Mythlands: THE HEIST

Part Two: Titanic

Much later, George and the Golden Goose discussed their adventures over brandy and cigars.

'We were lucky up to that point,' the Goose had said, mournfully raising his glass to fallen friends.

'Indeed,' replied HG Wells, lifting his own glass. 'They shall not be forgotten, those brave stalwart fellows.' There was almost the hint of a tear in the writer's eye, threatening to cut through his very Victorian, English reserve.

'You're still writing then?' the Goose had asked, raising a wing to signal for another round of drinks.

Wells nodded. 'I have transcribed my journal notes into chapters old fellow. The name of the Hare must be vindicated and I for one would see that worthy gentleman's honour restored in the eyes of all Mythlanders. They know not what fate they avoided and what it cost us to render null, a destiny most profoundly tragic and one that could rightly be called The End of Days.'

The Goose took a drink. 'We suffered our own tragedies.'

'Indeed we did sir, indeed we did.'

'What will you call the book?'

Wells mused. 'I was considering War of the Mythlands, but my concern is that my readership would think me overly indulgent and perhaps guilty of repetition.'

'I like it.'

'Then I might combine it with a secondary title I was considering. War of the Mythlands: An Adventure whereby The Hare saves us all.'

The Goose nodded. 'Maybe a tad long, but it suits your literary style. What are you calling the chapter you're working on now?'

'It is called The Titanic Entrance to Domain City ... maybe just Titanic.'

'Titanic is better.'

'Indeed, for that moment, where we crashed headlong through the barrier ... it was a moment for Titans. Do you recall Goose, how the esteemed Mr Rubberduck crashed through, followed by Mr Pig Pen and the enchanting Widow Woman. How Mr Prime transmogrified himself from his vehicular mode to smash at the walls with his mighty fists and hold off the baying hordes of ... I believe Mr Rubberduck referred to those corrupted law officials as smokey the bears?'

The Goose puffed out a smoke ring. 'I'll never forget. They sacrificed themselves so we could get away and head for the Castle. My heart was pounding like a jackhammer and I was hungover to boot!'

'You maintained an admirable calm dear friend. Why, I myself was quaking in my boots.'

'You looked calm to me.' GG lifted his glass, 'To those who fell at the city walls. To Duck and his good buddies, to Prime and the Duke brothers. To the Sons and all the others who gave their lives so we could slip away for the final reckoning.'

Wells hefted his own glass. 'To those who died and returned none the wiser and to those who will never return.'

Their glasses clinked.