A/N: A shout out to my anonymous reviewer. Glad you liked it. More on our traitor right now. ;) Thanks!
Chapter 36
The next thing that anyone knew, Councilman Pepi was dead on the floor and the bullet meant for Elphaba missed by a hair, lodging itself in the wall a few feet behind her head. The green woman had instinctively used her powers to freeze the room, giving herself enough time to dodge the shot from the Councilman and hide under the table. She hadn't realized that Private Schultz had quickly retaliated, and his bullet was frozen in midair. Upon unfreezing the room, the bullet continued on its trajectory and found a home in the front of Pepi's skull.
"Are you all right Miss Elphaba?" Private Schultz was at her side almost immediately as other guards swarmed the room having at a minimum heard the first shot.
"Yes, I'm fine. He missed," she said, her heart was still a bit jittery as the young man helped her back into her seat.
"The Private didn't miss," Boq spoke up. The poor Tin Man hadn't been able to move and basically just closed his eyes.
"No, he certainly did not," it was Sergeant Zeki. He'd been outside with the guards. The conversation that was being held was going to determine Elphaba's fate and as such he was supposed to be at the ready. The moment he heard the gun go off he ordered his men to charge through the doors.
"Councilman Pepi just tried to assassinate Miss Elphaba," Fekri finally found his voice. The shot that killed the man sitting next to him had caused him to be covered in blood and brain matter. He was trying to be calm and wipe it off with his handkerchief. The Councilman was Vinkun after all and had been trained to fight. Arif on the other hand was still sitting there frozen, not because of Elphaba, but because he'd never seen anyone killed in front of him before.
"I seem to have that effect on people. Please fetch some water, some clean towels, and Doctor Talib," she said and one of the guards behind her quickly dashed out of the room.
"From this day forth, you'll be under the protection of the Gale Force. No one shall be able to harm you. It is quite evident that your actions have brought the truth to light and proven that the Wizard and Morrible were guilty of many crimes. It is only a shame that the former Grand Vizier won't be able to hang for what she did," Barat said. He had served in the Gillikin Army with distinction and had risen to the rank of Four-Star General prior to being offered a Council Seat. Before anyone could say anything else, Fiyero burst in through the doors to the room.
"Captain, you haven't been officially cleared for duty. You shouldn't be here," Sergeant Zeki was concerned he'd get himself into trouble.
"I think we can say that he's officially cleared for duty. Those lodging the charges against him have been disgraced and he has only been doing what he needed to for Oz," Barat said.
"Agreed," Fekri spoke up.
"I certainly hope Doctor Talib hurries. I don't think I can help Councilman Arif," Elphaba had left her seat and went to the man. His pulse was starting to slow but he still hadn't said anything. That's when the guard rushed back into the room holding water and towels.
"Doctor Talib is on his way," he promised.
"Thank you," Elphaba smiled. Carefully, slowly, she dunked the towel in the water and began helping Arif get cleaned up. He finally moved his hand to her wrist, and she gave him a slight smile.
"He… he…" was all he could manage at the moment.
"It's all right. Doctor Talib is on the way," Elphaba promised him. She continued cleaning him up for the next few minutes in silence.
"I feel like an idiot," he finally said. Arif had been bred to rule back in his native Munchkinland. He'd never fired a gun or seen one used to kill anyone. His father did not hunt and only at public functions did the men who protected the family carry guns.
"You should not. Seeing someone killed is not something you should get used to," she told him.
"You didn't seem fazed," Arif said.
"I've seen too much and been through too much. Death bothers me but it is not something I am unused to dealing with," Elphaba wasn't sure if that was comforting or not. Doctor Talib was through the doors a few minutes later and he took over checking on everyone in the room.
"Captain, can a deal be reached with the Vinkuns outside? Since Miss Elphaba is no longer a wanted person, I do not see the need for her to be taken away. The Palace may be the safest place for her," Barat wanted to know.
"I think I can broker a deal, but they may not want to leave. While it is good to hear that Miss Elphaba has been cleared. The good people of Oz may think you crazy and do something crazy themselves. Should we not brace for that?" Fiyero spoke up, wishing he could be holding the woman he loved right now. Two of the guards hauled Councilman Pepi's body out of the room and two more went about cleaning up the mess.
"A good point. We'll reconvene in the Palace tomorrow morning. I think this room has had enough for one day. Perhaps enough for a lifetime," Barat said.
"We cannot wait until tomorrow," Arif spoke up. Everyone looked at him. If anyone should have been curled up in a ball, it would have been him, and no one would have faulted him for it.
"Pepi knew the consequences when he tried what he just tried. We have no idea if he has accomplices. Time to get out in front of this," Arif pointed out.
"He is right. Captain, we need the troops at the ready. Please include your parents' troops as well," Barat said.
"Chistery will want in," Elphaba told them. It was more of a warning. No one would stop the Flying Monkeys even if they wanted to.
"I think I have a better mission for them," Fiyero figured it was about time that the ones who were left in the forest were checked on. They hadn't been able to communicate and hopefully they were safe.
"You're probably right. People may freak out even more should Chistery and the Flying Monkeys start fighting people. Right now, they've proven that they aren't bloodthirsty like the stories they've been told. That is an image they can build on," Private Schultz offered. He hadn't really said much after checking on Elphaba, but he seemed like he was holding it together.
"I think you should go with them. A little time away would be good. In fact, find Lieutenant Zetti and you two will make sure that the task is well in hand. Come on," the Captain smiled and led the Private out of the room. Elphaba wanted to follow him but she knew there was more work to be done. Sergeant Zeki ushered everyone out of the room and back toward the Palace.
To Be Continued…