Dimensional Reality: Oz (Chapter 16)

Over a month’s time Dorothy had a whirlwind trip through the training it took to be a solider of Oz.  She recieved weapon training and fighting techniques from Captain Fyter, also known as the Tin Solider, and from Joseph.  She learned all different types of weapons, but she chose the twin escrimas as her favored.  She learned the bow and arrow, which was essential for scouting raids and ambush parties.  She had lessons in defensive and offensive magic from Poly, an old wizard named Dr. Pipt, and from Joseph.  She had other various training sessions including tracking, stealth, evasion, lockpicking, the list just going on and on.  She had a variety of teachers as well.  A short and petite girl named “Tiny” Trot,  beautiful, but stern girl named Jinjur, the Scarecrow, the Hungry Tiger, and many others.  Throughout all her training, guiding and helping her was Joseph.  His Enforcer training encompassed just about everything that she learned. 

  Dorothy had never been lazy or out of shape.  She had been quite active in her life, but she was exhausted after each day of training.  At first she couldn’t see any improvement, just soreness from her training sessions.  Yet, as the days and weeks went by she felt and saw the improvement in herself.  Finally, the day came when Poly came looking for her.

  “We’ve set up an ambush raid on a supply group coming through the Gillikins valley.  Joseph and you will be in second squad.  Go visit Cap’n Bill and Tik-tok in the supply room and they’ll get you ready.”

  Dorothy nodded and saluted.  She ran to the room she shared with a girl named Besty Bobbins, who had been a former Princess of Oz.  Betsy was changing out of her training uniform when Dorothy came in.  Besty gave a vague hello, but did a double take when she saw Dorothy’s face.

  “What’s up Dorothy?”

  “Poly just told me that I’m on second squad in the ambush raid today.  I’m supposed to report to the supply room after I suit up.  I’m kinda nervous.  This is, like, well, for real.”

  Besty smiled and took her hand, “You’ll do fine Dorothy.  I was nervous my first raid too.  Sides, Joseph will be with you.  He’ll watch over you.”

  Just then there were two knocks at the door and Joseph walked in.  Betsy let out a small scream and yelled at Joseph as she grabbed her shirt, but she was smiling at him nonetheless.  Dorothy just rolled her eyes.  She had gotten used to seeing girls have this reaction to Jsoeph…not that she didn’t agree with those girls.  Yet, Joseph never commented on any of the girls or showed attraction toward any of them, beyond being his usual playful self.  Dorothy wondered about Joseph’s life, but she hadn’t gotten up to asking him and he never disucssed it on his own.  Meanwhile, Joseph briefly hailed Betsy and turned to Dorothy.

  “You know we’ve been assigned to second squad.” He spoke as a statement, not a question, “Better change into your uniform on the double and meet me in supply.  I’ll see you there.”

  He winked at Betsy and left without further word.  Dorothy took a deep breath and turned toward her locker to get her uniform.