His stay in Luang Prabang continued to extend as William found it a most relaxing and meaningful place. Even living in close proximity to the pink lipped cats gossip didn’t change his view. He’d listen in as they circulated the current rumors that they’d gathered from the nearby elephants who’d hear stories from the civets who were recycling bonmots from the wiser of the reclusive sun bears. No one on the peninsula indulged, whether to smoke or drink, and the Prince enjoyed the mood, feeling that every day here was a real trip, without any outside help.
But, one day he saw one of the monks at Wat Xiang Tong listening intently to one of the cats. It seems the jungle had brought whispers that a people called the French had arrived in the east with strange weapons. William wondered if he should dig his battle armor out of his steamer trunk.