Chains of Resistance:
(1911 A.D., The Old Fortress City of Zal-Vengoth, The Land of Spades, Wonderland, the Realm of Ishrakie)
"Greetings to all. As King, I have summoned you here in this hour of bitter tidings to discuss a matter of the gravest importance. I know you are all aware of the massacre at Fanoth. The Queen's blood-thirsty madness can no longer be tolerated. As your King, I swore an oath to defend you and your kin from all threats. With your help, that is an oath I intend to uphold," the Red King proclaims as if swearing the deepest of commitments.
"This is Erithell. She is going to help us start this war on the right foot." Erithell materialises out of the shadows behind the Red King in all her dark ethereal radiance, causing a disturbed shutter to wash over the terrified gathering of lesser-nobles and representatives of the serf class.
"Please, gentleman, there is no need for fear. This powerful entity is bound to my will and my will alone and thus cannot act against us and, though you may not like it, we will need her and her powers to have any chance of defeating our powerful queen of blood," the Red King responds, taking note of the immense fear in their eyes and addressing it.
"Are you mad? Trusting such a beast?" one of the lesser nobles replies, grimacing at Erithell.
"That may be a question that only time can answer. However, the queen's madness is objective. It is certain to be made manifest through death and violence. None are safe from it," the Red King answers, drawing murmurs of support and nods of agreement from the council.
"Now, we have precious little time to prepare. We must put many steps into motion at once if we are to be ready for this conflict in time. However, I know the prospect of civil war may be distasteful to some of you, so those who would prefer to lay low and keep your heads down during the coming, that is your choice and it is a valid one. I will not judge you for it, but I would implore you to be honest with yourselves and ask if the queen can do what she did to innocent people of Fanoth, how long will it be before she decides she can do it to you too?" the Red King asks, looking intently at his gathered assembly of folk-leaders.
"The fact is Fanoth proves the queen has passed the point of no return. Her paranoia has become absolute. One by one she will come for us until she rules over nothing but a sea of blood," the Caterpillar chimes in, exhaling a particularly long drag from his hookah.
"Exactly! Under the king's instructions, I have already ordered the King's Regiments of Clubs, Hearts, Diamonds and Spades to secretly take control of the Old Fortress City of Zal-Vengoth. This fortress has been chosen due to it being the most defensible unoccupied fortress in all of Wonderland," Sir Rethinold explains, gesturing to Zal-Vengoth's location on the large Wonderlandian Map spread out on the conference table.
"The location provides another benefit as well. The old fortress lies on the far side of the Der Schlafende Wald which gives an advantage. While the Der Schlafende Wald has been dormant for the past several centuries, I can awaken them and allow us to use their unique environmental effects to our advantage," the Caterpillar explains, pointing to the Der Schlafende Wald on the map.
"Hatter, I understand your Tea-Droid Legions are already on the march to Zal-Vengoth."
"My droids do march hurriedly to protect your fort of steel and brick," muses the Mad Hatter with barely suppressed maniac giggling.
"Very good. Then our plans are starting off as well as can be expected," the Red King replies.
"So what exactly is the plan?" another one of the lesser nobles asks.
"First we will spend the next few weeks secretly repairing and building up Zal-Vengoth and stocking it with supplies enough to withstand a lengthy siege should they become necessary. Once all the preparations are done, we will make our move, and with any luck, the first major battle will be fought in Der Schlafende Wald where our forces will have an advantage," the Red King explains.
"I'll make sure that our advantage in Der Schlafende Wald is used to its maximum effect," the Caterpillar proclaims.
"I know you will, and I am most grateful to have you with us in this fight," the Red King responds with a slight bow of respect to the Caterpillar.
"AND THAT WILL NOT BE YOUR ONLY ADVANTAGE IN THIS MOST DIRE FIGHT FOR THE FATE OF ALL!" Ishrakie proclaims, erupting from out of a sparking radiant singularity of blinding pale pink light with the garbless Alice and Dorothy at her side and the sharp-dressed Cheshire standing a few feet away sipping some tea. As the light fades, revealing Ishrakie and her party, many of the lesser nobles drop to their knees at the sight of her glowing radiance. They kotow vigorously, crying out with frantic prayers and proclamations of 'The All-Mother shines before us' and 'Praise be to the All-Mother' as Erithell just rolls her eyes.
"You always did love making an entrance, my dear sister," Erithell replies with more than a subtle twinge of annoyance.
"It's good to see you again too, Erithell."
"Sister?" the Red King and Alice blurts out at the same time both looking back and forth between Ishrakie and Erithell.
"Yes, Sister!" Erithell answers, glaring daggers at her older sister. "Surprised I escaped the dank rotting bog where you imprisoned me?"
"No… I always knew you had your part to play and it had to start there. I simply… placed you on the right path and paved the way," Ishrakie replies, beaming with gleeful approval at her little sister.
"Just using your cursed eyes of eternity like always then?"
"We all have our purpose, sister, and despite what you may think of me, my love for you has never wavered. My wrath was always with our father, not you… You will always have a place of love in my heart… I'm truly sorry I hurt you… that my duties, my purpose lead us to conflict," Ishrakie explains, letting her deep sincerity radiate from her.
"How touching," Erithell spews back with dismissive disgust.
"I do not expect your forgiveness, Erithell. Nor do I ask for it. But we are sisters, and neither of us can change that… and I wouldn't want to if I could," Ishrakie replies warmly but firmly.
"Why do you interrupt this meeting, blessed radiant one?" the Red King asks with a respectful but brief bow.
"I am here to explain how I will help you in the battles ahead and because some formal introductions are in order," Ishrakie answers, gesturing everyone's attention to the young Alice standing next to her.
"Red King… Honour to make your acquaintance once more," Alice says, giving a quick bow of respect to the scarlet monarch standing at the opposite side of the table from her.
"Indeed, I must say, little you, you certainly brought the Queen's wrath to boil," the Red King replies, nodding to the naked little blond girl.
"My apologies, but it was unavoidable I'm afraid," Alice replies as the equally clothless Dorothy walks over to a nearby bowl of fruit on the edge of the conference table and plucks out a bright red apple.
"Hello, Mother," the Caterpillar says.
"Hello. It's good to see you again, dear Caterpillar," Ishrakie replies, smiling at the Caterpillar as Dorothy takes a big bite of the juicy apple before tossing it to Alice so she can have a bite as well.
"Chessie," continues the Caterpillar nodding to his brother Cheshire across the table from him.
"Cater," Cheshire replies, smirking back as he continues to sip his tea.
"Umm… okay… excuse me, All-Mother, you said something about helping us in the battles to come?"
"Yes, I did. I will use the powers of my tower to observe your forces during your battles and provide long-range support where and when I can. There is really no need for me to say more than that on this matter at this time. Now, more importantly…" Ishrakie starts as she gestures for Alice to step forward and present herself to the gathered assembly to examine and investigate her as much as they wish.
"As you all know, this beautiful girl is called Alice, my daughter, my rightful heir and your future All-Mother," Ishrakie continues confidently. Some of the lesser nobles scan Alice up and down with their eyes as others begin to touch and stroke her flesh with their clawed fingers, analysing and testing her body with their furred hands but Alice holds her stance and does not move despite their overt invasiveness. Some sniff her hair, all of them confused and bewildered as to how this tangible flesh and blood child can possibly be heir and successor to their divine goddess… their celestial All-Mother.
"That's quite enough of invading her personal space, I think!" The Red King proclaims, calling the attention of the room back to him as he smiles kindly at Alice who smiles her thanks..
"What manner of creature are you, and that one there?" asks one of the lesser nobles who had gotten the most invasive when touching her as he gestures between her and Dorothy.
"They're called Humans," Cheshire answers, finishing his tea while all the lesser nobles look at each other in confusion.
"It does not matter what manner of creature they are, the die is already cast so I suggest you not trouble yourselves with such questions and accept my will as your All-Mother… trust my judgement in choosing her," Ishrakie presses firmly causing the assembly to give in with nods and proclaims of agreement.
"Now, I have discovered the Red Queen plans to summon the Jabberwocky to her side." Continues Ishrakie nodding to Erithell.
"I will deal with that problem." answers Erithell.
"Yes, that was my thought exactly." nods Ishrakie in agreement.
"Very well. Now, there is much to do and little time in which to do it. Therefore, this meeting is hereby adjourned," the Red King declares.