A Mad Wonderful World

Chapter Two Fell Down a Hole

Stayne sighed in trepidation, his eye on the rapidly darkening sky. His Patrol was currently near the Overland Entrance, and he had hoped that the storm would pass over the Crimson Sea. But now it looked like it was heading straight for them. He bit his lip. The swiftness and unpredictability of Underland storms was nefarious. He groaned, and then reached a decision. "Patrol! Into the Hall!"

He slid off Grey Star and led him towards the Entrance. His men followed. As soon as the last soldier entered the Hall, the skies opened up. Stayne thanked Time that they were all nice and dry. He smiled ruefully. "Looks like we're going to be stuck here for a bit. Anyone got a deck of cards?"

"Sir! Come over here!" Stayne looked over at Corporal Blanchard.

"What is it, Corporal?"

The Corporal bit his lip. "It's a woman, Sir. She looks like an Overlander. She's unconscious, and I think she's been hurt."

Stayne frowned, and walked over to where Blanchard stood. His eye widened. "That's Margaret Manchester!" At Blanchard's blank look, he sighed. "Alice's sister. Alice has described her enough to everyone. I wonder what she's doing here."

He knelt next to Margaret, gently tracing the cuts on her arms. "Looks like she plunged down the Hole. Once the storm passes, we'll take her back to Marmoreal and let Alannah work her magic."

Blanchard frowned. "How are we going to get her into Underland?"

Stayne bit his lip, and then shook his head. "I'm not sure. On the one hand, I don't want to risk giving her the Pishalver while she's unconscious. I might give her too much. On the other hand, the only way to get an Overlander into Underland is through the Door, and she has to be shrunk for that." He frowned in thought. "Corporal, how tall would you say she was?"

Blanchard frowned. "Five feet five inches, Sir. Why?"

Stayne sighed. "Because we're going to have to shrink her then give her the Upelkuchen-and I doubt she would be pleased to find herself suddenly taller."

Blanchard nodded, and then looked at Margaret-and his eyes widened in shock. "Sir, I think she's coming round."

Margaret opened her eyes, staring up at the strange figures that surrounded her. She focused on the rather large man that stood above her, and a scream escaped her lips. She got to her feet, and a lancing pain shot through her head. She could do nothing but sob. "Please…don't hurt me!"

Stayne smiled gently. "I can assure you that I mean you no harm. My name is Ilosivic Stayne, Captain of the White Army. I am good friends with your sister, Alice."

Margaret blinked, and then winced. "I...hurt so much."

Stayne smiled in sympathy. "You had quite the plunge down the Hole. But there's no need to worry. My wife is the Healer of the White Court. She'll be able to cure you. We just need to get you into Underland first."

She looked around in confusion. "This isn't Underland?"

Stayne chuckled. "No, this is the Hall of Doors. It's the other end of the entrance from Overland. My men and I can come and go as we please, since we're all natives-but you can't-unless you drink this."

He handed her the bottle of Pishalver. She took it, and uncorked it. "God, that smells awful."

Stayne grinned. "It tastes even worse. But if you don't drink it, you won't fit through the Door. So close your eyes and take a sip."

Margaret braced herself, then drank, sputtering at the awful taste, then cried out in shock as she began to shrink. "What's happening?" she cried out in alarm. Stayne smiled reassuringly at her. "It's not permanent. Corporal, would you be so good as to hand her the Key and a bit of Upelkuchen?"

Blanchard obeyed, and Stayne looked at Margaret. "The Door is behind that red curtain. Once you're out, eat that cake. It should make you grow to your right height, and then we'll take you to Marmoreal."

She gazed at him, skeptical, and he grinned. "The cake tastes much better, I assure you."

She walked over to the curtain, unlocked the door, walking through. Stayne and his men followed after, and Stayne smiled as he noticed Margaret petting Grey Star, babbling in baby talk. He walked up to them.

"What is it about a horse that causes women to babble mindlessly at them? Alannah is the same way. His name is Grey Star, by the way."

Margaret scratched Grey Star's star. "He looks like a very intelligent mount." She suddenly gasped as she felt the world spin around her, and she fell back unconscious. Stayne caught her before she could hit the ground, and then carefully lifted her onto Grey Star, climbing up behind her and locking his arms around her. "Apologies for my boldness, Madam, but I don't want you falling off." He flicked Grey Star's reins, and he took off at a quick pace for Marmoreal.

When he arrived, he carefully lifted Margaret off Grey Star and carried her inside. He turned as he heard a cry of shock.

"Meggie!"

Alice came running towards him. "Meggie! Is she alright? What's she doing here?"

Stayne smiled gently. "She's had a rather nasty fall down the Hole. Where's Alannah?"

Alice gulped. "In the kitchens, helping Thackery with dinner. I'll go get her."

Margaret slowly opened her eyes, wincing at the pains that seemed to shoot through her entire body. She was lying on a large, soft bed in a strange room. She began to sit up in alarm, only to be pushed back by a gentle but firm hand. A voice spoke soothingly.

"Don't try to move just yet. You had quite the fall down the Hole. I cleaned your cuts, and you've been given a healing draught. Now all there is to do is rest."

Margaret looked around. "Where…where am I?"

Her benefactor smiled. "In the castle of Queen Mirana of Underland. My husband's patrol found you a few hours ago and brought you here."

Margaret smiled. "Would your husband be Ilosivic Stayne?"

"That's him."

Margaret shivered, and a blanket was pulled up to her chin. She sighed. "Thank him for helping me."

Alannah smiled, knowing Margaret couldn't see her. "I shall. Now, get some sleep. You need to recover your strength."

Margaret snuggled into the blankets and fell asleep. Alannah left the room, and was immediately confronted by a very worried Alice.

"How is she, Alannah? How is my sister?"

Alannah placed her hand on Alice's shoulder. "She's going to be fine. She had a few scrapes and cuts, but nothing too severe. I think she was more shaken up by the actual fall itself. But give her a few hours to recover, and then you can go in and see her."

Alice sighed in relief. "Thank you, my friend. Are you sure she…"

Alannah laughed. "Yes, Alice. I'm sure. She will make a full recovery. Then you can ask her why she's here."

Alice smiled, and then turned to Stayne, who stood nearby. "Ilosivic, I cannot thank you enough for finding her and bringing her to safety."

Stayne smiled. "You are welcome, Alice."

Alice looked towards the closed door, and hoped Margaret would recover soon. She had a lot of questions for her.