Rangers In Wonderland
Chapter 7 – Magic
A/N: Hello all! Sorry I know this chapter was meant to be Saturday but some health issues caused a delay. I've worked out the plot and how this will all end so I hope you stay tuned. Until then, ENJOY! R&R PLZ!
"What can you tell us about the prisoner?" Kendall asked the guard escorting them.
"He was leading the group of monsters described to us. He is a magic user your Majesty but we've bound his hands. He should be contained."
"Good." Mirana nodded. "Where is he now?"
"In the infirmary per your Majesty's law. He was hurt in the skirmish as well as we sought treatment immediately. We've separated him from the men though, he's the reason most of them are there in the first place. He's in one of the private recovery rooms."
"I understand. Thank you, go down to kitchen and order food for all the soldiers. I will see the prisoner personally."
"Yes my Queen." The card knight bowed and left them at the infirmary entrance. The group went in, passing by the cots filled with soldiers groaning or sleeping. They were being tended to by a hodgepodge of creatures with white armbands, presumably signifying themselves as nurses or doctors. Mirana turned right and headed through another door into a hall with rooms on either side. The sound of a loud voice brought them to second spot on the right where their prisoner lay shouting something no one cared to listen to.
Shelby gasped, "Heckyl!"
Finally the man stopped his yammering. "Ah ranger, good to see you. And who've you brought with you? The sugarplum princess?"
"You'll speak with respect you cretin," Tarrant growled but the Queen laid a hand on his arm.
"I am Mirana of Marmoreal," Mirana said coldly. "The White Queen of Underland, ruler of this realm." For her part, whatever Mirana was expecting when she went to meet the prisoner, this was not it. It was definitely not an ordinary looking man in a black suit with a blue cravat and blue wisps in his hair. True to the guard's word, they had already chained and wrapped his hands to prevent him from using any magic against them. He was littered with cuts and bruises and one large gash on his leg. "Why have you come here?"
"For the energems of course, but you knew that."
"How did you get in?"
"The mirror. Had the same energy as the rabbit hole and took a chance."
"That mirror hasn't opened for me in decades. I thought it would have been destroyed in the fire," Alice added.
"It wasn't. You're not me." Heckyl replied smugly.
"Clearly." Mirana said flatly. "Would you all excuse us? I'd like a word. You can also inform the orderlies that I will be overseeing his care from now."
"Your Majesty don't believe that comes out of his mouth." Shelby urged. "He's a liar through and through!"
"I understand. I don't intend to ask for his allegiance or anything that requires trust." Mirana assured her. "I just want to know something and make sure he's stays away from my subjects. Now go, all of you."
Reluctantly each one turned and left, leaving the Queen who began to look after Heckyl's leg. "Why are you here?" she asked.
"I told you-"
"Allow me to rephrase, why are you a part of this? You clearly have abilities that surpass those around you. You were able to enter Underland through a doorway sealed by Time himself. You don't need those gems."
"No. I don't. They're for my master Sledge."
"Must you continue to lie?" The Queen's eyes cut to him. "You have no master. I can sense you. The light. The dark. The power. You are where you want to be."
"Present circumstances notwithstanding," the man lifted his restrained arms.
"No including present circumstances. You were captured on purpose and until you tell me why, I won't let you leave this place."
"You say as you heal me. What is the point of mending my wounds, if you'll kill me regardless?"
"Kill you? Never. You'll be kept prisoner yes, but I will not execute you."
"Torture then? Lovely."
"I do not hold with such things. It is against my vows to harm any living creature, you included."
Heckyl stared at her incredulously, "But you are the Queen, surely you have harmed someone!"
"No one. Ruling doesn't necessitate violence. Fear does."
"And you fear nothing, is that it?"
"Close. I have nothing to fear." Mirana rejoined. "My subjects live peacefully and prosper under my rule. They have no need to take umbrage with me and if they have concerns, they know the appropriate ways to go about rectifying the situation. I am respected therefore I am in control hence nothing to be afraid of."
"And you're certain of that?" Heckyl scoffed. "Yeah no, I'll pass. Fear is better than being liked."
"Not if you wish to remain in power for any meaningful length of time," Mirana told him. "Ask my sister if you don't believe me. She held the throne with violence and suppression for a while but in the end, the crown came to me and has stayed here ever since and, unlike her, with nary a whisper of revolt."
"She just wasn't doing it right then. Power is absolute. Once you know how to hold it."
"Yes it is." Mirana finished her ministrations and stood. "My sister used her power in such a way that made sure she had enemies working against her every day. That was her downfall. She had to win forever but only needed to lose once. I used my power to ensure the security of my position for the rest of my life. And you, for all your capabilities, squander your power chasing a delusion and thus denigrate yourself to calling a monster like Sledge your master."
"You know he isn't."
"You still put yourself in a place where it was advantageous to say that." Mirana said sardonically. "That can't have felt good. At any rate, get comfortable, you're going to be here until you decide to be honest with me. I will come back…eventually. And when I do, I want to know why you're here and what you really want."
Heckyl watched her leave pensively, "Fascinating."