[Part 1]
Chapter 15: Bait
-Emerald City-
*~ Evanora ~*
The moment the door shut behind her Evanora began her preparations. It cost her valuable time, but each step was necessary and thus she planned, watched and waited. She weighed her options, considered opportunities and bid her time.
When the sun set she made across the expanse of her chambers to the entrance of the underground passageways. She ducked into alcoves when the occasional guard passed, her sister watching for her movement – and that of others – Into the tunnels.
Yet none alive knew the passageways as she did.
A coded message was sent to the captain and another through the underground in Glinda's cypher to Knuck.
Barely a day has passed since the announcement of Glinda's capture, but there would be those attempting to free her all the same. They would all fail. Theodora is well prepared. Powerful. In addition her magic has become unpredictable. Guards appearing in a flash of flame with a simple force of will – evidence enough that Evanora has lost the allegiance of the Winkies – and vision from the crystal to provide her clarity.
Evanora cannot call upon her magic. She cannot wield a sword. She has been barred access from her potions. She has no allies. No means of observing her foes. She was at a distinct disadvantage, but she also possessed some of that which Theodora currently lacked. Mainly knowledge.
Drawing on that well made it clear that Glinda needed to be rescued, but Evanora no longer held influence. Her position had been built on a broken foundation and was threatened from the beginning. She only held onto that power for as long as she played her part, but if Theodora was lured to take a bite from the Apple of Vitiation than Evanora's deceit has been discovered.
It is a horrid scenario she has been considering since discovering the apple in her old chambers. If not the Wizard than her curse could only have been stirred by one other. The one who will be impeded by nothing, no one and sees no atrocity as too great a means to achieve her ends.
At this point it was the only answer.
After five years the ancient witch has lost her patience and Evanora has run out of time.
She had hoped to be more prepared. Had hoped to have gained some power to turn the tide, to have broken the woman's hold over her. Alas Evanora failed. Her ideals were too unrealistic, her actions too telling.
Glinda has always been a gamble, one Evanora had approached with complete seriousness and careful consideration, but the princess has swiftly become her last chance.
Evanora has few options, fewer still that she is willing to implement, but looking at the situation she finds herself in it was obvious what she had to do. The problem did not lie with bargaining on Glinda, but rather the cost of doing so.
Evanora has lost the last of her power. Oz is on the brink of ruin. Glinda is a prisoner. The so-called Wizard is a fraud. Theodora has fallen. Locasta has isolated herself. She personally killed King Pastoria. Zurline has Willamina. Andahan is dead. The Cardinal Coven lies broken.
She doesn't have the luxury to hesitate.
-Emerald City Dungeon-
*~ Glinda ~*
After Theodora had burned through the bars of their cell, Glinda and Oz were moved to another. When she initially woke up after the transition, the Wizard was gone and she had not seen him again for hours after. Theodora had visited her not long before a pair of guards dragged the Wizard into the cell across from her.
The encounter was unpleasant, but that is all Glinda could remember of it. She had an impression of being in pain and her sore body attested to the fact that Theodora must have tortured her in some fashion, but the event itself eluded her. Her arms were lightly bruised, but beyond that she could find no visible sign of injury, making it difficult to deduce what Theodora could have done.
Oz was definitely far worse off than she was and she wonders what he had been made to endure. He was pallor than she had thus far seen him. His clothes had seen better days and the shallow cuts along his jaw spoke of Theodora's apparent fondness for grabbing one by the chin with a full hand.
It took him some time to awaken, but Glinda was relieved when he did.
She hadn't expected it, but Theodora's treatment had renewed his desire to escape from the dungeon and put an end to her forced reign. They discussed their failed plan and possible alternatives. Their resources were severely limited which in turn made for few opportunities.
She would have preferred adding magic to their short list, but channelling such a force without her wand would not only be incredibly difficult but unimaginably dangerous as well.
The few times Theodora had been down to see her, Glinda had not found evidence of her wand on the fiery witch. She felt no weaker than she has since first losing it, giving her confidence that it had not been broken though that provided no insight as to its location.
She had thought that Theodora may have kept it on her person and if not then either with Evanora or somewhere well-guarded. Thought of the older witch left Glinda confused and conflicted.
Theodora often makes mention of her and the Wizard has brought her up in conversation, but what strikes Glinda is that Evanora has not once approached them. From what Theodora has shared, Evanora is doing well after waking from whatever curse had nearly claimed her life. She is up and about, more than likely having returned to tormenting the people of Oz.
After five years of evading her, Glinda can't help feeling indignant that her father's murderer hasn't bothered to make an appearance. For being the Wicked Witch the woman certainly seems uninterested in her enemies.
On the other hand, it left her feeling deeply disturbed.
If not to boast her victory and force upon them a helplessness as Theodora seems so taken to, what had been her goal in capturing them? At first she had thought it must be "saving the main event" for the public execution, but that would not keep her away. It made her wonder whether Evanora was even aware of Theodora's actions.
She must be as the younger witch had all but preened when telling Glinda of her coming trial. What was she waiting for? Or worse yet, what has she planned?
-Emerald City-
*~ Evanora ~*
"Silence on absence. Location secure for now."
"Forge confirmed."
"Dungeons."
"You were right."
She looked over the notes, considering as she took a sip of tea. She was currently hidden away in a nook in the scullery, having ducked inside to avoid a petrol only to be pulled into eating something by the concerned servants. The reports arrived not long after, some slipped to her by the kitchen staff, others having been sent to her by carrier animals.
Night had fallen quickly, but with Theodora apparently occupied tormenting her prisoners, Evanora had been free to spend the evening gathering information. Well. Most of the evening.
The trial will be held in four days, a time during which she does not doubt the remainder of Glinda's followers will be pulled out of hiding in an attempt to save her.
Striking tonight would be too soon for most, but Theodora made her announcement at the time and manner she did precisely to unbalance those who sought Glinda to be crowned as ruler of Oz. The hastier the plan's construction the sloppier the execution, but an ideal time for a well laid plan.
The second night will see more guards and more caution, especially for those who fail tonight. Most will likely make their attempts at this time which in itself could pose problematic as each group unintentionally undermines the other's progress and their blunders give them away to the guards.
The night before the trial is typically the one with the tightest security, but Theodora may very well relax it on purpose and then spring a trap just as they believe they have won. Ideal for preparation and making use of underestimation, but risky in the unknown of what other obstacles Theodora will set.
The whole matter was bothersome and gave her a headache to contend with.
Glinda was a necessary piece on the board. Vital even. Theodora knew that and was playing those who shared in this knowledge. The most frustrating thing about the situation is that the people of Oz are not the only ones that require Glinda's presence.
Without Glinda to draw away the witches' attention, Evanora will never be able to make a success of her search. All her plans will be overturned and not just those she has put the most stake in.
She sets the notes aside, tapping her nails against the table in thought.
Theodora may be playing them, but she's lit quite the blaze. Her prey will throw themselves into the flames, mistaking their angle of the tongues as the entirety of the hearth. It would be simple for Theodora to stoke it into an inferno, changing the stakes of the game once again.
Evanora sighed. She's always hated fire.
Apologies for the half-done chapter. It would have - and should have - been longer, but I will not say why it isn't as that will only sound as though I were making an excuse. Either way the other half will now take up the next chapter and it is far more entertaining.
Enjoy.
Until next we meet.
- L.L.