Chapter 13

Lurlinemas

It was joyous news that they celebrated that afternoon in the Dragon Cupboard. Good news was rare, few and far between, so the fact that Bluefire was still alive was more than a relief. In Anthony's mind, the tables had just shifted so much in their favor that they could actually win this.

"Win what? Our friends are still out there being tortured. Not only that but my mother the Queen, is also there. Yes this is awesome news, Bluefire it is more than an honor to meet you! But we can't just sit here and have a party! First of all everyone knows you need drinks and beautiful women for that!" We all laughed and Bluefire gave a friendly jab on the shoulder, which being from a Dragon, knocked him down comically.

"Sorry Alec!" Blue said bursting in thunderous and infectious laughter.

"Oh he's alright, look at him he thinks its epic to be hit by a dragon!" I too rolled on the floor laughing as Alec puffed his chest out and imitated Blue's stance. Anthony suddenly remembered something about timing as the weather began to change. The first snowfall for as long as Anthony could remember at least began. It was Lurlinemas, Oz's Christmas if you will.

"Alec, look! Snow!" I happily said, remembering earth snow being fun.

"Oh please, that motionless white stuff that can cause car crashes you call snow? This my friend is Froste!" Alec explained, holding a hand out in the air. As Snowflakes or rather, Frost flakes fell on his hand, they instead of melting, stood right back up and danced in circles. Suddenly all the Froste that covered the field began dancing, there was no music, just the gentle winter wish noise the wind made. It was the first truly happy moment Anthony had had, in half a Cycle. Alec conjured what Anthony recognized as snowmen, and made them dance as well. Then he made snow birds, and snow dragons and quite the dramatic and hilariously fun show inspired all three even Blue to dance with the Froste things.

After a while the dancing stopped, but the Froste covering the ground was sparkling, as if it too was magical. It of course wasn't, but it looked cool. Pure brilliant white Froste sparkling in silver and blue, all you could do was smile, for once. Blue suddenly got our attention.

"This is all great fun, but shouldn't we continue the mission? Or friends are in danger. I'm sorry to cut the fun short, but I think it's in the best interests of our loved ones if we continue on now," he said politely. Anthony looked down, sitting next to Alec remembering his friends, and feeling responsible. It was all he could do to not cry. His closest friends, the ones that had sacrificed so much for him without any request or expectation. They did it out of love. He tried so hard to help them be happier in their lives by bringing them to Oz with him on unique adventures and what had that gotten them? Tortured for something they didn't do, and even the although rumored death of Lady Glinda! Alec saw my crying that I was unsuccessfully trying to hide, and came over. Blue lowered his head in sympathy, feeling the same thing, and also feeling sad that I was sad.

"Anthony, are you ok? What's the matter?" he asked for the first time sounding different. Usually he was loud and deep, this time he was still deep, but softer, and quieter. Also he too looked on the edge of tears. His strong personality and sharpened eyes stopped it though.

"I miss my friends. It's my fault they're gone, I can't bear it! Normally, I say goodbye to people but its for different reasons, going to school in a different state, or leaving for other reasons, but this time, its my fault. My own failure has cost the safety of the people I care about most! I miss them so much, I don't have any contact with them; they may be sick or dying and it's all my fault! It's my fault because I failed," I poured my heart and soul all over Alec as he sat stupefied hearing what I was saying. To my surprise, he put an arm around me and patted me on the back, and my head.

"It's not your fault Anthony, don't say that! It's was that infernal Shell Thropp who knew when to strike and how bad to do it. You can't blame yourself for other people's ill will. There is no evil in this world Anthony, only differing levels of self-obsession. That is the root of it all my friend. Don't do this, not when I need my strongest friend to help me win this thing," Alec said, suddenly seeming a lot taller and a lot more Glinda- like to me. I gave him a big hug finishing my tears. "I'm sorry, that I put you in this Alec, I'm sorry we all are," I said still trying to stop the tears.

"It doesn't matter now, what matters is that we have people who need us, and I need you to continue being admirable. On your feet now Anthony, come on I got you," Alec said, putting one of my arms around him to help me up.

"Thank you Alec, for everything. You have a big heart, don't lose that," I told him. Alec just gave me an emotional look, red in the face, and watery eyes, but serious brows.

"Alec is right. We have people to save and a Country to reclaim!" Blue encouraged.

"Blue you've been around longer than we have in these parts, do you know how to get there?" Alec asked him, as Anthony finally stood on his own, using his Dragon staff more as a cane than anything for the moment, but the glass orb being held by the dragon claw illuminated brightly, showing the way.

"To where? Oh the Lair of the Emperor. Yes I can fly you there, but there is something you should know about it," Blue said. Suddenly smiles turned to frightened frowns as hairs on our necks stood on end.

"Anthony you have been there before, the Death Marshes are the gateway to it, but the effects of its curses change when you go in the company of friends. It fills you, consumes your heart, and turns you on your friends. You will try to kill each other in there, or at least one will try." Blue reported. Alec and I looked at each other.

"Well, I'm Ozma's son, I will refuse to let any rudimentary charm the so called Emperor can cast have any effect on me. And if it tries to test me against a friend, shits goin down! Telling you right now," Alec said raising his eyebrows and not blinking his eyes. Again I laughed only because he looked funny, but I knew he was serious. It was encouraging and comforting to know how strongly he said he would resist, I would do the same, but the fact that he said that implies two things. First that he might have the ability to counter it, and second that even if he doesn't, he'll protect me. Very noble and selfless of him. So like Anthony pointed out before in discussion, the three friends moved out first on foot for the first few days so as not to be detected, or at least that was the hope. After that they would ride on Blufire's back, to the Death marshes (aka: Quadling). From there, their plans stopped. Blue couldn't go with them, he could only guard the perimeter. Anthony and Alec, would have to fight the curse that blackened the Death marshes.