Throughout the Village’s ravaged core, a wretched war rages. Red pieces march mindlessly to the tattoo of the Queen’s drum. They attack. The opposition courageously resists. To no avail. Her tyranny is inescapable. Still, they fight on. Death is preferable to defeat. Knotted in this bloody endgame, no quarter is asked for. None is given. And Alice is moot witness to this madness.