The small family continued on their journey to the Emerald City. They were very happy, talking about what their future will be. Soon, they came across two girls sitting by the roadside. One was a tall munchkin, the other was half Winkie, and both were dressed in silk green coats fastened in front with four buttons—the top one blue, the next yellow, a third red and the last purple. There was something military-like about their outfits, but what the Tigelaar-Thropps couldn't quite place.
Given how unusual the pair seemed, the family felt justified in staring at them. As they stared, they noticed how similar the girls were to Liir. The munchkin girl looked like Nessa and Boq, and the Winkie girl looked like Fiyero. It was so strange, that Tip and Liir stared for longer than they should.
While the boys stared, the girls looked upon them calmly. A lunch basket stood in-between them, and the girls ate its contents with an evident appetite that aroused Tip's sympathy.
Tip was just about to ask them who they were, the Winkie girl said, "It's impolite to stare you know."
"S-sorry!" The boys quickly said, and quickly rushed out explanations and excuses.
The girls laughed, then invited them to sit and join them. The boys thanked them and pulled put what little remained of their food. Tip had almost nothing, while Liir had some nuts and dried fruit. The girls offered them some of their sandwiches, which were gratefully accepted.
"Thank you very much for the sandwiches," said Tip, as he and his boyfriend ate their lunch. "May I ask your names?"
"I'm Nor Tigelaar." The Winkie girl answered, "And this is my cousin Clarinda."
"Those are interesting names." Jack replied.
"Thank you." Nor replied, "And what are yours?"
"I'm Jack Pumkinhead." Jack answered, "And this is my Saw-Horse."
"I don't have a name." The Saw-Horse answered, "But I would like one."
"Why didn't you say that before?" Tip asked.
"It never occurred to me before." The Saw-Horse answered.
"Fair enough." Liir replied, "How about Yero?"
Tip looked at him weird.
"Oo, I like it very much." The Saw-Horse answered, "I shall be Yero!"
"Yero..." Nor quietly said, "I think, my mom told me that was my dad's nickname."
"It is?" Asked Jack, "Why, that is Papa's father's nickname too."
Liir instantly grew nervous. Oh why did he let his pride take over?
"It is?" Nor asked.
"Yes." Then Jack turned to Liir, "Right Papa?"
"Yes." Liir answered while trying to conceal his nerves, "Must be a coincidence."
"You seem nervous." Nor noted.
"I'm not." Liir lied.
Nor looked at him with a comforting face, "It's alright." She placed a hand on his, "Fiyero Tigelaar was known for his affairs and party-boy life before going to Shiz."
Liir looked at her, unsure. She did look like him, even if they had different mothers. An idea came to him, no one had to know who Liir's mother was. They could just say she was a random woman.
"Indeed he was." Liir said at last. "He was a womanizer who danced through life. That's what my mom told me."
Nor slowly nodded her head. There was an understanding between them. "Brother?"
"Sister." Liir smiled.
As it turned out, Nor and Clarinda were also heading to the Emerald City, so they journeyed alongside Tip, Liir, Jack and Yero for about a mile. During that time, and while finishing their lunch, they regaled each other with tales of their childhoods.
"I was left on the doorstep of Nor's Aunt Milla and Uncle Yellowgage, who gladly took me in and raised me as one of their own." Clarinda told the boys, "I had a note on me, that said who I was and that my parents could no longer care for me."
"That's sad." Tip replied, "But also happy. For it seems you were treated well."
"Indeed I was." Clarinda answered, "I never once felt like I didn't belong. I was their child, and no one ever made me feel any different. When asked if I would like to find my birth parents, I said I didn't have the need, for Milla and Yellowgage are good parents and I couldn't imagine having anyone else."
"Well said." Tip replied, "I never knew my parents. I was raised by a wicked witch, who would beat me whenever she had the chance."
"How terrible!" Clarinda cried, feeling both pity for the boy and lucky for having such good guardians as her adoptive parents.
"Indeed. She even put a spell on me when I was five to slow down my aging." Tip added, "I was born before the time of the Great Wizard, but my body and mind are no older than Liir's."
The girls took the news in.
"And you don't think that makes you too old for him?" Nor asked.
"No." Tip answered, "I'm still a boy. At one point, people will think Liir is older than me, and people will ask the same of him about me."
Nor slowly nodded at this. When they got on the road, she asked her companions, "What do you think of Their Majesties The Scarecrow and Glinda the Good?"
"I have never met them." Jack replied, "But my fathers tell me they're good people."
"Indeed it seems so." Nor replied, "However, the Emerald City has been ruled by men long enough. True Madame Morrible held considerable power, and Glinda the Good holds equal power as The Scarecrow, but Morrible was hardly one for equality, and Her Goodness must also rule over the Uplands. Her time is considerably spilt."
"I never knew that." Yero replied.
"There was never a reason to bring it up." Liir, who knew better than to bring up his relation to Oz's rulers, answered.
"Moreover," Nor continued, "the City glitters with beautiful gems, which might far better be used for rings, bracelets and necklaces; and there is enough money in the King's treasury to buy every girl in Oz at least half a dozen new gowns. It seems the only girls who benefit are the rich and well connected."
"I didn't know that." Jack answered.
"Neither did I." Tip replied.
"How did you come across this information?" Liir asked her.
"Others who are also displeased with how Oz has been run." Nor answered as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"Are you going to petition the rulers?" Tip asked.
A somewhat sinister smirk appeared on the girls faces.
"You could say that." Nor answered ominously, sending a shiver down Liir's spine.
"Are you alright?" Tip asked him.
"Why do I get the feeling a revolt's going to happen?" Liir asked no one in particular.
"Because you are a sorcerer Papa." Jack answered.
"A sorcerer?" Clarinda and Nor asked in unison.
"Yes, I get it from my mother." Liir quickly answered, "She taught me."
"My mother's a sorceress." Clarinda replied, "At least, that's what the note said. I believe her name was Nessarose."
"Nessarose? That's the name of my mom's sister." Liir replied, "She too was a sorceress."
"What a coincidence!" Clarinda giddily replied, "Perhaps they were the same person."
"Well you do look alike." Nor noted, "Perhaps they were."
"This is exciting!" Clarinda squealed, "More family members and a brand new Oz! What could be better?"
"Brand new Oz?" Tip asked.
"I said too much didn't I?" Clarinda asked.
"Perhaps." Nor answered in a tone that said definitely.
Tip and Liir grew uncomfortable. Suddenly, Liir got a Vision.