"If you could get back, I could find who sent you here and stop this nonsense."
"That's just . . ." insane. It almost makes sense that I'm here, but I can't fathom the idea of a book character seeking out its author. Maybe because he's not real. I draw a deep breath and try to figure out where to start to unravel this mess.
"You have no memory of who sent you here or how?" the Red Knight asks.
"None. I mean, nothing but what I told you. I don't know LF and can't really remember how I got here." I nibble my lower lip, realizing for the first time I really don't know what happened. The last thing I recall was watching the ending of Labyrinth where the heroine realized the power had been in her hands all along, not the bad guy's. I sort of blacked out towards the last part of that scene, only to wake up in Black Moon Draw. "Do you think I'm missing something?"
"I believe it to be possible. You arrived here by some means. As you pointed out, if you could return, would it not be by the same means? Mayhap you need to remember it."
"That doesn't usually happen when you've drunk that much," I say with a frown. I shake my head. I'm tipsy. Before I lose my ability to focus, I change the subject. "The Shadow Knight. Why is he obsessed with reclaiming his lands? What happened?"
"To discuss a past era is to invite tragedy," the Red Knight warns, a note of discomfort entering his voice.
"So you won't tell me?"
"I am an ally to all. Do not turn to me for such knowledge."
"That reminds me. I found the Brown Lake coins in your carriage and he found them on me. He doesn't really consider you an ally right now." The words come out before I can stop them, the side effect of buzzing.
The Red Knight stiffens. I study him with effort, the world fuzzy and unsteady. He says nothing in what feels like forever. I know it's because I'm no longer sober that time seems to slow, but I quickly grow tired of waiting for him to respond and pour more wine for both of us.
"'Tis not so simple," he replies finally. "Your arrival complicated our alliance."
"I mess up everything. There has to be a reason I'm here." I sigh.
"To become the last great battle-witch."
I roll my eyes. "You're right. I am a terrible battle-witch." Whoa. I should not have said that.
But it gets worse. I have the urge to tell him everything, from the time my parents divorced to the way the Shadow Knight makes me feel when he's close enough for me to smell brownies. The compulsion isn't natural; that much I know. I've been drunk enough times to know what it should feel like.