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(A/N: I just found out one of my earliest readers and supporters by the name DeathGun24 made his own novel based on Dragon Age: Inquisition! The name of the novel was DAI: Becoming The Inquisitor! Just wanted to give him a shout out and also support since I know he needs all the support in making a novel, based on my own experience, of course lol!)
He pulled open the chest at the foot of his bed, placed the revolver inside, suppressor attached, and shut it. Two brass latches clicked into place, and he slipped the small iron key into his coat pocket. The weight of fatigue hit him all at once. His arms ached from the carving, and his back was stiff from leaning over the table. But more than that, his stomach growled.
He threw on his coat and hat and made his way down the stairs and onto the now lamplit street. Valentine's Saloon glowed warmly in the distance. Inside, laughter and the soft murmur of piano filled the air, along with the scent of beer, wood smoke, and the day's last frying meat.
Mr. Douglas glanced up as Caleb entered. "Caleb! Lamb fry and a beer, I reckon?"
Caleb dropped a 5 dollar bill and 25 cents onto the bar. "You reckon right, Mr. Douglas."
The man poured him a mug and shouted back to the cook. Caleb took a seat at one of the corner tables and waited, stretching his legs beneath the worn wood and sighing through his nose. His thoughts drifted.
Micah.
The name curdled in his stomach like sour milk. That bastard was still alive. But not for much longer.
The suppressor changed the game. Three shots, quiet enough that in the dead of night, no one would know who fired them, or even from where. He could put one shot in the gut, one in the throat, and one between the eyes, but he needed to do it fast.
The plate of lamb fry arrived, crispy, hot, spiced just right, and Caleb dug in without ceremony. Each bite was like warmth in his chest. The beer followed it down, cooling the heat with bitter satisfaction.
He leaned back in his chair, chewing slowly as his mind mapped the next steps.
Nighttime. That was key. Few eyes. Few ears. No chance for alarm.
The northern entrance of Strawberry, he remembered from the game. His Past Life Memory skill buzzed softly in the back of his brain, a sensation like deja vu cracking into full clarity. The gallows. The sheriff's office. Both just after the northern gate.
Less population density there. Fewer people pass through from there.
He'd have to scout the place first, of course. Unlock the map and plan his angles.
He pulled open the Map function in his system interface. Just as expected, his exploration ended at Wallace Station. Beyond that, the route blurred with the fog of war.
But he remembered.
From Wallace Station, ride south. A three way fork, turn right. Follow that path until another split, left and right. Take the left. Head south again. Small hills and mountains with forest to its left and right, with narrow roads. Eventually, the valley opened into Strawberry.
He would ride there tomorrow. Unlock the entire area. Make note of every alley, every rooftop, every path in and out.
Then return to Valentine.
Buy new clothes. Something simple. Forgettable. A brown duster, maybe. Plain hat. Worn boots. Something that wouldn't scream Caleb Thorne. He'd wear them for only an hour, then discard them on the way out and change into new clothes after killing Micah.
He took his final bite of lamb fry and washed it down with the last gulp of beer. His jaw tightened as the final pieces of the plan clicked into place.
Tomorrow was for scouting.
The day after?
Judgment day for Micah.
He rose from the table, dropping a small tip beside his plate, and walked out into the cool night. The stars above Valentine sparkled coldly, as if watching his resolve take shape.
The street was quiet now. Morgan waited near the post, but Caleb walked past her, heading back to his room. He needed rest. His body agreed as he climbed the stairs, each step heavier than the last. He stepped inside, locked the door, checked the chest once more, and lay back on the bed.
His last thought before sleep claimed him was of Micah's grin vanishing under a sudden, quiet flash of fire and steel. Tomorrow, he will begin his ride to Strawberry.
The next morning, Caleb woke up feeling refreshed. The soft light of dawn crept through the small gap in the curtains, spilling across his bed. He stretched, arching his back and letting out a quiet sigh as the usual stiffness he had grown accustomed to over the days was nowhere to be found.
He rolled over and reached for the bandage that had been wrapped around his left shoulder. When he peeled it back, he was stunned to find that his wound had completely healed.
Not a scar, not a mark, just smooth skin where the bullet had once lodged itself. His breath caught in his chest, and for a moment, he just stared at his left shoulder, dumbfounded.
A smile crept onto his face. A small one, but enough to spark a sense of satisfaction deep inside him.
Finally, fully healed. No more aching. No more reminders of that blasted shootout.
He stood and stretched his arms, feeling the rush of energy flow back into his muscles. It was as though the wound had never been there at all. Caleb felt a surge of pride, he had come through it all, and now he was back to full strength.
After a moment's pause, he pulled on his shirt, quickly followed by his boots, and moved over to his workout space. He had always been disciplined in keeping up his routine, and it had become an ingrained habit.
With a few deep breaths to focus his mind, he began his morning workout. Some calisthenics, stretching his limbs and working the muscles on his left shoulder that had been neglected for weeks, then sit ups, push ups, and squats. His arms and chest were sore from the effort, but they grew stronger with every repetition.
After completing his exercise routine, Caleb felt rejuvenated, as if a layer of fog had been lifted from his mind. His body had shed the last remnants of exhaustion.
The sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon when he decided to take a jog around Valentine. He had always enjoyed running. It cleared his head, grounded him, and allowed him to think with a sense of clarity he couldn't find elsewhere.
The cool morning air cut through his clothes, refreshing him as he made his way through the sleepy streets of Valentine.
There weren't many people about yet, just the occasional rooster crowing or a few of the early risers tending to their chores.
As he jogged along, his thoughts naturally drifted to the task ahead. Micah. The name still burned in his mind like an open wound, but now, with his shoulder fully healed and the plan set, Caleb felt an odd sense of anticipation.
Today, he would ride to Strawberry to scout and expand his map, and tomorrow, he'd execute the plan to silence Micah once and for all.
His pace quickened as he pushed himself, the steady rhythm of his footsteps matching his thoughts, almost like he was preparing for battle.
After completing his jog, Caleb made his way back to the butcher stall where he had planned to meet Old Bob and Jasper.
As usual, Old Bob was already up, working the meat, and Jasper was by his side, prepping the knives. The familiar smell of fresh cuts filled the air, mixing with the warm scent of the early morning.
Jasper looked up as Caleb approached, a grin breaking out across his face. "Morning, Caleb," he greeted, wiping his hands on a rag.
Old Bob just gave him a gruff nod. "Mornin', Caleb. Good to see ya lookin' better, seeing as you done your running much longer," he added in his usual gruff voice.
Caleb returned the greeting, nodding to both of them. "Morning, Old Bob, Jasper. Jasper, I'm leaving town for a couple of hours today, so there won't be any training. If you want, you can train by yourself. Take Stark out for a ride, find a clearing, and work on your aim."
He paused, giving the boy a moment to digest the information before adding, "You'll be fine. Just don't go too far."
Jasper nodded enthusiastically, his eyes bright with determination. "Got it, Caleb. I'll be careful."
Caleb gave him an approving look. "Good. You'll find your pace. You've got potential." He turned to Old Bob then. "I'll be back later. Don't let him get too cocky while I'm gone."
The butcher let out a small chuckle, giving Caleb a sharp glance. "I'll keep an eye on him," he grunted, "you know I won't let him get too far ahead of himself."
With the exchange finished, Caleb bid them farewell, his mind already on the tasks ahead. He returned to the hotel, went up to his room, and gathered his equipment.
His Lancaster Repeater was slung across his back, and the Pump Action Shotgun rested at his side, then checked his two Schofields, adjusting them at their holster.
The weight of the firearms felt familiar and comforting, his tools for the job. He also tucked a few extra rounds into his pockets and donned his hat, ensuring that everything was within easy reach.
Once he was geared up, he headed downstairs and out the front door of the hotel, where Morgan, his trusty horse, was hitched to the post. The mare's ears perked up when she saw him, and Caleb gave her a gentle pat. "Ready for a ride, girl?" he asked softly, his voice steady.
He mounted her, feeling the soft muscles beneath him as Morgan shifted her weight, ready to move. Caleb clicked his tongue, and they started toward the southern road out of Valentine.
The journey began quietly. He followed the road south for a while, the early morning mist hanging in the air, before taking a right turn to head west. The road was narrow but well traveled, cutting through the dense wilderness.
As he passed the familiar landmarks of the Dakota River and the towering Cumberland Falls, the sound of rushing water was almost deafening. Morgan navigated the rocky terrain with ease, her hooves clicking against the stone and dirt as they crossed through the river.
When they finally reached Wallace Station, Caleb felt a renewed sense of purpose. He'd passed through this area many times in his past life when playing the game, but now, it felt different, almost like he was stepping into a memory that he could still touch.
He followed the road south from Wallace Station, eventually coming upon the three way fork. As he had mapped out in his mind, he turned right and followed the path that led him deeper into the wilderness.
Caleb's senses were on high alert as he passed through dense hills and narrow roads, the trees on both sides pressing in like silent sentinels.
Eventually, after what felt like hours, he reached the outskirts of Strawberry. The small town stretched out in front of him, nestled in a valley, a picture of quiet solitude.
He passed through the northern entrance, where the gallows stood to his right, a chilling reminder of justice and retribution. To the left was the sheriff's office, a two-story building with an imposing presence. Caleb's eyes narrowed as he studied it, he knew the layout from his memory, but now, with the town in front of him, it felt different.
He continued his ride, mapping the area in his mind. The hotel was easy to spot, right near the center of town. Across from it, the general store stood like a reliable landmark, and to the south, near the outskirts of town, was the post office.
Caleb made sure to take mental notes of everything. He spent some time riding around Strawberry, taking in every detail. As the sun began to rise higher in the sky, Caleb felt confident that he had unlocked the key parts of the town.
His mind already began to form a plan. It would be tomorrow night before he would strike, but for now, he needed to return to Valentine, gather his thoughts, and prepare.
After taking one last look around, he turned Morgan back toward Valentine, retracing the path he had taken earlier. The quiet of the wilderness surrounded him as he made his way back, the weight of the plan settling in his chest. Tomorrow, he would finish this. Tomorrow, Micah would be no more.
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Name:Caleb Thorne
Age: 23
Body Attributes:
- Strength: 6/10
- Agility: 6/10
- Perception: 8/10
- Stamina: 6/10
- Charm: 5/10
- Luck: 5/10
Skills:
- Handgun (Lvl 2)
- Rifle (Lvl 2)
- Firearms Knowledge (Lvl 2)
- Past Life Memory (Lvl MAX)
- Knife (Lvl 1)
- Blunt Weapon (Lvl 1)
- Sneaking (Lvl 1)
- Horse Mastery (Lvl 2)
- Poker (Lvl 1)
- Hand to Hand Combat (Lvl 1)
- Eagle Eye (Lvl 1)
- Dead Eye (Lvl 1)
- Bow (Lvl 2)
- Pain Nullifier (Lvl 1)
- Physical Regeneration (Lvl 0)
- Crafting (Lv1)
Money: 646 dollars and 11 cents
Bank: 40 dollars, 2 gold bars, a large bag of jewelry, and 3 gold nuggets