Red Dead Redemption 2: From Gaming To Cowboy Chapter 22: 22. Meeting Dutch & Trelawney

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"That was so fight," Caleb said, leaning against the wall of the alley. "You alright?", hearing this Arthur chuckled with so raspiness, making it clear he was holding his pain. "I'll live. Thanks for the help back there. You took a hell of a hit for ."

Caleb shrugged, trying to downplay it. "Just doing my part. Couldn't let you get blindsided."

Arthur studied Caleb for a mont, his expression thoughtful. "You've got guts, kid. Not many folks would jump into a brawl like that, especially for people they barely know."

Caleb t Arthur's gaze. "I figure if you're going to run with a group like yours, you've got to prove you can handle yourself."

Arthur nodded, a hint of respect in his eyes. "You've done that, alright. Javier, Charles, and Bill owe you one. Hell, I owe you one."

Caleb smiled, though it was strained by the pain in his ribs. "Just glad I could help."

Arthur clapped Caleb on the shoulder, though he winced as he did so and Caleb who was on the receiving end was the sa as well. "Co on, let's get back to the others. They will want to thank you for your help."

Thanks to Caleb's intervention, Arthur wasn't as battered and dirty as he had been in the ga after the fight with Tommy. As Arthur and Caleb prepared to head back to the front of the saloon, a familiar voice called out, its accent unmistakable. "Making new friends again, I see, Arthur."

Both n turned to see two figures approaching them. Caleb imdiately recognized them, Dutch van der Linde and Josiah Trelawny. Dutch, dressed in a fancy vest and jacket, his signature facial hair and charismatic deanor on full display, exuded an air of authority.

Beside him, Trelawny, with his formal attire and top hat, looked every bit the theatrical con man Caleb rembered from the ga, and even put the one in the ga in sha.

Caleb felt a mix of emotions as he laid eyes on Dutch. Excitent, anger, and disappointnt swirled within him. He knew what Dutch would beco later in the story, a man consud by his own ego and paranoia, leading the gang to ruin and Arthur's death.

As for Trelawny, Caleb had mixed feelings. The man was a master of disguise and deception, more so than even Hosea, but his charm and wit made him hard to dislike.

Dutch's voice broke Caleb's thoughts. "Look who we found sniffing about," he said, gesturing to Trelawny.

Arthur chuckled. "Josiah Trelawny," he said, his tone a mix of amusent and surprise.

Trelawny, ever the showman, gave a theatrical bow. "The very sa," he replied with a flourish.

Dutch added, "Indeed. The very sa."

Arthur stepped closer, a smirk playing on his lips. "Well, well... I thought you'd gone to New York."

Trelawny waved a hand dismissively. "And miss all of this glamour? You must be joking."

Arthur laughed, shaking his head. "How are you, Trelawny?"

"Well, quite well indeed," Trelawny replied, his tone light and jovial. His eyes then flicked to Caleb, who stood a few steps behind Arthur. "And who is this fine young gentleman?"

Dutch, too, turned his attention to Caleb, his sharp eyes scrutinizing the newcor. "Yes, Arthur, who is your friend here?"

Caleb stepped forward, introducing himself with a polite nod. "Good day, gentlen. My na is Caleb Thorne."

Arthur, standing beside Caleb, added, "Mr. Thorne here helped , Uncle, and the girls a couple of days ago when we first ca to Valentine. And just now, he helped , Javier, Charles, and Bill in a saloon brawl. Evened the odds a bit."

Trelawny's eyes lit up with interest. "Why, what a good man you are, Mr. Thorne! I'm Josiah Trelawny, at your service." He gave another theatrical bow, his top hat tipping slightly.

Dutch, after receiving a subtle nod from Arthur signaling that Caleb could be trusted, at least for now, smiled and extended a hand. "Thank you for lending a hand to my friends, Mr. Thorne. I'm Dutch van der Linde. You can call Dutch or Mr. van der Linde."

Caleb shook Dutch's hand, though the motion caused a twinge of pain from his bruised ribs. He managed a smile and a pained chuckle. "It's what I should do for friends," he said, glancing at Arthur. "Well, I hope Arthur considers a friend. I'm just a drifter, arrived in Valentine a couple of weeks ago after leaving my hotown far to the west, and seeing Arthur and Uncle looking like trustees as well when I t them I feel a sense of connection, that's why I approached them."

As Caleb said so, Trelawny, ever the conversationalist, turned his attention to Javier, Charles, and Bill, who had joined the group. "Ah, Javier and Charles! I've missed you... and Bill, looking as well as can be. Gentlen, always a pleasure."

Javier and Charles nodded in acknowledgnt, their expressions softening as they turned their attention to Caleb. "Thanks for the help back there," Charles said, his voice calm but sincere.

Javier even though hurting from the brake c lappedd Caleb on the shoulder, though the motion made Caleb wince. "You're my friend now," Javier declared with a grin. "Anyone who fights like that for us is one of us."

Bill, ever the hothead, grunted in agreent. "Yeah, you held your own. Thanks for the backup."

Caleb nodded, feeling a sense of accomplishnt. "Just doing my part," he said modestly.

Dutch, observing the exchange, stepped forward, his presence commanding attention. "Well, Mr. Thorne, it seems you've made quite the impression on my boys. That's no small feat."

Caleb t Dutch's gaze, trying to keep his expression neutral. "I'm just glad I could help. Valentine's been good to so far, and I figure it's only right to lend a hand when I can."

Dutch's smile widened, though there was a calculating glint in his eyes. "A man of principle. I like that. We could use more n like you in our... endeavors."

Caleb noticed the calculating glint in Dutch's eyes, a subtle but unmistakable sign of the man's shrewdness.

His high perception stat allowed him to pick up on the nuances of Dutch's deanor, and he knew exactly what the gang leader was thinking. Dutch saw Caleb as a potential asset, soone who could be used to further the gang's interests.

But Caleb also knew that this version of Dutch was different from the man he would beco later in the story. This Dutch was still sowhat sane, still filled with hope, and not yet poisoned by Micah's influence.

Caleb understood that Dutch wanted to take advantage of his knowledge of Valentine and likely saw him as a naive drifter who could be manipulated for the gang's benefit. But Caleb was determined to prove Dutch wrong.

He wasn't so pawn to be played with, and he intended to surprise Dutch just as the Grays and Braithwaites had done in the ga. Caleb had his own agenda, which was to join the Van der Linde gang, earn their trust, and change the course of the story to prevent the tragedy that awaited them.

Caleb played along, acting interested and eager. His performance was flawless, partly because he genuinely wanted to join the gang and partly because he knew he had to tread carefully.

He nodded enthusiastically at Dutch's offer, his expression a mix of gratitude and excitent. "I'd be honored to help in any way I can, Mr. van der Linde. Valentine's been good to , and I'd like to repay the kindness I've found here."

Arthur, however, wasn't entirely convinced. He stepped closer to Dutch, his voice low but firm. "Are you sure about this, Dutch? I an, I don't distrust him, but… are you sure?"

Dutch waved a hand dismissively, his charismatic smile never wavering. "Of course, Arthur. A young man with such good principles as Mr. Thorne here would be eaten alive by this world if there's no one to look after him. We've all been there, haven't we?"

Arthur frowned but didn't argue further. He glanced at Caleb, his expression a mix of skepticism and reluctant approval, not that he dislike Caleb, he actually like the kid but their situation now force him to be more cautious.

The others, too, seed unsure. Javier and Charles, though grateful for Caleb's help in the brawl, still didn't know him well enough to fully trust him. Bill, as usual, followed Dutch's lead without question, his sense of needing approval from Dutch was unwavering.

Trelawny, ever the cautious one despite his theatrical deanor, observed Caleb with a keen eye. He was a man who thrived on deception and knew better than to trust too easily.

His presence in the gang was sporadic, coming and going as he pleased, but he always brought valuable information and resources, sothing that Dutch appreciate and allows him to do whatever he wants.

For Caleb, Trelawny's cautious nature made him a valuable ally, and he knew he'd have to earn the man's trust over ti.

Dutch turned back to Caleb, his tone warm but with an underlying edge of calculation. "If you or the others need anything, Mr. Thorne, I hope you'll co to us for help. We look out for our own."

Caleb seized the opportunity, his face lighting up with genuine enthusiasm. "Of course, Mr. van der Linde! After the brawl we just had, I already think of everyone here as my friends, especially Arthur." He glanced at Arthur, who gave a small nod of acknowledgnt.

Dutch laughed, a rich, hearty sound that filled the alley. "Thank you, Mr. Thorne. If you ever need anything, you can find us at our camp near Horseshoe Overlook. Just ask for Arthur or Charles, and they'll point you in the right direction."

Caleb nodded, his mind already racing with plans. He knew this was his chance to integrate himself into the gang and start making a difference.

But he also knew he had to be careful. The Van der Linde gang was a tight knit group, and earning their trust wouldn't be easy. He'd have to prove himself repeatedly, just as Kieran had done, though under very different circumstances.

As the group began to disperse, Arthur lingered for a mont, his eyes narrowing as he studied Caleb. "You sure about this, kid? Running with us… it's not exactly a life of glamour. Especially at this ti."

Caleb t Arthur's gaze, his expression earnest. "I know it's not, Mr. Morgan. But I've been on my own for a while now, and I've seen what this world can do to people who don't have anyone to watch their backs. If I can help you all, even a little, then I'd like to."

Arthur nodded slowly, his skepticism giving way to a grudging respect and sowhere admiration as well. "Alright, then. Just don't go getting yourself killed. We've got enough trouble as it is."

Caleb chuckled, though the motion made his ribs ache. "I'll do my best."

With that, Arthur clapped Caleb on the shoulder, gently this ti, and turned to follow Dutch and the others. Caleb watched them go, a sense of determination settling over him.

He had taken the first step toward changing the course of the story, but he knew the road ahead would be long and fraught with danger, especially since Pinkertons and bounty hunters was shunting down the gang.

At this mont, the system window suddenly appeared in front of Caleb, catching him off guard. He quickly scanned the notifications and saw that his Hand to Hand Combat skill had leveled up to Level 1, thanks to his involvent in the saloon brawl.

Additionally, his Charm stat had increased from 4 to 5, which was a pleasant surprise. Caleb assud this boost was due to his ability to navigate the conversation with Dutch and the gang, managing to convince them of his sincerity and usefulness. The upgrade to his Charm stat was particularly significant to Caleb.

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Na:Caleb Thorne

Age: 23

Body Attributes:

- Strength: 6/10

- Agility: 6/10

- Perception: 8/10

- Stamina: 6/10

- Charm: 4/10 - 5/10

- Luck: 5/10

Skills:

- Handgun (Lvl 1)

- Rifle (Lvl 1)

- Firearms Knowledge (Lvl 2)

- Past Life mory (Lvl MAX)

- Knife (Lvl 1)

- Blunt Weapon (Lvl 1)

- Sneaking (Lvl 1)

- Horse Mastery (Lvl 1)

- Poker (Lvl 1)

- Hand to Hand Combat (Lvl 0) - (Lvl 1)

- Eagle Eye (Lvl 1)

- Dead Eye (Lvl 1)

Money: 191 dollars and 94 cents

Bank: 40 dollars, 2 gold bars, and a large bag of jewelry