Knave of My Heart

Chapter One-Exile

Stayne was certain that if he had to hear Iracebeth shrieking about how he had tried to kill her one more time, he was going to go stark staring mad. They had been walking for what seemed like hours, and still she continued to rant at him. He clenched his teeth, and focused on simply trying to ignore her. That did no good. Her shrill voice penetrated his very being. Finally, he snapped.

"SHUT UP!!!" he shrieked, wheeling on her, hatred and rage stamped on his face. Iracebeth gaped at him, then immediately begin to scold.

"How dare you speak to me like that!" she yelled in fury. Stayne gaped at her, and then laughed maliciously.

"I will speak to you however I please, Your…Majesty", he replied, his voice dripping with hate. "You no longer have any power. I was a damned fool for ever agreeing to serve a selfish, stuck up, spoiled brat. I have despised and loathed you for as long as I can remember."

Iracebeth looked at him with what she fancied was an expression of pity. "You don't mean that, do you my dear Knave? I know you're upset over the Exile."

Stayne interrupted her coldly. "I would not be in exile if not for you, and I abhor you more deeply than you could possibly imagine. If it were not for the fact I would be forced to drag your worthless carcass around with me, I would strangle you."

Stayne smiled wickedly at the look of shock that came over Iracebeth's face, then grimly turned around and stalked off, dragging her along with him.

As he plodded resolutely onward, he reflected on the events earlier in the day.

He had been sure that Tarrant was going to kill him. The look of rage, insanity and bloodlust in his eyes had terrified Stayne, and all he could do was hope that it would be over quickly. Then perhaps he would finally be free. But Fate had other plans for him. Over the clash of swords, he heard a clear, high voice. "OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!!"

A dead silence fell over the battlefield, and the soldiers watched in amazement as the head of the Jabberwock came rolling and bumping down the stone steps as the body fell from the tower to land in the sea with a gigantic splash. All eyes turned to watch as Alice descended the stone steps, triumph in her gaze.

Suddenly, Iracebeth cried out in shock as the crown floated off her head and through the air, changing as it did into a wide crown of silver. Slowly, it floated across the field to hover over Mirana. Chessur, who had snatched the crown, gently and reverently placed it on her. Mirana breathed deeply and approached her sister, speaking in a voice full of authority.

"Iracebeth of Crims! Your crimes against Underland are worthy of death. However, that is against my vows. Therefore, you are banished to the Outlands. No one is to speak to you, or acknowledge your presence. You will not have a friend in the world."

Stayne had approached her, hope in his gaze. "Majesty, I hope you bear me no ill will".

'Please. Please let her understand that I had no choice.' His heart sank at the cold look he received from Mirana.

"Except this one. Ilosivic Stayne, you will join Iracebeth in banishment from now until the end of Underland." As the shackles closed over his wrist, he felt a surge of terror.

Stayne swore softly to himself. Tarrant had knocked the dagger out of his hand with one swift throw, and had destroyed any hope Stayne had of being free. His former Guards had dragged him off as he screamed and begged for Mirana to kill him.

Iracebeth interrupted his thoughts. "Can't we stop just for a moment? I'm not used to all this walking."

Stayne sighed, looking around. They were in the most desolate region he had ever seen. The trees were skeletal, and the grass beneath their feet was dry and brittle. Even the sky was dull and overcast, almost as if the sun itself shunned the Outlands. But what unnerved Stayne the most was the utter silence. It seemed to be almost a physical thing, pressing against his eardrums so completely that he was nearly overwhelmed.

"I don't feel like staying in this forsaken place any longer than I have to. But you are right, we could use a rest. Come on."

He walked over to a tree, and sat down underneath. He looked up at Iracebeth, who was still standing, a comical expression of disgust on her face. Stayne sighed in exasperation and yanked on the chain, sending her off her feet. She yelped in surprise as she crashed to the ground.

Stayne steadied himself against the tree trunk and closed his eye. "I'm going to try to get some sleep. Please do me a favor and keep that bloody trap of yours shut."