Disclaimer, you know.
As the hour struck six in the morning the group had already gotten up, eaten, and had packed up the tent. And had introduced Jenny and Jessica to Finley and Terrance. By half passed six they were on their way again.
"Terrance, did the jester even know you ran off?" Dorothy asked not even turning back to look at him.
"No, I don't even think he knows about me in the first place, either that or he's too busy looking for you." Terrance said.
"Miss Dorothy, if I might ask, why are we heading to munchkin land?" Finley asked curiously,
"Because, it's where this mess began." Dorothy said.
"Well then, if we keep up this pace we should reach munchkin city in an hour or two." Terrance replied.
"So, Terrance, what's it like being a soldier?" Jenny asked curiously.
"Stressful, and the fact that I lost my Alyssa to the jester it's even worse." Terrance replied.
At that point it fell silent. Soon it began to pour again. The sounds of screeching monkeys filled the air.
Meanwhile back at the castle.
The jester had spent most of his time that night capturing citizens from the city and turning them into puppets to create his army. The Nomes at this point had all fled the city and had set up a perimeter around the outskirts. Every now and a again one would be picked up by a flying monkey and dropped again for the amusement of the jester since the Nomes could not be hurt by any conventional means as far as he could see. Now he entered into the room where he was keeping Mr. And Mrs. Gale as well as the triplets.
"You really think your niece can stop me?" the jester asked walking into the room.
"We all believe in her." Em said.
"And you think that will keep her safe?" he asked.
"Why does it matter to you?" Em asked
"Because, once I destroy her your protection will be completely gone." He replied.
"Then what will be left for you?" Henry asked.
"I will finally be able to take Oz, something my wicked sisters could never do." The jester said before walking out of the room.
"Em, I think this might be more than Dorothy can handle." Henry said
"Me too henry, but we must believe she can do it." Em said.
"Momma?" the triplets asked in unison.
"Yes my babies?" Em asked curiously.
"Who was that?" they asked.
"That's the jester, he's a really wicked man who wants to destroy Dorothy." Em said.
"Why?" Alicia asked curiously.
"It's a long story." Em said.
Meanwhile in the chambers the jester was plotting what he would do next. Would he send out the dragon? He had to decide. He continuously checked on several of the towns in Oz to make sure Dorothy didn't show up there because when she did, he would find her.
Meanwhile back in the forest.
The group walked in complete silence for about an hour before Terrance ran ahead of Dorothy and stopped her.
"We should hit the munchkin city soon, is there any plan for what you're going to do when we get there?" Terrance asked curiously.
"No, but if were not careful we'll be captured." Dorothy replied.
"We all know that dear." Alex said walking up to her.
"Alex please be quiet, let's just keep going." Dorothy said pushing passed them and running ahead.
"Dorothy, quick question, couldn't you use the ruby slippers to get there faster?" Emma asked curiously.
"No Emma that would be taking a risk of the jester finding us." Dorothy said
"How?" They all asked in unison.
"He'd find a way, trust me." Dorothy said stopping and handing the basket to Alex.
"Well, I'd suggest that you use the scepter to fly ahead, but then you'd be out of range of us and become findable again." Alex said.
Dorothy stared at Alex for a moment. She then sighed and looked at the orb on the scepter. It was now glowing extremely bright even in the pouring rain. She then started back on the way again and they traveled in silence once more. This went on for fifteen more minutes before the rain lightened up and the munchkin city came into view. And about twenty minutes later they reached the edge of the city. It was in a sorry state. Houses had boarded up windows and door pulled off their hinges. They walked along into the city.
"This place used to be so beautiful." Dorothy said looking around
"I know, I've seen this place before." Terrance said.
"Dorothy gale?" Came the voice of the mayor as he poked his head out of his house.
"Mr. Mayor?" Dorothy said turning to him.
"Dorothy gale, you wouldn't believe how happy I am to see you." The mayor said coming out of the house.
The house was in a better state than all the other houses in the land which rather surprised Dorothy. It was also larger than all the houses in the town. The mayor acknowledged Dorothy's curiosity and invited them all inside just as it started pouring again. The house was larger on the inside and everything seemed to have a step stool next to it. There were many munchkin families crowded into the rooms.
"It was the only way that I could think to keep my citizens safe, the monkeys and the jester cannot enter here, thanks to the sorcery of a kind witch." The mayor said.
"A witch?" Alex asked curiously.
"indeed." The mayor said.
"Can I meet this witch?" Dorothy said.
"Indeed child, you may." Came the voice of an old women.
Terrance immediately bowed as the old women entered the room she was half shorted than Mr. Foreman and was walking with a bit of a hunch. The women had blue hair with white streaks tied up in a bun. Her face was old and wrinkled but kind looking at the same. She was wearing a black cloak with a hood and leaning on a large twisted wooden staff.
"Lady Cassandra!? But Locasta said you had retired." Terrance said.
"Indeed, I did retire, and now I have come out of retirement and retreated from mount munch, I returned to the munchkin city when the dark clouds formed over the land." Cassandra said.
"Then you can go up against the jester?" Jenny asked curiously.
"I cannot, I am too old now, if there were a spell powerful enough to restore my youth and turn back the sands of time I could try, but in the end it must be up to the girl." the witch said.
Dorothy sighed and turned away from the women. She then took the basket from Alex and took Toto and pockets out.
"I can't, I just can't, he's done so much damage already, and he's already got my aunt and uncle, as well as…" Dorothy said before the witched hobbled over and cut her off.
"Your cousins, he also has your friends cousin's as well as others." Cassandra said.
"And they've all been trapped because of me" Dorothy said.
Cassandra opened her mouth to reply but was interrupted by a loud screeching roar. The ground then shook and the sound of buildings being destroyed was heard.
"Dorothy gale, I know your there, come out, come out where ever you are, and get yourself capture by my pet." Came the jester's booming voice
Well how's that for a cliffhanger? Who is this Lady Cassandra that I have introduced? I mean she seems to know Locasta as indicated by Terrance. Is she really a friend or is she not to be trusted? What has the jester sent to munchkin land in order to capture Dorothy? Find out in the next chapter.