The four of them leaned against the Boss’s fence and looked out towards the Border. Scotia looked back towards Determination.
“That’s a good town, good folks,” she said, and looked back to the Border again. “But that out there,” and she nodded to the prairie just ahead of them, the mountain range that kept running north pointing the way to Normality, “that’s a good sight.”
“It’s sure been a long journey this one,” said Yorkie. “I wasn’t sure for a while when I’d ever be ready to make the crossing and head out for Normality and everything beyond.”
“Me neither,” mused Nancy, her eyes distant, “but when I got here, and you all were here, so many of us in one place at the same time, I knew this was gonna be special. I knew this storm was big, and I knew I could ride it because we were doing it together. I just wish we were all here now.” She glanced at Bilbo then looked down.
Bilbo reached over and put an arm round her shoulders. “What’re you looking sad for?” she asked, and shook her friend slightly. “We’re all going across that Border, it’s just time for you three to move out now. You get to show the Boss he can’t control storm riders, just like Casey got to show him a while back. He needs a reminder that we control our own fate. Now look up and out there, the sun’s coming up and you’re going to ride.”
Yorkie and Scotia moved over to the other two, and they hugged each other, knowing they’d all be together again soon, acknowledging the bond shared.
“Look after Dougal for me till I get back,” said Scotia to Bilbo. “He knows I’m only gone for a few days, and I know he’s a Storm Dog and can look after himself, but…”
“Don’t worry yourself on that count,” said Bilbo, “If he’d been worried he’d be here now. I think the Storm Dogs, and cats,“ and she smiled at Yorkie, “they know more than we do. I reckon they knew you three were heading out before you did.”
Yorkie laughed quietly, “I reckon you’re right, there. Hey, hey, wait a minute, I saw movement at the bunkhouse.” The four of them stared across the yard, and sure enough the Boss’s boys were stirring. Nancy, Bilbo, and Scotia mounted up, and Yorkie knelt at the detonator. “Please, please let the Boss use his water closet now”, she said under her breath. “I really want to see that before we ride.” A ray of sunlight bounced its way over the horizon as she spoke and hit the roof of the Boss’s house, just at the water closet.
“Yes!” she laughed, and punched the air, “Did I say I believed in signs?” and she grinned over her shoulder at the others.
The bunkhouse door opened and two of the Boss’s boys staggered out into the morning, longjohns saggy round their backsides, boots half on, and clearly desperate to get to the latrine shed.
“Wait,” said Scotia, “wait, another few seconds, they’re 20yds away, 15, 10… Hit it!”
Yorkie hit the plunger and as it thunked off the detonator casing, the latrine shed and the cess pit blew apart. KAAAWHOOOMPH! The roof lifted off into the air, breaking into bits and smashing down around the yard, the shed walls shattered into fire kindling, falling onto the two men who’d been blow back on their backsides and were covering their heads with their arms. Best of all, for just a moment a dark, putrid cloud swelled into the air from the cess pit to what was left of the latrine shed, then broke into a wide reaching spray of thick, gloopy vileness as it descended over the yard and the two men.
“Yeeehaaa!” yelled the riders, as Yorkie vaulted into the saddle. They high fived, and roared with laughter. Men were pouring out of the bunkhouse then leaping back as they realised what they were standing in. Yorkie glanced at the Boss’s house, fingers crossed. And she was rewarded. A dull WHUMP came from the direction of the water closet, and another spray rose up from that cess pit. They could hear the yell from where they were sitting, and they looked at the front door of the ranchhouse. A few seconds later it burst open and the Boss himself ran onto his porch. At least it was probably the Boss.
The Storm Riders and the Boss’s boys both stared at the filth covered figure dripping onto the porch boards. He stood there staring at his yard, staring at the two men also standing there covered and stinking, he looked down at himself, and he roared.
“Who did this!” he yelled, “Get whoever did this!” Then he glanced across to his fenceline. He lifted his arm and pointed at the four riders. “YOU! Of course it’s you, it’s always you! I’ll get you for this, you watch out. You, you……” and then he stopped as something dripped into his mouth, and he turned abruptly into his hallway.
The riders wiped their eyes to clear the tears of laughter.
“Let’s ride!” shouted Yorkie and Lightening leapt with a whinny towards the border.
“Yeeehaaa!” yelled Scotia as Spirit sprang into a gallop
“Yah, go on!” yelled Nancy to Frank, who needed no urging and surged forwards.
Bilbo yelled encouragement after them and watched as the three raced to the Border, whipping their hats in the air as they crossed that invisible line, and hooves clouded the prairie dust behind them as they rode for Normality, the early sun shining across their shoulders.
Bilbo and Baggins whirled round. She lifted her hat towards the Boss’s boys, sweeping it down in a mock salute, then took off back to Determination. A good tale for over the coffee and pancakes she thought, and didn’t stop grinning the whole way back.
