The Princetta by Anne-Laure Bondoux

Author:Anne-Laure Bondoux [Bondoux, Anne-Laure]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781599908847
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
Published: 2006-02-15T06:00:00+00:00

25

The Law of the Archipelago

Catabea’s face was almost entirely hidden behind a curtain of mist. Even standing on the deck of their ship, the survivors had to narrow their eyes so as not to lose sight of her.

“You have accepted the Procedure,” said Catabea, “and you have spoken my name. In passing the Great Barrier you crossed the frontiers of our world. You have sailed into the Archipelago, and now you must submit to our Law. Listen well, strangers. Your survival depends on what I am about to tell you.”

Hob and Peppe went pale at these words. They closed their eyes and began moaning again. But Catabea went on, and her cavernous voice drowned out their lamentations.

“The rules I am about to tell you are inflexible, and I must warn you: to this day, no traveller has ever succeeded in what he set out to do. Not one! Knowing that, you still have a choice: you can give up your freedom and remain prisoners of the Archipelago forever. If that is your decision, you can take advantage of the great riches of our sea and our islands. We will ask nothing of you. On the other hand, if you wish to cross the Archipelago and come out again, you must submit to our Law.”

A silence followed this announcement, and the survivors on the Fabula silently consulted each other. Bafflement was written on all their faces.

“Well?” said Catabea impatiently. “What is your decision? Do you wish to stay here for ever? Or would you rather make the impossible attempt to return to your homes?”

Orpheus he timidly cleared his throat, before venturing to ask, “What happens to us if we don’t succeed in what we set out to do?”

“You will be thrown into the Immuration,” Catabea calmly replied. “That is the most common fate, and a terrible one too. But you can still decide to become ordinary inhabitants of the Archipelago. There are many islands here. You are sure to find one that suits you, and you can live a long and easy life there.”

“But we can never go home again?” persisted Orpheus.

“That is so. I must point out that the choice you are about to make holds good only if all the passengers on your ship agree.”

In a panic, Malva tugged at Orpheus’s arm again. “I won’t stay a prisoner here!” she murmured. “Let’s accept their Law if that’s the only way of escape!”

Hob and Peppe had risen to their feet. Tottering, they went over to Orpheus. A little further off, Babilas still leaned over the rail.

“I in agreement with Malva,” said Lei in a firm voice. “Impossible for me stay here, so far from kingdom of Balmun.”

“Your reply!” Catabea commanded them.

Babilas straightened up, and signed to Orpheus that he would go along with his decision. But it was Finopico who spoke first.

“We want to go home, you madwoman!” he snapped at the Guardian of the island. “We came to the outskirts of your Archipelago only by bad luck, and I’ve

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