The Marshal flinched -- a flicker of change in his stony expression -- at the Queen's use of his name. He felt it as a reminder of what would happen to the people he still held dear, the people who once had fondly called him [i]August[/i], should he betray the Queen. No one had called him by his name since the King's wedding. [i]The Marshal[/i] was a thing of scorn, and he preferred to keep it that way, black and cruel. As long as he was heartless -- as long as he held the Queen's trust and remained by her side -- he could keep watch over the kingdom.

He straightened, his eyes solemn and fixed straight ahead, in complete and professional obedience. "There were no problems, Your Majesty. We tracked the princess, and we retrieved her." He wouldn't tell her about the horseless carriages, the enormous palaces, the lanterns without flame that lit up the sky like the sun. If any of this was of interest to the Queen, he didn't feel inclined to indulge her. He bowed his head sharply. "With your leave we will commence our final pursuit."

--

The cat perched patiently on the branch, her tail switching, her eyes half-lidded. She stared at this other-world girl for awhile without saying anything at all. She watched her frustrated breathing, her shifting and pacing and twitching and hair-pulling. She waited for the girl to collect her wits, as surprised people sometimes needed to do, before she spoke again.

"My name is Dorothea," she said as simply as she could. "I am the princess of Eldonia, which is the kingdom we're in right now." She blinked slowly. "I am, obviously, just as human as yourself. I was changed into this form, and I will be changed back. Those men behind us work for the Queen, who, for her own reasons, requires me to disappear. Her men brought you here because they thought you knew too much. I do not think they realized how mute I had been, or how ignorant you were. They might have left you alone. You were brought here via a mirror doorway: one may only step through it while the moon is full and bright in your world. The sun has risen in your world, therefore the doorway is shut. I believe those are the answers to all your questions." She blinked again, slowly, and made every effort to avoid making sudden movements. She knew what it was to be confused and out of her depth. "I will guide you home, but you need to trust me. You might begin by telling me your name." She stood up on the branch, her tail stretched tall. "But while we walk. The Marshal will be fast after us."