"But what does she have that Carlotta needs?" Chess asked.
"I belive I know why," Absolem mumbled. "How do you think the red queen got people to do her bidding?" We all shrugged.
"Crushing people with her oversized head?" I suggested. Everyone laughed, except Absolem.
"No. You see she posesses a locket, composed of gold and a beautiful ruby. This locket has great power, when used properly. The Queen had figured out how to use it, although she rarely needed it. However, she had not unlocked its true potential. In the right hands it could have catastrophic affects."
"So we better find her fast" I said. Absolem nodded.
"But where is she?" Chess asked.
"I bet I can find her!" Queenie said. She wrinkled her forehead and squeezed her eyes shut.
"I see them. Outside a huge wood. I begins with T. Tonkey? No, Tooley? No, Tully, wait! Tulgey! That's it! The Tulgey wood!"
"Well what are we waiting for!" I cried. "Let's go!" The Dormouse started to run with us, but Absolem stopped her.
"What you doing?" she asked.
"We cannot let the Red Queen know that she will be helping us. Otherwise we stand no chance." I immedeately understood this. We couldn't tell her our true reason.
Travelling to the Tulgey wood was a quick process. And, just as Queenie had said, outside stood the Red Queen and the Knave. She was grumbling about something, but she stopped dead as she saw us. We were very close to her. She glared at us.
"What in the world?" The Knave began. The Red Queen lashed out at the Knave.
"You idiot Stayne! Think! Who do these three bring to mind?" I rolled my eyes and shrugged.
"Here we go again," I muttered. The Red Queen raised an eyebrow quizzically. I decided to make a big entrance to distract her.
"Good evening, lady Iracebeth of Crimes. I am-"
"I know who you are!" she snapped. "You're one of those silly do-gooders who are trying to help my sissy sister!" I realised this was going to be a lot harder than I thought.
"-If you please, I am er, Harriet Hightopp (to use my false name) and I have come to ask you of a favour." I bowed and tipped my hat. The Queen smiled in a sickly sweet way.
"Well, it seems they have a young lady with manners. I am right in assuming you are of the Hatter's kin?" I nodded.
"If you please, my lady, I am in great need of your assistance. If your noble ladyship would be so kind to hear out my request? " She smiled. Flattery was obviously the best way to go about this. She waved a hand like a careless butterfly.
"Go on."
"Well, my lady, my comrades and I are aware that you have a piece of jewellery that we require."
"My necklace? She can't have it!" The Red Queen stamped her foot like a spoiled child.
"If you please, oh your greatness, Miriana has no need for the necklace. I request it for personal reasons."
"Oh?"
"Well, um, I-"
"I'm waiting."
"Um, well I must say this, my mother has always been a secret supporter of you." The red queen smiled.
"But my father and my dearest Tarrant are firm friends of the white queen. They would be ashamed to learn of it, so she sent me to get a message from you."
"And what about you, child? Who do you support?" I
"I prefer not to choose sides. Anyway, my mother said, that if she could just have a little thing to cherish, she would die a happy woman." The Red Queen smiled.
"Very well." 'YES!' I thought. "But first, you must do something for me." My heart sank.
"W-what is it your ladyship?" The Red Queen held out her shackles.
"You must free me from these chains." I gulped.
"But I do not have the key."
"It is kept by the Dodo, Uilleam."
"I will ask him, my lady." I bowed, and we walked away.
"Oh, Harriet my sweetie!" she called after me. "Give my love to your dearest brother!"
I grumbed and clenched my fists as we walked away.
"You're a good liar," Queenie whispered. I nodded my thanks.
"Her head is so much bigger in real life," I muttered, astounded.
"I know! It was absolutely HUGE!" Chess replied. We walked silently back to the clearing. Absolem and the others were waiting for us.
"Well?" ask the Rabbit. "Did you get it?"
"She agreed to give it to us," I sighed. "But on one condition."
"What is it?" asked the rabbit.
"She wants us to free her."
"WHAT?" cried the Dormouse.
"Typical," tutted Absolem.
"We'll need to ask Uilleam for the key," the rabbit said.
"Do you think he'l give it to us?" Queenie asked.
