Chapter 26
Fiyero, Faromeer, Boq and Glinda all sat at the grand dining table in the castle's large dining room. Suspects had been narrowed down and Glinda's kingdom alerted to the possible danger awaiting anyone known to be an ally of Fiyero and Elphaba. The former squirmed in his chair, wondering why his wife was not back with their son.
"Call in the next person on the list," Faromeer instructed to the guard who quickly opened the door and called in a serving boy from the kitchen.
"Mr. Cengiz, you were recently hired here at the palace is that correct?" The King asked.
"Yes, your Highness," the man answered, his age Boq guessed at around twenty-seven years old. He stood not much taller than Fiyero and his brown hair was perfectly combed. His brown eyes seemed to stare off into the distance as if he was looking right through the Vinkan King. Glinda involuntarily shivered and Boq placed a hand on her knee under the table.
"And you took the place of your cousin after he passed away? Your cousin worked for Vinkan royalty for many years and it was assumed you could be trusted. Now I find out that someone has been trying to poison my guests and passing secrets to the enemy. Can you give me a good reason to not fire you on the spot and send you to the gallows for treason?" Most people crumbled when they were presented with all the information Faromeer gave them, Cengiz however did not.
"Your Highness, I wish it to be known that I have done nothing to any guests here nor have I passed any secrets to the enemy. I will serve you as my cousin before me," the man said. The stoic look upon the familiar man's face made Fiyero concerned. Only a man who did not fear death stood so tall and answered questions so woodenly. He knew someone like him long ago but yet he could not place him. Quickly, Fiyero stood from his seat and posed a question that only a Vinkan would have an answer to.
"It is said the bogs down near the Valley of Fallen Kings are deadly and full of creatures to scary for the rest of the world to see. They come out only to eat those that trespass. Is this true?"
"The bogs are a well guarded secret, King Fiyero of the Arjiki. The creatures do not exist and the bogs are several hundred miles from the actual Valley but you already knew that," Cengiz replied.
"You have proven yourself to be of Vinkan descent but are you pure of heart? Do you attempt to ruin all that my wife and I have strived for?" Fiyero challenged him.
"I would never endanger those of the Arjiki clan," Cengiz said as he unbuttoned his shirt to show off the diamond tattoos that graced his chest. Fiyero strode over to him and shook his hand before pulling him into a hug.
"It does me good to see you cousin," Cengiz finally smiled as they pulled apart.
"And I you. What are you doing working in the palace?" Fiyero asked, knowing that his cousin had the right to lead the tribe after his father disappeared and he was assumed dead.
"I like to stay close to those that may need my help. I was late for the original tournament due to the death of my father and I stood and watched as Faromeer won and claimed his rightful title. I stayed here to protect him after one of the losing tribesmen tried to kill him," Cengiz explained.
"You were the one who killed the assassin?" Faromeer looked shocked.
"Yes your Highness. I stayed in the shadows for all this time, knowing someone else would try to do something foolish. Luckily, I was able to sniff out whom you seek," the man said.
"Uncle is dead?" Fiyero asked. He had not seen the man in a long time but he had always hoped for better.
"I am afraid so cousin. It was a horrible hunting accident involving a wild boar. My brother took leadership of the tribe while I came here to contend for the Arjiki claim to the throne. Another man was chosen because I was not on time but I believe the right man won," Cengiz smiled slightly.
"You know who seeks to do Glinda harm?" Boq asked standing from his seat.
"You won't have to worry about him anymore. I dumped him with yesterday's trash. I'm still on the trail of his accomplice," he said.
"And by dumped you mean?" Glinda wanted to know.
"It is not proper to discuss such things with a woman of your caliber, milady," Cengiz told her. Fiyero looked at him and nodded.
"But my cousin feels you may know so I broke his leg and then sat on it until he told me what I wanted to know. Once I had the information, I broke his neck," he said. Glinda only nodded, saying nothing.
"So what have you found out?" Faromeer asked, ignoring Glinda's silence.
"The one they call Nosafir is hiding in the woods outside the Emerald City. The man who can take me there is called Ates. I must find him," Cengiz said.
"How do you know of this man, Nosafir?" Fiyero asked.
"The traitor said that Nosafir would come and end the rein of the false King. I at first assumed him a God but as I pressed further the man confided that Nosafir was in fact a man, I could hunt down and kill," his cousin replied.
"Ates? I have a man by that name on my staff. He washes dishes," Faromeer broke in.
"Then we know what to do," Fiyero smiled brightly until one of the guards rushed into the room, a Hawk following close behind.
"What is the meaning of this?" The Vinkan King asked.
"An urgent message for King Fiyero!" The guard explained as the Hawk landed on the table near the former Gale Force soldier.
"What is it?" He asked.
"Queen Elphaba requests your presence immediately, your Highness. There has been yet another attempt on young Prince Liir's life and she fears that leaving the kingdom now would be disastrous as citizens have begun to take to the streets in violence," the Hawk explained.
"What has caused all this?" Fiyero demanded.
"Men dressed in green have begun to raid shops, kill civilians, and call for those who murdered the Wizard to be hung," the bird said.
"Then it has begun. I must get to Elphaba!" the former Arjiki Prince turned to his friends.
To Be Continued…