Chapter 9
"The Council will absolutely flip out," Glinda chuckled as she admired the ring on her hand while lying in bed. It was a simple ring, something that she originally wouldn't have thought of for herself but the Captain had done well as the diamond in the center was ringed by pink stones of equal beauty. The band was silver and it shined like the jewels it held.
"Oh of that I have no doubt but while they're quibbling about unified fronts and how they should have been notified before the public announcement was made, we'll be selecting a date and getting a guest list together," Khalil smiled as he slipped into bed next to her. It felt right and he had desperately missed it while away protecting the little Village.
"I have missed you something terrible," the blonde said as she put her arms around his neck.
"Those notes that you kept sending me were pretty clear on the matter," Khalil smirked.
"Too forward for you?" Glinda blushed.
"Never sweetheart. They got me through until I could come home to you. I'm only glad that I had private quarters," he waggled his eyebrows as his arms snaked around her tiny frame and pulled her close.
"You're incorrigible," she playfully smacked his chest.
"I try," he laughed and pressed her a little tighter to himself.
"Well at least someone is standing at attention as they should," Glinda laughed.
"All day, every day for you," Khalil smirked again.
"You may need to see a doctor about that," the blonde laughed before he sealed his lips to hers. Things were about to get very interesting when a shot rang out across the palace grounds. The noise shot through the quiet snow covered buildings and disturbed many who had been sleeping. Immediately, Khalil pulled the blonde out of the bed and away from the nearby window.
"Are you all right?" He asked after they landed on the floor with him covering his fiancée.
"I'm fine. You?" Glinda was concerned that he'd hurt himself.
"I'm fine but whoever fired that shot will not be," Khalil quickly scurried to his discarded clothing and got dressed. Glinda grabbed her robe and the two quickly ventured out into the hallway where they were met by Sergeant Collins.
"What happened?" Khalil asked.
"I don't know sir. I rushed here to check on you. We're trying to pinpoint the location but with the snow, everything is echoing," Collins said. He had just gotten the words out of his mouth when another shot rang out.
"Great Oz," Khalil momentarily slipped from his focus then he said,
"Get Lady Glinda to her safe room. I'll get outside and round up the men. We need to find whoever it is that is shooting."
"Yes sir!" Collins quickly helped Glinda down the hall as the Captain ran toward the passageway that would take him to the troops. Once there he was met by an empty bunkhouse. Evidence the men had stumbled out into the snow with their weapons at the ready could be seen given the snow blown in by the door having been opened. Grabbing a spare coat and rifle, Khalil stepped out into the winter air.
"Sir!" Lieutenant Cengel saluted him as he approached a spot where the men had taken cover.
"What's going on?" Khalil asked.
"Two shots, we believe from the guest quarters. I've sent men around back and we're waiting for their signal to storm from the front," Cengel explained.
"Any signs of who was wounded?" The Captain asked.
"Not on this end sir," the Lieutenant said. Suddenly shouts from inside caused them to focus their attention to the building.
"We need a medic quick! Miss Fae has been shot!"
"Good Oz! Get Lady Glinda immediately!" Khalil ordered before charging headlong into the building. Once inside he rushed up the steps toward the men who were standing at the second floor.
"How bad is it?" He asked as he pushed his way through them. There he found Private Mullins trying to stop the bleeding from a stomach wound. Brrr was right there holding her hand in his paws. He was whispering something to her as she fought to say something in return.
"It's bad sir," Corporal Dixon said.
To Be Continued…
I'm probably going to get shot for leaving it this way... *runs and hides*
