The Wicked Witch of the East: Evanora's Return
[Part 2]
CHAPTER 10: EMERALD WITCH
-Emerald City-
*~ Oscar ~*
Ordinarily, Oz might have something to say about being needlessly awake before the sun, but considering the night the girls had and the following sudden assault on Emerald City, he's willing to forgive whatever celestial being has been preventing him from going to sleep.
As soon as they realized what was happening, Glinda and Locasta had set off to face their wicked counterparts, leaving Oz and the TInkers to direct the Wizard's counterattack while Finley keeps an eye on Firefly and China Doll.
It's hardly the first attack they've had to contend with, but something about this encounter feels different from the rest. He can't quite put his finger on it, but there's a definite change in the atmosphere. He can only hope that it's for the better.
His hopes, aside, the truth is a mess on it's own.
Knuck's Munchkin team reports back sporadically. The first time with news on Locasta's end – two witches having fallen victim to their own curses, the next set soon to follow. The second report comes an hour later from the evacuation team's side, confirming that the majority of the outer city has been cleared. By eight, news arrives about Glinda's fight and her victory over her own opponents after hours of being locked in magical battle.
Unfortunately, for every wicked witch they defeat, another seems to rise in her place, despite the initial accounts mentioning only six. At this stage, their numbers have gone up to thirteen with a potential for more hidden away.
For the most part, they've been able to avoid any casualties, but damage reports keep stacking and he dreads the administrative disaster that's going to be when this calms down and he has to begin his preparations and clearances for repairs.
He feels somewhat embarrassed for doubting the good witches' ultimate success. Granted, the way things stood in the last report did make matters seem dire, but now with that resolved, Oz is better able to focus on his own part as king. The people will need reassurance after this and though that is ordinarily Glinda's prerogative, he will have to address them before she does considering the length of the battle and the amount of exhaustion that has no doubt resulted from it.
There are still enemies to be apprehended, but with the worst of the witches now dealt with, the guards should be able to have an easier time of protecting civilians and assisting in arrests. Another matter for Oz to consider: he will have to decide on the fate of the captured witches. A trial will be needed, perhaps, but with so many eyewitnesses it seems unnecessary. Still, foregoing it will only return the people's minds to Theodora's unjust imprisonments and attempted executions.
Although tedious in its process, a trial may be for the best in the long run, to show that the current seat of Emerald City is held by those who would pass fair judgment rather than act out of self-interest and disregard for any counsel.
Speaking of which, he should run some of these documents by Glinda. He has the impression he may have made a disaster of half of them.
-Emerald City-
*~ Locasta ~*
The matter of defeated enemies rising back into the fray is at first confusing, then simply frustrating. Both are solved of course, the instant Locasta discovers the witch hiding in one of the turrets of the outer wall with a cleansing artefact.
The object in question bears some familiarity, but she doesn't stop to examine it, rather turning her focus on the remainder of opponents in this onslaught upon the city. A number still remains, though she imagines Glinda is faring better now that their strength has been crippled. It does bring up the question whether it is the only artefact they have had in use as well as the means of acquirement.
Is this another of Zurline's schemes? A distraction for something else, perhaps? But then, for what? There is nothing she has to gain by drawing out Locasta and Glinda, unless of course her goal is leading the former princess to her demise. No. Something is amiss and whatever the fairy-witch has in mind is not as obvious as Locasta would like.
Property damage on the other hand is apparent.
She does not envy the Wizard the administration and cost maneuvering involved in resolving the matter of repairs. It was difficult enough in the North, where she could just sweep an eye over the Gillikin king's documents as an aide without having to sit through the meetings and tax discussion.
Shaking the thought from her mind, she transports herself out of the way of a blast which bursts through the face of the building she had been standing in front of. She raises a brow at its following collapse.
"Best of luck, Wizard."
-Emerald City-
*~ Glinda ~*
With the remaining witches scattered, Glinda follows a remnant group into the Eastern Woods, hoping to learn more about their goal in attacking the city. She chases them almost as far as Fiddlestick Forest before finally stopping, not willing to risk a surprise confrontation should she wander deeper into Munchkin Country.
She makes her way to the river, intending for it to lead her back, but stops at its bank with the odd sensation that returning in the immediate would be folly. Turning in the direction of Stone Mountain, she considers her options.
To continue further east would be incredibly dangerous. A northern trek would bring her to the Yellow Brick Road and eventually Shutter Town, but crossing that much ground will not only take time, it would invite trouble. Emerald City lies to the west, with Bear Mountain and Wogglebug College to the south.
Returning to her own territory and then to the city would certainly be safer than trespassing on another Cardinal's lands, especially with the coven in its current state.
Yet.
The sense that she is missing something persists.
Against her better judgment, Glinda turns northward, extending her senses around her in the event of a trap. There are a few instances where she has to duck behind a tree, but somehow, she manages to go unnoticed.
Perhaps a half hour later, she breaks out of the forest and back onto the path. The sun is high and its heat persistent, having vaporized any cloud that might provide some shade. She crosses over the Yellow Brick Road, foregoing following it back to the Emerald City's eastern gate in favor of continuing on into the cover of the north-west forest.
She wanders, still unsure what called her here, but finally having some sense of where to look for answers encourages her to continue her cautious search.
-Emerald City-
*~ Locasta ~*
"What do you mean 'Glinda isn't back yet?'" Locasta demands with growing concern.
"Precisely that, Ma'am."
"Lady Glinda ordered us to clear the debris and tend to the people, Ma'am, said she was going to go after the last of the witches, but she hasn't returned."
"We saw her last almost an hour ago, now."
The guards have set up a make-shift infirmary outside the palace, tending to their injured as well as bringing any civilians along to be checked over by the healers. By all rights, Glinda should be leading the effort.
"Where?"
One of the guards, the least injured of the three, stands taller. "To the east, near the outer wall, my lady. It's possible she pursued the wicked witches into the Munchkins' lands."
Instinctively, Locasta turns in the mentioned direction, dread slowly rising in the back of her mind. East. Zurline has control of the East.
-Emerald City-
*~ Glinda ~*
She's just given up and mentally orientating herself with her surroundings when the stone in her wand begins to glow. Startled, Glinda stares at it dumbfounded, wondering what in the world could have triggered it to react. Then, pulling herself together, she uses the stone to guide her, noting the change in the strength of its glow with every alteration in direction.
It takes her further north, leaving her in a north north-western point from where she began. There isn't anything particularly fascinating about the clearing she comes across, save perhaps traces of a recent magical bout. It uneases her, but the lingering feel of it seems dull enough to indicate that it's been a while since the fight came to an end.
She wonders if she hadn't accidentally caused it by sending those witches retreating to the East, but then who would they have met along the way? More often than not the Munchkins prefer their farmlands further inland. Besides, the last Munchkin wizard died several years ago and few are born with aptitude for magic regardless.
Glinda has to veer somewhat in the direction of Jinjur before she finds the first signs of recent activity: footprints, broken branches, a trail of drying blood.
Disturbed, she pushes on.
Just as the glow of her wand reaches its peak, it abruptly cuts off, silent and unassuming once more. At first, she considers the possibility of interference, but a loud, short rustling pulls her attention to her left. Wand at the ready, Glinda approaches, pushing through the underbrush slowly.
She senses it then, a strong magic, thick in the air and a distant visual on a humanoid shape slowly comes into focus. Whoever it is doesn't notice her, occupied by whatever has caught their attention at the base of the tree they're leaning against.
Approaching slowly, she realises the person is a woman, a witch, most likely, and readies her wand against a possible attack. What happens instead is something Glinda doesn't expect.
The woman collapses, a smear of blood staining the side of the tree in her descend.
All thought of battle forgotten, Glinda hurries over to the woman's side, concern overtaking trepidation and whatever else she pushes aside. Seeking out a pulse, she finds a faint beating in the woman's wrist and prepares to turn her onto her back, halting hallway through the process due to a sudden onslaught of ice cold shock.
"No…"
Before Glinda's eyes, battered, bloody and bruised, is Evanora.
Ta-da! Surprise! Also, apologies for the delay.
Farewell, until next time.
– L.L.
