Hatter's Revenge (rewriting - read at own risk)

Ch. 20: Questionable at Best

Killian sat with a studied ease. The only thing that gave away his nervousness was a subtle tapping of his finger against his knee. Mad suspected that no one other than himself noticed though.

In the tent with Killian and Mad were Alice, Cheshire and Dinah, a Jack and a Ten of Clubs, two Diamond Jacks and two Spade Nines, including the old man who had spoken out when Killian had addressed the camp four days ago.

Aside from Killian and Adira, who was too young to fill her station as a Jack, Nines were the highest rank left to the Spades. Killian had sent several envoys secretly across Wonderland, requesting the presence of two representatives from each of the other Decks, aside from the Hearts obviously.

Mad was actually kind of surprised that the Diamonds had sent such high ranking representatives, but Killian had been ecstatic that the other Decks were at least showing some interest in his proposition.

Mad stood quietly behind Killian, leaning lightly against one of the posts holding up the dark cloth of the tent, listening to the ongoing debate. The others were arguing after having listened to Killian's plan to overthrow the Heart Queen.

Killian had told them that Mad, Alice, Chesh, Dinah and himself would travel first through the Dark Forest to retrieve Maris, then would make their way to Heart Castle to find a way inside where they would kill the Queen. That way, the least amount of blood possible would be spilled.

What Killian needed these people to do, was to go back to their Decks and garner support for his claim to the throne, which was more than solid considering the only Royals left were himself and Mavros. He would need the support of the other Decks to keep the Hearts in check after the Queen was dead.

Now Mad waited, utterly bored as the others argued about whatever it was they felt the need to argue over. Looking at Killian, he suppressed a snort and thought that Killian should have known inviting representatives from two other Decks would result in a political argument.

But that was how Killian had wanted to do this, giving the Clubs and Diamonds an equal voice in the decision to help him. He'd told Mad that Mavros had stripped everyone else of their right to choose, and that the fate of Wonderland was as much their decision as his. Mad could respect this line of thought, but it was also irritating to listen to these people bicker.

After another twenty minutes of the Club Jack yelling at the Diamond's representatives about how the Red Decks had always treated her people with contempt, Mad left. The Diamonds and Clubs got along about as well as the Spades and Hearts did, but he would have thought that a common enemy at least would have sidelined any old arguments. Apparently not.

He felt a little bad about throwing Killian to the wolves but Alice was there with him, so Mad didn't feel too guilty. Besides, Killian needed the practice in dealing with other Decks.

The dry air of the desert and Healer Sieben's salves had done wonders for Mad's back and he could move without any pain now, which he was thrilled about. The only reminder of his foray into the desert was a shiny pink scar running the length of his back. Other than that, he was more or less back to normal.

Mad walked through camp, hardly aware of how the other people stopped and moved out of his way, whispering as he passed.

He was thinking of his own plans. He had yet to share them with the others, knowing it would only provoke more argument and more than one temper.

When they left, Mad was going to hunt for Tamsus. Alone.

The others would go after Maris but Mad had to go after the Heart's Ace. Tamsus was his responsibility.