When it had first been suggested that DG revisit the site of the Witch's imprisonment - that dark,echoing place within the heart of Finaqua - she'd resolutely shaken her head, as if so simple a gesture could banish her fear and memories.
Tutor may have been unwilling to let DG get away so easily, but Glitch wasn't so sure. After all, the things that snapped DG's mouth shut and hushed her into contemplative silence, the things that widened her blue eyes to the size - and exact shade - of his mother's tea saucers were usually the things that made lesser men (namely him, four-times-braver or not) quake in their boots and squeak in terror.
It took weeks of cajoling and convincing. Neither the hard glares of the Tin Man nor the gentle prodding of the Viewer seemed to move her. Finally, it was Azkadellia (begged by Glitch, in turn bribed by Toto) that changed DG's mind.
The next morning, the youngest princess appeared, bomber jacket dug out of the cavernous recesses of her closet. Glitch hadn't seen the leathery relic in over an annual. Now, she wore it zipped to the throat, as if trying to ward off further evil.
Her childish superstition aside, Tutor was delighted. After breakfast, he, DG, and Glitch set out for the most secret of places in all the O.Z.
Deep in the quiet woods, where the rocky outcrops and fallen trees created a near impassible landscape, DG stood at the gaping mouth of the cave, warily eyeing the symbols carved into the rock-face, so eerily similar to the ones inside.
“It will be good for you to face this fear,” Tutor said.
DG rolled her eyes, giving an unladylike snort of disbelief.
Glitch spoke up then, ever the peace-keeper. “It tells the story of Light and Dark,” he told her, pointing out the appropriate symbols. “It's like a narrative.”
“Like the cave-paintings of Lascaux?” she asked him. “I'd always wanted to go to France to see them. I guess I never will.”
Tutor cleared his throat, brought the conversation back on track. “Light and Dark were sisters, pitted against each other by greed. It is perhaps why the old witch's hold on your sister was so easily attained. They shared a common bond.”
“No, it was so easy because I left her behind. I practically handed my sister over on a platter.”
DG pursed her lips until they all but disappeared into the paleness of her face. Tutor and Glitch shared an uneasy glance as she took a deep breath and headed into the cave. The two men lit their lanterns and followed suit.
When it had first been suggested that DG revisit the site of the Witch's imprisonment - that dark,echoing place within the heart of Finaqua - she'd resolutely shaken her head, as if so simple a gesture could banish her fear and memories.
Tutor may have been unwilling to let DG get away so easily, but Glitch wasn't so sure. After all, the things that snapped DG's mouth shut and hushed her into contemplative silence, the things that widened her blue eyes to the size - and exact shade - of his mother's tea saucers were usually the things that made lesser men (namely him, four-times-braver or not) quake in their boots and squeak in terror.
It took weeks of cajoling and convincing. Neither the hard glares of the Tin Man nor the gentle prodding of the Viewer seemed to move her. Finally, it was Azkadellia (begged by Glitch, in turn bribed by Toto) that changed DG's mind.
The next morning, the youngest princess appeared, bomber jacket dug out of the cavernous recesses of her closet. Glitch hadn't seen the leathery relic in over an annual. Now, she wore it zipped to the throat, as if trying to ward off further evil.
Her childish superstition aside, Tutor was delighted. After breakfast, he, DG, and Glitch set out for the most secret of places in all the O.Z.
Deep in the quiet woods, where the rocky outcrops and fallen trees created a near impassible landscape, DG stood at the gaping mouth of the cave, warily eyeing the symbols carved into the rock-face, so eerily similar to the ones inside.
“It will be good for you to face this fear,” Tutor said.
DG rolled her eyes, giving an unladylike snort of disbelief.
Glitch spoke up then, ever the peace-keeper. “It tells the story of Light and Dark,” he told her, pointing out the appropriate symbols. “It's like a narrative.”
“Like the cave-paintings of Lascaux?” she asked him. “I'd always wanted to go to France to see them. I guess I never will.”
Tutor cleared his throat, brought the conversation back on track. “Light and Dark were sisters, pitted against each other by greed. It is perhaps why the old witch's hold on your sister was so easily attained. They shared a common bond.”
“No, it was so easy because I left her behind. I practically handed my sister over on a platter.”
DG pursed her lips until they all but disappeared into the paleness of her face. Tutor and Glitch shared an uneasy glance as she took a deep breath and headed into the cave. The two men lit their lanterns and followed suit.
(Continued...)
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