Thanks to byalencar for reviewing. Glinda's at the point where she is placing all her hopes on the resolution of the trial and her stepping down. After that she'll have a normal life (or so she hopes). I'm glad you caught the Witches names; after your previous review I made sure to add more links to Oz lore. No, Singra isn't evil. Also, while the Ozma may have a role to play eventually, you'll have to wait and see who gets made minister.

Thanks to RavenCurls for reviewing. I see your Sarima hate is alive and strong. She isn't really in Glinda's inner circle; for all that Glinda likes to call it, she's just moved from being one witch's Adept to another. So she's more a client than anything. And while a nasty Baron might like there being no Throne Minister, rule of law will break down quickly. Better the devil you know than the one you don't. And watch out for real life.

Thanks to nursejoy7 for reviewing. She's stil la little sick but its receding. I just forgot to mention it. Oops.

Thanks to MyLittleElphie for reviewing. I'm glad you liked the ending. Glinda has a lot on her plate, but Elphaba isn't helping. Sometimes people get burnt out. Also, there is a sequel I have planned for this.

Thanks to LillyFae for reviewing. Glinda is a force that has been tempered in ten years of conflict. Most forget it (to their peril). I will take a small break when done to catch my breath.

Thanks to Varia for reviewing.

Thanks to Zelene2004 for reviewing. I'm honored it's one of your favorites. And you may be right…

So, remember how I said this would be the last chapter? That was before I wrote 4500 words. The next chapter will be the epilogue. Also, if there is interest, I can post the first chapter to the sequel before switching to Reading the Signs.

As always, read, enjoy, review. Comments and critiques welcome.

I'd love for this story to get to 200 reviews. Its 21 away (I know, a bit) but hopefully my many readers out there will indulge me.

(P.S. See if you can spot the homage to the musical. Hint: it's a character)

2/25/15

Glinda once more sat in the audience at the trial. Judge Mako had just arrived and called court to order. The people of the Emerald City had coalesced under the big tents set up for their comfort. As everyone who could sat, Glinda wrung the parasol handle between her delicate hands. Once more she dug into her pocket to squeeze the sending stone. It warmed and Glinda poured her desperation into it.

"Counselor, have you found this Duran for us?" Mako asked. Hortimer stood.

"No, Your Honor. However, I beg the court's patience as the summons was of such short notice and he is known to travel-" the Owl started but Mako cut him off.

"Did you not use sorcery to send him a note?" Mako's voice was cold and even.

"Yes, Your Honor, but-" Hortimer tried but was cut off again.

"Can you confirm that it was received?"

"Well, yes, but you see-"

"Then I see no issue. Even if he was unable to come he could contact you through magical means."

"Yes, if he were near-"

"Since he is not here, I am unable to conclude if there is any truth in the claim that the now-defunct Gale Force raided Lady Glinda's residence."

"Your Honor!" Glinda stood up to protest but she was drowned out by the crowd's murmurs. The judge's eyes flicked over to Glinda but then past. Glinda turned to look, realizing the crowd's reaction was not to the judge's statement.

A man dressed in a turquoise suit jacket with tails that fell to mid-calf was sauntering up the aisle, his voluminous sleeves billowing out as he walked. He had on a bright green waistcoat and garish breeches of a multitude of colors. On his head sat a tall yellow top hat that slouched lazily to the side while emerald green glasses covered his eyes. The finishing touch was his set of long black whiskers that complimented one hanging directly from his lower lip. As he passed Glinda she could see a long ponytail of black hair pulled back with an ornate pin. Overall, he was a striking example of the Emerald City upper class.

A guard tried to intercept him as he neared the counselors' benches, but he deftly side stepped the man. Elphaba's hackles rose as he looked directly at her.

"Who are you?" she hissed (not unlike a cat). As he answered her question Elphaba caught the familiar smell of blood, steel, and fire.

"You know," the man said as he tipped down his glasses and smiled his signature smile, "you ask me that every time we meet."

"Duran." Elphaba growled.

Elphaba had suppressed her magic sense throughout the trial due to the number of spells (both official and mundane) clouding the air, but now refocused it. Duran brightened in front of her and easily grew until he outshone the competing spells. Elphaba pulled her focus back, but he was still there, like the sun. Elphaba shied away.

"Just what the hell are you?" Elphaba bit out. Duran's smile grew.

"Ask me no questions and I'll spell you know lies." He answered calmly. Elphaba ground her teeth but Hortimer just looked confused.

"Who are you?" came the stentorian tone of Judge Mako. Duran turned his smile on the judge.

"I apologize for my lateness, Your Honor. I was away on business and hurried back as soon as I could. My name is Duran and I am the man you were seeking." He replied confidently. The crowd noise picked up in volume.

"Then why did Miss Elphaba not seem to recognize you?" the judge challenged.

"I've changed since she's last seen me." He answered easily. The judge turned his eyes on Elphaba.

"Is this true?"

"Y-yes, Your Honor." Elphaba replied, cursing herself for stuttering. The judge nodded.

"I see. Please, if you will Master Duran, take the stand."

"Thank you, Your Honor."

Duran calmly walked to the witness podium and took a seat. The prosecutor stood.

"Please state your name." the man said.

"Well, that depends on who you ask." Duran replied. The prosecutor sighed and looked at the judge.

"Master Duran, don't make this difficult." Judge Mako ordered.

"I'm not trying to be, Your Honor, but I am known by quite a few different names." He replied.

"Are you known to Miss Elphaba and Lady Glinda as Duran?"

"Yes I am."

"Do you have a last name?"

"Surnames are for people who come from somewhere or have a title. I am neither."

"I see." Mako said.

"You Honor, if I may?" the prosecutor asked. The judge nodded.

"Of course."

"Are you a member of the Resistance?" the prosecutor asked.

"That's difficult to say. The Resistance doesn't exactly hand out membership cards." Duran retorted cheekily. There was small titters of laughter in the crowd. The prosecutor scowled.

"Are you a part of any group that opposed Ozian Administration?"

"Not particularly. No more than any citizen group."

"Then who do you work for?"

"Myself, mostly."

"I see. Did you meet Lady Glinda and Miss Thropp on the night they fled the Emerald City?"

"No, I met them as students at Shiz." Duran replied. The prosecutor started.

"Not what I meant." The prosecutor said. "Interesting none the less. I meant in last year, when they fled the City. Did you meet them?"

"Yes, I did. They were under the care of a Gale Force Captain who insisted on pointing a pistol at the two ladies. Very rude, in my opinion." Duran answered jovially.

"And how did you know he was a Gale Force Captain?"

"One, he was wearing the uniform and insignia; and two, he commented about how he'd get promoted."

"I see. And you had no part in those who broke into Lady Glinda's residence?"

"No. I was part of neither the Gale Force nor the Administration."

"And now?"

"Still not." Duran replied with a smile.

"How did you know where to meet them, then?"

"Well, when a couple hundred soldiers go tearing through the City at night, it makes a bit of a ruckus." Duran replied with a smile. There were hoots of laughter in the crowd.

"What did you do after your meeting?"

"Well, I first disabled the Gale Forcers, hurried the ladies onto a horse, and then shot at the Home Guard to keep them from pursuing too quickly. After a thrilling ride through the Emerald City with some mounted Gale Forcers in pursuit, we managed to shake them."

"And what then?"

"Well, I gave them some disguises and snuck them out of the City."

Elphaba sat up ramrod straight, as did Glinda. That was not exactly how it happened. Perhaps Duran knew that the truth spell would not catch lies of omission.

"Did anyone else help you?" the prosecutor asked. Hortimer stood but Duran replied before he could object.

"Well, the gate guards' lack of observation skills was helpful, but other than that, no." Duran replied evenly. Both Glinda and Elphaba blinked. That was an outright lie.

"What happened then?" asked the prosecutor, obviously disappointed.

"I took them over-country to Wittica." Duran continued, still unfazed. Both witches barely managed to keep a blank expression on their face. "There, we were hoping to rent a carriage to take the ladies to the Upland manor."

"And none one helped you get there? It was all done by you and the two ladies?" the prosecutor asked incredulously. Duran nodded.

"Yes. I am very wilderness savvy, and having two witches is a huge help."

"And what happened in Wittica?" the prosecutor asked. Duran frowned.

"Well, apparently someone set another magic user after us since we got jumped right as we were about to leave Wittica with the carriage. The magic user and some thugs put up quite a fight, but eventually the two witches managed to extract us. To make sure we weren't being followed, I doubled back on my own while the ladies took the carriage to meet Mr. Upland."

"And that was the last you saw of them?" the prosecutor asked.

"Until today, yes."

"I see. Your Honor, I think the original question about their time with this man has been determined." The prosecutor said.

"I quite agree." Mako turned towards Elphaba's bench. "Would you like to ask any questions?"

Hortimer looked at Elphaba, who shook her head. While she would have loved to question Duran under the truth spell, she did not know what he had done to fool it. She would also not tempt fate by asking him more questions. Besides, he may be able to lie just as well to her.

"Then you may step down, Master Duran."

Duran smiled and calmly stood. He gave Elphaba the same smile as he walked by, and Glinda an even bigger one. The two witches turned to watch him but he quickly melted into the spectating crowd. Elphaba sighed.

"Miss Elphaba?" the judge's voice came across. Her attention snapped back to him. "Would you please shake the stand once more?"

"Of course." Elphaba answered. Once again she took the long walk between her bench and the witness stand.

"I am assuming the Lady Glinda's encounter with a dark sorceress in Gillikin has something to do with your situation in Wittica?" asked Judge Mako. Elphaba nodded.

"Yes. We had sent a message to Glinda's father, but the current story coming out of the Emerald City was that she had been kidnapped. Vitorili Upland did not think the letter was genuine and brought the local militia with him." Elphaba explained. Mako nodded.

"That could not have been good."

"It wasn't. Glinda probably could have explained to her father my presence, but not the militia. So we concocted a little skit to get them to leave. A little magic and smoke and it worked."

"Weren't these men commended for their efforts, Your Honor?" the prosecutor interrupted. "Their awards should be rescinded in light of this knowledge."

"Someone who is brave when facing a situation perceived as dangerous is no less brave than if it is." Elphaba rebutted before the judge could speak. "If I held a gun to your head and you were brave, would it matter if you didn't know it was unloaded? Of course not."

"I quite agree." The judge replied. "Besides, that is not the point of this case. What happened next, Miss Elphaba?"

"Well, we stayed in Frottica for a while. Relaxed, practiced magic, that sort of thing. However, we knew we couldn't stay there forever. People would get suspicious. So we went west until we hit the Kells, and followed them down to Kiamo Ko."

"Back to her lair, Your Honor." The prosecutor pointed out. The cold blue eyes bored into the man until he sat again.

"Thank you for that, Prosecutor. And what happened at Kiamo Ko?"

"We learned a little earlier that Madame Morrible had overthrown the current Throne Minister. As Morrible was always one to deal with her problems more directly, we began to prepare for whatever she could throw at us. I began to contact some of the old Resistance members and others I could depend on, if worse came to worse."

"That sounds like sedition, Your Honor." The prosecutor interjected again. Judge Mako turned to look at him.

"Prosecutor, if you're intent on pointing out every possible obscurity that might be treasonous, I will have you gagged. Is that understood?" came his gravelly voice. The prosecutor blanched.

"Yes, Your Honor."

"So, Miss Elphaba," Mako turned back to her, "what happened after you gathered more allies?"

"Well, we actually hadn't finished but, Glinda was kidnapped."

"Really?"

"Yes. An agent of Morrible's snuck into Red Windmill – that's the town at the base of Kiamo Ko – and abducted her. I gave chase but they managed to outpace me. I knew where they were going, and wouldn't let Morrible harm her in anyway." Elphaba replied. Mako raised an eyebrow.

"You think she would?"

"I have a dead sister, don't I?" spat Elphaba. Mako dipped his head in acknowledgement.

"Your point is well made. So, you sped to the City. How did you get inside?"

"Some old Resistance members snuck me in. Unfortunately we were spotted and the barge we came in on was blown up as a distraction."

"Ah, I see. And then what?"

"Well, I made my way towards the Palace. I took a break at one point to sleep and avoid the riots, but other than that tried to figure out a way in."

"Not a planner, are you?" Mako asked with a slight smile. Elphaba shrugged.

"Not particularly. I do great things on the fly."

"As we can attest. Anyway, so you marched towards the Palace. How did you encounter Morrible?"

"Ran into her in the Palace courtyard. Apparently summoning a thunderstorm caught her attention."

"As it did the rest of ours. You fought Morrible?"

"Morrible and her adept, yes."

"By yourself?"

"At first. However, Glinda intervened at a crucial point and helped turn the tide."

"I see. You may step down, Miss Elphaba, as we know the rest of the story."

Elphaba nodded and went back to her chair. Judge Mako's eyes swept over the crowd.

"Is there anything else either the defense or the prosecution would like to add?" Mako asked. There was silence. "As that it is the case, the court will reconvene in one hour with the verdict and possible sentencing."

The Judge banged his scepter of authority, and the crowd steadily broke up.

As the black robed judge strode back up the aisle, Glinda grudgingly stood by her seat. She had wanted to comfort Elphaba in between but had been held up by questions and official business. As such she had not even got a chance to talk to the green woman. Judge Ephias Mako mounted his podium and sat.

"Please sit." Mako said. He looked down at the notes on his desk. There was a long pause, and then another. Judge Mako still was looking down, focusing on the notes. As time stretched on the crowd began to shift. Finally, the ice eyed judge looked up.

"The Ozian Exemplar Court was tasked with discovering if Elphaba Thropp, so called Wicked Witch of the West, was guilty of treason against the state of Oz. After all the testimony, the Court has reached its decision. Will the defendant please stand." He intoned emotionlessly. Elphaba and Hortimer stood.

"In the charge of whether the Wicked Witch of the West committed treason, documents submitted to the Court in various briefs have proven irrevocably that she has. Her sentence is death." He continued, never changing tone.

There was dead silence across the crowd. Internally, Elphaba crumpled as if punched. Her face and posture betrayed nothing, however, as years of withstanding verbal abused took over. Glinda, on the other hand, felt her knees go weak. She reached over to steady herself against one of the Palace Guard. Fiyero, positioned just behind Elphaba, narrowed his eyes as options began to run through his head.

"However, that was not the sole responsibility of this Court." Mako interjected and a low buzz started across the crowd. "The Court was also charged, in the process of discovery, to determine if Elphaba Thropp, Eminent Thropp of Munchkinland, is the Wicked Witch of the West."

The buzz across the crowd became louder. Elphaba slowly felt herself come back. She did not know where Mako was going, but he held her rapt attention. It was the same for Glinda. Mako banged his scepter once, a loud crack that silenced the crowd, before he continued.

"First, we determined if Miss Elphaba was a witch. As a witch was defined as a female magic user of any tradition, the answer was yes. She is a talented sorceress with formal training in the Shiz sorceric traditions. Second, was she of the West? Though during her years of activity she rarely stayed in one spot, she often operated around and in the Western portions of Oz. Therefore, yes. Now, was she wicked? Certain elements would point to yes: maiming of the Flying Monkeys, transforming several Ozian citizens' shape, kidnapping a child, assaulting Ozian officials and forces, freeing Ozian prisoners, and defying direct orders from Ozian officials."

"However, are these treasonous? Maiming of the Flying Monkeys is not; though considered Ozian property at the time, it would be at most vandalism. Transforming Ozians was both now seen to be for their benefit and, even if not it, would be battery. Child kidnapping also is not a treasonous crime."

"Assaulting Ozian forces, freeing Ozian prisoners, and defying rightful authority could be construed as treasonous. However, any activity she took prior to the events of the last year were absolved in the first rule of Throne Minister Glinda, when she pardoned political and Animal activists after overturning the Animal Laws. Therefore, those actions cannot under law be considered for treason."

"Now, for the events of the past year: Miss Elphaba did not at any time act out against rightful Ozian authority. She did not strike or hinder any Ozian forces. When she did resist Ozian authority, it was under the unlawful rule of Mordrea Morrible, and therefore cannot be considered treasonous. Therefore, Miss Elphaba Thropp, Eminent Thropp of Munchkinland, did not commit any treasonous activities and is not guilty of treason."

"Finally, as the Wicked Witch of the West was stripped of Ozian citizenship, she would not be considered under Miss Glinda's pardon. However, all evidence pointing to Miss Elphaba Thropp being the Wicked Witch of the West is circumstantial. Therefore, Miss Elphaba Thropp, Eminent Thropp of Munchkinland, is also ruled not guilty of being the Wicked Witch of the West."

"The Wicked Witch of the West's sentence for treason is death; this sentence has already been deemed to have been carried out. Therefore, no other entity will be legally able to be tried as the Wicked Witch of the West in the future. Miss Elphaba Thropp, Eminent Thropp of Munchkinland, is free to go as she is ruled innocent of the charges against her." Mako finished strongly, and slammed his scepter.

There was an explosion of noise as the crowd reacted to the verdict. Some cheered, some jeered, and some just babbled. Glinda let out a huge sigh of relief and began to try to push forward to Elphaba's side. Her guards attempted to clear the way, but it was slow going as the crowd milled about.

"You did it, Fae!" Glinda heard as she neared the front. She tried to push faster, her heart beating in panic.

The crowd seemed to part just enough for Glinda to get a view of the front. Fiyero had picked up Elphaba by the waist and spun her around. They were both laughing in exhilaration. As Elphaba's feet hit the ground, Fiyero pulled her close and kissed her. Elphaba tensed for a moment, but relaxed into the kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Glinda stopped in her tracks. Her guards, seeing her sudden hesitation, stopped with her.

"Throne Minister?" one asked gently. He did not know what the expression on Glinda's face meant but it shook him to see her so vulnerable.

"Back to the Palace." Glinda managed to whisper. The guard attempted to catch her eyes, but Glinda seemed to gaze distantly ahead. He did not like it, but he did not have to.

"Back to the Palace, men." He managed to say confidently. He did not know how.

Glinda turned and began absent mindedly following in her guards wake. At one point a forgotten chair had fallen in her path and she robotically side stepped it. This brought her into contact with another, black clad body. As she rebounded she managed to mumble an apology.

"Easy there." The stern voice of Mako answered, putting a hand on her shoulder. "Straight on and you'll be fine."

Glinda nodded. As she did so caught sight of something. Had she been looking at his face she would have missed it. The object had only revealed itself for the briefest of moments as Mako's hand slid out of its black cover, and disappeared back under. Glinda's numb mind took several long seconds to register the object before she could place it. When she finally did, she inhaled sharply. A red stone atop a grey ring.

Her head whipped up, scanning the crowd. At her height she quickly lost Judge Mako as she could only see the shoulders and chests of the crowd. She turned to the nearest guard.

"Ephias Mako, where did he go?" she asked quickly. He looked stunned.

"The judge, My Lady? He went that way after shedding his robe." The man said and pointed. Glinda maneuvered herself until she saw him easily moving across the courtyard in a plain grey jacket and trousers. Glinda cursed.

"Go back to the Palace." Glinda told them urgently as she began to follow Mako. "I'll meet you there."

"But My Lady!" one began to protest.

"Now!" Glinda cut him off. The group stood there as they watched their charge shimmer and take the form of a more common person. They blinked, but then had lost her in the crowd.

Glinda had used a simple glamor spell to make her appear plain. Her shoes clacked off the cobblestones as she rushed to catch up to Mako. He had just turned down an alley and she hoped he had not sensed someone following him. The chase also allowed Glinda to push the unpleasant thoughts out of her mind for another time.

Glinda moved as fast as he heels allowed her to get to the alley. A long minute had passed, and Glinda was certain that Mako would have disappeared into some other turn or door. To her surprise, he was standing at the far end, conversing with someone just out of sight.

"-the things they did to her! It was atrocious! My only regret is that I could not pull the truth from Morrible herself." He growled. Glinda slowed and tried to turn back, but an unfamiliar voice caught her attention.

"It seems we have a guest, Ephias. We'll continue the conversation another time." Glinda heard. There was something else, too, but too low for Glinda to make out. She tried to appear nonchalant, but Ephias turned towards her.

"No need to skulk at the entrances to alleys, My Lady. I am well aware of who you are." His stern voice came down to her. Glinda summoned her anger (fueled by hurt), and stalked down the alley.

"You were in on it." She hissed. Mako stared at her impassively.

"On what?"

"You rigged this trial with Duran!"

"I did no such thing. No one can 'rig' a trial in Exemplar Court; the truth spell prohibits it. As long as the jurists ask the right questions, the Court hears everything."

"Except the other judge wouldn't have let those questions being asked. He was an Administration lackey."

"While I'd like to take umbrage for my colleague at that remark, it is too accurate to do so."

"So you, or Duran, made him sick, and then you took over."

"I would never do that, My Lady." Mako replied, giving her a stern stare. "I would never pollute the justice system so. I will go testify to that under a truth spell right now if you wish. The position came to me because I was the only other judge still in the Emerald City; all others have fled."

"And why didn't you?"

Mako smiled tightly.

"I was originally an arbitrator; an enforcer of the law on the street. My area was the slums of the City. After becoming a judge I still walked my old beat, and set up street courts. A little rioting is not going to scare me. It just makes things exciting."

"You claim to not pervert justice, but today Duran lied on the stand. How could he do that without your help?" Glinda shot back. For the first time Mako seemed startled.

"What? That's impossible. You must be mistaken."

"I'm not. Duran never took us to Wittica; that was an associate of his."

"Are you certain?"

"I'd testify under the truth spell if necessary."

"Damn." Mako replied and closed his eyes. Tipping his head back, the judge was silent. After a long minute, he finally spoke. "That changes nothing. While his circumvention of the spell is troublesome, there is no way to legally prove he did so. As such, the ruling stands and cannot be overturned."

"And how did you end up in Duran's service?" Glinda asked, suddenly curious.

"Fifteen years ago when I was that street judge, I caught a young nobleman raping a local girl. A man came up to me and asked if I would let him go in exchange for a promise of support to move up in the ranks. I refused. The man said that convicting one boy who would earn me the amenity of all nobles was foolish, and to wait until I could make a bigger impact. I refused again, and threatened to sentence him with bribing a judge. He smiled and left."

"Why didn't you take the offer?" Glinda asked. Mako eyes turned hard.

"There are no promises of the future. If you let evil escape this day, there is no promise you'll be able to make it up tomorrow. Or even if numbers matter when it comes to right and wrong. I also knew the type of man that would let someone go once would do it again, and eventually there would never be a time when what was right took precedent over what was prudent."

"I see."

"So, the next day a man came with the same offer. I refused again and convicted him of attempting to bribe a judge. I thought he was just a different lackey of the boy's parents. After sentencing the boy, the first man came back. Told me I had his support no matter what since I was a good man. From then on I moved up the ranks swiftly. Whenever someone would try to enact reprisals, they were quickly squashed. The slums started to think of me as the personification of justice herself."

"But when did you get the ring?"

"When I got promoted out of the arbitrators and into the higher courts. That night Duran came to me, and I asked him what I could do to repay him."

"And he told you to take it and always be ready."

"Yes. I know there are some more around the City, but you've obviously met more than myself."

"I've met quite a few of his agents, yes. Judge Mako, how long ago did you meet Duran?"

"Just over fifteen years now."

"So long? But he's so young." Glinda exclaimed. Mako nodded.

"Duran is a lucky individual where he is often mistaken for younger than he looks. In those fifteen years, he hasn't aged since I've seen him."

"But-"

A loud crash echoed behind them. Both turned to see people running amid new shouts. The pair waited for a moment, hoping for an isolated incident. However, the din grew louder as more citizens of the Emerald City began to join in. Ephias Mako turned to look at the Throne Minister of the Emerald City, and was shocked by the twisted grimace on her face.

"Can't they just ever stop?" asked Glinda, voice dripping in disdain. She looked at Mako in time to see him shrug.

"The citizens feel the only way they are heard is through violence. It has slowly grown over the years to become almost a festival of sorts, remembered fondly and looked forward to." he replied. Glinda noticed a large club had appeared in his left hand.

"I don't understand why. Why not just be at peace?"

"They could, if they loved their ruler as much as the ruler loved them. Otherwise, a rough hand is needed. Come, I'll escort you to the Palace. The Palace Guard and Home Guard will be deploying soon enough. If they worry for your safety they will be even rougher with the citizens."

"No." Glinda replied coldly. Her face became a mask of impartiality, and eyes ice. In all, she reflected Mako nicely. "I'll be out in front this time to make sure this is handled correctly."

"You are a good ruler, My Lady." Mako said sincerely. "The people have grown to depend on your firm but gentle hand."

"But how I hate them for it." Glinda sneered.