Perfunctory Disclaimer- I don't own any of the characters or places except for the ones I create myself (times ten, now!)

Chapter 10 – Disaster on the Horizon

If anyone minded that a girl with green skin was going to be the Valedictorian for the graduating class that year, no one dared to say a word. For Mira's portrait, the artist was able to recreate something close to her natural skin tone simply by looking at Lile's picture. They were similarly complexioned. It simply wouldn't do to have Mira's Senior Portrait done in hues of green!

For the first time in 23 years, there would be two Salutatorians. Both Glinda and Tavvia tied for the honor, and they would both prepare speeches to present at the graduation ceremony, right before Mira's. Each of the three girls would have their distinctions engraved on the golden plaques beneath their names below their portraits. At last, Glinda's portrait would join her mother's and her grandmothers; with an added distinction, as well. Neither of them had made Class Salutatorian!

However, both of them had served as inspirations. So had Jadis and Tambra; and also, Mira and Tavvia. Glinda made a mental note to write something about that in her speech. Now, she understood something about the mentality of having the Senior Portraits. Not for the first time, the thought of leaving Brisbe made her sad.

Then Glinda wondered about poor Mira. Would Lile be jealous of her sister's scholastic accomplishments? Would she get cursed simply because she'd made Class Valedictorian? If so, what more could Lile do to afflict her sister now? The thought gave her shivers. So far, nothing had been able to reverse the terrible skin discoloration she suffered. In addition, Mira still could not tolerate direct contact with water, either, although she could manage damp cloths…as long as they weren't sopping wet. (Glinda learned this much from being her roommate). By sponge bathing with damp towels, using scented oils and skin scrapers, and washing her hair with dry shampoos, Mira was able to effectively manage her hygiene. Even still, no special bathing ritual in all of Oz could wash away the green!

Because of the curse and her differences from her classmates, Mira withdrew again. She ceased to be social even with Glinda, and spent the class year lost in her books. If there had ever been a special friendship budding between Mira and Grimmz, Glinda doubted there was now. Mira was far too isolated for such things anymore. And, hence, Lile accomplished what she'd wanted to, no doubt.

Just prior to the ceremonies, Queen Ozma sent correspondence that she would not be able to attend in person, just as the Headmistress suspected she would. Headmistress Stanhope called the Last Year students into a special session to inform them of the Queen's tidings.

"Queen Ozma regrets that she cannot attend in person this year. She will be sending a representative from the palace, but in light of the current situations, I'm sure you can all understand why," she explained.

"I read a news report that Mombi's been sighted in the North. Is it true?" one girl asked.

"Who ever knows what's true with Mombi. She's a master of disguises," the Headmistress replied.

"Does the Queen's letter have any news?" another asked.

"No. She rarely provides that sort of information in her updates. The Queen knows we are not a military installation. That will be all, girls."

They were all dismissed quickly, but the carriage master had made a delivery while Glinda was attending the assembly. On her bed was a long awaited letter from Orrie. Eagerly, she tore it open, holding her breath while she read it.

'My Dearest Glinda,

Greetings from the East. Though I'm happy to report that I'm out of the arid, desolate, climes of the South, I regret to tell you that it's likely I won't make it to your Commencement ceremony. I just received word from your brother, and he tells me that you have received the prestigious honor of being nominated as one of the Salutatorians of your class! Congratulations, my dear! How I do sincerely wish I could be there to see you get the kudos you deserve! Please know that it is only the most important of duties that keeps me away.

Mombi is seeking refuge in the East, and our Intelligence is fairly certain of this. What remains a mystery is if the Good Witch of the East is offering her any immunity. Of course, you do know that they are second cousins, and Mombi may be using her relationship with Landa to get a diplomatic pardon in the Eastern Quadrant. Now, Landa is aware that Mombi is a wanted criminal, and she is not to be afforded any sort of immunity anywhere, at any time. Therefore, if she is willingly cooperating with her, she is committing a crime. If Mombi is blackmailing or threatening Landa, it is merely another crime to add to Mombi's long list of convictions. Then, of course, there is always the possibility that Landa knows nothing at all of Mombi's whereabouts. All remains to be seen.

On a positive note, the situation on the Southern Front has been resolved. Now, all regiments can, once again, focus on the search for Mombi. I do hope we find her soon. My patience is wearing thin, as I really would like to spend time visiting my favorite Good Witch In Waiting this summer, not hunting down a Wicked Witch On The Lam!

Yours Most Affectionately,

Orrie'

Glinda held the letter to her breast and sighed. 'Yours Most Affectionately'! He was always so sweet! She knew she'd be half dead in a swoon if she wasn't so nervous from worry over his predicament. The thought of him being in a position where he might have to confront Mombi gave her the jitters something fierce. She knew he was trained in some sorcery, as he was a graduate from Broden's, but he was no match for someone of Mombi's skill!

So, Orrie wouldn't be able to come to her commencement ceremony after all…

Glinda tried not to be disappointed, because she'd been prepared for that reality. However, in her dreams, she'd envisioned him there. It had been so long since she'd seen his face, she was almost forgetting what he looked like!

Even still, when it was time to sit for her portrait, she managed a slight, pretty smile. Then, a week before the official end of school, the hanging ceremony was held. Glinda had to admit that it was strange seeing her own image up on the wall of the Alumnus Gallery, alongside her contemporaries; Tavvia and Mira and the other girls graduating that year. Stranger still was seeing Mira's portrait done with her complexion the way it used to be, when now it was green! She had to admit, the artist had done a splendid job! A little further down were last year's graduates, including Jadis, Tambra, and Lile. And, Glinda knew the exact spots where her mother's portrait and her grandmother's portrait hung. In just a few short days, Glinda would be little more than an image on the wall at Brisbe, just like them.

The day of the ceremony dawned hot and sticky. All of the girls preparing for the day's presentations hoped that a breeze would spring up soon and cool things off. The graduates were dressed in dark green gowns with wide, black sashes. Mira was almost hidden in a sea of green. The only thing that broke up the color was the gold Valedictorian's medal strung about her neck. Glinda and Tavvia each had smaller gold Salutatorian's medals to wear. The three of them were lead to special chairs beside the speaker's podium, while the rest of the graduates sat in the 'graduate's benches' behind the speaker's podium. From their vantage point, the girls could easily see family members and friends of the graduates filing into the large, outdoor auditorium. Huge old trees provided plenty of shade, and fortunately, just before the presentations were due to start, the longed for breeze started up.

Glinda squinted and peered into the audience. She saw her youngest brother, Gandy, take a seat-his shade of carroty hair was hard to miss! With him was Grimmz. However, she did not see her older brother, her father, or her grandmother. Glinda began to fidget as Mistress Stanhope began her opening address. The crowd sat silently while the Headmistress gave her speech, and then each of the tenured teachers gave a brief presentation. Still, Glinda could see no sign of her grandmother, father, or oldest brother. Next, Tavvia was called to the podium. With a clear voice, she gave a flawless speech. The Headmistress then shook her hand, and Tavvia returned to her seat. Now, it was Glinda's turn. Her name was called, and she was introduced as Co-Salutatorian, as Tavvia had been moments before. Slowly, she approached the podium and let her eyes sweep the audience one last time. Her heart gave a joyful leap. In the very back, where there was standing room only, was Orrie, dressed in his Royal Regiment uniform! She could also see members of Mira's family sitting clustered together; Landa, her husband, and Lile. Once again, she spied her two brothers. They were the obvious redheads. Tambra had joined them, but there was still no sign of the rest of her family. However, Glinda could delay her speech no longer.

There was so much that she wished she could squeeze into the speech. She would miss so many things. Never again would she eat figs from the Enchanted Tree. She would no longer have to bathe in fifteen minutes or shower in seven. Home would not be a dormitory room, and her days would no longer be filled with the sounds of school bells, giggling girls, nagging teachers and the sound of chalk scribbling on slates. No more would her daily routine consist of scurrying from one class to another, eating breakfast at quarter to seven, lunch at noon, tea at quarter after three, dinner at five thirty, and lights out at nine. She would miss the friends that she would leave behind here, and wonder about those that had left her behind. And, even though she was graduating today, she was still no more certain about her future than she had been yesterday, or even five years ago. The only thing she could say for sure was that she had learned a great deal. And, in doing so, she respected many people. Therefore, Glinda's speech reflected these sentiments in a short, simple delivery that she somehow managed to say without tripping over any words or forgetting any important parts of. When she finished, she was greeted with a respectable amount of applause. Mistress Stanhope clasped her hand warmly and then nodded for her to take her seat.

Finally, Mira was called up to deliver her Valedictorian's speech. Glinda crossed her fingers and hoped that no sudden curse would fell her while she spoke. Fortunately, none did, although there were quite a few gasps from the audience when they saw the skin tone of the girl at the podium! Mira stood straight and proud, though, ignoring any reactions that she might have overheard. It was almost as if she was expecting it. Glinda took a close look at Lile while Mira spoke. It was hard to see her expression from her distance, but she may have looked a bit smug.

At last, the diplomas were awarded, and the ceremony was concluded. Glinda was officially a graduate of Brisbe Girls' Academy. Her brothers were waiting for her in the auditorium courtyard, and she ran to greet them, diploma in hand; medallion around her neck. By then, Orrie had united with them, and he swept Glinda up into a warm hug when he saw her. Grimmz was next to hug her, and then Tambra. Gandy hung back a bit. At thirteen, he was at an awkward age for physical displays of affection.

"We have to get you home, Glin," Grimmz said seriously, once they'd finished their greetings.

"What's going on? Where's Dad, Grandmother and Minor G?" she asked.

"I'll explain on the train ride home," he told her.

Glinda could hardly keep her questions in check. She could tell by her brother's demeanor that something bad had happened. Grimmz was usually cheerful and full of jokes, but not today. Also, Orrie had yet to explain his unexpected presence at her graduation after he'd told her he most likely wouldn't be able to come. She decided she'd question him later.

The train station was a quarter mile walk from the school, and this time, they didn't have Mr. Duff to give them a lift. Between the five of them, they managed Glinda's bags and made the trek. Then, they purchased their tickets and waited an hour and ten minutes for the next train out. All the while, Glinda waited in relative suspense.

"Grandmother has taken ill," was all her brother told her in the interim.

"How ill?" Glinda questioned, her face etched with concern.

"I'll tell you more when we're settled on the train. I want to make sure we have some privacy."

When the train finally arrived, Grimmz led the party to the seats in the last car. He made sure that no one else was sitting nearby them, and then he arranged everyone so that they all faced one another.

"Alright, Glinda, here's the situation so far. Mombi attempted to invade the North, and I do mean…invade. She didn't get very far. Grandmother confronted her, and now Mombi's on the run again. Unfortunately, the confrontation damaged Grandmother. She's very weak. Father and Minor G are doing everything they can for her, but they don't know if they can save her. But, Grandmother insisted, with every breath in her body, that we come to your graduation…and that no word of her condition be let out before your graduation, for two reasons. The first is because she didn't want you running out and leaving school on her account. Secondly, she doesn't want Mombi to know how bad off she is. So, by having you graduate on schedule, and by sending us to your graduation, it sends the message to Mombi that all is well and normal in 'Goodie Ardell Land'. I feel guilty that we haven't been able to tell you, Glinda, but Grandmother insisted!" Grimmz explained.

"What do you mean they don't know if they can save her? They have to save her!" Glinda insisted.

"Don't worry. She's a tough old bird. If she's still throwing orders around when she's sick, she'll be aright!" Gandy reassured brightly.

"That's not all Mombi's done," Orrie added, glumly.

"Oh, heavens. Do I want to know?" Glinda asked.

"This is totally classified, so all of you must be sworn to secrecy. I imagine the press will get the story some day, especially when they get the scoop about your grandmother, since it happened at the same time, but for now, please just keep it between us."

"What?" Tambra asked.

Glinda bit her lip. She knew Tambra's penchant for gossip and knew she'd have to talk to her friend later about what the word classifiedmeant, and that when it came to Orrie, classified really meant 'keep your mouth shut!'

"My cousin was with Goodie Ardell when Mombie attempted her coup. They were having some sort of strategy meeting or another. Mombi was somehow able to slip in past the guards. Not only was Goodie Ardell injured, so was my cousin. In fact, her injuries were so severe, she's been put into a state of enchanted rest and placed into hiding until she can be healed and have a chance to safely recover without the threat of Mombi re-injuring her again…or killing her. I can't even…Well, I guess…I have to finish…."

Orrie took a deep breath and paused before continuing.

"One of Mombi's minions was in the process of trying to remove my cousin's head before a palace guard was able to kill her. Why she would do such a thing is beyond me, but from what I understand, your grandmother overheard Mombi order the wretch to do it. She would have stopped it from happening herself, but she was busy engaging Mombi by then. Now, of course, these are all second hand reports, but I have no reason to suspect that your grandmother would make up stories."

Orrie looked absolutely miserable by the end of his grisly tale. Glinda reached out and squeezed his hand.

"I'm so sorry. Did you see your cousin at all before she was hidden away?"

"No. I was still in the Eastern Quadrant when all of this happened. Grimmz got a hold of me and told me what happened. Right now, I'm on family leave. Of course, I'm supposed to be very quiet about it, but due to the enormity of what happened, I've been given administrative time off to cope."

"That makes perfect sense. It sounds to me as though you need it."

"Yes, but the other part of me wants to hang Mombi for what she's done."

"Glinda, I hope you're ready for what's in store. Grandma Ardell is going to be down for quite a while. It's a good thing you graduated all ready, because you'll be in charge while she recuperates!" Grimmz told her solemly.

"I only hope I can live up to her reputation," Glinda replied earnestly.