A/N: A shout out to James Birdsong! Glad you liked those chapters. Hope you like this one too.


Chapter 19

Elphaba hadn't wanted to play her cards all at once but she knew that the card she was about to play was probably not going to be a surprise. Her guess was that Feilong had told his cohorts what had transpired earlier. So imagine her surprise when she spoke in dragon to the group and the look on Zhou's face made it clear he was shocked.

"You have sworn a promise to not only the people you stand before now but also to the entirety of Oz and Ix. If there are doubts, air them now," she told them. Zara listened intently, wondering what response she would get.

"My Lady," Zhou bowed his head.

"Sir. I await your honest answer," the Princess would not beat around the bush.

"Honesty is interesting since we were not told that you were a Dragon Lord," Zhou countered.

"Feilong knew so it is not my problem he did not tell you. Given our meeting, my guess is that he had a good reason to hide what he knew to be true. So I say again, you if have doubts, air them now," Elphaba said. Her powers made her hands twitch. Things were tense to say the least. Whatever was going on where they came from had to be bad enough that they would agree to the terms laid out for them, however, while Feilong had not lied, Zhou seemed incredibly likely to lie.

"I believe the Princess has required an answer of you," Altan spoke up. Clearly, the Griffin's abilities knew no bounds.

"You must forgive my mistrust. Humans have tried before to gain our friendship and we have instead been met with armies, determined to kill us and steal what belongs to us," Zhou said, still not answering the question.

"This relationship only works on trust. I have fought tyrants, wizards, and witches, all for the people who stand here before you. I understand how easily trust can be eroded, so give me your answer," Elphaba was losing her patience and Zara was beginning to wonder if she should whisk her grandparents away to safety.

"No doubts, Princess," Zhou responded.

"Good," Elphaba said. She looked to the Griffins and the look on Altan's face did not betray his thoughts. Kelebeck, however, was a different story. The younger Griffin looked at the dragons. She was not reassured by the answer that Zhou had given and gave a sideways look to her mother, who only nodded. The unease could not be hidden.

"There won't be a lot of sleeping tonight," Fiyero murmured.

"I would concur. Increase the guard patrols. Altan, help Bonescraper," Elphaba murmured back and the Griffin nodded as slightly as he could. She needed to get a hold of Glinda and warn her to stay away. The blonde could be walking into a trap. Zixi seemed to agree and snapped her fingers. A piece of parchment appeared and the leader of Ix closed her eyes. Words appeared on the page and then with another snap of her fingers it was gone.

"Let us make sure that everyone has a good meal this evening," King Tahir's words broke the silence.

"Yes your Highness," Bonescraper bowed his head. Quickly Lieutenant Ash, ushered the royal family inside the Palace along with Queen Zixi. Fiyero pulled Ash aside and quickly explained to him to increase patrols. Bonescraper would notice the difference and hopefully he would stay on his toes, though they imagined he already was.

"We have dug ourselves a terrible hole," Ayla shook her head.

"We need to find out what happened to Feilong and then see how many dragons we have on our side," Elphaba said.

"We must prepare for war. My letter to Glinda told her to close all borders. Those that stand against us must not leave the Vinkus," Zixi spoke up.

"Agreed," King Tahir nodded.

To Be Continued…