Chapter Twenty: Storms Ahead
DG found herself at the edge of Finaqua once again. She felt the grass beneath her feet and she heard the water lapping against the soft sand not too far away. She was wearing one of her more comfortable day gowns and had a bit of magic already alive on her fingertips. She waved the digits in front of her face and watched the green and white sparks follow the movements. She laughed as it reminded her of the fourth of July fireworks.
Good evening to you, princess, a voice carried over to her.
She turned to her right and saw the young brunette from before. She lowered her hand and smiled, 'Good evening to you too, Queen Dorothy.'
The young girl smiled and clapped her hands together happily, So you did figure it out. I had no doubt that you would. You have much cleverness hidden away.
'I've only figured out a portion of it,' DG told her and sat down on the grass. The young Dorothy joined her, 'I only know your names and part of your histories. I don't know how you three became lost like the prophecy had said.'
I am not the whole Dorothy, the girl explained and looked over the lake, I was never the queen that you have heard of. I never even thought of ruling a whole world before. To tell you the truth, the thought frightens me.
'Then you aren't Dorothy?' DG said more of a question than an understanding.
I am the part of Dorothy that had to be left behind to ensure the Dorothy you know came to be, the copy of the great ruler looked at DG and at her face of confusion. She laughed, Let me explain.
'Please,' she nodded.
When Dorothy Gale- me I suppose- went on the first adventure in the land of OZ I was a young and innocent girl. I knew not much evil and I never had to fight for anything, she started and began to draw in the small patch of dirt with a small stick, But then I came here and immediately became a hero. I was expected to vanquish the witch and return peace to a place I never even knew existed.
'I know the feeling,' DG sighed.
I had to leave a part of me- my innocence and part of my childhood behind on the old road. If I didn't, I doubt I would have survived my journey. I learned of evil and death and misery. I had to fight for my friends and myself. The young, innocent Dorothy wouldn't have survived in such a world. Queen Dorothy did.
'So that part of you was left behind.'
For you to find, she nodded, It may not be much, but it is something that you will need. It will become more clear in time.
'So the Ages is not a group of people, it's part of people?' DG tried to understand.
We each have something to give you. Something you will need to defeat this witch, she grabbed DG's hands in her own and looked into her eyes, You had to leave a lot behind as well. Sleep now, DG. You'll feel different in the morning, but don't be afraid. You'll get control over it soon enough. We will all see you again soon.
With that the small version of Dorothy Gale faded from beside DG and she was left to watch the peaceful shore of her palace home.
The room looked nothing what the palace had. No elaborate tapestries, no grandeur golden and porcelain tubs and no grand, feather soft beds. Thankfully all of that didn't matter. What mattered was that it was safe and so were the Queen and King-consort.
"When do you think this storm will pass?" Queen Lavender Eyes asked as she looked out the small windows of the Central City safe house. It was barely big enough for two people to see through and even then it was only a small section of the street that was in view. The rain was coming in sheets and thunder still boomed and echoed in the city streets. Dark clouds only seemed to bring more clouds and it didn't look like it was going to stop, "I'm worried about the girls. It's been too long."
"They are going to be okay, my love," Ahamo put a reassuring hand on the small of her back, "They are in the best hands possible. And they can take care of one another."
"And I don't like this storm," Lavender said softly, "It doesn't feel like it was made by the O.Z. I think something else is behind this."
"The witch?"
"That is what is lying heavily on my mind," she closed her eyes, "I don't want my daughters to be out in this. There is no end on what could happen to them or what could catch them in this. I want them safe. I want them back home."
"They will be with us soon enough. We have to be patient and believe in the prophecy," he kissed her temple, "Our girls are smarter than to be caught in something like this."
"But something feels so wrong. Don't you feel it?" she whispered and no sooner that it left her mouth that Kelly busted through the double doors to their room.
"Your majesties," she bowed in front of them still out of breath.
"What is the matter, Kelly?" Ahamo asked.
"It's Captain Cain, sire," she took another deep breath and tried to stop herself from crying, "He's gone."
"What do you mean he's gone?" Lavender stood to her full height.
"We were on recon just yesterday and we were followed. He told me to go in a different direction and come back here if I wasn't followed. Unfortunately he was the one followed and he hasn't reported back," Kelly gripped her chest, "He should have been back by now. And since he hasn't, I fear that he is injured or may be captured. Or worse."
"Send out a few guards to find the Captain," Lavender turned to the guard next to her.
"We can't compromise your safety, your majesty," one of Jeb's generals came into the room after Kelly followed by Tutor in his human form, "Even for the Captain."
"He may be dying," Kelly tried to argue.
"And he knew that was a possibility by taking his position," the general stared down at her, "Our job is to keep the royal family safe until the princesses return with the Ages. And that is exactly what I intend to do."
"Then you face Wyatt Cain when he returns to find his only son missing in the line of duty and none of us doing a damn thing!" Kelly sneered at the general and then turned to the queen and King-consort. She knelt on one knee, "Please, your majesties, if you can… please spare me to look for Captain Cain. I am only one, but-"
"One can make a world of difference," the queen said softly and put a hand on Kelly's shoulder for her to stand. She looked into the girl's eyes compassionately and nodded her head, "Go find him. A bed will be saved for both you and him when you return. Even if it is only you alone to return."
"Thank you, your majesty," she bowed her head and flipped her hood over her head.
"I will like to go with her," Tutor said suddenly from the side of the room.
The queen turned to him, "Are you sure about that Tutor? It's still not completely safe."
"It's never going to be completely safe, your majesty," he shook his head, "But I may be able to sniff the young captain out."
"Anything that will help," Kelly nodded by the door. The queen nodded in agreement and Tutor transformed back into his dog form. He joined Kelly by the door and they both were able to shoot a glare at the general on their way out.
"General," the queen addressed the man ahead of her, "The scouts you have in the city. How many do you have patrolling now not including young Kelly?"
"Only two, ma'am."
"Make sure that they know to keep an eye out for Captain Jeb Cain," she said in a low voice so that he knew it was an order, "And also keep an eye out for my daughters. I feel them close, but I still fear that they will be spotted by something or someone before we could reach them."
"Yes, your majesty," he bowed and quickly left the room. He closed the doors tightly behind him and made sure the guards were on high alert. Ahamo stayed at his wife's side as they walked back to the window to watch the storm brew.
"Be safe, my angel and my Dellia," the queen whispered to the window as if it would take the message to her daughters. Ahamo's hand tightened over his wife's hip in support.
"They're coming home," he said softly, "I promise you."
An anguished yell broke from beneath the streets of Central City. A body slumped forward, unable to hold itself up. Only the chains holding their wrists kept them from crashing into the ground. Jeb Cain lifted his head to see the form pace in front of him. He drew in a breath and spit out onto the pacing man's shoes.
"Tsk, tsk," Zero chuckled to himself, "What would your father say to such behavior?"
"He would say that it was too good for you," Jeb moaned and was hit in the face and then kicked in the gut. Jeb still chuckled despite the pain, "Still the coward, Zero."
"I'm not the one in chains," he hit Jeb again across the jaw.
"Zero, come now, is that anyway to treat a guest?" Contra moved from the shadows and walked toward Zero and Jeb.
"Contra," Zero frowned in surprise, "I wasn't expecting you until tomorrow evening."
"Plans change, Zero," she sighed, "The storm was a good cover though. I always love traveling in horrid weather. The rain, the thunder, the beautiful lightning. I even heard that a group of merchants lost their food and supplies to a mudslide."
"What about Finaqua?" he noticed that she didn't bring many Longcoats with her.
"The palace is perfectly secure until my return. No one will be able to break that dark spell I have over it- not even the two Gale bitches," she breathed in deeply, "It's so wonderfully beautiful now. Dark and laced with black death. The silly gardens have finally wilted and the lake has turned murky. I can't wait to get back to my throne."
"Witch," Jeb spit out over his now split lip, "That's not your throne."
Contra turned her head to the young man, "And you must be the younger Cain. You're very handsome. Take after your father, don't you?"
Jeb groaned as he tried to grind his teeth together, "That throne belongs to DG and Azkadellia."
"Hit him again, Zero," she ordered and Zero flung his forearm into the young man's ribs. Contra turned back to him, "Let's not tell little lies in my presence, shall we? What would your dear departed mother and strong, Tin Man father feel about lying?"
"How did you do it…?" he asked in a weak hiss.
"It's called magic, my boy. Do try to keep up," she frowned in a mock worried expression. She patted Jeb on the cheek and then licked the blood off of her palm, "How much does it hurt?"
"I can take… pain," he grunted and tried to lean away from her.
"I didn't mean what Zero is doing- even if it may be quite entertaining," she laughed to herself and began to pace in front of him, "I meant the betrayal. A trusted person so loyal that you would tell everything to, and they stab you in the back."
"It's not real…"
"It is and you have to deal with it," she folded her arms over her chest and pouted, "So tell me, how much does that hurt your heart?"
"Why?"
"You and your questions," she turned to Zero, "Haven't you taught him proper etiquette?"
"Some things are lacking," he smirked and kicked Jeb in his legs, "But we're making improvements. And if not, I'm still having some fun."
Jeb hissed in pain and kept his eyes tightly shut. Suddenly his voice gained volume and he yelled as loud as he could, "Tell me why!"
Contra rolled her eyes and heard his deep breaths against the physical pain. She sighed dramatically and leaned to him so only he could hear, "So I can gauge just how hurt your father will be when it happens to him and his little princess."
"Leave my father and DG out of this…" he groaned and tried to pull against the chains on his wrists and ankles.
"You have no real room to talk or order for that matter, Jeb. Besides, in all honesty DG brought your father into this. I had no say in that little tid bit," she laughed to herself again and then turned to Zero once again, "How is the search for the royals coming?"
"We have high suspicions of a certain building toward the center of town. It goes through a lot of activity but no real business is known to take place. At first my scouts thought it was another burlesque house, but there are no women seen coming out except for merchants."
"Does that sound about right, Captain Cain?" Contra turned to him and he only glared back with a straight lipped expression. She snorted, "You definitely take after your father. Only so much bark, but I have yet to see the bite."
"Orders Contra?" Zero asked with his hands behind his back.
"I think another walk is in order," she thought to herself, "No one knows my face that well and I need the lay of the land."
"And…?"
"Take a break from your fun for a little while, Zero," she looked back at Jeb, "It's better when they heal a little and then you'll be able to beat them back down."
Zero nodded and they both walked out from the room, closing the heavy door and leaving Jeb Cain in darkness and surrounded by his fears.
"Cain!" Glitch whispered from behind him with a large hat over one side of his head. The water ran down from the brim of his hat and fell to the sleeve of his heavy coat and down onto his hand, "What are we waiting for? We're getting soaking wet out here."
Cain looked back and around DG who was between him and Glitch. Cain didn't open his mouth and roughly threw one finger in front of his lips to silence Glitch. He shook his head and tilted it toward the street ahead of them. The advisor frowned but didn't whisper out again. Cain turned his attention back to the streets outside of Central City and the guards that were patrolling the front entrance. They were checking every person that walked in and from what Cain could see were pretty thorough with each one.
Azkadellia came forward and gripped DG's hand to cast a silence spell and then whispered to her, "Are you sure that no one will be able to recognize us? What if it doesn't work?"
"You saw your reflection," DG squinted her eyes at her, "It's full proof, Az. Now relax. This is a piece of cake."
Before they were even within one mile of Central City DG had put a huge glamour over the entire group where only they could recognize one another. She had disguised herself as a blonde once again with a small birthmark on her cheek while Azkadellia became a redhead with some kind of tooth problem. Glitch was now also a blonde, which made DG want to cringe. She was thankful that she didn't have to see it after the initial casting of the spell. She made Cain have dark hair and darker eyes. She thought it would have been fun for him to be opposite for the night. She also made their clothes look like they were from a traveling merchant group- one who lost their wagon to the storm. It seemed like a lot of the traveling merchants that had made it to the front gates of Central City had met that same fate.
"Why didn't we use a glamour spell when we left Finaqua?" Azkadellia asked and poked at her real teeth for the hundredth time to check that they were in reality straighter than her glamour showed.
"Because I couldn't do one then," DG rolled her eyes and thought back of trying to get out of princess lessons by disguising herself as one of the maids. Tutor always saw through it, "And believe me I tried."
"Then how can you do it now?"
"I'm chopping it up as an Ages thing."
Cain tapped DG on her shoulder and tilted his head to the side. The two princesses took off the silence spell from around them and followed close behind. Glitch walked behind them and kept an eye open for any trouble. They made it through the front gates without a problem and onto the main street. Azkadellia had to find a way to hide the emerald, but it wasn't too hard with DG's help. Cain put an arm around DG to keep her close and to make sure that no scum bags got any ideas. The last thing he needed was someone like DeMilo grabbing her when he wasn't looking and shoving her into forced prostitution.
DG kept an eye open for anyone watching them, but only saw a few that noticed them come in. They were either royal guards under cover or a few bad guys. None followed them since they looked nothing like the royal family or who they really were.
"Good job with this glamour, sweetheart," Cain grinned to her side as he noticed the others watching them as well, "Now how does your mother know it's us?"
"She'll know," DG nodded and looked at Azkadellia who gave her a large smile, "Just like we know where she is."
DG and Azkadellia broke away from the group which made their two guards jerk to a stop and head after them. The two sisters followed where their magic led them, through alleys and small stores, through crowds and sparsely populated streets. Finally they came to a tall building toward one side of the smaller market street.
"You find it?" Cain whispered from behind DG after she stopped.
She nodded and kept her eyes trained on the door in front of her, "There's a magic mark on this door. More than likely to keep everyone but us out."
"What about the other guards?"
"They probably use another hidden door," she nodded to Azkadellia as they began to work on the magic on the door inconspicuously.
Cain shifted his weight and looked around their general area. The lights were low in the street and the rain wasn't helping with the visibility. He didn't see anyone watching them too closely, but he had that feeling crawling up his back again. He knew that someone was there who wasn't supposed to be. And they were a threat.
He turned to the people still crowding the market and saw a single woman who was also looking at the tall building. Her head was tilted up and focused on one of the high windows like she was looking for something. She had a familiar air about her, but nothing shouted out at him.
He tried to focus on her through the rain or some kind of item on her clothing that would stand out to him. Her skirt was long and a dark brown color, almost like the bark of a tree. It almost looked black in the rain. Her top was covered by a heavy cloak that settled past her knees. The hood was down and he could see her hair was tied back. He started to become frustrated until a streak of bright lightning shot across the sky and lit up the woman's face.
She turned her face toward him and her lips shifted into a smile, "Wyatt Cain."
"Wyatt?" DG looked up at him and he turned to her with a start. He took a few deep breaths and then looked back at the street. She was gone… and Cain was starting to think that his mind was too.
"Wyatt, the door's open," DG tugged on his sleeve, "Come on out of the rain."
He nodded and finally followed her in.
As they walked through the rooms the girls led the way. As soon as they got to the double doors leading into the main foyer, four guards immediately surrounded them.
"At least we know we're in the right place," DG smirked.
"Who are you and what is your business?" one of the guards nearly yelled. He was one of the bigger guards from the palace, DG recognized him as one of the guards that kept her company while Cain was away with Jeb.
"Tone it down there, gigantor," DG sighed and closed her eyes, quickly releasing the glamour from around them, "Can you go get my mother, please?"
"No need," the queen quickly stumbled down the stairs from her room with Ahamo right behind her, "I felt you both as soon as you broke through the barrier."
The guards made a small path for the royal family. DG and Azkadellia flew into their parents with a squeal of relief and happiness. The parents held their daughters close and kissed the top of their heads and looked them over for any injuries. They stood together for a few moments before Ahamo stepped away and hugged Glitch and Cain tightly. Both men were thrown off a little by the action, but patted the King-consort on the back.
"Thank you both," he whispered, "For keeping them safe."
"Always, your highness," Cain nodded his head as Glitch finally was able to bow. Cain quickly did a sweep of the faces around them, "Where did my boy get off to?"
The queen's face fell and took a deep breath, "I'm so sorry, Mister Cain."
"What about?" he felt his throat tighten.
DG looked from her mother to Cain and quickly made it over to him, "What's going on, mother?"
"Captain Jeb Cain has been missing for the past day now. He never returned from his last recon."