Chapter Seven: We need a plan
DG saw Cain's muscles tense and she grabbed his arm before he stood and got himself shot. He looked back at her and she shook her head.
"Don't get yourself killed," she hissed at him.
"Well, I see the queen and her husband, my lord," Zero bowed mockingly and scanned the room, "And the former sorceress with her new lap dog…"
Glitch sneered at Zero and never blamed Cain for hating this man so much.
"But where is the heroine princess and her loyal tin man?" he asked, "It isn't fair to hide! And it's going to be worse if I have to come and find you."
"You are out numbered, Zero," the queen spoke up from the corner of the room, "Surrender and I shall spare your life and the lives of your men."
"Cain! Wyatt Cain!" Zero shouted into the room, ignoring the queen's demands, "Where are you, you washed up tin man? You and that little princess of yours. She sure looks tasty. Mind if I take her for a little bit and have some fun of my own?"
Cain ground his teeth together and closed his eyes. Zero's laughter echoed off of the machinery in the room. He wanted to kill him for talking about DG that way. Hell, he still wanted to kill the man for what he did to him so many years ago.
Cain looked over at the queen and Ahamo. They were close enough to run out the door and protected by the line of palace guards. Glitch had enough cover from bulky equipment if he rolled to the side with Azkadellia. Cain made a hand movement to Ahamo who read them and twitched his right eye in understanding. Cain then made eye contact with Glitch who acted like he saw nothing. Cain relayed his intentions and Glitch rubbed Azkadellia's arm to affirm.
"What did you just tell them?" DG asked.
"Cain! Come out, come out where ever you are!" Zero bellowed and looked at the palace guards who stood strong against him, "You coward. Hiding again just like you did when I murdered your wife. You going to hide when I murder your princess and make her scream out your name?"
"Stay down," Cain whispered fiercely at DG, "What ever you hear and see. Stay. Down."
DG looked into his eyes and grabbed his shirt collar before he leapt up and did what ever he was going to do. She kissed him on the lips just as fiercely as he whispered to her. The kiss was concealed from the rest of the room. No one saw the quick and fiery exchange and he was glad for it. If Zero had seen…
"And you listen to me. Don't you dare die like a hero tonight, Wyatt Cain," she heard the quiver in her own voice. They had enough palace guards to stop the Longcoats that Zero had brought along, but people could still be killed and she didn't want him to be one of them.
He touched her cheek, "I have no intention of dying at all tonight."
He suddenly stood up and shot two of the Longcoats down in front of Zero. Zero turned and smiled at him.
"There you are…"
"Yeah, here I am, Zero," Cain kept his gun trained on him, "I should have let Jeb kill you. I should have killed you."
"And yet here we are," Zero's mouth went from his smile to a grimace, "Kill them all. Leave Cain for me."
"Combat fourteen-two!" Cain shouted with a shot into Zero's arm.
He saw Zero fall back from the shot and ducked down to keep DG covered. The royal guards began shooting with return fire from the four other Longcoats not including Zero. The queen was outside the door with Ahamo over her while she screamed for DG and Azkadellia. Glitch stayed steady over Azkadellia and held her quiet behind some extra, bulky equipment.
DG heard bullets flying by and people falling to the ground. Cain gritted his teeth and she heard his breath hitch every time that a bullet hit too close to her. He would rather be out battling, but he had a new job. To protect her. And he would rather keep her out of a bullet's path than shoot some of his own into Zero's head.
Soon the bullets stopped flying and DG held on to Cain's sleeve. Finally after a few stumbling steps from the survivors of the shoot out, a call echoed through the room.
"Fourteen-two, end," one of the royal guards yelled, "One down on knees."
Cain gently grabbed DG's arm and stood up. Cain saw that Zero was the only one still alive from the men he brought. He was on his knees, gripping at the arm that was shot by Cain. Zero narrowed his eyes on Cain and then to DG. Cain noticed and pushed her behind him
"You didn't think that it was going to be this easy, did you Zero?" Cain asked with the firearm shoved in Zero's face, "You didn't have enough men and you didn't have it planned out. Did you go crazy?"
"Well, stuffing a man into a small tin box for any amount of time will make him a bit mad," he smirked and looked up at him, "I mean, you were in one for eight annuals. And here you are now, in love w-"
Cain quickly hit Zero across the face with his pistol. The queen and king-consort didn't know and neither did most of the palace. He didn't know how Zero knew, but he understood he wanted him to shut up about it. DG and he still were trying to figure out how to tell them and he was going to make sure that this scumbag didn't let the cat out of the bag before its time.
"Cain," the queen walked up behind Cain and put a light hand on his shoulder, "The battle is over. That is quite enough."
He nodded when he wanted to shake his head. As far as the battled between Zero and he was concerned, it would never be over until one of them was dead. He stepped back as DG carefully slipped her hand into his. She covered the act with a piece of her dress and stood close to him.
"Zero," the queen turned to the injured man, "By the laws of the O.Z. and with my authority as queen, I here condemn you to death for the planned assassination of the royal family and their escorts."
Zero stayed still for a moment and then looked at the floor. One, two and three seconds passed without anything. Not a tear, not a gasp, not a thing. Then on the fourth a manic laugh filled the room from the man who was sitting on his knees just condemned to death.
"You didn't think it was going to be that easy, did you?" Zero smiled and looked up. He looked at Cain and then to the sky, "It looks like we have to finish this another day."
A dark beam of light fell from the sky instead of the glorious green one they had only moments before. Cain reached out and pulled the queen back from it as it engulfed Zero. The mad man closed his eyes and was drawn up and into the sky where his salvation laid. Cain shook his head and raised his pistol to shoot him down. The queen quickly stopped him once again.
"No Mister Cain," she shook her head and looked as Zero's feet were the only thing left, "The bullet would only bounce off. It may cause more harm than good."
He growled and holstered his weapon. The room lit from the small explosion of light that signified Zero's exit. Ahamo took his wife in his arms and thanked Cain with his eyes for pulling her back. The situation could have been worse if the queen was taken as well.
"It seems as the threat to the O.Z. is worse than I thought," Lavender Eyes looked to DG and then to Glitch and Azkadellia as they came over to her. She looked down hearted to look in Azkadellia's direction, but it had to be said, "The witch is back. And we must stop her."
Azkadellia could feel her heart race at the news and she slowly shook her head as if it would erase the truth away. Glitch put an arm around her and she leaned into his chest.
The queen looked at her younger daughter, "DG, I will need your help for a moment."
DG nodded and held both of her mother's hands. Her mother whispered beneath her breath and a calm mist began to form. It spread through the room and eventually around the palace. It grew thicker and taller, covering them all in white clouds. Then with a final nod of the queen's head the mist was gone from their sights. The queen kissed her daughter's forehead and let go of her hands.
"Now she cannot see us," she whispered and turned to Cain and Glitch, "It seems as if the road you accepted just became unpaved."
"I never expected it to be easy, your majesty," Cain answered truthfully.
"Ambrose, what should our next plan of action be?" she asked.
"We need a plan of attack and defense," he said without hesitation, "Call the captain and generals of the royal guard. We must sit in conference. Try to find a permanent solution to this."
"Agreed," she nodded.
"Two of you alert the captain and generals," Glitch turned Ambrose commanded the closest guards who wasn't helping with the wounded. He still held Azkadellia gently, ironic at how hard and cold his regal voice sounded, "I want five more guards helping the wounded and clearing out these Longcoats. The rest escort the royal family to the chambered hall."
Cain watched surprised at his friend. It was the second time that he had found himself gawking at the advisor. Once when he managed to show him just how rhythmic he can be in a battle situation and now when he commanded like he was a general all his own.
"That's a new side to Glitch," DG said off hand a bit surprised herself.
"You have no idea," Cain shook his head and looked down at her. He quickly checked her face for any abrasions or scratches. She smiled at his concern even though he was with her the whole time, "Are you okay?"
She sighed, "I'm fine. It'll be okay. Glitch is right. We just need a plan. You?"
"It'll be okay," he agreed. He would have kissed her if her parents weren't in the room.
Later in the chambered hall, a strategy planning hall deep in the palace, the royal family and escorts sat at the head of the table while the generals gathered on the sides. The men had full dress suits and medals hanging among the shined buttons. DG was familiar with a few of them from balls and other exercises of the royal family. Most of them were older gentlemen with scars that still held signs of the resistance against the sorceress. The few younger men in attendance had been under Jeb's command in the resistance. At the thought of the younger Cain, she moved her head where an empty chair sat for his return. He was to be made the new captain of the militia, just below the current captain of the royal guard. A messenger was sent out moments before to reach him and call him to Finaqua.
"I'm sorry to say that this isn't the brightest day of the O.Z.," the queen began and DG's head fell a little with her sister's. Both young women felt their hands covered by their escort's hands under the table and they stood straighter for a time, "The witch has taken another vessel. And we must put a stop to her once and for all."
"How can she still be?" one of the older general's asked, "She had melted."
"All the way down the tower," Glitch stood to explain, "Where prisoners were kept. She has indeed found a new vessel and with time will gain power. We need a plan to stop her from coming again."
"What do you purpose?" the captain asked from the other end of the table.
"I purpose the Ages," the queen said suddenly and looked up as the room, minus DG and Cain, gasped.
"Your majesty, in all seriousness," a general stated from midway in the table, "The Ages are only a myth."
"Just like the Grey Gale?" DG spoke up to defend her mother. The general nodded to himself and looked away, "What is the Ages, mother?"
"It's a lost treasure of the O.Z.," Glitch answered for her, "Buried somewhere in the Northern forests. It was lost during the time that Dorothy came to our land."
"If we haven't found it by now, it is truly lost," another general sighed to himself.
"That might have been true at one time. But then again, we never had another Dorothy until now," the queen looked at DG with hope shining again.
"Wait… You're saying that I'm supposed to find it?" DG asked.
Her mother began in almost calm and serene voice as if she was singing:
"The Gray Gale graced our land… she journeyed on the old road far across the O.Z. span.
During which a treasure was lost… unknown to her it would come at a great cost.
Then a princess shall come to be… and save our dear home, the O.Z.
Her fight she at once thought had ended will come again… and the Ages would mark the fighting's final end.
The Ages is only to be found by the princess of another time…but her name is the same as the prime.
Our dear Dorothy Gale."
"You have got to be kidding me," DG groaned, "Another prophecy?"
"There are many here in this realm, princess," one of the younger generals explained to her from her side of the table.
"Any that don't include me?" she asked.
"Calm down, princess," Cain said from her side and squeezed her hand he was still holding.
She took a deep breath, "Where do I start?"
"Packing," her father spoke this time with his hands locked in front of his mouth. He stared blankly into the table unable to come to terms with the decision he knew had to be made, "You need to leave before Zero heals and comes back for you."
"You are sending a young woman out into the wilds with Longcoats and the witch hunting for her head?" the younger general asked, "She's going on a suicide mission!"
"I'll do whatever it takes to save the O.Z.," DG frowned back at him, "If I am possibly to be looked at as heir to a kingdom, what kind of a leader would I be if I only cowered in fear instead of doing something about it?"
"I'm going with you," Azkadellia looked at her younger sister with a stern face.
"Azkadellia," Glitch whispered.
"And before you argue- remember, we are the strongest when we're together, little sister. You are not leaving me behind this time," she squeezed Glitch's hand under the table and stared at her sister, "I am going."
"What about people recognizing you as the sorceress?" a general spoke up.
"I doubt I ever plastered my face over anything during her reign," Azkadellia reasoned, "People knew me as a child, but never saw me grow. I should be safe for the most part. I will not let my sister fight this alone."
DG's eyes softened and she nodded to her sister. She wouldn't leave Az behind this time.
Their mother took a deep breath. It was hard enough letting DG go on this mission, but now that Azkadellia had made up her mind to leave as well… She wasn't thrilled with the idea and would have agreed with the now raving generals and captains around her- if it wasn't for the fact that Azkadellia was right. They were stronger together and as long as they stayed together nothing would harm them. The queen looked to her right where Cain was watching DG in concentration and worry. He didn't want her to go, he wanted her to stay and be safe inside palace walls. But that's the worst place she could be. Zero would be back and more than likely succeed next time.
Cain looked in the queen's direction and caught her eyes. He knew then. She was going to let her daughters go. He closed his eyes and nodded to her. He would go with them. He would keep his promise. Not because of duty, but because he wouldn't let DG go. He wouldn't let her die. He saw Glitch on the opposite side of Ahamo and he had the same look in his eyes that he probably did.
The rumbling of generals filled the air. Shouts of "princesses need to be protected" and "We need an heir apparent here!" and lastly "They cannot go!" were thrown back and forth across the table. DG took a deep breath and tried to block out the noise, but couldn't even gain her concentration. She looked at her mother and Queen Lavender Eyes, reigning queen of the O.Z. gave her daughter a single nod. She wouldn't stand in the way. Her daughters would go on the journey and they would save the O.Z. together once again. Her father leaned over and placed a hand over DG's and gave her the most encouraging smile she had ever seen. DG nodded back to her mother and father with a smile and turned to the table of bickering generals.
"Enough!" DG stood and pounded her hands on the table top, nearly throwing Cain's hand back into his face. The captain and generals all looked at the woman like she was insane, but she continued, "Azkadellia and I will find the Ages. She and I will return. And finally we will defeat the witch. You will defend the palace. Defend the queen and King-consort, my parents. And defend the O.Z. in my and my sister's absence."
Cain watched her with awe. She was never overpowering seeing as she was a smaller woman, but now she had made all the top military men of the O.Z. pause and bow their heads in what looked like shame and fear. He couldn't help himself from chuckling a little under his hand to act like he was coughing.
"And what of you, princess?" a younger voice came from the now open door to the chambered hall, "Who will defend you on this journey you take on yourself?"
DG looked at the doorway and smiled to herself, "Well, if it isn't Jeb Cain. I wasn't expecting you here this soon."
"Caught the messenger on my way here," Jeb explained and nodded to his father who nodded back with a proud smile, "I saw someone wasn't in a tin suit anymore and started my way back as soon as possible. No wonder the Longcoats were thinning out. They got their leader back."
"Gentlemen," the queen waved her hand to the younger Cain, "This is Jeb Cain. The new captain of the royal militia."
He bowed his head respectfully, "Your majesties."
"Please, sit," she motioned to the empty seat next to the other captain, "Report please."
"Longcoats were harder to find this past week," he said in a solid voice, "I never could have guessed that it was because they were congregating in a single area. We haven't found their strong hold yet."
"I see," the queen nodded.
"And if I may be bold," he leaned toward DG's direction, "You never answered my question, princess. Who will defend you on your journey?"
"Your father," she smiled at Cain sitting beside her, "He will continue his post as my bodyguard and accompany me on my journey. The extra guards will stay here and defend Finaqua. If more guards stay we can trick the Longcoats into thinking that we are taking a stand here. Princesses and all."
"I see," Jeb leaned back and saw his father nodded with the plan, 'So the old man did something about it. Good for him. Mother would be happy.'
"How are you planning on getting out of the palace, your majesty?" the captain next to Jeb asked.
"As soon as I pack what I need, we will leave. Normal clothes, maybe as servants and under the cover of nightfall," DG sat back down happy that someone other than her family was finally warming up to the idea.
"Then you shall get prepared," he stood, "I shall gather a some supplies for you, your escort and your sister-"
"And the royal advisor," the queen interrupted the captain, "If you have forgotten Captain, Ambrose is sworn protector of Azkadellia and must accompany her on this journey as well."
Glitch looked fondly on the queen. She had read his mind.
"I will have more than enough advisors here with me," she smiled back at him, "I believe I can do without one until he returns with my daughter."
"Yes, your majesty," he nodded and was escorted by a few palace guards to gather said supplies.
"It is decided," the queen gained the attention of the other generals, "Gather your men and be ready to fight once more. We will defend the O.Z. as the princesses are out to find our salvation."
Men stood and bowed as they left the room. Jeb walked over to his father and grabbed him in a hug. They patted each other hard on the back in greeting. He then moved to DG where he bowed and gave the back of her hand a kiss. She smiled and curtsied back to him. He bowed again to the queen, king-consort and Azkadellia. He gave Glitch a hearty handshake which seemed different to Glitch as he was used to bowing.
"It's good to see you don't waste time," Jeb smiled at his father and motioned toward DG.
Cain changed his stance as if he was uncomfortable and DG noticed his ears went to that cute shade of pink once again, "Thanks, son."
Both DG and Jeb shared a laugh at Cain's expense. DG looked the young man over, "So think you can manage a royal militia?"
"I managed a resistance, this should be easy," he nodded.
"DG," her mother said softly off to the side.
Cain put a hand on her shoulder, "We'll leave you alone for now. I'll be outside waiting."
She nodded silently and Cain jerked his head at his son and Glitch to vacate the room. They did so and closed the door so the family was able to talk privately. DG and Azkadellia stood next to one another in front of their parents.
"I am sorry there is so much to land on your shoulders, my dear," Lavender Eyes looked at DG and then to Azkadellia, "On both your shoulders. First the fifteen annuals of darkness and now this."
"It's all part of the O.Z. way of life," DG shrugged, "I guess I will have to get used to it."
The queen looked at both of her daughters and then grabbed them both into a hug against her, "My beautiful daughters. Be safe on your journey and come home."
"We will," Azkadellia nodded and hugged her mother back.
"We will wait anxious until your return," their father added and kissed both girls on the forehead, "Especially your mother."
The royal family held one another until they couldn't put it off any longer. They finally separated, the princesses were escorted to their rooms to get prepared and their parents stayed in the room only wishing it was sixteen years ago when everything was still perfect.
