If you want to read 20 Chapters ahead, be sure to check out my P-Tang12!!!
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(A/N: Don't forget to give those power stones to Skyrim everyone!)
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Mary-Beth nodded her head, her eyes still a bit glassy from the funeral, but filled with absolute understanding. She placed her hand over his. "I understand, Caleb. And there's no way we leave right away after Dutch passed away. It wouldn't have been right. The family needed us here."
Caleb squeezed her hand in return. And after that, as they were quietly finishing their meal, surprisingly, the two of them was approached by Arthur at this time.
Arthur walked over, his plate empty, his hat still pulled low. He looked incredibly tired, the lines around his eyes etched deep with the day's heavy emotional toll. He stood awkwardly by their chairs for a moment.
"Caleb," Arthur started, his voice a low, gravelly rumble. He cleared his throat. "I was wonderin'... If you were going to be busy tomorrow."
Caleb looked up, masking his surprise. "Not completely, Arthur. Why?"
Arthur rubbed the back of his neck, looking uncharacteristically vulnerable. "If not, I would like to brought him go hunting or something. Just the two of us. Head up into the hills, track a buck, maybe just sit by a fire. To relax your mind. My mind too, I suppose. It's been a... a hell of a day to say the least."
Caleb felt a pang of genuine sympathy for the enforcer. Arthur was carrying the crushing guilt of knowing the truth about Dutch's demise, a secret that was eating away at his soul.
Caleb turned to Mary-Beth, leaning in close and asking her in a low whisper, "If it's okay to brought Arthur alongside us to Strawberry?"
Mary-Beth responded by whispering back, her brow furrowing slightly in thought. Saying that she doesn't mind, she added, "But what about him? After all, heading to Strawberry was for your hotel. The legitimate business. You said you wanted to keep it a secret from the gang for now."
Caleb considered this for a fraction of a second. He looked at Arthur's exhausted, haunted face. Arthur needed a distraction, and more importantly, Arthur was the one man in the gang Caleb needed to bind to his new vision with absolute loyalty.
Caleb whispered back to Mary-Beth, saying it's fine. "If it's only Arthur to know for now, then Hosea later. Before the rest of the gang finds out, it's okay. After all, I needed to tell them in the end. They need to know we have a real future being built, not just the restaurant."
Mary-Beth nodded her head at that, a small, encouraging smile touching her lips. She understood the necessity of bringing Arthur into the fold.
Caleb turned to look at Arthur, apologizing smoothly. "I appreciate the offer, Arthur, truly. I apologize but I actually have something to do tomorrow," Caleb explained, "but I would be happy if you can join me and Mary-Beth tomorrow. We would like to go to Strawberry."
Arthur, hearing that, was visibly surprised. His eyebrows shot up beneath the brim of his hat. He leaned forward, resting his hands on the back of an empty chair, before asking what are the two of them doing heading out back there.
"Strawberry?" Arthur asked, a note of genuine concern entering his voice. "It's not safe in Strawberry, Caleb. Don't you remember the shootout we have while fleeing Strawberry to retrieve Micah's dead body? We shot up half the town getting out of that jailhouse mess. The law there is tighter than a drum now."
Caleb smiled a cool, confident smile. He says, "Of course I remember, Arthur. But don't forget that other than Dutch, our face aren't that known." Caleb gestured to himself and Mary-Beth. "The law there is looking for the Van der Linde gang, led by a loud man in a fancy vest. They aren't looking for Caleb Thorne, legitimate businessman, and his lovely associates."
Caleb lowered his voice slightly. "And we go there to handle some business. Important business for our future."
Arthur studied Caleb's face for a long moment, seeing the unshakeable certainty there. He looked at Mary-Beth, who offered a reassuring nod. Arthur sighed, the tension leaving his broad shoulders. He nodded his head at that, and agreed in the end.
Saying then, "If the two of you don't have any problems with me tagging along, I am happy to join you. Since I am also curious what kind of 'business' you need to do there that involves taking Mary-Beth into town as well."
"You'll see, Arthur," Caleb promised with a cryptic grin. "It's going to be a good day."
After that, the conversation ended. The heavy atmosphere of the funeral finally pushed everyone toward exhaustion, and everyone one by one returned to their room or quarters to seek whatever rest they could find.
With Caleb and Mary-Beth also doing the same, they climbed the stairs to their room. They didn't speak much as they readied for bed, the day had simply held too much weight. They held each other close under the thick quilt, the silence of the night feeling profoundly different now that the cellar below was empty.
The next day in the morning, the sun broke over the Heartlands, burning away the lingering morning mist.
Caleb and Mary-Beth were already up, dressed for travel. Caleb wore a sharp, clean vest over a dark shirt, leaving the heavy, intimidating duster behind to project a more respectable, wealthy image. Mary-Beth wore a beautiful, practical riding skirt and a crisp white blouse, her hair tied back neatly.
They were standing beside Morgan in the front yard, the mare saddled and ready, waiting for Arthur.
Presently, Arthur walked out through the front door. He looked slightly better than the night before, having shaved and put on a clean shirt, though the shadows under his eyes remained. He walked down the porch steps, adjusting his gun belt.
He apologized for making them wait. "Sorry 'bout that," Arthur grumbled, rubbing his jaw. "Slept heavier than a rock."
Before then, he whistled sharply for his horse to come.
Caleb said, "It's okay, Arthur. We didn't wait that long. Beautiful morning for a ride."
And after that, Caleb helped Mary-Beth to get on Morgan. He offered his hands, boosting her up so she could sit comfortably sidesaddle behind the cantle. Before then, getting on Morgan himself, he settled into the saddle, taking the reins and adjusting his weight to accommodate Mary-Beth's arms wrapping securely around his waist.
While Arthur's massive brown workhorse arrived at this time, trotting up obediently from the pasture, Arthur got on with a practiced heave. He checked his saddlebags and patted the horse's neck.
"Alright," Arthur said, looking at Caleb. "Lead the way, businessman."
And so, they then rode out of the homestead, leaving the quiet, mournful farm behind them, heading southwest toward the mountains and the town of Strawberry.
The ride was a welcome reprieve from the stifling grief of the homestead. As they crossed the sprawling green expanse of the Heartlands, the cool morning air whipped past them, carrying the scent of wild sage and damp earth.
They rode past the winding, rocky banks of the Dakota River, the water sparkling like shattered glass under the ascending sun. The terrain began to change drastically as they pushed further west. The flat, rolling plains gave way to steep, pine covered foothills. The temperature dropped noticeably as they began the ascent into the Big Valley region.
Arthur rode alongside them, keeping a watchful eye on the tree lines out of pure habit, but the journey was entirely peaceful.
"It's beautiful up here," Mary-Beth commented, her voice carrying over the rhythmic clopping of hooves. She leaned her head against Caleb's back, taking in the towering, majestic redwoods that now flanked the dirt road.
"It is," Caleb agreed, steering Morgan around a deep rut in the path. "And Strawberry is right in the heart of it. It's a logging town, mostly, but it has... potential."
"Potential for what?" Arthur asked, genuinely curious. "Last time I was there, it had the potential to be a graveyard."
Caleb chuckled. "You'll see, Arthur. We're almost there."
As they navigated the final, winding mountain pass, the town of Strawberry finally came into view, nestled snugly within a deep, lush valley, bisected by a rushing mountain river.
It was a starkly different place than Valentine. There was no mud, no sprawling livestock pens. Instead, the buildings were constructed of heavy, dark timber, perched precariously on the steep hillsides, connected by wooden boardwalks and a sturdy bridge spanning the rapids. The air smelled of fresh cut pine, woodsmoke, and the crisp, clean chill of the mountains.
As they rode down the main path into town, Caleb activated his max level Acting and Persuasion Skills just as a precaution, letting his posture relax into that of a wealthy, unbothered investor.
They rode past the general store, the butcher, and the small, heavily fortified jailhouse, the site of the assassination shoot he had done to claim Micah's life.
Arthur tensed visibly as they passed it, his hand dropping closer to his revolver, but no one paid them any mind. The townspeople simply saw a well dressed couple and their rugged hired guard.
Caleb guided Morgan past the town square and toward the northern edge of Strawberry.
There, situated on a prime piece of elevated real estate overlooking the river and the town below, was the Central Lodge.
Arthur pulled his horse to a halt, his eyes widening in complete shock.
The building was massive. It was a sprawling, three story structure made of rich, polished redwood and river stone. Scaffolding surrounded the eastern wing, and dozens of workers were bustling about, carpenters hammering, painters applying fresh varnish to the wraparound balconies, and laborers carrying heavy crates of imported furniture up the grand front steps.
A large, beautifully carved wooden sign hung above the main entrance, partially covered by a tarp, but the words were clearly visible, The Majestic Hotel & Spa.
"Good Lord," Arthur breathed, pushing his hat back on his head. He looked at Caleb, then back at the massive, bustling construction site. "Caleb... what is this?"
Caleb dismounted, turning to help Mary-Beth down from Morgan. She landed lightly on her feet, her hands flying to her mouth as she took in the sheer scale of the building.
"This, Arthur," Caleb said, a wide, proud smile breaking across his face, "is the business I needed to check on. Welcome to my hotel."
Mary-Beth spun around, grabbing Caleb's arm. "Caleb! It's... it's magnificent! I had no idea it was this big!"
"I bought the old lodge and the two adjacent lots," Caleb explained casually, as if discussing the purchase of a new pair of boots. "We're expanding it. Fifty guest rooms, indoor plumbing, a fine dining restaurant, some spa out in the back in plan, and also some hunting trips alongside a special wing where we sell guns. It's going to cater to the wealthy tourists from Saint Denis and Blackwater who want a taste of the 'wild west' without actually having to sleep in the dirt."
Arthur slowly dismounted, tying his horse to a freshly painted hitching post. He walked up to Caleb, looking at the young man as if seeing him for the very first time.
"You bought a hotel," Arthur repeated, struggling to process the information. "With what money? This must have cost a fortune."
"I have my ways, Arthur," Caleb said, tapping the side of his head. "The bounties, some... aggressive investments in Saint Denis. The money isn't the issue. The issue is making sure the mahogany paneling in the lobby is installed correctly."
Just then, a familiar, fastidious figure emerged from the grand front doors, navigating carefully around a pile of lumber. He was wearing a neat, tailored suit, a bowler hat, and carrying a thick leather ledger tucked tightly under his arm.
"Herr Strauss!" Caleb called out, waving his hand.
Leopold Strauss stopped, adjusting his wire rimmed glasses. When he recognized Caleb, a rare, genuine smile appeared on the Austrian's usually dour face. He hurried down the wooden steps to greet them.
"Herr Thorne!" Strauss greeted him, using the agreed-upon alias. He offered a stiff but respectful bow. "And Fraulein Mary-Beth. And... Herr Morgan. A surprise to see you here."
"A big surprise to be here, Leopold," Arthur muttered, still staring at the massive hotel.
"How is the progress, Strauss?" Caleb asked, clapping the accountant on the shoulder.
"Excellent, excellent," Strauss reported, opening his ledger with professional pride. "The roof is completely sealed. The plumbing for the second floor suites is installed. We are currently finalizing the interior decor for the main lobby. The imported rugs arrived from Saint Denis yesterday. It has been a massive undertaking, Herr Thorne, but the finances are perfectly balanced. Not a single cent wasted."
"I knew I could count on you, Leopold," Caleb praised. He turned to Mary-Beth and Arthur. "Come on. Let's take a tour."
They spent the next two hours walking through the massive construction site. Caleb showed Mary-Beth the grand ballroom, which was currently filled with sawdust but promised spectacular elegance.
He showed her the suite he was having specifically designed with a massive bay window overlooking the mountains, which he casually mentioned would make a perfect writing room. Mary-Beth blushed furiously, squeezing his hand.
Arthur walked behind them in a daze, his heavy boots echoing on the polished hardwood floors. He looked at the imported crystal chandeliers still waiting to be hung, the expensive wallpaper, and the sheer, undeniable legitimacy of the entire operation.
Eventually, they ended up on the massive back balcony, overlooking the rushing white water of the mountain river below.
Caleb leaned against the sturdy wooden railing, looking out at the pristine wilderness. Arthur walked up beside him, leaning on the rail as well, while Mary-Beth excitedly discussed fabric swatches with Strauss inside.
"I don't understand it, Caleb," Arthur said quietly, the roar of the river masking their conversation from the others. "You... you're an restaurant owner in Valentine. You're a bounty hunter. You're a killer. And yet... you're building this."
"I'm building a future, Arthur," Caleb said, his voice completely serious. "The age of the outlaw is over. You know that. I know that. The Pinkertons, the law, civilization... it's a tide we can't shoot our way out of forever. Dutch tried, and it killed him."
Caleb turned to look Arthur directly in the eye. "I'm not going to let it kill the rest of us. This hotel... the restaurant in Valentine... And a factory back east... it's a shield, Arthur. A legitimate, unbreakable shield made of money and property. When this is all done, when the Pinkertons are called off and the government bounty is settled... this gang isn't going to live in tents anymore. We're going to live like kings."
Arthur stared at Caleb, the profound weight of the younger man's vision finally sinking in. Caleb wasn't just surviving, he was conquering the new world on its own terms.
For the first time since the disaster in Blackwater, a genuine spark of hope ignited in Arthur Morgan's chest. He looked at the sprawling, magnificent hotel in construction, and then back at Caleb. "A future," Arthur repeated softly. He let out a long, slow breath, a heavy burden lifting from his shoulders. "Alright, Caleb. Alright. What do you need me to do?"
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Name: Caleb Thorne
Age: 23
Body Attributes:
- Strength: 8/10
- Agility: 8/10
- Perception: 9/10
- Stamina: 8/10
- Charm: 8/10
- Luck: 9/10
Skills:
- Handgun (Lvl MAX)
- Rifle (Lvl MAX)
- Firearms Knowledge (Lvl MAX)
- Past Life Memory (Lvl MAX)
- Knife (Lvl MAX)
- Blunt Weapon (Lvl 2)
- Sneaking (Lvl MAX)
- Horse Mastery (Lvl MAX)
- Poker (Lvl MAX)
- Hand to Hand Combat (Lvl MAX)
- Eagle Eye (Lvl 2)
- Dead Eye (Lvl 4)
- Bow (Lvl 3)
- Pain Nullifier (Lvl 4)
- Physical Regeneration (Lvl 3)
- Crafting (Lvl MAX)
- Persuasion (Lvl MAX)
- Mental Fortitude (Lvl MAX)
- Cooking (Lvl MAX)
- Teaching (Lvl 3)
- Trilingual Language Proficiency - G, I, & C (Lvl MAX)
- Inventory System (Permanent - 50x50x50)
- Acting (Lvl MAX)
- Alcohol Resistance (Lvl MAX)
- Treasure Hunter (Lvl MAX)
- Drugs Resistance (Lvl MAX)
- Business (Lvl 2)
- Leadership (Lvl 2)
Money: 3,322 dollars and 60 cents
Inventory: 250,992 dollars and 61 cents, 11 gold nuggets, 70 gold bars, 1 Double Action, 1 Schofield, 2 Colm's Schofields, 1 land deed (Parcel), 1 Mauser, 1 Semi Auto Pistol, 1 Lancaster Repeater, 1 Old Wood Jewelry Box, 1 F.F Mausoleum small brass key, 1 Ruby, 1 Braithwaites Land Deed, 1 Broken Pirate Sword, 1 Milton's Safety Deposit Key, 1 Senator Pendleton Sealed Envelope, Proof Of Marlin-Thorne Firearms Co., 10 Dynamites, 1 LeMat, 1 M1899, 1 Carcano, & 1 Ownership deed of Doyle's Tavern
Bank: -