Chapter Seven The Past Becomes Present

Stayne continued to run the mask through his fingers, smiling softly at the one pleasant memory that Iracebeth had been unable to take from him. He had wisely kept his deep admiration for Lady Sullivan quiet. 'I only got to see her for a few moments, and hear her sing, but that was enough'. He had wondered what happened to her. After the masquerade, she had left. Stayne longed to follow, but he knew better than to leave the Queen without her permission. She had questioned him after the Masquerade…

"Stayne, tell me. What did you think of Lady Sullivan?"

"She has a very lovely voice," he answered. But somehow he knew that was not the answer the Queen wanted.

Iracebeth looked sideways at him. "I am aware of that, Stayne. What I am more interested in is what you thought of her."

Stayne had paused; knowing if he told the truth-he had been completely and utterly captivated by her-Iracebeth would fly into a towering rage. He had seen and experienced that wrath more than once. Iracebeth abhorred the idea of anyone but her making eyes at her Knave. With that thought, Stayne proceeded to lie through his teeth.

"Majesty, I did not take much notice of her. How could I, when I was near you?"

Iracebeth had smiled, and changed the subject. Stayne had silently thanked Time that he was able to prevent a potential disaster.

Stayne sighed. He looked around the room, his eyes finally landing on a map of Underland that hung on his far right wall. He walked over to it, and ran his finger along the familiar landmarks-Witzend, Crims, Marmoreal, and the Gummer Slough. His fingers came to rest on the spot reading Tulgey Wood. Stayne stared at the name, feeling a nagging sense of familiarity. Suddenly, he gasped. 'The home of the Jabberwock'. He had been revisiting the past for so many days, and he had yet to dredge up the most potent memory he had-and indeed, that any Underlander had. The one memory that no one would ever forget, and everyone shared. The Horrevendush Day. The day that White fell to Red. Stayne would never forget that day. He had watched horrified as the White Army fell…

Mirana and Iracebeth had agreed to a Duel of Champions. The White Knight had stridden confidentially forward, armor glinting in the sun, and Vorpal Sword flashing. He exuded an aura of steely determination. Then Iracebeth had revealed her Champion. The Jabberwock. The soldiers of the White Army had cried out in terror and despair as their Champion lost his nerves. The Sword fell to the ground, and the Jabberwock made swift work of the once brave Knight. Stayne could not believe his eyes. He tried to tell himself that it wasn't happening, but the screams and cries of the White Soldiers changed his mind. 'This is not a battle. This is a slaughter!' He then heard a sound that he would never forget-a scream full of madness and fear. He had actually shuddered in terror at the sound. He looked around for the source, and saw Thackery standing in the middle of the bodies of the White soldiers. Stayne gasped at the sight. Thackery's face was a blank. Suddenly, he screamed again, and Stayne realized that he had gone mad. 'This is what the Queen has brought. Madness, terror, and slaughter.' He then heard a voice calling for Thackery... He ducked behind a tree, and witnessed Tarrant returning. Tarrant had gasped in horror at the sight of his friend. Tarrant had tried to no avail to get Thackery to acknowledge his presence. Finally, he had given up and simply dragged him from the field. Stayne had witnessed the whole horrifying spectacle. As Tarrant dragged Thackery away from the carnage, he passed by the tree that Stayne was hidden behind. He had sensed movement and turned, and seen Stayne standing nearby. The look of hatred, rage, and grief on his face was something Stayne would never forget. Tarrant opened his mouth to speak, but it was plain words were beyond him. Instead, he simply stared at Stayne for a full minute, then silently shaking his head, turned and left the battlefield, dragging an unresponsive Thackery behind him. Stayne had never forgotten that. Tarrant's silent dismissal had cut deeper than any words could.

"I'm on the Winning Side, and for that I sacrificed everything that I was." He sighed sadly, and moving away from the map, sat down at his desk. He looked out his window at the Kingdom below. 'I can only hope that someday I can atone for everything I have done.' Suddenly a scream rang out.

"STAYNE!!"

Stayne sighed, and went to go placate Iracebeth for the millionth time.

THE END