Chapter 11:
Marina had been hovering over Tarrant for nearly an hour. She had poured every healing potion she could think of. His bruises looked a bit better, the small cuts mostly healed. Most of the stab wound had healed
but Marina had wrapped in bandages to be sure. He still had not regained consciousness.
'With Alice gone that might not be a bad thing,' thought Marina as she soothed The Hatter's forehead with a cool and damp cloth. He had been mumbling in his sleep. Alice's name and the phrase 'why a writing
desk?' were the most common. Marina was torn about what to do. She had sent Cheshire after Alice but if that blasted cat couldn't get to Alice in time Tarrant would never forgive her. Marina stood up and began
to pace.
"Send the guards to Salazum Grum? Or fortify Memrioal?" The White Queen debated with herself.
If she split the chess pieces and Stayne were to come here, surely they would fall. To leave Alice with no help in Stayne's clutches seemed far worse.
"Where is she Marina?" came a strangled voice from behind her.
Marina turned quickly to see Tarrant pushing himself up on one elbow.
"Yea let 'er bloody go after 'im didn't yea?" Tarrant shouted at her. His arm was shaking with the effort of holding his weight. "Tell me she didn't, I bloody beg ya." Tarrant collapsed back on to the cot.
Marina pulled the blanket back over him. She dimmed the lamps and went out of the room. The White Queens eyes were tearing thinking of what her dear Hatter and Champion were going through.
"Guards!" she cried dashing to where the White Knight was standing. He bowed as she approached. "Send a battalion to Salazum Grum to recover our Champion!"
"I would do that if I were you, Your Majesty," said a voice above her.
"Cheshire!" Marina shouted reaching up to pull the cat into her hand, shaking him roughly. "Did you find her?" Chess disappeared from her grip.
"Yes I did find her," Chess informed her. He rubbed his arms with his paws. "She has a plan. I
need a vile of pishsalver and some upelkuchen quickly!"
Marina dashed to the kitchen for the cake and potion. She handed them to Cheshire who reappeared.
"Keep her safe Chess," Marina told him.
"I will my Lady. She sends her love to Tarrant. Tell him that she says not to worry and that they'll be together soon."
"I will tell him." Marina ran back to the guards. "Fortify the Castle!" She shouted. "Be safe Alice." Marina whispered looking out toward the north.
Alice was hiding with the Bandersnatch behind a rather large rock. She glanced out toward the Castle hoping no one had seen her approach. She was clutching the Vorpal Sword tightly in her hand. 'Why can't this
party be a dream?' Alice thought before whispering aloud:
"Come on Chess! You slurvy cat!"
"Well that was rather rude," Cheshire said from behind her. Alice jumped and grabbed her heart.
"Damn it Chess! I told you not to do that!"
"I have your potion. The White Queen is fortifying the castle." Alice opened her mouth to speak. "Tarrant's fine. He's healing but he lost a lot of blood. Marina will sort him out, love." Chess patted her shoulder
with his tall.
"Thank you Chess," Alice said smiling at the cat. "Now onto the plan." Alice took the potion and cake from the Cheshire's.
"Alice has been spotted on the Bandersnatch!" The 9 of Hearts cried, bursting into the throne room.
Stayne jumped up from his seat.
"Excellent. Rally the soldiers and bring her to me!" Stayne told the card.
He walked to the balcony and overlooked the Castle grounds.
"Soon Alice, I will have you and Underland will be mine."
He watched as Alice was marched into the gate by his soldier's. The Bandersnatch had escaped but that was of no matter. They marched her up into the tower cells to wait for Stayne's further instructions. He
began to laugh. He had Alice, he had left the Hatter for dead and soon he would have The White Queen's head. His tall frame shock with laughter.
"The prisoner had been taken to the tower." Stayne stopped laughing that turned to the Eight of Hearts.
"Good. Prepare the troops for battle! When I am finished with Alice with are going to take Underland!" Stayne laughed and followed the Card out.
Stayne removed his gloves as he approached the cells. Alice was sitting on the floor with her eyes down cast.
"Alice, Alice," Stayne said shaking his head and smiling. "Welcome back."
"What have you done with Hatter?" Alice asked still fixed on the floor.
"I've killed him Alice. Stabbed him in fact," Stayne told her his smile becoming a leer.
"What are you going to do with me?" She asked still not looking up.
"You Alice dear?" Stayne laughed. "You are going to remain here whilst I send my army and the Jabberwocky to crush your remaining pack of lunatics!"
Alice's eyes flicked up. Stayne stopped laughing as he was meet with bright, nearly turquoise eyes. There was a grin that was growing to big for Alice's face. Alice was soon replaced with the floating head of the
Cheshire Cat.
"My dear Knave," Chess said reappearing on the other side of the bars. "Do you really think that's going to work?"
Stayne glowered at the cat, enraged that he had been doped by this trick again!
"Where is she!" Stayne demanded, taking a swipe at Cheshire.
"Now, now don't be rude," Chess said wagging a finger at The Knave.
"Tell me you blast cat, or I'll have your head!" Stayne roared trying to grab at the cat.
"Stayne!" Came a voice from behind him.
The knave of hearts spun on his boot heel.
Alice's bare feet were filthy. Her skirt was torn and muddy. He beautiful cream blouse was ripped and the few top buttons that were missing revealed her heaving chest. Her blonde locks flying everywhere. Her
brown eyes were sharp and bright. The Vorpal sword gripped tightly in her hand and pointed and Stayne.
"Alice? How did you get in here?" Stayne cried surprised. Alice's response to this comment was to simply take the empty vile of pishsalver out of her pocket and chuck it at Stayne's forehead. It bounce off and
shattered on the floor. Alice kept her sword him.
"Chess," Alice said eyes fixed on Stayne. "Please go and tell Marina what Stayne has told us."
"Of course Love," Chess disappeared leaving the ghost of a smile.
"Twas brillig, and the slithy toves Did gyre and gimble in the wabe: All mimsy were the borogoves, And the mome raths outgrabe." Alice recited aloud, remembering Tarrant telling her.
Thinking of his brogue was giving her strength. Stayne pulled his sword from the sheath at his side. The two began circling one another.
"Are you not curious as to where I found the Jabberwocky?" Stayne asked leering at Alice.
"Not particularly Knave," Alice retorted rudely. "I'd rather hear my blade go snicker-snack!"
Author's note:
Big battle scenes coming up next!
