When Time and Alice were no longer in sight, Tarrant motioned to open the scroll only for Chessur to place his paws over the magical paper. The cat who was known for smiling had a solemn face. He was not objecting to Tarrant's curiosity, nor of Alice's method of unveiling the past, but he wanted to make sure his friend knew what he was getting into first.
"What you'll find in this scroll may not be to your liking Tarrant, and I don't expect you to remember the events, but this is how it has happened," Chessur warned.
The Mad Hatter blinked at the foreboding words from his friend before giving a Curt nod and rolled out the Oraculum onto the floor and the endless scroll peeled out along the floor. Looking back to Chessur, Tarrant frowned.
"Wherever am I to start?"
"Try Hickum's day- no, Doddles Eve," came an exasperated Nivens who climbed the staircase, collapsing a few steps before the landing.
"Nivens, how good of you to join us," Chessur purred as he floated to the White Rabbit's side. "Tell me, have you been acquainted with Death?"
As Chessur coaxed Nivens up the remaining steps Tarrant committed the thought of Doddle's Eve onto the scroll and the picture calendar began to detail the recorded history. Plucking Mally from his shoulder, Tarrant set the Dormouse to the floor and the pair began to walk together, observing the days that they were present for in picture, but could not recall themselves.
For the two of them, Doddle's Eve started out like any other day in the age of the Red Queen. They were at Thackery's for tea, but the only thing out of place was a young girl.
"Mally, who is that child?" Tarrant asked as the mouse stepped into the school to observe the details closer but she shrugged and looked back up to the man.
"I dunno, but she seems to be pretty important. Most of the pictures follow her," Mally said as she ran further down the Oraculum's story stopping only once she saw Tarrant's top hat. "I didn't know you were a witness to a trial at the Red Queen's, and oh look! The trial was for the nasty Knave!" Mally shouted and Tarrant knelt down to see Ilosovic Stayne in chains.
"Surely I would remember a day such as this! An uninvited guest and condemning the Knave in the Red Court?" Tarrant quickly shook his head. "This can't be right."
"Oh Tarrant, come quick! It's the girl from our un-birthday party, and she is huge!" Cried Mally who was only two of his steps away. Sure enough, it was the same child who had joined their party, but she was at least the size of a house here and Tarrant quickly concluded that it was from eating upelkuchen and the two carried on.
As soon as the little girl no longer appeared in the Oraculum the two could recite the days without missing a beat. They jested at the good days and jived at the bad days as well. This went on for half of forever until they reached Griblig Day and saw the Black Queen running from the Bandersnatch.
"Mally, you saved the Black Queen!" Tarrant shouted in disbelief and Mally blinked at the imagery of her seizing the Bandersnatch's eye.
"Nonsense, we just had a common enemy, that's all," Mallymkun replied bitterly before skipping down further to see that Alice came to a tea party and Mally paused. "Oi, 'Atter, I think that little girl might be the Black Queen." the Dormouse said waving Tarrant over before setting her paws on her hips. "And this time you are saving her from that bloody Knave!" The mouse laughed but Tarrant frowned.
"Why would I be saving her from the Knave if they were married?" Tarrant asked, Mally offered a shrug in response and Tarrant continued to walk along the edge of the Oraculum. Judging by the story that history had woven, it would be open for one to assume that the pair were friends. He had sacrificed his freedom so she could escape the clutches of the Red Queen's cards, and she traveled to Crims in an attempt to save him.
Another few steps down and they were reunited in Marmoreal with the White Queen. The three of them together, Alice with all of his friends, and there seemed to be no trace of distrust or loathing. It confused the Hatter terribly, but that was nothing in comparison to the image of the Black Queen lopping off the head of the Jabberwocky.
"But… I slew the Jabberwocky," Tarrant whispered.
"Do you recall how you did away with that wicked beast?" Chessur asked as he appeared and draped himself over Tarrant's shoulder. He couldn't say. He couldn't even remember what details Mirana gave on the day- if she gave any.
Shaking his head in defeat, Tarrant continued along and when Alice vanished from Under the pieces made more sense again. They weren't complete in his head, but he could remember most of what he saw. Before he knew it he and Alice were together again though now it seemed that it was Alice sacrificing her freedom for his well being. The Knave standing over them with a sword in hand which was surely meant to execute him.
Tarrant's bandaged fingers traced over the picture of Alice holding his face as she placed a kiss to his forehead. This wasn't the wicked Black Queen he believed to know. This was a woman who appeared to care greatly for him, and he cared for her evidently.
"I don't understand," Tarrant said as he sped down the line inspecting the scroll for any hints that would explain what caused him to forget but he grew only more flustered. Mirana was on more than friendly terms with Time, he and Alice attempted to escape the Black Kingdom only for Alice to be attacked by the White Knight- Tarrant shook his head, his green eyes shifting to a purple as he tried to make sense of all the madness that he was not familiar with. He stopped in his tracks again at seeing himself with Alice and Mirana on the battlefield. He wished he knew what had been said between the three of them so he could know why he was attacking her in such a horrid manner. He turned his eyes to Mallymkun who looked mortified at the savagery Tarrant had attempted, and then he looked to Chessur.
"Did- did I really do that?" Tarrant asked, afraid of the answer. When the cat gave a bow of his head Tarrant clasped a hand over his mouth and shook his head. "No- surely there must be a mistake, I.. I don't even like her- why would I attempt to…" Tarrant stopped himself and dropped his hands to his sides and continued to walk not wanting to put his foot in his mouth any more than he already had. He had distressed the Black Queen greatly yet the woman had not seemed to hold a grudge against him for the wrong he nearly committed to her.
Time's scroll showed him the events that were unknown to him but suddenly he began to remember conversations again. Tarrant backtracked half a pace and inspected the image of Mirana and him having tea. This was it. The moment that made all the other moments run away from his mind.
"Mirana… made me forget?"
…
Fiddling with the baldric that carried a blade from Time's armory, Alice made her way back to where she had last seen Tarrant and the others but was surprised to see Nivens in a rather deep conversation with Death. While Time promised to make a batch of phisalver and some upelkuchen, Alice figured she would say her goodbyes to her friends. Not wanting to interrupt Death and Nivens, Alice turned her attention to the unrolled Oraculum and followed the scroll believing she would find Tarrant on the other end.
Alice did not pay attention to the pictures that moved at her feet. She was not concerned with the past as much as she was for the future. Alice couldn't say how long she had walked when Tarrant's figure finally came into view but she quickened her steps seeing that he was in a fit of rage.
Tarrant swung madly at the bookcases around him as Mally and Chess tried to redirect his anger. Hitting a single bookcase could cause a domino effect and crush them all again. Neither Mally nor Chess were of enough size or muchness to restrain the Mad Hatter, but Alice could. Without thinking, Alice hugged Tarrant from behind and held his frame as tight as she could.
"Hatter, stop this!" Alice pleaded, but the man had already ceased his flailing. Alice regretted having thrust the Oraculum upon him now, but she knew he would not take her word on the past. "I'm sorry I made you see this," Alice spoke as she rested her forehead on his back.
When Tarrant's hands found their way to her hands, she half expected him to start breaking her fingers to be released but was instead pleasantly surprised to feel Tarrant resting his hands on top of hers.
"Ye 'ave nothing to apologize about, Alice," Tarrant mumbled sadly and shook his head, still frustrated that he did not know anything about the woman other than the lies he had been fed. "It is I who should be sorry, but I don't know how to be sorry about things I do not remember."
Alice tightened the hug briefly before she released her hold and Tarrant turned to face her. His white face had always exaggerated his features, but at this moment the man looked as though he would crumple from his distress. His eyes were set on the floor, unable to look Alice in the eye after discovering the wrongs he had done.
"I cannae remember who we were together, what I meant to you or what you meant to me. I only remember seeing you in Mekhane and- Oh I surely would have killed ye," Tarrant whispered as he moved to cover his face but Alice had taken hold of his face first and was shaking her head furiously.
"It's okay Tarrant, I know you didn't mean those things," Alice assured as best as she could. "We'll get your memories back."
"And what if we can't? What if you remain to be a stranger to me? What if-"
"Then we will make new memories, Tarrant," Alice said with a smile as her hands fell from his face. "You'll always be my oldest friend. Memory loss or not, I still need my Hatter." Tarrant returned a sad smile of his own and nodded.
"I still hate the Knave, no matter what he is to you or what you are to me," Tarrant warned but was surprised to hear a laugh emit from the woman.
"And I'm positive that Stayne feels the very same about you," Alice replied as she took her hands back. "I don't expect you to join me in rescuing him, but I could really use your help Tarrant. I don't know what I'm going to find, but I think I will need a friend."
The Mad Hatter contemplated Alice's words before he took off his hat and gave Alice a bow.
"It would be an honor, my queen," Tarrant stated and Alice smiled and shook her head.
"It's just Alice, but thank you, Tarrant," Alice said as she knelt down to collect the Oraculum but paused at seeing the final scene displayed was that of Niven's and Grail smuggling Alice up the rabbit hole, the rest of the canvas was blank.
"That's odd, isn't it?" Alice asked pointing to the beginning of the blank space and attempted to roll out the scroll further but that was the end of it. "Why doesn't it show what I've missed here?"
Tarrant, Mally and Chess all exchanged blank stares and shrugs, unable to answer the riddle when Nivens approached them.
"You know, Death is far kinder than I would have imagined him to be," said the White Rabbit. Alice turned her attention to Nivens and motioned to the scroll again.
"Nivens, do you have any idea why Time stops history here?" Alice asked as the rabbit inspected the scroll for himself.
"Well, I might have a few theories, but I think it may be best if we just ask Time for ourselves. Where is he by the way? I do have a few questions that I hope he can answer," Nivens said as he slicked back his ears, expecting Time to show up but Alice shook her head.
"He is making some pishsalver and upelkuchen so I can sneak into Marmoreal and rescue Ilosovic," Alice replied as she took a glance down the aisle. "Where is Death?"
"Oh! Yes, Death said that he has been called away for business and who am I to stop Death?" Nivens replied and they all nodded in agreement just as Time arrived with a satchel in hand which he tossed to Alice.
"Now that you have all that you need from me, I'd like you all to leave," Time grumbled as he crossed his arms. Nivens moved to roll the Oraculum but Alice placed out her freehand to the rabbit and stared at Time.
"The Oraculum is supposed to show all that ever has been or will come to Under, yet it stopped recording the day I was forced to leave Under. Why?" Alice asked.
"I'm getting tired of saying this over and over again to you. I cannot keep track of anything with all of this free will and lies mucking up the land," moaned Time. "What I wanted was you and Ilosovic to be gone to prevent this very problem and instead it only wrecked more havoc! I can hardly see five minutes ahead or ten minutes ago without exhausting myself- asking me to trace back years while my will is thrown aside by you lot is like asking a worm to crawl onto a hook."
Alice frowned and looked to the Oraculum again. While she loathed the scroll with all her might she knew it would be handy to have. It could potentially even tell her when or where to find her husband.
"Well, what if you changed your mind?" Alice asked turning her attention to Time once more, winning a laugh from the man she questioned.
"Change my thoughts on you two? Now that is madness," Time tisked moving to walk away but his wrist was caught by the Black Queen's grasp and he turned to face her again, furious with the boldness of the woman.
"You could work with us, not against us," Alice implored. "Even if it is a temporary truce, if you could just reconsider your opposition to my presence, to Ilosovic's survival, it could help you feel more like yourself again," Alice suggested before releasing Time. "Besides, what have you to lose?"
Time's curiosity was piqued at this plan, and the woman was right. There wasn't much he had left to lose, other than this hole he had secluded himself from the rest of the realm, and should the plan fail horribly he would at least take Alice out with him in his defeat. Looking to the Oraculum, Time sighed and nodded.
"Very well, Alice, you have convinced me," Time said as he freed himself from her grip and cleared his throat. "Until further notice, I want you to succeed. I wish you to enter Marmoreal, reunite with that greasy stick of a stable boy known as Ilosovic and end the reign of the White Queen," Time said half-heartedly but suddenly pictures began to form on the ancient scroll. Nivens gasped and followed the updated history as it went, Tarrant and Mally chasing after the White Rabbit as Alice and Chessur remained at Time's side, both of them wearing triumphant grins.
"See, was that so difficult?" The cat asked as Alice turned to follow her friends, her lips still turned upwards as she heard Time groan.
"Yes, it was. Now if you'll excuse me, I must catch up on everything that I've missed as well!" Time sneered before retreating to his chair to consume the last six years in peace before his guests started asking more from him.
Tarrant and Mallymkun watched the history unfold, the last several years had been rather pleasant for Under's maddest trio, but there weren't many images of their past. Alice noticed there also wasn't so much as a single glimpse into Ilosovic's situation as she passed the two and gained on Nivens. According to the Oraculum, Mirana's daughter would be the one most worth following.
"Her name is Lily," Nivens stated, making Alice stop. "She is a very sweet child, and she somewhat reminds me of you when you first came to Under. Curious and full of thoughts." At least, that's what I could tell from behind Chess's.
"Do you know who her father is?" Alice asked and it was Niven's turn to stop. He glanced at Alice nervously. Mirana wasn't one for courting, not publicly anyway.
"I do not," Nivens whispered as Chessur entered the conversation.
"I suspect that the child belongs to Time," the cat purred, making both Alice and Nivens look up in shock. Chessur widened his grin. "The White Queen rode off into the battle of Mekhane as thin as a board, but when she returned to Marmoreal it looked as though she had a small melon stuffed up her dress," Chessur said while crossing his paws underneath his chin, delighted to share the gossip.
Alice frowned at the information. A child conceived by Mirana and Time must be horrid, but the little girl who had clung to the White Queen looked as innocent as a dove. Alice had to check herself mentally, as Charles didn't hold an ounce of the violence his father carried, nor any of the violent tendencies she held. Children could be good that way sometimes.
Turning away from Chessur, Alice followed the Oraculum again. She saw herself stepping through the looking-glass and knew she was close to seeing the future, but stopped at the sight of Tarrant and Mally sitting down at a nearly blank canvas. A picture was in the process of forming. It was clear to Alice that Time had to fill in the last few years, and was still in the process of gaining some of his influence back.
"I do hope that I get to see if I will remember what I've lost," Tarrant mumbled before looking up to Alice with a smile. "It would be grand to know I haven't always hated you."
Alice smiled sadly at her friend. When they did recover his mind, Alice held the concern that he would remember fully how he had felt about her and not forgive her for her choices. But this journey would have to be traveled step by step.
"What's taking this picture so long!" Mally asked as she stepped onto the Oraculum, tapping the scroll with the tip of her pin. "I think I've seen this fellow once before," the Dormouse stated, drawing Tarrant and Alice closer to the scroll. The picture was formed enough for the trio to make out the figure of a knight, but it wasn't just any knight, it was THE White Knight.
"Oh bloody hell! He doesn't give up does he?" Alice asked, wondering where they would run into him next. Waiting for the rest of the picture to form, a pair of ears came into the frame, and Alice knew exactly where and when he was. "This is happening now-" Alice breathed and hauled Tarrant to his feet. "Winthrop is outside with Thackery now!" Alice cried out and ran down the line of bookcases, everyone following until they came to the staircase.
They were several flights up, and at the rate things were going they would not make it to Thackery in time to stop the White Knight. Looking to Time who was nestled in his chair comfortably, Alice rushed to his side and grabbed him by the collar, stirring him from his working nap.
"You need to stop the clock, our friend needs us!" Alice pleaded but Time offered a mocking look of sympathy.
"Oh, you mean the March Hare do you? Sorry, Alice, but that's a complaint you will have to take up with my brother," Time said with a grin.
Alice glared at Time before releasing him to dig into her satchel and pulled out a piece of upelkuchen and opened her mouth to take a bite, but Time shouted holding up his hands and obliged to her request by clapping his hands. Alice and her friends suddenly found themselves at the entrance of Time's library.
"That's the best I can do for you!" Time shouted from several flights above. "Better get out there before it's too late!"
Alice couldn't argue at the moment. Swinging the door open the group observed Winthrop raising Thackery off the ground by his ears with one hand as the other reached for his sword.
"Stop your squirming! I'd hate to have to stab you more than once!" the White Knight growled as the brown hare thrashed wildly in the hold.
Seeing this, it was Mally who charged out first, screaming with her pin needle drawn. "Pick on someone your own size!" roared the tiny mouse, making Winthrop question where the potential assailant was charging from, but his blinded eyes were able to make out the silhouette of Alice. Smirking, Winthrop tossed Thackery aside and stepped over Mally without notice.
"Alice, I've looked everywhere for you, which is really very hard to do, given that you ruined my sight," the elderly yet spry man boasted as he neared the pestering band. "Now, if you would be so kind as to accompany me back to Marmoreal we can end this nasty business."
"I'd sooner take an invitation from a jabberwocky than go anywhere with you!" Alice shouted as she pulled out the blade she had taken from Time's collection. Winthrop heard the unmistakable sound of a sword leaving its sheath and sighed. He hadn't expected Alice to be armed but that couldn't be helped now.
"Very well, Alice. Have it your way," the man muttered as he placed two fingers into his mouth and delivered a winded whistle.
Alice and Tarrant delivered confused looks to each other when they were suddenly standing in a shadow. All eyes went to the sky to see the talons of the Gryphon descend upon them. The group quickly scattered from the doorway in all different directions, save for Nivens who retreated back into the safety of Time's library, slamming the door behind him.
Rolling to the ground, Alice looked over her shoulder to see the winged beast soar into the sky again. Having missed the opportunity, it would surely circle around and bombard them again. Getting to her feet, Alice looked to Tarrant who was making his own recovery.
"Tarrant! Subdue the knight!" Alice shouted as she dodged the jaws of Bayard. "Chess?! If you are still with us, we could use some help!" Alice called jumping away from the hound again and again, truly not wanting to harm the dog in any way.
It was Mally who answered the call to rein in Bayard. The dormouse had managed to climb upon the dog's back and traveled the length of his spine until she reached his head. Plopping herself down onto his neck, Mally seized the dogs ears and began to pull at them as though they were reins, successfully steering the hound away from Alice.
The woman turned her attention back to the sky as the hybrid creature rounded its flight pattern and began to dive towards her again. Gathering her muchness, Alice fled into the forest where she could hopefully even the odds with the cover of the forest canopy.
Rushing through the brush, Alice listened for the flapping of wings between her rushed breath and the breaking of branches. In her time training with Stayne, this kind of attack was impossible for her husband to recreate, but the spontaneous attacks he had put her through would hopefully prove to be beneficial for such preparation.
Suddenly the branches ahead of her had crashed to the forest floor along with the Gryphon. Sliding to a stop, Alice held up her sword just in time to block the murder intent beak of the beast.
Alice stumbled back from the force but managed to keep her hold on the sword. Looking at her surroundings she quickly darted to her left side seeing the forest thicken compared to the original path she had been on, believing if she could get deep enough into the wood she would have the upper hand.
As she ran she heard the Gryphon screech and charge after her. She turned to look over her shoulder, a mistake given that the path before her turned to a slope and she tumbled down the forest floor, losing her weapon as she rolled down the hill. Once the fall was complete, Alice looked up to the top of the hill, expecting to see her attacker charge again, but was instead surprised to see her own likeness standing over her. For a moment, Alice considered asking if she had died and was having an out of body experience, but she quickly determined that was not the case when she met the eyes of her doppelganger. Great big, blue cat eyes stared back at her.
"Chess?" Alice asked softly and the cat impersonating her held a hand to his lips to gesture silence before running away.
As Alice watched, remaining completely still. She could see in her peripheral vision that the diversion worked as the Gryphon was now chasing after the illusion. Sitting up, Alice worried that her friend would be harmed in the process of saving her life, she began searching for the sword. Alice spotted the blade a few feet away, after grasping the hilt again she bounded after the beast and her friend.
Chessur kept his eyes ahead as he ran from the beast without the slightest bit of concern for his welfare. He had a plan for this the moment he watched Alice run into the forest. The eyes of the predator chasing him would be so focused on Alice's form that the Gryphon would truly not know what hit him.
Chessur grinned as they approached a tree that had a thick and sturdy trunk. He could feel the beast's hot breath on his back and he increased his speed, and just before he would collide with the trunk, Chessur summoned his evaporation skills, turning to mist before the Gryphon's very eyes. The winged creature tried to pull up but the momentum he had built up couldn't be stopped in time and the monstrous foe crashed into the tree head first, knocking him out cold.
Alice slowed herself seeing the Gryphon and searched the area again for her feline friend as he reappeared in the branch over her head and the two exchanged knowing smiles to one another.
"You had me worried there, Chess," Alice said as the cat floated down to her eye level.
"I can't let you and Tarrant have all the fun," the cat replied looking back to the Gryphon. "With any luck he will be out for a few hours, luckier still if he wakes up and forgets this ordeal, or at the very least does not care to follow us," Chess said as he gravitated back towards Time's door.
"I must admit Chessur, I'd avoid following you after a stunt like that too," Alice said cheerfully. "But we should hurry back, hopefully Tarrant managed to get Winthrop under wraps," Alice urged, quickening her pace.
...
Stepping out of the wood and into the open, Alice sighed with relief seeing that Tarrant and Thackery were able to pin Winthrop down. Mally was still riding an irate Bayard, though the hound had lost much of his endurance. With her sword still in hand, Alice neared Winthrop and placed the tip of her blade to his chin.
"Alright Winthrop, enough games! Where is Mirana keeping Ilosovic?"
Winthrop scoffed at the question, his eyes moving in the direction that Alice's voice came from.
"I assure you, I have no clue what you are talking about," the knight confessed. Alice looked to the pair that sat on top of his back to keep him down and the stared back offering only shrugs. She shook her head not willing to believe that someone so close to Mirana could be left in the dark on something this big. Kneeling down, Alice drove the blade into the ground, the edge of the sword nearly close enough to cut Winthrop's face, in fact the blade had cut off the finely groomed mustache on the left side of his face.
"I have on the very best authority that Ilosovic is currently being held as a prisoner," Alice started as she lowered herself to the ground to meet the blinded man's eyes. "I need to know where Mirana is holding him captive. Now."
Silence lasted temporarily before a laugh erupted from the White Knight. He couldn't help but laugh at the new information. He had believed that Mirana had chopped his body up for her witchcraft. That Stayne did indeed bleed out in Mekhane, but he was not furious with the potential of Stayne's continued existence. If anything he was thrilled by the news.
"Well, I wish I could say I am surprised about this but it does make a good deal of sense," Winthrop said with a smirk. "I've been wondering who or what has been responsible for relieving the queen of her quiet rage for years now, and the reasoning for her having lifted the ban on murliled and potions like it. That woman never ceases to amaze me, and if this is all true I am sure that she hasn't stopped surprising Ilosovic either."
Alice held back her urge to bring her sword closer to the subdued man. Pulling it from the ground, she sheathed the weapon once more. Alice cast her gaze to the door to see Time and Nivens approach the group as Bayard collapsed from exhaustion, Mally rolling off of his back, dog-tired as well.
"I really can't wait any longer-" Alice said as she approached Time. "Are you fit to travel yet? I'm aware of some of the powers you possess, Time. You can make yourself come and go as you please. Wherever and whenever," Alice noted folding her arms. "And I need you to take me to Ilosovic this very moment."
Time rolled his eyes at the demand and brought his hands to his temples, massaging the skin rigorously.
"I've barely the energy to avoid the stairs in my own home! Taking myself somewhere other than here would take a great deal of more healing, but taking you along for the ride is out of the question!" Time groaned as he shook his head. "Besides, even if I could make such moves, I am unable to track Ilosovic." Alice opened her mouth, surely to confront him on the issue but he waved his hand in frustration. "Did you not hear what our esteemed knight said? Mirana no doubt has your husband higher than jubjub birds during mating season!"
"I don't understand," Alice murmured in confusion. "You've haunted him mercilessly back in Deces, why is going to him in Mamoreal any different now?" Alice asked following Time as he walked away in frustration only to be stopped by a gentle grasp from Nivens paw.
"Time can't find Ilosovic because Ilosovic's mind isn't where it should be," Nivens began before looking to Tarrant for assistance but Tarrant's, but Nivens was vaugely aware of the effects the potent liquid had. "Time hasn't been able to record anything on Ilosovic because collection requires a steady stream of thought, something that is rather impossible to maintain with murliled."
"One minute you can be experiencing pure bliss, the next you are in a living nightmare," said Winthrop as he was hauled to his feet by Tarrant, his hands bound by Thackery. "Even when the effects wear off, you're left in a muddled state of mind. Given how long Mirana has been keeping this a secret, I would argue that Ilosovic hasn't had a sober day since you left." Winthrop grinned. He had the option of picking the bottle back up, but he opted to stay away from the sickeningly sweet and bitter stuff. "Oh what I would give to see what sort of state that worthless stain is in now," the White Knight said with blithe.
Alice narrowed her gaze on Winthrop before turning her attention back to Time who was at the door of his home. If Time couldn't find her husband, then search all of Marmoreal to bring him home. Reaching for the ring that hung around her neck, Alice paused and looked to Bayard and rushed over to the defeated hound.
Bayard bore his teeth at the woman but relaxed his lips as Alice scratched behind one of his ears, an itch that had been neglected for nearly the entire day. He could not resist the reflex to kick his leg at the pleasant feeling.
"Bayard, you may not recall it, but we are friends." Alice whispered as she stopped her actions and folded her hands into her lap. "I need your help more than ever, I need you to lead me to Ilosovic," Alice whispered and the dog gruffed.
"To consider the request would betray the White Queen," Bayard replied as he rose to his feet. "Why would I aid the enemy crown?"
Alice wished more than ever for a remedy to bring back the lost memories of her friends. It would make life so much simpler if they could just remember who she was and not who they thought her to be.
"There was a time when you were separated from your family," Alice said as she swept a lock of hair from her face. "You would have done anything to get them back to you and I currently find myself in the same position. I must get my husband back so that he can meet our son."
Bayard's gaze softened at the mention of the child.
"You share a pup with the Knave?" Asked the hound and Alice gave a nod with a sad smile. Bayard furrowed his brow in thought as he sat his hind end down. Inhaling deeply the dog sighed and gave a nod of his own. "Very well, I will help you to track down Ilosovic, but only that for the sake of your pup."
Alice smiled and threw her arms around the hound, burying her face into his chest as her fingers scratched along his spin, winning a few thumps of his foot in the process. Turning her head over her shoulder Alice eyed her growing party of companions. With the White Knight as a captive, Alice couldn't trust leaving the man unguarded, and she certainly couldn't trust leaving him in the company of Time. Temporary truce or not, Time could easily betray her at a moment's notice.
"Tarrant, Thackary, Mally, Nivens, you should return to the Hare's home and take Winthrop with you. Time, Chess and myself will go to Mamoreal to rescue Stayne."
Time froze at the plan's unveiling and shook his head. "I ought to ask my brother to end me here and now."
