Queen Chichi was cross with Mercer. Of course, it wasn't his fault. He didn't mean to lose his brother. Nevertheless, the Queen made him have a time out for the rest of the day.

The Queen summoned her maids. They sat around the fire drinking tea and eating hot crumpets and honey. As everyone knows, Sackonian honey is not like ordinary honey. Some people said that eating it was why the Queen and her maids were so beautiful. Sackonian honey came from the royal beehive and it also helped those who ate it think more clearly.

"We must find Renzy," said the Queen.

"Let's ask Mr. Bumble, ma'am," said Lydia, one of her maids.

"Good idea," said the Queen.

A few moments later, the Royal Beekeeper, Mr. Bumble, stood before them in his large striped yellow trousers and black hat with its wobbling antennae.

"How are the bees?" asked the Queen.

He made a low bow. "Your majesty, they are quite well. Thank you for asking. Is there a problem with the bees? Is the honey not delicious?"

"Yes, yes, the honey is perfect. I have an errand for the bees."

"I see, ma'am." Although Mr. Bumble didn't yet see what the Queen meant.

"Mr. Bumble, what I am about to tell you is secret."

"Yes, ma'am."

"We have lost Prince Renzy. He was blown off the northwest turret on a kite. He could be anywhere."

"A kite, ma'am? May I ask what a kite is?"

"As far as Prince Mercer tells me, it is a framework of paper that flies."

"I see, ma'am." Mr. Bumble did not see. He had never seen a kite.

"And never mind about kites. Finding Prince Renzy is the important thing. I want the bees to search for him."

"Yes, ma'am. I shall pass your instructions on to the bees." He bowed low and walked backward to the door.

"And Mr. Bumble?"

"Yes, ma'am?"

"Don't let them go anywhere near the Island of Forgetting."

"No, ma'am."

There were sailors who had been just close enough to the Island of Forgetting to smell the fragrant breeze and see the palm-tree fringed, glittering lagoons. But no one who went there ever came back, because they would forget everything, and remember nothing.

Mr. Bumble climbed the steps to the apiary where the bees were practicing formation flying. He watched as they changed their formation from the shape of a pirate ship into a tea pot.

"Well done!" said Mr. Bumble. The bees now changed their shape again to look just like Mr. Bumble.

"Behave!" he said. "I have a secret mission for you."

The bees all landed and Mr. Bumble explained that they were to form into groups and search the world for Prince Renzy. And they were not to go near the Island of Forgetting.

Next