Chapter 29

It was late afternoon the following day when a cry went up at the Palace walls. Avantador stopped the men from using their rifles as he could see that the Griffins were not alone. He flew to them and Elphaba quickly explained that the horses needed to be picked up. The dragon promised to be back as quickly as he could and took off at full speed.

"My Queen!" The Lieutenant on the ground inside the courtyard where they had landed exclaimed. He quickly helped her down from Baki's back and helped steady her now that she was on solid ground again.

"Lieutenant, inform the kingdom. Tomorrow we bury my husband with the honor he deserves," she told him.

"Yes, your Highness. What shall I do with our new friends?" He asked, warily eyeing the Griffins.

"Give them the respect they deserve and help them find food and a place to rest. I will address the Vinkus about them in due time," Adalet said.

"Yes, your Highness," he nodded and quickly went off to handle his tasks. Two more soldiers approached them and went to retrieve the King's body from Efe's back when Elphaba stopped them.

"You better let me handle him. Where are we moving him too?" She asked, cautious not to mention that the body could fall apart in a matter of moments. Her spell was fading and she needed to cast another.

"This way Princess," they bowed and Efe followed Elphaba. Once out of view, she leaned back and whispered to the large Griffin,

"I'll help get you all cleaned up. I am sorry that you had to carry him all this way."

"Not to worry Princess. It is an honor to carry the King to his final resting place," Efe smiled slightly and the two soldiers led them into a small brick building where the royal stone craftsman was chiseling the headstone required for the King.

"His casket is right here," the man smiled slightly and the soldiers lifted the lid. Carefully, Elphaba cast a spell to levitate the King off of Efe's back and into the casket. Once inside, she chanted another spell that would hopefully hold the body together for the ceremony tomorrow.

"You are in need of a bath my good sir," the stone craftsman said to the Griffin.

"Indeed I am. If you wouldn't mind pointing me to the stables, I shall get cleaned up," Efe smiled slightly, surprised at the man's good nature.

"Once you exit the building make a left. You can't miss it," the man smiled and Elphaba followed Efe outside in order to help the magnificent creature as she had promised.

They were not in the stables long when the sound of Avantador's wings could be heard. Elphaba excused herself for a moment and headed outside. The dragon was gently setting the horses down in the courtyard and the soldiers, Sergeant Stewart among them, were trying to corral them. Needless to say, flying was something the horses did not do and certainly could not understand. Avantador apologized for getting them all riled up but the men just waved it off, just glad to have the animals safe inside the Palace walls instead of out in the forest. The Flying Monkeys assisted and in no time, the animals were calmed and being led back to the stables.

Upstairs in the castle, Adalet told Fiyero and the Captain that they should get cleaned up before visiting Glinda. They were all filthy from their trip and the Captain was eager to see his wife. Fiyero directed him to the room that Asli and eventually Glinda would stay in and the Captain rushed to get clean. Fiyero, however, had other ideas, and instead of going to his room, he made his way down to the infirmary.

To Be Continued…