Galinda

"Once again, tell me once again what happened," the old crone demanded.

"I don't know!" Galinda moaned into her white stitched handkerchief. The journey had been brief but strenuous, she hadn't eaten anything but a feeble brunch on the road, her clothes were all wrinkled, and she was stressed from the nightmares that tripled in occurrence ever since the graveyard incident. She didn't care if she sounded whiney. She was exhausted.

"Galinda! Calm yourself!" Serafina exclaimed, mortified her daughter was acting so emotional. She took a sip of lemon tea from a gilded teacup, back taut as a bowstring.

"Galinda said she and the Minkos girl were walking around the cemetery and they ran into a Goat. The other girl began to… harass the poor Animal, Galinda started to acquire an unwell feeling, then it happened," Joaquin supplied calmly.

"And?" said the old woman. She was dressed in dark robes of purple and blue and had an attractive face that one might be deceived into thinking beautiful with the proper lighting and angles in play.

"That's all we know."

"Hmmm." The lady leaned back in her chair, all arched brows and inquisitive eyes. She bit into a biscuit, chewed, frowned, swallowed. "How exciting."

"Exciting?!" Serafina slammed her cup onto its gilded saucer. "There is nothing exciting about this — about inexplicable weather changes or jeopardized reputations. You didn't see the look on Shenshen Minkos' face when the girls came running back to us. The child was nearly white and trembling and wouldn't even look at Joaquin or I. Only Oz knows what she told her mother."

"And what about your daughter?" The crone said. "Can you recall the look on her face?"

Serafina gaped like a fish, gasping for words. "Rumors spread faster than fire and they can be far trickier to vanquish. Whatever Galinda experienced," she spat, unwilling to acknowledge that her pristine daughter could've been the cause, "could very well topple the entire empire that has been the Uplands' sole purpose for decades of generations. Everything our ancestors worked for, destroyed, in one single moment by a single girl."

"My dear, you need not fear for your reputation or for your daughter," the lady said in a tone that plainly meant she felt the woman should fear more deeply for the latter.

Galinda sunk low in her chair, not even caring about the additional wrinkles to her skirt. Popsie, despite the additional lines of stress and anxiety on his face, sent her a warm smile and a wink.

"As for you, little one," the old woman was saying. She shifted in her seat and Galinda was caught beneath her stare. The girl immediately sat up. "You and your parents may curb all your fears. I know what happened, and what you did, and how to help."

Joaquin and Serafina leaned forward in their chairs.

"Sorcery."

"Sorcery?"

"Sorcery," she confirmed.

"Mother, I don't believe —" Serafina began as Joaquin said, "Really Reyna, do you really —"

Reyna Upland held up a withering hand, steady as stone, despite the many years it had seen, and lifted Galinda's chin. "Your great aunt had a gift for sorcery. She was around your age when she had her first magical outburst, too. She nearly killed a man who was beating a Cat in the street."

"How?" Galinda needed to know.

"With ice. Selipha conjured a great rink of ice in the summer and the man nearly broke his neck when he fell. It was all unintentional, of course; the poor dear didn't have a clue she had a hint of sorcery in her before that incident."

"Did she learn to manage it?" Serafina asked.

"In time, yes. She was able to control her sorcery as she matured and grew into her own."

"And in the meantime? What happened then?" Joaquin wanted to know.

"Well," Reyna smiled cynically. "They were in for some nasty surprises."

"How's that possible? I thought only men possessed sorcery. I mean, the Wizard…" Joaquin trailed off as Galinda's grandmother stared at him incredulously. She shot her daughter a look that said, 'you've married an idiot'.

"No, you fool, talent is for all genders, not just men. But, as it so happens, sorcery tends to favor females. Haven't you noticed that all the Wizard's Grand Viziers are women? Well, that is why. Men can be born with the gift, yes, but it is almost always weaker, if not dormant, if not nonexistent in them at all. As for the Wizard, he is the last person suitable for such a gift and that is all I will say on the matter."

Momsie pressed her lips together at the slander of their great Wizard. Reyna's political opinions was just one of the many reasons why they didn't visit her often.

"Now, never fear, you all have a resource poor Selpha did not have — me. I know several eligible folks with extensive expertise in sorcery. They can aid Galinda in mastering her abilities and her control. She will flourish in their care. Unfortunately, the child won't be old enough to receive tutorage for some time. But, lucky for you, my list of friends does not end there. I know another who can offer Galinda guidance for the time being. She isn't a wielder of sorcery herself, but she knows much on the subject. She'll be perfect for Galinda. The only troublefying thing might be the journey."

"Journey?" Serafina said skeptically.

"See, she currently resides in Munchkinland."

"Munchkinland?"

"Did I stutter?"

"It's just… a bit of a trek," Joaquin hurriedly put in. He sent Galinda another smile. "Will this be a onetime occasion?"

"It'll depend on Galinda's evaluation, what Mrs. Marlowe feels is best for Galinda, and what Galinda wishes."

"Oh. Yes. Of course. We understand — "

"Are you two serious?" Serafina interrupted. She threw down her napkin and grabbed Joaquin's arm.

"Traveling to Munchkinland takes an entire day by carriage, and that's just one way! We can't spend copious amounts of time ferrying across the country! Have you lost your mind?"

"Have you lost your mind?" Reyna Upland snapped. "Your daughter has a gift very few are blessed with, a gift that is far too complicated for a mere child to manage alone! Galinda needs your love and support, and as her mother you should be falling over yourself to supply that for her."

Serafina shook her head as she took another sip. Fury was quite plain in her eyes. "And what do we do about Shenshen Minkos and her mother's poisoned tongue?"

"Tell them the truth, and tell it fast," Reyna advised. "Tell them Galinda has sorcery and that she's been invited to study under the most prestigious of tutors in the land. The incident was an accident (for it was) and you're so terribly sorry for them to find out this way. They'll fall over themselves to fawn over your family once again and your place in society be more secure then it ever was."

Reyna patted Galinda on the back of her hand. "Run along upstairs and ask one of the servants to draw you a bath while I discuss matters with your parents. Some hot water and a decent sleep will do you wonders. Off you go now."

Galinda stood from her chair and dropped into a curtsey. "Thank you," she said, a yawn escaping her.

"Put a hand over your mouth when you yawn Galinda," Serafina said tightly.

"Sleep well Pumpkin," Joaquin called.

Galinda was out in the hall and on the third step when she heard the elder Upland say, "You're much too harsh on her. Is she a girl or a soldier?"

"I am simply following the example I was given," Serafina spat. "Please, Mother, you act as though I'm some villain in a fairytale. I only want the best for this family. Give your blame game a rest, alright?"

The water was almost cold by the time Galinda emerged from the tub. The exhaustion she fought to keep at bay came crashing down all at once in the bath. It was as if the warm water had magical qualities. Or maybe that was her own doing. After all, she had sorcery. Oh Oz… The very thought sent a jolt down her spine.

Unsteadily, the little girl donned a silk nightgown and climbed into the great canopy bed in the guest rooms her grandmother always had prepared in case of an 'emergency'. It didn't take very long for her to fall asleep after that.

Popsie was wrong, she thought the moment she opened her eyes and found herself in a sickeningly familiar place.

"Hello?" Dream Galinda called softly. Real Galinda cursed Dream Galinda. She knew what happened when she tried to engage with the dream world, yet Dream Galinda never learned.

A deep, despairing moan tore through the empty, gray gloom. Real Galinda was all alone. From a detached hovering up above, or perhaps to the side — it was always changing, she couldn't tell — she watched as her Dream-self slowly materialized into view, wearing the same nightgown and pink ribbon Real Galinda had worn to bed. Dream Galinda spun in a slow, uncertain circle, calling out to anyone or anything.

"You're all alone, child," a voice hissed. It was as if it was right behind Real Galinda, but Real Galinda knew better.

"Hello?" Dream Galinda called again. Her voice trembled as her lips began to quiver. "Please don't hurt me. M-my family has money. We-we can help you, if you'd like?"

"What have you come for?"

The hissing became the plea of a woman, as it always did, and the vast emptiness became occupied by another as a tall shadow stepped into view. Her figure was always smudged, and her face was never revealed. The only thing Real Galinda truly recognized about her was her voice, and oh, what a tragically mournful voice it was.

"Where are they? Why did you take them, those that weren't yours? Have you come to murder me, as the rumors say — or do you carry a message from the Wizard, maybe? You came to kill me and then to steal the —"

"I don't wanna steal anything! I don't even know what you're talking about!" Dream Galinda cried as she did a hundred times before as Real Galinda attemped — and failed — to follow this broken exchange of accusations and oaths.

The dark shadow stalked forward. "Give them to me! If you go back to the Wizard with them, you'll be playing right into his hands. You strew death in your path, and you're just a girl!" The figure grabbed Dream Galinda by the wrist. "Why do you want to murder me?"

"I don't want to murder anyone!" Dream Galinda cried, nearing hysterics. "Stop it! You're hurting me!" Real Galinda went to feel her own wrist, but she had no body. She was only a spectator in this world.

"Admit it! Admit it!" the shadow was shrieking. Dream Galinda, in a moment of bravery (or perhaps sheer luck) slammed her slipper on the figure's foot and shot into the gloom when the shadow released her in surprise and pain.

Run! Real Galinda urged. Together they sprinted past turrets made of fog, mountains made of stars, shadows dressed as children and deserts filled with blood, until Dream Galinda couldn't run anymore.

Get up! Get up! Go! You have to run! Galinda shouted, but her look alike couldn't hear her. Dream Galinda collapsed on a riverbank and drank deeply from the cool water. Please! She's coming for you!

To speak of the creature's arrival was a mistake, for it was as if speech had the power to summon it all the quicker. It stalked forward with vengeance. "I'll ask you one last time. Why? What have you to gain from such sin?"

"I didn't do anything!" Dream Galinda wept.

"What a tiring song to sing, my dear, and how tiring of it am I becoming."

"Have mercy!"

It was then Dream Galinda noticed the waterfall. Hesitating, then decidedly, she dashed towards the curtain of water. The shadow followed swiftly, too swiftly, for it almost caught her, and would have, if the girl didn't leap over a bend in the river to duck beneath the waterfall. The figure followed a second after, but it was too slow. It got caught in the water, twisting and squirming and screaming like it was on fire, until it managed to stumble back out again, into the river, into which it fell and couldn't free itself of.

Oh, and now it was a shadow no longer, but a clock, so very large and horrible with hands painted one minute to midnight and with a dragon perched on top. It was from the dragon's mouth that the screams came. And came and came and came. It cried for help, for death, for love, for forgiveness, but the river began to scream as well. Horrific things, monstrous things, things neither Galinda couldn't understand.

Real Galinda clamped her hands over her ears. Dream Galinda had gotten away, like she always had, but one of these nights she wouldn't be quick enough. She would slip and fall, and the shadow would truly catch her, and even though Real Galinda knew this was dream, she knew this wasn't just a dream. Rules worked differently in the dream realm. She didn't know what would happen to her if the shadow creature caught up to Dream, but she knew deep down it wouldn't be good.

She clawed at her throat, at her hair, at her face, desperately trying to make a purchase, to rouse herself, but how did one touch oneself if oneself was bodiless?

Wake up, she thought.

"Wake up," she heard.

"Wake up, come on now, up you go," Reyna said. "This one's a deep sleeper, I see, unlike you, you didn't sleep through anything."

Galinda bolted up in bed, gasping and shaking. Her eyes darted around the room before they landed on her parents and her grandmother at the bedside. Her mother and grandmother had clearly been arguing, judging by their pinched expressions.

"Galinda, you're drenched." Serafina knelt and felt her forehead. "Are you unwell?"

"I-I-I..." Galinda looked to her momsie, who opened her arms. She gratefully leaned into the embrace and snuggled closer as Serafina began to rub her back, despite it being damp with sweat.

"Let me guess," said Reyna tightly. "You had a nightmare. A nightmare that's been reoccurring for quite some time now, yes? One that's been growing increasingly more dire?"

Galinda bobbed her head. She thankfully accepted the glass of water her momsie offered her, forcing away the image of Dream Galinda sipping up the river water, and gladly let Serafina take the glass from her clammy grip.

"And what was it of?"

Galinda opened her mouth, but as hard as she tried, she couldn't make a peep.

"Not now, Mother," Serafina injected gently. "Galinda's had enough excitement for one week." She squeezed Galinda's hand and smiled at her almost shyly. Galinda squeezed back.

Reyna's eyebrows shot up. "And now we're playing the doting mother, are we? Very well, I won't pry. But heed my warning. The longer the nightmares continue, the worse they will become. I suggest you visit Mrs. Marlowe, and soon, before Galinda's nightmares grow unbearable."

Serafina nodded absentmindedly, eyes never leaving Galinda's face. She cupped the girl's cheek with a warm, soft hand. "You still look dreadful. We'll leave and let you sleep some more. Come find us in the morning and we'll talk about what's to come."

Before Galinda could protest the two women had swept from the room. Going back to bed was the last thing she wanted to do, but they were already gone. Joaquin came forward and planted a kiss on her brow.

"You were wrong," she whispered as he closed the door behind him. "You can have the same nightmare in a row. You can."