It was a quiet Ozian evening in the Emerald City. Chistery and Glinda had settled down to a quiet dinner. She decided to go to bed early, leaving Chistery to roam around the large palace on his own. He didn't mind the solitude. He didn't get it often. When he did, he would go to the balcony off his bedroom and look at the stars. It brought back the days when he would go on night missions for Elphaba. He loved flying at night. But he didn't do it anymore; he had a job, a responsibility, a duty here. He sat on the stone railing. It was a full moon. The beams shone down, lighting up the sleepy city below.
He watched the sky for hours when something caught his eye. It was a large winged creature flying directly towards him. He sat up in alertness until he saw it was none other than a winged monkey like himself.
"Lyle," he greeted his friend, "what brings you here? How's Elphaba?" His excitement soon turned to distress when he saw Lyle's condition. "What happened?"
Lyle collapsed into Chistery's arms. "It's Elphaba" he gasped, "She's gone mad."
Chistery pushed Lyle away and looked at him sternly. "What?"
The other swallowed then continued: "Fiyero...she's killed Fiyero."
Chistery helped Lyle inside, setting him in a chair, he got him a glass of water.
"Killed Fiyero?" he asked, "When? How?"
Lyle took a few sips of the cold liquid then explained. "A few hours ago, I was coming back from scouting. There was commotion coming from their room. I could hear her and Fiyero fighting. Suddenly, there was a flash of light and it got silent. The next thing I know, I hear her crying and screaming his name over and over. The next thing I see is Elphaba flying on her broom towards the city."
"What of Dale and Mort?"
Lyle shook his head: "Dead. When I checked the room, Mort was already dead. I found Dale alive but he died in my arms. He said that she saw them as the Gale Force. I then flew here as fast as I could."
Chistery had started pacing one hand was on his pistol, ready to draw it at a moment's notice. He rubbed the back of his head in thought. "You said she was headed here?"
Lyle nodded then stopped when he realized what it meant. "That means she's here!"
Chistery ran out the window, flew off his balcony to Glinda's. "Miss Glinda!" he shook her shoulder "Miss Glinda, wake up!"
Glinda stirred at the intrusion. "Chistery," she scolded, "what is the meaning of—" but Chistery cut her off.
"Get dressed and start packing" he said.
She leaned towards the bell cord, "I'll call my maid."
"No!" he cried, "No one must know that you are leaving." He went to her closet and pulled out the plainest looking dress he could find. "Put this on" he instructed her.
"Are you kidding?" she frowned.
"Don't argue" he pleaded, "Life and death hang in the balance here."
Glinda decided not to ask any more questions. She quickly put on the dress then gathered a few clothes and makeup into a small bag which the winged monkey had provided. She put a cloak over herself and joined Chistery on the balcony. Lyle was waiting for them there. He handed Chistery a cloak.
"I want you to stay here" Chistery told Lyle, "If she comes here at all, I need you to tell me immediately. You know where I'll be."
Lyle nodded. "Good luck."
"We'll need it" Chistery sighed as he and Glinda flew off in her bubble.
