a/n: Well... it's been a while, to put it lightly. I've had so much college work to complete and have been preparing myself for university this September. I apologise deeply for SUCH a late chapter update.

Anyhow, I've got the drive going again and I'm determined to see this story through to the end, and I hope you'll be there with me till when it reaches its conclusion. I hope you enjoy this chapter; there's more to come. I promise!

CHAPTER SIX

Hatred So Askance Known

The mist was thick, and it wasn't disappearing anytime soon. Chesbury was already well behind her, enveloped in a sheet of ghostlike haze. At least the foliage was still green and an occasional carriage passed her by, otherwise she would've feared she fell back into the decaying wasteland that choked the realms three years before. She and Eros spoke little, commenting mainly on the growing depth of the mist. It was near impossible to see ten feet from all sides. Even the sounds that made her distinguish some form of life beyond it had begun to diminish.

The Palace. She kept repeating in her head. Must get to the Palace. She frequently took out the map the Duchess gave to her from her bag to remind herself in which direction she should go. It was south, along the coastline, circled in black ink. She observed the map wholly then instead of focusing on one area. The Two Realms was just one massive island surrounded by endless water, and beyond, she guessed, the limits of her mind. No wonder the Revivers wanted out. Being cramped on a chunk of land barely any larger than Britain would be very uncomfortable, especially seeing as three of its regions were ruled by a separate monarchy. Such a curious land I've invented. She put the map back in her bag.

There was fog, and even more fog, and – was it clearing? Oh, no, it was just Alice's hopeless wishes and a trick of the eye, fog still endured! She spoke little to her stallion as they continued southward through the vapours. There was no urge to spark up small talk and both of them were quite drained. All this travelling was bothersome, more so for the horse than for the human girl he was burdened with. Alice couldn't even make out the scenery because it was lost behind a sheet of ashen clouds, so there was no way to pass time.

It was a shame she didn't bring a pocket watch with her; the Rabbit was constantly in possession of one and she could finally see the handiness of it. She packed light for a short distance. It didn't feel short at all.

Eventually, after a boring journey that needs little detail, change presented itself.

The distant sound of clashing waves reached her ears. The fresh smell of the salty air filled her nostrils. It was at that moment she realized she had finally made it to the southern shores of Wonderland, and yet the mist obstructed her vision of the beautiful waters before her. 'You said the mist would soon pass, Eros.' She sighed irritably.

The horse snorted. 'It was a mere guess,' he said, taking no notice of her rising exasperation. 'I did not promise it would fade, neither did I believe it to.'

'But now we cannot find the Palace!' Her teeth began to grind. Why won't this infuriating fog fade? She was about let out another groan before something before her caught her eye. 'What is that, Eros?'

'What is what?'

A peculiar silhouette of some lofty structure loomed before them both. It was barely visible, but just conspicuous enough to grab one's attention. 'Look.' She hopped off the saddle, landing on crisp grass, and warily made her way towards it. Ever so slowly its form became clearer and ever more unusual, until it towered above Alice like a giant's arm. 'Curious,' she said to herself. The structure was made of weather-beaten stone, and its straight and soaring shape led her to the conclusion that it was a kind of obelisk. An obelisk for what, however, she couldn't seem to find the answer to.

'I see nothing curious about this.' Eros trotted to her side, eyes focused up toward the pointed tip.

'How can you not?' said Alice. She placed a hand on its rough stone, tracing the cracks and fractures in its surface. 'What do you suppose it is?'

'A monument, I presume,' said Eros.

'A monument for what, though?'

'Do I look omniscient?' the horse snapped. Alice made no answer. Instead, she left the obelisk alone and walked ever so carefully behind it, shuffling towards the edge of a terrible drop. The wind began to regain its howling fury. 'I would be careful if I were you, Alice.'

Of course I will be careful. What fool would saunter carelessly beside a sea cliff? She made her way back to the stallion. 'All that's there is a drop to a gruesome fate,' she said. 'No building, no clear skies, just a senseless pillar built upon a dreadfully high cliff.' She folded her arms in a huff.

'I doubt that there's no sense to this,' the horse reassured her. 'That Duchess sent you here for a reason. Maybe this is the Palace.'

The look she gave the stallion made him realise how ridiculous he sounded. 'An obelisk?' she said sharply. 'Really? Truly I thought you'd be of more help.'

'Excuse me, but I've been of more help than you'd possibly understand!' Eros said, affronted. 'If it weren't for me you wouldn't have made it here. I've brought you to far places, gone without much rest and trodden oversuch harsh help were you expecting me to give you? Did you expect me to sprout wings and fly you around, or to believe I was some sort of encyclopaedia? Alice, I'm a horse! I'm not a miracle maker, for crying out loud!'

She felt guilty, then; if it weren't for the horse she wouldn't be here, she knew, and feeling bad about snapping at him she apologised. Eros accepted her sorry, but shrugged as though it meant nothing.

The wind wailed at her, and she could smell the salt on its wings. It reminded her of those times at the beach, and she had visited it though very few times, it warmed her soul to remember. I wonder if they're any beaches around here. I would very much love to take a break. But this wasn't the time for a break, so she snapped out of her reverie and re-examined the monolith before her. 'I don't know what you're hoping to find, Alice, but maybe we could follow the cliff to see if there's anything else -,'

'Wait!' She didn't mean it to come out so brusquely, but she was certain there was more to this obelisk, so much more. After all, what was its function? To look pretty? For who? This part of Wonderland was very sparse. Who would wander so far south with nothing – 'Hold on!'

'What?'

Something took her notice. Something... interesting. 'Look at this.' With a finger, she pointed at a contoured bulge in the stone. It was hard to make out what shape it was, but its outline was bolder than any other part of the obelisk. 'What do you suppose that is?'

'A protuberance,' said the horse indifferently. 'Obviously a little insignificant shape.'

'Then what if I do this?' She pressed her finger into it, and the bugle was pushed back into the stone, leaving a depression in its place and a thunderous groan.

The stallion's eyes widened. 'What did you do?'

'Something,' she answered with a smile, and she waited for results.

She waited...

And waited...

And waited...

Nothing happened.

The smile on the horse's face was so smug pride would be ashamed of itself. It was when he opened his mouth did it spout its conceit. 'Oh, well that is a shame, isn't it, Alice? Now, why don't we do what I suggested a while -,'

'Who goes there?'

It came so at random even Eros' smile was smacked right off his haughty face, and Alice was left baffled. 'Who is there?' she called out to the mist.

'No, no. No, no. It's "who GOES there?'

'My name is Alice,' she answered, swinging her head from side to side, searching for the high-pitched voice somewhere nearby.

'What do Alice and its friend want, hmm?'

'Well, firstly for whoever I am speaking to to show his or herself, please.'

It didn't take long for the speaker to make an appearance. There, perched on top of the obelisk, was a blue jay, looking down at them with great interest. 'I have made myself known,' it said, its feathers vivid even in the haze. 'Now, why are you here?'

'I am looking for the Palace,' she said. 'Do you know where it is?'

The blue jay chirped. 'Oh, so you want to find the Palace, do you?' Its voice was shrill and, to an extent, mocking. 'Alice and friend, you have already found it.'

Eros snorted. 'Well, to be truthful I was expecting something quite grander than a perch for a pest.'

It was so quick that when Alice jolted back she fell on her bottom. 'Pest, eh?' The blue jay had settled itself on the top of Eros' head with such speed, and began pecking at the stallion. Safe to say Eros didn't take that very well. 'Oh, a pest that pecks!' piped the blue jay heatedly as the horse tried to shake it off. 'Oh, what are you to do? What are you to -,'

'Enough!' That time, Alice meant for it to be brusque. 'Off his head now!'

The bird didn't hesitant once. When it returned to the tip of the monolith, it sighed. 'Please excuse my inappropriate behaviour,' it said, now calm. 'I have quite the temper, if one has not noticed. Anyway, back to the previous topic, yes, you have found the Palace but this is not it.' It tapped its foot on the stone. 'You have merely found the door, and of course, rang the doorbell. That is why I am here. My name is Lyric, doorkeeper of the Palace and part-time artiste at the Court of Guardians. As I take it, you wish to gain access to the Palace, am I correct?'

No, I thought I'd be fun to gallivant around a cliff all day for no reason whatsoever. 'Yes, you are.'

'And why exactly if you don't mind my asking?'

'I need to speak with Alistair Ludwidge Secundo, Head of the Psyche. It's very important.'

Lyric's crown of feathers rose for a second, and then lowered as though they were breathing. 'So you know of him,' it said, quite awkwardly. 'Well then, I had best go and tell him that he has a couple of visitors. I will be back momentarily.' And in a blink of an eye, the bird had vanished.

Alice and Eros were left waiting for a shorter amount time than they feared. Within ten minutes the bird had returned, perching itself back upon the obelisk. 'Well,' the bird began with a sigh, 'I guess this is your lucky day.'

Eros snorted. 'Oh? And how so?'

'Because you can now meet the Head of the Psyche.'

Joy filled Alice's soul, hearing that. Good, now we can get away from this miserable cliff top. 'That is wonderful,' said Alice full of delight. 'Now, where do we go?'

'Right this way.' Lyric gave a twitter and then dived down, azure wings outspread, south of the obelisk. The bird hovered above the sheer drop below. 'This mist should fade at any moment,' assured the bird. 'Then we can proceed to the Palace.'

Alice was about to question about the fog's supposed evanescence once the bird had finished, claiming how one could possibly predict the changing of the weather, until the unthinkable happened. For a second or two she thought her eyes playing tricks on her, although when she took a moment of her time to carefully notice, the mist did begin to fade. It began to thin as though it were done by sorcery. And after all the complaining, she was – despite her befuddlement – glad it paid off.

The sky regained colour, albeit a very dim shade of blue. Below, the ocean could be seen ramming into the feet of the cliff walls, its waters as faint as the heavens above. But that was not the only thing Alice noticed once the mist was completely vanished. She had imagined extraordinary creations and defied the laws of what could exist physically, disregarding anything considered "unfeasible" back in her old world. Nevertheless, when she gazed out towards the sea, her eyes fell upon something that made the air catch in her very throat.

Sited between the horizon, floated (yes, floated) a great mass of earth. It was coated at the top with grass a pale green, and beneath rocks of ashen greys and faded browns. Waterfalls plunged down to the ocean far below like cerulean pillars, holding up the weight of the hovering island above. Though that was not the defining feature on this heap of rock, no, for roosting atop of the earth was a grand castle with a dozen soaring spires. Its walls were pallid though its battlements were red, and upon the tallest tower on a finial of gold danced a flag, though what it bore Alice could not see from such a distance.

Both Eros' and Alice's jaws dropped. Just when I thought I'd seen it all.

'There it is,' came Lyric's shrill voice. 'Now, wait for a second and we will be able to cross.'

A couple of minutes later, something was flying towards them from the castle. Once Alice was able to make out what it was she was surprised to find it was the Gryphon. With such grace he descended towards the obelisk and landed before Alice and Eros, and with that he made a bow. 'Alice,' he said with a smile. 'It has been a while.'

'Yes, since Thackery's party, if I remember correctly.'

'That was indeed a while ago.' His sharp eyes fell upon Eros. They formed into a glare. 'I cannot carry a horse to the Palace, I hope you realise. I am afraid you must stay put.'

Eros did not like that one bit. 'Preposterous!' he cried, stamping his hooves in annoyance. 'I travelled here from a great distance. No matter if you or a half a dozen gryphons refuse to carry me I wish to enter the Palace, and enter I shall!'

The Gryphon harrumphed. 'Be my guest,' he said nonchalantly. 'There is a sheer drop right behind me and a nice distance of ocean between here and the castle. Oh, and not to mention there is no way of reaching it without flying, but you can try to swim up the waterfalls if you can perform such an unfeasible task. I'd look forward to it very much.'

Alice knew Eros' patience was trying and he would've caused some commotion. Thankfully, she put a stop to that before he could by attempting to convince him in staying. 'I won't be too long, Eros, I promise,' she said in as light a tone as she could. 'Please stay here for just a few minutes?' Grudgingly, he stayed put, but not without bellowing out some profanities before he finally decided to calm down.

There, Alice hopped onto the Gryphon's back, and with a great beat of his wings he ascended and flew off towards the soaring castle in the distance. The structure truly was remarkable, and it was even more so when they were closer. She could distinctly make out the design on the flag, and saw that it bore a silver rook encased in a blood-red heart. She'd never seen this kind of flag before.

The gryphon began his descent, though he did not land before the front gate. Instead, he came to rest on one of the tower's terraces. A man swathed in jet-black armour from head to toe came to meet them. He held aloft a banner of the very same flag, and made a bow once Alice dismounted the beast. 'Good afternoon, madam,' he said, and he lifted up the visor of his helmet. 'I am the captain of the guards, here. My name is Egbert, or Sir Ebony, as I am more commonly known as. I am happy to escort you into the castle, my dear.'

Alice curtsied. 'It is a pleasure to meet you, Sir.'

'Please, follow me.' All but the Gryphon made their way inside.

As Alice walked down the spiral steps of the tower, she imagined herself in medieval times, with the intricacy of the knight's armour, the grandeur of the castle's spires, and the torch brackets illuminating the interior in place of gaslights. She was honestly half expecting a dragon to come swooping in down from the sky! It was like being in the days of chivalry. The corridors themselves were a pleasantry to observe too once they both descended the stairs. Portraits of majestic (and unidentified) figures adorned the walls, all with an air of pride about them. Red drapes hung from the tops of the walls, and they were hooked back to reveal impressive busts of said figures lined up at the sides. Alice had no clue of who they were, but she was very much eager to find out.

At last, they came to a massive hall filled with people, and with a ceiling so high a tree could have scarcely reached it. Everything was white or silver or gold when it came to the colour scheme of the architecture, which was magnificent enough to pass for something during the Renaissance, like a Venetian cathedral or a palace of kings. The music that played throughout was a lovely sensation to the ears, with symphonies of violas and cellos and flutes. Accompanied with the sonata were the busy voices of the people present, and all appeared as though they were of noble lineage and woven from the minds of a Georgian artist. The fashion was extravagant, to put it lightly. There were people wearing wigs of different colours and shapes, and Alice could make out a woman wearing one in the form of a swan. The clothes themselves were a rainbow of colours; the room was just one massive kaleidoscope. The closest Alice could put it is that the fashion was relatively Georgian, though doubled in excessiveness. The people themselves seemed like something from a melodrama, with their theatrical interactions and their hearty guffaws. Despite Alice having stumbled upon some peculiar sights, this, oddly enough, felt the most peculiar of all.

Once Alice entered the hall with her escort, the music came to an abrupt end. The guests (Alice assumed they were guests), with the top halves of their faces hidden behind elaborate masques, looked at Alice, and none of them were smiling. This certainly made Alice uncomfortable, what with her tattered and shoddy garb, and her golden hair all a tangle. A confrontation with the Jabberwock would've been less daunting! Sir Ebony, with his banner held high, gestured to the guests for a passage to be made through the crowd. The guests reluctantly let them through, and whilst Alice and the knight meandered through the throng a chorus of whispers flew through the hall, complemented with some muffled laughs. Yes, to Alice, the Jabberwock felt more welcoming.

They came then to the foot of a dais, and Sir Ebony bowed to the person upon it and moved aside to let Alice get a better look. An elegant throne was rested upon the dais, and resting upon the throne was a man, his legs dangling over the armrest. He wore a plum coat adorned with gold buttons, supplemented with breeches of crimson and a curled wig of silver. His face was hidden behind a masque, though when he saw Alice curtsy before him he lowered it, and let his profile be seen. He was rather handsome, Alice noted; he looked nonchalant and somewhat cocky in the way he smiled at her, though when he did so her cheeks flushed red. He handed the masque to a servant and removed the wig from his head, showing off locks of russet tied back into a ponytail. He made a small laugh.

'Ah, here she is, finally!' he said loudly so all could here. 'The famous Alice Liddell! You could have picked attire a little more… sophisticated.'

'Well, in my defence, I was unaware that you were having a party,' replied Alice. 'By any chance, are you Alistair Ludwidge Secundo?'

'Just call me Alistair, sweetheart.' He gave her another smile. 'You picked a strange time to come knocking on my door. If I had known you would be paying me a visit I would've written a serenade for you. However, I am sure this would suffice?' He gestured to one of his servants, and promptly they walked down to Alice and offered to her a white rose. Quite taken aback at the gift, she flustered.

'I don't know what to say,' she said as she took it. 'It's very beautiful.'

'As are you.' Alistair looked up at the gawking spectators and clapped his hands. 'You are all a curious lot, aren't you? The party stops when I say it does, so continue.' And just like that the hall was alive again and all eyes turned away from Alice. She was grateful for that. 'Now, sweetheart,' he said, shifting his position on the throne, 'I would like for you to meet a special friend of mine.' He stood up. 'If you would be so kind as to follow me.'

He guided her along the side of the crowded hall, allowing Alice a chance to see out the large windows. It was coming close to sundown, with a violet sky bold behind the white spires of the castle. It was dreamlike to behold, and Alice smiled. 'This is a wonderful place, I must say.'

'You must say?' Alistair turned back to give her a smile. 'Yes, I suppose it is impressive. This is the Palace, as you know, and it rivals even the monarch's abodes. We're not of royalty here, though we are highborn. We came from all corners of the Two Realms, and now we all join here. Well, not all of us. Only few live here.'

'And you have lived here long?' asked Alice, still following.

'Longer than you could imagine.' He stopped, spun around to face Alice, and said: 'Here is the friend I mentioned.' He indicated to a masqueraded aristocrat on his left. They were instantly aware of his presence and so revealed themself. 'This is Archibald Emrys, the most intelligent man you are sure to meet.'

The man known as Archibald made a bow to Alice. He was a skinny, elderly chap, balding on the top and growing on the jawline with an impressive beard that reached to his waist. He raised a glass of red wine to them both. 'A blossoming beauty, there, my friend,' he asserted to Alistair. 'With a scrub down and a comb through the hair she would be an extraordinary creature.' He took a sip from his wineglass. 'I have heard many stories about you, young miss. A year ago you ended strife between Wonderland and Looking-glass Land. Bravo! I also heard you have been living with the most peculiar companions. Am I correct?'

Alice nodded. 'O, yes, that is correct, sir.'

'I thought so. Our beloved Queen of Hearts speaks of you often. I sometimes attend their court meetings, so I am quite up to date with the gossip.'

Wonderful, thought Alice. She could only imagine what delightful things Seraphina had to say about her. It was no doubt the queen was still bothered after the incident with the Prism of Hearts, so whatever came out her mouth must've been of "appreciation". Alice grimaced at the prospect. 'It is fascinating to know that she acknowledges me.'

'O, she acknowledges you!' Archibald chortled. 'The episode at Checkmate Plateau has still left a bitter taste in her mouth. However, despite a few discourteous remarks, she admires your resolve.'

It's something. 'And I admire her passion. She is a fiery character, though a just one.'

Alistair let out a single laugh, as though her words were amusing to the ear. 'O, that is so,' he said, grinning. 'A very just ruler, indeed. An effective one, at that. Very much like her father. Then again, her family has been known to be quite… ardent in some areas.' He passed a wink at Archibald, but he did not look impressed.

The old man cleared his throat. 'Anyway, young miss, what brings you to the Palace?'

Alice blinked. She'd almost forgotten about her task. 'O, well, I – I came here to say -,'

Something blue darted past the corner of her eye, and hovering there beside Alistair's head was the blue jay. It chirped something in his ear. Alice could not make out what it said. Alistair made a small nod, and Lyric made off in a shot of blue lightning. 'Forgive me, friends,' he said to Alice and Archibald, 'I need to speak with Sir Ebony. I will be back shortly.' And then he left.

Alice felt a gentle tap on her shoulder, and when she went to look Archibald took his hand away and smiled through his beard. 'I did not hear what you said, young miss.'

I don't think I said anything. 'O, yes. Um, where was I? Well, I came here to say that – that the Guardians -,'

'Why are you stammering?'

'I – I…' Goodness me. She twiddled her fingers. She wasn't too sure how to phrase what Lysandra had said to her, and neither was she sure how Archibald would respond to the statement. Nerves were kicking in far worse than having stood out among those masqueraded nobles. Though to her relief, before she could conjure up a tactful reply, and before her stammering worsened, Alistair had promptly returned.

'I apologise,' he said as he made a stop before the duo. 'Pressing matters, I am afraid.' He turned to Archibald. 'Lyric has just informed me that there is a woman by the obelisk... again. Of course, it's not the same person.'

Oh, goodness, I hope it's not –

'Well, it'd be best to send the Griffin over - or perhaps the blue jay - to ask why she's here,' Archibald suggested.

'I've already done so. Alice, my dear, by any chance might you know who this woman is?'

I might. 'I've no idea what she looks like,' Alice answered. 'Have you asked for her name? I can assure you, it was only Eros and I that travelled here. There was no one else.'

The Head of the Psyche stroked his chin. 'I see,' he said. 'Well then, Lyric'll be back with answers soon enough. Anyway,' he clapped his hands, 'you were telling us something, weren't you, or has it already been said?'

She was on the spot again. Knowing now a woman was outside – and a woman she most likely knew, no less – doubled her unease. She wasn't too sure how to approach this. Would these two be understandable? Would they discuss the issue civilly or would they fluster with outrage? There was only one why to find out.

Alice took a deep breath. 'I am a sort of messenger,' she began. Her palms were sweating. She dried them on her dress absentmindedly. 'You see -,'

'See what?' Archibald exclaimed.

Alice ignored him. 'I have been sent by a Reviver.'

There was pause. Archibald bowed his head and swirled the wine around in his glass. Alistair, after a moment's silence, twitched a smile and conjured a forced laugh.

'Well,' he said, pushing his tongue to his cheek. 'That is – that is... interesting. I certainly wasn't expecting that. However, Alice, what does this... Reviver want?'

Brace yourselves for more awkwardness, Alice. 'They wanted me to talk of your...' she started thinking of an acceptable synonym to "tyranny", if there even was one. 'To talk of your authority.' That seemed suitable enough, she supposed.

Alistair raised an eyebrow. 'Did they ask you to put that politely? It is rather well-known that Guardians and Revivers are not the best of friends. The last Revivers were the Heartless and they were taken care of almost a century ago. Whoever this "Reviver" is, I am sure we can come to some accord. We don't want history to repeat itself now, do we?'

Archibald looked up at Alistair. 'Revivers are all gone. You do realise that?'

'Of course,' the Head replied. 'This is no more than some commoner complaining about taxes or something equally "unjust". Then again, ruling under Seraphina, well, that can't be all fun and games. Nevertheless, Alice, we will have this matter settled soon enough. You can bring them here if you wish and we will hopefully come to an agreement and all this twaddle can be put to rest. Is that fair enough, sweetheart?'

Being called "sweetheart" left a sickly taste in Alice's mouth, though on the other hand, she thought the arrangement reasonable. 'Thank you, kind sirs,' she curtsied. 'It'd probably be best if I took my leave, now. My friends would be wondering why I'm taking so long.'

A blur of blue shot past her as before, and Lyric was hovering an inch beside the Head's ear. In reply to something the bird whispered, Alistair laughed. 'Ah! Thank you, Lyric. The woman outside is just one of the queen's envoys,' he said to Alice and Archibald. 'She's probably here to ask on behalf of the queen why her majesty wasn't invited. Well, I can think of many reasons! But yes, Alice, of course, you may leave. Bring your friend along next time. You're welcome here whenever, my dear. Sir Ebony will escort you out.'

It was a relief for Alice to leave the blustering hall behind and back out into the open air. The Griffin was already waiting for her, all set to fly back to the obelisk. She thanked Sir Ebony for accompanying her back up the fairytale spires. He gave her a parting smile and disappeared back down the tower, and Alice disappeared into the horizon.

Back at the obelisk, the envoy Alistair spoke of was standing patiently in the cold. She wore a heart badge on her uniform to indicate her importance and her role. She caught sight of Alice as she dismounted the hybrid, giving her a small nod in recognition. Eros saw her approach and was gladdened by it.

'Thank goodness you have returned!' he said as he trotted towards her. 'Are we to return home? How was the meeting?'

'I will tell you on the journey home,' Alice said. 'After some sleep, I need to return to the Pool of Tears and talk to the Duchess. I think everything will be sorted soon enough.'