A/N: Happy Thanksgiving to all my American readers!


Chapter 29

The morning dawned and the sound of Gale Force drums could be heard. The troops quickly got into position and tried to steady themselves. If they won the day, it would be a big day for not only them but for Oz. In the back of their minds they also knew that for some of them it would be their last day.

"They're nervous," Fiyero said from his spot on the balcony.

"The great Vinkun troops?" Elphaba asked.

"Only the crazy ones aren't nervous," he told her.

"Then it's a good thing I'm nervous," she said.

"The great and powerful Wicked Witch?" Fiyero gave her a teasing look.

"You're incorrigible," Elphaba shook her head.

"You know it," he chuckled before leaning over and giving her a kiss. He had to take his place with the troops. His mother would be suiting up too despite his father's protests. She pointed out that if she were not willing to die to protect Oz then why would their troops. Tahir knew she was right. He was not getting better and Elphaba had decided to give Glinda a task - investigate every aspect of the King's day. Something was making him sick and if they did not figure it out, he would not be around to enjoy the possible defeat of the Gale Force.

"Lovely day for a fight," Balfour said to Fiyero as the Prince approached him at the wall.

"I have to admit that it would be, if we weren't about to do battle. Though I find their choice odd," Fiyero told him.

"I would agree. Initially, we will have the upper hand and that is even more true since they do not know that we outnumber them," Balfour admitted.

"Perhaps the intention is to wait us out or toss dead animals over the wall," the Prince said.

"Then we have Miss Elphaba toss them back at them," his friend chuckled.

"That would be a thing of beauty," Fiyero laughed.

"That it would but perhaps we should keep her hidden as much as possible. They could be hiding Morrible in their midst," Balfour frowned. Fiyero frowned as well but said nothing. Chistery suddenly landed near them and gave them a bit of a start. He quickly signed an apology and then pointed to the forest. The Gale Force exited the cover of the trees.

"Hold your fire!" Fiyero shouted to them. He didn't want to start anything that would just end up being a waste of bullets and arrows.

"Positions!" Balfour shouted to the catapult crews. The men scrambled around and quickly got ready.

"Ground troops at the ready!" Fiyero ordered. Quickly, the Gillikinese troops and Resistance gathered into positions to assist with supply lines, medical help teams, and wall reinforcements for any damage that the exterior walls might sustain.

"They're heading into the field to line up their equipment," Balfour said.

"You think they have any idea that we booby trapped it?" Fiyero asked. Almost as soon as he said it, the first grass covered mat full of spikes shot up and fell the men it hit, followed almost simultaneously by more mats that had been placed next to them. Right off the start Balfour figured they'd downed almost fifty men.

"They do now," his friend said. There was chaos out in the field and on the road and that's when Fiyero heard the distinctive sound of his mother's armor clanking behind him.

"Shall I make my announcement? She asked. He nodded and smiled. His father had always called her is Warrior Queen and now he understood why. The custom made metal armor fit her like a glove and it had been polished so much so that it looked white and shone in the sun, reflecting the rays onto everything near her. Her shield was strapped to her back and her sword was strapped back there as well.

"Traitors to Oz! Surrender now and you shall be spared! Stand with the Wizard and you shall meet the wrath of true Ozian citizens!" Her voice boomed over the walls and across the field, causing the Gale Force to turn and look at her.

"All hail the Wizard! Down with the traitors!" Shouted one of the troops down below.

"You have made your decision, may the Gods have mercy on your souls. Open fire!" Ayla commanded.

To Be Continued…