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After they were done eating their stew, Caleb parted ways with Jasper who returned back to the hotel to take a rest and went to collect his bounty from Sheriff Malloy. The office smelled faintly of stale coffee and gun oil when he entered. Sheriff Malloy handed over a stack of bills without ceremony which he put on the table, the 100 dollars prize for the bounty, and the 50 dollar bonus included.
"You did good, son. Drew Dallas and his gang of ragtag was a mean one. You brought him down here cleaner than I expected."
Caleb tucked the money away into his satchel, and gave a nod to Sheriff Malloy. "Appreciate it, Sheriff. Just doing what I should do when taking his bounty as my job."
"Keep doin' it like that, you'll be one of the most respected men in New Hanover before long."
Caleb nodded his head and left the office, where he stepped out into the street of Valentine's with his satchel a little heavier, his boots coated in road dust and the early afternoon sun cutting shadows long across the wooden porches.
His shoulder still ached under the bandage, though the wound had already begun to dull, thanks in part to his rising Pain Nullifier skill and the ether he had a drop this morning that was still in effect.
The saloon was rowdy as ever, and the town buzzed with the usual murmurs of gossip, hoofbeats, and the clatter of wheels. But Caleb made his way straight to the hotel.
He thought of Jasper as he walked and seeing the sunlight streamed down golden through the town, he figured it was early enough for one more lesson. The kind that could save Jasper's life one day and also make him into a trusted skilled companion.
He entered into the hotel and went upstairs, where he then paused outside Jasper's door, listening for movement before knocking three times.
There was a pause before Jasper's groggy and muffled voice responded, "Who is it?"
"It's me," Caleb answered, leaning against the doorframe.
The door creaked open to reveal Jasper blinking sleep from his eyes, his hair sticking up at odd angles. "What's up, Caleb?"
Caleb crossed his arms. "Got a question for you. You got any juice left after this morning, or are you completely wrung out?"
Jasper rubbed his sore arms, wincing. "I can barely lift my arms. Why?"
"Thought I'd teach you some shooting today, it's time you learn how to shoot proper. Revolver. Repeater." Caleb said, watching the boy's face light up immediately. "But if you're too sore—"
"I'm in!" Jasper interrupted, already reaching for his boots. "Just... maybe not too arm heavy for this first time round?"
Caleb chuckled. "Fair enough. Come with me to my room, I have a surprise for you."
They went to Caleb's room, the wooden floor creaking beneath their boots. Caleb's room was modest but clean, with a rifle resting against the bedframe, and a small wooden chest at the foot of the bed.
Caleb knelt beside the chest and opened it. Inside was an impressive if modestly organized collection of the weapons acquired from Chez Porter, 8 cattleman revolvers, 2 carbine repeaters, a double barrel shotgun, and some ammunition tucked into a corner.
Jasper's eyes widened. "You've got... all that weapons?"
Caleb looked up and gave a slight shrug. "Got 'em fair and square. I got all of this from a gang holed up in a place called Chez Porter farm, northwest of Valentine. They didn't need 'em after they decided to ambush me."
Jasper whistled low. "You're like a one man army, Caleb. First this gang in Chez Porter and then Drew Dallas and his gang."
"More like a man who uses the advantage of the surrounding, there's no life in fighting honorably all the time." Caleb stood, picked up a well maintained Cattleman revolver, then one of the two carbine repeaters. He held them out toward Jasper.
"These are yours now. Learn to use 'em well. Keep 'em clean. And never point 'em at someone unless you mean it," he said, giving both firearms.
Jasper's hands trembled as he accepted the weapons. The revolver felt heavier than he remembered, its polished walnut grip cool against his palm. "You're... giving these to me?"
"Every man needs proper tools," Caleb said, slinging his Springfield rifle over his good shoulder. "Just promise me two things. First, you'll treat them with respect. Second, you'll practice until you can hit what you're aiming at."
Jasper nodded solemnly, running his fingers along the repeater's lever mechanism. "I swear. Thank you, Caleb."
"Don't thank me yet," Caleb said, grabbing two boxes of revolver and repeater rounds. "You're about to learn how much work good shooting takes. Let's move."
They left the hotel, stepping out into the fading sunlight. The town's energy had shifted slightly, the evening lull beginning to settle, though a few voices still called out and wagons clattered through the dusty road.
Caleb had Jasper walk along the streets and collect discarded tin cans and empty bottles, plenty of both scattered around saloons, general stores, and old crates. Jasper carried a sack over his shoulder, clinking softly with every step.
Once they'd gathered enough makeshift targets, Caleb led Jasper toward the stables. Morgan whinnied when he saw Caleb approach, ears perked and tail flicking. Mr. Levi was tending to another horse, a lean chestnut mustang, but turned when he heard Caleb's footsteps.
"Well now," Levi said, wiping sweat from his brow. "Didn't expect you back so soon." His eyebrows climbed when he saw the weapons. "Teachin' the boy to shoot, Caleb?"
"Every man should know how to defend himself," Caleb said, stroking Morgan's nose. "We'll need that American Paint I left with you. Thought I'd name her Stark."
Levi chuckled. "Stark, eh? Fittin' name for a horse that survived the Porters." He led them to a stall where the chestnut mare stood alert, her coat gleaming. "She's been eatin' her oats regular. Got some spirit, this one."
Caleb handed over 2 dollars for the upkeep, then led the American Paint mare, from her stall. He patted the white stripe on Stark's nose with practiced ease. Then he turned to Jasper and gestured to Morgan.
"You'll ride her," Caleb said.
Jasper's eyes widened. "Wait, you're lettin' me ride Morgan?"
"Consider this part of your lesson. If you're gonna travel with me, you gotta learn how to ride proper. Morgan's gentle. Smart, too."
Jasper gulped, adjusting the repeater sling on his back. "I've only been on a horse twice in my life."
"You'll be on more by the end of today."
Caleb then helped Jasper mount Morgan. The boy clung awkwardly to the saddle horn as the mare shifted beneath him.
"Relax," Caleb instructed, adjusting Jasper's grip on the reins. "She can feel your tension. Sit deep, keep your heels down, and follow her movement."
With that, Caleb mounted Stark with practiced ease and guided her toward the road. Jasper, after a few awkward tugs and corrections from Caleb, managed to guide Morgan. The horse responded patiently, as if she understood she was carrying a greenhorn.
The ride southwest took them out of Valentine proper, past pastures and streams, through a narrow trail flanked by tall grass and scattered pine. The sun dipped lower, casting long rays of gold through the trees.
Caleb led them to a forest clearing not far from the Dakota River, a place he'd often used for target practice since arriving in this world. The area was quiet, peaceful, and just remote enough not to attract attention.
"Alright," Caleb said, dismounting and tying Stark to a nearby tree. "Let's get to work."
Jasper followed suit, fumbling with Morgan's reins but eventually securing her.
"Not bad," Caleb admitted as he saw Jasper followed suit. "You're a natural rider."
Jasper beamed, patting Morgan's neck. "She's gentle. Not like I imagined."
"Most horses are, if you treat 'em right." Caleb took the sack of cans and bottles and set up a few along a fallen log, spacing them evenly.
He turned and faced Jasper. "Start with the revolver. Grip it like this."
He demonstrated using his Schofield, firm but relaxed, and Jasper mirrored the motion using the Cattleman.
"Now," Caleb continued, stepping behind him, "stand with your feet like this. Right foot slightly back, knees a little bent. You wanna be able to roll with the kick."
Jasper adjusted. The revolver trembled slightly in his hands.
"First thing, breathe. Control your breath. Slow in. Hold. Slow out. You feel that?"
Jasper nodded.
"Now aim down that sight, and squeeze the trigger when your lung was empty. Don't pull. Squeeze."
Jasper inhaled and let the breath out slowly. Then—
BANG.
The shot cracked through the clearing, echoing among the trees. One of the cans wobbled but stayed upright.
"Not bad," Caleb said. "Again. Keep your aim steady."
Jasper flinched each time the gun bucked in his hands.
"Stop anticipating the recoil," Caleb corrected, steadying Jasper's wrists. "Let it surprise you. Smooth press straight back."
They went on for nearly half an hour. Jasper missed more than he hit, but by the end of it, he clipped two bottles and knocked over four cans. His hands stopped shaking. His stance grew firmer.
"Let's move to the repeater," Caleb said.
He showed Jasper how to load the rifle, how to cycle the lever, and how to shoulder it properly. The first few shots knocked him off balance, but with every instruction, he improved. Sweat ran down his face, and the sleeves of his shirt clung to his arms.
Caleb watched with a mixture of pride and something deeper, an emotion he didn't quite have a name for. Jasper was still just a kid in many ways, but there was grit in him. Fire. A desperate hunger to survive and learn.
After the final lesson with the repeater, Caleb took up his own Springfield and demonstrated proper long range aiming.
"Someday I'll show you how to handle one of these," he said. "But not today."
Jasper flopped onto the grass, breathing hard. "I didn't think it'd take so much outta me..."
Caleb chuckled. "That's 'cause you're using muscles you ain't used to. You'll get stronger."
The sun was just touching the horizon now, casting the sky in hues of orange and violet. The shadows grew long and the forest took on a different tone, cooler, quieter.
Jasper sat up, brushing dirt from his pants. "Caleb... thanks. I mean it. For this. For everything."
"No problem. You're holding up better than I expected," Caleb admitted, slinging the Springfields on his shoulder.
Jasper flexed his aching fingers. "Pa always said nothing worth learning comes easy." He hesitated, then added, "I wish he could see me now."
Caleb studied the boy's face, the mix of pride and sorrow in his expression. "He'd be proud," he said finally. "Not many men your age can say they've faced down what you have."
"Enough for today," Caleb declared as twilight settled over the clearing. "You'll feel this tomorrow."
Jasper groaned, standing up and rolling his stiff shoulders. "I already feel it now." But there's a grin on his face as he carefully cleaned and stored his new weapons.
The ride back to Valentine was quiet, both were lost in thought. Caleb watched Jasper from the corner of his eye, the boy sat taller in the saddle now, his movements more confident. There was steel in him, buried under layers of trauma and loss.
Arriving back at the stable, Mr. Levi took one look at Jasper powder stained hands and nodded approvingly. "Boy's got the look of a shooter about him now."
"Give him a month, and I will have him outshoot half Sheriff Malloy's deputies," Caleb said, earning an embarrassed grin from Jasper.
They parted ways after entering the hotel, Jasper yawning widely as he clutched his new firearms. "Same time tomorrow?" he asked hopefully.
"Wouldn't miss it, but let's see if your body can keep up or need rest," Caleb promised. "Now get some rest. Tomorrow we work on moving targets, if you can even move." As Jasper disappeared into his room, Caleb lingered in the hallway, his shoulder throbbing dully. The pain was worth it, he decided.
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Name:Caleb Thorne
Age: 23
Body Attributes:
- Strength: 6/10
- Agility: 6/10
- Perception: 8/10
- Stamina: 6/10
- Charm: 5/10
- Luck: 5/10
Skills:
- Handgun (Lvl 2)
- Rifle (Lvl 2)
- Firearms Knowledge (Lvl 2)
- Past Life Memory (Lvl MAX)
- Knife (Lvl 1)
- Blunt Weapon (Lvl 1)
- Sneaking (Lvl 1)
- Horse Mastery (Lvl 2)
- Poker (Lvl 1)
- Hand to Hand Combat (Lvl 1)
- Eagle Eye (Lvl 1)
- Dead Eye (Lvl 1)
- Bow (Lvl 2)
- Pain Nullifier (Lvl 1)
- Physical Regeneration (Lvl 0)
Money: 701 dollars and 61 cents
Bank: 40 dollars, 2 gold bars, a large bag of jewelry, and 3 gold nuggets