Next update as promised enjoy!
Her feet were too tired from all the travelling, that she had to fly the majority of the way. She wasn't paying full attention to the land below her, so that when she finally spotted figures in the distance she hesitantly lowered her height and resumed the rest by foot. If it wasn't for the carriage, she would have presumed it was some stranded Ozians, but she knew by the sight of its clear royal presence it was them.
''Sweet Oz.'' She murmured to herself. She didn't expect her travelling to have been as long as it already had been, her lack of energy proved that, but still the idea of actually finding her both frightened her and excited her. Either way, she made her way as quietly as she could at good speed, so as not to lose them. They didn't appear to be moving at least. Her heart was racing inside of her, she hadn't thought through this part very much. All she was worrying about was getting to Glinda before that monster hurt her anymore than he already had. How she would go about this, she didn't know. She could deal with the risk of her own safety, but if it threatened Glinda's she couldn't live with herself. As she approached closer, she became aware of noises within the area. She made her way as quietly as she could to the outskirts of the wall and hugged it tight in case she was spotted. She hadn't come this far to blow it all away now. She stood still for several minutes, listening to the noises. Trying to work out just how many people were there. Considering they were in the marsh land she didn't expect anyone more than Avaric and Galinda to be here. When she finally forced herself to get moving again she reminded herself that she was green anymore and that as long as the spell lasted, she wouldn't cause any alarm. With this in mind she cast the spell under her breath, to reduce the size of her broom, her black hat and Grimmerie and put them both snug as a bug in her bag. At least now she was convincing. Deciding it would be best to try the carriage first, just in case anyone was there, she tried to be as quiet as she could, so as not to prevent this. She grew wary of things around her all of a sudden, just by the fact that the noise had died done. She could no longer hear anyone speaking, just the sound of the wind in the night sky blowing through the trees. It was night time after all, people in the marsh lands have to sleep too she supposed. But there was something still chilling about the silence that followed the quiet murmur in the distance. As she approached she muttered under her breath 'please oh please;' although she knew Avaric wouldn't have been so foolish as to have left Glinda all alone. Despite knowing this, she still opened the door in one quick movement, wishing and hoping Glinda would throw herself in her arms a second after. But instead she stared back at her faithful Chistery curled up into a little shaking ball on the seats.
''Chistery?'' He jumped at the sound of her voice and blinked back a few tears before deciding it was her. Usually he would jump right at her and climb on her back, but he was too weak.
''What is it?'' Elphaba climbed inside properly.
''Where's Glinda Chistery?'' Chistery gave out a small murmur and climbed onto her back with her help.
''You going to take me to her?" Elphaba looked up at him and he nodded his head.
''Thank you my friend.'' She tickled under his chin and they made their way over to the entrance. Chistery looked back over his shoulder at the carriage and frowned at the sight of no Lerot there anymore. As soon as she stood in front of it, the first thing she saw was the writing. After muttering it under her breath, just as Glinda had done before her, she froze on the spot. Chistery kicked her sides, like a jockey would do to a horse to urge him on. Elphaba looked away from the sign and cursed under her breath.
''Yah kelle.'' In that moment she knew what lay in store for them, she knew that once she was to set foot in this place it didn't matter if she was green or any colour for that matter. They would see right through her and she would indeed cause alarm, she knew that for sure. She took her time walking here on in, taking in all around her. As though on cue the winds swept through and she could hear them howling through the midnight sky. Chistery clung to her tightly and tried to rid the thought of going into this creepy looking village. But before he had the time to agree on the choice of turning back, Elphaba had already stepped foot in it. Her head up high, every footstep surer than the other. No matter how much her body was trembling.
Avaric was busy waiting for the people to organise his meeting still and being the man he was, didn't appreciate waiting around for so long. He paced the tent they were in backwards and forwards, trying to contain himself from just storming in there. To his own luck, a relatively old woman soon appeared from behind a silky curtain and literally coaxed him inside with just the head turn; no words were spoken between them at all. She knew what he was here for as much as he did. She kept a small dagger clutched in her hand, just in case anything were to happen and Avaric smiled to himself at the sight, doubting such a frail woman could use it. But baring in mind the person he was about to meet, he didn't want to find that out. The woman led the way amongst the different layers of curtains hanging from the top of the tent and as Avaric whacked the last one out of his way he set his eyes on her finally. He bowed his head as she stared back at him, sat hunched over on her seat.
''Come.'' She beckoned him to come closer and he did so eagerly.
''State your business.'' She ordered in a croaky throat.
''You know why.'' Avaric looked up at her and he shivered as she smiled lopsidedly to him. He could only see her mouth; the rest was hidden away under that baggy hooded cloak of hers. The candles on either side of her were burning a bright red colour, not natural candles at all. He watched them for a moment dancing in the shadows, preferring to look on them than her.
''What makes you say that?'' She pushed him to continue after his long pause.
''Because despite Fiyero Tiggular's later announcement to inform us they were indeed at Kiamo Ko, I sensed it much before that.''
''You did now did you?''
''You know full well I did, it was you that brought me there I know it. You and your witchcraft.'' He finally glared up at her, spitting out the last word with distaste. She drummed her bony grey fingers on the arm of her chair.
''If it wasn't for my witchcraft you wouldn't be here Sir Avaric.'' She dropped her smile and stared at him, although he couldn't see her eyes.
''I cast that spell on your precious Glinda before you even got there and called for you within it too.'' She drummed her fingers some more and then scraped her nails over its surface, making Avaric wince.
''With Glinda proving to be indeed a very – well with her obviously growing with her sorcery, she was able to fight off the spell before it could take its effect on her.'' She continued. Avaric listened intently, his silence urging her to continue.
''I believe because of the distant attempt of the spell alongside with her so called power the spell was unable to be cast successfully but-'' She paused raising her finger up to him.
''But now you have brought her to me, I may be able to do it this time round.'' Avaric nodded, his heart beating like a drum, with excitement or was it her unpleasant presence that made it beat so?
''That is of course if you've done as I wished.'' She lowered her finger and waited for him to speak finally.
''Oh she'll be here.'' He replied sure of himself.
''Good, until then bring her in for me.'' She clapped her hands together and Avaric could swear he saw dust fly off them.
''Mother Yackle has to take care of her guests, especially with such royalty in her presence.'' She smirked and gave out a small cackle under her croaky breath.
She coughed, not even covering her mouth despite him being a few feet away. Avaric stepped back at this disapprovingly and left the tent alongside the frail woman that led him in.
