“That’s right, but none of us can get up there. We need to go to–”

“I can, Sire!” Malcolm raised his hand, but peeked at the buzzards in the meadow across from the tree they were hiding behind. “I can get to the top!”

“How?” Paco asked.

“Trust me,” the raccoon grinned. The pig and goat looked impressed.

“Right. Stay down, but take a look at the area,” Benjamin said, dropping on his hands and knees. They looked through the tall golden-green grass between the hedge trees. “There are three buzzards on the ground and one in the tree next to them. We need to get rid of them as fast–”

“Sorry to interrupt again, Sire, but you can leave that up to me… although I could use the pig’s help.”

“What can I do? Buzzards can fly!” Clementine said, unsure.

“Yep, but you can play dead. And no offense, but you smell kind of, um…bad.”

“Oh, you’re good, raccoon!” Roscoe understood the plan.

“Let’s take this one step at a time,” Paco said. “Malcolm, you and Clementine take care of the buzzards, then come back here so we can all go to the barn.”

“I won’t be joining you, Paco. I’ll send the pig back, but I’m going up on the roof.” He pointed to the rotted gray-green wood shingles on top of the barn.

“It might be good to have him there, kind of like a lookout,” Benjamin said.

“Good idea, Sire,” Paco said. “We don’t know how many snakes are in there.”

“Maybe we should split up,” Clementine suggested. “Try to find another way in so we can sneak up on them.”

“Good thinking. Walking in through that big opening might be a deathtrap.”

Malcolm put his hand on Paco. “I’ll keep watch, and once one of you is inside I’ll tell the other two and join you down below.”

“Sire, are you and your weapons ready?”

“Yeah–oh, wait.” He reached in the bag for the most important firework of all.

Paco’s face lit up. “The cherry bomb!”

“What’s that?” Malcolm asked.

“That will blow up a giant snake,” Benjamin grinned.

“You are truly a brave king, Your Majesty. Ready, pig?”

“Play dead, stink…yeah, I got it!”

“Once I’m on the roof, if I see someone coming I’ll wave you off with both arms. If it’s clear, I’ll wave you on with one. Got it?”

“Got it! Good luck, Malcolm. I hope you’re safe up there.” Benjamin patted him.

“Don’t you worry about me, Sire. I’ll be fine.”

Paco took a deep breath. “Clementine, see you soon. Malcolm, see you inside.”

Benjamin, Roscoe, and Paco watched as the raccoon and pig crept off along the row of trees and disappeared to the right. Then they waited.

“Your Majesty, can you see them?” the goat asked.