Oz - Part VI

It was such a clear day that Oeste could almost believe that the green smog which hung over the home of the Wizard was a reflection of some enchanted forest or temple complex of some ancient and benevolent race. Unfortunately it was not.

It had been two days since Jeremy had returned from his reconnaissance mission and there was a palpable concern being mentally masticated by Oeste and the rest of her companions.

Unbeknownst to all here at Oeste’s, Dorothy and her band of merry travellers had indeed made it to the Wizard’s and been offered all that they wanted if they would only help in overcoming the wicked Oeste. Therefore as Oeste waited for news from her trusty magpie, the Wizard’s new mercenaries had begun their quest.

The further they travelled towards Oeste’s the more wild and free the landscape became. The farms grew larger and then the forests started to encroach more and more between the ridges which like Morton Bay Eagle talons extended from the ranges that appeared before them. It was not long before they made a first high point and saw stretched out before them a landscape of greens and hues that bewitch more than any spell or incantation. The band were lost for words as they started their descent into the next valley.

It was at this time that Oeste noticed the distinct silhouette of Jeremy beating his way towards the tower.

“Oeste, Oeste! They are on their way here…” crowed the magpie as he gesticulated a landing on the tower railing. “They have seen the Wizard and he has promised them all what they desire if, and only if, they first destroy you.”

“Dam that puny whelp! How dare he? Jeremy, how does Dorothy seem after this meeting? Does she seem hell-bent on murder or does she still retain the innocence and morality that she imported with her from Kansas?”

“Dorothy is as against killing as I am against the rise in popularity of the Savannah, Egyptian Mau and Ocicat as acceptable domestic companions, and for very similar reasons.” Jeremy shuddered.

“Good. Go and tell Ralph that I wish to see him.”

Jeremy leapt up and in two beats had enough altitude to glide the rest of the way down to the ‘kennels’, as he liked to call it, where Ralph and the pack lived and tended their perma-cultural-fantasies, being vegetarian wolves.

Shortly afterwards Ralph bounded into the room where Oeste had been contemplating. She asked him if he would carry a message to Dorothy. Ralph stepped up and nuzzled Oeste as she hung the message to his neck and ruffled his scruff before he turned to leave. “Go safe my furry friend, and watch out for yourself.”

“Jeremy,” summoned Oeste, “fly out after Ralph and see that all is well. I have an uneasy feeling again and I don’t like it.”

“Don’t like it like I don't like air rifles?” interjected Jeremy.

“What is an air rifle?” Jeremy inhaled but Oeste saw the depth of inhalation and did not have the time to listen, “nevemind. Please Jeremy, go now.”

It was not long before Ralph and his pack had crossed the plain and crossed the first of the ranges on route to see Dorothy. Indeed, even flying, Jeremy and his cohort had to keep their wings a beating to keep up.

The wolves were bounding along, the scent of tin, hay, pussy and Dorothy were thick in the air. The wolves crested a low hill with tongues lolling out of the corner of their mouths as the sighted the unlikely group. As the wolves slowed suddenly a man of tin ambushed them and killed them all before Dorothy even woke from the siesta that she, Mr Lyon and Toto were enjoying.

Jeremy baulked when we saw the tin and straw men patting each other on the back in the midst of a scene of carnage straight out of Food Inc. The stupid and the heartless had not even noticed the message attached to Ralph’s now still but still warm corpse.

As the light faded Jeremy and his murder of friends descended and retrieved Ralph’s body and flew it back to Oeste.