A Big Brass Band
Hälsingborg stad, Sweden
1946
Emil fiddled with his euphonium desultorily. This whole “Swedish-American Friendship Day” was not really his thing, though hearing about the far-off places some of his old neighbors had moved to was rather interesting.
Really, though, the whole thing seemed more an excuse to sell little Swedish and American flags and other bits of kitsch than to actually celebrate Swedish-American friendship, at least to Emil’s way of thinking. He was pretty sure Lalli agreed, though Lalli tended to non-committal noises when asked questions like that.
Of course, that it was such a big commercial deal was why the Musikers were even here, as part of a massed brass band made up of pro musicians from as far afield as Stockholm; thus Emil’s euphonium. The band was part of a parade featuring a group of cowboy types specializing in fancy riding and rope tricks for events like this; it was one of the few aspects of the whole thing Emil was actually looking forward to.
Emil’s idiot Uncle Torbjörn came into view then, looking nervous as he always did when one of his schemes was about to go bust on him. Sighing, Emil set the euphonium aside and went to his hapless relative’s aid.
Oh, dear. Apparently, the trick riders had pulled their best trick on Torbjörn and vanished before their performance. Oddly enough, though, they’d left their horses and gear behind, meaning if they could find riders, the show could go on.
But where could they find six cowboys?
*
Well, a cellar beat the sewers any day, if you were to ask Emil Westbrook, and he was pretty sure the others agreed with him, and especially Lalli Ghost-of-Forest.
They made their way out of the cellar and into a pretty sadly makeshift stable, where six horses were waiting. “Hey, pretties,” Reynir crooned as he watched them. “Now who left you all by your lonesomes?”
Just then, an older version of Emil entered the yard, Torbjörn right behind. After a moment, the other Emil snapped his fingers and said, “You’re the guys that covered for us when we were playing for the Boss that one time!” He threw Torbjörn a dirty look, which was ignored. Torbjörn was too preoccupied with the Westerners’ attire and accoutrements.
“Say, how would you folks like to make some quick cash?” Torbjörn asked, his voice at its most oily. In unison, both Emils rolled their eyes. Reynir snorted as well, startling the rest.
*
The crowds lining the streets cheered and waved wildly as the Band of Six rode proudly down the parade route. Sigrun took it as their due, while the others waved back as best they could while wielding their lassos.
Reynir rather heroically managed to keep from saying “I told you so” even after they were back in the Cave.
As soon as they walked out of the Cave of Time into 1873, the Cave’s mouth collapsed behind them. “Well,” Sigrun observed dryly, “so much for that.” And, collecting their horses, they went back to where their wagon awaited them...
