AUTHOR'S NOTE:

My sympathies to those of you in the eastern USA who were hit hard by the big winter storm this past weekend. I hope you will get shoveled out soon!

Thanks to NinjagoMasterOfTheForce, MMM, lovesgod12, and Princess Bunny for your variety of sweet and humorous comments on the previous chapter of this tale!

Get your handkerchiefs ready for the chapter below and the two chapters that will follow in upcoming weeks. The day has come for the Garmadon Ranch cowboys to depart for the war…


Chapter 12 - Wednesday in Late May

Ninjago Town was bustling at eight o'clock on this sunny Wednesday morning when Kai and Sam arrived, riding on the back of Flame, Kai's chestnut gelding. Flame also carried Kai's war bag and rifle.

The town atmosphere was festive, in anticipation of the soldiers' farewell parade that would be occurring in a few hours. Yellow bunting hung from the storefronts and other buildings all up and down Main Street, including the red brick bungalow on the corner of Main and First where Doc Julien practiced medicine on the lower level. About a dozen men stood in a line outside Doc's office, waiting to be examined in time to join the parade out of town.

In the street, a crowd of people, in which virtually everyone wore some sort of yellow accent, milled about. For those that hadn't thought to wear yellow, or for those who desired to adorn themselves with more of the bright color, little girls were walking around distributing yellow daffodils from baskets. On the steps of the bank, peppy tunes were being played by a small brass band.

This morning, the Garmadon Ranch cowboys rode separately into town. Zane rode on his gelding Shard, alongside the carriage in which Mr. Wu and Miss Gayle were traveling. The carriage was needed because even though each married cowboy's wife was traveling into town this morning with her man on her man's horse, the cowboys' horses were going off to war, too, so the ladies needed to ride in the carriage in order to get back home to the ranch later.

Kai and Sam spotted Rusty, their friend from the Double S Ranch, in front of the livery stable, so they rode over to him. Rusty was wearing a yellow hatband on his cowboy hat, just like Kai and all the other men who were heading to Camp Goldland that day.

"Howdy, Kai. Howdy, Sam," Rusty greeted them, tipping his hat to the lady. "I'm here directing all the enlisting men to tie up their horses in the field in back of the stable. This is where we're gonna meet before the parade and listen to Captain Noonan give a talk."

"We meet at a quarter past nine, right?" Kai asked, confirming the time he had heard yesterday.

Rusty nodded. "Yep. You can leave your gear with your animal."

Kai dismounted and then, taking hold of Sam's waist, lifted her off and set her on the ground. She patted Flame's nose in farewell, then - as Kai briefly disappeared behind the stable with the horse - she scolded herself for letting tears well up in her eyes. She wanted to be brave when she said her farewell to Kai, but if she was already getting emotional at saying goodbye to the horse, the chances of her being calm and composed when Kai departed were slim indeed. She blinked her eyes rapidly and managed to stop the tears from escaping to her cheeks before Kai returned, without the chestnut gelding.

Kai patted his pocket to ensure he still carried the enlistment slip he needed to present when he arrived at Camp Goldland. He then took his wife's hand, and they set out to meet up with the other Garmadon Ranch folks. They all had previously arranged to meet in front of the sheriff's office and spend a little time in town together before the parade.

When the couple arrived at the rendezvous spot, they found Cole and Brooke talking with Sheriff Lloyd on the sidewalk.

"'Morning!" Lloyd called in greeting. He tipped his hat to Sam and shook Kai's hand warmly. "And here's another soldier from Garmadon Ranch! With you four on the Yellow side, the Purples don't stand a chance!"

"Now if you were coming along, too, Lloyd, those Purples would be whupped by tomorrow!" Kai joked.

The sheriff smiled. "I thought about joining up, but I decided it'd be best if I kept my watch over Ninjago Town. After all, someone's gotta protect the pretty ladies while you're gone!" he teased.

Sam and Brooke chuckled as Cole and Kai made faces at the sheriff.

"Hey, Lloyd, get your own girl," Cole admonished the sheriff with a smile while wrapping an arm around Brooke's waist. "One of the new saloon girls that McAllister hired, Alison, seems to be settin' her cap for you, you know."

Lloyd blushed. He had also noticed how the girl with blue-green eyes and reddish blonde hair seemed to pay a lot of attention to him. She often shared with him the packages of rock candy she received from her family, made by a confectioner in her hometown.

"Yep, maybe by the time we get back, you and Alison will have an announcement to make," Kai added, enjoying the opportunity to fluster the young sheriff.

Jay and Nya walked up to the laughing group just then. "Announce what?" Jay asked.

"Howdy, Nya. Howdy, Jay," Lloyd greeted the Walkers in the same manner in which he had greeted the Smiths. Being anxious to change the subject, he answered, "Announce that...Zane is here! Howdy, Zane! With all the Garmadon Ranch cowboys here now, the Yellow Army has all the fighting power it needs, and the Purples had better be shaking in their boots!"

"Of course," Zane smiled. "A ratio of one Garmadon Ranch hand to 2500 Purples is no difficulty at all!"

Lloyd spent a few more minutes talking with the four cowboys from the ranch that bore the surname of his late father and himself. The ranch hands were like brothers to him, even though he had known them for just a few years. But though the sheriff wished he could talk with them further, his glances at the growing crowd in the street told him it was probably time to circulate around and make sure the atmosphere remained festive and orderly. Deputy Dareth was a fine assistant, but the badge of the sheriff commanded the highest respect.

"Well, boys, I reckon I'd best toddle along. Take care of yourselves," he said, vigorously shaking each cowboy's hand once more. "Bring back a Yellow victory!"

"We will!" the ranch hands assured him as he disappeared into the crowd.

The group looked at each other, not exactly sure of what to do next.

Zane checked his pocket watch. "Right now the time is a quarter past eight. Mr. Wu wanted to meet with us men on the steps of the tailor shop at nine o'clock. Miss Gayle'll be there, too. Mr. Wu told me to tell you that he thought it would be best if you finished saying goodbye to your ladies before then."

Sam felt a lump forming in her throat. In less than an hour, Kai would no longer be standing by her side.