‘The world cannot have been created by thought alone. If it were not for our expertise, most dinosaur inventions and innovations could not have been realised. The creation of the world was clearly a precise and meticulously executed undertaking. Only an ant God could have accomplished it.’

Urus burst out laughing. ‘What I find most intolerable about you ants is your pitiful imaginations! Those bite-sized brains of yours are obviously only fit for simple arithmetical thinking. You truly are no more than desperately dogged cogs!’ As he spoke, he bent his face low to the ground and whispered to the ant queen, ‘Let me tell you, when God created the world, no action was required. God simply gave form to thoughts and – whoosh! – those thoughts became the world! Ha ha ha!’ He straightened up and guffawed again.

‘Sir, I did not come here to discuss metaphysics with you. This drawn-out dispute between our two worlds must be resolved at this meeting.’

Urus threw up his claws and boomed, ‘Ah-ha! Result! Here is the second point upon which we are agreed! Yes, we must come to an accord this time round. Your Majesty, you may propose your solution first.’

Lassini gave her answer without hesitation. In order to convey the solemnity of her pronouncement, the word corps added a border around her words: ‘The Saurian Empire must immediately demolish all churches consecrated to a dinosaur God.’

Urus and the other ministers in the room eyeballed each other then erupted into a great cacophony of chortles. ‘Ha ha, big words from a bitsy bug!’

Lassini continued undeterred. ‘The ants will suspend all work in the Saurian Empire and withdraw completely from every dinosaur city. We will not return or resume work until your churches have been demolished in accordance with our demands.’

‘I will also deliver an ultimatum from the Saurian Empire,’ bellowed Urus. ‘The Formican Empire must demolish all churches consecrated to an ant God by week’s end. When the week is up, the imperial army will stomp flat any ant city in which a church to an ant God still stands.’

‘Is this a declaration of war?’ Lassini asked calmly.

‘I hope it will not come to that. What a disgrace it would be for dinosaur troops to have to confront you itsy insects.’

The ant queen did not dignify that with an answer. She simply made a sharp about-turn and pattered away. The word corps parted to let her pass, closed ranks behind her and followed her to the palace door.