Cracked Chapter Three

Scrambling to Battle

Anthony Farnham was a fisherman, like his father before him, and his father before, and so on back in the mists of Underland. He preferred to fish in the Crimson Sea, as he had found that the fish there were bigger and fetched a higher price at the market then the fish of the White Sea. His family had lived on the shore of the Crimson Sea for generations. They had been neutral during Iracebeth's reign, choosing to simply go about their business. It had lost them some customers, but they just kept fishing, bringing their catch to the market and selling as much of it as they could. Even the Frabjous Day hadn't changed the way they lived. Anthony would go out on his boat, Miss Fortune, every morning, and return every night with a cargo hold full of fish. His crew consisted of his two sons, Rodger and Harold, and the three of them worked as a well oiled unit. Everything was going smoothly. But then, disaster struck.

Anthony had awoken that morning, ready to go out and earn his living, when he heard his wife give a cry of despair. He bolted out of bed, and ran into the living room. "Rachel, what is it?"

Rachel pointed out the window, eyes wide in horror. Anthony looked out, and gave a startled cry. The sea was boiling, white flumes roiling and bubbling. Anthony ran outside, and cried out in horror at the sight-dead fish were popping up all over the place, until he could barely see the surface of the water. He gulped, and then noticed a shadow fall across him. He looked around, and cried out. He was staring at a terrifying creature. It had the head of a Jabberwock, leathery wings, a slim, spotted body, and a crest of bright feathers on its head. Its claws were long and sharp, and it opened its mouth and unleashed a jet of black fire onto the sea. Anthony screamed, and the creature turned to him, eyes blazing golden.

"Run! Run back to your cottage! Run now!" Anthony stood, frozen, and the Jubbersnatch snarled, and then flinched as if in pain. "Run, before I have to kill you! Run!"

Anthony ran, slamming the cottage door behind him, and the Jubbersnatch sighed in relief. His master's influence was beginning to wane. He wondered if that was because his mind was cracked as well as his body. 'But it's naught for usal-as long as he has my box, he has me.' With that thought, the Jubbersnatch flew off towards the White Sea.

Anthony watched as the monster flew away, and then turned to his wife. "Get packed. We're heading to Marmoreal. The Queen needs to know what is going on. Rodger, you and your brother go get the trap ready. Make sure Sally is hitched and ready."

Rodger nodded, and he and Harold ran out the door towards the stable that held the trap they used to bring the fish to market. Their horse, Sally, stood in her stable, quietly chomping hay. Harold led her out, hitching her up to the trap with practiced ease, and then led her out to the front yard. Anthony and Rachel were waiting, and the four of them clambered into the trap. "Gee-up!" Anthony cried, clucking the reins, and Sally took off at a fast trot.

Stayne stood in the barracks, inspecting his army with minute detail. He had sent twenty of his men back to the smithy to get their swords sharpened. The delegation from Witzend had returned hours earlier, with good news-the fires had been contained, and the damage-while great-was nowhere near as catastrophic as it had been on the Horrendevush Day. Stayne had breathed a sigh of relief, and ordered them into the barracks to get cleaned up.

He had worked on his sword with a whetstone until it was so sharp that he had been able to split a hair with it. He smiled grimly, and sheathed it, then addressed his soldiers. "Make sure your swords are as sharp as mine, and that your shields are in good shape. We don't yet know what it is we are facing, so arm yourselves well. Meet me on the parade grounds in ten minutes."

The soldiers saluted, and set off. Stayne went to his quarters, and began to buckle on his armor.

Tarrant was out in the garden gathering herbs for Alannah when he noticed a trap coming up the road. He shielded his eyes, and gaped as he recognized the driver. "Anthony Farnham! What brings you to Marmoreal?"

Anthony reined Sally in, and nodded a greeting. "Tarrant, I come with strange and grave news. The Crimson Sea is all a-boil, and the fish are being killed. I saw the creature that was causing the damage. I must get to Mirana quickly, so if you will pardon me."

Tarrant was too startled to say anything, and he watched with disbelieving eyes as Farnham set off down the road. 'Who would want to kill fish?' He thought in bewilderment.

"Someone with a long and deep seated hatred for them", came the reply near his shoulder. Tarrant turned, and stared at Absolem. "Think, Hatter-who would have reason to hate fish, and who was notorious for being haughty and proud?"

Tarrant smirked. "You mean besides Chessur?"

"I resent that." Chessur said in a hurt tone, appearing on a branch above Tarrant's head. "I am quite fond of fish, and I may be proud, but that is my prerogative as a Cheshire Cat. No, Tarrant. It is not me. Nor is it Absolem. Think back to Alice's second visit here."

Tarrant frowned in thought, and his eyes flew open in shock as he reached a conclusion. "It couldn't be him! Could it?"

Chessur nodded gravely. "There is a good chance it is. And if he controls what I fear he does, he is even more dangerous than you think."

Tarrant gulped. "What does he control?"

Chessur sighed sadly. "The Jubbersnatch." Tarrant gave a shocked cry, and Chessur grinned savagely. "So you understand the danger."

Tarrant was about to answer when someone else spoke up.

"Can this creature be killed?"

Chessur turned to look at Stayne. "Yes, but it is not easy. It is controlled by a small box that holds its life force. As long as that box is intact, the Jubbersnatch is invulnerable."

Stayne nodded. "And what does the box look like?" Chessur frowned.

"It's black, and small. The person controlling the Jubbersnatch will have it with him at all times. So first you will have to get the box."

Stayne smiled grimly. "I have the feeling that is going to be easier said than done. Tarrant, you had better get that stuff back to Alannah quickly so she can start concocting her healing potion. Chessur, could you help?"

Chessur nodded, and he and Tarrant set off. Absolem, who had flown to a nearby flower, looked at Stayne in approval. "I must say, Stayne, you are quite the leader."

Stayne chuckled grimly. "What can I say? War changes us all."

Alannah watched as Tarrant dumped the basket full of herbs on the counter. "Nice job. Now, we are going to concoct a very potent healing potion, so follow my instructions exactly. Chessur, stay visible. It's unnerving talking to thin air." Chessur complied, and Alannah smiled. "Thank you. Now, Tarrant-hand me three sprigs of woods bane."

The Jubbersnatch returned from the White Sea, and gazed at Humpty. "All the fish are dead, Master. Do you have any other commands?" He waited as his master processed the information, and stared at the small box strapped to his side. It was so close to him…the Jubbersnatch reached out a claw, inching it towards the box.

Humpty jumped back, smiling evilly. "Don't think I don't know what you are doing, slave. You think that you can smash your box and be set free. But it won't work. You are going to be bound to me until death."

The Jubbersnatch shook his head. "No Master, I was not trying anything like that! I swear!"

Humpty frowned. "Well, I do not have time to punish you right at the moment. I have my third command for you. Fly to Marmoreal, and tell the Queen to come to the Chess Board Battle Field in two hours time. If she refuses, kill the young of the Court."

The Jubbersnatch nodded. "Yes Master." He said dully. He took off, and Humpty giggled with insane glee, and then turned to the creatures that stood in rows in front of him-the former Card Guards. After the death of the Boojum, they had once again been leaderless, and it had been easy for Humpty to pull him into his clutches. He spread his hands. "My Army! The time has come for me to get revenge on those that have wronged me! Prepare to march to the Chess Board!"

"Captain Stayne! There's a monster at the gate!" Stayne gaped at the young soldier that had come pelting into the barracks.

"What?"

The soldier nodded, frightened. "It is demanding to see the Queen. It says if she does not see him, he will begin killing."

Stayne nodded. "Thank you, Private. I will go and tell Mirana she has a visitor."

The Jubbersnatch watched as Mirana came gliding out of the palace. She made her way to the gate, and looked at him without fear. "I am here, Jubbersnatch. Say what you must."

The Jubbersnatch stared at Mirana and spoke in a flat tone. "My Master says to come to the Chess Board in two hours time. He will be waiting there with his army." With that, the Jubbersnatch flew off. Mirana turned to Stayne.

"Get the Army ready, and make sure their weapons are sharp. We march in one hour."

Stayne saluted, and ran to the barracks. 'I hope Alannah is done with the potions.'

Alannah sighed in relief as she capped the final bottle of potion. There were over fifty bottles, and the three of them had worked frantically. Alannah smiled at her helpers. "You two are wonderful assistants." She smiled at the look of pride on Tarrant and Chessur's faces. "Tarrant, in the closet in my room there should be a large haversack. Bring it out to me, please."

Tarrant obeyed, and Alannah began piling the bottles into the sack. When they were all in, she cinched it shut, and then shouldered it. "Now. Chessur, do me a favor and go find out if the White Army is moving out soon."

Chessur nodded, and then vanished. He returned a few moments later. "Your husband has given the order to march out in one hour. They are going to the Chess Board."

Alannah smiled. "Excellent. Tarrant, you had better go with Ilosivic. You'll be needed on the battle field."

One hour later, the White Army, along with Alannah, Mirana, and Tarrant, marched out the gates of Marmoreal, heading towards the Chess Board, and war.