Bernadette Mac
In the Meeting Hall of the Pelican Palace, King Tonzi the Wunturm and his Adviser Lord Wilkes hold urgent talks.
LW – Joyous news from the Makepeace Isles, sire. Two juvenile bream have been seen tentatively swimming towards the Oyster Reefs.
KT -Two bream! The kingdom has deployed 200 submariners in 114 locations and the best we can do is two bream? If the peasants hear of this they will surely revolt.
LW – Fear not the peasants, sire, the dark magicians who guard the twin paths to the Gates of Hell have cast a befuddlement spell upon them. Where we see nothing, the peasants will see an abundance.
KT – But can the magicians be trusted, Wilkes?
LW – That, sire, remains to be seen. I can only attest to the fact that the coffees they serve in their kiosk are rich, flavoursome and moderately priced considering the locale. As for the bringing back of the fish, you majesty, I suggest we employ a wait-and-see, carrot-and-stick approach.
KT – Speak to me not of carrots and sticks, Wilkes. It was this blasphemy that led to paid chariot parking on the street of many desires. Not to mention the abortive electric catapult trial. And don’t even start me on the communal tribunal.
LW – In our defence, sire, these juridical initiatives were not meant to be functional other than as a means of keeping the community as one. Community togetherness has e’er been our goal. That is why for centuries we have buried our vanquished in mass graves.
KT – Your prattle tires me Wilkes. Leave me now, I must preen myself lest a photo opportunity presents itself.
