The news of the French’s imminent arrival moved William to question all the statues in the temple. The great lion shouted he had just returned from the coast, across the mountains running through the entire night to bring warning and panic. He told tales of firearms and troops and strange clothing, and the impending doom. William consulted Captain Banana.
His years in the Foreign Legion led to his unscheduled and unannounced sabbatical to
Luang Prabang, and he had no interest in rejoining them.
The Prince, itchy from his long stay, proposed that he and Sammy Checkmate join him and his band of mounted raiders on further explorations. Being a mighty Khan, and not fearing the French a whit, they left the town at a leisurely pace. Moving along the western Silk Road, they passed wonders and sights, taking dinner in the unconquerable Ayutthaya, and in the morning looting bananas from old ladies to feed the baby Jirachai, just outside Yangon.