REALLLLLLY short chapter about Oscar's preparation.

Oscar sat by his desk, drawing out the plans so the two sisters wouldn't forget.

'Glinda goes to the left, Theodora to the right, and I go down the middle and take Finley. The 'army' will hang back for ten minutes and continue down the middle.' He thought to himself.

The Master Tinkerer looked over Oscar's shoulder and spoke, causing him to jump.

"You seem stressed."

"And you wouldn't be? We're launching a blind attack on the Emerald City!" He snapped, and turned to the Tinkerer, who looked hurt.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap."

He nodded.

"I understand, it's tense, I was there for Glinda when she was first banished."

Oscar had never really thought of why she was here in the first place.

"What was it like?"

"It was tough on her, she was 17, and a group of us went with her because we knew it wasn't her. She was too young and too close with the old Wizard. She didn't like to talk about it but finally, one day I managed to convince her to talk to me. You could tell it was tough on her. The poor girl, far too young for something like this to happen. Losing her father and kingdom and family in a day, you can imagine."

The Tinkerer said with a sad shake of the head. "But that's behind us now. This is her chance to get everything back, although, I suspect she's happy with her sister."

"I can see that too, I'm happy with her- in love." Oscar said, easily.

"Doesn't take an idiot to see that." The Tinkerer grunted dryly.

Oscar cast him a sideways glance and the Tinkerer laughed,

"Come on; let's go check those fireworks one more time before those girls are ready."

The Master Tinkerer propped open the door. They were about to leave when a Scarecrow ran by the work shop, arms flailing.

"What in Oz's name." The Tinkerer said, shaking his head in self-doubt at what he had just scene.

Wow, three chapters in a day? (Although this hardly counts)

Adidaskicker:

Thanks so much! Actually it's acrylic, I only used watercolor for the skin, hair, and facial features.

Theodora/Elphie your WWW