When Queen Nancy, who preferred now to be known as former
King Nathan left to go into exile she hoped to be known as the King Over the
Water where he/she would plot rebellion and hope for a comeback. Nathan was
helped by the Gaulish ambassador Saphotrix. Nathan hoped that he could please
Saphotrix more now that he was Nathan rather than before when he had been
Nancy. Saphotrix had become so frustrated that she had been led into temptation
and unfaithfulness until Nancy had been able to iron out the infidelity.
Meanwhile Paul who was now Paula had remained regent
and still controlled which prince or princess would succeed Queen Nancy/King
Nathan. It was necessary that Paula remain in charge and in control in case too
much was found out about Queen Nancy’s reign.
The initial favourite was Princess Cordelia Fairchild.
But when she was asked to tell about what she loves the most she finds herself
exiled for telling the truth while her ugly sisters Goneril and Regan are left
to fight for the kingdom alone because they told what their audience wants to
hear.
Goneril confusingly while prone to wear eyeliner and skirts
does not wear a veil but is allowed to sit with the men and avoid hiding her
hair because she is in disguise and in fact is Prince Hārūn ibn ʿImrān who
despite a tendency to worshipping golden calves has travelled far to bring the
kingdom to the promised land.
Regan’s hopes begin to turn to ash as she puts forward
a scheme for secession that is called Undisciplined Desperate Insurrection (UDI).
But former King Alan now exiled in Albania, has been stricken in Strichen since
his voluntary abdication which unfortunately was rewarded by Queen Nancy
gathering rather serious accusations about the way he ruled over the courtiers
and courtesans of the palace.
Queen Nancy had been able to find 10 courtiers who
remembered all about what King Alan had done in the carriages and during late
night meetings in bed chambers let alone what had gone on behind the arras. But
King Alan said to himself if you think the story about King Winestone of the
Holy Wood is going to apply to me too you are mistaken.
Alan wanted revenge and it was he that was behind the
challenge of Regan. She had first begun the insurrection guided by Alan against
Queen Nancy when she had refused to say that a Queen could become a King. She
hoped that one day the Albanians could be brought back to the kingdom. This too
is what Icarus of Bath hoped for. He hadn’t been allowed even to be a courtier
let alone a contender despite all his efforts and popularity. There would be a
second jousting tournament this year just so long as Alan Icarus and Regan didn’t
get too close to the sun.
Goneril aka Prince Hārūn continued to attack Princess
Cordelia for cruel attack on Kings who wanted to become Queens and Kings who
wanted to sleep with other Kings, but Hārūn was never asked by the scribes
about his own beliefs.
Hārūn thought that what he believed in private could
be completely different from what he believed in public and it was completely
OK to deceive everyone about his private beliefs by pretending that they were
the same as his public beliefs.
He said he was all in favour of Nancy becoming Nathan
and all in favour of Queens marrying Queens and that anyone who disagreed including
Cordelia would be prosecuted for a hate crime. But Hārūn would not be
prosecuted even though in truth what he believed would be rather less popular
in the kingdom than what Cordelia believed, because no one would know and he
wouldn’t tell.
If keeping secret his innermost beliefs was the way to
become King, or was that Queen, then that would be justified.
Meanwhile those parts of the kingdom who wanted to
maintain unity with their friends and neighbours on their same small island
watched the contest with interest.
Many liked and sympathised with Cordelia and objected
to her treatment for telling the truth. But they also thought she was bright
and competent and hoped she would not become Queen.
Few had heard of Regan and considered her plans would rapidly
bring back King Alan and all that went with him. Courtiers and courtesans would
have to be guarded lest Alan were given a second chance to recreate his
celebrated harem where the only escape was to keep telling stories until his
enthusiasm was curbed.
But Pro unity people cheered on Hārūn because he had
never achieved anything and frequently fell on his face.
‘There goes a true-bred Hārūn,' said Effie, as the prince
departed, 'for they are ever fair and false.'
