Knights on Patrol - part 3
The continuing story of Rex and Baron out on their Winter Patrol of the Kingdom
the Icy Mountain Pass
Meanwhile Rex and Baron were approaching the farthest reaches of the Kingdom, in the mountains north of Gravenhurst....where they were making their way through a treacherous icy pass.....
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A Griffin and Friends
Rex and Baron continued on in the snow....
....when they came upon a familiar griffin and his friends, having dinner by their fire....
Baron got down off his horse....
"Good day to you Sirs...."
"We are just passing through on the King's business."
"You look familiar...."
"Yes....didn't you pass by here last year around this same time?"
"Yes, we come up here every winter just to check on things, and make sure everyone is okay."
"Then you are most welcome here..."
"Come join us..."
"...and warm yourselves by our fire."
"Thank you...we'd be more than happy to..."
Dinner by the Fire
Baron and Rex were only too happy to accept their invitation to join them....
"It's been a while since we've had a hot meal like this..."
"Well, you are most welcome Sir. Any agent of the King is always welcome here."
"So, how is everything up here?"
"It's been an especially long cold winter this year...."
"I don't mind winter too much..."
"But my wife can't wait for Spring...."
"I think we are all looking forward to some warmer weather...."
"It won't be too much longer now..."
"But other than that, everything is fine up here..."
"That's good to hear."
"...and thank you for sharing your dinner with us."
"You are most welcome Sir!"
Back Home
After being gone for over a month, the two knights were finally returning home. They needed to present their report to the King, but Rex wanted to drop in to see his family first....
"You're back!!"
"Daddy!"
"I missed you so much!"
" I missed you too....both of you....and thought of you every day. But I can't stay right now. I'm on my way to deliver our report to Lawrence...."
"...but I wanted to come and see my two girls first...."
So he put Judith back down. "I need to go see your uncle, the King..."
"..and then I'll be back."
Baron Returns
Baron was also close to home....
Naomi was busy with her dress, and wasn't looking out the window......so didn't see him arrive...
When suddenly there he was....
"I missed you so much!"
Then Baron's eye caught something....
"What are you working on over there?"
"It's...my wedding dress...."
"...but it's supposed to be a surprise.."
And she reached up to turn his gaze away....
"So...don't look...."
"Well....I can't stay. Rex and I are on our way to deliver our report to the King...."
"...but I just had to stop by and see you. It won't take too long, and then I'll be back..."
the Winter Report
Baron and Rex arrived at the castle to present their report....
"I'm happy to have you both back...."
"...and that your trip was uneventful..."
"Yes, most of your people were doing quite well, but a few were struggling due to the harsh winter."
"Yes....so we had to distribute some temporary social assistance to help them out."
"You'll find it all recorded in the books..."
"I recognize some of these names, and am not surprised that they are struggling. I think some of their loans will probably have to be forgiven...."
Baron noticed the cards and drawing on the mantle....
"We missed your birthday while we were away."
"..but there was great celebration in every village we passed through that day..."
"...and they invited us to join them. It was quite some party."
"It was clear to me that you are well loved by your people..."
"Or maybe they were just celebrating because your birthday is a statutory holiday, so they all get the day off?"
Ringo's Drawing
Baron took Ringo's drawing off the mantle...
"So.....what's this?"
"It looks like a family portrait."
'Yes...Ringo drew it for me."
"You know...it's really quite good. He's becoming quite the accomplished little artist."
He went to show the drawing to Rex...
..who looked at the drawing...
...and then at his brother-in-law.....
"It's an uncanny resemblance...." he chuckled..... "It looks just like you!"
Lawrence smiled and took the drawing.... "You two get out of here..."
"Go home to your loved ones. They've missed you long enough."
"I'm really glad you are back..."
"But I have your report, and if I have any questions I can send for you. So go home."
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