Disclaimer: I don't own these characters; I'm merely borrowing them for the ride.
Background: This story was inspired both by the book and the musical. I took the things I liked better from each one.
Authors Note: Please don't hesitate in pointing out any mistakes that you may spot, I would appreciate it ;)
Feedback is very welcome: good, bad or in between...
As promised, here I am again. I haven't taken another year to update; I'm trying to compensate for my lack of updates during all that time ;)
I want to thank all the people who have read the story, and specially those who have taken the time to comment it. I really appreciate your words and your time. So, thank you!
Chapter 25
The walls of Kiamo Ko stood darkly in the middle of the Forest, a dampness hung around the Castle making it almost impossible for the two occupants to forget about the pouring rain that had been falling in the area for almost a week now.
Kiilt was restless, as he had been since the night Elphaba left the Vinkus to go to the Emerald City, and there wasn't a thing the young butler could do except wait. That's what he had being doing since then, waiting.
"Do you think they are alright?" He asked Chistery, not leaving his place by the window. He had spent most of his time at Kiamo Ko posted in front of that window, and Chistery didn't mind answering the question for the umpteenth time. The Monkey knew the boy was worried sick about Lady Glinda; Chistery himself was starting to worry about her mistress as well, but he didn't see the need to add to the young man's anxiousness.
"I'm su…sure they are alright, Master Kiilt." The Monkey said while going around the Great Hall doing everyday chores that needed to be done. The Castle was an old place, and ruinous enough without helping it by not taking care of such tasks. "Miss Elphaba will be ba…back in no time. We just have to wait."
"But it has been nearly a week, something must have happened. She should have been back by now. Don't you think?" He answered without even looking at the Monkey. The Grimmerie safely pressed against his chest. The book had been with him at all times since that night. Both Lady Glinda and Miss Elphaba had insisted on how important it was to keep the book out of The Emperor's hands, and he wasn't going to lose it from sight until the two witches told him it was safe.
Chistery eyed the young man in front of the window, and sighed. If Miss Elphaba didn't make it back soon, the boy would go to waste with worry. He had barely eaten anything of what the Monkey had cooked for the past week. And the shadows beneath his eyes were getting more and more pronounced each passing day.
"Perhaps I shou…should go take another look." Chistery said, going towards the window that had become Kiilt's favorite place in the Castle. "Maybe they are on their wa…way back but the rain is delay…delaying them."
Kiilt nodded his agreement. "Yes, maybe that's it. The rain." He tried to believe it, but something told him the rain had nothing to do with the two Witches absence. "It would be good to keep an eye out for soldiers, too. There's only so much I can see from here. We should be prepared in case we have to run." Chistery looked at him as If not knowing what he was talking about. "I mean, if Miss Elphaba isn't back soon, maybe we should consider leaving the Castle for a safer place. To keep the book protected in case The Gale Force comes looking for it."
The Monkey nodded unconvinced, not really liking the idea of abandoning the Castle, not one bit. "I'm sure it won't be necess…necessary. But I'll be alert."
His words seemed to have a calming effect on Kiilt, whom seemed relieved now that they were making plans to be prepared in case of any eventuality. Chistery left him there, looking out of the window into the vastness beyond the castle's walls. The Monkey knew his incursion wouldn't be of any help, if Elphaba didn't want to be seen, she wouldn't be seen. But at least for the sake of keeping the boy calm, he'll give it a try.
"I'll go fir…first thing in the morning." Chistery said before retiring to his quarters. But Kiilt didn't even seem to hear him, his eyes fixed again into the dark night outside.
To be continued…