by C. J. Archer
The withered Lord Indrid shuffled forward. "Her Majesty the Queen of Hearts, Ruler of Wonderland, charges Miss Alice of…England with treason after she left Wonderland without permission from her queen."
"She was a child!" Seth shouted. He tried to move forward but the soldiers on either side of him pinned him between them. "She didn't have any say over what happened to her. If you want to charge someone, charge those who sent her there."
"I already have," the queen said. "Then I executed them."
Seth's mouth went dry.
Alice half turned and gave her head a slight shake.
"Her highness has a right to legal representation," Sir Markell announced.
The air seemed to be sucked from the room. Dozens of heads swiveled in Sir Markell's direction. Sir Markell didn't appear to notice.
"Markell," the general hissed. "What are you doing?"
"The honorable thing," Sir Markell said. "She is still a princess of Wonderland and deserves to be referred to as highness."
"You dare to call the usurper by the title that was stripped from her?" the queen spat. "The title that I stripped from her?"
"According to the royal charter, that's not lawful. She is a princess for life. It's only her lands and possessions that are forfeited upon being found guilty of treason. Speaking of treason," he went on, as if the entire audience hadn't just gasped at his audacity, and as if the queen wasn't casting him murderous glares, "it's not entirely clear whether she is guilty of departing Wonderland at the age of three. After all, she had no say in it. It could be argued that she was kidnapped. A proper unbiased trial is required to—"
"Her departure was illegal because I say so! She has committed treason because I say she has!" The queen's face had gone as red as her dress. "General! Cut out your brat's tongue. It offends me."
Sir Markell swallowed. He lifted his gaze to his father. The general met it and gave the barest of nods before squaring his shoulders. "I cannot. He's right. Furthermore, Her Highness the Princess Alice is the true heir—"
"Enough!" The queen stamped her fist on the throne arm, over and over as the audience gasped. "Guards! Seize him!"
The men dressed in white stepped away from the walls and advanced, swords drawn. The general was unarmed, as were the rest of his soldiers.
For what seemed like a long moment, the audience of nobles simply stood, unmoving, as if they were watching a play on the stage. Then a woman screamed and chaos erupted.
The audience ran for the doors, pushing one another out of the way, calling one another names.
In contrast, the queen's guards advanced in silent, deadly unison.
"Men!" the general ordered. "Formation!"
The soldiers moved into the middle of the room and stood in a circle with their general, their backs to one another. They hunched into fighting stances and withdrew knives from their boots. Not unarmed, then; the general was no fool.
Seth pulled out the knife he'd stashed in his boot back at Lichfield and saw that Gus did the same. The blade felt good in his hand, its weight balanced, the metal cool and hard. If he timed his first move right, he could dodge the nearest guard's sword and strike low and fast. But they were outnumbered, and Seth couldn't be certain if the soldiers could hold their own against the guards.
"Back," Seth ordered Eva, Alice and David. "Get behind me and Gus."
But Sir Markell already had Alice's hand. "Come with me, Your Highness. I know a way out."
"My friends too," Alice said, taking Eva's hand. "All of them."
Sir Markell pressed his lips together, and Seth thought he'd refuse. "I'll try, but I can only defend you."
"We'll take care of Eva and David," Gus said.
"Alice too," Seth said. "I'll protect her, Ironside."
She moved to join him but Sir Markell put his arm around her. "She stays with me. The guards are highly trained."
"You think us incapable?"
Sir Markell simply grunted and drew a knife from his boot. As he straightened, the guards attacked.
Seth dove and rolled, thrusting up with his knife as the nearest guard's sword sliced down. The stab, although not deep, unbalanced the guard and his blade missed its target. Seth pushed to his knees and jabbed his knife into the guard's side, finishing him. He snatched up the sword and jumped to his feet, just in time to deflect a second guard's strike.
Seth dispatched him, only to find two more replaced him. Out of the corner of his eye, Seth saw Gus take on another two. He'd also grabbed a fallen guard's sword, but he didn't have fencing training like Seth, and he wielded it more like a barbarian with a club. Seth needed to help him but he couldn't get away from his attackers.
An unlikely ally arrived in the form of the soldier who'd marched them up from the dungeons. He bled from a cut on his cheek, but he was armed with a sword now and used it with finesse.
There was no more time for admiration, however. There were more guards than soldiers but the general had taught his men well and they held their own. Sir Markell had joined Gus and they fought as a team. The women and David stood to one side, out of the way. The queen was nowhere to be seen. Perhaps she'd fled. Her guards couldn't save her now. The tide had turned, and the numbers were even.
Then the doors flung open wide and more of the white-clad guards surged in. Distracted, Seth didn't see the blade until it was too late to do anything other than flinch.
Another sword intercepted it inches from Seth's face and the general dispatched the guard with a killing blow to the throat. Blood sprayed across Seth's face and gushed onto the guard's white tunic.
The general didn't seem to notice that he was covered in blood. "Go!" he shouted. "Get away! Markell, protect the princess."
Sir Markell dispatched a guard and eyed off the advancing replacements. "What about you, Father?"
"I'll stay. I trained most of these guards. Perhaps some will listen to me." He readied himself for the onslaught. There were only four soldiers left, including the general, and more than twenty guards. They didn't stand a chance. "Go now before it's too late."
Sir Markell looked pained. "I'm sorry, Father."
"Don't be. I should have done something years ago, but…" His fingers flexed around the sword. "But I was afraid for what they'd do to you and your mother. I'm proud of you for doing what I could not. Now go!"
Sir Markell clasped his father's shoulder before joining Eva, Alice and David. He ushered them to the back of the room. Sir Markell touched a panel and a hidden door opened. He pushed David in and the rest followed.
Seth caught a glimpse of the narrow corridor ahead before the door behind them closed, cutting off the light. Eva's hand reached back and caught his. He squeezed gently to reassure her.
"Put your left hand on the wall to guide you," Sir Markell ordered. "This corridor bends and forks but we always want to keep left."
"How far?" Alice asked.
"As far as it goes."
The sounds of fighting grew fainter. Somehow the general and his soldiers had managed to keep the guards away from the hidden corridor, but it wouldn't be for long.
Seth's eyes grew accustomed to the dark enough that he could make out Eva's shape but no one ahead of her. Their footsteps and breathing were the only sounds. No one spoke.
And then he heard it. Voices from behind, the pounding of boots. The guards were coming.
Seth, Gus and Sir Markell would have to hold them off while the others went on ahead. Hopefully there would be no guards to meet them at the end of the tunnel.
Yet Seth held out little hope. If Sir Markell knew where the tunnel led then surely the queen and her guards knew. There could be more waiting for them. They had no choice now but to continue.
Seth wasn't sure when he noticed the darkness recede. It happened gradually. He could make out the figures up ahead; the dark green of Eva's dress, the bouncing tendrils of her black hair.
Then he saw why it had grown lighter. The corridor came to an end at a set of narrow stone
steps. The steps led up to a door that had been thrown open. David, first in line, hesitated.
"Go!" Sir Markell shouted.
When David didn't move, Alice pushed past him. He followed. Eva's fingers tightened around Seth's. He found it oddly comforting. If whatever was on the other side killed them, at least they wouldn't die alone.
The first thing Seth saw as he exited the tunnel was four dead bodies clad in the white uniform of the queen's guards. "Who—"
Hands grasped his shoulders, pulled him forward. He stumbled into Eva and she put her arms around him to steady them both.
"Sorry," Seth said, absently.
Six men surrounded them. They wore no uniform, just the same dun colored tunics the villagers wore. Blood stained their swords red.
They silently helped Gus and Sir Markell from the tunnel then pointed along a steep path that led down the hill. One of them clasped Sir Markell's arm in greeting.
"How many?" the man asked.
"I don't know," Sir Markell said. "But they're not far behind."
"You go. Get the princess to safety." His glaze flittered to Alice, who stared wide-eyed back him. It was the only sign that she was afraid.
Sir Markell hesitated.
"They can only exit one at a time," his friend said. "Go."
Sir Markell clapped him on the shoulder and moved up alongside Alice. "This way," he said. "Once we reach the forest, we'll be safe."
"What forest?" Gus asked.
Sir Markell didn't answer. He took the lead, checked to see that everyone followed, and descended the hill.
Seth glanced back toward the castle's outer wall looming over them, blocking out the sky. Gus shoved him, and Seth fell into step behind Eva.
The path wasn't well trod. Bushes grabbed at his sleeves and scratched the backs of his hands, and his boots slid on loose rocks. Eva lost her footing and Seth grabbed her around the waist to stop her falling.
"Careful," he said.
She peered up at him. Her dark eyes swam. "Thank you."
They made it to the base of the hill where the village swallowed them. They traversed down crooked lanes and wove between the stalls in the market, taking first one direction then changing. Despite their caution, people stared. Seth heard them utter Sir Markell's name followed by "Princess Alice" in hushed tones. Seth didn't know if they would protect their exiled princess or give her up. He didn't dare wait to find out.
Someone must have given them away, because two guards caught up to them at the edge of the village. The fools shouted for them to halt, alerting the party to their presence. Gus and Seth fell back and dispatched a man each. Sir Markell hadn't waited. Only Eva slowed. She drew in a deep breath when Seth and Gus rejoined them.
Residences gave way to warehouses, a weighing house, shipping offices and even a temple. A giant white marble statue of a semi-naked man holding an octopus in one hand and a boat in the other overlooked the wharf. The octopus was twice the size of the ship and its tentacles reached the statue's knees.
"Impressive," Gus muttered, staring up at it.
"Admire later," Seth told him. "Looks like our ship's about to set sail."
Gus followed his gaze. "You call that a ship? Doesn't look like it'll stay upright in a stiff breeze."
"Fortunately there's no wind today," Eva said. "Come on. Or would you rather add more blood to what you're already wearing?"
They piled onto the boat and two dockworkers pushed them away from the wharf. Without a breeze, the sail hung as limp as an empty sack. Sir Markell and two of the crew took up the oars. Seth and Gus joined them but they needed another. Everyone looked to David.
"I can't row," he said.
"Nor can I," Gus said. "But a man's got to do it."
"I'll do it wrong."
Alice hitched up her skirts and went to sit down at an oar.
"No, Your Highness!" Sir Markell sounded offended. He glared so hard at David it was no wonder he gave in and took the vacant seat across from Seth.
He grabbed the oar in both hands from underneath.
"Not like that, like this," Seth said, showing him the proper grip. "Lean forward when the man in front of you does, oar square in the water, then push back when he pushes back. That's it. Oar out now, skim it flat across the surface as you lean forward again. Now back, oar square in the water. Keep in time."
After a few more directions, David found his rhythm and Seth stopped talking. He liked rowing. He'd been a member of the university eight until he'd been kicked off the team for turning up drunk to training.
They rowed in silence until the village disappeared on the horizon and farmland gave way to trees. The thicker the woods became, the more Sir Markell and the crew relaxed.
"Are you all right, Your Highness?" he asked.
"Fine, thank you," Alice said. "We owe you our lives, Sir Markell."
"It was my honor to rescue you."
"You had some help," Seth reminded him.
"And I'm all right too," Gus chimed in. "In case you were wondering."
Sir Markell scowled at them over his shoulder. "Your companions are disrespectful."
"Her companions are right here," Seth said. He bit back further comments. Sir Markell had most likely just lost his father. It was no wonder the charms he'd displayed in London were no longer in evidence.
"Please address me as Alice, Sir Markell," Alice said.
"I can't."
"Try."
He nodded.
"Is it much farther?" David whined.
"Around the bend," Sir Markell said.
"Will we be able to rest?" Alice asked, shifting her weight from one foot to another. She had not sat even though there was space at the front of the boat.
Sir Markell nodded. "We'll camp for the night."
Seth had to admit he was relieved. It had been a long day. He found his mind wandering as the rhythm of the oars soothed him. He looked around but there was nothing to see except trees, water, and a cloudy sky. It looked very much like the English countryside. For a moment, he thought perhaps it was all a trick, and Sir Markell would laugh at them for being taken in.
But the blood on Seth’s skin and clothes, and the sting of his cuts, were very real.
"Charlie would like all these trees," Gus said.
Seth smiled. The orchard was her favorite place on the Lichfield estate. She would indeed like to climb one of these giants.
They rounded the bend and headed toward an inlet arced by a sandy beach. It wasn't the first beach they'd come across but it was the widest. They beached the boat and were about to alight when a dozen men and women emerged from the forest like wood sprites.
Seth picked up the sword but Sir Markell put out his hand. "It's all right," he said. "They're with me."
"They expected us?" Alice asked.
Sir Markell jumped out of the boat and held out his hand to assist Alice. "Your rescue has been planned for a long time."
Alice sucked in a breath and watched as the newcomers went to work alongside the crew, pulling down the sail. Sir Markell spoke quietly to a man with a crooked back and white beard and signaled for Alice and the others to enter the forest with him.
"What about the boat?" Seth asked. "If the guards realize we escaped on the river they'll spot it easily."
"That's why my men are dismantling it and hiding the parts in the forest," Sir Markell said. "When they're finished, there'll be no evidence visible from the river."
"You've thought of everything," Alice said, picking up her skirts. "Thank you. All of you," she said to those working on the boat.
Some of the men nodded and the women performed an awkward curtsy before returning to their task.
"It's our pleasure, Your—Alice." Sir Markell bowed but not before Seth saw the color rise to his cheeks.
Alice must have noticed it too, because she smiled. Not a regal smile or a friendly one, but the small, secret smile of a woman pleased to make a man blush.
Seth turned away, unsure what t
o think anymore. He was grateful not to be chased by guards, and that they appeared to be safe, but ever since being thrown in the dungeon, he'd felt like everything was spiraling out of control. No, it had begun before that, when they were back in Lichfield and he'd made the decision to follow Alice through the portal.
Uncertainty wasn't something he was used to. Even in his darkest hours, when he sold himself at private auctions, he'd only ever made decisions with a clear head and careful thought, always working toward the final goal of clearing his father's debts. He'd made those decisions knowing the consequences and was prepared to face them.
Not this time. He'd barreled through that portal on a whim, on a feeling that it was something he must do, but not knowing why. Then to be held prisoner, with the prospect of Alice's execution… He felt as though he'd failed. Thank God she wasn't friendless in this realm. Without Sir Markell's planning, and the general's sacrifice, they'd be dead. Seth found he couldn't even blame the Ironsides for taking them to Wonderland in the first place. They were only following their mad queen's orders. As the general had told his son in the audience chamber, he'd feared for his wife and son's lives. Seth couldn't hate him for that.
No path had been cut through the forest so they pushed aside low hanging branches and stepped over fallen logs. The dense layer of leaves deadened their footsteps, and the thick canopy overhead blocked out much of the afternoon light. Seth had never smelled air so fresh. He breathed deeply, over and over. Perhaps if he breathed deeply and often enough, London's soot would blow out of his system altogether.
The forest suddenly cleared and a beam of sunlight pierced a camp ringed by tents. Two men who'd been tending to a pot on the fire straightened. Seth realized they were actually women dressed in short tunics over a pair of hose like the men. The elderly fellow who'd greeted them at the riverbank beckoned them to join him as he sat on a log.
"Are these the renegades?" Alice asked.
"Some of them," Sir Markell said.
"How did you get them to help you?" Seth asked.
"They were willing. Every one of them believes Alice is the rightful princess, not the witch who sits on the throne."
