Chapter three, Clemen’s point

"So, what is this job that John's been talkin' about?" Arthur asks absentmindedly as he and Javier turn the corner towards Mattock pond. The air hangs heavy with the scent of cypress and swamp water. Javier had gotten him from camp telling him that John had got a lead, a good one at that. "He met a rich man in Rhodes, he was talking about a boy and his horse, was willing to pay a good price for both of them." Javier seemed as if he were confused by the situation as well, it seems that John didn't tell him much.

Arthur paid a bit more attention at that, a boy and his horse, that's what they were doing this for, really? "That's it? You got me out here chasin' a kid?" He scoffs, now assuming that this was a whole lot of horse shit. Mosquitoes buzz around their heads in the humid afternoon air. "Let's just check this out alright? John seemed sure about this." Javier tried, only to be cut off by Arthur. "John is full of a lot, doesn't mean he's right." They both quieted down as John and a rich looking man come into view by the pond. "Come on, let's just go." Javier said quietly as he dismounted, the squelch of mud audible under his boots, quickly followed by Arthur.

The rich man looked over as Javier and Arthur approached, suddenly quieting down from his conversation with John. "These are the men you were talking about?" The rich man asked, sending an uneasy glance towards John. His expensive suit looks out of place in the rustic setting. "Are you quite sure you boys can handle this?" He asks, eyes narrowing as he looks Arthur and Javier up and down with a scrutinizing gaze. "Of course mister Anderson, we can handle a kid and his horse." John states firmly, drawing the attention back towards him.