packet of letters and handed it
across the table. “These are for you.”
“What are they?”
“Letters I wrote to you during Redd’s rule, when I believed you were dead. There aren’t many. I didn’t have much peace for writing.”
Alyss stared at the packet.
“I still think it’s possible that Redd is involved,” Dodge said. “It’d be just like her to do something we’d never expect her of doing, such as leaguing with Arch. What will you do about the Diamonds?” “Have them taken into custody.”
Dodge rose from his chair and walked over to her. “That’s enough of unpleasant topics for now. Did you enjoy your breakfast?”
“I loved it,” she said, turning her face up to his. “Good. I hope you’ll forgive me, being just an upstart guardsman and all, but…” He leaned down and kissed her lips.
“I could have you reported for that,” she smiled. “Yes, you could.”
He lifted her to him and kissed her again, was still pressing his lips against hers when Bibwit Harte, four General Doppels, and an equal number of General Gängers stampeded into the room. Dodge stepped away from his queen, stood at attention. “He’s gone!” the Doppels cried. “Hatter’s gone!” “What do you mean ‘gone’?” Alyss asked.
“We think he’s on his way to Boarderland—” started the Gängers. “—to rescue Homburg Molly!” finished the Doppels. “He wouldn’t.”
“All card soldiers patrolling the demarcation barrier have been notified,” said Bibwit, “but I’m not sure how much good it’ll do.”
The more Alyss considered it, the more she believed it likely: Hatter had gone after his daughter in direct opposition to her commands. I was right not to send him. His emotions are already getting the better of him.
Bibwit, Dodge, and the generals were waiting for instructions. Alyss quickly scanned along the demarcation barrier with her imagination’s eye, seeking Hatter until— There. He was stepping out from the trees of the Everlasting Forest and approaching the barrier with determined strides. Busy with their luggage and passports, the civilians waiting to cross the border didn’t notice him until he reached into his backpack with both hands and—fli-flink! fli-flink flink flink!—pinned the patrolling card soldiers to the ground like specimens on display for a curious giant, blades piercing
“What are they?”
“Letters I wrote to you during Redd’s rule, when I believed you were dead. There aren’t many. I didn’t have much peace for writing.”
Alyss stared at the packet.
“I still think it’s possible that Redd is involved,” Dodge said. “It’d be just like her to do something we’d never expect her of doing, such as leaguing with Arch. What will you do about the Diamonds?” “Have them taken into custody.”
Dodge rose from his chair and walked over to her. “That’s enough of unpleasant topics for now. Did you enjoy your breakfast?”
“I loved it,” she said, turning her face up to his. “Good. I hope you’ll forgive me, being just an upstart guardsman and all, but…” He leaned down and kissed her lips.
“I could have you reported for that,” she smiled. “Yes, you could.”
He lifted her to him and kissed her again, was still pressing his lips against hers when Bibwit Harte, four General Doppels, and an equal number of General Gängers stampeded into the room. Dodge stepped away from his queen, stood at attention. “He’s gone!” the Doppels cried. “Hatter’s gone!” “What do you mean ‘gone’?” Alyss asked.
“We think he’s on his way to Boarderland—” started the Gängers. “—to rescue Homburg Molly!” finished the Doppels. “He wouldn’t.”
“All card soldiers patrolling the demarcation barrier have been notified,” said Bibwit, “but I’m not sure how much good it’ll do.”
The more Alyss considered it, the more she believed it likely: Hatter had gone after his daughter in direct opposition to her commands. I was right not to send him. His emotions are already getting the better of him.
Bibwit, Dodge, and the generals were waiting for instructions. Alyss quickly scanned along the demarcation barrier with her imagination’s eye, seeking Hatter until— There. He was stepping out from the trees of the Everlasting Forest and approaching the barrier with determined strides. Busy with their luggage and passports, the civilians waiting to cross the border didn’t notice him until he reached into his backpack with both hands and—fli-flink! fli-flink flink flink!—pinned the patrolling card soldiers to the ground like specimens on display for a curious giant, blades piercing