Misadventures in Overland Chapter Two

Departures and Instructions

Alannah checked her bags one more time, muttering under her breath. "Formal dress, day dress, trousers just in case, paper and quills for letter writing. Am I missing anything, Ilosivic?"

Stayne smiled gently at her. "No. You asked me the same thing last night and yesterday morning. You are well packed, love. Stop worrying. I'm sure that if you do find that you have forgotten something, you can find a decent substitute in Overland. Now, I believe that Mirana has the Jabberwock blood all ready for you and Alice."

Alannah made a disgusted face. "I wish there were a better way to get to Overland. That stuff is vile. Maybe when I get back I'll see if Mirana wants to try to find a more palatable method of transportation. Time knows it would make travel to Overland more appealing if we didn't have to take something that tastes like shukm."

Stayne laughed. "Very true, and if anyone can find a better substitute, it would be you. But that will have to wait. Alice has just arrived." He went to the door, and opened it, smiling at Alice. "Good morning, Alice. My wife is nearly ready. She just had to do a bit of last minute panicking."

He ducked as Alannah threw a couch cushion at him. She glared at him. "I was not panicking. I was making sure I was fully prepared for my excursion."

Stayne smirked. "Whatever you say, love." He walked over to her, and pulled her into his arms, looking at her with a serious expression. "Be careful up there, love. If anything happens to you..." he sighed. Alannah kissed him.

"I promise that nothing bad will happen to me. I'll have the Hatter and the Champion of Underland looking after me, after all. Plus, after slaying the Boojum there isn't much that can terrify me anymore."

Alice smiled. "We promise to look after her and assure you that she won't get into too much mischief."

Stayne frowned. "I would rather she didn't get into any, but that's impossible. She's a true Underlander in that sense."

Alannah grinned wickedly. "Why thank you, darling. Now, if you look on the table, you'll find a list of instructions for while I'm gone. Please follow them." She smiled at his slight panicked expression. "They aren't terribly complicated, love. You will be perfectly capable of everything I wrote."

Stayne smiled in relief, then turned and smiled at the person who had come in from the bedroom. "Hello, little one. Have you come to see your Momma off?"

Katarina still clad in her pajamas and clutching a faded doll in her arms, nodded sleepily. "I heard you talking and wanted to say goodbye to Momma and Aunt Alice."

Alannah smiled and held her arms out. Katarina came forward, and she picked her up, giving her a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Be good for Daddy, little bit. Help him look after Michael. I'll be back before you know it."

Katarina nodded solemnly. "I will, Momma." She slid off Alannah's lap and walked over to Alice, who picked her up. "Goodbye, Aunt Alice. Will you say goodbye to Uncle Tarrant for me?"

Alice grinned. "I would be glad to, little bit. Alannah, if you're ready we should get going."

Alannah nodded, and then stood from the couch. "I'm ready, Alice. Katarina, be good for your Daddy. Ilosivic, just…be good. I'll be back before you know it." She laughed at the indignant expression on Stayne's face.

Stayne frowned. "I do know how to behave decently, you know. It's just that I don't do it too often." He leaned in and whispered in her ear. "Not that you ever complained about it, my beauty."

Alannah rolled her eyes. "Goodbye, love." She shouldered her bags and left the cottage with Alice. Stayne watched her go, then walked over to the table and picked up the folded piece of paper that lay on its surface. He grinned at the writing on the front-INSTRUCTIONS.

He unfolded it and read the contents.

1. Keep Katarina away from the ponds. The water is still much too cold for swimming. But if she does manage to somehow slip in, the large green bottle on the top right shelf in my potions cupboard will warm her.

2. The key for my potions cupboard is in the sugar bowl. Please do not lose it, as it is currently the only one I have. And- Keep The Cupboard Locked Unless You Are Getting Something. I don't want Michael accidentally coming into contact with anything in there.

3. Michael's food is in the cold cupboard. He's just started on solids, so if you want to nip to the kitchens and ask Thackery for something, feel free. Just remember to duck.

4. I have prepped meals for the week, all you have to do is warm them over the stove. When I get back, you are learning to cook.

Stayne blanched, and then continued to read.

5. Don't worry about me, and have fun!

Alannah.

Alice, Alannah and Tarrant stood in the main hall at Marmoreal, trepidation on their faces. Mirana grinned. "Well, there's no sense in prolonging the agony. Drink up."

Alannah grimaced at the bottle in her hand. "Ugh. Jabberwock blood. Mirana, when I return I wish to consult you about possibly concocting a more palatable method of transportation."

Mirana smiled. "That sounds like an excellent idea, Alannah. I would be glad to assist you in any way I can."

Alannah smiled, then shut her eyes and gulped down the contents of her bottle. Tarrant and Alice followed suit. Alannah felt a strange sensation as the world became gray, and she felt herself being hurtled upward. She kept her eyes shut, finally opening them when she felt something solid under her feet. She looked around, awestruck. She was standing next to a large hole, on the grounds of a magnificent country estate. Tarrant and Alice were standing nearby, smiling. Alice spoke. "Welcome to Overland, Alannah."

Tarrant grinned madly. "Yes, welcome. I know that two Underlanders will be able to make quite an impression on these people. Shall we go and meet them?"

Alice frowned. "Tarrant, we have to get to my home first."

Tarrant looked confused, and then pointed past Alice. "But-isn't that your mother? You described her so well to me." He grinned. "Mirana must have planned it so we came up at your house rather than the Ascot Estate."

Alice turned, and her jaw dropped as Helen Kingsley came walking across the lawn towards them, shock and joy warring for dominance on her face. "Hello, Mother."

Mrs. Kingsley pulled Alice into a hug. "Alice! I am so happy to see you! Margaret is here as well, and she is thrilled at the thought of seeing you again. But you must introduce me to your friends!"

Alice smiled. "Mother, I would like to introduce you to Tarrant Hightopp, Hatter to the White Queen, and Lady Alannah Stayne, Healer."

Mrs. Kingsley smiled at them. "I am very pleased to meet both of you." She looked at Alannah. "Stayne? Are you any relation to Ilosivic Stayne?"

Alannah grinned. "I'm his wife, Mrs. Kingsley. Why do you ask?"

Mrs. Kingsley smiled gently. "Alice wrote and told me that her former enemy had been redeemed by someone wonderful. I know my daughter well, and if she says a person is wonderful, than that is good enough for me. I hope we will become friends, Lady Stayne."

Alannah smiled. "I would be honored, Mrs. Kingsley. But I much prefer to be called Alannah."

Mrs. Kingsley nodded. "Alannah it is. Now, I believe supper waiting, so if you would like to accompany me to the house, we can get the festivities under way."

Author's Note- More to come! And I have some answers to questions I've been asked.

MistyDay-Yes, I probably will have some chapters devoted to Stayne and the children. It's going to be more humorous than anything-Stayne is a pretty wonderful father, but he's always had Alannah to help.

Moon Roses- I probably will give Tarrant and Alice a child at some point.