Chapter 10
Outside the escapees were met with large birds dive bombing the soldiers that stood in their way with rocks, tree branches, and all manner of nasty things that they could find. The soldiers were too busy running for cover to worry about the escaping prisoners. Zetti and Roth managed to make it to the stables only to be confronted by the guards there. There was no way to warn Fiyero and Elphaba as they rushed towards the stables.
"Freeze!" One of the men shouted as the Prince and the Witch entered the stables. Fiyero halted seeing that Zetti and Roth were already captured.
"Please don't do anything rash," Fiyero practically begged the men but they just moved closer to him, their bayonets fixed.
"Yero…" Elphaba's hand snaked up to his cheek and she cupped it gently. He looked down at her and he could see that her dress was soaked with blood. He dropped to his knees and moved her so he could apply pressure to the wound. She hissed as he pressed down, the pain searing its way through her body caused her to pass out. It was then that Fiyero realized the soldiers had not fired on them and he wondered why. After all he had violated their direct order to not move. That's when he heard the screaming outside and he wondered what that was all about. He didn't have to wonder much longer as a loud voice boomed,
"Release Miss Elphaba and her friends or I skewer everyone in my grasp!" The soldiers looked at one another completely dumbfounded. Who would be holding off their comrades and be bold enough to say that he would kill them? The leader of the group quickly shoved a Private to the door and he opened it slowly.
"It… it… cannot be!" He stuttered and the others quickly got behind him.
"What's going on?" Zetti mouthed to Fiyero who turned his head. His look of shock told him everything he needed to know – there was a good chance what was going on was not good.
"Miss Elphaba come out and bring your friends," the voice commanded and Fiyero slowly got back up to his feet. Zetti and Roth followed suit, holding onto Olaf as they went. They walked passed the dumbfounded guards and
"Prince Fiyero," the large creature bowed his head.
"A Griffin…" Zetti breathed as he exited the stable.
"I thought…" Roth couldn't believe it either. It was said that Morrible had wiped out the Griffins shortly after she managed to destroy the Dragons.
"You may release the soldiers my friend," Fiyero bowed his head. The Griffin did as he was told and the men went scrambling for cover.
"What happened to Miss Elphaba?" The Griffin asked.
"She was shot during our escape attempt," the former Gale Force soldier explained.
"Bring her here and I will see what I can do," he said. Fiyero nodded and he quickly brought Elphaba to the mythical creature.
"What is the meaning of this?!" A shout went up from behind them and the sound of horses' hooves trampled the stone. The cavalry had mounted their steeds and now stood behind the King, ready to attack.
"You will remain where you are my King for your own safety. I have but one mission here and it was to assist my comrades in rescuing Miss Elphaba and her compatriots. Move a muscle and I will use whatever force necessary to protect them," the Griffin's remarks made a chill run down the backs of everyone nearby.
"That won't be necessary my good friend. The King will do as I say or he will find himself in big trouble with the Emerald City and her allies," Glinda announced as her bubble made it's landing in between her friends and the Vinkun Calvary.
To Be Continued…