12/27/2019
It was late morning by the time the girls got out of bed. Glinda was moving gingerly, acting as if a single bump would break her. She kept cast nervous looks to Elphaba. The green girl did not know what to do, and so gave her space. She tried to treat it as any other morning, but the lack of energy from the blonde made it subdued. After a bit, Glinda seemed to run out of energy and just stop in the middle of the room. Elphaba moved over to her. The blonde did not look her in the eye, but simply stared at the floor.
"What is it, my sweet?"
Those words released whatever control Glinda had. She started sobbing, and Elphaba wrapped her in her arms. The green girl stroked the blonde curls, and spoke gentle things to her. They stayed there for over half an hour, the blonde's tears soaking into Elphaba's dress. The irritation would annoy her later, but now she was there for her girlfriend.
"Ra-Rae-Rae…" sobbed Glinda.
"Yes, my sweet girl."
"D-Do y-you still w-want me?" she cried. Elphaba froze for a second, shocked.
"Of course, my dear Glinda. Why would I not?"
"I-I'm rui-ruined." she choked out. Elphaba squeezed her tighter.
"Shhh. None of that. You are not ruined. You hear me? You're not. You're just as beautiful as always. He is an evil, evil man, but he did not ruin you. He did not make you any less. Understand."
The only response was harder sobbing. Like a dam, a catharsis of pain that had been held for so long for by herself burst forth. Elphaba led her to the bed, and there she held her girlfriend close as the pain of the past leaked from her. She did not say anything; just showered her with love, hoping that the emptiness of the pain would be filled by love. There they stayed for a long time.
X
That evening, hunger finally made them leave the room. As they came down the stairs, they noticed Glinda's parents in the sitting room. Glinda turned to ignore them, but they rose and approached. Both girls noticed they were in their traveling clothes.
"Running away from your mistakes?" hissed Elphaba.
"Glinda." Larena spoke quietly, ignoring Elphaba. "A constable came by earlier. Your Uncle Garon was found dead this morning behind a pub."
"A mugging?" Glinda's voice asked. She could not figure out why it had.
"No." her father answered just as quietly. "He had his rapier drawn. It was by his side."
"Probably ganged up on for grabbing the wrong person." Elphaba spat.
"The constable was quite certain it was not. He stated there was only three wounds on him; neck, sword wrist, and through the heart. Their opinion was that it was a duel."
"That's not possible. He's too good for even the masters in the city." Glinda whispered. "Shenshen said so."
"Perhaps he was drunk?" Elphaba added. "I don't know why we care. Good riddance to an evil man."
"We care," Larena hissed, "because they think it was targeted."
"And why do they think that?" Elphaba asked, worry creeping into her voice.
"Because there was a card left on him." her mother pulled a large card from her purse. She turned it to show it to them. "Any idea?"
Glinda looked at it. It was a yellow flower, a glory or yellow daisy, surrounded by thorns. She knew that the flower itself meant justice in Gillikin flower language, but had no other idea on it.
"It's a flower." Elphaba deadpanned. "What is that supposed to tell us?"
"It means justice." Glinda whispered.
"Yes, dear, it does." Larena said. "So they wanted to know if we knew anyone who would have done it."
"No." Glinda said as Elphaba opened her mouth.
"Even if we did, I'm not exactly going to cry about it." Elphaba spat. Glinda's parents shot her a dark look. "You can take those looks with you."
Her parents looked at Glinda, but she gave her no respite. Larena tucked the card back into her purse. After straightening their traveling clothes, the pair walked out of the room. The girls did not move to tell them farewell, and neither did her parents. Steward saw them out. Glinda looked at Elphaba. Elphaba looked back. Mrs. Steward entered from the side room and let them know she had dinner for them. With no other thoughts able to enter their minds, they followed her.
X
Garon strode out of the pub. His winnings were tucked securely in his pocket. He had hoped for something more exciting, but the men around the table had too little fight in them. Probably why they were terrible gamblers. Either way, he would make his way down to the Munchkinlander District. There was at least one place he could call on tonight. No Philosophy Club for him. His tastes were more refined. He turned down a side alley that would lead him to the Park, and there it was an easy jaunt to more fun.
A scrape of steel on stone immediately brought him on edge. He whirled, his rapier coming half out of its scabbard. At the end of the alley was a man. Not terribly imposing; in fact, several inches shorter than himself. In the lamplight it was hard to tell, but it seemed he wore a simple black shirt and trousers. The only thing distinguishing about him was the scarf wrapped tight against the spring chill, and the sword in his hand.
"Is there a problem, friend?" Garon asked, drawing his sword completely.
Garon glanced behind him. No one was there. He looked back as the man strode purposefully down the alley. There were no doors to this alley, and only some boxes of rubbish and a discarded cart to one side Garon already passed. It would be a short sprint to the unblocked end. Garon, however, was not one to back down from a fight.
"What? Cat got your tongue?" he laughed. "If you're looking for easy money, or to win back some, I'm afraid you're in for a shock. I am not an easy target."
"No, you are not." the cold voice sobered Garon. This man was not some drunken fool, or some rabble thug. "Well known in Shiz during his day as an impeccable duelist, and still probably one of the best in this city right now."
"The best." Garon hissed back. He took his favored guard. "None can beat me, old or young."
"Arrogance of one who thinks he is untouchable." the harsh voice continued. "That ends today."
"We'll see who dies today." Garon retorted. His voice was tight and face hard. The wolf that he normally hid behind a smile was on full display. "But let me know why I'm killing you."
"You'll know as your life leaves you." the man spat. "Normally, I'd say six moves to kill, to give you a fleeting moment of confidence before I rip it away, but I see no reason to give you such things. Three moves, but you'll be dead after the second."
"Your hubris will get you killed, child. And I'll take my time in doing it."
The boy across from him stopped outside of striking distance; outside his, at least. Even good fencers often mistook their own distance for their opponent's. Garon had a few inches on him, and he would kill him with it. The boy took a guard common with Niogente. Garon inwardly smiled.
There! The lightning closing step with a cut. It covered almost all the distance, but Garon drew back that extra couple of inches. He rotated his forearm to beat the cut aside, and riposte. A simple maneuver he had been using to defeat the Niogente school for decades. But something was wrong; the beat of blades was too light. He caught the movement of another foot and realized too late the boy had lured him into this position. The first step was not meant to connect; it was inches too short. It was meant to gather so the boy could shift feet and step to his left.
Garon turn to his right hard, slamming into the wall to attempt to dodge and riposte. He felt the cut across his throat. His left hand went to staunch the bleeding. If he could get distance he might be able to get away and draw his pistol. He went to thrust but realized his rapier was on the ground. The cut across the throat was also timed to chop the tendons of his arm, dropping his sword. It was a masterful Niogente strike with a combined Duranno foot movement. Garon realized he never had a chance.
"Wait.."he croaked out. The boy's hand shot out and grabbed Garon by the hair, pulling him from the wall. "Money…"
The breath was forced from him then as the rapier plunged through his diaphragm and heart. He felt his legs go out from under him, and the creeping blackness overran his vision. As he grew cold, the last thing Count Garon Arduenna heard was the Devil's voice hot in his ear.
"Sic semper stuprator; thus always to rapists."
X
The year end ball was one last moment for all the Shiz students to get together. For recent alumni, it gave them a chance to network with other alumni who were looking for talent for their own agenda. For the non-graduates, it gave them a chance to set up for future careers and connections. The Charmed Circle in attendance, having either figured their paths out or were already working on them, were lackluster at the prospects. Elphaba had even brought a book with her. She was reading it at her table while the Circle made idle chatter when a familiar figure walked by.
"Duran!" Shenshen smiled, and giggled. She may have been drinking. "What are you doing here?"
The man gave her his well known smile and replied,
"I am a student here, you know."
"I still don't believe it." Elphaba answered darkly. He dipped his head.
"You are technically correct; I am no longer a student and now properly an alumni." he paused.
"And?" Elphaba said.
"Congratulations, Master Duran." Glinda added softly. He gave her a smaller smile.
"Thank you, Miss Glinda. And congratulations to all of you."
"Yes, well, I don't feel all that happy." Elphaba snarked. Duran's eyes shifted but he held his smile.
"That could be...expected." he nodded again." Anyway, if there is nothing else-"
"Where were you on graduation?" Elphaba asked. "I did not see you walk."
"Quite unfortunately I had to work." he sighed. "Oh well, it's the degree that matters."
"And that night?" Elphaba continued. Duran's eyebrow quirked.
"That's a very improper question, Miss Elphaba. You seem to take too great an interest in me than is proper, I may say." he retorted. Though the joviality in his voice made them wonder if he was offended.
"No, just something on my mind." she paused. "A particularly skilled fencer was killed that night."
"You think I the sort to go about and murder people?" he genuinely asked. "I have no idea what gave you such impression."
"No, but there are few in Shiz who could have done it." Elphaba stood now to approach him. "He bested Miss Minkos and she is not the sort to be done so easily in Shiz."
"Quite right, especially after my tutelage. And so?"
"And so, you bested Miss Minkos with ease, I remember." Elphaba concluded.
"Prior to her instruction by me, correct." he cocked his head to the side. "What are you insinuating, Miss Elphaba?"
"I'm saying one of the few people who could have killed this fencer stands before me."
"And you think me the motive to do so?"
"I do." she answered quietly. No one said the obvious out loud. Duran's eyes flicked around to notice their looks.
"I see. I do know what you are referring to, as my student told me. But you think I did it?"
"I think you could have done it."
"Elphaba, he could not of." Shenshen answered. "I was with him the entire night."
They turned to her. She squirmed a bit.
"I was...distraught, and wished to be able to expel my feelings somewhere. Duran was there, and I did tell him. However, I...spent the night with him, and I would have noticed if he had left."
"I will say nothing on that matter." Duran put in.
"You don't need to." Elphaba replied. "I really did not need the story. You see, as I've been talking I've been weaving a spell-"
Glinda hissed and recoiled.
"-one that will tell me if you've had blood spilt on you in the last week. And it is now complete. I will see if you are truthful."
"Then see." Duran answered and spread his arms. He waited as Elphaba looked him over. He still waited as she seemed to grow frustrated. His smile broadened as she huffed and turned away. "Satisfied? Good. Now, that is a very interesting spell. Where did you learn that from? Not Shiz, I think."
"What do you care?" Elphaba bit back as she sat down and slammed her book closed. Duran took a step towards her and froze.
"Where did you get that book?" he asked, voice serious.
"I don't have to tell you-"
"A spellbook from Freca, a former state in the confederation of Quox, does not idly end up in Shiz." he cut her off. "Where?"
"A magic shop downtown." Glinda answered. "Right down Magician's Row, third off Barley Street. Surely you've seen it?"
Duran spun on his heel, and made for the door in a hurry. His long stride cleared people from his path. The Circle looked at each other, and then to Shenshen.
"I've got no idea." the girl answered.
"Should we go after him?" Pfannee asked.
"No." Glinda answered. "We have our obligations here. Despite that boy's mysteries, we have to think for our own future."
"True." Pfannee answered.
X
Glinda and Elphaba entered into the flat of the Eminent Thropp of Munchkinland. Both girls now considered it home. Steward was there to help with their cloaks. Mrs. Steward had some fresh baked pastries, as she knew the girls got hungry after functions. Finally, they retired up stairs. The two girls went through their nightly routine of cleaning, and ended up as usual: Glinda cuddled close to Elphaba as the other read a book. Glinda had to gently prod her to remind her to put her glasses on, as always.
"Rae?"
"Yes, my sweet?"
"So what now?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean what do we do now? We are done with school."
"Well, as discussed, Nessa will go home this summer, and I shall continue to look for a professor to take me on for school. Perhaps to see if Crage can accept me a visiting student. Otherwise, you will make socializing your full time profession, though perhaps use some of those sorceric skills as well."
"I think it is best I do not return home."
"I quite agree, my dear girl. I will be here in Shiz with you, looking after our interests here and in the Emerald City if need be. I've no doubt that Grandfather will keep me busy. Nor I myself."
"And after that?"
"After that? We shall strike out on our own, come what may and hell to pay."
"I'm scared, Rae."
"Of what?"
"The future. I don't know where to go. All my life I've always had a course; from primary school to finishing school to Shiz. And now, its wide open and I don't know what to do."
"Yes you do. You are going to find out how to work your way up in society. It may not be as linear a path, but the options will allow you to make it your own."
"I will have to start earning income, someday."
"Maybe. We'll get to that if we get to that."
"And Elphaba?"
Elphaba looked down at her. She very rarely used her full name in private.
"Yes, Glinda?"
"I love you."
"I love you too."
The emerald bent to kiss the angel on the forehead, and held her close.
X
In the life of Witches, there is no after; there is no afterword. Of that part that is beyond the life of the story, beyond the story of life, there is no telling.
And that's it! Reading the Signs is officially over. I will be posting my traditional Author's Notes and references in the next couple of weeks, but as i took so long to write this story, in some places I know I'm referencing something, but not what. .
I also want to give a shout out to RavenCurls, who stuck with me through this long task.
And, as you all probably want to hear, I will start working on Winning Happily Ever After in January. I plan to finish the outline between here and there.