The White Rabbit in Up-Top.

…Or…

The miss-adventures of Nivens McTwisp.

Mirana's eyes brimmed with angry tears as she watched the sorry procession making its way up the marble steps of her home. Refugees; fleeing the carnage of the Red Queen, making their way to Marmoreal; the last safe place in all Under Land. They came slowly, all of them homeless, all injured in some way. Some still bore the expressions of terror on their faces, staggering and lost in shock. All they could do was stumble onwards, eyes vacant, spirits crushed. They followed the crowd because it was their shaken minds could think to do.

No matter how many times Mirana witnessed the sad sight, her elder sister's cruelty galled her every time.

"My Lady..." A smooth voice, cool and nonchalant as a spring breeze was the only indication of the Cheshire cat's presence. Without turning, Mirana asked;

"Where?"

"Southern Snudd." He said.

"Why?" She asked. Though her heart dreaded the answer.

"The mayor sneezed after smelling the Red Queens favorite rose. She took it as an insult."

"So she destroyed his town…" her voice was a dangerous whisper.

"Cheshire, what of the resistance fighters stationed there?"

"Most of them managed to escape."

"Most?"

"Bayard Hamar, his wife and their pups were captured. Fortunately, the queen thinks Bayard will be useful, so for now, they are safe from the block."

"Enough."

The white queen took a deep, steadying breath. She could feel rage burning a hole in her stomach. 'That would not do.' A rational part of her brain whispered. She must, simply must control her temper. If she gave in to that rage, she would be no better then sister. Too many lives relied upon her being the better monarch.

As she exhaled, she noticed that her hands had fallen to her sides and clenched themselves into tight fists. (Of their own accord, surely, gasped her mind. Such a violent gesture was against her vows!)

"Cheshire?"

"My Lady?"

Mirana could almost swear she could hear his trade-mark grin growing across his face. She turned to face him, and smiled as charmingly as she could, bringing her hands to their usual place, just below her line of sight. She preferred to keep them there when they weren't making themselves useful. Here she could watch her hands, make sure they behaved themselves. After all, her mother had always told her that un-supervised hands were the devils tools.

Or, something like that, anyway.

"Thank you, for leading the injured here. May I implore one more favor of you?"

"Of course, my queen."

"Summon McTwisp to Marmoreal, please. I need to see him urgently."

She turned back again, looking over the balcony, satisfied as her wonderful and chivalrous palace guards ran from their barracks to aid the wounded. Grimly, to no one in particular, she said;

"The frabjous day is almost upon us. Nivens McTwisp must bring Alice back to Under Land. It is time to end this madness. "

To be continued…