The shops and houses were dark and quiet. It seemed most everyone had retired to bed for the night, but with so many strange mechanical devices roaming about, Alice was on high alert.

A cloaked figure stood just beyond the entrance of the town. As Alice approached, the figure turned to face her. "It's about time," Ina said as she lowered her hood.

"Sorry, I wanted to be sure Ace was asleep," Alice said, glancing over her shoulder.

"Why don't you want him to know?"

"For one, I don't know that what you're saying is even true. I mean, just because we have the same name and look the same and I have a pocket watch that looks like hers—"

"And in fact has the same inscription in the same exact location."

"And second, I'm not even certain I'm going to lead this revolution or whatever. I just said I'd come and meet your people."

"They're your people, Alice. You are the heir to the throne, and—"

Alice waved frantically, silencing her. "Don't start on that again. Let's just get going so I can prove to you that I am not your long-lost princess."

"Heir. We don't have princesses. And you're no longer an heir. You're a queen."

"Enough! Let's just go."

Alice hurried out into the black night, and Ina trotted to catch up. They continued on in silence for some time. Bullfrogs mooed out in the distance while fruit bats dodged in front of the two of them, chasing lightning bugs and leaving tart and sweet scents in their wake. Alice couldn't help but feel a touch of whimsy in the air. Any other time she would have chased after the lightning bugs herself, but tonight her mind was preoccupied.

"How did you find me, anyhow?" Alice asked Ina, breaking the silence between them.

Ina looked surprised to hear her speak. "I admit it was no easy task. I have been searching for you for at least a year. However, I finally caught some luck when I heard talk that the new Queen of Hearts was a former thief named Alice. It was a long-shot, but I took it. When I finally arrived in Hearts, though, I discovered that you had run away."

"I did not run away. I'm just on a...holiday."

"Not one to be deterred, I used my superb tracking skills to finally catch up with you. And—well, you know the rest."

"You were so certain I was the Alice you were looking for? How do you know the real Alice didn't change her name?"

Ina gave her a side glance. "Why are you so convinced that you are not the real Alice?"

Alice shrugged. "It just seems like a ridiculous thought."

"Are you not an excellent thief?"

"Well, yes, but—"

"And are you not now in fact a queen?"

"Only by default."

"I heard tell that you have possession of the Vorpal Sword."

The Vorpal Sword. That blasted weapon would haunt her forever.

"Only royalty can wield the Vorpal—"

"Yes, yes, I am well aware of who can and cannot wield the Vorpal Sword," Alice interrupted.

Silence settled between them once more. They did not speak again until Ina led them into the woods. Alice watched her surroundings suspiciously, not completely convinced that this wasn't some elaborate trap. Perhaps this strange girl was actually after the Hearts crown. Maybe she intended to kill her here and usurp her throne. While she didn't mind the usurping part, the killing part worried her slightly.

Maybe she should have told Ace where she was going.

Alice was pulled out of her thoughts as Ina put out an arm to stop her. Ina's eyes were fixed on the soft glow of a campfire only feet ahead of them.

"Is this them? The thieves?" Alice asked.

Ina nodded, not pulling her eyes away from the light. "The Swans."

Alice choked on a laugh. "The Swans? Seriously."

Turning to her, Ina raised an eyebrow. "Have ever been attacked by a swan?"

"No."

"Then you have no idea how dangerous they can be. Beautiful but dangerous. Just like your mother."

"Did they choose the name because of her?"

"No, the name's been around for generations. But it fit her nicely. Now, come along. Let's get this over with."

Although slightly unnerved by Ina's tone, Alice followed after her. When they came to the campsite, they found a single, scruffy man sitting by the fire. When he saw them, he leapt to his feet and pulled out a pair of long, jagged daggers. Both Ina and Alice held up their hands.

"Why're you showing your face around here, traitor?" the man spat at Ina.

Traitor?

"I've come with good news," Ina said in her calm, measured voice.

"We ain't interested in any of your news."

"You'll be interested in this, believe me."

"What's all the commotion?"

More people emerged from the tents around them. When they caught sight of Alice and Ina, they, too, pulled out weapons of all sorts. In mere seconds there were over a dozen knives, pistols, swords, and clubs being pointed at them. Alice stood close to Ina, searching for a way out of this mess.

"You led me to believe we'd be welcomed here," she hissed.

"You've got a lot of nerve coming back around here," said a tall woman wielding a menacing set of throwing knives. "After what you and your father did."

"I had no hand in what my father did," Ina said, her voice rising with the slightest bit of emotion.

"The apple pie doesn't fall far from the tree."

Ina clenched her jaw, and Alice watched as she swallowed hard, her hands balled into fists. "I'll prove I'm not like him."

"How are you planning on doing that?" asked a man with a club.

"With her."

Ina stepped aside, leaving Alice completely exposed. She took in a sharp breath, quickly formulating an escape route in her head. But after a long, silent moment, the thieves lowered their weapons. The tall woman with the knives was the first to move. She took several steps towards Alice, her mouth agape. Alice twitched when she reached out to her, but the woman stopped short of touching her cheek. Her fingers trembled.

"Alice?" she whispered.

The way the woman said her name. As if it were precious and treasured. And the look in her eyes as she studied her face. Such tenderness, such affection. In moments, she had gone from a threatening brute to a sentimental lady about to burst into tears.

"Little Alice?" she said, her voice cracking with emotion.

Before Alice could respond, the others moved in closer.

"She's the spitting image of the Queen."

"That hair. And her nose."

"And look at that curiosity in her eyes. Just like her mother."

"It's her."

"It's her."

"It's her."

Without warning, the entire band of thieves dropped to their knees and bowed before her. Alice's eyes darted about, uncertain of what to do. Finally, they landed on Ina. She alone remained standing, a soft smile playing on her lips. Then, slowly and gracefully, she joined the crowd, bending down on one knee and bowing her head.

"Your Majesty," the tall woman said as she peered up at Alice with tears in her eyes. "Welcome home."

Not sure of what to do, Alice did what her instincts told her to.

She ran.