their horses. "It feels like home. Nobody around to bother us, we do as we please." Charles said, looking around for game. Liam spotted a pronghorn. He pulled his bow back and shot. It hit the animal in the ribs, causing it's death. Liam loaded it on the horse. As Charles killed a buck, white flakes started to fall from the sky. "What the hell is that?" Liam asked, confused at the white flakes starting to stick to his clothes. Charles laughed. "It's snow. Ice that falls from the sky, you've never seen it?" Charles asked. "No." Liam said, hypnotized by every flake that fell on him.

He started to smile uncontrollably. "Yep. Happens all the time up North. Guess you ain't been around here before." Charles said. "Nope." Liam agreed. They rounded up their kills and rode back to camp. The snow died down. Everyone was outside enjoying the snowfall. Jack jumped and played in the falling flakes. They loaded the game off the horse and brought it to Pearson's wagon. Liam saw Sadie and Karen rounding up their guns and ammo. Arthur was near them. "What are you two up to?" Liam asked. Arthur seemingly wondering the same thing. "We're bounty hunting." Karen said, excited. "Yep, Sheriff in Valentine needs some assistance." Sadie said. "Quite the pair you two are." Liam said. "I wouldn't want to be on any poster they got their hands on." Arthur said laughing. "Arthur, you done some bounty hunting. Any advice?" Karen asked. "Try to bring the bounty back alive. You might run into some of their friends on the way, so watch out." Arthur told them. They nodded their heads and rode away. "What a sight they'll be." Liam said. Arthur laughed. "They'll do good." He said as the two walked off.

Sean and Charles had been robbing properties West of Chez Porter. The Mary-Beth and Tilly visited Valentine with Uncle to pick pocket strangers. Everyone lended a hand when needed. After another week had passed, Liam decided it would be a good time to go back to Beaver Hollow to possibly retrieve any items they had left behind. "You think it's a bad idea?" Liam asked Arthur. "Risky, but not bad. I'll admit, I been missing my stuff we left." Arthur said. "Let's go at night, be better if we did." Liam said.