Seeing Redd Read Free

and the arbiters who decided the guilt or innocence of the ill-fated brought before them in the name of jurisprudence. Only Jack of Diamonds had been prosecuted, Bibwit’s and the walrus-butler’s evidence against him too overwhelming to ignore; found guilty of treason and racketeering, he’d been punished accordingly.
    But why poison my brain with thoughts of Jack of Diamonds?
    Why, indeed, when Dodge Anders had caught her eye from across the courtyard? It was the first time she was seeing him in his uniform as head of the palace guard. She’d almost forgotten how handsome he could be when dressed in formal attire.
    As if it were possible to forget .
    She had always thought his was a rough-hewn handsomeness, the four parallel scars on his cheek adding to his looks rather than diminishing them. She’d been thrilled when he requested his father’s former post, and interpreted it as meaning that he would abide by a guardsman’s code instead of avenging Sir Justice’s death. She only hoped that he didn’t become too much like the Dodge of her youth, who had shown an almost religious devotion to propriety, a guardsman’s place in relation to the queen, because now that there was no threat of her having to marry Jack of Diamonds…
    She glanced away, afraid she would reveal too much of herself in her eyes.
    â€œMolly, there are enough guards and chessmen here to protect a flock of queens. I want you to go off and enjoy yourself.”
    â€œBut I am enjoying myself.”
    It was Molly’s job to shadow her everywhere, Alyss knew. But it could be so bothersome. How was she supposed to have any time alone with Dodge, who was that moment making his way toward her though she pretended not to notice?
    â€œMolly, I order you to enjoy yourself somewhere else .”
    â€œFine,” the girl pouted, and stomped off.
    Alyss kept her eyes to the ground. She tried to think of something clever to say to Dodge, but her mind filled with the sort of things she might murmur to any old stranger—how are you, lovely weather we’re enjoying, at least we have our health. She felt him standing next to her. Her quickened pulse loud in her ears, she looked up and—
    It was only Bibwit, with official pardons to sign.
    â€œMust I, Bibwit, even during the party?”
    She watched Dodge veer off to confer with one of his guardsmen; he would never interrupt her when engaged in the nation’s business.
    â€œI’m sorry you find it inconvenient, Alyss. But these are Wonderlanders who have been punished by Redd’s regime for committing no crimes.”
    He was chastising her, in his gentle way. Why should those who have innocently suffered be made to suffer another moment? Wonderlanders imprisoned during Redd’s reign were being interviewed, their cases reviewed to determine if they were legitimate criminals or merely people who had fallen afoul of Redd’s temper. For the latter, proper legal channels had to be employed, pardons issued and signed.
    â€œIt seems that being a queen involves nothing but paperwork,” Alyss sighed, scratching her name first on one pardon, then another.
    â€œMastering the combat aspects of a warrior queen is the easy part,” said Bibwit. “The administrative responsibilities of ruling from day to day, of contending with the bureaucratic procedures that keep Wonderland society functioning—these are more subtle to master and therefore more difficult.”
    The walrus-butler waddled up as Alyss was signing the last of the pardons. “Queen Alyss, King Arch of Boarderland is here.”
    Bibwit’s ears stood erect in surprise.
    â€œHe must have come to wish me well,” Alyss said, not quite believing it herself. “Please show him into the garden, walrus.”
    â€œYes, but…yes, I tried, Queen Alyss. But he says he prefers to visit with you in a more masculine environment.”
    â€œAnd where would that