The Wicked Witch of the East: Evanora's Return
[Part 2]
CHAPTER 12: ALLY
-Emerald City-
*~ Evanora ~*
Your daughter is alive.
The words play in her head over and over again, in every quiet moment, in every dream. Glinda hadn't said more, only left her with the revelation. At least, Evanora cannot recall hearing any more on the matter until Locasta sat before her the day following Glinda's visit, with a half frown and the blunt straightforwardness of one who dislikes beating around the bush.
She asked after Glinda's carelessness and Evanora returned the question with inquires about her baby, receiving no response aside from the fact that her child - has it truly been six years? - is no longer in Zurline's custody.
No more information was given, no matter how many times she asked. Locasta's point clear: Prisoners answer to their warden and are rewarded for good behaviour.
So, this morning when Glinda and Locasta both appeared, Evanora asked what they wanted to know, co-operating to the best of her ability in the hopes of gaining just a crumb more of her their knowledge about her little girl. She has yet to see any success.
Looking considerate, Glinda asks, "How many of their number is untrained?"
"The majority," she answers cautiously, thinking back on what she witnessed. "However, they have been empowered with faerie artefacts. At least one of which allows for enhanced power and another continuous healing."
"We've already encountered something of it's like," Locasta waves off, "but I find it difficult to believe that they were entrusted with so many as to fit their entire army. Even if she is possessed of that many tools, Zurline would not risk losing them."
"Indeed not. She keeps the most of them sealed in a room, only loaning them out to her followers when she deems the time right, and only ever one or two at a time."
Glinda frowns. "Did you learn that from a wicked witch?"
She immediately thinks back on the golden cap and the staff of flames, of the encounters she has had over the last year and the years before that. She summarises instead of explaining it all, feeling it too dangerous to share. They would draw from the stories the extent of her weakness, gain more leverage than they already possess. For the sake of her survival, she cannot allow them to know the true depth her desperation.
"Observation. The silver whistle is one, though Theodora has it now. It was meant to be a gift of faith, I believe, to sway her to Zurline's side, though so far my sister appears to be idling her time away strengthening the walls of the old fortress. It could be a sign that she is preparing for war in her own right, or perhaps she intends to first enforce her rule over the West before charging on Emerald City. I do not know. I have not known her mind for some time now."
Though she raised her, has known her for all of her life, the king's death is the point after which everything changed. Subtle at first, or perhaps she only perceived them so because of how occupied she became, no longer having the time to share with Theodora attention and conversation as they once did on the regular.
It may have been happening even before that, come to think of it.
Her marriage did not draw a rift, Glinda - bless her - kept Theodora in good company when Evanora could not, but the war and her pregnancy… Well. Her sister had started shying away from her quite the while before the Wizard's arrival, both in mind and in heart. After consuming the apple, Evanora understands her thoughts even less.
If that is any example of her ability, then she has failed as a parent twice now.
"What others do you know of? What must we defend against?"
"The golden cap, the staff of flames, a pearl that produces water of oblivion, a faerie wand, a stone of enhancement, the chalice of life and others of which I have heard rumours, though on which I have no concrete information." She thinks to stop, but elaborates after a breath, hoping to win approval. "There are whispers of a heart-shaped clock that might stop time for a minute every hour, others of a crown that turns cowardice to courage and further more of a medal to promote wit and quick thinking."
Glinda stares at her with wide, distraught eyes, but Locasta only nods, her thoughts already spiralling ahead. "That matches with what I have heard as well. It would be in our best interest to remove what we can from her arsenal as swiftly as possible."
"Capturing the artefacts for yourselves could prove useful against her followers, but would be moot against Zurline herself." She warns. "She has many safeguards, no doubt ones against faerie magic as well."
"How are we ever to defeat a woman like that?"
"Every witch has a weakness. She is no different." The darkness in her gaze speaks Locasta's mind, but Evanora will not betray what little trust she has by blathering on in front of Glinda.
"That is our work then," Glinda sighs, displeased. "Thank you for the information. Knowing this gives us some protection at least. We know more or less what to expect." She inclines her head and rises from the bed, eyes falling on Locasta. "We should convene with the Wizard."
Evanora pushes down the urge to ask after her daughter, though only barely manages to catch herself reaching out to hold either witch back. She needs to be patient. Locasta is purposely baiting her. Glinda may have given away their leverage early, but it certainly does nothing to even the playing field.
Like always, Evanora is playing a game rigged against her, her only salvation being the fortunate fall of the die and the mercy of those playing her.
-Emerald City-
*~ Locasta ~*
She has no doubt that Glinda would eagerly chatter away about their findings if not for Locasta's obvious dark mood. It really isn't the young queen's fault, it isn't even blame that can be lain at Evanora's feet, rather it's the frustration of gaining ground only to realise that you're still several steps behind.
Zurline is playing with them. The wicked witches are simply puppets, disposable dolls to be thrown out into the field whenever boredom strikes. There is no true expectations for successs, she doesn't need to succeed after all, only distract them long enough to keep from unravelling any truths about her true plans.
"How'd it go?" the Wizard asks as cheerful as a blooming morning daisy. She shoots him a look and he withers under her gaze, wincing further with each passing second. "That bad, huh?"
"Evanora was helpful," Glinda defends, rubbing her temples. "The news on the other hand is cause for concern."
"How so?"
"Our enemy wields artefacts that can prove dangerous," Locasta huffs, settling down in an office chair across from his desk, "and there are many of them."
"Sh-" Glinda raises a brow and the wizard's voice contorts, stretching, "sh-show-stopping monkeys?"
She snorts. The man is trained like a domesticated dog.
"Anyway." Clearing his throat, he takes his time to look at both of them, expression serious. "That leaves us with one last thing to discuss. Firefly."
Glinda sighs. "She has a right to know her family. Both sides. As for how Evanora will react? Well…"
"Tell the girl."
"What?" They both turn to her in surprise, wide-eyed.
"Evanora will not hurt her." This she knows as well as she can feel the magic in her veins. The Emerald Witch may be playing to their mercy, but her intentions are clear as day. "She isn't perfect, but she won't hurt her."
"I agree."
With a sigh and nod, the wizard acknowledges their wisdom, calling a servant to bring Firefly to them.
-Emerald City-
*~ Firefly ~*
She arrives at the Wizard's office to find Miss Casta and Glinda there too, the three of them seeming to have been talking quietly among themselves. She feels like she's interrupting something important and wants to say she'll come back later, but Miss Casta motions her over before she can get a word out.
She hesitantly takes her seat, feeling shier now that everyone is looking at her. She fidgets under their eyes, pulling at her sleeves and wishing that she brought Mr Bear to keep her company.
"There's no need to be nervous, my dear. You aren't in any trouble." Miss Glinda assures her with a kind smile. "In fact, we have something to tell you and have a question too, if you'll hear us out?"
Firefly glances between the three, eventually settling on Miss Casta who seems to sense what she wants to ask because she smiles, smoothing back Firefly's hair gently. "You can leave if whenever you want and not a single person here will force you to do anything you do not desire."
"Okay then. What is it that you want to tell me?"
Miss Glinda starts them off. "Finley mentioned that you felt a bit upset a while back and wanted to know more about your mother. If you still feel that way, we might have an idea that could help you understand her more."
"Like Locasta said, nothing is mandatory." Mister Wizard quickly assures. "Whether or not you want to do this is entirely up to you."
Miss Casta, seeing her confusion probably, takes Firefly's hand. "Recently, Emerald City has welcomed a new guest. She used to live here and is acquainted with many of the people in the city, but because of who she is there are several of them who are quite upset with her right now, so we've kept her stay here a secret."
Nervousness returns and Firefly wants to squirm in her seat, but she holds herself still instead, forcing herself to be still. "Does she know something about my mother?"
"Firefly, dear," Miss Glinda looks a little sad even though she's smiling. Firefly isn't sure what to make of that. "Our guest? She doesn't only know something about your mother, she is your mother."
"W-What?"
"Evanora is in Emerald City." The Wizard says softly, but it feels loud in Firefly's ears. "And, if you want to, you can meet her."
She's stunned silent, too shocked to react. Her mind rushes with thoughts, her chest feeling tighter with every breath. She wanted to meet her mother and now she has the chance. It's much-much, sooner than she expected. It hasn't even been that long ago that she was still staying with Mombi, thinking herself a boy and now she's here, in Emerald City, and her birth mother is waiting somewhere.
What if her mother doesn't like her? Or what if Firefly doesn't like Evanora? What if she really is just a wicked witch like everyone says? What if she isn't?
"I…"
"You needn't give us your answer now," Miss Casta promises, squeezing her hand, "take your time to think it over."
"No, I… I want to meet her."
The adults look at each other until Mister Wizard nods to Miss Glinda, both of them turning to look at Miss Casta. "Locasta will take you and if you want her to, she can stay with you the whole time."
"Okay."
Miss Casta takes her to a part of the castle that has more guards than most of the other floors, but the door they end up stopping in front of looks so ordinary that Firefly feels almost disappointed. She's about to meet her mother, the Wicked Witch with capital letters! Shouldn't there be more fanfare? Something to show that this isn't an ordinary room? That something important is about to happen?
Miss Casta knocks once, then opens the door and steps inside. Firefly stays rooted to her spot, unable to bring herself to go in. Instead she peeks around the doorframe to Miss Casta sweeping across the floor in her elegant dress. She sits down in a chair by a bed, but Firefly can't see the person who is lying under the blankets. Not from her angle.
Drawing a deep breath and summoning all her courage, she takes a step into the room. Then another and another until she's walking. Once she can see the bed more clearly, she stops, her breath catching in her throat as she gets her first glance at her mother.
The woman from her dreams.
Dark brown hair hangs loosely over her shoulders. Her face is clear of make-up and Firefly can make out a familiar set of cheekbones and brown eyes she is sure she has seen somewhere in a dream before.
The woman in the bed, her mother, is looking at Miss Casta, listening. Then, almost like she can feel Firefly observing her, her head turns, her eyes finding Firefly halfway between the bed and the door. They stare at each other, Firefly watching her mother's eyes widen in realisation and well with tears. She looks lost for words, shocked and happy and sad all at once.
With some nervousness still, Firefly closes the distance, stopping between Miss Casta and the bed. "H-Hello. I'm Firefly."
I initially intended for the reunion to be part of this chapter, but in the end the process of getting to this point took up most of it instead. So, the next chapter will be all about Firefly and Evanora having their long awaited reunion!
Until next time!
– L.L.