1
"We must talk." The Queen's voice was grave, but still warm and maternal, like a heating blanket over DG's nerves, which, despite her flip comments, were pretty raw.
Father and Azkadelia nodded agreement, Az's eyes going to the floor and staying there. DG looked at all of them blankly.
"You mean, like NOW?" she asked.
"Yes, of course. Decisions must be made immediately," replied the Queen. Her regal manner restored, she turned and called out, "Ambrose."
After a moment with no response, a tiny crease appeared between her brows.
"Hey Glitch!" said DG. Glitch spun from where he'd been examining the crown moulding and grinned happily at her.
"Yes? Hello, have we met?"
DG glanced at the Queen, to see the distress on her face. "Ah, nevermind. I'm sure Az and me can find someplace for our little Family Meeting…" She grabbed her sister's arm, taking in the dazed expression on her face. "Um, Mom? Can we hold off a bit?" At the Queen's questioning look, DG cocked her head at Az.
Fortunately, Ahamo caught on pretty quickly. "We could all use a little time first, I think." He put his arm around his wife, pulling her attention away. "Some rest, some food maybe." He looked at DG, quirked an eyebrow. "Maybe a bath and appropriate clothing?"
DG smiled. "I think Dad is saying, I'm a little ripe. C'mon, Az, there's gotta be a nice shower in here somewhere, right?" She took her sister's hand. "Az?"
"Of course. I… a few rooms might be suitable if…"
Just then, the doors of the chamber burst open. Several LongCoats stormed the room, led by the one who'd been Azkadelia's personal assistant. In a flash, Cain punched one, and had his gun in the face of another, as Glitch acted on pure instinct again to bring down two more. Raw flung himself at DG, shoving her away from the action.
"Hold! Stop!" cried Azkadelia.
"Sorceress!" Her assistant immediately placed himself between her and the rest. "Your Highness, what–"
"Enough, Guermo. Listen to me." From somewhere, Az managed to pull the shreds of her composure together. She moved to face him, and in a commanding tone, she said, "All these annuals, you have served me loyally. But it has not truly been the Princess Azkadelia you have served." Turning her gaze to encompass the other LongCoats in the room, she continued, "When I was just a girl, I was possessed by an evil Witch, who used me, my magic, and my rank for her own ends. It was she who drove me to declare civil war, to oppress and rule the Outer Zone. But today, thanks to my family, and their loyal friends, the witch has been driven out. I am again myself, Princess Azkadelia of the First House of Gale. The Queen is restored to the throne of the O.Z. Order will be restored. If you cannot serve me now, if your loyalty was only to the Witch and her evil, then I will repudiate you, and you will have no place in the Restored Outer Zone."
Everyone waited. This moment would be key in the reconstruction of the lands. If Azkadelia's LongCoats were not personally loyal to her directly, but rather served the evil of the Witch, then there would be difficulties.
Fortunately, the one who'd been her assistant, Guermo, slowly knelt before her. "Highness… I have only ever served you."
Azkadelia smiled at him, a genuine smile, though a little sad. "Go, pass the word down. No more fighting."
He bowed, as did the other four LongCoats, and they retreated.
It was a long moment before everyone relaxed again. Cain particular didn't holster his gun right away. "There's going to be problems," he grumbled.
The Queen nodded. "Her troops are spread throughout the O.Z. That is one of the many issues we must discuss."
DG groaned. "Can't we just call someone? A news desk?"
"What difference would a new desk make?" asked Glitch.
"They don't have broadcast technology here," Ahamo pointed out. DG had to remind herself that her father was a Slipper, someone from the OtherSide who'd found his way to the O.Z. But her tired tone had reminded everyone that it had been a very long day, capping off for DG a very long week.
"Baths," Azkadelia said, her voice again one of deference. "Rest and food?"
"Oh please?" DG begged.
Azkadelia led the way, pointing out the tower's amenities, few though they were. Their parents claimed a lounge. Raw wanted to return to the lower levels, to free and speak with the other Viewers held there. Glitch volunteered to go with him, though he himself could use some cleaning up.
"These are my chambers," Azkadelia indicated DG to proceed her. Both women paused, and turned to look at their silent shadow.
"Please tell me you don't have to watch over me while I take a bath!" DG exclaimed.
"I wasn't going to!" Cain answered through gritted teeth. "But someone has to keep watch. I'll stay out here." DG and Cain glared at each other a moment more. DG wanted her privacy, but Cain was determined to protect her.
Finally, DG snapped, "Oh Fine! C'mon, Az." And she swung the door shut in Cain's face.
"Your Tin Man detail is…. dedicated." Az said delicately.
"Oh my god! First of all, he's not MY Tin Man, secondly, I have no idea why he appointed himself my 'detail', and third, that's not dedication, that's obsession. We've won! You think he could relax a little…"
Az smiled. "Tin Men don't relax. It isn't in the job description."
DG shrugged. "If you say so." She started to look around the room. She let out a low whistle. "Some digs, sis. Nice, if a little dark."
Az blushed. "Um, here. The bath is here, take your time. I should have some dresses that will fit you. There aren't many that weren't….." she trailed off, her expression distressed.
"Picked by the witch?" DG finished quietly. She crossed to stand in front of Az, taking both her hands. "Az, listen. It wasn't you. None of it was you."
"I was so confused. And the things she said, sometimes they made sense…" Tears ran from Azkadelia's eyes. DG reached up and gently wiped them away. "I can't remember parts. I can't remember when the first Viewer was used. Oh, Lylo, poor Lylo! He tried so hard, to protect the little one…" She gasped a little, trying not to sob.
DG pulled her sister into a hug. Az was still a little taller, but she bent her head to bury her face against DG's shoulder. For a few minutes, neither moved, until at last Az calmed enough. She stepped back, wiping her eyes. DG just smiled and waited.
"I was so foolish," Azkadelia whispered.
"No. I was," DG replied. "If I hadn't run…"
Az shook her head. "You were just a little girl! I was so sure we could withstand the witch. I was arrogant."
"And I was a disobedient little sister who got you into trouble."
"Oh no!"
DG grinned. "I think there's enough brow beating to go around. Let's get cleaned up." She eyed her sister's outfit. "That can't possibly be comfortable."
Az's hands flew to her waist. "It's not. There's a foundation underneath."
DG rolled her eyes. "PLEASE tell me you have something other than that, for me and you."
Az smiled a little. "In the back somewhere. Now go bathe."
DG obediently started across the room. "Hey, you're not saying I SMELL, are you?" To her relief, she heard a little giggle from her older sister in answer.
Outside, Cain kept his eyes moving, making sure the Princesses weren't disturbed.
After she took a bath in a tub sunken into the floor, practically big enough to swim in, DG sat at Az's vanity and tried to work all the snarls out of her hair while Az bathed. She was wrapped in a towel. Several dresses were on the bed, but DG wasn't sure which were for her, and which were Az's. Pausing, she looked at herself in the mirror. She remembered so much, and so little. Clearest, and most common in her recovered memories were Azkadelia, the clever, caring older sister. Less common, but still clear, were memories of their mother. She barely remembered their father at all, more a sense of him, the rumble of his voice, his scent of leather and paints. For her entire life, she'd believed herself just a normal girl, maybe more talented than the average run, longing for escape from her little Kansas town.
She smirked at herself in the mirror. Well, Elmer Gulch isn't arresting her for speeding NOW, that's for sure.
The door to the bath opened, and Az emerged, wrapped in a gold colored robe. Face washed of cosmetics and hair unbound, she looked much younger, must less severe than she had before.
"Feel better?" DG asked.
"I do. I didn't think that a simple bath would help me feel more… centered."
DG grinned. "We should try to find bubble bath! A nice long soak, with bubbles, and hot cocoa would be just the thing."
Az frowned. "I have never heard of bubble bath or this Ko Ko. I don't think.."
DG cocked her head. "Az? Can I ask you a question?"
"Of course."
"How old do you feel?"
With a sigh, Az sat on a nearby chaise. "Oh Deeg. Young. I look in the mirror, and I see me, and I know it's me, but…. I don't remember growing up. It's like I went from thirteen to adult in no time at all." Her chin trembled a little. "And …. and I'm so scared! I'm afraid, if I start to act commanding and in control, that I won't be able to convince anyone. They'll see that I'm scared, or they'll think I'm still the Witch, and they'll ….. Mother will….."
"Hey!" DG moved over next to Az and put an arm around her. "Mother loves you! You saw her face, when we came back. She knew you were free immediately and was so happy. Father too. I think he even likes you a little better than me…"
Az gave her a watery smile at that. "There now, that's better." DG nudged her, grinning. "We have a lot of time to catch up. You just take it easy. Stay here a while, if it makes you feel better. Or, maybe we can all go to Finacqua."
Az sighed, and leaned into DG. "I'm so glad you're back," she whispered. "I missed you so." The sisters hugged. "Here, let's dress. We should get some food."
Dressed in light gowns that did not require undergarments that behaved like architecture, the sisters made ready to seek out their parents. DG left her old clothes neatly folded. At some point, she wanted them washed, because she definitely wanted to hang on to the jacket and jeans.
When they opened the door, Cain straightened up from his position leaning against the opposite wall of the corridor. DG smiled at him.
"Hey Cain!"
To her amazement, he nodded respectfully. "Princesses."
Azkadelia blushed, but DG just rolled her eyes. "Don't start that again," she scolded. But to her surprise, Cain didn't respond to her attitude.
Instead, he looked at her, a long even stare, like he'd never seen her before. She wore a long green dress, not clingy, but fitting well enough to look good, she'd thought. It had some floaty layers she expected would catch on just about anything as she moved. She'd simply twisted her hair back as usual, nothing different there. But there was something about Cain's expression that made her nervous.
"Cain?"
"Your parents are in the conference room, Your Highnesses. I believe Her Majesty arranged for food with Guermo." He nodded his head, indicating they should precede him.
Azkadelia smoothly moved off, and after sparing a puzzled look at Cain, DG hurried to follow her. "What was that about?" she muttered under her breath. Azkadelia glanced at her. "He never acts like that," DG explained, keeping her voice low.
"Really? I thought his behavior perfectly appropriate." Azkadelia had had more lessons on how a princess should behave and what to expect from others than DG had had in their youth. As the younger, DG had been allowed to run wild a bit, though Tutor had tried to instill manners along with the magic.
"Nope. That was really weird." DG glanced over her shoulder, but Cain was carefully checking open doors and branching corridors for threats.
When they reached the conference room, Cain stopped outside. "Oh, come on!" DG exclaimed, exasperated. "There's plenty of food, it looks like."
"DG," The Queen said, her gentle voice carrying just the slightest chastisement. "Mr. Guermo assures us the tower is secure, Mr. Cain. Perhaps you'd join us?"
"Ma'am." Cain's hand went up to tug lightly at his hat, respectful. "If you don't mind, I'd prefer to keep an eye on things, until we're certain."
"Very well," the Queen conceded. Her hand, resting on DG's shoulder, tightened briefly to forestall her protests.
At the table, DG stared at her plate. She couldn't understand what had changed. Only moments before they'd snuck into the tower to stop the machine and save Azkadelia, Cain had spoken honestly to her, had hugged her. She thought for certain she'd seen something in his look in that moment, when he begged her to be careful, something that was more than just a Tin Man's concern for his protectee.
"DG?" Ahamo asked.
"Hm? Oh, sorry." She started to eat.
For a while, the Royal family sat and ate together like a normal family. The Queen and Ahamo exchanged significant glances, obviously so happy to be together again. They also showed their affection for their daughters freely, often reaching to touch their hands, their shoulders, or stroke their hair. The Queen professed her joy at having her daughters back with tears in her eyes.
But, they were Royal, and as such, it wasn't long enough in DG's opinion before talk turned to the future.
"Take back the throne, Mother," Azkadelia urged. "You know you have to. I'll do whatever you think is best, but I can't possibly be Crown Princess now."
DG looked up, dragging her attention back from where it had wandered. "Well, I sure can't be Crown Princess!"
All three looked at her in surprise. "Of course you will be Crown Princess, if your sister denies her place in succession!" The Queen's voice was shocked. "Who else would follow me as Queen?"
"Yeah but, you'll be Queen for a long time, right? I mean, you're still really young." DG frowned suddenly. "Hey, how come nobody really seems as old as they are? I mean, if Glitch was your advisor, he's gotta be a LOT older than he looks…"
"Ambrose is my younger cousin," her mother said. "And you are correct, people of the Outer Zone do not age in the same manner as they do on the Other Side."
"Well, what about you then?" DG addressed her father. "You seem older than Mother. But… I still don't think you're old enough to be the father of two grown daughters."
"Well, thanks for the compliment, Deeg," her father chuckled. "In fact, it's got something to do with the O.Z. itself. It's the place, not necessarily the people."
"Huh. Environment, not genetics. Neat." That comment garnered confused looks from the rest. Her father had obviously Slipped through sometime in the 60s, and neither the Queen nor Azkadelia understood Other Side science. "Hey. Hang on, how come you're not the King?"
"DG!" The Queen exclaimed. "The Outer Zone has always been ruled by a Queen, you know this."
"No, I don't," DG said flatly. "This is why I can't be Crown Princess, I don't know the first thing about the O.Z., let alone GOVERNMENT. C'mon people! I grew up on the Other Side! I'm used to Democracy, not Monarchy." Her father smiled a little at that, but the Queen frowned.
"Perhaps," Azkadelia began carefully, "We might forgo making a decision about succession, until the Zone is more settled, and properly restored."
Sitting back with a little sigh, the Queen answered, "Yes, that is wise, Azkadelia." She gave her older child a fond smile. "Sensible indeed. Very well. We will have to start by letting the people know that Azkadelia has been freed of the witch's possession, and the throne is restored."
"Fortunately, even when the Witch was in control, rule of the O.Z. remained in the House of Gale," Ahamo pointed out. DG made a face. She didn't even remember what that meant, the House of Gale, other than the magic tomb, and the grey ghost of Dorothy Gale.
Talk continued, but DG couldn't keep her mind on it. She didn't have much to contribute anyway. Even possessed by the Witch, Azkadelia knew more about the current state of the Zone and how to go about repairing things than DG could even imagine. DG soon became mostly excluded from the conversation.
A tapping at the door interrupted them. When opened, it revealed Glitch and Guermo, with a rather unhappy Cain behind them. Clearly, he didn't want to admit Guermo to the Royal Presence.
"Ambrose." The Queen rose, holding out her hands to Glitch.
"Sorry?" He gave her a puzzled smile, confused. "Hi, DG!"
"Hi Glitch."
"Highness," Guermo began, bowing low and addressing himself to Azkadelia. "Our troops stationed here in the tower have all been informed and vetted about the changes that have occurred this day. There are a few…. well, I have had good men retain those few I think were brought in more for their..er… lack of moral center."
"Well done, Guermo." Azkadelia praised him. It interested DG to see how well the former LongCoat responded to a kind and gracious Azkadelia.
"Highness, Raynz was killed in today's…actions." Guermo glanced at Glitch before continuing. "The Ambro- I mean, the brai-…."
"They're not sure they can put my brain back," Glitch seriously informed DG in a stage whisper loud enough for everyone in the room.
"Oh, Glitch. I'm sure we can do something," DG assured him, patting his shoulder.
"They're not sure they can put my brain back," Glitch repeated, but DG gave him a gentle nudge.
"You already said that."
"I did?"
By the table, the Queen clutched her husband's arms, staring at the confused man who'd once been her most brilliant and loyal companion.
DG glanced at her parents, then stood. "Why don't we go down and see if Raw can hook you up again for a bit. I think… it might help a little if we can talk to all of you at once."
"Alright," Glitch agreed cheerfully.
"We'll be back in a bit." DG assured her parents. But to her surprise, it was Azkadelia who was crying silently from her seat at the table. She didn't even look up, just hung her head over her plate as they left. DG wanted to ask what was wrong, but it didn't seem the time.
She glanced over her shoulder at Cain as they walked. "Don't you want to, I don't know, take a break? Take a nap? Have something to eat? See your son?"
"Jeb is fine."
"How do you know?"
"That longcoat told me."
"He has a name, you know."
"I'm sure he does."
DG rolled her eyes. That, she sensed, was going to be the biggest problem of the Restoration – the prejudice people had built up in the last ten years or so.
Suddenly, she paused. "Where's that Zero?" she asked, suddenly frightened.
"Don't worry about Zero," Cain reassured her quickly. For a moment, she thought she saw a flash of his old concern for her, triggered by her fear. "He's been taken care of."
"Did you kill him?" she asked, a little afraid of the answer.
"No." The one word, spoken so grimly and yet with such satisfaction, told her what she wanted to know.
"You found a tin suit. You put him in it."
Cain just gazed at her wordlessly, his face perfectly calm.
They continued, finding Raw not far from the brain chamber. He looked much more sleek, and much less dusty. Obviously, the prisoners of the Tower had been released, and cared for, at Raw's insistence. The young Viewer, Kalm, trailed him everywhere.
"How is everyone, Raw?" DG asked.
"Good. Free. Cleaned up too."
DG laughed. "So am I! Feels good, doesn't it?"
Raw nodded happily. "We had food. We healed sick. Not only Viewers."
"Oh Raw, that's wonderful. Good for you. I wish everyone around here would take a little time for themselves, now that the day is won." She shot Cain a glance that anyone could read.
He just made an annoyed noise.
"Raw, would you help Glitch again? I think we might need the help the rest of his mind can give us."
Raw nodded eagerly, and moved to the tank holding Glitch's brain. He reached out, placing his hand gently against Glitch's cheek. Using himself as a conduit, Raw closed his eyes to concentrate.
Almost immediately Glitch gasped. A shudder ran through him from his head to his feet. He closed his eyes, panting. DG watched, wide eyed in amazement. After another moment, Glitch opened his eyes, and looked around.
"Oh, my goodness," he said, raising a hand to touch the glass tank. "This is most unusual."
"Glitch?" DG asked.
He looked over at her, confusion flickering across his face. "Princess…. Dorothigale? I thought… we thought… DG?"
DG smiled. "That's right, DG."
"I was told you were dead!"
"You have to try to get it together, Glitch," DG urged him. "Make your old memories and your new ones merge. Concentrate."
Glitch stared at her a moment, then glanced at Raw, at Cain. "Yes. Yes, it's coming back to me now."
"State your name," Cain ordered.
"Lord Ambrose of the Third House of Gale," Glitch answered confidently. Then a smirk curved his lips. "Lately known as Glitch. On account of my synapses don't always fire right."
DG giggled, relieved. The fond smile Glitch gave her took a load off her shoulders. She'd been worried that maybe Ambrose was a totally different person from Glitch, but now it looked like the integration could go well, if they could find a way to manage it.
"Glitch, we've got to find a way to get your brain back in your skull. Do you have any ideas?"
He shuddered. Raw winced, and in response, Glitch wrapped an arm around the Viewer, solidifying their contact. "The process was never meant to be reversible. I'm amazed at the level of technomancy that's kept my brain viable all these years. It would take a true feat of alchemy and technomancy, and a great deal of magic. Unfortunately, I'm no expert in either alchemy or magic."
Now Raw was shivering too, with the effort it took to maintain the contact. Glitch glanced at the Viewer, and back at DG. "Enough, this is enough for now. Break the connection."
DG slumped a little, disappointed, but Raw gasped as he dropped the connection, exhausted. Both Glitch and DG moved to help the Viewer sit.
"I am sorry. I couldn't hang on."
DG hugged him. "Oh Raw, you're the best. You're so good."
Glitch nodded. "Thank you. Thank you, Raw."
DG glanced up at Cain. He hadn't moved, but she could see his concern for Glitch and for Raw. So why didn't he let her see his feelings for her?
"C'mon, let's see if we can find you something to drink," DG said to Raw, helping him to his feet. She held on to Raw's arm, making sure to think of how proud of him she was, in case he was listening.
They left the chamber, Glitch and Cain behind them.
Glitch stuck his tongue out at Cain.
"What was that for?" the Tin Man asked.
"You're hurting her."
"I am not."
"Yes, you are," Glitch said in his most supercilious voice. "Even though she's a princess, she's still DG." He wandered off after the others, leaving the Tin Man standing alone.
TBC
According to IMDB, the guy is just called "LongCoat". So I gave him a name.