Letter’s in Code

With the sun filtering in though the fog it casts the world in almost an eerie golden yellow glow. Like smoke in firelight. It could have been pretty. With the green leaves overhead, and the yellow apples reflecting light. I jump over roots. Chasing after the black haired women. Then I see who she is. A giant purple spider is attacking, and kidnapping people. She’s made a web between two talking trees. Who are now fighting over whether, or not they should leave. (Trees can walk like anyone else. It’s tradition for them to root themselves.) The spider sits on her web. Eve runs to help an injured person. A fellow apple picker. Theadore fallows covering her. Or trying too. Their loyalty is commendable. I walk cautiously, but confidently after them. Providing real cover in case the spider attacks. The trees finally agree to start throwing apples at her. They hurt her, but don’t do much else. Eve, and the injured person leave.

“Get father, and the other guards.” Theodore calls.

“Loyal isn’t she.” I say.

“Especially to the people she works with, and for. Come on.”

“I got this.”

“I’m not leaving you.” Theodore says.

“Alright good. Because I need your dagger.” He hands it to me. I take it in my palm. The hilt parts heavier than the blade. I throw it. Then I use magic to guide the dagger. Square in the chest. The spider screams, but doesn’t go down. The wound I realize isn’t very deep. My hand begins to grow hot. I am inching to... Then a spell occurs to me. I snap my fingers. It took a bit of energy, but I manage to make Theodore, and all the trees in the area sleep. I keep the spider awake. I catch Theodore hiding him behind the trees. I focus the last of my magic. One simple powerful wish. If it doesn’t work I’m dead. I hold out both my hands, and the web ignites, and spreads. I overestimated how much better I was feeling. And underestimated the amount of energy this spell would use up. I faint.

~

I wake up to my head feeling like it’s on fire. I choke back a scream. I take the cool, wet cloth from my face. I look at my reflection in the solid yellow window. No burn. Good. It was only damp.

“Your up. Are you alright?” Eve asks.

“Yes I think so. What happed?”

“You were both found passed out. The spider, and even the web is gone. Must have scared it off. We found blood. You are one powerful women.”

“Lucky really. I just injured her.”

“Seemed pretty confident in your abilities to me.” She says. So she noticed. Theodore joins us. Sitting on the yellow, cotton sofa. The widow sills are painted orange. The rug is brown, an animal pelt, and the floors are a tan wood.

“That was the bravest thing I’ve ever seen.” Theodore says.

“So we’re the both of you.” I say.

“Just what I’d expect from my children.” A person in a guards uniform says. I’m assuming their father. “I’ve taught Theodore a few moves, and Eve’s a good healer.”

“I’m not properly trained.” She says. She hands me a bundle of herbs. “Take these. Unless you have an allergy.” I eat the herbs. She pours me some tea.

“Sorry we didn’t know were you lived.” Theodore explained.

“I’m sorry I’m intruding.” I say.

“Oh not at all dear.” A women with yellow hair, and warm brown eyes says. She wears a simple yellow prairie dress, and an apron.

“I think Eve likes having someone to take care of.” Theodore adds. She glared at him. In a small way she reminds me a bit of Glinda. A gentle soul.

“The spiders probably going to come back again.” Eve says when her parents leave to finish cooking, and set the table.

“Maybe not.” He says.

“You’re naive.” Eve argues.

“And you’re a pessimist.” Theodore says.

“I’m a realist.” She shots back.

“You’re a pessimist.” He says firmly.

“I should get going.” I say getting up.

“Oh can’t you stay for dinner?” Eve says hopefully.

“Please stay.” Theodore says.

“Alright.” I say. Eve gets up happily.

“Thank you. Eve gets attached to those under her care.” He adds, “Stop by anytime you like. We have dinner at sunset, breakfast at dawn, and luncheon at noon.” He goes and sits at the table. I fallow. Sitting between the siblings.

“So are you twins?” I ask.

“No, but we’re the same age.” Theodore says.

“I’m older.”

“By eleven months.” He says. I sip the orange soup. Some sort of pumpkin purée. It’s very good, and warm. I eat quickly, but politely.

“So you’re a guard?” I ask.

“Yes. I always planned on being apart of the Queen of the West’s royal guard. For now though I protect my town, and my children.” He says. This answer surprises me.

“And you?” I ask their mother.

“Oh I’m retired. I used to sell the apples.”

“She would travel all the way to Emerald City.” Their father says.

“Elphaba’s from there.” Theodore says.

“Really.” There father says. I take another helping.

“Will you join us for for cards?” Their father asks.

“Yes. Please join us. I’ll be making cookies.” Their mother says. “They’re caramel apple.”

“How could I refuse such a generous offer?” I say. Their father sets a pile of apple seeds in the center. Their father shuffles.

“He’s the real card player.” Theodore says. He sits next to me on the sofa. Eve between us sitting on the floor.

“So what do you like to do?” I ask.

“I read sometimes. I guess.” He says after a moment.

“What do you read?” I ask.

“I read adventure books.” He says.

“I read books on herbology, healing, and ethos.” Eve says. We’re each handed cards.

“What do you read?” He asks.

“Politics mostly. History, a lot of different things.” I say. Though I wouldn’t consider myself a reading as a hobby of mine. I do consider research my hobby. I lay my cards out winning the first game. Eve wins the next six. Their father heads out on a night jog.

“So what do you think of Queen Glinda?” I ask. I made a mistake with Oz I’m not going to make again.

“Oh we love her. She’s great. I mean who doesn’t love Glinda the good witch.” Eve says.

“She sends supplies to towns who need it. She hasn’t send any to ours yet, but I’m guessing she has a lot on her plate right now. She’s doing her best.”

“What about Nessarose?” I ask. “The wicked witch.”

“Neutral.” Eve says.

“I like her fine. I feel bad for her.” Theodore says. “Can you imagine what it’s like to be born wicked?” I say nothing.

“And Queen Elphaba?”

“We love her.” He smiles. “She’s going to fix things around here. I hear she’s head strong. A strong leader. We need her.”

“Even though she’s wicked?”

“Could be worse.” Eve says. “She could be evil by choice. She could be as bad a ruler as her parents.” Eve says. “Well I’m going to bed. We have to be up at exactly dawn tomorrow.” I sit alone with Theodore.

“I’ll introduce you to everyone tomorrow. If you like. You should come to breakfast. On Emerald days we have pancakes with the Jaspers.”

“Alright.” I say. It starts to rain.

“Oh no.” I say.

“What?” He asks.

“I hate the rain.” I say.

“You could stay here if you like.”

“We’re are you staying anyway?”

“I was just going to get a room at an inn.” I say. I probably have enough magic now to summon an umbrella, and a few coins of gold. (Which is the main form of payment, next to gemstones, and trade.)

“You didn’t come here with anything did you?” He asks.

“Do not worry I’m resourceful.” I say.

“You can barrow some of Eve’s clothes.” He says. “She’ll be happy to share. Spare rooms upstairs stay as long as you like.” He gets up. The room had cream wallpaper. A intricately carved wardrobe, and a bed. I slip into Eve’s yellow nightdress. The with a spell the candle goes out.

~

I wake an hour later. The rain stopped. I turn my black boots to water proof ones. I put on my black cloak, and summon an umbrella with magic. I jump down. Climbing down a lemon tree. A non talking one. I find the spider with a tracking spell. Alive, and a little burned. I set it a lite with magic. Watching her wither. Not giving her a chance to return. Maybe it’s wicked, but I don’t care. Their safe. Is that not the most important thing? Even if my methods are wicked. I climb back up to the window. A few droplets of water trickle drown off the trees leaves, and onto me, but I shake them off before I can be burned too badly. A few lands on my arms. I pull out an outfit for tomorrow. A long black dress, with yellow tights, the water proof boots. A button down coat with buttons made of sharp, white animal claws. My cloak, more like a water resistant cape with a hood, and a wide rimmed black hat. I rest easy. I can her them up at dawn.

“Did you sleep well?” Their mother asks. An opposite to my mother in every way.

“Yes. Thank you for your hospitality.” She makes three stacks on flap-jacks. One with apple, and cinnamon. One with button berries. The last with butter, and molasses. I take some of the plain ones.

“There’s a molasses boat on the table.” She says. “If you want more.” Eve is the first downstairs.

“Wake your brother?” Their father asks.

“Yes.” She chimes. There’s a knock at the door. Their father goes to get.

“So they’re neighbors of yours?” I say.

“Yes they live in the yellow brick house.” Eve says. A bit of guilt twists inside me. I push it down. Theodore comes down, and takes the other seat next to me. The Jasper’s join us. I’m introduced to Mrs. Jasper (she, her), and their daughter Kaylin Jasper (she, her). She’s only fourteen. Mrs. Jasper has short blond hair. While Kaylin has long curly mousy brown hair. Theodore’s mom, and Mr. Jasper talk work.

“Yes. We’re behind on schedule because of the spider. Even worse I hear Oz is slowing down our delivery’s.”

“I’m sorry. Oz? The wizard?” I ask.

“Yes. He, and his witch hunter’s have been checking people. Making them take off gloves to see if their skin is green. Like the wicked witches.” I pull my sleeves down more. The greens spread up my arms since I left Emerald City.

“I thought that was just a rumor. The green skin.” Eve says.

“This reminds me too much of my fathers time. All this strife, and fear. All over a ruler we want to have.”

“You want to be ruled by a wicked witch?”

“I want to be ruled by a strong ruler. Who going to ruthlessly protect us. She can’t do any worse than her parents, and she’s better than no Queen at all. Glinda bless her heart can’t do all the work. And quite frankly I like them. From what I hear the wicked witches are blunt, and head strong. They sound a little like me.” He chuckles. The conversation ends. Eve’s father, and Mrs. Jasper gossip.

“Are you really from Emerald City?” Kaylin asks.

“I am.” I say.

“What’s it like. Dad’s grandmother is from there, but he hardly remembers it.”

“Well it’s as much of a marvel as they say. Beautiful. So sparkly it’d hurt your eyes if you look too long at the buildings. The homes, and shops are emerald towers. There’s an emerald dome that’s the city library. A rectangular emerald building that’s the gallery.”

“And the clothes?” She asks.

“Well there’s a lot of green. Slivers very in this year as an accent color. Gowns, corsets, cloaks. High heels, and boots.” Not to different than the clothing here. Though Nessarose always preferred caps over cloaks. Glinda hardly ever wore green. She loved color far too much. Pinks, and purples, violets, and reds. She loved ever color. I missed them so. “Striped tights, and wide brim hats are all the rage this season.” I add.

“Finally Kaylin has someone to talk city fashion with.” Says her father.

“Well we better get going.” Her mother says.

“If you need someone to do a delivery. I’m happy to do one for old time sake.” Says Theodore’s mother.

“Thank you.” Mr. Jasper says. They depart. We leave a few minutes later to work on the orchard. Then we return. I regaled them with stories of my time in the Emerald City, but I don’t think anything that could give me away.

“So the Queen?” I bring up again. Trying to sound causal. “She’s wicked, and you want her as ruler.” I say as Theodore does the dishes.

“Sometimes you need wicked. Besides I think it says something that we think she’d be better at this than our current rulers. A wicked ruler is better than no ruler. And it’s like they won’t do any big changes. Glinda did endless amounts of charity work, and such. Nessarose arrested, and judged more criminals than I can count. Elphaba did what she could sending supplies. I think there was some sort of tradition or law, saying that she couldn’t interfere in a big way, like coming here until she was crowned.” Or maybe she was, and her parents rule as much as anyone else.

“I got these. You go help mom in the garden.” Eve says. She finishes the dishes. “Mind drying-“ She doesn’t get to finish. The water from the plate she hands me drips water onto the bare skin were my glove meets sleeve. I drop the plate wincing. Holding my wrist. “I’m sorry! I’m sorry! I forgot.” She says. She tries to take my injured wrist, but I pull away.

“You knew?” I ask.

“I guess. I’m smarter than my little brother.” She takes my hand gingerly. “Let me see. I just want to help.” I let her remove my glove, and pull up my sleeve. She quickly puts some crushed herbs on it, and some bandages. “It’s not bad. Just a first degree burn.” I quickly put my glove back on.

“Are you alright? I heard a crash.” Theodore says.

“Just dropped a plate.” Eve says sweeping up the yellow pieces with an old broom. Seeing the broom I get a bit of inspiration. I also come to a conclusion. I need to see my sisters.

~

By candlelight in the middle of the night I wright a letter in the code the four of us made up as children. It had been Locasta, and Nessarose’s idea. Then I picture Glinda, and Nessarose in my mind. I burn the letter.