by Andy Coffey
Chapter 5 – It may be linked to The Prophecy
Prince Theo of Corwen was sat on the bed in his royal chambers, licking his private parts, when Captain Marmaduke entered. ‘Sorry, Your Highness, have I come at an inconvenient time?’ the Captain said, removing his helmet.
‘No, I’m just finishing off,’ Prince Theo replied, licking his paw and wiping it over his face. ‘What’s up?’
‘We have just received word that an unusual event has occurred close to Llangollen, on Flopmarsh Lane. I suspect Your Highness will wish to hear more detail.’
‘Sounds interesting, Captain. Where does your information come from?’
The Captain coughed uncomfortably. ‘From Half-blind Ron, Your Highness.’
‘Oh, not that mad old moggy again,’ the Prince said. ‘Let me guess, he’s been drinking Meow’s Extra Strong Catnip and he claims we’re being invaded by singing pink goblins.’
‘If that were simply the case I would not be attempting to grant him audience with Your Highness,’ the Captain replied.
‘What, you’ve brought him here? Captain, you are one of my most trusted advisors, and also one of my closest friends. I respect your judgement ordinarily, but I’m at a loss as to why you feel I should devote some time listening to a semi-ratted old puss like Half-blind Ron. You must admit that the dear old cat is slightly puddled.’
‘Agreed, Your Highness, but in this instance he assures me he was a model of sobriety, on account of the fact that he needed to have his wits about him for chicken hunting at Farmer Pigwhistle’s. Also, the encounter he claims he had does not appear to be one of his fanciful, catnip induced stories. It may be linked to The Prophecy.’
Prince Theo sat bolt upright. ‘Go on.’
‘It would be better for you to hear it from Half-blind Ron himself, Your Highness.’
‘Alright, Captain, my interest is sufficiently aroused. Show him in.’
The Captain opened the door, made a beckoning gesture and Half-blind Ron ran in. ‘Your Gracious Majesty, Royal Highness, Princeness, I am ever your humble servant and am honoured to be in your divine presence,’ he said, supplicating himself on the floor.
‘Please, stand and face me,’ Theo said, waving his paw upwards. ‘My Captain tells me you have a tale to tell.’
‘Oh, I does, your Princeness. Just this morning I was minding my own business walking down Flopmarsh Lane—,’
‘— Er, my Captain says you were attempting to steal chickens, from Farmer Pigwhistle,’ Theo interrupted.
‘A minor misunderstanding, Your Majesty, Highness, I was merely looking to borrow one for educational purposes.’
‘Anyway,’ Half-blind Ron continued, ‘I was walking down Flopmarsh Lane when all of a sudden this big, red horseless carriage appears behind me, almost flying it was. It headed straight at me and I thought I was goner, Your Princeness. It stopped just before it crashed into me back end. I thought me old jewels were gonna be history.’
‘And who was in charge of this “horseless carriage”?’ Theo asked, his eyes narrowing.
‘Some lanky, human git, Your Majesty, Highness. A right weirdo if ever I met one. I reckon he was a wizard or a musician or sumfin.’
‘Why say you so?’ Theo asked again.
‘He had strange clothes, Your Princeness, and very scruffy hair, and he was carrying this little box which lit up. If you don’t believe me have a word with Fiery Dave from Denbigh, he saw him too.’
‘Is this true, Captain, is there corroboration to his story?’
‘We have sent word to Denbigh to request this information,’ the Captain answered. ‘We hope to hear back from them shortly.’
Theo jumped off the bed and placed a paw on Half-blind Ron’s shoulder. ‘Thank you for informing us of this. You can trust that we will seek to track this stranger down. We will be in touch shortly.’
‘You mean I may get to meet Your Majesty, Highness, Princeness again?’ Half-blind Ron said, with wide-eyed wonderment.
‘Indeed, for we may wish to speak further when we have ascertained some more of the facts. Your testimony today has been very valuable.’
‘Thank you, thank you, Your Gracious, Magnificent Princeness. Will you perhaps have a bit of chicken on hand next time?’
‘We’ll see what we can do.’
Captain Marmaduke led Half-blind Ron through the door and turned back to Theo. ‘Can you see why I thought you should see him now?’
‘I can indeed Captain. Once again you serve me well, my friend. Do you recall the exact words of The Prophecy?’
‘Not quite, Your Highness, but from my recollection of the text there undoubtedly appears to be a connection.’
‘Yes, it would seem so. The actual passage reads thus,’ Theo said, staring out of the window. ‘“One day a stranger will arrive from a land beyond distance and beyond time. He will bring with him strange gadgets and strange ideas. He will tell tales of his home and people will gain strength from his words and his strange ways, although no-one will copy his hair style. He will join a group of heroes and set off on a quest that will deliver the people from fear and suppression. Evil will be vanquished and peace among the lands will follow.”’
There was a knock on the door.
‘Captain, we have word from Denbigh,’ said one of the guards.
‘Go on, man. What do they say?’
‘Fiery Dave reported seeing a red, horseless carriage being piloted by a scruffy-haired human this morning, sir. It was heading towards Llangollen.’
‘Well, Captain,’ Theo said, ‘it would appear that a trip to Llangollen needs to be added to my itinerary.’