"It is a pleasure to meet you." Glinda said to the man sitting across from her.
"It is a pleasure to meet you as well." Andre de Phillipe replied. "I never thought I would get the honor."
"You flatter me so."
"When one is monikered 'The Good', I don't think it is flattery."
Glinda smiled. His wordplay and charm were very like the other swordsman and woman she knew. In fact, when Wynne had appeared with the man in tow, she had seen double.
Like Wynne, he had a cavalier style outfit; though his was much more garish. His wide brimmed hat had a long green feather in it. His half cape was red and gold, while his doublet was blue and gold with a shirt of blue slashed cloth to reveal the green underneath and black gloves. Around his waist there was a belt to hold his rapier, but also scarves of blue, green, and yellow. His trousers were the same blue and green as his shirt but with colors reversed. The only thing normally colored was his high knee boots of brown. There was a marked difference from other Gillikins in his caramel colored skin and black goatee, carefully waxed at the points of his moustache and chin.
"So what do I owe this honor?" Andre continued.
"Unfortunately, it is not a happy visit." Glinda started. "I regret to inform you that Duran Fanel was killed in a duel."
"That is unfortunate to hear." Andre nodded. "And I assume that it is yourself that is to inherit the Household?"
"Yes." Glinda replied.
"And he gave you the signet ring?"
"Signet ring?" Glinda shook her head. "He gave me nothing but a phrase. To be, or not to be; that is the question; Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer; The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, Or to take arms against a sea of troubles."
"Of course there is no signet ring, my lady." Andre smiled. "Just a small test."
Andre rose from his seat and took a knee in front of Glinda.
"I, Andre de Phillipe of the House of Duran, do solemnly swear my life to you, Glinda Arduenna Upland, until death."
Glinda blinked. Andre coughed and looked at Wynne.
"Really, I don't think that is-" Glinda tried but Wynne was soon on a knee next to him.
"And I, Wynnessa Starflare of the House of Duran, do solemnly swear my life to you, Glinda Arduenna Upland, until death."
"I-" Glinda stopped herself. What had she expected? Composing her face, she gave them her best regal look. "I accept your oaths."
"What is your wish, my lady?" Andre asked.
"Duran told me I needed to rely on loyal retainers. I have a few, but none such as the Dogs."
"I will see it done." Andre nodded. "Wynne has a small group under Ronce in Frottica. That will be a good start. However, we also will need to let the Captains of the Household know. They will need to come to give their oaths."
"How long will that take?" asked Glinda.
"Some time. To get messages to them and to get them to travel could take months."
"I don't plan to stick around for that long." Glinda replied. "While being here is nice, it is still far too close to the City."
"Where do you plan on going?" asked Wynne. "To Kiamo Ko?"
"No." Glinda shook her head. "At least, not right now. I need some place that is far enough away from anything to be secure that I can stay at through the winter."
"There is a household manor in the Pertha Hills." Andre answered. "It's far enough away from a railway that travel is difficult, and the hills make going by foot slow. It's mostly for providing income for the House, but it could easily be made ready for a winter home. And close enough to the Vinkus that winter is more mild than cold."
"That sounds wonderful. Can you work on getting that ready for me?"
"Of course. I'll send messengers today. It will probably take a month or so, but between getting some of the local captains together to hear their oaths, and setting out, it should be mostly ready by the time we arrive."
"That shall do fine. Thank you."
Andre rose and took off his hat in a bow.
"If that is all, my lady, I will make my way back to Frottica. I'll pass a message to Ronce to bring his group here. That should suffice in the near term."
"Thank you again, Andre."
"My pleasure."
He inclined his head towards Wynne and, with a brief flourish of his half-cape, set out.
"I forgot how quickly things move when you're around." Wynne joked.
"I should wish they didn't. But idle hands are Kumbrica's playthings."
"Momsie?" Glinda asked. Her mother raised her head from the book she was reading. Her daughter was standing in the door to the solarium, bathed in light. Larena approved.
"Yes, darling?"
"Do you think I should reach out to the local nobles and barons? It's been awhile since I've been here. Getting reacquainted with them might be a good idea."
"I think it is a splendid idea, dear." Larena nodded. "Was there any in particular you were thinking?"
"The larger barons we could meet in Frottica proper. Have a social event before winter comes in."
"That would be very enjoyable."
"As for the locals: I think I would just meet them as I may. I don't want to pull them away into a big function where they would feel inadequate."
"Another fine idea." Larena paused. "Should I have the staff starting making the arrangement?"
"If you could, Momsie." Glinda suddenly looked tired. "Despite my newfound retainers, they aren't quite skilled in the ways of society."
"Yes, I could tell. Mostly skills of war and logistics." Larena paused. "But that is not all. Your pregnancy is wearing you down."
"I just become tired quicker." Glinda pouted. "It's a bit of a nuisance."
"I quite remember." Larena laughed lightly. Glinda scowled playfully at her mother. "Go rest dear, I shall arrange it."
"Thanks Momsie."
"Always, dear."
"I don't think you needed to travel with me." Glinda protested. They were sitting in an open carriage, bumping along the road.
"You're stuck with us now." Wynne replied. "Better get used to it."
"But the entire group?" Glinda huffed.
"Yes. The entire group." Wynne laughed.
Aforementioned group was sitting in the rear and front seats of the carriage Her staff captain, Ronce, was driving the pair of horses. Glinda had been surprised when they had shown up in her full livery. Only Wynne was not; she had on a dress and bodice with her hair in a net to give the look of a noblewoman's handmaid. Glinda was absolutely certain the parasol she carried hid a sword.
"I could have traveled faster by bubble." Glinda repeated from earlier.
"Yes, but if there was trouble no bubble would help you." Wynne replied.
"I'm a very talented sorceress, you know. I could handle myself."
"Better safe than sorry. And the less strain on you the better."
Glinda huffed again. After the revelation of her pregnancy everyone had started treating her like she was made of porcelain. It was as endearing as it was annoying. So now she bumped along a road with an entourage, returning from seeing another country noble. They had been happy at her request for a visit. All the ones she contacted had. And why should they not? Minor enough to be forgotten by any of the larger barons around Frottica proper, a visit from Glinda the Good was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Glinda hoped their good cheer would translate into support as some point.
The path along the road seemed suddenly familiar. A sense of being here before struck Glinda. It took until she saw a large moss covered boulder for her to place it. This was nearby the spot she had met her father last year. Near the Lurlinist shrine. Glinda suddenly felt a pull. Standing up, she startled Wynne. The woman put out her hands to catch her charge should she fall. Glinda did, but forward onto her hands. Leaning further over, she called out to Ronce.
"There should be a path coming up here on the right. Please take it."
"My lady, that is not on our route." Ronce protested. "We need all available time to be home by dark."
"That's an order, Staff Captain." Glinda replied warmly. "And do not fear the dark; I have remedies for that."
Ronce nodded. Glinda sat back. As the carriage turned off onto the little side track, it steered down the path slowly. The "path" was more like consecutive clear spots without trees or shrubs. There were no wheel tracks in the grass and weeds, which pleased Glinda. No one had been here recently; perhaps since they had been here last year.
The path opened up into the clear grove. At its center was the half-ruined circular colonnade surrounding a pool of clear water that ran off in a little stream next to the large moss covered statue of a smiling Lurline. Glinda went to the bench next to it. Running a hand over it clear the dirt and leaves, she remembered when she had reformed it last year. When she and Elphaba were here.
Glinda sat. She watched the Dogs finish checking the area and settle into guard spots. They seemed to be filled with a contained but restless energy. How like him was his House. Or how he had been. Glinda leaned back against the column. The day was cool enough. The sky was blue enough. Maybe, like in her past, she could just stare at it for a moment and forget the world existed. Glinda closed her eyes for a moment. It would be nice to relax and release all of her tension from the world, hidden here.
"Durandal?"
The familiar figure in front of her turned around. He gave her the same smile.
"Miss Glinda."
"How are you here?" she asked. "I saw you die."
"That I did." he answered jovially. "And the fact that I am here really only points to one thing."
"I'm dreaming."
"That would make the most sense." he agreed. Glinda sniffed.
"I wished...but I shouldn't have. Wishing only wounds the heart."
The man moved over to her. He lacked some of his usual grace. Glinda supposed her mind could not grant that level onto him. Duran took both of his hands in his and looked into her eyes.
"Wishes may be dreams, but they also are what give us hope. They remind us that there can be better days to come."
"I wish that could be true." Glinda gave a small laugh.
"See? Better already." he smiled.
"I don't know about that." Glinda looked away. "I...I don't know what to do. For the first time since college, I don't know what I should be doing. I've got nothing in the Emerald City. No Elphaba; no Fiyero. I'm just home, like I never left."
"Give yourself a moment to breathe. It will come to you." Duran urged.
"I don't know about that."
"I do. Remember, you are strong, Glinda." he stated firmly. "But now, you have to get up."
"I don't want to. I like this dream."
"As do I. I'll always be here if you need me, but you need to get up. Get up, Glinda. Get-"
"-up." came a gentle hand on her shoulder. Glinda peeled open her eyes to see flaming red hair in the fading day's light. "We've got to go. Most of the trip will be in the dark as is."
"Sorry." Glinda mumbled. She slowly stood from the bench. Her body protested. Pregnancy and being thirty had made uncomfortable positions hurt worse. Glinda whispered a pain relief spell, and the aches fled. "Don't know what came over me."
"Carrying around your little package probably." Wynne smiled. "The women gossip about becoming tired easily."
"Packages." Glinda absentmindedly corrected her.
"Packages?" Wynne asked. Glinda realized she had not been privy to that information.
"Yes. Twins."
"Well congrats." Wynne answered, and gave her a look up and down. "Don't know where you'll fit them."
"Wynessa!"
The woman laughed. The red-gold light made her look glorious. A shade of her mentor. Glinda's heart pained again. Wynne noticed.
"Something wrong."
"No...You just reminded me of him."
Wynne's face tightened for a moment.
"I see." she replied. After a moment, she said, "I thought I heard you say his name in your sleep."
"Yes. I dreamt of him." Glinda answered. Wynne nodded.
"Yeah. I wish he were here, too." the woman shook her head. "Strange. I never really saw him much to begin with so it really shouldn't feel much different. Somehow it does, though."
"I know what you mean."
"But we really need to go." Wynne replied. "Hope you got that solution to the dark."
"A light ball should do us just fine."
"Light ball?"
"Think a glowing orb of sunlight."
"Ah. That's handy."
Sarima walked into Elphaba's study. In the west most tower, it had actually been a significant climb to get there. But when Elphaba called, one did not complain. Especially since she had been in a mood over the recent week. Sarima had no doubt it was a combination of Glinda leaving and Fiyero finding out about their relationship. Unfortunately, the Crown Prince over the week had seemed more distant as well so that did not help matters. Except it was none of Sarima's business, and she was determined to stay out of it.
"You asked to see me?" Sarima said. Elphaba jerked up from where she was hunched over some book.
"Yes, I did." the woman replied. She took off her glasses and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Getting old is terrible."
"The other option is worse." Sarima answered. Elphaba blinked, but nodded.
"That is true. Anyway, the reason I called you here is…" Elphaba started but trailed off as she stood. The woman lightly groaned and stretched. By the popping sounds coming from her body, she must have been there for a while. "Sorry. The reason I called you here is because you lack a sorcery teacher."
"That is true." Sarima paused. "Are you offering?"
"In a manner, yes." Elphaba replied. She paused, rethinking her words. "Yes, I am. Or as much as I can. Despite my vaunted title of 'Wicked Witch of the West', I'm not nearly as knowledgeable in the nuances of the art as Glinda. And somewhat poorer teacher."
Elphaba walked over to where a sheaf of papers sat. Picking them up, she rifled through them. After rearranging a few sheets, she walked over to Sarima and held out a hand. Sarima dutifully took the papers. Looking at them, it seemed to be a lesson plan along with sorcery notes.
"I collected all my notes on my education at Shiz, and combined it with what I know now." Elphaba smiled sheepishly. "I should think that it would be a workable method. Until Glinda..."
Elphaba's smile died. She looked out the window.
"Until Miss Glinda can pick up my education." Sarima finished.
"Yes. That."
"Thank you, Miss Elphaba. I'm sure studying these notes will be a big help."
"You are welcome, Miss Sarima." Elphaba replied. The woman walked around her desk. Putting her glasses on, she looked back up. "One more thing. You will be meeting with me three times a week to practice what you went over."
"Practice? Against you?" Sarima squeaked.
"Of course. Who else?" Elphaba asked.
"I...I better get to studying these, then."
"That might be a good idea."
With that, Sarima quickly retreated.