Unwonderland

Her shower was nice; it relaxed her of that ominous feeling that had clung to her like smoke to clothing. She sighed, getting dressed as quickly as she dared. She liked to be alone, but understood why the boys were with her. The Queen's words echoed in her ears. 'And so was your mother but you see it doesn't matter how skilled you are, if you go up against an army, you will lose every time.'

Alexias left the shower, meandering back to her room where there were three boys waiting for her. Check that, two.

"Hey there, how was the shower?" Jeston grinned at her from his position on the floor. Sebastian was still sleeping peacefully on the other side of her bed. The Bandersnatch was nestled on her floor...but no Abel.

"Good," she answered absently, "where's Abel?"

"Left around ten," Jeston shrugged. Abel must not have told him where he was going. She vaguely remembered that he had to see the Queen, “How’s Sebastian?”

“Better. He’s sleeping more peacefully then he was a couple hours ago,” Jeston rose to his feet the way only Jeston can. Alexias smiled softly at him.

“Should we wake him up?” Alexias watched Sebastian with perplexity. Her eyebrows knit together.

“You should get changed first,” that’s right. She forgot to grab a change of clothing so she just put on the nightie she was wearing last night.

“Right,” she said, disappearing in her closet. She threw on a faded pair of jeans and a plain white t-shirt. She emerged to find Jeston with an amused smile on his lips.

“You’re not going to dress up for a meeting with the Queen?” Jeston almost laughed through that sentence.

“The Queen literally told me not to dress up for her. She said I could wear whatever I wanted,” Alexias shrugged, in total seriousness. Jeston shook his head, a light chuckle rumbling through him, “you’re staying here with Sebastian?”

“Yeah,” Jeston nodded, “just in case he wakes up.”

“Thanks,” Alexias breathed, “I’ll be back when I can. If Sebastian wakes up, come find me.”

“Not a problem, Alex,” Jeston nodded, shooing her out of the door into the dimly lit corridor. Bayard was laying just in front of her door.

“Thanks, Jes, I’ll be back then,” Alexias smiled, bending to pet Bayard. Lightly her door closed behind her. Her smile widened and she wound her way through the hallways to the Throne Room.

***

“Miss, you wished to see me?” she poked her head into the Throne Room. The White Queen sat in her throne, Abel was standing languidly before her. He was listening intently. The Queen had stopped talking when the door opened.

“Yes, Alexias,” the Queen smiled down at her. Abel turned around and shot her a smile. It was a strained one; Alexias wondered why, “I have some business to talk to you about. It seems we have been infiltrated. Abel here updated me on your attack early this morning.”

“Yes, I’m sorry, Miss. I was going to report to you after I knew Sebastian was okay. But it was early, I was tired. I fell asleep before I got to my room. I’m really sorr—”

“Alexias, it’s fine,” the Queen laughed, “but it seems Charudatta has followers. Alexias did you see your attacker’s face?”

“Yes. I don’t know his name but I could tell you if I saw him. He was in Jeston’s group when we rescued Sebastian and Abel from the Red Queen,” Alexias explained. Abel was watching her incredulously. The Queen waited for Abel to speak before she added onto this matter.

“You mean one of the two that flanked your sides when Jeston apprehended Charudatta?" Abel asked, his voice rising slightly. Alexias nodded and Abel set his jaw, the muscle in his temple flaring, "the older one or the younger one?"

"The younger one with the longer hair," Alexias said. The Queen spoke up before Abel could answer.

"I will rally all of the guards and you can tell me which one attacked you," the Queen declared. Alexias nodded her head in appreciation.

"Thank you, Miss," Alexias said with a smile. The Queen returned it, continuing on with her report.

"We must be careful," she started, the lines from her earlier smile disappearing, "right now you two are my most trusted pair. You two mustn't get hurt. I have sent Bayard to stay with one of you, the Bandersnatch in the other room—"

The Queen stopped when Alexias slowly raised her hand, "yes, Alexias?"

"What about Sebastian, Miss?" Alexias blinked, "he was acting weird when we were attacked. Like he was under a trance or something. Very dark, he was acting...very dark," Alexias muttered to herself, lost deeply in thought.

"Ah Sebastian," the Queen mused as well on this topic, "we could have Ches in there but he doesn't fight well...hm...let me see...Maliumpkin? No...she's been lost since the hatter died..." the Queen trailed off.

"Uhm...Miss, how about Jeston?" Abel offered. Alexias stared at Abel uncomprehendingly. Did he really just say...Jeston?

"Jeston?" the Queen asked incredulously. Abel nodded, blinking.

"He did well taking care of Sebastian and I when we were crossing the boarder. And what I hear from him, he's a good warrior as well," Abel said softly. A couple weeks ago, Alexias didn't even know Jeston was a warrior.

"That's a good idea," the Queen spoke so softly, biting the nail on her thumb, "but there's a flaw in that plan."

"What flaw, Miss, might I ask?" Abel didn't sound upset, just truly curious. He watched the Queen with intent, like a school kid learning about his favorite subject.

"Jeston is human. Which means he's a heavy sleeper. If Sebastian were attacked, or were to go dark and leave the room, Jeston would be non the wiser," the Queen blinked, staring down at Abel, "I can't have that risk."

"I understand, Miss," Abel nodded, retreating back to the drawing board. He though hard, so did Alexias. Who, who, who?

"I would suggest Fronia, with her fighting skills, but she's human as well," Alexias muttered, her eyes snapping back as forth as she processed data in her brain. Before Alexias could think of something, the big heavy doors open. Jeston poked his head in.

"Alexias, my Queen, Abel," Jeston addressed each of them, "Sebastian is awake and kicking. He wishes to speak with you."

"All of us?" Abel asked what Alexias was thinking. Jeston nodded once, opening the door wide. Sebastian staggered in, with Jeston close on his heels.

"Good morning, Sebastian," the Queen smiled rays of the sun down at the boy. He looked up at her admirably. He smiled back at her.

"Thank you, my Queen," he bowed his head, wincing as the movement caused him pain.

"We were just talking about you," the Queen blinked down at him, Sebastian stared back up at her.

"Me?" he asked, his voice rising a couple octaves.

"Yes," the Queen nodded assent, "we were thinking of means of protecting you. Alexias and Abel have Bayard and the Bandersnatch, but who could protect you?"

"What about me, Miss?" Jeston inquired with his hand slightly raised. The Queen slid her gaze to Jeston.

"We already discussed that as well," she informed, "you're human which means you're a heavy sleeper. There's a lot that could go wrong with that option," she shrugged, thinking once again.

"Maliumpkin? Or maybe Ches?" Jeston repeated what the Queen had said.

"Thought of them as well," she answered absently, biting her thumb nail. Jeston sighed.

"Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum?" he chuckled in spite of himself. Everyone laughed with him.

"I didn't think you hated Sebastian that much," Alexias kidded. Jeston smirked at her.

"I promise, girl, I don't hate that loveable piece of bugger," Jeston laughed. Everyone stopped. What had he said? Bugger? What did that mean? The Queen seemed at a loss for words as well.

"I'm not sure if I should take that as an insult or a compliment," Sebastian scratched his head. Jeston smiled.

"It's a compliment, I promise," Jeston nodded, patting him on his good shoulder. Sebastian smirked at him, turning his gaze back to the Queen. She resumed thinking.

"Unless Sebastian is willing to be checked on by our attendants every hour on the hour," the Queen offered. Sebastian nodded.

"Anything to keep me from becoming the distraction again," Sebastian said softly, "I don't wish to cause her or anyone harm."

"It's alright, Sebastian," the Queen smiled softly down at him, "now another matter I must discuss. There is a war brewing between our two sides once again."

"A war?"