Chapter 34
Glinda landed the bubble, she and Balfour were travelling in, on the Palace walls in the morning. Elphaba was relieved to see them, concerned on why they had not sent word. The green woman was about to lay into the blonde but never got the chance.
"Lady Glinda, Lord Balfour, we have some very serious topics to discuss," King Tahir had a frown on his face.
"I gathered from the letter. Where is Izzy? I must see her," Glinda said.
"You will. She's still sleeping. Yesterday was very trying. What is going on in the Emerald City that you did not respond to the letter? Is there something that we need to know about?" Queen Ayla spoke up.
"It has been a long night. I will explain, I promise," the blonde said.
"Then we must meet in the small dining room. Elphaba, please grab Fiyero and meet us," Tahir said. Elphaba just nodded and hurried back into the palace. Fiyero had stopped by Bart's room to have a chat with him before Glinda and Balfour had landed.
"Now what is going on that we must be secretive?" King Tahir wanted to know.
"The reason we have been less than communicative is that the Council is attempting to blackmail me into something that I do not want to do. Any communications that could get intercepted is not a good idea," Balfour explained.
"The entire Council? What of Ozma?" Elphaba asked.
"It is not the entire Council. Just one member, we figure. Ozma is using her connections to try and root out our problem but so far no luck," Glinda said.
"Blackmail how?" Queen Ayla raised an eyebrow.
"Suddenly, Izzy and Derya's current situation is a problem. I'm guessing that the person is under some sort of scrutiny or pressure to do something," Balfour had his own frown.
"What does Khalil say?" Fiyero wanted to know.
"He was the one that suggested that Ozma be the one to start digging. If anyone finds out that the Captain of the Guard, who has as much to lose as we do, is trying to find the blackmailer…" Glinda trailed off.
"They might spill the beans," Tahir nodded.
"What are they asking for? Why haven't you just given it to him?" Elphaba wondered.
"They want me to denounce my daughter, which I will not do. They say that if we pay them one million dollars then they will keep their thoughts to themselves. To be honest, what is to say that if we pay them they don't just release the information anyway?" Glinda gave them all a look.
"Then you do the one thing they aren't expecting you to do," Queen Ayla spoke up.
"That would solve one problem but could it not start a whole new one?" Balfour asked.
"It is high time that the government of Oz take a different stance. The only way to educate those that don't understand is to lead by example," King Tahir said.
"So I just announce to the entirety of Oz and our allies that my daughter is different and that everyone needs to suck it up? We could have another Civil War on our hands," Glinda said.
"If the Vinkus backs your play, they will think twice. Especially now that there are more dragons," Queen Ayla told her.
"They would need to answer to the Dragon Lords. Would they agree to such a thing? The last thing we need is pissed off dragons," Balfour pointed out.
"I think it's high time to ask them," Elphaba said. She stood from her seat and went to the balcony door. Kelebek saw her and quickly headed over to the balcony.
"Is everything all right?" The young Griffin asked.
"I need to speak to Bonescraper and then hopefully," the green woman explained.
"Hop on. Let's see what he has to say," Kelebek smiled.
To Be Continued…