World Wide Webs

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

“ The last time we saw Elliot, he was leaving the Freelands, headed to Bog with Knights of Service Barry and Trevor to help prepare for war. He didn’t even know Cassandra might be pregnant. So what’s up with that?” You. Justifiably.

“I live to serve. . .” Me

~~~

Sweat dripped from Elliot’s face onto the latest stack of provisions he and his team had prepared. The urgency he felt had deeper roots than the need to get Bog ready for war. He hadn’t seen his exquisite Cassandra in a week.

“Service Chief Elliot?” called a young spider dragging a leaf piled with webbing ten times his height into the supply area. “Mother’s Weaving Circle is working on another batch. She said it’ll be ready before lunch.”

Elliot patted him on the head. “Thank you, Darwin. I’m grateful — the Knights of Service are grateful. Be sure to let your mother and her friends know how much we value their dedication. Now I just need to find someone who’s not too busy to unload these magnificent webs.”

Trevor dropped flap-footed to the ground beside them. “Hey, Dar! How’s it goin’? Had enough of haulin’ webs yet?”

Stars lit up in all eight eyes. “Not yet, Knight Trevor, sir. It’s making me stronger — see?” He flexed four of his limbs at once.

“Impressive!” Trevor grinned.

“Someday, I’m gonna be a Knight like you, sir! I just hope I get a chance to fight for Bog, so don’t kill all the bad guys, okay? Leave some for me.”

“Knights need to be dedicated to the mission,” Trevor said, “but a Knight’s first goal is to keep the peace. Remember that, Dar, it’s important. I’m pretty sure there will always be bad guys out there, and the Knights of Service are here to keep them out of Bog. You’ll get your chance, friend.”

Watching the happy whirling dervish chop and kick his way down the road, Trevor shook his head. “That kid makes me wonder if I could survive being a parent.”

“You’d be a great dad,” Elliot assured him, wondering if he’d ever get the chance to experience it himself.

“Yeah, you’re probably right,” Trevor responded, his eyes twinkling, “but some of us won’t ever have kids.”

“Who knows?” Elliot winked. “Maybe a needy orphan will cross your path.”

Trevor’s laugh vanquished Elliot’s stress. “I’ll keep my eyes open, your Paternalness! Hey, is it okay if I take a break? My guys have delivered all of last night’s stuff to the staging area. I told Barry I’d try to find him before he reports for duty.”

“I don’t see why not. This is the last of the rations; after lunch we’ll move the weaponry.” He paused to study Trevor’s face. “I know you would rather have worked together, but—“

Randall leaped across the yard, panting. “Prince Elliot, the King wants to see you immediately.”

To be continued. . .

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