Blood is our life force. The human body contains an intricate network of veins and arteries within which the precious fluid flows. Blood carries cells like little boats whose precious cargo is oxygen to and from the heart. Sometimes massive blood loss can occur due to injury or illness. Death can come on swift wings to those who have lost too much. The heart begins to beat faster. The body, in desperation to keep vessels filled, pulls water from internal sources, and as a result the remaining blood is thinned. Oxygen supplies are greatly reduced, and breathing becomes a burden. Even the mind is affected. The organs begin to shut down. And then there is nothing. To reverse the effects of blood loss is, of course, blood replacement. But this, as is nearly everything in life, is easier said than done… Blood is a temperamental humor, and may only mix with blood of the same type. If a proper match is made, the patient will survive and eventually be restored to full health. If not, agglutination occurs; the blood solidifies, blood cells crack, leak and create a toxic internal environment. And this is almost always fatal…
"Glindaaaah…" whispered a soft voice.
"Mmmmmm…" came the murmured response.
"Glindaaaaaah…" whispered the singsong voice once more, followed by a gentle caress across the blondes face.
"Mmmmm?" Glinda swatted at the intruders hand unsuccessfully. "Jus' fi' mo' minnussss…" She proceeded to roll over onto her side.
Elphaba turned to look at the Princess, who was sitting cross-legged with a bemused expression. "I do believe my resuscitation attempts are proving to be quite futile."
"Then perhaps a little persuasion is needed?" grinned the Princess.
Elphaba nodded and lowered her face near the blondes, her black hair falling around their faces like rain. Green hands cup supple cheeks as grey lips meet pink; two become one.
Glinda's eyes fluttered like butterfly wings. "Good morning love." Cooed Elphaba in her ear. A smile erupted across the blonde's face.
"I do believe…that was the best wake up I've ever had."
Princess Nastoya chuckled inwardly at the displays of affection between the two women. It was a welcome distraction to the otherwise gloomy environment of the Vinkus.
"Did you sleep well my sweet?" asked Elphaba with hints of struggle in her voice. Her breathing was now markedly more shallow. Glinda felt her heart plunge within her. Her voice! It's so frail! In only a day, the wound took it's toll on Elphaba's physical being. Her eyes were sunken, her veins more pronounced, and all movements of her limbs proved to be struggles in themselves.
Glinda swallowed hard. "The best sleep I've had, in years!" She lied. The dreams from the night before irked her still. She quickly changed the subject. "Your wound. How is it?" Both were oblivious to the re-entry of the crows, which promptly perched on the shoulders of the Princess, and chattered some sort on nonsense into her ears. Her eyes widened, and a grimace appeared on her face.
Elphaba wheezed. "Very sore. Bleeding still, but very little. Sleep was a welcome aid. Although I am unsure how many more days I can last without proper treatment."
"Which is why you must leave now." Interrupted the Princess in a sober voice.
Glinda was clearly affronted, never having been told to hurry up in her life. "How dare you! I have just awoke! Can't you allow me at least an hour to freshen up!?"
"Considering what is happening out in the Vinkus as we speak, freshening up should be the last of your priorities." Hissed an annoyed Princess. Glinda glared back, nostrils flared and prepared to open her mouth once more. Elphaba stepped in between.
"Pardon Miss Arduenna's outburst. She meant nothing by it, your Highness. Now please, explain what you mean." Pleaded Elphaba with increasing concern in her voice.
"The crows, while out on their morning hunt for grubs, had seen a band of strange men out in the woods. The crows say that these men are not peaceful and are carrying weapons. They appear as if they are on the hunt. Your presence alone puts the Scrow in danger. I have no doubt in my mind that you are the bounty they seek. You must leave. "
"And leave we will. But I must implore you, have you anything to give us to aid us on our journey to the cloister?"
"You have very little time. I will see what I can do. Prepare yourselves and meet me by your horse." The Princess morphed back into an Elephant and lumbered out of the hut.
"Oh Elphie!" Elphaba, who was simply staring at nothing with a vacant expression on her face, pulled Glinda into a gentle embrace. Glinda nestled her head into the crook of Elphaba's slender neck. Glinda could feel the Witch's heart beat steadily and forcefully under the gossamer skin of her neck. "Who are these men? Do you believe they are after us?" said Glinda, closing her eyes taking in Elphaba's scent through her nostrils. I love it when she holds me…mused Glinda, Oh how I would love to stay like this forever…ahh I'm so cliché.
Elphaba pressed a cheek to the crown of Glinda's hair. "My dear, after all that I have been through in my life…err, lives, I believe that everyone is after me. And I daren't spend precious hours pondering over the intentions of these travelers. You have to get us to the cloister. You have to be the strong one, for both of us."
Glinda desperately tried to swallow an ever-growing lump in her throat. "Well then, how far are we, from the cloister?"
"I would venture that we are nearly a half a days ride. I assume we'd arrive by sundown. Under normal circumstances I'd suggest traveling by night, but seeing as that is improbable at the moment…"
"Elphie…"
"Hmm?"
"Quit maundering and kiss me." With that Glinda pressed her lips hungrily to Elphaba's. The green woman melted into the kiss, and readjusted Glinda on her lap. The pain from the wound was pronounced, but the passion brewing in Elphaba's insides dulled it. She slid her long tongue into the shallow grotto of Glinda's mouth eliciting a soft coo from the smaller woman. Glinda's smaller tongue answered, and penetrated Elphaba's mouth. Their hands roamed across the valleys of the others body. Elphaba could feel pressure building inside her; a feeling very foreign to her. What is this feeling? Glinda kissed with increasing intensity, and tangling her fingers in the sea of Elphaba's sable hair, augmenting the storm brewing inside the green woman. Elphaba could even begin to feel the pounding of her heart in her loins. Glinda's hands were unrelenting in their journey. Suddenly without warning, Elphaba's hips bucked. She immediately pulled away from the kiss and turned her head away. The motion did not go unnoticed by the petite woman.
Elphaba blushed…or so it seemed. Her cheeks simply flushed a deeper shade of green. Glinda giggled. "Oh don't be embarrassed you silly green thing! I find it quite…flattering…" She planted kisses on the crown of Elphaba's head. "Come now. Let's ready ourselves for our departure. The sooner we get to the monastery, the sooner I can shower!" Elphaba nodded sheepishly. With that, the two made their way hand and hand to the edge of the grounds.
An hour later, they came to a clearing, and saw the smoke rising from the Scrow fire pits.
"We've reached the camp, your Ozness."
They had been traveling by foot for hours and all throughout the Vinkus there was no sign of the Witch or Glinda.
"Approach with caution men. The Scrow outnumber us. Stay on your guard. And remember what I have told you all. I know how to deal with these types." Said the Wizard, who was walking up from behind. "Weapons at the ready."
The Wizard strode into the Scrow encampment, his head held high. A few of the tribesman stood tall, clutching spears against their chest, their gaze never leaving the sight of the Wizard.
He proceeded to speak in a strong, clear and commanding voice. "I mean you no harm. I am a traveler who seeks some information. Might I have a word with the leader of this tribe?" The Scrow were unmoved.
"You have no business here." Came a rough female voice. The Princess Nastoya, in the form of an elephant, lumbered toward the Wizard. Her enormous ivory tusks shone brilliantly in the sunlight.
"An Elephant! Ha! Leave it to savages to entrust leadership in a filthy Animal." Laughed the Wizard.
"What are you doing here?" growled the Elephant.
"I merely seek some information. Provide it for me and my men and I will leave you and your tribe in peace." Stated the Wizard stoically.
"And what if I do not comply?"
The Wizard smiled devilishly. "Then I shall take great delight in making a grand piano from your teeth."
She stamped her heavy foot, swirling a cloud of dust around her. "How dare you enter the realm of the Scrow and treat us with such brazen indignation!?" Bellowed the Princess. "Pitiful human, you stand no chance against me, I could stamp your skull into dust and your brain to pulp." The men shuddered from the reverberations of her powerful voice; their loaded weapons were unsteady in their trembling hands.
"Where are they?" Said the Wizard sternly, plainly ignoring the Elephant's threats.
"You will never find them."
"So you admit that those two women were here. Where are they heading!?"
The Elephant repeated, "You will never find them."
The Wizard, still staring dead eyed at the Princess made a quick little gesture with his wrist. An arrow struck the Elephant in one of her hind legs. She roared in response and reared onto her legs. The tribesmen pointed their spears forward nervously. Princess Nastoya held out her trunk to halt them.
"Your arrows will do nothing to get you what you want!!"
"Well I am sure that arrow will not. You are lucky that my man has missed his intended target. Do not test me again, you might not be so fortunate."
"Why are you so threatened by Animals?" she deadpanned.
"Do not change the subject. The Witch is very much alive and you were protecting her. We must stop her before she causes more harm to the Ozians. This is why I must know where she is! I have a duty to protect my people from harm!"
"You have no jurisdiction in Oz. Do not assume that the Scrow are ignorant to the regime change that occurred in the Emerald City. Do not lie to me about your intentions concerning the Witch. You care for no one but yourself."
The Wizard frowned. He flicked his wrist again. This time two arrows hit the Elephant on both side of her abdomen, causing her to fall forward onto her knees.
"Oh look, they've missed once more…I give you one last chance…tell me where the Witch has gone." his words dripping with anger oozing out from his clenched teeth.
"I do pray that the Witch has mercy on your pathetic soul…" whispered the Princess.
"I have no soul." Growled the Wizard as one of the looters, armed this time with a large rifle, leapt onto the back of the prostrated Elephant, and fired a single bullet point blank into the Princess' skull. The cacophony that erupted from the gun sent a shockwave of fear through the tribesmen. Women grabbed their children and ran into their huts. The men dropped their spears and also retreated into the safety of their huts. The bullet shattered the fragile bone like glass and instantly pierced her brain.
The great Elephant was dead.
Miles away Elphaba could've sworn she'd heard a small explosion somewhere far off…