Red's Kingdom

---

Good things come to those who wait… and I’m very happy to announce the latest chapter of Chimera Book 1 is here! With only two more instalments to go, Kyp’s adventures in the fantastical realm of lost properties continue apace. Huge thanks, as always, to Dan Snelgrove for finding the time, energy and vocal dexterity to bring another chapter so fulsomely to life – enjoy! It’s been a while, so you maybe in need of a refresher: you can listen again to Chapter 18 here.

---

Last time in Chimera Book 1:

Kyp and Jamie approached and placed their palms lightly on Circinus’s mane.  

She closed her eyes and began again to talk.

‘Whirlitzer and I tried to live happily in Thingopolis.  We tried to make a home for ourselves.  We struggled to embrace our new lives here. We missed the children, the embrace of their arms about our necks as we spun them in circles. We grieved for our purpose. One day, Whirlitzer and I galloped far from the safety of the city. Neither of us admitted our intention.  Madame Chartreuse put us to work dragging the Tealeaf’s fodder-wagons.  We were so ashamed.’

As if unable to bear the weight of their fingers, Circinus shook her mane, forcing Kyp and Jamie to withdraw.

‘We slipped our harnesses while the Tealeaf slept. We gave ourselves up to the Oligarchy.  Whirlitzer had prepared a speech to be heard at our trial.  He planned to implore them to take steps against Madame Chartreuse.  He believed with the Oblivion Three vanquished, we might come to value this world as our own, seeing it as a place in which to belong contentedly, a world of which we could be proud.  They sentenced us immediately without petition or plea.  Sir Regulus saved us.  He brought us to Flotsam Pothole, took care of us.  We quickly became inseparable.  We made plans, devised strategies.  We would tell each other stories from our pasts, drawing strength from our memories. We vowed we would make Chimera a safe place.  We could never again return to the Elsewhere World, but we would ensure others could without fear or injury.’

‘We decided to leave Flotsam Pothole,’ continued Sir Regulus, ‘to escape Oddznbodz.  We made it as far as the tunnels, then the shovelisks attacked. It all happened so fast.’  Sir Regulus was talking directly to Circinus now. ‘I tried to get you out. I tried to open its jaws.  It took my arm.’ 

‘I’m so sorry,’ said Circinus.

‘I’m the one who should be apologising! I could have tried harder, thought of something, done something. When Whirlitzer saw you were gone, he tried giving himself to the shovelisk too. He said he couldn’t bear to be parted from you but I couldn’t let him.  Flotsam Pothole needed him, someone to inspire them.  Whirlitzer accused me of betraying him – and of killing you.  He swore no one else would ever be lost to the Abattoir.’

A siren sounded.

‘We have to get you out of there,’ Sir Regulus told Circinus, pulling away the sheets of metal covering her. 

‘I can’t leave,’ she said.

‘Of course you can,’ said Bertram. ‘We’ll all help.’ 

‘Yes,’ agreed Kyp, dragging more of the corrugated sheets to the floor. 

‘You don’t understand.  I can’t leave,’ and now Kyp, and everyone else, saw why.

The hindquarters of the carousel horse were gone.

Chapter 19 – Thingopolis Under Attack!

Listen to all previous chapters at anchor.fm/chimerabook1

Coming Soon to Red’s Kingdom: Chapter 20 – The Flamingo & The Dummy

---

---