“I can’t just leave her here…what if she continues to grow in size and gets stuck down here forever?” Clover asked grimly.
Alister arched an eyebrow at Clover. “Do you think she’s some kind of giant in disguise?”
Clover nodded. “Perhaps. That would definitely explain her monstrous strength. It would be possible for a giant to conceal their true size by eating the shrinking mushroom regularly. But, as you can see…the effects of the mushroom do eventually wear off.”
Alister gawked, as right before their eyes the Knave seemed to grow a few more inches. Clover grunted at the extra weight.
With their magic beans securely stored away in their pockets, Alister and Clover made their way through the winding tunnels of Underland until they reached a dead end. Alister painted a door, and they used it to enter Salome’s Tavern. The duo stealthily snuck through the tavern before making their way up the spiral staircase that led to the mushroom grove.
Once they’d exited the mushroom stalk Alister turned to face Clover, who was setting the unconscious Knave down, and began to feel awkward. “So, I guess this is where we part ways, huh?”
Clover tilted his head and stared at Alister with a befuddled look on his face. “I thought you were going to Overland too?”
Alister blinked. “I am, but we’re in competition with each other, so I thought…?”
Clover slapped the artist affectionately on the back. “Alister, you saved me back there. I owe you one. Now, if you would like we can head to Overland together?”
Alister immediately brightened at the gracious offer. “Really? That’d be great because I really have no clue about what the hell we’re supposed to do with this bean we stole except maybe plant it.”
Clover chuckled amiably. “Don’t worry, Al, I know exactly what we need to do. Just follow me. But first, we should really return to our normal sizes, or else we’ll be the size of a flea in comparison to those giants!”
Alister gulped at the reminder that they would soon be facing actual giants. “Sure.”
Alister and Clover both ripped off a piece of mushroom from the top of the mushroom’s cap at the same time before plopping it into their mouths, chewing, and swallowing. The duo quickly began to increase in size until they were both six-feet-tall.
Alister patted himself down, and smoothed his hands over his clothes. “Phew,” he let out a sigh of relief. “We’re lucky our clothes grow with us.” Alister looked down at the Knave who was now only fifteen-inches-tall in comparison, but who was also increasing in size rapidly. When the Knave finally returned to her normal size Alister figured she’d be seven-feet-tall. Perhaps, she’s only half-giant? Alister mused curiously. But he wasn’t planning on sticking around to find out how big the Knave would actually get.
Clover barked out a laugh. “That’s because of the mushroom’s magic. Just think about what would happen if the food in Wonderland weren’t magical in a way that affected people’s clothes too! There would be a bunch of naked people wandering around Wonderland! Wait…wouldn’t that be paradise?” A wistful expression settled over Clover’s face as he thought about forming a Wonderland nudist colony. He’d always thought clothes were a hassle.
Alister grew intrigued. “So, I take it shrinking oneself or making oneself increase in size is perfectly normal here?”
Clover nodded vigorously. “Oh, yes, perfectly normal. You have to be the right size for when the occasion calls for it, you know?”
Alister just smiled. “No. Not really.”
“Alright, now, follow me,” Clover started off, heading through the mushroom grove. “I know just the spot to plant our magic beans!”
The White King led Alister to a large open field of wild flowers. The duo made their way to the very center of the field. Then, Clover crouched down and began to dig a hole with his hands. He took out his magic bean and held his hand out towards Alister in an expectant manner. “Give me yours too. If we have them grow together our beanstalk will grow sturdier and be much safer to climb.”
Alister obediently took out his magic bean and placed it in the palm of Clover’s hand. “If you say so.”
Clover placed both seeds into the hole and covered the beans with dirt. “We just need some water…” Clover looked around before giving Alister an apologetic look. “Forgive my crudeness.” He spit on top of the small pile of dirt, and motioned for Alister to move back. “You’re going to want to stand back for this.”
All of a sudden a bean sprout emerged from the earth and rapidly began to grow and increase in size exponentially. Clover and Alister stepped back several feet to give the beanstalk room to grow.
“Whoa,” Alister breathed as he watched the two beanstalks intertwine and become one, and then shoot up into the sky. Up and up and up the beanstalk grew until it passed through the clouds overhead and disappeared from sight.
“There.” Clover nodded with a pleased glint in his green eyes. “Now, we climb.”
Alister craned his neck to look up at how tall the beanstalk had gotten and the blood started to drain out of his face. He gulped. “Climb…that?”
Clover shot Alister a pensive look. “Yes. It’s the only way to reach Overland.”
Alister thought back to how he’d managed to help out in the battle against the Knave in the tunnels of Underland and wondered where the hell his courage had gone. He started to tremble slightly. “I don’t know if I can. This would be easy if I were a cat…”
Clover placed his hands on hips and gave Alister a stern look. “Alister, you’re The Artist. Just paint something to help you climb up the beanstalk if you’re afraid.”
Alister blinked, nodded, and swallowed. “You’re absolutely right, Clover.” He whipped out his paintbrush. “Let’s see what can I paint to help me with this crazy task.”
***
“Snazzy gloves, Alister,” Clover remarked from his position a few feet above Alister on the beanstalk. “You have quite the imagination!” The White King was currently using a pickaxe, which Alister had created by painting said item on a rock, to climb the side of the beanstalk.
Meanwhile, Alister was clinging to the side of the beanstalk using a special pair of gloves he’d come up with. In order to make the gloves he’d traced his hands on the surface of a rock with his paintbrush, and then added razor-sharp, catlike claws to the gloves’ fingertips.
The final result was a pair of black gloves that acted just like a cat’s paws. They were very good at clinging to slippery surfaces. Alister had also added two wicked spikes - one on the toe of each of his dress shoes. Alister smiled lopsided at Clover’s compliment. “Katrina…inspired them,” he admitted softly.
Clover’s bright, carefree expression turned somber. “I’m sure her brother Chesher has found a way to save her. He’s very resourceful.”
Sadness and worry swirled in Alister’s blue eyes. “I hope you’re right.” The artist continued to climb up the beanstalk and was very careful not to look down. He was afraid of heights, of course. Alister let out a heavy sigh at the glum thought. Why was he up there climbing a bloody beanstalk and risking certain death again?
Ah, yes…Madeline.
Men always seemed to get themselves into trouble over a woman.
Even if he couldn’t stand to be touched by her, Alister still loved his dream girl come to life. He’d jerked off to the paintings he’d painted of her on many lonely nights, and had several erotic dreams about her too.
Maybe that’s why even though he was a bloody coward he’d do anything for her. And he couldn’t let Madeline marry that sadistic, pompous ass Crim. A domineering man like him would only break her fiery spirit. He had to protect her from that. “What do you think is up there…waiting for us?” Alister asked in a tremulous voice.
“Well, besides the flesh-eating giants, you mean? Probably my brother Crim. He’s most likely already trying to steal a pearl from the mermaids as we speak.”
“Do you think he’ll succeed?” Alister questioned.
“My brother…always gets what he wants. Unfortunately, it’s usually at the expense of others. But, the giants are tricky and powerful.” Clover’s expression pinched in worry. “Even my brother with all his dark magic will have a hard time getting past them unscathed.”
“Well, then we’d better hurry up and get up there so that we can help him,” Alister said nonchalantly.
Clover shot Alister a bewildered look. “You’d be willing to help my brother? Even though he’s tried to have you killed multiple times?”
Alister shrugged carelessly. “Katrina was able to see the good in him. And you haven’t given up on him yet either. Also, I know why he’s doing this. He wants his ‘happy ending’ and believes that his marrying Madeline will give him that. He believes Madeline is the key to his happiness. As they say, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Crim thinks what he’s doing is the right thing - even though it’s wrong. I can forgive that because there’s a force that’s greater than him that made him the way he is…” Alister trailed off mysteriously.
“What force?” Clover asked with great curiosity.
Alister lowered his head slightly to shield his slightly guilty expression with his bangs, and lifted his shoulders in a shrug. “Fate, maybe.”
Clover nodded in understanding. “Yes. We are all slaves to our Fate.”
Alister fingered his paintbrush unconsciously. “Yeah…” The artist glanced at the sun that was currently being covered by the moon in an eclipse “Look. The Wonderland Eclipse has started. According to Madeline that means we have five hours to complete this impossible task.”
“Plenty of time!” Clover said optimistically.
When the duo had reached a height of eight hundred feet they were passing through the clouds. As soon as they passed through the thick, fluffy clouds an enormous, floating landmass became visible in the sky directly above them. That landmass was one thousand feet above the ground below.
Alister squinted his eyes at the floating mass of land above them, that in a way resembled an island, except that instead of ocean it was surrounded by clouds, and noticed a large circular opening that allowed the beanstalk to pass straight though. This opening was perfectly round and appeared to be man-made, or in this case was most likely ‘giant-made’.
Alister’s arms were trembling from the exertion of the climb, and Clover looked down at him concernedly. “We’re almost there, Alister. Don’t give up now.”
Alister gulped and nodded, and the duo continued the rest of the way up the beanstalk until they’d finally managed to reach the circular opening. They pulled themselves up through this opening and onto the floating landmass’s surface where they found themselves in a vast castle courtyard.
Alister looked around the courtyard in awe. “You knew this place was here, didn’t you? This hole…looks like it was specifically created to allow a beanstalk to pass through.” He turned to give Clover a searching look. “How?”
“Ever hear of the story of Jacklyn and the Beanstalk?” Clover asked.
“Yeah,” Alister said with a nod.
“The story is true. Well, most of it anyways. Jacklyn was a hero.” A wistful expression settled over the White King’s face. “Her brave actions saved everyone in Wonderland from the giants who tried to invade our realm.”
Alister was muttering to himself. “I remember creating a painting of a girl with a sword climbing a beanstalk…”
“Jacklyn’s beanstalk once stood here. It was cut down, of course, to prevent the giants from descending into our realm.” A dark shadow fell over Clover’s face. “Jacklyn single-handedly fought the giants in order to buy her comrades on the ground enough time to chop down the beanstalk. She was never heard from or seen again.”
“Wait, does that mean that our growing a beanstalk and coming here has endangered all of Wonderland?” Alister was aghast.
“This is supposed to be an ‘impossible task’,’ Clover reminded him pointedly. “Did you think it would be without risks?”
“Riiight. Impossible task.” Alister turned his attention to the giants’ castle in front of him. He had to crane his neck up to look at the spires and turrets, and he let out an impressed whistle. “Whoo.”
“It’s not too shabby,” Clover allowed as he too admired the castle. “But, you have to visit the White Kingdom and see my castle someday though.”
“You have your own castle?” Alister was suitably impressed. “Cool.” He glanced around nervously. “But, um…shouldn’t there be guards posted here? Or is this the backdoor or something?”
Clover frowned at Alister’s astute observation. “No. You’re right. There should be guards posted here. The fact that they’re not means my brother must already be inside the castle wreaking havoc.” The corner of Clover’s mouth lifted in a lopsided smile. “They’re probably chasing him through the castle as we speak.”
A look of alarm flitted over Alister’s face. “We’d better go help him!”
Clover swiftly reached out and put a hand on Alister’s shoulder to stop him. “Whoa there, Cowboy. There’s no reason to worry about Crim. He’s wily, resourceful, and a bit of a trickster. He’ll be fine. It’s ourselves we should be worried about. But, it appears my brother has presented us with a golden opportunity. With the giants distracted and chasing Crim around we’ll be able to search the castle for the fishbowl unmolested. Come on.”
The duo entered the castle stealthily, keeping to the shadows. The main hall appeared to be a combination throne room and dining room. There was a long, wooden dining table surrounded by sturdy, wooden armchairs, and at the far side of the room was a raised dais with a simple wooden throne on it. The furniture was enormous and several feet high. Next to the throne was a wooden door inlaid with gold.
Clover nodded in the door’s direction. “I’d bet anything that’s the entrance to the treasure chamber.”
Alister spotted it and nodded in agreement. “Then, let’s-”
Clover abruptly slapped a hand over his mouth. “Shhh!” He nodded his head towards the throne and Alister spotted an enormous giant! He’d thought that the giants’ legs were decorative columns until the giant had started to walk. Alister craned his neck up and up to see the giant’s face and grimaced. “He’s sure one ugly bloke.”
The giant guard looked like a mix between a Viking and a Scotsman. Blue war paint was slathered on his pale cheeks, and across his bare chest in swirling patterns. The guard was wearing light armor consisting of: a horned helmet, vambraces, greaves, and spiked shoulder armor. Some kind of animal skin was wrapped around his waist and was his only clothing. The giant had a mane of long, dirty, matted orange hair. There was a menacing gleam in his blue eyes as he paced back and forth with thundering footsteps.
“A guard,” Alister murmured softly.
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