Oz pays a visit

“Ummm Excuse me…but……you’re starting the story …on the fourth chapter? “ Hilde asked with more than a little perplexity.

“Exactamundo my tiny porcelain princess.” Oz planted himself on the chest that served as a table as he explained “ you see this is no ordinary Tale, it is an epic saga. It transcend the very nature of the art, it has everything, good versus evil, new friends, old adversaries , a princess, a peasant, a pirate…well smuggler really but there is a talking bear of sorts, an epic sword fight where the blades are made of fire…did I mention a mysterious magic that is almost all powerful?”

Hilde carefully shook her head

“Well there is so much more to it , in fact it will take several evenings to properly relay it all to you and that is of course the first tale”

“ Fourth.” Hilde corrected and then inquired as only a curious child might” But what about the first three chapters?”

“ My dear , you are going to have to trust me on this, you don’t need them, in fact, many people will tell you that they are entirely out of sorts on the subject. The fourth chapter put’s you just where you need to be.”

“ And the fifth chapter?”

Hilde took note at the smile that formed on Oz’s  face, it was one of pure joy” The fifth chapter is the best chapter, without compare, it supersedes the fourth by leaps and bounds, in fact I will wager hard coin, that you will want to hear the fifth chapter time and time again….and before you ask, the sixth chapter is…well it’s okay…I guess….but seriously…the fourth gets you into it, the fifth holds you and keeps you spellbound and the sixth will bring it together in a somewhat neat package.” Oz stared off replaying the imagery.

“and there are how many of these stories?”

“Well technically, there are hmmm, let me think “ Mumbling to himself whilst counting off on his fingers” there’s like fifteen or so , some come  before the core story line, and  few after and few off shoots…look bottom line, I’m telling you four, five, and six which I promise you will be more than entertaining for the weeks to come.”

The doll, lowered her head slightly before speaking “Will you be my keeper for the weeks to come?” Weighing her words before inquiring “Has it become your turn to watch me?”

“Don’t talk nonsense little one, I’m here for the very reason I’m anywhere in the world, because I want to be, but to be fair I can see why you might think that.”

Hilde raised her head to meet his gaze and silently bade him to continue.

“ Dunkel, who, understandably so, sees you as much more than a ward, and in truth likely a daughter, spends his time with you earnestly. The charming Raven delights in your company, and why should he not? The others, come and go yes, but had you thought of why?” he continued without pause” before you jump to a misconstrued conclusion, it is simple ‘They like you Hilde’. You give them a ray of hope in this dreary landscape. A constant in turbulent times, and make no mistake there isn’t a one of them that wouldn’t step up should the need arise to come to protect you, assist you or simply sit with you …so I’m not your keeper…I’m the teller of amazing stories and exploits, the singers of song, the…..well the list is long and distinguished, so I shall skip to the one most relevant…the giver of gifts to those who are deserving and possibly in need”

“You brought me a gift?” Tilting her head slightly

“Gifts, plural , child.” Crossing the room and carefully drawing back a tarp covering a makeshift workbench, revealing a wicker basket filled with several wrapped parcels” In one of the worlds I’ve visited they had a tradition to give presents to well behaved children, they also received a gift on the day of their birth, some of the traditions that are paired with these events make little sense but can be very entertaining to say the least, sadly I couldn’t find a donkey to stuff with candy.”

“Donkey?”

“Never mind, it is of no consequence, “gently placing the basket before the doll.” Now if you will indulge me, please accept these small tokens, I hope that you appreciate them and that they are to your liking.” Mustering a smile of sincerity.

Hesitantly and carefully, Hilde reached down and selected the first canvas wrapped bundle. Tugging slowly at the ribbon, to reveal a pair of shoes, soft polished in black with a crushed velvet inset, purple in hue. “They  are very pretty….”

“They should fit, Dunkel was kind enough to give me the size and velvet came  from an old cloak, I figured it could help add a buffer , also easy to slip into them….and if you look under them you’ll find a pair of bleached deerskin leathers…they go from your ankle to you knee, they will add a bit of protection”

“Protection? From who?” Quizzically she asked with a touch hollow in her voice.

“From whom my dear , and in this land it can be just about anything, I’ve heard of a castle that had furniture that would attack you, if you act like a poor house guest.”

“You made that up!”

“No it’s true, a tale as old as time, now open your next gift”

The box was without indication of its contents and as soon as the lid was lifted a transformation from the mundane to the exquisite. The dress was a rich alizarin crimson with ancient linen lace at the cuffs and hem, form fitting yet still flowing, perfectly presentable but nothing that would draw a great deal of attention. The buttons were marcasite with tiny onyx flakes. A pair of soft leather short gloves, dyed to cocoa hue. And to finish the ensemble, a demure corset belt of a dull ebony, with a pair of statically placed sheaths .

Carefully and wordlessly, Hilde lifted the garment and began to go over every detail and aspect. Lightly letting her fingertips drift over it, tracing the lace, manipulating the buttons, enjoying how they caught the light. She continued with each item , examining closely, before eventually lifting her eyes up at the blue tiefling asking ,” Why?”

The expression on Ozs face changed instantly to confusion” ‘Why?’ Not ‘Thank you?’” The tone suggested not just misunderstanding but a hint of offense.

“Oh, yes, I mean , no, I mean thank you ….but…why are you giving me all these wonderful gifts?…You never have paid me any mind… but now…out of no where you are ….well all of this.” A delicate sweep of her stark white porcelain  across the bevy of offerings.

He smiled softly” That’s fair I suppose and yes you are right to be…. let’s say suspicious, and it is a testament to your ongoing education that you should be. Undoubtedly your would-be father, as well as I am sure a select few have advised you to be wary of anyone bearing gifts. That there will be strings attached, quid pro quo, etc etc. But fear not, I’ve had this conversation with Dunkel, who vetted me with great interest and more than that he explained the ramifications will be severe if my intentions are anything but honest, earnest and pure. I want nothing in return Hilde; I simply seized an opportunity to be a generous benefactor and perhaps become a better friend. And in my defense, up until quite recently you spent an inordinate amount of time in the company of a twisted brain, marinating in a jar of brine, who harbored his own agenda, the distance I kept was from him, not you.” Returning a soft but hopeful smile.

Hesitantly she responded “…well I guess that’s true..”

“And again if we’re be truthful, I do spend a good deal of my time …umm acquainting myself with the locals of wherever we stop in lieu of the company of our hmmm …merry troop, yes that’s it.”

As Hilde worked through the logic of the explanation Oz carefully retrieved a small slender case from inside his jacket and placed it down beside the doll. “More gifts?”

“Yes, just this one more and…. this “Holding out small knit cap.

“A hat? You know I don’t feel cold anymore” her voice sounded so hollow and distant. The reality of her existence and newly acquired form was a struggle that simply was never going to go away, but Oz would be damned to the very hells so many thought he was spawned from, before he would at the least make some effort.

“The hat is for sleeping, and before you say anything, just indulge me” with great care and the lightest of touch, he places the cap on her head and gently adjusted it. “Now forgive me for being blunt, your new body has so many wonderful benefits, but I can only imagine that with a lack of a few…hmmm features, the adjustment has been let’s say difficult” delicately Oz tugs the edge of the brim down over Hildes eyes, the eyes that will never close.

“I…. I can’t see…I …I can’t see…I won’t have to stare at the tent ceiling tonight …or watch the candle slowly melt away…or wait for the mice that sneak in looking for biscuits and candy…I can …I can sleep tonight!” the tone raised higher, less hollow and for the briefest of moments it was Hilde the girl. The brim was lifted and perfectly painted eyes looked upon the azure bard, and the tiniest of whispers escaped “…thank you… Oz.”

“Think nothing of it Hildegard “Winking at the petite porcelain figure “Now one last gift, and I will tell you now, I did not mention this to Dunkel and would appreciate it if you refrained from doing so as well.”

His expression went to an unfamiliar seriousness, as he opened the slender box, revealing the contents.

“Knives?”

“No dear child, not knives. Knives are for cutting bread and spreading jam, daggers are for assassins and soldiers. These are for ladies, Stilettos. “Carefully holding the first up, letting the candlelight play off the polished finish. “This one goes in the front sheath of the corset. It’s for display, very pretty and fashionable, made of pure silver, not good for cutting but will deter most of the supernatural nasties that creep and crawl the many lands we visit, and the other …” Pulling out the second item, ugly by comparison but simplistic in its use. “This one goes in the other sheath, the one that rests in the small of your back, the one no one should see. It isn’t anything truly special, just a ring shank nail with a leather wrapped handle, the point has been hammered to a wicked point and tempered for hardness, the carnival blacksmith did me a favor for a bottle of wine. It’s made of iron, which our little Fey friends hate, I mean really hate, burns on contact so if it comes to it, you have a way to protect yourself.”

“But I don’t want to hurt anybody…”

“And no one is asking you to, Hill Street Blues, these are just to poke people who might get too close for comfort, you won’t do too much damage, plus they really complete the outfit.” Flashing the toothy grin “Remember accessories can make or break you…now , it’s your choice I could start the tale tonight…or we could sneak over and watch Rainer and his dance lesson.”

“Oooh can we?” sounding positively giddy at the prospect.

“Of course, but a few quick rules, he can’t know we’re there, so we stay quiet, and no giggling , he’s actually improved considerably in a short time.”

Leading the delicate doll out of the tent into the twilight of early evening  “ Oh in case I didn’t mention it to you earlier , in the entirety of the epic sage I will tell you, there was one character that was in every chapter, from beginning to end, a pivotal persona that you may recognize and identify with, as they are small, clad in armor of white, silver and blue, not unlike Dunkel, tenacious and fierce in battle, funny and more than capable….the name was…hmmm Artua …yes that’s it, and his faithful companion, a gold skinned know it all who knew every language but no one want to talk to him…you’re going to love this story”