The Story Of Red Dead Redemption

Chapter 70: The Jester's Awareness

"Is that so?" Dutch replied dismissively.

The others watched curiously, wondering what Uncle, who was usually too drunk to make sense, had to say today.

"I've seen how it's affected you. You've driven away your loyal servant," Uncle said with a grin.

Dutch brushed off the comment, simply wanting to end the conversation.

"Alright, I'll be careful, old friend. But save your court jester act for someone else," Dutch said, turning to find Hosea for a proper talk. A loyal servant? Was he supposed to be a king?

Dutch's mind was still preoccupied with other matters. Though Hosea had remained silent earlier, Dutch knew his old friend was upset with him.

Uncle, watching Dutch walk away, called out loudly to no one in particular, "That's his problem. He wants to be the king of America… and knight his followers."

Dutch heard the words but kept walking for a few more steps. Finally, he couldn't help himself. He stopped and turned to face Uncle.

At that moment, the anger Dutch had been suppressing boiled over. Why was everyone turning against him?

Dutch turned back, forcing a strange, strained smile.

"Old friend, I heard you. I don't want to be a king."

"You do," Uncle said nonchalantly, taking another swig from his whiskey bottle.

"Damn it, I don't! I just want all of us to live better lives!" Dutch said, though his voice betrayed his anger despite his efforts to control it. Dutch had reached his breaking point.

Uncle, completely unfazed, continued, "Better? That's just your idea of better."

"Hahahaha." Dutch laughed, but there was no joy in it.

"Oh, old friend, I won't get angry with you. But right now… I just want to kill you."

Uncle glanced at the others, then bowed theatrically to Dutch and said, "Then strike me down, Your Majesty."

Uncle remained in his bow, lifting his head to meet Dutch's gaze calmly.

The onlookers tensed. After the heated argument with Arthur, now Uncle was provoking Dutch. Everyone was worried that Dutch might pull out his gun and shoot Uncle on the spot.

But thankfully, the two men simply stared at each other for a moment before bursting into laughter. Dutch seemed to let go of his anger, telling Uncle to fuck off before heading off to find Hosea.

***

Meanwhile, Arthur, riding away from camp, noticed Sean catching up on horseback.

"Hey, Arthur, you're really leaving?" Sean said with his usual cheeky grin. The tension back at camp had been unbearable for him—he'd wanted to speak up but didn't dare.

"Why are you following me? Did Dutch finally get tired of your grinning face too?" Arthur shot back, though his tone sounded more like he was blaming himself for pushing Dutch too far.

Sean kept grinning, pulling his horse alongside Arthur's.

"Who could ever get tired of Mr. MacGuire?"

"So, what's this about?"

"I'm here to help you. You're not planning to take on the Pinkertons alone, are you?" Sean said, feigning disbelief.

Arthur couldn't help but laugh.

"Who said I'm taking on the Pinkertons alone?"

"Come on, you're Arthur Morgan! The great Arthur Morgan."

"Even if Dutch has lost his mind and kicked you out—don't tell him I said that—you're not just going to let him walk into a trap, are you? Not with the whole gang. No way. You'd never let that happen."

Sean was right. Though he said it jokingly, his words hit on what Arthur was most concerned about.

The Pinkertons.

Arthur had been thinking about how to deal with them the entire ride. But this wasn't just for Dutch and the gang.

During the argument, one thing Dutch had said stuck with Arthur: The Pinkertons were in Valentine. How long could his saloon last?

In his worry for the gang, Arthur hadn't considered this until now.

"Don't go silent on me! Tell me what you're planning next," Sean pressed, seeing Arthur fall quiet.

When it came to being annoying, Sean was in a league of his own. Even John couldn't compare.

Arthur had some rough ideas but wasn't ready to share them yet. Ignoring Sean didn't seem to work, so Arthur turned the tables and asked how Sean planned to explain his absence to Dutch.

"Explain? I'm just leaving camp for a bit to take care of some personal business. What's there to explain? Besides Uncle, who just lounges around camp all day? This is work, work! Dutch won't mind," Sean said optimistically.

"But seriously, Arthur, I thought you and Dutch were about to draw guns on each other. Even if you disagreed with his plan, you didn't have to embarrass him in front of everyone," Sean said, offering his unsolicited opinion.

Arthur rolled his eyes.

"If you're so full of wisdom, why were you standing there like a statue earlier? Don't you see how dangerous the Pinkertons are? Have you forgotten what happened in Blackwater?"

"Hey, don't put it on me. I'm just here to follow your lead. Thinking and deciding—that's your job, not mine," Sean said, shrugging.

Hearing this, Arthur lost the urge to talk. As they neared Valentine, his thoughts turned to Mary. He wondered if she'd be upset with him for standing her up.

Though Arthur cared deeply for Mary, there were more pressing matters at hand.

*****

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