The Kingdom of Discarded Treasure and Water - Extract
It seemed forever before they reached the Kingdom of Discarded Treasure and Water. Despite a few attempts at conversation with the rat, the creature remained wary of them as he led them through the murky water towards the palace.
As they drew nearer, Isabella could see the palace was constructed from an array of cardboard boxes, postcards, old paperback books and comics, all held together quite neatly with tape, drawing pins and clips. There were turrets made from small tasselled lampshades and crystal drinking glasses turned up side down. In front of the palace was an old painted fireguard surrounded by fairy lights, with a grand doorway that had been cut or chewed out in the middles (for it is a well known fact that rats are exceedingly good at gnawing through almost anything). Windows had been made from a pair of goggles, some horn rimmed spectacles and various pieces of car head lights. Isabella found herself feeling most surprised that these rats had such imagination and were so resourceful. Now she understood why Pedro called it the Kingdom of Discarded Treasure and Water. They moored the boats and Pedro shouted, "Eh, Carlos. lower der drawbridge, we got visitors, one of them claims to know King Pizarro, says dey amigos."
"Que? What you say Pedro?" shouted a distant voice as a head popped out of one of the turrets.
"We got visitors.dey bring regalo for Rey Pizarro ..let us in hombre!"
The drawbridge (which was made from a small tray and a couple of tape measures) was duly lowered and they entered. A group of rat soldiers quickly lifted Mrs. Cosy and the others onto a skateboard and wheeled them inside too.
The inside of the palace was truly amazing. They were led through a great hallway fashioned from several old suitcases and a fur coat. Walls were decorated with stamps and sweet wrappers. A portrait of the king was painted on a baking tray and hung at the end of the hall.
The floors were made from bits of broken tile, buttons and jigsaw pieces and the curtains were made from frilly knickers and string vests pegged to coat hangers.
Pedro duly took them to a grand salon where King Pizarro was sitting in his throne, an ornate sugar bowl that had been chipped away at to form a seat. Two tiny bells were tied by gold and purple ribbon to the handles either side. The king was dressed in a magnificent costume made from tiny scraps of ornate fabric, on his head he wore a crown created from beads, buttons, dismantled rings and wire. Behind him a lady's vanity mirror had been fixed high upon the wall and various candlesticks were placed around the room. Rather than statues an odd assortment of objects adorned the hall - a plastic dinosaur, some fake flowers, a telephone and a magnifying glass.
Pedro went up to the king, bowed deeply, handing him the purse they had found. He whispered something in his ear. King Pizarro nodded and gestured for them to come forwards.
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