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He folded the newspaper, his thoughts swirling. The world around him was moving forward, and he needed to decide his next steps carefully. The Van der Linde gang's arrival in Colter would mark the beginning of their downfall, but it would also set off a chain of events that would shape the fate of the life he has now. Caleb knew he couldn't afford to be caught off guard.
Deciding to begin any kind of training he could to raise his attributes and skill levels, as well as gain new skills to prepare himself for whatever was to come, Caleb rolled the folded newspaper and tucked it into his satchel.
He knew that improving his abilities would be crucial for surviving in this world, especially with the Van der Linde gang's arrival looming on the horizon.
One of the first skills he needed to acquire was horse riding. Horses were an integral part of this world, serving as the primary mode of transportation and a key element of daily life. Without a horse, he would be severely limited in his ability to travel, hunt, or even interact with others.
With this in mind, Caleb decided to head to the Valentine's stable to meet with Mr. Levi, the stable master, and purchase a horse.
He knew that owning a horse would not only make his life easier but also give him the opportunity to develop his riding skills. If he could master horse riding, he would be better prepared to contact and interact with the Van der Linde gang when they eventually arrived at Valentine's.
As Caleb approached the stable, he saw Mr. Levi tending to one of the horses outside. The stable master looked up and recognized Caleb immediately, a friendly smile spreading across his weathered face. "Well, if it ain't the young man from yesterday!" Mr. Levi called out, wiping his hands on his apron. "You here for more work? I could use an extra hand today if you're interested."
Caleb smiled and shook his head. "Not today, Mr. Levi. I appreciate the offer, though. I'll definitely take you up on it another time. Right now, I'm actually here to buy a horse."
Mr. Levi's eyebrows shot up in surprise, but his smile widened. "Well, now, that's a different story! Business it is, then. Come on in, and let's see what we've got for you."
Caleb followed Mr. Levi into the stable, the familiar scent of hay and horses filling his nostrils. The stable was bustling with activity, with workers tending to the horses and cleaning the stalls. Mr. Levi led Caleb deeper into the stable, gesturing to the various horses as they walked.
"So, what kind of horse are you looking for?" Mr. Levi asked, his tone now all business. "We've got a range of breeds here, from sturdy workhorses to faster riding horses. It all depends on what you need and how much you're willing to spend."
Caleb hesitated for a moment. Unlike in the game, where he could see stats and traits for each horse, he had no way of knowing which horses were truly good ones.
He decided to rely on Mr. Levi's expertise. "I'm looking for a good horse, something reliable for both short and long journeys. I don't need anything too fancy, but I want something that's easy to maintain and can handle rough terrain. My budget is around 50 to 60 dollars. Do you have anything like that?"
Mr. Levi rubbed his chin thoughtfully, then nodded. "You're in luck, son. I just got a new horse in yesterday from a horse tamer. Follow me."
He led Caleb to the inner section of the stable, where a sleek black horse stood in one of the stalls. The horse had a striking coat with a subtle rabicano pattern—a mix of black and white hairs that gave it a unique, almost shimmering appearance. It was a beautiful animal, with a strong build and an alert demeanor.
"This here is a Black Rabicano Tennessee Walker," Mr. Levi said, his voice filled with pride. "She's a fine horse, perfect for both short and long journeys. Easy to maintain, too. She's got a calm temperament, but she's quick when she needs to be. I was planning to sell her for 60 dollars, but since I liked the work you did yesterday, I'll give you a 4 dollar discount. How does 56 dollars sound?"
Caleb studied the horse carefully, impressed by its appearance and demeanor. He could tell that this was a high quality horse at least what he could get now, and the price was within his budget as he had 97 dollars and 50 cents. He nodded, a smile spreading across his face. "She's perfect. I'll take her."
Mr. Levi clapped Caleb on the shoulder, clearly pleased with the sale. "You've got yourself a fine horse, son. She'll serve you well. Let's get her saddled up for you."
As Mr. Levi prepared the horse, Caleb counted out 56 dollars from his satchel and handed it over leaving 47 dollars and 50 cents at his satchel. He felt a pang of regret at parting with so much money, but he knew it was a necessary investment. A good horse would make all the difference in this world.
Once the horse was ready, Mr. Levi handed Caleb the reins. "There you go. She's all yours. Take good care of her, and she'll take good care of you."
Caleb nodded, gripping the reins tightly. Brushing the beautiful horse on the nostril and its face, Caleb received a gentle nuzzling from the horse, causing him to chuckle. "Easy there, girl," he said softly, patting her neck.
He decided to name her Morgan, a nod to the Van der Linde gang's enforcer and his favorite character, Arthur Morgan, whose name had always stuck with him from the game. It felt fitting, somehow, to name his first horse after a man who had been so deeply connected to horses in the story.
Turning to Mr. Levi, Caleb said, "I also need to buy a saddle, some horse maintenance tools like a brush, and some horse treats, apples, carrots, and sugar cubes. Do you have those?"
Mr. Levi nodded, clearly pleased with the additional sales. "Of course, son. Let's see what we've got." He led Caleb over to a section of the stable where various supplies were neatly organized.
First, Mr. Levi picked out a sturdy, well made saddle. "This here's a good, reliable saddle. It'll serve you well on long rides. It's 20 dollars."
Next, he handed Caleb a good quality horse brush. "This brush is one of the best I've got. It'll keep Morgan's coat shiny and healthy. That'll be 8 dollars."
Finally, Mr. Levi showed Caleb the horse treats. "Apples are 50 cents each, carrots are 75 cents each, and sugar cubes are a dollar each. How many do you want?"
Caleb thought for a moment. "I'll take three apples, two carrots, and one sugar cube."
Mr. Levi did the math quickly. "That's 1 dollar and 50 cents for the apples, 1 dollar and 50 cents for the carrots, and 1 dollar for the sugar cube. So, 22 dollars in total for everything."
Caleb nodded and handed over the money, leaving him with 25 dollars and 50 cents in his satchel. He felt a bit lighter in the wallet, but he knew these were essential purchases.
A good saddle would make riding more comfortable, the brush would keep Morgan in top condition, and the treats would help build a bond between him and his new horse.
As Mr. Levi handed over the supplies, Caleb hesitated for a moment before asking, "Mr. Levi, do you know anyone who could teach me how to ride a horse properly? My skills aren't exactly... polished."
Mr. Levi chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Well, I can't boast about being the best rider in the West, but I know my way around a horse. I could teach you the basics. How about this? You help me out around the stable today, and in return, I'll give you a riding lesson later this afternoon. No charge."
Caleb considered the offer. Not only would he get free riding lessons, but he'd also have the chance to build a stronger relationship with Mr. Levi, who was one of the more influential figures in Valentine due to his access and control of the only stable in town. It was a win win situation.
"That sounds like a fair deal," Caleb said with a smile. "I'll help out around the stable today, and you can teach me how to ride this afternoon."
Mr. Levi clapped him on the shoulder, clearly pleased. "Good man. Let's get to work, then. There's plenty to do around here."
For the next few hours, Caleb helped Mr. Levi with various tasks around the stable. He mucked out stalls, filled water troughs, and helped groom some of the other horses. It was hard work, but Caleb didn't mind. He knew that every task brought him closer to mastering the skills he needed to survive in this world.
As the sun began to dip lower in the sky, casting a warm golden glow over the stable, Mr. Levi called Caleb over. "Alright, son. You've earned your lesson. Let's get you and Morgan acquainted properly."
Caleb led Morgan out into the open area behind the stable, where Mr. Levi began to teach him the basics of horse riding. He started with how to properly mount and dismount, then moved on to controlling the horse with the reins, using his legs, and maintaining balance. Caleb listened carefully, doing his best to follow Mr. Levi's instructions.
At first, Caleb felt awkward and unsteady, but as the lesson progressed, he began to get the hang of it. Morgan was a patient and responsive horse, which made the learning process easier.
By the end of the lesson, Caleb was able to trot around the yard with a bit more confidence, though he still had a long way to go before he could consider himself a skilled rider, and it was at this time that he received a notification sound with the system window appeared in front of him.
He saw the notification saying,
Horse Mastery (Lvl 1: Elementary - Basic) Acquired!
Description: Due to the Valentine Stablemaster Amos Levi's training and guidance, you are now capable of riding a horse and staying on it, as well as performing basic horse maintenance and care. This skill allows you to handle horses with greater ease, understand their needs, and build a stronger bond with your mount. As you level up this skill, you will gain improved control, faster riding speeds, and the ability to perform advanced maneuvers. Additionally, your horse's trust and responsiveness will increase, making it a more reliable companion in your travels.
Seeing the skill he had received, Caleb finally smiled and felt a surge of excitement. The fact that the skill had jumped straight to level 1 instead of starting at level 0 was a massive help. It meant he had more time to focus on training or acquiring other skills, as well as improving his attributes. This was a solid foundation, and he was eager to build on it.
"Not bad for your first real lesson," Mr. Levi said, giving Caleb an approving nod. "You've got potential, son. Just keep practicing, and you'll be riding like a pro in no time."
Caleb smiled, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "Thanks, Mr. Levi. I really appreciate the help."
"Anytime," Mr. Levi replied. "Now, don't forget to take care of Morgan. A good rider takes care of his horse, and a well cared for horse will take care of you."
Caleb nodded, patting Morgan's neck. "I will. She's in good hands."
After saying goodbye to Mr. Levi and agreeing to meet at the same time for the second lesson tomorrow, Caleb mounted Morgan and rode her toward the hotel. He tied her to the hitching post at the front of the hotel, ensuring she was secure, before heading inside to clean up and rest for a bit.
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Name: Caleb Thorne
Age: 23
Body Attributes:
- Strength: 6/10
- Agility: 6/10
- Perception: 8/10
- Stamina: 5/10
- Charm: 4/10
- Luck: 5/10
Skills:
- Handgun (Lvl 1)
- Rifle (Lvl 1)
- Firearms Knowledge (Lvl 2)
- Past Life Memory (Lvl MAX)
- Knife (Lvl 0)
- Blunt Weapon (Lvl 0)
- Sneaking (Lvl 0)
- Horse Mastery (Lvl 1) - New