The Weaver Fish (28 page)

At the time of writing, the Ferendes is in political turmoil with a vicious power struggle between the Yiscosh military and the Democrasi. Foreign legations in Madregalo have been downgraded or closed, and offer no guarantee of assistance to nationals. International air travel through La Ferste is severely disrupted, and freedom of movement within the country is not assured. There are reports of visitors fleeing to the western plateau and being airlifted out. Expatriates who remain are strongly advised to avoid Madregalo's historic Kardia, where Fitrina's fountain has become the symbolic heart of the revolution—enlisting freedom fighters are ceremonially baptized in its water. Only streets distant, a police battalion encircles the vacant L'Orphania. The dangers are compounded by an escalating geopolitical polarization in the South China Sea, with a real prospect of regional war. This author can only stress the consensus diplomatic advice that non-essential travel to the Ferendes be delayed or cancelled. In particular, for reasons that must be clear, holders of Australian passports should not visit under any circumstances until further notice. In no way should the content of this work be viewed as an invitation, recommendation, encouragement, persuasion, inducement, incitement, or in any other way interpreted to suggest that any person, for any purpose whatsoever, travel to the Republic of Ferendes.