A Romantic and Tragic Story

There is a old fort on the island, the Fort National.

Terence and Baldy want to explore it.

Belle wants to look at the tomb. So do Arthur and Gaius.

It's not far to the tomb, says François-René. Leave them to play. Others may see them, and become aware of their message.

Okay, says Belle. No fighting, no running off into the water. And remember the message.

Terence nods, Baldy does likewise.

They run into the fort.

What's the message? asks Baldy.

Don't do anything fun, says Terence.

Fighting? says Baldy.

And running into the water, says Terence.

What about throwing cheese? says Baldy. That's not fighting.

Yay! says Terence. No it isn't. Here's your weapon.

He drags two Babybel cheeses from his pocket, and gives one to Baldy.

They don't look like cheeses. Or weapons. They look like two sun dried tomatoes.

You hide, says Terence.

Let's both hide, says Baldy.

They run in different directions, through the Fort National, clutching their weapons.

......

François-René is chatting to Gaius, as they walk to the tomb.

Les Natchez, perhaps you've heard of it? says François-René.

What is it's subject? asks Gaius.

The American Indian tribe known as the Natchez, says Francois-René. I travelled to the Americas as a young man, and wrote a romantic and tragic story about the wars between the Natchez and a group of French settlers. My style was much praised at the time, and my descriptions of natural flora were thought to be captivating and vivid.

I should like to read it, says Gaius. Do you have a copy?

No, says François-René. Not on me. But you can read it online.

I shall, says Gaius. I gather you take an interest in natural science? What birds have you here?

Oh, says François-René. All sorts. The worst are the seagulls.

They have now reached the tomb.

Case in point, says François-René, scraping several off-white crusty lumps from the surface, with his finger nail.

Did you see that, Arthur? whispers Belle. He used his finger nail.

So what? says Arthur.

It's not very nice, says Belle.

Arthur wishes the tide would come in.

......

The tide turns, it's time to leave the island.

They head back to the fort.

No sign of Terence or Baldy.

Belle asks a tour guide, if he's seen two painted infants.

No, says the tour guide. And I would have noticed. Not many infants are painted.

They've probably gone back to the beach, says François-René. But I'll stay here, and make a thorough search of the fort before leaving.

Very kind, says Gaius. Coming Arthur? I need you to find me a pencil sharpener, or a new pencil.

Arthur would rather not have to deal with these matters.

And the waters are rising.

I'll stay, says Arthur.

Good man, says Gaius. The pencil can wait till the morning.

Gaius and Belle cross the causeway, as waves crash in, one after another.

Crash one! Spitting angry bubbles.

Crash two! Roaring furious foam.

Crash three! Mighty pouring waters, bearing two little red blobules that once were Babybel cheeses and now look like sun dried tomatoes.....