King Arnie the Former

Glad you could join us for the next regal episode of Elliot’s Adventures. If you’re new here, you can catch up by returning to the beginning, and reading really fast…

“Your Greatness, noble King Arnie da Former,” Barry called from the edge of the pool, bowing so low his chin touched the water, “please allow me ta present Cassandra and Elliot, adventurers from far away, here seekin’ asylum in da peaceful Kingdom of Bog.”

Thin rays of gold peeked through the trees around the pond, glimmering on the King as he belched and turned one eye toward the young couple while the other eye remained fixed on the erratic flight of a frenetic fly buzzing just above his head.

Elliot had heard of kings, but had never seen one that he was aware of, and most certainly had never been introduced to one. Somehow, the bloated being before him didn’t match his expectation even as dawn’s early light flattered him. Kings were supposed to be powerful and fierce, majestic and, well, regal.

Noble King Arnie the Former was, well, not.

The air over the monarch’s head shivered as imperceptibly as a hovering hummingbird’s wing. The buzzing stopped. Turning both eyes toward the young couple, King Arnie swallowed and licked his lips, piercing Elliot with a look that seemed to read his heart. His Greatness pulled himself from the pond and lumbered toward the trees.

“Come along, Elliot,” he commanded. “There’s something you need to see before we get that tail tended to.”

Obediently, Elliot followed. Neither spoke till they reached the top of a short rise and King Arnie stopped and looked at his companion.

“Elliot, meet your future.”

To be continued…

Previously, on Elliot’s Adventures ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ Next time . . .