Chapter 26
"Is he all right?" Elphaba asked as she rushed over to the group that had gathered.
"Fiyero needs to not be such a good shot," Lieutenant Balfour moaned, holding his shoulder.
"If I wasn't such a good shot, you'd be dead," the Prince pointed out. Balfour rolled his eyes and nodded in agreement, knowing his friend was right. Elphaba shook her head and got to helping the poor wounded man.
"Pardon my ignorance but why did we not kill him? No offense son," Lord Arduenna said to the wounded soldier. He'd explained his position once he'd made it inside the Palace walls and Queen Ayla had welcomed him into the fold. Word had been sent to Gillikin of an accord and they were awaiting a reply. The Queen was about to have him and his daughter speak when they'd been informed about the Gale Force Lieutenant.
"Balfour is part of the Resistance," Fiyero explained.
"Jolly good. Though now his "death" will be causing more trouble, would it not?" Arduenna asked.
"It would not have mattered. When Queen Ayla told myself and my sergeant that the Wizard could go suck an egg, we had orders to arrest her. People would have died in the process. At least now, I can give you my insight and we've probably bought ourselves at least five days, maybe even a week before they return," Balfour spoke up. Elphaba had removed the bullet from his shoulder and was now using another healing spell to stop the bleeding and seal the wound.
"How are your ribs?" The green woman interrupted.
"Not great," Balfour admitted. The faked fall from the horse was more painful than he'd realized, especially since the bullet had been removed.
"Ah well then. The Wizard must truly be off of his game if he thought that the Queen would roll over for him," Glinda's father frowned.
"He knew she wouldn't. If we could not successfully arrest her, which to be honest he knew we would not be able to, our orders were to kill as many as we could, that included the Queen," Balfour explained and grimaced at the same time.
"A suicide mission that he could spin to his advantage. Sounds about right," Fiyero clenched his fists and frowned.
"We need to get him inside. He needs rest and probably a decent meal," Elphaba told them effectively changing the subject.
"All right. Begin standard watch procedures. All civilians will be allowed to travel to their homes to grab any personal items that they had to leave behind but they are not allowed to stay home. Everyone needs to be back inside the walls by dark. All food shall be brought inside the walls and anyone with cooking experience should start inventory and dinner prep. Anyone who is not assisting with the civilians had better be digging more latrines or helping to dig ditches on the other sides of the walls. We need to fill those ditches with water to prevent ladders from being put up against the walls. Get the extra portcullis installed on the front gate. I want an inventory of ammunition and I want to meet with all troop commanders," Fiyero ordered Captain Boran.
"Yes, my Prince," Boran bowed.
"Come on Balfour. We'll get you up to the infirmary," Elphaba smiled at him as she and Fiyero helped the now healed but tired former Lieutenant inside. On their way to the infirmary, they bumped into Glinda.
"Lin, your dad is here. You should talk to him," Elphaba suggested.
"Popsicle is here?" The blonde didn't seem to believe it.
"Yes. He's here to help us defeat the Wizard," Fiyero smiled. They were hoping that would help her mood but it just seemed to sour it more.
"So everyone was lying to me?" She asked.
"What? How did your father lie to you?" Elphaba was confused but her answer ended up being a slap to the face. Her eyes went wide along with Fiyero's and Balfour's. They all watched her stalk off; unsure of just what was going through her head.
To Be Continued…