Disclaimer: I don't own "Tin Man" or anything that has to do with Baum's or Maguire's worlds of Oz.
Author's Note: As I've said already on my profile, this transition from summer into fall is a very busy time of year for me. Hopefully all of you amazing readers can forgive me for the lack of chapters and enjoy this one! Cheers!
Lions, Gangs, Papay, Oh My! – Part 1
They'd made amazing time all things considered.
After constructing a makeshift carrier for Fiyero out of her blanket and some rope it'd taken some convincing to get the cub want to ride in it, but several pieces of jerky from their group's rations had finally convinced him. Situating the cub in the blanket to sit at her front so she could keep an eye on him, they'd headed out once more on the old road.
Cain, for what it was worth, stayed much closer to the rest of them, but DG made sure to pay little notice.
The atmosphere was thick and uncomfortable, an echo of the camp they'd left behind and the things that'd been said and unsaid alike.
Glitch, to his credit, did his best to keep at bay at least some of the tension, and soon DG found herself being immersed in a lesson of O.Z. geography despite herself.
Whenever Tutor had tried to teach her about the O.Z.'s many landscapes, she'd always been put to sleep. Tutor was a magic teacher first and foremost, he found much of the other non-magical subjects she had to learn, or re-learn as the case was, very much lacking and it showed in how he taught such material. But with the always optimistic and cheery Glitch, every rock and patch of grass was a wonder waiting to be discovered when seen through his eyes.
Add that and Ambrose's extensive knowledge of everything Ozian and soon DG had learned more about the land of the O.Z. in a few hour's ride than she had in several weeks back at the Palace. The fact that her butt and thighs had started to throb painfully and persistently from riding, and how such weakness was something that she absolutely refused to acknowledge, let alone complain about in Cain's presence, was all forgotten amidst the splendor of Glitch's narrative.
So far she'd learned that not only would she be seeing some familiar scenery, as they would be going through the Papay fields and well into Lake Country, but they'd also be continuing further South than they had before.
The guy should teach; DG thought as she gazed at the crazy-haired man in wonder. No student would ever leave his class without learning something; his enthusiasm is contagious. A glance down at Fiyero only confirmed her thoughts. The cub was enthralled by the strange man's talk, eagerly listening in wait for whatever came out of his mouth next.
Cain, however, snapping about how the man's voice was carrying, put a quick stop to Glitch saying anything more as his voice had grown louder with his enthusiasm.
"Just as good," Fiyero said, snuggling a little further into his carrier, "that bad man smell hasn't gone away yet."
"Huh?"
"Yeah, it was still strong back at camp."
"Wait, what kind of bad man smell?"
"Like the one of the bad men who took me. The Tin Man can smell it too I think, that's why he's so edgy."
The cub's words made DG freeze in her seat, her thoughts no longer of the O.Z. or its lands.
Could that have been why Cain had stopped when he had? Just before they'd-?
But no! She wouldn't think about that anymore! It didn't matter that something could have happened if there hadn't been an unknown danger lurking about right? No, of course not.
Stealing a glance at her stoic protector in question, everything DG was trying to convince herself suddenly solidified, making her as hard and as sharp in her determination to do what needed to be done as when they'd left camp.
But still there was the question of a familiar enemy and their scent.
"Fiyero, are you sure that it's the same smell?"
The cub was silent for a second or so, as if mentally comparing the two scents he'd smelled one next to the other.
"Yeah, I think so."
The idea chilled her to the bone as her mind raced. How could Cain be acting so nonchalant now if he'd known that there was danger?
"Is the smell still near us Fiyero?"
Taking a whiff of the air around him for a moment Fiyero then answered.
"Uh huh, but more faint now. Like they're following and thinkin' they won't be noticed by us."
Great, just freakin' great, DG groaned, her stomach suddenly feeling like the bottom had dropped out of it.
And why didn't Cain seem more worried? Was it all just a ruse? Make whatever particular scumball that was following them think that they were completely unaware? It was a good strategy, and DG couldn't help but admire the Tin Man for not letting anything on if that were the case. But still…
The unease in her stomach increased, all her senses suddenly super aware of her surroundings. In the back of her mind DG realized that no doubt the extra magic she was carrying was having some effect over her once more, but the idea was pushed to the sidelines as she did her best to focus on the task at hand. Panicking would do her no good, and if what'd happened last time she'd lost control of her faculties was any indication, she really wasn't up for a repeat performance of magic-hostile-takeover.
DG?
Raw's calm presence slowly seeped into her mind, making her jump in her saddle slightly with alarm. How?
Connected. Witch magic.
The soft but deep voice of her friend seemed to boom in her head despite his being several feet away from of her, as if amplified by something…oh…
Yes DG. No need touch to hear.
Starting to get with the program DG shot another question his way.
Have I always been able to do this? And why the hell am I just now finding out?!
Inside her head she heard his soft chuckle.
Not always able. Most only Viewers. Even then, only strong ones. Most only touch. In other peoples, very rare gift. Magic helps. You jump many years learning.
Because of her magic I'm guessing, DG thought back, amazed once again at the power her curse-giver had controlled.
Hers yes, DG's too.
Why now though?
There was a long silence before Raw answered her again, and instantly DG became suspicious of what he was possibly considering to leave out. Having a strong hunch that he would feel such emotions through their link, as he was a Viewer, DG smiled slyly as she heard his next words…
Witch have place in DG's mind. She say no harm come to DG. This way Raw know she speak truth.
...A smile that just as quickly disappeared.
Wait…what?!
"What DG?!"
"What's wrong?!"
"DG?"
All too quickly DG realized that she'd said what she was thinking out loud as she came face-to-face with the other members of their party not included in her and Raw's conversation.
Trying to hide the deep red blush that was blossoming as Raw did his best to look unassuming and worried about her outburst, DG scrambled desperately to come up with a suitable explanation. Telling the rest of her friends what had just happened was definitely out of the question for the time being in her book, they and she had enough to deal with. For now it should remain her and Raw's little secret until she'd sorted it out herself. But damn what could she say to keep them and especially Cain off her track?!
"Um…"
Great work genius, real eloquent aren'tcha? DG winced.
"Princess? Is everything okay?"
Oh god, just shut up Cain! You're only making things worse by being all concerned! DG bit her tongue hard, doing anything to keep that little exclamation from escaping too as it so wanted to. Couldn't he just leave well enough alone?!
"Nothing! It's nothing. I was just thinking aloud."
A sorry excuse if she ever heard one, but if it worked…
"Uh, okay, DG, whatever you say," Glitch shrugged on his stead, looking to Cain for confirmation to get going again.
But of course he doesn't believe me for a second, DG felt herself shrinking back in her saddle instinctively under his stare.
"Cain? You gonna hold up the show just because DG was thinkin' out loud? I do it all the time!" Glitch spoke up, breaking the awkward silence that'd again encompassed the group.
Shaking his head at the Advisor, and leaving her with one last hard stare that made her feel like he could see right through her, Cain turned in his seat and moved the group back into a steady, but brisk pace.
Releasing the breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding, DG felt something prodding her chest and looked down to a swaddled Fiyero pushing at her with his nose.
Keeping him wrapped up for the most part had kept the horse she rode from being too skittish around the little predator, but also effectively kept him from getting her attention in a lot of ways.
"What's wrong Fiyero?"
"You smelled different before."
"Huh?"
"When you got really quiet, you started to smell different, not like you. You smell like you now, but I had to make sure."
"Oh."
Whatever DG had to say further on the subject was lost as she realized just where they were.
The fields of the Papay.
The trees were in full bloom, no doubt making up for all the years of drought and neglect that they had suffered. What none of them had known at the time of her bring one tree to life is that in doing so there'd been a magical trickle down effect, each tree surrounding the one she'd touched slowly coming back to life as a result. The sight was an amazing one to see considering she'd only before just heard of it by others in Central City Palace.
That, and along with the return of their trees and food source, the Papay themselves had become a lot more friendly. Hopefully that tidbit she'd picked up was true as well.
"Where are we?"
The little voice stole DG from her reverie as they entered the thick forest.
"These are Papay fields, the Papay that they're named for farm them," DG answered.
"They're amazing," Fiyero nodded, his big amber eyes taking in everything all at once.
"Yeah," DG could only agree.
But just then several growling noises reverberated amongst the trees, and DG found herself on high alert.
Catching the sight of Cain's gun at the ready, her apprehension only lessened somewhat, but not much. Last time they'd all been here together not even gun power in the hands of the Tin Man had done much good.
"DG? What was that?"
The little cub's fearful voice shot through her own fears, bringing out something in her that had nothing to do with any dead green witch's power, but her own.
She was all this cub had until she got him back to his family, she wasn't going to let him down.
"Don't be afraid Fiyero, I have you," she whispered, moving one of her gloved hands from the reins to wrap protectively around the lion cub.
"I thought we'd come to good terms with these guys," Glitch whined, trying to keep his horse calm as it spun around jumpily.
"Thought so too," Cain grumbled, his eyes darting around in search of the noise's owner.
But just as his eye seemed to have found something of interest, another noise caught everyone's attention, and in a flash it was over…
Author's Note: Yes, I'm an evil little writer for bringing you yet another cliffhanger -insert evil laugh- Lots of reviews, however, are an excellent way to appease me and my evil plotting! -grin-
