War Declared
Natalee started walking with Glinda on their way to her Manor to talk about plans. After Elphaba said "For now", Natalee told Glinda, "We need to talk somewhere where Elphaba can't overhear us so we can discuss the details of the plan. This is so annoying, I can't go anywhere with out her laughing or screaming."
"I know the perfect place, stand close to me dear," Natalee took two steps forward and stood right next to Glinda. A large pink bubble engulfed them, and when they appeared and the bubble disappeared again, they were away from the reach of the Wicked Witch and far north of Wittica.
"We are in the Mountains now, Elphaba has no power here. Now then, what did you have in mind?" Glinda sat down in her chair and pulled one out across the table from her for Natalee.
"Well, we need to do three things. First, we need to get Anthony back. He is the only one who knows pretty much all about Oz, sometimes well enough to predict what these people will do, and be accurate. Plus, he's my boyfriend and I don't like him locked away in Elphaba's castle!" Natalee took her seat in the chair that Glinda offered, and looked around. The entire place was immaculate, white, silver and marble and hardwoods were the materials of choice for this place which Glinda said she used in the old days before the Wizard came.
"Quite right," Glinda agreed with Natalee and waited for the rest of the plans' goals.
"Second, Anthony mentioned something about the Conference of the Birds, I think I should go to one of those and see if I can't get any more information about the progress on The Emperor Apostle." Natalee tried to remember the last thing Anthony told her before he was kidnapped. Glinda again agreed and said,
"Very good," she began tapping her fingers nervously on the table. War with the Wicked Witch seemed like the worst idea ever, but it was their only option left. Natalee continued.
"And third, we need an army. Elphaba has three armies, so we need to go one-step further. However, we cannot use the Ozians for the Army, because the Home Guard is made of Dragons, all of Munchkinland is defeated, and the rest of Oz is too terrified to become soldiers. Plus, we don't have the time to train them."
"Well, if you don't want to use people, then what about the Animals? Plenty of them are furious about the things Elphaba does now. I can arrange you to be at this months' Conference, but I should insist that you bring something else magical to protect your self."
"Well I have the Ruby Slippers, but they don't want to help me anymore and they burn my feet when I'm near Elphaba."
"Right, so I think you need something more to better protect you. Let me see..." Glinda began rummaging through all her old magic gear. She pulled out a large M shaped wooden hand carved bow, which sparkled under the moon light. It was shades of green, black purple and blue, and looked very ancient.
"You should have this enchanted bow. It is called the Stonespar Bow. It is the most powerful in its' family. At least from what I have seen it can shoot fire arrows, poison bolts electricity strikes and explosive arrows. It probably has even more to offer, but that is up to you to find out. Second, and most important, your source of protection against the Witch and Shell Thropp; an Emerald from the Emerald mines, that I have been enchanting to become sort of a healer that mends any wound no matter how serious for whomever wears it. Also, I think Anthony needs to have something a little more powerful. I will send him one of my staffs. Don't worry, it's not a snowflake, it's the most powerful staff I have, I only use it for War, but I think it will be of better use by him." She pulled out a staff as tall as from the floor to the middle of the neck. It was all made of wood, and was a pure shade of white, so pure in fact, it appeared to be gleaming. The top part of it was round and imitated the branches of a tree. The shape of the top portion was a concave and convex oval, forming three separate ovals like these joined at the very top. Inside these tree branch ovals, was a large spherical sapphire. Natalee then harnessed her new enchanted bow the Stonespar Bow around her shoulder and back.
"Ok, so, when is the next Conference?" Natalee asked.
"Tomorrow actually, it is always the last Friday of the Month. In answer to your next question, they always meet in the Kumbricia Mountains. But, you know that will bring you to within about 5 miles of Kiamo Ko, right?" Glinda raised her eyebrows and grabbed her staff.
"Yes, and I don't care, this is war now, and we need to be prepared." She draped her Emerald necklace around her neck.
"I'll make the pronouncement my self." Glinda replied. Natalee headed out to find Blue Fire and ask for his support in the War. Glinda sent the Battle Staff to Anthony, and then she left the room and went to her balcony. She put her wand on her neck to amplify her voice, and declared that Oz is in another state of War, and that anybody having ties with or relating to, The Emperor Apostle and his sister The Wicked Witch, is subject to death. She also warned that it would not be over until the Emperor Apostle is overthrown, and the Wicked Witch of the West, has been defeated, or at Kiamo Ko, the Altar Staff appeared on the floor right next to Anthony, and he picked it up and it changed in his hands to be proportionate to his height. He knew Natalee had begun the effort to fight back, and they were at War.