A Life Of 'Shine - Lem Fike

49

[A/N; Just a warning this one's a little more violent than my usual.]

Nora kept her distance as she followed Charles and Arthur. They had been talking since leaving Lakay, with Arthur thanking Charles for that distraction he caused in the city which had allowed for the group too escape.

She didn't pay any attention to it, none of her business after all and so she found distraction in looking at other things such as the birds that flew past and the noises of the swamp as the sun began seyting.

"So.. Nora." Arthur called, slightly turning back around in the saddle so he could face her to the best of his abilities.

She perked up, riding forward so she could hear them both better. "Yes?"

"Charles mentioned how you had helped the other's move to Lakay."

"Sadie asked an' I agree, was nothin' really."

He smiled. "It was more than that, I'm afraid."

Charles could not help but to nod in agreement. "You could have.. not helped. But you did."

She sighed, but not wanting to bicker any further she ended up shrugging instead. Pulling on the horses reins to slow down, she fell back a bit from the other's resuming the same pace as once before.

"I saw some canoe's near Butcher's Creek. We could use them since it could be faster- or we could stay on the horses." Charles mentioned, looking for Arthur on confirmation.

"Stay on the horses; don't think goin' in a canoe is worth any hassle."

Charles nodded with this look of determination on his face, sharply he turned around the corner to turn down a narrow path. Taken back slightly, Nora staggered slightly, pulling on the reigns to slow Beanz before following behind the pair.

"What are these Murfree's like anyhow? Dutch mentioned how the law won't even go up that way, so it's ideal for us, for now.."

"Indeed. The law don't bother with that area, the other day a wagon disappeared from Annesburg, was following a trail through here an' well.. nobody knows the rest." Charles' calm voice as he told this story was unsettling. Nora let a low whistle out, following them up another trail that they did not so sharply turn around this time.

The ride lasted well into night and by the time they had arrived at Butcher's Creek it was well past midnight.

"We can head up here towards Beavers Hollow, thinkin' this is as good as place as any for now."

"Good idea."

Nora remained quiet as they discussed tactics amongst themselves following the road, nodding sometimes to ideas despite knowing they could not see behind them.

"Quiet, there's someone coming in." Charles whispered as he pulled the reins to slow Taima. Arthur had to hold his arm out so to stop Nora from travelling any further.

The three all watched as the torches these men carried turned a corner just before them, all letting out a breath with relief at not being caught so soon.

When they were confident that they had moved further away, they all dismounted in order to follow the path up ahead before ascending a small hill to get a better look at the two they had seen moments before.

"We should take 'em out silently.. then have a look at this cave up ahead; guess it's as good a spot as any for camp." They all agreed with Charles' plan, equipping their bows as they were the quietest of weapons on their person.

Nora had no need to fire, watching from the side as her companions dealt with the two gang members.

With these two taken care of the three continued on, crossing the dirt road in order to stand on another hill that overlooked the cave's opening. From in there they could only see the entrance inside and nothing more, the murfree's presumably hidden deep within the wall's.