Dumas was still waiting for his new friends to emerge from the tree when he heard the sound of boots tromping through the underbrush.  Curious, he snuck closer (as stealthily as someone can sneak while wearing a frilly pink dress), until he discovered the source of the disturbance.  It was a small group of soldiers, wearing black and red uniforms.  Gold insignia in the shape of hearts identified them belonging to the Red Queen’s army -- not that there were usually any other type of soldiers in this section of Wonderland.  Not anymore.  The soldiers seemed to be in high spirits, laughing and joking amongst themselves.  And, despite the fact that it was still quite light outside, a few of them carried burning torches.<br/><br/>For a moment, Dumas hesitated.  While not exactly a prestigious member, he was still affiliated with the Red Queen’s court.  The soldiers posed no danger to him.  But Ludovica didn’t trust strangers.  She might think that Dumas’s new friends were actually enemy agents.  So, although Dumas rarely disobeyed his queen, he made an exception this time.  He didn’t want to be the cause of innocent people getting imprisoned or beheaded.<br/><br/>Returning to the tree, Dumas was relieved to see that the nice girl and her companion had emerged.  Smiling, he gave them a friendly little wave.  Then he pointed at a nearby bush.  “I think you better hide now,” he suggested.  “Just until the patrol passes.”