Thanks to MyLittleElphie for reviewing. Both women have a certain amount of influence over the other, and it only grows as they get closer. That's even evident in the musical. And Sarima is really the perfect character to throw wrenches in a story.

Thanks to RavenCurls for reviewing. Good catch on Sarima, and the hair things is more shamanistic then voodistic. At least that is what I was going for. Plus, her hair, though dark like Vinkun people's, is more straight so I figured they would admire it much. And maybe too much Lord of the Rings. As for an Elpharic….maybe?

Thanks to heatqueen for reviewing. Very Robin Hood Men in tights, I agree. As for the spell, I stole some of it from fantasy writer. I know, I'm terrible. I did expand on it a little, so I don't feel so bad. As for fluff; I have a oneshot in mind (called Wandless Magic) but there's not going to be much fluff between here and the end in this story. Sorry.

Thanks to Varia for reviewing. Here you are.

Thanks to nursejoy7 for reviewing. You'll have to read and find out.

Thanks to ScientificHooligan for reviewing. I've done it before on many of the stories here. For Pfannee and Shenshen, I wanted to give them more than vapid socialites. So I turned them into a twisted reflection of Glinda and Elphaba, or perhaps the road not taken if Elphaba had chosen to stay with the Wizard. I'm glad you enjoyed the background info on the two women; I find that people are the sum of their experiences, so they have to be considered in how they act. And I'm happy you liked that I made the route to Gelphie winding, and the musical/book nods. And keep buckled.

Thanks to chinaluv for reviewing.

11 more to go. As always, read, enjoy, review. Comments and Critiques welcome.

7/16/2014

The growing crowd stared at the witches, and they stared back. Suddenly, the crowd rushed towards them. Elphaba dropped into a ready stance and started conjuring fire while Glinda began to summon an air spell. The first person to reach Elphaba, a woman, lunged forward and grasped one of her hands. Elphaba raised her other in flames but stopped when the woman kissed the grasped hand. The fire went out and both witches stood baffled as the crowd imitated the gesture, bowing and kissing both of their hands.

"Uh….Elphie?" Glinda asked.

"I'm just as lost here, Glinda."

There were cheers going up around the women, and both could hear them echoed in the distance. The crowd began to usher them forward and more people met them. They kissed their hands and lay strings of beads around their necks. Many of the men blushed as Glinda smiled at them, and it caused her giggle. Elphaba marveled (as usual) as Glinda quickly made the crowd fall in love with her.

"Well Elphie, you know how I always love a good party, but what is going on?" Glinda asked happily. Elphaba shrugged and then grabbed one of the men near her. She spoke rapidly in Vinkun and he responded just as quickly.

"Apparently my legend has grown." Elphaba said with a hint of amusement. "They are happy to have their witch back."

"Their witch?" asked Glinda. Elphaba spoke to the man again.

"Apparently they think every country has one. It makes sense; you were Gillikin's, Nessa was Munchkinland's and apparently I was there's. They seem to think that only with a witch can a country grow prosperous."

"That's an interesting take on it."

"You're telling me. Anyway, now they think that because I'm back that they'll have better fortunes."

"How are you going to break it to them that we're just looking for a safe place?"

"I have no idea. Let's just get to Kiamo Ko."

The crowd surrounded them the entire way, greatly impeding their progress. By the time they had reached the gates it was completely dark. The crowd melted away from the two witches as they crossed onto the drawbridge to the old castle. Torches lit up at the entrance, and a strong voice called out.

"Who goes there?"

Elphaba looked at Glinda, who gave her a smile.

"It is I, the Witch of the West!" Elphaba called back.

"Do not jest such! Who are you truly?"

Elphaba could see the silhouette of a man standing on the rampart. Her hand became ablaze and she tossed a fireball (mostly illusion) past his head.

"Do you question me now?"

"No, Your Highness! Open the gate!"

There was a loud clank and a ratcheting noise as the witches started forward. The dark shape of the portcullis slowly rose as they passed underneath, and waited for the second to lift. As they entered the courtyard two lines holding various weapons flanked them. To their left were Vinkuns dressed in their hides and furs. To their right were flying Monkeys. Elphaba recognized the leader by his (still) pristine jacket.

"Chistery?"

"It is I, Madame." Chistery responded. Elphaba stared at him dumbly for a second, and then broke out into a run. She threw her arms around him and picked him up.

"You can talk!" she said and spun him.

"Yes, yes, I can. If you could please put me down, Madame." He said breathlessly. Elphaba stared at him for second, and then did as he asked.

"I'm so sorry, Chistery, but I'm so glad to see you. And you can talk!"

"That I can, Madame. After you left and Miss Glinda ascended the Throne, my voice slowly came back. It was quite relief."

"Chistery, not saying I'm not pleased, I am, but you seem kind of…how do I put it?" Elphaba started.

"Snooty?" Glinda supplied. Elphaba smiled in embarrassment.

"Yes."

"That's alright." He said. "I did live with the Wizard for a number of years. He always was a bit pompous." Chistery said with a smile. "But most of it comes from my profession."

"Which is?" Elphaba asked.

"I'm the manager of the Kiamo Ko estate." Chistery said proudly. Elphaba glanced at Glinda, who shrugged.

"That's fantastic, Chistery, but how? I thought Kiamo Ko was part of the Arjiki's strongholds."

"Let's say we go somewhere a bit more private and I can fill you in."

"Alright."

Chistery turned and made signal with his hand. Immediately both groups broke up. The Monkey's winged off in the direction of their rookery and the Vinkun men and women guards went back to their posts. Both witches marveled at the air of authority around Chistery. As he led them into the meeting hall, he motioned for both women to take a seat. He himself perched on a bench opposite of them.

"So how did this come to be?" he said rhetorically. "Well, after you left, the Arjiki king disowned Kiamo Ko. He wanted nothing to do with it. That would have meant the place I considered my home would go to ruin, and I couldn't have that. So I found some Animals willing to help me manage the estate. I also found some old books detailing rents and that sort that could be collected in Red Windmill, and I use those to buy us whatever we need. A little after your supposed demise a contingent of….tomb raiders, I guess you could call them, came from the Emerald City. The Arjiki scared them off but it caused me to worry. I retained the services of our Vinkun guards and tried to train the other Monkeys to help out. Unfortunately, we're a bit too skittish in nature."

"So you've taken over Red Windmill from the Arjiki?" Glinda asked.

"No." he replied. "More like they have absorbed us. The northern Arjiki are more settled than their southern cousins, but still consider themselves Arjiki. If the Arjiki needed Kiamo Ko to be their stronghold, it would be theirs. We merely keep its care. However, we do have a bit of staff that is loyal to only us."

"Animals?" Elphaba asked and Chistery nodded.

"Yes. Some old Resistance; some just looking for someplace to call home. The Arjiki are welcoming to them, and they have also been basically assumed into the tribe."

"That's good." Elphaba said. "You're probably wondering why I'm back, Chistery."

"I was, and without Master Fiyero."

"Long story short, we're on the run and need someplace safe to stay."

"Kiamo Ko is always at your service, Madame. Shall I ready your room?"

"Not the one in the east wing." Elphaba said, "We need one for two people."

"There's only one furnished place like that in Kiamo Ko, and it's the Prince's room."

"Oh, well that will be awkward." Glinda said.

"Unless you want to sleep in separate wings, it will have to do." Elphaba replied, looking at her. Glinda shook her head and Elphaba turned back to Chistery. "Lead the way."

"Yeah. This is awkward." Elphaba said as they entered the room.

It was dressed in red and gold (Fiyero's favorite combination) and there was a large four poster king size bed. On one wall were various hunting implements of Fiyero's (though Elphaba guessed they were mostly ceremonial), and on the other were tapestries and paintings of the Land of Oz. All in all, the room felt like Fiyero, albeit a bit dusty.

"I agree. But there is an upside." Glinda said and walked towards a closed door on the other side of the room. Elphaba followed.

"And what is that, my sweet?" Elphaba asked. Glinda grinned widely at her, and then turned the door handle.

"Master bathroom." She answered with a giggle. It was indeed, and a lavish one at that. The tub was large enough to hold ten people, and a full length mirror spanned one wall. Like the rest of the room, it was covered in dust. Glinda took out her wand, gave it a flick, and both rooms cleaned up, and a fire started in the hearth that spanned the wall intersecting the bath and bedroom.

"Wow. He sure liked his bathrooms." Elphaba said. Glinda giggled again.

"Oh yes. Absolutely insisted on a conjoined master bath wherever we stayed. He was a bit of a fop, much as I loved him." Glinda voiced trailed off with a bit of pain.

Glinda was preparing the bath and beginning to undress while Elphaba rummaged through their bags looking for something when there was a knock at the door. Glinda gave her a quizzical look, and both witches drew their wands. Elphaba crept towards the door as the knock came again. Elphaba wrapped her hand around the handle and looked over at Glinda who had her wand raised. Elphaba jerked opened the door and moved out of the way.

The young Vinkun guard looked startled and almost dropped the bags but Elphaba helped the young woman steady them. She gave Elphaba a bashful look and Elphaba gave her a sincere smile.

"We're sorry if we scared you. We've been on the road a bit." Elphaba said as the woman brought the bags in.

"I understand, Madame Witch." The woman replied as she set them down, and bowed.

"Please do not call me that. Call me Elphaba instead."

"I could never do that; you're like royalty here."

"She almost was royalty." Glinda responded. The young woman looked at her surprised.

"Really? Who?"

"A certain scandalcious young prince." Glinda said with a wink towards the woman. She gave Glinda puzzled look, and then her eyes widened with realization.

"Truly?" she asked Glinda.

"Truly."

"But I thought you and His Highness…."

"It's a long story. Needless to say, Her Highness would be an appropriate title. She may not be a princess, but she is the ruler of Kiamo Ko."

"Of course, Your Goodness. I'll let the staff know at once."

The young guardswoman bowed, and then left the room. Elphaba glared at Glinda.

"Really?" was all she could say.

"You know how annoying it is to be called 'Your Goodness' all day? It was either Highness or Wickedness. I thought you'd like Highness better."

"I'm sure you did." Elphaba retorted testily, and then furrowed her eyebrows. A slight quirk played on her lips.

"Elphie, I don't like that look in your eye."

"What look?" Elphaba said with an evil grin, and approached Glinda.

"That one. What are you planning?"

"Nothing at all, my pretty." She answered, letting out a cackle. It caused Glinda to bolt for the bathroom. She made it but strong hands snagged her before she could turn and shut the door. Long, treacherous fingers began to dance up Glinda's sides.

"You…wicked…wicked…witch!"

Once again, the witch's cackle filled the rooms at Kiamo Ko.

The Adept clung to a cliff, looking down at Kiamo Ko. After the witches entered the castle she knew her chances were nonexistent of capturing either one of them. She would have to bide her time to catch them off guard. Her supplies, however, were perilously short. She could try to ration them and scavenge for the rest, but that could leave her dangerously unprepared to deal with either the witches. No, she would have to return to the Emerald City to resupply. Perhaps she could find another way of approaching the problem. An idea formed in her head. It could work, but she would have to get the Madame's approval first…

"Hey Elphie?" Glinda asked. They had just woken up and were holding each other close.

"Hmm?"

"Did you and Fiyero ever…you know…in here?"

Elphaba turned her head to look at her blonde lover. Glinda instantly regretted the decision to voice her curiosity as there was pain behind Elphaba's eyes. Nevertheless, the emerald woman smiled.

"No, my sweet, we did not have sex in Kiamo Ko. By the time I fled here he was already changed into the Scarecrow."

"Oh. I didn't know.

"Why did you bring it up?"

"Well…."

"Yes, my sweet."

"I kind of thought a bed this nice shouldn't go to waste." Glinda said bashfully. Elphaba posted up on her elbow to look at Glinda quizzically.

"To waste?"

"Yes…oh, to hell with it."

Glinda rolled, pushing a startled Elphaba back to the bed, and threw a leg over her. She smiled at the startled expression on her lover's face. Straddling her, Glinda reached down and peeled her nightgown up and off. Elphaba's eyes widened but her hands drifted to Glinda's curves. Pink hands covered green, not to hinder but to encourage. As they drifted higher, Glinda sighed and let her head fall back. Hands began to stoke the fire but a knock at the door snapped them out of the trance. Glinda unmounted.

"Come in." Glinda said as she got off the bed and stood. Elphaba's eyes widened as the door opened and a Mountain Lion walked in. Elphaba pulled the covers over herself as she sat up.

"Your Highness, Goodness; breakfast will be ready in 15 minutes in the main hall." He she said.

"Thank you." Glinda replied. The Lion did not seem disturbed by Glinda's lack of clothing nor did Glinda seem to be ashamed of her nakedness. Elphaba closed her eyes. She knew she was dreaming. There was a soft click and a shift in the bed. Small, warm hands slid over the outside of her thighs and up her stomach. She captured them as they caressed the swell of her breasts, and opened her eyes. Her blonde vixen was grinning from ear to ear.

"I was having a very interesting dream, my love." Elphaba said.

"Was it me, naked, talking to a Mountain Lion?" Glinda asked mischievously.

"How?"

"An illusion spell." She giggled. "Glinda the Good must always look her best. After the first time I got caught unprepared I crafted a spell to do so. It is usually for when I'm in my nightgown."

She waited until she saw the comprehension in Elphaba's eyes.

"I felt like being naughty." Glinda giggled, and then her voiced dropped to a hoarse whisper. "Did you like it?"

"Very much so." Elphaba answered, and pulled Glinda into a breath stealing kiss. As they broke Elphaba whispered, "But now we must get ready for breakfast."

"Wicked thing." Glinda breathed.

"Says the minx."

Glinda watched as the staff swirl around Elphaba as if she were the eye of a storm. The staff seemed to be old Resistance members by the way they took her orders. Though they paid Glinda respectful attention, it was obvious most revered her. It had started to annoy Glinda.

"Elphie." Glinda said quiet but sternly to get her attention. Elphaba's head popped up from the papers she was examining.

"Yes, my dearest?"

"What is one of the first rules of etiquette when dining with someone?"

"Always chew with your mouth closed?"

"Well, yes, but no business at the table."

"You are right, my sweet. Chaucer, can you take this to the study? I will get to it after breakfast."

"Yes, Your Goodness." The Ape said, and withdrew. With him went the flurry of activity that had inhabited the dining hall. Elphaba, however, could tell that Glinda was still fuming.

"My sweet, was there something else?"

"I just hope it isn't like this the entire time."

"Like what?"

"You working and ignoring me."

"What makes you think it will be like that?"

"It's already started. I know how you get when you have projects; you obsess."

"Me eating and working is obsessing?"

"Yes."

"Did you not do that when you dragged me around town everywhere?"

"That was different. That was so you could learn."

"You can't help me with this."

"I don't even know what this is!"

"I'm getting in touch with all the old Resistance members."

"And I can't help? You don't think I know anyone useful?"

"Do you?"

"Yes! I can do those that are in Frottica, the Emerald City, and the Arjiki."

"It's too dangerous to contact those you know in Frottica and the City; however, the Arjiki may be useful. Can you write to the King and Queen?"

"I could, but he doesn't like you remember?"

"I remember. Hopefully you being here will help him see sense."

"Hopefully. Anyone else?"

"No one I can think of."

"I can think of one."

"Duran? It's too dangerous to contact him in the Emerald City. Besides, where would you send it?"

"We could use the sending stones."

"We could, but I think what he is doing there is more important. It gives us an insider."

"Good point."

"Well, let's finish breakfast and then get to it."

The rest of the day was a blitz of letter and note writing. Glinda sent one to the King and Queen and then thought about including the Scrow. Elphaba agreed, and in the end they sent one to each of the other tribes they visited. Glinda made a personalized note especially for Sarima. She thought it might help win her to the cause. The young girl looked up to her so.

The following week and a half were like a dream to Glinda. They walked Kiamo Ko together with Elphaba showing her all the hidden niches and passages. They lazed in moss and vine covered courtyards, hidden away from the world. The practiced their water magic in the mustering field near the gate of the castle, or in their hidden courtyards. On these sun kissed days they made love whenever the mood struck them; sometimes in bed, and sometimes in one their hidden spots. The illusion spell was useful more than once for such occasions.

They also walked Red Windmill, though always thronged with admirers. The Vinkuns there revered Elphaba, and adored Glinda not only because of what their City kinsmen had said of her, but also because of her adoration for their Witch. At first, Glinda bought clothes while Elphaba wiled way in bookstores. On their third trip Glinda found a furnishing shop, and undertook the redecoration of Kiamo Ko. Most of the castle was bare rock, aside from the few furnished rooms; soon, Glinda had guest rooms a plenty.

The guards and staff showered Glinda with affection as she took to redesigning their clothes and refurnishing their barracks (all with functionality still in mind, of course). Glinda debated for a while on the colors. The Emerald City livery was green and gold (with the Gale Force being black and gold), the Arduenna-Upland livery blue and white, and the Thropp livery green and brown; none of which Glinda thought would be suited for Kiamo Ko. Even the Tiggular livery of gold and blue was not a perfect fit. This was a Witch's Guard. Finally, Glinda decided on black with blue accents. Glinda thought Elphaba would like it, and she did. At that time Glinda felt like she was a real princess.

The renovated Kiamo Ko was quickly put to use as the very next week they began to show up. Animals and Ozians, all those who had been oppressed by the Wizard and were loath to return to those days. There were Munchkins, Vinkuns, Quadlings; even some Gillikinese. From all over Oz they had come and it set Elphaba into action. She began to organize and plan, and reach out to those still absent. There seemed to be less and less time for Glinda.

The first time Glinda had raised the issue Elphaba acquiesced, but it soon became harder and harder. When a frayed Elphaba snapped at her the last time, Glinda had bit back, and a full blown fight erupted that could be heard in every corner of Kiamo Ko. Elphaba had stormed out, almost slamming the door off its hinges, but could not drown out the sobs on the other side. For the first time in six years, the tower room in the east wing saw use. After that Glinda never brought it up, and Elphaba returned to her place in bed.

Glinda took to wandering Red Windmill during the day, and often into the night. Concerned for her, Elphaba assigned her a Vinkun and Monkey escort. Glinda accepted their presence graciously, and soon the pair became the envy for guarding what was known the Witch's greatest treasure. Glinda had soon grown bored of wandering, and might have taken another hobby if not for a twist of fate.

"Miss Glinda!" a voice yelled, and she turned to see a young Vinkun girl striding up to her.

"Sarima." Glinda said with a smile. The younger woman stopped in front of Glinda. The two embraced, and Sarima kissed each of Glinda's cheeks and hands. Glinda returned the gesture in kind by kissing her cheeks and forehead in the Gillikin fashion. "What are you doing here?"

"The Garamana have sent me as their representative." She replied with a smile. "While we can't exactly offer you any actual support, I've been sent as a token of faith."

"Well, we are happy to have you here. Where are you staying?"

"At a little inn on the far side of Red Windmill. Why?"

"Well, you could always stay in Kiamo Ko. You are a foreign dignitary and it was almost your home."

"Really?" Sarima's eyes widened. "I never thought I'd get to stay in it. The great northern stronghold of the Arjiki."

"I don't know about that, but I swear it would be our honor."

"Not at all, Miss Glinda. It would be mine."

Elphaba strode through Kiamo Ko. She hated to admit it, but she felt more at home in the imposing castle corridors than anywhere else in Oz. Perhaps it was the stark truth of the walls, never pretending they were something they were not, or trying to create a certain impression. Perhaps it was because it was here she could be as starkly truthful herself. She did not hide having to be a witch, or a lover, or green, or passionate. As she pulled herself from such thoughts, she continued her hunt for the object of her passion. She heard a giggle coming from a state room, and assumed Glinda was redecorating again. She barged through the door, expecting ot take the blonde by surprise, but instead saw a topless Vinkun woman.

Elphaba blinked. The young woman had long dark hair with beads and woven braids strung through it. It took her a moment to place the face, but then she remembered. Sarima. The realization let the flood of information her eyes were taking in finally register, and Elphaba turned a deep shade of purple. She spun around.

"I-I'm sorry. I was looking for-I mean I didn't think-I'm sorry." She stammered quickly. There was a light laugh behind her.

"It is nothing, Your Highness. I would have locked the door if I had remembered Ozian's prudishness at seeing unclothed breasts." Sarima said, and then Elphaba heard a rustle behind her. "A very barbaric belief, in my opinion. You may turn around now."

Elphaba turned to see Sarima clad in a crimson doublet (left half unbuttoned) and tight blue leggings with knee high boots. It reminded Elphaba of someone, but she could not place it. Sarima noticed her examination.

"While studying Ozian culture as a whole I took a liking to what is deemed men's clothing. I don't get to wear it much as at home, as I am required to wear more traditional clothing. However, it always delights me when I can."

"Why do you think covering the breasts is barbaric?" asked Elphaba. She was trying to muddled her way out of this awkward predicament, and grasped onto a familiar life line; a debate point. Sarima picked up a black cape and threw it over her shoulders, and began pinning it in place.

"Simple. Why can men show their breasts but not women? Because men sexualize that part? Women sexualize men's chests but I do not see them having to go around fully clothed. As it is only from a man's viewpoint that it is wrong, it is sexist. However, I am lucky to live out her in the Vinkus where it is not considered immoral for a woman to go bare chested. In fact, I'm happy that are sexual norms are much more relaxed than the rests of Oz, since it can be so much fun. I see no reason why something that can be so much happiness should be demonized, as long it is done in a safe manner." She finished her explanation and pinning her cape on at the same time. She had pinned half of it back so the yellow lining showed.

"A very good point."

"Oh there you are!" Glinda said. Elphaba turned to see the bubbly blonde float into the room. "I was just looking for you in the main hall."

"Yes. I came looking for you. There's no more work to do just yet." Elphaba paused. "I did not realize Miss Sarima was in the castle. Some warning would have been nice."

"Why? Did you barge in on her naked?" Glinda jest and at Elphaba's coloring her hand flew to her mouth. "Oh no!"

"It was only a shirt to put on." Sarima answered. "No harm done. We're all women."

"You look very nice, Miss Sarima." Glinda acknowledged, skirting away from the awkward moment. "I do love the combination. And the cape!"

"I know; a bit old fashioned but I do like it."

"It looks marvelous on you. Now, Elphie, why were you looking for me?"

"I was hoping you would join me for dinner." Elphaba said as her coloring slowly returned to normal.

"Oh. Miss Sarima and I were going out; I thought you would be enthralled with your work."

"Well, I shan't keep you." Elphaba said and turned to leave.

"It would be my delight if you'd join us." Sarima put in quickly. Elphaba stopped. After a long silence, she nodded.

"Oh goody!" Glinda said, beaming. "But you have to change."

"Why?"

"Has all our time together taught you nothing?"

"It's beautiful out here." Glinda said. They were sitting on a porch of a local restaurant. The porch was perched near the edge of one of the cliffs Red Windmill was situated upon. The women had chosen this particular restaurant because they could look west and see the sun nesting over the plain of the Thousand Year Grasslands. Glinda's gold hair and blue dress sparkled in the dying light.

"Yes, it is." Elphaba agreed. She had been forced into a deep purple dress (long sleeved, of course) and her familiar hat was perched on the seat next to her.

"I'm glad you find our country so beautiful." Sarima said. Her voice dropped low. "If only it were our country."

"What do you mean?" asked Glinda, brow furrowed together.

"We do not have a country, not like the other lands in Oz. We have tribal territories that we squabble over, allowing outsiders to exploit our people and land." Sarima continued.

"That has always been the fault of people." Elphaba said. "We fight over little things and fail to see the big picture. The other lands have not grown out of it; they merely had someone strong enough to force them all to act under their will."

"Were it so here." Sarima said, placing her chin in her hands and staring out over the plains. The witches looked at each other and then back to her.

"You wish it were you?" Glinda asked slowly. Sarima snapped her eyes back to the pair.

"Me? Oh no, it could never be me." She said, and laughed lightly. "A little tribal girl such as me would not be accepted."

"Aren't you the eldest daughter of the Garamana chief?" Glinda asked.

"Yes."

"I also thought you didn't have any brothers. That makes you next in line, doesn't it? A princess."

"You know a lot about us. Yes, it does, but it could not be anyone from the Garamana. It would have to be someone from a larger tribe like the Arjiki, or perhaps even a respected outsider that could unite the tribes behind her."

"I hope you not speaking about me." Elphaba said. "I did not want to rule Munchkinland, and I do not want to rule the Vinkus. All I want is a quiet little place to call my own, and to not be bothered by despots or bigots."

"And I already did my stint as ruler of Oz." Glinda added. "Never again."

"Well, that's unfortunate. I guess we'll actually have to solve our own problems, then." Sarima said with a smile.

"I find that is usually the best way for things to be handled." Glinda said with her own smile. The three women watched the sun descend the rest of the way while making idle chatter, and then headed back to Kiamo Ko.

"Where are we going, Miss Sarima?" Glinda asked. It was about two weeks after Sarima had appeared in Red Windmill, and Glinda had leaned on the young woman for companionship while Elphaba tooled away on her plans. Sarima had joined Glinda on her walks, and had shown her some other niches Glinda was not aware of. As it was starting to darken she led Glinda away from Kiamo Ko.

"Some of the tribe is coming back from the Grasslands for the winter. It's such a beautiful sight to watch the torches and lanterns snake their way across the plain and up the Kells."

The continued in silence until they reached a secluded section of Red Windmill's outskirts. The lights from the village could not be seen here, and Glinda marveled at the stars twinkling in the clear sky.

"Beautiful." She whispered, and Sarima followed her gaze.

"That they are. But look, Miss Glinda." Sarima said and pointed towards the plains.

Glinda tore her gaze away from the sky to look plainward. As she did she saw something flutter in the dark. She turned her head to focus on it and heard an exhale of air. Something sharp bit her and she began to feel woozy. The figure darted towards her. Glinda's head swam, but she knew she was in danger.

As the figure closed and reached out a hand, Glinda gestured. A large blast of air erupted and struck the figure. It staggered back and the hood fell. A head full of blonde hair caught Glinda's attention, but then the figured muttered something and Glinda felt a binding spell start to envelop her. She inhaled and then exhaled forcefully, snapping the binds. The figure muttered again but Glinda was ready and deflected the spell with a blast of air. She threw another one but it was much weaker than the last. Still, it dropped the face covering off her attacker.

Glinda fell to her knees as the ground moved beneath her. The person, a woman, walked over to her and Glinda felt the binding begin. This time she was too weak to even try to fight it. As her vision blurred she caught sight of her attacker one last time.

"Pfannee?" she said in disbelief before slumping to the ground. An unconscious Glinda did not see Pfannee catch her.

The Adept of the North caught the blonde and gently placed her on the ground. She looked up as the Adept of the West walked over.

"Simple enough." The Adept of the West said.

"Yes. However, getting her back to Morrible before the Witch finds us will be the difficult part."

"I'll wait as long as possible before I report it."

"That may not work. It could draw suspicion." The Adept of the North replied. The Adept of the West looked at her quizzically and then felt a sharp pain in her leg. Looking down, she saw a little black dart in there.

"What? Why?" the Adept of the West stuttered as she fell to the ground.

"A sleeper dart. You'll wake up in a few hours with a headache. If they find you before that it will help sell the story. Goodnight, Sarima. I hope you live a great life."

As the Adept of the West's vision slowly faded she heard the Adept of the North mumble an incantation, and pick up Glinda as if she was light as a feather. The last image to register was the Adept of the North stepping directly off the cliff.