Chapter 11
The Munchkins marched ever closer to the Emerald City. Once again they met with no resistance and Demir began to dreadtheir arrival. Either there was a trap waiting for them or something worse. Edjer's desertion had caused the group to become unsettled. He had completely destroyed any chance they had left of slipping into the city unnoticed. Demir knew Edjer and his lack of patience would get them into trouble. The only good thing about it was the reinforcements were only a few hours behind them. Their bulk slowed them but from the reconnaissance done it appeared the Emerald City dwellersdid not have anything that could combat their new weapons.
"What are we do to Commander?" Günhan asked quietly as he walked beside Demir. He had been promoted in Edjer's absence.
"We do what we were trained to do. Attack and do not retreat. I can only hope Edjer has managed to stay strong and not reveal our attack strategy under the torture, he is no doubt enduring," Demir told him.
"We do not know if he was captured," Günhan pointed out.
"Oh I know him. He's not that bright. He's in custody or he's dead," Demir shook his head.
"Would it be better to wait for the reinforcements? Should we arrive and find the entrance to the city heavily guarded we will perish before they get to us," Günhan was hoping he'd hear something he liked from his commander.
"It would delay the attack. We are only to infiltrate and set the charges which we carry. Upon the reinforcements arriving, we blow them and then all hell breaks loose," Demir would not back down. He would not be the one responsible for the failed attack. The Great Munchkin would have his head but not before he suffered at the hands of Ozkan's right hand man, Erman. There was a reason the man's name meant rotted bones and if one could avoid him, one did.
"As you wish," Günhan nodded. They would no doubt meet their untimely ends but somehow Günhan felt that Ozkan knew this. His thoughts went to his family back home and he sighed. He would see them again just not in this lifetime.
"How'd you do it?" Fiyero asked after entering the bedroom and seeing Liir levitating items.
"We cast a remembrance spell. It isn't always known to work on young people, seeing as they don't forget much, but it seems Liir, took to it," Glinda smiled at him. The King walked over to his wife who was busying breastfeeding their daughter.
"Will that spell damage him in any way?" He asked.
"No. I just hope the memories stay with him," Elphaba sighed.
"Have you thought up a name?" He wondered.
"I have not. I feel terrible but we've been a bit consumed with trying to get Liir's skills up to the level they were before. I'm not sure we can do it," the worry in her voice was evident and Fiyero pulled her head close and kissed her temple.
"I'm sure it'll be fine," he tried to reassure her.
"Any idea what is going on with the Munchkins?" Glinda asked from her spot on the floor with Liir. The young tot was really getting the hang of levitating items and creating little energy balls.
"Nizam would you care to give us your military opinion?" Fiyero asked.
"Yes, your Majesty. We believe that Ozkan, the Munchkin leader, has been filling the Munchkins' heads with lies. Now they fight for him in order to save their way of life without realizing it was never threatened in the first place. This makes them very dangerous as they will fight to their dying breath to save their homeland. We could see them committing suicide if that means taking out Ozian soldiers with them," Nizam explained.
"Good heavens," Glinda went a little pale.
"Then what do you suggest?" Elphaba asked.
"Everyone to stay inside the Palace walls. They are our best line of defense. We can repel them with our archers and hot oil. The catapults are in good working order so we may be able to defend ourselves against those cannons," the Sergeant said.
"Why is it we don't have cannons?" Glinda wanted to know.
"The Wizard ruled all and his magic was feared by those who would try to oppose him. Cannons were never necessary given our geological isolation and the Wizards reputation. My guess is that the Munchkins must have had some help from outside of Oz. The Dominions of the Nome King could have sent instructions. They are more technologically advanced," Nizam pointed out.
"But no one crosses the Deadly Desert, the Vinkus, the Emerald City, and into Munchkinland unless they know exactly how to avoid contact. Nomes would stand out like you wouldn't believe," Fiyero shook his head.
"This may be true but flight over the Desert could not be ruled out. Large birds and even griffins can make the journey. Many fled upon Morrible's decree, perhaps they are still alive," the Sergeant said.
"It is all conjecture but make sure everyone is prepared," Elphaba told them.
"Yes you'd better because they are here," İshak said as he entered the room.
To Be Continued…
