[INTRO — DRIVING WESTERN | 4/4 ~108 BPM | TELECASTER | DREADNOUGHT | FIVE-STRING BASS | SNARE] [MALE BARITONE — third-person narrator throughout] [VERSE 1 — THE PARTY] Eight names went down that morning. Silas had to lead the plan. Jack had seen the dead up close And knew that northern land. Two more Crows to guard the sledge. Four ropers— Winter's best. Sarah counted. “Eight.” Della said, “Nine.” Every head turned toward her. “I'm coming.” Jack: “No.” Silas: “Absolutely not.” Della: “I can scout.” [VERSE 2] Mara laughed. “You ride well.” Jack nodded. “Doesn't make you a scout.” Della smiled. “I won't be riding a horse.” Silas stared at her. “How exactly do you intend to scout without a horse?” Della stepped outside. Then whistled. [STORMCROW CALL] Rook dropped from the roof And strutted over like a king. Della scratched beneath his beak. Everyone looked at Rook. Then Della. Then Rook again. Jack spoke first. “No.” Della: “You already said that.” Silas: “You're going to ride him?” Della smiled. “I'm going to try.” “You've done this before?” “No.” [PAUSE] “But I'm going to find out.” [VERSE 3 — FIRST ATTEMPT] [SHIFT 6/8 ~126 | WESTERN RODEO DRIVE] They found a leather saddle blanket. Rigged a harness broad and light. Rook inspected every buckle, Pecked one strap— then seemed satisfied. Della climbed onto his shoulders. Rook looked backward. Della: “Easy.” Rook crouched. Jack: “Della—” [EXPLOSIVE WINGBEATS] WHOOMPH! Twenty feet straight upward. Thirty sideways. Della nearly left without him. Silas ducked. Jack swore. Mara cheered. [CHORUS — THREE-DIMENSIONAL RODEO] Ride him, Della! Hold on tight! Rook went left— then straight up right! Bank and tumble! Dive and climb! Bronco busting in three dimensions with no respect for space or time! Sparks came screaming past them. Mischief joined the chase. Three enormous laughing devils Tearing circles through the place! [VERSE 4] Rook shot over Winter Ranch. Della flattened to his back. He rolled halfway— changed his mind— then dropped into another bank. “ROOK! LEFT!” He went right. “LEFT!” Right again. “YOU KNOW DAMN WELL WHAT I MEAN!” From below Silas observed, “He may be enjoying this.” Jack: “They all are.” Sparks dove past Rook's wingtip. Mischief chased his tail. Rook climbed almost straight upward. Della's language made Jack pale. [VERSE 5 — LEARNING] [RHYTHM TIGHTENS] Then something started changing. Della stopped trying to fight. Shifted weight before the turn. Rook banked— and this time banked right. “Climb.” He climbed. “Easy.” Slower. “Circle.” One broad turn around the ranch. Della leaned. Rook followed. Jack stopped laughing. Silas watched the pattern. Mara shaded both her eyes. Della pointed toward the north. “Rook—go!” [WINGBEATS] Black wings hammered sky. [BRIDGE — FLIGHT] [OPEN 6/8 | DREADNOUGHT + HIGH TELECASTER HARMONICS] Up above the Winter country, Horse and rider shrank below. Rivers opened. Timber parted. Every northern trail could show. Sparks flew level on their left. Mischief climbed above. Not pursuing anymore— Now flying formation. Della laughed into the wind. Rook answered with a cry. For the first time since he hatched, A human rode the sky. [VERSE 6 — LANDING] They came back an hour later. Rook descended toward the yard. Jack yelled, “Does she know how to land?” Silas: “We're about to find out.” Rook flared. Della leaned. Feet hit earth. Three running hops— Then stopped. Della slid down slowly. Tried to stand. Thought better of it. Sat. Jack walked over. “You all right?” “Perfect.” “You're shaking.” “Shut up.” Silas looked at Jack. “Well?” Jack looked at Rook. Then Della. Then north. [PAUSE] “Nine.” [OUTRO] [DRIVING 4/4 RETURNS] Silas and Jack. Two black Crows. Four good ropers for the dead. One woman scouting from the heavens On the largest Stormcrow's head. Sarah looked at Della. “You sure about this?” Della stood on shaking legs. “No.” Rook lowered one black shoulder. Waiting. Della smiled. “But now I know I can.” [STORMCROW CRY] [CUT]
