"She was a good woman. Very helpful with the--"

"You will never find such another sweetheart in all your life. Poor--"

" I will never forget the time when she single-handedly raised the--"

" Miss Galinda of the Ardennes was more than just an inspiration, she was a loyal and righteous woman who believed in the greater good of the land, of the people, and of her daughter."

She couldn't take anymore of the speeches that began to taunt her. Rising from her seat from where she was perched prettily on so the entire room would take notice of her as Miss Glinda's daughter, she gave a wince and began to walk away. As she shoved her way through a sea of the endless monotony of meaningless promises and prayers, her mind began to implode with past memories and feelings.

"Mama, where are you going this time? You promised to teach me magic today. The Floating Spell. I so want to learn that spell so I can teach that jerk, Arik a lesson"

"I'm so sorry darling, but the Wizard needs me to attend to something right now. And it's very important. But Glinnie, I promise, I shall teach you that spell. And Arik will just have to wait to be taught a lesson."

"Mama, how come whenever the Wizard needs you, you're there and when I need you… you're never here?"

"Please try to understand. What I do… is for you. I may not like it, but Galinda, perhaps when you're older when you'll understand. Just trust me Glinnie."

Glinnie.

She hated that nickname. Only her mother could've gotten away with it. Finally reaching the double doors of the large ballroom, she haste fully forced it open and snuck off to the third floor. Reaching her apartments, Galinda ran down the large corridor, passing several portraits and priceless Ozian works of art and crafts. Reaching her master bedroom entrance, Galinda charged into the room and plopped down on her bed. She reached for the heels that were imprisoning her feet. She took the right one off, flinging it across the room, breaking the silence with a small shatter of a porcelain doll. Galinda then took off the second and attempted to throw it, but in her heavy panting, failed to do so. Her eyes bore the mark of heavy tears, for they were puffy and reddish, her slender face showing definite signs of depression. Her head leaned against a soft pillow as her eyes shut closed, Galinda attempting to drift to sleep, but the futile attempt only made her restless.

" Glinnie, darling! Come on down!"

"Yes, Mama?"

" It's time to put a real wand in your hands."

" Mama, I've been thinking… I don't want to major in Sorcery anymore…"

"Why not, Glinnie? You've got the talent for it, no question about that. Just like your Mama."

"But Mama, I want to study… Natural Sciences… Its much more appealing to me."

" Oh… well, Glinnie, that's your decision."

"You know who's been wanting to study Sorcery, Mama? Arik. Maybe you could teach him!"

Arik. Of all the stupidest answers she could've have given her mother that day, she had to say Arik. Shaking her head slightly and placing her hand on her forehead, Galinda sat up, pushing her long, blonde curls back then slumping on the edge of her bed on her own merit. Galinda eventually arose and with small, dazed steps proceeded towards her window. She stood there, weak and limp against the windowsill, the cold glass becoming stained with a light streak of grey that came from her exhaling. She looked out at the serenity of Lake Chorge, and set her eyes on the glimmering calm water. It seemed to mesmerize her; for she became distracted watching the rippling waves flow peaceably.

A knock at the door brought Galinda back into consciousness. Galinda didn't move. A few more knocks reverberated off the walls, before the click of the door startled Galinda to stand up straight. As to the person who walked in the room, Galinda did not seem to care, but out of instinct, proceeded to embrace the now familiar elderly woman moving towards her. Galinda paused at her attempted embrace for the elder seemed to hold a tray with a decorative tea pot and crockery.

"Galinda, darling, are you alright? I have brought you a spot of tea to calm your nerves. it's hot, and I suggest you take it now, if you like." said the elderly woman in a worrisome tone, placing the tray down at a table specifically for it.

" Thank you Ama Nesa. I am fine. If you don't mind, I'd like to be alone at this moment. But I am grateful for the tea. I shall call you in as soon as I feel better, alright?", Galinda responded in her less-than-accurate assurance.

Ama Nesa left the room, glanced over at Galinda and bowed her head for a moment before proceeding out the door. Galinda did not bother to return Ama Nesa eye contact for she, turned her back to her and looked out onto the lake until the click of the door was heard. Galinda sighed heavily, another tear began to steak down her face. Her eyes had moved from the window and onto a life-like portrait of her and mother that hung on the wall. Turning her back onto that as well, she grabbed hold of the tea pot, and poured her tea. The sound of pouring water rang into her ears until she stopped. She sipped it noticing that it was almost to the rim of the cup. Sighing again, she took her cup and sat down at the foot of her bed. She was an orphan now.

Galinda had inherited everything, the money, the titles, the estates-- and yet… she has never felt lonelier. Her father, Sir Chuffrey, died before her graduation at Shiz University. She double-majored, both in Sorcery and Natural Sciences. One to please her mother and the other to please herself, although it was one of the toughest things she has ever done. Galinda finished her tea, and she set the cup on the table. She stood again at the corner of the window and her eyes looked once again to the dazzling dapples of light that were being reflected off the large pool of water.

Tap, tap, tap… the noise could be faintly heard within the room. Tap, tap, tap… there it was again. Summoning her wand to her hand, Galinda searched the room. It was an unusual sound, for it definitely wasn't the sound of wood being knocked upon. She thought of someone knocking outside her window, but that was, of course, a ridiculous conclusion. She was on the third floor and no man would be bold enough to knock outside her window. Tap, tap, tap… Galinda began to get annoyed. It was definitely the sound of glass she concurred. Walking towards the window, she opened it, and found no man tapping at her window, but a large bird, which she recognized as a falcon. The plump and smooth plumage of the bird indicated that it was well-kept, and well-fed, not at all a wild one, and at it's feet, was a letter. Curious to know whom it was from, she took it suddenly, almost literally snatching it off the bird's claws. It bore no return address except her own, but as she turned it around to open the flap of the envelope, she discovered the Wizard's Official Seal.