Chapter 29: Doubt
"She's doubting herself!"
"And?"
"And if she doubts herself, the threat to Oz will never be destroyed."
The wizard adjusted his hat and watched the witch pace across his room. He probably shouldn't say what's on his mind for fear of pissing her off.
"What if Regina isn't the big threat?" He nervously asked. Glinda stopped dead in her tracks and turned to glare at him. He tugged at his collar as sweat rolled down his neck and cursed himself for being so scared.
"Well, uh, she hasn't done anything bad. She's just here for her friends. The only one who's threatening the will of the people is-" He stopped himself before continuing.
"Is who?" Glinda asked, approaching him. There was a fire in her eyes and her question had come out far from sincere. He took a step back.
"Well, your plans aren't really abiding the natural rights of the individuals in Oz."
"Individuals? Oh, you mean the drunks and lame that fill our streets?" Her voice was rising and so was his fear. She took more steps toward him which sent him back. "My plan will rehabilitate the entire realm and improve the overall quality of life here!" She grabbed his robe and pulled him close. Close enough to see the sweat pouring down his face and the blood vanishing from his face.
"It also takes away the people's free will." He squeaked. She released him with a harsh shove that knocked him down. He took the time to take a deep breath and try to calm himself while Glinda walked off to the far side of his room.
"Walsh, please don't forget that if it weren't for me, you'd be a mindless monkey also lacking free will. Which fate would you prefer? The one I offer or the one Zelena forced on you."
He stuttered, trying to find the best answer before she cut him off.
"I'll give you time to think about it. However, it would be a great help if you instilled a bit of doubt in my sister." Then she vanished in a white cloud leaving him to just stare stupidly at the poster that still hung above his bed. Yes, what Zelena did to him was terrible, but in a way he did deserve it. Glinda's plan would affect everyone not matter who you were. He at least had some control as a monkey.
Regina was lost in her own thoughts about the situation when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She turned to find her mother looking spooked as usual.
"What now?"
"What's wrong with him?"
"What?"
Cora nodded up the road towards Daniel. She looked over at him and was confused. What was her mother seeing?
"What's wrong?"
"Somethings not right. He's walking too slow and seems too pale."
Regina would beg to differ as it wasn't easy keeping up with him but she could see what her mother was getting at. He was really pale and wasn't walking with the usual bounce in his step.
"Daniel." She called. He stopped and faced the two. There were circles under his eyes and he seemed out of breath. "We're gonna take a quick break."
Cora leaned in and whispered to her daughter.
"Don't say anything to him. Those that find out usually panic and wear themselves out quicker but in his case he might try to prove he's fine."
"Wait, find out about what?"
"Pretty sure he's been hexed."
She looked at her mother in disbelief. Hexes were stronger curses put on people that usually ended in death and made the caster stronger. Thing is, they were usually only done by witches as it took quite a bit of effort and most sorcerers preceded dealing with their target directly. Although most witches stopped using them as their numbers decreased and the practice pretty much died out. They're obviously retaliating now. She couldn't imagine Delyth or even Seren doing it so it must be Glinda, first she takes their friends then she wants to kill Daniel, her motives weren't clear at all to Regina.
"So what should we do?"
"Well, the easiest way to break it is to kill the caster but I don't think he's in shape to do that plus it will only wear him out more and kill him faster. When we get there, I'm going to go in and find this Glinda while you keep an eye on him."
She dyed her mother. Yes, the old bat was far more experienced than her and was probably stronger too but there's no way she'd be able to handle this herself. Of course when she mentioned this, Cora only laughed.
"Oh, dear, you give me far too little credit."
"Weren't you the one to say that light magic always beats dark magic?" She snapped at her mother. The woman was really getting on her nerves since she never took her seriously.
"Unless the one with dark magic is far stronger than the light user. I should be able to handle Glinda, it's just her friend I'm worried about."
Daniel, who had started listening in, decided to interject. "But Glinda's the stronger one." Cora huffed and rolled her eyes. Why did these two constantly side against her?
"Look, if this Zelena girl is who I think she is, then she's far stronger than she knows, okay?"
They would ask how she knows this but they decided against it. Some things were better left unsaid.
"So are we ready to get a move on?"
Cora was a bit concerned for her stable boy but it was best not to act suspicious, not that they weren't already weary of her but the quicker they beat the witch the better anyways.
Tiny little update, I'm sorry.
