Chapter 3
Knock, knock, knock!
"Elphaba?" Fiyero called. "Elphaba, you in there?"
He had already knocked on the door three times with no answer. Elphaba hadn't joined them for breakfast as was her usual habit. Even if she didn't always eat, she generally enjoyed the banter between friends over a cup of coffee.
Knock, knock, knock!
"Elphaba, open up!" Fiyero called again. Still there was no answer.
Fiyero stopped knocking, then quietly placed his hand on the doorknob and turned it. The door was unlocked. He steadily made his way into the room where he spied Elphaba on her bed, apparently still asleep.
He sat down on the bed next to her and tried to gently wake her up. Putting a hand on her shoulder, and giving her a slight nudge, he spoke to her softly. "Elphaba, wake up."
Elphaba slowly began to stir, but couldn't quite manage to free herself from her stupor.
"Elphabaaaaa, wake uuuuup," Fiyero sing-songed in her ear.
Elphaba rolled over onto her back. Her eyes fluttered open.
"Good morning sleepy head," Fiyero said with a smile.
"Fiyero?" Elphaba said groggily. She put her hand to her forehead. "What time is it?"
"It's late morning, almost early afternoon. Are you alright? It's not like you to sleep this late."
Elphaba looked around, feeling a bit foggy and confused. "Ugh! Must be those pills. They really put me out last night. Sorry if I worried you."
"Not at all. Besides, you need the rest. I'm glad those pills are having an effect on you. Tomorrow I'll just let you sleep as long as you need."
"Oh, please don't. You know how I feel about oversleeping. It's wasted time."
"Well be that as it may, you still need the rest. You've been through a lot lately. I'd hate to think what would happen to you if you went through something like that again before you've fully recovered."
"Fiyero, come on," Elphaba said dismissively. She sat up on her bed.
"This isn't a joke Elphaba. Baraq has threatened to reveal you. We don't know whether or not he was bluffing, so we need to err on the side of caution. If it comes out that you're alive, you'll be in more danger than ever. You'll need to be in prime physical condition in order to face what might be coming."
Elphaba didn't disagree.
"That brings me to something that I want to talk to you about." Fiyero continued. "We're going to need to leave this place. We can't afford to stay here much longer. Baraq knows where this place is, and he's sure to have his man or men reveal this location. In the interest of protecting our men, the staff, and our benefactor, we'll need to move on as soon as possible."
Elphaba felt a knot in her stomach. "Fiyero, if Glinda….."
"Shhhh," Fiyero interrupted. "I've already thought about that. We'll have one of our men stay behind in case she shows up. He'll let her know where we're headed so that she can find her way back to you."
Elphaba smiled at Fiyero's thoughtfulness. "What about the rest of the staff? Will they know?"
"We can't take that chance. It's safer this way."
"When will you know where we're headed?"
"Well, we're waiting to hear from our sponsor now. As soon as I know, you'll know. In the meantime, get your rest. I'll be outside, helping to pack our equipment up, if you need me." He kissed Elphaba on the forehead, then left the room.
Elphaba still felt the grogginess associated with taking the pills, but decided against lying down again. She got up and went to draw herself a bath. Stretching before running the water, Elphaba had to admit that the pills seemed to be working. The pain and soreness in her muscles seemed to be significantly diminished. Still, she'd take one of Glinda's massages over the pills any day.
'Glinda,' Elphaba sighed to herself. 'How can I miss someone so much? It's not like I haven't lived without her these last six years.' But Elphaba knew the truth. They were lovers now. No matter how hard she tried to package her feelings away and not feel the sting of Glinda's absence, she wouldn't succeed. Everywhere she looked around her room, she saw Glinda's ghost. The separation was difficult at best.
Sitting on the edge of the bathtub, Elphaba absently brushed her fingers across the warm water as she reflected on the memories they had created in that room. Beautiful, cherished memories. It was her deepest wish that Glinda would be able to safely return soon. Then again, she knew the truth of that as well.
Glinda awoke early that morning. Her slumber was troubled throughout the night, and eventually she gave up the attempt to catch any real sleep. Instead she made herself a cup of coffee and took it to her upstairs balcony where she watched the rising sun slowly paint the landscape with a palette of bright colors.
Glinda thought about that morning, a few days ago, that she had dragged Elphaba out of bed to watch the sunrise with her. A morning like this one. She thought about how scared she had been after that disturbing nightmare, and how just being near Elphaba seemed to calm and comfort her. She wished Elphaba were here now to produce that same soothing effect.
She had sent an invitation to the ceremony to Iriiq and Solis via her fastest homing pigeon the day before. She just hoped that they would receive the note in plenty of time to make the journey to the Emerald City. There was no rail line between The Glikkus and The Emerald City. Over the years, rail lines had been built in Gillikin, Munchkinland, and The Vinkus. All lines converged on The Emerald City, cutting the travel from three days to a mere half day, but the Glikkus line had yet to be built. This was just one item on a list of things that troubled Glinda.
Tanon's men had been out the entire night, but as of yet, no news was forthcoming. Glinda felt restless and on edge. She wouldn't be able to relax until she knew for sure whether Baraq had been bluffing about giving away Elphaba's secret or not. Either way, she would know by this evening. Tonight was the deadline. Baraq would still be in custody, so she had to prepare for the fact that word would get out that Elphaba was alive, and that they had been helping each other all along.
Glinda imagined how the people of Oz would take the news. They would feel betrayed. They would never trust her again, but worst of all, they would go after Elphaba. She put her coffee cup down and buried her face in her hands, trying to imagine different scenarios which would placate the citizens of Oz, and allow Elphaba to remain safe. It was no use. Every scenario she imagined ended in tragedy for either her, Elphaba or both. Glinda raised her head and took in the landscape once again. 'I'll think of something. I have to. For Elphie's sake.'
Phanica was pacing back and forth across her living room floor. Her modest residence, situated in the shadow of Glinda's palace had always been a source of resentment since Glinda ascended to the hierarchy of Oz. She always felt that the palace Glinda resided in should have been hers. The fact was, her years of resentment held her back more than Glinda ever could have. Phanica knew this, but could never find it within herself to admit the truth of it.
"Glinda the Good! Puleeeze! I'll figure out what her game is, and when I do….."
Phanica's rantings were interrupted by a knock on the door. "Who in Oz could that be?" She asked out loud. She wasn't used to having visitors to her home. Her home was her place of solitude. Although she had banded together with a group of like-thinkers, she basically discouraged anyone from directly contacting her at home.
Irritated, she headed for the front door. "This better be good!" She said when she opened the door and eyed the strange man in front of her.
His face was partially hidden by a brownish hood. His clothing was brownish, with muted tones of green and yellow, and Phanica recognized that the coloring was intentional. It was meant to blend into the scenery.
"Phanica Pesler?" He asked.
"That's right. And whom might you be?"
"May I come in?"
Phanica laughed. "I don't think so. Not until you tell me who you are and how you knew where to find me."
"Miss Phanica, I don't have time to indulge your curiosities out here. If you won't invite me in, then I shall leave and take my news of Glinda with me."
Phanica's eyes widened. "Glinda? What news do you have of Glinda?"
"Again, may I come in?"
Phanica glanced around to make sure no one was looking in her direction. Satisfied, she quickly ushered the man inside. She motioned to her couch, and the man sat down.
"May I have some water please?" He asked.
"Look mister. I'm not here to offer you any refreshments or exchange pleasantries. You're going to tell me who you are, and what you have to do with Glinda."
The man lowered his hood, and stood up. His hair was shoulder length, black, and slicked back on his head. A small scar was evident under his right eyelid, his eyes, dark and sinister, bore into Phanica's causing her to shrink back.
"Phanica, I have information that could be a great benefit to you. It would serve you well to treat me with a little more respect than you've shown so far. Now if you don't mind….some water please."
Phanica stared at him for a moment, then left to retrieve the beverage. She handed him the glass, and watched him greedily drink down its contents. He wiped his mouth with his sleeve, and handed the glass back to her before sitting back down on the couch again. Phanica sat across from him, putting the glass down on the end table.
"First of all, let me introduce myself. I work for Baraq. My code name is Renegade."
Phanica felt the corner of her lip turn up as she tried to suppress a smile. A call from one of Baraq's protégés meant that whatever information he had on Glinda would prove very valuable. She was sure of it.
"I won't tell you my real name, as I am a fugitive in many of these lands. My name is known, even if my face isn't. You may feel free to refer to me by my code name however. It's only known within Baraq's inner circles."
"Ok, Renegade," Phanica said. "So tell me. What is this news of Glinda that you bring."
"Well, I heard you and Glinda…..talking…..yesterday."
Phanica knew he was referring to their confrontation at the Wizard's Palace.
"You were dead on when you said that you thought someone had helped her to get the Grimmerie back and put Baraq behind bars. In fact, when I tell you who helped her, I'm sure you can use it to your advantage."
"What's in it for you? I know you're not offering me this information for free," Phanica replied.
"You're right. I do have an interest in getting you involved in this. You see, my intent is to spring Baraq from Southstairs."
Phanica laughed at the notion. "Good luck. No one escapes from Southstairs."
"No one so far," He replied. "but I have a plan."
"Ok Renegade. What is this news you have of Glinda, and how does it help you get Baraq out of prison?"
"As I said, Glinda did receive help. The Resistance, the dissident group for Animal rights was the group that helped her out."
Phanica yawned. "Boring! That's hardly news. The announcement was made this morning that leaders of The Resistance were to be commemorated in a ceremony at the Wizard's Palace this evening. A ceremony of thanks for helping Glinda to recover the Grimmerie. If that's all you have, then you're wasting my time."
"That's not the news. The news isn't that she was helped by The Resistance. It's who was in charge of the group that will interest you."
"We already know who the leaders of The Resistance are, we've known for years."
"It's not who you think. Those men that are coming for the ceremony are only front men. They exist in their position for the sole purpose of protecting the two who are really responsible for the formation of the group."
Phanica eyed the man suspiciously. "Alright, you have my attention."
"Before I tell you, you must swear your allegiance to Baraq, and pledge to aid in his escape by any means possible should I call upon you."
"If the information is worth it, then I swear it."
The man looked directly at Phanica. "The names of the leaders of The Resistance are names that you know."
Phanica was growing impatient, and didn't care to disguise that fact.
"What would you say if I told you that the real leaders were Fiyero, former captain of the guard, and Elphaba our supposedly deceased, but very alive Wicked Witch of the West?"
Phanica's eyes widened at the news. "Elphaba is alive," She said to herself. She looked at the man before her with newfound respect. "Did Glinda know she was alive all this time?"
"I don't believe so. From what I gathered, they hadn't seen each other since Elphaba was supposedly melted."
"Well, I can't use that against her," Phanica said in a disconsolate tone.
"This should be enough to get the ball rolling for now. I suggest you start spreading the word starting tonight, at the ceremony. Glinda will have a lot to contend with, and I can use the distraction to keep inquisitive eyes off of me while I make my preparations."
"Oh, you can count on me. I've been waiting for this day for a long time," Phanica said with a wild look in her eyes.
"Well then, if you'll excuse me…."
"Renegade, how will I find you?"
"You won't. I'll find you if I need you." Renegade raised the hood over his head, bid Phanica farewell, and headed out the door.
Phanica had a sinister smile plastered on her face. "Oh Glinda. Aren't you going to be surprised," She said to herself. She retreated to her bedroom to get herself ready for the ceremony. A ceremony she hadn't initially planned on attending was now something that she definitely wouldn't miss.
