Monopolio

CHAPTER 5



On another part of the island, Alonso, King of Naples, sat on a rock with his head down. Gonzalo stood nearby, trying to comfort the king. "Sire, we should still feel some joy, even though we have suffered badly. Consider how many die in shipwrecks, and the families that grieve for them. But here we are, alive and unharmed!".

Two young nobles also stood nearby: Sebastian, theking´s brother and Antonio, Prospero´s brother. They looked indifferent, and there was sarcasm in their voices. Sebastian smiled at Antonio. "I fear the king will find little comfort in old Gonzalo´s words. They will be as bad as cold soup!" he said.

Gonzalo spoke on. "We surely have everything we need for our survival. The trees may give us food and shelter and look how green the grass is!".Antonio laughed. "It looks more brown than green to me!"

Gonzalo glared at him, annoyed, the turned to Alonso again. "Consider, Sire, how fresh our clothes look. The storm, terrible as it was, didn´t damage them at all. Surely a miracle!" he said.

"Ordark magic maybe, that will eventually destroy us!" interrumped Sebastian.

Gonzalo tried to hold back his anger. "I truly hope not, mylord Sebastian! Anyway, as I was saying, our clothes are a fresh as when we were at Tunis, for the marriage of the king´s daughter. She is now Queen, and that is a thing to make us feel joyful!" he continued cheerfully.

Now the king spoke up. "Gonzalo, no more! Your words cannot comfort me. My daugther is far from me, in Africa, and I will probably never see her again. And it was because wetravelled to the wedding that my son mas lost! Now the fish are eating him, on the bottom of the sea! he said with tears in his eyes.

Another young noble, Francisco, spoke excitedly. "Your Majesty, he might still be alive! I saw him jump into the water, and he saw strongly towards this very island! For as long as I could see him, he kept his head above the water! Indeed, I´m so sure he´s alive thatI say we should search the island for him."

"No, no, he´s gone!" Sebastian said cruelly. "I warned you this marriage should not go ahead, and indeed, look at the result of it!

Ferdinand is drowned, and who knows what may happen to us!"

"Sebastian, you see in what despair the king is!" Gonzalo shouted.

"Do not make things worse by..."

His voice grew softer, and suddenly sounded as ifhe were falling asleep. Ariel had entered and circle above their heads invisible. Her soft music had a calming effect on everyone.

"Why, I suddenly...feel...very sleepy...." said Gonzalo as he slowly fell to the sand. "I too....I..." Now Alonso fell. Soon they were all asleep, except Antonio and Sebastian. They looked at each other in surprise. "This sleep that has taken them is so strange!"Sebastian gasped.I myself feel no sleepiness!"

"Nor I"! Antonio´s voice was full of excitement. "I have never felt more awake! In fact, I´ve just has a great idea!" he said.

"And what is that?" asked Sebastian.

Antonio wanted to make sure that Sebastian would understand him. "This is the right moment for us. For you!...I can picture you wearing the crown on your head!" he told his friend."What? What are you saying?" Sebastia sounded both frightened and excited. "Are you dreaming and talking in your sleep?" he wondered.

Antonio smiled. " I told you before, I´ve never felt more awake!

But I think you well understand what I mean, he repeated.

"Maybe I do," said Sebastian and looked carefully at his friend.

"Speak on. I know this much at least: there is some importantthing that you want us to do."

Antonio looked slyly down at the sleeping men. "We have an....opportunity here. Do you agree with me that Ferdinand is drowned?" he asked.

"Yes I have no hope that he´s still alive", answered Sebastian.

Antonio´s smile grew wider. "Then who would be the next ruler of Naples, if the king die¨?"

"Alonso´s daughter, Claribel," replied Sebastian without much...