Take the Yellow Brick Road [Ways to Wonderland Book 1] [OLD VERSION]

The Queen of Hearts

Carter, Otto, Felix and the twins made their way through the forest path, newly clothed and covered in stitches. Georgia leaned on Carters shoulder for support. Something darted across the track in front of them, a skinny worm like tail lashing about behind it.
"Was that a rat?" Georgia squeaked. "I-I don't do rats." She squeezed Carters shoulder slightly tighter.
"Not exactly." Hatter said, startling the others. The man had seemingly appeared form nowhere behind them. "It's simply a mome rath. Native rodents around these parts."
Nodding at the strange man, they continued walking. After headed Georgia mumble.
"I don't do momen raths either then."

The tree line broke to reveal rolling hills of orange grass, cherry blossoms floating gently to the ground in the breeze.
"Hatter?" Carter asked. "Where do we go from-" He turned around to find the man had gone. "Here. Great."
He followed behind Fiona and Felix, Otto at his feet.
"Can I go back and catch a mome rath?" He asked. "Please?"
"No you can catch a- what would you even do with it? It's over half the size of you."
Otto considered it for a minute. "Place it just outside your door. Or possibly on your pillow when you go to sleep-"
"No." Carter hissed.
"You're no fun."

The oranges pastures eventually gave way to large city, a magnificent castle sitting just beyond the outskirts. A hand painted sign hung from an old fashioned oil lamppost.
"Piquet." Fiona read aloud. "Capital of Wonderland."
People shot nervous glances at the passing newcomers. Rows of shops and cafes lined the streets, and behind them houses and cottages wound edit way across the landscape. Carter had to avoid staring at a large frog in a blazer that hopped past him, conversing with a horse. People and anthropomorphic animals bustled around the town square, all around a large statue.

The large bronze figure was of a young girl, not older than thirteen. Hair cascaded from her head and onto her slim shoulders. In one hand she held a tea cup, and the other rested on the pommel of a sword, which appeared to dig into the stone plinth it rested upon.
"Who is that?" Felix asked, helping the others push through the crowd.
Otto scratched Carters leg. "Bet you its Alice."
"Don't be stupid it's-"
"Alice Liddel." Felix read from a bronze plaque. A rotting chunk of wood was nailed over a smaller engraving below the name. Fiona pulled Carters dagger out of its sheath and snapped the wood off.
"It says 'Wonderlands true ruler'. I wonder-"
"Treason!" A screamed a voice. "Guards, guards, treason!"
Carter whirled around, almost sending Georgia off balance. "Whoa whoa, hold up!" Carter yelled. "What's-"
Something large slammed against the side of his head. Carter heard one of the twins scream as his head slammed into the pavement.

***

Carter stirred. His wrists were numb, his arms hanging from shackles above himself.
"Georgia..." He groaned. "Otto..."
"Good to know your priorities in order." Otto hissed. Carter opened his eyes. His vision slowly began to clear and shapes sprung from the darkness. Two figure were chained in the two corners opposite Carter, red hoods pulled low over their faces. Otto had a shackle around one of his paws.
"What- Where are we?"
"We're do you think?" The cat asked. "In a dungeon. These two playing cards knocked you guys out. Something about treason to the Queen of Hearts."

Carters head spun, a dull throbbing making its way across the side of his head.
"Playing cards?"
A door creaked open. Carter watched as a tall, slender woman in a scarlet dress walked in, a giant playing card behind her. A helmet was positioned on the top, and it's limbs seemed to be floating beside it's body.
"The traitors, your majesty." The voice echoed from inside the helmet.
The woman turned to Carter. "A traitor?" She cocked her head, leaning closer to the cell bars. "Well, what am I if not merciful?"
She reached in and grabbed Carters shirt collar, slamming his face against the bars. "I will give you a choice. slay e Jabberwock at brillig, or..."
She released him letting Carter fall to the floor. "Or what?" He croaked. The woman smiled wickedly, turning to the card. "Off with your heads."
She left the room, leaving the card guard to wait for Carters response.

"Well boy, choose your execution." The voice echoed.
Carter was silent for a moment, leaning his head against the cracking stone wall behind him.
"Otto-"
"Don't look at me! You humans are the ones that got into this mess."
Carter groaned. "We will slay the Jabberwock."
The helmet nodded, slamming the door and leaving the dungeon silent once again...