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"Probably not Caleb," Tilly admitted with a smirk. "But I'm tellin' you anyway since you need to know. The Grays and Braithwaites are at it again. Rumor is, the Braithwaites are plannin' to cause some trouble at the Parlor House tonight."
Caleb's stomach dropped. "Tonight?"
Tilly nodded. "Yeah, I kinda heard it was some retaliation for the Grays for messin' with their moonshine shipment. Whole town's gonna be a big mess if we stick around long enough."
Mary-Beth's eyes widened. "Then we should leave no, Caleb."
Caleb was already standing, tossing a few cents on the table for their interrupted meal. "You're right, Mary-Beth. Come on, let's head back to the wagon."
As they hurried downstairs, the atmosphere in the saloon had shifted. The piano had stopped, and the patrons were murmuring nervously, some already heading for the exits.
Caleb kept Mary-Beth and Tilly close as they pushed through the crowd and out into the street. The town felt much more different, tense, like the air before a storm.
They reached the wagon in record time. Caleb helped Mary-Beth up to the shotgun's seat while Tilly got on the back seat of the wagon before climbing into the driver's seat and snapping the reins.
The horses surged forward, kicking up dust as they raced out of Rhodes.
Once they were safely on the road, Tilly let out a long breath. "Well. That was excitin'."
Mary-Beth shot her a look. "Exciting? We could've been caught in the middle of two old families feuding!"
Tilly shrugged. "But we weren't, girl. Thanks to me."
Caleb shook his head. "Remind me never to take you out on a quiet outing again alongside us Tilly."
Mary-Beth leaned against him, her earlier irritation fading. " I agree, but it wasn't all bad. The catfish was good."
Tilly hearing that and seeing all from the back just rolled her eyes, and turned to look around at the scenery with a smile. This smile was for her friend Mary-Beth.
Caleb on the other hand smiled. "Next time, we'll go somewhere without feuding families."
Mary-Beth laughed. "Deal."
After that, the clatter of wagon wheels against dirt was a gentle rhythm beneath the quiet that had settled over the trio. The earlier tension from Rhodes had faded, leaving a calm, thoughtful silence in its place. Caleb held the reins with ease, his posture relaxed, though his mind remained active beneath the stillness of his expression.
Mary-Beth sat close beside him on the shotgun seat, her thigh brushing his. The ride back to camp felt… different. Less about escaping danger now, and more about soaking in the comfort of quiet company. Occasionally, she'd glance at him, a soft smile tugging at her lips, but neither of them broke the silence. Words didn't feel necessary.
Behind them, Tilly rested on a sack of supplies, arms folded, eyes wandering lazily across the passing trees. She didn't interrupt the silence either. It wasn't out of discomfort, it was a quiet respect. Even if she'd never admit it aloud, she was happy for her friend finding a sweetheart who was capable and trusted.
They rode under the darkening sky, the setting sun casting orange and lavender streaks across the horizon. The last light of day filtered through the forest as the wagon took the lesser used off trail route, something Caleb had chosen deliberately to avoid any people who could possibly follow them. The forest canopy thickened above them as the sun vanished completely and the moon rose in full, silver and bright.
When they broke through the trees and emerged onto the hill overlooking Clemens Point, the faint sound of water greeted them. The river shimmered faintly under moonlight, and the soft, crackling glow of the main campfire marked the heart of their sanctuary.
Standing a short distance ahead was Charles, tall and broad, his silhouette partially illuminated by the lantern beside him. He held a rifle casually over his shoulder as he walked up to greet them.
"Evening," Charles said with his usual calm tone, nodding to each of them as Caleb brought the wagon to a stop. "Good to see you three made it back safe."
"Evening, Charles," Caleb said, handing the reins loosely to Mary-Beth so he could hop down. "Something happened?"
Charles exhaled slowly. "Dutch just called a no gun policy in Rhodes and anywhere nearby. Came back a few hours ago and told everyone to holster up and keep things peaceful."
Tilly furrowed her brow as she hopped down from the wagon bed. "Really? That doesn't sound like him, least not without a bigger reason."
Mary-Beth raised a brow as well. "Is that new? I didn't hear nothin' like that earlier."
"Just got told to everyone here around supper," Charles explained. "Said we can't afford to stir the pot while Dutch 'works his angle.' His words."
Caleb nodded slowly, more thoughtful than surprised.
So Dutch had finally done it.
Something that Dutch should have talked about with Arthur and Hosea during their own trip to go fishing to strengthen their bond, but it wasn't immediately announced as then Caleb told Arthur, then Hosea, to be cautious of taking advantage of the two feuding families, and it was brought to Dutch by the three of them.
Now it looks like Dutch, in the end, truly decided to take advantage of the two feuding families. Why was he so sure? Because for Caleb, Dutch enacting these rules means he has decided to enter the good graces of the Grays first. He was setting the groundwork.
"It's not a surprise," Caleb said aloud, stepping to the back of the wagon to begin unloading. "Dutch must've figured stirring trouble too soon would tip our hand."
"You think he's siding with the Grays first?" Charles asked, stepping closer.
Caleb nodded. "No doubt about it. Tensions are getting hotter in Rhodes. He's probably planning to slip into their trust."
Tilly crossed her arms. "And what's that mean for us?"
"It means we walk a line," Caleb replied. "Keep your heads down when you're in town. And whatever Dutch tells you to do in Rhodes? Don't take it danger at face value."
Charles hearing that was silent for a sort Tim before giving out his agreement. "Alright."
Charles gave a final nod before turning to continue his quiet patrol along the camp perimeter, the weight of his rifle a comfortable presence across his shoulder. The moon hung full in the sky, casting soft silver light across Clemens Point as the night wind stirred the trees with a gentle whisper.
Tilly and Mary-Beth didn't even get a chance to speak again before the unmistakable voice of Miss Grimshaw rang out across camp.
"Tilly! Mary-Beth! You two best not think that comin' home means shirkin' your duties!"
The two women sighed in unison.
"Back to it," Tilly muttered, rolling her eyes.
Mary-Beth turned to Caleb and smiled warmly despite the interruption. She stepped in close and, without hesitation, wrapped him in a tight hug.
"Thank you for today," she said softly, her voice full of genuine affection. Her cheek brushed against his chest as she whispered the words, and Caleb felt her warmth linger even after she pulled back.
Her cheeks were flushed as she smiled at him, a little shy now. But her eyes were bright, content.
"It was the best date I've ever had."
Caleb smiled, heart full. "Mine too."
With that, Mary-Beth turned and followed Tilly, the two girls walking toward Miss Grimshaw's stern silhouette under the lamplight.
As Caleb watched Mary-Beth and Tilly disappear into the bustle of camp under Miss Grimshaw's sharp command, he exhaled slowly, rolling the tension from his shoulders.
The day had been... good. Surprisingly good, despite the near miss with the feuding families. Mary-Beth's warmth lingered in his memory, her laughter, the way her eyes had sparkled under the Rhodes Parlor House's chandeliers, the soft press of her body against his during their hurried escape.
A small smile tugged at his lips.
Then reality settled back in.
Dutch's no gun policy. The signs were clear. Caleb knew what was coming.
It had begun, the gang slowly sinking into the Braithwaite and Gray conflict. Dutch was making his move, and this policy was just the start. Caleb knew that from now on, more members would be tasked to cozy up to the Grays, get in their good graces, and look for a way to get close to their rumored stash of family gold.
But Caleb also knew something else.
Dutch's moves, while clever, were never as flawless as he thought. He was playing with fire. And the heat would draw the Pinkertons. The Cornwall agents. The law. Trouble followed Dutch's ambition like shadows followed light.
Which was why Caleb made up his mind then and there.
It was time to go back to Valentine.
The chaos that had driven them from Horseshoe Overlook should have long cooled. Cornwall's men and the Pinkertons had likely lost their trail. Dutch had no reason to send the gang back to Valentine, especially with their operations focused on Rhodes and the south now. That gave Caleb a unique window.
Valentine was no longer a danger. It was an opportunity.
If he could reestablish his footing in that area, away from the gang's operations, then he could begin building something lasting. The fast food business plan he had once idly entertained could now become real. Where he will make Jasper be the face of it, at least until the Van der Linde chapter closes, however it does.
And maybe, just maybe, he could build something stable. Something better.
As Caleb walked back toward his tent, turning these thoughts over, a familiar voice called out.
"Caleb."
He turned. Arthur.
The older man sat at the edge of his bed, hunched with elbows on knees. Lantern light flickered against his face. He gestured for Caleb to come closer.
Caleb stepped over. "What's up, Arthur?"
Arthur gave a smirk as he rubbed his knee absently. "So... how was your date with Mary-Beth?"
Caleb chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck. "It went really well, actually. Why, you asking for tips?"
Arthur chuckled lowly. "Nah, just makin' conversation. She looked mighty happy when y'all came back. That doesn't happen by accident." Then he lit a cigarette. "And just makin' sure you're treatin' her right."
"I am," Caleb said, as he took that as a compliment and sat beside him. "Mary-Beth's... special."
Arthur took a puff from his cigarette, exhaled a slow stream of smoke, then asked, more seriously this time, "You heard about Dutch's no gun policy in Rhodes?"
Caleb nodded. "Yeah. Charles told me just as we got back."
Arthur tapped his pipe on the wagon edge. "Just... stick to the rules for now. I know you've got your reservations about Dutch's approach, I do too. But me and Hosea? We'll keep him from gettin' too reckless. If something smells dangerous, we'll step in."
Caleb looked at Arthur and nodded slowly. "I believe you. And Hosea. You two... you have your heads on straight."
He didn't say Dutch's name.
Arthur noticed.
He didn't comment on it, but as Caleb stood and said goodnight, Arthur watched him go. The boy had faith in him and in Hosea. That much was clear.
But he had left Dutch out of that statement.
Which meant Caleb had already begun to doubt Dutch.
Back in his tent, Caleb sat on his bedroll, staring at the canvas wall. His mind raced.
Dutch's play with the Grays meant the gang would be entrenched in Rhodes for some time. But he couldn't just leave. Not without raising suspicion. He'd need a cover. Maybe he could use a scouting trip or even say he goes back to Valentine to check on the situation there. Something mundane enough to avoid questions but plausible enough to justify a few days' absence.
...
Name: Caleb Thorne
Age: 23
Body Attributes:
- Strength: 7/10
- Agility: 6/10
- Perception: 8/10
- Stamina: 7/10
- Charm: 5/10
- Luck: 6/10
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 2)
- Horse Mastery (Lvl 3)
- Poker (Lvl 3)
- Hand to Hand Combat (Lvl 1)
- Eagle Eye (Lvl 1)
- Dead Eye (Lvl 2)
- Bow (Lvl 2)
- Pain Nullifier (Lvl 1)
- Physical Regeneration (Lvl 0)
- Crafting (Lv1)
- Persuasion (Lvl 2)
- Mental Fortitude (Lvl MAX)
- Cooking (Lvl 2)
- Teaching (Lvl 1)
- Germanic Language Proficiency (Lvl MAX)
- Inventory System (Permanent - 5x5x5)
Money: 502 dollars and 96 cents
Inventory: 1111 dollars, 2 gold nuggets, 1 gold bar, 4 silver rings, and 1 Double Action Revolver
Bank: 320 dollars, 4 gold bars, a large bag of jewelry, and 3 gold nuggets