A map, alleged to lead to buried treasure, may be in the possession of
Hawke and Cedric, known as the Bedlam Bards, according to sources at the
Mingulay Boat Store.
The map is reputed to be at the bottom of a pair of mugs last seen in the
hands of the asylum escapees. Rumor has it that the bards are unaware of
the location of the map.
"I don't think they've ever looked at the bottoms of those tankards," said
Diamond, alewench at the Painted Badger. "They usually just up-end their
drinks and call for another round."
The maps are just one part of the complex decorations on the hand-made
mugs.
"They've got the name of their outlaw band painted on the sides, plus the
seal of the infamous Clan M'Crack on the the inside," said Captain
Farrell, who encountered the fugitives in the vicinity of the far-famed Kerry
Mountains.
Sources close to Castleton Garrison report that the former Bedlam inmates
have attempted to evade the law by assuming the aliases Hawk'n M'Crack and
Bowen M'Crack. Why a pair of deranged Irish outlaws would disguise
themselves as deranged Irish troublemakers baffles authorities.
HooDoo M'Crack, founder of the clan, declined to comment. He awaits trial
for aiding and abetting the Bedlamites.
The M'Crack connection may explain the origin of the maps, which are
alleged to depict the island of San Martin. The mugs are rumored to have
been created at Martin Wood Works, a well-known M'Crackhouse.
Treasure-hunters have descended upon Martin Wood Works, located deep in
the forest of Hawkwood, to seek further clues about the mysterious
treasure map mugs.
"I don't know about no buried treasure," reported Leif Mangler, Nordic
book eraser, "but I found a pretty nifty hand-made wooden flask there, you
betcha!"
Other treasure-seekers have not left empty-handed.
"I found all kinds of wooden treasures," reported one heavily-laden patron. "I hope there'll still be some left when I come back. I'm worried about what will happen when the word gets out."