sorry. I never wanted to let you
down.”
Molly’s image crackled to nothing.
“And this is where I too am at fault,” Arch said, snapping shut the diary. “I have unknowingly allowed the Diamonds to indulge their machinations against you by providing them the space and secrecy to carry them out. The Lord of Diamonds recently paid for two lunar cycles’ worth of servants and a convoy of tents. As I’d been informed that his encampment was one big party, and I don’t care for his brand of frivolity, I chose not to visit him. But I see now that my ministers were being fed misinformation and that Lord Diamond and his wife were not hosting a celebratory affair but working to dethrone and even murder you. Lady Diamond has gone into hiding at one of our retreats.” “No harm had better come to Molly,” Alyss said. “I agree,” said the king. “We must prevent a tragedy at all costs, which is why I suggest you do as the Ganmedes request.”
“And that is?”
“Send Hatter Madigan to the Sin Bin Gaming Club in Boarderton, a city they view as neutral territory. Grant him the authority to negotiate on your behalf for Homburg Molly’s release.” “Why Hatter?”
“As talented as he is in combat, they believe that he’s the least likely to risk Molly’s life in a rescue attempt. As to why they believe this, I think Hatter himself can best answer that question.” Alyss flicked her eyes toward the Milliner, but his face remained as inscrutable as a slab of quartz. “Sovereign Heart, if I’d known sooner that you were being invaded,” Arch said, “I would have offered aid before now, as befits a good neighbor. My doggerels of war are at your disposal. You need only ask for them.”
“Thank you, Arch, but we have the attack under control.” “With your powers of imagination, I’m not surprised. Is it Redd?” “Nothing is confirmed at this point. When do the Ganmedes expect Hatter in Boarderton?” “In precisely half a lunar cycle. If he doesn’t arrive in time, they will assume you don’t wish to negotiate and Homburg Molly’s fate will follow accordingly.” Arch ended his transmission without signing off and the holo-screen again aired the real-time scene of deserted Wondertropolis streets. The room was quiet except for the tinkling of General Doppelgänger’s medals as he worriedly rubbed at his forehead. “You don’t believe Arch is an innocent intermediary, do you?” Dodge asked. “No.”
“I doubt Arch cares what Alyss suspects of him so long as she does what he wants,” said Bibwit. “I’d rather go myself,” Alyss fretted.
The scholar shook his head. “That wouldn’t be wise. It could be a ruse to lure you away from
Molly’s image crackled to nothing.
“And this is where I too am at fault,” Arch said, snapping shut the diary. “I have unknowingly allowed the Diamonds to indulge their machinations against you by providing them the space and secrecy to carry them out. The Lord of Diamonds recently paid for two lunar cycles’ worth of servants and a convoy of tents. As I’d been informed that his encampment was one big party, and I don’t care for his brand of frivolity, I chose not to visit him. But I see now that my ministers were being fed misinformation and that Lord Diamond and his wife were not hosting a celebratory affair but working to dethrone and even murder you. Lady Diamond has gone into hiding at one of our retreats.” “No harm had better come to Molly,” Alyss said. “I agree,” said the king. “We must prevent a tragedy at all costs, which is why I suggest you do as the Ganmedes request.”
“And that is?”
“Send Hatter Madigan to the Sin Bin Gaming Club in Boarderton, a city they view as neutral territory. Grant him the authority to negotiate on your behalf for Homburg Molly’s release.” “Why Hatter?”
“As talented as he is in combat, they believe that he’s the least likely to risk Molly’s life in a rescue attempt. As to why they believe this, I think Hatter himself can best answer that question.” Alyss flicked her eyes toward the Milliner, but his face remained as inscrutable as a slab of quartz. “Sovereign Heart, if I’d known sooner that you were being invaded,” Arch said, “I would have offered aid before now, as befits a good neighbor. My doggerels of war are at your disposal. You need only ask for them.”
“Thank you, Arch, but we have the attack under control.” “With your powers of imagination, I’m not surprised. Is it Redd?” “Nothing is confirmed at this point. When do the Ganmedes expect Hatter in Boarderton?” “In precisely half a lunar cycle. If he doesn’t arrive in time, they will assume you don’t wish to negotiate and Homburg Molly’s fate will follow accordingly.” Arch ended his transmission without signing off and the holo-screen again aired the real-time scene of deserted Wondertropolis streets. The room was quiet except for the tinkling of General Doppelgänger’s medals as he worriedly rubbed at his forehead. “You don’t believe Arch is an innocent intermediary, do you?” Dodge asked. “No.”
“I doubt Arch cares what Alyss suspects of him so long as she does what he wants,” said Bibwit. “I’d rather go myself,” Alyss fretted.
The scholar shook his head. “That wouldn’t be wise. It could be a ruse to lure you away from