“My light cavalry is here and here,” Wanda said, twirling her wand. Small animated figures of light cavalrymen in Winkie yellow appeared, riding like the wind save the figure remained stationary over the map. “While my heavy cavalry are stationed with my foot soldiers here, here, and there.”
Glinda watched the tiny animated infantry and heavy cavalry appear. She nodded and tapped three places on the map with her wand. Tiny female soldiers and cavalry troops appeared, all looking eager for combat.
“I've deployed my forces at these locations, all mixed infantry and cavalry,” she said. Pointing her wand at a spot behind the first three, she conjured a female cavalry soldier, her tiny animated mount stamping restlessly. “I have a reserve of heavy cavalry stationed there.” She glanced at Jezebelle. “How fares Munchkin?”
Jezebelle looked a little put out. “We're closing on Emerald City. You did ask us to take a little time to lay waste to the land as we passed.”
The silver-haired Wicked Witch's wand twirled over the eastern side of the map, and small figures of fighting men appeared in a wide crescent. Tiny fires appeared, of burning towns and villages.
“So, for all practical purposes, my host is already engaged with the enemy.”
Wanda rolled her eyes. Glinda smiled at Jezebelle and nodded. The blonde smiled gratefully back. It didn't serve Glinda's cause to point out that both she and Wanda had already laid waste to large swaths of Ozian territory, since they got there much earlier and had time to kill while waiting for their eastern allies to arrive.
“Excellent, Jez. You're doing a splendid job of it, too. Keep up the good work,” Glinda said. Wanda gave them each a wary look, making Glinda smile. “Now, my Sa'Kor have scouted out the Imperial Army's position within the city, and outside the walls. There are far more soldiers than any of us thought possible. I've been told Marshal Picho ordered the garrisons in Gillikin and Quadling Countries back to defend the city, and used flying carpets to transport them in record time.”
“Damn,” Wanda said. “That has Dorothy written all over it. The fool Picho would've never thought to do anything like that.”
“I agree,” Glinda said. “Though, I suspect it was on Nick's advice she did so. Dorothy is not a soldier, either.”
“I don't know, sister,” Wanda said, a wicked grin on her lovely face. “She took you down quite easily.”
“As she did you,” Glinda snapped. She glanced at the pistol on the Wicked Witch's right hip. Her insides went cold every time she looked at it. At least I can defend myself against pistols now.
Of course, the Wicked Witches were still vulnerable to Dorothy's gunfire since she was loath to share her new ward with Wanda. The bitch Witch would use that knowledge to create a counter-spell just so she could shoot Glinda.
“We all live and learn,” Glinda said. She caught and held Wanda's eyes. “And I don't make the same mistake twice, sister.”
“I've noticed. You come up with new ways to be defeated every time,” Wanda said. She wagged her brows. “First there was Oogaboo slap down, then she slipped through your fingers in Winkie Country, and finally she tossed you out of her palace and bed chamber and onto your fat arrogant ass. Effortlessly, I might add.”
Glinda's eyes narrowed. Her hands curled into balls at her side. Wanda tensed, her wickedly gleeful expression intensifying. But Jezebelle cleared her throat, drawing everyone's attention to her and sucking the wind out of the coming fight.
“What about the other secret tunnels that Scarecrow mentioned?” Jezebelle asked. “If the three of us attacked through three separate tunnels, in the middle of our hosts attacking the walls, I think we could easily conquer the city.”
“Ah, yes. My thoughts exactly,” Glinda said, feeling her anger bleeding away. Yet, she knew that sooner or later, she and Wanda would have to settle who was more powerful. It would be winner take all, with the loser firmly under the winner's thumb. Forever. “Alas, that option has been denied us. The Palace has done an exceptional job of hunting down every secret tunnel and destroying them. I'm afraid we have to do this the hard way and batter down their shields.”
“Olivia and Diana are on the march,” Scarecrow said. “We don't have much time before they'll arrive. If we fail to break the Ozians before they join battle with us, then I don't think we'll prevail. Not this time, at least.”
“You don't sound confident, worm,” Wanda growled.
Scarecrow leered at her. It was a disturbing sight, with his mouth loosely sewn together.
“Excuse me a moment while I reminisce about the last time I fucked you stupid, Witch,” he sneered. “Remember? You were bound tightly, while I reamed out – “
“Aaggh!” Wanda cried, and sent a fireball into his chest.
Scarecrow squealed like a little girl. Glinda sighed gustily, but used magic to snuff out the fire. Then she extended her personal shield around him and her other officers.
“I'll give you that one. Not again. If you attack one of my people again, Wanda, we will be at war.”
“But he – “
“Scarecrow is a pervert and a scumbag, as well as any and every other insult you can think to pile upon him,” Glinda said. “I know. Better than any of you, I know the depths of his depravity. But, for the moment, he is my general and the marshal of our combined armies. I'll do my best to control him, but you aren't allowed to punish him.” She smiled at Scarecrow. “I reserve the pleasure of punishing him for myself.”
The door opened, distracting Wanda before she could speak. Glinda watched Uma enter and hurry towards to her.
The desert-born beauty approached quickly. Glinda noticed Wanda perk up. The Wicked Witch had good taste in women, and was worse than a nobleman in her pursuit of them. But she had to admit, Uma's body moved quite sensuously and demanded attention.
She idly wondered if she could use Uma to spy on Wanda.
“Mistress?” Uma whispered into Glinda's right rear. “May I have a word in private?”
“Speak,” Wanda commanded. “We're all friends and allies here. Right, Glinda?”
“It has nothing to do with your battle, Great One,” Uma said.
Glinda paused, needing to work out their battle plans with the other two Witches, but knew Uma wouldn't disturb her frivolously. The two Wickeds understood that as well, and would love to listen in on their conversation. They wouldn't appreciate her holding back on valuable battlefield intelligence. And Wanda was eager to make a fuss about it.
Still, Glinda so loved making Wanda stew in her own angry juices.
“Only a moment,” Glinda said. “I'll be right back, sisters.”
Glinda led Uma away before either Wanda or Jezebelle could object. Uma closed the door behind them as Glinda turned to hear what she had to report. Her chief-of-staff looked excited.
“A Sa'Kor bubble just arrived from Hycross, deep in Munchkin Country.”
Glinda perked up. “About Dorothy?”
Uma smiled, but shrugged. That was her assumption, just as Glinda assumed it was as well. Why else would a common Sa'Kor bypass the chain of command and message her directly?
Uma twirled her wand, and a second later a black bubble passed through the wall and into the chamber. It went straight to Glinda's outstretched palm. The Witch poked it with her wand, and strong, deep female voice spoke.
“Great One, I am Lady Kala Brightblade, your servant in Hycross. This evening Dorothy Gale rode into our town with General Chopper. There are beastmen accompanying her into town, but mostly staying outside the walls and out of sight. Do you have any specific orders other than capturing her?”
Glinda didn't recall any place called Hycross, but that didn't matter. Uma lifted an oval mirror set in a heavy, elaborate silver frame. The Witch chanted a second, before tapping the mirror with her wand. A moment later Kala's face appeared.
“Great One, you honor us,” Kala said solemnly, bowing along with two other Sa'Kor standing behind her.
“Your service honors me,” Glinda
said just as solemnly. Then, “Are you sure it's Dorothy Gale?”
“I am. She is a beautiful young brunette, with blue eyes, and wearing silver boots,” Kala said. “She came with a contingent of cavalry troops and General Nick Chopper. Who else could it be, but Dorothy Gale?”
Glinda's skin tingled. She just wanted to jump onto a flying carpet, fly straight to Hycross, and personally capture Dorothy. Unfortunately, she had a battle to fight, and a pair of Wicked Witches watching her like hawks.
“Kala, I need you to capture Dorothy for me. Tonight,” Glinda said. “You have access to a flying carpet?”
“I do, mistress.”
“Very good. Capture her, and the three of you bring Dorothy to me as fast as you can.”
“Mistress, it will be done,” Kala said, and bowed.
“Excellent,” Glinda said. “I'll expect you before sunrise. Be strong.”
The image on the mirror faded away, and then Glinda looked up into Uma's smiling eyes.
“Prepare to receive your Empress, Uma,” Glinda said, eyes a-sparkle. “I'm going to enjoy putting that proud beauty under my thumb, and then taking the Silver Shoes for myself. And then everyone, including all four of the Cardinal Witches, will bow before Glinda Upland!”
Chapter 20
Kala released a half-grunt, half-groan as Fiona buckled down that last strap on her corset, leaving Kala nice and snug in her Sa'Kor uniform. Being undercover in Munchkin Country for 20 years didn't afford her many chances to wear the head-to-toe black leather suit. Even better, she still fit into it at forty was well as the first time she put it on.
She prepared with Fiona and Tara in her chambers. At that hour, all of the other servants had all long gone home to their families. She and her fellow Sa'Kor had the house to themselves.
Their Sa'Kor uniforms consisted of a catsuit of the finest black leather, a stiff leather corset over that, and boots. Kala usually wore stiletto-heeled ankle boots, while Fiona preferred thigh boots and Tara liked to wear knee boots. For that night's mission, all three wore more sensible riding boots.
They helped each other with their hair. Long, loose hair could be used by a foe in a fight against them, so all three pulled their hair back into tight buns. Then they armed up. Kala girded her hips with a straight sword, plus numerous long knives and throwing daggers sheathed to her thighs, waist, and back. Tara carried a curved cavalry sword and throwing daggers, while Fiona only carried a pair of fighting knives. Fiona was a Lesser Witch, so preferred to rely upon her magic in a fight.
“Keep alert for Warlord Lion,” Kala said. “We might not have seen him today, but reports are he is with Dorothy.”
“The wolf will die tonight, and so will Lion if we cross paths,” Tara said, blue eyes narrowing.
Kala frowned. Beastmen killed Tara's parents when she was just ten. They took her away, selling her to slavers. Glinda rescued her from slavery, sending her to be trained as a Sa'Kor. Tara hated beastmen above all others.
The wolf-shifter, along with Nick Chopper, accompanying the beautiful young stranger confirmed her identity: Dorothy Gale. Kala wasn't fooled. On top of that, she wore bright silver boots.
“Just remember, capturing Dorothy Gale and flying her to our mistress is our priority,” Kala said. “Killing others is a luxury. Do not lose focus on the objective.”
“Of course, anyone who puts up a fight between us and Dorothy is dead,” Fiona said, a glint in her dark eyes. She picked up a black glass jar and wagged her brows. “And we have this for Dorothy. Poor thing is going to sleep like a baby through it all.”
Dozz was extremely unstable, so could only be stored in darkest glass impermeable to air and light. It would evaporate quickly in a more porous container. They had to apply the potion via a cotton cloth pressed over the victim's face. A single breath of the potion would incapacitate anyone within seconds. It was so powerful each of them would have to drink an antidote prior to opening the bottle.
Kala and Tara each picked up a bottle of dozz as well. The small bottles went into pouches, which were stained black and fastened to their belts. A black cotton cloth was stuffed inside on top of each bottle.
“Let's make Glinda proud,” Kala said, and led them out into the dark courtyard.
A large rug was rolled up in the middle of the cobbled courtyard. Kala signaled to Fiona, who went over and double-checked it. The witch pulled out a wand, dropped to one knee beside it, and drew runes in the air.
“It's good,” Fiona whispered.
That was a relief. Kala bought it after getting her orders from Glinda. The town didn't have a witch or wizard powerful enough to create flying carpets, so she had to rely on a pawn shop. The shop's previously owned wares weren't always the most reliable. She felt better after Fiona's nod of approval.
They left the flying carpet rolled up. It would be there when they returned with Dorothy, and it was large enough to carry all four of them to Glinda's encampment. By morning, Kala would deliver Dorothy Gale, Empress of Oz, to Glinda.
After twenty long years in that backwater town, this was Kala’s first real mission for her mistress. Her long frustration was finally over. She would prove her worth, and honor her beloved mistress for the first time. Capturing Dorothy would make all the years as a secret, undercover agent worth it. Of course, that act would end her life as Hycross' Lady, end her marriage, and she'd probably never see her sons again.
All worth it if she could please Glinda Upland.
Kala led Tara and Fiona stealthily into the dark streets. The only sounds were barking dogs and fighting cats. She could see the Prancing Elk roof over the surrounding structures. It stood in the middle of town, while Kala's home was close to the north gate.
Although the streets twisted and turned, there still was a fairly direct route to the inn. The main street wended through Hycross between the north and south gates. But Kala had personally chosen the various posts for the watchmen assigned to keep watch on Dorothy's party. They had to be avoided since they would set up an alarm if they spotted three figures sneaking through the streets.
She led Fiona and Tara into the alley between the baker and cobbler shops and over to the next street. There weren't any watchmen on that street, so they could jog toward the inn. They surprised a pair of cats facing off, and then roused a dog sleeping on a door stoop. Fiona pointed her wand at the mutt, and he quickly shut up and settled back down.
Moments later they trotted up behind the stables.
“I see five guards just from here,” Tara whispered.
“Five?” Kala asked. “How paranoid are they?”
She figured they'd have two guards on the corrals and stables, and another outside the inn's front door. Instead, there were four around the stables and corrals, with a guard standing in front of the inn door. She suspected they'd find another soldier guarding the back door as well.
“I think our visit might've spooked them,” Fiona said.
“Not a problem,” Kala said. “Follow me.”
Kala led the other two Sa'Kor on a circuitous route around the Ozian guards, her own watchmen, and around behind the inn. They found another guard.
“Fiona.”
The witch nodded, pulling her wand out of its hardened leather sheath. Fiona moved ahead of them, chanting and drawing arcane runes in the air as she slowly approached the guard. Kala felt a morass descend upon that back alley as the darkness deepened. The very air felt thick and sultry. Her eyes became heavy.
Fiona reached the guard, who never showed any indication he saw her approach. She tapped his forehead with the wand, and the guard dropped to his knees. He looked dazed, mouth open and blank eyes. Fiona finished him off with a dozz-soaked cloth pressed over his mouth and nose.
“Well done,” Kala said when she joined the witch. “Fiona, cast your spell in the common room. Tara, you and I will use dozz to quietly subdue any interior guards while they're entranced. And then we'll grab Dorothy.”
“We'll be well on our way to Glin
da before any of them wake up,” Tara said.
Kala tested the door. Unlocked. Why bother locking it when a well-armed soldier guarded it? She eased it open, and they slipped in soundlessly. The kitchen was dark and empty, faintly lit by the dying embers in the overlarge fireplace.
They moved stealthily to the door into the common room. Peeking inside, Kala spotted a guard at the base of the stairs and the wolf curled up under a table. She signaled the witch.
Fiona began her spell. The very air seemed to bend light. Kala really hated that spell, especially indoors. It messed with her vision, hearing, and balance. And it always made her groggy. She could only imagine what the victims of the spell felt.
The witch quietly moved into the common room, behind her swirling wand and muttered spell. Kala had to remain behind, on one knee for balance. Tara knelt beside her, one hand on the wall to steady herself. Only Fiona seemed unaffected by the spell.
Kala watched Fiona approach the wolf first, and then carefully press the black cloth over its nose. The wolf never moved, and remained sleeping when Fiona moved over to the guard. He leaned against the wall, chin on chest. She slowly pressed the dozz-soaked cloth over his mouth and nose, before she gently lowered him to the floor.
Everything snapped back to normal the second Fiona stopped chanting her spell.
“Well done, Fiona,” Kala whispered as she moved past her and started up the stairs. “Be alert.”
To her surprise, Kala failed to find a guard outside Dorothy's room. She knew which rooms Dorothy's party rented from asking Horace earlier. Just two rooms. One for the soldier's commander, and one for Dorothy to share with General Chopper. She'd thought there would be at least one guard outside their door. And then she heard a familiar creaking and banging.
The three Sa'Kor eased up to Dorothy's door. Kala didn't need to press her ear to the door to figure out what was happening inside. Yeah, they were banging like rabbits. Dorothy's grunts and cries of pleasure came faintly through the door.
Wrath of a Wonderfully Wicked Witch (Return to Oz With a Vengeance Book 2) Page 13
