A/N: I just want to thank those of you who sent me some creative reviews last week. I can only imagine I'll be getting more this week. ;)
Chapter 10
Glinda rushed to the guest rooms with Sergeant Collins. They didn't have all the details and she was incredibly nervous when they said that her best friend was injured.
"Clear a path!" Collins shouted as they came through the group of soldiers who were milling about.
"Her skin doesn't look so good," Corporal Dixon said.
"No, it doesn't but I can't stop the bleeding," Private Mullins told him.
"Elphie!" Glinda quickly fell to her knees next to her friend. It took her all of thirty seconds to realize that the spell hiding her friend's skin color was fading and so was the witch.
"Do something Lady Glinda. I do not want to have to tell Master Yero that she did not make it home," Brrr spoke, shaking her from her temporary state of shock.
"Come on, Elphie. Hang on," Glinda quickly worked what little magic she had in an effort to save her friend. The soldiers watched as the magic worked to close up the large wound in Elphaba's stomach. Promptly after finishing the spell Glinda collapsed, the strength of the spell was too much and she passed out.
"Glinda!" Khalil quickly scooped her into his arms and felt for a pulse.
"She's alive but she must be exhausted," he relayed to the nervous audience around her.
"Miss Fae is also alive, thanks to Lady Glinda. I think it best we get them both to the infirmary and get on the hunt of the shooter," Brrr said between clenched razor sharp teeth.
"You read my mind my friend," Khalil's tone mirrored that of the Lion's.
"We won't have to look far, Captain," Sergeant Collins said.
"Why is that?" Khalil asked.
"I've got a blood trail," Collins pointed to the floor.
"Follow it and proceed with extreme caution. We have no idea who we are dealing with," Khalil ordered.
"I've got a gouge here in the railing. The first bullet?" Lieutenant Cengel wondered.
"Our man isn't a very good shot," Khalil nodded as he picked himself off the floor with Glinda in his arms.
"Mullins, Dixon, get both of the ladies to the Infirmary. I'm sure Doctor Haluk will want a look at them. Guard them with your lives," the Captain continued.
"Yes sir!" The two saluted and quickly took the ladies away.
"I want this man's head on a platter," Brrr said as the troops split up to secure the building. No one would be leaving or entering the crime scene until they could figure out what happened.
"I can imagine as I am feeling the same way," Khalil told him.
"Sir, the blood trail disappears behind this door," Collins interrupted.
"That's Boq's room," Khalil's confusion was evident and the men were just as confused. The Munchkin worshipped the ground the blonde walked on, why would he shoot her best friend? Carefully, the Captain of the Guard opened the door and found Boq, holding a pistol in one hand and his axe in the other, sitting patiently on his bed. He was bleeding from what appeared to be a flesh wound. The first bullet had nicked him before burying itself into the railing of the second floor balcony where they had found Elphaba.
"What have you done?" Khalil asked him.
"What needed to be done. I will finish what I started," Boq stood and leveled his pistol at the Captain.
"Don't even think about it. The minute you fire a shot, my men will kill you," Khalil said with a cool confidence as Collins and the other men raised their rifles.
"Then I die a hero's death rather than rotting in Southstairs," Boq told them.
"Have you lost your mind man?" Brrr asked.
"Perhaps but then Glinda lost her mind the moment she said 'yes' to him and not me," Boq growled and cocked the pistol.
"Son, we can work through this. No one else needs to get hurt," Khalil tried to talk him down.
"Yes, they do," the Munchkin replied and he fired his weapon. Collins and the men standing next to him did not hesitate and fired back.
To Be Continued…
I'll be running away now...