Bad News

Monica was with Lawrence in his office...

...when Narin came in.  "Excuse me for interrupting, Your Majesty..."

"Winston is here, and he says it's urgent that he see you right away."

"What is it Winston?"

"I have an urgent letter for you Sire."

"It's from Rex."

Lawrence opened the letter and started to read...."Rex writes that there's a group of mercenaries who have been terrorizing the countryside in the far north. They've been pillaging and burning...."

 "...and...they have attacked the Winter Patrol, leaving Baron critically injured.....and fighting for his life.   Oh no!   This is terrible!"

He turned to Winston, "Did you have a chance to see Baron when Rex gave you this letter?"

"How bad is he?"

But Winston couldn't hold it together any longer, and broke down...​"He looks terrible!

 "I don't want him to die!"

Monica went to comfort Winston, as Lawrence read the letter again. He could barely believe it...

Baron had been his best friend ever since they were both little, and he couldn't wrap his head around the thought of losing him.

"Winston..."

"...maybe you can do something for me?"

"Would you be willing to fly up north every day to check on Baron..."

"...and then report back to us on how he is doing?"

"I...could.... do that."

Lawrence had been in shock at the news, and the seriousness of the situation was finally starting to sink in. 
​"This is all my fault.  I should never have sent him."

Monica tried to reassure him, "This is not your fault. How were you to know?"

"He's been going up there for years, and nothing has ever happened to him before."

"'We can only hope and pray that he's going to be okay."

"Sire, I'd be happy to go check on Baron every day for you...."

"So, I'll be back again tomorrow. Maybe there will be some good news."

"Thank you Winston. I sure hope so."