A/N: I owe my readers an apology. I realise this chapter has not held to my promised schedule and I am sorry. I was under the impression it had already been uploaded, but it wasn't. Thank you for your patience, now without further ado, chapter 16.
[Part 1]
Chapter 16: Hook
-Emerald City-
*~ Oscar ~*
Oz isn't certain how long it has been since Theodora's last visit, but he hopes the reprieve lasts.
He can't claim to know what she had done to Glinda, can only think of the illusions her magic had driven his mind to believe in the cell she had specially prepared for her treatment of him, and guess off of that.
He had woken up just as Theodora had been leaving and found himself in a cell across from Glinda, the witch who so closely resembled Annie – more so in her sleep even – unconscious. In time she stirred and woke. They spoke, discussing new plans and agendas from across each other, the situation strange to him after spending the first few days together in the same cell.
Theodora would sent guards on occasion to check on and taunt them, but what concerned him was the pain in Glinda's features when she would fall asleep – they were imprisoned with nothing to do and only each other for company, sleep was an excellent way of passing the time without exhausting topics of conversation.
He can't be certain her discomfort was caused by Theodora, but he could not guess as to why she would have nightmares otherwise. At least that is what he thought until he remembered what she said about Evanora killing her father and then banishing her.
It's frustrating, having to grab at straws when it comes to this land and its people, but having met Glinda and Evanora, Oz often finds himself wondering how women who seem so similar in intelligence ended up at odds with one another. Additionally, Evanora could have instructed him to go after Glinda as Theodora had done, ridding herself of her supposed arch nemesis, but refrained.
It concerns him as it hints at a far deeper conspiracy in which he would rather not be caught in. A further test of his nerves is that every time he brings up the matter with Glinda she dismisses the idea that anyone other than Evanora had poisoned her father. She insists thereon that Evanora is the Wicked Witch and the only person capable of achieving such a feat.
He loses himself in thought when suddenly one of the doves he released came drifting into his cell, dropping a folded note beside him. He picks it up and prepares to open it when he hears footsteps. Quickly stowing it away in his pocket, Oz catches the dove and hides it as well, waiting with nervous energy for the guards to move along.
They didn't.
To his surprise they came over to him and unlocked the door, one of them hauling him to his feet.
"Woah, hey! What's going on?"
"Silence."
Glinda's cell was opened and he was tossed in unceremoniously, the door locked behind him. He sat confused, watching the guards walk away without a word. Coming to his senses, he scrambled over to Glinda, shaking her by the shoulder.
-Emerald City-
*~ Glinda ~*
She was stirred from her sleep by the Wizard shaking her awake. She gave him a questioning look, her mind still fogged from sleep. He said nothing, merely handing her a piece of parchment.
She stared confused until she realised what it was. Hastily sitting up, she unfolds it and scans over its contents. It's brusque and vague, much as Knuck's reports often are, but there was something that felt a bit off about this letter. Something Glinda couldn't place.
"What does it say?"
She meets the Wizards eyes, then returns her gaze to the paper. She considers, then reads aloud:
"Look for the emerald."
"That's it?"
She nods, folding the paper and slipping it into a hidden pocket in the Wizard's suit jacket. "I'm not certain what it means exactly, but it's evidence that the resistance have a plan."
"Glinda," Oz sighs, gesticulating around them. "We're in the Emerald City. On top of that we're in the dungeons. This emerald they're waiting on us to find? Probably not happening."
She smiles gently. "They never asked us to find anything."
"They asked us to look for it."
"Exactly."
It takes him a moment to catch on, but then his face alights with understanding. "They're coming to us."
"That is what I suspect. All we can do now is wait."
The Wizard crosses his arms, lying back against the wall. "We won't have long if Theodora has her way. They moved me over not long ago. I think they plan on moving us to a different cell again later tonight."
She frowns, fiddling with her sleeves. "We can only hope that they make it in time."
-Emerald City-
*~ Theodora ~*
"You're certain?"
"Yes, my lady."
Theodora turned away from the kneeling guard whom she dismissed with a wave.
"It seems it's your lucky day." She tilts up the chin of the maidservant who had come running to her at the first sign of infrequency. She chuckles darkly, her features overshadowed by glinting teeth. "Your information has been confirmed. Aren't you relieved?"
She releases the silent girl and walks around her, hands behind her back. "Of course, now that you have brought this to my attention I will be making use of your willing service." From the corner of her eye she can see the girl shaking. She grins. "Oh, you didn't think it would be over so easily, did you?"
She summons heat to her palm and places her hand against the servant's upper back, smoke sizzling into the air with the maid's pained screams. She leans over her shoulder and whispers into her ear. "You will bring me every correspondence, every carrier and every name you can find. They've chosen to help her and siding with a traitor is a betrayal to all of Oz."
"Y-yes, my lady."
Transporting away in a flash of flames, Theodora reappears in her chambers. Her arms pull almost instantly at her corset, a scream on her lips as she rips at the bodice. She stumbles around like a drunkard, tripping over the couch's arm and falls to the floor. One arm reaches up to her head, a scream on her lips.
"Get out of my head!"
The whispers grow louder. She screams and tears burn down her cheeks. Her pain is amplified, but the whispers don't leave, they're not blocked out and she grapples with the madness on her knees.
Fire burns around her, scorching the floor, but the heat does nothing for her struggle and slowly the flames die out, only embers burning around her. Theodora continues to wail and tears apart the cushions on the couch in her attempt to rise, the material ripping underneath her nails.
Eventually everything turns blurry and she's thankful when all sound ceases and her vision turns dark.
-Emerald City-
*~ Evanora ~*
She left the kitchens after receiving the captain's message and made her way through the tunnels until she was came to a passage that would lead her outside the palace and out into the middle ring.
From there, and with the use of a cloak, it is rather simple work weaving through the streets and avoiding Theodora's soldiers. Navigating the eight sectors would have been confusing for most, but what people often forget is that Evanora was the one who had designed the initial layout.
With the city's growth and being the sole remaining member of the royal family it is only natural that all plans for expansion were brought to her for approval. Every month the city architects would convene together and give her a report, pointing out new streets and shops, explaining the division of the sectors and possible improvements.
It was hard work, but work that paid off in this instance. It did not take her long at all to find the Green Fir tavern. She pushes open the door and takes a look around. Since Theodora's takeover many establishments have been seeing less customers and Evanora dreads to think how that will affect the city's financial state, but for the moment it proves advantageous.
She makes her way to the bar and settles in a chair. The bartender takes his time to approach, likely cautious. Once in front of her, Evanora slips out a golden coin from her purse and slides it across the counter. "One Emerald Shore. I hear there have been blackbirds spotted about. Any information on their location?"
He takes the coin from her and motions with his head over her shoulder to a table in the back with two shadowed figures. She nods in gratitude, takes the glass he slides her way and stands, making her way across the room.
"This seat taken?"
"Yeah." The munchkin with crossed arms replies with a scowl.
"Excellent." She sits down and smiles at his scoff. "You have news?"
Knuck's expression grows serious and he eyes the bulky mass beside him before returning his gaze to Evanora. He sighs. "I know some people who might try something tonight. Not sure I can dissuade them, but apparently someone got a message through. The princess has sent us her location. She's been moved down to a more fortified level."
Evanora steeples her fingers, considering. "A witch's cell no doubt. That leaves enough room between the entrance and the west corridor to ambush any unwanted guests."
"That's not all." The captain takes out a parchment from his coat, pushing it across the table. "This is one of the notices being put up around the barracks. It doesn't bode well."
She takes the parchment and scans it over and feels her heartrate begin to quicken.
She sets it back down and pinches the bridge of her nose, trying to retain her composure. "She's laid the trap and we're running out of time."
"Then what do we do, oh great Wicked Witch?" Despite the snarky words, Knuck's tone remains hushed and even, though a hint of concern betrays him.
Evanora is quiet for a moment, then slowly comes to a rise. She slides her glass over to the captain. "We congregate in the square at midnight." She turns to Knuck, a disapproving lilt to her tone. "And you need to keep your head down. Theodora has enough evidence to suspect you as it is. Without her inside source, your beloved princess will have no hope of retaking the city."
She turns to leave, but she doesn't make it far. She comes to a stop upon hearing Knuck speak.
"Why are you helping her? Why do any of this?"
She's quiet and part of her wonders if she should be honest. Her chest feels tight for the second time in the last few minutes and she cannot help think it a strange sensation. "You have no reason to believe me so there's no point in explaining."
She walks away and leaves the Green Fir before they can stop her. She falls back into the shadows, evading guards and citizens alike. It doesn't take long to make her way back to the tunnels, thoughts occupied by what she will have to do and the cost of doing it.
-Emerald City-
*~ Theodora ~*
"Has she made any complaints?"
The guard shakes his head. "A few curses in the beginning, my lady, but no complaints."
Theodora nods, eyeing the door. "And the passageway?"
"Sealed off."
"Dismissed."
He bows and makes his way down the hall, likely preparing to do a few rounds until she departs.
Theodora sighs, taking a moment to debate with herself then knocks on the door. "Sister?"
When no response is forthcoming, Theodora frowns and enters the room, glancing around. Her eyes fall on her sister's bed and the human shape curled up underneath the blankets. She approaches slowly and sits down on the foot-end, facing the wall.
"I have been thinking about our argument." She starts off softly. "I understand that you're concerned. I know you're only trying to protect me, but I'm stronger now." She looks at her hands, trying to ignore the strange chill in her palms. "It's my turn to protect you." She closes her eyes, taking in a deep breath. "I did all this for you, but…" Looking at her hands again, Theodora can't help but feel something is amiss.
"I've always been angry. I try to hold it in, but recently it seems to continuously boil back up to the surface. When I was younger I thought it was a by-product of my magic, but now I know better. I understand the wickedness you spoke of. The darkness that looms in me. I…" She stops, swallows. "Thinking about what you've said, I don't think I'm strong enough to fight it."
She sighs. "How do you do it?" She flexes her fingers. "How do you keep all this darkness under the surface? How do you resist it?"
There's no response, nor had she expected one considering the silence since her arrival. She stands and places a hand on her sister's arm only to stop in her tracks. With furrowed brows Theodora whips around to face the form in the bed. She swiftly pulls back the covers, eyes widening at bundled up blankets and pillows she finds in place of her sister.
"What?" With a half-scream she backs away, frantically scanning the room. Scenarios run through her mind and slowly shock gives way to rage as it sinks in that her sister has once more fled from her bedchambers.
Flames climbing up her forearms, Theodora storms out, calling for the guards and cursing their incompetence and her lack of foresight. Of course Evanora would find another way out. She earned her position, earned the king's favour and as a consequence had to survive numerous assassination attempts. It was foolish of Theodora to assume her sister would not have something up her sleeve.
"Find her!"
-Emerald City-
*~ Glinda ~*
Despite the Wizard's conclusion that Theodora was preparing to have them moved to a different cell, nothing of the sort occurred. Theodora made no new appearance the guards seemed uneased, making her wonder what had transpired to shake the city.
She mused that perhaps the sisters argued to the point of battle, though waved the thought from her mind as Theodora had made it clear that she was the more powerful opponent at the moment and Glinda knows that Evanora is more likely to remain out of fights she cannot win.
If she were to hazard a proper guess, Glinda could only assume that the other guards had been called on raid and discovered evidence of the underground's plans so the ones patrolling the dungeon had received a taste of Theodora or Evanora's ire.
It posed a concern, but one she has no ground for as the guards are not inclined to speak with their prisoners.
None of the plans she discussed with the Wizard are feasible regardless of their attempts to improve upon them. Unless she had her wand or the Wizard miraculously discovered magical ability and mastery thereof it would be futile to attempt escape without outside assistance.
Not that they could speak of such plans in front of the guards, but they made due when given the opportunity.
"Glinda?"
Pulled from her thoughts and apparent pacing, she turned to the Wizard, head tilted in question.
"Is it just me or has it gotten much quieter in here?"
She listened for the surrounding sounds she has come to associate with this level of the dungeon, but there was no hum or flicker of flame, no footsteps or jangle of chains. For one reason or another, the corridor has become dead silent.
"Well, this is not at all unnerving." She attempts to jest, her smile feeling a tad off.
Quietly she approaches the front of their cell and tries to peer out between the bars. It's darker than before, the torches apparently having gone out and there is a definite chill in the air that was not present before. The Wizard joins her in observation, though does not seem to fair much better at discerning what has sourced the change.
Glinda listens, but cannot hear any noise beyond her own beating heart. With the darkness now dominating the corridor there was not much to see either.
"I don't like this." The Wizard whispers, his brow furrowed and jaw tight.
She puts a hand on his shoulder in comfort, motioning away from the door. "We'll stay to the back of the cell and wait. If this is one of Theodora's tricks she'll make herself apparent soon enough."
He nods reluctantly and follows her, sitting down in the back left corner. She imagines that his dark clothes makes it a bit harder to spot him, but Glinda is as glaring in this darkness as she can get. She sits down beside him, keeping an ear out for any break in the silence.
"Could it be magic?"
She inclines her head slowly, considering the suggestion. "It might be, though I wouldn't know its origin. I don't sense the presence of a magic user and I don't know of potions with this capability." She pauses briefly, re-evaluating her statement. "Evanora might."
"You think she's regained access to her magic?"
"It depends on the disturbance. From what Theodora says, the curse Evanora had fallen to appears to have been designed to kill her, by that estimate I cannot say with certainty what she may be capable of magically." She remembers Theodora's words, recalls the way she had referred to her actions and shivers. "If Theodora is to be believed, she utilized forbidden magic to bring her sister back from death's near-embrace."
"Is that even possible?"
"It was for the Ancient Faeries."
"Why is it forbidden then?"
"The dangers are immense," she explains. "The one casting the spell could lose their magic, possibly even their life. In addition, there is the risk that the one returned is not whole."
"What does that mean? Like a ghost or something?"
"A phantom," she nods, "or a mindless corpse."
"That sounds terrifying." His expression is pale, horrified.
"Should the target return as less than themselves than the spell failed and every moment they spend in the realm of the living is akin to an afterlife of suffering. That is why attempts at resurrection were forbidden by the Cardinal Coven."
"In other words, Evanora might be the walking dead at this very moment."
Her brow furrows. "I had not considered that."
The Wizard turns to her in surprise. "You think Theodora succeeded?"
Her response is discarded when Gllinda distantly hears an abrupt interruption of the quiet around them. She motions for the Wizard to be silent and listens. The corridor is soundless again for several breaths, until slowly, distantly, she hears footsteps.
Until Next Time
- L.L.