They opened all the doors and windows and spent most of the morning outdoors while Bonk rolled around in the cinders with obvious delight. Because they were outside, Hayden saw the rider approach at a gallop from the other end of the roadway. “What’s old Bil doing on this side of town?” Zane’s father mused out loud, shielding his eyes from the sun with one hand and squinting for a better look. “I have no idea,” his wife responded. “The post went out just yesterday.” They found out soon enough when the rider named Bil pulled up in front of their home and dismounted, grinning from ear to ear. “Oh good, you’re all here,” he greeted them collectively. Hayden was surprised to be included in the salutation. “I’m supposed to bring you all to the celebration in the square, now that we finally got that big beast carried off and cut up.” This announcement was greeted with eight identical looks of confusion.
