Cracked Chapter Four
Clash of Swords
"The White Army is in sight, Master". The Jubbersnatch was perched on the top of the ruined castle, craning his neck to see into the distance. Humpty was on the stairs below, an eager smile of anticipation on his jagged features.
"Good, slave. Tell me, who is leading them?"
The Jubbersnatch gazed into the distance, and focused on the Captain. "It looks like a man with one eye. I'm not sure, but I would almost say he is the Knave of Hearts. Why would he be working for his enemy?"
Humpty frowned. "I couldn't say. How soon before the Army arrives, slave?"
The Jubbersnatch growled softly at the indignity of being called slave, but answered as politely as he could. "Five minutes, Master."
Humpty nodded, and then began pacing up and down the Board. "Why would the Knave be working for the White Queen? They are sworn enemies. What could possibly be his motive?"
One of the Cards spoke up. "He is a traitor. He betrayed the Red Queen years ago, and left her for dead. He has forgotten where his true loyalty lies. He has become corrupted by the insipid White Queen, and by that detestable trait known as love."
Humpty's jaw dropped in shock. "He is in love with the White Queen?"
The Card laughed, shaking his head. "Oh, no. He is in love, and married to, the Healer of the White Court. They have been married for many years now, and the Captain's loyalty to her is total. He is deeply in love with her."
Humpty grimaced. "Disgusting. Well, there is no time to worry about how far the Knave has fallen. The White Army is coming." He looked up at the Jubbersnatch. "Slave! Come down here. I wish to ride you in the battle."
The Jubbersnatch bristled. "Master, I will obey any command you give me, because I must. But I am not a pack animal! I will not allow you to…" he suddenly gave a squall of pain. Humpty had his box in his hands and was squeezing it hard. He looked up at the Jubbersnatch, cold rage on his face.
"You are nothing but a pack animal, and a slave. If you do not do as I tell you, I will make the pain so much worse. So make up your mind, slave!" He smiled in triumph as the Jubbersnatch flew down from the tower. "A wise decision. Now, no more disobedience."
"Yes, Master." The Jubbersnatch replied dully. He looked over the Board, watching as the White Army took up their positions. His eyes fell on a young woman who sat astride a grey horse. She was in front of the Knave, and he had his arms draped loosely around her. The Jubbersnatch wondered why he had been drawn to her, and then noticed something odd. The woman was unarmed. Instead, she had a large haversack slung over her shoulder. Nonetheless, the Jubbersnatch felt a slight sense of unease when he looked at her. He quickly averted his gaze, and instead focused on the foot soldiers.
Alannah frowned in puzzlement. She had noticed the creature staring at her, and had also sensed the unease that seemed to be rolling off it in waves. 'Why should I cause such unease in a creature like that?'
Stayne nudged her gently, bringing her out of her reverie. "You alright?" he asked quietly. Alannah nodded. Her eyes swept along the opposing army, and she had to bite back a laugh. She was moderately successful, but a small giggle did escape her. Stayne frowned at her. "What are you so amused about?"
Alannah said nothing, instead pointing to the Army, and Stayne looked-then chuckled in bemusement. "Card Guards. I wonder who managed to ensnare them this time."
The Jubbersnatch walked back to where Humpty was waiting, and knelt in front of him. Humpty mounted him, digging his heels painfully and forcefully into his sides. The Jubbersnatch yelped, and took to the sky.
He landed in front of the White Army with a dull thud. Mirana gazed at him, eyes betraying nothing. "Humpty Dumpty. I would have never thought you capable of such a deed."
Humpty laughed maliciously. "Is that so, White Queen? Well, you were quite wrong. Ever since my fall, I have sworn that I would get revenge on all of Underland for causing me to have to live as this…deformed creature! White Queen, if not for your Uncle I would never been forced to live like this! It was he who gave the order for his men to put me back together! You can see what a fine job they did!"
Mirana sighed. "I am not responsible for what my Uncle did. He thought he was doing what was right, and his men did the best they could. Humpty, you are blinded by your revenge. But you can still redeem yourself."
Humpty glared at her. "You tried that trick with your sister once, and she gave you the same answer I will-No. I have worked too hard for my plans to come to naught. So, White Queen, prepare for battle. Cards, ATTTAAAACCCCKKKK!"
The Cards charged, weapons drawn, and the White Army met the charge. Alannah quickly slid off Grey Star's back, allowing Stayne to charge into battle. She wove her way through the lines, making her way to the back. She felt something brush her cheek, and smiled. "Chessur, show yourself."
Chessur chuckled, and formed in the air in front of her. "How did you know it was me?"
Alannah grinned. "I know how your fur feels. Now that you're here, you can be my aide." She opened her haversack and handed him two bottles. "Here, you should be able to carry those. There's enough potion in one bottle for three soldiers. If you see anyone wounded, give them one drop of that, and they'll be cured. But don't give them anymore than one drop."
Chessur took the bottles, and nodded. "Aye, My Lady."
Alannah watched as he vanished, then turned her attention back to the battle. She quickly found Stayne amongst the fighters. He was battling two Card Guards at once, and Alannah briefly admired his skill before noticing that a Rook had been wounded. She grabbed a bottle from her haversack and dashed to its aid. "Hold still. I'm here to help you."
The Rook nodded weakly, and Alannah gently opened his mouth and poured a drop of the potion down his throat. "Swallow that." The Rook obeyed, and his wound closed up. The Rook smiled in gratitude at her.
"Thank you, Lady Stayne!"
Alannah smiled. "You are welcome. I have more wounded to tend to." She ran off, weaving between battlers, and knelt beside a pawn, once again administering her healing potion.
Stayne watched out of the corner of his eye as Alannah wove in and out of the battlefield, tending to the wounded, and marveled at her bravery. She seemed unconcerned by the fighting going on all around her. Stayne chuckled quietly, and then leapt back into the fray, dispatching two Card Guards with a sweep of his sword. He never noticed Humpty Dumpty slide off the Jubbersnatch and head towards where Alannah knelt.
Alannah was about to administer another dose of the potion to a Knight when she felt the blade of a sword against her throat. She froze in horror, and heard a voice full of insanity.
"Lady Stayne, I am going to ask you to drop that bottle you are carrying on the ground, and then I want you to stand up slowly."
Alannah complied, and then slowly stood. She had recognized Humpty's voice, but she realized that to say so would be catastrophic. Instead she adopted a tremulous tone of voice. "Who are you?"
Humpty cackled madly. "That is none of your concern, Lady Stayne. What I want you to do is get the attention of your husband. I don't care how you do it."
Alannah smirked in defiance. "And if I refuse? What will you do then, egg man?" She blanched as Humpty pressed his sword deeper into her throat, drawing a fine line of blood.
"Any more insolence, Lady Stayne, and I will have the Jubbersnatch tear you to pieces. Now, call your husband."
Alannah gulped, and then smiled savagely. "No."
Humpty growled in rage and released her. "Very well. Jubbersnatch! Come to your Master!"
The Jubbersnatch landed, and looked at him. "I am here, Master. What new command do you have?"
Humpty looked at Alannah. She glared back at him in clear contempt. "Give the order, Egg Man."
Humpty grinned madly. "Very well. Slave! You know the Knave of Hearts?" The Jubbersnatch nodded. "Good. My command is this. Kill him, and make sure he suffers before he dies."
Alannah gave a strangled sob. "No…"
Humpty turned to her. "Not so brave and contemptuous of me now, are you?"
Alannah couldn't answer him. She watched in horror as the Jubbersnatch landed in front of Stayne, and gave him a blow with his tail that sent him flying.
Stayne landed hard, the breath knocked out of his body. He lay gasping, and the Jubbersnatch came forward, claws bared. He swiped down, and Stayne quickly rolled out of the way. Again and again the Jubbersnatch struck, and Stayne managed to avoid the claws for a while. He scrambled to his feet, gasping in exertion, and the Jubbersnatch struck once again, and Stayne screamed as his shoulder was clawed open. He felt his arm go numb, and the Jubbersnatch swung his tail, catching Stayne in the head. Stayne went flying, and landed in a lifeless heap on the ground, blood flowing from the wound in his head.
The Jubbersnatch was about to deliver the killing blow when he heard a strange sound. It was low at first, but then it grew in volume until it seemed to pierce the air. He wasn't the only one who heard it-the two opposing armies had stopped fighting, so strange was the sound. They soon saw the source.
Alannah came walking forward. Her eyes were blood red, and she was growling in pure rage. She stalked towards the Jubbersnatch, growling and snarling, and he felt a surge of pure terror. He gulped, and began stammering. "Please, don't kill me! I had no choice! I had to obey Humpty Dumpty! He's the one that made me do this!"
Alannah cocked her head, and grinned evilly. She turned her mad gaze on Humpty, and grinned-and Humpty went pale with terror. Alannah walked up to him, and he started to speak. But before he could say anything, she had picked him up. She held him over her head, and then threw him as hard as she could.
Humpty had time to think about how badly he had messed up before he hit the hard stone of the battlefield and shattered into a million pieces.
Alannah smiled savagely at the sight. She spun around as she saw a shadow fall across her, and gazed at the Jubbersnatch in curiosity. He gazed sadly at her. "I don't know if you can understand me, but I want to ask a favor of you. There should be a small box among the remains of my former master. I want you to smash it."
Alannah frowned, and then went to where Humpty lay smashed. She picked up the box, turning it over in her hands, and then shrugged. She placed the box on the ground, took Humpty's sword, and sent it crashing down onto the box. The box shattered, and Alannah turned to the Jubbersnatch, who lay on the ground. She went over to him, and he smiled weakly. "Thank you." With that, he closed his eyes and died.
Alannah stared at him in mild curiosity, and then jumped as she felt a hand on her shoulder. She spun around, snarling in rage, and Tarrant gulped. Alannah was keening at him, and he could see her body shaking. He grabbed her shoulders, and locked eyes with her, speaking softly. "Alannah. Come on, come back. You can't let your madness take over. Your husband has been hurt, and he needs you. Come back. Alannah, remember who you are. You are a Healer. You are strong, stronger than your madness. Come back."
Alannah slowly stopped trembling, and Tarrant sighed in relief as he noticed her eyes slowly seeping back to their natural brilliant green. She gave a keening wail, and Tarrant held her steady.
Alannah looked around the field, and gave another cry as she noticed Stayne lying prone on the ground. "No, no, no, no, no, no…" she ran over to him, and dropped to her knees.
"Please, please…" she reached out a trembling hand and felt for a pulse, sighing in relief as she felt it. But it was slow, and Stayne's breathing was erratic. Alannah moaned in anguish. Tarrant came forward, and without a word handed her a bottle of her potion. She stared at it for a moment in pure stupidity before gently forcing open Stayne's mouth and pouring it down his throat.
Nothing happened, and Alannah gave a cry of pure agony. She fell on him, sobbing. "Ilosivic, don't you dare leave me! I cannot live without you! I will be lost. Please, my love, don't leave me!"
Tarrant came forward, and was about to gently pry Alannah away when he noticed that Stayne's breathing had become steadier. He smiled in relief. "Alannah?" She didn't respond, and Tarrant tried again. "Alannah."
She spoke, her voice muffled by Stayne's armor. "What, Hatter?"
Tarrant smiled. "I think he's going to make it. He's probably going to be unconscious for a bit because of the blow to the head he took, but he's going to live."
Alannah spun around. "He...Oh, Thank Time!"
Mirana came forward, and Alannah felt a surge of shame. "Mirana, I…"
Mirana held up her hand. "Alannah, I know that you are about to apologize for letting your madness take over. But you do not need to. You were justified-your husband had been injured, and he would have been killed. I know you are adept at controlling your madness, but every once in a while everyone loses control. But think about this-even when you thought you were controlled completely by your rage and hatred, a small part of you still listened to Tarrant, and knew that your husband would need your skills, and your love."
Alannah gulped, nodding, and Mirana smiled. "So, apology accepted, and you had better get Ilosivic back to Marmoreal."
Alannah nodded, and whistled. Grey Star came trotting up, and knelt in front of her. Tarrant helped maneuver Stayne onto the saddle, and Alannah vaulted up behind him. "Grey Star, go carefully, but go quickly." She locked her arms around Stayne, and clucked the reins. Grey Star clambered to his feet and took off at a quick canter.
Mirana turned to the remaining Card Guards. "All of your Masters are dead. My sister, the Boojum, and now Humpty. I had thought once of asking you to join my ranks, but I see now that you are too easily swayed by promises of power, and that you are only loyal to those who would do evil. Therefore, I am banishing you from my Realm for all time."
One of the Cards spoke up. "You are sending us to the Outlands?"
Mirana shook her head. "The Outlands are a part of my Realm. I am Queen of Underland. You are being banished to Overland. You will be nothing but a pack of cards, unable to speak or move-fit only for humans to play with. You will forget you were ever living."
A wind sprang up, catching the Card Guards in its grip, and they screamed as they were sent flying. Tarrant watched grimly. 'Good riddance.'
The first thing Stayne noticed when he opened his eye was that it was dark. The second thing he noticed was that he was lying in a bed, covered with a sheet. The third thing he noticed was his wife curled up in a chair by the bed, sleeping. He smiled. "Been there long, love?"
Alannah's eyes flew open. "Ilosivic! You're awake!"
Stayne was about to answer her when she flew out of the chair and pounced on him, kissing him as hard as she could. Stayne responded, kissing back just as hard.
Alannah finally came up for air, and pressed her head against his. "I…I'm sorry." She whispered her voice hoarse. Stayne frowned.
"Sorry for what?"
Alannah looked at him, and then told him what had happened on the battlefield. Stayne smiled, and kissed her. "You have nothing to be sorry for. I'm here, and apart from a slight headache, I'm feeling quite marvelous. But I do have a question. How long was I out for?"
"Five hours."
Stayne's eye widened in shock. "And were you in that chair the whole time?" Alannah nodded, and he grinned. "Well, that simply won't do. You belong in this bed. Of course, simply being in it wouldn't be too fun either. Therefore…"
Alannah yelped in surprise as he flipped her onto her back, and smirked at her. "As I was saying, I think perhaps we need to make up for the five hours lost."
Alannah nodded eagerly.
Author's Note-One more chapter to go-the children come home.