It was a strange new life he'd found. Before, everything from money to his very life was to the gang, and had been since he was fourteen. Now, it was only him.

Every cent he earned from the trapper, every meal he cooked or gathered ingredients for was for his own meals only, anything he looted off the bodies of Murfrees or other scumbags who came through here was his, and his alone.

With the medicine seller now, things had changed again. Arthur had companionship again, but not someone who demanded or depended on him for every little thing. He had an equal. An equal who'd shown him compassion, and passion alike he might add.

Much as he missed John and the rest, this new world he was carving out for himself, with the medicine seller beside him for as long as he liked, was something he'd never thought he'd get. A second chance.

The odd pair walked beside-and around-one another, enjoying the quiet winter evening, snow and frozen leaf litter crunching beneath his massive paws.