Chapter 10
Elphaba pushed her horse dangerously down the edge of the precipice. The edges of the trail were unstable, but she didn't care. She had one focus, and that was finding Glinda. After long, excruciating minutes, she was at the bottom of the ravine and running her horse along the river's edge.
"Glinda!" She yelled. "GLINDA!"
She was frantic, hoping against hope that her love would answer her. She kept riding and kept calling Glinda's name. Her heart threatened to jump out of her chest as she pushed the horse to move onward. She searched the shoreline, hoping that Glinda had somehow survived. It seemed unreasonable to hope, but hope was all she had. Glinda had to be alive. She couldn't lose her, not now.
Elphaba's eyes burned from the absent tears that she wouldn't allow as she diligently kept searching. The sandy banks on her side of the river were smooth and undisturbed. The opposite side offered a more diverse terrain of sand, stones and grass. If Glinda had crawled out in a grassy or stone laden area, it would be difficult to detect. After twenty minutes of racing along the shoreline, calling to Glinda and meticulously searching the banks, she reached a widening in the river which caused it to become shallow and sedate. Elphaba looked over the area. The rocks and boulders that broke through the water's surface, the shallowness of depth,…she missed something. Surely Glinda's body would have washed up here if the river had carried it this far. 'Her body. No, don't think like that. She's not dead. She can't be.' Elphaba looked around desperately, then took her horse across the river, and headed back in the direction she had just come from.
This time, her pace was more measured. She needed to be sure that she looked over every possibility, even the possibility that Glinda's body was pinned down in the water. Elphaba desperately hoped that that would not be the case. Her stomach was in knots every time she glanced into the water. As she rode, she allowed for the possibility that Glinda had been rescued by a good samaritan. She scanned the shoreline and the trees, looking for any indication that someone else had been in the valley, but she saw nothing except undisturbed greenery. Feeling more and more anxious, she saw an uprooted tree in the distance. From the opposite side of the river, the tree's angle had obscured her view, but now, coming from a different direction, she thought she could see a small form lying next to the trunk.
"Glinda, no, please no." Elphaba urged her horse forward, bearing down on the motionless figure.
She ran it right up to the fallen tree, and pulled up. In one swift motion, she halted the horse and jumped off, running towards Glinda and sliding to a halt behind the immobile woman. Elphaba placed her hands on Glinda's shoulder. "Glinda? Glinda, sweetie, answer me. Please." Elphaba placed two fingers on her neck, feeling for a pulse. She breathed a sigh of relief when she found it. It was weak, but it was there.
She gently rolled Glinda onto her back and gasped at the site of the dried blood down the side of her face. She quickly ripped some fabric from her own shirt and ran to the riverbank to wet the material. Ran back and dropped next to Glinda again. Carefully and gently, Elphaba wiped away the blood to make an assessment of the damage. The cut was smaller than it seemed, and had already begun to clot which came as a relief to her, but an angry bruise was beginning to form above her eyebrow where her head had absorbed the impact of crashing into the boulder. She gently placed her arm under Glinda's neck and around her shoulders, lifting the smaller woman up and cradling her against her chest.
"Glinda, come on, wake up," Elphaba whispered, glancing down at Glinda's absent expression. She kissed Glinda's forehead and brushed the strands of damp hair from her face. When Glinda didn't respond, Elphaba just cradled her again and rocked back and forth, looking out at the expanse of the river. How Glinda survived all that she had no idea, but she needed to get her back to the cave as soon as possible. She looked at Glinda again, and caressed her cheek. "Glinda? Sweetie? Can you hear me?" Her voice cracked with emotion. Still there was no answer.
Elphaba took a ragged breath, trying to hold back the tears and remain focused. She placed her arm under Glinda's knees and lifted the petite woman off of the ground. Elphaba walked back to her horse at a brisk pace with Glinda in her arms. She summoned the horse with a couple of tisks and whistles. Refusing to let go of Glinda, Elphaba caught the horse's attention and motioned to it with her head and her hand to get into a kneeling position. The horse complied.
"Good girl," Elphaba praised. She climbed on the horse's back and settled Glinda protectively in against her. "I've got you sweetie. I've got you."
The horse rose, and Elphaba headed back across the water towards the trail that would take her back to the top of the bluff. For the first time, she found herself praying. Praying to whatever source might have the power to intervene that Glinda would be alright.
As they ascended the trail leading to the top of the bluff, Elphaba was very careful to make sure that the horse took the trip slowly and cautiously. She didn't care if her own life was in peril, but she wasn't about to take any chances with Glinda' successfully reached the top of the bluff and headed back to the cave. Upon reaching their destination, she coaxed her horse into kneeling once again. Still holding Glinda in her arms, Elphaba dismounted, and pulled the petite blonde off the horse with her. She carried her inside and was relieved to see that Glinda had never actually gotten around to cleaning up the cave. The bedding was still there, and for that she was extremely grateful.
Elphaba quickly placed Glinda on the bed and removed her damp clothes, cringing at the cuts and bruises that covered her body. It was then that she noticed how pale, numb and waxy Glinda's skin had become. A sure sign of impending hypothermia. She had to warm her up, but carefully.
She tried to remember what she'd learned about hypothermia. Vasoconstriction, a narrowing of the blood vessels, was a body defense against hypothermia that would keep the core of the body warm, even though the shell was below the desired temperature, by slowing the blood flow. Reheating too quickly, if the hypothermia had already set in, would cause vasodialation, a widening of the blood vessels, that would allow the blood to pass more quickly. This was extremely dangerous to the body's cardiovascular system if cool blood was allowed to circulate through to the core. She remembered. It was important to warm Glinda up, but in such as way that her heart and lungs wouldn't be in danger from it.
Elphaba gently placed a blanket on top of her. Next, she walked over to the firepit and placed her hands out in front of her, palms out, fingers up.
"Please, let me have enough magic left in me to do this." Elphaba pleaded to no one in particular.
She began chanting, making soft, curving motions with her hands. Repeating the chant over and over as her hand and arm motions widened. Within moments, a flicker and a flame began to appear. Encouraged, Elphaba kept chanting and motioning with her arms. Soon, a brilliant fire emerged from the pit. Elphaba stopped chanting, lowered her arms and sat back. Maybe there was still some magic left in her after all. After years of keeping her powers dormant, she thought she'd lost most of her abilities.
She quickly turned her attention back to Glinda. Elphaba crawled on the bedding next to her and began caressing the side of her cheek and temple. She gently traced the bruised area, and kissed it softly. Put her head down and softly ran her fingers through Glinda's hair. Glinda began to shiver, so Elphaba quickly undressed, and crawled under the blanket, placing her body against Glinda's. She pressed herself tightly into Glinda's back and placed her arms around the unconscious woman.
Glinda's body was cold against her skin. Elphaba stayed pressed against her body, rubbing her arm and shoulder. After a while, she could feel the warmth returning to her body. Long moments past, but eventually Glinda stopped shivering, and the color returned to her face.
Elphaba softly kissed Glinda's shoulder, the put her head down, burrowing into Glinda's slightly damp hair. She wasn't sure what to do for her love, and there were no doctors nearby. It was up to her now, to keep Glinda warm and safe, and it was up to Glinda to have to strength and will to come back to her. She lifted her head and placed a soft kiss just below Glinda's ear, wondering if this was how Glinda felt during her infirmness at Dr. Frinly's hospital. The feeling of helplessness was unbearable, and she suddenly had a new empathy for the blonde.
"Please Glinda. Please be alright," she whispered to her. "I need you. Sweet Oz I need you." She placed a soft kiss on Glinda's cheek. Looking down at her love, the motionless, helpless woman in her arms, Elphaba silently allowed the tears to fall.
Court had convened for the Baraq'a arraignment. Tanon was in attendance, feeling very nervous about the fact that his witness had not yet shown up. Baraq had been ushered into the courtroom and took his seat at the defendants table.
"All rise for the honorable Judge Verin. Court is now in session," the court clerk ordered.
Judge Verin entered the courtroom and directed all in attendance to take their seat. "We're here for the case of Gillikin vs Baraq of the Glikkus. Will the defendant please rise?"
Baraq rose from his seat. Tanon noticed the smug smile on his face, and had the distinct feeling that something was very wrong.
"Mr. Baraq," The Judge said "You have been charged with theft of a state article, kidnapping, torture and attempted murder. How do you plead."
"Not guilty your honor," Baraq stated.
"Will the court reporter please note that a plea of 'Not Guilty' has been entered by the defendant? The case is scheduled for trial in two days. No jury will be permitted in this case as it is too high profile, and an unbiased jury would be impossible to find in such short manner. Please escort the prisoner back to his cell."
Baraq smiled, and Tanon got the distinct impression that he was already confident of the outcome. This made Tanon suspicious of Judge Verin. Once he was back at Glinda's estate, he planned on doing a background check on the Judge. Something just wasn't right.
Elphaba spent the entire afternoon tending to Glinda. She'd succeeded in warming her up and preventing hypothermia from setting in. Slipped out of the bed and gotten dressed, wanting to cut up the remaining mushrooms to make a simple broth. When Glinda woke up, it would help warm her. She sliced the mushrooms, then put them in the frying pan. It was all she had to work with, but she would make the best of it. She grabbed the canteen, intending to fill the frying pan.
As she twisted the mouth of the canteen, she heard Glinda educe short, soft groans. Elphaba quickly screwed the top back on, put the canteen down and raced over to the blonde.
"Glinda?" She brushed Glinda's hair behind her ear. "Sweetie, can you hear me?"
Glinda offered no response except to furrow her brows and continue with her incoherent murmurs. Elphaba gently lifted Glinda and cradled her against her chest once again.
"Shhhh, I'm here," Elphaba whispered. "I'm here for you." She placed a soft kiss on Glinda's forehead, then continued to cradle the blonde and stroke her hair.
This seemed to calm Glinda, as she stopped murmuring and became still once again.
Elphaba looked down upon her delicate features. "Glinda……please. Please open your eyes. I can't lose you. I just can't."
There was no movement forthcoming from Glinda.
"You know, I'm not very good at expressing myself in situations like this. When I was sick, at Dr. Frinly's you spoke to me, and helped me rise from my darkness. I wish I could do the same for you right now." Elphaba continued stroking Glinda's cheek and combing her fingers through the blonde hair. "This is entirely my fault. I was supposed to protect you. Oz forgive me, I failed you. I should have never left you alone." Elphaba placed a soft kiss on Glinda's forehead. "You know, when you came back into my life, I was so thrilled, so overjoyed. I couldn't believe that someone like you could care about someone like me. But you did. You accepted me openly and freely, and you gave me a level of love I'd never known before. You gave me a purpose, and a reason for being. Even before we admitted that we loved one another, the thought of you sustained me. So you see, I can't lose you. Not now. I don't think I could exist without you." Another kiss to the forehead. "Please Glinda. Please wake up. I need you to get through this. I need you to be ok."
Glinda remained silent as Elphaba continued to cradle her. "I'm sorry I failed you. I had all those warnings, and I still left you alone. I should have been there." Elphaba took a ragged breath. "I should have been there."
Elphaba held Glinda in silence for a long while. She was reluctant to put the blonde girl down just yet, fiercly and stubbornly clinging to her lover as if by sheer will alone, she could wake her. Long moments passed when Glinda slowly began to stir in her arms. Elphaba looked down at her with hopeful eyes. "Glinda?" Elphaba brushed her hair back with her fingers. "Love, can you hear me?"
Glinda blinked and slowly opened her eyes, staring out through half open lids.
Elphaba took in a deep breath as Glinda began to awaken. She smiled and cupped her cheek "Hey you." Elphaba gently moved her thumb back and forth across Glinda's cheek.
Glinda blinked a few more times, then looked up at Elphaba. "Elphie," she said softly.
Elphaba breathed a sigh of relief and pulled Glinda into a firm, but easy hug. Glinda tried to reciprocate, but the mere act of lifting her arm caused her immense pain. She winced at the motion. Elphaba eased up and gently laid Glinda back down onto the pillows. "I was so scared for you," Elphaba said as she caressed Glinda's cheek. Glinda just smiled weakly.
"Is there anything I can get for you? Would you like some water?"
Glinda groaned at the mere suggestion of water. Elphaba shook her head. "I'm sorry, dumb question. How do you feel?"
Glinda tried unsuccessfully to stretch, flinching at the pain involved with the movement. "Just….sore."
"Let's see if I can help with that," Elphaba offered. She put her hand under Glinda's neck and began to gently knead and massage it, moving down to her shoulders and back.
"Mmmmm, feels good," Glinda said, barely above a whisper.
"Here, let's turn you over." Elphaba helped Glinda gingerly turn over onto her stomach, pulled her blanket down to her waistline, and continued with her gentle massage.
She probed Glinda's back cautiously and carefully trying to avoid any injured areas. Gently massaged the lower back. Moved her hands to the middle of her back, pushing and pressing against the sore muscles. Kneaded the upper back and neck.
She moved her hands over Glinda's shoulders and began to gently work on the muscles when Glinda reached up with her right hand and grabbed Elphie's fingers. "Thank you," Glinda whispered. Her eyes closed.
Elphaba lowered her head and softly kissed Glinda's back and shoulder. Glinda pulled Elphie's hand to her mouth and lightly brushed her lips against the green fingers. "Lie down with me?" she asked softly.
Elphaba complied, moving over Glinda, and sliding down next to her. Glinda gingerly turned over onto her side to face Elphaba, grimacing at the pain. Elphaba's hand hovered over Glinda ready to help, as she moved herself into position. "Sweetheart take it easy. Don't strain yourself."
Glinda settled on her side, and opened her eyes to gaze at Elphaba. Elphaba stretched out on her side facing Glinda. Put her arm around the blonde woman's waist. Put her forehead against Glinda's. Glinda closed her eyes and sighed contentedly.
"Glinda I was so scared. I really thought I'd lost you," Elphaba whispered.
"Me too," Glinda whispered back.
"I should have been there," Elphaba turned onto her back and stared at the roof of the cave. "I knew something was wrong. I felt it. I just couldn't get back to you on time."
"Elphie," Glinda reached out to touch Elphaba's shoulder, ignoring the protests of her aching muscles. "It's not your fault." Glinda paused, then continued with a tired timbre to her voice. "If you had come back, who's to say that you wouldn't have been killed trying to protect me?"
Elphaba turned her head to look at Glinda. "Glinda, if I had lost you…."
"Shhh, no more talk of ifs. I'm here. You're here. We're together. Nothing else matters."
Elphaba smiled at her love. "What did I ever do to deserve you?"
Glinda smiled back. "I think we deserve each other. Now come here and hold me. I'm feeling tired again."
Elphaba moved herself closer to Glinda, gently taking her in her arms. Glinda rested her head on Elphie's shoulder as the green arms encircled her. Within moments, her breathing became deep and slow. Elphaba closed her eyes, thankful for the woman lying in her arms. She would finish making the broth later, once both of them had a chance to rest.
Tanon was diligently at work, trying to dig up information on Judge Verin. The books he had on hand mentioned the Judge sparingly, listing the cases he'd presided over, and brief notes regarding his biography, but Tanon needed more. He sent an associate to The Glikkus via the railway to act as liaison for him and gather any information he could about Judge Verin. If all went well, he'd have his answers before the hearing.
The doorbell rang, interrupting his research. He quickly went to answer the door, hoping it was the man he'd sent for. When he opened the door, he wasn't disappointed.
"Lothier?" He smiled and held out his hand.
"Tanon, I presume?" Lothier said, taking the hand and shaking it.
"I'm so glad you could make it on such short notice," Tanon said. "Come in please."
Lothier entered the estate. "So this is where Miss Glinda lives. Is she here?"
"No she's not. As a matter of fact, she's away and I can't reach her, which is why I sent for you. A Judge Verin is presiding over Baraq's case. His arraignment was today. His trial will begin in two days."
Lothier looked surprised. "That seems pretty quick doesn't it?"
"It does. Something isn't sitting right with me about it either."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, it just doesn't make sense. Baraq's trial shouldn't be for at least a month. There's no hurry. It would allow the prosecution proper time to put their case together, gather their witnesses…."
"I see. You think this judge has an agenda?"
"It sure seems like it. And what's worse is that it looks like our local magistrate is cooperating fully with him."
"So that's why you needed me to come so quickly."
"Indeed. You're the only witness who's even remotely available. I know that the prosecution has already offered you immunity in exchange for your testimony against Baraq. We just needed you here a lot sooner."
"Why didn't they summon me?"
"Kerrick, the lead attorney for the prosecution, is a friend of mine. I informed him of the fact that I'd already sent for you. He agreed, given that we can't seem to find Glinda. It's my hope that she'll return tomorrow, but I don't know that she will."
"Well, I'll be more than happy to tell what I know, and I know a lot."
"I'm counting on it. Come now. We need to head to the District Attorney's office and plan our strategy," Tanon said. Lothier nodded and followed.
Phanica and her mob had been perusing the river for over an hour.
"Still no sign of her," Said one of the men.
"Keep looking. She has to be here somewhere," Phanica answered.
As they came upon the uprooted tree, Phanica was the only one who noticed the hoof prints in the sand on the other side of the river. "Idiots!" she said to herself when she noticed that her crew had overlooked the obvious clues.
"Mikko!" She shouted.
"Yes Phanica."
"Keep searching the banks. I have something I need to do. If you don't find her by nightfall, set up camp here. I should be back tonight."
"And if you're not?"
"If I'm not, then come find me. I'm headed in the direction of those hoof prints."
"Do you want us to come with you?"
"No, this is something I want to do myself," she said with an evil grin. She kicked her horse, and ran it along the river until she found an area to cross. She guided her horse along the path created by the prior set of tracks. Singular prints. 'With any luck, I'll have what I'm after before the evening's through.'
Elphaba woke up before Glinda did. She stared at the beautiful blonde for a long moment before gently extracting herself from the bed. Glinda stirred mildly, but didn't wake up. Elphaba smoothed out her clothes, then walked over to the pan with the mushrooms in it, added some water and fixed it over the fire to heat up. She spiced up the water with some garlic salt, knowing that it wouldn't be much of a meal, but it was something, and they were going to need to eat soon. Especially Glinda.
As soon as the broth was ready, she carefully poured some into her coffee cup, then grabbed the lone spoon she had, and took the soup to Glinda. "Sweetie, wake up," she gently prodded.
Glinda slowly opened her eyes. Stretched tentatively and yawned. Elphaba sat down next to her. "Here you go. I made a broth with the leftover mushrooms. It's not much, but it'll help you feel better."
"Thank you Elphie."
Elphaba placed the cup on the ground and helped Glinda sit up. Placed her arm around Glinda's shoulders. Picked up the cup and held it up to her love's lips. Glinda blew on the hot mixture, and lightly sipped it. She didn't have anything to eat all day, and the broth was a welcome meal to her.
"Mmm, that's really hitting the spot."
Elphaba smiled at her love. "Can you manage?"
Glinda nodded and Elphaba handed her the cup and spoon, leaving to fetch the remaining broth in the pan. "I have some more here if you need it."
"What about you?" Glinda asked.
"Don't worry about me. You need to get your strength back."
"Elphie, come here," Glinda said in a lightly demanding tone.
Elphaba walked back to Glinda, bringing the pan and remaining soup with her. She sat down next to the blonde, and carefully set the pan down beside her. Once she was settled, Glinda handed her the cup. "Here, have some."
Elphaba pushed it back towards her. "No, it's for you. I'll get something later."
"Elphie please. Indulge me."
Elphaba stared at the blonde girl offering the cup. She smiled, then reluctantly accepted it. "Thank you."
Glinda just smiled back. Elphaba sipped some of the broth and savored the warmth of it. It wasn't her best effort, but it was quite good considering the meager ingredients. She passed the cup back to Glinda who spooned some of the mushrooms into her mouth. Then she dipped the spoon in the cup, scooped up more mushrooms, and offered it to Elphaba. Elphaba allowed Glinda to spoon feed her.
"Shouldn't I be doing this for you?" Elphaba asked.
"I'd love it if you would."
Elphaba took the cup and spoon and began to spoon feed Glinda. Intermittenly, she would drink some of the soup herself. When they finished the contents of the cup, Elphaba poured the remainder of soup from the pan, and continued as before. The women greedily consumed their soup, delighting in sharing it with one another. When they were finished, Elphaba placed a gentle kiss on Glinda's forehead, then gathered the dishes.
"I'm going to take these out to the creek and wash them out. I won't be gone long."
"Mmm, not yet!" Glinda pouted placing her arms out for Elphaba. Elphaba put down the dishes, then sat next to Glinda and carefully wrapped her arms around the blonde woman. They gazed into each other's eyes for a moment. Elphaba smiled, then leaned down for a soft, slow kiss that sent an emotional current through both of them. Elphaba wanted to hold Glinda tighter, but was very aware of her injuries. Instead, she lightly caressed the smaller woman as they shared another long, deep kiss. Glinda ran her fingers through Elphaba's hair, then settled her hands around the green girl's back, holding her as tight as she was able. After another long, slow kiss, the women reluctantly parted.
"Thank you. You don't know how much I needed that from you," Elphaba smiled.
"I needed it just as much. I still do, so don't take too long washing those dishes."
"I promise," Elphaba smiled, giving Glinda a quick, soft kiss and helping her lie back down. "I'll be back soon." She picked up the dishes and left the cave.
Phanica had reached the top of the cliff, and recognized that she was back in the area where she had first seen Glinda. Picking up on the hoof prints, she continued her pursuit. Before long, she saw the other horse grazing nearby. Phanica dismounted her horse and grabbed her spear, quietly continuing on foot. She saw the tracks that her own group had made, intermixed with the prints she was following.
'She's around here somewhere.' She thought. As she continued, she caught a glimpse of some foot prints leading around a set of bushes. Very slowly, and very cautiously, she peered around the bushes and found the entrance to the cave. 'Very clever. Well done Glinda, but I've got you now.'
Phanica slowly walked into the cave entrance and spied Glinda lying on the bedding with her eyes closed. She lowered her spear and walked to the edge of the bed, pointing the weapon directly at Glinda's neck.
"Elphie, you're already ba…" She opened her eyes and saw Phanica standing over her, not Elphaba.
"Hello again Glinda. You're looking a little rough these days."
Glinda just stared, wide-eyed down the point of Phanica's spear.
"So!" Phanica crouched down next to Glinda, keeping her spear trained on her. "Elphie huh? Would that be short for….Elphaba? I hear you two have gotten pretty close lately. Tell me, where is she? I'd like to greet her personally."
"You should feel lucky that she's not here right now. She'd take care of you in a heartbeat," Glinda spat back.
"Oh really, well we'll just see about that, won't we?"
Just then, Elphaba walked back into the cave and came to a quick stop upon seeing Phanica with her spear pointed at Glinda.
"Get away from her," Elphaba warned.
"So, this is Elphaba. The Wicked Witch of the West." Phanica stood, but kept her spear directed at Glinda.
Elphaba hated hearing that phrase. It made her seethe internally. Seeing Glinda with that spear pointed at her made her even angrier. "I swear to you, if you harm one hair on her head…"
"You'll what!" Phanica snapped. "It seems to me I have the upper hand here."
"Let me repeat myself. I'll speak slowly and use small words so that you can understand," Elphaba said menacingly. Glinda discreetly snickered at Elphaba's hurtled insult. "If you harm her in any way, I will tear you apart. Make no mistake about it."
Phanica laughed. She was quite confident of her own fighting skills. Feeling challenged, she offered Elphaba a dare. "Well, you seem quite sure of yourself."
"Oh I am."
"Well then, I have a proposition for you."
Elphaba folded her arms in front of her.
"You and I, outside, right now."
The edges of Elphaba's lips turned up slightly as a hint of a smile crept across her face.
"We'll battle it out for Glinda. If you win, you can take her. Be my guest. But if I win, she comes back to Gillikin with me."
"How would bringing her back help you. You have nothing on her."
"Ah, but I will. Did I mention, our fight is to the death?"
Glinda gasped. "Elphie no. Don't!"
Elphaba stared at Phanica and understood. If she were killed, Phanica would have Glinda, and take her body back as proof that Glinda had been with her all along.
"Well, what's it going to be Elphaba? Am I to interpret your hesitation as a sign of timidity?"
"Let's do it!"
"Elphie no, please."
"Glinda, please. I have to do this. For us."
"Oh how touching," Phanica spat.
"Why don't you just be quiet?" Elphaba shot back.
Phanica smiled, knowing she'd already had Elphaba unbalanced with the thought of Glinda's safety. This would be to her advantage. "After you," she said, waving her arm at the cave entrance.
Elphaba took one last look at Glinda and began walking outside.
"I'll see you again," Phanica said to Glinda. Then walked out after Elphaba.
Once outside, Elphaba turned to face Phanica. "Do I get a weapon?"
"Of course not," Phanica laughed. "I'm not stupid."
"That's a matter of opinion," Elphaba remarked
Phanica was not amused. She pointed her spear at Elphaba and rushed towards her. Elphaba side-stepped the attack and turned to face her opponent again, slightly crouched, with her arms up in a defensive position. Phanica yelled and rushed at Elphaba again, with the same results. Elphaba smirked at the visibly frustrated Phanica. Phanica turned her spear around and swung it at Elphaba. She jumped out of the way of the first and the return blow, but wasn't quick enough to avoid the third swing. The blunt end of the spear connected with her shoulder causing her to wince. Phanica quickly swerved around and swung the spear at Elphaba again. Elphaba caught the spear in both hands, and rolled backwards, pulling Phanica with her. As she rolled onto her back, she pushed her legs into Phanica's gut and propelled the woman over her head causing her to flip over, onto the ground. Without letting go of the spear, Elphaba quickly launched herself up and over so that she was straddling Phanica and pushing the spear shaft down towards her neck.
Phanica began to panic. Elphaba had the upper-hand and she needed to stop her momentum. Quickly, she let go of one end of the spear, grabbed a handful of dirt and threw it in Elphaba's eyes. The green woman let go of the spear and tried to shield her eyes too late. She was blinded by the invading dirt, and fell off of Phanica, trying to clear her eyes. Phanica seized the opportunity to scramble to her feet. Elphaba was on her hands and knees, desperately trying to wipe away the dirt and see. As Phanica approached, she smiled, reveling in the joy she would take in punishing this woman before finally killing her. She swiftly kicked Elphaba in the ribs, sending her tumbling over onto her back. She groaned and held her side as her vision began to clear somewhat. What she saw was Phanica standing over her, spear in hand, and a feral grin on her face.
Glinda tried desperately to get up and get dressed. It was slow going as her muscles screamed in protest. She managed to slowly get out of bed and grab her clothes which were placed by the fire to dry. Very slowly, she put her garments on. She needed to make her way outside and help Elphaba if she could, but her body was in severe pain, and it was hard for her to move. Just as she was getting ready to stand up, she heard footsteps heading back towards the cave.
A tense fear creeped within her as she waited to see who it was. The footsteps grew nearer. Glinda waited. She gasped when Phanica turned the corner into the mouth of the cave. Phanica stopped and glared at Glinda. A moment later, however, she was shoved into the cave.
"Get in there!" Elphaba said, coming up behind her with the spear pointed at her back.
Glinda closed her eyes, tilted her head back and breathed a visible sigh of relief.
"Over there, on that boulder," Elphaba directed. She looked quizzically at Glinda who had gotten dressed. "And where did you think you were going?"
"I wanted to help you," Glinda said sheepishly.
This elicited a smile from Elphaba. "Well you still can if you feel up to it. I need you to conjure up a rope for me. Your wand is right behind the bed." She looked at Phanica who had started to fidget. "Don't move!" Elphaba commanded. Phanica sat still.
Glinda looked behind her, leaned over and grabbed her wand. Within moments, she crafted a rope and placed it directly in Elphaba's hands. Elphaba put the spear down and grabbed Phanica's arms, harshly pulling them behind her. She began to tie her hands together at the wrists, then wrapped the rope around her waist before tying up her legs as well.
"Why didn't you just kill me? It was a battle to the death," Phanica inquired.
Elphaba tied a tight knot and pulled hard for emphasis causing Phanica to flinch. "I don't kill Phanica. Although in your case, I'd almost be willing to make an exception."
"You're making a mistake. I'll eventually free myself, and I'll just hunt you down again."
"So be it then. Just be prepared for the same outcome if you do."
"Next time, I won't come alone."
Elphaba finished tying her up and stood up, dusting off her hands. "Give it up Phanica. Your obsession with Glinda is borderline psychotic. She's never harmed you. Just leave her alone. Leave us alone."
"Huh, fat chance of that. She has harmed me. For years I've had to live in her shadow, knowing that everything she has, everything she is should be mine."
"She hasn't harmed you. You've harmed yourself with this ridiculous obsession. Get over it."
Elphaba turned to Glinda who had a sad expression on her face. "Is everything ok?"
Glinda nodded. "I'll tell you later."
Elphaba knelt next to Glinda and brought her hand up to caress her cheek. "Do you think you're up to traveling? We need to get out of here. Now that she's found us, the rest of them can't be too far behind."
Glinda nodded and put her arms out so that Elphaba could help her up. Elphaba stood her up, then helped her steady herself.
Phanica watched the exchange between the two women with interest.
"Hold on, just a second," Elphaba said. She quickly grabbed the saddlebag and threw the cup, pan, spoon and Glinda's wand back in it. Holding it in her left hand, she placed her right arm around Glinda's waist and gently helped her walk outside.
"I'll be back!" Phanica yelled. "I won't stop until I have what I want."
"Ignore her," Elphaba suggested as they left the cave. She whistled for her horse which obediently trotted up to the two women. Elphaba helped Glinda sit on a nearby rock, then proceeded to put on the horse's saddle, saddlebag and bridle. "Just one more minute," she said, and she hurried back into the cave.
In a few moments, she came out with a pillow and blanket. "You can sit on this. It'll be more comfortable that just riding on the saddle." Elphie said.
Glinda smiled at her thoughtfulness. Very gingerly, Elphaba helped Glinda up and onto the saddle, helping her place the pillow underneath her. She grabbed the blanket and pulled herself up behind the blonde. Put the blanket over Glinda's shoulders, and wrapped her arms around the smaller woman, while grabbing the reigns.
"You ready?" Elphaba asked.
"Ready," Glinda confirmed.
Elphaba started the horse slowly, giving Glinda time to adjust to the ride. Glinda just leaned back against Elphaba's body and found a comfort zone. It was Elphaba's intent to ride as far as Glinda could stand. She needed to put some distance between her and Phanica, and try to cover her tracks at the same time. She knew Phanica's group wouldn't be far behind. She just hoped that sparing Phanica's life was the right decision.
"Renegade, we have a serious problem. Tanon has his witness."
"Glinda's back? But how? She should be completely occupied, far from here."
"It's not Glinda."
"Then who?"
"Lothier. Baraq'a right hand man and Chief Justicier. He has a lot of damaging testimony to give."
"This is bad news. Lothier can identify me."
"What are we going to do?"
Renegade rubbed his chin with his thumb and forefinger. "We'll need to delay the trial. I just need a little time to take care of Lothier, make sure he isn't able to testify, and can never ID me, if you catch my drift."
"I understand, and I think it's a good idea, but do you really think you should be the one doing this? After all…"
"Don't worry. I'll lie low. There's someone else I can have take care of this business for me."
"Oh really, who?"
"All you need to know is his code name. Baluster."
"Baluster huh? Well, have him take care of the deed quickly. We can't afford to delay too long. Tanon is already suspicious and Glinda could return at any time."
Renegade grunted and nodded in agreement. "Thank you magistrate. I'll take care of things on my end. Baraq will surely reward your loyalty once he's set free."
The magistrate nodded, put his hat on, and left.