Headstall

It does, doesn't it? And mental health wasn't even a thing back then.

Onward and upward. Good job on a great chapter, Craig.

Drewth!

You're lying now. We call that the Drewth.

Yeah, when I wrote shiny man, I wasn't sure of his motivation. There is a truth I have learned... the ones who squawk the loudest about gays are more often than not closeted. We've seen it a million times over. Is he one of those, thinking he is diverting attention from himself. I picture him as a dandy, immaculately dressed, and isn't that a clue in itself? I agree with you, though. Whatever the reason, it was hateful. You'd have to be a fool not to see Jubal squirming under the barrage of questions, so his question seemed to be going for the jugular. It wasn't necessary to know where Jubal slept at night. So... does this illustrate that 'god-fearing-folk' fear Jubal has. Some of the meanest people I've ever met call themselves devout. As if! Bless their hearts...

Howdy.

Hi, All.

Agoraphobia? Ah... I see... his reluctance to go to town. The farm and nature is his house? He's definitely suffering from a traumatic incident, so PTSD fits. And yeah... he does have panic attacks. Maybe he did something today to ease them. Thanks, Doc. I think Doc Vance realized the state Jubal gets himself into at times, and Reid sees how hard Jubal is on himself.

Hi, Terry. Yeah, that was two times in one day he went into the mercantile. Maybe it was for sugar to sweeten his coffee, or maybe it was because after feeling he let Lucas down, he wanted to prove something to them both. He tried, and I think when all was said and done, upon reflection, he sees the town folk accurately, and in a better light. They are not to be afraid of. It wasn't a cure, but maybe it was a start. Exactly right about the wildings... he was chasing a dream, and just maybe he caught it. At least he knows what happened to them... and that will be important news to take to Lucas. That journey allowed him to figure out what he truly wanted, what he didn't want to lose, and while there are no guarantees, he hopes Lucas and he can maintain their friendship. Maybe Bearpaw is the right place for him? We may never know the fate of the stallion... or the rest of the herd. They may be gone forever, and that's the way it works. Even if it was all just a dream, it was a good one. Thanks, Terry, and Merry Christmas.

Hey, Dan! Yeah, those two trips to the mercantile were made on the same day, which was surprising given his state of mind. I think he knew he might face more people, and might have wanted to prove something to himself... and possibly Lucas. Getting back to the farm allowed him to relax and think, and yeah, that was future planning. I think he reached the conclusion but the end of the chase that he doesn't want to leave, but it will depend on what Lucas might say. Cheers and Merry Christmas, my friend.

Hey, centex! Did you know that some mares, right after they get in foal, like within a month, will try to isolate themselves from other horses, often kicking out in warning for them to stay away because they know a kick or bump can end the pregnancy at the beginning. After a few months, they relax. I had one mare, an older mare who the vet checked, and determined she wasn't in foal, so he said to bring her back to the stallion to get bred again. I said check again because I knew she was in foal by the way she was acting with my other horses, and I wasn't going to put her through the stress of travel and the stallion both... and I also said his arm wasn't in far enough to be able to feel the end of the horn. He got terribly offended--he was the stallion owner's vet, not mine-- so I called my own vet to come down and he said she was definitely in foal after checking. The stallion owner was present, and I pointed out his arm was a good half foot farther in than his vet was, and he agreed. My point is in all this is that you are right. Pregnant mares are very protective, and always try to go off alone to foal. Until the foal is up, they want no other horse near them. As far as the wolves, it depends on the size of the pack, but yes, losing two will definitely make them extra cautious, and they may even leave that territory, deeming it unsafe. Wolves are all about survival. At any rate, Jubal did all he could. He was lucky to get so close to that second wolf. I think Jubal is on the way to making choices he wasn't ready for when he left town the day before. I think we could see him changing as we heard his thoughts over those two days. And yeah, Lucas has to make choices too. All Jubal expects is to continue their friendship. Your words about this chapter are very kind, my friend. I did spend a lot of time trying to get it as right as I could. Thank you for the support, as always, and Merry Christmas.

Exactly so, re. This one was contemplative, and truly a reflection of Jubal. We got a real glimpse not only into his thinking, but how he might actually be changing. He has something to fight for, and is figuring that out. Thanks so much for the support, and Merry Christmas to you. Gary.

Yes, I would say time away was therapeutic for Jubal. Not just time away from the townspeople, but maybe even from Lucas. The tension present the day before might have time to dissipate, and Jubal feels better about himself and his situation now, after finding the herd and removing two threats. I wouldn't say he has total clarity, but he knows what he is going to try to hang onto. So yes, there has to be communication between the two men, because Jubal needs to feel secure. Thanks, Parker, and Merry Christmas to you and yours.

Thanks, Mags!! It was one of those chapters that gave me great satisfaction(fun) as a writer. It is the most thorough glimpse we've had into Jubal's thinking so far, as he did battle with himself. Getting home was the first key to easing his mind, but it was the chase that gave him most of what he needed. Add to that that he got a good rest, and he was ready for his adventure. I think it might have been for Lucas's benefit that he ventured out, but like you say, it was absolutely what he needed. Like you, I agree with @drsawzall that this chapter was cathartic, and for so many reasons. It should not be lost on us that Jubal and Pistol reached a new level of trust today... can he and Lucas duplicate that? So happy you thought the chase scene well done. This story might have the most narrative so far as anything I've written, but I don't feel it has suffered for it... and that is a change in outlook for me. Cheers and Merry Christmas, my friend.

Oh, this is good, Doc. I see you got the symbolism of riding under the once broken branch. Some obstacles can be taken care of easily. Jubal's mindset changed once he reached the farm and took a 'bushel' of air in through his nose. It really is a place a man can take a breath when he needs to, and it's important that he recognizes that. I agree Jubal did a commendable job in trying to deal with the curios folk who peppered him with questions. The shiny man notwithstanding, I think he ended up realizing they really were a good bunch... and that is just that it is not his strong suit... yet... to be such a center of attention. Speaking of the shiny man--I agree with your distaste of him for the question that caused Jubal to squirm-- but did you wonder if maybe he didn't have 'gaydar'? Or is he just an evil-minded bigot? Could there be a story there? I don't know... just saying.... I doubt very much that Jubal would realize he has a bank of goodwill in Bearpaw, but I agree he does. Then again, it might slowly occur to him he belongs because of what he has done for the town. The chase made Jubal realize a lot of things, and the biggest being there are no guarantees. He could face the same things wherever he goes, because no one person can control all the circumstances. Some of out best thinking is done when we are intent on something else, and his determination to find the herd helped everything else settle. Life is harsh, and sometimes you have to shoot wolves, not just grouse. I see this chapter as pivotal as well, Doc, and I love that you love and see the undercurrents. I get a lot of satisfaction with writing. There are so many possibilities in how I tell a story, and I get the most enjoyment from mining the subtleties that make up the overall. My gelding used to love to roll in the river, and it was something I had to be ready for. Getting him out of the water and unsaddled so he could get his wish was part of out understanding... our bond, something that was built over time. Jubal and Pistol are building theirs, and the fact she stood her ground with the wolf spoke volumes. Jubal can learn about standing his own ground from her. Sometimes running away is not the answer. Lol to your speculation of the shiny man. You might be right. Thanks for another superb comment, my friend. Yours are always a treat. Merry Christmas. Gary.

Hey, Darryl! This was definitely the most introspective we've seen Jubal. Just liked he tried with the town folk, he did his best to work past his fears and find what he he really wanted to do. I don't think he could have done that without being pushed by those curious people, nor could he have gotten anywhere without a day long journey chasing the herd. There was peace during his journey, but there was also angst and sadness as he saw his and Lucas's dream hanging by a thread. He accepts loving Lucas, but he will also accept that they may only be friends. I'm not sure if that would work in the long run, but it's a big step for Jubal to want to stay put and see. And yeah, the fear of discovery is not going to go away because of what happened today. It is a matter of survival, and always has been. Cheers, my friend, and Merry Christmas.

Hey, Sherye! Death of a brand new life is especially hard to swallow, and Jubal is struggling with that. But, he may have saved the rest of the foals still to come. Will they wildings return? Hard to say at this point. They might have far-reaching grounds they travel every year. We'll see. I think most of the town folk meant well, and were starving for something exciting to talk about, but to a man like Jubal, that can be overwhelming... and was. Kudos to him for trying, though. Thanks, my friend, and Merry Christmas to you. Gary.

Merry Christmas and Joyous New Year to you too, Johnny! It is so close!! I'm pleased you found this a beautiful chapter. There was lots of needed introspection, but the chase balanced it out for me. Jubal accomplished a lot on this day it seems, and not just that he helped the herd. Yes, he needed to clear his mind, and I think he did. it doesn't mean he has made leaps, but I think it will take something big to make him run away. Thanks for the well wishes and the support, buddy. Be well and safe.

Yes, he did, Kris. This is as close as he's been to wanting to stay and weather any storm to come. He doesn't want to give up this special friendship he found with Lucas. Absolutely, Jubal was chasing more than wolves and the herd today... he was chasing his own demons, needing to feel a part of this wild and incredible landscape. I'm pleased you see that. Did it work? I certainly don't think it hurt. He might have saved the rest of the foals... and he has information to take to Lucas that he didn't have before. Thanks, buddy!

Yeah, I think he tried his best, and he did do a good enough job they followed him from the store. I really think he'd like to tell Lucas he was wrong about the town folk, and that they were great and friendly people, but the intensity of it did stretch his limits. In his position, after what he's been through, I think I would have wanted to get away too. You're right that he's pretty close to a panic attack, especially after the interest shown in where he slept at night. Ugh. His later realization that he was coming to love the land, and the area, shows just how hard he is trying. Happy you liked the visual of squirming bare-assed on a hot rock. I think we've all been there, right? Jubal's thoughts are everywhere, but he knows Reid by now, and he trusts there was no bad motive for what he disclosed. It might not occur to Jubal, but maybe you're right that he is trying to help them along. I just love Pistol. She is deserving of the name, and I'm happy you agree. Any horseman will tell you that the bond is a close one, and you need too have that trust in each other. No, she is not a replacement for Kema, but she is proving worthy of being his partner. The whole chase scene was almost thrilling for me to write. I loved showing the resilience and no-quit of the man, and yes, some of it was sad and brutal the way nature often is, but he accomplished something worthwhile today, something that will hopefully give him peace, and satisfaction. Shinning the wolves was the right thing to do, no matter his reluctance. Jubal always tries to do the right thing. Thank you, my dear, sweet friend.

Hey, Albert! Jubal did his best, and I give him credit for trying to see the town folk the way Lucas does. And no, he realizes Reid was not doing anything wrong by mentioning him not taking those coins. It falls on Jubal that he didn't tell Lucas he got his wealth back. Jubal hopes people will forget the Prescott business, but I agree with you. It has already become legend, and people don't forget legends. Yeah, writing about the mare and foal was sad, but the chase as a whole was something Jubal needed. it got him out of his own head, and killing two wolves in one day is not an easy thing. They are crafty, elusive animals as a rule. He has to feel good about protecting the herd and maybe the foals still to come. Pistol is a hero in this chapter... and while she will never replace Kema, she is already building her resume. Thanks, my dear friend. As always, I appreciate the support.

I agree, Craig. Overthinking is something he is prone to do, and he's never had his heart on the line like it is now. Even with Vincent, he always knew how it would end. He has no trouble admitting to himself he loves Lucas, but has no plans to reveal that. Is that smart? He thinks he can be happy with only friendship, but I'm not so sure. Still, the land has swayed him, and he feels at home in this area. That has to count for a lot. Finding the herd maybe gave him some hope, and like he thinks at the end of the chapter, there are no guarantees in life for anything or anyone. That tells me he will take whatever comes. Thanks, buddy.

Hi, mayday. This chapter was different, and I found it almost refreshing in a strange way. I believe Jubal's fears were soothed by the fact he could do something proactive for the herd... and he can tell Lucas he found them. We don't know what Lucas will think about Jubal not visiting for a day, but maybe it was what he needed too. Or... maybe not. Thank you, my friend. I hope you enjoyed this one. With so much introspection from Jubal, I found the chase kind of exhilarating.

The crowd did spook him, Doc, and he's been battling ever since to get out of that frame of mind. I'm glad you see the wildings as symbolic. That's how I saw them too. Always ready to run, and susceptible to dangers at every turn. Paranoia keeps them alive... most of the time. I believe you're right that chase was what he needed. He has to feel good about finding and protecting the herd, and maybe finding that poor foal and its mother helped him put things in perspective. Cheers and thanks, my friend.

The new chapter is posted...