Ok, this completely original, the plot, the characters, and ranch. This is
a product of my own whimsy. This is the first of my series Moonsong
Memories. This is the story of how Montanna came to Clan Moonsong. Watch
for cameos of my boys Grifter and sir Adam. Other stories about your
favorite cowgirl garg will follow as my Muses see fit. Momma Gypsy, Lucas,
Rixie, and all others are MINE! Please ask if you have the urge to borrow
them, I'm very generous. But if you borrow w/out asking I'll find you and
use my trusty Gerbil Rail Gun ® on your butt. ;) Enjoy!

	Coming Of the Cowgirl by Montanna


"Momma Gypsy? Tell us a story."

The female gargoyle smiled at the hatchlings that surrounded her. They were
an intriguing mix of Human, Fey, Gargoyle, and any combination of the
three. It was a testament to her daughter's determination to provide a
place to live for clan-less children. She searched her mind, and then
smiled. Motioning the children close, she grinned and said, "How would you
like to hear a story unlike any you have ever heard before?"

Clapping delightedly, the youngsters squealed and begged to hear the tale.
Settling back into her chair with her godchild Aria on her lap, Gypsy began
to weave the tale of how she found her beloved adopted daughter on the
Black Plateau the night of that hellish storm.

15 years ago…

"Freak! Abomination! Leave this protectorate, you are not one of us!"

The black haired child stood solemnly next to the gravestones of her
parents, tears held in her emerald green eyes. Without a word, she turned
and walked away from the only clan she ever knew.

2 years later…

Lucas Kane looked up as the wind howling off the mountains slammed into
Moonsong Keep. His ancestral home had been passed down for generations,
father to son, mother to daughter.  It also came with the best security
that money couldn't buy. He listened to the wind cry in harmony with the
wolves that inhabited the far reaches of the black plateau ranch. Lucas
frowned, wondering why his beloved Gypsy had not yet returned from patrol.
He impatiently pushed his blond hair back from his face, vowing once again
to get a haircut. His eyes shot to the door as it was thrown open and a
disheveled, wet figure staggered through.

"Someone shut the damn door, we ain't heating the state."

Lucas shot to his feet as the dripping female gargoyle strode towards the
fireplace. Her long red hair was streaming rainwater; her altered denim
jacket and jeans were so wet they appeared black. She gave a powerful
shudder and then he drew in a sharp breath as Gypsy unfurled her wings to
reveal a child cradled in her arms.  As he took a closer look they made a
shocking discovery.

"My Lord, she's a half-breed…"

The child proved to be close lipped, refusing to give them either a name or
a reason for why she was alone in that storm driven night. Her obvious
distrust of all adults combined with her silence told it's own story. She
watched everything, getting her answers without having to ask any
questions. Gypsy was amazed by the girl's control, and also saddened by it.
Children should laugh and play, this withdrawn girl did neither. After
bringing her to the keep, Gypsy sat next to her bedside at night hoping the
girl would open up to them. Surprisingly it was Rixie, a human girl; that
finally reached the waif, giving her the name Montanna.

"Why don't you talk? Don't you know how?" Rixie stared at the newcomer with
consternation. The other girl brushed her soft black hair into a tale at
the nape of her neck and fastened it with a rubber band. Without thinking,
Rixie offered the nameless girl a length of scarlet ribbon, "Here, use
this, Gypsy says rubber-bands are hard on you hair."

Startled, the silent child accepted the ribbon, and offered the first smile
any had seen. Rixie grinned back and said, "Well, if you don't have a name
then I'll give you one. How about Montanna?"

The girl nodded and accepted her new name. 

As time passed, Montanna, or 'Tanna as she quickly became called, grew
comfortable with her place at Moonsong Ranch and explained that her mother
was a German gargoyle that was SIC of her clan. Her mother, Erika, gave up
the position of Second to bond with a human warrior named James
Shadow-Wolf. When her parents died during a sea storm, she was banished
from her clan.  The girl wandered for a time, and finally found herself in
Colorado, where Gypsy found her.

The clan soon learned of her innate talent for warfare and her gift for
tactics.  This revelation came one night after the Homecoming Game. She had
been home schooled before reaching high school, and she declined the
Beer-Fest know as the after game party as well as the dance. So when Rixie
called at midnight, asking for a ride home she took the call and picked her
up.  Arriving at the school, Tanna was stunned at Rixie's condition. Her
dress, a silky confection of blues and greens, was stained. She looked
shockie, so Tanna took her home.

"What happened Rix? "

The story of how her date, the local football hero, got smashed and became
"Mr. Grabby-paws" after the game came out during the car ride home.

" Umm do me a favor Tanna? Don't tell the elders 'kay? Gyps and Lucas would
go postal."

"Ya can't let him get away with this sis, if you do, he could do it again."

"Tanna, can you help me with this?  He should pay, but I don't want to tell
the sheriff that his darling boy attacked me."

The petite hybrid's face hardened and a vengeful gleam entered her eye. 

"I wonder if his life insurance is paid up?"

It made the headlines in the local paper.

Local Football Star Found Nude  & Tied To Tree

 Football star Michael Anders was found early this morning, tied to a tree.
Around his neck was a sign reading "I manhandle women, Smack Me!" The
oldest son of local Sheriff Jon Anders, the teen had no comment on either
his attackers, or the reason behind it.  Several students have come forward
to state that Anders was drinking heavily and may have been targeted due to
his actions after the game. 

Tanna clipped the article and pasted it in her scrapbook. She had dealt a
hard blow to the cocky jock's pride, and she had no doubt he would try to
get even. In fact, she was looking forward to the battle. Tanna would
quickly become notorious for her razor sharp vocabulary and talent for
pranks.

Rixie shook her head at her sister's elaborate, cunning plans for
vengeance. Tanna had done everything from forking Mike's yard, hiding his
car, and Rixie's personal favorite, sealing his bedroom and filled it with
Twinkies so when he opened the door, a wall of junk food fell on him. Tanna
had a great imagination and a knack for avoiding trouble. No one caught her
and she always had an alibi.

During the warfare, the two had learned that Rixie was an efficient
assistant. Other girls joined the two and the group dubbed themselves
Broken Angels and dedicated themselves to raising hell and having fun. When
they weren't busy playing "One Up", their code name for practical joke
wars, they spent afternoons learning how to defend themselves and preparing
for the future.

 Giving everything 100% of her abilities, she rose in ranks to become SIC
of Moonsong. Then came the day that drove her to search the world for
answers about her heritage.

"Hey Tanna, you in or out?"

Looking up from her rapt audience, Gypsy waved to her adopted daughter, as
she and her friends Grif and Adam played poker. Grif was winning, much to
Tanna's dismay.

"What happened next, Momma Gypsy?"

"That's a story for another night little ones, now off to bed with you."

Tanna watched the pouting hatchlings as they returned to the rookery. 

"What story are you telling them Momma?"

"Your story honey, these kids think a lot of you, and they should
understand their clan leader. I want to tell your story as our elders would
have to pass on knowledge to the next generation."

"Oh alright Momma, but edit it, okay? These kids are kinda young to hear
about half the stuff I did."

"Like I want them to fork yards, TP trees, and raise all sorts of hell? Not
likely child." She smiled gently at her clan's leader.

Gypsy watched as Tanna returned to the poker game she was playing with her
guests

Fini

Part 2 of Cowgirl will be told in World Traveler