Eternal Alice Teaser

She sat upon the throne she'd made, steeping in her anger like a cup of tea...and just as hot. Her fingers fluttered on the hilt of the sword, a weapon that had drunk deep of victory and put hundreds to their deaths. Those she had slain deserved what they got.

They lied to her.

The whole world had lied to her.

But the worst of it was that she had lied to herself.

She searched her mind, fond and frustrating memories swirling together in a maddening, mish-mosh whirlpool. She gritted her teeth and a sharp retort echoed through her chamber as she stabbed the point of the sword upon the stones. Many a time had come before when she wished she could run her heart through with that same blade, but things had changed since then. There was too much to do, and she was the only one who could do it. She had to hold on to whatever sense of self she had left...if there was any. Perhaps she never had one. She didn't really know. She didn't know much of anything, if she had ever known anything at all. Well, perhaps she knew one thing.

She knew hate.

She knew the pain of having her faith and trust broken, of being decieved and lied to after giving nothing but honesty and manners. She knew hate quite well indeed. She knew hate so well she could invite it for tea, if hate ever were to do a thing of that sort. She rose from her seat and walked out from her chambers. The sounds of pickaxes and the grunts of workers could be heard.

The watchman bowed in her presence. "It won't be long now, my Queen."

She gripped the hilt of the sword tightly. "Then ensure they do not stop. No one rests until it is uncovered."

The watchman nodded. "Yes, my Queen."

She made as if to leave, looking back over her shoulder and pointing behind him. "Oh, and one more thing..."

The watchman turned, curious as to what she wanted, only to cry out in pain as he was flogged heavily with the flat of the sword. She stood over him, eyes hard as flint.

"Never call me your queen."

~*~*~*~