Thanks to MyLittleElphie for reviewing. I'm happy you liked the chapter, and you prefer other places than besides the bed. ;)

Thanks to RavenCurls for reviewing. Glinda changes what she touches, and Kiamo Ko is no different. And not everything has to be about sex (makes me wonder, though). I just wanted to contrast the "civilized" Oz versus perhaps the more untamed Vinkus with female roles in the spotlight. And there may be a few more twists and turns between here and there.

Thanks to chinaluv for reviewing.

Thanks to Varia for reviewing

Thanks to nursejoy7 for reviewing. You were waiting for Glinda to get abducted? Who's side are you on?

Thanks to cestlavie23 for reviewing. The cliffs are rather nice in the Kells.

Thanks to thedoctor24601. Hello to you too, random reader. Lol. I'm happy you like it. I have lost days on many stories her on , and am alsways a little honored when people do it with mine. It does take a lot of work ,but I have a reference folder on my computer with my three outlines and materials to help me keep it straight. And I'm writing as fast as I can.

Thanks to chokingonhello for reviewing. I love your review and with language like that, I'm surprised to see you have no stories of your own! I'm honored I'm working your heart so.

I may have counted wrong. My outline says I have seven chapters to go until the end. So let's go with that.

As always, read, enjoy, review. Comments and critiques are welcome either publically or privately.

7/29/14

Elphaba listened to the group of northern Arjiki and Animals speak on the current state of Oz, and how they stood in relation to their goals. She knew it was getting later and her own head had begun to throb after the hours of work. Right now all she wanted to do was to crawl into bed with Glinda but there was still work to be done. She sighed and looked at the Ape named Chaucer.

"Where do we stand with the letters that we sent to the Tinwoodsman and General Jinjuria?" she asked. He shuffled some papers around until he picked one up.

"The Tinman respectfully declines your offer of aid and states unequivocally you are not wanted in Munchkinland anymore." Chaucer started.

"Funny, considering how I am the rightful governor." Elphaba grumbled. "Anyway, what about Jinjuria?"

"Her response is less respectful but she also declines."

"Do we know why she hates me so much?"

"We've been trying to find out, but have come across nothing."

"Do we even know her real name?" Elphaba said frustratedly.

"No."

"Is there any good news?" Elphaba groaned.

"Depending on how you see it. The Home Guard and Gale Force are not budging from the Emerald City; not with Jinjuria's army coming, and with the Munchkin Militia following behind them. The Royal Army is split up along the Gillikin-Munchkinland border in another staring contest that neither seems to care much for."

"And the Gillikin militia?"

"Not even called out. The barons seem to think this is a pure Emerald City and Munchkinland spat."

"Well, that's a plus at least. What about Quadling Country?"

"Both armies are avoiding it like the plague; which is smart since it is a swamp and would swallow their armies up."

"How about the Emerald City itself?"

"Still on tight lockdown. The Commander of the Gale Force, Cherrystone, has instituted martial law. From what our spies say, however, it only applies to the wealthier sections of the City. The slums are still relatively free."

"What about casualties? Any more scuffles?"

"Nothing major; though the Gale Force still cannot catch whoever is killing their people."

"If it is who I think it is, the Gale Force has yet to realize they're the mouse and the Cat is playing with them. Any other news?"

"The King and Queen are on their way from Kumbrica Castle with the Royal Guard. They should be here tomorrow."

"Hopefully we can get him on our side."

"Well, with Miss Glinda's help I'm sure he will."

"Is there anything else gentlemen?" Elphaba asked wearily. The group shook their heads. "Good. I think it is time to retire for the night."

The group dispersed with idle chatter but Elphaba was in no mood. A sense of unease had started to fall over her. Putting it down to exhaustion, she hurried back to her shared room. When she found it dark, Elphaba frowned. Glinda should have been in bed by now, reading or sketching. Elphaba pivoted and headed straight for the guard station near the front gate. There she saw the two guards she had assigned to Glinda.

"Where's the Lady Glinda?" she asked. Both guards looked at each other.

"She left with the Garamana princess a few hours ago. Said they would be back in a little while." The young Vinkun guardswoman replied.

"What were my orders?" Elphaba hissed.

"The Lady assured me-"

"You were not to leave her unattended! Where did she go?" Elphaba yelled, drawing the attention of the rest of the guards. Chistery came winging down from the rookery. When the guard did not answer, Elphaba stormed over to her. "Where?"

"I don't know, Your Highness." She replied, voice trembling. "They did not say."

"Gah!" Elphaba yelled and turned to pass through the front gate. Chistery came to her.

"My Lady, they are probably just in a café somewhere."

"You little idiot!" Elphaba spat. "We were being hunted by a sorcerer. What makes you think they should go about unguarded?"

"My Lady." Chistery started, still calm. "The Arjiki would have known if there was stranger about."

"Even if they used illusion magic?" Elphaba hissed and froze. "That's what that is. Oh no."

"What is?" Chistery said as Elphaba blew past him at a full run. "My Lady!"

Elphaba did not stop as she sprinted across the drawbridge. Chistery turned to the guards.

"Get all the guards out; Vinkuns on foot with torches, nocturnal Animals on paws, and Monkeys in the air. It may be a wild Goose chase, but we can't be sure. And you," he pointed to an assembled group, "come with me! We have to go after her!"

Elphaba tore out of the castle at a full run. She was following her "nose": the scent of magic was like a waft of cut peaches, and it got stronger as she followed it. Vinkuns let out a startled cry as she bulled past them, unknowingly followed by Chistery and his guard group. Elphaba made several turns as she followed the scent. As it led to the outskirts of Red Windmill a cold fear crept into her bones. Rounding a turn she saw a figure slumped against the ground and her heart stopped. She slid down next to the person and rolled them over to see if it was Glinda. Unfortunately, dark hair and skin met her gaze.

"Get a stretcher. She needs help." Elphaba barked and two guards took off running. Elphaba examined the girl and found a small dark object protruding from her leg. She pulled it out quickly. The pain and noise seemed to rouse the girl, and she recoiled in fear.

"Easy. I know I'm pretty shocking to wake up to." Elphaba's self-deprecation was still there, even while under stress.

"G-Gl-Glinda." Sarima breathed.

"What about her?" Elphaba asked, and as the Vinkun girl started to fade Elphaba shook her. "What about Glinda?"

"Taken…dark hood…magic. Fought…but still…" Sarima managed to get out and then her head rolled forward and she was out again.

"Get her to Kiamo Ko." Elphaba said, standing up. "Chistery."

"Here, My Lady."

"I need the Monkeys in the air, looking for her."

"They are in the sky already, but I'll let them know. Which direction?"

Elphaba closed her eyes and focused her senses. It was faint, but the smell of magic was still there. It headed downward, and that is where Elphaba lost it.

"I'm not sure. The trail leads down first. Get them searching the Kells and plains, but also put some out in the direction of the Emerald City. That's where she'll end up, after all."

"Of course." He said and winged off. She turned to a Vinkun guard.

"We need to get down there as quickly as possible."

"It will take several hours, Your Highness. Even with the footpaths."

"I can make the descent much quicker."

"I do not doubt that, Your Highness, but what then? The Vinkus is very large; not to mention if you are ambushed."

"I can handle myself. Just get down there and start looking."

"As Her Highness commands."

Elphaba looked down the mountainside. She knew the spell to use, but jumping off a cliff still went against everything nature commanded. She did not know what lie in wait on the mountain or the plain. What she did know, however, was that Glinda was in danger, and nothing scared her more. She took a deep breath, wove the spell about her, and jumped.

Elphaba's skirt billowed up in the wind and she cursed it, but the spell seemed to work. She felt less as if she was falling and more as if she was gently sliding through a pile of feathers. She landed on an outcropping a bit unsteadily, but righted herself. She tore her skirt up the middle so it would not flare up, and jumped again. Elphaba thought she must have been a sight with her black dress and hair billowing behind her as she fell. She landed and immediately bounded out again. Finally, she reached the ground.

Elphaba knew the dark sorceress would have several hours head start, and most likely had an accomplice with some sort of transportation. All that added up to a serious disadvantage for Elphaba. However, Elphaba would flatten the Kells if it meant she would get Glinda back. She began to weave a different spell around her. It was a Vinkun hunting spell called Chasing the Wind that was supposed to help one travel vast distances on foot easier. As the spell ended, Elphaba felt herself slowly lift off the ground until her feet were gently touching. Taking a deep breath, she took a cautious step forward.

Elphaba was startled as her step turned into more of a bound. Catching herself, she realized that she no longer had to fight gravity, and that all her movement was being directed forward. Taking another cautious step forward, she caught herself again. She slowly began to speed up, covering more distance with every step. Soon, she was flying across the ground, a seemingly dark spirit with her skirt and hair billowing behind her.

The Adept pressed her mule hard from the driver seat of her two wheeled cart The Adept pressed the mule hard because she knew Elphaba would be coming for her, and was certain she was no match for the green witch. A stirring behind her caught her attention, and the Adept turned.

Glinda was shifting behind her on the bed of hay. The Adept had hoped the sedative would have lasted longer due to Glinda's small frame, but it was not meant to be. The Adept took out her wand began to weave a spell that would keep her captive asleep for the next eight hours. Normally she would not have used her wand for something as simple as a sleeping spell, but she had used a lot of energy today already, and she did not want to waste any more frivolously. Glinda's stirring ceased and the Adept turned back around.

A light sound caught her ears and she looked up. Large winged shapes shifted across the night sky, and the Adept knew her time was up. She waved her wand again and cast a concealing spell around the cart. She felt light headed for a moment but pushed through. As she checked her cargo once again, the Adept felt a bit of jealously. There would be no rest for the wicked tonight.

Elphaba followed the scent of the magic down the Kells. As she went the scent started to weaken but Elphaba knew that the dark sorceress would head for Kumbrica's pass. The hard part would be catching her before going through it. After a few hours, the scent weakened to the point Elphaba could no longer follow it. Frantic, Elphaba sprinted towards the Pass. A half an hour later, the scent came back strong and Elphaba adjusted to follow.

She followed it through Kumbrica's pass and towards the Emerald City. She followed it as the plains started to give way to hills and forests. She followed it as the sun began to peak over the horizon. She followed it even as her own energy depleted and she could no longer sustain the traveling spell, settling heavily to the earth. She followed it as her legs burned in protest of every step. She followed it after they went numb and she had to drag them to continue moving forward. She followed after her legs began to falter, and used a stick to prop herself up. She followed it after her legs finally gave way, and she fell to her hands. She followed it as her knees and hands bled from the rocks and sticks she crawled over. She followed it as she crawled passed an exhausted mule still tied to a cart. She followed it until her vision blurred and she tripped over a branch in her way.

She lay there, panting for a moment before a hint of blue caught her eye. She pushed herself up to see Glinda standing there in one of her elegant ball gowns. Her hair was immaculately curled and there was a light smile on her face.

"Glinda…." Elphaba breathed.

Now just what have you done to yourself?

"I'm coming to save you."

Save me? Oh dear. What have you dragged me into this time?

"I'm sorry but I'm coming, I promise."

Not in that state you are not.

"I don't care what it takes, I will find you."

That's my Elphie. Always getting herself into trouble.

"I'll stop after this; no more; if you just come back."

Well, I have to go.

"Wait…Glinda."

Bye, Elphie. Love you.

"No, Glinda, wait!" Elphaba yelled.

Elphaba threw out a hand to try and pull Glinda to her with magic. Air came rushing towards her and the trees around her rustled, but Glinda slowly dissolved form her sight. The ground under Elphaba's face became soaked, and Elphaba's vision blurred. She tried sucking in deep breath, but found she could not. She exhaled quickly and tried again, a shorter one this time. Still fighting for air, her breathing came quicker and more labored. Her world narrowed until it consisted of only the air entering and leaving her lungs. Her breathing devolved into choppy breaths, and then her world went black.

The Adept saw the disturbance in the trees from the hill she was on. She saw Elphaba fall, and watched to see if she moved again. Noticing she did not, the Adept looked to see if her captive had stirred. They were still a couple of miles ahead of Elphaba, but the Adept had hoped that hiding in an abandoned shack nestled in a copse of trees would have thrown Elphaba off the track. Now, she had other options.

She still did not know how the green witch had tracked her as she had used every spell she knew to throw off detection. As she did not see a broom, either, the Adept had to wonder how she had gained ground. Either way, the Adept would be able to capture both the witches. She started towards Elphaba but stopped when she heard stirring. It must have been time to cast on Glinda again. The Adept began to chant, and her vision swam. The web she was weaving untangled and the sleep spell washed over both of them. The last thought she had was that she was happy it did not happen close to Elphaba.

Elphaba awoke to the dying light of the sun in her eyes. She pushed herself to her knees while they screamed at her. Slowly, unsurely, she got to her feet. She wobbled but remained standing. The scent caught her again, and she began to walk towards it. Though she had rested for a long time, Elphaba knew she was still very worn.

She picked her way up the hill, making liberal use of trees and branches. As she caught sight of the shack she drew her wand and cautiously approached. Her blood ignited. Elphaba let out a deep cry and waved her wand. The shack disintegrated under the force of her magic but it was empty to begin with. She cut her wand again, and again, and again, ripping out trees and tearing gashes into the earth. As the dirt and needles settled Elphaba drew in a deep breath.

A bright gleam on the horizon caught Elphaba's eye. Even in the red-gold of the fading day, the green hue was obvious. Elphaba's blood rose to her ears and all she could hear was the beat of her heart. It sounded like wardrums to her. The forgotten dragon roared from its cage, and Elphaba swung open its door.

"Fine!" she roared to the offending hue. "You wanted a fight! I'll give you a fight! I'll tear that city down around your ears brick by brick! You hear me! I'M COMING FOR YOU!"

Elphaba whirled and summoned a branch to her. She chanted the words seared into her mind and the witch rode again.

Two hours later, she landed in Kiamo Ko, scattering the guards and Monkeys standing in the courtyard. She noticed some Arjiki in gold and blue but paid them no mind. She threw the branch from her andit burst into flames, being ash before it could touch the ground. In her torn and dirty state, the crowd recoiled from her. Elphaba was fine with that, and started towards the main hall.

"My Lady." Chistery said as her hand hit the door.

"Not now, Chistery. I have work to do."

"We are all worried about Lady Glinda, but the Arjiki delegation are here."

"I don't have time for them." Elphaba answered curtly and she flung open the door.

"They can help us, remember?"

"Fine." Elphaba said, pausing as she stepped through the door. "Get them to the main hall."

"Now? But there are customs and formalities that must be attended."

"NOW!" Elphaba ordered and slammed the door.

"Y-yes, M-my Lady." Chistery stuttered.

When Chistery managed to usher the Arjiki into the hall (with many professed apologies) Elphaba was not there. The Monkey began to fidget as the mood in the room turned dark. The outrage only grew as the Chief and Chiefteness hurriedly arrived from where they were in residence.

"Well, Monkey, where is your master?" Marillot hissed. Chistery opened his mouth to reply but just then a far door banged open and Elphaba blew in. She had her hat on her head and a broom in one hand. The other was placed on the satchel at her hip. The Arjiki turned to glower at her but the look in her eyes caused all to step back, except for Marillot.

"I apologize for calling you here like this, and for keeping you waiting. As you may have heard, the Lady Glinda was taken from us today."

"Yesterday." Chistery corrected. Elphaba shot him a look.

"Yesterday. I was out looking for her, and that was why I was not able to greet you when you arrived."

"If she ever was here." Marillot accused and Elphaba's eyes narrowed. "I do not know why she would join with the likes of you. Frankly, we were all cheered when the news of your death came."

"I understand you harbor some resentment towards me, Marillot, but Glinda was here; as the letter she wrote to you should have proved."

"The letter proves nothing! Last we heard she was in Frottica. She is probably still there now, and your letter a forgery."

"The Lady Glinda was here, Chief Marillot. I saw here, and was with her when she was abducted." Came a voice from the back. Sarima stepped forward a bit unsteadily.

"Really? And why did you not attempt to stop this abduction?" Marillot sneered.

"It is difficult to fight someone with magic when you have none." Sarima replied calmly.

"You are probably lying to help this Witch."

"And what benefit would that be to me?"

"The Garamana wish to rule the Vinkus. They could do so as the Witch's lapdog."

"I do not wish to rule the Vinkus." Elphaba stepped back into the conversation. "Had I wished to rule a country, I would have stayed in Munchkinland where it is my birthright."

"I hear they kicked you out!"

"You think they could do such to me? Think, Marillot. What would I have to gain from any of this? The Emerald City has been keeping the Vinkus divided for so long. What would you have to lose to helping us?"

"I've lost enough to you as is." Marillot hissed. The room went dead.

"I understand your frustration, Marillot." Elphaba started slowly, and when he went to interject, she just kept going. "But I did not harm Fiyero in anyway."

"You will not use his name!"

"Marillot, you know my name is not the Witch; you know my name is Elphaba Thropp, and I was a friend of your son's at Shiz, and a friend to Glinda, too. Why can you not see I did not harm him?"

"You think that Fiyero got killed by some wild beast in Munchkinland? That it was his own mistake? You ask me to believe that?" Marillot voice dripped with disgust.

"No, Fiyero did not go down to some beast. It was his own men that did it." Elphaba said and there was a collective inhale in the room.

"What?" Marillot hissed.

"His own men turned on him, and beat him, and strung him up in a field."

"And why would they do such a thing to their captain? He was loved by his men."

"Because they were secretly Gale Forcers sent to spy on him. After the first year of Fiyero leading the hunt, the Wizard began to suspect he was leading them off my trail on purpose."

"And why would he help you?"

"Because we were friends." Elphaba said but could not bring herself to tell the whole truth. The room was silent and Marillot turned his back. Long moments passed, and Elphaba hoped the man would see reason. He turned back slowly.

"What you say is hard to believe." He started and then took a deep breath. "And I cannot bring myself to do so. You speak of things you cannot know, and as such I find that your words are as twisted as you are."

"You are fool." Elphaba hissed. "And your foolishness will doom Glinda."

"I will not be spoken to like that in my own house!" Marillot thundered.

"This is not your house!" Elphaba came back. The heat of her glare seemed to cause the room to warm. "Kiamo Ko is mine."

"It is Arjiki!"

"You, Chief, bestowed it upon your only son!" Elphaba snapped and her hands began to glow. "Your son bestowed it upon me to use as I see fit! I would use it to house those I care for safely."

"I can take it if I wish!"

"Not under clan law." Elphaba said and leaned over the table. The wood began to smolder where her hands met it, and the air became humid as the heat rose. "You cannot take something so bestowed and then gifted to another. You know this, and relinquished all control over Kiamo Ko years ago. It is mine, to do with it as I wish, until I wish."

"You know then that I can seize it by force." Marillot growled. The guards around him began to tense.

"Try it." Elphaba challenged. The flames licked up her hands and over her arms. The wood around Elphaba began to smoke and the air became heavier. "If you think you can take it, Chief, then try it. But know if you do I shall take from you as much as I can in the process, even if it be your whole kingdom."

"You would lose everything."

"I have nothing more to lose. My list of friends is growing ever shorter while the list of my enemies grows longer." Elphaba hissed out. "I'm tired of trying to live in peace. The world has made war upon me since I was born; it is now time I make war back. I will destroy my enemies as they come to me. The question is, good Chief, are you going to be the first one to step up?"

Marillot went to say something but a northern Arjiki cut in quickly.

"My Chief, please think on this." He begged. Marillot set him with a steely glare. "Her Highness the Witch has always been good to us. She has helped heal the sick, tend the crops, and brought us respect. Her Lady, Her Goodness Glinda, was here and did the same. I can understand if my Chief does not want to join with her, but please reconsider thinking going to war with her."

Marillot looked at the man for a while, and then nodded his head.

"What is a Chief that does not listen to his people?" he said quietly, and then turned his look on Elphaba. "Kiamo Ko is yours to do with as you wish, so long as it does not harm the Arjiki. You shall even operate under our 'protection'. But know, Witch, this is not over. Someday there will be a reckoning. For now, we will return to Kumbrica."

He whirled his fine cloak and strode towards the door. Baxiana caught him and whispered in his ear. He stopped.

"Any Arjiki who wish to join forces with the Witch has my leave, and there will be no repercussions." He called back. He motioned to a steward, and strode through the door once opened.

The room was quite until a crackle of wood caught Elphaba's attention. She looked down to see the blackened wood of the table, and stepped back. She took a deep breath, and closed her eyes. The fire calmed and the room cooled. Opening her eyes, she looked towards Chistery.

"Summon Chaucer. I have some preparation to make." She ordered.

"For what, My Lady?"

"I'm going to the Emerald City."

Glinda groaned. Her head throbbed and her back hurt. She opened her eyes and saw she was in an unfamiliar bedroom.

"Elphie?" she whined.

"There's no Elphie here, Miss Glinda." A soft voice came. Glinda turned her head and shuddered when she saw a figure in a dark cloak sitting in a chair. She tried to weave a spell but it would not come to her. "They'll be no sorcery for you, either. The sedative inhibits it."

"Why are you doing this? What…what have we ever done to you?" she choked out.

"Oh, plenty; but that's not why I am doing this. I am not my own agent, Miss Glinda, but merely a tool. I do as my master commands. Her command was to bring you to them. Well, it was actually to bring the Grimmerie to her, but that changed after I ran into Miss Elphaba."

"You know my Elphie?"

"Of course, Miss Glinda. We are well acquainted."

"Who are you?"

The dark clad figure stood up and walked towards the bed. As she did so she pulled back her hood and Glinda recoiled in shock.

"P-pfanee? How?"

"That's not important." Pfannee said. "What is important is that we have time to kill before we go into the Emerald City. I think it's time we had a talk, you and I, Miss Glinda."