He pulled out two smoke bombs and a lightning flash and put them in his pocket. Then four roman candles. Paco’s eyes locked on the last beef stick. Benjamin put it to his own mouth, as if to eat it. When Paco’s smile vanished, the boy grinned and held it out. Paco gently took it with his teeth and savored every bite. The food helped calm everyone.

“Aren’t you going to eat anything, Your Majesty?” Roscoe asked.

“No, I’m not hungry. I get that way when I’m …”

Paco looked at Benjamin’s nervous face and felt guilty, knowing he was only there because of him. “Sire? I used to think Pugsly was the most courageous being I’d ever known, but he taught me otherwise. He told me about the times you and he walked along the road when your neighbor’s big dog tried to hurt him. You ran the dog off.” The boy smiled at the memory. “Once when you were fishing in your boat, he fell in the deep pond and panicked. You pulled him out and held on and took him to shore. When the truck hit him and left him to die on the road, you found him and carried him back to the house so your mom could take him to help.” Farangis and the old barn were no longer on their minds.” And when you risked your life to save our little friend here, well, I see everything in you that King Pugsly saw.”

Benjamin knelt and cradled the animals in his arms. “I’m so glad I’m here with you. I feel like Pugsly is still with me when I’m with you.”

“In a way, Sire, we feel the same.”

• • • • •

THE BUZZARD was nowhere to be seen. Abigail stood on top of the fox den, watching the orange sun fall behind Benjamin’s house. A skunk popped her head out of the opening.

“Abigail, what are you doing out here?”

“I have a terrible feeling about the fate of our kingdom.”

“It’s all going to work out,” the skunk said, despite her own fears.

“I’m so worried that they won’t find Edward.”

“Mom.” Tippy climbed out of the hole. “I figured you’d be out here.”

“I’m just watching the sunset, sweetheart.”

“I brought you this.” She handed her mother a white daisy.

“It’s beautiful!” She took the flower and hugged her daughter Tippy mustered up encouragement. “Don’t worry, Mom. They’ll be back soon. I just know it!”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

The Ol’ Dead Pig Trick

THE FIVE HUDDLED CLOSE, now with a little more courage in their hearts.

“Okay…” Benjamin half-stood, looked at the barn, then knelt again. “There’s a large open door facing us. I can’t see, but there may be another way in.”

“Sire, I think there’s a small opening high up near the peak.” Roscoe added.