Chapter 21
"Who are you and why do you come here?" A man, whom Elphaba recognized as the Mayor, asked. The men stopped just outside his office and remained mounted on their horses.
"We come seeking answers and shelter by order of Lady Glinda," Captain Khalil said.
"We do not recognize her authority. I ask you hand over the Scarecrow and leave before I'm forced to call out my men," the Mayor told him.
"We are not here to cause trouble. We only wish to stay tonight and then leave in the morning. As for the Scarecrow, she stays with me," Khalil said. The Mayor let out a loud whistle and the men who had captured Fiyero and Elphaba came running along with some reinforcements. These reinforcements unfortunately included Fiyero, who had not seen Elphaba yet.
"Run Yero!" Elphaba shouted. He looked up, saw her in the clutches of the Captain and put his rifle to his shoulder.
"Release her or so help me, you will not make it back to your precious Glinda," He stood his ground and the men were surprised by his reaction. None of them had known the Scarecrow to be so fierce. His time with Lady Glinda had been spent quietly and he had seemed a quiet sort.
"Come with us and I will release her," Khalil said. To answer that, Fiyero fired a warning shot, knocking the Captain's hat clean off his head. The man standing next to him handed him his one shot rifle and reloaded the empty rifle for the Scarecrow.
"I'll not ask again. Release her or be scattered to the Four Winds," he practically growled and the Captain did not hide his surprise.
"There are few who could make a shot like that. I knew one or two before I became Captain. One fights by my side, the other died a horrible death for being a traitor," the comment gave no indication of what he intended to do and Fiyero aimed a little lower at the Captain's horse.
"Don't make me kill that beautiful animal you're on. Release her," Again Fiyero held firm and the Captain cut the ropes. Elphaba quickly hopped down and ran to Fiyero. However upon doing so, Khalil's men raised their rifles at the men who had gathered. They easily outnumbered the villagers but the villagers did not care and raised their weapons.
"Throw down your weapons, do as we ask, and this will be all over. All I wish is to speak with the male Scarecrow. I did not come to kill half a village," the Captain said. The Mayor seeing his opportunity to get rid of the Gale Force stepped up. He was about to say something when a roar split the air. Everyone turned and there behind the horses stood Brrr. Behind him there approached a few more Lions, a couple of Bears, and a cart pulled by two Horses, full of those who could hold a weapon. Elphaba could see some Goats, Rabbits, and Cows. The cart quickly emptied and they aimed their weapons.
"Release both the Scarecrows and we'll leave you in peace to sort out your little problem," Brrr ordered.
"We were looking for both and managed to find them," Sergeant Zetti shook his head, not believing his eyes.
"Lady Glinda has been worried over both of you and here we find you hiding with men who dislike the White Witch. Am I to believe that you are in favor of the Wizard?" Captain Khalil asked.
"The Wizard deserved what he got. I am no fan of his. I am here for my two friends and I will have them or I will destroy you," Brrr said icily.
"It seems we have a problem and it all stems from these two," the Mayor spoke up, pointing to the Scarecrows.
"The Gale Force has no beef with the good Animals that stand here. We wish you no harm, although I cannot say the same for the villagers," Khalil said.
"Then help us get our friends back and you can go on your merry way," Brrr growled. He'd never liked the Gale Force and though he knew the Captain to be a good man, they were few and far between. Suddenly one of the Captain's men dismounted and threw down his weapon. The Captain looked at him, unsure of why young Private Roth had done such a thing.
"I will not fight," he said.
"He is right. No one has to die today. Put your weapons down," the Mayor ordered.
"How can we trust any of you?" Brrr wanted to know.
"You can't," the Mayor said. The Lion shook his head and looked at the fearless villagers who stood beside him.
"You can trust me," Private Roth said as he walked over to the Lion and extended a hand. Brrr smiled and shook it.
"Then I trust you," the Lion smiled slightly.
"I will release the Scarecrows to the Lion before I release them to the Gale Force. I don't much like either of you but it gets you out of my village," the Mayor said. He looked to Fiyero and Elphaba and motioned for them to head toward their friends. Fiyero took his rifle back and they started over.
"A sick friend huh? You could have mentioned what kind of friend," he said to them in a low tone.
"A friend who is worth the risk, is worth their weight in gold," Fiyero told him as they walked past him. The Gale Force did not stop them and they quickly rejoined the Animals and Private Roth.
"You have no beef with our village anymore. Duke it out with the Animals. But leave before you do," the Mayor nodded to his men and they advanced on the horses. Captain Khalil quickly urged his men out of the village and Private Roth regained his horse and weapon.
"We'll do things on your terms," the Captain said.
"Good then follow us," Elphaba told him.
To Be Continued…