Chapter 10: The Mysterious Black Feather/Brandon's Rodeo Rematch
"Hello? Marshal? It's Brandon!" A young, familiar and friendly voice was heard outside the Marshal's office. Brandon Wishford had returned from Lucky Horseshoe Ranch, discovering what seemed to be a black feather left behind. Luckily, while riding back on his trusty Clydesdale companion, Ryder, he knocked on the door three times and waited for an answer from Marshal Moo Montana.
The door opens carefully as expected from Brandon, revealing Montana up front. "Back so soon, what happened?"
"I just got back from Kate's ranch! But, I found somethin' suspicious!" He holds up the black feather in his left hand, showing it to Marshal Moo to see. "I think that Crowley person's been around her place, but why there…?"
Moo takes the feather from Brandon and inspects it carefully to see if there was a difference to it between a normal sized crow and one like Crowley. "It looks like it came from Crowley alright. But why would it show up at Kate's ranch?" He scratched his head thoughtfully trying to come up with a possibility. "Maybe he's been doing a little eavesdropping."
Eavesdropping? Brandon had wondered, not sure if this was true or not. But, it WAS a black feather, yes? So… Brandon assumed the same thing in agreement. "Yeah… You might be right. So, should we try to head back over there for more clues?"
"Let's do that. You can tell us more on the way." Montana says in agreement. Not only that, but it seems both Cowlorado Kid and Dakota Dude were both willing to help out the border collie cowboy as well.
"Alright, partner! Guess we're gonna go ahead and investigate!" Cowlorado exclaimed.
"Eeyup. Crowley's in for it." said Dakota with a confident grin.
By the time the four cowboys rode back to the ranch, they later slowed down their horses. Besides Ryder, these three had names too. Cyclone, who belonged to Montana. Jezebel, who was Cowlorado's mare. And Rebel, Dakota's trusty steed. Brandon would dismount off of Ryder first, having the other cowboys follow behind as he prepared to meet up with Kate. Their horses also followed, and if so, waited in the barn patiently until the matter at hand was settled.
Kate had been distracted leading the horses back into the barn that the sound of their hooves prevented her from hearing Brandon return with the Cowboys. "Get on in there, good girl Sun Fire. You made me proud today. Now I got to make sure no harm comes to y'all."
Brandon would go up to her a bit closer, politely greeting Kate with a smile. "Howdy, ma'am. Did I come back too late?" He tried not to spook the heifer ranch-hand, since Brandon wouldn't want to know what happens next.
"Oh, I didn't hear you come close. I was just herding the horses into the barn for their own protection." said Cowlamity Kate.
"Howdy again, Miss!" Cowlorado would tip his hat to greet Kate." "We're all here to find any clues 'bout that rotten Crowley who was 'round here. It's a workin' theory in progress, I reckon…"
"Howdy there, Cowlorado. I had just sent Brandon over to take that black feather back to Marshall Moo. I found it over there by the house while I was fixin' them windows." She pointed over to where she found the feather.
"From what the kid's told us, we think Crowley's been snoopin' on your ranch. Now we gotta find other clues that leads us to 'im!"
Dakota then followed with a simple "Yup."
"Whoever this varmint's after, he might be snoopin' round for answers. I don't feel safe talkin' out here no more." Kate said with a little bit of a paranoia in her voice.
"Is there anythin' we can do to help, Miss Kate?" Brandon had asked in response.
"Why don't we go into my house for now and check every window for our own sake?"
"Sure thing. I haven't seen the inside yet, to be honest." Brandon would agree, as the cowboys and cowgirl would all enter inside the house. But what would come first? The inspection, or a conversation about the suspect…?
"Just be careful as you're steppin' in. Some of the furniture is fragile." Kate had advised the boys.
"Alrighty." Brandon nodded respectfully.
"I had to change them curtains to keep the sunlight from coming in." She opened the doors for them.
Cowlorado, Montana and Dakota would enter inside along with Brandon. "Well, they weren't gonna change themselves', Miss. Let's look at one window at a time!" He went to another window to check on it.
Dakota checked the blinds and curtains for any ruffled up black feathers.
"I'll help out." Cowlamity checked every corner of her house to make sure there were no holes behind the photos, paintings, or furniture she might have overlooked in case Crowley or other intruders would try to enter, with Brandon checking outside one more time and hope there were no fresh fallen black feathers around.
"I'll check outside once more." Cowlamity goes outside quickly to inspect the same spot where she found the large feather, wondering if there was anything else she missed. "What's that?" She then picked up something else that looked to be the shape of a see with rough edges at the end and sharp pointer at the top. "Looks like a large bird claw." She then put it in her pocket and looked around the house more to see a few scratches on the ground, as if a large bird was trying to dig up something the way a chicken does. "Yep, Crowley's been here alright." She almost jumped as she turned around to see Brandon standing behind her so suddenly.
"Oh shoot! Umm… What's wrong?" Brandon didn't mean to scare Kate like that.
"Sorry Brandon, I didn't hear you come up behind me." Kate said a little nervously, relaxing at the very least.
"It's okay, ma'am. Could've let you know at first." Brandon would continue his search for any more feathers.
"All I found was this broken nail. I reckon Crowley was likely here, snoopin' on other folks' property before he flew into Cow Town the first time."
"Well, as long as nothing's been taken from here, you're all good to go." He would smile a little. "So, as I was saying, I'm thinking about staying here for a little bit for my rodeo rematch with Sun Fire. Is that alright?"
"Well since there ain't no sign of that flyin' scoundrel around, I'll go n' check on Sun Fire to see how she's doing." Cowlamity puts the nail back in her pocket and goes to the barn to check on the horses.
"What d'ya say, guys? Care to watch a little bit of rodeo?" Brandon turned to the three with a cocky smile.
"Huh, haven't seen ya in action, partner! I guess we might see how well you do with that horse!" Cowlorado responds in delight.
"Eeyup." went Dakota. They would later follow Kate to the barn, seeing their horses waiting inside while Brandon would go up to see Sun Fire.
By then, Cowlamity had no trouble checking on Sun Fire who was calm, yet kept the nail and feather away from her sight in case it would make her panic again. "Here she is boys. I think one more rodeo might get her mind off what I discovered. Although I would advise keeping the feather out of her face."
"Heh, hey girl." Brandon would reach his hand out to pet Sun Mare's forehead, and neck. "You ready for some rodeo? This time, I wanna try it out bareback… or y'know, bull riding style! Kinda sorta like it, haha." He turned to Kate. "Is it alright if I tie this lasso around her back?"
"I think the girl can already handle it. So give it a go." Kate had given Brandon the ok to ride out the mare once more. It was nice to relax a little after their search was halted, taking the time to watch Brandon perform his rodeo riding skills!
"Okay then, miss. Thank you kindly." He opened the stall door, going in to greet Sun Mare, as he stroked her mane gently with one hand. "Hold still, Sun Fire. Wear this for now…" Brandon tied the lasso around Sun Fire's back, which was close to her mane.
Sun Fire allows Brandon to touch her neck before she lets him take the lead. She seemed to be gentle… at the moment.
"Alright, I'm gonna get on." The cowboy would get on Sun Fire's bareback, gripping the rope like a bull rider, while keeping his hand down. Despite his big fear of feral bulls, Brandon didn't mind riding horses like rodeo bulls for practice. "How about we ride outta this stall and into the arena? We'll first go for a gentle walk, girl. Yeah?"
"Oooh, I got an idea!" Cowlorado beamed, turning around to face Kate. "Say, ya got a bridle for 'er, miss?"
"Right here, Cowlorado." Cowlamity hadn't forgotten that Sun Fire needed a bridle in case the rope around her stomach were close to snapping.
"Heh, thanks a ton." Cowlorado would go over to the bridle, taking it and would find a halter rope to attach to it. Going up to Sun Fire, he carefully puts the bridle on her face. "Easy, girl. I guess I'm helpin' this kid train with you!"
With Brandon's gentle touch, Sun Fire felt no resistance or reluctance to let Cowlorado near her to put on that bridle and be able to trust him as she did with Brandon.
"'K, cowboy kid! Ya ready?" Cowlorado asked Brandon once he held on Sun Fire's halter rope.
"I'm ready!" Brandon was ready for the gentle walk as he scooched up a little closer on her back, gripping the rodeo rope tight as he raised his free hand up sky high. "Yeeeehaw! Let's go!"
"C'mon, girl. Let's walk on over!" Cowlorado would gently pull the halter rope forward, leading her out of the stall, and taking them both to the riding corral.
The mare started to move about, trotting in a careful manner. Brandon seemed happy while holding onto the rope, as he grabbed a hold of Sun Fire's rope with his free hand. "Almost at the corral, girl." Having a look of confidence, the mare kept going until she was at the corral and would wait for Brandon's response. "Okay!" Brandon rose his free hand up, leaning his body down on Sun Fire's back. "Let's go for a gallop! Yah!" Brandon would tap her sides, hoping for this fast rodeo session.
"Hang on tight, kiddo! Yeehaw!" Cowlorado would hold onto the halter rope, waiting for Sun Fire to take Brandon for a galloping rodeo training ride. The horse reared up and took off at a gallop for the riders, just like a dazzling rush of fire.
"Yeeooo! Woo!" Brandon would ride the mare around in the corral, keeping his free hand up while trying to ride her as if she were a non mutated bull.
Cowlorado would be the one to lead Sun Fire around, guiding her by letting the mare gallop in circles. "C'mon, girl! You too, Brandon!"
The mare followed Cowlorado's lead while being aware that Brandon was still on top of her. "Wooo-wee! Why don'tcha give me a challenge, girl!?" Brandon rhythmically spurred her sides with his boots, trying to ask her for a few bucks during the gallop. With a smirk, the horse began to jump and buck around, still having strength in her after today. He would jolt a little, now waving his hand up and down while leaning his body the same way, trying to counter her bucks. "Yeehaw!"
"Huh, not bad!" Dakota smirked, watching the cowboy ride the bucking bronco around in the corral.
Cowlorado let go of the halter rope, letting the two perform their rodeo rematch. "I'll leave you two be!" Cowlorado would sit on the fence just near Dakota and Montana "Enjoyin' this, Montana!? Kate?"
The mare was having a fun time when the others were watching and would show how much she had it in her as she continued to buck and rear forward and backward like crazy.
"The Kid sure has style, I admit that."
"Yahoooooo! Giddyup, girl!" Brandon was doing a great job rodeo riding on the horse, keeping his grip tight on the rope to try and hold on for life. Yet, the cowboy enjoyed riding bucking horses more than bulls, since he had yet to explain his fear about the non-mutated bulls he would be near around.
"Ride like the wind cowboy!" Kate had called out to the collie.
He had nearly passed his full eight seconds, still riding Sun Fire around until that mare would try to buck him off. So then… she kept on galloping for joy to see how much longer Brandon would stay on, waiting for his response. But she kept on bucking and bucking until she felt the hands of Brandon slip off the bridle.
"Whoa!" Brandon would then fall off Sun Fire's bareback, being launched into at least a nearby pile of hay in the corral with his legs sticking out.
"Ooooh, that was rough!" He would go over to try and soothe Sun Fire down if she needed any help. If not, Cowlorado let her be, going over to check on Brandon.
The horse started to slow down and began to breathe heavily from too much excitement in her and saw where Brandon had fallen.
Cowlorado pulled the young rider out of the hay pile, as Brandon spat out a few stalks of hay. "Ugh-! Whoa... that was fun!" He would find himself back on his feet, looking at Cowlorado. "Thanks, Cowlorado!"
"Anytime, kid!" Cowlorado would give him a thumbs up with a cheeky grin.
Brandon also went to see Sun Fire, going up close. "And thanks for the ride, Sun Fire. You were an excellent bucking bronco!" Brandon strokes her mane slowly.
The horse went over to Brandon and let him touch her gently, relieved that she did not hurt him seriously.
"Man, you sure gave it your all. Mind if I ride you again? I'd like to go for one more walk." Brandon pats her bareback, picking himself up and over, gripping the rope with both hands.
"Are you sure you're up for that Brandon? Sun Fire looks all worn out." Kate had added.
"It'll be quick, Kate. I promise." He would pet Sun Fire's side, soothing her with each gentle touch. "Ease up, girl... Easy…"
"Just be careful with her now."
Sun Fire let's Brandon guide her outside. After all, the two had previously started to share a bond together whilst on Kate's ranch. The rodeo cowboy would hold on tight for a walk, guiding her around in the corral. "Easy does it, Sun Fire. C'mon."
Although tired out from the rodeo bucking, Sun Fire still had strength to walk out gently across the pasture, and give her trust to Brandon.
"That's a good girl. Heh." Brandon held onto those reins, enjoying his earned pony ride on that mare until it was time to leave. Or unless Sun Fire came to a stop whenever she wanted. "You can stop whenever you want, girl."
She took Brandon around the pasture, and then stopped when she saw a tall female sheep lady come walking up the path that led the way to Cowlamity's home.
"Whoa, now–" He would then see the sheep lady arrive at the path of the ranch. "Do I know you from somewhere?" Brandon tapped Sun FIre's sides to ride up a bit closer to see the figure.)
Sarah stopped walking on the path shortly after she noticed Brandon on top of Sun Fire, and waved to him. "Oh howdy there, I did not expect to see you close by. I'm from Cow Town, we might have met up shortly upon your arrival."
"Heh, howdy to you too! What was your name again...?" Brandon chuckled while he asked the sheep lady named Sarah.
"Oh, that there's Sarah Sheep! She's the owner of the bakery back in Cow Town, kid." He turned around to face Sarah. "Howdy does it, Miss Sarah!" Cowlorado would tip his hat to greet her in a gentleman's fashion.
While shuffling her warm shawl, Sarah looked up to Brandon and Cowlorado. "Yes, I'm Sarah Sheep, and I hope I'm not comin' here at a bad time, but there was something I wanted to tell...your name please?" Sarah looked up at Brandon.
"I'm Brandon Wishford, one of the best rodeo cowboys from Dog Town!" He had proudly introduced himself, letting her know of his rodeo status. "I helped Miss Kate break in this mare like a bucking bronco, so... wish you were here to see it!"
"Well howdy Brandon, I was told where you'd be, but if I'm not being too meddlesome...which I hope I'm not, there was something I wanted to ask of you."
"Yes?" He raised one ear up, ready to hear whatever the sheep baker was going to tell the collie.
Scratching her head nervously, Sarah blurted out. "I know y'all are on business with catching Crowley and all, but I figured since you're from Dog Town and know of Boot Hill Buzzard being at the hospital over there, I was wondering if you wouldn't mind letting me know how he's holding up. If it's not too much trouble."
"I'm not so sure, but... I got a friend who's looking over him." He would realize that he's still sitting on top of Sun Fire bareback, but the cowboy wasn't going to hop off yet. "One of the nurses sent a telegram all about it."
"Well that's good to know, but when you get back there, can you tell them about me? I know it sounds strange, but I just can't stop thinking about him after that terrible night."
"Anything for you, miss." He smiled back at Sarah, and then looked back at the cowboys. "I just need to ride this horse back in the barn, and I'll get off to get ready for the journey back home."
"And since Buffalo Bull is almost finished with repairing the door of the bakery, feel free to stop on by when y'all have the chance." And Sarah presented something that she held in her hands which was a box. "By the way, I made an apple pie that I thought Dakota might enjoy sharing with his friends if he don't mind me bringing it to him. I thought he like it before y'all leave on patrol again."
"Hmmm... eeyup." He smirked a little, showing a cool side of himself although through little to no words. Dakota would walk up to Sarah, admiring the apple pie. "Thanks, Miss."
"Huh, that's pretty cute. Facing the entrance of the barn, Brandon would look at Sun Fire while sitting on her back." C'mon girl, you need a rest. One more pony ride to your stall, and we'll call it a day, yeah?
Sarah starts blushing brightly and covers her face halfway with her shawl when he spoke to her. "You're very welcome. I know it's not much, but it's my way of apologizing for not giving you a proper thank you that night after the bakery break in, for keeping watch over me and my son."
Sun fire then goes to give Sarah Sheep a good nudge against her shoulder before making a walk back to the barn.
"Pleasure's all mine, ma'am." Dakota said politely.
"Say, you're gonna take that pie home, or eat it here?" Cowlorado asked.
"Easy does it, girl." Brandon grabbed on tight to the rope, riding Sun Fire inside the stall along the way. Then, somewhat acting a little reckless, Brandon would… "I'll let you buck me off to make things easy. I'm ready." Brandon unties the rope, now slightly raising his free hand in the air. "One more rodeo buck, girl! Yeehaw!"
Sarah's eyes had hearts in them when Dakota spoke to her. "Well, I better get back home before Liza comes lookin' for me." And she turned to Brandon with a smile of relief. "Thank you Brandon." By that she turned around and started to walk back to Cow Town.
The wild mare did as he was told and began to buck around the corral and rear up to see Brandon slip and fall backward into the soft pile of hay.
Brandon would ride out Sun Fire for the last 8 seconds, enjoying each moment of the ride until he was thrown backwards into the hay. "Woo! Nice one, Sun Fire!" He chuckled, while groaning a bit to pick himself up. "Heh... woo...! Man, I gotta ask Kate if it's okay to enter you in the next rodeo, or unless there's a different horse to break in."
"See ya around, ma'am." Dakota would wave his hat back at her for a goodbye signal, as Cowlorado, Montana, and Dakota would then regroup to probably continue their search for Crowley... shortly right after Brandon had one last rodeo ride on Sun Fire.
The mare gave a smile of pleasure to the rodeo cowboy that she had grown to love.
He had hugged the mare's face before turning to leave her in the barn. "Thanks, Sun Fire. I gotta get going, so we'll have some more fun the next time I see ya." Brandon would go meet up with his new allies, who were just getting their horses saddled up and out to ride back home. "So, where to next, Montana?"
The sheep lady started to wave her hand back to Dakota, having to hate saying goodbye to him so soon, but they still had a mission to catch the same varmint that broke into her shop and severely injured Boot Hill. "Please watch out, Dakota." She whispered as she was out of earshot. "I love you."
Sun Fire let Brandon give her a hug before going back into the barn to be safe.
Montana turned to see Brandon once more, delighted. "There you are, I was beginning to think Sun Fire took off with you to the next town."
"Yeah, it'd been a long bucking ride from here to back. You guys would've picked me up like those pickup riders back in the arena." Brandon chuckled a bit, guiding Ryder out of the barn. "What's our next move then, Marshall?"
Ryder would wait and stand still, waiting for Brandon to mount up on the saddle.
"Well since there has been no sign of Crowley here other than the feather from two nights ago, why don't we go ride on over to Dog Town...just to see how they're all doing?"
"Yeah, let's ride over there!" He would get on Ryder's saddle, guiding him by the reins. "I'll race you guys over, so catch up! Hyah!" Brandon would kick Ryder's sides, getting him to giddyup and go. Ryder would rear a little, taking off at a rough start, galloping all the way to Cow-Town
"Well, let's follow that cowpoke! C'mon, Jezebel! Yah!" Cowlorado spurred Jezebel into following the collie and Clydesdale.
"Onward, Rebel! Git on up!" So did Dakota, whipping the reins up to have Rebel gallop.
"Let's rodeo boys!" Montana had shouted his iconic line. Moo's horse, Cyclone, started to gallop off, the cowboys knowing that Cowlamity would be safe where she was tonight as she waved goodbye to them.
"Take care y'all. And don't worry about me, I'll be here if you decide to come back and sleep here tonight." Cowlamity called out as she sees the quartet of the cowboys and the young farmboy ride off back into town. Yet, the story does not end here still…
End of Chapter 10
Coming Soon, Chapter 11: Home Sweet Home.
Author's Notes: Howdy there. I won't write a lot for these notes since I've been extremely busy with a lot of things now. But, I promise to write more chapters in the future. See ya later!
