Chapter ten.
As they approached the docks Alice saw her ship and even though it didn't seem possible, she started running even faster yet. James following, she jumped onto the deck and ran fast as she could into the sleeping quarters that were once hers, not caring who saw her because she wasn't getting off the boat to get in trouble anyway. She and James slowed down as they entered her ex-wardrobe, the magical mirror sitting at the end of the room, they were staring their own reflections right in the eye, Alice walked closer and closer, James just half a step behind. She touched the mirror with the tip of her finger and when it slip through that's when she stood right through the glass. James stood for a minute, shocked, scared. But remembering Alice needed him he swallowed his fear and he too walked through the reflective glass.
James fell onto Alice as he tripped, running up the stairs back to where McTwisp, Thackery and Mally were waiting with Mirana. "This is James, he's trustworthy, brave and can easily help us! Nobody here knows who he is, it's the perfect idea" Alice said in a very commanding-dont-ask-questions tone. Everyone in Underland trusted Alice so they went along with it. Planning their attack. Starting with recon, which is where James came in. "James, this is Underland. It is very real you are not dreaming, this is the white rabbit, Nivens McTwisp, the March Hare, Thackery, the Doormouse, Mally and the White Queen Mirana. Someone has taken our dear friend, and we need you to find out who." James just nodded. What more could he do?
"Okay this is our plan.." Alice started, placing a hand on James shoulder to reassure him. We need you to scope out a Castle, and abandoned Castle. If there's bad things happening that's probably the center of it all. If you're seen, act as evil as you can. Get them to trust you, and if anything goes wrong, you just say my name into this" She handed him a mirror "and you will be able to call on us for help. You will also use this communication mirror for giving us imformation about Hatter's captors. Is this clear?" James nodded again. "Good." Was all Alice said before calling in Mirana and Bayard, with a shrinking potion which James drank, got on the back of Bayard and was off. Now all Alice could do what wait, and hope her love was okay.
Bayard and James neared the ex-Red Queen's castle, stopping a few meters from the entrance. If anyone saw Bayard there they would know James was up to something. Bayard dropped the small bag he carried in his mouth and James pulled a small piece of cake out of it, eating it and returning to his original size. "Okay, here we go" he said to himself before making his way towards the gates. For Alice he thought. After all that was the only reason he was doing this was it not?
Knock, knock, knock. He tapped on the door, which was answered by a playing card, which he thought was really quite odd, but went along with it. "Hello, my name is Daniel, I seem to be lost. I arrived in this strange place just a few moments ago and already I've encountered talking flowers, disappearing cats and fat twins that would not stop arguing! Please, I just want to know what's going on, will you allow me to enter?" He rehearsed his lines quite well, very believable. The card didn't say anything, but gestured for James to walk inside. As he did, he was met by three sharp swords only just pressing against his back. The cards led him into a throne room where a woman with an abnormally large head was pacing, muttering to herself.
"Who is this!" she yelled, noticing the foreign man being led into her sitting room. "He claims to have just arrived in Underland. He says he's lost" The card answered in a rather strange, unidentifiable accent. "Leave" the Queen called "he can stay, you all get out, now!" She was just as much of a tyrant as ever. "What's your name boy?" she asked, eyeing him suspiciously. "Daniel" he replied. "What an ordinary name. I don't care much for ordinary" she replied, sounding rather bored. "May I be so bold as to say you have a beautiful head, I've never seen one quite as large as yours where I am from. The Queen blushed a little at this. She was beginning to like this boy. "Thank you son" now, where did you say you came from? "I didn't majesty, but I am from a place called London. Iracebeth stiffened at the mention of London. Why, that's where that wretched girl is from she thought for a few seconds before realizing she was staring. "Well young sir, we must find you a room in which you can stay. STAYNE!" she called, and he was standing there in a heartbeat. "Do not ask questions, but please find this lovely man a place to stay will you?" Stayne led James outside of the sitting room, up two flights of stairs and into a small room with a red door. Un-politely he pushed James into the small room and left.
"Who are you?" a quiet voice asked, James turned to see a man chained to a wall, holding an empty teacup. "My name is Daniel, I am from—" he trailed off as he realized the man was staring him down "I can tell when someone is lying, Iracebeth and Stayne however do not have such luxury. It's okay, I wont tell if you don't!" The man winked at James, making him feel slightly more as ease. "James peered outside, the corridor was empty. "My name is James, I was sent here by my friend Alice. I'm on a rescue mission to find... Now that I think about it... Chained to a wall, looking slightly mad... you. I am here to save you. Or well to find you at least, Mad Hatter" Tarrant stared at the man for a few moments. "Alice sent you?" James nodded, "prove it" he said, and James pulled out the mirror from his pocket "Alice" he whispered, and soon her face appeared in the small handheld mirror.
"Hello James" Alice smiled, "Have you found what I asked you to? And thanks again for doing this." He voice was so sweet, so calm given the circumstances. "Alice dear, your friends captors are a woman, with an abnormally huge head, and a creepy dark man with a missing eye. They really are rather odd." He was Alice's face fall. "James I must go an alert the Queen. You must not tip them off who you are and that you know me. If you see Tarrant act as though you've never heard of him, and please, try to get out of there as soon as possible. You aren't safe as long as you're there.