Chapter 6:The Flying Baboons
As the afternoon faded into twilight Mombi and Singra finally made it back to Galore's castle. Throughout the entire period of the walk neither sisters spoke to to each other and all was quiet because their prisoners had remained frightened and gagged. When they reached the drawbridge Mombi pulled out her wand and held it up to the door. The three points began to glow ruby pink and the door slowly began to open. When it had touched the ground the group passed across it and under the gate. When they reached the throne room they found Galore sitting in the throne waiting for them to enter.
"Welcome. I've been waiting for you. You no longer need those chains and gags you are wearing," Galore said raising her right hand. As she did so the chains and gags melted away in the form of a black mist. Frank, the father of the children took a moment to analyze this before he screamed at his family to run for the still open door. The family began running for the door but to their horror the doors slammed shut causing the five of them to back up in apparent fear.
"You dare run from your queen?! Did you honestly believe you could escape from my grasp being the miserable and poor beggars that you are. Nobody escapes from me," Galore laughed. By that point Galore had risen from her throne to stand in front of her prisoners.
"Mother you won't believe what that little boy in front of you said to me about you," Singra said smirking.
"Oh really? Tell me boy what is your name," Galore said allowing a horrific smile to creep across the features of her face.
"Sam," the child replied with a shaky tone in his voice.
"Tell me Sam. What did you say about me to Singra," Galore pushed.
"I said that you are the most beautiful woman I have ever met," Sam said trying to smile.
"That's a lie! The little brat said that I am a horrible ugly lady and that you must be even uglier considering I'm your kid," Singra screamed in rage. Mombi was standing right next to Singra observing the conversation silently. However in reply to Singra's angry outburst she began to roll her eyes.
"Is this true Sam," Galore asked.
"No," Sam said shortly. Before he could smile again Galore suddenly smacked his mouth as hard as she could which sent him screaming and crying to the floor.
"Tell the truth you stupid boy," Galore roared. This sent Sam's mother into a fit of rage and she started charging at Galore. Before she could hit her however Mombi had zapped her using the wand which sent her flying to the floor. As the mother fell she realized she had forgotten to comfort Sam and grabbed him hugging the child close to her chest. By now the other children had begun crying.
"How could you do that to an innocent child," the mother screamed. At this this the father looked as if he was about to rush Galore but he caught a glimpse of Mombi pointing her glowing wand directly at him.
"Give me a reason I beg of you," Mombi said smugly.
"It's alright children. Mommy's ok," the mother said.
"Silence," Galore screamed! By that point the family was was scared into submission. Every member of it had now begun to wonder what the three witches had in store for them.
"I am your queen and you will all serve me for the rest of your miserable little lives," Galore declared.
"We will never serve you wicked witch," Frank said with ice in his tone.
"How sweet. That's adorable thinking you can stand against me. You really don't have a choice whether or not you wish to serve me but don't worry I will make sure you live a long life. It will still be a life of servitude though. The way you ran like cowards gave me an idea. You reminded me of circus baboons and how they fly away whenever they're in danger. That's exactly what you will become, flying baboons completely obedient and loyal to me," Galore said thoughtfully.
"Watch girls. "Let Momma show you how it's done," Galore said. With lightning speed Galore raised her hand toward the family. As she did this a black mist formed from her hand and every one of her captives fell to the ground screaming in pain. As they did this their screams became roars and every one of them transformed into flying baboons as their new wings grew out of their back and spread out widely. Once the transformation was complete all humanity that had once lived within them was gone.
"Ah much better," Galore said.
"Mother what have you done," Mombi asked with a horrific croak in her voice.
"My dear Mombi I told you yesterday that we needed an army to take Oz did I not," Galore asked with exasperation.
"Yes mother," Mombi replied with embarrassment.
"Well my daughter this is the beginning of the creation of our army. You see these baboons are meant to be our minions. They can lift heavy objects, spy on enemies, and tear men apart under our command. Not to mention they also will be completely loyal to us and anyone else we give control of them to," Galore explained.
"Well that makes sense," Singra said baffled.
"Of course it does my dear. However we need more of them which is why I will teach you two to transform enemies into flying baboons. Before that however let's fill the dungeon with prisoners. We will use them for the transformations and you two can experiment on them. The good thing is you won't have to kidnap anyone else and you can practice your dark magics for we need to move against the queen," Galore explained. With this being said she turned her head to face her new minions.
"Go my pets. Find the next two closest cabins to this castle, ransack them, abduct the families living in them, and bring them to our dungeon. Fly," Galore commanded. With this being said the five baboons took flight in the air and flew out the window of the throne room into the twilight sky. Mombi and Singra nodded in satisfaction and turned toward the doors to leave.
"Wait I'm not finished with you two yet," Galore said.
"Yes Mother what can we do for you," Mombi asked.
"Have you two ever heard the story of the Gnome King," Galore asked. Both witches nodded their heads no.
"How unfortunate. Anyways the Gnome was an ancient king obsessed with his riches. He was so greedy and selfish that he terrorized all four quadrants of Oz and stole every last jewel and gem in the land for himself. However this backfired on him when your grandfather King Ozroar fought him and his armies defeating them and taking back the treasures of Oz thus giving the people back what was theirs. He used the emeralds to build the Emerald City and placed the other treasures within its walls. In order to ensure that the Gnome King would never return he locked him and his army underground casting an enchantment so only him or the members of his bloodline could open the seal on the your father was still alive him and I spent years searching for the entrance to the underground prison but we never found it. Our plan was to recruit the Gnome King so we could command his army into strengthening our grip on Oz even more but we never found it. We are going to find it and then we will have the army we need to take Oz once and for all. With our new flying baboons finding the entrance to the prison will be easy not to mention the fact I have managed to uncover the knowledge that the entrance is in the Winkie Peaks. We just need to find it," Galore said.
"That's brilliant Mother but what about Lurline," Mombi asked.
"I thought about that too Mombi. You see the Gnome King hates all of us because we are all somehow related to Ozroar. He's your grandfather, my father and law, and Pastoria's father. He will likely meet our offers with resistance. However in killing Lurline we will have leverage over him which will make persuading him easier. Not only that, when we kill her we'll be able to cause Pastoria heartbreak and pain. This will also make manipulating Evanora easier as well and will set our future plans in motion. So it's a triple win for us and Pastoria loses in all three scenarios," Galore said.
"Does this mean you'll split the army amongst us," Singra asked.
"Well of course darling. We will avenge your father at every turn daughters. Now go practice your dark magic for you will need it if the Gnome King attempts to kill us and you must learn how to turn people into flying baboons," Galore commanded.
"Yes Mother," the two witches said as they walked out of the room. Once they had left Galore went up to her throne and sat back down. All she had to do now was simply wait for her plans to be carried out. She turned her head to the window and watched as the sun set. She simply smiled as she saw her plans starting to come to fruition.