Two Flags, Red and Black

CGC Phoebe stood at her post as daybreak filled the darkened room. I sipped the tea Lizard had made for me after she had awoken from a deep sleep.

The cyclone had given us a rough ride, but The Bishop had labored long, directing our efforts in preparation these last few days to fortify our dwelling. He had stood watch overnight, shoring up the defenses where necessary.

He looked tired, and I was surprised when he said, "We'll have our work cut out, clearing debris, once the gale subsides."

I nodded, and asked, "What do you think the worst part of last night's experience was? The high winds rocking our quarters? Or perhaps the rain seeping through unseen cracks?"

"Well, if I were to be pressed," The Bishop answered, his eyebrow raised knowingly in my direction, "I'd have to say The Lizard's snoring."

AKC CGC

The Bishop and The Private came sprinting out of the training grounds, relief on the face of the latter, a proud smile lighting the former's visage. They raced past me at full speed, bounding on the trail near the woods.

The Lizard also exited, and seemed happy, but tired. I walked over to her, and asked, "I trust it went well?"

"It was amazing. The Private was the only student in her class to pass all the tests."

"Splendid!" I replied, "You led her well, then."

"That's the amazing thing, Genghis." She said, watching our compatriots celebrate near the trees. "When things seemed to be breaking apart, and I was getting nervous and frustrated, The Bishop suddenly took the lead, making course corrections as necessary. The Private took to his commands and executed... almost flawlessly!"

"The Bishop has been known to rise to the occasion when the chips are down, but I'd be willing to bet neither of them would have been successful if you hadn't provided your special recipe of hard work and communication." My comment made her astonishment turn to a full, and satisfied smile.

We continued to watch The Bishop and The Private gambol about, with a word of praise every now and then being tossed by The Lizard in their direction. It was good to see them happy, especially The Bishop, since so many days of recent past had been sorrowful for him.

"It's hard to comprehend that The Private will get promoted." I contemplated aloud.

"Comprehending won't be the problem. Putting up with The Bishop's pride in his protege' may be the issue, " she correctly noted.

Please Bathe Regularly

I was enjoying myself, certainly, but I felt a bit out of my element. In fact, at times, a bit uncomfortable. The Bishop and Incan seemed to revel in the strange and unique air at the conference, and I'm sure part of their happiness lay in the fact they were able to see one another - old friends sharing conversation.

I was beginning to feel less out of place, but then came across a "ground rule" request, posted prominently in the conference schedule. Reading over the statement several times to be sure I hadn't imagined it, I turned to Incan and asked, "Are they joking? Having a little fun with a stereotype, right?"

Incan tilted her head to look at what I was reading. Her shoulders slumped in slight embarrassment. "Unfortunately, no." She admitted, letting it out slow, resigned breath.

27 inches of good times

"It lasted 17 years?"

"Yes. It was dependable, entertaining and of noble quality," The Bishop remarked.

I was amazed... Both at the implement's longevity and The Bishop's characteristic loyalty to his tools.

Like a Pet

We finished our coffee, embraced, then turned away. Silence followed for a good while, broken by The Bishop, a mix of bitterness and sorrow in his voice.

"First Sarge, now three more. I feel like we are fighting a losing battle this year."

I pondered what he said, and offered a positive thought: "Well, at least they chose their path, and hopefully will be happier for it."

The Lizard looked hopeless, tears in her eyes. "The Keeper was so sweet and focused, and The Doughnut was like a little sister."

"And The Booger?" I asked.

"Well, he was sort of like.... a pet."

I couldn't help but smile.

Inner Hardware

"All that was inside of her?"

The Bishop nodded as he inspected the items. I was amazed.

"Is she in pain?"

"Much less now." The Bishop explained. "The hardware supported part of the spine as it fused, but the bone above started to fail. They had to pull out the old metal, then add new support at the failure."

"I hope she stays clear of big magnets."

One Arming It

"Thank you!" Booger yelled.

As we sped by on our steeds, I looked over to see an old woman by the side of the road, straightening from a bent position and smiling back at us.

"What did she do?" I asked.

The Bishop responded, his words separated by the pulsing rhythm of his steed "She - was - pick - ing - up - rub -ish."

I turned to take another look at the charitable soul.

She had one arm.

"How did she lose her arm?" again I queried.

"Not sure," said Booger, "but she's doing more with her one arm than the lazy fools who dropped their trash across our countryside."

I nodded and sped onward, making a note to lend both of my good arms to extricate the next bit of debris I came across.