“Yes, Your Majesty. The only way this could be better is if we had some granola bars.” Clementine stared hungrily at the backpack.

“And lettuce!”

Paco’s eyes lit up, too. “And–”

“Beef sticks?” the smiling Benjamin suggested.

They sat around the campfire eating and talking. Benjamin tossed larger sticks and branches on the fire and the flames rose higher. The others didn’t mind. The warmth felt good.

“Ya know,” the pig said with granola stuck in his teeth, “this has been quite an interesting day.”

Paco laughed. “That’s one way to put it.”

“What will tomorrow be like?” Roscoe lazily stared into the fire.

“I’m afraid I don’t want to know,” Benjamin replied quietly. The silence was uncomfortable as they considered their possible encounter with Farangis and his snakes.

“So, Your Majesty.” Roscoe said. “You didn’t know your dog, our king, had a son?”

The boy was intrigued. “No. My parents never told me. I must’ve been quite young.” Then he looked suspicious. “Why? Are you ready to replace me already?”

Clementine waddled over and sat next to him. “Actually, we’re kind of getting used to you, Sire.”

Ring! Ring! The cell phone startled everyone. Benjamin took it out of his pocket. “It’s my mom.”

Roscoe gave him an understanding look as he tried to explain how his mother was a phone. “I don’t wanna know. I’ll just accept it.”

Benjamin smiled. “Hello?”

“Hi, honey. I gotta make this quick. Are you in bed?”

“I’m lying down right now.” Roscoe and Clementine tried not to laugh.

“I just wanted to make sure you’re okay. I need to go, but tomorrow I’ll call you and let you know what’s going on. Aunt Louise is calling me from the other room.”

“Okay, Mom. G’night.”

“Good night, Mom!” Roscoe and Clementine crooned.

Carol paused, then shook her head. It couldn’t be!“Good night, sweetie.”

They grew sleepy watching the fire, soothed by the singing crickets and cicadas. The surrounding trees flickered in the glow. Behind them was complete darkness.

“Your Majesty, do you mind if I sleep next to you?” Roscoe asked.

“No, Roscoe. Go right ahead.”

“And me?” Clementine added, rolling over against his leg. Benjamin smiled.

Paco tried to act like he didn’t want to. “Oh, I guess I should join in, too.”

Benjamin softened his backpack and rested his head on it. On one side of him lay the pig and dog; on the other, the goat.

“Sire,” Roscoe said, “thank you for helping us.”

“Yes, King Benjamin. Thank you,” the other two said softly.

“You’re welcome, guys.” He felt pleased. They were nearly asleep when his eyes popped open. “I hope you guys don’t have fleas.”

“Nope!”

“Not me!”