Chapter Text
On the cattle drive long
The herd was resting comfortably, as was Sev about to do soon enough.
The drive having been a long one at best, riding all through the day since dawn until very late in the evening, well, night really. After all, Sev was on a tight schedule. The bovines needing to be at their target location in two days time and so that having forced Sev to ride faster than his usual. What he liked to do really.
Sev, the cowboy he was, loving the more leisurely pace of the drive to that of a hurried one. Enjoying the nature around, the peace and quiet at night, when he could dream about life after this was all said and done.
Alas, Sev had already taken half the payment and the gig with a promise to be fast. As it was also his reputation on the line to get the cows delivered on time. Something of a pride thing but also a continued employment assured.
“There, there!” Sev was grooming his steed, the horse slightly restless from the long ride. But soon they would both get a few hours of good rest. “It’ll be okay, boy. Just a couple more days and we’ll have a vacation after that. It’s a promise.”
The horse snorted in response as if in understanding while continuing to eat from his hay bag.
“I know it’s a lot pal. But with the money we get from the drive alone… well, it’s gonna be the downpayment for the farm we’ve been eyeing for so long.”
True, Sev considered himself and his horse, Clanker to be a proper family. Having been together for a long time and taken on lots of herds for the cattle rides.
But, feeling it was time for a change, the long hours on the road getting to them both. Neither of them getting any younger and perhaps it was time for a semiretirement at least. Or a more permanent one. It all depending whether the farm he had been eyeing would be able to sustain them in the foreseeable future.
That was the hope at least.
“Come on then pal, eat up! We need to get some sleep before early morning is here again.” Sev chuckled, Clanker eyeing him like saying but course I am and of course we do.
And so, gobbling up his own food before taking into the sleeping bag, Sev settled for the night. Them both falling asleep under the starry open skies soon enough.