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Love of a Wicked Heart

Chapter 6

1995, Western Castle of Oz

The next couple of months had been calm for the Witches other than a few disputes that were easily handled and a cursed artifact that would appear from time to time. The only big issue that caused concern for the Witches was the rumor of a Wicked Witch that was building an army to go to war with Oz, but so far there had been no proof or clues to validate this rumor, but that didn't change that all of Oz was on alert and looking for signs that the Wicked Witch was real. Since the rumors of the Wicked Witch started, Thea had noticed there had been an increase in recruitment for the guards throughout Oz.

Thea was currently sitting in the Western Castle, working on plans for a project that she came up with. She heard a knock on the door and got up to see who it was. When she opened the door, she saw that it was Salazar, Elphaba, and Glinda who looked upset and slightly unnerved about something. She quickly led them to inside and offered them a drink, which Salazar was the only one to accept the offer. Once they were seated, Salazar sighed and said, "There was an attack on the Northern Kingdom of Oz and Locasta was there during the attack. She was severely injured and she is currently at the medical wing at the palace in the Emerald City. The only thing we know is that whoever carried out this attack could use magic."

At hearing this news, Thea nearly dropped the glass she was holding. While Salazar had been giving the news about what happened, Glinda was walking around and looking at the books within the room. She soon stopped and looked at the desk within the room and noticed that Thea was currently working on something but from what she was looking at, she could not tell what it was. Elphaba was just sitting, looking concerned and remaining quiet during the entire time Salazar had been talking. Thea sat down and thought about the attack before asking, "What time did the attack happen and what are people saying happened during the attack?"

Glinda looked concerned as she said, "There were only a few survivors and they are still unconscious and there were many dead when we arrived. We also have reason to believe that many of the villagers were kidnapped and taken to the attackers' hideout."

Thea looked shocked at this and asked, "You believe there was more than one attacker? Do you have any idea of who they are? Could it possibly be the supposed Wicked Witch that has been rumored of wanting to destroy Oz?"

Salazar, Elphaba, and Glinda shook their head, stating that they had no idea who could have committed such a vicious attack. Salazar looked at Thea and said, "No, there was nothing there to indicate anything of the number of people involved in the attack or who they were. Other than the person or people involved were able to use magic, there is no indication that the Wicked Witch exists or that she behind this horrid attack. I have doubled the patrols around the villages throughout Oz and tripled the guard patrols in the Emerald City. I am also going to be placing guards around each of your castles until this attacker or attackers have been dealt with. All we can do is wait for Locasta and the other survivors to awaken and inform us what happened. Until then, we are only able to use what little information we already have."

After hearing this, Thea sighed and said, "Since Locasta was injured during the attack, so I don't think we should be alone anymore. Glinda, would you be willing to stay by Salazar in the Emerald Palace until this attacker has been stopped and brought to justice?"

At seeing Glinda's nod, Thea continued, "Good, while you stay close to the Emerald City, Elphaba and I can work on finding out who this attacker is, how many were a part of this attack, and where they are hiding."

Elphaba looked around for a moment before speaking up for the first time during the meeting, asking "Would it be possible that the attacker or attackers are hiding within the Emerald City?"

Thea thought about it for a moment before saying, "I don't think so. Since the news of this attack will defiantly be heard in the Emerald City, the citizens will be more alert and looking out for anything suspicious while the guards will be on high alert. The person or people behind the attack will want to be able to plan without anyone snooping around and finding out what they are up to whether it is by accident or on purpose. So this means that the Emerald City will be the last place they could find such privacy without causing suspicion."

Everyone nodded and agreed that while Thea had a valid point, security patrols would be added over Oz to be on the safe side. Thea soon turned to Elphaba and said, "Elphaba, I think it would be wise for you to join me here at the Western Castle or I join you at your castle until we find the person behind this attack. That way we won't have to travel here and back forth from each other's castles every day. It also gives us the safety in numbers without needing to rely on the guards Salazar has given us."

Elphaba nodded in agreement and said that it would be better to stay at the Western Castle for the time being. Soon she stood up and said that she would return with her things to be able to stay for at least a week or two. She returned about an hour later with multiple trunks full of clothes and supplies that she believed she needed in order to help find the attacker or attackers. Not long after Elphaba returned, Salazar and Glinda left to go back to the Emerald City and prepare to get more information and see if there was something that was overlooked the first time. Thea continued to work on the Portkey to be able to travel back to England while Elphaba was getting her things put away in the guest quarters. Thea couldn't help but feel that a war was coming to Oz and she would have to wait to return to England until the people behind this attack were stopped. She also dreaded that the rumors about the Wicked Witch held more truth than she liked.

Here is Chapter 6. Hope everyone is enjoying the story so far. If any errors in grammar have been detected then please let me know so I can fix them. Also, please leave a review as it helps me understand what you think of the story whether it be positive or negative.