She took the rest of the pack to the kitchen as I said, “I’m going to build it better for next time, and use bigger sand bags, I have a counter weight that can power the recoils.” Jacob, “the last time I tried that gauntlet it almost knocked me off the roof!” I said, “yes, it needs more power.” Brandy, “well that rifle don’t, so maybe you can bring down a dear before dark today, that would give you a good target to sight in on.” I said, “yes, may as well test the goods before giving thanks for them.” Brandy, “as if you were ever not grateful for cargo, no matter what it was.” I said, “we will see who is grateful in silk sheets tonight.” Brandy, “it didn’t take silk sheets to find out last night, but I’ll give you a chance.” I said, “she has a way with lotions, I had no chance.” Jacob, “yes, and the hash I took home did me in as well.” I said, “that stuff will do it to ya, nothing like well aged hash to take away the pain of hauling it.” Jacob, “as well as in the mood to give thanks the sled did not catch on fire getting here.” Brandy, “from what I’ve heard, it got wet down enough on the way, and his boots smelled like fish.” I said, “I think there was still a small one in there, did you find any in the load.” Jacob, “as they were unwrapping it a large one fell out, the wet tarp keep it fresh the rest of the trip, I’m not sure who ate it.” Brandy, “so you went fishing and didn’t even know about it, this trip keeps getting more interesting as I learn about it.” I said, “to me as well.” Returning from the kitchen with some cookies Brandy handed one to Jacob and said, “tell more, I need to write it down so Sage will know the stories are true, one day he will be reading about this day and understand why I am like this to his father.” I said, “I’m not sure if that’s a good or bad thing, but the truth is best told with a little imagination.” Jacob, “imagination does not seem to be lacking around here, and I can say the same thing about my night.” Brandy, “do tell us Jacob, we want to hear all about it.” I said, “yes, and I want to hear all about mine as well, like my trip, there are parts that are not clear yet.” Jacob, “after I get my own night straight I will listen to the wind to find out about yours, but the drums were beating last night, that much I can remember.” Brandy, “that beating was inside of your head and chest, the drums were silent last night.” I said, “I heard the drums as well, and words on the wind, and had visions.” Jacob, “I had some visions as well, one was of a feather tickling me and the other a foot kicking me out of bed, then I woke up.” Brandy, “was it on the floor?” Jacob, “was it my floor would be another question, but the day has been long and I can’t remember.” I said, “you keep sticking to that story.” Brandy, “all stories have some truth, or we would not be so eager to believe them.” I said, “yes, and I believe time will tell even more than we want to hear, but that’s another story. And whether or not this rifle can shoot strait is one as well, so let’s go see.” So we geared up and went out, to the edge of town near a stream, and hid on the top of a building. Brandy had packed some nuts to chew on with salt and honey on them, and the two of us took turns looking through the scope. The distance was a bit long, but I had to put this new toy to the test. The sun was high and shadows were not moving, a wind was low with some heat in it, and the stream was looking tasty.” I wiped the oils off my fingers then slid a cartridge into the chamber, and swallowed what was in my mouth. Steadying my breathing, I looked the brush near the stream over, and with this new scope I could see a leaf drop. Then a rabbit ran past and I followed it with the scope until lost behind some rocks, then back to where it came from I set my eye again. A shadow was out of place, with a bush that had antlers, and it took a few steps. Then bending down to drink from the stream it was dead in my sights, and I put my finger on the trigger. It looked up to an empty field as I held my breath and got it true on target, then squeezed the lever and watched the bullet fly. A glimpse of a hit caught my eye before the recoil moved my shoulder, then as they focused again the dear fell by the stream. My ears were still ringing as Jacob said, “a clean hit!” I looked through the scope again to see a leg kick, and blood on the grass. I then lowered the weapon and said, “better give it a bit before going in, this should make Brandy happy.” Jacob, “as true a shoot as I have ever seen, and the distance was no easy test, even my eyes did not see the thing before you put it down.” I said, “yes, it shoots well, I must thank TT for it.” We split a piece of jerked meat then went down to get our prize, and by the time we could get to the meadow another was already crossing it. We got to the dear at the same time and he said, “bled out well, hart stopped, nice shot.” I said, “thank you, the new rifle made the difference, it hits what it’s aiming at.” He said, “and so do you. I can get this for you if you want to travel light, that gun must be enough.” I said, “any help would be appreciated, one shell didn’t lighten it much and it’s a long way.” Another came running across the field saying, “looks like you need a skinner, lucky I was in the neighborhood, trade serves for meat?” I said, “another was here before you, but he only offered to move cargo I think, it’s up to the two of you.” They decided to split the endeavor and make light of it. So I took first cut and a strip of hide, then sent the rest off to be cut and cleaned, as Jacob and I went to see the wolf next. It was not far, and as I walked up the wolf could smell my fresh kill. I pulled out a chunk of meat, and slipped it through the fence as his teeth snatched it out of the wire, then I said, “that’s another kill you missed out on, and the only piece of meat you are going to get from it.” He just licked his lips and stared at me with great concentration, as Jacob came walking up and said, “he now has you hunting for him, your training is coming along nicely.” The wolf barked. I said, “he agrees with you, but Brandy has bend training me for years, so a wolf will be easier to learn from.” The wolf barked again. Laurence came to the front gate saying, “I knew it must be you out here, it was in his bark, was that your shoot I heard?” I said, “a new rifle and a dead dear, the scope has a good range.” Jacob, “and so does he, we were on the roofs near the stream.” Laurence, “that’s a fair distance, the shells must be big, I hope you make every one count.” I said, “I’ll try to. How are the horses?” Laurence, “rested up from their trip already, enjoying some free run of the yard. I have milk for you if it’s not too much cargo.” I said, “I’m not traveling light today, a bag for Brandy would be enough, and maybe some of that cheese.” Laurence, “of course, would I ever let you go with less that you would carry?” Jacob, “that was before we got horses.” I said, “I’m not taking a horse back, they still don’t have their wings yet.” Laurence, “when they do, we better all carry shovel, both as head guard and ready tool.” Jacob, “that’s more than I care to think about.” We went inside and Laurence got a fresh sack of milk off a hanger and some cheese, then offered us a drink. Jacob, “you always have the good stuff, I don’t know how you keep it in stock when you pull it out every time we are here.” He said, “I trade word of your visits for new supplies.” I said, “he probably dose, this one can sell words like cargo, and get a good return.” Jacob, “when just a few words gets me cargo, I gladly trade them, then drink to them as well,” and he took a drink. Laurence, “well put, and glad to trade, another day of adventure I see is on hand.” I said, “as little as I can, just a test of a gift and meat for another day, the wolf liked his taste.” Laurence, “better than the rats he has been eating I suppose, but then it’s all a gulp to him, if there’s not a wiggle afterwards it’s soon forgotten.” I said, “the licking of his lips say it will be remembered for a long time. How are the goats doing, are they still milking well, with him here?” Laurence, “oh yes, there’s smart enough to know he’s less of a threat where he is than stalking them from the outside. I’m even surprised they haven’t started to nose the wire by his cage yet, just to rub his face in it, they can be petty beast.” Jacob, “if they put their nose near his fence he may take it off for them.” I said, “I’m sure it will be love at first sight.” Jacob handed me the bottle and I took a drink, then passed it back to Laurence who said, “you mean love at first bite,” then he took a drink. I loaded my things saying, “that’s the way it was with Brandy and me, I let her bite me and have been feeding her ever since.” Jacob, “I thought it was the other way around, at least that’s the way I have been telling it.” I said, “keep up the good work on that.” Laurence, “that’s a nice crossbow strapped to yourarm, a new toy?” I said, “yes, made while I was gone, I haven’t tried the thing out yet but it travels well.” He said, “things that don’t often get lost before travels end, may all your cargo get home safe.” I said, “and quickly, before I draw wild dogs to my heals.” We went out and I said my goodbye to the wolf, then it was off to the lift lines and the roofs again. Before long Jacob and I split up again, and I was home, landing on the roof with my load. Then down the stairs and to the kitchen I went, to wash and put meat over to soak. I set the pack down and laid my rifle on the table, then washed my hands. Brandy came to the room and said, “that didn’t take long, and from the shot I heard and blood on your hands, I would say it went well.” I said, “it’s a fine weapon, true and with good range, a dear as requested.” Brandy, “you must have the rest being taken care of, how is the wolf?” I said, “looking good, he thought the taste I gave him was delicious, and I brought milk and cheese.” Brandy, “no rips in your pants today?” I said, “not a sign of a dog, I think just the scent of wolf is keeping them away.” Brandy, “then he is doing his job, better than the others did.” I put the meat in a bucket of water and said, “that could probably use some salt.” Brandy, “dry your hands, I’ll take care of that.” So I used a towel then took my rife to my chair, wiping it off as I went. Then sat down and took the crossbow off, and put it to one side. I opened the still half full bottle of wine and poured a glass, then took a sip and looked out the window. The sun was moving again, and long shadows stretched out on the streets. A mirror sent a message to me that my meat was hanging and the hide would be tanned, so I picked up mine and returned the flash. Brandy said, “it was nice of them to help you with that, such a lucky find then cargo movers made it swift work.” I said, “yes, but I think I still have a ringing in my ear, next time I’ll use a plug.” She said, “just don’t use a bullet, you don’t know how stable they are, the shockwave may blow your head off.” I said, “I have no intentions of putting a bullet in my head, with or without a shell, a wad of wax will do.” Brandy, “easy enough to come by these days with honeycomb in town.” I said, “things find a way of getting around, I’m glad the rifle found its way into my hands.” Brandy, “yes, we must thank TT for it and the rest.” I said, “how much salt do we now have?” Brandy, “more than enough.” I said , “good, ever pound I need not bring soon makes my loads lighter, I’m glad the coal was also one that made it across town without me.” Brandy, “and the fish, as well as the barrels that were filled with water last night, they alone made a big difference in your future loads.” I said, “no bringing it when the garden has more of a need than the sky, yes, I would say that’s a load off.” Brandy, “it is also easier to filter for drinking that stream water, when I remember TV and ads for clean bottled spring water, they never showed an animal taking a shit upstream.” I said, “the sky has the best filtration system there is, even the ground itself has no match, but we boil our water when needed.” Brandy, “it’s a small thing, but they add up over time, and lots of small things can become big over time. I have no complaints when it comes to breaking a sweat to keep from doing it another day, you never know when you might just need the time to do something else.” I said, “and I have no problem in moving some cargo for more latter, or sharing some to get it moved, when people trade fair work can be spread around.” Brandy, “TT also put a bucket of fresh peanut butter in with the other things sent, I tried it when you went hunting and it was very good.” I said, “some of that on a slice of bread would go good right now, the peanut farmer must have had a early crop.” Brandy, “I’ll get you some, I think they roasted it just right, and the grind was smooth.” So she got some bread out and made us sandwiches, then cut cheese to go with it, and we sat eating by the window. I said, “have you heard news of if TT is planning another movie night?” Brandy, “no, but he pulling out all the stops to make Stan feel welcome, and I don’t think he has seen one for some time.” I said, “If the night is clear he could show it in the secured square by the pool, or inside the hall if need be, both have batteries nearby for when the wind is not making power for the projector.” Brandy, “you haven’t been watching many movies lately, are you bored with the ones you have found?” I said, “even though we now have power to run things like that from time to time, I still like to get away from being entertained by the past. Few days give you a free step to open your lungs and make your feet move, and then listening to the streets can be entertaining enough at times.” Brandy, “yes, I often feel the need for some solitude to hear the streets or excitement not of the past, then you come home.” I said, “that would be listening to the streets for me to come home to give you some excitement.” Brandy, “that’s what I said.” I said, “I once told you things would never be dull around me, as long as you had an imagination.” Brandy, “and I told you I had a great imagination, so much so that you never get bored.” I said, “no, just tired out.” Brandy, “you handle that on your own the way you run around: catching a wolf, killing a bear, running a load, and shooting a dear, with the way you party in between.” I said, “and with that brick of hash, the party has hit home for a long time.” She said, “you are the hardest working hippie I know, and well deserve it, a better provider in this town has never seen.”