Chapter One
Alice found she had missed the bumpy carriage rides. Her ship had made port not two days ago but she had had to stay behind at the offices and sort out all odd ends with Lord Ascot and his associates. Now she was off to see her mother, who -at the invite of Lord Ascot- was spending the summer at his estate.
She pulled back the curtain and pushed her face against the cracked-open window. The crisp, English air felt good, felt like home. She stared off into the dusky sky and was reminded of China. The bright, lovely colours, the warm air, filled with rich scents.
Suddenly, another memory flashed before her eyes, of a man made of bright, lovely colours, a warm gaze and filled with the rich scent of tea.
Why is a raven like a writing desk?
The rocking of the carriage shook the images away and she sighed, frustrated. This man had tickled her mind ever since the failed engagement party. And though she felt she should know him, she could not bring herself to make more of him than a dream. Whenever Alice thought of it for too long, there was a bad taste in her mouth, the taste of guilt; as if it were something she ought to have remembered.
Why is a raven like a writing desk? It isn't at all like a writing desk. But I suppose that's the point of it all. Chess would prob- Chess? Who is Chess? I don't think I know anyone by that name. Ah Alice, you really ought to get some rest. But it doesn't look like you will tonight, does it now?
In the distance, she could see lights, streaming out the windows of the Ascot estate. Too many lights shone too brightly for comfort. Squinting, Alice could make out torches, illuminating the path up to the estate. There were numerous carriages and what appeared to be ladies in ball gowns and gentlemen in their finest attire streaming out of these carriages and into the building.
Alice lay back with a huff and closed her eyes. This was surely Lady Ascot's doing. Her mother would not subject her to this sort of thing. Wearily, she set her gaze upon the estate once again and decided to let it be.
There's really no harm if they are just welcoming me back...
The carriage pulled up shortly afterwards and Alice managed to slide out unnoticed. She slipped into the estate and wandered through the guests, searching for her mother or sister. The whole house had been opened up, so people could comfortably float from room to room and not feel confined to the ballroom. Everything was lit up magnificently, all prized and expensive possessions being shown off. She marvelled at some of the more exotic items before moving to keep her head down and continued her search. But alas, Alice stuck out like a sore thumb in her state of travel clothing and not a glittering gown. It wasn't long before she was recognized and all fell silent, eyes glued to her.
Bother... She thought as she smiled sheepishly at everyone.
An arm wrapped around her waist and a large, warm hand took hers. Alice drew in a sharp breath as she was spun around quickly and led into another room, larger, brighter and much more extravagant. She was being swept across the dance floor so quickly that guests nearly had to dive out of the way.
She was reminded of being gently pulled across an elaborate tea service.
Well, as you can see we're still having tea and it's all because I was obliged to kill Time waiting for your return. You're terribly late you know. Naughty. Well, anyway, time became very offended and stopped altogether. Not a tick ever since.
The music stopped. Alice was standing before her mother, sister and Lady Ascot. She looked to her right but the man that had led her here was gone. She missed the comfort it had brought. Not because she was afraid, but because it filled the void her loneliness had carved into her. Something missed that she didn't even know was meant to be missed.
Lady Ascot raised a brow as Alice looked back at them. The quiet still held the room in shock at her whirlwind appearance.
"Alice..." Her mother's warm voice broke the spell, "welcome home dear." She swept over to her daughter and wrapped her in a tight embrace. Margaret joined them with a bright smile on her face.
Alice felt right again and held on tightly. She had missed them, both of them. All thoughts and dreams were dissolved as she finally realized she was home. It hadn't quite hit her until now and her smile grew thrice its original size. The ball went on as Lord Ascot entered, his wife hurrying to greet him.
"Oh how I've missed you both! I have so much to tell you! China is a beautiful place, and everything is so full of life and colour. And the food! You wou-"
Alice's mother put a gentle finger to her lips. "Come now dear, I want very much to hear of your journey, but let's get you cleaned up a bit."
Alice would have protested, but she felt no real need to. It was getting slightly stuffy in the ballroom and she was beginning to feel absolutely mad.
Two days earlier...
In Marmoreal, the White Queen was returning from her own journey. She had gone off to assess the damage her sister had inflicted across the land and to bring aide to those in need. Many had been starving and without home. But the Queen had not been so disturbed, until she had gone into the catacombs of Salazen Grum and found so many innocent creatures, children even, imprisoned unjustly, awaiting some ill fate. The Queen had helped where she could, but some were beyond the repair of her healing magic.
Underland was free, yes, but it was scarred, horribly, deformed. It would never be quite the same again. She closed her eyes against the memories and steeled herself to meet her court, the carriage rattling to a stop. The door opened swiftly and a brightly-cuffed, thimble-fingered hand was offered to the Queen. She took it with a knowing smile and floated out of the carriage, guided by Tarrant Hightop.
He bowed his head to her and she nodded to him and all her courtiers as they followed suit.
"Your majesty." They all greeted.
Mirana acknowledged all of them, though she felt anxious to get away to her private offices.
Tarrant, sensing this, began making excuses for his Queen.
It wasn't long before Tarrant and Mirana were alone in the Queen's private office. She sighed and dropped down into her seat, her hands cradling her face in a very uncharacteristically hopeless manner.
Tarrant sat across from her, waiting quietly, patiently for her to speak. As he waited, he took off his hat and set it in his lap, dusting it off and pulling loose hairs from it.
Mirana lifted her face and watched him, knowing that he was doing all he could to contain himself.
"It's worse than I thought," she said, finally. Tarrant nodded after a moment. "I don't know if I can do this alone."
"What of the Oraculus?" The Hatter's whisper was barely audible.
Mirana smiled sadly.
On her trip, she had detoured to the Hall of Mirrors, where the Oraculus resided. The Oraculus being a sister Oracle to the Oraculum. But instead of telling the days of Underland, it predicted the times of the Uplands. Only Royalty could enter the Hall and if anyone -including royalty- tried to take the Oraculus from the Hall of Mirrors, it and the thief, would turn to popperscoff. Mirana, in her banishment, had not been able to enter the Hall to check on Alice, and Iracebeth was never even told of it. The Queen, hoped to keep it that way.
"She doesn't remember us Tarrant."
The colours seemed to drain from him, as if he were turning to stone right before her eyes. He pulled his arms around himself and stiffened.
"Is she still away?"
"No."
He breathed life, eyes brightening.
The Queen winced.
"But... Things went too well for her to not return. She's stubborn, she won't pass up the opportunity."
Silence again as Tarrant stared at Mirana.
"Nothing has changed since you last looked upon the Oraculus." It wasn't a question, but a blunt statement that they both had to come to terms with.
"I'm afraid not." She confirmed.
Mirana watched Tarrant as gathered himself, as a broken statue may pick it's broken pieces up, and simply walked out of her office. She continued watching his gloomy form meander down the hall and then jumped when he ripped a tapestry off the wall and smashed numerous other hangings and furniture. He screamed incoherently in Outlandish.
Mirana got up and shut the door, leaning back against it. She was only able to listen as her dear friend delved deeper into his madness.
