Arthur pov
I called a family meeting as soon as we got home. The horse was the least of our worries so I put it in the stables and told Lydia he was being taken care of. Abit of a lie but he is gonna be shot anyway. Not like there's any rush. Everyone arrived within 20 minutes and we're all seated and quiet after another 10
"So whats this about then Arthur?" Polly asked
"We're at war with a family from texas. The marks family" I told them standing up. There was complete silence and then sudden eruption. Everyone started yelling all at once
"Didn't you think to consult us?"
"How could you do that?"
"Who the fuck are they?"
I slammed my hand on the table after seeing Lydia's eyes water from all the yelling
"Listen. I had no choice. Lydia and mason come from the cassidy family. And there is a deal between them and the marks family. The first born cassidy girl will marry the first born marks son once the youngest reaches 15. In this case, Lydia will be marrying a 25 year old man in a few months. If the deal gets broken then the cassidys and marks go to war. They are part of the family so its now the shelbys going against the marks. If anyone thinks I made a mistake then they can fuck off" I shouted at them all
"It's obviously not what we wanted. But it's better than our lyd marrying some geezer" finn said rubbing her back. She smiled at him and held his hand
"I agree. We're gonna kick some texan arse" John said chuckling
"Alright then. We're going to war. When's it starting?" Tommy asked. I looked at Mason since he knew more about the war than me
"The deal says that the two families go back to their own homes and gather as many as they can. They then will meet in the country of the one who declared war, in this case us, and try to come to an agreement. If a peace treaty can not be made, then the war begins. We will receive details of the peace talk in the next coming week" Mason explained to everyone
"You're making a huge mistake" lyd said looking at me with pleading eyes
"No We're not luv. We want you to be safe" esme said
"I don't care. Marrying isn't my first option but I won't let anyone die for such a stupid cause.....The marks are a big family. And they know how to use a gun. It won't be easy" Lydia said
"But we have something they clearly don't. Brains and tactics. We can plan our attacks. The man we met earlier seemed incapable of doing anything even remotely helpful" I told her
"Please don't do this" she begged, tears forming in her eyes. I bent down to her height and cupped her face
"You are part of the family. And we will do anything to keep it that way." I kissed her forehead and stood back up
"Well then, we need to sort out our men. All the peaky blinder for this. Every single one of em. I'll let them all know to be ready" Tommy said standing up and leaving. Everyone else left after that and the rest was simply a waiting game. Just waiting for a letter, until finally, 4 days later whilst at the garrison, a boy ran in and handed Lydia a letter
Mason pov
As the boy handed lyds a letter, she quickly opened it, knowing that no time could be waisted in a war.
"Can you read it? I still havnt got the hang of it" she said sheepishly. I took the letter and read it out loud
Dear Shelby
Meet in the field where
the daisy's grow and the
sun refuses to shine
At the time of the first Canon
When God takes rest
Marks
"What the fuck does that mean?" John asked puzzled. Me and lyd looked at eachother knowingly
"He wants to meet in the field on the moores. About a half hour walk from here. There's a field thats covered in daisy flowers and yet it's so foggy and grey no matter what time of year" I said
"And what about the last part?" Tommy asked
"In texas at 9am, the marks would fire the first Canon of the day. And God's rest day is Sunday. So 9am on Sunday. I presume this sunday" Lydia explained to them all. Glad she did because I had forgotten about the Canon firing completely.
"And only shelbys can go to the peace meeting. No other men or women. Those are the rules" I said. Everyone nodded in understanding. The meeting would be held in 2 days and I could tell lyd was nervous
"Well I want you two to stay at home. Safe" Arthur said
"Dad please. We need to go anyway. We know more about the marks and how they work. And how do you suggest we make a peace treaty if the two people who originally started the war aren't there?" I watched him rolled his eyes
"Fine. But you stay out of the way ya hear me?"
"Don't worry daddy. The peace meetings either work or fail. Either way, no one can get hurt on the grounds of the discussion in which case, we can go home and prepare so we don't get hurt" Lydia said hugging Arthur he kissed her cheek
"Is there anything you can tell us? About how they work, family, anything we can use against them" Michael suggested
"The head of the family is 69, old and weak. His daughter ran away from the family when she was 18 and never returned because she hated it so much. The man Lydia was gonna marry is 25, called Rick, twin brother called Bo. Rick has a bastard daughter, age 4 who he isn't allowed to see because the head of the family forbid it. You can use that to turn the family against one another. Rick's mother, candice, she is a prostitute and slept with half the guys in texas" I told them everything that may come in favour for us
"I'll remember that Mason. You're a good lad. Might just help us win this war" Tommy said clapping me round the back. That actually made me feel really good about myself. Praise from Tommy is like praise from God himself
"Right then, let's get home. We have a war to prepare for!" Tommy said finishing his drink. It was followed by loud cheers and roars of enthusiasm although I knew deep down, every single one of those men were terrified
YOU ARE READING
The Gift- Complete
FanfictionArthur Shelby has 0 to very little experience with children. Sure he entertains his nieces and nephews but it's not quite the same as being a father. He doesn't need to take responsibility for them and he can give them as much alcohol as he pleases ...
