“Because,” Jack said, “to fight
Arch on your own, you will be required to choose a leader from
among
you. I’m just guessing, but I think there’ll be more than a little argument over which of you is best fit to lead the others. With Redd at your head, you are all equal.” “With Redd at our head, we are all equal,” repeated the Maldoid leader, encouraged. “Redd Heart is not known for being trustworthy,” said the leader of the Awr tribe. “But even supposing that we agree to this proposal, and that she leaves Boarderland under our control as she promises, we would still have to contend with her as our neighbor. She would make a dangerous neighbor.” “She ruled Wonderland for thirteen years without causing Arch much trouble,” Jack said. “I urge you not to let this opportunity for true freedom pass.” “And why is Redd suddenly so concerned about our freedom?” asked the Kalaman leader. “Her Imperial Viciousness is primarily occupied with regaining her crown. The easiest way to accomplish this is to engage you all as her mercenary army. Happily, you stand to benefit from the arrangement as much as she does.”
“We would like to discuss the matter in private,” said the Glebog leader. “Of course.” Jack rose to depart. “But allow me to say one more thing before I leave you to your decision. If you accept Redd’s proposal, you face the uncertainty of a future that you will, at the very least, have some power to shape. But if you reject the proposal, you’re doomed to remain as you are, with only the freedom to fight against one another for as long as Arch lives.” Jack stepped from the tent, his words—the wisest he’d ever uttered in his life—lingering after him. CHAPTER 38
A LYSS AND her advisers were gathered in the palace’s war room, Alyss shifting uneasily in her seat as Dodge and the others tried to decipher what they thought was the entirety of Blue’s message. “He said he would teach you about yourself,” Bibwit questioned thoughtfully, “but then you didn’t appear in anything he showed you?”
Alyss nodded.
“Most curious.”
“I don’t like it,” General Doppelgänger said, and began punching buttons on the crystal communicator’s control pad strapped to his forearm.
Zzzz! Flink! Zzzz! Flink!
From the vision nozzle on the general’s ammo belt, real-time images of Ten Cards stationed at outposts throughout the queendom were projected onto the air. No sign of trouble, every lieutenant reported, or of anything unusual. But then a Ten Card posted in Outerwilderbeastia caught sight of Bibwit. “Back already, Mr. Harte? I knew the tutor species was fast, but not that fast.” “Whatever do you mean?” Bibwit asked.
“Just one quarter of a lunar hour ago I saw you hurrying toward the demarcation barrier. I assumed you were on some scholarly pilgrimage to Boarderland, as you were headed directly for gate crossing 15-b.”
you. I’m just guessing, but I think there’ll be more than a little argument over which of you is best fit to lead the others. With Redd at your head, you are all equal.” “With Redd at our head, we are all equal,” repeated the Maldoid leader, encouraged. “Redd Heart is not known for being trustworthy,” said the leader of the Awr tribe. “But even supposing that we agree to this proposal, and that she leaves Boarderland under our control as she promises, we would still have to contend with her as our neighbor. She would make a dangerous neighbor.” “She ruled Wonderland for thirteen years without causing Arch much trouble,” Jack said. “I urge you not to let this opportunity for true freedom pass.” “And why is Redd suddenly so concerned about our freedom?” asked the Kalaman leader. “Her Imperial Viciousness is primarily occupied with regaining her crown. The easiest way to accomplish this is to engage you all as her mercenary army. Happily, you stand to benefit from the arrangement as much as she does.”
“We would like to discuss the matter in private,” said the Glebog leader. “Of course.” Jack rose to depart. “But allow me to say one more thing before I leave you to your decision. If you accept Redd’s proposal, you face the uncertainty of a future that you will, at the very least, have some power to shape. But if you reject the proposal, you’re doomed to remain as you are, with only the freedom to fight against one another for as long as Arch lives.” Jack stepped from the tent, his words—the wisest he’d ever uttered in his life—lingering after him. CHAPTER 38
A LYSS AND her advisers were gathered in the palace’s war room, Alyss shifting uneasily in her seat as Dodge and the others tried to decipher what they thought was the entirety of Blue’s message. “He said he would teach you about yourself,” Bibwit questioned thoughtfully, “but then you didn’t appear in anything he showed you?”
Alyss nodded.
“Most curious.”
“I don’t like it,” General Doppelgänger said, and began punching buttons on the crystal communicator’s control pad strapped to his forearm.
Zzzz! Flink! Zzzz! Flink!
From the vision nozzle on the general’s ammo belt, real-time images of Ten Cards stationed at outposts throughout the queendom were projected onto the air. No sign of trouble, every lieutenant reported, or of anything unusual. But then a Ten Card posted in Outerwilderbeastia caught sight of Bibwit. “Back already, Mr. Harte? I knew the tutor species was fast, but not that fast.” “Whatever do you mean?” Bibwit asked.
“Just one quarter of a lunar hour ago I saw you hurrying toward the demarcation barrier. I assumed you were on some scholarly pilgrimage to Boarderland, as you were headed directly for gate crossing 15-b.”