Chapter 5
"That's it Lin! Zara just had to stop Izzy from heading out into the storm! If Chistery and the Lieutenant hadn't stopped her, Oz only knows what would have happened! What in the hell is going on?" Elphaba demanded. The group had moved into the larger study for coffee and more privacy after dinner. Chistery had posted himself outside of Zara's room and Lieutenant Bahram had quickly gone to tell the Prince and Princess what had happened.
Glinda heaved a sigh and slumped in her chair. Balfour gave her a look; he could not wait any longer. Even if his wife didn't know what to say, he knew he must.
"The reason you did not hear about Bart and Derya is because it is an arranged marriage," Balfour admitted.
"Son, my wife and I were arranged into a marriage. None of our siblings tried to head face first into danger or get pulled away from school, two weeks before a schedule break," King Tahir spoke up, raising an eyebrow.
"This may come as a shock to you but Derya is different from most girls. While we in the Vinkus do not see it as anything out of what Mother Nature has proven to be true, most in other parts of Oz would," Queen Ayla said. Her cousin, Aytac, had warned her and just wanted her to be aware. Zara had been told as well and no one in the house of Tiggular thought anything of it.
"We did what we had to do to save Izzy," Glinda finally spoke up.
"Save her from what? Being happy? I'm not sure making both of your children miserable, along with our cousin, was the best option," Elphaba gave her a look. The green one had had suspicions about Izzy as she was growing up but never pushed. This was something that only the person who felt that way could come to grips with first.
A knock on the door interrupted them and Fiyero bade the person to enter. It was Bahram with an urgent message.
"The rain is causing flooding which is quickly encroaching on the Thousand Year Grasslands. Semir and the elders are attempting to reach higher ground but if this weather persists, no part of the Grasslands will be high enough," he said. The Thousand Year Grasslands were the lowest point in the Vinkus. They flooded with regularity in the spring due to the large river that wound through the area. The annual trip that Semir was on had always been closer to the last few weeks of winter to avoid such issues.
"We must go to them. We don't have a moment to lose. When we get back we will finish this discussion," Elphaba stood from her chair, eyed her friend, and marched out of the room, heading down to her room and her broom. Fiyero took off after her, knowing that her broom wouldn't bring the entire ten person party back.
"Your broom won't be enough. How are you going to rescue them all?" He asked. His question did not go unheard by his daughter who had just opened her bedroom door. Isabelle was right behind her; her eyes were red and puffy. Chistery pulled the younger one to him and gave her a hug.
"What's going on?" Zara asked.
"Your brother and the elders are in trouble. Chistery, round up your brothers and sisters. We fly in two minutes," Elphaba told her without expounding and Chistery handed young Izzy off to Zara before heading to find his fellow Flying Monkeys.
"Dad?" Zara gave him a look.
"The weather is causing flooding in the Thousand Year Grasslands and Semir and the others are not safe. Not to worry. Your mom has everything under control. How about you two?" Fiyero was concerned at Isabelle's state of mind.
"I think it would be best for Izzy to stay with us from now on," Zara pulled no punches.
"I think her parents would object to that," he gave her a look.
"Somehow I don't think they care," Isabelle said.
To Be Continued…