the story

author's corner

at the edge of the fey woods 

— unknown time 

The full moon high up in the darkened night sky, its beams gently illuminating the land below. Flowers sprang beneath the feet, and a slight breeze lifted dark locks in gentle dance. In the distance, a pool of water sparkled under the bright circle in the sky.

In other words, the perfect night for a meeting with the Fey.

Carroll doesn't often bother to walk, but when it was decided that the action was necessary, often the entire ensemble was employed; the hat, the gloves, the boots, and of course, the cane. It would simply be unseeming to not present oneself at one's best when meeting a monarch. And the monarch of the enemy, no less.

As these thoughts ran through the Head of CARDS' mind, it was noticed that a ring of miniature toadstools had sprung, by magic, it appeared, under the soles of the black leather boots. A conventional but useful way to summon the Fey. Or at least, when there was still Nature to conduct her magic. The ring of fungi made Carroll smile a little, a smirk tugging at the corner of the lips before the black leather boots straightened to allow their owner to stare up to the dark and brooding figure that had just arrived, seemingly materialized out of nowhere.

"Your Majesty," Carroll instantly knelt on the still-illuminated grass, mentally grieving at the silk trousers that would have been stained by now. "How nice of you to have come and honoured a lowly being such as me with...a meeting."

"Save your nonsense," The Unseelie King rumbled, in a voice that resembled rolling thunder. The black flames that made the hem of his cloak started flickering, dancing in intense tango, alerting Carroll to the fact that His Majesty was getting agitated. "We both know the reason for my arrival."

"Indeed," Carroll straightened up again, mentally rejoicing at the silk pants, though it instantly shifted when the rather large stain was noticed. "Now, perhaps, if we may - "

There was a sudden rumble again; lightning flashed in the distance and thunder rolled across the seemingly peaceful woodland as the Unseelie King striked his staff on the ground, effectively silencing Carroll's words. 

"What would be the meaning of this, exactly?" Within the folds of his cloak, the King produced a scroll of parchment that Carroll thought resembled a declaration of war that was written previously. Or rather, it was an invitation. The Elders have had the choice to reject. But no matter. Confrontation with an issue usually meant forced agreement, and that, frankly, was what Carroll was looking for and wanted.

And got.

"I'm not quite sure as to what you mean, Your Majesty."

Another rumble in the distance. Another smirk tugged at the lips, but the Head of CARDS forced it down. Appearances must be kept. 

"Why are you deciding to topple the balance of peace kept until now? There is no reason for such. No Underworlder had committed any Forbidden Crime or broke the Unspeakable Law. Unless..." The Unseelie King broke off, not daring to say the inevitable truth that would have came along some time or another. Black flames flickered at the corners of his eyes, or what would have passed for eyes, tiny pockets of fading stars faintly shining in black holes, narrowed in contempt and disgust while Carroll's smile grew bigger. The staff was striked on the ground again, and the Unseelie King growled in disgust.

"Indeed. We are proceeding into the territory of the 'unless'. It is true. I have decided to do the inevitable - " 

"Very well." Seeming to not bear another moment of Carroll continuing on, the Unseelie King cut in and broke his words. "Since you have made the decision to hunt our species and force it into extinction, we will do what we must to save our race. No longer would we hide in submission, mortal. You will recieve the full extent of our wrath." With that, he glowered at the other once more, and striked his staff one last time; without waiting for a reply, he disappeared into the cool night air, seemingly vanishing into nothingness.

" - which is to declare a war because I had no choice," Carroll finished the sentence, then sighed. "Those old fools; never one for patience. Since when have I said to make the decision of..." At that the Head of CARDS paused, then continued mockingly; " 'hunting their species and force it into extinction'? I'm merely doing what I thought to be inevitable for us; for my people." Carroll heaved another sigh and placed a hand on the hip, looking for any trace of the Unseelie King, of which there would obviously be none. "But of course, you would not see it that way. Oh well. Suppose I actually do what you say, Your Majesty..." The smile then re-appeared, and grew even larger.

"But then it would be more fun that way, wouldn't it?"