Chapter Eight - Journey to the Past
Courage, see me through
Heart, I'm trusting you
On this journey to the past
Three days later, Jeb stood next to Azkedellia as they waved goodbye to DG, Wyatt Cain, Glitch and Raw. The sisters had spent the previous night going over maps and meticulously planning DG's routes and stopover points with the Queen and Ahamo as well as the other travellers. Azkedellia had given DG rough points to start looking for hideouts.
"Why don't you just come along?" asked Cain.
"Adventure is not my thing," said Azkedellia. "Besides, I'm still malnourished and the physicians say that I should not leave the capital at this time."
"And who will design my Presentation dresses if Az doesn't?" teased DG.
The Queen sighed. "I do wish that you wold let me do some of the designing, DG."
"You have your hands full, Mother," said Azkedellia quickly, "between getting the OZ back in order and the politicking. I have some spare time, so I thought I would help out a little bit. Besides, my little sister only gets one Presentation. I want to help make it special for her."
"And I'm sure that you'll do a wonderful job, Azke," said Ahamo, grinning warmly at his eldest child. "I'm glad you're feeling well enough to be creative."
"Me too, Daddy," said Azkedellia. "There are a couple of spells I need to teach DG before you go. To protect you."
"We were fine last time," argued DG. "Why do I have to learn spells?"
"Your adventures have a habit of getting other people into trouble," said Azkedellia quietly. "Particularly the people who care most about you." DG looked at the ground, ashamed.
"What spells are you going to teach her?" asked the Queen.
"Direction spell," said Azkedellia. "One of the hideouts is in the middle of a magnetic field. Compasses won't work, but magic will. A basic healing spell. A warding spell, so they can sleep in peace. And a spell that will nullify poisons. The rest, DG can figure out on her own."
"Hey," said DG, "that's not fair."
"It's your adventure," said Azkedellia. "Now let me teach you."
And DG had learned. Jeb hadn't approved of some of Azkedellia's teaching methods, like cutting herself open and having DG heal the cut, but DG had more tools in her arsenal than she had before and that was a clear relief to her parents. It was a clear relief to Cain too, knowing that DG had a few more tricks up her fairly tight sleeves.
And now, leather jacket on and boots on her feet, DG was ready to go on her next adventure. Azkedellia was also wearing her leather jacket and boots, though for a different reason. While DG was going to travel around the country, Azkedellia was going to start building up her physical strength again by riding horses. And Jeb was going to learn with her.
"Ready for your net adventure, Deeg?"asked Azkedellia.
"Ready as I'll ever be," affirmed DG. "Are you?"
"I can't just give up on life," said Azkedellia. "Otherwise, what did you save me for?"
"Take care of yourself," said DG.
"You too," said Azkedellia. "And try not to think too badly of me when you find the papers you're looking for. Some things … are worse than others."
"Take care of yourself, Jeb," said Cain hugging his son.
"Be safe," said Jeb. "And come home."
"Will do," said Cain. "Good luck with your riding lessons. I'm sure your princess has everything planned out already."
"Knowing her, she does," said Jeb.
"I'll work on more of the Tower notes while you're gone," Azkedellia assured Glitch. "I'm sure that I'll find something other than Sunseeder notes in there and work with them to reverse the headcasing."
"Thanks Azkadee," said Glitch. "I miss my brain."
"It's the least I can do, Uncle Ambrose," said Azkedellia. "At the last place on your list, there should be a vault of extracted brains. Have DG call me when you get there and Mother will send a team to extract the brains and bring them here."
"I won't forget," promised Glitch. "I love you, Azkadee."
"I love you too, Uncle Ambrose," said Azkedellia. "Now, off you four go. You only have so much time before the Presentation."
"Aw, you had to remind me," said DG. The sisters hugged one last time. DG led the way out of the castle and through the gate that would lead her company out to the main road that would lead them into the western plains of the OZ.
Azkedellia watched the group of four until they were specks in the distance. She held her clasped hands in front of her as she stood in silence. Jeb watched with her. He missed the energy of DG, Glitch, Cain and Raw already, and they were barely gone.
"Ready to begin your riding lessons?" asked Azkedellia.
"I do know some things," said Jeb. "So I'm not a complete beginner."
"Oh good," said Azkedellia. "Then you'll have to show me what you know."
They walked to the stables. Azkedellia's black horse was on crossties in the main aisle behind a beautiful bay mare with a blaze on her face. Azkedellia greeted the two horses familiarly.
"The bay was Zero's," said Azkedellia. "I thought she deserved a better rider."
"What's her name?" asked Jeb.
"Blaze," said Azkedellia. "Imaginative, is it not?"
"Very," said Jeb, laughing a little bit. "What was Zero like?"
"The Witch loved him," said Azkedellia. "They were kindred spirits. They both got off on other people's pain. Zero was one of her biggest supporters. He was married to a woman he wasn't really fond of, despised children, and refused to eat fried potatoes. But he was loyal, and he was obedient, and that, applied properly, made up for some of his defects."
"I can't believe that he wouldn't eat fried potatoes," said Jeb. "They're wonderful."
"Bad childhood memories, I think," said Azkedellia. "Enough about Zero. Do you know how to groom a horse?"
Jeb did know how to groom a horse. When Azkedellia was satisfied that he knew what he was doing, she groomed her own horse and tacked it up. They spent the morning riding in the paddock next to the barn, Jeb relearning a few skills and Azkedellia revelling in her freedom and riding circles around Jeb.
They returned to the palace for lunch with the Queen and Ahamo. The royal couple hugged their daughter and asked her about her research. They discussed what Azkedellia had found in the Witch's notes so far, Azkedellia using the most polite terms possible to tell her parents what she had found about the Witch's reign and what had been done in her name. The Queen looked faintly sick; Ahamo looked grim.
"In slightly happier news," said Azkedellia, "Jeb and I have started riding in the mornings. That should help me regain my physical health."
"Oh lovely," said the Queen. "How are you feeling now?"
"Fairly well," said Azkedellia. "I have been eating nutrient-dense meals over the last few weeks, so I should be alright. And I have been sleeping for more than four hours a night lately."
"Were you having trouble sleeping before?" asked Ahamo.
"I am plagued by nightmares," said Azkedellia. "However, I have good people around me who help me through the aftermath."
"Saria makes good tea," said Jeb. "It's very soothing."
"She does indeed," agreed Azkedellia. "How is reorganizing going, Mother?"
"It's going as well as can be expected," sighed Queen Lavender. "The politicians are circling like hawks. The war crimes trials are ongoing, and I must keep abreast of those developments. I do not get to spend much time on family, which is where I wish I could spend my time."
"I am sorry to hear that, Mother," said Azkedellia. "Hopefully, DG's trip will be short and Daddy and I will be around the palace doing various projects. If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know."
"Of course, Azkedellia," said the Queen. "I will send some projects your way."