Malice in Wonderland Bundle 3

by Lotus Rose

  Jabby says, “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I no longer have a name. The humans refer to me as the Jabberwock, or ‘Jabby’.”

  Kartala regards the team members. “Ah, Jabby it is then. The term shall serve just as well as any name, around here—for we jabberwocks don’t refer to each other by that term—why, it’d be like you humans calling each other, ‘Humany’.”

  “You’re right,” Hatter says. “They do call me Hatty, but never Humany. That’s too much like ‘humidity’ don’t you think?”

  Sleepy B giggles.

  “Or Jabberwocky,” Kartala mumbles, seemingly to herself. “But that refers to other things. So Jabby it is.”

  “What’d I miss?” the Cat whispers in Malice’s left ear, causing her to twitch in surprise—he’d transported over out of her range of vision, obviously.

  Now Kartala is staring at the floating cat head, prompting Jabby to explain, “That’s the Cheshire Cat. We just call him Cat.”

  “My, such names you come up with. And what are your names?” she says, while glancing at Humpty, Sleepy B, and Malice.

  Malice starts to speak. “I am Que—”

  “Queerly enough, named, ‘Human One’,” Jabby interrupts. “And that’s Human Two,” pointing at Sleepy B, “and Human Three.” (Humpty) “They are my servants.”

  “Hey!” Sleepy B squawks. “My name’s not—”

  “Not very original?” Jabby says. “I agree.”

  “Hmmph,” Sleepy B says, and crosses her arms, while scowling.

  Kartala draws her head back in surprise. “So you have human servants? This is not what I would have expected, from all the tales I’ve heard about the jabberwock who moved to Wonderland.”

  Jabby says, “You can’t always believe what comes second-hand from other monsters’ mouths. Often it can twist into idle gossip.”

  “What have they been saying about our Jabby?” Sleepy B says with her hands on her hips.

  Kartala looks down at her, says, “They say he grew even softer on humans than he’d been before he’d been banished, when he was known as—”

  “Stop!” Jabby blurts out. “That was my past life, and I no longer lay claim to that name.”

  “Oh?” Kartala sounds puzzled. “So you haven’t come to reclaim your—”

  “No,” Jabby says through gritted fangs. “That was in the past, and I shan’t drudge it up. I have returned for reasons that have nothing to do with me. We are on a critical mission to stop an enemy who threatens the future of Jabberwock Valley and all the monsters who live here.”

  “Oh?” Kartala says. “What enemy?”

  “The Snark.”

  “Another fitting name,” Kartala says. “I’m guessing he’s a snark?” She smirks.

  “Quite,” Jabby replies.

  Humpty says, “He has some mad notion of uniting all the monsters together and reviving a land known as Woeland.”

  Hatter says, “I object to you calling it a mad notion. It’s more of an uncouth notion. I have mad notions that happen to be quite splendid.”

  Kartala says, “I daresay it might just be a bloody glorious notion. Imagine all the monsters united again, the jabberwocks returned to their former greatness, vanquishing all enemies, and finally destroying Wonderland!” She looks sheepish. “Oops, sorry, I know you hail from there.”

  The Jabberwock gives a curt nod, with his jaw set firm. “Quite...but regardless of whether you think it would be good to revive Woeland or not, having the Snark involved would be disastrous. We believe he wishes to gain power over the jabberwocks by taking control over one of their leaders. Then according to his plans, he wants to make himself ruler over all of Woeland...and of course, ruler over the jabberwocks as well.”

  Kartala makes a face of disgust. “A snark ordering us around? Oh, no, that just won’t do, darling. But you say his goal is to control a jabberwock leader. No jabberwock would be weak enough to bow down to such a puny creature...” She peers at Jabby out of the side of her eye. “Oops, I meant no offense—after all, humans are different from snarks.”

  Jabby doesn’t reply to her—he looks to the side, apparently fighting off emotion—his features are set in firm tension.

  Humpty glances at him, and now looks at Kartala. In a quiet voice he says, “Are you aware of the Snark’s...peculiar method of controlling other creatures?”

  “I can’t say that I am. I only know of snarks from word of mouth. I remember being told they’re wee monsters with tentacles...too tiny to gain the submission of a jabberwock.”

  Malice says, “The Snark can latch onto creatures’ heads and control their every movement, like a parasite of your worst nightmares.”

  “What?” Kartala says in surprise. It takes her a few moments to process the concept, now she gasps, and says, “Why that’s utterly devious! I didn’t realize he could do that! Can all snarks do that?”

  The Cat says, “An interesting exercise in logic, that. He says he is the only snark left, and he can do that, so do all snarks do it?”

  Kartala says, “If what you say is true, then all the jabberwocks with any sort of power must be warned.”

  “Gah!” Jabby blurts out, whilst gesturing out with his arms in an exasperated motion. “That’s why we’re here! To warn the jabberwocks of the threat. And...to extend our support from the Queendom of Wonderland.”

  “Bah!” Kartala says. “Why would we want the support of the Queen of Hearts, who destroyed Woeland in the first place, and banished all the jabberwocks here, then sent her horde of little girls to plague us. Fie on her.”

  Now Malice decides to jump in, as she says, “The Queen of Hearts no longer rules Wonderland. She has been imprisoned and replaced.”

  “Oh? By whom? I’m afraid I’m holed up deep in these woods, and don’t hear much news about your little queendom.”

  “Errrr...” Malice stalls for time, rapidly thinking of what to say next.

  Jabby jumps in: “You needn’t concern yourself with the little kingdom of humans, for you are a jabberwock of the valley. The most important thing now is to warn those with the power to act, so precautions can be made.”

  “Indeed. We don’t need a snark tricking the jabberwocks like that. Though, I have to admit, I admire some of his ambitions. It would be glorious to unite the jabberwocks, restore Woeland, and destroy Wonderland, no offense.” Everyone on the team refrains from responding to that statement, and Kartala continues, “Why, if only our own emperor had such noble aspirations, but instead he is like a meek little girl—no offense—instead of vanquishment and war, he gives us platitudes, telling us it’s better for us not to fly, for it keeps us humble, and praising the kissing game, claiming it’s more peaceful. Feh! On second thought, maybe we’d be better off with this snark leading us after all!”

  Sleepy B shakes her head. “Oh, no no. You don’t want that! He’s a creep!”

  Hatter adds, “A tentacled scoundrel, he is!”

  Humpty says, “Kissing game?”

  “I was wondering about that as well,” says the Cat.

  Jabby says to Kartala, “So is Goklam still emperor, then?”

  She nods. “Aye. He hasn’t been overthrown or anything, if that’s what you’re wondering. He’s too strong and powerful for anymonster to challenge. I daresay it’s rather ironic that a leader who so ruthlessly overthrew the royal family, and is so vicious and powerful himself, expects us monsters to be so docile and...”—She pulls a face—“peaceful.” She glances at Jabby, and adds, “No offense.”

  Jabby sighs. “None taken. Yes, Kartala, I am kind to little girls. They are...” He looks at Sleepy B, and now Malice, “...my friends.”

  Malice crosses her arms. “I don’t know why you’re looking at me. I keep saying I’m not a little girl, but I’m glad to count you as my dear friend.”

  “And I’m not so little,” Sleepy B says, “But I’m happy to be your friend, too.” She grins at him.

  Kartala rolls her eyes. “How touching. Well, Jabby, I
’m sure you’ll be thrilled about the new ‘affectionate combat’ policies Emperor Goklam has instituted since you were banished.”

  “What is that?” Jabby says.

  Kartala says, “It’s why the jabberwocks of the valley no longer tear little girls, like...you...” She looks at Sleepy B. “and you...” (Looking at Malice) “limb from limb.”

  Malice, irritated at once again being referred to by the ‘L’ ‘G’ words, throws her hands up in exasperation. “Crikey! Unbelievable!”

  Sleepy B stands quietly scowling.

  The Cat says to Kartala, “What do you do instead?”

  “We have the kissing game, a form of so-called ‘affectionate combat’ imposed on us by means of a valley-wide spell over little girls and jabberwocks. It causes us—quite against our will, I assure you—to sheathe our weapons whenever we meet to do battle, no matter how much we want to wield them, and—”

  “Claws?” Humpty blurts out one-wordedly.

  Kartala replies, “Yes, of course, we don’t drop our claws, but if we attempt to use them, we only swerve them away, so as not to strike the little brats, no offense,” she adds for Sleepy B’s benefit.

  “Phooey,” Sleepy B replies. “Who cast this spell?”

  “Emperor Goklam claimed credit for it, though there are rumors he actually has no idea who cast it. But even before the spell, he was attempting to turn the jabberwocks into weaklings. He wanted to reduce bloodshed between little girls and jabberwocks. He tried to get the two groups to agree to fighting only to first blood during skirmishes. He used a heavy hand to force us to agree. But there were still a few unfortunate deaths.”

  “Jabberwock deaths?” the Cat says, “Or little girls?”

  “Both,” Kartala replies. “Some of those little girl warriors can become consumed with such bloodlust that they won’t stop till they’ve hacked the poor monster to pieces.”

  “Thank you,” Sleepy B says with a giggle. “First nice thing you’ve said to me. Of course, I would never want to fight a jabberwock, actually—why, I consider myself to be an honorary one.”

  Kartala raises a hairless brow ridge. “Is that so? Well, then, perhaps the spell that was cast is more suited to your temperament, for it compels the dueling warriors to fight to first kiss.”

  The Cat grunts. “What?! No entrails? That is an outrage!”

  Kartala says, “Yes, jabberwocks revel in gore, and it is a great insult to deprive them of it in combat...though I suppose there might be some more...domesticated jabberwocks who might faint at the sight of blood.” She glances at the Jabberwock. “No offense.”

  “Oi!” Hatter exclaims. “You got some kind of problem with our mate?” Jabby’s stomach takes the moment to growl loudly for several seconds, causing Hatter to look at him and say, “Yes, I’m referring to you.”

  Jabby grabs his tummy. “Oops. That deer just looks so delicious.”

  Kartala says, “Do I have a problem with your short, noisy-tummied friend, here? Why, how could I? He has no name, his past is forgotten. He is of Wonderland, now, right?” Now she looks down at him and sneers. “But perhaps you should turn back around, and head right back there. After all, you wouldn’t want your past catching up with you—you may not be suited for the...responsibility.”

  “What do you mean by that?” Humpty says.

  “Enough!” Jabby shouts—his stomach growls to accentuate his exclamation. “Does the Emperor still reside in the royal caves of Nigmed?”

  “Aye. Why? Planning to pay him a visit?”

  Jabby looks to Malice, and says, “He is the leader with the greatest influence in the valley, even though the various provinces are largely independent, each with their own rulers. But if we warn anyone, he’s the one who can get the most done. I think we should go speak to him.”

  Kartala says, “Go right ahead. Maybe he’ll even get off his butt and do something about the threat—after all, he wouldn’t want any pesky troublemaking snark disrupting his cushy emperor job.”

  Jabby says, “Hate to be a bother, but could you give us directions to the caves? We traveled here by portal, and I’ve lost my bearings.”

  Kartala gives a long-suffering sigh. “Fine.” She gives directions for the two day trek through the forest.

  Jabby’s tummy starts growling loudly partway through the instructions.

  “Do you mind?” Kartala says to it.

  It’s rather blaringly obvious that Jabby is extremely hungry, so Malice offers Kartala a few gold coins for the deer carcass. Kartala accepts the offer, before departing to go on with the rest of her day.

  The team immediately sets to preparing the meal. Jabby’s appetite is ravenous—he can barely even wait for the meat to be cooked and almost starts eating it raw, before remembering his manners.

  Sleepy B, following his lead, even takes a few bites of raw meat, before being shamed into waiting.

  They decide to make camp, because night is too close for them to travel and they need their rest. They have a vigorous couple of days worth of travel ahead of them.

  CHAPTER THREE

  IN THE MORNING, THEY resume their trek.

  Jabby had complained almost immediately about being hungry, with his stomach growling to support his argument—but nothing much was made of it. But he complained more and more. And now he collapses on the ground, crying out, “So hungry! Can’t walk anymore!”

  The rest of the team (except the absent Cat) gather around him in alarm.

  Hatter says, “His body must be craving food, in order to grow. What should we do?” He looks to Malice, who says, “It seems we only have two choices—either carry him, or get some food to feed him. What do you say, Jabby?”

  While grimacing and holding his tummy, he speaks loudly, so as to be heard over his growling stomach. “Hate to be a bother, but I can’t walk. Terribly sorry. But I don’t wish to slow the mission down—perhaps a sling could be fashioned for my transport?”

  “Oh, rubbish, dearest Jabby,” Malice says. “We don’t want you starving to death. So, what we’re gonna do, is, we’re gonna make camp, and hunt up a feast for us!”

  Jabby says, “But who knows how long I’ll be like this? Perhaps you should go on without me. You could send help. I’ll stay right here.”

  “Rubbish, Jabby!” Malice exclaims. “Without you, the jabberwocks won’t listen to us, because we’re humans, and we’ll be humans traveling deep into jabberwock territory. No thank you. Plus, we’ve grown rather fond of you, ya daft bloke. So we’ll stay with you, and shovel food down your throat, for as long as it takes.”

  “Aye,” the Hatter concurs. “Ya can’t get rid of us that easy.”

  “Yeah, Jabby,” Sleepy B says. “There’s no way I’m gonna leave you behind. I’m gonna stick to you like a fly on potato salad.” She kneels down and punches him in the arm.

  “Ow! He says, and chuckles, removing one hand from his tummy, in order to rub at his arm.

  Sleepy B continues in a playful teasing voice, “After all, if your body is calling out for its nourishment for growing, well then, I’m sure we’ll all be wanting to watch you grow up, little Jabby baby. After all, I’m already tired of you being so short. The man should be taller than the girl.” She pinches his grumbling tummy to accentuate her point.

  Jabby understandably shouts out, “Oi!” before laughing, and so it goes, and the team make camp.

  The team members set to either hunting amongst the trees, or fishing in a nearby creek. Jabby apologizes for not doing his part, but says he is so fatigued, he can barely even walk.

  He ravenously consumes any food they bring him, only stopping when his stomach is about to burst. After eating, he sleeps and sleeps. The cycles of hunting and feasting goes on throughout the day. Near the end of the day, Sleepy B claims that Jabby’s body features have changed slightly. They get him awake, to stand for them, and conclude he has grown five inches in a day! So, at least they know the massive amounts of food they’ve been feeding him haven’t been go
ing to waste.

  After his measurements have been taken, he promptly goes back to sleep. And the rest of the well-fed team hunker down.

  The feeding continues on, the next day.

  Sometime in the midafternoon, as Jabby sleeps next to the campfire, a sound like a cracking branch causes him to open his eyes to see someone unfamiliar approaching, and he jolts upright.

  “Sorry to wake you,” the little girl says. “Of course, I don’t like things to come too easy.”

  Jabby looks around to see four little girls surrounding him.

  The girls range from 10 to 12 years of age. The one who’d spoken is red-headed, with freckles. The three others are blond. They all wear their hair in ponytails sticking straight up out the top of their heads. They all wear baggy pants, sandals, robe tops embroidered with flower or dragon designs, and swords in scabbards hanging from their belts.

  In one motion, they all draw those swords.

  Jabby’s eyes widen. “Whoa hey, what’s this? We mean you no harm.” By “we”, he means the rest of his team—but they’ve all gone out to hunt or fish for food, leaving Jabby here to sleep next to the campfire—waiting for more food to be brought to cook on it.

  “Oh, is that right, jabberwock?” the redhead says. “We’ve been watching you. We wonder why you are so lazy as to let the others search for food for you, while you sleep the day away. Or perhaps you are too afraid to face the creatures you eat?” She arches her eyebrow.

  “You misunderstand,” Jabby says, trying his best to sound pleasant. “A wizard gave me a new body. I have to eat to grow, but growing leaves me tired.”

  The redhead says, “Hopefully you’ll be able to summon enough energy to fight us.”

  “Fight you?” He shakes his head. “No, we’re not your enemies.”

  “Well, we’re yours.”

  “Please, I am not like the other jabberwocks. I am a friend to little girls. There is even a little girl on our team.”

  “Your slave?”

  “No, my friend. I guard her.”