P.S. To The Hysterical Chronicles.
Breaking News!
The King-Admiral is about to sail into the Grand Harbour and Princess Royal retires to her Castle Solace; all await the next move by who knows? Meanwhile, you can read the legend of Corona Virus, the warlike general.
The Latest: Courier Pigeons Announce The Admiral is Nearing The Great Harbour.
The King-Admiral T. Mark Mangum, of Mangum Manor, has been spotted by courier pigeons two to three hours out to sea, approaching the Great Harbour. He had not sent prior warning of his arrival, the Blackhearted-Self-Proclaimed-King. Whoever is the contender to the throne has not much time to make his intentions clear.
Make Haste!
However, not a sound broke the silence. Even the birds appear to be resting after the hectic days leading up to, and including, the day of the Jousting Tournament. The partying of the knights down south, making loud merriment after the battle was all that could be heard throughout the land, whereas at the castle of Princess Royal all was quiet.
Princess Royal At Solace Castle.
The lovely Princess Royal, Agnes Louis has retired to Solace Castle, south of the low-lying hills known as the Ridge Of Sighs. There she is enjoying the company of the cheerful Ladies-in-Waiting, Selma, Lady Of The Kingdom of Miracles, where the cherry trees blossom all year round, Alex Kilcannon, aka Lady Alex of Kilcannon, Princess Charlotte Zobeir Ali, and Lady Pamela J. Nikodem, MS, from the County of Creative Colour. No doubt these Ladies are providing Princess Royal with much-needed support after the dramatic events at the Jousting Tournament.
We were told the Princess is coping well with the sudden change in her plans; indeed, if there had been any plans. No one really knew. Anyway, whatever happens next, she is happily settled in her peaceful surroundings listening to ballads and sonnets performed by the Wandering Minstrels.
What is to occur in the Princess’s life remains to be seen, and I can draw no conclusions based on rumours. She, as expected, is making no press announcements. The least said the better, for the media has become out-of-hand with their Fake News.
An Important Proclamation Was Made Today:
Lady Amy Marley Of the County Barley has been appointed Lady-in-Waiting to Princess Royal. At this time of great upheaval, it was agreed an extra Lady-in-Waiting was called for. Lady Amy is also to have the important portfolio of Keeper of the Children. See her impressive CV. below.
A 2nd Proclamation: Keeper Of The Parchments.
Sir Daniel, (Daniel G. Clarke, see his article below) has been appointed as the Keeper of Parchments, ie: the Rolls on which the Hysterical Chronicles and all other writings are recorded. An important role, indeed. It is well to remind ourselves that the quality of the performance of any ministerial duty is measured by Dr Mehmet Yildiz, Supreme Commander of all Literary Forces on Land, Sea and Air.
The Romans Limp Home.
Meanwhile, smarting in defeat, the legions were the laughing stock of the Gauls, who lined the Roman roads through the country to ‘welcome’ them on their homeward march. Such was their mirth, that the Gauls, doubled up in fits of laughter, and with the renowned physiques of body-builders, were rolling in the grass as the Romans passed by.
They could not understand how the Romans could go to war over rolls of parchment and be defeated in the process. However, the Gauls were an illiterate lot, what did they know about the value of literacy and literature?
Rumour from Rome.
Why was the pompous general named Corona Virus? He should be Coronus Virus, should he not? The legend is that his mother, one Flavia Hopefulina, gave her son the name Corona opposed to Coronus for the following reason:
Tired of the warring Roman generals, she hoped, by giving him a girl’s name he would become a classicist, interested only in literature and peaceful pursuits, and be opposed to making war as was the custom of Roman generals thirsty for power.
Well, her hopes were dashed, because every day Corona threw his toys out of his cot and screamed: “Bring me soldiers!” Further, he threw tantrums when his mother read him nursery rhymes, demanding war stories. Eventually, Flavia Hopefulina fled Rome, retiring to her villa on a distant island, leaving Corona to be reared by a war-hungry uncle, Poisonous Virus.
So the story goes. Corona Virus became the worst Virus in his family, as we all know; but he was banished from our shores by our courageous knights and Boadicea herself. It was his first defeat. He was so ashamed, he sailed home rather than face the mirth of the Gauls waiting to jeer him at the roadsides. Of course, he would be given a triumphal entry into Rome, for Romans never admit defeat.
In Conclusion.
Dear friends, we await another proclamation from The Man-Who-Would-Be- King, or the arrival of the King-Admiral, or both. Who knew what would happen next? The mystery deepens as the minutes, hours, days go by. But the hour of reckoning is at hand!
The Hysterical Chronicles and the P.S. were written by Lady Lynette of Clements in response to a Writing Prompt, which can be seen above. (With apologies to Daniel G. Clarke, whose name would not appear in the link in the text! )
Copyright: Lady Lynette of Clements. July 2020.