A/N: A shout out to James Birdsong. So glad you liked the last chapter. Thanks so much!
Chapter 16
The week went by fast. Now as noon approached, Elphaba paced on the Palace Wall, near the main gate, and Bonescraper was watching her intently. He hadn't said much but the Princess' anxiety was contagious.
"I'm getting dizzy watching you," he admitted from his spot outside the Palace Walls.
"Sorry," his words had finally gotten her to stop pacing.
"I understand your concern," Bonescraper said. Queen Zixi, the Griffins, and the Bird that had been sent to find the Griffins, Tsavi, had not been seen. A week of total silence from Zixi was certainly concerning but it had been more than a week since Tsavi had left the Vinkus.
"If you're wondering about the Griffins, I am as well. One would have thought they would have sent Tsavi back to us, no matter their answer," he was frowning.
"That does bother me. Just add it to the pile," Elphaba shook her head.
"Perhaps it would be best to try and breathe. The last thing you want is to convey your fear. You are a Dragon Lord. You don't know fear," Bonescraper told her.
"I was the Wicked Witch. You'd think fear would have completely left me by now," she heaved a sigh.
"That was before you had people who cared for you. When you thought you were alone, there was no point in fear. You have a family and friends and a country that loves you. It gives you a different perspective," he said.
"He speaks the truth Princess," former Lieutenant Ash pointed out as he approached her.
"Word from Gillikin?" She wondered.
"No, my Princess. I just thought I'd check on you and give you an update. Chistery and his brothers and sisters are running last minute checks. Prince Fiyero and Lieutenant Bahram are prepping the troops. We want to be friendly, but the weapons are stashed nearby. The King and Queen are ready to be whisked away to the safety of the bunker. Seems the Kings and Queens before them were just as concerned about things as you are," Ash explained.
"I can't imagine they really want to use that bunker," Elphaba gave him a look.
"You would be correct but the Vinkus must live on and it will do so through the King and Queen. The rest of her citizens must be led to victory," he said.
"So, you guys are expendable? Ouch," Bonescraper spoke up.
"We are the first line of defense and as such must be willing to lay down our lives to save the rest of the Vinkus. It is a time-honored tradition," Ash told him.
"You guys take your love of country quite seriously," the dragon said.
"You do not?" Ash asked.
"My allegiance is to the Vinkus but since the Princess is a Dragon Lord, I have no choice to obey her. Dragons do not get much say in the Dragon Lord they must follow. Not all are as wise and good hearted as Miss Elphaba," Bonescraper pointed out.
"Quite right. Miss Elphaba is one of a kind," Ash smiled.
"Down boys, I'm taken," she teased to which they both chuckled.
"We must hope for a positive outcome," Elphaba continued.
"Yes, we must," Bonescraper nodded. He suddenly perked up and turned his head in the direction of the Gillikin. That's when they heard the bell at the far wall ring.
"Moment of truth," Elphaba swallowed.
"Incoming from Ix!" one of the soldiers shouted. Everyone turned their heads to see dark figures in the sky.
"Griffins!" another soldier shouted.
"Talk about timing," Bonescraper said. Elphaba said nothing but she began to wonder if they'd just boxed themselves in.
To Be Continued…
